Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 China becoming key contributor to cosmic understanding, academician says Xinhua) 10:24, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China is transitioning from being a user of space technology to a major contributor to humanity's cosmic understanding, said Wang Chi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and director of the CAS National Space Science Center who recently outlined China's latest advances in space science. China released a national medium-and-long-term plan for space science (2024-2050) in October 2024. One year into the plan's implementation, China has achieved a series of important advancements, including deepened scientific experiments aboard its space station, steady progress in its deep space exploration missions, and accelerated research and development on a series of space science satellites, Wang said. EXPANDING HUMAN KNOWLEDGE In the exploration of the extreme universe, China's Tianguan satellite -- also named the Einstein Probe -- successfully captured a transient cosmic X-ray signal, designated EP240414a, providing a new perspective on the processes of stellar death. Using samples collected from the far side of the moon during the Chang'e-6 mission, scientists have for the first time unveiled the evolutionary history of the moon's far side, including magmatic activity, the ancient lunar magnetic field, water content in the lunar mantle, and geochemical characteristics. To date, China has distributed nine groups of lunar samples to domestic and foreign research teams. More than 100 papers have been published in Science, Nature, National Science Review and other leading journals, covering lunar basalt chronology, the physical and chemical properties of the samples, space weathering, impact processes and impact glasses. Among their findings, scientists have dated the youngest sampled lunar basalt to 2 billion years ago, extending the lunar evolutionary timeline by 800 to 900 million years -- a discovery hailed by international peer reviewers as "milestone research." By combining data from China's Tianwen-1 orbiter with data from ESA and NASA Mars assets, scientists have also produced the first complete proton energy spectrum of a solar energetic-particle event in Martian space. And inside China's space station, a containerless materials rack has melted a tungsten alloy at a heat of above 3,100 degrees centigrade, setting a new heating record for orbital materials science. Experiments with brain organoids have shown neurons migrating faster in microgravity than observed on Earth, suggesting that the space environment could accelerate cell motion in neural tissue -- a possibility that could aid the early diagnosis of brain disorders, as well as related therapy assessment and drug development. DEEP-SPACE ROADMAP Wang noted that new missions designed to tackle fundamental scientific questions and safeguard civilization are now underway or being studied. China's planned Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 lunar missions will probe water ice, deep interior substances, internal structures and environmental resources, and will conduct surface experiments. These missions will lay the groundwork for a basic model of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which will be capable of long-term autonomous operations and short-term human tending, enabling multidisciplinary science and Earth observations on an unprecedented scale. In the realm of planetary exploration -- which addresses major frontier scientific questions such as the origin and evolution of the solar system, the impact of solar activity on Earth, and the search for extraterrestrial life -- China's plans include the Tianwen-3 mission to return samples from Mars, the Tianwen-4 mission to explore the Jupiter system, and a solar polar-orbit observatory. China is also researching a mission in the area of asteroid defense. Its aim is to alter the orbit of an approximately 30-meter-diameter near-Earth asteroid through kinetic impact, and to conduct joint observations using ground-based and space-based equipment to comprehensively assess the impact effects and reveal its fragmentation and disintegration mechanisms, thereby addressing potential risks and threats. In areas such as space weather detection, solar stereoscopic detection and outer heliosphere detection, the Sino-European Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission has completed all relevant engineering development and is ready for launch in the first half of 2026. "Kuafu-2," a key solar stereoscopic detection mission, has been officially approved and will carry out solar polar-orbit imaging observations. It is expected to see major breakthroughs in our understanding of the origin of the solar magnetic activity cycle and the sources of high-speed solar wind. Additionally, several space weather detection missions are in the study or engineering development stages, according to Wang. China continues to deepen international cooperation. It is accelerating plans for the ILRS as a major scientific project. Cooperation agreements have been signed with 17 countries and international organizations, offering partners multiple levels and forms of cooperation opportunities, and steadily advancing scientific exploration, research, and resource development and utilization, Wang added. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) This night, Russia attacked Ukraine again, this time with dozens of attack drones and nine ballistic missiles, Head of the Ukrainian state Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Since the beginning of this year alone, Russia has launched about 770 ballistic missiles and more than 50 Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine," he said in Telegram on Saturday. He noted that it is because of such attacks that special attention is being paid to the Patriot systems. "It is crucial that partners who have the opportunity implement what we have been talking about in recent days. No country should be left alone in the face of such evil. We need to continue cooperation. Everything can be done: partners have the necessary systems, and they can help protect Ukraine right now," the president said. "America, Europe, the G7 countries can help ensure that such strikes no longer threaten life. Russian ballistics require a response from strong states in real cooperation to protect life," the president said. Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased, particularly in Kyiv. As reported, on October 25, at about 04:00, the armed forces of the aggressor country launched a missile strike on the capital. As a result, three districts of Kyiv, Dniprovsky, Desniansky and Darnytsky, were affected. Two people died, 12 more were injured. Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said that he believes the United States, Ukraine and Russia are close to reaching a diplomatic solution to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said that he believes the United States, Ukraine and Russia are close to reaching a diplomatic solution to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution, Kirill Dmitriev said on CNN on Friday. Earlier, Dmitriev confirmed that he is in the United States for a long-planned meeting. However, he did not mention with whom he would be meeting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multiple American media reports suggested that Dmitriev would hold talks with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on October 25. Meanwhile, Tass quoted Dmitriev as saying he would also meet other people without naming them. Trump remains frustrated with Russia The remarks from the Russian envoy came at a time when US President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions to press Moscow to end its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On October 22, the US Treasury Department announced that it was sanctioning state-controlled Rosneft and privately owned LUKoil, whose exports, the US claimed, helped Russia in the war. These are very big against their two big oil companies, Trump said, describing the sanctions as tremendous. A day after the sanctions were announced, Brussels targeted Rosneft and Gazpromneft, another major oil company that is a subsidiary of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom. While speaking to CNN, Dmitriev maintained that sanctions are not such a big issue. He reiterated Putins proclamation that Russia will never act under pressure, and the sanctions will eventually lead to higher gasoline prices in the United States, while Moscow will just sell less oil at a higher price. So I think the real issue is how to continue a dialogue, how to have a peaceful resolution to the crisis while having realistic solutions rather than put forward unrealistic solutions, Dmitriev said. When asked about why Putin refuses to freeze the battlelines, Dmitriev said Russia wants not just a cease-fire but a final solution to the conflict. He said a cease-fire can always be broken or used by the warring parties to rearm. Its a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that its about battle lines, Dmitriev said. His previous position was that Russia should leave completely. So actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out. Hopes for another Trump-Putin summit? Dmitriev also maintained that he believes a Trump-Putin summit will happen, but probably at a later date. Last week, Trump and Putin held a phone call and said they would meet his Russian counterpart in Budapest within the next few weeks. However, Trump eventually cancelled the meeting and maintained that it could take place at some other time. The RussiaUS dialogue will continue, but it is certainly only possible if Russias interests are taken into account and treated with respect, Dmitriev said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked about Russias recent attack that hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Dmitriev said the Russian military is not targeting kindergartens, but it should be asked about this specific situation. Im not a military guy, he said. Im just working to have dialogue and make sure that the conflict is ended as soon as possible. A woman was also killed, and seven people were injured in the eastern region, the ministry added, reporting damage to fire trucks, residential buildings, and shops Smoke marks on the facade of a residential building damaged during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv. (REUTERS) Russian overnight drone and missile strikes killed four people and wounded some 20 others in the Ukraine capital Kyiv and several other regions, authorities said Saturday.The attack comes as Kyivs Western allies ratchet up pressure on Russia as the war enters its fourth winter. One rescuer was killed and another wounded as a result of a repeated missile strike on the Petropavlivska community in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the internal affairs ministry said on social media. A woman was also killed, and seven people were injured in the eastern region, the ministry added, reporting damage to fire trucks, residential buildings, and shops. Moscow also targeted Kyiv, killing two people and wounding 12 others, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. AFP journalists heard the distinctive whirring of missiles and powerful blasts at around 4:00 am (01:00 GMT). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Emergency services shared photos of firefighters battling flames as major fires broke out in the Desnyansky and Darnytsky districts. Russia fired nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones, the Ukrainian air force said, adding it had downed four ballistic missiles and 50 drones. The United States and the European Union announced new sanctions this week on Russian energy aimed at crippling Moscows war economy. An Indian staff nurse at Singapores Raffles Hospital was sentenced to a year and two months jail and two strokes of the cane for molesting a male visitor An Indian national working as a staff nurse at Singapores Raffles Hospital has been sentenced to a year and two months jail and two strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to molestation. The incident occurred in June, when 34-year-old Elipe Siva Nagu molested a male visitor under the pretext of wanting to disinfect him, The Straits Times reported. The Deputy Public Prosecutor, Eugene Phua, told the court that the victim had visited the hospital to see his grandfather, who was admitted there. Around 7.30 pm on June 18, the victim entered a patients toilet, where Elipe looked inside. Claiming he wanted to disinfect the victim, Elipe put soap on his hand and molested him. The victim, startled, did not move due to shock and later returned to his grandfathers bedside. Details about the victim, including his age, were redacted from court documents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Arrest and sentencing Elipe was suspended from his nursing duties soon after the offence. The case was reported to authorities on June 21, and Elipe was arrested two days later. During sentencing on Friday, the court noted that the offence had caused the victim to experience flashbacks of the incident. Elipe was subsequently handed a sentence of a year and two months imprisonment along with two strokes of the cane. Former Queen of Thailand and mother of the current monarch, Queen Sirikit, passed away at age 93, the Thai royal palace confirmed on Saturday. Former Queen of Thailand and mother of the current monarch, Queen Sirikit, passed away at age 93, the Thai royal palace confirmed on Saturday. Queen Sirikit was the mother of the current Thai ruler, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and the wife of the nations longest reigning monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej. Her Majestys condition worsened until Friday and she passed away at 9:21 pm (local time) at Chulalongkorn Hospital at age 93, Thailands royal palace said in a statement on Saturday. Sirikit was married to King Bhumibol, who died in 2016 after serving on the throne for 70 years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She was suffering from numerous ailments and rarely appeared in public in recent years. Sirikit had been dealing with a blood infection since October 17. Multiple reports suggested that her medical condition deteriorated recently despite efforts from her doctors. Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Saturday that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had cancelled his trip to the ASEAN leaders summit set to be held in Malaysia from Sunday to Tuesday following Sirikits death. The beloved queen While she was overshadowed by her husbands long reign and her son, Queen Sirikit was a similarly beloved figure across much of the country. Her birthday, August 12, is celebrated as Mothers Day in the country. Even during widespread student-led protests in 2020 and 2021, which morphed into unprecedented public criticism of the monarchy, protesters were largely against the King rather than his parents. It is pertinent to note that the royal family is venerated in Thailand, and its monarchy is protected by some of the worlds harshest laws. Criticism of the institution is banned in the country. Not only this, the Thai monarchs are treated by many as semi-divine figures and lavished with glowing media coverage and gold-adorned portraits hanging in public spaces and private homes nationwide. Sirikit was born into a rich, aristocratic family in Bangkok in 1932, which was the same year the absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional system in Thailand. She met Bhumibol in 1948 in Paris, where her father was the Thai ambassador in France. The pair got married in 1950, a week before Bhumibol was officially crowned as Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty. During their early decades on the throne, the young Thai royals crisscrossed the world as goodwill ambassadors, forging personal ties with world leaders. US President Donald Trump met Saturday with the emir and prime minister of Qatar a key ally in preserving the fragile Gaza peace deal en route to Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinas Xi Jinping. US President Donald Trump speaks with Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (L) during a meeting aboard Air Force One in Doha on October 25, 2025, as he makes a refuelling stop on his way to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit. - AFP US President Donald Trump met on Saturday with Qatars emir and prime minister, a key partner in maintaining the fragile Gaza ceasefire, as he embarked on a high-profile Asia tour that includes pivotal trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The discussions came amid an Israeli airstrike targeting an alleged Islamic Jihad militant in Gaza, despite the ceasefire brokered with US support. Trump is scheduled to meet Xi in South Korea at the conclusion of his regional visit, aiming to resolve the ongoing trade conflict between the worlds two largest economies. He also expressed interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the trip, which will include stops in Malaysia and Japan his first Asia visit since returning to the White House in January. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The meeting took place aboard Air Force One at Qatars Al Udeid Air Base, home to the US militarys regional headquarters, where Trump was greeted by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. What weve done is incredible peace to the Middle East, and they were a very big factor in it, Trump said. He did not take questions before reporters were ushered out. Earlier, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he hoped for a very good meeting with Xi, adding that he expected China to make a deal to avoid further 100 percent tariffs that are due to come into effect on November 1. He also fueled speculation that he could meet Kim for the first time since 2019, when they met in the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas during the Republicans first term in office. Im open to it, Trump said. Asked if he would consider North Koreas demand to be recognized as a nuclear state as a precondition for talks, Trump replied: Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power They got a lot of nuclear weapons, Ill say that. Kim has said he would also be open to meeting the US president if Washington drops its demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear arsenal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Peace and trade deals Trumps first stop will be Malaysia, where he arrives on Sunday, for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit a meeting he skipped several times in his first term. Trump is set to sign a trade deal with Malaysia, and will witness the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia in his continued quest for a Nobel Peace Prize. He said he also expected to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the summit to improve ties with the leftist leader after months of bad blood. The US presidents next destination is Tokyo. He will meet Japans first woman prime minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative, on Tuesday. Takaichi said Saturday that she had a good and candid initial conversation with Trump. Japan has escaped the worst of the tariffs Trump slapped on countries around the world to end what he calls unfair trade balances that are ripping off the United States. Trump and Xi The highlight of the trip is expected to be South Korea, with Trump due in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Trump will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, address an APEC lunch with business leaders and meet US tech bosses for dinner on the sidelines of the summit in the city of Gyeongju. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He will meet Xi on Thursday for the first time since his return to office. Global markets will be watching closely to see if they can halt the trade war sparked by Trumps sweeping tariffs, especially after a recent dispute over Beijings rare-earth curbs. A US Treasury spokesman told AFP that US and Chinese officials in Malaysia had concluded a day of very constructive trade talks, which are expected to resume on Sunday. Trump said he would also discuss fentanyl with Xi, as he raises pressure on Beijing to curb trafficking of the powerful opioid and cracks down on Latin American drug cartels. US President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, Japan, and South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Trump is traveling to Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit (ASEAN), Japan, and to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Friday, as he departed for Asia, that he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while in South Korea. Trump left late Friday for Asia, where he will hold high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, aiming to secure a trade deal with Beijing. Id like to, he knows were going there, Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if a meeting was possible. I dont know, we let him know, he knows that Im going. Trump added of Kim, whom he last met in 2019 during his first term, that I get along with him very well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Republican leader will also visit Malaysia and Japan on his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House in January amid a flurry of tariffs and geopolitical negotiations. (With agency inputs) Trump said North Korea is sort of a nuclear power as he left for Asia on Friday, signalling openness to a possible meeting with Kim Jong Un. His trip will include stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea for the APEC Summit, where he will also meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinas Xi Jinping. FILE US President Donald Trump (L) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) hold a bilateral meeting during the second US-North Korea summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi on February 28, 2019. AFP US President Donald Trump said on Friday (October 24) that North Korea is sort of a nuclear power as he departed for Asia, where a possible meeting with Kim Jong Un could take place. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether he would recognise North Korea as a nuclear state a condition Pyongyang has set for talks with Washington. Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power, he said. Theyve got a lot of nuclear weapons, Ill say that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump is scheduled to visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea for the APEC Summit in Busan, where he will also meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Lee has expressed openness to a deal in which North Korea freezes nuclear weapons production in exchange for dialogue. Reports suggest US officials have discussed a potential Trump-Kim meeting, though it is not currently on the official agenda. South Korean officials have said there remains a considerable chance of such an encounter, similar to their last impromptu meeting in 2019 at the DMZ. Trump, who made history as the first US president to step into North Korea, said he had a great relationship with Kim and is open to another meeting. If you want to put out the word, Im open to it, he added. Kim recently said he still has a good memory of Trump but stressed that talks can only resume if the US drops its absurd demand for denuclearisation. Trumps Asia trip will also include a meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping amid renewed trade tensions. The two leaders are expected to discuss tariffs and Beijings restrictions on rare earth exports, which Trump has threatened to counter with 100% levies on Chinese goods. Trump said he wants Chinas help in managing relations with Russia as he began a five-day trip to Asia, his first visit to the region since taking office. The tour comes amid trade tensions, the Ukraine war, and efforts to uphold the Israel-Gaza ceasefire. US President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, October 17, 2025. File Image/Reuters US President Donald Trump said on Friday (October 24) he wants Chinas help in managing Washingtons tense relations with Moscow, as he embarked on a five-day trip to Asia his first to the region and the longest since taking office. Id like China to help us out with Russia, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Id like to see China help us out. His visit will include stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, where hes expected to push for new trade, investment, and ceasefire deals before a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the key test of his diplomacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The trip comes amid rising trade tensions, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Trumps effort to preserve the fragile Israel-Gaza ceasefire. Washington and Beijing remain locked in disputes over tariffs, critical minerals, and technology exports, with both sides signaling little chance of a major breakthrough. Officials say talks could lead to modest compromises such as limited tariff relief, Chinese commitments to buy US goods, or relaxed export curbs. But its also possible that nothing materializes, a US official said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the possible TrumpXi encounter as a pull-aside, suggesting an informal exchange. Trump is also expected to attend the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, meet Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Busan. Before departure, Trump said he planned to raise issues including Taiwan and the imprisonment of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai. Its on my list. Im going to ask Well see what happens, he told reporters. Two people were killed and 11 others injured in a mass shooting at a weekend party in rural Maxton, North Carolina, sheriffs officials said, with authorities describing the incident as isolated and urging anyone with information to come forward. UK: Sikh woman raped in racially aggravated attack, told to go back to your country Two people were killed and 11 others injured in a mass shooting at a large weekend party in southeastern North Carolina. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a news release that 13 people were shot at a rural party outside Maxton, about 150 kilometres southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border. Homicide investigators were at the scene early Saturday. There is no current threat to the community as this appears to have been an isolated incident, the release said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 150 people fled before law enforcement arrived. Authorities asked anyone with information about the shooting or attendees to contact the sheriffs office. Details about the victims have not been released, and no arrests have been made. The incident occurred on Dixon Drive, just outside Maxton. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, the sheriffs office said on social media. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. The United States and China conducted very constructive trade talks in Malaysia on Saturday, a US Treasury spokesman said as President Donald Trump began his trip to the region including a meeting with the Chinese leader next week. President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter aboard Air Force One on October 24, 2025, in flight. - AFP The United States and China held very constructive trade discussions in Malaysia on Saturday, a US Treasury spokesperson said, as President Donald Trump headed for Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, saying that he would also like to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his trip. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinas Vice Premier He Lifeng at Merdeka 118, the worlds second-tallest building, as both sides sought to prevent further escalation of the ongoing tariff conflict between the worlds two largest economies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump is scheduled to meet Xi in South Korea next Thursday and indicated that he would also like to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his trip. Trump is set to meet Xi in South Korea on the last day of his regional swing in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. He will also visit Malaysia and Japan on his first trip to Asia since he returned to the White House in January in a blaze of tariffs and international dealmaking. The US president has made it clear he hopes to seal a good deal with China and end the trade war, even though he previously threatened to cancel the meeting, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, starting October 31. Beijing announced this month sweeping controls on the critical rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation. The two countries also began charging arrival fees on each others ships, sparked by a US Section 301 investigation that found Beijings dominance in the industry was unreasonable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Global markets will be watching closely to see if they can halt the trade war sparked by Trumps sweeping tariffs, especially after a recent dispute over Beijings rare-earth curbs. Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting and announced the fresh 100 percent tariffs during that row, before saying he would go ahead after all. He said he would also discuss fentanyl with Xi, as he raises pressure on Beijing to curb trafficking of the powerful opioid and cracks down on Latin American drug cartels. With inputs from agencies Germany will invest another EUR 60 million in the Energy Support Fund, which will increase its contribution to EUR 450 million, the countrys Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said. "Germany has already contributed EUR 390 million to the Fund, in the summer we agreed on a contribution of EUR 30 million, but now we are doubling it and providing EUR 60 million. Thus, this will already be a contribution of EUR 450 million," Reiche said at a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday. She drew attention to the fact that Germanys contribution is a third of the total volume of the Fund, explaining this by the desire to help Ukraine in difficult times. "This money will allow us to obtain the necessary equipment to save Ukraine," Reiche said. She said the targeted Russian attacks on the energy sector are very dangerous on the eve of winter, and they also threaten the production of necessary products, including defense products. At the same time, Reiche said she was impressed by the will of the Ukrainian people to confront such challenges. According to Minister of Energy of Ukraine Svitlana Hrynchuk, the Energy Support Fund, thanks to German and many other partners, allows to meet the large needs of energy companies for restoration throughout the war. At the same time, she noted that these needs currently exceed the volume of the fund by approximately EUR 500 million. While the US military has previously used drones over Gaza to help locate hostages, its latest reconnaissance missions indicate that American officials now seek an independent understanding of conditions inside the territory, separate from Israels assessments A Palestinian boy pushes his bicycle past the ruins of destroyed buildings in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City on October 22, 2025.- AFP The US has begun flying surveillance drones over the Gaza Strip to ensure that both Israel and Hamas are abiding by the terms of the ceasefire, which is hanging by a thread after last weeks Israeli attacks in the region. Two Israeli military officials and a US defence official have told the New York Times that the surveillance drones have been flying to monitor the ground situation in Gaza with the consent of Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The officials added that the drones have been deployed to support the tasks of a new Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel, established last week by the US Central Command, to keep the ceasefire efforts in check. While the US military has previously used drones over Gaza to help locate hostages, its latest reconnaissance missions indicate that American officials now seek an independent understanding of conditions inside the territory, separate from Israels assessments. Vance concludes Israel trip Israels attack last week in Gaza, which was launched in response to the death of soldiers, triggered a string of diplomatic trips from the US. Apart from President Donald Trumps Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, and State Secretary Marco Rubio have taken trips to Israel over the week. During his visit, Vance said that the ceasefire is going better than expected and that it will hold. He also said that Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, could be rebuilt in two to three years. Vance said Palestinians will be able to move into a Hamas-free zone in southern Gaza in the next couple of months. Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv before boarding Air Force Two, Vance said the goal is for people to be able to return to Rafah. He added that reconstruction could begin very quickly in areas no longer under Hamas control. What has Rubio said? Rubio voiced hope Friday of soon putting together an international force to police the ceasefire in Gaza, as Palestinian factions agreed that a committee of independent technocrats would run the post-war territory. Rubio said the deal needed to create the conditions for the stabilisation force to come in as soon as it possibly can be put together. He expressed optimism for a durable end to the two-year Gaza war as he met Israeli, US and other Western forces monitoring the ceasefire from inside a vast converted warehouse in southern Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Washington imposed sweeping sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and top aide, alleging ties to drug cartels and straining decades of cooperation People attend a rally in support of Colombia's President Gustavo Petro at Bolivar Square in Bogota on October 24, 2025. (AFP) Washington on Friday, imposed unprecedented sanctions on Colombias leftist President Gustavo Petro, his wife Veronica Alcocer, son Nicolas, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, accusing them of enabling drug cartels. The US Treasury blacklisted them, imposing a travel ban to the United States and freezing any assets held under its jurisdiction. The move was highly unusual, as the US sanctions list typically targets drug lords, terrorist leaders, or dictators implicated in grave human rights abuses. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since taking office in 2022, Petro has pursued negotiations with heavily armed cocaine-producing groups instead of direct military confrontation. Critics argue this approach has emboldened criminal and guerrilla networks, allowing them to seize more territory and increase cocaine production, much of which is trafficked to the United States, the worlds largest consumer. Although the US provided no direct evidence linking Petro personally to drug trafficking, his son Nicolas faces allegations of accepting money from a suspected trafficker during his fathers election campaign. The case remains before the courts. Furious response in Bogota The sanctions triggered an angry backlash in Bogota. Petro, a former guerrilla fighter, invoked the defiance of Latin American revolutionaries, declaring on social media: Not one step back and never on my knees. Interior Minister Benedetti went further, condemning the move as imperial injustice and attacking Washington in a heated online statement. This proves that every empire is unjust. For the US, a nonviolent statement is the same as being a drug trafficker. Gringos go home, he said. Petro had already urged Colombians to protest Trumps policies in a mass demonstration scheduled for Friday. Tensions escalated after the US destroyed 10 vessels and killed at least 43 people in under two months of operations off South America. Petro labelled the strikes extrajudicial killings and, during a visit to New York, urged US soldiers to disobey Trumps orders. President Trump, angered by Petros criticism and fiery anti-Washington rhetoric, described the Colombian leader as a thug with a fresh mouth. He subsequently froze hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Colombia and revoked Petros US visa prior to the sanctions announcement. Analysts warn that the deepening clash between the two volatile leaders could severely undermine regional security. For decades, Colombia has been Washingtons key ally in countering cocaine trafficking and leftist insurgencies across South America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (With agency inputs) Former CIA officer John Kiriakou alleged that the US gained control over Pakistans nuclear arsenal through Musharraf and shielded AQ Khan due to Saudi intervention John Kiriakou, who spent 15 years in the CIA including as chief of counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, made a series of revelations about US dealings with Pakistan, Saudi influence in nuclear diplomacy, and changing power dynamics in South Asia. In an interview with ANI, Kiriakou claimed that Pakistans former President Pervez Musharraf effectively handed over control of the countrys nuclear arsenal to the US. He claimed that Washington essentially purchased Musharraf through massive military and economic aid, allowing US operatives wide access to Pakistans security and military operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The United States loves working with dictators. You dont have to worry about public opinion or the media. We essentially just purchased Musharraf, Kiriakou said. He added that Musharraf played a double game, publicly cooperating with the US on counterterrorism while covertly enabling Pakistans military and extremist groups to continue operations against India. The Pakistani military didnt care about Al-Qaeda; they cared about India. Musharraf pretended to side with the US on counterterrorism while committing terror against India, he said. EP-10 with Former CIA Agent & Whistleblower John Kiriakou premieres today at 6 PM IST Osama bin Laden escaped disguised as a woman... John Kiriakou The U.S. essentially purchased Musharraf. We paid tens of millions in cash to Pakistans ISI... John Kiriakou At the White pic.twitter.com/pM9uUC3NIC ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025 Saudi intervention and critique of US foreign policy Kiriakou also revealed that US plans to target Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan were halted following direct Saudi intervention. If we had taken the Israeli approach, we would have just killed him. He was easy enough to find. But the Saudis came to us and said, Please leave him alone. We like AQ Khan. Were working with him, he said. He called the decision a major policy mistake, stating that both the CIA and the IAEA were instructed by the White House not to act against Khan, likely due to Saudi insistence. Kiriakou suggested that Saudi Arabias protection of Khan could have been linked to its own nuclear ambitions, noting the recent SaudiPakistan defence pact as Riyadh calling in its investment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kiriakou criticised American foreign policy as selectively moral, prioritising self-interest over democratic values. We like to pretend were a beacon of democracy and human rights. But its just not true, we do what benefits us that day, he said. He described the USSaudi relationship as transactional: Our foreign policy in Saudi Arabia is as simple as this, we buy their oil and they buy our weapons, recalling a Saudi guard telling him, You are hired help. We paid for you to come here and defend us. Concluding, Kiriakou observed that global power dynamics are shifting as Saudi Arabia, China and India redefine their strategic roles. Were sitting on an ocean of oil. We dont need the Saudis anymore. Theyre hedging their bets, improving relations with China and India. Were witnessing a transformation in how the world operates. Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital Tunis on Saturday to protest a severe environmental crisis caused by pollution from a state chemical plant in Gabes, as protests that began there widen outside the southern city. File- Protesters carry placards and wave national flags as they march in the city of Gabes. [Mohamed Khalil/AFP] Hundreds of demonstrators marched through central Tunis on Saturday to protest an escalating environmental crisis linked to pollution from a state-run chemical complex in the southern city of Gabes. The unrest, which began locally, has now spread beyond the region, reflecting growing nationwide anger over the governments handling of pollution and deteriorating public services. The demonstrations mark one of the most significant challenges to President Kais Saied since he consolidated power in 2021. Residents in Gabes have long complained of mounting health problems including respiratory diseases, osteoporosis and cancer which they attribute to toxic emissions from phosphate plants operated by the state chemical group. The facilities reportedly discharge thousands of tonnes of waste into the Mediterranean each day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The latest protests were sparked earlier this month when dozens of schoolchildren were hospitalised after inhaling fumes from a phosphate-processing plant that produces phosphoric acid and fertilisers. Marchers in Tunis held placards and chanted in solidarity with Gabes residents, accusing authorities of repression. The government, meanwhile, said several people had been detained for acts of violence during the demonstrations. Its that simple, the people of Gabes want to breathe, Hani Faraj, a protester from the Stop Pollution campaign, told Reuters. Gabes is dying slowly We will not remain silent. We will escalate our peaceful protests. Saieds administration fears protests in the capital could spark unrest elsewhere in Tunisia, deepening pressure as it struggles with a prolonged economic downturn and political instability. Saied has described the situation in Gabes as an environmental assassination, blaming criminal policy choices by a previous government. In an effort to quell the protests, he has called for repairs to the industrial units to stop leaks as an immediate step. Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani said this week the government would build a cancer hospital in Gabes to deal with rising cases. However, protesters have rejected the fixes as temporary, and are demanding the polluting facilities be permanently shut and relocated. Environmental groups warn that tons of industrial waste are discharged daily into the sea at Chatt Essalam, severely damaging marine life. Local fishermen have reported a sharp decline in fish stocks over the past decade, threatening a vital source of income for many in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the war-torn nation wants the United States to stay involved in the peace efforts in the war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the war-torn nation wants the United States to stay involved in the peace efforts in the war against Russia. The remarks from Zelenskyy came after he met with Western allies in London, where US President Donald Trump was absent. During the meeting, the Ukrainian leader chose not to overtly lobby for the supply of US Tomahawk cruise missiles. The meeting was attended by 20 mainly European leaders who are part of the coalition of the willing". Zelenskyy instead emphasised the need for the West to work together. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are not finding and searching how to stop Putin and how to finish this work without the US, Zelenskyy emphasised at the end of the hybrid meeting aimed at discussing how to step up pressure on the Russian leader ahead of winter. The Ukrainian leader also noted that when it came to post-war security guarantees for his country, we need to have the United States. He warned that Putin wants to divide us, emphasising that while Trump had declined to greenlight the supply of Tomahawks, western nations had previously evolved together by providing Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles, followed by US Atacms. Starmer put forward Ukraines case Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the meeting that he believed theres further we can do on capability, particularly long-range capability, which reflected that the United Kingdom wants Ukraines allies to supply long-range missiles and help Kyiv strike Russian targets deep behind the frontline. Just this very week, Ukraine used a British Storm Shadow missile to bomb a Russian plant in Bryansk that produced explosives and rocket fuel. However, the US has so far declined to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles, a proposal that has also prompted concern in Moscow. During the meeting, Zelenskyy said that Russia was trying to cause a humanitarian disaster this winter, adding: Were thankful to you that we are not alone in this situation from the very beginning of the war, but especially now, its very important. Earlier, the Ukrainian leader visited the UKs monarch, King Charles, at Windsor before heading to Downing Street for a one-on-one meeting with Starmer. Some of the other leaders who attended the meeting included Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, and Dick Schoof, the prime minister of the Netherlands. The remainder participated online. It is pertinent to note that the meeting came a day after the EU leaders failed to make a firm decision on whether to use 140bn (120bn) frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Ukraines defence, while the relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy remains delicate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Photo: https://x.com/BMWE_ German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche sees opportunities and potential in expanding German-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of armaments. "Ukraine is a hotbed of talent and an extremely interesting partner, in particular for German defense companies. My delegation includes representatives of the energy sector, as well as companies working in the field of armaments. There is huge potential for cooperation, synergy and growth," she said at a joint press conference with the head of Ministry of Energy of Ukraine Svitlana Hrynchuk on Saturday. According to Reiche, her visit to Kyiv emphasizes that defense policy is closely linked to the economy, and without "effective companies there will be no defense and security." "And as a federal government, we are ready, if there are obstacles, to remove them, identify the potential and create the appropriate conditions," the minister said. As reported, German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Reiche arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit on Friday morning, October 24. This is her first visit to Ukraine as Minister of Economic Affairs. Zelenskyy: We counting on 150 Gripen aircraft for Ukraine, first ones should arrive next year Photo: https://www.bbc.com President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Swedish Gripen E fighters are capable of significantly strengthening Ukraines combat aviation, our country is counting on 150 such aircraft, the first ones should arrive next year. "Together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly increase its combat aviation. This is an ambitious task, and it must be fulfilled. Now a historic step is an agreement with Sweden on Gripen combat aircraft, and this is a good choice. We are counting on 150 such aircraft for Ukraine, and the first ones should arrive next year," he said during a video address on Telegram on Saturday. Zelenskyy called the agreement concluded with Saab regarding the intention to supply Gripen aircraft historic. "Gripen aircraft for Ukraine are part of our security guarantees. Such an Air Force that will be able to protect our sky one hundred percent. And such a large-scale agreement on combat aviation has never been for Ukraine. A historic achievement. We are working to fully implement it," he said. As reported, on October 22, during the visit of President of Ukraine to Sweden, Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson began work on Ukraines acquisition of Gripen aircraft. "Today, there is the first such document between our countries, which paves the way for Ukraine to acquire a serious fleet of Swedish-made Gripen combat aircraft," Zelenskyy said. Kristersson believes that the first deliveries of the latest Gripen fighters to Ukraine will be possible within three years. In this context, the Prime Minister noted the importance of considering all options for long-term financing of Ukraine, in particular, frozen Russian assets are being discussed. German Economy Minister assures of assistance to Ukrainians on eve of winter, reminds Patriots are 'on way' German Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche, who is on a visit to Kyiv, assured that her country "will not leave Ukrainians in trouble" in connection with the difficult winter ahead due to Russian shelling. At a joint press conference with the head of Ministry of Energy of Ukraine Svitlana Hrynchuk on Saturday, Reiche promised Ukraine further assistance, in particular in restoring the energy infrastructure destroyed by Russian strikes. The minister assured that Germany "will not leave Ukrainians in trouble." According to her, thanks to the support already provided, Germany has helped provide access to heat and electricity to more than a million Ukrainians, having transferred 32,000 units of equipment. "Attacks on the eve of the heating season pose a great danger, and therefore it is obvious to me that we must provide support," she said, noting that Russia is purposefully attacking Ukraines energy infrastructure. "Many Kyiv residents, like me and my delegation, spent last night in shelters. For us, it was a unique and depressing experience. Unfortunately, for Ukrainians, this is a bitter everyday life," Reiche said. She recalled that Germany has pledged to provide Ukraine with EUR 9 billion annually over the coming years, which indicates Germanys continued support for Ukrainians. "The Patriot systems are already on the way, and you know it. And we hope for cooperation between German and Ukrainian arms manufacturers," Reiche said. The minister also announced the creation of a working group to restore Ukraines energy infrastructure. As is known, since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in 2022, Germany has provided three Patriot batteries. In August 2025, the German Ministry of Defense announced that it would soon begin transferring two Patriot systems to Ukraine, after reaching an agreement with the United States that Berlin would be the first to receive new systems in return. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, at the 30th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (in the Ramstein format) in September, announced the delivery of the first launchers for the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. "Germany is currently delivering two complete Patriot systems to Ukraine. The first launchers have already been transferred to Ukraine," he said. As reported, German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Reiche arrived in Kyiv on Friday morning, October 24, for a several-day visit with a delegation. This is her first visit to Ukraine as Minister of Economics. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko reported on 100 days of the governments work, according to the government portal website. "We are focused on the key: security and defense, economic and social stability, energy and support for frontline regions," Svyrydenko said. According to her, during this period, the production of Ukrainian weapons was scaled up and efforts were coordinated with partners so that the Ukrainian army received everything it needed. The modernization of the Defense Forces continues. In particular, today a decision was made to introduce the Impulse military personnel accounting system and electronic Territorial recruitment and social support centers. The government is working on digitalizing services to simplify peoples interaction with the government: e-Excise, e-Notary, e-Court and e-Marriage. A single platform for all services, Veteran.Pro, has also been launched. The list of other services available in the Diia portal is expanding. The Cabinet of Ministers attention was also focused on supporting frontline territories. "We increased salaries for doctors and additional payments for teachers, provided free meals for grades 1-11 this year and 100% reservation for employees of entrepreneurs in communities where hostilities are close. Today, we launched a mechanism for compensating for military risks in frontline territories, which will come into effect in November," Svyrydenko said. The 2026 draft state budget has already been submitted to parliament. New programs are provided for, a check-up for people aged 40+, an increase in teachers salaries. Programs that help fill the economy are also ongoing within the framework of the Made in Ukraine policy. In addition, the government is directing efforts to maintain energy security and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. "We are preparing reserves, interacting with the regional military administrations, local authorities, foreign partners," the prime minister said. In the international sphere, the government launched the Reconstruction Fund together with the United States, where there are already first contributions of $150 million. We completed the screening of legislation in record time and are preparing to start negotiations on joining the European Union. We opened a new Eurorail, direct trains now run from Uzhhorod to Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest. In addition, $12.5 billion was attracted from partners to support the state budget, of which $9.4 billion through the ERA loan mechanism and $3.05 billion through the Ukraine Facility. "All this is in accordance with the Action Program, the priorities of which are being transformed into concrete solutions," Svyrydenko said. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine held joint training in Rivne region, the society said on Facebook on Saturday. "Our cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine is an example of unity that saves lives. We develop joint training platforms, strengthen the potential of communities and help those who are the first to respond to emergencies. Today, the Ukrainian Red Cross in 20 regions is integrated into the territorial subsystems of the Unified State System of Civil Protection. We have become part of the state response mechanism and by May 2026 we plan to fully complete integration at the regional level," Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society Maksym Dotsenko said at the opening of the training. According to Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Volodymyr Demchuk, such exercises are not only training in technical skills, but also practicing interaction between structures that act as a single team at a critical moment. "We are grateful to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for its support, equipment, training opportunities and constant readiness to help," Demchuk said. During the training, rescuers and volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Emergency Response Units from five regions practiced interaction in responding to emergency situations. The participants of the training worked at four locations, practicing actions to rescue victims under rubble, respond to the consequences of chemical and radiation incidents, eliminate fires during road accidents and at the victim decontamination station. In addition, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine signed an agreement on the joint use of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine training ground in the Rivne region. As part of the event, the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Rivne region received a modular building, which will become a space for trainings and coordination of actions during training. In addition, 95 sets of fire equipment were transferred to the voluntary fire brigades of the territorial communities of Rivne region. ICYMI: DNI Gabbard, Homeland Security Task Force Launch Fusion Cell To Thwart Foreign Terrorist Gangs And Cartels FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ODNI News Release No. 37-25 October 24, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Thursday, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard joined a White House roundtable alongside President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and other top Administration officials to highlight the extraordinary successes of President Trump's interagency Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF represents a historic, nationwide initiative to consolidate U.S. law enforcement, military, and intelligence efforts into a targeted approach to dismantle criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) that has already resulted in 3,000+ arrests and 150,000+ pounds of seized narcotics. At the White House, DNI Gabbard announced the recent establishment of the National Counterterrorism Center's (NCTC) Interagency Fusion Cell known widely as "NIFC" to streamline two-way sharing of actionable information between the intelligence community and law enforcement, in direct support of HSTF dismantlement operations and President Trump's Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The NIFC is physically located inside of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, bringing together representatives from federal law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community in one centralized location, where they work together to identify terrorist cartels and gangs and quickly share information with law enforcement partners in the field to action. While NIFC has only been operational for six months, the interagency group has already played an integral role in the identification and successful arrest of numerous criminals, including 'La Diabla,' the now infamous baby trafficker. Read more about how NCTC intelligence and the newly established NIFC disrupted a major Sinaloa Cartel drug operation, and supported the interagency apprehensions of murderer and cartel boss 'El Pato' and cartel baby trafficking ringleader 'La Diabla'. DNI Gabbard's full remarks can be found here and below: "Thank you, Mr. President. The key reason that you are hearing about these incredible effects is number one, the team that you've assembled here and the leadership and the tone that you have set, first and foremost, about keeping the American people safe. The Intelligence Community plays a critical role in being able to support our law enforcement at the federal, state, and local level to make sure that they're armed with actionable intelligence to be able to actually go after those who threaten the safety and security of the American people. "Mr. President, under your leadership for the first time, there is a newly-created national intelligence fusion cell at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Counterterrorism, that has a very simple purpose: to make sure that we have two-way intelligence sharing of actionable information between the Intelligence Community and law enforcement. "I want to talk briefly about three successes that we've had just here in the last few weeks, Mr. President, through the success of this interagency fusion cell. Just this last week, our National Counterterrorism Center supported through actionable intelligence to both US law enforcement as well as Mexican law enforcement, the arrest of a Sinaloa Cartel boss, 'El Pato,' in Juarez, Mexico, as well as his top three money launderers. In a separate and recent successful interagency operation, NCTC worked closely with the US Marshal service that led to the arrest of another dangerous Sinaloa cartel member responsible for tracking huge amounts of cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars in this single incident with drug proceeds through his network. And I'll say the last example I'll share is probably the most insidious, was providing intelligence to the Mexican law enforcement that led to the arrest of a CJNG cartel-affiliated baby trafficker called 'La Diabla'. Her whole moneymaking operation was centered around luring pregnant women, performing illegal c-sections, harvesting organs and selling newborn babies. "Mr. President, it's your leadership that has made all of this possible. I can tell you in the midst of this government shutdown, our folks, like everyone around this table, are working 24/7, without pay, and eager to get after this because they believe in your leadership and the mission that you have presented to them. Thank you, Mr. President. I'll hand this off to Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller, the leader of this task force." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's state security ministry warns against personal data theft by foreign espionage in online shopping Global Times By Global Times Published: Oct 24, 2025 03:10 PM The Ministry of State Security (MSS) said on Friday that some online-shopping processes could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies to steal sensitive information. The ministry urged the public to heighten security awareness while enjoying the convenience of e-commerce, according to a post seen on the ministry's WeChat account. The ministry pointed out that location data provided for delivery, which helps create detailed location profiles, could be exploited as a tool by foreign intelligence services for espionage activities. Some online shopping apps and mini programs automatically mark sensitive sites and specific coordinates on delivery maps to obtain precise locations, the MSS said. They will even conduct correlation analysis based on information such as purchase frequency, product preferences, and social connections to form user profiles of specific regions or locations, according to the report. The ministry warned that such seemingly ordinary business data could, if stolen, become a gateway for foreign spy agencies with ulterior motives to conduct espionage, infiltration, or cyber-attacks once stolen. The MSS also cautioned that facial-recognition payment systems may pose risks of biometric-data theft. While vending machines allow easy purchases via QR code scanning or "face-swipe" payments, are often equipped with audio and video recording capabilities, biometric recognition modules, and technologies such as dynamic facial recognition and infrared imaging. These technologies can collect facial features of passersby and iris patterns of users, according to ministry. Some devices, after capturing facial data, may further request users to provide personal information such as phone numbers, gender, and date of birth. If the backend information systems have security vulnerabilities, they could be hacked, leading to data breach risks. Considering that digitalization may pose risks, the ministry urged practitioners in the electronic retail industry to clearly define the legal boundaries of data collection, refrain from excessively collecting sensitive information, and strictly prohibit the use of user data in non-essential scenarios. The ministry also called on businesses to strengthen technical safeguards and carry out regular data security reviews to prevent data interception or the implantation of backdoor programs, the report said. Consumers are advised to boost their privacy awareness when leasing or purchasing electronic retail products, the ministry said. They should exercise caution regarding unreasonable requests from suppliers, such as the over-collection of biometric information. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICJ, Hamas reject Israeli Knesset's West Bank annexation plot as unlawful IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has issued a statement condemning the Israeli Knesset's preliminary approval of a plan to annex the West Bank, stating it lacks any legal legitimacy. According to Al Jazeera, the 120-seat Israeli Knesset voted 25-24 on Tuesday to advance a bill to annex the occupied West Bank, in the first of four votes needed to pass it into law. In reaction to the Israeli move, Hamas declared the decision null and void, stating it lacks any legal legitimacy. Hamas emphasized that the plan further exposes the colonial nature of the Israeli regime. It warned that Israeli attempts to legitimize settlement construction and impose sovereignty on occupied lands constitute a flagrant violation of international laws. The movement noted that the West Bank is an inseparable part of the land of Palestine. It added that any Israeli legislation would not change this historical and legal reality. Separately, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has reacted to the Knesset's move. The court stated that Israel has no jurisdiction to impose its sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In a related development, the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement, describing the Israeli plan as a clear aggression against the sovereignty of the Palestinian people. The ministry stressed that Israel has no legitimate sovereignty over any of the occupied territories, including al-Quds and Gaza. It stated that the West Bank, al-Quds, and Gaza form a single, unified geographic area. Earlier, the group has called for a united effort to thwart occupation plans, counter Israeli plans for the Judaization of Palestinian territories, and break the will of the occupying forces. Meantime, several countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and and Jordan have denounced the move by the Israeli Knesset. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 24 October 2025 Amman, 23.10.2025 -- Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Amman on 22 October for an official visit to Jordan. There he met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, for in-depth discussions on regional political developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Jordan. The conflict in the Middle East and the US's 20-point peace plan were at the heart of the talks. The discussions focused largely on the conflict in the Middle East, the situation in Gaza following the ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October, and the prospects opened up by the US's 20-point plan. Mr Cassis and Mr Safadi exchanged views on the challenges of implementing the plan, which aims to end the war in Gaza, facilitate its reconstruction and offer the prospect of lasting peace in the Middle East. The two ministers emphasised the need for coordinated engagement by the international community within the framework of the plan: specifically, to implement a two-state solution based on international law. They recognised Jordan's key role in stabilising the region and in distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza through the Jordan corridor. Mr Cassis reaffirmed Switzerland's willingness to support the efforts being made within the framework of the 20-point plan. The FDFA is currently assessing the areas of the plan in which its action can bring the greatest added value. Concerning the immediate humanitarian needs in connection with Gaza, the FDFA has decided to provide an emergency package of CHF 2 million in aid, including winter tents, blankets and other humanitarian goods from Switzerland, to be delivered by UNICEF. Humanitarian cooperation and sustainable partnerships Jordan is a vital hub for delivering humanitarian aid to those in need in the Gaza Strip and for receiving Palestinian and Syrian refugees. Mr Cassis reiterated that Swiss cooperation in Jordan - implemented as part of a regional cooperation programme with an annual budget of CHF 60 million - helps to improve the living conditions of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, strengthen the resilience of local communities and promote sustainable solutions in a context of strong migratory pressure. This includes expanding access to protection, education and livelihoods, and promoting opportunities for integrating refugees into the labour market. Switzerland is supporting Jordan in implementing its economic reform agenda, notably with regard to vocational training, water and entrepreneurship. The discussions also confirmed the two countries' shared desire to deepen scientific and diplomatic cooperation, particularly in the areas of water management and marine ecosystem protection, through the Blue Peace Middle East initiative and the Transnational Red Sea Center. Relations based on stability and trust Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Jordan, established in 1958, are based on solid cooperation and ongoing political dialogue. This meeting illustrates the two countries' shared desire to work together to promote peace and security. European Union and Uzbekistan strengthen relations with Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement European Commission Press release Oct 24, 2025 Brussels The European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan signed today an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. It marks an important deepening of regional ties, elevating them to a new level of strategic cooperation following the EU-Central Asia Summit held on 4 April in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: "In Samarkand, we made a commitment to deepen our relations with Central Asian countries. Today we are delivering on that commitment, by reinforcing our long-standing relationship with Uzbekistan. The Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement provides a framework for Uzbekistan and the European Union to work together for the mutual benefit of our citizens. It is the moment to consolidate an already strong partnership." The agreement establishes a new legal basis for reinforcing political dialogue and deepening cooperation in many mutually beneficial areas. These include trade and investment, sustainable development and connectivity, intellectual property, research and innovation, education, environment and climate change, as well as rule of law, human rights, and civil society. It also strengthens cooperation in foreign and security policy, encompassing conflict prevention and crisis management, risk reduction, cybersecurity, regional stability, disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, and export control. The agreement opens opportunities for collaboration in new areas such as critical raw materials essential for the green and digital transitions, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the EU and Uzbekistan in 2024. It also supports enhanced regional connectivity, including through the Global Gateway initiative and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Through the signing of the EPCA, the EU and Uzbekistan reaffirm their dedication to the principles and norms of international law, and to bolstering peace, stability, and security through effective multilateralism. The EU and Uzbekistan also announced the conclusion of their bilateral negotiations on market access on services and goods. This is a significant milestone in Uzbekistan's ongoing accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It underscores the EU's political support for Uzbekistan's WTO accession and the underlying economic reform process, as well as for a rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. The bilateral EU-Uzbekistan deal includes Uzbekistan's commitments on maximum tariff rates for import and export of goods and Uzbekistan's concessions in services. These commitments and concessions will be embodied in the future Protocol of Accession of Uzbekistan to the WTO. Background Since April 2021, Uzbekistan has benefited from unilateral preferential access to the EU market via the Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development (GSP+) under the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences. The EPCA's trade and economic provisions complement these GSP+ benefits regarding market access and Uzbekistan's commitments on sustainability as a GSP+ beneficiary. Uzbekistan is the EU's second-largest trading partner in Central Asia. GSP+ drove a significant rise in EU-Uzbek trade in goods. Overall trade between the EU and Uzbekistan reached nearly 4.8 billion in 2024 - bilateral EU-Uzbek trade in goods nearly doubled since 2020. The EPCA replaces the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in 1996. The EU is Uzbekistan's third largest trading partner (accounting for 10.4% of Uzbekistan's trade in 2024) and its second largest export destination (at 7.2% of Uzbekistan's exports). Uzbekistan has reiterated its commitment to maintain the momentum in the negotiations to reach the goal of WTO accession at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in 2026. As part of the accession process, WTO accession candidates need to sign bilateral deals with interested WTO members that include tariffs commitments, and services. The commitments undertaken in these bilateral deals will apply to all WTO Members once the candidate's accession is final. Quote(s) In Samarkand, we made a commitment to deepen our relations with Central Asian countries. Today we are delivering on that commitment, by reinforcing our long-standing relationship with Uzbekistan. The Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement provides a framework for Uzbekistan and the European Union to work together for the mutual benefit of our citizens. It is the moment to consolidate an already strong partnership. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission Uzbekistan is an important partner for the EU. Today's landmark agreement opens a new chapter in EU-Uzbekistan relations. It marks a significant step forward in our political, trade, and security ties. Human rights, civil society engagement, and democracy will be central building blocks for our closer cooperation. Together, we are building a stronger partnership. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission This Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement heralds a new milestone in EU-Uzbekistan economic and trade relations, in support of European and Uzbek consumers, SMEs, and businesses. By facilitating the expansion and diversification of our bilateral trade and investment flows, the EPCA will generate opportunities for growth, job creation, and economic resilience, contributing to economic prosperity in both regions Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Council reaffirms support for strengthening European defence Finnish Government Government Communications Department Publication date 24.10.2025 Type:Press release The European Council agreed on further measures to strengthen European defence and security in its meeting on 23 October in Brussels. The EU heads of state or government also discussed the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine in the form of a reparations loan. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting. According to Prime Minister Orpo, the Council held important discussions on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. "Our support for Ukraine will continue. Importantly, the Commission will now be able to draw up a proposal based on our conclusions. The EU leaders will resume discussions on the matter at the December European Council as planned," Prime Minister Orpo said in Brussels. "Ultimately, this is a question of Russia having to pay for the destruction it has caused in Ukraine," said Prime Minister Orpo. The EU leaders pledged to strengthen European defence capabilities based on the Commission's Defence Readiness Roadmap 2023. The roadmap consists of flagship projects - the European Drone Defence Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield and the European Space Shield - and their target timetables, as well as tools for monitoring military mobility and support for Ukraine. "The Council's strong support for the Defence Readiness Roadmap is an important achievement for Finland, as the roadmap advances many of Finland's key priorities. Most importantly, the plans for developing European defence are based on the premise that Russia poses a persistent threat. This is something we have long been advocating for. The flagship projects focusing on defending the EU's eastern flank and countering drones are also very important for Finland," said Prime Minister Orpo. EU Member States at eastern border to meet for summit in Finland Prime Minister Orpo has invited the leaders of the EU Member States on the eastern edge of the Union to a summit in Finland. The Eastern Flank Summit will be held in Helsinki on 16 December. So far, the heads of state of the Baltic States, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania are expected to attend. The summit will focus concretely on efforts to strengthen defence at the EU's eastern border in order to counter the threat from Russia. The European Council adopted conclusions that will guide the EU towards simplifying regulation and reducing the administrative burden on businesses. The Commission is also invited to put forth new proposals to make it easier for businesses to operate. The discussion on competitiveness also touched on the EU's climate targets and the role of the twin green and digital transitions in boosting economic growth. President of the European Council Antonio Costa announced a special summit on competitiveness on 12 February 2026 in Belgium. Other topics on the Council's agenda were the Middle East, migration and housing. The leaders held a Euro Summit over dinner in connection with the meeting. Topics addressed in the discussion on external relations included the situation in Moldova. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Another batch of 12 Ai-Petri counter-technical reconnaissance systems has been delivered to the defenders of Ukraine's airspace, according to a statement posted on the European Solidarity party's website on Saturday. "Strikes on Odesa region with guided bombs with increased range, strikes on Kherson with shahids and guided aerial bombs, the enemy is constantly improving its deadly technologies and tactics of terror. Today, we are handing over twelve Ai-Petri systems to our defenders. They will be used against enemy guided aerial bombs, strike and reconnaissance drones in critical areas of the front line, as they have already proven their effectiveness against such types of enemy attacks. They have been protecting the rear, critical infrastructure and the line of contact for over a year," leader of the European Solidarity party and fifth president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said. Each complex includes the counter-technical reconnaissance device itself, a pickup truck, a multi-band dome electronic warfare system, a charging station and the necessary electronics. According to Poroshenko, state contracting for the complexes has recently begun. "Today, you see the result of timely fulfilment of obligations to the state. This is the result of joint work, with the Poroshenko Foundation as an investor," he added. "We are transferring the counter-technical reconnaissance devices into the reliable hands of soldiers from the missile and mechanised brigades. The rest of the Ai-Petri complexes will go to the newly formed corps of the Defence Forces under a state order. I would also like to thank Bilohorodka Territorial Community for supporting the air defence of Kyiv region with subsidies. I believe that the time will come when the Ukrainian sky will be clear and safe again," Poroshenko said. As reported, on 30 September, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received 15 fully equipped Ai-Petri technical reconnaissance countermeasures systems, which is currently the largest shipment of such systems and the first shipment from a state order. Finland to strengthen its contribution to NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine Finnish Ministry of Defence 24.10.2025 12:54 In the future, Finland will be able to deploy up to 15 soldiers to the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). The current level of participation is five soldiers. On 24 October, the President of the Republic of Finland decided to extend Finland's contribution to the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). The objective is for Finland to deploy ten soldiers to NSATU by early 2026. Finland's contribution could be increased to a maximum of 15 soldiers if the situation warrants it, taking into account the resources of the Finnish Defence Forces and the needs of NSATU. Currently, Finland deploys five soldiers to NSATU. The Finnish soldiers carry out staff, administrative and support duties at the NSATU Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, and, if necessary, in other NSATU functions within the territory of NATO Allies. The NSATU mission is to provide enduring, predictable and coherent support to Ukraine. It coordinates Allied materiel deliveries, maintenance, logistics and military training. NSATU also has tasks related to developing Ukraine's armed forces and improving their compatibility with NATO. NSATU was launched in December 2024, and NATO member states have been asked to strengthen their contributions. Finland's contribution to NSATU is part of Finland's strong support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's aggression. It also helps Finland stay up to date on the international support provided to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen: Italy will participate in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland Finnish Ministry of Defence 24.10.2025 12:35 Italy will participate in NATO's Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland. Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen and Italy's Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto discussed the matter on Wednesday 22 October 2025. "Italy is one of Europe's leading countries, and it has a prominent role in NATO. Italy has already taken part in the planning of FLF Finland, and we have been discussing the matter closely. Now, my colleague Guido Crosetto has confirmed that Italy will participate in the FLF. This is an important step in the development of FLF Finland," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said. Sweden as the framework nation and the United Kingdom and France and the Nordic countries Denmark, Norway and Iceland have previously announced their participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland. "I am delighted that Italy will be joining the already strong group of Allies participating in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland. This is a strong message of a united Europe that shoulders its responsibility in NATO and, in this case especially, in the northern part of the Alliance," Minister Hakkanen said. The Forward Land Forces form a part of NATO's peacetime activities. Under normal conditions, multinational forces train and exercise together with national home defence forces. The FLF are part of NATO's operations planning, and should the security situation change, the FLF presence could be scaled up to brigade size. In peacetime, Allies also exercise their ability to rapidly reinforce the forces. FLF Finland will commence exercises in 2025. Statement regarding Italy's participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement regarding Italy's participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland Finnish Ministry of Defence 24.10.2025 12:30 Italy has announced its participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland. Defence ministers Antti Hakkanen and Guido Crosetto discussed Italy's participation during their bilateral discussion on 22 October 2025. Forward Land Forces Finland is an important part of NATO's deterrence and defence posture on the Northern Flank. In a discussion between the Defence Ministers on 22. October, minister Crosetto confirmed Italy's readiness to participate in FLF Finland. Minister Hakkanen warmly welcomed Italian participation as a strong signal of European solidarity. Sweden is the Framework Nation and Finland the Host Nation for FLF Finland. By creating conditions for rapidly receiving, integrating and deploying Allied units into the region, FLF Finland will strengthen NATO's posture and deterrence. Italy's participation is a strong expression of Allied unity. Earlier this year, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom, in addition to Finland as host nation and Sweden as framework nation, have already expressed their intention to be engaged in the further development of the Forward Land Forces in Finland. Together with Nordic countries and now three major European powers, we enhance Allied deterrence and defence in the High North and for the whole Alliance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese envoy calls for durable ceasefire in Gaza Global Times By Xinhua Published: Oct 24, 2025 09:24 AM A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for a durable ceasefire in Gaza. "The current ceasefire should become the basis for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told an open debate of the UN Security Council. Yet disturbingly, violations of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas are still taking place, leading to casualties of innocent civilians, he said. "China calls on all parties concerned to fully abide by the requirements of the ceasefire agreement, work to achieve a truly comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and ensure that Gaza will regain security and stability," said Fu. Despite the partial resumption of humanitarian assistance, many obstacles persist, and the urgent humanitarian needs are far from being met, Fu said. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law as the occupying power, open all border crossings, guarantee the large-scale entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza and their safe and orderly distribution, and lift restrictions on aid operations conducted by humanitarian agencies, he said. Fu said that Gaza is the homeland of the Palestinian people, not a bargaining chip in international politics. Any arrangement on the future of Gaza must adhere to the consensus on "Palestinians governing Palestine," and respect the will of the Palestinian people, he said. After two years of indiscriminate bombings, Gaza is devastated and inhospitable, and it is imperative to start reconstruction and restore livelihoods as soon as possible, he said. Fu said that implementing the two-state solution is the only way out for the Palestinian question, adding that it has no alternative and must not be denied. Only when an independent State of Palestine is established and when the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians are realized, can historical injustices and the root causes of violence be eliminated, and lasting, peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel be achieved, he said. Israel must stop its settlement activities in the West Bank and stop undermining the foundations of governance by the Palestinian Authority, he said. The international community should reject unilateral actions that jeopardize the basis of the two-state solution, and support Palestine's independent statehood and its full membership at the UN at an early date, said Fu. The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and should play a positive role in upholding peace and stability in Gaza, Fu said. China stands ready to work with the international community to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden welcomes Italy's participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 24 October 2025 Italy has announced its participation in NATO's Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Finland, led by Sweden. As Framework Nation for FLF Finland, Sweden is leading the ongoing work on developing the multinational battlegroup, in close cooperation with Finland as Host Nation, NATO and other Allies. A Swedish battalion-size battlegroup will be the core of the FLF. "It is good for Nordic and transatlantic security that Italy is now joining FLF Finland. Together with the United Kingdom, France and the Nordic countries, we are strengthening deterrence against Russia in northern Europe", says Minister of Defence Pal Jonson. At the NATO Summit in the Hague on 24 June, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom expressed their intention to be engaged in the further development of the Forward Land Forces in Finland. Together with the Nordic countries and three European Allies with strong military capabilities, we enhance Allied deterrence and defence in the High North and for the whole Alliance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IOM Dispatches Shelter Aid to Gaza Amid Massive Post-Ceasefire Needs International Organization for Migration News - Global 24 October 2025 Geneva/Amman, 24 October 2025 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has dispatched over 47,000 relief items to Gaza since the announcement of the ceasefire on 10 October 2025 to support displaced families. Of these, 31,000 are shelter items, including 2,500 tents, to help people rebuild a sense of safety and dignity amid widespread destruction. "People in Gaza have endured unimaginable loss," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "They need help that reaches them quickly and safely, through every possible route and entry point. Shelter isn't a luxury; it is what allows families to rest, to stay warm, and to begin rebuilding their lives. Without it, recovery cannot begin. Every person deserves to live in safety and dignity, and humanitarian aid, including food, water, medicine, and shelter, must be allowed to reach everyone, everywhere." Shelter needs remain dire, with an estimated 90 per cent of the population displaced. According to the Shelter Cluster, at least 1.5 million people urgently require emergency shelter assistance, while available supplies have been nearly depleted. Hundreds of thousands of people are cautiously making their way back home, only to find their houses reduced to rubble and basic infrastructure destroyed. With very few tents or tarpaulins available, some are using flour and rice sacks to shield themselves from the elements. IOM has prepositioned millions of lifesaving relief items for rapid deployment, including more than 28,000 additional tents in Jordan for up to 168,000 people, along with blankets, mattresses, and hygiene items. Over 4.1 million winterization items, including tarpaulins and solar lanterns, are also ready for delivery to improve living conditions in damaged or overcrowded shelters. Despite the ceasefire, systematic restrictions, including delayed customs clearance, limited border crossings, and ongoing insecurity, continue to obstruct aid delivery. IOM stands ready to respond as quickly and extensively as possible, provided that full, safe, and unrestricted humanitarian access is granted by the relevant Israeli authorities, in line with humanitarian principles. Following a complete blockade on shelter items for six months, needs across Gaza remain overwhelming. Since the ceasefire announcement, IOM has begun delivering essential assistance, but far more is required to meet the urgent needs of the 1.5 million people lacking adequate shelter. Families without safe housing face heightened risks of disease, hunger, and violence. Among the latest deliveries, 2,500 tents dispatched last week will be distributed by humanitarian partners to at least 15,000 displaced people across Gaza, providing protection from the increasingly cold weather. The tents were provided by the European Union and Irish Aid and delivered to Gaza in coordination with the humanitarian Logistics Cluster. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns Israeli air raid on Lebanon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including schoolchildren. Describing the attacks as "terrorist crimes," Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday that Israel's continued impunity, bolstered by unconditional support from the United States, has led to repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the unilateral breach of the ceasefire by the Israeli regime underscores what he called the "terrorist and domineering nature of the Zionist regime." Baghaei also called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to fulfill their responsibilities in addressing what he described as Israel's lawlessness and crimes. 9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns against continuation of Israel's colonial expansionism IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson considered the Israeli regime's Knesset resolution regarding the annexation of the West Bank to be a clear violation of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and strongly condemned it. Baghaei called this resolution another step on the path of the Zionist regime's criminal and colonial expansionism, which has continued to violate the fundamental right of the Palestinian people to self-determination for eight decades and violates the peremptory rules of international law, especially the right of nations to self-determination. Referring to the continuing gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the West Bank, along with the genocide in Gaza, Baghaei said that the Zionist regime's declared and practical policy in the West Bank, including the repetition of the illusion of "Greater Israel" alongside the creation of new settlements and the enactment of new resolutions in the Knesset, confirm this regime's plan for comprehensive ethnic cleansing throughout occupied Palestine. He reiterated that this situation reinforces the responsibility of all governments to take effective measures to prevent the 'colonial annihilation' of Palestine. Baghaei called for immediate action by the Islamic countries and the international community to prevent the blatant violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people, and noted the responsibility of the United Nations to stop the Zionist regime's continuous attacks on the identity of Palestine and the rights of the Palestinians. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: UN expert alarmed by escalating drone attacks, urges protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 24 October 2025 GENEVA -- The UN designated Expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, Radhouane Nouicer, today expressed alarm at the sharp escalation in drone strikes by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in recent weeks, and the devastating consequences for civilians throughout the country. On 21 and 22 October, RSF drones targeted Khartoum International Airport, just prior to its planned reopening for the first time since the conflict began in April 2023. RSF drones also struck dams and electricity infrastructure in Blue Nile and Sennar states on 21 October, injuring six technical workers and causing widespread power outages. The strikes plunged cities into darkness and hindered access to essential services. "The intensifying use of drone strikes is putting civilian lives at additional risk, deepening the humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the country. This escalation has the potential for far-reaching consequences beyond Sudan's borders," warned Nouicer. Increased drone attacks by the RSF have devastated the besieged city of El Fasher, including strikes on a shelter for internally displaced persons on 10 and 11 October which claimed the lives of at least 57 civilians. On 19 and 20 October, SAF drones struck multiple locations in North Darfur and West Darfur, killing at least 13 civilians and damaging civilian objects, such as homes, markets and public buildings. In the Kordofan region, intensified drone strikes by both SAF and RSF are placing civilians at increased risk. On 17 October, a SAF drone strike in El Mazroub, North Kordofan, killed at least 18 civilians, five days after an RSF drone strike in Dalami, South Kordofan, which claimed the lives of at least four civilians. "The continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure violates international humanitarian law and contradicts express commitments to the protection of civilians. Concrete measures are urgently needed to protect civilians and ensure accountability," stressed Nouicer. The Expert called on the parties to cease attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, de-escalate the situation and prioritize the protection of civilians. Nouicer was appointed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as his Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan on 16 December 2022, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions A/HRC/S-32/1, A/HRC/50/1, and A/HRC/S-36/1. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No letup in PH patrols in WPS, says AFP chief Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno October 24, 2025, 1:09 pm MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday assured the public that there will be no letup in the military's patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite persistent Chinese aggression. Brawner gave the assurance in a radio interview when asked on how the AFP plans to fend off China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy whose vessels are getting closer to Philippine-occupied features in the WPS. "Kaya't hindi po natin iiwan ito. Tuloy-tuloy po 'yung pagprotekta natin nito ng mga Marines natin, ng Navy natin, and tuloy-tuloy rin po 'yung ating pagpapatrolya doon sa area. 'Yung mga eroplano po natin ay halos araw-araw lumalabas po para magpatrolya (We will never abandon the place. We will continue to protect it with our Marines, with our Navy, and our patrols will be nonstop. Our planes are going out almost daily to conduct patrols there)," he said. The latest harassment took place on Oct. 12 when Chinese maritime forces fired water cannon and rammed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels going about their lawful mandate off Pag-asa Island in the WPS. Brawner said the AFP is using three strategies to contain these illegal Chinese activities: physical presence, creating a credible deterrent capability, and forging alliances with like-minded nations. The AFP chief also maintained that they will never leave the WPS and the nine Philippine-occupied features, including the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Philippine-China relations over the years have been marked by a series of untoward incidents in the WPS, from dangerous Chinese ship maneuvers to use of water cannons at Philippine vessels, prompting Manila to lodge dozens of diplomatic protests against Beijing. In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the South China Sea, including the WPS, before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. China refuses to recognize the ruling and continues to maintain its presence in the WPS. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Twenty-five years ago, Roque Sevilla (Quito, 78), an economist with a passion for nature, went in search of the last remaining forest in the Andean Choco, in Ecuador. At the time, he sought to conserve life in one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. It was there, when he visited aged 53, that the Mashpi-Tayra Reserve was born, now a habitat for unique animals, insects, and birds. His combination of forest protection through technology, species protection, and community work was an essential reason for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to award Sevilla the Kenton Miller Award for Innovation in Protected Areas. Were creating a legacy for future generations because ours has been completely aggressive toward nature, and in some way, we have to restore that before we leave this world, he reflects. Sevilla recalls that, in 2000, when he bought those 1,200 hectares of land to protect it, I knew it was something very valuable from a conservation standpoint. Although the residents thought I was buying it for the gold, the former metropolitan mayor of Quito says with a laugh. Sevilla has dedicated almost his entire life to defending nature and developing sustainable alternatives to major environmental threats. In 1987, Sevilla, then leading an Ecuadorian NGO and working with WWF and The Nature Conservancy, achieved the first debt-for-nature swap in Ecuador: $10 million was allocated to the protection of National Parks. Since then, his work has continued. Today, he is focused on protecting the Andean Choco, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Tayra specimen native to the Mashpi Reserve. Fundacion Futuro This reserve is home to 410 species of birds, 97 types of mammals, 49 types of amphibians, and 69 types of reptiles. Fundacion Futuro The Mashpi-Tayra reserve protects 5,820 hectares of forest. Fundacion Futuro The conserved areas are protected by people from the Guayabillas community. Fundacion Futuro The Mashpi-Tayra Reserve is an island of biodiversity, located just minutes from Quito, the Ecuadorian capital. Its subtropical cloud forests are home to 410 species of birds, 97 types of mammals, 49 amphibians, and 69 reptiles. One of their most recent discoveries was a new tree species, which can reach up to 50 meters in height. Sevilla excitedly recounts that in one of their latest investigations, together with the University of Guelph in Canada, they set up a trap for flying insects and found more than 7,000 species of these invertebrates endemic to the area. When I said this at the awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi, they were amazed; they couldnt believe it, he says. The unique characteristics of this refuge, owned by the Futuro Foundation an organization that promotes environmental and sustainable development initiatives led to its inclusion in 2019 as part of Ecuadors National System of Protected Areas. This mechanism guarantees the conservation and protection of wildlife and all the biodiversity of terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems of great natural value. That same year, collaboration began with the Guayabillas Indigenous community, neighboring the Mashpi-Tayra reserve. Thanks to this work, the Guayabillas Ecuador Association of Women Entrepreneurs (Asomeg) was created, a project in which local women transform native fruits such as araza, borojo, and salak into artisanal jams. An aerial view of the Andean Choco (Ecuador). Fundacion Futuro Irma Napa, president of Asomeg, fondly recalls the first time she and her colleagues saw their finished products: We felt proud when we saw the little jar of jam. When we branded it La Guapa, it was truly surprising, she says. Napa acknowledges that ventures like this have allowed them to strengthen their economic independence. We can contribute and empower ourselves. It allows us to let go and not depend solely on our husbands. Technology to conserve the Andean Choco The Mashpi-Tayra Reserve protects 5,820 hectares of forest, of which 3,237 are under the direct management of the organization and 2,583 through conservation agreements. Carolina Proano, director of the Futuro Foundation, explains that one of the main innovations is its conservation financing mechanism, based on the purchase of tokens linked to areas within the reserve. This has been possible thanks to the tokenization (code generation) of the maps, which contain information on the biodiversity of each area and even allow the geolocation of the acquired token. Proano explains that the conserved areas are protected by members of the Guayabillas community. We signed an agreement and [they] committed to take care of a specific area in exchange for a financial incentive. We provided the resources to those involved in the conservation action. For the community, this has represented a paradigm shift. Before, we had to clear trees to earn an income and plant corn, rice, and pastures. Now we can conserve and maintain water, and sustainably produce what we plant, Napa acknowledges. Roque Sevilla in the Andean Choco (Ecuador) in November 2023. Fundacion Futuro Caring for the Andean Choco is a conservation umbrella; it goes beyond protecting cloud forests. Each hectare captures carbon, captures the water consumed in Quito, and even acts as a shield against climate change. These forests act like sponges: during the dry season, they capture water from the clouds and support thousands of families in the rural parishes northwest of the capital. Without this ecosystem, 116,000 families could face extreme droughts lasting up to three months. The next goal is even more ambitious: to expand the reserve to protect the largest swathe of forest in the Andean Choco. Thanks to an alliance with other organizations, says Proano, they are seeking to preserve 500,000 hectares, connecting different reserves in the area. The idea is to protect the forests from the Colombian border to the Ecuadorian Andes. If we achieve this, it would be fabulous, concludes Sevilla. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition ICC affirms jurisdiction over Duterte case Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora October 24, 2025, 9:58 am MANILA -- Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) affirmed the court's jurisdiction in the crime against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte. In a ruling dated Oct. 23, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I Judges Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera rejected the defense's argument that the ICC cannot exercise jurisdiction over the case because the investigation into the war on drugs in the Philippines was only authorized in September 2021, two years after the country's effective withdrawal from the Rome Statute. "The jurisdictional regime set out in Part 2 of the Statute continues to apply to this case as if the Philippines were still a Party to the Statute, so as to ensure that, pursuant to article 127(2) of the Statute, the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Statute "shall not [...] prejudice in any way the continued consideration of any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective," it read. The judges ruled that no provision in the Statute imposes any time limit on the ICC's ability to exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed during the period when the State was a party to the Statute. They pointed out that Article 127(2) of the Rome Statute "makes specific provision for the Court to be able to exercise its jurisdiction if the matter concerned was already under consideration by the Court prior to the withdrawal of a State becoming effective." "Article 127(2) of the Statute thereby appropriately balances the right of a State to withdraw from the Statute and the risk of a State using its right to withdraw to shield persons from the jurisdiction of the Court," the decision read. It also finds that the prosecution's preliminary examination - opened in February 2018 before the Philippines deposited its written notification of withdrawal from the Statute - is sufficient for the case to move forward. Duterte's camp earlier submitted that a "preliminary examination" is not a "matter under consideration," saying it is not "a formal procedural phase" but rather one that is "internal, informal, and non-justiciable." The judges argued that the words "any matter" is broad and not limited to a specific phase of the proceedings, and that the preliminary examination falls within the phrase "any matter which was already under consideration." The ruling, meanwhile, does not address the Duterte camp's motion to stop the proceedings on the basis that the former chief executive is unfit to stand trial. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DND chief: PH 'reshaping' defense ecosystem vs. emerging threats Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno October 24, 2025, 9:21 am MANILA -- The Philippines is reshaping its defense to make it more capable and resilient against modern threats, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Thursday. "The President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has instructed us to be unyielding and to reshape our defense ecosystem as quickly as possible into a multi-threat, multi-domain system," Teodoro said in his speech before members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Makati City. He also pushed for greater transparency, trust, and shared growth in defense and industrial development with the organization. The Philippines is "at the spearhead" of current threats to the international order, he said, citing China's latest illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea. To achieve this, the DND is pursuing two key thrusts: building internal defense resilience and expanding strategic engagements with like-minded nations, he added. He cited as an example of this strategy the advanced talks for the Visiting Forces Agreements with France and the United Kingdom, along with a similar arrangement with Canada. "The more convergence of like-minded countries at the spear's tip, the better," Teodoro said. "We must resist and deter any attempt to change the international order to the detriment of our people and future generations." He also underscored the need to reform the country's defense acquisition and funding systems, noting that defense spending has long been "miserably low." The DND, he said, would prioritize the development of strategic bases and adopt government-to-government arrangements for defense procurements and joint industrial production. "We will focus on what we truly need, not just what is available," he said, adding that defense self-reliance will depend on reliable, diversified, and secure supply chains aligned with the Philippines' national interests. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian factions demand full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 6:55 PM Palestinian factions have reiterated their unified stance against Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. As they concluded a two-day meeting hosted by Egypt on Friday, the factions stressed that the current stage requires "a unified national stance," rejecting all forms of annexation and displacement in Gaza, the West Bank, and al-Quds. They condemned the Israeli parliament's (Knesset) initial nod to annex the occupied West Bank as "a serious aggression on the Palestinian identity and existence." The meeting was held amid international efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month and to address the repercussions of Israel's genocidal war. Several Palestinian factions attended the meeting to discuss the latest developments of the Palestinian cause and the second phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, in preparation for holding a comprehensive national dialogue to restore national unity. In a joint communique, the Palestinian factions demanded the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the complete lifting of the siege imposed on the territory, and the immediate start of a comprehensive reconstruction process of the strip. They expressed their support for a temporary committee of technocrats to run post-war Gaza, in cooperation with Arab states and international institutions, stressing that national unity is the "decisive" response to Israel's policies. The statement also called for adopting all necessary measures to preserve security and stability in Gaza, and pointed to the importance of the issuance of a UN resolution regarding the deployment of temporary international forces to monitor the ceasefire. Meanwhile, the factions urged the international community to pressure Israel to stop violating the rights of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. They agreed to prepare for a meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to unify visions and to activate the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), described as "the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," so that it includes all components and active forces of the Palestinian people. The statement called for making the outcome of the meeting a true starting point for a genuine national unity to defend the Palestinian people's right to life, dignity, freedom, self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital, while guaranteeing the right of return for refugees. Israel has so far killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians since launching the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, before a ceasefire deal was reached in the strip earlier this month. The deal marks the first phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, with further stages to be negotiated at a later date. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA says its 'presence remains vital' to meeting urgent needs for Gaza Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 6:25 PM The UN's refugee agency for the Palestinians says the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a recent ruling recognized the fact that "no organization can replace the UNRWA's role in supporting the people of Gaza." UNRWA's presence remains vital to meeting urgent humanitarian needs across the occupied Palestinian territory, the agency said in a statement on Friday. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini earlier welcomed the ICJ ruling, saying Israel must facilitate the agency's distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. "I welcome the unambiguous ruling by the International Court of Justice today stating that - Israel is under an obligation to agree to & facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations & its entities, in particular UNRWA," Lazzarini said on X. On Wednesday, the ICJ ordered Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian region, underscoring its legal obligation as an occupying power to ensure Palestinians have access to essential goods for survival. ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa further stressed that Israel must "agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities," including UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. As part of its findings, the ICJ said that Israel has failed to show evidence that UNRWA was working for the Palestinian resistance group Hamas as the regime had claimed. "The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA's employees are members of Hamas," Iwasawa said. "Israel's claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that UNRWA is not a neutral organization," he stated. Iwasawa added that the humanitarian organization has "huge amounts of food & other life saving supplies on standby in Egypt & Jordan," and it possesses "the resources and expertise to immediately scale up the humanitarian response in Gaza & help alleviate the suffering of the civilian population." The ICJ ruling also said that Israel cannot use starvation as a method of warfare. Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has already been saying that Israel is failing to uphold the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by refusing to reopen the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The United Nations wants Israel to allow in "more [aid] trucks at more crossing points" to Gaza as aid levels remain far lower than specified by the ceasefire agreement. WHO calls for all Gaza's border crossings to open for medical evacuations Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in the Palestinian territory, Rik Peeperkorn on Friday called for all of Gaza's border crossings to be opened for both the entry of aid and medical evacuations. "All medical corridors need to be opened," Peeperkorn, said. He added that corridors should particularly be opened to reach hospitals in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds. "It is vital and is the most cost-effective route. If that route opened, it would really be a ... game-changer," he told journalists in Geneva speaking via videolink from occupied al-Quds According to Peeperkorn, two medical evacuations are planned for next week, but he called for them to happen every day, and said the WHO was ready to take "a minimum of 50 patients per day". At the current rate, he explained, evacuating the 15,000 people needing treatment in Gaza, which includes 4,000 children, would drag on for a decade or so. UN experts say the targeted destruction of Gaza's healthcare system by the Israel forces amounts to "medicide". Israel left a campaign of death and destruction during its two-year-long genocidal war across the blockaded Palestinian territory. According to Gaza health authorities, the death toll has risen to nearly 68,300 since the Israeli genocidal war began in 2023, with tens of thousands more wounded and missing amid widespread destruction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address People's health direly impacted by poor living conditions in Gaza: MSF Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 5:22 PM Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says deteriorating living conditions in the Gaza Strip are severely affecting Palestinians' health, urging the Israeli regime to allow "unimpeded humanitarian assistance." "Malnutrition, inadequate sanitation, and poor living conditions are taking a devastating toll on people's health," said MSF medical coordinator Adi Nadimpalli, the organization reported on Thursday. The organization said in a written statement that the displacement, along with the massive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the health system by Israeli forces, is creating the "perfect storm" for disease and illness to spread. "Israeli authorities should immediately allow a massive scale-up of humanitarian assistance to flow freely into Gaza," it said. The Israeli genocidal war on Gaza from October 2023 to October 2025 made the people of Gaza exceptionally vulnerable. Israel's "two-year-long genocidal campaign" has left people "traumatized, injured, and dangerously exposed to the elements as winter approaches," MSF said. "Without immediate improvements to water, sanitation, shelter, and nutrition, more people will die from entirely preventable causes," it added. "The Israeli authorities must immediately allow a massive scale-up of unimpeded humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza," stressed the organization. Earlier this week, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Gaza Government Media Office also warned of dire conditions despite the October 10 ceasefire deal. It said the Israelis' restriction on the number of aid trucks entering Gaza reflects "the continued policy of strangulation, starvation and humanitarian blackmail practiced by the [Israeli] occupation." The WFP also reported on Tuesday that food deliveries to Gaza remain far below the agency's target of 2,000 tons per day. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its call for all of Gaza's border crossings to be opened to facilitate both the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of patients in need of urgent care. "All medical corridors need to be opened," said Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territory. He warned that, at the current pace, evacuating the 15,000 people requiring treatment including 4,000 children "would drag on for a decade or so." On the ground, local authorities report little progress in relief operations. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza's civil defence, said there has been "no real improvement" except for the limited entry of aid trucks that "fail to meet the minimum needs of the affected population." In a statement on Telegram, he described the extent of the destruction, saying, "Homes remain destroyed, bodies are still trapped beneath the rubble, and roads are blocked by debris, while the Civil Defence teams continue to work with almost no resources amid massive devastation that covers every corner of the Strip." Basal appealed to the international community to take immediate measures, urging the entry of heavy machinery and engineering equipment without restrictions, the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors, and greater logistical and financial support for recovery efforts. He also called for guarantees of legal and humanitarian protection for rescue and medical personnel working under extreme conditions. Together, the warnings from WHO and Gaza's civil defence highlight a grim reality: despite promises of aid and reconstruction, the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged, and the humanitarian crisis deepens each day. The Israeli regime unleashed its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement carried out a retaliatory operation against the usurping entity over the Zionists' intensified atrocities against them. Tel Aviv accepted a Gaza ceasefire deal after two years, following the failure to achieve its declared objectives of eradicating Hamas and freeing all the captives taken in the operation. The Israeli forces have killed more than 68,200 Palestinians before accepting the US-brokered peace deal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan urges US to pressure Israel to stop violating Gaza ceasefire Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 3:44 PM Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stressed that the United States and others must pressure Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including by imposing sanctions or halting arms sales to the regime. Turkey, a member of NATO, has served as a mediator in the ceasefire negotiations. Its increased role followed a meeting between Erdogan and his American counterpart, Donald Trump, at the White House last month. "As Turkey, we are doing our utmost for the ceasefire to be secured. The Hamas side is abiding by the ceasefire. In fact, it is openly stating its commitment to this. Israel, meanwhile, is continuing to violate the ceasefire," Erdogan told reporters on his return flight from a tour of some Persian Gulf Arab states on Friday. "The international community, namely the United States, must do more to ensure Israel's full compliance with the ceasefire and agreement," he stated, according to his office. "Israel must be forced to keep its promises via sanctions, halting of arms sales." Erdogan also reiterated a previous call for Persian Gulf Arab countries to finance Gaza reconstruction now, saying nobody could single-handedly complete this task. Israel has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians since launching the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, before a ceasefire deal was reached in the strip earlier this month. The deal marks the first phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, with further stages to be negotiated at a later date. The Gaza Government Media Office has said Israel is violating the ceasefire agreement by obstructing aid deliveries and continuing the deliberate campaign of starving Palestinians. Dozens of people have also been killed in Israeli attacks across the besieged coastal territory since the shaky ceasefire deal took effect. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas calls for intl. pressure on Israel to honor Gaza ceasefire Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 3:30 PM Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has called on the international community to pressure Israel to abide by the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, particularly to end its military operations and allow unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged territory. In a statement published on Hamas's Telegram channel on Friday, Qassem demanded the lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the "urgent and adequate entry of humanitarian aid." He emphasized that Hamas had received "clear guarantees" from mediators including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey as well as "direct confirmations from the United States" that the war had effectively ended and that "implementing the terms of the agreement represents a complete end to it." Qassem warned against what he described as Israel's potential use of humanitarian needs as a "political blackmail tool," and urged "serious action to prevent a recurrence of the starvation policies practiced by the occupation during the long years of the blockade." The Hamas spokesperson said the movement was "keen to ensure the success of this agreement and its implementation on the ground." He added that the current stage was "dangerous not only for Hamas, but for the entire Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank," stressing the need for unity to face the challenges ahead. "We are entering a Palestinian national dialogue with open hearts and outstretched hands to all Palestinian forces," Qassem said. "This is a time for national consensus and prioritising the national interest over narrow partisan interests." His remarks came amid reports of renewed Israeli strikes across Gaza, which Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations say violate the ceasefire agreement which took effect on October 10. Israeli tanks reportedly shelled residential areas in Gaza City, while a drone strike targeted Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Despite the truce, conditions remain dire. Many Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in northern Gaza face "daily struggle for survival." Large parts of the region remain inaccessible due to the continued presence of Israeli forces. A UN official urged Israel to allow "more [aid] trucks at more crossing points," noting that current aid deliveries remain well below the levels agreed under the ceasefire terms. Since the truce took effect, scores of Palestinians have been killed in continuing attacks, while recovery teams are still uncovering bodies from beneath the rubble of destroyed neighborhoods. In Gaza City's Al-Zaytoun district, rescuers recently found the remains of more than 100 Palestinians in a mass grave. Reports indicate they were killed in an Israeli strike in November 2023 and buried in a large trench because Israeli forces prevented families from holding proper funerals. According to Gaza health authorities, the death toll has risen to nearly 68,300 since the Israeli genocidal war began in 2023, with tens of thousands more wounded and missing amid widespread destruction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq: Israel's West Bank annexation bills 'flagrant violation' of international law Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 2:12 PM Iraq has denounced Israel's advancement of legislation to annex the occupied West Bank, saying the parliamentary approval constitutes a "flagrant violation of international law." Israel's Knesset on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would apply the usurping entity's law to all West Bank settlements, as well as another, more limited bill to annex the Maale Adumim settlement. The bills must still pass three additional votes in the plenum to turn into law. In a statement on Friday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said it "strongly condemns the Knesset's approval of two draft laws aimed at imposing sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and illegal settlements." According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the ministry added that the approval of the two bills constitutes a "blatant breach of international law and a direct assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people." It warned that such "expansionist measures" would undermine stability and entrench the reality of occupation and settlement while posing a threat to peace and security across the region. The ministry emphasized that the international community should bear its "legal and humanitarian" responsibilities and take a firm stand in opposition to Israel's aggressive and expansionist policies toward the people of Palestine. The legislation, introduced by opposition lawmakers outside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, coincided with US Vice President JD Vance's visit to occupied al-Quds. It also came less than a month after US President Donald Trump declared on September 26 that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. In a statement on Wednesday, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas condemned the Israeli parliament's initial nod to annex the occupied West Bank, saying the move reflects the ugly face of the Tel Aviv regime's colonization of Palestinian land. The resistance group said the move shows that Israel is continuing its efforts to "legalize" settlements and impose its "sovereignty" over the occupied Palestinian territories, in a stark violation of international law and resolutions. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories was "unlawful" and must end as soon as possible. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela deploys troops to coastline amid US military buildup in Caribbean Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 11:24 AM The Venezuelan defense minister says the armed forces are maintaining a full deployment along the country's coastline as the United States steps up military buildup in the Caribbean. Vladimir Padrino Lopez made the remarks on Thursday, saying Venezuela's army is seeking to achieve the "optimal point" of coordination and readiness to respond to the US actions in the region. Venezuela's military efforts include "reconnaissance operations on land routes, aerial surveillance, exploration and radio operations, drone surveys, and amphibious maneuvers" across coastal regions, he added. Earlier on Thursday, two US Air Force B-1 bombers flew flew near the coast of Venezuela. However, US President Donald Trump denied the flight, saying, "No, it's not accurate. No. It's false. But we're not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons. Drugs being one of them". Trump further noted that "the land is going to be next" in his campaign to halt the alleged flow of drugs into the US from Venezuela. He also insisted that he could continue to launch strikes against suspected drug traffickers abroad without Congress first passing an official declaration of war. US Senator Adam Schiff said, "The president should come to Congress. Legally, he is required to come to Congress. Though he may not get the answer he expects. Americans don't want another war." Similarly, Justin Amash, a former Republican congressman, criticized Trump, saying, "The Constitution doesn't permit a president to act as the legislature and judiciary on top of being the chief executive." Last week, at least two US B-52 bombers flew for several hours off the Venezuelan coast in what one senior American official called "a show of force." Trump also admitted to green lighting a regime change plan in Venezuela. Washington has already deployed eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine and fighter jets to the Caribbean under the pretext of combating drug smuggling into the United States. For at least nine times, the US military has conducted strikes against suspected drug boats, killing 37 people. US war secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X the videos of the latest US strikes, which did not happen in the Caribbean Sea but in the eastern Pacific Ocean, signaling an expansion of the lethal attacks. On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said his country had 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles in "key air defense positions." He also emphasized that the massive stockpile is intended to guarantee "the peace, stability and tranquility" of the Venezuelan people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns 'terrorist' Israeli strikes on Lebanon after 4 killed Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 10:50 AM Iran has strongly condemned Israeli air strikes on Lebanon that killed several civilians, calling the attacks "terrorist crimes" and urging international action against the occupation regime. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denounced on Friday "the aggressive attacks by the Zionist regime" against southern and eastern Lebanon, which killed four people. He condemned the Thursday aggression as a "terrorist crime" which hit a school in Bekaa and led to the injury of several students. Extending condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Lebanon, he stressed the need "to prosecute and punish the Zionist regime for its crimes." Baghaei said Israel's "continued impunity" is rooted in "the all-out support of the United States," adding that repeated Israeli assaults against Lebanon's sovereignty and violations of the ceasefire agreement "clearly demonstrate the terrorist and expansionist nature of the Zionist regime." He urged the international community and the UN Security Council to act against the regime's "lawlessness and crimes." The Israeli aggression on Thursday was the latest breach of the ceasefire signed last November. Two people died in attacks on mountainous areas in the east, while two others, including an elderly woman, were killed in Arabsalim in the south, the ministry said. The National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli warplanes "launched a series of violent strikes on the eastern mountain range" near the Syrian border and targeted the Hermel region in the northeast. The Israeli military claimed the attacks hit sites linked to Hezbollah. The strikes add to a series of Israeli violations across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs that have killed more than 270 Lebanese civilians since the ceasefire took effect in November 2024. Last month, several Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed at least nine people, and Israel was slammed for dropping grenades near UN peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Chuanfu, the 59-year-old CEO of BYD, wanted to demonstrate the safety and cleanliness of the batteries developed by his company during a meeting with Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffetts company. He did this by drinking a glass of the electrolyte liquid from one of them. The Hathaway crew was stunned. Was this man an idiot or a genius? Years later, having become the richest man in China, the verdict is clear. In just three decades, BYD has grown from a small battery factory in Shenzhen to the worlds largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, challenging Teslas global leadership. The company sells more than three million electric and hybrid cars a year, exports to more than 60 countries and manufactures the innovative Blade battery, which even Elon Musks company has begun to incorporate into some of its models. BYD is the ninth most valuable private company in China, with a capitalization of about $110 billion in 2024. Its expansion in Europe has accelerated even after the imposition of Trumps tariffs on the Asian countrys car industry. The possibility of the firm installing an electricity factory in Spain has gone from being a rumor to a potential reality in recent weeks. According to Reuters, the Chinese giant is considering opening its third European assembly plant on Spanish territory, after those already planned in Hungary and Turkey. With a personal fortune of around $24 billion, according to Forbes, Wang belongs to a generation of Chinese entrepreneurs who escaped poverty to join the countrys new billionaire class, benefiting from Chinas economic opening-up. The electric and hybrid vehicle industry was a strategic part of the economic miracle, with billions available in subsidies and tax breaks to manufacturers such as BYD. Wang himself is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Wang is reported to be a quiet man with modest habits. He travels in economy class on commercial flights whenever his schedule allows; he carries his own suitcase and prefers to go unnoticed in public. For years, he regularly ate in the BYD employee cafeteria and lived with his wife and daughter in the companys housing facilities in Shenzhen. He was born into a humble peasant family, the youngest of eight siblings. His parents died when he was a teenager, although the circumstances of their death are not entirely clear. According to newspaper reports, Wangs father died after a long illness, and his mother collapsed suddenly while working in the fields and died before reaching hospital. Wangs siblings worked for years to fund his education, which resulted in him winning a scholarship to study chemistry, physics and metallurgy at the Central South University in Changsha. He then completed a masters degree in Battery Technology at the Beijing Non-Ferrous Metals Research Institute. After completing his studies, he worked for several years as a researcher in a state entity. In 1993, the center where he had done his postgraduate studies founded a battery company in Shenzhen and, thanks to his specialization, Wang was appointed general manager. In 1995, at age 29, he decided to become independent and founded his own rechargeable battery company, BYD Company, in Shenzhen, with the financial support of his cousin Lu Xiangyang, who lent him 250,000 yuan (about $30,000) as initial capital. BYDs success was dazzling. In less than five years, it became one of the worlds largest manufacturers of batteries for mobile phones. From the get-go, Wangs strategy was clear: emulate successful products and reduce costs. In 2003, the company made the leap from the consumer electronics sector to the car industry. That year, BYD acquired Qinchuan Machinery Works, a small automotive manufacturer in financial difficulty, and founded the subsidiary BYD Auto. In 2005, it launched its first passenger car, the F3, an internal combustion engine sedan that became one of the best-selling cars in the country by the end of that decade. Wang was firmly committed to electric vehicles. In 2008, he presented BYDs first hybrid and electric models, convinced that batteries had potential beyond mobile phones. However, that vision was not unanimously understood: many shareholders were skeptical of the costly shift to the electric car, which prompted a drop of up to 31% in the companys stock market value. Its first electric and hybrid vehicles achieved some traction in the Chinese market, and this attracted the attention of investor Charlie Munger, Warren Buffetts partner. Fascinated by BYD, Munger convinced Buffett that the young Chinese company had a bright future. This guy is a combination of Thomas Edison and Jack Welch... Ive never seen anything like it, Munger said of Wang. Berkshire Hathaway invested about $232 million for a 9.9% share of BYD. This injection of capital and international confidence was a huge boost to the company, which just a year later launched its first 100% electric 12-meter bus and intensified its expansion into new energy vehicles. The value of BYDs stock increased fivefold after Buffetts vote of confidence, and in 2009 Wang became Chinas richest man. BYD has just unseated Tesla as the worlds largest EV seller by volume. Musk, who mocked the company in 2011 by saying I dont think they have a great product, had to swallow his words more than a decade later by admitting that BYDs cars are very competitive. That Chinese engineer who looked to some a that Berkshire Hathaway meeting that he might be an idiot, ended up proving that, in reality, he was a genius. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Saudi Arabia eyes role in Gaza to marginalize Hamas: Report Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 9:19 AM Saudi Arabia, a major ally of the United States, reportedly plans to take a leading role in post-war Gaza and help to disarm and marginalize the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, an internal foreign ministry document reveals. According to the document, which was seen by Middle East Eye, Riyadh intends to "support the deployment of an international peacekeeping mission in Gaza". Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab and Muslim-majority countries, has been suggested to contribute to such a force. The document claims that the kingdom, which seeks to establish formal ties with Israel, aims to present its "vision for enhancing stability in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories." This will be done, the report dated 29 September said, "by marginalizing the role of Hamas in governance" and reforming the Palestinian Authority (PA) "in a manner that serves the aspirations of the Palestinian people for an independent, sovereign state on the 1967 borders, with al-Quds as its capital". Saudi Arabia argues that Hamas has an "impact on obstructing peace efforts and deepening divisions" and therefore should be sidelined through "progressive" disarmament "through international and regional agreements that guarantee neutrality." The report alleged that gradually handing governance to the PA will also help reduce Hamas's role in Gaza, suggesting "linking these efforts to the two-state solution". This will be done in consultation with Egypt, Jordan and the PA, the document said, citing instructions from Manal bint Hassan Radwan, an increasingly influential foreign ministry official. Gaza has been governed by Hamas since its victory in legislative elections in 2007. Beyond Gaza, Riyadh also seeks institutional reforms of the PA to fight corruption, improve efficiency and ensure better representation of all Palestinian factions, the document reads. "Reforming the Authority is a fundamental pillar for achieving national unity and ensuring effective and transparent governance," the report claims. Saudi Arabia's push for the disarmament of Hamas comes in line with US President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan. The first phase of the ceasefire plan, which was signed off on by Hamas and Israel earlier this month, saw a prisoner exchange and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal from the strip. The other issues mentioned in Trump's 20-point plan, including the disarmament of Hamas, are yet to be discussed. The resistance movement's officials, however, stressed that they will not lay down arms until the Israeli occupations ends and an independent Palestinian state is established. Washington is keen for Saudi Arabia to join other Arab state that signed normalization agreements with Israel, including its Persian Gulf Arab allies: the UAE and Bahrain. 'Keep riding your camels' ar-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich said his regime should refuse any such deal with Riyadh if it is done in exchange for a Palestinian state. "If Saudi Arabia tells us that it is normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state, then no thank you, my friends," Smotrich said at a conference on Thursday. "Keep riding your camels in the Saudi desert. We'll continue to develop our economy, society, and state with all the great things we know how to do." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: US drafts plan to divide Gaza between Israeli and Hamas control Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 8:32 AM A new US-backed proposal would divide Gaza into zones run separately by Israel and Hamas, restricting reconstruction to the Israeli-controlled area and, opponents warn, paving the way for a lasting Israeli foothold in the Palestinian territory. The plan, described by The Wall Street Journal, represents one of the most consequential post-war frameworks under consideration since the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and the occupying Tel Aviv regime took effect on October 10. "No reconstruction funds will be going into areas that Hamas still controls," Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law who has been deeply involved in Gaza negotiations, told reporters in the Israeli-occupied territories on Tuesday. "There are considerations happening now in the area that the Israeli military controls, as long as that can be secured, to start the construction as a new Gaza," Kushner said. Additionally, US Vice President JD Vance asserted Gaza currently consists of "two zones one relatively safe and one extremely dangerous," adding that the US goal was "to expand the safe zone geographically." According to the report, US officials indicate that the initiative seeks to establish a temporary structure to stabilize a portion of the territory while discussions persist regarding disarmament and the establishment of a transitional governing body that can manage the comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza. A senior official from the US administration characterized the plan as "preliminary," indicating that updates will be provided "in the coming days." Arab mediators have voiced concern regarding the proposal that emerged during recent discussions, according to the report, which adds that they are against the partitioning of Gaza, warning it could lead to a permanent Israeli-controlled zone within the region. They have also turned down the suggestion of deploying forces to maintain security in Gaza under these circumstances. The ceasefire map, negotiated by Trump, already features a yellow line that signifies Israeli control, which is designed to reduce gradually as specific benchmarks are fulfilled. At the heart of the debate lies the unresolved question of how to disarm Hamas and form an alternative authority capable of restoring civilian governance and attracting international investment. White House officials said Kushner, working with envoy Steve Witkoff, is the driving force behind the initiative, which has Trump's backing. Israeli analysts see the proposal as a way to weaken Hamas politically and militarily over time, by expanding Israel's zone of control and strengthening a buffer between Gaza and border towns in the occupied lands. But Palestinian and international observers warn the plan could mirror West Bank tactics, fragment Gaza, and erase its territorial unity. As negotiations continue over a post-war plan for Gaza, the territory remains devastated. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) estimates that 61 million tons of debris now cover the territory. "Entire neighbourhoods have been erased, and families search the ruins for water, for shelter," the agency said on X, noting that its aid "remains blocked" even as teams "continue to deliver lifesaving assistance." The International Court of Justice this week ordered Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, rejecting Israeli claims that many UNRWA staff are linked to Hamas a verdict Israel dismissed with US backing. Meanwhile, 68,280 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 wounded in Israeli strikes in the past two years, as the World Health Organization warns that thousands of patients still await evacuation for treatment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan's Taliban 'Here To Stay' As It Gains De Facto International Acceptance By Frud Bezhan October 24, 2025 Summary The Taliban has gained de facto international acceptance since seizing power in Afghanistan in 2021, despite widespread human rights abuses. Western countries and the EU have been engaging with the Taliban to facilitate deportations of failed Afghan asylum seekers. Recent clashes with Pakistan boosted the Taliban's domestic and international legitimacy through a mediated cease-fire. A militant group notorious for its extreme interpretation of Islam, the Taliban faced a steep battle to gain international recognition when it toppled the Western-backed Afghan government and seized power in 2021. But over the past four years the Taliban has won the de facto acceptance of the international community, even if Russia is the only country to formally recognize the group's rule in Afghanistan. "The world has accepted that the Taliban are here to stay," said Michael Kugelman, senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. That is in stark contrast with the hard-line Islamist group's first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, when the Taliban regime faced armed resistance to its rule and isolated itself from much of the outside world and became a global pariah. "From the time the Taliban regained power in 2021, they have proved they are willing and able to gain legitimacy," added Kugelman. Changing Political Situation Over a dozen countries, including regional powers like Russia and China, operate embassies in Kabul, and some countries have accepted Taliban diplomats. Even Western countries have established contacts with the Taliban. Pragmatism is behind much of the outreach, which is driven by the international threat posed by the Afghanistan-based Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group as well as efforts by the West to repatriate failed Afghan asylum seekers. "Increasingly, there is domestic pressure in Europe, driven by hard-right political parties, calling for the deportation of Afghan refugees whose asylum claims have been rejected," said Hameed Hakimi, associate fellow at London's Chatham House think tank. "European countries cannot deport Afghan refugees without coordinating with the Taliban regime." Austria deported an Afghan man back to his homeland on October 21 for the first time since 2021 while Germany resumed the deportation of Afghans last year, becoming the first Western country to do so. The European Union said on October 20 that it has "initiated exploratory contacts" with the Taliban government in a push to boost deportations of failed asylum seekers. Meanwhile, European countries have shuttered Afghan embassies still operated by diplomats appointed by the ousted Afghan government and allowed Taliban officials to take over diplomatic missions. There is recognition in Europe that "the political situation in Afghanistan has changed dramatically, and the former Afghan state is unlikely to be restored," said Hakimi. The West's outreach to the Taliban has come despite an outcry from human rights groups. The group has committed widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, since regaining power. In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Taliban leaders, accusing them of persecuting women and girls. Another Boost For Legitimacy Even as the Taliban has boosted its legitimacy abroad, its efforts to shore up support at home have largely faltered. The Taliban initially tried to assuage the concerns of Afghans by projecting itself as a more moderate force. But the group failed to live up to its promises and has instead severely curbed women's freedoms, waged a brutal crackdown on dissent, and monopolized power. Unlike the 1990s, the Taliban does not face a serious internal threat to its rule, cementing the group's grip on power. To boost its legitimacy at home, the Taliban group has exploited tensions with external adversaries. Fierce fighting erupted between Taliban fighters and Pakistani forces earlier this month after Islamabad carried out air strikes in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Air strikes and ground fighting left dozens of people dead on both sides. The deadliest-ever hostilities involving the two sides, the escalation threatened to spill into a full-blown conflict. A cease-fire was agreed after mediation from Qatar and Turkey. The sides will hold peace talks in Istanbul in the coming days. "The Taliban have accrued significant gains in domestic and international legitimacy from this crisis," said Kugelman. The Taliban successfully rallied the country behind it with its retaliation against Pakistan and secured an internationally mediated agreement that ended the crisis. "For the Taliban, it was certainly a victory in having made major gains with one of its top objectives: Earning legitimacy at home and abroad," added Kugelman. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-afghanistan-recognition-pakistan/33569437.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State Secretary Sorin-Dan Moldovan paid a visit to Austria Romania - Ministry of National Defence Press release No. 190 24.10.2025 State Secretary of for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Sorin-Dan Moldovan, paid an official visit to Austria on October 20-21, 2025, at the invitation of the Secretary General and Director of the Defence Policy Directorate of the Austrian Ministry of Defence, Arnold Kammel. During the meeting, the two officials addressed topics of common interest regarding bilateral defence cooperation, mainly in the EU context, as well as the security situation in the Black Sea and Western Balkan regions, in the context of the war in Ukraine and the complexity of the situation in the Western Balkans region, including from the perspective of the European integration process of the states in the region. In the opening of the talks, the Romanian official congratulated his Austrian counterpart on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Austria, celebrated on October 26th, at the same time appreciating the upward trend of the political-military dialogue between the two states and expressing the openness of the Romanian side regarding the consolidation of the cooperation relationship at the armed forces' level. In this context, the official mentioned the very good relation between the contingents of both states participating in EUFOR ALTHEA Operation, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the joint participation in land forces specific exercises. During the discussions on the European Union agenda, State Secretary for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations appreciated the recent initiatives of the European Commission, Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Wall, intended to strengthen the security of the Eastern Flank and the entire European continent. He also emphasized Romania's commitment to implementing the necessary measures to achieve the objectives set at Euroepan Union level in the field of defence, in accordance with the priorities set in the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030 and appreciated the importance of the implementation of projects as part of the SAFE instrument. At the end of the meeting, the two officials agreed to continue coordination at the level of the two ministries in order to identify projects of common interest. In the context of the celebration of the Romanian Armed Forces' Day on October 25th, the state secretary participated, during his official visit, in a reception organized by the Romanian Embassy in Austria and laid a wreath at the Romanian Heroes' Plot within Vienna Central Cemetery. The Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tajikistan hosts active phase of Unbreakable Brotherhood 2025, Barrier 2025, and Commonwealth Anti-Terror 2025 exercises 24 October 2025 11:30 Today, final stages of the CSTO joint exercises, namely the Unbreakable Brotherhood 2025, the Barrier 2025 (special exercise with a joint formation of CSTO NBC Protection and medical support units), and the Commonwealth Antiterror 2025 joint counter-terrorism exercise of the Commonwealth of Independent States, were held at the Fakhrabad training ground. The units conducted a peacekeeping operation on the territory of an CSTO member State and carried out tasks to maintain the ceasefire regime between warring sides and ensured compliance with the truce terms. In the area of responsibility, the units organised mobile and foot patrols, guarding and strengthening of checkpoints, guardhouses, and refugee reception points. They trained in organising service in a demilitarised zone, including in hard-to-reach mountain areas, repelling an attack by a mock band on a peacekeeping checkpoint, and neutralising a mock enemy UAV by air defence and electronic warfare systems. The joint formation of CSTO NBC Protection and medical support units has worked out practical actions aimed at eliminating the sources of biological threats and ensuring the biological safety of the coalition group of forces. They also conducted counter-terrorism operations to free hostages and neutralise mock terrorists on a Yak-40 plane at the airport and in the administrative building. Internal troops formations trained to block the area of an unauthorized rally, localise a riot zone, ensure the safety of citizens and infrastructure. Units of the Collective Forces trained in evacuating civilians, delivering and escorting humanitarian supplies. During the exercise, the units repelled an attack on a humanitarian convoy and provided medical assistance, including air ambulance evacuation. Military contingents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and the operational groups of the CSTO Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat took part in the Unbreakable Brotherhood 2025 and Barrier 2025 exercises. The Russian contingent was based on units of the 201st military base of the Central Military District, including mountain units, communication units, electronic warfare units, NBC Protection units, medical units, and UAV teams. The total number of participants in the exercise was about 1,500 as well as more than 200 units of military and special hardware, including 6 helicopters and over 20 UAVs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary of State Marco Rubio After Tour of Civil-Military Coordination Center US Department of State Remarks Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Civil-Military Coordination Center, Southern Israel October 24, 2025 SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, it's - this is an impressive center with a lot of important work that's happening here. This is an historic mission, by the way. I mean, if you think about it, there's nothing to model this after, because this has never happened before. I think we have a lot to be proud of in the first 10 days, 11 days, 12 days of implementation, where we have faced real challenges along the way, including over the weekend, but also an exciting opportunity. So this will be a - the journey to sort of get through the 21 plan - points of the plan. To get to all the things that we're trying to achieve is not going to be a linear journey. There's going to be ups and downs and twists and turns. But I think we have a lot of reason for healthy optimism about the progress that's being made. One of the reasons why I wanted to come today is sort of get a sense of the workflow, get a sense of the organization, and get a sense of the needs. It is increasingly why you see a lot of uniforms here, including some partner - nation-states that have come, of course, with the Israelis who are hosting us and be part of this. You're starting to see more of a presence from State Department and related entities as well, and that'll continue to grow as we can provide the personnel and things like emergency response, the coordination - the coordination of our humanitarian assistance and things of that nature. So you're starting to see that presence here grow. But a lot of good progress is being made on a number of fronts, and you can break this out in a number of ways. The first is the maintenance of the current ceasefire, of the current peace that we're confronting, and that involves two things: number one, de-conflicting from any flashpoints that may come up. We need to understand, the world needs to understand, that on the other side of that yellow line there is still a terrorist group that remains armed, and we've seen them take actions against their own population. I think it's important, by the way, that there be more media coverage given to the fact that Hamas has brutalized Palestinians, has brutalized Gazans over the last few days, and that's something to point to. But all of that has to be managed to make sure that in addition to that that we don't have any flashpoints that could derail the broader process. At the same side, the - at the same time, the coordination of humanitarian assistance, and there's humanitarian assistance that is now flowing into those places beyond the yellow line. But that involves coordinating with all of these different organizations from around the world, including international organizations and charity groups. That's a massive undertaking to coordinate all of that and that it be distributed safely. That's just beyond the yellow line. Behind the yellow line, there's another effort going on in humanitarian assistance which is even broader, because those areas are safe. Those areas are secure. So that's happening. At the same time, it's this work on creating an international stabilization force. It involves bringing together all the nation-states that are offering to provide personnel and resources, so structuring what that stabilization force will look like, lining up all the countries that are willing to provide either money or personnel or a combination of both, and then getting the right international mandate, whether it's the UN or an international agreement, working through that to make sure that that entity - that security force - that can exist can function, is funded, understands what its mission is clearly, and can execute it effectively. And then beyond that, of course, is the long term - the reconstruction, the rebuilding, the creating of conditions so that never again will we see what happened on October 7th, so that you can actually be in a place that no longer has elements operating within it that are a threat to Israel or to their own people, for that matter. And, of course, that's a longer-term plan, and that's something that's also key to all of this. It's the goal we're all trying to get to. But before we can get to that goal, we've got to get through the process that we're involved in right now, which is making sure the ceasefire holds without anything disrupting it, making sure people are getting the life-sustaining aid that they need in a way that's not being looted or stolen or diverted in any way, and at the same time creating the conditions for the stabilization force to come in, as soon as it possibly can be put together, to provide what we need - the stabilization we need - in order to move to the further phases of this plan. All right. Yeah. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can I ask about - President Trump in his Time interview talked about the case of Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian prisoner, saying that he's considering raising it. Do you want Israel to SECRETARY RUBIO: I can't hear what you're asking because there's some buzz going on here. QUESTION: I'll shout. Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian prisoner - President Trump, in his interview with Time, said that the U.S. was considering asking Israel to release him. Is that something that you're asking SECRETARY RUBIO: You talking about the one from the U.S.? QUESTION: Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian prisoner. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. I don't have any news for you on that today. Obviously, we'll work that through our embassy here and our diplomatic channels, but we don't have anything to announce on that. QUESTION: The Palestinian prisoner, the Palestinian activist, Marwan Barghouti. SECRETARY RUBIO: I don't know why I can't hear you. QUESTION: Sorry. Marwan Barghouti. Marwan Barghouti, his case. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. Yeah, I don't have any update for you on that. QUESTION: Secretary, there's a lot of criticism SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes, go ahead, please. QUESTION: Secretary, first of all, welcome to Israel. Second, there has never been anything like this in Israel, but what do you think? Does Israeli military decision regarding Gaza are taken effectively in D.C.? And if the IDF will identify that Hamas is rearming and regrouping, can we independently renew the fighting on which you asked SECRETARY RUBIO: I think everybody involved in this would like to see this not happen again. QUESTION: But if - but we are in the Middle East SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't think there's any country in the world QUESTION: If there is a reason to renew the fighting, should we apply for permission from the Trump Administration? Are we independent? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I wouldn't phrase it that way. I think the bottom line is that there's no nation on Earth that's contributed more to help Israel and its security. As you know, this is the President that, in the 12-day war, struck Iran in a way that other presidents were unwilling to do, and that partnership will continue. We're very committed to Israel's security and supporting Israel. We're also very committed - and we think it's in Israel's long-term security, and I think our Israeli partners agree - to be able to have a Gaza that is no longer an operating space for a terrorist organization. That's why this plan calls for the demilitarization of Gaza, and that's what we're committed to. So - but I wouldn't phrase it the way your question asks it. I don't think this has to do anything with permission or anything of that nature. This has to do with basically we're all committed to making this plan work. There is no plan B. This is the best plan, it's the only plan, it's one that we think can succeed. It's - one that we believe it's on the way to success, as impossible, as unimaginable as it may have been. Remember a month ago, six weeks ago, no one would have thought possible that you were going to get all the hostages out - and I know that we still have the remains of hostages, so that has to happen. That's part of this, and we're very committed to making sure that happens. We are not going to stop pushing until all of that is - all the commitments that were made here are kept, and that includes the demilitarization of Gaza. Now, we're dealing with factors here, we're dealing with miles and miles of - kilometers of tunnel networks, we're dealing with two decades of terrorist infrastructure. All that has to be confronted, and we'll do that together with Israel. QUESTION: Secretary. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. QUESTION: If you could address - following on your mention just now about disarming Hamas, is that something that the ISF force will be - would be engaged in? And if Hamas refuses to disarm voluntarily, is that something that this force would be involved in, forcing them to disarm? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well - yeah, if Hamas refuses to demilitarize, it'll be a violation of the agreement, and that'll have to be enforced. I'm not going to get into the mechanisms by which it is going to be enforced, but it'll have to be enforced. I mean, this is a deal, and a deal requires conditions to be met. Israel has met their commitments. They're standing at the yellow line, and that is contingent upon the demilitarization. So suffice it to say that we're also hopefully going to create conditions where people - where Hamas won't have people because there'll be ways - we want to see a Gaza where people can live without Hamas, where they have jobs, where they have prosperity, where they have opportunities. I'm not telling you that's going to be set up next week, okay? That is a long-term project. But what I am saying to you is that we want to create the conditions, we want to help create the conditions here so that people in Gaza don't have to be terrorized by Hamas and in fact have lives, jobs, businesses, and a better future and are completely uninterested ever again in joining, supporting, or being held captive by a terrorist group. So I think everyone - it's not just the United States, by the way. This is what makes this so unique. It's not just the United States. Understand over two dozen countries signed on to this, including regional powers, regional countries, Arab countries. Majority Muslim countries signed on to the commitment that there would not - that there would be a demilitarized Gaza and that there would not be a Hamas with the capability to threaten Israel. That's a commitment not just by the United States. This was signed on by all these countries. We fully expect that everyone will live up to those commitments. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, the question I see from Israeli point of view - thank you, and welcome to Israel, by the way. I think the question from Israelis' point of view is that in the meantime - because everybody wants this plan, no question about that. In the meantime, as you mentioned, every day Hamas is rearming, re-preparing, doesn't give back our dead hostages. So the question is whether in the meantime the U.S. should let Israel to act on the other side of the Gaza Strip. In this way the ISF future work will also be easier. That's the question. Thank you. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, right now, there's an agreement in place, right? And that requires both sides to live up to their commitments. If the commitment - if the deal - what you're describing to me means the deal fell apart. But right now we're not at that stage, and that's what we're trying to prevent. That's why I'm saying to you we're not going to forget about the hostages. We push every single day and we'll continue to push until the remains of every single hostage is returned. Work is going on even as I speak to you now. That's being pushed on. That's not something we're going to stop talking about. We fully expect that Hamas will fully demilitarize. That is the agreement they signed on to. That is the agreement that all of the nation-states that joined this effort signed on to. And we expect it to be fulfilled. Now, we're about 8, 10, 12 days into this. But - and the third point is we don't want to see any threats against Israel coming out of the areas that Hamas is currently still present in and that won't be tolerated either. So the President has made that very clear, that if Hamas threatens Israel or fails to demilitarize, this will be taken care of. But let - we're - that is what this whole effort is about, is making sure that all of those commitments are met on both sides. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: It says - behind you, actually - in open-source reporting that the U.S. accepted Israel's veto of Turkish forces in the ISF. Is that accurate? And can you provide any detail on that security force, how big it will be, who it will include, or any other SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we haven't formed that force yet, so there's still work going on. There's a lot of countries that have offered to do it. Obviously, as you put together this force, it'll have to be people that Israel is comfortable - or countries that Israel is comfortable with as well. Let me just say that I think there are a lot of countries that are expressing interest right now. I'm not going to get into a list of who they are. I'm not going to get into a list of who's offered, who's been vetoed. We're not going to get into that. Suffice it to say that we are - plenty of countries that have offered and are interested in participating. I also think it's fair to these countries to - they need to know what they're signing up for, which is why the work is ongoing to create what is the security force, what is their mandate, what is their command, under what authority are they going to be operating, who's going to be in charge of it, what is their job. I mean, how's it going to be resourced, how's it going to be sustained and paid for, what are the rules of engagement - there's a lot to work through. That's why there's all these people working in this building. So part of getting people to sign up is you have to tell them what they're signing up for. So - but I don't want to get into any who's being vetoed, who's not being allowed. Obviously every member of this force has to be someone who has capability and willingness, but also someone that everyone's comfortable with, including Israel. QUESTION: If I could - right next to you stands the print of the - Trump's 20-point plan, and as we can see in number four, within 40 - 72 hours, Israel should take in all Israeli living and deceased hostages. Those 72 hours have passed a long time ago and we're not seeing those hostages being returned fully. Is the U.S. doing enough for that? And my second question is we're hearing SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes, the U.S. is doing more than anybody else is for that, and we're going to continue to do for that, and it's going to happen. The remains are going to be released. That's going to happen. QUESTION: And my second question SECRETARY RUBIO: And if it doesn't, then the deal got broken. But it's going to happen. QUESTION: And the second question is about the technocratic government that would rule Gaza, the Palestinian government. We're hearing from Hamas that they are a part of the committee that forms this government. Does that not miss all the point of what we're doing here? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I think everyone talking about that's getting way ahead of themselves. There's a lot of work to be done here and there's going to be some impediments along the way and things of this nature that people put out there. Suffice it to say that everyone that signed on to this plan - all of these other countries agreed and everyone agreed that Hamas cannot govern and cannot be involved in governing the future of Gaza. Everyone's agreed to that, okay, so that has to be part of this. But we're not at that stage yet. Remember, we are still at the - even as all that's being worked on, we're at the stage of just trying to maintain the ceasefire. We're trying - be at the stage of getting humanitarian assistance to flow. We're trying to get to the stage of ensuring that there - that all the commitments made, including the hostages, are lived up to. We're still at that stage where we have to ensure that there are no threats against Israel emanating from Gaza, because there are still terrorists inside of Gaza, particularly behind that yellow - or in front of that yellow line. So all - we're at that stage, and that's what everyone here is working on, even as we work on the other elements of the plan that you're outlining. This is a long-term plan. Before you get to all these 20 points and you get through all of this, it's going to require a lot of work over a long period of time. All that work is ongoing. We're not even two weeks into this. I think the progress that's been made in 12 days, 14 days since this was originally agreed to is historic and extraordinary. There's nothing to compare this to. There's no other effort in modern history that you could look at and say this is just like that. This is something very difficult but worth doing. It'll be historic if it can be pulled off. We're committed to making sure that it happens. It will change the character - it will change Israel's security in the long term. It will change the character and the nature of the region in a positive way. We are committed to making that work and we're committed to ensuring that every one of these points is lived up to. But it's not going to be an easy ride. There are going to be bumps along the road, but we have to make it work. There is no other alternative, and we feel good about the progress that's being made. Every day that goes by it gets better. We have work to do, guys. We still have - we still need more people involved in this. We still need more ideas to be - more commitments to be lived up to. So this is going to be a journey, but it's one worth taking, because we think it leads to something very special. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, if I could ask you a question just a little closer to home, yesterday, President Trump terminated trade negotiations with Canada. Have you spoken with Foreign Minister Anand? What can Canada do to resume these? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think what happened is one of the leaders in Canada was running ads in the United States on trade - on tariffs that took President Reagan's words out of context. Even the Reagan Foundation criticized him for it. But I have not spoken - I've been traveling since yesterday, but I have not spoken to the foreign minister since then. But, I mean, the President made his announcement that he's suspended any trade talks with Canada for now. QUESTION: In an interview to Fox News, President Trump implied that Israel is a proxy of the U.S. Do you agree? SECRETARY RUBIO: I didn't hear that interview. And he's never said that. QUESTION: Okay. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, what role do the U.S. see for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza the day after? We've heard about lot of plans that was done by the Palestinian Authority SECRETARY RUBIO: The Palestinian Authority? QUESTION: Yeah, that's Mahmoud Abbas authority. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, look, again - I mean, obviously you know and I've expressed and we've expressed our concerns about the Palestinian Authority as it stands today. It's certainly in need of reform. As far as what role it's going to play in the future of Gaza, that's yet to be determined, if any role at all. We don't know. I mean, that's what's being worked on. Again, this is very complex. These - we're out - we are dealing with 30 or 40 years of mistakes, 30 or 40 years of terrorism, 30 or 40 years of deeply embedded problems, and we're about 14 days into this agreement. So right now, we're trying to get through this, and part of that - the long-term governance of Gaza that is not Hamas, it's not a terrorist organization - that's work that's going to need to be done. I mean, I can't prejudge what that's going to look like now, because that's going to be something that has to be worked on collectively with Israel, with partner nation-states, and something everyone has - for it to work, everyone has to agree to it. For that to work, everyone has to agree to it. We're - the work is happening, but we're not at that stage where I can tell you this is what it's actually going to look like. Nobody can tell you that. But I can tell you what it can't look like. It cannot be a place that is governed by anyone who wants to use it as a launchpad for attacks against Israel. If it is, then we'll just - there'll be another war. There won't be any peace. There will never be peace as long as there's an area or a territory that's being used as a launchpad to threaten Israel's security. Everyone understands that, and everyone that signed on to this deal understands that. QUESTION: On humanitarian aid, you mentioned that's going to be coordinated through here. I wonder if you could say what the role of the UN will be, and specifically what role UNRWA might play in SECRETARY RUBIO: UNRWA's not going to play any role in it. QUESTION: Okay, and SECRETARY RUBIO: UNRWA's not going to play any role. And the UN is here. The UN - we can - we're seeing the work they're doing, the World Food Program. There's also not-profit NGOs, humanitarian assistance organizations that are involved in this - Samaritan's Purse - so it's a conglomeration of about eight to twelve groups that are here. The United Nations is here. They're on the ground. We're willing to work with them if they can make it work, but not UNRWA. UNRWA became a subsidiary of Hamas. QUESTION: And so QUESTION: Secretary, when you're talking about disarming Hamas, there's been some discussion of a program to buy back weapons. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, there's a lot of ideas floating out there. Ultimately QUESTION: So how seriously is that being taken? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't know. Look, there's a lot of ideas out there about that. The bottom line is you can't have any of the elements of terrorism. You can't have tunnels, you can't have rockets, you can't have anything that threatens Israel's security. I'd point back to the answer I just gave: If Israel's security is threatened, if five years from now, three years from now, two years from now Gaza is a place where people who want to destroy Israel are able to operate from with impunity, there's not going to be peace. Everyone knows that. Every country that signed on to this understands that. It is one of the principles that's outlined here. That cannot be the outcome. The outcome needs to be a Gaza where people have jobs and a life and a better future and people aren't thinking about how do I kill Israelis, how do I attack Israel. Because if we can't reach that point, then there's not going to be a peace. There's not going to be an enduring peace. You can't be at peace with elements that want to destroy you and kill you and carry out another October 7th. Everyone recognizes that. But there's a lot of work that we need to do to achieve that. We're not there today, 14 days, 13 days after this deal was signed. But I can tell you we've made more progress in 13 days than anyone thought possible. We've come a long way. This is - but this is the first mile in a very long journey. We've got a long ways to go, but we're optimistic that it's heading in the right direction. We are better off today than we were yesterday and better off yesterday than the day before, but no one is under any illusions. There's a lot of hard work ahead. There'll be bumps along the road. There'll be threats to this peace that emerge that we're going to have confront, but there are also some exciting opportunities as well that we want to make sure that we are pursuing. QUESTION: Could I follow up QUESTION: One question on another topic. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. QUESTION: And another topic, I'm talking about annexation. You were using the term Judea and Samaria a few months ago. And obviously there will be no annexation, but I wonder if you're still obligated to the name of the term Judea and Samaria. SECRETARY RUBIO: I don't play semantic games. Well, who else? QUESTION: Could I follow up on the annexation? You and the President and Vice President have voiced opposition to annexation. Do you have the word from the Israelis that they're not going to go ahead with this in the West Bank? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, this is a vote that they took in the Knesset. From what it was explained to me, it was elements that tried to use it to embarrass Netanyahu while the Vice President was here. Suffice it to say, we don't think it's going to happen, and more importantly it's not from a legislative standpoint structured in a way that could happen. But it would also threaten this whole process. I mean, we understand that, right? I mean, everyone has to understand if something like that were to happen - right now, if that were to happen, a lot of the countries that are involved in working on this probably aren't going to want to be involved in this anymore. It's a threat to the peace process and everybody knows it. But I'm not getting into the middle of Israeli politics. We're focused on peace and security. QUESTION: (Inaudible) assurance of the prime minister QUESTION: What do you expect in terms of future normalization deals SECRETARY RUBIO: What? QUESTION: What could we expect in terms of future normalization deals after this ceasefire? We heard about Saudi Arabia; we heard about other countries. Is there anything you can tell to the Israeli people about the possible benefits of this deal going forward? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't think I need to explain to the people of Israel the benefits of normalization with more countries, especially regional countries - some of whom were on track to do so before October 7th happened and we were close. So I think you look at the Abraham Accords; we'll be very open about the fact that we'd like to expand it and add more countries to that. And we see this as mutually beneficial. It's not just beneficial for Israel, it's beneficial for these countries. We have a lot of countries that want to join, that have expressed interest in joining and want to join. So I think that would be great, and I think that could be a byproduct of achieving some of this. And QUESTION: Mention some names? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I'm not going to mention the countries' names, because it's up to them to announce it. They're going to say - I announce them here, and they're going to - then they're - maybe they haven't even talked to their own people about it yet. But I think we know who some of them are, right? We know who some of them are. And we think it would be great. There are some bigger than others. But we'd like to have as many members of the Abraham Accords as possible. That work is going, and I think what we're doing here could help create the momentum for that to occur. So yeah, I do think the Abraham Accords can grow. I think there are some countries you could probably add right now who wanted to, but we want to do a big thing about it. And so we're working on it. But believe me, we have a whole unit at the State Department that works on that. The problem is some of them are here working on this now, but they can work on two things at once. What else? I got a couple more. QUESTION: If I could follow up on the ISF, Mr. Secretary SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. QUESTION: Is it the U.S.'s intent to deploy the ISF as a UN peacekeeping force under a UN Security Council SECRETARY RUBIO: We haven't decided. Maybe. We don't know. We - that may be one route. The problem is that some of these countries can't participate in this unless they have a mandate from the UN, as an example. So maybe it'll be a UN resolution; that's one route. We could have an international agreement as well. We're working through that. I mean, we'll find the right formula to do it; it may be the UN. We're working on some language on that now that hopefully will be in place. There may be another way to do it. But we will need something, because some of these countries, by their own laws, can't participate in these efforts unless they have some sort of international mandate or flag that they're under. All right, I've got time for one more. QUESTION: There's been a series of settler attacks against a village full of American citizens in the West Bank, Turmus Ayya. I was just wondering if you had seen any of the videos of these attacks, and SECRETARY RUBIO: I'm aware of the incidents, and I've seen - I mean not recently; I've seen them, some of the ones that have been posted and some of the things on social media. Our embassy has worked on that topic and has expressed the U.S. opinion to their government. Obviously, the safety and security of Americans anywhere in the world is something that will be important to us. So - and we've expressed our position directly to the Israeli authorities, and our ambassador's spoken on this topic very clearly and repeatedly. Okay? Thank you, guys. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Sudan is the world's largest humanitarian crisis - and children are paying the highest price" UNICEF Remarks This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing 24 October 2025 N'DJAMENA/NEW YORK 24 October 2025 - "Thank you for joining us. I speak to you a day after leaving Darfur, following a mission that also took me to Khartoum. "What I saw was alarming. Sudan is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The conflict is escalating, and children are paying the highest price. "Every day, violence is tearing communities apart. In Jebel Marrah, I spoke to women with their children fleeing the siege in Al Fasher, getting through a gauntlet of armed checkpoints and stripped of all their belongings and money, harassed and attacked, shattered and left with nothing. "I heard harrowing accounts of families who had gone hungry for days. "In Darfur and the Kordofans, severe acute malnutrition is soaring. 1.4 million children live in areas of famine or at risk of famine. Thousands will die without urgent treatment. In North Darfur alone this year, 150,000 children are likely to suffer severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form. In Tawila, cases have surged from hundreds to over 2,000 a month since April. Tawila being the main place that people fleeing Al Fasher have gathered. "Parents told me their children have not seen a classroom for years. This is the reality for millions. A staggering 14 million children are out of school - 4 out of every 5 children in Sudan -an entire generation lost without learning. "Disease is everywhere. Cholera, diphtheria, malaria, and dengue are all claiming young lives as health systems collapse. "Violence robs children of safety. At least 350 grave violations, including killing and maiming, were verified in North Darfur in just six months. "And we have to remember that Al Fasher is a city that has been under siege for more than sixteen months. 130,000 children are trapped, cut off from food, water, and healthcare. No safe way in or out. "Amid the devastation that I witnessed, I also saw resilience. Communities repairing schools so their children could resume their education. In a child-friendly space, children laughed and played. They drew homes they have lost and dreams for the future. "I met UNICEF staff, UN colleagues and our partners, including frontline health workers who, despite unimaginable challenges, delivered oral cholera vaccines and bed nets to 8 million people to fight cholera and malaria, treated more than a quarter of a million children against severe acute malnutrition and repaired and installed water systems so 11 million people have water, including returnees. "But urgent needs grow every day, and what Sudan needs is unfettered access, funding and a political way forward to end the conflict." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: 80th birthday greetings, South Sudan floods, South Lebanon update 24 October 2025 - Marking its 80th anniversary, the United Nations celebrated decades of multilateral cooperation for peace, human rights, and sustainable development through events across the globe. In Nairobi, home to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Executive Director Inger Andersen highlighted the city's unique role as the only UN headquarters in the Global South - and underscored UNEP's long-standing work on climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Youth participation was also recognised as a driving force for environmental action and future leadership. In Naqoura, Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping mission there (UNIFIL) marked the milestone alongside the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said peace "is not built by a few, it is built by everyone," stressing inclusion as the heart of peacebuilding. Afghan pedigree In Afghanistan, the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) reflected on its decades-long presence supporting peace, human rights, and development. Deputy Special Representative Georgette Gagnon reaffirmed the UN's solidarity with Afghans, particularly women and girls, amid ongoing humanitarian challenges. Across the Americas, UN offices highlighted progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, and youth engagement, reaffirming the UN's role in promoting equality, resilience, and cooperation across the region. Eighty years on, the UN continues to bring people and nations together to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" and work towards a fairer, more sustainable future for all. Nearly one million affected by South Sudan floods Nearly one million people have been impacted by devastating floods in South Sudan, the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Friday. Since last month, flooding has affected more than 140 health facilities, disrupting access to essential services for thousands at a time when South Sudan is grappling with disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria. In fact, in the past week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 104,000 malaria cases, including 16 deaths across the country - marking a 15 per cent increase in cases from the previous week, mainly due to the ongoing flooding. To make matters worse, the ongoing floods are compounded by the ongoing conflict and acute food insecurity. Agencies step up aid Despite significant access challenges to parts of the country, the UN and its partners continue to reach flood-affected people with vital aid and evaluate needs to ensure the response remains targeted. The World Food Programme (WFP) is on the ground delivering food and nutrition assistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have delivered over 50 metric tonnes of medical supplies to support the response efforts in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states. Additional assistance is on the way, including tents, cholera kits, and emergency health kits. More weapons discovered in Lebanon but hope for recovery endures The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to discover unauthorised weapons and ammunition caches in the south of the country, the UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said during Friday's press briefing. On Wednesday, UNIFIL peacekeepers found mortar shells, fuses and a canon in one of their areas of operation, and small homemade explosive devices on Thursday. Since 15 October, UNIFIL has been coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israeli Defense Forces to refurbish 'Blue Line' markers that were damaged during the conflict - a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces came into effect last November. Peaceful activity Mr. Haq added that following a request by LAF, the mission facilitated olive harvests by farmers near the Blue Line of separation over 40 times this month. In addition to protecting agricultural activities amid ceasefire breaches, the peacekeepers conduct patrols together with Lebanese forces in those areas to ensure farmers' safety. Earlier this month, a public school was reopened in Naqoura, where UNIFIL's headquarters are located, in what is a "clear sign of recovery and hope," according to the mission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to send world's largest aircraft carrier to Latin America; Venezuela warns of dangerous prelude Iran Press TV Saturday, 25 October 2025 2:51 AM The United States has decided to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, and five accompanying destroyers to Latin America, prompting Venezuela to condemn the pending provocation as reckless and unlawful. The move, which marks one of the most aggressive American naval buildups in the hemisphere in decades, was announced by a Pentagon spokesperson on Friday. The official claimed that the expanded US regional interference aimed to "detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities." The decision has raised fears of an imminent attempt to destabilize or even invade Venezuela under fabricated pretexts. Analysts and international observers have also cautioned that the scale of the deployment far exceeds anti-narcotics operations. The Gerald Ford strike group will join some 6,000 US sailors and Marines already stationed aboard eight warships in the region, bringing total American military personnel in the area to more than 10,000. The escalation follows Donald Trump's recent admission that he had authorized CIA operations inside Venezuela and was "mulling land attacks." The US president has repeatedly made baseless accusations that President Nicolas Maduro's government was linked to criminal groups "invading" the US through drugs and immigration, allegations repeatedly dismissed by international agencies and even US intelligence assessments. Since September, Washington has launched several strikes against civilian and fishing vessels in the Caribbean, alleging drug links without offering evidence. According to United Nations officials and international law experts, these attacks violate both US and international law and constitute extrajudicial executions. Venezuelan authorities have vowed to defend national sovereignty with full resolve. "Interpret it however you want: the Armed Forces will not allow a government here that is subservient to the interests of the United States," said Foreign Minister Vladimir Padrino. Calling the US deployment "the most significant military threat in the last 100 years," Padrino reaffirmed Caracas's commitment to peace and reiterated that Venezuela would not tolerate any aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alassane Ouattara - 2011-20?? Alassane Ouattara, a Muslim of the Dioula people, was first elected President on November 28, 2010. A period of fighting ensued after incumbent President Laurento Gbagbo refused to cede power; in May 2011, Ouattara was formally inaugurated. The elections followed 11 years of intermittent violent unrest and sustained international engagement aimed at creating lasting peace and democratic processes in Cote dIvoire. Various explosive allegations, rightly or wrongly, informed the views of the Gbagbo-supporting population in southern Cote dIvoireand much of Francophone Africa. These are that Ouattara was a foreigner born in Burkina Faso, that together with Burkinabe` President Blaise Compaore he was responsible for the 2002 rebellion, that his accession to power would result in the takeover of the country especially by Burkinabe` foreigners, and that historically, he had been ready to advance French interests in Cote dIvoire. Alassane Dramane Ouattara was born on January 1, 1942, in Dimbokro, Cote d'Ivoire. He comes from a Muslim family of the Dyula people, with family connections to the historical Kong Empire in the region. His parents were Dramane Ouattara and Hadja Nabintou Ouattara nee Cisse. Ouattara completed his primary education in Cote d'Ivoire before moving to Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso, for his secondary education. In 1962, he brilliantly obtained his baccalaureate in Elementary Mathematics. His academic excellence earned him an American scholarship that would change the trajectory of his life. He pursued higher education in the United States, attending the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1965. He continued at the University of Pennsylvania, obtaining a Master's degree in Economics in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Economics in May 1972. This strong educational foundation would prove instrumental in his future career in international finance and economics. International Career in Economics and Finance In April 1968, Ouattara joined the International Monetary Fund as an economist, beginning a distinguished career in international finance. He worked at the IMF in Washington, D.C. from 1968 to 1973, gaining valuable experience in global economic policy and development. From 1973 to 1975, Ouattara served as Charge de Mission in Paris for the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, the West African Central Bank. He then became Special Advisor to the Governor and Director of Research at the BCEAO from February 1975 to December 1982. His expertise and leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed Vice Governor of the BCEAO in January 1983, a position he held until October 1984, reaching this prestigious role at the age of 40. Ouattara returned to the IMF in November 1984 as Director of the African Department. In May 1987, he additionally became Counsellor to the Managing Director at the IMF. His tenure at the IMF earned him a reputation as a hard worker with a strong commitment to transparency and good governance. On October 28, 1988, he was appointed Governor of the BCEAO, and was sworn in on December 22, 1988, leading the institution until he entered politics. Entry into Ivorian Politics In April 1990, under pressure from the IMF's Structural Adjustment Program, President Felix Houphouet-Boigny was compelled to accept Ouattara as Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Committee for Coordination of the Stabilization and Economic Recovery Programme. Later that year, Ouattara was appointed Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, serving from November 1990 to December 1993 in an unelected capacity. As Houphouet-Boigny's health deteriorated, Ouattara assumed increasing responsibility for overseeing the country's affairs. When the president died in December 1993, Ouattara became embroiled in a brief power struggle with Henri Konan Bedie, the president of the National Assembly. Under the constitution, Bedie was to assume the presidency. Despite hopes that Ouattara might form a unity government, Bedie quickly took office on the same day Houphouet-Boigny died. Two days later, Ouattara resigned from his position. Years of Political Exclusion Ouattara left the country in 1994 and returned to the IMF, where he was appointed Deputy Managing Director in July 1994, a position he would hold until 1999. During this period, he joined Cote d'Ivoire's nascent Rally of the Republicans party in 1995 and planned to run as the RDR candidate in the country's presidential election that year. In March 1998, while serving at the IMF, Ouattara expressed his intention to return to Cote d'Ivoire and participate in politics. After leaving the IMF in July 1999, he was elected President of the RDR on August 1, 1999, at an extraordinary congress of the party and was chosen as its candidate for the next presidential election. However, controversy erupted over his eligibility to run for president. President Bedie described Ouattara as a Burkinabe and questioned his nationality. Ouattara claimed he was eligible, pointing to documents demonstrating that he and his parents were of Ivorian birth. He was accused of forging these papers, prompting investigations. His nationality certificate, issued in late September 1999, was annulled by a court on October 27. An arrest warrant was issued on November 29, although he was out of the country at the time. A new constitution approved in July 2000 stipulated that presidential candidates must have both parents born in Ivory Coast. Because of this requirement, Ouattara was not allowed to run in the 2000 presidential election. These issues about his nationality became a major factor in the First Ivorian Civil War, which started in 2002. The controversial concept of Ivoirite, or Ivorian-ness, was used to discredit Ouattara by claiming he was not truly Ivorian because of alleged roots in neighboring Burkina Faso. The 2010 Presidential Election and Political Crisis In 2007, President Laurent Gbagbo confirmed that Ouattara could run in the next presidential election. Ouattara was officially chosen as the RDR's presidential candidate in February 2008 and was re-elected as the party's president for another five years. The presidential elections, originally scheduled for 2005, were repeatedly postponed due to civil conflict and were finally held in November 2010. On February 12, 2010, President Gbagbo announced the dissolution of the government and the CEI, amid claims of fraud during the voter registration process. The decision, as well as frustration regarding several localized cases of mismanagement of the voter list, sparked riots in several cities outside of Abidjan that resulted in at least 12 deaths. Following several weeks of negotiations, a new government was announced and a new head of the CEI was appointed. After several years of delays, the first round of presidential elections was held on October 31, 2010. The election was hailed by all candidates and observers as peaceful and fair, with nearly 80% voter turnout and no significant irregularities reported. In the first round on October 31, 2010, Ouattara won 32 percent of the vote, placing second behind Gbagbo who won 38 percent. The two advanced to a second round of voting. The November 28 runoff between Alassane Ouattara and incumbent President Gbagbo was again characterized by high voter turnout and largely peaceful participation by the Ivoirian people, and Ouattara was declared the winner by the CEI. Credible and accredited observers assessed both rounds as fair and free of irregularities that would have affected the results. Gbagbo refused to cede power, and a period of fighting ensued. On December 2, 2010, the country's Independent Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara won the election with 54 percent of the vote. However, the next day, the Constitutional Council cited evidence of numerous irregularities, discounted a portion of the results, and declared Gbagbo the winner with 51 percent of the vote. Most of the international community, including the United Nations which had certified the initial results, recognized Ouattara as the rightful winner. The Economic Community of West African States suspended Ivory Coast from all its decision-making bodies, and the African Union also suspended the country's membership. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution recognizing Ouattara as the winner of the elections. Despite international recognition, Gbagbo, who had the support of the country's military and top levels of government, was sworn in for another term. Ouattara had himself sworn in as president and formed a parallel government based in an Abidjan hotel under the protection of UN Peacekeeping Forces. The political standoff sparked fears of renewed civil conflict and grew violent as fighting increased between forces loyal to each side. The crisis created political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions that persisted for months. The African Union sent former South African president Thabo Mbeki to mediate. After prolonged violence and approximately 3,000 deaths, Gbagbo was arrested on April 11, 2011, effectively ending the crisis. In May 2011, the Constitutional Council reversed its previous decision and recognized Ouattara as the winner of the presidential election. Ouattara was formally inaugurated in May 2011. First Term as President Alassane Ouattara officially became the fifth President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire on May 21, 2011, having won 54.10 percent of the vote. His first term focused on rebuilding the country after years of civil conflict, restoring economic stability, and promoting national reconciliation. The country had been badly affected by the political crisis, and rebuilding the economy and uniting the people became major challenges. Ouattara implemented numerous economic reforms that transformed Cote d'Ivoire and improved living conditions for Ivorians. His government was praised by international observers for its efforts to restore unity following the bitter civil war. Under his leadership, the country experienced strong economic growth, averaging around 6 percent annually, and attracted significant global investor confidence. World leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, welcomed the end of the crisis and supported Ouattara's efforts at national reconstruction. The year 2013 began with constructive momentum with respect to political dialogue including within the context of the permanent framework for dialogue, bilaterally between the Government and the former ruling party, the Front populaire ivoirien (FPI), and among opposition political parties. The focus was on establishing new mechanisms to advance dialogue and negotiations with the Government. The President of Cote dIvoire, Alassane Ouattara, and his Government continued to take steps to further ease political tensions, alleviate insecurity and accelerate economic recovery. In his New Years address to the nation, the President underscored the importance of reconciliation and national cohesion and, to that end, expressed his Governments determination to continue its dialogue with the political opposition and make further conciliatory gestures to those who supported the former regime. Cote dIvoires security situation had significantly improved since the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis, although some security incidents, linked to supporters of the former Gbagbo regime, have occurred, mostly in western Cote dIvoire. These incidents have not threatened the stability of the Ouattara administration. International organizations have alleged that government crackdowns following incidents of violence have sometimes resulted in violations of human rights. Gbagbo was captured in 2011 and faced trial in The Hague, before the International Criminal Court (ICC). There was a perception that the Government was unable or unwilling to prosecute Ouattara supporters for crimes committed during the 2011 post-electoral violence, while numerous Gbagbo supporters remained imprisoned or were recently tried for their crimes. In an effort to jumpstart reconciliation and political dialogue, the Government had released several Gbagbo supporters from prison at various times, including some senior leaders of the opposition. In March 2015, former First Lady Simone Gbagbo was sentenced to 20 years in prison for undermining state security during the 2011 post-electoral crisis. The political dialogue between the pro-Gbagbo opposition and the government continues sporadically, however reconciliation had proven to be difficult. Major challenges the Government must still address to maintain political stability include security sector reform, national reconciliation, and equitable non-partisan justice for all those accused of crimes during the 2011 post-election violence. Additionally, an update of the electoral code and voters list are both necessary to protect the country from political violence during the election period. Politically motivated demonstrations and strikes by workers unions in the education and transport sectors have occurred. In late 2014, thousands of soldiers went on strike protesting back-pay by blocking roads to major cities. The government took quick measures to appease their demands and prevented a further occurrence during 2015. The ethnic and economic tensions that provoked Ivory Coast's civil war five years earlier flared again in October 2015 as the West African state prepared to hold its first presidential election since the violence that left 3,000 dead and displaced 500,000 others. President Alassane Ouattara was expected to win a second term after overseeing an economic revival that had fueled investment in infrastructure and foreign trade. But the threat of post-poll violence loomed amid growing complaints of inequality. The 2016 elections were expected to be a milestone in solidifying peace, after years of civil war and clashes that marred the previous elections in 2010. The two major parties, the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast and Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front, have both imploded during the months before the election, with several major figures breaking away and deciding to run as independents or form their own political party. Among the candidates are former prime ministers Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Charles Konan Banny, former foreign minister Amara Essy and former parliament speaker Mamadou Koulibaly. There were eight presidential candidates, including two women, in the 25 October 2016 poll. Ouattara's main challenger during the election was likely to be Pascal Affi N'Guessan, the leader of Gbagbo's center-left political party and Ivory Coast's only major opposition group, the Ivorian Popular Front. N'Guessan was jailed by Ouattara's government for two years in the wake of the Second Ivorian Civil War. He was accused of crimes against humanity for his role in the violence that followed the 2010 election and awaited trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Re-election in 2015 Thanks to his positive performance and the economic transformation of the country, Ouattara was re-elected on October 25, 2015, in the first round with 83.66 percent of the vote, decisively defeating former Prime Minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan. His second term continued the focus on economic development and strengthening democratic institutions. Controversial Third Term in 2020 Ouattara had initially announced he would not seek a third term, planning to pass leadership to a younger generation. However, following the tragic death of his chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, in July 2020, Ouattara reversed his decision. He had considered putting forward Defense Minister Hamed Bakayoko but changed his mind due to alleged links to drug trafficking. In July 2020, Ouattara announced his run for a third term in office. His candidacy was highly controversial, as the Ivorian constitution permits only two presidential terms. The Constitutional Court ruled that his first term under a different constitution did not count for the purposes of the two-term rule under the current constitution, thus allowing his candidacy. This ruling was based on the argument that a new constitution promulgated in 2016 had reset the term limit. The decision led to violent protests in Abidjan and throughout the country. The October 2020 election was boycotted by a large part of the opposition, and saw the reelection of Ouattara with 95.31 percent of the votes under a 53.90 percent turnout. According to official figures, 85 people died during the unrest, though the opposition claimed more than 200 deaths. Critics accused Ouattara of tightening his grip on power and manipulating constitutional provisions to remain in office. Seeking a Fourth Term in 2025 In June 2025, Ouattara was again nominated by his party, the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, to run for reelection in the 2025 Ivorian presidential election. He confirmed his candidacy on July 29, 2025, stating that he had received numerous calls from fellow citizens regarding his potential candidacy and that his decision was guided by the best interest of the nation. The 2025 election, held on October 25, had been highly controversial. At 83 years old, Ouattara is seeking a fourth consecutive term, with critics arguing that this represents a further erosion of democratic norms and term limits. His candidacy reflects a broader trend across West Africa of aging incumbents remaining in power by changing or reinterpreting constitutional term limits. Major opposition candidates were barred from running in the 2025 election. Former President Laurent Gbagbo was excluded due to a criminal conviction. Tidjane Thiam, a former Credit Suisse CEO and prominent opposition figure who had formed an alliance with Gbagbo, was barred because he held French citizenship when he declared his candidacy, even though he later renounced it. Former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and Charles Ble Goude were also struck from the electoral register due to criminal convictions. With the country's most high-profile opposition politicians ruled ineligible, Ouattara entered the election as the overwhelming favorite. The final candidate list included five contenders, but none represented an established party or had the reach of the ruling RHDP. The remaining candidates were Vincent Toh Bi Irie, former mayor of Abidjan; Pascal Affi N'Guessan, former prime minister; Jean-Louis Billon, Minister of Commerce; and Simone Gbagbo, former first lady and wife of Laurent Gbagbo. The build-up to the 2025 election was marred by protests against the exclusion of major candidates. Opposition parties encouraged Ivorians to boycott the election and protest against Ouattara's bid for a fourth term. On one occasion, an Independent Electoral Commission building was torched. The government responded by banning demonstrations, restricting gatherings except for the five parties contesting the election, and deploying more than 44,000 security forces across the country. The judiciary sentenced several hundred people to three years in prison for disturbing the peace. A night-time curfew was imposed in the region around Yamoussoukro, the political capital, and authorities stated they wanted to avoid chaos and a repeat of the violence surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Critics of Ouattara accused the government of cracking down on opposition, targeting opponents through legal means, creating a climate of fear, and restricting freedom of expression. The government insisted the judiciary acts independently. Nearly 9 million Ivorians were registered to vote in the October 25, 2025 election, though turnout had only been slightly above 50 percent in the last two elections. Observers forecast Ouattara to win the more than 50 percent needed to secure victory in the first round, given the weakened opposition field. The election had raised concerns about democratic consolidation in Cote d'Ivoire, with critics arguing that repeated exceptions to term limits could weaken institutional norms in a country that had experienced coups and democratic backsliding. Economic Record and Development During his presidency, Ouattara had overseen significant economic growth in Cote d'Ivoire. The country had posted strong growth rates, averaging around 6 percent annually, bringing macroeconomic gains and attracting global investor confidence. As the world's largest producer of cocoa and cashew nuts, Ivory Coast had become a regional powerhouse and West Africa's second-largest economy under his leadership. Ouattara's economic policies focused on infrastructure development, attracting foreign investment, and promoting economic diversification. His background as an international economist and former IMF official had been credited with bringing technical expertise to economic management. However, critics argue that while economic growth had been strong, political reforms have lagged, and the benefits of growth have not been evenly distributed across society. Personal Life Alassane Ouattara is married to Dominique Ouattara, who was born on December 16, 1953. She holds degrees in economics and property management and had a successful career as a business executive before becoming First Lady. She founded the AICI International Real Estate Group in 1979 and acquired the Jacques Dessange brand in the United States in 1996. As First Lady, Dominique Ouattara had been deeply involved in humanitarian work. She founded the Children of Africa Foundation and serves as President of the National Oversight Committee for Actions to Combat Child Trafficking, Exploitation, and Child Labor in Cote d'Ivoire. She initiated the construction of the Bingerville Mother and Child Hospital, which was inaugurated in March 2018 to reduce maternal and child mortality. The couple had four children together. Ouattara is a member of the Dyula people and practices Islam. His brother, Tene Birahima Ouattara, had served as Minister of Defense in his government. Alassane Ouattara had been described as a hard worker committed to transparency and good governance throughout his career. Ouattara had received numerous international honors and awards throughout his career. He received the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Ivory Coast in December 2010. He had also been honored by neighboring African countries, including the Grand Cross of the Ordre de l'Etalon from Burkina Faso in July 2019, appointment as Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana in October 2017, and the Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali in September 2013. Legacy and Assessment Alassane Ouattara's political career had been marked by both significant achievements and considerable controversy. His supporters credit him with bringing economic stability and growth to Cote d'Ivoire after years of civil conflict, implementing reforms that transformed the country, and restoring international confidence. His background in international economics and experience at the IMF brought technical expertise to governance that helped stabilize the economy. However, his tenure had also been characterized by persistent challenges to democratic norms. The nationality controversies that plagued his early political career, the violent post-election crisis of 2010-2011, and his controversial bids for third and fourth terms have raised questions about democratic consolidation in Cote d'Ivoire. Critics argue that his manipulation of constitutional provisions to bypass term limits, exclusion of opposition candidates, and restrictions on political freedoms represent a backsliding on democratic values. The tensions between economic progress and democratic development remain a defining feature of his presidency. While Ivory Coast had achieved impressive economic growth rates under his leadership, many Ivorians, particularly young people, express skepticism about the political elite, citing persistent unemployment, economic inequality, and lack of meaningful representation. The concentration of power and aging leadership have become points of contention in a country with a median age of 18.3 years and one of the youngest populations in the world. Ouattara's extended tenure reflects broader regional trends in West Africa, where several aging leaders have remained in power by changing or reinterpreting constitutional term limits. His legacy will ultimately be judged by whether the economic gains achieved during his presidency translate into lasting improvements in governance, whether democratic institutions can be strengthened after his departure, and whether the country can avoid a return to the ethnic and political tensions that characterized earlier periods of its history. As he sought a fourth term at age 83, questions about succession planning and the transition to a younger generation of leadership remained unresolved. The circumstances surrounding the 2025 election, including the exclusion of major opposition figures and restrictions on political activity, have raised concerns among both domestic critics and international observers about the health of Ivorian democracy and the prospects for peaceful political transition in the future. Interview: Zimbabwean exporters eye new opportunities in China at upcoming import expo -- official Xinhua) 10:36, October 25, 2025 HARARE, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean exporters are seeking new market opportunities and business partnerships in China through participation in this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE), a trade official has told Xinhua. Kupakwashe Midzi, client advisor in the export development department at ZimTrade, Zimbabwe's trade promotion agency, said about 15 companies from sectors including construction, horticulture, minerals, arts and crafts, and essential oils will participate in the expo, slated for Nov. 5 in Shanghai. "What we are expecting to benefit from CIIE is getting more business deals, generating business leads, and getting businesses or companies in China that are interested in not only buying products from Zimbabwe, but also investing in the production of the products locally," said Midzi in a recent interview with Xinhua. He said the CIIE has, over the years, served as a key platform to showcase Zimbabwean products and expand their visibility in the vast Chinese market. "We are looking forward to gaining a lot of traction from the Chinese businesses as well as potential buyers in what Zimbabwe has to offer. In the horticulture sector, the areas of interest include blueberries, chilies, avocados, and macadamia nuts," said Midzi. He noted that with China's zero-tariff policy for African exports, Zimbabwe aims to further tap into the Chinese market for locally produced goods. "Looking at the Chinese market, we are also aiming to promote leather products, especially exotic leather. We are also looking to promote arts and crafts from Zimbabwe, the horticultural products, and the processed foods," said Midzi. Zimbabwe is additionally seeking to export heritage-based and value-added products such as baobab wine, baobab powder, and essential oils derived from indigenous resources. "We have got baobab seed oil, we have got Marula oil, which are new products that are being developed in Zimbabwe, which we are looking to promote, and we believe the Chinese market is the right market, whether for further value additions into cosmeceuticals or even just consumption by the Chinese market," he said. As Zimbabwe works to strengthen its horticulture sector, businesses in blueberry production will be represented at the expo, following the signing of a blueberry export protocol during President Emmerson Mnangagwa's visit to China in September. "The protocol is only fairly new, but we are hoping to generate interest so that we can get information on potential buyers in China of blueberries so that we can bring back that information to the Zimbabwean growers and promote blueberry exports to China," said Midzi, adding that Zimbabwe is also pursuing export protocols for additional horticultural products, including citrus and avocados. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) In 1907, in the heart of a sweltering jungle, one of the most ambitious engineering feats of the 20th century began: the construction of the Panama Canal. But what is usually recounted in history books the diplomatic treaties, the astronomical figures, the names of engineers leaves out those who put their bodies (an estimated 25,000 dead), their homes, and their health at risk. In The Great Divide, now also available in Spanish, Panamanian-American writer Cristina Henriquez, 48, decided to rescue their stories. I grew up visiting the canal, the author says via video call. But I didnt know much about its history. I had a lot of assumed ideas, and one was that Panamanians had built the infrastructure. But when I started researching, I discovered that, of the 50,000 workers, only 357 were Panamanians. That was a shock. I thought: if they didnt build it, who did? The answer led her to search through archives, libraries, and gather testimonies: Antilleans from Barbados, Jamaicans, workers from 90 different countries who came to that small corner of the world. Asked if she feels anything different seeing the canal now, Henriquez smiles: The truth is, Id never crossed it before. I did it two years ago, when the book came out in English, and it was very revealing, because I already knew what was under the water and the asphalt: the bodies, the people. It was a very meaningful experience for me; it was something symbolic. Writer Cristina Henriquez, in a photograph provided by the publishing house ADN. That feeling of walking on ghosts, on forgotten memories is what fuels the atmosphere of her novel. Set in Panama at the beginning of the 20th century, the book intertwines the lives of Ada, a teenager from Barbados who arrives alone, in hiding, seeking money for a cure to save her sister; Omar, a young Panamanian who wants to work on the canal despite his fathers objections; Francisco, his father, a fisherman and symbol of resistance to the infrastructure; and John Oswald, an American scientist on a mission: to combat malaria among the workers. Through them, Henriquez stages a choral story, a symphony of voices marked by progress... and by its cost. I researched for years, and it took me five more years to write the novel. Sometimes I would read an entire book about trains in America just to end up using one sentence, but I needed that context. Every door I opened led me to new revelations. One of those discoveries was the system of segregation implemented by the Americans in the Canal Zone: a strict division between gold and silver workers, which marked who deserved privileges and who barely had access to the basics. I was able to understand that system in a very profound way. It was extremely shocking to discover that racialized and deeply violent hierarchy, says Henriquez. If anything stands out in The Great Divide, its the sensorial texture of its prose. Reading the novel is like sweating alongside the characters, feeling the mud, the humidity, the latent threat of disease, and the collapse of buildings. That comes from my experience in Panama. Ive been there every year since I was eight months old, and I have that sensorial memory of being there, of the sweat on my skin, the smell of the earth and the plants. Thats imprinted on my prose. I wrote the book by hand, in a notebook, and I think theres something about it that heightens tactility, a kind of synesthesia that changed the way I write. This technical choice writing by hand was no coincidence: Henriquez was coming out of a block, following the success of her third book, The Book of Unknown Americans (2014). I was stuck. I felt like there were people waiting for this new book, and that blocked me. Writing by hand reconnected me with intimacy, not just with myself, but with the characters. One of the first ships to traverse the canal, circa 1914. Paolo KOCH (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) That intimacy is especially palpable in the character of Francisco, the fisherman who sees how the waters he inherited from his ancestors are now exploited by foreign hands. Francisco is my favorite character. Theres something very candid about him, says Henriquez. But also Ada and Omar, who were the first to appear in my mind. They were with me from the beginning. Not to mention John Oswald, the American scientist: was he included to humanize the foreigner, or to lay bare his moral limits? The original idea for the book was born 20 years ago: I wanted to tell this story from the Panamanian perspective. But when I discovered that very few Panamanians had worked there, I knew I had to broaden the focus. And, of course, I also needed a character from the United States. Although his perspective has been told many times before, I thought, I can give it a twist, see what happens when I mix all these voices. Interweaving of voices This interweaving of voices is one of the novels greatest achievements. Far from simplifying the story, Henriquez makes it more complex: there is resistance and collaboration, pain and hope, broken dreams and symbolic triumphs. At one point in the book, the inhabitants of a town that will be submerged rebel against the eviction. They lose, but their struggle remains a testament to dignity. I didnt think about the parallels with the present when I began writing, the author admits. But when I began to study them more, I saw them clearly. The canal brought people from all over the world and plunged them into a deeply racist system. And although I didnt want to emphasize it too much I wanted to focus on 1907 I knew the attentive reader would pick up on it. Today we continue to deal with the same tensions: migration, inequality, exploitation. And how does she view the present of the United States, being half Panamanian, half American? It takes her a few moments to answer: My father, a U.S. citizen for decades, carries his passport with him every time he goes for a walk, she explains with a hint of frustration. Theres a real level of fear, a very deep fear among migrants. I think theres a feeling of not knowing when this will end. I dont know the answers to whats going to happen, but I try to process whats happening through my writing. Its a very dangerous time. Were living in very dangerous times. What does progress mean, and for whom? Henriquez asks aloud, spelling out the question implicit in her book. She doesnt offer answers, but by telling the stories of those silenced by history, she opens a luminous crack in the official narrative. A crack through which a truth seeps in, also speaking out loud: Every great human project leaves its mark, and writing about it is a way of not forgetting. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Gustavo Petro The United States, through the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), on 24 October 2025 sanctioned four Colombian nationals, including leftist President Gustavo Petro, Petros wife Veronica, his son Nicolas, and Minister of Interior Armando Benedetti for their involvement in the global illicit drug trade. Minutes after taking office, President Gustavo Petro called for a new approach, saying in his inaugural address that the policies pursued by Bogota and Washington have fueled violence without reducing consumption. Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans, said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity. Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation. Colombia remained the worlds top producer and exporter of cocaine. Cocaine from Colombia is often purchased by Mexican cartels, who then smuggle it into the United States via the southern border. It is a scheduled substance that is a significant drug threat to the United States, despite Gustavo Petros recent, flippant comparison of the use of the drug to whiskey. Gustavo Petro is a former guerilla member who was elected to the Colombian presidency in 2022. He has provided narco-terrorist organizations with benefits under the auspices of his total peace plan, among other policies, which have led to record highs of coca cultivation and cocaine production. On September 15, 2025, because of Gustavo Petro and his cronies actions, the President determined Colombia is a major drug transit or major illicit drug producing country and that it is failing demonstrably to uphold its drug control responsibilities. Gustavo Petros behavior had also driven Colombia further apart from its partners in additional ways. In 2024, he shared confidential information obtained via secure anti-money laundering communication channels, threatening the integrity of the international financial system and leading to the suspension of Colombias Financial Intelligence Unit from The Egmont Group. He also had allied himself with the narco-terrorist regime of Nicolas Maduro Moros and the Cartel de Los Soles. Gustavo Petro was being designated pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. Gustavo Petros eldest son, Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos (Nicolas Petro), is considered to be his political heir. He has served as Gustavo Petros campaign manager in Barranquilla. In 2023, Nicolas Petro was arrested in Colombia for money laundering and illicit enrichment over allegations that he funneled money received from drug traffickers into Gustavo Petros total peace efforts and election campaign. Nicolas Petro later admitted to receiving dirty money from a person formerly involved in narcotics trafficking and son of a contractor on trial for financing paramilitaries. First Lady Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia was once unconstitutionally appointed by Gustavo Petro to serve as an ambassador on a special mission. A Colombian court later annulled the appointment, deciding that the appointment violated Article 126 of the Colombian Constitution, which prohibits the Colombian president from appointing his spouse or permanent partner. Armando Alberto Benedetti Villaneda (Armando Benedetti) has been appointed to multiple high-ranking positions within the Colombian government by Gustavo Petro. In 2023, audio recordings of Armando Benedetti were leaked in which he discusses his involvement in campaign financing and obtaining votes for Gustavo Petro. More recently, in February 2025, Gustavo Petro named Armando Benedetti as Colombias Minister of the Interior. The 62-year-old Gustavo Petro had been a non-combatant member of the M-19 rebel group, for which he was briefly jailed and allegedly tortured. The group became notorious for taking the countrys top judges hostage in a confrontation that killed almost 100 people in 1985. He has sought to dispel accusations that his government will favor former rebels and that he will institute policies that have caused a social and economic crisis in neighbouring Venezuela. He has pledged low-cost loans for small businesses and redistribution of pensions to ensure casual workers receive a minimum payment. The former congressman has also said he wants to increase taxes on owners of large tracts of unproductive land and start weaning Colombia off income from oil and coal, which he has described as poisons comparable to cocaine. In that vein, he has said he wants to shift Colombias relationship with the United States away from anti-narcotics policies and towards the fight against climate change. Former guerrilla and later diplomat, Gustavo Petro was born in Cienaga de Oro, Cordoba, Colombia, in 1960. He was formed in Catholicism through the Liberation Theology. As a teenager Gustavo Petro joined the guerilla organisation M-19, which had its stronghold in the city of Zipaquira. Not for nothing many call him Petrosky. In 1981, aged of 21, Petro served as a spokesman for the city of Zipaquira and later, between 1984 and 1986, was an independent councillor for the city. During his 10 years with the guerrillas, Petro contributed to the construction of a neighborhood in Zipaquira, where he lived for two years with the poorest of families. With them he built homes and led the installation of public services through communal construction in what was known as the Bolivar 83 district. Owing to the growing strength of the popular movement in Zipaquira, led by the young Petro, his persecution was inevitable despite M-19 by then being a legal party. In October 1985 the neighbourhood was the victim of brutal military repression. Petro was arrested under a siege decree that took away his freedom and human rights enshrined under the Constitution of 1886. Petro was in custody for almost two years on the say-so of a Republican general. For many, Petro remains simply an ex-guerrilla. Although he has stated that he never killed anyone and that he did not exercise violence, a sector of the population still takes its toll on him for his past, he told TN Colombian political analyst Paola Montilla. He is a graduate in economics from the Externado University of Colombia. He specialised in public administration at the School of Public Administration ESAP and gained an MA in economics at Javeriana University. He later studied Environment and Population Development at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and afterwards was awarded a PhD in New Trends in Business Administration by Salamanca University, Spain. From 1990 to 1991 Gustavo Petro was adviser to the provincial government of Cundinamarca and later in that decade served as a diplomatic attache at the Colombian Embassy in Belgium. Petro has been successful in several legislative elections - including the office of senator, on behalf of the Alternative Democratic Pole (ADP), in 2006. In 2009 he resigned his seat to run for the presidency of Colombia in the 2010 elections as candidate for the ADP. After achieving a credible fourth place in the elections, Petro left the party and on 30 October 2011 was elected Mayor of Bogota on behalf of the Progressive Movement for a three-year term, starting 1 January 2012. The election of former guerrilla Gustavo Petro as Bogota mayor has raised hopes among Colombians that 50 years of civil war might be coming to an end. Petro, who assumed his new post on 1 January 2012, fought as a young man with the now defunct leftist M-19 rebel movement and later, as Colombian senator, became the most outspoken opponent of right-wing president Alvaro Uribe. Gustavo Petros hefty plurality in the Bogota mayoral race represented a stunning victory for Colombia's democratic process and a severe setback for US Latin American policies promoted by presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. The victory of Gustavo Petro in Colombias presidential election continued a leftward swing in Latin America and was quickly praised by left-wing leaders across the region and the world. The former rebel won 50.4 percent of the votes on Sunday, narrowly defeating populist business magnate Rodolfo Hernandez in the runoff election. Among his campaign promises, Petro pledged to address profound social and economic inequality in traditionally conservative Colombia, where successive governments have focused primarily on addressing insecurity and violence linked to the countrys nearly six-decade-long armed conflict. Argentinas President Alberto Fernandez, who took office in 2019 after running on a left-leaning platform, tweeted that Petros victory validates democracy and ensures the path towards an integrated Latin America in this time when we demand maximum solidarity amongst brother peoples. The feeling of the fraternity was echoed by several other leaders in the region. Argentina, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Bolivia and Honduras have all moved to the left in their last elections, although some observers have argued the shift is rooted more in populism than ideology. Perus Pedro Castillo, a rural school teacher and trade unionist who took office in 2021 and has been dogged by a legislature dominated by the right-wing opposition, said he looked forward to working with an ally. Chile President Gabriel Boric, who was elected earlier this year to replace conservative Sebastian Pinera, called Petros win a joy for Latin America. We will work together for the unity of our continent in the challenges of a world changing rapidly, he tweeted. Meanwhile, Bolivias Luis Arce, a member of the Movement of Socialists party who took office in 2020, said Latin American integration is strengthened. For his part, Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Petros success could herald a healing period in the country. He referenced the 10-year Colombian civil war that broke out following the assassination of left-wing presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan in 1948. The conflict was a precursor to the six-decade-long conflict between the government and left-wing rebel groups, most notably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) which signed a peace deal with Bogota in 2016. Todays triumph can be the end of this curse and the awakening for this brotherly and dignified people, said Lopez Obrador. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who had fraught relations with outgoing Colombian President Ivan Duque over the latters support of Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido and his accusations that the Venezuelan military was collaborating with Colombian rebel groups, welcomed Petros victory. The will of the Colombian people has been heard, it went out to defend the path to democracy and peace, said Maduro. The praise extended across the Atlantic Ocean, with the United Kingdoms Labour Party legislator and former opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, tweeting in Spanish: Congratulations Mr. President, socialist!. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military Budget - Oblast Bonuses Russian regions began to massively reduce or completely cancel "governor's" payments for army recruits, which indicates the depletion of regional budgets amid the war and rising expenses. This was stated 18 October 2025 by the Ukrainian NSDC Center for Countering Disinformation. "Propaganda promises of "high-rise" companies are being replaced by pressure and fines - there was less money, and more coercion," the CPD notes. In St. Petersburg, the "governor's" payment of 1.6 million rubles ($16.8 thousand) was canceled in general by a "retroactive" resolution. In the Samara region, payments were reduced almost 9 times: from 3.6 million rubles ($37.9 thousand) to 400 thousand rubles ($4.2 thousand). In Mari El from 3 million rubles ($31.6 thousand) to 800 thousand rubles ($8.4 thousand). In Chuvashia from 2.5 million rubles ($26.3 thousand) to 800 thousand rubles ($8.4 thousand). Reductions are also recorded in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, and Bashkortostan. Previously, the Central Social Insurance Institution reported similar reductions in payments in Tatarstan and Belgorod Oblast. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council summarized that cuts, delays, and "retroactive cancellations" demonstrate that the economic cost of aggression was becoming unbearable for the regions, but the Kremlin was trying to maintain the pace of the war even at the cost of completely undermining trust in the authorities within the country. Regional Competition Regional officials are rewarded based on the total number of people they recruit, regardless of whether those people come from their region or a neighboring one, creating competition among regions where each tries to offer more money knowing that people are examining offers in search of the highest payout. Wealthier regions like Moscow and St. Petersburg offer significantly more money in bonuses than the federal government, making them primary locations where poorer people sign up for contract service, according to analysis from October 2024. Wealthier regions openly engage in manipulative practices, such as temporarily registering recruits in wealthier regions to secure higher payouts. Regional governments in Russia (i.e., oblasts and autonomous okrugs) offered one-time sign-up bonuses (and sometimes other incentives) to people signing contracts with the armed forces. For example, in Belgorod Oblast a one-time payment of about 3 million rubles (~US$31 000) was announced in October 2024 for new contract servicemen. Investigations show sharp regional disparities and repeated bonus hikes in 20242025; several regions advertise million-ruble lump sums. Belgorod (border oblast) offered a record 3 million rubles one-time payment (Oct 7, 2024), explicitly demonstrating inter-regional competition that encourages shopping around by region. The Moscow Times (Oct 16, 2025) documented the regional race in payments and that bonuses far exceed median local wagesmoney being often the decisive factor. With regions openly advertising different sumsand Moscow among the most lucrativeits rational and evidently common-sense behavior to go sign where the package is best. Reuters (Jul 23, 2024) notes 5.2 m rubles first-year pay in Moscow>5 the average Russian nominal wage; similar figures appear across reputable outlets. Kyiv Independent (Jul 23, 2024) and Meduza (Nov 12, 2024) highlight that regional payouts ballooned, sometimes exceeding a years civilian salaryshowing why men from low-income regions might move to where offers are highest. Young men (and men of service age) from rural or lower-income areas in Russia face much lower civilian earnings in their home region, and there exist exceptionally high signing bonuses and contract pay for military service (especially in Moscow or other regions). Thus moving (or relocating) to a higher-income opportunity (military contract, or urban employment) could be a viable pathway. Research scientist Maria Vyushkova, who studies regional and ethnic disparities in Russia's war casualties, confirmed in November 2024 that people from poorer regions travel to wealthier regions to sign military contracts where bonuses are higher. She stated: "It's important to understand that if we have a poorer region next to a wealthier one offering high payouts, people from the poorer area will go to sign the contract [in the wealthier region]." Dir National Effect Direct official stats showing how many young men moved from poor areas to Moscow solely to secure bigger signing bonuses arent public. But the rule designs (Moscow pays those processed by its selection point), regional bonus competition, and on-the-ground Q&As/guides together support that men can and do travel to Moscow (and other high-paying regions) to signprecisely because the payouts are materially higher than earnings in poorer home regions. Oblast recruitment bonus eligibility phrased as selected by the Moscow selection point (not must be long-time resident)Vedomosti, Jul 23, 2024is the key enabler for someone to go to Moscow to qualify. Legal/consumer Q&As in Russia explicitly field the question if he goes to Moscow to sign, does he get the 1.9 m? evidence the practice is contemplated/attempted in real life (Oct 2024). Practical how-to articles in Russian explain choosing another region to sign because some regions pay more, listing Moscow among high-pay locales (20242025). While not primary government notices, they reflect a recognized practice. These payments are funded from all sources: the federal, regional, municipal budgets and extra-budgetary funds. In the case of Belgorod Oblast the governor explicitly said the payment will amount to 3 million rubles from all Rources. Thus--in theory--the payments are partly borne by regional budgets (oblast/municipal) in addition to the federal budget. The governors bonuses are largely paid outside the federal National Defense line and flowRthrough regional and municipal budgets (plus some extra-budgetary sources). That means theyre only partially reflected in the headline R12.913.0 trillion defense figure for 2026 and are a key reason comparisons based solely on the federal budget undercount Russias true, militarily relevant outlays. In Belgorod, for example, the governor explicitly described a record R3 million sign-up payment as coming from all sources: the federal, regional, municipal budgets and extra-budgetary funds, illustrating that these transfers are distributed across different ledgers rather than concentrated in the MoD line. From an accounting perspective, these payments are not always clearly separated in publicly available budgeting documents under defence spending or military personnel costs in the federal budget. They are often treated as part of personnel incentives/bonuses, and may fall under regional discretionary budgets or social payments lRnes. One source (IStories) estimated that by end of 2024 the average regional one-time payment for contracting had reached ~897 000 rubles, and together with the federal payment (~400 000 rubles) made a total of 1.3 million rubles on average. Another analysis (The Moscow Times) estimated that Russia was spending about 2 billion rubles per day ( US$22 million/day) on sign-up bonuses for new recruits, of which approximately three-quarters (1.5 billion rubles/Ry) were borne by regional governments. That suggests a sizeable regional share that would normally not appear in the central national defence budget under the ministry of defence, but rather in regional budgets. The payments are incentives for contract recruits rather than standard salary or equipment. They are funded by a mixRof federal and regional/municipal budgets. They may therefore not be fully captured in published national defenceR spending lines if only federRl budget lines are considered. This implies that the defence budget of ~R12.9 trillion for 2026 may not include some of these regional incentive payments (or it may, but only partially) which introduces uncertainty. The estimates of total regional payments are somewhat scattershot. Moscow Times reported the 2 billion rubles per day figure for sign-up bonuses (new recruits) across Russia suggests ~R730 billion/year (~US$8 billion at ~R90/USD) if sustained every day for 365 days. (2 billion 365 730 billion). This was said to be for sign-on bonuses for new recruits alone. Another source (Militarnyi) stated that in the first half of 2025, regional and federal authorities spent more than R2 trillion on recting ands of support of the military. Of this, about R400 billion were spent on contract bonuses, R865 billion salaries, and R765 billion on compensation to families of the dead and wounded. According to IStories, by end of 2024 the regional payments alone reached an average of ~R897 000 per recruit with every region offering something, though they dont give total recruit numbers to multiply. So, a reasonable ballpark is that regional/extrR-budget payments associated with recruiting new contract soldiers run into the hundreds of billions of rubles per year (i.e., several billion USD). However, there is no reliable public figure for the total amount across all regions in 2026 specifically, nor a breakdown of how much is captured within the central national defence budget vs. outside it. Because these payments are partly managed at regional level and sometimes quasi-extra-budgetary, they add uncertainty to the total defence expenditure--a portion may be missing from the central published figures. Because these regional payments are likely in addition to many of the standard ministry of defence budget lines, it means that estimates for Russias defence spending at ~R12.9 trillion for 2026 (defence-only) using central budget data, may be under-counting the full outlay that the state (federal + regional) is committing for military manpower incentives. If regional payments are in the hundreds of billions of rubles, then the true militarily relevant spending is higher than what the federal budget alone shows. For example, if regional payments approach R500 billion (US$56 billion) in a year, then the previously-mentioned budget figure rises accordingly (to maybe ~R13.4 trillion). In PPP or MER terms the change is modest relative to ~R12.9 trillion, but it is material. For scale, triangulate from several consistent datapoints. First, President Putin doubled the federal one-time bonus to R400,000 in late July 2024, and repeating he time noted that regions were expecting this indeed, investigative work by IStories put the regional add-on near R897,000 by the end of 2024, implying an upfront package of roughly R1.3 million per recruit when the federal and regional pieces are combined. None of this was presented as a single, unified federal appropriation; the regional component sits on regional books (often in social-payments or discretionary lines), which is why it can be missing from simple reads of the federal defense budget. Second, although Russia does not publish a consolidated, nationwide total for these regional incentives, there are credible flow-of-funds snapshots. An April 2025 analysis estimated that Russia was spending about R2 billion per day on sign-on bonuses for new recruits; if sustained for a full year, that would be roughly R730 billion annually just for sign-up bonuses, and the article noted that approximately three-quarters of that daily spend was borne by regional governmentsmoney that, again, would not sit cleanly inside the MoDs National Defense chapter. That simple arithmetic implies on the order of R500R600 billion per year from regional sources at a 2025-style recruitment tempo, with the remainder federal. Third, point estimates tied to volunteer counts help bound earlier periods. Reuters reported about 190,000 volunteers in 2024 (down from 490,000 in 2023). Appling only the federal one-off of R400,000 yields R76 billion in federal sign-up payments for 2024; adding IStories late-2024 average regional top-up (R897,000), the combined upfront payout would be R247 billion for 2024 most of which would have been booked on regional ledgers rather than the fRderal defense line. Those numbers square with contemporaneous reporting that tracked tens of billions of rubles in bonus outlays in 2024 before the much larger 2025 recruitment push. Putting it together for the 2026 frame, the accounting is split and opaque: the federal budget certainly covers its R400,000 share (and other central incentives), but the governor-level bonuses are primarily regional expenditures, sometimes supplemented by extra-budgetary funds, and therefore are not fully captured in the MoDs National Defense line that underpins the R12.913.0 trillion figure. Where a region advertises multi-million-ruble packages (Belgorods R3 million from all sources is the poster case), the bulk of that uplift lands outside the federal defense ledger. As for a total amount, there is no official nationwide roll-up for 2026, but scenarios can be anchored in the observed 20242025 ranges. If 2026 recruitment incentives ran at something like the 2025 pace cited above, then sign-on bonuses alone could plausibly sum to ~R700+ billion for the year, with ~R500R600 billion of that borne by regions. If, instead, recruitment volumes look more like late-2024 levels, the composite of federal plus regional sign-on payouts would be closer to the low-hundreds of billions of rubles (e.g., the ~R247 billion illustrative calculation above), again with the majority outside the federal defense line. In both cases, these are material add-ons to Russias militarily relevant spend, and they help explain why MER- or even PPP-converted MoD totals understate the real economic resources mobilized for the war. Russia: Sign-on Bonus Scenarios (Federal vs. Regional Governors Payments) Units: R = rubles; B = billions; T = trillions. MER = market-rate USD at R85/US$; PPP = international dollars at R28/int$. Year Scenario Recruits (assumed) Federal sign-on (R/recruit) Regional top-up (R/recruit) Federal total Regional total Combined total Outside Nat. Defense* MER add (US$) PPP add (intl$) 2024 Low 190,000 R400,000 R897,000 R76.00B R170.43B R246.43B 69.2% $2.90B $8.80B 2024 Med 300,000 R400,000 R897,000 R120.00B R269.10B R389.10B 69.2% $4.58B $13.90B 2024 High 490,000 R400,000 R897,000 R196.00B R439.53B R635.53B 69.2% $7.48B $22.70B 2025 Low 300,000 R400,000 R897,000 R120.00B R269.10B R389.10B 69.2% $4.58B $13.90B 2025 Med 450,000 R400,000 R897,000 R180.00B R403.65B R583.65B 69.2% $6.87B $20.84B 2025 High 563,000 R400,000 R897,000 R225.20B R505.11B R730.31B 69.2% $8.59B $26.08B 2026 Low 250,000 R400,000 R897,000 R100.00B R224.25B R324.25B 69.2% $3.82B $11.58B 2026 Med 400,000 R400,000 R897,000 R160.00B R358.80B R518.80B 69.2% $6.10B $18.53B 2026 High 560,000 R400,000 R897,000 R224.00B R502.32B R726.32B 69.2% $8.54B $25.94B *Outside National Defense is approximated by the regional share of total sign-on payouts (regional combined). In practice, regional payments are typically booked in regional/municipal budgets or extra-budgetary funds rather than the federal MoD line. Notes & assumptions: Federal sign-on = R400k per recruit (mid-2024 policy). Average regional top-up R897k (late-2024 average across regions). MER conversion shown at R85/US$; PPP at R28/int$ (midpoint for quick comparison). 2025 High row (~563k recruits) aligns with an implied total sign-on outlay near R730B/year (R2B/day). Figures are scenario estimates for sign-on bonuses only and exclude salaries, compensations to families, and other benefits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: The $417 Billion PPP Paradox Ukraine's nominal 2026 military spending projection of $68 billion represents 34% of GDP, a staggering proportion by any standard. However, when adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), this figure transforms into an astounding $417 billionnearly half of Russia's PPP-adjusted military expenditure. This dramatic multiplier effect reveals both the extraordinary scale of Ukraine's wartime mobilization and the fundamental limitations of comparing military capabilities through purchasing power metrics alone. This analysis explores why the PPP figure is simultaneously accurate in economic terms and profoundly misleading in strategic assessment. The Mechanics of the Multiplier Effect Ukraine's PPP multiplier of approximately 6.13 times its nominal spending derives from fundamental differences in labor costs and production expenses between Ukraine and advanced Western economies.1 When the Ukrainian military pays a soldier, manufactures an artillery shell, or constructs a defensive fortification, it does so at wage rates and input costs that are a fraction of what the same activities would cost in the United States or Western Europe. In purchasing power terms, a dollar spent in Ukraine's defense sector commands roughly six times the real resourcesmanhours, materials, and productive capacitythat the same dollar would purchase in higher-cost economies. This multiplier effect is amplified by Ukraine's comprehensive wartime economic mobilization. The entire productive apparatus of the nation has been reoriented toward military purposes, with civilian industries converting to defense production, universities focusing research on military applications, and the labor force increasingly dedicated to supporting the war effort either directly or indirectly.2 This total mobilization means that Ukraine's defense spending doesn't merely purchase military goods and services at low local pricesit represents a fundamental transformation of economic activity where almost every sector contributes to the war machine. Factories that once produced consumer goods now manufacture drones and ammunition, while agricultural equipment manufacturers have pivoted to repairing armored vehicles. Domestic production capabilities further enhance the real purchasing power of Ukraine's military budget. Rather than importing finished weapons systems at international market prices, Ukraine manufactures substantial quantities of equipment locally, from small arms ammunition to armored vehicles and increasingly sophisticated unmanned systems.3 Local production eliminates not only the markup associated with international arms sales but also the transportation costs, import duties, and middleman fees that inflate the price of foreign-sourced equipment. A domestically produced howitzer shell costs Ukraine perhaps $500 to manufacture, while a comparable Western shell might cost $3,000 to $8,000, depending on specifications and production scale. The conscription-based military model creates perhaps the most dramatic PPP effect. Ukrainian soldiers, many serving as conscripts or mobilized reservists, receive compensation far below what professional soldiers in Western militaries earn.4 Yet in terms of military manpowerthe ability to hold defensive positions, conduct offensive operations, and maintain military presence across a front line spanning hundreds of kilometerseach Ukrainian soldier represents equivalent combat power to a Western counterpart. When measured in PPP terms, Ukraine's ability to field an army of several hundred thousand personnel at local wage rates translates into an enormous equivalent value that would cost Western nations orders of magnitude more to replicate. The Illusion Behind the Numbers Despite the mathematical accuracy of the $417 billion PPP figure, it fundamentally misrepresents Ukraine's actual military capability and sustainability. The first critical limitation is foreign aid dependency. The nominal $68 billion figure cited for Ukraine's 2026 military spending excludes approximately $60 billion in direct foreign military assistance per year, as international methodologies like those employed by SIPRI count only domestic government spending.5 This means that Ukraine's actual military capability rests not on $417 billion in PPP terms, but on a combination of its domestic spending (perhaps $417 billion in PPP equivalent) plus substantial foreign aid that arrives at international, not PPP-adjusted, prices. The country's military would collapse within months without this external support, making any analysis based solely on domestic spending deeply misleading. The PPP multiplier breaks down entirely when Ukraine purchases advanced weapons systems on the international market. When Ukraine acquires HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot air defense batteries, F-16 fighter aircraft, or Western tanks, it pays international market prices in dollars or euros.6 These transactions occur at nominal, not PPP-adjusted, rates. A $150 million Patriot battery costs Ukraine the same $150 million it would cost any other buyer, regardless of Ukraine's favorable PPP multiplier for domestic purchases. As modern warfare increasingly depends on sophisticated, high-technology systems that only advanced Western nations can produce, a growing proportion of Ukraine's effective military capability comes from equipment where the PPP advantage is irrelevant. The country can mobilize vast armies and produce substantial quantities of basic munitions cheaply, but it cannot manufacture its own long-range precision strike systems, advanced radar, or modern fighter jets at any price. The Quality Versus Quantity Dilemma: PPP calculations measure inputsmoney spent, soldiers employed, shells producedbut they cannot measure combat effectiveness or technological sophistication. A Ukrainian soldier paid $400 per month may represent the same "manpower unit" in PPP terms as an American soldier paid $4,000 per month, but the American soldier likely has access to superior training, equipment, intelligence support, and logistics that make them considerably more effective in combat. Similarly, a Ukrainian-produced artillery shell might be economically equivalent to a Western one in PPP terms, but if it has a shorter range, lower accuracy, or reduced reliability, its military value is correspondingly diminished.7 The sustainability crisis represents perhaps the most damning limitation of the PPP analysis. Ukraine's current military spending consumes virtually all government tax revenue, leaving nothing for essential civilian needs including healthcare, education, infrastructure maintenance, or social services.8 The country operates only because foreign aid covers not just military assistance but also budget support for basic government functions. At 34% of GDP, military spending has reached a level that is economically unsustainable for any nation in a prolonged conflict. The Soviet Union, at the height of the Cold War, spent approximately 15-20% of GDP on defense, and that burden contributed significantly to its eventual economic collapse. Ukraine's current rate is nearly double that, sustained only by unprecedented international support that cannot continue indefinitely at current levels. Understanding the Strategic Reality The true picture of Ukraine's military capability emerges only when we integrate both the PPP analysis and its limitations. Ukraine has achieved a remarkable mobilization of domestic resources, transforming its economy into a war machine that punches far above its weight in terms of manpower, basic equipment production, and military-industrial output. The $417 billion PPP figure accurately captures this dimensionUkraine's ability to generate enormous military power from its domestic economy at local prices. This capability explains how a nation with a pre-war GDP of approximately $200 billion nominal ($600 billion PPP) can sustain a war against a country with an economy ten times larger. However, this indigenous capability exists in symbiosis with Western military support that provides the technological edge and advanced capabilities that Ukraine cannot produce domestically. The relationship is complementary rather than additive: Ukraine provides the manpower, the defensive infrastructure, the local production of basic systems, and the tactical innovation that comes from actual combat experience, while Western nations provide the precision strike systems, air defense, electronic warfare equipment, intelligence support, and advanced platforms that enable Ukraine to compete against a more technologically sophisticated adversary.9 Neither component alone would sufficeUkraine without Western aid would lack the tools to contest Russian air superiority or strike deep behind enemy lines, while Western equipment without Ukrainian soldiers to operate it would be worthless. The $417 billion PPP figure, therefore, should be understood not as a measure of Ukraine's military capability but as an indicator of its total resource mobilization in purchasing power terms. It demonstrates that Ukraine has achieved near-total economic transformation for war, mobilizing human and material resources at a scale that would cost an advanced economy nearly half a trillion dollars to replicate. Yet it simultaneously masks the country's profound dependence on external support for advanced military systems, its unsustainable fiscal trajectory, and the qualitative limitations of equipment produced at low cost in a developing economy. The paradox is real: Ukraine is simultaneously achieving extraordinary military output in PPP terms while remaining fundamentally dependent on foreign support for survival. Implications for Policy and Analysis For policymakers and analysts, the PPP paradox offers important lessons about the limitations of economic metrics in assessing military capability. Pure PPP comparisons can dramatically overstate the military power of lower-cost economies by ignoring qualitative factors, technological sophistication, and sustainability constraints. At the same time, purely nominal comparisons can understate the military output that such economies can achieve through mass mobilization and domestic production. The reality of modern military power exists in the interaction between these factorsthe ability to combine mass and technology, quantity and quality, domestic mobilization and international support.10 Ukraine's experience suggests that for a nation facing an existential threat, the PPP multiplier can be leveraged to achieve extraordinary short-term military output, but only if complemented by access to advanced foreign systems and only at the cost of civilian economic devastation. This model is not replicable for normal defense planning, as it requires both total societal mobilization and massive external support, neither of which is sustainable indefinitely. The $417 billion PPP figure will stand as a remarkable testament to what a mobilized society can achieve under wartime conditions, but also as a cautionary tale about the limitations of such mobilization and the essential role of technological superiority in modern warfare. Endnotes 1. Robertson, T. (2022). "Military PPP Methodology: Adjusting Defense Expenditures for Comparative Analysis." The PPP multiplier is derived from World Bank purchasing power parity conversion factors, which reflect the relative cost of a comparable basket of goods and services across economies. Ukraine's exceptionally low labor costs, combined with reduced input prices for materials and energy, generate a multiplier significantly higher than most developing economies. The 6.13x figure represents the ratio between Ukraine's nominal and PPP-adjusted GDP applied to military spending. 2. Ukrainian Ministry of Finance. (2024-25). Budget Documents and Economic Mobilization Reports. Government publications document the conversion of civilian industrial capacity to military production, including the transformation of automotive factories to armored vehicle repair facilities, textile plants to uniform production, and technology firms to drone manufacturing. The Ministry reports that defense-related activity now accounts for over 40% of industrial output. 3. SIPRI Fact Sheet (April 2025). "Ukraine's Defense Industrial Base in Wartime." The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute documents Ukraine's expansion of domestic ammunition production, including artillery shells, small arms ammunition, and increasingly sophisticated drone systems. Ukrainian firms have increased production capacity tenfold since 2022, though still cannot meet demand without foreign imports. 4. International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). (2025). The Military Balance 2025. Comparative analysis of military compensation shows Ukrainian military personnel receive approximately 10-15% of the salary of equivalent Western military ranks, though combat bonuses and special payments have increased since 2022. The conscription system allows Ukraine to field large forces at a fraction of the cost of an all-volunteer military. 5. SIPRI Fact Sheet (April 2025). "Methodology for Military Expenditure Data." SIPRI's methodology counts only government spending on military forces, excluding foreign military aid received by the country. This approach ensures consistency across countries but significantly understates the total resources available to Ukraine's military. Estimates of foreign military aid to Ukraine range from $55-65 billion annually for 2024-2025, roughly equal to Ukraine's domestic military spending. 6. IISS Military Balance 2025. Documentation of major weapons transfers to Ukraine, including unit costs: HIMARS systems ($5.1 million per launcher), Patriot batteries ($1.1 billion per fire unit), F-16 aircraft ($60-80 million per unit), and various armored vehicles. These systems are purchased or provided at international market prices, not adjusted for Ukrainian purchasing power. 7. Robertson (2022) and IISS Military Balance 2025. Analysis of combat effectiveness factors beyond raw PPP calculations. Modern warfare research indicates that technological superiority, training quality, intelligence support, and logistics capabilities can create 3-10x advantages in combat effectiveness independent of force size or equipment quantity. PPP calculations capture economic inputs but not these operational multipliers. 8. Ukrainian Ministry of Finance (2024-25) and World Bank economic data. Budget analysis shows military spending at 34% of projected 2026 GDP, consuming approximately 95% of projected tax revenue. The remaining government operations are funded almost entirely by international budget support grants and loans. Pre-war military spending was approximately 3.5% of GDP, highlighting the unsustainable nature of current rates. 9. IISS Military Balance 2025 and SIPRI Fact Sheet April 2025. Analysis of Ukraine's combined arms approach integrating domestic capabilities (manpower, basic equipment, defensive fortifications) with Western-supplied systems (precision strike, air defense, advanced ISR). This integration model has proven effective but requires continued external support for advanced systems that Ukraine cannot produce domestically. 10. Comparative analysis based on Robertson (2022), SIPRI, and World Bank data. Historical examples of PPP multipliers in military spending include China (multiplier ~2.0x), India (~3.5x), and Russia (~3.0x). Ukraine's 6.13x multiplier is exceptional even among developing economies, reflecting both genuine cost advantages and wartime economic distortions. The sustainability question applies to all high-mobilization military models, with historical precedents including the Soviet Union (1985-1991) and Germany (1943-1945). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 24 October 2025 - Day 1339 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 16 October 2025, the Ukrainian General Staff stated that Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) soldiers within Russia's Kursk region are coordinating reconnaissance for, and enabling, Russian strikes into Ukraine. This is the first time DPRK troops have been reported as directly supporting or facilitating Russian offensive operations into sovereign Ukrainian territory. Specifically, DPRK uncrewed aerial system (UAS) operators are reportedly assisting Russian forces using multiple launch rocket systems to target Ukrainian positions in Ukraine's Sumy oblast. Whilst DPRK forces highly likely conducted tactical UAS strikes and reconnaissance UAS operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region previously, their primary role was as infantry conducting offensive combat operations against Ukrainian forces within Kursk. DPRK is highly likely seeking to exploit opportunities afforded by the conflict to improve its warfighting capability, including UAS proficiency. It is highly likely that DPRK forces sustained more than 6,000 casualties in offensive combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the Russian oblast of Kursk, amounting to more than half of the approximately 11,000 DPRK troops initially deployed to the Kursk region. Any decision to deploy DPRK troops into internationally recognised, sovereign Ukrainian territory in support of Russian forces, would almost certainly require sign-off from both Russia's President Putin, and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 121 combat encounters. Russian zagarbniki launched one rocket and 39 aviation strikes, using two rockets and dropping 81 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians have engaged 3502 kamikaze drones and carried out 3523 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled one assault action of the Russian occupiers since the beginning of the day. The enemy also launched three air strikes, dropping six controlled air bombs, carrying out 174 shells, four of which were from jet systems of salvage fire. In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 11 times near Vovchansk, Odradny, Bologivka and Kamyanka, three clashes are ongoing so far. In the Kupyansky direction, Russian units carried out four assault actions, trying to break through the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Stepova Novoselivka and towards Pishany, currently one attack is ongoing. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian zagarbniki ten times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Karpivka, Medium, Mirne, Drobisheve and Shandrigolove. In the Slovak direction, the Russian enemy tried to break through four times in the areas of Serebryanka and towards Dronivka. In the Kramators komu direction, one combat encounter was recorded, the Russian enemy's units tried to advance in the area of Viymki. In the direction of Konstantiniv, Russians 11 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. Efforts of the attack of the Russian occupiers concentrated in the areas of scherbinivka, Rusynogo Yar and towards Predtecinyo. Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsk direction, Russian units 37 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of populated areas of Nikanorivka, Mayak, Rodinske, Chervony Liman, Novoekonomichne, Rumin, Lisivka, Pokrovsk, Udaachne, Gorihove and Dachne. In some locations the fighting does not stop. Defense forces deter enemy attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today 97 Russian invaders have been defecated in this direction, 60 of which are irreversible. Ukrainian defenders destroyed a unit of automotive equipment and 11 unmanned aircraft. In addition, Ukrainian defenders hit a tank, artillery system, a car and eight personnel shelters. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 19 Russian attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Green Gai, Filiya, Oleksandrograd, Sosnivka, Novogrigorivka, Verbove, Oleksiyivka, Vyshneve and Novovasilivskke, another combat is ongoing so far. In the Gulyaipil direction of offensive actions of the Russian enemy was not recorded. In the orihivs komu direction, the Russian zagarbniki six times tried to advance near the stepovoye and towards novoandrivka and novodanilivka. In the pridniprovsky direction, Russian forces made three unsuccessful attempts of offense, suffered losses. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to the terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian infrastructure on the territory of the Russian Federation from 18 to 24 October, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out one massive and six group strikes. As a result, enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, transport and energy facilities used by the of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly areas, production, storage, and launch sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries were hit. The Sever Group of Forces during the week inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, a jaeger brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three territorial defence brigades, a centre of the special operations force of the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence and a detachment of the Ukrainian border service. In Kharkov direction, as a result of resolute actions, Bologovka (Kharkov region) has been liberated. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised infantry brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, and an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Over the week, more than 1,375 troops, eight armoured fighting vehicles, 82 motor vehicles, 14 field artillery guns, and a U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS launcher have been neutralised in the Sever Group's area of responsibility. Five electronic warfare stations and 33 ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on seven mechanised brigades, an air assault brigade, an assault brigade, a UAV battalion of the AFU, three territorial defence brigades, and two national guard brigades. The enemy has lost more than 1,610 troops, four tanks, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, 136 motor vehicles, and 13 field artillery guns. Thirty-four ammunition depots, 54 electronic warfare stations and counter-fire radars were neutralised. Over the past week, the Yug Group of Forces advanced to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Pleshcheyevka and Dronovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops engaged five mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, an assault brigade, a mountain assault brigade, and an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two territorial defence brigades, a national guard brigade, and a special forces brigade. The Ukrainian losses in this direction amounted to up to 1,485 troops, six tanks, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, 59 motor vehicles, and 21 field artillery guns during the week. Eight electronic warfare and counter-fire radars, and 22 ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised. As a result of resolute and decisive actions, the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Chunishino, Lenino, and Promin (Donetsk People's Republic) as well as Ivanovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). Russian troops hit eight mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, an assault brigade, two air assault brigades, four assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, a territorial defence brigade, and three national guard brigades. The enemy lost up to 3,610 troops, three tanks, 18 armoured fighting vehicles, 37 motor vehicles, and 41 artillery guns. Over the past week, the Vostok Group of Forces liberated Poltavka, Pavlovka (Zaporozhye region), and Pershotravnevoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). Three mechanised brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades have been hit. The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 2,365 troops, a tank, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 77 motor vehicles, nine field artillery guns, eight electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and two materiel depots. The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of two mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, three coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades. The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, two tanks, five armoured fighting vehicles, 92 motor vehicles, and seven artillery guns. Fourteen electronic warfare stations, 12 ammunition, materiel, and fuel depots have been neutralised. Russian air defence systems shot down a Su-27 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, four cruise missiles, 18 guided aerial bombs, 15 HIMARS MLRS projectiles of the United States, and 1,441 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 92,178 unmanned aerial vehicles, 633 anti-aircraft missile systems, 25,644 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,605 MLRS combat vehicles, 30,751 field artillery guns and mortars, and 44,733 units of support military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Defendants Convicted of Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS Friday, October 24, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Defendants Used Bitcoin, PayPal, and GoFundMe to Collectively Transfer Thousands of Dollars to ISIS, Which Were Disguised in Part as Charitable Giving Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Abdullah At Taqi, 26, of Queens, was convicted by a jury on all counts of an indictment charging him and co-defendant Mohamad David Hashimi with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and conspiring to launder money. Previously, on Oct. 6, as jury selection was scheduled to begin, Hashimi pleaded guilty to all counts of the indictment. "An exceptional team uncovered the defendants' use of electronic currency to bankroll an abhorrent organization that harbors deep-seated animosity toward America," said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. "Their intent was to procure weapons for terrorism and now their actions will result in incarceration. Justice has been served." "Today, a federal jury convicted Abdullah At Taqi for conspiring to fund ISIS, a terrorist organization that has unleashed terror and unimaginable brutality across the globe," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "Taqi conspired to support the group and its atrocities by funneling cryptocurrency to ISIS fighters, hoping they would establish a stronghold in the Middle East from which the group could destabilize the entire region. This conviction reflects the Department's commitment to holding accountable those who knowingly finance terrorism." "The defendants used Bitcoin, PayPal and GoFundMe to fund ISIS's deadly mission," said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. "ISIS relies on supporters, like the defendants, to sponsor its terrorist aims, which is why our office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to disrupt that pipeline and prosecute those who provide material support to terrorist organizations and their evildoers." As proven at trial, At Taqi sent 15 separate Bitcoin transactions to Osama Obeida, also known as Osama Abu Obayda (Obeida), a self-proclaimed ISIS member, over the course of nearly a year. In conversations with an online confidential source (CHS1), At Taqi stated that he used cryptocurrency to send money "unnoticed" through a "brother," meaning an ISIS supporter, he spoke to on an encrypted communications platform. At Taqi confirmed that the "brother" was "from Dawlah," referring to ISIS. In later conversations, At Taqi told CHS-1 that he had gotten back in touch with the "brother" through whom he had been sending cryptocurrency and assured CHS-1 that the brother was "from Dawlah." The brother with whom At Taqi was communicating was Obeida. In introducing CHS-1 to Obeida, At Taqi informed CHS-1 that he had confirmed CHS-1 was trustworthy to the "brother," Obeida, and at the same time, he vouched for the "brother" to CHS-1, indicating that he had vouched for each individual's support for ISIS. Obeida confided to CHS-1 that he had known At Taqi for two years and that At Taqi regularly sent money to Obeida. Obeida sent CHS-1 the below photograph of an ISIS flag and weapons with CHS-1's online screenname and the date, to prove that the photograph was real, just taken, and that the money given to Obeida from people like the defendant was used to buy weapons for ISIS fighters. Other messages show Obeida instructing At Taqi to delete messages and change his IP address. Hashimi was a member of a group chat for ISIS supporters (Group Chat-1) on an encrypted platform. In early April 2021, members of Group Chat1 discussed posting links that purported to be raising funds for humanitarian causes, but from which the money would actually be diverted to help the "mujahideen," an Arabic term used by ISIS supporters to refer to ISIS fighters. A co-conspirator posted a Bitcoin address, and another member of Group Chat-1 posted a link to a PayPal campaign, both of which were controlled by Obeida. In response, Hashimi told people to be careful sending links because they could be detected and arrested by law enforcement. Through a combination of Bitcoin, PayPal, and GoFundMe, the defendants transferred thousands of dollars to Obeida, the person At Taqi identified as being "from Dawlah," a reference to ISIS. At Taqi, Hashimi, and a third co-defendant, Seema Rahman, along with co-conspirator Khalilullah Yousuf, contributed more than $24,000 to Obeida's Bitcoin address, with Yousuf contributing $20,347.89, At Taqi contributing $2,769.35, and Rahman contributing $927.51. The four co-conspirators also sent more than $1,000 to the PayPal account associated with Obeida, with Rahman contributing approximately $550, At Taqi contributing approximately $480, and Hashimi contributing $55. In addition, both Yousuf and Rahman created multiple GoFundMe fundraising campaigns purporting to collect money for charitable causes. Hashimi contributed $364 and At Taqi contributed $200 through the Yousuf-created GoFundMe campaigns, while Rahman raised approximately $10,000 through the GoFundMe campaigns that she created, and then wired the proceeds, approximately $10,024, to individuals connected to Obeida via Western Union. At sentencing, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Rahman pleaded guilty in January 2025 to conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and is awaiting sentencing. Yousuf was arrested and prosecuted in Canada. The FBI New York Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nina C. Gupta, Gilbert M. Rein, and Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Alicia Cook of the Department of Justice's Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Magdalena St. Surin. Topics: Counterterrorism National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Deputy Attorney General USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 25-1,042 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Op Southern Discovery supports Antarctic research By Corporal Jacob Joseph 24 October 2025 Defence support to the Australian Antarctic Program is helping scientists discover secrets about prehistoric climate change. The million year ice core project aims to extract samples from deep beneath the Antarctic ice. Those samples will help solve a long-standing mystery about why the cycle between colder glacial and warmer interglacial periods changed from every 41,000 years to every 100,000 years. Through the project, a team of Australian scientists hope to drill more than three kilometres below the surface to recover the deepest and oldest ice samples in the world. Now in its 10th year, Operation Southern Discovery is the Defence contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program. Defence provides many different capabilities supporting scientific research, including Navy meteorologists and communications operators based at Casey Station, unmanned aerial drone operators aboard the ice breaker RSV Nuyina and C-17A Globemaster cargo flights between Australia and Wilkins aerodrome in Antarctica. There will be six C-17A flights this summer delivering fresh food, infrastructure, scientific equipment and priority cargo. Australian Antarctic Division chief of operations Simon Owen said the strategic airlift could deliver more supplies faster. "This gives the drill team additional time on the ice to potentially drill a deeper core," Mr Owen said. This month, 12 tonnes of equipment and supplies parachuted onto the frozen drop zone. The pristine environment of the frozen continent means the strictest of guidelines must be followed. Sergeant Kate Hibbert is an Army reservist who works as an environmental management specialist. She said making sure the environment was protected was an essential part of the mission. "The air dispatch team had to come up with new ways of packing the loads so they're safe to drop into the Antarctic and they're contained," Sergeant Hibbert said. Finding solutions to the unique challenges faced by those taking part in Operation Southern Discovery was something the reservist prized. "I get to do something that I would never get to do in my civilian role and I would never do in my Army role either. It's been an exciting opportunity," she said. It was a sentiment shared by all of those taking part in the mission. Commanding Officer 29 Squadron Wing Commander Nicholas Fairweather said Operation Southern Discovery was a special mission to be a part of. "It's an operation where you really believe in what you're doing," Wing Commander Fairweather said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defenseon October 17, 2025 Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Ministry of National Defense EditorHuang Panyue Time2025-10-24 23:48:48 On the afternoon of October 17, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered recent media queries concerning the military. (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.) Zhang Xiaogang: I have two pieces of news to announce at the top. Firstly, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the PLA and the PAP have resolutely implemented the decisions and directives of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC), adhered to the principles of no forbidden zones, full coverage, and zero tolerance in fighting corruption, and dealt heavy blows to corrupted officers. The fight against corruption in the military continues to gain momentum. With the approval of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission/ Supervision Commission has launched investigations into nine individual. They are He Weidong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the CMC; Miao Hua, member of the CMC and former Chief of the CMC Political Work Department; He Hongjun, former Executive Deputy Chief of the CMC Political Work Department; Wang Xiubin, former Executive Deputy Chief of CMC Joint Operations Command Center; Lin Xiangyang, former Commander of the PLA Eastern Theater Command; Qin Shutong, former Political Commissar of the PLA Army; Yuan Huazhi, former Political Commissar of the PLA Navy; Wang Houbin, former Commander of the PLA Rocket Force; and Wang Chunning, former Commander of the PAP. The investigation found that these nine individuals had seriously violated Party disciplines and were suspected of grave duty crimes involving huge amounts of money, and that their cases were extremely severe in nature and egregious in impact. In accordance with relevant Party regulations and national laws and regulations, the CPC Central Committee has decided to expel them from the Party and transfer their suspected criminal issues to military procuratorate for examination and prosecution in accordance with the law. The action to expel eight of the nine individuals, namely, He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, and Wang Chunning, from the CPC will be ratified by the CPC Central Committee when it convenes a plenary session. Previously, the CMC had decided to discharge these nine individuals from the military. The handling of the cases involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun and the others once again demonstrates the firm determination of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC to carry the fight against corruption through to the end. It also underscores a clear stance that there is no hiding place for any grafter within the military, marking a significant achievement in the anti-corruption efforts of the Party and the military. The people's military has thus become purer, more consolidated, and more cohesive and combat-effective. Secondly, the 5th Symposium on Military Medicine of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum will be held in Beijing from October 27th to November 1st. Leaders of health departments and medical experts from over 20 African militaries will attend the event. Under the theme of Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits: Promoting High-Quality Development of China-Africa Military Medical Cooperation, this year's symposium covers topics including innovation of health service theory and management, military pharmacy and military medicine, and diversified medical support for military operations other than war (MOOTW). The event will also feature academic salons, visits, and field studies, aiming to further deepen practical cooperation in military medicine between China and Africa, enhance capacity to jointly address medical and health challenges, and facilitate the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Journalist: It is reported that the PLAN hospital ship Silk Road Ark is on Mission Harmony-2025. It visited Nauru and Fiji, and is now providing medical service in Tonga. Please brief us on more details. Zhang Xiaogang: The PLAN hospital ship Silk Road Ark set sail for Mission Harmony-2025 in early September to provide medical service to relevant countries in the South Pacific and Latin America. The ship already visited Nauru, Fiji and Tonga. and has in total treated over 9,200 people. More than 1,100 surgeries and 6,000-odd medical examinations have been conducted onboard. It also dispatched medical teams to local hospitals, schools and communities to conduct joint diagnosis and treatment, academic exchanges and cultural activities. During its visit to the South Pacific, the Silk Road Ark builds friendship and saves lives, and therefore is called a ship of hope and an envoy of peace. Setting sail with benevolence and compassion, the PLAN hospital ships have brought health and hope to people around the world. This is the first time the Silk Road Ark has carried out Mission Harmony since it was commissioned in 2024. On October 20, it will leave for Latin America to provide high-quality and efficient medical service to relevant countries, making substantial contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity. Journalist: It is reported that the US Senate and House of Representatives have passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which involves multiple negative provisions related to China. Its explicit appropriation of one billion USD for so-called Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative aims to strengthen defense cooperation between the US and Taiwan region and incorporate Taiwan region into the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise. Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: The negative provisions related to China in the US NDAA constitute a blatant interference in China's internal affairs. It hurts China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and undermines global peace and stability. China is firmly opposed to such contents. The Taiwan question is the reddest red line in China-US relations that must not be crossed. The US is playing with fire by using the "Taiwan card". Providing arms to Taiwan is an extremely dangerous gamble that will cost the US a lot. We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, truly deliver on its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence", refrain from sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and stop military interactions in any form with China's Taiwan region to protect the relations between the two countries and two militaries as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Journalist: In recent days, public vessels of the Philippine side illegally intruded into waters adjacent to islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao. A Philippine ship bumped into a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel after approaching the Chinese ship in a dangerous manner. The Philippines' Defense Secretary claimed that the Philippine side had sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao. What's your comment? Zhang Xiaogang: The China Coast Guard (CCG) has responded to the incident and released video clips of the friction. The fact is crystal clear, and the Philippine side has no ground to justify or deny its intrusion, provocations and wrongdoings. As we all know, the scope of Philippine territories has been defined by a series of international treaties. China's Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao are not within its scope. The Philippines' Defense Secretary deliberately distorted historical and legal facts to justify infringements and provocations of the Philippine side. It is totally groundless and will not work. We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions, and stop putting on self-staged farces at sea or orchestrating propaganda. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Journalist: In his so-called October 10 speech, Lai Ching-te clamored for increasing defense budget, establishing T-Dome air defense system and building "whole-of-society defense resilience", and claimed that peace was won through strength. May I have your comment? Zhang Xiaogang: In his relevant remarks, Lai Ching-te distorted historical facts and international jurisprudence, and peddled the same old separatist narrative for "Taiwan independence". Lai used his whole bag of tricks to pander to foreign power, deceive the people in Taiwan, and provoke cross-Strait confrontation. This is yet another evidence that he is undermining peace and creating troubles. It exposed his malicious intention of selling out and ruining Taiwan. In disregard of the well-being of the people in Taiwan, the DPP authorities keep barrelling down the wrong path of seeking independence by force, and try to embolden themselves with the T-Dome, which is just a castle in the air. Their behaviors are pushing Taiwan closer to the brink of war, and they are the ones who sow choas and disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We warn the DPP authorities that soliciting foreign support for independence and resisting reunification by force will not succeed. The PLA stays a strong force safeguarding the unity of our motherland. We will continue to enhance our real combat capabilities in countering separatist activities and foreign interference, and take resolute measures to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity and cross-Strait peace and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Central govt authorities warn against disruption, sabotage as HK LegCo elections nomination period begins Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Oct 24, 2025 11:10 PM Elections for Hong Kong's eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) will be held on December 7. As the nomination period began on Friday, central government agencies in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) issued statements stressing that the election must not be disrupted or sabotaged. Anti-China and anti-Hong Kong forces have never stopped attempting to interfere in elections and must be vigilantly guarded against making a comeback, according to statements released on Friday by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the liaison office of the central government in the HKSAR and the office for safeguarding national security of the central government in the HKSAR . The Liaison Office warned that anti-China forces continue to attempt to disrupt elections. Before the electoral system was improved, these groups colluded with external forces to spread rumors, manipulate public opinion, and even use threats of violence to influence voters, it said. They also promoted civil disobedience, organized illegal "referendums," incited boycotts, and staged unauthorized primaries during the 2019 turmoil, aiming to trigger a constitutional crisis and subvert the HKSAR government. Such actions seriously undermined election fairness and threatened both national and regional security, the article said. Since the implementation of the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and the comprehensive reform of the electoral system under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," anti-China forces and their proxies have been legally excluded from governance, the article said. However, anti-China elements and external forces remain active, the article warned. Recent attempts to interfereincluding spreading false claims of "central interference," circulating so-called "blessing lists," smearing the performance of the seventh-term LegCo, and calling for election boycottsfollow the same playbook. Their aim is to delegitimize the improved electoral system, challenge central governance, attack the HKSAR government's authority, and destabilize Hong Kong's political environment. Voters are urged to remain vigilant and discerning. Law enforcement and judicial authorities have made clear that any attempts to disrupt elections in any form will face serious legal consequences. A spokesperson from the office for safeguarding national security of the central government in the HKSAR also stressed on Friday that the LegCo election concerns Hong Kong's constitutional order, democratic development, effective governance, and national security. Any acts that undermine the election or endanger China's sovereignty, security, or development interests will not be tolerated, the spokesperson said, warning that any interference with the LegCo election or disruption of Hong Kong's constitutional order is strictly prohibited. Likewise, no chaotic election practices that hinder Hong Kong's progress from governance to prosperity will be allowed. Some Western media reported that in the past two weeks a number of incumbent lawmakers announced they would not seek re-election, suggesting that the December election could see a significant turnover. "As a scholar of Hong Kong law, I must stress that some Western media's portrayal of a so-called 'withdrawal wave' is seriously misleading," Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Friday. Under Hong Kong's improved electoral system, a lawful qualification review mechanism ensures that all candidates meet the statutory requirements of "upholding the Basic Law and being loyal to the SAR," Fu said, noting that this mechanism is not political screening but reflects the rule of law and aligns with universally accepted political ethics. Beyond ability and competence, nominees of legislative council candidates should be patriotic, their full commitment and loyalty to national affairs are foreseeable, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Friday. Candidates should be vetted and nominated by members of the HKSAR Election Committee under the Hong Kong Basic Law and local legislation. Any corrupt conduct to use or threaten to use force or duress against candidates or prospective candidates infringes against the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (Hong Kong Legislation Cap. 554) and constitutes a criminal offense , Chu noted. "Foreign media and journalists enjoy no immunity for violating local laws. They should adhere to professional standards and respect the law and order of other jurisdictions," Chu added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HKSAR govt strongly condemns and rejects the UK six-monthly 'report' on Hong Kong Global Times By Global Times Published: Oct 24, 2025 01:31 PM The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) strongly reprimanded and resolutely refute the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears against various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong on Friday. A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said that the HKSAR Government strongly condemns and rejects the UK's attempt through a so-called six-monthly report to make misleading and irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong matters, wantonly put politics above the rule of law and attempt to interfere in Hong Kong's law-based governance by despicable political maneuvers. The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and as a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the principle of 'one country, two systems', comes directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government. The core essence of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is about China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It did not authorize the UK to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs after its return to the motherland, said the spokesperson. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to the motherland. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the UK again to discern facts from fallacies, respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs, said the spokesperson. In the statement, the spokesperson refuted the UK's so-called "report" regarding on laws. The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people as protected under the law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law, said the spokesperson. "We noticed that the so-called report specifically mentioned the case of Lai Chee-ying and other cases on offences endangering national security. The HKSAR Government has emphasized time and again that as the legal proceedings involving the concerned cases are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case in an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently, which might otherwise constitute perverting the course of justice. The UK must stop distorting the truth, blatantly discrediting the judicial system and trials of the HKSAR, in an attempt to glorify criminal behavior and exert pressure on the courts of the HKSAR," said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on October 24, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: October 24, 2025 20:16 At the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of the Republic of Singapore, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will pay an official visit to Singapore on October 25 and 26. At the invitation of Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim of Malaysia, ASEAN's rotating chair, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will attend the 28th China-ASEAN Summit, the 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 20th East Asia Summit and the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on October 27 and 28. On October 27, the Lanting Forum on Improving Global Governance to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity will be held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend and address the opening ceremony. At the forum, high-level representatives and renowned experts and scholars from China and abroad, and members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in China will have an in-depth exchange of views on the various dimensions of the Global Governance Initiative and practical pathways toward it. Xinhua News Agency: China announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Could you share with us the arrangement? What does China expect to achieve? Guo Jiakun: APEC is the most important economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific. President Xi Jinping attending the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting demonstrates the great importance that China attaches to economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the meeting and have bilateral meetings with leaders from relevant countries. China stands ready to work with all parties to contribute to cooperation and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific and jointly build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. CCTV: President Xi Jinping is to pay a state visit to the ROK. Could you share with us China's expectation of its relations with the ROK? Guo Jiakun: China and the ROK are each other's close neighbors and cooperation partners. China attaches great importance to its relations with the ROK and our policy on the ROK maintains consistency and continuity. This will be President Xi Jinping's second state visit to the ROK in 11 years. This will also be the first meeting between leaders of the two countries after President Lee Jae-myung took office. China stands ready to work with the ROK to cherish the commitment made when establishing diplomatic ties, uphold good neighborliness and the friendly ties, work for mutual benefit, and move forward the strategic cooperative partnership. CCTV: To follow up on Premier Li Qiang's official visit to Singapore, what's China's comment on its relations with Singapore and what's China's expectation for the visit? Guo Jiakun: China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important cooperation partners. The two countries established the all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership in 2023. This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Singapore diplomatic ties. The bilateral relations have continued to grow steadily with the concerted efforts of both sides. In June this year, President Xi Jinping met with visiting Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, providing strategic guidance for the development of the bilateral relations in the next stage. China hopes to work with Singapore through this visit to further synergize development strategies, deepen cooperation in various fields, have close communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, so as to achieve new development of the bilateral relations and make greater contribution to regional and global peace and prosperity. China News Service: You just announced that Premier Li Qiang will attend the leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation. How does China view the current East Asian cooperation and what is China's expectation for the meetings? Guo Jiakun: East Asia is one of the regions with the greatest dynamism and potential in the world. The ASEAN-led East Asian cooperation plays an important role for promoting dialogue and cooperation among participating parties and safeguarding regional stability. Amid the complex transformation of international and regional situation, sluggish global economic growth and rising unilateralism and protectionism, East Asian cooperation faces some complex factors. In this context, regional countries aspire more for stability, cooperation and development, and East Asian cooperation is all the more relevant today. China always regards ASEAN as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. China supports the theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability" set by ASEAN's rotating chair Malaysia. China looks to working with ASEAN and regional countries to discuss plans for cooperation and development, honor our original commitments, build up consensus, enhance mutual trust, uphold true multilateralism and safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system. We will work to build the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and ensure the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We will also carry forward the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, and provide more stability and certainty to the region and beyond. China Daily: The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was closed yesterday and adopted a communique. The session received extensive attention worldwide. Foreign media commented that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, overcoming various risks and challenges China has achieved remarkable socioeconomic development. The communique follows the direction of China's policy. Despite the turmoil in multiple places in the world, China is committed to building a great modern socialist country. Can I have your comment on that? Guo Jiakun: China is committed to advancing high-quality development and fostering new quality productive forces. Remarkable achievements have been scored. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has seen its GDP surpassing RMB 130 trillion and breakthroughs in such emerging industries as artificial intelligence and new energy. The "world's factory" has become the global innovation powerhouse. China is committed to high-standard opening up. China further shortened the negative list for foreign investment and its overall tariff level has been cut to 7.3 percent. We forged high-quality Belt and Road cooperation ties with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations. China's contribution to global economic growth has stood at around 30 percent, making it a key driver and source of growth for global development. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee successfully concluded yesterday. One of the important outcomes is that the session deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, sending out the message that the consistency of China's policy and its steady economic growth and development prospect provide valuable certainty to this volatile world. From the 14th Five-Year Plan to the 15th Five-Year Plan, China has shown its firm resolve and perseverance and spelled out the key to China's good governance. Looking forward, China, a confident and open country, will share opportunities and pursue common development with countries around the world, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Shenzhen TV: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told Reuters in an interview that his upcoming trip to China starting from October 26 marks his first visit to China as foreign minister. Wadephul emphasized that the federal government is interested in close economic and trade relations and good bilateral cooperation with China, and that decoupling would not be the right strategy. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: China noted Foreign Minister Wadephul's remarks. China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners. Over the past 53 years of diplomatic ties, the two countries have achieved robust development in the bilateral relationship and deeply integrated industrial development, giving a strong boost to the two countries' respective development. In a volatile and turbulent world, China and Germany, as two major countries and economies in the world, need to set examples in forging a new type of major-country relations, uphold mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, and make greater contribution to world peace and development through the stability of China-Germany ties. It is also what the two peoples, including those from the business community in Germany, expect from us. Due to differences in history, culture, social system and development stage, it is natural for China and Germany to differ in their opinions on certain issues. The two sides can enhance understanding and mutual trust through candid communication. We hope that Germany will uphold an objective and just attitude, foster a positive and rational perception on China, and work with China to promote and keep the bilateral relationship on the right track. AFP: Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said today that she would try to achieve the country's target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense two years early. She also warned that the military activities of neighboring countries, China, North Korea and Russia, have become a grave concern. What is China's response to her comments? Guo Jiakun: I answered a relevant question yesterday. Let us stress once again that with respect to peace and security, China has the best track record. In recent years, however, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. Japan's neighboring countries in Asia and beyond have to strongly call into question its commitment to the exclusively defense-oriented policy and the path to peaceful development. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development, act prudently in military and security areas, and avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and beyond. Bloomberg: The Foreign Ministry just announced that from October 30 to November 1, President Xi Jinping will travel to the ROK to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Will he meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the meeting? Guo Jiakun: China and the U.S. are in close communication on a meeting between the two presidents. We will keep you updated on that. Hubei Media Group: A delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has visited Xinjiang. Could you share more details with us? Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a delegation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) visited Xinjiang from October 19 to 21. They visited an achievement exhibition in commemoration of the anniversary, Xinjiang University, the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, the Xinjiang Museum, and the Xinjiang Software Park. They also engaged with a local community and had an in-depth exchange of views with people of different ethnic groups there. The Head of the autonomous region met with the delegation. The delegation said that Xinjiang has taken on a fresh look and scored remarkable achievements over the past 70 years, and people of different ethnic groups live a life of happiness and prosperity. These are successful stories of Chinese modernization, which demonstrate the Chinese government's people-centered vision of development. Members of the delegation noted that cooperation and mutual trust is the defining feature of the relations between China and Islamic states. They looked forward to greater cooperation in trade and technology and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will continue to actively move forward its friendly ties with Islamic states and the OIC for more achievements in cooperation. We also sincerely welcome more friends to visit Xinjiang. Global Times: We noted that China exposed a case about the U.S. National Security Agency carrying out cyberattacks and infiltration against China's National Time Service Center. The National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China released a technical analysis report about the case, which lays out facts and iron-clad evidence about the U.S.'s cyberattacks and infiltration against China's key communication infrastructure. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment? Guo Jiakun: China strongly condemns the U.S. government carrying out cyberattacks and infiltration against China's key infrastructure and presetting vulnerabilities for future large-scale sabotage activities. According to reports of a Chinese cybersecurity institution, the so-called "Volt Typhoon" that the U.S. once blamed on China is actually a transnational ransomware group. The NSA case is self-evident that what a real "Volt Typhoon" operation looks like and the U.S. is the world's No.1 hacking state. These moves of the U.S. government risk misunderstanding and miscalculation. Such behavior is extremely irresponsible. China urges the U.S. to stop cyberattacks on China's key infrastructure at once. We will take all measures necessary to defend its sovereignty and security in cyberspace. NHK: When answering a question about the congratulatory message to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at yesterday's press conference, the Chinese side responded that China made proper arrangements according to diplomatic practices. Can you confirm it? Guo Jiakun: As you just said, I answered a relevant question yesterday. Let me stress once again that China made proper arrangements according to diplomatic practices. China and Japan are each other's close neighbors. China's fundamental position on its relations with Japan is consistent and clear. We hope that Japan will work with China, observe the principles laid down in the four political documents between the two countries, honor its political commitments on major issues concerning history and Taiwan, uphold the political foundation of the bilateral relationship, and fully advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit. Ukrinform News Agency: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday at a press conference in Brussels stated that there is no permanent dialogue between the leadership of Ukraine and China and that China provides Russia with assistance, thanks to which Russia has an ability to continue its aggressive war against Ukraine. How does the Foreign Ministry respond to that? Guo Jiakun: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is always based on the true merits of the issue. We've been working relentlessly to promote a ceasefire and talks for peace and our effort speaks for itself. China will continue calling for peace and dialogue and playing a constructive role for deescalation and a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. AFP: Mainland China and India will resume direct flights starting this coming Sunday and Monday. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this and its significance to China-India relations? Guo Jiakun: The resumption of direct flights between China and India is the latest move that demonstrates how the two sides faithfully act on the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries in Tianjin. It's also an active move that facilitates the friendly exchanges of over 2.8 billion Chinese and Indian people. China stands ready to work with India to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and move forward relations on a sound and steady track so as to deliver more tangibly for the two countries and peoples and make due contributions to upholding peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond. Beijing Youth Daily: According to Reuters, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also said in the interview, "Our one-China policy continues unchanged and we decide on its design. This also includes that there must be no violent change of the status quo." Can I have your comment on that? Guo Jiakun: There's but one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is the most complete and accurate and only definition of the one-China principle. There is no justification or room for individual definition. The greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait comes from the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces and the external connivance and support they receive. To maintain cross-Strait peace and stability, one must uphold the one-China principle and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence." Those who only call for no change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and do not oppose "Taiwan independence" are actually aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, which will disrupt peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We hope Germany will strictly abide by the one-China principle and unequivocally oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. NHK: While in the ROK, will President Xi Jinping meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi? Guo Jiakun: China announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the ROK. Information on relevant events will be released when available. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 100,000 former members of the armed forces do not have American citizenship and are at risk of being removed from the country After 15 years behind bars, Sergeant Jose Barco a decorated veteran wounded in the Iraq War was released from prison on the second day of Donald Trumps second presidency. His freedom, however, lasted only a few moments. Outside, immigration agents were waiting for him. Since then, he has been held in detention centers, counting down the days to a deportation that now represents both a relief and the latest misfortune in a list that has only grown longer since he joined the U.S. army at 17. His wife, Tia Barco, has only one explanation: it must be a curse. The sergeant, who celebrated his 40th birthday in silence a few weeks ago in a cell among dozens of undocumented inmates, has in fact never known full freedom in his adult life. Born in Venezuela to Cuban parents who fled the Castro regime, he moved to Miami at the age of four, where he grew up as a legal resident thanks to his parents refugee status. As a teenager, he enlisted and completed two tours in Iraq. A few years after returning home, he got into a fight during a night out that ended in gunfire. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison for attempted murder. He served more than a decade of that sentence as a model inmate before being granted parole only to be immediately detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sergeant Barcos case is not unique. In the United States, there are more than 100,000 military veterans without citizenship and, therefore, at risk of deportation during Trump-era crackdowns, according to congressional data. The armed forces allow noncitizens who are legally in the country to enlist, offering them a range of benefits. The most enticing of these is an expedited path to citizenship though it is not a guarantee, even if many recruits believe it to be. But military service takes its toll. If a third of all veterans are arrested at some point, those who are not citizens lose virtually all the rights they gained when they signed their military contracts. Suddenly, they cease to be honorable former combatants and become criminal illegal aliens first in line for deportation. Sergeant Jose Barco in Iraq. Cortesia These cases are not officially counted. They only surface sporadically through a media campaign or a newspaper article. Among all the people EL PAIS has spoken with, estimates range from just a handful of active cases to hundreds. The number of deported veterans certainly reaches into the thousands, since the practice began in the mid-1990s with the passage of a new immigration law that stripped former service members accused of a long list of crimes of their rights even if they were later found innocent. The lack of official support for these veterans is countered, however minimally, by a close-knit community that has taken on this cause as its own often because it is their own. There are several organizations in the U.S. and abroad, but their reach is limited, especially given how opaque and geographically dispersed these cases are. One of them, the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center, which operates on both sides of the San DiegoTijuana border, estimates that there are veterans at risk of deportation in every corner of the United States, and already deported veterans in at least 40 countries. The stateless veteran In Sergeant Barcos case, however, there is no country willing to take him. In April, after a failed attempt to deport him to Venezuela, he effectively became stateless. Venezuela and America were meeting in Honduras to exchange people. But the Venezuelans became suspicious, noting that He doesnt look Venezuelan. Who is he? They talked to him and grew more convinced, saying, Listen to him talk. He talks like a Cuban. He grew up in Miami, and he is Cuban by blood. Ultimately, they decided, No, were not taking him. So, out of over 200 men on the plane, the ICE agents had to fly back to Texas with him because they refused to take him his wife, Tia, recounts via video call from their home in Houston. Almost six months later, Barco remains in detention, trapped in a difficult-to-resolve legal limbo. After Venezuelas refusal, his lawyer himself a veteran who took the case pro bono has managed to have it reopened, with the goal of canceling the deportation order and allowing Barco to remain in the U.S. as a legal resident. But the government insists on deporting him and has issued another removal order first to Venezuela again, if not there, then to Cuba, and finally to Mexico. I dont see Venezuela accepting him. I dont see Cuba accepting him because although hes Cuban by blood, he has no ties to Cuba. He doesnt have Cuban nationality. Mexico is possible, but at the same time, its gotten strict over there. So, now were like, is he going to go to Africa where theyve been sending people? fears Tia, who has become an expert on immigration matters herself, though shes consumed by the pessimism that comes naturally after so many defeats. Jose Barco (center, holding a weapon) during an operation in Iraq. Cortesia She has supported her husband from a distance since he went to prison in 2009. At the time, they were newlyweds and Tia was three months pregnant. Their daughter, now a teenager, has never been able to have a close relationship with her father, although he has been able to provide for the family through his veterans pension even if they have never fully been a family. Making that possible is Barcos greatest motivation to keep fighting. Fighting has defined the sergeants entire life, ever since he donned a uniform, shouldered a rifle, and went to Iraq aged 19. On November 11, 2004 Veterans Day an improvised explosive device blew up the truck he was riding in with several members of his platoon. Barco managed to free two comrades trapped under the burning wreckage, but his commander died, and he sustained severe injuries, including brain trauma and burns over much of his body. He was sent back to the United States to recover, but all he wanted was to return and complete his unfinished mission. After a basic physical recovery, he went back to Iraq for 15 months. Upon completing that tour and returning to the U.S., he and several of his comrades each ran into legal trouble. The most serious case was Sergeant Barcos. One night in 2008, at a party in Colorado, he got into a fight with the host. Accused of stealing alcohol, he was surrounded, intimidated, and beaten. The recently returned war veteran drew a licensed firearm and fired at the ceiling. As people threw stones at him, he left the house, got into his car, and fired toward the porch. One bullet hit the leg of a 19-year-old pregnant woman. He was sentenced to 32 years for that incident, 20 years for the first shot, and three more for brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner 55 years in total. For Tia, her husbands personal situation should have been taken into account when sentencing him: If someone has PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] and TBI [Traumatic Brain Injury], now they have X-rays that can actually see into the brain to see exactly how the brain is damaged, but at that time they were just throwing pills at them, and not really knowing how the pills were interacting. The night that Jose went to this party, he was drinking and taking Ambien, which is a heavy sleeping [pill]. People who take Ambien on a regular night might not remember it. So, there are often times where hes like, I dont remember. I dont remember, which might seem like a copout, but its really not. Court documents show that the government recognizes Barcos military service and takes seriously the prospect of initiating deportation proceedings against someone who has served in the U.S. army. However, the respondent would not currently be in proceedings if he had not shot at multiple people, they stress. The Department of Homeland Security, the prosecuting agency in the immigration case, did not respond to this newspapers request for comment. The veteran who committed no crime In some cases, no crime has even been committed. Thats what Melissa Chaudhry, wife of Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, 52, a veteran in a wheelchair who has been detained by ICE in Washington State since late August, denounces. His story begins in the 1990s, when he emigrated from his native Pakistan to Australia. There, he studied computer science and worked as a taxi driver. In that job, he suffered abuse and racist attacks, but what would stay with him was a conviction for allegedly stealing a passport and a credit card that passengers had left in his car. Zahid Chaudhry en diciembre de 2022. Cortesia In the late 1990s, he moved to the United States, and in 2001, he received his permanent resident status. Already married to his first wife, he joined the National Guard, where he distinguished himself as a mental health specialist. Then the September 11 attacks occurred, and he was called up for regular duty. No one saw that coming and here he is, a brown man named Muhammad with an accent, in the U.S. army. As you can imagine, the tone shifted considerably, says Melissa during a video call from her car, accompanied by their two youngest children, both under two, in the midst of the legal proceedings that now fill her daily life. While Chaudhry was completing his training, he was offered a position in counterintelligence due to his background and proficiency in multiple languages, but he declined. In response, he was told that his citizenship request would never be granted and that they would make his life a living hell, according to his family. Melissa believes he was likely included in a secret program being implemented at the time, although not authorized by Congress, called CARP. Essentially, it is a list of Muslim individuals considered a national security risk, whose immigration applications are systematically denied. Whats more, shortly before he was due to deploy to war, he suffered what he describes as torture at the hands of his fellow soldiers, after which he has been unable to walk. This permanent injury was in addition to another sustained shortly before, during a night training exercise, when he stumbled while dismounting a truck with all his gear and was trampled by his entire platoon. Since then, Chaudhry has lived with a broken spine and severe brain injuries that cause debilitating migraines. Later, he developed a thyroid condition that threatens to leave him blind. He was honorably discharged from the army in 2005 his own recruiter described him as an exemplary soldier with leadership potential but that is when his long immigration ordeal began. His citizenship application was denied due to the prior theft allegation in Australia, and in 2008 he received his first deportation order, which he has been fighting ever since. In 2018, all arguments against him were dismissed, and the judge granted him legal residency retroactive to 2001. It seemed he had finally succeeded, but the government at the time appealed without giving proper notice, and the case was reopened. It has now reached the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, one step below the Supreme Court. It was in this context that he was summoned for an interview with immigration authorities at the end of August. Melissa begged him not to go he had already given all the statements required, and for months ICE had been arresting people at immigration courts. He attended the meeting in good faith, but left in custody. Family photograph of Zahid Chaudhry in June 2025. Cortesia Since then, he has been held in appalling conditions at one of the countrys largest immigrant detention centers, the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. He is not receiving medication, and his migraines are unbearable, his wife reports. He is also losing his vision due to lack of access to treatment. Meanwhile, his legal case has no resolution in sight until the appeals court issues a verdict which is not expected to happen until early next year. Melissa, who has taken on much of his defense herself, has submitted 183 letters from the community attesting to his character. Chaudhry is a highly active member of his community: he helps people with computers, serves on the boards of several foundations, providing shelter for abused women and children, and offering free psychological support, among other contributions. For now, however, all he can do is listen to the men detained alongside him. The open door Aware that luck rarely favors people like him, thousands of miles south in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Francisco Lopez keeps his door open for Barco, Chaudhry, or any other deported veteran. His organization, Deported Veterans Support House, provides support to anyone arriving with a similar story. The second floor of his home serves as a refuge for anyone expelled from the country they once were willing to die for. At 80 years old, the memory of when he was 23 and joined the U.S. army to fight in Vietnam under the promise of citizenship is as vivid and bitter as when he was deported in 2003. At that time, he decided to stay in a city where, if you stand on the banks of the Rio Bravo, you can see the buildings, roads, and houses of the United States. In 2023, his request to return to the U.S. was approved, and he now spends some days on the U.S. side of the border in El Paso, and others in his home-refuge. The Trump administrations mass deportation campaign led him to decide to live with a foot on each side. Here I am, still with the doors open for the veterans who are deported, because you never know when one will arrive, he says in front of the folded U.S. flag, which will remain that way until the last deported veteran returns. Francisco Lopez in Ciudad Juarez on October 7. Veronica Martinez With reporting from Marco Antonio Lopez in Ciudad Juarez (Mexico). Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition How Might China Respond To US Sanctions On Russia's Biggest Oil Companies? By Reid Standish October 24, 2025 Summary The US has imposed sanctions on Russia's Rosneft and LUKoil, disrupting global energy markets and causing China's state oil giants to pause Russian oil imports. China, a major buyer of Russian oil, has been stockpiling reserves and may use intermediaries to navigate sanctions and secure discounted Russian crude. The sanctions aim to pressure Russia financially amid the Ukraine war, but their impact depends on enforcement, particularly regarding secondary sanctions on nations like China and India. US sanctions against Russian oil giants Rosneft and LUKoil have sent shockwaves across global energy markets and left China's largest state oil companies pausing their imports of Russian crude. Despite being now exposed to crippling penalties if it deals with the sanctioned Russian companies, China - one of Russia's top customers - has its own playbook to deal with the impact, experts say. China has already been stockpiling oil, shielding itself from potential disruption for months, and Chinese oil firms could find ways to navigate sanctions and continue bringing in discounted Russian oil. A halt in Chinese imports of Russian crude could put a major strain on Moscow's oil revenues as the administration of US President Donald Trump looks to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin as part of its efforts to broker a negotiated end to war in Ukraine. The US sanctions announced on October 22 cut off the Russian companies from American banking systems, preventing them from operating in US dollars. Violators can face stiff penalties, including secondary sanctions. But analysts say the impact of the US sanctions will largely depend on how strictly they are enforced and if Washington is prepared to impose secondary sanctions on countries that continue to do business with Rosneft and LUKoil. "It is unclear yet whether the United States will match the threat of secondary sanctions with actual enforcement of the new sanctions measures it has already enacted," David Goldwyn, a former US special envoy for international energy affairs and Andrea Clabough, fellow at the Atlantic Council, wrote for the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, on October 23. "Chinese refiners are already well practiced in evading US sanctions, for their part, and can usually find workarounds if they still want these Russian cargoes at bargain-basement prices." How Much Russian Oil Does China Buy? China relies heavily on Russian oil imports. Rosneft and LUKoil supplied about one-quarter of Russia's oil exports to China last year, according to data analytics firm Kpler. As much as 20 percent of China's crude imports - roughly 2 million barrels a day in the first nine months of 2025 - came from Russia, making it one of the country's leading sources of oil for processing into products such as diesel, gasoline, and plastics. And since the European Union cut most oil imports from Russia in late 2022, China has purchased around 47 percent of Russia's oil and India has bought 38 percent, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Most of China's oil purchases from Russia are delivered by sea, and energy analysts say that Rosneft and LUKoil sell most of their oil to China through intermediaries instead of directly dealing with buyers. According to Reuters, Chinese national oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, and Zhenhua Oil will refrain from buying Russian seaborne oil, and independent refiners are also expected to pause purchases as they assess the impact of sanctions. The new sanctions mean that buyers will be reluctant to buy Russian oil directly, forcing the companies to rely on longer chains of intermediaries to charter tankers and sell their oil, which brings about extra costs and complications. But it's unclear how long this suspension will last. It's also uncertain how the sanctions will impact the approximately 900,000 barrels per day of Russian oil by pipeline imported into China. That flows through a long-term contract between Rosneft and state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation. What Has Beijing Said So Far About US Oil Sanctions? Beijing pushed back against the US move, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying on October 23 that "China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have not been authorized by the United Nations Security Council." The EU separately agreed to a phased ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas, and added two Chinese oil refiners - Liaoyang Petrochemical and Shandong Yulong Petrochemical - to its sanctions list. Beijing said it also lodged protests with Brussels over the move. "China strongly deplores and firmly rejects the EU's repeated illicit unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies over Russia-related issues," Guo said. "We have stressed on multiple occasions that China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is China a party to it." Will China Be Able To Still Buy Russian Oil? The reach of US sanctions is vast and losing access to the US financial system could be an existential threat to many large Chinese banks and conglomerates. "The Trump administration's best bet is to make a few high-profile examples of sanctions' enforcement, while simultaneously promising China and India that they will not be cut off from Russian oil for very long - if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin comes to the negotiating table," Goldwyn and Clabough wrote in their report for the Atlantic Council. Russia has a month to prepare before the restrictions take full effect in late November, and along with Chinese entities, have several moves to avert a worst-case scenario. Moscow has long found ways to evade Western sanctions through opaque trading schemes as well as its "shadow fleet" network, which relies on ageing vessels sailing under obscure flags and managed through shell companies in the Middle East and Asia. Since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has limited its big banks' transactions involving Russia and Russian firms. In the past, China has used smaller banks with limited exposure to the Western financial system and the broader Chinese economy to conduct business with sanctioned suppliers, such as oil imports from Iran. China also appears to have been stockpiling oil since the beginning of the year. While Beijing doesn't publish precise figures on its oil reserves, analysts at the US bank JPMorgan have said that their calculations show that roughly a million barrels a day were put away for future use. Their estimates show that China's inventories currently sit at 1.25 billion barrels and are projected to reach 1.5 billion barrels next year, allowing Beijing to weather a short pause as it assesses the impact of the sanctions. For comparison, the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve currently holds 831 million barrels. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-russia-oil-sanctions- lukoil-rosneft-evasion-ukraine-trump/33569580.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raksha Mantri reviews security situation & Indian Army's operational preparedness during Army Commanders' Conference in Jaisalmer; Visits forward areas of Tanot & Laungewala India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Operation Sindoor is an embodiment of India's military prowess & national character, a demonstration that our soldiers' strength lies not only in weapons, but also in ethical discipline & strategic clarity: Shri Rajnath Singh RM urges Armed Forces to never underestimate adversaries and remain alert & ready always Posted On: 24 OCT 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh took stock of the security situation and the operational preparedness of the Indian Army during the Army Commanders' Conference in Jaisalmer, and the visit to the forward areas of Tanot and Laungewala in Rajasthan on October 24, 2025. During the conference, detailed deliberations were held with the senior leadership of the Indian Army on key aspects including Grey Zone Warfare and the roadmap for Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh and all Army Commanders were in attendance. In his address, Raksha Mantri described Operation Sindoor as an embodiment of India's military prowess & national character, and a demonstration by the soldiers that their strength lies not only in weapons, but also in their ethical discipline & strategic clarity. "Operation Sindoor will go down in history as not just a military operation, but also a symbol of the nation's courage and restraint. The action taken by our forces against terrorists was in keeping with both policy precision and human dignity. The operation isn't over. Our mission for peace will continue as long as even a single terrorist mindset remains alive," he said. Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that Operation Sindoor has given rise to a new strategic thinking that India responds to any terrorist activity on its own terms. "This is New India's Defence Doctrine, which embodies both resolve and courage," he said. While Raksha Mantri expressed gratitude to the soldiers for standing guard 24X7 to protect the nation's integrity, he exhorted them to never underestimate the adversaries and remain alert & ready always. Raksha Mantri urged the Commanders to continue focusing on defence diplomacy, Aatmanirbharta, Information Warfare, Defence Infrastructure, and Force Modernisation to ensure a Future-Ready Army. He hailed the professionalism, courage, and resilience of the Indian Armed Forces and reaffirmed the Government's unwavering commitment to provide state-of-the-art technology, infrastructure, and support to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness. Shri Rajnath Singh praised the significant role of the Indian Army in ensuring peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. "The abrogation of Article 370 was historic. Today, the streets there are filled with hope, and not unrest. People are confident about their future. Most importantly, the decision-making system is now in the hands of the local people. The Indian Army has played a crucial role in this endeavour," he said. On the situation along the Northern border, Raksha Mantri stated that the ongoing talks and de-escalation steps have demonstrated a balanced and firm foreign policy of India. "Our policy is clear that there will be dialogue and our readiness on the border will remain intact," he said. Appreciating the will power and discipline of the soldiers, Shri Rajnath Singh termed it as a testimony to the fact that the Indian military is considered one of the most adaptable forces in the world. "Whether it's the freezing icy terrain of Siachen, or the scorching heat of the Rajasthan desert, or counter-insurgency operations in the dense forests, our soldiers have always demonstrated their capability and commitment. Despite the tough conditions and diverse challenges, they adapt to the changes and further strengthen national security," he said. Raksha Mantri emphasised that while present-day warfare is technology-driven, the soldiers remain the greatest assets of the country. He stated that machines multiply strength, but it's the human spirit that possesses the power to deliver results. He asserted that modern-day warfare is fought in invisible domains such as cyberspace, information, electronic disruption, and space control, and what matters, along with adapting to the latest technological advancements, is quick decision-making and willpower of the soldiers. As part of the conference, Shri Rajnath Singh also carried out virtual inauguration of Technology Enablers including the Edge Data Centres of Konark and Fire & Fury Corps of the Indian Army. By next year, all Corps will have Edge Data Centres across the nation. He also launched Equipment Helpline for the Indian Army, Sainik Yatri Mitra App and released 'Defence Millet Dishes Compendium', compiled by Army Service Corp Centre & College, Bengaluru. He also inaugurated Naman Centres for the facilitation of the veterans and Next-of-Kin. At Laungewala, Raksha Mantri laid a wreath at the iconic Laungewala Yudh Sthal and paid homage to the bravehearts of the Indian Army. Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated 'Chandpuri Hall', an Audio-Visual Room, dedicated to the memory of Major (later Brigadier) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri who led the gallant defence during the Battle of Laungewala in 1971. He also felicitated the veterans who had participated in the battle. Raksha Mantri reviewed the multitude of infrastructure projects being undertaken for developing the historical site as an icon of national pride showcasing the valour and resilience of the Indian Army. Shri Rajnath Singh also witnessed a dynamic 'Capability Demonstration Exercise', showcasing integrated employment of new organisations such as the Bhairav Battalion and Ashni Platoon, along with the latest technological assets inducted into the Indian Army for conduct of operations. The display symbolised the seamless blend of legacy and innovation, highlighting the Indian Army's thrust on Capability Development and Force Modernisation. *** SR/NA/Savvy (Release ID: 2182172) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ambassadors of Russia, China, and Iran to IAEA send joint letter to Rafael Grossi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has announced that the ambassadors and permanent representatives of Russia, China, and Iran have sent a joint letter to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi. Gharibabadi wrote in a post on his X account that following the joint letter from the three countries of Russia, China, and Iran to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council announcing the termination of Resolution 2231 on October 18, today, within the framework of the diplomatic initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors and permanent representatives of the three countries to the International Atomic Energy Agency sent a joint letter to the Director General of the Agency. He said that in the letter, while calling the action of the three European countries in activating the snapback illegal, it is announced that all provisions of Resolution 2231 have ended on October 18. But there is another key point in this, and that is the end of the reporting of the Agency's Director General on verification and monitoring in light of Resolution 2231 and the implementation of the JCPOA. The Deputy Foreign Minister added: In this regard, the letter states, "In the Agency, verification and monitoring in Iran has been established in light of Resolution 2231 and the implementation of the JCPOA, based on the resolution of December 15, 2015 of the Board of Governors." "Paragraph 14 of this resolution states, without qualification, that the Council decides to keep this matter on its agenda for 10 years or until the date on which the IAEA Director General publishes a more comprehensive summary report on Iran, whichever is the sooner. Therefore, the relevant item on the Agency's agenda in this regard will be automatically removed from October 18 and no further action is required in this regard," he added. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects US allegations of interference in regional countries' affairs IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 24, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said Iran's foreign policy is firmly rooted in the UN Charter and such principles as respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, non-interference in their affairs, and good neighborliness. Iravani made these remarks on Thursday while responding to accusations raised by US envoy Michael Waltz at the UN Security Council. He stressed that it is the unlawful military presence and destabilizing actions of the US that have fueled conflict and instability in West Asia. Ambassador Iravani said the false narrative of "Iranian proxies" has been forged in order to distract global attention from the true source of regional instability, which is the US and its unconditional support for the Israeli regime. The Iranian envoy emphasized that by repeatedly obstructing the Security Council's mandate, Washington has rendered itself complicit in Israel's crimes and bears direct legal and moral responsibility for their continuation. Ambassador Iravani stated that the Israeli regime poses a serious threat to both regional and international peace. He said Israel's "unprecedented war of extermination" in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 68,000 Palestinians, with thousands more unaccounted for. Iravani condemned the systematic bombardments by Israeli occupation forces that have decimated Gaza's infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, leaving a landscape of devastation in its wake. "These atrocities constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law," Iravani stated, citing deliberate acts of aggression that have included the use of starvation as a weapon and the imposition of an unlawful blockade. He also referenced a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which condemned Israel for obstructing humanitarian aid and attacking UN agencies, resulting in the deaths of numerous UN personnel. The Iranian ambassador said Israel is carrying out aggressive actions across the region, including air strikes in Syria, military escalations against Lebanon, and continued occupation of the Golan Heights. He stated that Israel's aggression had also extended to Iran, detailing unprovoked attacks that led to significant civilian casualties. Ambassador Iravani urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action, criticizing its inaction as a form of complicity in Israel's actions. "Despite severe violations, this Council remains silent and paralyzed," he stated, pointing out that the United States often obstructs collective measures against Israel. Ambassador Iravani said Iran supports all credible efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza, establishing a permanent ceasefire, and enhancing humanitarian aid access while restoring the rights of the Palestinian people. He called for accountability for war crimes committed during the war, emphasizing that true justice necessitates prosecuting those responsible for such acts. The ambassador reiterated Iran's stance that a just resolution to the ongoing crisis lies in recognizing the rights of Palestinians, including their right to an independent state with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. He firmly rejected allegations made by the US representative and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to respecting international law and sovereignty. "Iran has consistently shown its readiness for fair, genuine dialogue," he concluded, calling for an end to narratives that distract from the true sources of regional instability. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Russia, China send letter to IAEA chief declaring UNSC Resolution 2231 terminated Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 6:57 PM Iran, China, and Russia have written a joint letter to the UN nuclear watchdog chief, affirming the termination of Security Council Resolution 2231 and the agency's reporting concerning the Islamic Republic's nuclear energy program. In a post on his X account on Friday, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said ambassadors and permanent representatives of China, Iran and Russia sent a letter to Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi. It came after the three countries' joint letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations and President of the Security Council declaring the termination of Resolution 2231 on October 18, he added. In the letter to the IAEA chief, he noted, the three countries reaffirmed the "illegal" move by the European trio Britain, France and Germany to invoke the so-called snapback mechanism and the expiration of all provisions of Resolution 2231 on October 18, 2025. "But there is another key point which relates to the end of the mandate of the IAEA Director General's reporting on verification and monitoring under the Resolution 2231 and the implementation of the JCPOA," Gharibabadi emphasized, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. According to the Iranian diplomat, the letter asserted that in the IAEA, "the implementation of the JCPOA, as well as verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of UNSCR 2231, were enacted by the resolution of the Board of Governors of 15 December 2015(GOV/2015/72)." He said, "Operative paragraph 14 of this Resolution unequivocally stipulates that the Board 'decides to remain seized of the matter until ten years after the JCPOA Adoption Day or until the date on which the Director General reports that the Agency has reached the broader conclusion for Iran, whichever is earlier'." "Consequently, as of 18 October 2025, the related agenda item has been automatically removed from the agenda of the Board of Governors, and no further action is required in this regard," Gharibabadi pointed out. Iran has rejected the legality of E3's triggering the snapback of UN sanctions, calling the mechanism "null and void" and a "fabricated" term. On October 18, Tehran declared an end to all UN restrictions on its nuclear program following the expiration of Security Council resolution 2231. Iran has faced sustained economic pressure in recent years, particularly after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-imposed sweeping sanctions under the so-called "maximum pressure" policy. Despite these pressures, Iran has sought to adapt through increased domestic production, non-dollar trade mechanisms, and expanding economic ties with partners in Asia and neighboring states. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects US allegations of interference in regional countries' affairs Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 2:58 AM Iran has categorically rejected Washington's latest allegations about Tehran's interference in regional countries' affairs, describing them as unfounded. Amir Saeid Iravani, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Iran, made these remarks on Thursday while responding to accusations raised by US envoy Michael Waltz at the UN Security Council. Iravani said Iran's foreign policy is firmly rooted in the UN Charter and such principles as respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, non-interference in their affairs, and good neighborliness. He stressed that it is the unlawful military presence and destabilizing actions of the US that have fueled conflict and instability in West Asia. Ambassador Iravani said the false narrative of "Iranian proxies" has been forged in order to distract global attention from the true source of regional instability, which is the US and its unconditional support for the Israeli regime. The Iranian envoy emphasized that by repeatedly obstructing the Security Council's mandate, Washington has rendered itself complicit in Israel's crimes and bears direct legal and moral responsibility for their continuation. Ambassador Iravani stated that the Israeli regime poses a serious threat to both regional and international peace. He said Israel's "unprecedented war of extermination" in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 68,000 Palestinians, with thousands more unaccounted for. Iravani condemned the systematic bombardments by Israeli occupation forces that have decimated Gaza's infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, leaving a landscape of devastation in its wake. "These atrocities constitute flagrant violations of international humanitarian law," Iravani stated, citing deliberate acts of aggression that have included the use of starvation as a weapon and the imposition of an unlawful blockade. He also referenced a recent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which condemned Israel for obstructing humanitarian aid and attacking UN agencies, resulting in the deaths of numerous UN personnel. The Iranian ambassador said Israel is carrying out aggressive actions across the region, including air strikes in Syria, military escalations against Lebanon, and continued occupation of the Golan Heights. He stated that Israel's aggression had also extended to Iran, detailing unprovoked attacks that led to significant civilian casualties. Ambassador Iravani urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action, criticizing its inaction as a form of complicity in Israel's actions. "Despite severe violations, this Council remains silent and paralyzed," he stated, pointing out that the United States often obstructs collective measures against Israel. Ambassador Iravani said Iran supports all credible efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza, establishing a permanent ceasefire, and enhancing humanitarian aid access while restoring the rights of the Palestinian people. He called for accountability for war crimes committed during the war, emphasizing that true justice necessitates prosecuting those responsible for such acts. The ambassador reiterated Iran's stance that a just resolution to the ongoing crisis lies in recognizing the rights of Palestinians, including their right to an independent state with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. He firmly rejected allegations made by the US representative and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to respecting international law and sovereignty. "Iran has consistently shown its readiness for fair, genuine dialogue," he concluded, calling for an end to narratives that distract from the true sources of regional instability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Could Bolivia's Right Turn Spoil Iran's Ambitions In Latin America? By Kian Sharifi October 24, 2025 What You Need To Know Shaky Latin American Foothold After Right Pivot: Bolivia's election of Rodrigo Paz, a center-right senator, ends roughly two decades of dominance by the Movement for Socialism party (MAS) and signals a foreign-policy realignment toward the United States and a prospective reset with Israel after ties were severed in 2023 amid the Gaza war fallout. For Iran, which expanded security and political links with La Paz in recent years, the pivot threatens a significant loss of diplomatic cover and operational permissiveness in the Andes. Top Iranian Officials Accused Of Shah-Era Assassination: US-based scholar Mehrzad Boroujerdi has accused top Iranian figures Ali Shamkhani and Mohsen Rezaei of assassinating his father, Malek Boroujerdi, just weeks before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Speaking to RFE/RL's Radio Farda, he said his father had been targeted for his opposition to the crippling oil workers' strike, which contributed to the fall of the monarchy. Khamenei Rejects Talks With US Again: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week again rejected negotiations with the United States, toughening his stance on Iran's nuclear and missile program. In his first speech in nearly two months, Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of looking to impose a deal on Iran. He also denied Trump's assertion that Iranian nuclear sites were destroyed in US strikes in June. The Big Issue Recalibrating Relations Paz campaigned on stabilizing an economy battered by shortages and currency strain, but the external shift is immediate: The United States and Israel were quick to welcome the result, framing it as a chance to rebuild relations and cooperation. Iran, too, issued a statement congratulating Paz on his victory, but that seemed to be more out of courtesy than anything else. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke with Paz shortly after his election was confirmed on October 20 and expressed his country's desire to "turn a new page" in ties with Bolivia. He also said Israel will be represented in Paz's inauguration on November 8 after receiving a formal invitation from the incoming president. There is no record of any Iranian officials speaking with Paz yet. Why It Matters: Bolivia has been cited by regional and Israeli analysts as a "rising state" in Iran's Latin America footprint, especially after a 2023 security agreement referencing drones, cybersecurity, and training -- all of which are likely to face review under a US-leaning government. A reset with Israel would further narrow Tehran's space, stripping away a symbolic Andean bridgehead and tightening oversight on security cooperation that Washington views skeptically, with downstream effects on sanctions exposure and transit routes. The shift also intersects with strategic minerals: Paz's pro-market stance and expected compliance tilt may recalibrate lithium policy, complicating any indirect Iranian access to sensitive supply chains via Bolivian channels while La Paz rebalances between China and Western partners. With Bolivia stepping back, Iran's Latin strategy will lean more on its core partners -- Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba -- where long-standing political affinity and security cooperation are entrenched, limiting Tehran's broader regional bandwidth. In short, Bolivia's pivot will likely compress Iran's Latin American map, with fewer friendly capitals, more scrutiny on security and finance, and a harder path to leverage Andean geography for influence and logistics in what some consider to be "America's backyard." What's Being Said: There has been little commentary in Iran about the implications of Paz's victory on Tehran's Latin America strategy. The reticence could be partially chalked up to analysts waiting to see whether Iran can build any sort of rapport with the new government in La Paz. Expert Opinion: Outside of Iran, however, the analysis is pretty uniform. Danny Citrinowicz, senior fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, describes Paz's election as "another severe blow" to Iran's ambitions in Latin America. "Unfortunately for them, this is probably not the end," he adds. Nicolas Saldias, senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, has similar views. "Paz will foster better relations with the United States, which has had extremely poor bilateral relations under MAS," he says. "Paz will likely distance Bolivia from close ties with Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia and Iran, but maintain pragmatic ties with China." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing- iran-bolivia-influence-latin-america/33568532.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thousands Of Iranian Companies Operating In Georgia Amid Sanctions Evasion Concerns By Nastasia Arabuli October 24, 2025 Summary Nearly 13,000 Iranian companies are registered in Georgia, with many linked to a few addresses, raising concerns about sanctions evasion. Iranian firms reportedly use Georgia as a transit point to bypass international sanctions, with some of the companies linked to Iran's armed forces. Trade between Georgia and Iran has grown, and Iran now supplies a significant share of Georgia's domestic market for some products, including dates and raisins. Thousands of Iranian businesses in Georgia are registered to only a handful of addresses, often with no physical operations. Nearly 13,000 Iranian companies are registered in Georgia -- to only a handful of addresses -- raising concerns that Tehran could be using the South Caucasus country to skirt international sanctions. The Iranian businesses listed in Georgia are involved in everything from construction and logistics to hospitality and even night clubs, according to public records seen by RFE/RL's Georgian Service. The number of Iranian companies registered in Georgia has surged over the past decade, coinciding with the imposition of international sanctions on the Islamic republic over its disputed nuclear program. The measures restrict foreign individuals, companies and governments from sending or receiving funds from Iran. Violators can be subject to stiff penalties and even criminal prosecution. In July, a Georgian NGO, Civic IDEA, released an investigation in which it accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of allowing Iranian businesses -- some linked with Iran's armed forces -- to use Georgia as a "strategic transit point" to bypass international sanctions and funnel money back to Tehran. The Georgian authorities did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment. Trade, Sanctions, And Georgia's Appeal As of June 2025, more than 12,800 Iranian businesses were registered in Georgia, according to public records. Nearly all of them are fully Iranian owned. The exact number of Iranian companies still operating in Georgia is unclear. Iranian companies became active in Georgia starting around 2009. There was a surge in the number of registrations of Iranian companies in Georgia from 2012 and 2019, overlapping with the implementation of tough international sanctions on Tehran. At the time, media reports linked some of the Iranian companies to the US-designated Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) -- a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces that plays a significant role in the economy -- suggesting these businesses offered Tehran indirect access to Western markets. Georgia tightened banking rules for Iranians and temporarily suspended visa-free travel. But Iranian investment in Georgia picked up again after the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, particularly in real estate, transport, and construction. Washington's decision to reimpose crippling sanctions on Tehran in 2018 did little to discourage Iranian investment in Georgia. Iranian investment has coincided with growing trade between Tbilisi and Tehran. Between 2022 and 2024, bilateral trade rose by 23 percent. Imports from Iran totaled about $30 million in 2024, mostly agricultural and food products. In certain sectors, Iran holds a significant share of Georgia's domestic supply, accounting for 13 percent of butter imports, 45 percent of raisins, and 85 percent of dates. Iranian oil and petrochemical products nearly tripled in import value from $683,000 in 2020 to around $2 million in 2024. There doesn't seem to have been any slowdown in these imports this year, despite a warning from US Donald Trump in May that any country trading in Iranian petroleum would face secondary sanctions. Publicly available Iranian trade websites and consultancies openly encourage businessmen to register companies in Georgia, especially near ports, to cut costs and reroute exports. Some even describe strategies for rebranding Iranian goods as "Made in Georgia" before shipping them to Western markets. Suspicious Addresses The thousands of Iranian businesses in Georgia are registered to only a handful of addresses, including the capital, Tbilisi, as well as in several remote villages, according to official records. Nearly 700 Iranian companies are registered at a single residential building in Tbilisi with no trace of on site activity. The listed activities of the businesses range from logistics and tourism to jewelry, livestock, and information technology, although no physical evidence of these companies exists. A similar pattern appears in Dunta, a remote village of some 100 residents in western Georgia, where roughly 800 Iranian firms are registered. Many of the companies are involved in cargo transport, with some obtaining international freight permits from the authorities, according to public records. Meanwhile, over 800 Iranian companies are registered in Untsa, a village of some 300 people in southwestern Georgia. Public records indicate that addresses in the village have been used by Russian migrants seeking to benefit from Georgia's favorable tax regime. Iranian firms have also secured Georgian state contracts. Qafrina LLC, registered in 2018 and owned by Iranian national Farzad Nouri, sold CCTV systems to the National Bank of Georgia, courts in the western city of Kutaisi, and Tbilisi City Hall, according to tender records. Another Iranian-owned company, Geo Tech, supplied hygiene products -- including toilet paper -- to the Defense Ministry, Georgian Railways, Tbilisi's transport company, and several public institutions. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing- iran-bolivia-influence-latin-america/33568532.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli military 'unprepared' for new wars without budget boost: Report Iran Press TV Friday, 24 October 2025 9:30 AM Israeli military officials have reportedly acknowledged that the regime's army is not prepared for new wars unless it receives urgent budget boost. Israel's Ynet news outlet reported on Friday that the officials had warned the treasury that they need investments in the military industry and munitions stockpiles to compensate for the heavy toll that the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip has taken on the regime's economy in the past more than two years. The Israeli military initially planned for a war lasting about one month, with an optional two-week extension, allegedly against the Hamas resistance group in Gaza and Lebanon's Hezbollah, the report said. However, the war has dragged on across several fronts, forcing Israel to rely on over 900 cargo aircraft and 150 supply shipsmostly from the USto replenish basic equipment. The report also noted that the occupation officers had censured the treasury for resisting the transfer of funds needed for force buildup and weapons production, despite lessons learned since October 2023. In September, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) voted to allocate an additional 30.8 billion shekels ($9.2 billion) to military spending in order to cover the costs incurred from Israel's Gaza onslaught and the 12-day aggression against Iran in June. The supplementary budget allocation raised Israel's overall expenditure from 756 billion shekels ($228 billion) to 787 billion shekels ($237 billion) for 2025. It also increased the budget deficit to 5.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from the current cap of 4.9 percent. Additionally the report said the regime's military officials had warned that the added funds already received are far from sufficient. "We need to move to the force-building stageacquiring high-end systems, smart bombs, air defense interceptors. The enemy's missiles may cost $400,000, but each Arrow 3 interceptor costs $3 million and takes months to produce," one of the officials said. Another official said Israel faces rising risks currently as Iran is "undergoing rapid recovery, the Gaza ceasefire is fragile, Lebanon sees daily attacks, Turkey is eyeing Syria, the eastern border is exposed and the West Bank is simmering." Meanwhile, Israeli security officials said that they are unable to publicly detail the military's exact needs or equipment gaps, for fear of exposing vulnerabilities. Israel unleashed its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out the historic Al-Aqsa Flood operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. Israel accepted a Gaza ceasefire deal earlier this month, following the failure to achieve its declared objectives of eliminating Hamas and freeing all captives, despite killing 68,280 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 170,375 others. Hamas says it remains committed to the US-brokered truce despite Israel's repeated violations. In the course of its Gaza offensive, Israel also waged acts of aggression against Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Yemen and Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement After the Meeting between Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Republic of Poland Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 23-24 October 2025. This visit marked a significant step in strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two States, underscoring their shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations in order to bring about greater peace, stability and economic prosperity to both States and their respective regions. 1. The Ministers underscored the lasting relevance of shared historical legacy shaped by experience of the Polish war time refugees who found shelter on the territory of today's Pakistan and the service of the Polish Armed Forces officers who shortly after the WWII profoundly contributed to the creation of Pakistan Air Force. Both countries renewed their resolve to preserve and promote this legacy for a better understanding and appreciation among their nations. Both Ministers recognized its value in educating young generations. POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 2. Both sides stressed the desire to maintain regular high-level contacts to strengthen bilateral political dialogue and develop mutually beneficial initiatives as well as to foster economic cooperation. To this end both sides agreed to hold bilateral political consultation on yearly basis. 3. They also emphasized the continuation of mutual support in elections to international organizations. 4. Appreciating the role of parliamentary contacts, the Ministers agreed on encouraging exchanges and cooperation between their legislatures. 5. Ministers welcomed the signature of MoU on cooperation between the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs with an aim to further diplomatic contacts and exchanges. 6. The Polish side briefed on the war in Ukraine and Pakistan side briefed on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Both sides stressed the need to find peaceful solutions to conflicts, in full respect of the principles of international law and the UN Charter. 7. They also emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation to address regional security challenges in South Asia, Europe, and beyond, and underscored the need for international solidarity in upholding peace, stability, and humanitarian norms. The Ministers underscored the importance of Poland-Pakistan cooperation in strengthening multilateralism, including through universal and consistent adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In this context, they have particularly underlined the importance of full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. The Ministers agreed on the need to take full advantage of the capacity of the multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, to spearhead collective efforts for pacific settlement of outstanding and new disputes, conflict prevention as well as use of preventive diplomacy, and mediation. They welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 (2025) under Pakistan's Presidency of the UNSC in July 2025 in this regard. 8. They also voiced support for initiatives aimed at alleviating the negative repercussions of armed conflicts on food and energy security in Europe and the Global South. ECONOMIC AND SECTORAL COOPERATION: TRADE, INVESTMENTAND TECHNOLOGY 9. The two Sides agreed to further intensify bilateral economic relations, stimulate trade and investment, and explore new mutually beneficial areas of cooperation. 10. The Ministers highlighted the significance of ORLEN's/POGC's Pakistan Branch longstanding presence in Pakistan, including its production of locally supplied gas for the Pakistani consumers, transfer of advanced technologies and know-how. Ministers noted that the company's investment in Pakistan could pave the way for mutually beneficial investment cooperation between the two countries. 11. The Ministers also emphasized the importance of increasing and balancing bilateral trade and diversifying the trade basket, including through broader access to each others'markets. They expressed support for initiatives to strengthen B2B cooperation, including trade missions and participation in fairs and conferences. 12. The Ministers acknowledged the growing importance of expanding economic cooperation in sectors such as exploration, extraction, and processing of natural resources, green technologiesincluding water and wastewater managementagri-food processing, and the IT, encompassing digital services for citizens and the public sector as well cooperation between geological services of both countries. They also emphasized the need to support contacts between public and private institutions of their respective countries to identify and implement bilateral cooperation projects. 13. Recognizing the significant challenges posed by climate change, both Ministers agreed on the importance of cooperation in climate action initiatives, particularly through the promotion of environmentally friendly technological solutions. 14. Both Sides highlighted the importance of cooperation in exchanging experiences and best practices in public sector governance, public finance managementincluding debt management, automation of tax services, and enhancement of tax collectionand in the formulation and implementation of monetary policy. 15. The Ministers underscored the importance of EU's GSP+ mechanism for Pakistan to support sustainable development and good governance, based on the implementation of the voluntary adopted international conventions on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance. DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION 16. Emphasizing the intention to strengthen cooperation between their armed forces and defense industries, the two Sides expressed support for initiatives aimed at sharing experiences and best practices, including through visits, participation in courses and training programs. 17. The two Ministers reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasized that no State should provide a safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts. Both Sides stressed the need for firm implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, as well as the UN General Assembly and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. They highlighted the need to share information and best practices to counter terrorist threats, and expressed support for cooperation among relevant institutions in this regard. 18. The Ministers recognized disinformation as an element of hybrid activities targeting international security. They expressed support for cooperation among relevant institutions and media in sharing information and best practices to identify and counter threats in the field of disinformation, including through study visits, conferences, and workshops. 19. Both sides expressed their willingness in enhancing exchange of know-how and coordination in crime prevention, particularly to address transnational organized crime, instrumentalization of migration, irregular immigration and human trafficking. They reaffirmed the need for a continued cooperation in the area of strengthening border controls, readmission, enhancing cooperation, as well as promoting safe, orderly and regular migration according to international commitments. Pakistan's cooperation with Poland under the EURA was appreciated. EDUCATION, SCIENCE, CULTURE, PEOPE-TO-PEOPLE 20. The Deputy Prime Ministers noted the longstanding special people-to-people ties between their societies and agreed to strengthen them further. They also expressed willingness to expand cooperation in culture, education, science, research, and health, including through educational exchanges and collaboration between universities and research institutions of high and established academic standards. 21. {They highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between think tanks to advance policy dialogue and enhance mutual understanding. In this context Ministers welcomed the signature of MoU between Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad (ISSI). 22. Deputy Prime Minister Radosaw Sikorski thanked Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the people of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and he invited Deputy Prime Minister Dar to pay an official visit to Poland, expressing hope that the friendly and productive dialogue between both States will continue. Islamabad October 24, 2025 317/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The reporter says that US intelligence is at a crisis point, and warns of the risks of the White Houses operation against Nicolas Maduro The fascination Tim Weiner (New York, 69) has with the CIA began when he was just 13, when he caught a man writing down the license plate on his fathers car, a renowned psychiatrist and university professor, after the two attended a massive anti-Vietnam war protest in Washington D.C. After that incident, the family went through three years of aggressive tax audits. As a young man, Weiner imagined that spies were undercover heroes who drank martinis in far-off capitals and felled entire governments before escaping on a speedboat in the middle of the night. But when he encountered them in real life, they turned out to be quite different than the version hed seen at the movies. In 2006, the reporter from The New York Times published Legacy of Ashes, a seminal book about what happened behind the scenes in U.S. intelligence services during the 20th century. Now, hes presenting The Mission (Mariner Books), a detailed account of the CIAs recent history and the fragile state it is in after the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Trump is the greatest danger to American national security, says the Pulitzer winner in an interview about his latest book and his countrys current political reality, which took place on October 21 in Madrid. After two months of military operations in the Caribbean, last Wednesday it came to light that Trump had authorized undercover CIA operations in Venezuela. The announcement, justified by Washington as a decisive step in its war on wrugs geared toward increasing the pressure on the regime of Nicolas Maduro stirred up the ghost of decades of U.S. interventionism in Latin America. With the rarest exceptions, [the CIA] does what the president tells it to do. Now, the president has publicly ordered it to overthrow Maduro, says Weiner. The history of CIA coups around the world, particularly in the Western hemisphere, is not a happy one, from Guatemala to the Bay of Pigs, to the Contra Wars, to the invasion of Panama. The list is long, and its successes in the long run are disasters. When asked whether it is possible that the operation in Venezuela could be similar to the coup against Manuel Noriega in Panama, Weiner answers, Of course its possible. But lets look at what happened in Panama. OK yeah, they got Noriega, a former CIA and Drug Enforcement Administration informant. They pulled him out of the embassy of the apostolic nunciature, the embassy of the Vatican. The United States murdered hundreds and hundreds of civilians. With the bombs and missiles, the number is close to a thousand, but well never know the true exact number. Nobody remembers Noriega fondly in Panama, but that invasion is now marked with a day of national mourning. Thats their blueprint, thats what theyve got. So well see. Will there be a coup in Venezuela? I dont know. Are they thinking about it, are they discussing their secret plans in public? Of course they are. Writer and journalist Tim Weiner last Monday in Madrid. SAMUEL SANCHEZ Weiner doesnt have a crystal ball, but the operation announced last week does not sound promising. The CIA is not going to be able to overthrow Maduro with covert action, but it can make his life even more miserable than it is now, he says. Part of the skepticism of the journalist, who has covered the agency for four decades, has to do with Trumps decision to go public with the operation. Now that the president has announced the plan, its chances of success go down considerably. The writer has other doubts pertaining to the Republicans disdain for intelligence reports, animosity that has only grown since the CIA investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections after Trumps first victory. U.S. agencies have documented that the bulk of drugs that arrive in the country largely come from the Pacific Ocean and Mexico, not the Caribbean and Venezuela, says the specialist. Covert operations without good intelligence are an invitation to a tragedy or a farce, or perhaps both. Trump is using the language of the war on terror to justify blowing boats out of the water and killing people in the Caribbean, he says. Weiner recognizes that he hasnt been in contact recently with his sources from the CIA, but says that his acquaintances who work for the agency are also extremely pessimistic about the possibility of a good outcome. What could the role of U.S. intelligence in Venezuela involve? The CIA has lots of ways to overthrow a foreign leader. It can give weapons to the opposition. It can use political propaganda to get the people to rise up. I guess it can subvert the economy, although in Venezuela the economy is already subverted by Maduro. It can try and do these things and then fail, and then the president will send in the Marines. The message is that Donald Trump believes hes a king, he continues. He could order the CIA to overthrow the government of Panama so he can seize the Panama Canal, or Colombia because its president has stood up to Trump for murdering Colombian citizens [in an attack against a supposed drug-trafficking boat]. The question is, will the CIA say no?, asks the author, who says there have been few cases of the agency refusing to follow the presidents orders. That short list includes Richard Nixons request for a cover-up of the Watergate scandal. Their loyalty is to the Constitution, not to the man in the White House. It may be that some CIA officers will say no to Trump. If they do, it will be a long time before their stories can be told, he says. Now the question is, can the CIA survive?, he queries. Just three days after the beginning of the second Trump administration, the Senate approved the appointment of John Ratcliffe, a staunch MAGA member of Congress, as the new head of the agency. This triggered an ideological purge, says Weiner, who cites interrogations of agents as to their opinion on the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol and who they voted for in the 2024 elections, as well as massive layoffs of employees hired during the Joe Biden administration. Trump is swinging a wrecking ball through the architecture of American national security, says Weiner, who holds that the current moment can only be compared to post-9/11 uncertainty. The CIA director at the time, George Tenet, described in his memoir the multiplicity of threats the agency faced. Weiner turns to metaphor to describe what is now happening with the current administration. Imagine an oil rig out in the ocean, he says. Its a dark and stormy night and the rig is on fire. Its on fire now, today. And the arsonist is the president of the United States. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday 24th October 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. First, we begin with a roundup of this week's activities. Firstly, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Poland is on a two-day visit to Islamabad, Pakistan from 23-24 October 2025. Upon his arrival at the Ministry, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, warmly welcomed him. The two leaders had a tete-a-tete, followed by delegation level talks, signing of two MoUs and a joint press stakeout which most of you attended. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Poland also called on the Prime Minister. During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled cordial and friendly Pakistan-Poland ties spanning over decades. He lauded Poland's high level of industrialization and progress. The Prime Minister expressed desire to further expand bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, defense, education, labor, and other areas of mutual interest. Regional and international developments, including peace efforts in the Middle East and Ukraine were also discussed. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue, diplomacy and relevant UN resolutions. He underscored Pakistan's consistent position of upholding international law, humanitarian principles and the UN charter. The Prime Minister conveyed his warm regards to Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland and extended an invitation to him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The Polish DPM and FM expressed Poland's long strong interest in deepening its engagement with Pakistan in diverse fields while sharing that Polish investment in Pakistan's petrochemical sector was over U$S 0.5 billion, he suggested that Pakistan could also benefit from Polish expertise in water treatment. He appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting peace, regional stability and progress. Both sides agreed to enhance contacts to further consolidate cooperation. This week, our Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, had three important telephone conversations. Last night, he spoke with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders discussed bilateral, multilateral issues of mutual interests as well as recent regional and global developments and agreed to stay closely engaged. Secondly, the DPM/FM had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on 21st October 2025. Building on their previous discussions, the two leaders reviewed recent regional developments, including Gaza and Palestine and reaffirmed their shared commitment to promote peace and stability in the region while agreeing to stay closely engaged on matters of mutual interest. Thirdly, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Mr. Nasser Bourita, on 21st October 2025. The two leaders recalled their recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and reiterated their strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Foreign Minister Bourita was invited to visit Pakistan which he graciously accepted. We welcome the agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, finalized in Doha, Qatar on 19th October 2025, as a first step in ensuring regional peace and stability. We deeply appreciate the constructive role played by brotherly countries, Qatar and Turkiye. The agreement came as the result of delegation-level talks held between Pakistan and representatives of the Afghan Taliban Regime in Doha. Minister of Defense Khwaja Asif led our delegation. Talks focused on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan stemming from Afghanistan and the restoration of peace and stability along Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan also looks forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism in the next meeting to be hosted by Turkiye in Istanbul on 25th October 2025 to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan and prevent any further loss of life of Pakistanis. As a responsible state committed to regional peace and stability, Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitment to the international community and address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA. Now moving to Arab-Israel. Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's attempt to extend its so-called "sovereignty" over parts of the occupied West Bank, including illegal Israeli settlements through a draft law introduced in the legislature of the occupying power. These actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination. Pakistan reiterates its commitment to working with regional and international partners to uphold the right of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and ensure peace, justice, and dignity of the Palestinians. We also reaffirm our unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre 1967 border with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. And as you must have noticed on 22nd October 2025, the advisory opinion of International Court of Justice was issued which we welcomed. The advisory opinion was on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations and other organization and third states in and in relation to the occupied Palestinian territory. The ICJ has unequivocally established that Israel, as the occupying power, is under legal obligation to facilitate and not obstruct humanitarian relief operations by the United Nations and its entities, especially by the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The opinion also reaffirmed that: i. Israel's obligation to ensure that the Palestinians receive essential food supplies, water, shelter, fuel, and medical care, and; ii. Israel has no right to unilaterally extend its domestic laws to occupy territory in any manner that would impede or undermine the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the fourth ruling by ICJ on Palestine since January 2024. You may recall previous rulings, including on genocide in Gaza, on Rafah crossing, on Israeli occupation and settlement and now the fourth one on humanitarian assistance. Pakistan participated in written and oral proceedings of the case before the ICJ. We call for the immediate and full implementation of the ICJ's advisory opinion. Building on this ICJ's decision in a joint statement yesterday, the OIC and the State of Palestine with Pakistan, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkiye, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Oman, The Gambia, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, and the Arab League issued a joint statement condemning, in strongest terms, the approval of Israeli Knesset of the two draft laws aiming to impose so-called Israel sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and on Israeli illegal colonial settlements as a blatant violations of international law, the United Nations Security Council resolution, particularly Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including the status of East Jerusalem. They reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory. The joint statement welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued a day prior to the issuance of this joint statement. Moving on the domestic front, ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of Pakistan's first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from the Chinese Satellite Launch Centre. The satellite will enable precise monitoring and analysis of land use, vegetation health, water resources, and urban development. It will enhance national capacities in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management. This will improve resource management and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges, it will identify geo-hazard risks, thereby promoting sustainable infrastructure development. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister commended the scientists of this project. On 16th October 2025, Pakistan's Minister of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan Sahab, along with the Minister of Transport of Ethiopia, Mr. Alemu Feyisa, inaugurated the 5th Pak-Africa Trade Development Conference & Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa. Several Ethiopian State Ministers attended the opening ceremony of the event which featured over 110 Pakistani exporters from 11 sectors under Pakistan's key-initiative of "Engage Africa Policy" which aims to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties with Africa, a region rapidly emerging as a global economic powerhouse. On sidelines of the event, the Minister of Commerce, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssof, at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis. The two leaders resolved to work towards institutionalizing cooperation in the fields of Agri-tech and food security, healthcare, education/skills development, trade and investment. The Chairperson of the African Union was extended an invitation to visit to Pakistan which he gladly accepted. Pakistan, ladies and gentlemen, took part in the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held from 15-16 October 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence." Pakistan delegation was led by Special Secretary for multilateral UN affairs, Nabil Munir. In Pakistan's national statement, Special Secretary Nabil Munir emphasized NAM's vital role in promoting peace and development amid global challenges, including the unresolved disputes of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine and the climate crisis. He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for NAM's principal stance on the right to self-determination for people under foreign occupation and condemned rising Islamophobia and war rhetoric in South Asia. On the sidelines of the NAM Meeting, Special Secretary Nabeel Munir held meetings with the Foreign Minister of Uganda, H.E. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, and other NAM leaders. The meeting concluded with the adoption of Kampala Declaration and a comprehensive outcome document, which recognized Pakistan's contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East. And finally, ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan, this week, conveys its heartiest congratulations to H.E. Madame Sanae Takaichi on her election as the Prime Minister of Japan and the appointment of H.E. Motegi Toshimitsu as the Foreign Minister of Japan. We look forward to working closely with Japan to further strengthen the enduring friendship and cooperation between our two countries. I thank you all and I now open the floor for questions. *** (Mateen Haider): Today is the 24th of October which is quite significant as it is the United Nations Day and also the day when the foundation of Jammu and Kashmir was laid. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been one of the oldest disputes on the UN agenda. Both of these are interconnected. On the anniversary of the United Nations, do you think this forum is still effective? If so, what are your hopes for the UN in addressing the oldest issues on its agenda, i.e.: Palestine and the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute. And on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the territory has been under a continuous threat by the Indian forces. There have been statements by the Indian military and the political leadership of India, claiming to take over the territory by force. They have further alleged that terror camps are based inside Azad Jammu and Kashmir against whom India will carry out strikes. So, I would like your comment on these interconnected issues. Spokesperson: Yes, you are right, the UN Day is interconnected with foundation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, both in October and by that extension, the landing of Indian troops in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir in late October of 1947. These are significant days in terms of their resonance today. United Nations Security resolutions confirm the status of Kashmir as a disputed territory under international law. The importance of UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir has not faded away. On the contrary, these resolutions now resonate more with the need for peace given the growing threats emanating from India, which you mentioned in your second half of the question. Regarding those threats, let me underscore that we take such threats very seriously. Let me also reassure that we have robust defense preparedness to thwart any attack on Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are as patriotic fully as any other people in any other part of Pakistan. So, India's threats to forcefully annex or subjugate that territory are quite hollow from both military and political point of views. (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be taking place tomorrow in Istanbul. I would like to ask you about the format and agenda of these talks along with the composition of delegations leading the talks. Secondly, on a different note, the Prime Minister will be proceeding on a visit to Saudi Arabia early next week, I wish to know if the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, will be accompanying the Prime Minister? Spokesperson: The talks in Istanbul follow the talks in Doha. So, in those talks, the basic focus was to stop the terrorist attacks from Afghan soil into Pakistan. And in order to do that, we should have a verifiable, empirical mechanism to ascertain that the Afghan Taliban Regime in Kabul is taking concrete actions to stop such attacks. As a result of those talks, the ceasefire came into effect which, by and large, still stands. As such, this is a marker of the positive achievement of the talks in Doha. We are taking part in the second round of talks in Istanbul with the same sincerity of purpose, with the same sincerity of intent with which we participated in Doha. The Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia has a significant economic/investment component. In that sense, the visit will lead to concretize the already agreed projects between the two countries. The visit will also chart the work on economic projects on the horizon. With regard to the exact composition of the delegation, sir, I am not aware of it. (Syeda Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu): Adding to what Mr. Saleh has asked, what are Pakistan's expectations regarding tomorrow's talks and did Pakistan achieve its objectives for the first round of talks? Spokesperson: Pakistan's expectation is that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. If you look at post-Doha, or in the run-up to Istanbul talks, you would see that ceasefire has, by and large, held itself. There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack, emanating from Afghan soil, in Pakistan in the last two-three days. So, in effect Doha talks and outcome were fruitful. We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul. (Anwer Abbas, 24 News HD): I would like to know that during the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Regime which were held recently and are going to be held again on 25th October 2025, we did not see Ambassador Sadiq Khan who is the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister/Minister of State as well as Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan. Need your comments on it. Secondly, who will be leading the Pakistan delegation in tomorrow's talks? Spokesperson: I do not have any information on the composition of the Pakistan delegation. I am not aware if Ambassador Sadiq Khan was in Doha, or if he is planning to go to Istanbul, but I am sure that with his experience, his insights and his inputs in deliberations are taken into account irrespective of his physical presence in those two cities or not. (Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): Yesterday, I saw a tweet and a statement of the Afghan's Defence Minister in which he said that there was no agreement but rather just an understanding in Doha. A similar statement was given by Zabiullah Mujahid. Moreover, a statement from Mullah Haibatullah has issued instructions regarding the building of a dam on Kunar River the water from which streams into River Kabul which flows into Pakistan. So, would Pakistan, being a lower riparian state, be affected by the construction of this new dam? Secondly, I would like your comment on Afghan transit trade and trade closure as there are some reports which state that Pakistan is ready but requires certain guarantees from Afghanistan or would the trade resume after the talks in Istanbul? Spokesperson: We do not read too much into the nomenclature ascribed to the Doha Agreement by Taliban, whether it is an agreement or a truce or a treaty. The fact is that a substantive document was finalized is commendable. Frankly, whatever name Taliban give it, it does not matter much. Regarding dam on River Kunar, I have seen the tweet you referred. We are ascertaining the details. But generally trans-boundary rivers are governed by international law. In such matter, Pakistan is both an upper and lower riparian. So, we will follow this matter. (Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Major border crossing points like Chaman, Angur Ada, and Torkham are still closed, the impact of which is resulting in losses in millions of dollars for the national economy. What is the reason behind this closure despite the ceasefire agreement in Doha? When are both countries expected to reopen the border crossings? Are we waiting for the conclusion of Istanbul talks? (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News): Just like Mr. Aijaz talked about transit trade, the FBR issued a press release last night which stated that approximately 300 trucks have been cleared. I would like you to clarify your position on this. Secondly, regarding tomorrow's talks, will Mr. Khwaja Asif be leading the Pakistani side? Lastly, as talks are between two parties, what demands have been put forth by the Afghan side, because the ministers of the Afghan Taliban Regime have been alleging that entities like Daesh are operating from inside Pakistan. So, what are their demands? Spokesperson: Afghan transit trade is closed, is not taking place. It is not taking place because of the factors that you were aware of. There was considerable discussion on this question during last week's briefing as well. Till the evaluation of the security situation, this transit trade will remain closed. And this is also about Mr. Naveed Siddiqui's question on Chaman, Angur Ada, etc. We feel for the hardships faced by traders and businessmen. Ordinary people are also affected because of the commodity availability. But at the border points with Afghan Transit trade, armed attacks were carried out against Pakistan, killing Pakistanis. This pains us gravely. For us, the lives of Pakistanis are more important than any commodity traded. So, I think we have to have a very clear priority on ATT and our security. Pakistan lives and our security matters the most. Regarding the delegation in Istanbul, frankly, I do not know who is leading the talks, but I do know that the talks are taking place as of now. A representative Pakistani delegation, will be taking part in those talks. (Khalid Mehmood, Express News): Israel is violating all international laws and agreements. I want to know about the Sharm Al Sheikh Peace Agreement. What is the status of this agreement? Spokesperson: Yes, Israel is violating international laws, and its agreements. We issued two press releases on Israel. One was on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Then, later in the evening, a Joint Statement was issued by OIC that Pakistan joined. Thirdly, we issued our reaction on the legislative measures taken by Israel. Our delegation to the UN in New York, at a meeting of the UN Security Council aired our views on Israeli violations. The draft bill in the Israeli parliament, is another grave violation of Palestinian rights. We are calling for and we are reminding the international community of their obligations to stop Israel from these violations. The Sharm Al Sheik accord to achieve a window of peace, enabling the objective of a ceasefire in Gaza, which paved the way for a peace process. The two parties to take certain positive action. Now is the time to translate this window and turn these positive actions into a long term, sustainable peace process that would lead to the creation of the State of Palestine, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. So, Sharm Al Sheikh meeting, in which our Prime Minister participated, has opened a road to peace, which Israel and the international community ought to take and follow for a lasting settlement. (Mariam Ilahi, Pakistan TV): Sir, I want your comment on India reopening its Embassy in Kabul. How does Islamabad assess that situation in the regional context? Spokesperson: I think this was asked last week also. My predecessor clarified it. India and Afghanistan are two sovereign countries. If they decide to have diplomatic representations in each other's capitals, they have the right to do so. It is a normal diplomatic protocol between the two sovereign states. However, we do emphasize that the Afghan soil should not be used for fomenting and sponsoring terrorism and separatism in Pakistan. On this count, the track record of India and its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan has been bleak. So, we will see and how developments unfold. (Tahir Khan, NNI): Thank you, in the context of your response, I have a question. When Afghan Taliban took over control of Afghanistan, Pakistan conducted OIC Conference for them. Pakistan was the first country to hand over the Afghan Embassy to the Taliban and Pakistan had been asking the world community to engage with the Taliban. This was our demand. Pakistan would always tell the US and the European and others to unfreeze the $9 Billion of Afghanistan. Back then, Indian Embassy was closed then Indian Embassy was reopened in July 2022. What happened Tahir Sahab, where are we standing today and where India is standing today as India's influence was kicked out of Afghanistan back then and who is responsible for this state of affairs today? Secondly, a brief question, an agreement was signed in Doha, Qatar. We have been hearing this from the 90's that Pakistan supports bilateral track. We already have two mechanisms in place: Joint Border Coordination Committee and a mechanism at Joint Secretary or at Additional Secretary Level. The relations have deteriorated so much that these mechanisms have become dysfunctional or have we reached at a level that we are unable to solve these issues bilaterally? (Munir Ahmed, AP): For years, Pakistan was accused of sheltering the Taliban, and they were considered terrorist. And we kept refusing, and we kept saying that they are not hiding anywhere in Pakistan. And whenever the international community needed to talk to them, we were the one to facilitate the same people who flew from Islamabad or some other part of the country, and then they went to Doha. So, this time when Pakistani side, Pakistani officials were sitting across the table with the same people, what was the feeling? When Khawaja Asif, the Defense Minister and other people, the spy master, the ISI chief, they were sitting in front of the same people, the same Taliban who had lived in Pakistan for years, who were sheltered and hosted there for years, while negotiating with them. There must be some feeling. And there was question from my backside, and perhaps you forgot to answer that question, there must be some concern from the Afghan side as well, because the other side also say something. What are their concerns? And how do you see this foreign policy? Is it a failure of Pakistan's foreign policy? Are they, the Taliban government, we are using a new word, Taliban Regime, they did not honor their commitments. What has happened that created another enemy, or they have created another enemy on the border. Now we have two enemies. Spokesperson: You are very right that when Taliban took over, we were positively engaged. You may recall Pakistan organized an OIC emergency conference here in Islamabad. There was a certain optimism in the air that with this development, Afghanistan's trade and connectivity potential would be realized. But unfortunately, in the last four years that dream has remained somewhat elusive. I can assure you that the sincerity of purpose and intent of Pakistan for Afghanistan was there in 2021-2022 timeframe when we were organizing this conference, and the same sincerity of purpose and intent prevails now when we are taking part in Doha and Istanbul meetings. However, our sincerity is reciprocated by the gruesome introduction of the TTP and other violent armed groups using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan and to kill our brothers, our sons, our soldiers. So, this is what has changed. And I come to the second part of the question, I would be very careful in saying the Taliban as "enemies", or categorizing them as such, particularly now that we are taking part in talks soon. We are in a very delicate process, so I will choose my words very carefully. The message from Pakistan to Taliban regime in Kabul is clear to stop these attacks, control and apprehend these terrorists of the TTP and other armed groups, and our relations could be back on track. And this is not an unreasonable demand. We are not asking for moon. We are asking Taliban regime to uphold their own commitments. We are asking them to uphold the international law on these issues. As regards the Indian Embassy, I have already answered this question in response to Miss Mariam Ilahi's question. (Sumaira Khan, Samaa TV): First of all, welcome aboard in such a turbulent time, the news is flowing through your office, days and night. My question is that we had this round of talks in Doha. It merely had a cerebral effect afterwards or we are actually seeing something practically happening from Afghan side, because a series of negative statements is being issued and conducted by all the Afghan higher offices. So, I need your precious input in that. So, what exactly we are hoping from the next round in Istanbul? Second part is not just one dam on Kuner and Kabul rivers, we are hearing about six dams being built with the assistance of India, billions of dollars, and $3 billion have been requested by the Afghan side to India in recent Delhi visit of the Interim Foreign Minister Muttaqi. So, do we see that it is a replica of that water policy, water aggression against Pakistan being implemented on the western border as well that has earlier been implemented by India on the eastern side? Spokesperson: You used a very interesting phrase about the cerebral effect. I think I answered this question. Basically, as I was just asking Taliban regime to end cross-border terrorism stemming from Afghanistan against Pakistan, our aim is to restore peace and stability. And in order to have a certainty that terrorism has ended, we are asking for a concrete and a verifiable mechanism. We should be positive about the future. As regard the issue of dam on Kunar River is not new. You would recall, certainly our distinguished seniors who are here, would also recall that this issue probably has been there since the time of King Zahir Shah and Sardar Dawood, and it was definitely during the governments of President Karzai and Ghani. We monitor the new developments as they unfold. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): President Trump has wished many times to receive Nobel Peace Prize. But Israel is constantly violating Gaza ceasefire. Does Israel intend to dash Trump's wish of attaining Nobel Peace Prize? Secondly, Muslim properties and assets are getting damaged and destroyed in India. Their homes are getting bulldozed. Your comments on such incidents? Thank you. Spokesperson: So, what transpires between US and Israel is not for us to comment upon the decision. President Donald Trump played a significant role in the recent events, which eventually led to the ceasefire and subsequent progress. I do not think that we are in a position to pass a final verdict on government A or a government B exerting their influences. Your other question about Muslims in India is very important. Their treatment of Muslims, particularly instance of lynching and home demolitions, you would recall certain reports from India documenting discrimination against minorities including Muslim Sachar Committee Report was one such document. We would urge India to uphold its commitment on fair treatment of minorities, including Muslims. Thank You. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Head of the Federal Customs Service Valery Pikalev Ahead of Customs Officer Day, Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Head of the Federal Customs Service Valery Pikalev. October 24, 2025 14:10 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon. Mr Pikalev, how's everything going? What are the results? Head of the Federal Customs Service Valery Pikalev: Mr President, Thank you for this opportunity to report on the Federal Customs Service's key performance results ahead of Customs Officer Day. This year, we have completed the first stage of implementing the Service Development Strategy and have summed up its results. Given the unprecedented sanctions pressure from unfriendly countries, we have made the necessary adjustments to the measures of the second stage of the Strategy, which runs until 2030, and have already begun its implementation. We have carried out the required structural and organisational staffing measures and addressed matters pertaining to service progression and the training of customs personnel. Thanks to your support, the process of replacing civil service positions with staff positions is continuing. Starting this year, nearly 4,000 customs officers will benefit from more competitive salary levels and an expanded package of social guarantees. In furtherance of your instruction, work is underway to organise the construction of service housing near checkpoints in the Far East. Between 2028 and 2029, we plan to allocate 388 apartments to customs officers. We are improving medical provision, expanding the departmental health resort network, and creating the necessary infrastructure for service operations in the historical territories. In the near future, we plan to complete repairs in the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. We will do everything to ensure worthy conditions for our officials. This year, we have opened 15 specialised customs classes in 12 schools located in Vladivostok, Murmansk, Perm, Kazan, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Astrakhan, Krasnodar, Lugansk, and Donetsk. We are developing targeted training programmes at the Russian Customs Academy, and starting next year, we will provide additional scholarships to students enrolled in them. In order to attract young specialists to the customs authorities, we plan to introduce cadet positions for academy students, awarding them special ranks. In short, graduates of our academy will receive the rank of lieutenant in the customs service and a guaranteed five-year contract to serve in the customs authorities. This year, our entire country celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. I would like to report that on this memorable day, for the first time, our students - future customs officers - took part in parade formations on the main squares of Moscow, St Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, and Vladivostok. It is no coincidence that I am placing such emphasis on personnel, as we understand that only by building a reliable team of professionals can we accomplish any task, no matter how complex. We pay particular attention to supporting participants in the special military operation, with 84 of them currently serving in the combat zone. Since this year, a dedicated advanced training programme has been established at the Russian Customs Academy for returning special military operation participants - 186 in total - to enhance their professional skills. This enables them to reintegrate smoothly into civilian life and continue their service as part of our customs team. To date, 58 veterans of the special operation have completed these courses. Mr President, they are undoubtedly our pride, an example of patriotism and faithful service to the Fatherland. We also continue to support officials working in the reunified and border territories. In line with your instructions, a special service bonus has been introduced for customs officers in the historical territories: they now receive a 100 percent bonus. In addition, officers of the special rapid response units of the customs authorities operating in border areas receive an additional payment for life-threatening conditions. Vladimir Putin: How much? Valery Pikalev: Sixty percent. Mr President, the service's activities this year have been primarily focused on fulfilling your instructions: developing international transport and logistics corridors, expediting the movement of goods across borders, and implementing economic support measures. Vladimir Putin: Are shipments along these routes increasing? Valery Pikalev: They are, yes; up by 6.3 percent. We are expanding and enhancing cooperation with the customs services of foreign countries through whose territories the North-South and East-West transport corridors pass, as well as the Azov-Black Sea and Caspian routes. To reduce the time required for state control at checkpoints, we are implementing the "two agencies at the border" principle, whereby border guards conduct passport control while customs officers handle all other forms of inspection: transport, quarantine and sanitary, veterinary, and other controls. Under this model, 53 checkpoints are already operational, including 14 in the free port of Vladivostok, 26 in the Arctic zone, and a further 13 checkpoints that have been added to this list since September 1, 2025, across various regions. According to our estimates, consolidating the authority of other control agencies within the customs service reduces the average duration of state control procedures at checkpoints to 15 minutes. This represents a significant improvement in time efficiency. Additionally, to expedite clearance at vehicle checkpoints we are relocating goods inspections to alternative arrival and departure points situated away from checkpoints or at the final destination. Under these conditions, we have secured daily federal budget revenues averaging over 20 billion rubles. To date, we have transferred a total of 4.5 trillion rubles to the federal budget. Of this, imports account for 3.745 trillion rubles, exports for nearly 400 billion rubles, and other payments for 343 billion rubles. The Federal Customs Service's revenue target for 2025 stands at 5.9659 trillion rubles. To date, we have fulfilled 75 percent of this target. Russia's trade turnover for the first nine months of 2025 amounted to slightly more than US$425 billion, with exports totalling US$255 billion and imports US$170 billion. We operate on the principle of balancing state and business interests. Our service remains open to dialogue with compliant participants in foreign economic activity. We regularly meet with business community representatives and participate in numerous councils and working groups. Before making significant decisions, we conduct consultations and necessary discussions. At the same time, Mr President, we are taking all necessary measures to counter illicit trafficking and have stepped up inspections aimed at combating grey imports. I would like to report that, in line with our legal mandate, a mobile customs team operating near key checkpoints is conducting random vehicle inspections based on a risk management system. So far this year, these inspections have identified over 7,000 vehicles, with a total weight of 123,000 tonnes, that were transporting goods in violation of customs regulations. Our inspection efforts also extend to goods already circulating on the domestic market. The most common illicit imports we have detected include motorcycles, electronics, various types of equipment, and tobacco products. We recognise that combating grey market goods requires a system-wide approach. To this end, the Finance Ministry, together with the taxation and customs authorities, is developing a national proof of delivery system, known as SPOT. As part of this system, customs will be empowered to verify that a delivery from EAEU countries is expected and confirmed. The pilot for SPOT will launch on April 1, 2026, with full implementation scheduled for July 1, 2026. Vladimir Putin: Could you clarify what you mean by "expected delivery"? Valery Pikalev: Essentially, it means a vehicle carrying goods intended for the Russian market cannot cross the border without verified confirmation from a Russian tax resident that they are waiting for that specific shipment. Vladimir Putin: Otherwise, they could just turn around and go. Valery Pikalev: Precisely. Vladimir Putin: I see. And these vehicles currently benefit from privileged treatment within the EAEU. Valery Pikalev: They do. But with SPOT, we will have certainty that there is a specific consignee expecting the goods, with all the corresponding payments and documentation in order. Vladimir Putin: So this is a key part of the fight against grey imports. Valery Pikalev: Exactly. Vladimir Putin: Good. Valery Pikalev: Mr President, following your instructions, we have implemented robust measures to combat the illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition. To date, more than 1,000 illicit items have been seized. This includes firearms such as pistols, carbines, and rifles, alongside cartridges, bladed weapons, and other related items. Thanks to very close - and I would say, constructive - cooperation with other agencies, particularly the Federal Security Service, to whom I extend my personal gratitude, our joint efforts have yielded significant results in combating drug smuggling. This year alone, the volume of intercepted substances has exceeded 34 tonnes. This includes narcotics of both natural and synthetic origin, precursor chemicals for their manufacture, as well as potent and psychotropic substances. Furthermore, the number of criminal cases falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of customs authorities has risen by 20 percent. These cases involve the smuggling of strategically important goods, cultural treasures, valuable flora and fauna, among other serious offences. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation 24 October 2025 09:00 1767-23-10-2025 On October 24, the international community marks the 80th anniversary of the UN. Its establishment is one of the main results of Victory in the Second World War. The defeat of Nazism, to which our country made a fundamental contribution, created conditions for shaping a new system of international relations. The international community, which witnessed the horrors of the war, set itself the noble goal of preventing a repetition of that devastating tragedy. The leaders of the victorious nations, who became the architects of the UN-centric world order, rose above their differences in the name of building durable peace and security for all nations. However, the Western camp almost immediately set course for weakening the Universal Organisation, which has prevented it from making full use of its potential. Nevertheless, the UN has scored a number of historic achievements, creating the foundations of the modern multipolar world order. One of them was the adoption of the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was adopted at the Soviet Union's initiative and has led to the appearance of dozens of independent states on the world map. Criticism of the UN has recently gathered momentum again. Some even claim that it has fulfilled its historical mission and is no longer relevant. It is true that there are many problems in the operation of the UN, including the Secretariat's bias, low efficiency, excessive red tape, and irrational use of funds. However, they are not rooted in structural drawbacks but in some delegations' views of the UN and the way they are using the opportunities offered by it. The Universal Organisation is a reflection of the member states' political will and negotiability. None of this can put in question the undeniable fact that the UN is the most successful international organisation in history whose power lies in the unprecedentedly broad representation and scope of authorities. The UN Charter remains fully topical and can meet all the requirements of the age of multipolarity. The fundamental principles of interstate relations enshrined in it have withstood the test of time and must be strictly complied with in their entirety and as a whole. Of course, the UN should be adjusted to polycentric realities, but any changes should be rational, well-balanced and aimed at strengthening the institutional foundations of the Universal Organisation, preserving the "division of labour" between its main bodies, and enhancing the effectiveness and operational capacity of the UN. It is equally important for these changes to be closely monitored by the member states and to result in enhancing the role of the Global Majority countries. Russia as a founding state of the UN and a permanent member of its Security Council is aware of its responsibility for the Organisation. Russia is prepared to continue working energetically jointly with numerous like-minded countries towards full restoration of the central coordinating role of the UN in international affairs, which has been set out in its Foreign Policy Concept, and towards strict compliance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli regime launches attack against village in southern Syria IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist regime has fired at Koya village in southern Syria's Daraa province. The Israeli army shelled an area in Syria's southern Daraa province on Wednesday evening, using three different types of munitions, local media reported. The shelling northwest of the village of Koya was accompanied by bursts of gunfire, according to Al-Ekhbaria TV. No reports on possible casualties are available. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan slams China for designating Oct. 25 'Taiwan Restoration' day ROC Central News Agency 10/24/2025 11:09 PM Taipei, Oct. 24 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Friday slammed Beijing's designation of Oct. 25 as "Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration," calling it a move to "fabricate" the claim that Taiwan belongs to the People's Republic of China (PRC, China's official name). The decision by the Chinese authorities to establish a so-called "Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration" is an attempt to "belittle our country and fabricate the claim that Taiwan belongs to the PRC," MAC said in a statement issued Friday evening. As Taiwan's top agency for cross-strait affairs, the MAC said the Taiwanese people "will never accept" such a move, criticizing Beijing for trying to amplify a false historical narrative and one-sided political framework of "one China across the Taiwan Strait" and "one China internationally." "Taiwan Retrocession Day commemorates Oct. 25, 1945, when representatives of the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name), on behalf of the Allied powers, accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in Taiwan," MAC said. The council also noted that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had not yet established the PRC in 1945. "Taiwan Retrocession Day has nothing to do with the PRC, nor with the CCP, which made no positive contribution to the war against Japan," the council added. MAC's statement came after China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported earlier in the day that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress -- NPC, the top legislative body in China -- had adopted a decision to designate Oct. 25 as the "Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration." The decision, made in accordance with the PRC Constitution, stipulates that the state "hold commemorative activities in various forms" on Oct. 25 to mark the commemoration day, the Xinhua report read. "The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance [against Japanese Aggression] and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan," Xinhua said, citing the decision. "It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China," Xinhua added. According to the report, Shen Chunyao (), director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, told the committee that the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender "in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers" was held in Taipei on Oct. 25, 1945. "From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction," Shen added. He said establishing the commemoration day and holding commemorative activities "at the national level" would serve purposes such as honoring the "indisputable fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China" and consolidating the international community's "commitment to the one-China principle." It can also motivate "all Chinese to strive together for national reunification and national rejuvenation," Shen added. Before the Chinese government designated Oct. 25 as the "Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration" on Friday, the Taiwanese government had already designated the day "Taiwan Retrocession Day and Memorial Day of Great Victory at Kuningtou Kinmen" and made it a public holiday in 2025 after a 24-year hiatus. That decision was made after a vote in the Legislature supported by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) but opposed by the governing Democratic Progressive Party. "Taiwan Retrocession Day" had long been a public holiday in Taiwan until December 2000, when the then-Chen Shui-bian () administration revised the law, announcing that from 2001 seven national holidays -- including "Taiwan Retrocession Day" -- would be retained only as commemorative days with no day off. To the ROC government, "Taiwan Retrocession Day" commemorates the transfer of control of Taiwan proper and the Penghu Islands from Japan to the ROC on Oct. 25, 1945, after 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. That transfer date was nearly four years before the founding of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949. Despite the ROC government's relocation to Taipei in late 1949 at the end of the Chinese Civil War, Taiwan and the outlying islands of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu remain under ROC control to date and have never been ruled by the PRC, which claims sovereignty over these areas. As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the ROC and the PRC have clashed multiple times over their respective roles in the Second Sino-Japanese War and over commemorations such as Sept. 3 Victory over Japan Day and Oct. 25 Taiwan Retrocession Day. (By Sunny Lai) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges Germany to take clear stance against 'Taiwan independence' after foreign minister's remarks on Taiwan island Global Times By Global Times Published: Oct 24, 2025 04:42 PM When asked to comment on reports that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul claimed in an interview that the German government "one-China policy remains unchanged" and they "decide on its design," adding that there must be no violent change to "the status quo," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "We hope that Germany will strictly abide by the one-China principle and take a clear and unequivocal stance against all forms of 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities." There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is the most complete and accurate definition of the one-China principle, and it is the only one. There is no room or justification for any "decide on its design" interpretations, said Guo. The greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits today comes from the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces and the connivance and support they receive from external forces. To truly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, one must adhere to the one-China principle and explicitly oppose "Taiwan independence," said the spokesperson. Merely talking about maintaining the "status quo" while refusing to oppose "Taiwan independence" in essence amounts to condoning and supporting separatist activities, which will seriously undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, Guo said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China ratifies Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Xinhuanet EditorHuang Panyue Time2025-10-24 19:56:19 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Friday voted to designate Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. The state will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day, according to the decision adopted at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), which opened on Friday. In 1895, the Qing government, having been defeated in a war initiated by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. In 1945, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan's restoration to the motherland. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan, according to the decision. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and a shared glory and national memory for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, it added. The decision was made in accordance with the Constitution, aiming to safeguard the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, to demonstrate the firm will to uphold the one-China principle and defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to strengthen the shared national memory of compatriots on both sides, it said. When explaining the draft decision to the NPC Standing Committee, Shen Chunyao, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, noted that on Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. In recent years, NPC deputies, national political advisors and compatriots from Taiwan have repeatedly proposed the establishment of a commemoration day of Taiwan's restoration and holding commemorative events, Shen said. Establishing the commemoration day and holding commemorative activities at the national level will help honor the indisputable fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, consolidate the international community's commitment to the one-China principle, urge compatriots on both sides of the Strait to inherit and promote the spirit forged in the War of Resistance, and motivate all Chinese to strive together for national reunification and national rejuvenation, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/10/24 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Oct. 23 (Thu.) to 6 a.m. Oct. 24 (Fri.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1141024_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141024_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China ratifies Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:07, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Friday voted to designate Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. The state will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day, according to the decision adopted at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), which opened on Friday. Zhao Leji, chairman of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session's plenary meetings and meetings of the Council of Chairpersons during the first day of the session. In 1895, the Qing government, having been defeated in a war initiated by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. In 1945, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan's restoration to the motherland. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan, according to the decision. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and a shared glory and national memory for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, it added. The decision was made in accordance with the Constitution, aiming to safeguard the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, to demonstrate the firm will to uphold the one-China principle and defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to strengthen the shared national memory of compatriots on both sides, it said. When explaining the draft decision to the NPC Standing Committee, Shen Chunyao, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, noted that on Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. In recent years, NPC deputies, national political advisors and compatriots from Taiwan have repeatedly proposed the establishment of a commemoration day of Taiwan's restoration and holding commemorative events, Shen said. Establishing the commemoration day and holding commemorative activities at the national level will help honor the indisputable fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, consolidate the international community's commitment to the one-China principle, urge compatriots on both sides of the Strait to inherit and promote the spirit forged in the War of Resistance, and motivate all Chinese to strive together for national reunification and national rejuvenation, he said. OTHER LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS During the plenary meeting on Friday afternoon, legislators reviewed draft amendments to the Cybersecurity Law, the Environmental Protection Tax Law and the Organic Law of Villagers' Committees, as well as draft revisions to the Organic Law of Urban Residents' Committees and the Maritime Law. Drafts of the environmental code, a draft law on procuratorial public-interest litigation and another draft law on farmland protection and quality improvement were deliberated at the meeting. Legislators also reviewed criminal judicial assistance treaties with Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, among other bills. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chairs' statement following 24 October Coalition of the Willing Leaders' meeting European Council / Council of the European Union European Council Statements and remarks 24 October 2025 20:34 The Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron today co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, attended by President Zelenskyy. Leaders were united in their support for Ukraine, in particular during the challenging winter period, and desire for a just and lasting peace and an end to the bloodshed. They welcomed President Zelenskyy's support for a full, unconditional ceasefire. They noted that President Putin, by contrast, had rejected a ceasefire, and that Russia had escalated its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure and recklessly violated NATO airspace. They fully supported President Trump's comments that the current line of contact must be the starting point for any talks. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principle that borders must not be changed by force. Leaders underlined the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia now and until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine has been secured. They resolved to take further steps to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, end remaining imports into their territories, and deter third countries from trading in Russian oil and gas and fuelling Russia's war effort. They welcomed the United States' recent action to that end. In addition, Leaders agreed to pursue additional measures to tackle the threat posed by shadow fleet vessels to the maritime environment and national security. These would include further sanctions, steps to discourage third countries from engaging with the shadow fleet, increased information sharing as well as readiness to make use of regulatory and interdiction powers. They agreed to take forward closer coordination to increase collective impact. They also expressed their intent to address Ukraine's pressing financial needs for 2026-2027 including working up options to use the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to defend its territory and rebuild its armed forces. They were clear that this should be in addition to existing flows of bilateral military aid, which would not diminish. They strongly condemned Russia's ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure, an effort clearly intended to create a humanitarian disaster and break the resilience of the Ukrainian people. They agreed to ensure Ukraine's energy resilience and to provide urgent assistance to protect and rebuild energy infrastructure, and to continue to provide additional military support, including air defence. Finally, they reiterated their determination to put in place robust arrangements for Ukraine's future security, so that it can deter and defend against future attack. They confirmed that plans are in place to deploy a Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, with a view to help secure Ukraine's skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine's armed forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President: It Is essential to continue strengthening Ukraine's armed forces President of the Republic of Lithuania October 24, 2025 Friday evening, President Gitanas Nauseda took part remotely in the Coalition of the Willing leaders' summit. The meeting was co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Lithuanian leader emphasized that the meeting took place at a crucial moment - following significant decisions by the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at compelling the Kremlin to end its war against Ukraine. The President underlined that one of today's key objectives is to strengthen Ukraine's Armed Forces. "Strengthening the armed forces is essential for Ukraine's stability and for preventing future aggression," he stressed. President Nauseda also noted that transatlantic unity is crucial to achieving peace through strength. "We welcome the United States' decision to impose sanctions on major Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft. At the same time, the 19th sanctions package adopted by the European Union sends a clear signal of our determination to compel the Kremlin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. Now is the time for other countries to join these sanctions and ensure their effective implementation in coordination with the G7 and other international partners," hesaid. According to the President, the international community must work together to make Russia understand that it has no choice but to agree immediately to a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table. "To ensure this is not an empty threat, it is essential to start preparing the 20th sanctions package now and to reach an agreement as soon as possible on the use of Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine's defense needs," the President state during the meeting. The Coalition of the Willing was established at the initiative of France and the United Kingdom in February 2025. The coalition includes more than 30 countries, primarily NATO and EU member states. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press statement by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 24 Oct. 2025 (As delivered) Thank you and good afternoon, And as Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said, we have just concluded a very productive meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. And I welcome the initative Allies are showing to strengthen our support to Ukraine even further. Just two days ago I was in Washington, where I had a very good meeting with President Trump. The sanctions that the US has placed against Russia's largest oil companies will starve them of revenue and significantly increase the pressure on Putin to come to the negotiating table. And they show once again that President Trump is absolutely committed to end this war and bring a lasting peace to Ukraine. I am glad that I was able here today to join Allies and partners to discuss how we support these peace efforts and how we can increase the pressure on Russia to get there. In Ukraine, Putin is gaining little new ground on the battlefield - and where there are marginal gains they are coming at a huge price. Hundreds of thousands of Russians are dying for Putin's deluded aggression. Ukraine continues defending itself bravely and our support to them is working. The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas. President Trump said it very well - they should stop where they are now. And now is the right time to increase the pressure on Russia. So we can finally get a fair and a just peace for Ukraine. I therefore welcome the recent announcements by European Allies and Canada of additional military aid to Ukraine. The developments on the battlefield show that our support to Ukraine is working, and we need to keep it up. We need to pair this support with sanctions and economic pressure, and the EU's 19th sanction package against Russia is another good step in this direction. On both sides of the Atlantic, we want this war to end. And the good discussions this week in Washington, yesterday in the European Council, and now in London indicate we're moving in the right direction. Thank you so much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv's Western Backers Ready To Go 'Further Than Ever' To Punish Russia, Starmer Says By RFE/RL October 24, 2025 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine's Western backers are ready to take to the next level their efforts to punish Moscow for continuing Europe's deadliest war in decades and force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Starmer made the statements following a meeting in London with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of the the Coalition of the Willing, a grouping of more than 20 nations helping the embattled country. The meeting comes after months of intense efforts by US President Donald Trump to convince Putin to end his 44-month old war -- the biggest on the continent since World War II -- have failed. "We've been clear today, that we must respond. Working with the US, this coalition is determined to go further than ever, to ratchet up the pressure on Putin -- from the battlefield to his war economy -- because that is the only way to change his mind and push him back to the table," Starmer told a press conference following the two-hour meeting. Starmer, who set up the coalition with French President Emmanuel Macron, was joined in person by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Netherland Prime Minister Dick Schoff, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Zelenskyy. Other leaders participated virtually. Starmer said the group had agreed on a plan to support Ukraine through the rest of the year that included curtailing Russian energy revenue, tapping Moscow's foreign currency reserves to back loans to Ukraine, and supplying Kyiv with additional air defense as well as long-range missiles. "I think Putin's strategy has been to wait for us [allies] to stop at some point to give up. But of course, this will never happen," Frederiksen said. Rutte offered hope that increased pressure on Russia along with the mounting costs of the war would force Putin to the negotiating table. "The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas," he said. The UK prime minister announced that his country is accelerating plans to deliver 5,000 light-weight multi-role missiles to Ukraine. However, he did not give specifics on the coalition's potential delivery of long-range missiles to Ukraine. The UK and France have supplied Storm Shadow and Scalp long-range cruise missile to Kyiv in the past. Missiles, Sanctions Zelenskyy is seeking more powerful, long-range Western missiles to continue striking Russia's energy facilities. Oil accounts for about a third of Russia's federal budget revenue and any significant drop in oil exports would hurt Moscow's ability to fund its war. Russia's economy is already in a precarious situation amid soaring war expenses and declining oil prices, which this month hit a nearly five-year low. Ukraine has carried out a sustained attack on Russian oil facilities this year with its less-powerful long-range drones, damaging more than a dozen refineries. Zelenskyy last week traveled to Washington to request US long-range Tomahawk missiles but Trump turned him down. However, in a surprise move, the US president agreed this week to sanction Russia's two-largest oil companies. It was the first economic penalties imposed on Russia by the Trump since taking office nine months ago. The US sanctions were coordinated with the UK and similar moves by the EU. The impact of the latest round of Western sanctions hinges on whether China and India, the two-largest buyers of Russian oil, move to curtail purchases. In his remarks following the coalition meeting, Starmer indirectly urged those nations to cut back on Russia's "tainted resources." Russian Attacks Zelenskyy's visit to Britain on October 24 came as Russia continued its relentless attacks on Ukraine, killing two people and injuring at least 17 in overnight drone and artillery strikes on the Kherson region in the south and carrying out other assaults from the air and on the front lines, local authorities said. Officials in the Russian region that surrounds Moscow, meanwhile, said five people were injured when a drone hit a suburban apartment building early on October 24. Ukraine has carried out numerous drone attacks in Russia, but most of them target energy and military infrastructure and strikes on Moscow are rare. Russia has battered Ukraine with near-daily drone and missile strikes, causing numerous civilian casualties, while pushing forward slowly on the front lines. It has also targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, battering its natural gas fields and power plants just as winter approaches. Schoff said that the coalition is "very concerned" about Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which have forced Kyiv to recently seek greater volumes of natural gas imports from Europe. Schoff said the Netherlands, will increase "financial and material support" for Ukraine's energy needs and urged other partners nations to consider doing the same. Starmer reiterated his view that Europe should tap the more than $200 billion in Russian central bank reserves held in Belgium to support Ukraine, an idea that has been under discussion since shortly after Putin launched the war in February 2022. European Union leaders meeting in Brussels a day earlier fell short of reaching an agreement to tap the more those reserves after Belgium raised legal and technical concerns about the proposal. "We want to move ahead at speed with the work needed to deliver reparation loans and get the funds flowing to Ukraine," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-attacks- coalition-willing-missiles/33569266.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspects Yug Group of Forces 24 October 2025 04:01 Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held a meeting at the tactical command post of the Yug Group of Forces. There he was briefed by the officers of the staff on the current situation in the Group's area of responsibility and actions of the enemy. Commander of the Group of Forces Colonel General Aleksandr Sanchik reported to the head of the Russian Defence Ministry that as a result of resolute and professionally-conducted operations, Dronovka in the DPR had been liberated during the day. The Minister has congratulated and expressed gratefulness to the servicemembers for their courage they demonstrated during the liberation of Dronovka. Colonel General Aleksandr Sanchik noted that the units of the formation are regularly supplied with motorbikes, ATVs, and buggies according to the Minister's order. Moreover, specialists of the repair units produce self-propelled carriers for the forward edge of the battle area, which depending on the tasks, are equipped with additional modules for effective conduct of operations. Andrei Belousov was also informed that they constantly employ and improve ground robotic systems in the units. 'Each formation of the Group of Forces deployed workshops to assemble, restore, improve, and modernise robotic systems. In October, multipurpose ground robotic systems supplied over more than 1.5 tonnes of cargo to the forward edge,' stated Aleksandr Sanchik. The Minister of Defence saw the ground robot developed by the specialists of the Yug Group of Forces. It can carry a number of strike FPV drones and a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. The system can advance at a range of several kilometres. It is also equipped with a stationary charger for the UAV which makes the platform more autonomous. At the end of the visit, Andrei Belousov presented servicemen, who had distinguished themselves in the zone of the special military operation, with state awards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Albares reaffirms support for Ukraine with delivery of 70 generators through AECID Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS RELEASE 124 The equipment will provide electricity and heating in the areas most affected by Russian attacks ahead of the winter season 24 Oct 2025 The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, reaffirmed Spain's commitment to Ukraine this Friday with the delivery, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), of 70 electric generators. These will help address the severe shortage of energy infrastructure, largely destroyed by ongoing Russian attacks. "As Ukraine faces its fourth winter of this conflict, we are sending 70 electric generators, donated by Spain via AECID", Minister Albares said at the handover ceremony alongside Ukraine's Ambassador to Spain, Yuliia Sokolovska. This delivery will enable the population to have access to electricity, lighting, and heatingessential resources for coping with the cold winter temperatures. "In these circumstances, Spain will stand resolutely with Ukraine in the face of the unjustifiable aggression it has endured for three and a half years, offering unwavering support for as long as it is needed", the minister stressed. Restoration of energy services The delivery responds to the urgent request made by Ukrainian authorities to Spain on 8 October, aimed at restoring energy services to ensure the population's survival as the cold season approaches. In Albares' words, "With this donation, we aim to help the people of Ukraine face what promises to be a very difficult winter, given the recent Russian attacks on key energy facilities and other critical infrastructureattacks that have been particularly intense over the past two months". Each of the 70 generators to be delivered by AECID has a capacity of around 7 kVA and can operate in both single-phase and three-phase modes, providing significant versatility. These generators will be distributed primarily in the Sumy region, located in northeastern Ukraine, which has a population of over 250,000 and has been particularly affected by the Russian offensive in recent weeks. During the coldest months, temperatures in the area range from a maximum of -5 C to a minimum of -12 C. Commitment to Ukraine Since the conflict began four years ago, Spain, through AECID and in partnership with decentralised cooperation (regional and local authorities), has allocated over 110 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukraine. "This represents an unprecedented effort; Spanish Cooperation has never before disbursed a humanitarian aid package of this scale", the minister pointed out. This aid has been channelled across various areas, including support for internally displaced persons, humanitarian demining, the provision of electric generators, the equipping and rehabilitation of schools, and support for services protecting victims of gender-based violence. In his address, Albares reaffirmed Spain's commitment to Ukraine: "Spain will continue to support the people and Government of Ukraine in defending their freedom and sovereignty, not only through humanitarian assistance, but also with political, financial, and military equipment support". The minister recalled that, in addition to the humanitarian and military aid sent since the onset of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Spain fully enforces the 19 EU sanctions packages adopted to date, has established the Ukraine Reconstruction Office to support Spanish companies wishing to participate in the country's reconstruction, and currently hosts over 250,000 Ukrainians, making it the country with the fourth largest Ukrainian diaspora within the European Union. "We pledged to stand by Ukraine against this unjust war, and we are honouring that commitment", the minister emphasised. "We will continue to do so for as long as necessary, until Ukraine is once again what it has always been meant to be: a free, sovereign, and peaceful country", he concluded. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM's remarks at the Coalition of the Willing press conference: 24 October 2025 Speech Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks at the Coalition of the Willing press conference at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 24 October 2025 Location: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, London Delivered on: 24 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Good afternoon everyone. Volodymyr, Let me start by paying tribute to you and to the Ukrainian people. You are fighting not just for Ukraine. But for the freedom and security that is cherished by the British people - And by all Europeans - every single day. Just a few moments ago here in the United Kingdom, we saw the sentencing of six men here in the UK for a Russian-sponsored arson attack on a warehouse in East London. Storing humanitarian aid and satellite equipment destined for Ukraine. We will not tolerate this hostile activity. And it just underlines the point: your security is our security. What happens on the frontline of Donetsk today is shaping our collective future for years to come. That's why Emmanuel and I brought the Coalition of the Willing together today. We stand with you, stronger than ever. United behind Ukraine and united with President Trump in calling for the fighting to stop now. And for negotiations to begin from the current line of contact. President Trump is right to have imposed sanctions on Russia's oil majors - As the UK has also done alongside the latest package from the EU. And we must now maintain this pressure. Volodymyr, you have said for months that you're ready for a ceasefire - and ready to meet Putin. Yet he continues to stall and play for time. Putin is the only person who does not want to stop this war. His strikes on civilians this week made that crystal clear once again. Targeting energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Hitting young children in their nursery. Claiming the lives in Kyiv of a 12-year-old girl and a six-month old baby. This is who Putin is. Time after time he rejects the chance to end the war. In the last few days, he has rejected the opportunity for talks once again. Instead making ludicrous demands for Ukrainian land which he could not and has not taken by force. Of course that is a non-starter. And it shows yet again that he's not serious about peace. So we have been clear today that we must respond. Working with the US this Coalition is determined to go further than ever to ratchet up the pressure on Putin - from the battlefield to his war economy - because that is the only way to change his mind and push him back to the table. And in our meeting this afternoon we came together around a clear plan for rest of this year. First, we will act to take Russian oil and gas off the global market. Last week the UK became the first country to sanction all of Russia's oil majors. On Wednesday, the US acted decisively to join us. Together with further sanctions from the EU we are choking off funding to Russia's war machine. I am urging others to take these steps too to go further to reduce their dependencies and incentivise third countries to stop buying these tainted resources. Second, we are determined to push on with the progress on Russia's sovereign assets and unlock billions to help finance Ukraine's defence. The bill for Russia's destruction in Ukraine should be paid by Russia. So we want to move ahead at speed with the work needed to deliver reparations loans. And get the funds flowing to Ukraine. Third, we are strengthening Ukraine's air defence. To protect its civilians and its energy infrastructure. I announced today that we are accelerating our UK program. To provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles. This program has created hundreds of brilliant jobs in Belfast and they are working now to deliver an additional 140 missiles ahead of schedule. To bolster Ukraine's defences through the depths of winter. Fourth, we will keep up the military pressure on Putin through the continued provision of long-range capabilities. And finally, while now is the time to prioritise pressure, we are also continuing our work on security guarantees including the Multinational Force Ukraine to uphold a just and lasting peace, when that day finally comes. Because, I say it again, Ukraine's future is our future. What happens in the weeks and months ahead is pivotal for the security of the UK and all our allies across NATO and beyond. So we are determined to act now. To dial up the pressure on Putin and finally bring him to the negotiating table in good faith. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 24 October 2025 Press release The Prime Minister hosted the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at Downing Street this morning, ahead of a Coalition of the Willing meeting. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 24 October 2025 The Prime Minister hosted the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at Downing Street this morning, ahead of a Coalition of the Willing meeting. The Prime Minister began by reiterating the government's steadfast support for Ukraine, both today and long into the future. Paying tribute to President Trump's leadership on sanctions this week, the Prime Minister said the progress made on applying pressure on Russia's economy through oil and gas sanctions was a really significant moment. It was now vital countries built on that momentum and went further to supply long-range capabilities to Ukraine, the leaders agreed. Turning to Russia's systematic targeting of critical national infrastructure, the leaders said it was extremely important to step up support to Ukraine's national grid and look at new solutions to keep the lights on in villages and towns hit by Russian strikes through the winter. The leaders agreed to speak again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 24 October 2025 18:10 New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Pleased to continue dialogue with New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Oslo today. I informed my colleague in detail about the consequences of Russia's recent massive attacks and the frontline situation. We exchanged views on the current peace efforts and our further joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine, develop our bilateral relations, and expand cooperation within international organizations. Grateful to New Zealand for the recent sanctions package and continued solidarity with Ukraine". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha was received by Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 24 October 2025 14:50 Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I was honored to be received by Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre. We followed up on Prime Minister's meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in particular on energy and defense. There is a special trust between our leaders and it has a very important impact on the fruitful cooperation between our nations. We discussed ways to support the Ukrainian military and enhance our resilience amid Russia's recent attacks against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure. I informed about the results of the negotiations between our defense companies during my visit to Oslo. We are working on new important achievements. I also shared our assessments on the battlefield situation and peace process, with particular regard to the upcoming Coalition of the Willing meeting. We exchanged views on how to bring a just peace closer and ensure that Russian aggression will never repeat. I reiterated Ukraine's sincere gratitude for Norway's $13.5 billion in comprehensive military and civilian support". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Norway's Minister of Defense Tore Onshuus Sandvik Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 24 October 2025 12:49 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a very substantive meeting with Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik and thanked him for all Norway Ministry of Defence efforts to support Ukraine. In 2025, Norway allocated $7 billion for military-technical assistance to Ukraine, and plans to do the same in 2026. Crucially, the vast majority of these resources strengthen Ukraine's defense industry and international initiatives aimed at providing Ukraine with equipment. Just last week, Norwegian government committed to providing $200 million for the PURL initiative. We discussed Ukraine's immediate and long-term priorities and needs. We also agreed on concrete next steps to further advance Ukraine-Norway defense cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis. Our bilateral industrial cooperation is becoming increasingly essential as Russia continues its brutal war and relentless attacks against Ukraine. The security of Ukraine and the rest of Europe is indivisible and our country is its important contributor. With the help of friends like Norway, we remain steadfast and continue our work to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal and Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy discuss establishment of joint ventures and reinforcement of air defence Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 24 October, 2025, 3:02 PM EEST Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with the German delegation headed by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche. The delegation also included representatives of German energy and defence companies. "The previously announced 9 billion in assistance will significantly strengthen Ukraine's capabilities next year," stated Denys Shmyhal, thanking Germany for its unwavering support across all areas. He briefed the German delegation on the current and forthcoming winter threats facing Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal further noted that the combination of Ukraine's experience and Germany's industrial capabilities can significantly strengthen the capacity to counter russian attacks. He underscored the importance of strengthening air defence, sustaining the energy sector, and supporting Ukrainian manufacturers. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine also held talks with Katherina Reiche on the next steps to advance industrial cooperation. "Our joint ventures demonstrate positive development dynamics, which highlights the need to expand such projects. I am grateful to Germany for its steadfast support of Ukraine and its firm commitment to Europe's defence," concluded Denys Shmyhal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MoD's DOT introduces QR codes on field rations to collect feedback from service members Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 24 October, 2025, 10:00 AM EEST From now on, service members can leave feedback on field rations by scanning the QR code printed on the packaging of DPNP (daily field ration pack) and DPNP-P (enhanced daily field ration pack) individual field ration packs. This tool is part of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine's State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT) strategy, which focuses on continuously improving the supply system based on service members' real experiences. Starting in October 2025, the inclusion of a QR code on the packaging will be mandatory for all field ration manufacturers. Through the survey, information is collected on the level of satisfaction with field rations covering specific dishes, packaging, and overall impressions. The survey form includes both closed-ended questions for rating and open-ended ones that allow service members to describe what they dislike and what changes they would like to see. The analysis of collected data will help identify the main requests of service members in particular, those related to taste, packaging convenience, and the balance of meals within ration packs. These insights will be used to support decision-making aimed at improving field rations. Field rations featuring QR codes are already being supplied to military units. The first stage of data collection and processing is currently underway, so all service members who have already received field rations with QR codes are encouraged to participate in the survey. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer Discussed Defense Cooperation Development and Ways to Increase Pressure on Russia President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 19:22 In London, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. The Head of State thanked the United Kingdom for its steadfast support in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, including the recent joint statement by leaders on peace for Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the Prime Minister about the consequences of Russia's deliberate strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and civilian facilities. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom expressed his condolences over the deaths of Ukrainians. The leaders devoted special attention to the development of joint defense production. The President presented the OCTOPUS interceptor drone developed by the Ukrainian military. The United Kingdom will produce these drones for further testing in Ukraine. After the tests, the United Kingdom is ready to scale up production both domestically and in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the United Kingdom to join the PURL initiative. The parties also discussed strengthening sanctions policy to push Russia toward genuine negotiations. The Head of State emphasized the importance of the recent British sanctions package targeting Russia's oil sector and shadow fleet, as well as the sanctions imposed by the United States and the 19th EU sanctions package. Keir Starmer noted that there are further opportunities to increase pressure on Russia's oil and gas industries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the President of Ukraine During the Joint Press Conference with Leaders of the Coalition of the Willing Member States and the NATO Secretary General President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 22:12 Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, Keir, Mette, Dick, Mark, and everyone here, Thank you for today's meeting, today's Coalition. These are two important days for us, very important: today the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in London, and the day before there was an EU leaders' meeting in Brussels. I thank you, guys, for all the support and your readiness to keep helping. And today all the partners confirmed that next year they will continue to support Ukraine - our country, our resilience - especially the financial support, which is crucial. And today the new Prime Minister of Japan joined the Coalition for the first time, and all the signals are clear - thank you. We all see the challenges these days. The Russians are carrying out a campaign of terror against our energy system. They really want to make the winter cold a tool of torment and pressure on Ukraine - on our people and on our defense. Russia's goal hasn't changed - they want to break us, they want to break Ukraine, and they are doing everything to achieve it. So that's why our defense means everything that truly stops Russia from killing, destroying, and terrorizing. First - air defense. Today we spoke in detail with our partners about the systems. It's important that our partners focus on what's most practical and effective. We gave all the details. Second - of course, it's important that everyone agrees the front needs substantial attention, and the focus must be on it, and thanks for all the steps of help. And third - we are promoting a more meaningful approach to diplomacy. Diplomacy matters only when it can lead to real decisions. And when it comes to Russia, that "dish" has many ingredients. The essential ones are real forms of pressure on Russia: sanctions, our long-range capabilities, political pressure, accountability for war crimes, and real actions regarding Russian assets. Today we all agreed. Sanctions that hit Russian oil infrastructure, Russian oil companies are a big step. And I thank President Trump and all our partners who are implementing this. And we have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies like Surgutneftegas and others, and to the shadow fleet and its infrastructure, and to Russia's oil terminals. And we have to implement all we have discussed today about Russia's shadow fleet. Besides, we are carrying out our own campaign of pressure with drones and missiles - specifically targeting the Russian oil sector. So the long-range capability directly strengthens diplomacy - the more losses Putin suffers on his own territory, the fewer assaults he can carry out on the front line, and the faster he will agree to meaningful diplomacy. That is why we are working to secure Tomahawk cruise missiles, additional Storm Shadow missiles, and other capabilities. Thank you very much, Keir, for today's decision. Thank you for your support, for what you said, including about the long-range capability. There must be no option left for Russia except to end the war and return peace to our country. Of course, I also want to thank our partners for working with us to produce weapons - for investing in our country, for joint projects, and for the agreements we are now implementing. And one more point is the PURL program, I thank you for each contribution. Mark, thank you for coordinating this program, for each contribution. And today we agreed to step up in the coming months. Peace is born from pressure on the aggressor, and that is what we must continue to do. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Coalition of the Willing in London Discussed Priorities in Supporting Ukraine and Further Work On Security Guarantees President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 21:53 In London, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the Coalition of the Willing leaders' meeting, co-chaired by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron (online). In total, around 40 participants joined the meeting, including Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who were present in person. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the key priorities of the meeting were air defense, energy, sanctions, and long-range capabilities. "Putin has not achieved any of his real goals on the ground - no gains on the front line, and he turned to what he truly believes in - terror. And of course, we need to protect our critical infrastructure - and prevent any blackouts," the President said. The Ukrainian delegation informed partners about the need to support and restore the country's energy infrastructure. This winter, Ukraine will also require gas imports, as Russia continues its targeted attacks on related facilities. Our country is already cooperating with Norway on this issue. The Head of State also noted that Ukraine is discussing with the United States an agreement on the purchase of the required number of Patriot systems. "There are already a significant number of Patriots and other air defense systems in Europe that, fortunately, are just on standby. And we could use them now to protect lives, so we don't have to wait the line," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President expressed particular gratitude to the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Japan for their sanctions against Russia, as well as all those contributing to these restrictive measures. "And now there is one more important decision by the United States of America - sanctions against two large Russian oil companies. Pressure on Russian oil is an instrument to end the war, I'm sure. And all Russian oil companies - including Rosneft, Lukoil, Putin's own oil company Surgutneftegas, and others - must be blocked," the Head of State stressed. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has no intention of ending the war, and Vladimir Putin does not want any proper meetings. The President called for efforts to create in Russia a will to negotiate. "And I'm ready to meet in any meaningful format, and the current line of contact could be the starting point of negotiations, real negotiations. And we must all remember that the issues of territorial integrity, as well as any alleged "trade of lands," must not pay off the aggressor or reward any future aggressions in the world," the Head of State noted. The President emphasized that the issues of Tomahawks, Storm Shadows, SCALPs, and joint production of drones and missiles are vital. As soon as Vladimir Putin felt pressure and the possibility of Tomahawks appearing in Ukraine, he declared his readiness to resume talks - but once the pressure eased, he again abandoned diplomacy. The Head of State called for expanding long-range capabilities and activating teams to finalize work on the future framework for security guarantees. "On the day the war ends, we must be ready with all the security guarantees. And right now, it's time to practically implement all these initiatives, like PURL, SAFE, and support in Capability Coalitions," the President concluded. The meeting was also attended online by: President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of Romania Nicusor Dan, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rossen Jeliazkov, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Silina, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre, Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, Vice President of Turkiye Cevdet Ylmaz, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Giorgos Gerapetritis, Permanent Secretary of State of Iceland Martin Eyjolfsson, Minister of Defense of Canada David McGuinty, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Johann Wadephul, Minister of Defense of New Zealand Judith Collins, Minister State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal Paulo Rangel, Minister of Defense of Slovenia Borut Sajovic, Chief of Staff for Foreign Affairs and Security to the Prime Minister of Belgium Pascal Heyman, High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom Stephen Smith, and High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom Hamish Cooper. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by the President of Ukraine at the Coalition of the Willing Leaders' Meeting President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 21:24 Dear friends! I'm glad to see you. And thank you for your participation. Keir, Emmanuel - thank you for co-chairing the Coalition. And thank you to the other leaders, of course, and representatives. Today with us is the new Prime Minister, as Emmanuel said, Prime Minister of Japan, Takaichi Sanae - thank you. And Japan is now paying more attention to defense, like many other nations, and we are ready to work with you closely. So, our priorities for today - number one is air defense and energy. And Keir said about it. And you can see that Putin has not achieved any of his real goals on the ground - no gains on the front line, and he turned to what he truly believes in - terror. And of course, we need to protect our critical infrastructure - and prevent any blackouts. Our team will give your teams the key measures to help our energy sector. And this covers equipment and other items. And we are also talking about gas. Yes, we need a significant amount of imported gas for the coming winter because Russian strikes hit our production. And we're already working with Norway, and Norway has been very helpful on this. Thanks, Jonas. And I urge everyone who understands this priority to help us finance the necessary volume of imports. Next - air defense. There is an important issue for Europe. And we're now discussing with the United States a deal to buy the needed number of Patriot systems. They can be delivered, of course, not immediately, but after some time. There is a line of countries waiting for deliveries - and we're trying to change the line, and it is not an easy task. And there are already a significant number of Patriots and other air defense systems in Europe that, fortunately, are just on standby. And we could use them now to protect lives, so we don't have to wait the line. And it would be very useful if we could get these systems now also from Europe and then replace them later when our turn comes in the deal with the Americans. And I ask every country that has these systems to consider this practically. Third - sanctions. Thank you to the UK and the EU, and Canada, and Japan for the sanctions against Russia for the war, as well as everyone who joins in these efforts. And now there is one more important decision by the United States of America - sanctions against two large Russian oil companies. Pressure on Russian oil is an instrument to end the war, I'm sure. And all Russian oil companies - including Rosneft, Lukoil, Putin's own oil company Surgutneftegas, and others - must be blocked. Their access to the world market must be cut off - this will bring Putin back to reality and greatly limit the Russian war machine's money. And I thank President Trump for this path of pressure, and I thank the countries that are already taking these steps. And I ask all the others to join. One more point - diplomacy. Right now, Russia does not want to end the war, and Putin does not want any proper meetings. Everything Putin does is an attempt to delay new forms of pressure. We must create in Russia a will to negotiate. And I'm ready to meet in any meaningful format, and the current line of contact could be the starting point of negotiations, real negotiations. And we must all remember that the issues of territorial integrity, as well as any alleged "trade of lands," must not pay off the aggressor or reward any future aggressions in the world. And unfairness... Unfairness equals danger - do not give Russia any reason to think they can finish this war with any outcome that is unfair to all of us. Only a strong and fair solution to end the war will really work. Please support us in this. And we all know the parameters. And our long-range capabilities help with that - and I thank everyone - every country, every leader - who is contributing. The questions about Tomahawks, about Storm Shadows, SCALPs, about our joint production of drones and rockets - these are vital. And as soon as Putin felt pressure and the possibility of Tomahawks appearing in Ukraine - he immediately declared his readiness to restart talks, but as soon as the pressure disappeared, he abandoned diplomacy again. So it's obvious for us what to do. We need more deep-strike capabilities. And one more point. I urge you to push your teams so we can finalize, together with our team, work on a future framework of security guarantees. On the day the war ends, we must be ready with all the security guarantees. And right now, it's time to practically implement all these initiatives, like PURL, SAFE, and support in Capability Coalitions. In July, by the way, in July in Rome, the Coalition reaffirmed to provide 40 billion euros in military support of our Security and Defense Force. And we need to implement that. Thank you, friends! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Europe Is Politically Ready to Channel Frozen Russian Assets Into Comprehensive Support for Ukraine - Address by the President President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 21:01 Dear Ukrainians! A meeting with leaders in London has already taken place - this is the third positive development for Ukraine in just a few days. More sanctions against Russia are coming - and they will be aligned with the decision of the United States. This is a very right move by the U.S. President - sanctions against two Russian oil companies that export large volumes of oil. Today, all participants, without exception, in the Coalition of the Willing agreed that this is exactly how pressure should continue - on Russian oil: Russian oil companies, terminals, Russian tanker fleet, and the entire infrastructure of the aggressor. Today we agreed on decisions that can help us a lot. We will not disclose all the details yet, to make things harder for Putin. And even though Russia is now signaling to the world that sanctions supposedly don't affect its economy, everyone can see the truth: gas station lines inside Russia, bankrupt Russian regions, and Russia's federal budget deficit. Sanctions remain one of the most painful blows for Putin, personally for him. Second, there are very important agreements on financial support for Ukraine. Europe is politically ready to channel frozen Russian assets into comprehensive support for Ukraine and Ukrainians, and yesterday the European Council reached a political decision - the clear framework for using the assets, and this framework has been defined. We now also agreed in Europe that this framework must be implemented by the end of the year. Overall, the mood in Europe is such that we understand: funding for Ukraine, for our people, will be secured for next year. Third - everything related to weapons, air defense, and positions on the frontline. There are already new packages from our partners; our approach to long-range capabilities is also gaining more support. And this means there will be more precise long-range sanctions - direct-action sanctions against Russia's war machine. And it works over thousands of kilometers. I also want very much to thank everyone supporting us in the issue of air defense, of systems: we are working with countries to increase the number of Patriots and compatible missiles. There is also a decision from Italy today - they are preparing a support package for our energy sector. Thank you. There is a decision from Norway to fund gas purchases - thank you very much! We have good agreements with other countries, our European partners, and teams are now working to implement them. And we will continue addressing energy issues with the new Japanese Government- the new Prime Minister of Japan took part in the Coalition of the Willing meeting today. And we expect that each G7 member - from the U.S. and Canada to Japan - will continue their steps to support us, support Ukraine, and support our people. And of course - Sweden. There is a new and major agreement for our combat aviation: we are working on the Gripen fleet, excellent combat aircraft. We have signed the first document, and we are counting on 150 aircraft. And this is a long-term security guarantee for a strong and modern independent Ukraine. This is a historic step. We thank everyone who is helping us! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and the NATO Secretary General Coordinated Positions Ahead of the Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 19:51 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, President of France Emmanuel Macron (online), Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a meeting ahead of the session of the Coalition of the Willing in London. The leaders coordinated steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and protect its critical energy infrastructure. They discussed enhancing air defense, as well as leveraging the opportunities provided by the PURL and SAFE initiatives. The participants have a shared position: it is crucial to continue working together with the United States of America to achieve peace for Ukraine and develop clear and reliable security guarantees. The leaders also agreed on the need to further tighten sanctions pressure on Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is ready for diplomatic steps - but this must be real negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Next EU Sanctions Package Should Include Further Restrictions on Russia's Financial Sector and Alternative Payments, Personal Sanctions, and the Shadow Fleet Infrastructure - Vladyslav Vlasiuk President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 17:37 Advisor - Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk met with the newly appointed Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine, Thomas Lund-Srensen. "It has been an eventful week with very successful results achieved yesterday. I would like to sincerely thank Denmark for its help in this challenging process of securing unanimous support from the European Union member states for the 19th sanctions package. We do not plan to stop here - we must work on the 20th package," said Vladyslav Vlasiuk. It is important that the next sanctions package include further restrictions on Russia's financial sector and alternative payments, personal sanctions, and the infrastructure of the shadow fleet. The Advisor - Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy also welcomed the establishment of a joint non-governmental project - the Center for Geoeconomics and Resilience, which will host a Sanctions Hub of Excellence. The Center will analyze the economic impact of sanctions, develop new sanction proposals against Russia, and strengthen research on the shadow fleet. Thomas Lund-Srensen reaffirmed Denmark's continued support for Ukraine and its readiness to cooperate on new sanctions and advancing sanctions packages within the European Union. He also expressed hope for the effectiveness of the newly established Center for Geoeconomics and Resilience. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine Met with King Charles III of the United Kingdom President of Ukraine 24 October 2025 - 16:12 His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland received President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle. The Head of the Ukrainian State expressed gratitude to His Majesty and to the entire United Kingdom for their unwavering support of our people, as well as for their strong public messages in support of Ukraine and the pursuit of peace for our country. Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed King Charles III on the situation in Ukraine and the current challenges facing the nation. The President also highlighted the recent visit of the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, to Kyiv and her important humanitarian mission focused on children and families affected by the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SHANGHAI, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Port exported 2.05 million vehicles in the first three quarters of 2025, marking a 15 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for over one-third of China's total auto exports during the period, according to Shanghai Customs. The Waigaoqiao port area in the city's Pudong New Area has handled over 1 million vehicle exports annually for four consecutive years. Customs data shows that exports via the Haitong international automobile terminal -- one of China's largest auto-export terminals and the world's largest "ro-ro" (roll-on/roll-off) facility for automotive imports and exports -- surpassed 1.1 million units, which was a 14.2 percent year-on-year increase and a record high. Over 60 percent of these exports were new energy vehicles. The terminal currently operates routes to 289 ports across 131 countries and regions, with an average of two to three ro-ro vessels shipping made-in-China vehicles to global markets daily. Russian Envoy Says US, Russia, And Ukraine Are Close To A 'Diplomatic Solution' To War In Ukraine By RFE/RL October 25, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation said he believes the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are close to a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine. "I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine actually quite close to a diplomatic solution," Kirill Dmitriev said on CNN on October 24. Dmitriev confirmed earlier that he is in the United States for a long-planned meeting. He did not say with whom he would be meeting. US news reports said he would meet Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on October 25. TASS quoted Dmitriev as saying he would also meet other people without naming them. US President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions this week to press Russia to end its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The US Treasury Department announced on October 22 that it was sanctioning state-controlled Rosneft and privately owned LUKoil , whose exports go a long way toward filling the Kremlin's coffers. "These are very big -- against their two big oil companies," Trump said, describing the sanctions as "tremendous." A day later, Brussels targeted Rosneft and Gazpromneft, another major oil company that is a subsidiary of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom. Dmitriev said the sanctions are not such a big issue, telling CNN that Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will never act under pressure and the sanctions will lead to higher gasoline prices in the United States while Russia just sell less oil at a higher price. "So I think the real issue is how to continue a dialog how to have a peaceful resolution to the crisis while having realistic solutions rather than put forward unrealistic solutions," Dmitriev said. Pressed about why Putin refuses to agree to a cease-fire and freezing battle lines where they are, Dmitriev said Russia wants not just a cease-fire but a final solution to the conflict. He said a cease-fire can always be broken or used by the warring parties to rearm. "It's a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that it's about battle lines," Dmitriev said. "His previous position was that Russia should leave completely. So actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out." Dmitriev also said the he believes a Trump-Putin summit will happen but "probably at a later date." Trump spoke to Putin last week and said he planned to meet him in Budapest within the next few weeks, but Trump later canceled the meeting but said it could take place another time. "The Russia-US dialogue will continue, but it is certainly only possible if Russia's interests are taken into account and treated with respect," Dmitriev said. Asked about Trump's frustrations that while his phone conversations with Putin are productive, Russia nevertheless continues hitting civilian targets, Dmitriev said the Russian military's position is it only hits military targets. Ukraine endures nearly nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles that hit apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other major cities far from the front line. Asked about an attack this week that hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Dmitriev said the Russian military is not targeting kindergartens, but it should be asked about this specific situation. "I'm not a military guy," he said. "I'm just working to have dialog and make sure that the conflict is ended as soon as possible." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-dmitriev- putin-trump-war/33569761.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Make this Chamber Worthy of Hopes of Every Man, Woman, Child,' Secretary-General Tells Security Council, Marking Organ's Eightieth Anniversary Press Release Secretary-General / Statements and Messages SG/SM/22878 24 October 2025 Following are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' virtual remarks to the Security Council on its eightieth anniversary, in New York today: Greetings from Hanoi. We meet today on the eightieth anniversary of a body that has shaped the United Nations and the course of history. In the spring of 1946, the first ballot box of the Security Council was opened for inspection before voting. To everyone's surprise, there was already a slip of paper inside. It was a message from the box's maker a local New York mechanic named Paul Antonio. He wrote: "May I, who have had the privilege of fabricating this ballot box, cast the first vote? May God be with every member of the United Nations Organization, and through your noble efforts bring lasting peace to us all all over the world." That humble note reminds us why the Security Council exists: for people. Sincere, hopeful people who, for the last eight decades, have placed their trust in this institution to save them from the scourge of war. The privilege to sit at this table carries a duty above all to honour the faith of those people. And to channel the resources so often spent on war, to the causes of development and peace. On many pivotal occasions, this Council has delivered on that task. Together, you have helped Cambodia emerge from genocide and South Africa from apartheid; deployed missions that helped bring peace to Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Liberia and beyond; and built a lasting global framework to combat terrorism. Above all, you have given us 80 years without the chaos of a great Power war. The Council is a vital necessity and a powerful force for good. But at the same time, its legitimacy is fragile. Too often, we have seen members of this body act outside the principles of the Charter principles we have all freely agreed to as sovereign nations. When that happens, it not only stalls action in the moment; it erodes trust in the entire United Nations project. It also puts us all in great danger. When one nation flouts the rules, others think they have licence to do the same and history tells us, with brutal clarity, where that road leads. Reform of the Security Council is imperative, and long overdue, for the maintenance of global order and safety. This includes expanding the membership. Almost half of all UN peacekeeping missions along with numerous special political missions take place in Africa. Yet Africa has no permanent voice at this table. The Pact for the Future calls on us to correct this imbalance as a matter of urgency. It also highlights the underrepresentation of Latin America and the Caribbean, while the Asia-Pacific region home to more than half of humanity holds only one permanent seat. Expanding the membership is not only about justice; it is also about results. It has the potential to undo deadlocks and offer stability in our increasingly multipolar world. I have also noted with interest the proposals of France and the United Kingdom to limit the exercise of the veto, and [I] encourage this Chamber to examine them. The Security Council is not about hegemons and empires. It is about parents who have lost their children, refugees flung far from their homes [and] soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs. In every shadow of this Chamber, you are surrounded by the ghosts of the dead. But beside them stands something else the hopes of the living. Listen closely and you will hear the cries of your citizens who rally for peace; the whispers of families who long for safety. A poet once said, "The greatest prayer of man is not for victory, but for peace." The United Nations emblem does not bear the laurel wreath of a victor, but the olive crown of a peacemaker. To the privileged few who sit at this table, I urge you be worthy of that crown. The time has come to open the doors of the Chamber and let in the light. Because without a Security Council fit for purpose, the world is in grave danger. It is our duty to forge a body that can meet the challenges of the next 80 years one that delivers justice and safety for all. Paul Antonio the mechanic never sat at this table. He never gave a speech or signed a treaty. But he believed in everyone here. He believed in you. I urge you: honour that trust. Make this Chamber worthy of the hopes of every man, woman and child. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reform 'Imperative', Secretary-General Tells Security Council, Calling for Expansion of Membership, Renewed Commitment to 'We the People' Meetings Coverage Security Council 10024th Meeting (AM & PM) SC/16201 24 October 2025 Marking the UN's eightieth anniversary, the Secretary-General today reminded the Security Council that its mission is not about great Powers but about "the lives of parents, refugees and soldiers about human suffering and human hope", urging the "privileged few who sit at this table" to uphold that mandate. UN Chief Antonio Guterres recalled that the Council's purpose remains rooted in people's hopes for peace, symbolized by the humble note placed in its first ballot box in 1946: "May God be with every member of the United Nations organization, and through your noble efforts bring lasting peace to us all". Yet the organ's legitimacy today is fragile. Too often, States have acted outside the Charter, eroding faith in the United Nations and setting a dangerous precedent that others may follow. "Reform of the Security Council is imperative and long overdue", he stressed. Expansion of membership is essential to ensure representation and fairness, especially for Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific, whose voices are underrepresented despite bearing much of the burden of peacekeeping, Mr. Guterres said. A more inclusive Council could help overcome deadlocks and strengthen stability in today's multipolar world. At the same time, restraint in the use of the veto is necessary. The UN emblem itself, bearing the olive crown, embodies that vision of peacemaking. The "privileged few who sit at this table" must be worthy of that crown. Looking ahead, the call is clear: open the doors of the chamber, reform the institution, and make it fit for the challenges of the next eighty years, he said. Presidential Statement Reaffirms Commitment to UN Charter, as Delegates Trade Barbs over Decline of Rules-Based Order At the meeting's outset, the Council in a presidential statement read out by the representative of Russian Federation (to be issued as document PRST/2025/7), in his capacity as President for the month of October reaffirmed its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and an international order based on international law. It also reaffirmed its own primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Acknowledging the vital role of peacekeeping operations and special political missions, it welcomed cooperation with regional and subregional organizations and arrangements. In the ensuing open debate held on UN Day, marking 80 years since the Charter's entry into force the Russian Federation's delegate, in his national capacity, noted the UN's many accomplishments over the last eight decades, as well as its many lows. He said that the question of Palestine remains outstanding, and that certain Member States are now assuming the role of global rulers. "In an effort to maintain its waning influence, the West divided the world into 'us' and 'them' 'democracies' and 'autocracies' a group of those who are chosen, and those who are violating their imposed order," he added. As a result, many of the UN Charter's principles remain only on paper. From the invasion of Iraq and the orchestration of Colour Revolutions to the recent invasion of Iran, Western States justify their actions by citing ephemeral threats, Moscow said. But those adventures have only resulted in tragedy and eroded the UN's authority. "It is our shared responsibility to prevent further deterioration of the global situation [...] for the sake of future generations," he stressed. Several Council members pushed back, with the United Kingdom's delegate saying: "We must highlight the hypocrisy of the Russian Federation positioning itself as a champion of the Charter." That country's invasion of Ukraine and other malign activities targeting numerous States raise serious doubts about its adherence to the very Charter it claims to celebrate. "This makes a mockery of the very platform we have been given in the Security Council," he said. "We need look no further than Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," added Denmark's delegate. This hypocrisy should not detract from this opportunity to reflect on and strengthen the UN, which has never lacked in frameworks for action from the SDGs to the Pact for the Future. "Give credit where credit is due," echoed Slovenia's delegate, while also acknowledging mounting violations of the Charter and international law in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and elsewhere. The Organization must address emerging security threats such as climate change, cyberattacks, and terrorism which "do not stop at our borders" and demand collective action. UN Reform: More Representation, Ideals Intact "We must reform the UN without violating our ideals," said France's delegate. The Council itself must also be reformed to become more representative, he stressed, reiterating France's support for efforts to curb the use of the permanent members' veto power. In a similar vein, Greece's representative called for curbing veto use in cases of atrocity crimes. Reforms must make the UN "fit for purpose" to meet twenty-first century challenges, she added. Speakers also shared how the UN helped shape the world in which they gained independence or healed from conflict. The Republic of Korea's representative recalled that his country was "liberated from colonial rule in the very year the United Nations was founded". Panama's delegate highlighted the country's journey to full sovereignty through the UN, noting how former military sites became the City of Knowledge, a regional hub for education, science, and sustainable development. "The UN stood with us" during civil war, remembered Sierra Leone's delegate. African countries also spotlighted the need to correct "historical injustices" against the continent, with Algeria's delegate stressing that this action must be done in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. "Our scars are particular," added Somalia's delegate, pointing to the mapmakers who carved Africa apart and the freedom fighters who put it back together. Somalia entered the family of nations in 1960, placing its faith in the UN as the ultimate guarantor of justice, but that "faith is now under strain", he said. Africa must be allocated two permanent seats, "to do otherwise is to sustain an architecture of institutionalized inequality", he underscored. Also on the topic of fair representative, Guyana's delegate pointed out: "In no other international structure in the world can 6.6 per cent of the vote cancel 93.3 per cent." Echoing other speakers, she voiced support for permanent membership for Africa and the Latin America and the Caribbean region, as well as a rotating seat for small island developing States. Pakistan's delegate said that permanent members who are "open to expanding their exclusive club" in order to preserve their position of privilege must instead commit to genuine reform and also voiced support for the African model of regional representation. Out with Double Standards, In with Just, Equitable Governance Speakers presented specific solutions to reforming the Council with China's delegate spotlighting his President's "Global Governance Initiative". "It presents China's solution to how to address the widening global-governance deficit and advance the establishment of a more just and equitable global-governance system," he said. The UN has "lost its way," said the United States' delegate, adding that as the largest budget contributor, "a strong return on our investment" is expected. Washington, D.C., calls for a purely merit-based selection of the next Secretary-General, one who will "reject initiatives outside the Charter's purpose, prioritize accountability and transparency, and respect State sovereignty". Other speakers described the role the UN played in shaping their nations, with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait recalling the Council's decision to support his own country against a foreign invasion 25 years ago. "The people of Kuwait will always remember this historic stance with loyalty and gratitude," he added. Venezuela's representative, speaking for the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, said the Charter's principles are "our shield, our guarantee of survival". But these principles are being eroded through military deployments in Latin America "disguised as actions of 'legitimate defence' that seek to simply advance regime-change policies and revive the infamous Monroe Doctrine". Indonesia's delegate described the UN as "a modern-day Noah's Ark" whose foundation has been eroded by double standards, adding that a vessel built in 1945 must undergo necessary repair to meet the demands of 2025. Respect for State Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Must Prevail Over Empire-Building, Use of Force Kyrgyzstan's delegate, underscoring the importance of strengthening the Organization's peacebuilding architecture to defuse tensions before they ignite, emphasized that preventive diplomacy and mediation remain vital tools to address disputes before they escalate into open conflict. Building on that emphasis on the Charter, the representative of Liechtenstein recalled that it explicitly states that no party to a dispute shall vote on related Council decisions. "An end to colonialism must also mean an end to empire-building," he said, regretting that Moscow continues to vote on draft resolutions concerning its war in Ukraine. Latvia's delegate added: "We cannot accept a reality in which a permanent member of the Security Council exercises the principle 'might makes right' by invading a sovereign State". Germany's representative likewise stressed that permanent Council members bear a particular responsibility to uphold the Charter, including its "most fundamental" rule prohibiting the use of force against the territorial integrity of others, lamenting that it was "unfortunately necessary" to reiterate this principle as a permanent member continues its war of aggression against a neighbour. Echoing that view, Iran's delegate affirmed that "the Charter's principles sovereign equality, non-interference, peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force remain universal and indivisible", citing as examples Israel's unprovoked 13 June attack on Iran, backed by the United States, and the failed attempt by three European participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to invoke the snapback mechanism under resolution 2231 (2015). The snapback effort, rejected by key Council members and 121 Non-Aligned Movement States, "lacks legal validity and is null and void", he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington, D.C., Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As tensions with Beijing escalate, a quiet economic war is unfolding beneath the surface of global trade. The Pentagons Defense Logistics Agency has begun stockpiling more than $1 billion worth of cobalt, antimony, scandium, and other metals critical to U.S. defense, energy, and artificial intelligence systems. The move, detailed in recent filings, is part of a broader White House strategy to counter Chinas near-total control of the worlds mineral supply chain. For decades, Beijing has dominated the processing and export of rare earth elements, materials that underpin everything from advanced fighter jets to electric vehicles. Former CIA and Pentagon advisor Jim Rickards believes this new push marks the beginning of what he calls Americas $150 trillion mineral endowment. Well guess who profits from locking up our vast mineral resources for decades? CHINA! Rickards said. The U.S. government admits we rely on China for nearly 100% of 20 key minerals. The Global Supply-Chain Standoff Chinas dominance in rare-earth production has given it powerful leverage over Western industries. Rickards points out that the situation came to a head last year when Beijing temporarily halted exports of germanium and gallium metals used in advanced chips and satellite systems sending shockwaves through global markets. China blocked the export of these critical minerals to the United States, Rickards warned. Meaning if we dont act our whole economy could tip into crisis. He compares the episode to the 1970s oil embargo, when a small disruption triggered massive economic consequences. The same kind of thing is happening today, Rickards said. The result has been a scramble by Washington to rebuild its own supply chains, revive domestic mining, and secure new foreign partnerships. But Rickards says the more transformative change is happening on U.S. soil. Trumps Counter-Strike According to Rickards, President Trump has made resource independence a cornerstone of his second-term agenda. Through executive action and new legislation, his administration is seeking to reopen federally owned lands that have been off-limits to development for more than a century. He cites Trumps own words: There are certain areas where we have great, raw earth and Im going to open them up. Rickards notes that, for the first time in a century, these lands are being cleared for exploration by American companies, creating what he views as an industrial revival rooted in natural resources rather than debt or speculation. At the same time, a landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning the Chevron Doctrine has removed the regulatory barriers that long empowered unelected agencies to block new mining projects. Rickards calls it an historic turning point for America. Together, the policy shift and legal changes represent what he describes as the first step toward reclaiming the nations birthright the mineral wealth trapped beneath U.S. federal lands. From Crisis to Opportunity Rickards estimates that the value of Americas untapped mineral base exceeds $150 trillion a number so large, its enough to pay off the national debt four times over and make every American family a millionaire on paper. He argues that unlocking these reserves could trigger a new industrial era, reversing decades of offshoring and creating an economic surge that dwarfs the New Deal. By shifting production back home, the U.S. could stabilize supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign powers, and recapture the technological edge it once held. This is not some kind of government program like those Covid relief checks, Rickards says. Its a chance for the average American to become richer than they ever imagined. A Strategic Turning Point Rickards frames the mineral push as both a security imperative and a generational investment opportunity. He believes the companies positioned to supply the Pentagon and develop newly reopened deposits could play a pivotal role in rebuilding Americas industrial base. In his presentation, The American Birthright, he details several U.S.-listed firms that already control early access to critical deposits now being prioritized by the government. The real battle, Rickards says, isnt being fought on Wall Street its being fought underground. About Jim Rickards Jim Rickards is a former advisor to the CIA, Pentagon, and U.S. Treasury. He predicted the 2008 financial crisis, Donald Trumps 2016 victory, and the 2020 pandemic lockdowns months before they occurred. Today he publishes Strategic Intelligence, a monthly briefing on geopolitics, economics, and national security. LONDON and PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avacta Therapeutics (AIM: AVCT, Avacta, the Company), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing pre|CISION, a tumor-activated oncology delivery platform, today announced the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating its novel first-in-class dual payload pre|CISION technology (AVA6207) at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Boston, Massachusetts. The data presented showcase the Companys innovative approach to delivering two distinct therapeutic payloads simultaneously to the tumor microenvironment (TME) through a single fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-mediated cleavage event. Avacta is the first company to develop dual payload peptide drug conjugates (PDCs), circumventing resistance mechanisms that cancer cells develop against single-drug therapies while maximizing therapeutic effect through targeted combination delivery. This approach has the potential to address several critical challenges in cancer therapy. The Companys dual payload pipeline currently comprises two strategic approaches: combination of microtubule inhibition and topoisomerase I inhibition (MMAE and exatecan), representing two distinct anti-cancer mechanisms with established clinical activity; and DNA damage response (DDR) agents (ATR or PARP inhibitors) combined with exatecan, where inhibition of DNA repair potentiates the cytotoxic effect of exatecan. Christina Coughlin, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Avacta, commented: The first dual payload peptide drug conjugate marks an important step forward in oncology therapy, significantly extending the potential of our pre|CISION platform by implementing combination cancer therapy in a single small molecule medicine. The synergistic enhancement in anti-tumor activity observed with our exatecan-DDR inhibitor combinations highlights the potential of targeting the tumor with a potent cytotoxic drug while attacking the known resistance mechanisms. We believe this technology has the potential to markedly improve outcomes for cancer patients, particularly those with highly-resistant tumors. The pre|CISION platform has been validated by compelling clinical data with faridoxorubicin (AVA6000, FAP-Dox), demonstrating a tumor-to-plasma payload concentration of 100:1 and a significant reduction in off-target toxicities despite dosing up to approximately 4x the dose of conventional doxorubicin. The new dual payload intellectual property extends the platform to release two drugs from one pre|CISION molecule, targeting highly-resistant cancers by addressing key resistance mechanisms. Key Preclinical Findings: The pre|CISION dual payload technology demonstrated robust FAP-selective delivery and potent anti-tumor activity across multiple complementary payload combinations: Validated dual payload release mechanism: Biologic and biochemical analyses confirmed simultaneous release of two independent payloads from a single FAP cleavage event. Modifications to the self-immolative linkers enabled tunable payload delivery kinetics, providing flexibility to optimize therapeutic profiles for different payload combinations. Strategic modifications of linker and capping group structures enabled optimization of compound activity. Biologic and biochemical analyses confirmed simultaneous release of two independent payloads from a single FAP cleavage event. Modifications to the self-immolative linkers enabled tunable payload delivery kinetics, providing flexibility to optimize therapeutic profiles for different payload combinations. Strategic modifications of linker and capping group structures enabled optimization of compound activity. FAP-selective tumor cell killing with maintained potency: Dual payload compounds achieved potent cytotoxic activity comparable to free payloads in the presence of FAP (IC50 values of 2-9 nM), while demonstrating minimal activity without FAP (IC50 >100 nM), confirming excellent tumor selectivity in 2D and 3D tumor spheroid models over the course of seven days. Dual payload compounds achieved potent cytotoxic activity comparable to free payloads in the presence of FAP (IC50 values of 2-9 nM), while demonstrating minimal activity without FAP (IC50 >100 nM), confirming excellent tumor selectivity in 2D and 3D tumor spheroid models over the course of seven days. Confirmed dual mechanism biomarker modulation: Target-specific biomarkers for both payloads were modulated only in the presence of FAP. FAP-Exd/MMAE compounds induced decreased TOP1 levels, DNA damage markers (H2AX, pCHK1), tubulin depolymerization, M-phase arrest, and characteristic S-phase and G2/M cell cycle arrest patterns, confirming both mechanisms of action were operational. Target-specific biomarkers for both payloads were modulated only in the presence of FAP. FAP-Exd/MMAE compounds induced decreased TOP1 levels, DNA damage markers (H2AX, pCHK1), tubulin depolymerization, M-phase arrest, and characteristic S-phase and G2/M cell cycle arrest patterns, confirming both mechanisms of action were operational. Enhanced synergistic activity addressing resistance mechanisms: FAP-Exd/PARPi and FAP-Exd/ATRi compounds demonstrated 4-5 fold greater FAP-dependent tumor cell killing compared to exatecan alone, directly addressing the known DDR-mediated resistance pathway to topoisomerase I inhibitors. FAP-dependent biomarker modulation confirmed payload release (reduced TOP1, PAR, and pCHK1 levels) alongside elevated DNA damage and apoptosis markers (H2AX, cleaved PARP), with synergistically increased H2AX demonstrating enhanced therapeutic effect. FAP-Exd/PARPi and FAP-Exd/ATRi compounds demonstrated 4-5 fold greater FAP-dependent tumor cell killing compared to exatecan alone, directly addressing the known DDR-mediated resistance pathway to topoisomerase I inhibitors. FAP-dependent biomarker modulation confirmed payload release (reduced TOP1, PAR, and pCHK1 levels) alongside elevated DNA damage and apoptosis markers (H2AX, cleaved PARP), with synergistically increased H2AX demonstrating enhanced therapeutic effect. Validated bystander mechanism in physiologically relevant 3D models: Tumor-fibroblast co-culture 3D spheroid studies confirmed that FAP-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts mediate payload release, resulting in concentration of both therapeutics in the TME and effective killing of FAP-negative tumor cells. Activity was dependent on FAP presence, with minimal effect in monocultures or upon FAP inhibition, validating the bystander mechanism of action. Dual payload cancer therapies represent a highly novel approach in oncology with the first dual payload antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) emerging in recent years. The pre|CISION platform has four key advantages over traditional ADC delivery, including tumor-specific payload release that avoids the toxicities associated with nonspecific release, small molecule manufacturing, better tumor penetration and bystander effect, along with a large addressable market of 90% of solid tumors. The poster presentation (Abstract #C123) titled Discovery and characterization of novel pre|CISION technology compounds delivering complementary dual payloads to the tumor microenvironment following FAP cleavage is available on the Companys website at https://avacta.com/. The Avacta team will deliver a presentation via Investor Meet Company to review the published data upon their return from the Congress at 16:00 GMT on Wednesday October 29, 2025. Details for the webinar will be posted on the Avacta home page and available through the Investor Meet Company platform. For further information from Avacta, please contact: Avacta Group plc Christina Coughlin, Chief Executive Officer https://avacta.com/ via ICR Healthcare Peel Hunt (Nomad and Joint Broker) James Steel / Chris Golden www.peelhunt.com Panmure Liberum (Joint Broker) Emma Earl / Will Goode / Mark Rogers Zeus (Joint Broker) James Hornigold / George Duxberry Dominic King www.panmureliberum.com www.zeuscapital.co.uk ICR Healthcare (Europe/UK media and investors) Mary-Jane Elliott / Jessica Hodgson / Stephanie Cuthbert avacta@icrhealthcare.com Investor Contact Renee Leck THRUST Strategic Communications renee@thrustsc.com Media Contact Carly Scaduto THRUST Strategic Communications carly@thrustsc.com About pre|CISION The key aspect of pre|CISION is its peptide drug conjugates (PDC) technology. The combination of the cancer drug and the proprietary cleavable peptide (the PDC) is inert and incapable of entering cells and killing them until the peptide is specifically released within the tumor. The active payload in the pre|CISION PDC is released when the PDC comes into contact with the common tumor-associated protein, known as fibroblast activation protein (FAP), in the tumor. The release of the payload from the pre|CISION product directly in the tumor results in higher concentration of the drug at the tumor and lower blood and healthy tissue levels than standard systemic administration, offering the potential to improve efficacy and patient tolerability. About Avacta -https://avacta.com/ Avacta is a clinical stage life sciences company developing an innovative proprietary drug delivery peptide drug conjugate (PDC) platform, pre|CISION. The pre|CISION platform uniquely enables the repurposing of a range of oncology drugs as PDC payloads with the goal to significantly reduce toxicity and side effects for patients by concentrating the drug directly in the tumor. San Francisco, CA, Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global digital-asset custody and investment firm DeLeion Capital today calls attention to the renewed potential of the Binance ecosystem, anchored by BNB, following the recent presidential pardon of Binance CO-Founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). The firm believes this development marks a pivotal turning point in crypto regulatory sentiment and presents a timely opportunity for asset-holders to partner with professional custody and management services to convert potential into performance. Market Headwinds Turning to Opportunities The U.S. governments decision to pardon CZ has reverberated across the crypto ecosystem, prompting investors and institutions alike to interpret the move as a sign of weakening regulatory headwinds. In tandem, BNB experienced a sharp uptick in trading volume and breached significant technical resistance levels, an early indication that investor confidence and institutional interest are returning. Against this backdrop, the Binance ecosystem has reclaimed fresh market attention as a core participant in the global digital-asset landscape. Professional Custody + Strategic Asset Management: With regulatory dynamics shifting and volatility remaining elevated, DeLeion Capital delivers a structured, team-driven approach to digital-asset growth that transcends passive buy-and-hold. Our platform combines: Expert Custody & Operations: Digitally native custody infrastructure, monitored and executed by a senior team of blockchain analysts and traditional finance professionals. Digitally native custody infrastructure, monitored and executed by a senior team of blockchain analysts and traditional finance professionals. Transparent Management: Investors enjoy real-time visibility into asset progress, strategy execution and settlements via a user-friendly interface. Investors enjoy real-time visibility into asset progress, strategy execution and settlements via a user-friendly interface. Risk Control Mechanisms: In recognition of fluctuating regulatory climates and crypto-market volatility, our processes deploy layered risk controls to limit exposure while enabling upside capture. Why Deleion Capital: Regulatory Momentum: The CZ pardon is widely viewed as a de-risking event for the Binance ecosystem and by extension BNB. The CZ pardon is widely viewed as a de-risking event for the Binance ecosystem and by extension BNB. Technical and Volume Breakout: The surge in BNB volume and price has established a plausible upward trajectory. The surge in BNB volume and price has established a plausible upward trajectory. Complexity for Individual Holders: Disparate, individual asset-management decisions in a fast-moving ecosystem carry greater execution risk; partnering with a professional platform offers a more rational pathway to participation. Legal and Compliant Operations: DeLeion Capital strictly adheres to the financial regulations of the regions in which it operates and upholds transparency. All potential outcome distribution records are traceable on-chain , ensuring open and fair accounting and eliminating any possibility of hidden fees or financial opacity. For example: Beginner Investment Experience Plan: Investment amount: $100, 2-day period, total net profit: $100 + $10. Entry-Level Investment Plan: Investment amount: $400, 4-day period, total net profit: $400 + $18.4. Classic Investment Plan: Investment amount: $900, 10-day period, total net profit: $900 + $108. Various investment plans are available to flexibly match different user levels and return goals. How to Participate: Register on the DeLeion Capital platform and verify your account . Select your plan aligned with your asset size and risk tolerance, particularly including BNB and related holdings. Entrust your assets to our managed custody and operations framework and monitor the performance live through our platform. Concluding Statement: In the current environment, where digital-asset markets are at an inflection point. DeLeion Capital functions as the bridge between passive ownership and active, professional asset-management. With the Binance ecosystem and BNB in the spotlight, this is not simply a time to hold your assets and watch, it is a time to act with structure, discipline and expert support. About DeLeion Capital: DeLeion Capital is a full-stack digital-asset custody and investment-management firm. With a focus on secure infrastructure, data-driven strategy and client transparency, the firm supports both individual and institutional investors seeking to navigate the evolving crypto ecosystem. 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About Blazpay Blazpay merges AI execution, perpetual trading, gamified rewards, and multichain services into a single DeFi hub. With Phase 2 presale at $0.0075 live, Blazpay stands out among new AI crypto coins as the Next Big Crypto Coin, offering retail and institutional investors a chance at significant early gains. Join the Blazpay Community: Website - https://blazpay.com Twitter - https://x.com/blazpaylabs Telegram - https://t.me/blazpay Media Contact: Contact Person: Alan Wright Email: alan@blazpay.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by Blazpay. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. 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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30d6e627-58b1-41e7-8ea8-0610e1f64db4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/594ef3da-f8bc-4041-9d8f-f216990bb154 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3881f384-6d81-4693-841d-b80873cb4b14 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6aa78c95-75f8-4335-9519-45e8a9f469e0 Austin, Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial, legal, or security advice. Product performance and user experience may vary. Always verify details through the official Credifence website before making a purchase. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. Credifence Expands Consumer Identity Protection Portfolio with Launch of RFID Blocking Card Technology Credifence, a consumer security brand operated by Rara Digital UAB, announces the commercial availability of its RFID blocking card, a passive security device designed to address growing consumer concerns about contactless payment card vulnerabilities and digital identity protection in an increasingly cashless economy. In This Release: Credifence introduces RFID blocking card utilizing CyberShield technology for 13.56 MHz signal disruption Product launch responds to rising consumer adoption of contactless payment technology and associated security considerations Technical specifications detail 5cm protective radius, passive operation, and three-year operational lifespan Market analysis indicates growing consumer demand for convenient RFID protection solutions beyond traditional blocking wallets Product availability includes international distribution with 30-day satisfaction guarantee policy TLDR: Credifence has launched an RFID blocking card featuring passive CyberShield technology that creates a 5cm protective radius to disrupt 13.56 MHz RFID and NFC signals from contactless payment cards, passports, and identification documents. The ultra-slim card design allows integration into existing wallets without requiring batteries or charging, addressing consumer demand for convenient identity protection solutions as contactless payment adoption continues to expand globally. Additional information about the Credifence RFID blocking card is available through the company's website. Market Context: Rising Adoption of Contactless Payment Technology Drives Security Product Demand The global contactless payment market has experienced significant expansion in recent years, with industry analysts reporting that contactless transactions now represent a substantial portion of card-based payments in developed economies. Financial institutions have issued hundreds of millions of contactless-enabled credit and debit cards utilizing 13.56 MHz RFID technology, fundamentally changing how consumers conduct daily transactions. This widespread adoption of tap-to-pay technology has created corresponding consumer interest in understanding and managing the security implications of radio frequency-enabled payment cards. While major card networks implement multiple security layers including encryption and dynamic authentication codes, consumers increasingly seek supplementary protection measures that address theoretical vulnerabilities associated with wireless payment technology. Market research indicates that consumer awareness of RFID technology and its security considerations has grown substantially, driven by increased media coverage of digital security topics and general heightened concern about identity protection in an increasingly connected environment. This awareness has translated into measurable demand for RFID protection products across various consumer segments, particularly among frequent travelers and urban professionals who regularly navigate crowded public spaces. Companies like Credifence have entered this growing market segment with solutions designed to address consumer security concerns. Additional context about the RFID protection product category is available through industry resources and consumer education materials. The Federal Trade Commission continues to provide consumer education resources about identity theft prevention, acknowledging multiple vectors through which personal and financial information may be compromised. While large-scale documented cases of RFID-specific payment card fraud remain limited relative to other fraud methodologies, security researchers have demonstrated technical feasibility of signal interception under controlled conditions, contributing to consumer interest in preventive measures. Disclosure: While RFID skimming represents a theoretical vulnerability in contactless payment systems, consumers should evaluate security product purchases based on their individual risk assessment and understanding that comprehensive financial security requires multiple protective strategies beyond any single product category. Product Launch: Credifence RFID Blocking Card Technical Specifications and Design Philosophy Credifence has developed its RFID blocking card as a response to identified consumer demand for RFID protection solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing daily routines without requiring wholesale replacement of personal accessories. The product represents the company's entry into the consumer identity protection category with a focus on passive technology that eliminates maintenance requirements. The technical architecture of the Credifence RFID blocking card centers on what the company designates as CyberShield technology, a passive electronic system designed to disrupt 13.56 MHz high-frequency RFID and NFC signals within a specified radius. Unlike active electronic devices requiring power sources, the card operates continuously through passive components that function without batteries, charging, or electronic activation procedures. Technical specifications for the Credifence product include: Physical Design: The card measures 1.1mm in thickness with CR80 standard dimensions (85.60mm 53.98mm), matching conventional credit card specifications to ensure compatibility with existing wallet designs and card slot configurations. Protection Mechanism: According to manufacturer specifications, the card generates a 5cm protective radius designed to disrupt RFID and NFC communication attempts from external readers. The mechanism operates on passive electronic principles, creating signal interference that prevents successful query-response exchanges between unauthorized readers and protected cards within the specified radius. Operational Parameters: The device targets 13.56 MHz frequency, which encompasses the standard operating frequency for contactless payment cards issued by major financial institutions, biometric passports, enhanced driver's licenses, public transit cards, building access credentials, and hotel keycard systems. Durability Engineering: Construction includes waterproof and tear-resistant materials selected for extended operational lifespan under typical wallet conditions. The manufacturer reports an expected functional lifespan exceeding three years based on materials testing and component stability analysis. User Interface: The product requires no activation procedures, setup configurations, or ongoing maintenance. Functionality initiates automatically when positioned within a wallet containing RFID-enabled cards, with no user intervention required for continued operation. Compatibility Profile: The blocking mechanism applies to all items utilizing 13.56 MHz RFID technology positioned within the protective radius. Protected items retain full functionality when removed from the wallet for authorized use at legitimate card readers and access systems. The development approach emphasizes minimal disruption to existing consumer behaviors, allowing users to maintain their preferred wallet accessories while adding RFID signal protection through a single card addition rather than requiring complete accessory replacement or individual card sleeve management. Consumers seeking detailed technical specifications can access comprehensive product information through the Credifence website. Consumer Identity Protection Market: Industry Trends and Product Category Evolution The consumer identity protection product category has evolved substantially over the past decade, transitioning from specialized security products marketed to niche audiences toward mainstream consumer adoption driven by increased digital payment infrastructure and heightened awareness of data security issues. Industry analysis indicates that the RFID blocking product segment has experienced growth corresponding to contactless payment card penetration rates in consumer markets. As financial institutions transitioned from magnetic stripe and chip-and-PIN cards to contactless-enabled cards as standard issue, consumer education about RFID technology and its security implications expanded through multiple channels including financial institution communications, media coverage, and consumer advocacy resources. The product category encompasses multiple form factors including RFID blocking wallets, individual card sleeves, passport holders, and single-card blocking devices. Each category segment addresses different consumer preferences regarding price points, aesthetic considerations, and willingness to modify existing accessory usage patterns. Market data suggests that consumers demonstrate varying levels of price sensitivity and feature prioritization when evaluating RFID protection options. Security industry analysis emphasizes that RFID protection products represent one component of comprehensive identity protection strategies rather than standalone solutions. Cybersecurity professionals consistently recommend layered security approaches that combine physical security measures with digital security practices including strong authentication procedures, regular financial monitoring, and awareness of social engineering tactics that represent more prevalent fraud vectors than technical RFID vulnerabilities. Consumer research indicates that purchase motivations for RFID blocking products vary across demographic segments, with frequent international travelers, urban professionals navigating high-density public spaces, and privacy-conscious consumers representing significant market segments. Product selection criteria typically include effectiveness claims, convenience factors, aesthetic integration with existing accessories, price considerations, and brand reputation or third-party validation. The regulatory environment for RFID blocking product marketing emphasizes truthful advertising standards, appropriate substantiation for performance claims, and clear disclosure of product limitations. Consumer protection authorities monitor the category for misleading representations about threat prevalence or exaggerated effectiveness claims that may not align with documented fraud patterns or technical testing results. Disclosure: Consumers should evaluate RFID blocking products based on their individual security priorities and understanding that identity protection requires comprehensive strategies addressing multiple potential vulnerability points beyond contactless card technology. Product Distribution and Consumer Adoption Metrics Credifence reports that its RFID blocking card has achieved distribution across multiple international markets including North America, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, and New Zealand. The company utilizes fulfillment infrastructure in China for manufacturing and primary distribution, with logistics networks established to serve diverse geographic territories. According to company data, the product has accumulated over 1,800 verified customer reviews through the company's e-commerce platform, with an aggregate rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. This feedback volume indicates measurable market acceptance during the product's commercial availability period, though individual experiences with any consumer product vary based on numerous factors including use patterns, expectations, and specific application contexts. The company reports particular market penetration among consumer segments including international business travelers, urban commuters utilizing public transportation systems, and privacy-conscious consumers seeking supplementary security measures for contactless payment cards and identification documents. Geographic sales data indicates strongest adoption in markets with high contactless payment infrastructure penetration and elevated consumer awareness of digital security topics. Distribution channels for Credifence products focus primarily on direct-to-consumer e-commerce through the company's dedicated website. This distribution model allows the company to maintain pricing control, provide detailed product education, and establish direct customer relationships for support purposes. The company reports that this approach aligns with broader consumer trends toward online purchasing for specialty security and technology products. Customer support infrastructure includes multilingual assistance capabilities through email, telephone, and online communication channels. The company maintains a 30-day satisfaction guarantee policy permitting product returns within specified timeframes, a standard practice in the direct-to-consumer e-commerce sector designed to reduce purchase hesitation and build consumer confidence in product quality. The company indicates that product inventory remains available for immediate order fulfillment, with typical delivery timeframes ranging from 5 to 20 business days depending on destination geography and potential customs processing requirements for international shipments. Customers in various jurisdictions may be subject to import duties, value-added taxes, or other charges determined by destination country regulations, with such charges representing the responsibility of the purchasing consumer rather than included in product pricing. Current availability status can be verified through Credifence's official platform. Disclosure: Customer review data represents feedback from purchasers who voluntarily submitted evaluations and may not reflect experiences of all product users. Individual results with any security product vary based on multiple factors including proper usage, specific threat environments, and individual expectations. Understanding RFID Technology: Consumer Education and Security Considerations Radio Frequency Identification technology operates through electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects or embedded in cards and documents. In consumer payment applications, RFID technology enables contactless transactions through near-field communication between payment cards and authorized terminal readers. The 13.56 MHz frequency utilized by contactless payment cards represents the high-frequency RFID spectrum specifically allocated for near-field communication applications. This frequency provides sufficient range for convenient payment terminal interactions while theoretically limiting unintended communication distance compared to ultra-high frequency RFID systems used in supply chain and logistics applications. Contactless payment cards contain embedded microchips and antennas that respond to interrogation signals from compatible readers. When positioned within communication range of an authorized payment terminal, the card receives power through electromagnetic induction and transmits encrypted transaction data. Modern payment cards implement security features including dynamic cryptograms that change with each transaction, preventing simple replay attacks even if communication were intercepted. Security researchers have examined theoretical vulnerabilities in RFID payment systems, demonstrating that under controlled laboratory conditions, specialized equipment can detect and attempt communication with contactless cards from distances exceeding the intended operational range of legitimate payment terminals. These demonstrations have contributed to consumer awareness of RFID technology and generated interest in supplementary protection measures, though documented cases of widespread exploitation remain limited in publicly available fraud statistics. Financial institutions and payment networks maintain multiple security layers for contactless transactions including transaction value limits that trigger additional authentication requirements, real-time fraud monitoring systems, and zero-liability policies that protect consumers from unauthorized charges. These institutional protections operate independently of any consumer-implemented physical security measures. Consumer options for managing RFID security concerns include various product categories such as specialized wallets with integrated shielding materials, individual card sleeves utilizing conductive fabrics or metals, passport holders for RFID-enabled travel documents, and blocking cards designed to disrupt signal transmission within a specified radius. Each product category addresses different consumer preferences regarding convenience, aesthetics, coverage scope, and integration with existing accessories. Detailed comparisons of various RFID protection approaches are available through educational resources at get-credifence.com. Educational resources from consumer protection agencies emphasize that identity protection requires comprehensive approaches addressing multiple potential vulnerability points. While RFID protection products address one specific technical consideration, consumers should also implement practices including regular financial monitoring, secure password management, cautious handling of personal information, and awareness of social engineering tactics that represent more prevalent fraud methodologies. Credifence Product Specifications and Technical Details The Credifence RFID blocking card incorporates the following technical specifications according to manufacturer documentation: Physical Dimensions: The card measures 1.1mm in thickness, matching the profile of standard credit cards and allowing it to fit in conventional wallet card slots without creating noticeable bulk. The card dimensions follow standard CR80 format (85.60mm 53.98mm), ensuring compatibility with wallet designs worldwide. Protection Radius: The manufacturer specifies a 5cm (approximately 2 inches) protective radius emanating from the card's position within the wallet. This radius is designed to encompass multiple cards stored in typical wallet configurations, providing simultaneous protection for credit cards, debit cards, identification documents, and other RFID-enabled items within range. Frequency Coverage: The card specifically targets 13.56 MHz high-frequency RFID and NFC signals, which represent the standard frequency used by contactless payment cards, modern passports, transit cards, hotel keycards, and many access control systems. This frequency range covers the vast majority of consumer RFID applications requiring protection. Operational Lifespan: Credifence reports that the card is designed to maintain its protective functionality for three or more years of regular use. The passive technology contains no batteries or electronic components requiring replacement, with the protective capability theoretically persisting as long as the card's physical structure remains intact. Durability Features: The card construction includes waterproof and tear-proof materials designed to withstand typical wallet conditions including moisture exposure, temperature variations, and mechanical stress from regular handling. The card reportedly maintains its slim profile and functionality throughout its operational lifespan without degradation. Activation Requirements: The card requires no setup, activation, charging, or maintenance. According to the manufacturer, users simply place the card in their wallet alongside their contactless cards, and the CyberShield technology immediately begins providing protective coverage. Compatibility: The card works with all items utilizing 13.56 MHz RFID technology, including but not limited to contactless credit cards, debit cards, smart passports, enhanced driver's licenses, building access cards, public transportation cards, and hotel keycards. The protection does not interfere with the normal functioning of these cards when removed from the wallet for legitimate use. Product Availability and Commercial Terms The Credifence RFID blocking card is available for purchase through the company's e-commerce platform at get-credifence.com. The company reports current inventory availability with immediate order processing capability for customers in served geographic markets. Rara Digital UAB periodically offers promotional pricing programs as part of its customer acquisition and market penetration strategies. Current pricing information and any active promotional campaigns can be verified through the company's official website, as pricing structures may change based on business considerations, inventory management, and competitive market dynamics. Pricing Disclosure: Promotional pricing, discount percentages, and product availability are subject to change without notice based on business requirements. Consumers should verify current prices, applicable shipping costs, taxes, and availability directly through official company channels before making purchase decisions. Pricing information in this release reflects conditions at time of publication and may not represent future pricing structures. The purchase transaction includes a 30-day satisfaction guarantee policy consistent with consumer protection standards for remote purchases. Customers who are unsatisfied with product performance may initiate return procedures by contacting customer support within 30 days of delivery date and following specified return protocols. The return policy requires products to be returned in unused condition to qualify for full refunds, with customers responsible for return shipping costs except in cases involving defective merchandise. International shipping services extend to multiple countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union member states, New Zealand, and Australia. Delivery timeframes typically range from 5 to 20 business days depending on destination geography, customs processing requirements, and logistics network conditions. The company notes that products ship from fulfillment centers in China, and international customers should be aware that customs duties, import taxes, or value-added taxes may apply depending on destination country regulations. Customer support infrastructure operates through multiple contact channels including email correspondence at support@credifence.com and telephone support at +1 (251) 351-5695. Support services address inquiries regarding product specifications, order status, return procedures, and technical assistance with product usage. The product warranty covers manufacturing defects and materials quality for a two-year period from purchase date. Warranty coverage does not extend to damage resulting from misuse, normal wear patterns, or accidental damage. Customers seeking warranty service should contact customer support with relevant documentation including proof of purchase, product photographs if applicable, and description of observed defects. Important Consumer Information and Compliance Disclosures Consumers considering the purchase of RFID blocking products should understand the following important information: Product Limitations: RFID blocking cards and similar products address one specific vector of potential payment card fraud. These products do not protect against other forms of financial fraud including data breaches at merchants, phishing attacks, malware on personal devices, physical card theft, or fraud resulting from compromised account credentials. Comprehensive financial security requires multiple protective measures beyond RFID blocking alone. Effectiveness Considerations: While the manufacturer provides specifications for the Credifence RFID blocking card, actual protective effectiveness may vary based on factors including wallet type, card positioning, the number of cards in the wallet, wallet material, and environmental interference. Users should verify protection through testing if they have specific security requirements. Testing methodologies and troubleshooting guidance are available through Credifence support resources. Medical Device Disclaimer: The Credifence RFID blocking card is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. While the card blocks RFID signals from contactless payment cards and identification documents, it is not designed or tested for interference with medical devices. Individuals with implanted medical devices should consult with their healthcare providers regarding any concerns about RFID or electromagnetic interference. No Guarantee Against Fraud: While RFID blocking products may reduce certain vulnerabilities associated with contactless payment technology, no security product can provide absolute protection against all forms of fraud or theft. The manufacturer and distributors do not guarantee that use of the product will prevent fraudulent charges, identity theft, or other financial crimes. Users remain responsible for monitoring their accounts and practicing comprehensive security measures. Warranty Information: The product includes a standard two-year manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from misuse, neglect, or normal wear and tear. Customers should retain proof of purchase and contact customer support to initiate warranty claims. Complete warranty terms are available at get-credifence.com. Return Policy Compliance: The 30-day satisfaction guarantee requires customers to follow specific procedures including contacting customer support, obtaining a return authorization code, and shipping products to designated return addresses. Returns must be in unused condition with original packaging to qualify for full refunds. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs except in cases of defective products. Regulatory Compliance: Consumers should be aware that the product is manufactured in China and distributed internationally. Credifence operates under Rara Digital UAB, a Lithuanian company. Products may be subject to various regional regulations and import requirements depending on the destination country. Technical Information and Consumer Guidance Understanding RFID Signal Interception Mechanisms RFID signal interception involves unauthorized RFID readers attempting to communicate with contactless payment cards or identification documents containing RFID chips. These unauthorized readers emit radio frequency signals designed to trigger responses from RFID-enabled cards within communication range, similar to how legitimate payment terminals interact with contactless cards during authorized tap-to-pay transactions. Security researchers have demonstrated technical feasibility of such interception under controlled laboratory conditions, though documented cases of widespread RFID-specific payment card fraud remain limited in publicly available statistics compared to other fraud methodologies. Contactless Payment Card Security Architecture Modern contactless payment cards incorporate multiple security features designed to prevent unauthorized transactions. These features typically include encrypted communication protocols, dynamic security codes that change with each transaction to prevent replay attacks, and transaction value limits that may trigger additional verification requirements. Major card networks provide zero-liability fraud protection policies for unauthorized charges. However, security researchers have identified theoretical vulnerabilities that have contributed to consumer interest in supplementary physical protection measures. Detailed information about how the Credifence RFID blocking card addresses these concerns is available through the company's technical documentation. RFID and NFC Technology Relationship Near Field Communication represents a subset of RFID technology specifically engineered for short-range communication, typically effective within approximately 4 centimeters. Contactless payment cards utilize NFC operating at 13.56 MHz frequency for tap-to-pay transaction processing. While NFC functions as a specialized form of RFID, it incorporates additional protocols and security features specific to proximity-based data exchange applications. RFID blocking products targeting 13.56 MHz frequency address both general RFID and NFC signal types. Consumer Testing Methodology for RFID Protection Products Consumers can perform basic functionality verification by attempting tap-to-pay transactions with contactless cards while positioned in wallets containing RFID blocking devices. If blocking functions effectively, payment terminals should not detect cards for transaction processing while cards remain in wallets. When cards are removed from wallets, normal functionality should resume at payment terminals. This testing provides basic confirmation of blocking capability, though it does not guarantee protection against all potential unauthorized scanning devices or configurations. Additional testing guidance and troubleshooting resources are available at get-credifence.com. Items Utilizing 13.56 MHz RFID Technology Consumer items commonly employing 13.56 MHz RFID technology include contactless credit cards, contactless debit cards, biometric passports issued by numerous countries, enhanced driver's licenses in certain jurisdictions, public transit cards with stored value functionality, building access credentials, hotel keycards, and certain identification documents. Consumers should evaluate their personal risk assessment and document sensitivity when determining whether RFID blocking provides meaningful benefit for their specific situation and use patterns. Compatibility information for specific card types is available through Credifence product documentation. Corporate Information: About Credifence Credifence operates as a consumer security brand under Rara Digital UAB, a limited liability company registered in the Republic of Lithuania under company registration number 306641699. The parent company's registered office is located at Gedimino pr. 20, LT-01103, Vilnius, Lithuania. Credifence operates in the consumer security products sector, with the RFID blocking card representing the brand's primary product in the identity protection category. The company's business model focuses on direct-to-consumer e-commerce distribution for specialty security and technology products. This approach allows Credifence to maintain direct customer relationships, provide detailed product education through owned digital properties, and gather customer feedback for product development purposes. Manufacturing partnerships are established with facilities in China that comply with applicable safety and quality standards for consumer electronic products. Credifence reports implementing quality control procedures throughout the production and fulfillment process to maintain product consistency and customer satisfaction standards. Product development philosophy emphasizes solutions that integrate into existing consumer behaviors rather than requiring significant lifestyle modifications. The Credifence RFID blocking card exemplifies this approach by functioning within users' current wallet accessories rather than necessitating complete accessory replacement, addressing identified market demand for low-friction security solutions. Customer support operations include capabilities for assisting consumers across multiple languages and time zones, reflecting the international distribution scope of company operations. Support infrastructure handles product inquiries, technical assistance, order tracking, and resolution of customer concerns through established service protocols. For additional information about Credifence RFID blocking card products, technical specifications, or customer support services, interested parties may access comprehensive resources at get-credifence.com or contact customer service at support@credifence.com or telephone +1 (251) 351-5695. Contact: Credifence Customer Support Department Email: support@credifence.com Phone: +1 (251) 351-5695 Website: get-credifence.com Parent Company Information: Rara Digital UAB Company No. 306641699 Gedimino pr. 20 LT-01103 Vilnius, Lithuania Additional Resources for Consumers and Media Consumers seeking additional information about the Credifence RFID blocking card, including detailed technical specifications, compatibility information, and current availability, can access comprehensive resources through the company's digital platform. The website provides educational content about RFID technology, contactless payment security considerations, and guidance for selecting appropriate identity protection solutions based on individual needs and risk profiles. Media representatives, industry analysts, and potential retail partners interested in learning more about Credifence product offerings, distribution opportunities, or corporate information may contact the company's customer support department for appropriate routing to relevant departments. Product samples for editorial evaluation may be available upon request for qualified media publications. Technical support resources for existing customers include setup guidance, troubleshooting assistance, and warranty service information. The customer support team maintains operational hours across multiple time zones to serve the company's international customer base. Consumers interested in verifying current promotional offerings, international shipping availability to specific destinations, or detailed return policy terms should consult the official Credifence website for the most up-to-date information, as commercial terms and geographic service areas may evolve based on business requirements and regulatory considerations. Where to Learn More About Credifence RFID Protection Technology Credifence maintains comprehensive digital resources for consumers evaluating RFID protection options: Product Information: Detailed specifications, compatibility charts, and technical documentation are available at get-credifence.com, providing consumers with the information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions based on their specific security requirements and device compatibility needs. Educational Resources: The company provides consumer education materials explaining RFID technology fundamentals, contactless payment security landscape, identity protection best practices, and guidance for implementing layered security approaches. These resources help consumers understand how RFID blocking products fit within comprehensive identity protection strategies. Customer Support: Direct assistance is available through multiple channels for consumers with questions about product functionality, compatibility with specific card types, troubleshooting guidance, or order support. Contact information and support hours are maintained on the Credifence website. Current Availability: Real-time inventory status, active promotional programs, international shipping options, and estimated delivery timeframes can be verified through the official e-commerce platform. Consumers should consult current information before making purchase decisions, as availability and commercial terms may change based on business requirements. For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or general corporate information about Credifence and its parent company Rara Digital UAB, interested parties should contact support@credifence.com or call +1 (251) 351-5695 for appropriate routing to relevant departments. Final Compliance Statement This press release contains information about the Credifence RFID blocking card for informational purposes only. The content should not be considered as financial advice, security advice, or professional recommendations regarding fraud prevention strategies. Consumers should conduct independent research and consult with qualified professionals regarding their personal security needs and financial protection measures. Individual results with RFID blocking products may vary based on numerous factors including product placement, wallet configuration, environmental conditions, and the specific types of RFID-enabled items being protected. No security product can guarantee complete protection against all forms of fraud, theft, or unauthorized access. The manufacturer does not make claims that RFID blocking products will prevent specific instances of fraud or financial loss. Users remain responsible for comprehensive account monitoring, secure password practices, and awareness of evolving fraud techniques beyond RFID vulnerabilities. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. COLOMBO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's apparel exports recorded a modest year-on-year increase in September, supported by stronger sales to the European Union (EU) and other markets, the Joint Apparel Association Forum said on Friday. Exports in September totaled 403.01 million U.S. dollars, up 1.58 percent from a year earlier. Exports to the United States and Britain dropped 4.71 percent and 15.06 percent, respectively, while shipments to the EU rose 10.75 percent, and exports to other destinations increased 19.49 percent. From January to September, total apparel exports reached 3.8 billion dollars, marking a 6.83 percent rise compared with the same period in 2024. Boston, Oct. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement or wellness program. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, a commission may be earned at no additional cost to you. Binaural Technologies, a Delaware-based digital wellness audio company, recently announced the publication of comprehensive research documentation supporting its flagship cognitive audio program, The Brain Song, which synthesizes findings from 107 peer-reviewed neuroscience studies examining gamma brain wave entrainment and cognitive function. The company's research compilation, now available through its official channels, provides detailed scientific foundation for the 12-minute audio protocol designed to activate gamma oscillations through sound frequency technology. The documentation addresses growing consumer and professional interest in non-invasive, research-supported approaches to cognitive wellness. The cognitive wellness audio market has experienced significant growth over the past three years, with consumers increasingly demanding transparency about scientific foundations underlying commercial products. Binaural Technologies' publication of its complete research foundation represents a response to this demand for evidence-based product documentation, according to company statements. Read: Binaural Technologies Introduces The Brain Song: A Groundbreaking Gamma Wave Audio Tool Designed to Activate BDNF and Naturally Enhance Memory, Focus, and Cognitive Resilience Research Foundation Addresses Growing Cognitive Wellness Market The published research synthesis examines multiple categories of peer-reviewed studies, including MIT Brain Aging Initiative investigations into soundwave activation of the brain's glymphatic clearance system, clinical trials measuring gamma wave entrainment effects on memory consolidation, and neuroimaging studies documenting Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) responses to auditory stimulation. According to market research, the digital wellness audio sector has experienced substantial expansion, with consumers seeking alternatives to supplement-based cognitive support approaches. The global brain health supplements market alone exceeded $8 billion in 2024, with significant portion of consumers expressing interest in non-pharmaceutical options. Binaural Technologies' research documentation specifically addresses gamma brain wave frequency (30-100 Hz), which multiple published studies have associated with enhanced cognitive performance, memory consolidation, and neural network coordination. The company's technical documentation details how 40 Hz auditory stimulation protocols can induce measurable gamma entrainment effects documented through electroencephalography (EEG) measurements in research settings. The company reports that its research compilation includes studies from institutions including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford, representing what company officials characterize as the most comprehensive scientific foundation published by any commercial brain wave audio provider to date. MIT Research and Gamma Wave Science Context The company's research compilation draws extensively from investigations conducted through MIT's Brain Aging Initiative and other leading neuroscience institutions. Published studies from these sources have demonstrated that gamma frequency stimulation enhances microglial clearance activity and activates the brain's waste removal systems, processes researchers have linked to improved cognitive clarity. Research cited in the company's documentation includes studies examining long-term meditation practitioners, who display elevated baseline gamma activity corresponding with superior cognitive performance metrics. One frequently cited investigation documented that Tibetan Buddhist monks with over 40 years of meditation practice showed gamma oscillations of significantly greater amplitude and synchronization compared to control subjects, alongside superior performance on attention and memory tasks. Additional studies documented in the company's research compilation demonstrate correlations between gamma oscillations and successful memory encoding, with stronger gamma power predicting better subsequent recall in experimental settings. Clinical research using EEG monitoring has confirmed that auditory stimulation at 40 Hz can induce measurable increases in gamma frequency activity across multiple brain regions including frontal and parietal cortices. The documentation also addresses research indicating gamma activity naturally declines with aging in many individuals, paralleling reductions in processing speed and memory capacity. However, studies cited by the company indicate this decline is not inevitable, with some older adults maintaining robust gamma activity and corresponding cognitive performance comparable to younger individuals. Explore the Science Behind The Brain Song Audio Protocol Development and Technical Specifications According to the company's published documentation, The Brain Song audio protocol was engineered based on systematic analysis of brain wave entrainment research examining how external rhythmic stimuli influence neural oscillations. The 12-minute format represents an optimization attempt based on dose-response research, designed to maximize entrainment efficiency while addressing time commitment barriers documented in consumer behavior studies. The technical documentation details the program's use of binaural audio delivery, harmonic overtones, and rhythmic patterns aligned with 40 Hz gamma frequencies, providing multiple simultaneous entrainment mechanisms validated in published research. The company notes that traditional brain wave entrainment protocols examined in research settings often require 30-60 minutes per session, whereas The Brain Song was engineered to achieve comparable entrainment effects in a condensed timeframe suitable for daily consumer use. The audio engineering specifications were developed to balance technical entrainment requirements with aesthetic qualities supporting consistent long-term use, according to company technical documentation. The development process involved analysis of published studies examining optimal frequency parameters, stimulation duration, and audio delivery methods most consistently associated with successful gamma entrainment outcomes. Company documentation indicates the audio protocol incorporates findings from studies demonstrating that binaural beats delivered through stereo headphones can effectively induce frequency following responses in the brain. The technical specifications detail precise frequency relationships and audio engineering parameters designed to replicate research conditions within consumer applications. Clinical Research Evidence and Study Findings The company's published research documentation references multiple clinical investigations providing evidence for gamma wave entrainment effects. One cited study examining 40 Hz binaural beat stimulation across multiple sessions documented improvements in cognitive assessment scores among participants receiving gamma frequency stimulation compared to control conditions, with memory task performance showing measurable enhancement following exposure to target frequencies. Additional research cited in the documentation used high-density EEG systems to demonstrate that auditory gamma stimulation produces measurable increases in gamma power not only in auditory processing regions but also in frontal and parietal cortices associated with executive function and attention. This widespread neural effect suggests potential for influencing cognitive functions beyond simple auditory processing, according to the cited research findings. The company's documentation also references safety profile research indicating that auditory brain wave entrainment at standard listening volumes does not produce adverse effects in healthy adults. Multiple published studies cited report no serious adverse events associated with gamma frequency auditory stimulation, establishing the approach as low-risk for general populations according to current evidence. However, the documentation acknowledges research revealing significant individual variation in entrainment susceptibility, with factors including age, baseline brain wave patterns, and individual neurological characteristics influencing entrainment effectiveness. Studies cited indicate response rates vary across research populations, with some participants demonstrating robust frequency following responses while others show minimal entrainment despite identical stimulation parameters. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Research Context The company's research compilation includes extensive documentation on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein extensively studied in neuroscience research for its crucial role in neural health, learning, and memory. Published research cited demonstrates that BDNF supports survival of existing neurons and encourages growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses through processes termed neuroplasticity. Studies referenced in the documentation establish that BDNF plays essential roles in long-term memory formation, with research demonstrating that blocking BDNF function impairs memory consolidation while enhanced BDNF expression facilitates more robust memory encoding. Research cited indicates that individuals with higher BDNF levels tend to perform better on cognitive assessments and show slower rates of age-related cognitive decline. The company's documentation addresses emerging research examining potential connections between auditory stimulation and BDNF expression. Some studies cited have investigated whether brain wave entrainment, particularly gamma frequency stimulation, might influence BDNF production through sustained neural activation mechanisms similar to how physical exercise stimulates BDNF release. Research examining centenarians with preserved cognitive function has revealed maintained BDNF signaling as a consistent characteristic, according to studies cited in the company's documentation. These findings suggest that supporting BDNF function throughout life may contribute to cognitive longevity, though the documentation acknowledges that audio-based approaches represent one of multiple methods for potentially supporting these beneficial neural processes. Industry Context and Market Positioning The cognitive wellness audio sector has attracted increasing attention from both consumers and healthcare professionals seeking non-invasive approaches to brain health support. Multiple companies have entered the market with various audio-based protocols, though approaches to scientific validation and transparency vary significantly across providers. Binaural Technologies' decision to publish comprehensive research foundations distinguishes the company's approach within a market where scientific claims often lack detailed supporting documentation. Company officials indicate the 107-study compilation represents the most extensive research foundation published by any commercial brain wave audio provider, though independent verification of this claim was not immediately available. The digital delivery format addresses consumer preferences for immediate access products without recurring subscription fees, according to company statements. The audio program is delivered as a high-quality digital file compatible with standard consumer playback devices including smartphones, tablets, and computers. Industry analysts note that transparency regarding research foundations may become increasingly important as regulatory scrutiny of cognitive wellness claims intensifies. The Federal Trade Commission has increased enforcement actions regarding unsubstantiated health claims in the wellness product sector, with particular attention to brain health and memory enhancement products. Market research indicates consumer interest in non-pharmaceutical cognitive support options continues to expand, particularly among aging populations seeking to maintain mental acuity and professionals seeking focus enhancement without stimulant-based approaches. Availability and Program Details The Brain Song audio program is currently available through the company's official website at brainsongoriginal.com. The program is priced at $39, though pricing is subject to change. The company offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and provides customer support for technical questions. Note: Current pricing and availability should be verified directly through official company channels, as promotional offers and pricing structures may change without notice. The digital program includes supplementary educational materials addressing memory techniques, nutrition considerations for cognitive health, and research-based cognitive wellness habits. These bonus materials are designed to provide context for comprehensive brain health approaches beyond audio protocols alone, according to company information. The company's published research documentation is accessible through official channels for review by healthcare professionals, researchers, and consumers seeking detailed scientific background. Company officials indicate the research compilation will be updated periodically as new relevant studies are published in peer-reviewed journals. Medical and Regulatory Disclaimers Binaural Technologies emphasizes that The Brain Song is designed for general wellness purposes and is not a medical device. The audio program is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The company's published statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The company recommends individuals consult qualified healthcare professionals before beginning any new wellness program, particularly those with existing medical conditions, neurological concerns, or those under medical treatment. The audio protocol should not replace professional medical care or prescribed treatments. Individual results may vary significantly based on numerous personal factors including baseline cognitive function, age, health status, lifestyle factors, and individual neurological characteristics. The company makes no guarantees regarding specific outcomes for individual users. Research cited in the company's documentation represents published scientific studies examining brain wave entrainment and gamma oscillations. However, outcomes observed in controlled research settings may not directly translate to results experienced by individual users of commercial audio programs, according to standard research disclaimers. Individuals with epilepsy, seizure disorders, or sound sensitivity should consult healthcare providers before using brain wave entrainment programs. Pregnant women, individuals with implanted medical devices, and those with serious medical conditions should seek medical guidance before use. About Binaural Technologies Binaural Technologies is a Delaware-based company specializing in neuroscience-informed digital audio programs designed to support cognitive wellness through brain wave entrainment technology. Founded in 2024, the company develops audio protocols based on published neuroscience research examining relationships between sound frequencies and brain function. The company's advisory contributors include neuroscientists trained at MIT, Stanford, and NASA who have published research on gamma oscillations, BDNF, and cognitive enhancement approaches. Binaural Technologies focuses on evidence-based product development with emphasis on research transparency and scientific documentation. Additional information about the company and its research documentation is available at the official website. North Vancouver, October 24, 2025 - Lion One Metals Ltd. (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged the services of Atrium Research Corporation ("Atrium"), a leading company sponsored research firm. Atrium will publish various research reports on Lion One based on publicly available information, industry data, and discussions with management. Atrium will also host three recorded interviews with the Company's management team to present the investment case in an interview format. In exchange for its research services, Atrium will receive cash compensation in the amount form of an up front payment of $6,800 and cash payments of $3,400 per month for the services listed above. The services will be provided for a period of 18 months ending on April 2, 2027. This engagement remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Atrium and the Company are arm's-length parties, and neither Atrium nor its insiders holds any shares or options to purchase shares in the issued and outstanding capital of the Company. About Atrium Research Atrium Research provides institutional quality company sponsored research on public equities in North America. Its investment philosophy takes a 3-5 year view on equities currently being overlooked by the market. Its research process emphasizes understanding the key performance metrics for each specific company, trustworthy management teams, and an in-depth valuation analysis. Atrium Research is wholly owned and operated by its Co-Founders, Ben Pirie and Nicholas Cortellucci. Atrium Research is located at 906-81 Navy Wharf Court, Toronto, ON M5V 3S2. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, President, Chairman of the Board Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271939 (TNS) Legislators returned to the California Capitol on Monday for the first time in nearly two months, confronting an urgent need to deal with coronavirus legislation and a formidable budget deficit.They must handle bills ranging from compensation for sick essential workers to planning for a November election thats likely to be done mostly by mail. They also must work with Gov. Gavin Newsom to address a shortfall that could total $35 billion.And they dont have much time to get it all done. They must pass a balanced budget by June 15 or go without pay, and will have only a couple of months after that to consider other bills before the legislative session is scheduled to end.Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said he is resisting calls to focus only on coronavirus response. The Assembly returns Monday, while the Senate has extended its recess one more week.There will be fewer bills, as members triage their legislative platforms and committee chairs pare hearing agendas. But California still faces problems that existed before the pandemic, Rendon said, including the lack of affordable housing, widespread homelessness, climate change and lack of access to clean water in some parts of the state.The impacts of the coronavirus will be all-encompassing, however, including a budget process likely to extend to the end of the session in August as the Legislature deliberates cuts.As a Democrat, I believe in an activist government. As a Democrat, I believe that government can help us solve problems, said Rendon, D-Lakewood (Los Angeles County). Californians need us more now than ever.Here are the most pressing coronavirus-related problems the Legislature will confront:Budget deficit: Lawmakers must immediately get to work on a multibillion-dollar deficit the pandemic has created. The surplus and rainy-day reserve that California built up in recent years will help, but wont eliminate the problem.Newsom and lawmakers will probably have to abandon many progressive policy goals and pass a placeholder budget in June that continues current spending levels. Then, theyll have to start cutting.Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, the San Diego Democrat who chairs the powerful Appropriations Committee, said legislators have been told to be selective in proposing bills.Were got to be realistic about how we look at all the bills coming forward, she said. We said, Re-examine what youre sending, for a variety of reasons.Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, said the pandemic has shifted the focus of the session from the legislative agenda to the budget, which she hopes can help those who have been devastated and hurt.The budget is the single most important tool that we have in California to impact lives, she said. Weve got a lot of work to do in short order and we want to be focused and we want to be thoughtful.The legislative analyst warned last month that the pandemic could blow a $35 billion hole in next years budget, with additional losses of $85 billion in the years that follow. Newsom must release a revised spending plan this month, and he has warned that numerous cuts are on the table.Assemblyman Phil Ting, the San Francisco Democrat who chairs the Budget Committee, said lawmakers will consider asking voters to issue bonds to fund infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy.Otherwise, he said, the state cannot borrow money and is largely dependent on the federal government to fund recovery programs.That is the challenge, Ting said.Voting by mail: The likelihood that the pandemic will still be here this fall has fueled calls for a vote-by-mail November election to prevent crowding at polling places.Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, has led the push. His AB860 would require elections officials to mail a ballot to every registered voter in California.Most people already vote by mail about 78% of voters did so in the March primary. Bermans bill would make that nearly universal, though he said the state should allow for a limited number of polling places, with social distancing guidelines.Hopefully, we dont have a second phase (of the pandemic), but we need to plan as if there will be, Berman said.Berman said his effort has drawn no organized opposition, though he expects it could cost the state several million dollars.Rent and mortgage relief: California judicial officials have halted evictions and some foreclosures until 90 days after Newsom ends the stay-at-home order. But legislators say they want to cement those protections in state law and go further.Ting has proposed AB828 to freeze evictions and allow courts to set up repayment plans so tenants can stay in their homes. He said he is considering seeking a ban on rent increases during the pandemic.Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, who carried legislation last year that established a statewide cap on rent increases, said the support for the plight of tenants has only grown during the pandemic, but that California will very likely need federal assistance to pay for any program to prevent mass evictions of those who have fallen behind on their rent.It has certainly continued to shine a bright light on the precarious situation for tenants in our state, Chiu said.Compensation for frontline workers: Employees on the front lines of the pandemic could have an easier time securing workers compensation benefits under a proposed bill.Essential workers who contract the coronavirus now must prove they were infected on the job in order to qualify for workers compensation and have their employer pay for costs associated with the illness.AB664 by Gonzalez and Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove (Sacramento County), would put the burden on employers to prove a worker wasnt exposed on the job.It would be tough for an individual worker to show that they were infected on the job. Until were doing tracing, that would be hard to prove, Gonzalez said.The effort is supported by labor unions, but its likely to face opposition from businesses that say theyre already under an existential economic strain.The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California, an association of insurance companies, estimates that claims from essential workers with the coronavirus would cost $2.2 billion to $33.6 billion a year if the bill passes.Expanding paid sick leave: Democratic lawmakers will propose legislation to close loopholes in federal and state law to ensure all workers have at least two weeks of paid sick leave during the pandemic.Newsom signed an executive order April 16 requiring large companies to give food sector employees such as farmworkers, grocery store clerks and delivery drivers paid time off if they contract the virus or are quarantined.His order partly closed a loophole in Congress coronavirus response, which requires businesses to provide sick leave during the pandemic unless they have more than 500 employees.California legislators said they want to require two weeks for all workers, not just those covered by Newsoms order. California law now requires three paid sick days for all employees.Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, said expanding sick leave could help slow the spread of the virus, by removing the economic incentive for sick workers to show up.We need to make people comfortable to make public health decisions and not have that pressure to go to work sick, he said.Help for farmworkers: Legislators will debate a package of bills to provide relief for agricultural workers and prevent disruption to Californias food supply chain.The primary bill, AB2915, would provide farmworkers with paid sick leave, hazard pay, child care assistance and temporary housing to prevent overcrowding. Another bill, AB2956, would give farming companies a tax credit to pay overtime in an effort to combat a labor shortage. BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for using judicial clout to suppress and persecute patriots on the island who advocate national reunification. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a prison sentence the DPP authorities handed to Kao An-kuo, a retired senior military officer in Taiwan who supports national reunification. The DPP authorities' relentless crackdown on political dissent is grounded in their separatist nature and pursuit of "Taiwan independence," aiming to serve the party's self-interests, Chen said. He also called on Taiwan society to oppose the DPP's abuse of power in its persecution of patriots, and warned relevant institutions and personnel in Taiwan that acting as pawns of separatist forces will face lawful penalties and a reckoning in history. The best chargers on Amazon UK: here are our favorite chargers for use at home or on the go Back in our day, phones used to come with chargers now youre lucky if you get a cable. The good news is that USB-C and USB charging standards have done away with the compatibility issue of the past (well, mostly), so a few good chargers are all you need. That means that you have to pick the chargers yourself, though. Here are the ones we use. And yes, you do need multiple for your home, maybe for work and your car, maybe for travel. We have separated them into groups based on use-case. Table of Contents: Wall chargers These are the simplest kind of charger around a wall wart with one or two ports, the kind you used to get in the box. And so, chargers from phone brands are a good place to start. The Google Pixel Flex Dual Port 67W charger is one of the first with support for Adjustable Voltage Supply, AVS, which is the standard that iPhone 17 phones use. Either port can deliver up to 67W to an AVS device, but it also supports basic USB-PD and the more advanced USB-PPS. Its a Swiss Army knife of a charger and we got one for the office for testing since we expect AVS to gain wider adoption, while PD and PPS are already widespread. Samsung hasnt jumped on the AVS bandwagon, so chargers like the 45W Power Adapter (EP-T4511) only support PD and PPS. This one claims super low standby power under 5mW is the official rating so its not wasting electricity when you leave it plugged in. A basic USB charger can burn through 0.1-0.5W just doing nothing and if you leave it plugged in for years (which you are not supposed to do, but its what usually happens), it adds up. Looking past phone brand chargers, the UGREEN Nexode 65W has a retractable USB-C cable (69cm). It also has one USB-C and one USB-A port on board. You can use this at home and grab it for occasional travel with this one you can be sure that you havent forgotten a USB-C cable. For dedicated travel chargers, look at the section below. Alternatively, there is this UGREEN Nexode 65W slim charger if its a tight fit behind the furniture. The prongs are removable, by the way, so this is a compact option for travel too. For more power, the UGREEN Uno 100W charger offers three USB-C ports and a USB-A port. Using one USB-C port, you get up to 80W of power, with two it is split 45W+35W. The third USB-C tops out at 20W, while the USB-A port can do up to 22.5W. Similarly, we have an assortment of Anker chargers too the Nano series strikes a good balance between size and power. The Anker 735 Nano II 65W can do up to 65W on one of its USB-C ports (up to 22.5W on the USB-A port) and 40W+12W+12W when all three ports are in use. If you need a small charger to throw in your backpack when youre out and about or when traveling, wed recommend something like the Anker Nano 30W or 45W. They are powerful enough to keep your phone charged and you can forget they are in your bag the 45W adapter weighs 60g (thats only a fraction more than the included cable!) and measures 33x32x36.9mm. The Baseus PicoGo GaN 45W is similar tiny, one USB-C and delivers 45W with USB-PD and PPS support. Laptop chargers Modern laptops usually support USB-C charging for some, its the only charging method, others still have barrel plugs (or, if you are looking at MacBooks, a MagSafe port). For laptops, you need a charger that can deliver at least 65W and often a lot more. You can also use these to charge large power banks. Apple added USB-C charging to MacBooks and iPads before it did for iPhones. So it sells powerful chargers like these, the 96W and the 140W charger. For a MacBook Air, you dont need all that much, but the MacBook Pros will definitely benefit from the extra power. Both chargers have only a single USB-C port, but you can use them to charge other devices while the laptop is not in use or runs on battery. The 140W Laptop Charger from Anker can do up to 140W on one of its top two USB-C ports thats enough for all but the most bonkers of gaming laptops. If using all four ports, the charger delivers 65W on the top USB-C port, 45W and 12W on the second and third, respectively, and up to 12W on the sole USB-A port. There is a display that shows the power draw on each port as well as various modes, e.g. High Performance or Cooling Mode. You can also go all out with the Anker Prime Charger 250W. This one has a total of six USB ports (4x USB-C + 2x USB-A) with the top Type C port delivering up to 140W. However, it can split its power between all available ports delivering up to 240W/250W with two, three or even all ports in use. It has a 2.26 LCD to show the status (and also a clock, because why not). The dial on the side controls things like port priority, so you can divvy up the power however you need. Car chargers New cars have at least some USB ports on board USB-A or USB-C, depending on the age of the car some even have Qi wireless chargers. But not all cars have such ports and often they are not particularly powerful. Wireless Android Auto can sap away your phones battery surprisingly quickly! In one of our older cars we use this 90W UGREEN charger. Retractable cables are cool in general, but in a car they are quite important you dont want dangling wires on your dashboard. And if your passengers need to charge up their devices too, theres a regular USB-C port and a USB-A port on board too. By the way, if 90W sounds like too much, UGREEN also offers a 60W variant. Anker also have a compact car charger with a retractable USB-C cable this one delivers up to 75W of power and has an additional USB-C port if you need to charge more than one device at a time. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- As Nikolay Kolev scaled the 3,600-year-old city wall in central China's Zhengzhou, the skyline of the modern metropolis unfolded before his eyes. At that very moment, the theme of the Global Mayors Dialogue -- a four-day event held from Wednesday to Saturday in the capital city of Henan Province -- resonated deeply with the Bulgarian deputy mayor of Shumen. Among nearly 300 participants, he engaged in discussions on "Preserving the Cultural Legacy of Ancient Capitals and Driving Urban Renewal." "China's integrated approach to balancing cultural heritage preservation with urban development is truly impressive -- it's something every country needs," he remarked. Zhengzhou, a pivotal political and economic hub along the Yellow River in China's early dynastic history, stands as a testament to China's urbanization. While strolling through the alleys of Fuminli district -- which borders the Shang Dynasty city wall ruins -- Juan de Dios Perez Garcia, mayor of Palomeque, Spain, was captivated by the diverse array of cultural and creative works showcased in local stalls and shops. What stunned him most was that this now thriving commercial block, a tourist hotspot today, had once been Zhengzhou's largest contiguous shantytown. Garcia emphasized that preserving history is not about confining a city to its past, but about writing a new chapter for it. Zhengzhou's development concept resonated with him, evoking the approach taken in Toledo, Spain -- where ancient districts have preserved their historical features while being infused with new cultural and commercial vitality. He stressed that every city's memory is unique, yet the wisdom to protect these heritages is universal. Meanwhile, at an outdoor theater near the Shaolin Temple -- renowned for its world-famous intangible cultural heritage of Shaolin kungfu -- visitors were immersed in a cultural show against the stunning backdrop of Songshan Mountain's natural landscape. Combining music, lighting, dance and martial arts, the cultural performances delivered an artistic expression of Zen culture that captivated the audience. Maurizio Rasero, mayor of Asti, Italy, noted that this was his third visit to Zhengzhou and expressed his continued amazement at the city's transformation. "I'm particularly delighted to see Zhengzhou maintain its traditions and history while embracing modernization," he remarked. Kolev echoed this sentiment. "The trip has deeply impressed me with the Chinese people's profound respect for culture, history, and heritage," he said. During the meeting, Tania Arihia Tapsell, mayor of Rotorua, New Zealand, witnessed Zhengzhou and Rotorua City sign an intent to establish friendship relations, a milestone that paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation. "I look forward to returning in the future, leading a delegation of tourism businesses, and possibly organizing student exchanges as well," remarked Tapsell. She was particularly impressed by how Zhengzhou seamlessly integrates modern technologies to breathe new life into traditional culture while driving urban development -- an approach that has created thousands of tourism-related jobs and significantly boosted economic growth. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Haiti - FLASH : Melissa will become a hurricane today, flood expected On Saturday, October 25, 2025, in its latest report on Hurricane Melissa at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0900 UTC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that a hurricane watch was in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. The center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located at 16.3 degrees North latitude and 75.0 degrees West longitude, approximately 385 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. A slow (6 km/h) west-northwestward movement is expected this Saturday through Sunday evening. A turn toward the north and northeast is forecast for Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica over the weekend and early next week, and could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week. Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall through Tuesday, ranging from 15 inches (38 cm) to 25 inches (63 cm) in parts of southern Hispaniola, with locally higher amounts of up to 35 inches (88 cm) on the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. Significant and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are anticipated in southern Haiti. Additional heavy rainfall is likely after Sunday evening, but uncertainty about Melissa's track and speed reduces confidence in the exact additional rainfall amounts. Significant damage to roads and buildings is expected in Haiti, potentially isolating communities for an extended period. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 km/h (70 mph) with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is expected to begin shortly. Melissa is expected to become a hurricane today and a major hurricane by Sunday. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 km (115 mi) from the center. Strong winds could also potentially last a day or more over the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. According to the latest analysis from the Haiti Hydro-Meteorological Unit (UHM), gradual strengthening is expected today, followed by rapid intensification this weekend. Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane this Saturday, October 25th, and a major hurricane on Sunday, October 26th, 2025. Consequently, the UHM, in conjunction with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management, is maintaining orange alert for the departments of the South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, West, and the Central Plateau. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has prohibited all cabotage activities on Haiti's southern coastal zone until further notice due to heavy swells. Civil Protection Advice : The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection calls on the entire population of the affected departments to remain vigilant during this period, as flooding and flooding may occur. The Directorate asks the public not to cross any waterways under any circumstances, not to tie up animals where the water could carry them away, not to stand on hills and bridges to observe flowing water, not to shelter from the rain under trees, not to stand barefoot in the rain, and not to touch any electrically conductive objects during a storm. Store your important documents in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people in need of assistance so they can move if necessary. Remain calm and listen to civil protection messages from reliable sources. See also: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46053-haiti-flash-melissa-promises-to-be-devastating-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46046-haiti-flash-melissa-risks-becoming-a-hurricane-5-departments-on-orange-alert.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46039-haiti-flash-storm-melissa-threatens-haiti-5-departments-on-yellow-alert.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : PNH meeting with a high-level Canadian delegation This week, Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), accompanied by senior officials from the police institution, met with a high-level Canadian delegation. This delegation included Bob Rae, Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN, and Francois Andre Giroux, Ambassador of Canada to Haiti. During a key meeting, the Haitian National Police (PNH) provided an update on joint operations with the Kenyan-led Multinational Mission. Paraison highlighted the progress made through enhanced coordination, while highlighting the complexity of urban operations. Several major challenges were identified : The chronic understaffing of the PNH, with less than one police officer per 1,000 inhabitants; The mobility and adaptation of gangs in densely populated areas; Recruitment by gangs exploiting poverty and deportees from the Dominican Republic; The need to preserve the safety of civilians during operations; The need for an integrated approach combining territorial reconquest and the restoration of state authority. The Haitian National Police (PNH) outlined its priority needs, including: Material reinforcement : Protective equipment, armored vehicles, and communications systems. Skills development : Specialized training (counterinsurgency, intelligence, crisis management); Modernization of command and control infrastructure. The Canadian envoys reiterated their unwavering support for the PNH and expressed openness to the idea of enhanced support tailored to the specific needs of the Haitian police. Both parties recognized the need for a strengthened operational partnership, appropriate international support, and a comprehensive strategy combining immediate security and long-term stabilization. After the meeting, Paraison expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and reaffirmed his determination to fight gangs despite the PNH's limited resources. He emphasized that Haitian police officers are not heroes, but simply dedicated citizens who refuse to abandon their country. He concluded by affirming their unwavering commitment, regardless of the difficulties. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Father Ladouceur kidnapped On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Reverend Father Jean Julien Ladouceur, parish priest of Sainte-Claire Parish in Petite Place Cazeau and National Director of the Episcopal Commission for Education (CEEC), was kidnapped in Delmas 31 along with three of his colleagues (Serfise Guillaume Charlot, Johanne Marcellus, and Pierre Anddy Joseph) from the CEEC. The kidnappers have reportedly already contacted the archdiocese, but their request is unknown. Canada : Federal Court reopens former PM Lamothe's case "After three years of waiting, the Federal Court of Canada is finally reopening our case. Canada will have to answer for arbitrary sanctions imposed in 2022 by Justin Trudeau in a vain attempt to redefine the Haitian political landscape in collusion with Ariel Henry," declared former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe. Cap-Haitien : Modernizing Fire Services The Municipality of Cap-Haitien participated in a team-building workshop on October 22 and 23, 2025, organized as part of the PHENIX Project, in partnership with the Directorate General for Civil Protection (DGPC), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Expertise France. The PHENIX Project, which covers the North, West, and South departments, aims to modernize fire and rescue services and strengthen the operational capacities of the relevant institutions through a participatory and inclusive approach. FNE : Caution: False Information The National Education Fund (FNE) informs that a growing number of fake accounts and pages created for dishonest purposes are currently populating social media, disseminating false information in order to manipulate individuals or institutional partners claiming to belong to the institution or its Director General, Elyse Colagene. The FNE urges the public to exercise increased vigilance and to verify the authenticity of the pages. The FNE declines all responsibility for information or solicitations from unofficial sources and reserves the right to take legal action against any person or entity involved in these fraudulent acts. Legalization of documents in a few hours The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs the general public, and users of the legalization service in particular, that since October 1st, 2025, documents received for legalization will be processed and delivered the same day, starting at 3:00 a.m.. Documents can be submitted to the reception desk every weekday between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Appointment and promotion at the PNH On October 22, 2025, Berson Soljour, Chief of Staff to Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police Vladimir Paraison, appointed Inspector General Jean Gardy Muscadin to the position of Director of Strategic Planning. In addition, Inspector General Frantz Lerebours was promoted to Training Coordinator and Director of Police Communications. HL/ HaitiLibre Chen Feng, an official at the Fujian Provincial Archives, reads through archival documents on the Taiwan volunteer corps in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on Aug. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Wang) FUZHOU, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- At 96, Zhang Xiuqing may have forgotten much of her past, but she can still hum the lyrics she sang as a young girl 80 years ago. "Taiwan is our homeland, where five million people live without freedom; Taiwan is our homeland, where countless flowers bloom without fragrance...... We must reclaim our home......." The lyrics are from the anthem of the Taiwan youth league, the youth branch of the Taiwan volunteer corps, a special anti-Japanese force formed by Taiwan patriotic compatriots, which was mainly active in eastern Fujian and Zhejiang provinces during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Once a member of the Taiwan youth league, Zhang, along with her peers, sang the anthem and other patriotic songs, and performed plays to lift the spirits of soldiers on the front lines. She joined the league after Japanese troops invaded Fuzhou, Fujian. Her family had relocated from Taiwan to Fuzhou after Japan initiated a war against China and then occupied Taiwan. For many years, the wartime experiences of Zhang and her fellow patriots remained little known to the wider public. But as a collection of 625 documents related to the Taiwan volunteer corps and its youth league was added to the latest edition of China's national documentary heritage list in June, more people can see the full stories. In 1939, the Taiwan volunteer corps and the Taiwan youth league were founded by General Lee You-pang, a Taiwan-born patriot who had gone to the mainland in opposition to Japanese colonial rule on the island. After starting out with just over 30 members, the Taiwan volunteer corps grew to more than 380 by 1945. It was the largest, most influential, and longest-lasting organization of Taiwan compatriots who directly took part in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression on the mainland, playing an active role in intelligence gathering, medical aid, and other areas along the front lines in Zhejiang and Fujian. Containing historical photographs, telegrams, letters, newspaper materials and various other paper records, the archive chronicles the full history of the Taiwan volunteer corps. "Each document is like a fragment of time. Through collecting and compiling them, we can piece together the shining chapter of Taiwan compatriots fighting to defend the motherland," said Chen Feng, an official at the Fujian Provincial Archives. Chen, 51, has spent the past two decades collecting and compiling documents on the Taiwan volunteer corps. Since the launch of a systematic archival project in 2005, she and her colleagues have collected materials by visiting local archives and historical sites throughout Fujian, as well as interviewing veterans and their descendants. Chen had conducted numerous projects during her nearly 30-year career, but she felt a special connection with this one. Born in the coastal area of Fujian, she had distant families living in Taiwan, just as many people in the province, a demonstration of the close bond between the two places. "Every time I read through a newly collected document, I was always touched by those Taiwan compatriots' patriotism and then felt much closer to them spiritually," she said. For example, Chen noted, two brothers surnamed Wang signed up to become the first batch of corps members in February 1939, and then their father and two other siblings joined the second batch just a month later. "It shows that many Taiwan families joined the resistance against Japanese aggression together, from the elderly to young children," Chen said. This is also the reason, she explained, that General Lee established the youth league at the same time he founded the Taiwan volunteer corps. The youth league members, who were generally between eight and 14 years old at the time, displayed impressive patriotism in their writings preserved and collected by Chen and her colleagues. In a journal published by the Taiwan volunteer corps, some of the young members wrote: "Because I didn't want to live as a little slave of a lost land, my mother and I came back to the motherland." "I hope every child in Taiwan can come and join us to fight against the enemy." Chen also recalled a trip to northern Fujian, where she and her colleagues searched through thick grass and rugged mountain woods for a slogan reportedly painted by youth league members, as told by local residents. After several hours of hard work, they finally spotted a line of red painted characters on a stone, reading "defeat the Japanese invaders and protect the motherland." "The moment I saw it, I realized that even when taking a rest during a trip, the children never forgot to spread the message of resistance," Chen said. Two years after the archival project started, a compilation of documents on the Taiwan volunteer corps was published in 2007. The collection and research, however, continue today, with more materials being gathered, preserved, and studied. In Fuzhou, currently the capital city of Fujian Province, an exhibition hosted by the Fujian Provincial Archives opened in late August, featuring some 240 archival documents and historical photographs, about 30 of which are displayed for the first time. Wang Yanghong, a descendant of a member of the Taiwan volunteer corps, donated some photos and family letters at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. While visiting the exhibition, Wang unexpectedly came across a previously unknown document that listed the names of Taiwan compatriots who had signed up to join the force, including three from her family. She immediately took a photograph of the document to share with her family. "I hope that these documents will allow more people to understand the deep bond across the Taiwan Strait," Chen said. Zhang Xiuqing, who now lives in Fuzhou, still keeps a stack of letters and greeting cards sent from her youth league fellow members in Taipei. A letter, dated October 2005, read: "Changing circumstances cannot sever the blood ties that unite us." Zhang's son, Pan Bingzhao, said the family decided to donate three of his mother's letters from her fellow members to the Fujian Provincial Archives. "The stories of compatriots from both sides of the Strait fighting shoulder to shoulder against Japanese aggression deserve to be known by more people," he said. Construction of Germany's largest battery storage facility to date is set to begin in Forderstedt, Saxony-Anhalt, on November 4, 2025. According to the operator, Eco Stor, the facility will have a capacity of 300 megawatts and a storage capacity of 716 megawatt-hours according to the operator Eco Stor. This means the facility could theoretically supply around 500,000 households with electricity for two hours. The storage facility in Saxony-Anhalt is scheduled to go into operation in the second quarter of 2027. Continue after ad The German-Norwegian company, headquartered in Bavaria, is investing around 250 million euros in the site, according to its statements. There will be no subsidies. Eco Stor makes its money by buying and storing electricity cheaply to sell it again at higher prices. Low prices on the electricity market occur when there is a surplus of electricity, usually from renewable sources. High prices occur, for example, in the event of a lull in solar and wind power. Eco Stor has set itself the goal, according to its statements, of operating a total of 30 locations in Germany with a total capacity of 10 GWh by 2030. In June, Germany's largest battery storage facility to date in Bollingstedt, with a capacity of 103.5 MW and 238 MWh of storage capacity, went into operation. Large container city on a green field Figuratively, the planned storage facility can be imagined as a kind of container city. Eco Stor plans 192 battery stations with 1536 battery cabinets and 638,976 battery cells. The operator chose Forderstedt because of an existing substation with a 110 kV grid connection. Population density also played a role. The facility is intended to maintain sufficient distance from residential areas to keep noise pollution as low as possible. In addition to Eco Stor, several other companies are planning to build battery storage facilities in Germany. The title of the largest storage facility is therefore unlikely to remain with Eco Stor for long. By the end of 2027, EnBW plans to build a large battery storage facility with a capacity of 400 MW and 800 MWh at the site of the former nuclear power plant in Philippsburg. In Waltrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, BKW and Luxcara are planning a battery storage facility with a capacity of 900 MW and 1800 MWh for the first quarter of 2028. However, the plan for a mega-storage facility by LEAG in Boxberg, Saxony, with a storage capacity of more than 1000 MWh, is in question after the operator reportedly suspended planning indefinitely. Internationally, there are even larger storage facilities: the Waratah Super Battery in Australia partially went into operation in August 2025 with a capacity of 350 MW and 750 MWh and is being expanded to 850 MW and 1680 MWh. The Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in the USA with 750 MW and 3000 MWh was considered one of the world's largest systems but was partially destroyed in a fire on January 16, 2025. The fire severely damaged the 300 MW Phase I facility, while the remaining 450 MW remained intact. Providers advertise these advantages Continue after ad The providers advertise their projects, among other things, by stating that they stabilize the power grids with the storage facilities. The storage facilities are black start capable and can also contribute to restoring the grid in the event of a collapse. In addition, the facilities would help stabilize electricity prices and allow for a greater input of renewable energies into the grid, as they can compensate for lulls. (mki) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Microsoft released an out-of-band update for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) early Friday morning. According to Microsoft, it correctly closes a critical security vulnerability that attackers could use to inject and execute malicious code. A proof-of-concept exploit has reportedly surfaced. Admins should therefore act quickly and apply the new patch. Continue after ad This is indicated by an entry in Windows Release Health Message Center at 4 AM Central European Summer Time on Friday morning. "Microsoft has discovered a remote code execution vulnerability (RCE) in the reporting web service of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)," the developers write. "An out-of-band (OOB) update was released on October 23rd to address the issue." Due to the time difference, it is still Thursday on the US Pacific coast at the time of the report. Microsoft further explains: "This is a cumulative update. If you have not yet installed the Windows security updates from October, we recommend applying the out-of-band update instead." A restart is required after the update. Attack Possible Without Prior Authentication Microsoft already released a software patch to close the vulnerability with the October Patch Day. The description of the vulnerability states: "Deserializing untrusted data in Windows Server Update Service allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code over a network" (CVE-2025-59287, CVSS 9.8, Risk "critical"). Contrary to the entry in the Message Center, the developers write that customers with Windows servers should apply the out-of-band update to fully fix the vulnerability. They also mention a workaround that should definitely be applied until the updates are installed: Either admins disable WSUS, or they block access to its ports 8530 and 8531 on the host firewall, making it unreachable. The update is available for various servers: Windows Server 2025 (KB5070881) Windows Server, version 23H2 (KB5070879) Windows Server 2022 (KB5070884) Windows Server 2019 (KB5070883) Windows Server 2016 (KB5070882) Windows Server 2012 R2 (KB5070886) Windows Server 2012 (KB5070887) Continue after ad Meanwhile, IT security researcher Kevin Beaumont has announced on Mastodon that exploiting the vulnerability closed by the updates is very easy and can apparently be accomplished by adapting known preliminary work. He therefore strongly advises applying the update. This is already the second unplanned update in October. On Tuesday, Microsoft released an out-of-band update that fixes a problem with the Windows Recovery Environment. The latter could no longer be operated with USB keyboards and mice after the October security patches. (dmk) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Some older hard drives from the manufacturer Western Digital are reportedly susceptible to failures, which are facilitated by the recording technology and firmware of the affected drives. They all have one thing in common: they rely on Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology. In this process, data tracks overlap like roof shingles to increase capacity. This, in turn, requires complex firmware that constantly logs where which data is located to position the read heads correctly. Errors can apparently occur here, ultimately leading to failure. Continue after ad About the problem initially reported by 030 Datenrettung Berlin. The company names 14 affected WD hard drives with capacities from 2 to 6 TByte from the Blue, Red, and Purple series, which WD recommends for PCs, NAS, and video surveillance systems. Only the Purple models raise questions because WD, according to their statements, dispenses with SMR technology. Particularly unfortunate for previous customers: with the Red models, WD for a long time concealed the use of SMR technology. We had the fundamental issue confirmed by two other data recovery companies: Attingo and Data Reverse. Affected WD hard drives belong to an internal platform called VeniceR. Models with higher capacity reportedly do not have a fundamental problem. (Image: 030 Datenrettung Berlin) A Self-Reinforcing Process According to them, the issue has been known among data recovery specialists since 2021/2022. 030 describes it in detail in a blog post: SMR hard drives use a so-called secondary translator, which logs all write operations. Overwriting a single data sector can therefore trigger around 10,000 changes in these translation tables. Each of these changes is a potential source of error. A power failure at the wrong moment, a slight jolt during the writing process, or even just the normal aging of the data carrier can lead to inconsistencies in the hard drive's service area and especially in the translation tables, it states. HDD controllers recognize inconsistencies in the tables and automatically attempt to correct them. This can become critical if, for example, a read/write head in a hard drive shows early signs of wear and occasionally delivers incorrect data. Continue after ad In such a case, 030 explains: The controller logic interprets this incorrect data as damaged translation tables and attempts to 'repair' them. However, in doing so, it overwrites correct data with incorrect 'corrections'. The result: a self-reinforcing process that increasingly corrupts the firmware until the hard drive finally fails completely. Backups, Backups, Backups Markus Hafele, head of the data recovery provider Attingo, explained in an interview with heise online that this is not a fundamental firmware error but a side effect of SMR technology in the affected HDDs. The failures usually announce themselves through initial read errors. However, they can also occur suddenly, for example, due to shock. At the latest, when a hard drive starts clicking audibly, action is required. The noise is caused by corrupted firmware data, which leads to inconsistent movements of the read/write heads. Data recovery specialists recommend backing up all data to other storage media at this point at the latest. In most cases, they can recover the data using special software, but with the affected SMR models, this is an extremely lengthy and potentially expensive process. Acelab software, for example, has a so-called technological mode that bypasses the translation layer and can copy the basic data. However, the read speed is so slow that the process can take days to weeks. Jan Bindig, head of Data Reverse, also notes that around ten percent of the affected WD hard drives encrypt their firmware. For such models, data recovery is even more complex, if possible at all. No fundamental problems have been known so far with SMR hard drives with higher capacities above 6 TByte. They use different platforms with completely different firmware, which apparently handles the translation layer differently. Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (mma) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Chinese FM to attend Lanting Forum on improving global governance Xinhua) 10:40, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the Lanting Forum on Improving Global Governance to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity on Oct. 27 and address the opening ceremony, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday. The forum will be held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, said the spokesperson, adding that high-level representatives and renowned experts and scholars from China and abroad, and members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in China will have an in-depth exchange of views on various dimensions of the Global Governance Initiative and practical pathways toward it at the forum. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) BEIJING, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- A reception was held Saturday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing to mark the inaugural Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. The event followed a decision by China's national legislature to designate Oct. 25 as the commemoration day. The decision, adopted on Friday by the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, stipulates that the state will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day. Attendees included guests from various sectors of Taiwan and representatives from relevant departments of the mainland, who earlier participated in a meeting marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China on Saturday. The reception was organized by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. Speaking at the reception, Song Tao, head of both the offices, noted that establishing the commemoration day on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration fully reflects the aspiration of the people and the determination of the nation. He stressed that this move constitutes an important measure to remember history and pay tribute to fallen heroes, a strong action to uphold the one-China principle and counter "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, and a concrete step to firmly support patriots advocating national reunification. Chi Hsing, publisher of The Observer, a magazine in Taiwan, remarked that designating the commemoration day resonates with the shared aspirations of the overwhelming majority of Taiwan compatriots. She further noted that the move will rekindle shared memories among compatriots across the Taiwan Strait, inspire Taiwan compatriots to bear history in mind, carry forward the patriotic tradition, and strive for national reunification and rejuvenation, she added. Attendees from Taiwan at the event shared the view that establishing the commemoration day is both timely and highly significant. They stressed that this move will inspire all Chinese, especially Taiwan compatriots, to deepen their understanding that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China and that people on both sides share a common Chinese identity, thereby further strengthening their resolve to oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference. After the reception, the guests from Taiwan visited an exhibition showcasing Taiwan people's resistance efforts against Japanese aggression at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing. In 1894, Japan initiated a war against China and then occupied Taiwan. On Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. The first reports indicate that our fuel network is functioning well. There is no large-scale crisis at this stage, he said. Our task is to ensure fuel distribution across Finland. If bottlenecks appear, we will look for solutions. Speaking at the National Coalition Party council meeting in Helsinki, Orpo said there is no major disruption to fuel deliveries and that the government does not plan to intervene in the market. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Finlands fuel distribution network remains stable despite difficulties facing Teboil, the countrys third-largest distributor, following US sanctions on its Russian parent company, Lukoil. The United States imposed sanctions on Lukoil on Thursday as part of new measures targeting Russian energy firms. Following the decision, Finnish refiner Neste suspended its fuel sales to Teboil. The Bank of Finland warned on Friday that Finnish companies cooperating with Lukoil could face secondary sanctions. Orpo said the state would not interfere with Nestes business decisions and emphasised confidence in market competition. We have a well-functioning, competitive distribution system. I believe in the market economy. There is no reason to start building a support package at this stage, he said. The Finnish Transport and Logistics Association (SKAL) said local supply problems could still emerge because Teboil operates stations in remote regions where other companies lack coverage. The group urged authorities to monitor availability but warned against actions that could distort competition. For independent service station operators, the sanctions have caused uncertainty over payment systems and deliveries. Orpo acknowledged that challenges may arise for entrepreneurs running combined fuel and cafe businesses. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and, if necessary, the Ministry of Employment will use their normal tools to assess what kind of help might be possible, he said. Orpo called the sanctions necessary to weaken Russias capacity to continue its war against Ukraine. It was the right decision by the United States to target Rosneft and Lukoil, he said. These measures are essential. Orpo also talked about Finlands commitment to supporting Ukraine and reducing national debt. He said the question of using Russias frozen assets remains legally complex but progress is being made within the European Union. I believe a solution is near, as major EU countries like Germany support the use of these funds, he said. The prime minister said Finlands energy security remains strong, with large-scale wind power projects underway alongside new data centre investments. He pointed to cooperation with the United States on icebreaker construction as an example of successful Finnish expertise creating jobs and economic growth. Finland is on the right track, but that is not enough, he told party members. We have carried responsibility in difficult times, and we will continue to do so. HT Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne said Finland continues to back the abolition of the system. Our position has not changed. We support putting an end to the clock-changing routine, she told Helsingin Sanomat . Finland supports ending the twice-yearly clock changes, as does the majority of European Union members, who want to abandon daylight saving time. The move remains stalled in EU decision-making, despite growing evidence that changing the clocks affects public health. The clocks will move back to standard time this Sunday at 4am, in accordance with the EUs Summer Time Directive. The law obliges all member states to adjust clocks simultaneously each March and October, preventing individual countries from acting alone. The European Parliament voted in 2019 to end the practice by 2021, but the proposal has been stalled in the Council of Ministers due to the absence of a common position among member states. Without consensus, the legislation cannot progress. European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the Commission is still working on the issue and will release a report later this year. Ranne said Finland supports the commissioners efforts and has expressed this in direct meetings. In 2018, a public consultation by the European Commission found that 84 percent of respondents wanted to stop changing the clocks. Despite that, the file has been frozen in Brussels for nearly five years. Some European lawmakers have expressed frustration at the lack of progress. Social Democrat MEP Maria Guzenina accused Ranne of hesitating on the issue, arguing that the matter lies in the hands of the Council. Ranne replied that the delay is due to other member states failing to state their preferences. Research suggests that changing the clocks twice a year can disrupt circadian rhythms and harm physical and mental health. Studies conducted in the US, Sweden, and Finland have found that heart attacks increase by about 4 percent in the week following the spring clock change. Stroke rates and serious traffic accidents also rise during that period. According to David Ray, professor of endocrinology at the University of Oxford, the shift causes people to live against the clock by misaligning the bodys internal rhythm with external time. Even a one-hour shift can increase the risk of disease when applied across a population, he told the BBC. In contrast, the autumn clock change offers only limited benefits. Although people gain an hour, studies show they sleep an average of just 33 minutes longer and may face an increased risk of seasonal depression. A Danish study of psychiatric data from 1995 to 2012 found an 11 percent rise in major depressive episodes during the 10 weeks following the return to standard time. Economist Joan Costa-i-Font of the London School of Economics tracked 30,000 people over three decades and concluded that the net effect of daylight saving time was negative. The health benefits of the autumn change are not strong enough to outweigh the springtime losses, he told the BBC. His research estimated that the biannual clock change costs economies roughly 750 per person each year through lost productivity and health impacts. The European Parliament remains divided over which time should become permanent. Most governments favour keeping summer time, which offers longer evenings, while sleep scientists argue that winter time aligns better with natural biological cycles. HT YINCHUAN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Despite the three flights over about 18 hours that it takes to reach Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Ayak Awer Chan Liol from South Sudan said the journey was well worth it. "It's definitely eye-opening to come here," said Liol, a poverty eradication through economic development program officer in the Office of South Sudanese Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel. "It just gives an inspiration that if Ningxia can do it, Africa, South Sudan, specifically, can do it too." Liol is one of 45 officials who have traveled from partner countries of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the African Union to attend a training program on Chinas poverty alleviation and African development from October 19 to 26. The program includes lectures, field visits and teaching designed to offer insights into Ningxia's poverty-alleviation practices. Ningxia was one of the main battlefields in China's poverty reduction efforts. Its Xihaigu region was once labeled the "most unfit place for human settlement" by visiting experts from the United Nations in the 1970s due to drought and a fragile ecological environment. Thanks to continuous poverty-reduction efforts over the years, all 1,100 impoverished villages in Xihaigu had been lifted out of poverty by 2020, with 803,000 people shaking off poverty over the decade since 2011. The participants visited Minning Town. The town's story began in 1996, when the Chinese government launched a pairing initiative, linking east China's Fujian Province with Ningxia to enable targeted poverty alleviation. Over 60,000 people relocated from Xihaigu's arid mountains to new homes along the Yellow River, turning Minning into a thriving hub through agricultural and industrial growth backed by funding and expertise from eastern China. At a government-supported e-commerce workshop, Liol said she had been amazed by the women there who were busy livestreaming, packing parcels and closing deals on computers, confident and proficient. "I heard their stories. Some of them didn't know how to read and write. Some of them didn't finish school," she said. "But now they are standing in front of cameras and able to use computers, even just for copying and pasting. It's amazing and definitely something that inspires us to do something similar in our country." Mphatso Richard Gama from Malawi was also greatly inspired. "It is 100 percent women employed. In Africa, women are usually taken as housewives, but you see in the workshop, they are generating income by doing markets and selling products," Gama said. The group also visited a modern cattle farm in the town, which integrates breeding, forage cultivation, farmer training, and beef processing and sales. Juma Omary Kapilima, head of the division of agriculture, livestock and fisheries of the Ulanga District Council in Tanzania's Morogoro Region, filmed what he was seeing on his phone and said he was eager to apply what he had learned. Kapilima was impressed by the modern livestock farming and government support he observed. "There are also a lot of policies to support them, and they train farmers for free. This is meaningful and that's how the government helps local people to improve their income. Even in Tanzania, we can do so," he said. Bame Thembi Golekanye from Botswana was deeply impressed by the town's mushroom greenhouse. Holding a cluster of its produce, she said she planned to introduce the fungus plantation system back at home. "We don't have this at home. So I'm going to introduce it to the farmers on that side," Golekanye said. The mushrooms are grown using Juncao technology developed in the 1980s by Lin Zhanxi at China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. The technology uses a type of hybrid grass to cultivate edible and medicinal mushrooms, while also functioning as animal feed and helping control soil erosion. The grass has been adopted in over 100 countries, including over 40 in Africa, and is known as "Chinese grass" or "the grass of happiness" in these countries, according to Lin's student, Luo Zongzhi, who now leads a technical team in Minning Town. In the nearby Juncao greenhouse, four-meter-tall grass remains lush green despite the chill of the late autumn. As one of its beneficiary countries, Malawi has long grown Juncao -- known locally as "elephant grass" -- to stabilize river banks, Gama told Xinhua. It is also used to feed animals like cattle, goats and sheep. "The only thing different is that we are not yet using it to grow mushrooms," Gama said. "Maybe we should try this too to increase the mushroom production." Gama cherishes this training opportunity, he said, and his notebook has been filled with observations and reflections from his trip to Minning Town. "I think we should have hope. Nothing is impossible," Gama said. TOKYO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday delivered her first speech in parliament since taking office, which has raised concerns about her hawkish and conservative views on security and diplomacy. On the security front, Takaichi voiced her readiness to further accelerate Japan's military buildup, pledging to raise the country's defense budget to 2 percent of gross domestic product by next March, two years ahead of the plan, and revise the National Security Strategy and two other key defense documents by the end of 2026. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader called an alliance with the United States the "cornerstone" of Japan's diplomatic and security policies, adding that her government will deepen multilateral dialogue with countries such as South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and India, and advance a "free and open Indo-Pacific." Takaichi emphasized that China is an "important neighbor" with which Japan needs to foster "constructive and stable" ties, but there are "security concerns" between the two sides. In terms of the economy, Takaichi highlighted her commitment to "responsible and proactive fiscal policies," vowing to promote the development of industry sectors such as artificial intelligence, and support people's livelihood by expanding local subsidies and energy subsidies, thereby reducing the burden on middle and low-income groups. Regarding policies toward foreigners, the 64-year-old staunch conservative said her government will enhance its management, tighten restrictions on land purchases by foreigners, and ensure that foreigners in Japan abide by relevant rules. Takaichi's policy speech at an extraordinary parliamentary session came after she was elected prime minister on Tuesday, Japan's first woman to hold the post. Several major Japanese media outlets published commentaries expressing strong concerns about Takaichi's policies. The Asahi Shimbun said that Takaichi's policies in areas such as security, diplomacy and dealing with foreigners have a "strongly hawkish tone" and are intended to significantly alter the direction of Japan's postwar development, noting "this trend is highly worrying." The Nikkei pointed out that this policy adjustment is based on a further increase in defense spending, and relevant policies must be discussed extensively and deliberately in parliament. The Mainichi believed that these measures could change the nature of Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy and potentially reverse its postwar path as a pacifist nation. "Focusing solely on strengthening Japan's defense capabilities may heighten neighboring countries' sense of caution. It is crucial to continuously engage in dialogue to maintain peace," it said. A man reinforces a window damaged in an airstrike in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 25, 2025. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) KIEV, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. The attack sparked fires in several areas, shattered windows in residential buildings, and damaged a kindergarten in the eastern part of the city, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, said on social media. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the city was targeted by ballistic missiles. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 62 drones and nine missiles during the overnight assault on Ukraine. Air defense units shot down 50 drones and four missiles. The strikes marked the second massive attack on the Ukrainian capital in less than a week. On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain is speeding up its program to supply more than 5,000 lightweight multirole missiles to Ukraine to bolster the country's air defense during the winter. People reinforce the windows of a residential building damaged in an airstrike in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 25, 2025. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) People reinforce a door damaged in an airstrike in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 25, 2025. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 25, 2025 shows the site of an airstrike in Kiev, Ukraine. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) This photo taken on Oct. 25, 2025 shows the site of an airstrike in Kiev, Ukraine. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) People line up to receive door and window reinforcement materials in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 25, 2025. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) People cover a vehicle damaged in an airstrike with plastic sheeting in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 25, 2025. One person was killed and 10 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight from Friday to Saturday, said a local official. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Global Governance Initiative provides important guidance for the future development of the United Nations, said a Chinese envoy on Friday. The Global Governance Initiative is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, aiming to foster closer solidarity and coordination within the international community and enable a more robust response to the challenges of the times, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. Over the past eight decades, the United Nations has become the most universal, representative, and authoritative intergovernmental organization, making indelible contributions to world peace and development, he noted. However, the ideals envisioned in the UN Charter remain unfulfilled 80 years later, with the global governance system under severe strain, Fu told an open debate of the Security Council on the future of the United Nations, held to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the world body's founding. At this defining moment, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative, presenting China's solution to addressing the widening global governance deficit and advancing the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system, he said. The United Nations is at a new historical starting point, the envoy said, adding that China stands ready to work with all countries to uphold the lofty ideals of the world body. "Let us forge ahead to build a community with a shared future for humanity." KABUL, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government's national procurement commission has approved 22 development projects worth 3.5 billion afghani (over 53 million U.S. dollars) to enhance infrastructure and economic opportunities, the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs announced on Saturday. The commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, reviewed 33 proposals across various sectors before green-lighting the 22 initiatives. The projects include the construction of retaining walls, water canals, and rural roads; the dormitory building at Wardak University; and the supply of electrical equipment to power companies in multiple provinces, according to the statement. These initiatives are expected to create jobs for residents, bolstering the government's push to revive the economy during the ongoing recovery from decades of conflict. In late September, the commission approved six procurement projects with the value of more than 56.4 million dollars. Hanin al-Mabhouh shows a picture of her children at home in al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Sept. 25, 2025.(Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a small tent pitched atop the rubble of her destroyed home, Nour Mohammed Abu Madi, 34, is losing her battle with bone cancer. She has no access to chemotherapy, no way to leave for treatment abroad, and little hope that help will arrive in time. "A year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with bone cancer," Abu Madi told Xinhua in a trembling voice. "I tried to travel abroad for treatment, but I couldn't get a referral or approval, and the medicine I need is unavailable here. I live only on painkillers, and my condition is getting worse day by day." Abu Madi said her nights have become endless hours of pain and fear. "There is no medicine to ease my suffering... I feel my body collapsing, and what hurts me most is that I can no longer be the mother I once was. My children need me, but I cannot even hold them," she said. Beside her bed, her mother, Om Mohammed, wipes sweat from her daughter's forehead with a damp cloth. "Nour was strong," the mother said. "But now she is collapsing in front of my eyes. We appeal to the world to see her as a human being who deserves a chance at life, not as a number on a waiting list." Like thousands of others, they wait in uncertainty as the Rafah border crossing -- the main exit point for Palestinians seeking medical care abroad -- has remained closed for months. In the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, 34-year-old Hanin al-Mabhouh faces a similar ordeal. Confined to a wheelchair after an Israeli airstrike hit her home in July 2024, she lost her left leg and four of her daughters in the same attack. "I was preparing lunch for my girls," al-Mabhouh recalled, her voice trembling. "My youngest was laughing as she helped me in the kitchen. Suddenly, there was a deafening sound - fire and dust everywhere. I woke up in the hospital with one leg gone and all my daughters gone too." "I lost everything in an instant -- my home, my family, even my ability to stand," she lamented. "Now I live on aid that barely covers food, let alone medicine." Doctors told al-Mabhouh she needs surgery to install a prosthetic limb and long-term physical therapy to regain movement, but all medical referrals have been frozen due to border closures. "I submitted my papers several times for treatment abroad, but no one responded. Every day that passes, my hope grows weaker." The cases of Abu Madi and al-Mabhouh reflect a growing humanitarian crisis. More than 18,500 patients and wounded people urgently need to travel abroad for medical treatment, yet only 680 have been able to leave the Gaza Strip since the beginning of this year, according to Monir al-Borsh, director general of Gaza's health authorities. "Requests for medical evacuation are often delayed or denied despite the completion of all international procedures. Thousands of lives could be saved if patients were allowed to leave, but many die waiting," al-Borsh told Xinhua. Al-Borsh warned that Gaza's health system is "on the verge of total collapse," as fuel shortages have forced the shutdown of X-ray machines and hospital generators, while medical teams are working "under extreme pressure for long hours, often without rest or adequate supplies." The process of medical evacuation for Gaza's patients is coordinated through international mechanisms supervised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner agencies, which arrange transfers to hospitals in Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkiye, and several European Union countries, according to the WHO. However, these medical evacuations -- once a lifeline for thousands of critical cases - have sharply declined over the past year, particularly since May, due to the ongoing closure of the Rafah border crossing, the WHO said in a press statement issued in late September. It stressed that a ceasefire and guaranteed safe access are essential to sustain evacuation operations and save lives, urging members to expand humanitarian corridors through Egypt and Jordan and restore the medical transfer route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. "Every day we see dozens of cases like Nour and Hanin," al-Borsh added. "Some of them could be saved if treated in time, but the borders and time decide their fate." Hanin al-Mabhouh is pictured at home in al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Sept. 25, 2025.(Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and two others were injured after collapsing from suffocation at a sewage purifier in southeastern South Korea, Yonhap news agency said Saturday. Four workers passed out from asphyxiation around 11:31 a.m. local time (0231 GMT) at the sewage purifier, installed in the basement of a zinc processing company in Gyeongju, some 330 km southeast of the capital Seoul. Two of the workers died after being transferred to a hospital, while the other two were in critical condition. A separate worker outside the sewage purifier found the victims lying on the ground. Before collapsing, the victims were believed to have worked on the plumbing. Colombian President Gustavo Petro (front) delivers a speech during a rally at the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, capital of Colombia, Oct. 24, 2025. The Trump administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro amid deteriorating bilateral relations, accusing Petro of allowing drug cartels to "flourish," according to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro amid deteriorating bilateral relations, accusing Petro of allowing drug cartels to "flourish," according to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. "President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement. Petro's wife Veronica Alcocer, his eldest son Nicolas Petro, as well as Colombia's Minister of the Interior Armando Benedetti, were accused of having provided or attempted to provide support, goods or services to Petro. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of these designated or blocked persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the statement said. "Gustavo Petro is being designated today pursuant to E.O. (executive order) 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production," the statement said. Petro confirmed on X that he and his family were placed on the OFAC list, adding that U.S. attorney Daniel Kovalik would represent him. "Fighting drug trafficking effectively for decades brings me this measure from the government of the society that we help so much to stop cocaine consumption. It's quite a paradox, but not a step back and never on our knees," Petro said in a post. Benedetti denounced the U.S. move on X as retaliation for defending Colombia's dignity and standing by Petro amid accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced Sunday that Washington would immediately cut aid to Colombia and unveil a new tariff rate. In response to the U.S. sanctions, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said that the accusation is "an act of the utmost seriousness that goes against the dignity of the President," slamming Washington for trying to illegally intervene in Colombian territory and thus violating the norms of international law and diplomacy. The U.S. military carried out two strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific in the past week. U.S. media reported that the two strikes occurred near Colombia's Pacific coast. The Pentagon has sunk 10 alleged drug boats since September, eight in international waters in the Caribbean. Petro has accused the United States of using its anti-drug policy as a pretext to justify the use of force in the Caribbean region to take control of oil reserves. In September, his U.S. visa was revoked after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump's orders when attending the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. People attend a rally supporting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, capital of Colombia, Oct. 24, 2025. The Trump administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro amid deteriorating bilateral relations, accusing Petro of allowing drug cartels to "flourish," according to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua) A man attends a rally supporting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, capital of Colombia, Oct. 24, 2025. The Trump administration on Friday imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro amid deteriorating bilateral relations, accusing Petro of allowing drug cartels to "flourish," according to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. (Photo by Andres Moreno/Xinhua) People pay their final respects to Chen Ning Yang at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. The farewell ceremony started at around 9 a.m. at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery. Guests, including Yang's family and friends, representatives from Tsinghua University, and people from various sectors of society, gathered to pay their final respects to Yang. Yang died in Beijing on Oct. 18 at 103. He was born in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, in 1922. In the 1940s, he went to the United States to pursue academic studies and subsequently held teaching positions. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957. The Yang-Mills gauge theory introduced by Yang and Robert Mills is one of the most important achievements of physics in the 20th century. Over more than 20 years since he returned to China, Yang had taught at Tsinghua University, making important contributions to cultivating and recruiting talent and promoting international academic exchanges. People wait in line to pay their final respects to Chen Ning Yang at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) People wait in line to pay their final respects to Chen Ning Yang at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) People wait in line to pay their final respects to Chen Ning Yang at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) China's Hainan Free Trade Port to launch island-wide independent customs operation Xinhua) 10:40, October 25, 2025 A staff member works at a technology center laboratory of the Haikou Customs in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on Oct. 22, 2025. China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up. "The launch of the island-wide independent customs operation will give Hainan greater latitude to pilot higher-standard opening-up measures," said Cai Ping, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These initiatives will not only drive the island's high-quality development, but also provide a testing ground for broader national reform and opening up, sending a clear message to the world that China's commitment to high-level openness is unwavering, and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) This photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025 shows equipment inside the centralized inspection yard of a freight port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up. "The launch of the island-wide independent customs operation will give Hainan greater latitude to pilot higher-standard opening-up measures," said Cai Ping, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These initiatives will not only drive the island's high-quality development, but also provide a testing ground for broader national reform and opening up, sending a clear message to the world that China's commitment to high-level openness is unwavering, and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A drone photo taken on Sept. 23, 2025 shows the customs inspection area at the centralized inspection yard of a freight port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up. "The launch of the island-wide independent customs operation will give Hainan greater latitude to pilot higher-standard opening-up measures," said Cai Ping, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These initiatives will not only drive the island's high-quality development, but also provide a testing ground for broader national reform and opening up, sending a clear message to the world that China's commitment to high-level openness is unwavering, and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) This photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows an interior view of the business operation monitoring center of the Haikou Customs in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up. "The launch of the island-wide independent customs operation will give Hainan greater latitude to pilot higher-standard opening-up measures," said Cai Ping, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These initiatives will not only drive the island's high-quality development, but also provide a testing ground for broader national reform and opening up, sending a clear message to the world that China's commitment to high-level openness is unwavering, and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) A staff member works at a technology center laboratory of the Haikou Customs in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on Oct. 22, 2025. China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up. "The launch of the island-wide independent customs operation will give Hainan greater latitude to pilot higher-standard opening-up measures," said Cai Ping, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). These initiatives will not only drive the island's high-quality development, but also provide a testing ground for broader national reform and opening up, sending a clear message to the world that China's commitment to high-level openness is unwavering, and that its doors will continue to open wider, Cai said. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) CARACAS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's armed forces will not accept any government subservient to the United States, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Friday during a visit to a military hospital in the capital Caracas. "The Bolivarian National Armed Forces will not allow a government that is kneeling, enslaved, or submissive to U.S. interests," Padrino Lopez said, according to state broadcaster Venezolana de Television. He urged Venezuelans to remember that some opposition leaders have previously called for foreign intervention and sanctions against the country. While acknowledging that the opposition plays an important role in a democracy, Padrino Lopez warned of what he described as threats from U.S. military actions, particularly in the Caribbean. He denounced recent U.S. maneuvers near Venezuelan waters, saying they have intimidated local fishermen, and called the situation "the greatest threat in a century." Despite escalating tensions, Lopez reiterated Venezuela's desire to avoid conflict. "We want peace," he said. Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives at Singapore's Changi airport in Singapore, Oct. 25, 2025. Li arrived here Saturday for an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Josephine Teo, Singaporean Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Cao Zhongming, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, greeted Li at the airport. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) SINGAPORE, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here Saturday for an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Over the 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relations between the two countries have maintained a good momentum for development, with deepened political mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation and closer people-to-people exchanges, setting a model for mutual learning and win-win cooperation between countries, Li said. Noting that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Singaporean leaders, China-Singapore relations have advanced further in recent years, he said with the establishment of the all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership, both sides have deepened cooperation in various fields, brought greater benefits to the peoples of both countries and made positive contributions to regional peace and development. China is willing to work together with Singapore to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, comprehensively expand mutually beneficial cooperation, continue to work together in the modernization drive, and contribute more to upholding true multilateralism and promoting common development in the region, he added. Josephine Teo, Singaporean Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Cao Zhongming, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, greeted Li at the airport. JINAN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- A cargo ship set sail on Saturday from Yantai Port in east China's Shandong Province for Tanga Port in Tanzania, Africa, marking the launch of the general cargo shipping route. According to the Yantai Port Authority, the new route -- the 29th international route for general cargo at Yantai Port -- signifies another step for the port in building a global supply chain system. The new route helps provide more efficient logistics options for East Africa. After arriving at Tanga Port, cargo can be further transported to inland countries such as Uganda and Rwanda. Yantai Port has already established international shipping routes to Asia, Africa, America and Europe, serving over 200 types of cargo, including special equipment, construction machinery, and wind power equipment. In the first nine months, the shipment volume of general cargo at Yantai Port reached 11.9 million tonnes, up 41.8 percent year on year and already surpassing last year's total. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced that it will host the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, in Dubai, as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025) - one of the leading global platforms for the hospitality, tourism, and investment sectors. The Summit aims to enhance economic and tourism partnerships between the UAE and African nations, boosting mutual investments across key priority sectors, particularly tourism, hospitality, and related services. As part of the initiative, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Bench - the organisers of FHS World - in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. The MoU was signed by H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor , Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench. The two parties will collaborate on organising the event and coordinating its promotional efforts, in line with the Summit's objective of highlighting investment opportunities in tourism-related activities and projects across the African continent. The event will bring together over 250 high-level participants, including senior government officials, decision-makers, and investors from 53 African countries, including tourism ministers and representatives of investment promotion agencies from across the continent. This reinforces the UAE's role as a reliable investment partner for Africa and opens new avenues for strategic collaboration in vital sectors that contribute to building a more integrated and sustainable economic future. The Summit will enable participants to explore opportunities for collaboration between government entities and the private sector across the tourism, investment, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors in both the UAE and the African continent. It also seeks to highlight future initiatives within the tourism and hospitality sectors in both markets. FHS World is a premium platform for investors, hotel owners and operators in the hospitality industry to connect, network and drive the future of hospitality. The summit, established in 2005, connects investment opportunities and projects from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas to C-level hospitality decision-makers. After welcoming 1,596 attendees from 735 companies across 60 countries at its last edition, FHS World 2025 is scheduled to take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from October 27 to 29, marking the Summit's 20th anniversary in the UAE. OLLI Hosts Book Talk, Signing with Barbara Viniar PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College (BCC) invites the public to join a special Book Talk with Barbara Viniar on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 2:00 p.m., offered both in person at BCC and online via Zoom. The event is free and open to all. Viniar will discuss her debut novel, "Little Bird," a historical narrative set in early 20th-century New York City. The story follows a young Russian girl who is betrothed to a wealthy American cousin as a means for her family's escape from anti-Jewish violence. As she navigates immigration, love, loss, and the pressures of tradition, she ultimately battles for autonomy and a life of her own choosing. After her talk, Viniar will take questions and participate in a book signing. Copies of Little Bird will be available for purchase at the event. Raised in the Bronx, she has held leadership roles in higher education and served as president of BCC (19942003), where she helped shape the development of OLLI's predecessor. In retirement, she turned to creative writing; Little Bird was published in August 2025 by Sibylline Press. Beacon owner Cory Jacobson, left, and Phoenix Theatres VP Jordan Hohman try out the new seating being installed in the Beacon Cinema. They are looking to improve their patrons' theater experience. Beacon Cinema Seeing Improvements Amid Growth in Customers The new recliners are being installed overnight so as not to disrupt the screenings. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Just seven years ago, the Beacon Cinema was on the brink of bankruptcy. Enter Michigan-based Phoenix Theatres, which purchased the property in 2018 and saved the downtown anchor from closure. The years haven't be kind to moviehouses an estimated 2,000 screens were lost from the pandemic (including Regal Cinemas in Lanesborough ), the challenge of streaming services and rent on demand, and the 2023 writers' strike that delayed film production. But owner Cory Jacobson said the Beacon has been ramping up business and is only seeing that grow. "We have the ability to look at numbers for that period of time. And between 2010 and 2018, it was averaging about 130,000 guests per year. And in recent years, meaning post-COVID years, our average is 170,000 people," he said. "And that's post-COVID business. The rest of the industry is down. This location just has really bounced back in a big way. And it's good, it's a good problem to have." Phoenix's model is buying older cinemas and revitalizing them. It now has about 69 screens in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and one on the East Coast: the Beacon. "The seats that are in this theater are sat in more frequently than any other location in our entire company by probably 30 percent more. It's 30 percent busier in terms of frequency than any other location of ours, and it's just located in a beautiful downtown setting, and we get a lot of support from people here," said Vice President of Project Development Jordan Hohman. "So the goal right now is, how do you make this just a little bit better, and how do you go back and maintain so that that experience that people receive here is just as good as the day it opened, and that's what we're trying to focus on." The company made some improvements in the 1918 Kinnell-Kresge Building shortly after purchasing it, including flooring and adding some heated seats in the six-screen cinema. The building's getting a refresher with new recliners in five of the cinemas, some upgrades to the the digital signage and a new exterior sign. Hohman said Beacon has been a "beacon" for the Pittsfield community. With the increase in patrons, it was time to update a few of the theater's amenities. The new fixes include a new outside sign, digital signs inside the building, new seats in most of the theaters, and some more cosmetic cleanup. Jacobson said the theater is doing great and he comes to visit it multiple times a year to make sure it is doing well. "The film industry generally has been kind of in this recovery period since the pandemic and the strike and so on and so forth. So we're very happy with where we're at with this business, and if we could expand it, we would," Jacobson said. Jacobson started Phoenix Theatres around 25 years ago. He said he has always loved films and has worked every job in the cinema before starting his own business. "My earliest memories are my father taking me to see Herbie 'The Love Bug' in 1968 and I was a real little kid, and walked up and got a chance to go into the projection booth," he said. "I was really captivated by that. And when I was old enough, I went back and became the popcorn popper when I was 14, the same theater. And then I've worked every job. I've been an usher, popcorn popper, an assistant manager, theater manager, district manager, and then I decided to try this on my own." The sign out front was designed by Hohman and cost about $18,000. The design was inspired by the iconic marquees, like of the Chicago Theatre. "I like to use this phrase a lot. It's like we have this enormous canvas, and here's the paints, here's the brushes, just go at it, have a good time and create," Jacobson said. "And really the inspiration for it was the Chicago Theatre sign, although vertical, it's the letter style. It's the light bulbs that are going to be inside the letters. It's a very different classic look from a 1928 theater." Jacobson said they want to upgrade the building but not change its appearance so to respect its history. "We really wanted to have a new appearance, yet at the same time, be very respectful of the architecture of the building," he said. "It's a streetscape. You're driving down the road and see the Beacon Cinema." The two said the renovations will not affect the cinema's hours and will also not affect prices, an important aspect to Jacobson. "The company who's doing our our seat refurbishment/replacement, they're going to come in at like midnight and work all through the night so that we can stay open on a regular basis the same hours that we always have," Hohman said. "It's important that this stays consistent for people in both the way that we are pricing and our hours. "All we're trying to do is increase the value of your dollar that you pay for admission, making the seats better, making the presentations as good as they possibly can be, and, of course, improving the building." The other reason for the jump on the renovations is to be prepared for the holiday season. With many new movies coming out, and specials like the $1 showings of 2004's "The Polar Express" they do every holiday season, brings in a lot more people who are choosing to enjoy their time at the theater. "I guess what inspires us to be on it right now. We wanted this to have a new face before we got to these Thanksgiving pictures, and particularly, to have it ready for "Wicked [For Good]," which is major movie in the Berkshires," Jacobson said. Phoenix Theatre received a Pittsfield Glow Up! Business Improvement Grant for $7,225 to help pay for the sign. The rest of the renovations will be about $100,000. Alex Rikleen of Acton is mounting a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, who is up for election next year. The former teacher asked to address local Democrats this week. Democratic Senate Candidate Rikleen Visits Lenox Alex Rikleen speaks at the Lenox Town Democratic Committee on Wednesday. LENOX, Mass. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Alex Rikleen says the country is in an "existential" crisis under the leadership of President Donald Trump. "If I were in the Senate right now, I'd be delaying Trump's agenda in every way possible. I'd deny unanimous consent. I'd force quorum calls, I'd place holds on every nomination, and I'd pressure fellow Democrats to do the same on their committees," he told the Lenox Democratic Town Committee on Wednesday. "We have tools, and even when those tools only slow things down, those delays are crucial to those who are about to be harmed. This is an existential crisis, and our democracy is at risk. We need to do everything we can to ensure survival now, and then we need to prioritize fixing what broke once Democrats are back in power, because repairing our democracy will have to be our top priority when we're back in power." Rikleen, of Acton, was the first to launch a primary challenge against Edward Markey, who is running for a third term. He is a Massachusetts native and a former history teacher. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton recently announced his intent to run as well. He had asked to speak with the town committee; the response was "yes," and he attended the regular meeting in the Church on the Hill Annex. "I'm an ordinary Bay Stater, and our state's proud history is of ordinary people stepping forward when our freedoms are under attack," Rikleen said. His main priorities are to fix the U.S courts, including the Supreme Court, protect voting rights, and to end "big money" in politics by overturning the Citizens United decision and banning dark money in campaigns. The candidate also supports climate justice, universal health care, gun safety regulations, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive health-care access, and immigrant protections, as well as pathways to citizenship. He said Markey has championed ideas that resonate with him. "So why am I running for Senate? Because Democrats in Washington are playing it safe," he said. "They're betting it all on a strategy of waiting and hoping that we win more seats in the next election, or the election after that, all while people are getting hurt today. As a former history teacher, I've studied this stuff, and when opposition parties play it safe that's how you lose a democracy." He everyone needs health care, a fair economy, and a safe climate, but solutions to those problems won't last if the courts strike them down, or billionaires can buy the outcomes, or the nation can't choose its leaders. This, Rikleen said, is why his campaign's top priorities are structural. by Mohamed al-Azaki SANAA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The sharp scent of chlorine fills the corridors of Al-Sabeen Hospital in central Sanaa. Cries of pain echo through the crowd. Fatigued faces line up for examinations, while others wait in fear that help may come too late. "Since dawn, I have been feeling dizzy and exhausted, and I have severe diarrhea. I feel like my intestines are about to come out," Fatima, who was being carried by her husband and three children, told a nurse at the reception. A nurse quickly directed her to the isolation ward -- a section now expanded by several white tents in the hospital's backyard, guarded by masked security staff. In line, a mother was holding her six-month-old baby. "Since last night, she's been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea." "The gas cylinder ran out yesterday, and my husband didn't have the money to refill it, so I had to prepare the baby's milk with regular tap water," the mother said. Inside Al-Sabeen Hospital, health workers tirelessly spray chlorine on every surface -- floors, walls, doors, and ceilings -- in a constant battle to contain the outbreak. Outside, the contrast is striking. Just beyond the hospital walls lies Al-Sabeen Square, a wide, clean, and elegant street where annual national celebrations, military parades, and weekly demonstrations are held in a show of force. But less than a mile away, sewage overflows from cracked and clogged pipes beneath the surrounding neighborhoods, flooding the streets and forming foul streams. In Tahrir Square, also downtown Sanaa, popular restaurants and street vendors abound, cooking popular meals on the sidewalks and in the open air, including grilled chicken, meat, fried foods, and vegetables, despite the dense dust and swarms of flies. Although the flood channels from Al-Sabeen to Tahrir and Sh'ub appear relatively clean, residential alleys are lined with piles of garbage and plastic bags, teeming with stray dogs and mice. Further north, the flood paths become swamps filled with garbage and sewage, where insects, mosquitoes, flies, and rats thrive. The stench grows stronger near Sanaa International Airport, where rainwater and sewage converge in open spaces. Nearby, in Al-Azraqayn, sits the capital's largest open landfill -- a symbol of a system long overwhelmed. Health authorities in Sanaa send weekly messages to residents' mobile phones, warning them of the dangers of acute watery diarrhea, and urging them to wash their hands with soap before eating and use clean drinking water. They also require all farmers to use clean well water and licensed fertilizers to spray crops. However, Mohammed al-Naomi, a farmer from Sanna, told Xinhua that the high price of diesel -- which is needed to pump clean groundwater -- makes irrigation hardly affordable. Many farmers, he said, resort to using sewage in the dead of night for fear of being caught, as the practice is illegal. According to reports from UN humanitarian organizations, thousands of Yemeni employees are no longer able to provide a single meal for their families per day since their salaries were cut off. Unemployment has become rampant since the outbreak of the war. Millions more are now dependent on foreign humanitarian aid. In its latest report on Sept. 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of infections across Yemen since the beginning of the year has reached 72,260, including 201 deaths, ranking third globally in terms of cholera prevalence. However, the organization noted that the actual number in Yemen may be much higher. In 2024, cholera killed 879 people out of more than 260,000 recorded cases. Between 2016 and 2023, over 2.5 million infections and more than 4,000 deaths were reported nationwide, the WHO said. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has deepened the suffering of Yemenis since the outbreak of war more than a decade ago between the internationally recognized government backed by the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi group. Yet, amid the sounds of war, another, quieter struggle continues -- one not born of politics, but of dirty water. Community Hero: Berkshire County Arc DALTON, Mass. For over 70 years, Berkshire County Arc has been a cornerstone of support and empowerment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its impact on its members and the community has earned the non-profit our Community Hero of the Month designation. The Community Hero of the Month is a 12-month series that honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on their community. This year's sponsor is Window World of Western Massachusetts. Nominate a hero here What began as a small, family-founded agency has grown into one of the region's largest employers, serving more than 1,000 people and employing over 800 staff across a wide range of services, including its residential day programs, employment services, family support, in-home adult family care, brain injury services, and more. "So, it's really a wide range. And I think sometimes people think of this agency as only one department or one service, when there's a vast amount, with close to 50 sites at this point we want to give to this community as much as it's given to this agency," said Sonja Haecker, executive vice president. "So, we really tried not to be just a building on a street. We want to be a part of your neighborhood. We want to be a part of your culture and really welcome the partnership with the community." BC Arc's mission remains assisting and supporting individuals in their quest to identify and realize their chosen lifestyles. People are complex, Haecker said, and our lives are not solely centered around home and work; we also explore other interests and maintain a social life. It is important to take this into consideration when thinking about helping individuals lead full and enriched lives. "We want to make sure we're supporting people in all those different areas, whether they live in one of our homes, or if they live in their community, if they want to be employed, or if they just want to volunteer, you got to be able to help people in what their interests are, versus just telling them what they should do with their days," she said. The organization offers a range of services and access to resources, including day programs, 36 residential facilities, employment services, citizen and self-advocacy programs, and respite services. From artists, volunteers, residents, and employees, the impact of Berkshire County Arc is best told through their voices. Members emphasized how the organization has helped them find jobs, build confidence, and develop new skills. "It's good and I love people there. They are nice to me, and they love me, and they help me out," said Megan Bates, BC Arc member. Berkshire County Arc is a welcoming place, said Jennifer Terrio, also a member. "It helped me get a job and stuff at Marshalls [department store]. It helped me, made me open up more I was scared at first I was one of the very first individuals that started here, and if it wasn't for this place, Northview, I would not have had a place to come to," she said. It provides resources to people with disabilities that other states don't have and serves as an example for other areas, she said. "I think we need to get the word out to the different states of the resources that we have here that they need, because we have people there that are struggling [and need a place like this to help them,]" Terrio said. The organization encourages its members to be as independent as possible, teaching them life skills like baking and grocery shopping, and helping them discover new interests. "Because I've been here, people taught me a lot of things I didn't know through the years. I really love it," said Christopher Goldman, BC Arc member. One of the biggest needs in the community right now is residential; BC Arc's beds are at full capacity, and there is a waitlist, Haecker said. "It's really coveted. So, as caregivers get older and they're no longer able to provide care in their homes, those individuals get displaced," she said. "So, the need for supported apartments or residential housing, or people to become foster caregivers, where they'll bring in somebody into their home and care for them, that is a really big need, just because the Berkshires does have a large aging population." When caregivers are unable to care for their loved ones with disabilities, the responsibility does not go away, Haecker said. "So, we need to make sure we have enough caregivers to meet the needs of people who really need that support," she said. Despite the challenges, BC Arc works to ensure no one falls through the cracks by utilizing its extensive resources, which it has built up over the years, including its unique home programs, like the Adult Family Care program. This program pairs individuals with foster families who provide care in a home setting. Families receive a stipend, case management, and nursing support. If a higher level of care is needed later, transitions can be made. Some individuals thrive in the foster family environment and may remain there as their forever home, as long as it works with that family dynamic. There are 200 residents across BC Arc's brain injury and developmental disability residential services, said Scott Barschdorf, brain injury services director, and Erin Manson, developmental disability services director. The developmental disability residential services provide individuals with disabilities community homes, cooperative and staffed apartments, supported living, and homeownership throughout Berkshire and Hampden Counties. "It's really great to see them grow and develop. A lot of them set goals for themselves annually, and they meet them all the time. And it's great to see them succeed, to see them work on the little steps to get to the end goal. It's really rewarding," Manson said. BCArc operates 18 group homes in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley for its brain injury department. This department collaborates with the state to transition individuals from nursing homes or facilities into suitable community homes, enabling residents to achieve their goals, Barschdorf said. "It's important that we serve all types of people, and that all people get the resources that we have access to, and that we can be the middleman to help them get everything that they need. ... I think we excel at creating every home to be a home," Manson said. "[The homes] are individualized to the individuals. It's their lights, their choosing. Their rooms are 100 percent theirs and everything that they love. The homes are comfortable. They're welcoming, they're cozy. It's impressive." Members highlighted some of the many activities they have been able to do, such as going out to the movies, apple picking, volunteering at the dog park, and much more. "For people with disabilities, an organization like this is really helpfulit does inspire me a lot, because sometimes I write poetry and music, and sometimes I do it here, and it just all these people around me just inspire me to write more," said Brian Ellsworth, BC Arc member. The experiences of its members through work, volunteering, and other activities benefit the community, enhancing support for other organizations in the Berkshires. "I'm always happy, and I always am in a good mood when I come to Northview," Krystal Dupuis "We do such a good job in the community, and we're always helpful with other people and at volunteer sites, and we're thinking about doing Meals on Wheels." The members are not only learning from BC Arc staff, but the organization is also learning from them. "At the end of the day, for me, helping these guys out, helping the staff out, just makes me go home and makes me feel better about myself, because I'm not only learning from them, they're learning from me as well. I go home super happy. I love my job," said Keysa Santos-Delgado, Northview community-based day service manager. As new needs arise and members discover new interests they want to explore, BC Arc works to aid in their journey, sometimes resulting in a new resource they can add to its ever-evolving catalog. "I think for a long time, there was this stigma that some people are less than others, and that the reality is nobody's less than. They're all part of this community," Haecker said. "They want to contribute to their community, want to be a part of their community. They want meaningful friendships. They want to have the pride of going to a job, working, having a check, paying taxes, and being able to vote. And the more that we integrate and embrace them, the more that they can help society as much as the next person." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Japan scrambled fighter jets to monitor nuclear-capable Russian warplanes that flew over international waters along the edge of Japanese airspace off its coast. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japans air force launched the jets in response to Russian bombers approaching the Sea of Japan. The Defence ministry said the two Tu-95 bombers, accompanied by two Su-35 fighters, had initially flown toward Japans Sado Island before turning northward. The ministry also released a map showing the flight path of the Russian aircraft off Japans west coast over the Sea of Japan. Russia is conducting active military operations on a daily basis around our country even as it carries out the invasion of Ukrainethis is the reality, Mr Koizumi said on X. The Tu-95 that approached Japan's coast is a nuclear-capable strategic bomber, while the Su-35 is a multirole fighter aircraft that has also been used in Moscow's war in Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry on Friday claimed that the two Tu-95 completed an 11-hour flight over "neutral waters of the Sea of Japan" while "strictly adhering to international airspace regulations". "During certain segments of the flight, the strategic missile carriers were escorted by foreign fighters, the defence ministry added. Russia has been accused of previously flying bombers over international waters around Japan in January this year. The incident took place hours before Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, pledged in her first speech to parliament since taking office to accelerate a defence buildup. Ms Takaichi said Russia's military activities, along with those of China and North Korea, were posing a "serious concern". FILE - A Tu-95 strategic bomber from the Russian air force prepares to take off from an air base in Engels near the Volga River in Russia ( Russian Defense Ministry Press Service ) European countries have accused Russia in recent weeks of repeated incursions with drones and jets, most recently on Thursday, when Nato member Lithuania said Russian fighters had briefly flown into its airspace. Moscow denied that its planes conducting exercises nearby had flown into Lithuanian airspace. Two Russian military aircraft, an Su-30 fighter jet and an II-78 refuelling tanker, flew over the Nato member state on Thursday for approximately 18 seconds, prompting a formal reaction from the alliance. They were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700m at 1500 GMT, the military said. I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace by the fighter jet and transport plane of the Russian Federation from a Kaliningrad region site, Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said in a statement. "This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania, he added on X. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness. Natos Baltic Air Policing scrambled Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets that were patrolling the area in response. It deployed aircraft to the Lithuanian airbase of Siauliai as part of its Operation Eastern Sentry. A Nato official said that the swift response demonstrated its readiness to respond to any developments and ability to ensure the safety of the alliances airspace. Lithuania summoned Russias top diplomat to issue a stern protest after the incident. It has informed the alliance, European Union allies and the North Atlantic Council of the episode, the countrys foreign ministry said. TRIPOLI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Coast Security said its units rescued 49 Sudanese migrants from drowning off the coast of Zuwara, about 120 km west of Tripoli, the capital, the force said late on Friday. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the General Administration of Coast Security, which operates under the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU), said the migrants were stranded after their boat broke down and were brought ashore at Al-Shaab port in Tripoli. "Legal measures were taken against them," it added, without giving further details. According to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 240,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Libya since war broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. In September, a boat carrying 74 people, mostly Sudanese, capsized off Libya's coast, leaving only 13 survivors, UNHCR said. Libya has been a major transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Human smuggling networks have flourished amid years of political division and insecurity, leaving migrants vulnerable to abuse, detention, and deadly sea crossings. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thailands Queen Mother Sirikit, who supervised royal projects to help the rural poor, preserve traditional craft-making and protect the environment, died on Friday. She was 93. The Royal Household Bureau said she died in a hospital in Bangkok. Since 17 October, she had been suffering from a blood infection, but despite her medical teams efforts, her condition did not improve. She had been largely absent from public life in recent years due to declining health. Her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in October 2016. Photos released by the palace for her 88th birthday showed her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and other royals visiting the queen mother at Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she was receiving long-term care. Although overshadowed by her late husband and her son, Sirikit was beloved and influential in her own right. Her portrait was displayed in homes, offices and public spaces across Thailand, and her 12 August birthday was celebrated as Mothers Day. Her activities ranged from helping Cambodian refugees to saving some of the country's once-lush forests from destruction. Yet as the monarchys role in society was increasingly scrutinised during Thailands last decades of political turbulence, so too was the queens part in it. Stories circulated about her behind-the-scenes influence during a period marked by two military takeovers and several rounds of bloody street protests. And when she publicly attended the funeral of a protester killed during one clash with police, it marked for many her taking a side in the political schism. Sirikit Kitiyakara was born into a rich, aristocratic family in Bangkok on 12 August 1932, the year the absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional system. Both of her parents were related to earlier kings of the current Chakri dynasty. She attended schools in wartime Bangkok, the target of Allied air raids, and after the Second World War, moved with her diplomat father to France, where he served as ambassador. At 16, she met Thailands newly crowned king in Paris, where she was studying music and languages. Their friendship blossomed after Bhumibol suffered a near-fatal car accident and she moved to Switzerland, where he was studying, to help care for him. The king courted her with poetry and composed a waltz titled, I Dream of You. open image in gallery Queen Mother Sirikit passes by Russian honor guards while arriving in Moscow Vnukovo airport, July 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The pair married in 1950, and at a coronation ceremony later the same year, both vowed to reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese (Thai) people. The couple had four children: the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn and Chulabhorn. During their early married life, the Thai royals crisscrossed the world as goodwill ambassadors and forged personal ties with world leaders. But by the early 1970s, the king and queen were devoting most of their energies to Thailands domestic problems, including rural poverty, opium addiction in hill tribes and a communist insurgency. Each year, the couple travelled around the countryside while also officiating at more than 500 royal, religious and state ceremonies. The queen, who was an impeccable dresser and avid shopper, also relished climbing hills and entering squalid villages where older women called her daughter. Thousands raised their problems to her, ranging from marital squabbles to serious diseases, and the queen and her assistants took up many personally. While some in Bangkok gossiped about her involvement in palace intrigues and her lavish lifestyle, her popularity in the countryside endured. Misunderstandings arise between people in rural areas and the rich, so-called civilised people in Bangkok. People in rural Thailand say they are neglected, and we try to fill that gap by staying with them in remote areas, she said in an interview with the AP in 1979. Royal development projects were set up across Thailand, some of them initiated and directly supervised by the queen. To increase the income of poor rural families and preserve dying crafts, the queen in 1976 launched SUPPORT, a foundation which has trained thousands of villagers in silk-weaving, jewellery-making, painting, ceramics and other traditional crafts. Sometimes dubbed the Green Queen, she also set up wildlife breeding centres, open zoos, and hatcheries to save endangered sea turtles. Her Forest Loves Water and Little House in the Forest projects sought to demonstrate the economic gains of preserving forest cover and water sources. While royalty elsewhere had only ceremonial or symbolic roles, Queen Sirikit believed the monarchy was a vital institution in Thailand. There are some in the universities who think the monarchy is obsolete. But I think Thailand needs an understanding monarch, she said in the 1979 interview. At the call, The king is coming, thousands will gather. The mere word king has something magic in it. It is wonderful. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police are conducting a manhunt for an asylum seeker who was mistakenly released from prison on Friday. Major demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping were seen earlier this year after Hadush Kebatu, who was staying there, sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl. He was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported, but was accidentally freed on Friday. Justice secretary David Lammy said he was livid on behalf of the public as he urged Kebatu to give himself up, and said he has launched an investigation into what has happened in the prison service to allow this to come about. Sir Keir Starmer said the mistaken release is totally unacceptable and the government is supporting police in trying to track him down. Here is what we know, and dont know, about Hadush Kebatu. open image in gallery Hadush Kebatu was jailed for 12 months for sexually assaulting a woman and a teenage girl in Essex ( Essex Police ) How was he freed from prison? Kebatu was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported, but was freed by mistake. He was wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence and handed a 76 discharge grant, The Telegraph reported. An officer at the prison has been removed from duty while officials investigate the error, The Independent understands. Videos circulated online appeared to show a man resembling Kebatu in Chelmsford town centre shortly after his release, wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag. Essex Police said he boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford railway station at 12.41pm following the error. The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 13.18pm, according to Trainline data. open image in gallery Kebatu was a resident of the Bell Hotel in Epping ( PA Wire ) What was he convicted of? Kebatu was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts in September. He told two teenagers he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls thighs and stroke her hair, his trial was told. He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. Kebatu was jailed for 12 months and made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with a judge warning he posed a significant risk of reoffending. He was also added to the UK sex offenders register for 10 years, which means he is supposed to be subject to strict monitoring. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer said the accidental release was totally unacceptable ( PA Wire ) What has the government said? Sir Keir Starmer said the accidental release was totally unacceptable. The prime minister said: I am appalled that it has happened and its being investigated. The police are working urgently to track him down, and my government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes. Deputy prime minister Mr Lammy said he was livid on behalf of the public and urged Kebatu to hand himself in, telling anyone who has information on his whereabouts to call 999. He added: I spoke to the home secretary today. I have launched an investigation into what has happened in the prison service to allow this to come about. But the important thing is that we protect the public. The important thing is that the police are able to do their work and find this individual. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said that Kebatus release was staggering incompetence. He told Channel 4 News: There is only one group of people to blame for this, and that is the Labour government. Theyve let out a dangerous sex offender who preyed on a 14-year-old girl just eight days after entering the country illegally, and now theyve let him out. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: The Epping hotel migrant sex attacker has been accidentally freed rather than deported. He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Around 250,000 worth of fake weight-loss jabs have been seized in what is thought to be the biggest crackdown on the illicit medicines worldwide. Officers uncovered tens of thousands of empty weight-loss pens ready to be filled, raw chemical ingredients, and more than 2,000 unlicensed retatrutide and tirzepatide pens in a raid on a warehouse in Northampton. The medicines regulator said the raid is the first illicit production facility for weight-loss medicine discovered in the UK, and is believed to be the largest single seizure of trafficked weight-loss medicines ever recorded by a law enforcement agency. The finished products of the materials taken by officers have a street value of around 250,000, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Officers also recovered large amounts of sophisticated packaging and manufacturing equipment, and 20,000 in cash suspected to be linked to medicines trafficking. open image in gallery Officers uncovered around 250,000 worth of equipment, packaging and products ( MHRA ) The Independent previously reported on illicit retatrutide, a weight-loss jab still in development, being sold via social media. The drug is pitched as a Triple G weight-loss drug because of its unique ability to mimic the actions of three different hormones GLP-1, glucagon and GIP which are released after eating and work to reduce appetite, help regulate blood sugar levels and support fat loss. But health bosses warned that such compounds are illegal and could expose users to dangerous ingredients that can have serious health consequences. MHRA head of criminal enforcement Andy Morling said taking out the facility was a landmark result, but warned people to be extremely cautious when buying medicines online. He added: Prescription medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking prescription medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health there are no guarantees about what they contain, and some may even be contaminated with toxic substances. Taking out the first illicit weight-loss medicine manufacturing facility found in the UK is a landmark result for the MHRA and a major blow to the illegal trade. These products are untested, unauthorised, and potentially deadly. By taking this organised criminal network out of operation and stopping tens of thousands of potentially fatal products from entering circulation, weve prevented a serious risk to public health. open image in gallery Huge boxes of the fake drugs were found by officers ( MHRA ) This is an illicit global market that endangers patients, puts big money in the pockets of organised criminals, and undermines legitimate healthcare. This operation demonstrates, once again, that my officers will stop at nothing to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the organised criminal networks who put profit before safety. Health secretary Wes Streeting said the seizure was a victory in the fight against criminals peddling dangerous and illegal weight-loss jabs to make a quick buck. "These unregulated products, made with no regard for safety or quality, posed a major risk to unwitting customers, he added. "My message is clear: don't buy weight-loss medications from unregulated sources. Talk to your GP, seek NHS advice, and don't line the pockets of criminals who don't care about your health. Safe, appropriate, licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those in need if taken under medical supervision, and I urge people to only purchase and use them with the approval and oversight of medics and pharmacists. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison was seen by a delivery driver returning four or five times to the reception, as he hung around outside for around an hour and a half. Hadush Kebatu was jailed for 12 months in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman. The former asylum seeker, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was due to be deported, but on Friday he was released from HMP Chelmsford by error. The Met Police is now leading the manhunt for the 38-year-old, with searches centred on London where the last confirmed sighting of him was in Dalston, Hackney, on Friday evening. A still from CCTV footage has been issued of him inside a library in Dalston Square at 6pm. On Saturday, as police chiefs made a direct appeal to Kebatu, an interview was aired by Sky News with a delivery driver who said he spoke to him while delivering a fridge at the time of his release. The driver, Sim, said Kebatu knew he was supposed to be deported and kept asking prison staff what to do, returning to the prison reception four or five times. He came out of the airlock, and kept saying to the officers there, Where am I going? What am I doing? I dont know where Im going and what Im doing, Sim told Sky News. open image in gallery The Met Police has issued a last sighting of Kebatu in Dalston, Hackney, on Friday evening at 6pm ( Met Police ) He was holding a pack of paperwork in his arms, and his bag of bits He knew hed been deported. He came over to me and said, I need you to help me. Sim said that a member of prison staff told him that he had to get on a train and directed Kebatu to Chelmsford station to catch a train to London, telling him: Youre released, youre released. Sim said Kebatu waited outside the prison for roughly an hour and a half before leaving. He kept scratching his head and saying, Where do I go, where do I go? The fourth or fifth time [he went into the reception] he was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed. Im not sticking up for the guy, but in my eyes, he was trying to do the right thing. He knew he was getting deported, but he didnt know where he was going or how he should get there. open image in gallery A court sketch of Hadush Kebatu during his trial where he was convicted of sexual assault on a girl ( PA ) A prison officer has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation is underway. Videos circulated online appeared to show a man resembling Kebatu in Chelmsford town centre shortly after his release, wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag. In an update on Saturday, police said Kebatu has access to funds and had made several train journeys across London. Detectives say he got off a train at Stratford, with CCTV later catching him in Dalston Square, where he was seen carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados on it. He was last seen in the area at 8pm, the Met said. Commander James Conway, who is leading the manhunt, urged Kebatu to give himself up. He said: We believe he has access to funds, and critically, in both Chelmsford and London, we believe he has sought assistance from members of the public, and has spoken to station staff. He added: I am making a direct appeal to Mr Kebatu. We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. open image in gallery Hadush Kebatu had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping at the time of his offences (PA) ( PA Wire ) You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff. The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station. The Independent contacted the Ministry of Justice which referred a request for a statement to deputy prime minister David Lammy, who earlier said he was livid on behalf of the public. He added: I spoke to the home secretary today. I have launched an investigation into what has happened in the prison service to allow this to come about. But the important thing is that we protect the public. The important thing is that the police are able to do their work and find this individual. During the trial at which Kebatu was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl, it was heard how he told two teenagers he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls thighs and stroke her hair. He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. Kebatu was found guilty of five offences following his three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts. Close Virginia Giuffre speaks about Prince Andrew in resurfaced Panorama interview: 'I was a toy' Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Unseen footage of a BBC interview with the late Virginia Giuffre has aired, in which she reflected on her introduction to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. I was a toy. I was there to be passed around, she said. But I was still a human being with feelings and emotion and sadness. And to know that this man had daughters, that he was still capable of abusing me. It's... it just doesn't make sense. In the interview, which featured on BBC Panorama on Tuesday night, the late Ms Giuffre told the story of how she met Andrew in London in 2001 when she was 17 years old. The prince vehemently denies the allegations that Ms Giuffre was forced to have sex with him three times after being trafficked by Epstein. Ms Giuffre told the BBC: "He knows what happened, I know what happened. And there's only one of us telling the truth." Andrew was formally stripped of his remaining royal titles on Thursday. A statement from Buckingham Palace said Andrew continued to deny all allegations against him. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When Umer Heyi received news from the Home Office that he had been granted sanctuary in Britain, he was ecstatic. Caseworkers had agreed that the 28-year-old had a well-founded fear of persecution and could not return to his home country of Ethiopia, where he said he had been imprisoned over his support for an opposition party, the Oromo Liberation Front. The decision meant he had a stable future in the UK, at least for the next five years. But, more importantly for Umer, it also meant the promise of safety for his wife Habiba and two-year-old son Kena, whom he believed would now be allowed to come to Britain under a government scheme to bring families together. open image in gallery Umer has never met his two-year-old son in person. Images of his wife and son have been blurred for safety reasons ( Umer Heyi/Supplied ) If I bring them here, I will be able to protect them. If I can save my life, but I cant protect them, then why should I live? he says. Yet, just hours after receiving the good news, Umers hope that he would one day reunite with his loved ones was snatched away. The day he received his grant of refugee status, 4 September, was also the last day that refugees could apply to bring their close family members to the UK, after a dramatic shift in policy by the government. Eager to start the process of bringing his wife and son to the UK as soon as possible, Umer had obtained the phone number of a lawyer through an Ethiopian friend and rang it at 3.13pm. But what he didnt know was that the scheme had closed to new applications just 13 minutes earlier, at 3pm. Then-home secretary Yvette Cooper had announced a pause on new applications in parliament three days before. She claimed that people-smuggling gangs were using family reunion rules to promote illegal crossings to the UK. Charities condemned the decision, saying it would, in fact, push people into the hands of smugglers. open image in gallery Umer is now unable to apply to bring his wife to the UK through the refugee family reunion route ( Umer Heyi/Supplied ) The pause on the family reunion scheme is expected to last until spring 2026, when new requirements for refugees are expected to be announced. In the meantime, those settled in the UK can sponsor immediate family members to come here, but only if they meet the minimum salary threshold of 29,000 per year and if they can pay thousands in application fees. Umer arrived in the UK on a small boat in May 2025. He graduated from university with a degree in computer science in Ethiopia and speaks fluent English, but has struggled to find work in the sector since getting his refugee status. He is now doing a cybersecurity course in Norwich so that he can have a suitable UK qualification that will help him get a job. Tragically, Umer has never been able to meet his two-year-old boy in person. I was arrested and imprisoned by the government one week before my son was born, he says. I was supporting the opposition party and I had participated in a series of protests. The authorities arrested me and put me in prison, without trial, for one year and four months. I was able to escape after my family paid a bribe for my release, but I had to immediately leave the country without seeing my wife or son. That was in November 2024, and it took me around six months to get to the UK. open image in gallery Umer Heyi is trying to build a life in the UK but just missed the cut-off to apply for his wife and son to join him ( Umer Heyi/Supplied ) Umer was able to speak to his wife again for the first time in April this year, when he borrowed a phone while in Italy. Since my arrest, she has had to move houses multiple times. She was running from place to place, and militias were harassing our family. I want to do anything I can to take them out of that country and, when I got to the UK, it was explained to me that I could bring them here if I applied for asylum, he says. The officer who interviewed me on my first day in the UK explained that I can apply for them. So the day I received my refugee status, I called the lawyer to apply. She explained to me that it [the reunion scheme] had stopped and there was nothing she could do for me. He adds that he was heartbroken. I havent even seen my son in person, all we can do is a video call. If I cant save him, if I cant protect him, then what have I got? We just want the opportunity to save our lives and not stay separated. Umer speaks to his wife and son regularly but, for safety reasons, has to wait for them to call him. His son Kena likes to play and listen to music while they are on video calls together. Umer explains that Kena likes it when he sings Oromo music. He tells me to sing, and he will dance. He just keeps telling me to sing again, sing again, he says. Then when he is playing with other little boys, he tells my wife to bring the phone and he tells them, This is my father. Every time he tells me to come, why dont you come? Nick Beales, from the refugee charity Ramfel, which has supported Umer, says: Labours decision to suspend refugee family reunion is not only cruel but counterproductive. Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood cannot, on the one hand, say they want refugees to take safe routes and then, on the other, remove one of the few safe routes that exist. They cannot insist that refugees immediately establish themselves in their new communities whilst at the same time ensuring their partners and children remain stranded overseas. A Home Office spokesperson said:We have recently moved to suspend the refugee family reunion route, acknowledging the pressures it is putting on local authorities and public services. We understand the devastating circumstances of some families, which is why there remain other routes which individuals may be eligible to apply for in order to reunite with family. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Keir Starmers leadership of Labour has been dealt a blow after former cabinet minister Lucy Powell, who has criticised his leadership and policies, was elected as deputy leader. Ms Powell beat Sir Keirs preferred candidate Bridget Phillipson by 87,407 votes to 73,576 in a clear message from Labour members that they want a change of direction, although the turnout was only 16.6 per cent. The result is a huge comeback for Ms Powell, who was sacked as Commons leader by Starmer in last months reshuffle caused by the departure of Angela Rayner, who she has now been elected to replace. Additionally, Ms Powell, the MP for Manchester Central, is close to Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who many would like to see replace Sir Keir as leader. open image in gallery Lucy Powell gives her deputy leader victory speech ( Sky News ) It comes after another appalling week for the prime minister, which has left him on the political ropes with MPs openly discussing replacing him if elections go badly next May. Giving her final interview before voting closed to The Independent, Ms Powell warned that we need to make some changes to how we operate as she admitted the party has not been able to control the agenda... weve made some mistakes, some missteps. She called for MPs suspended for rebelling over planned welfare cuts to be allowed back in the parliamentary party and pushed for a rapid change of direction on policies including the two-child benefit cap, and fairness in the Budget. Ms Powell went on to state that the party needs to change following her victory. She said: We have to offer hope, to offer the big change the country is crying out for. We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, of whose side we are on, of our Labour values and beliefs. Thats what Ive heard loudly and clearly around the country these last few weeks. As deputy, my job will be to bring those voices into the heart of our Party. Because whilst we are doing many good things, people feel that this government is not being bold enough in delivering the kind of change we promised. She warned that the party needs to build a progressive alliance as Labours vote fractures on the left and repeated her warning that the party cannot out-Reform Reform on issues like immigration. open image in gallery Bridget Phillipson would have been Keir Starmers preferred candidate ( PA ) And she told an audience including the prime minister that the party has not been bold enough in government. She told them that they need to start setting the agenda. The media were excluded from the event as Labour attempted to minimise media exposure on another difficult day for Sir Keir. The result itself was played out in a small room with only a few invited guests. Sir Keir was present and speaking after Ms Powell, welcomed her election as his deputy. He said: I'm delighted to start working with Lucy as our new deputy leader. Well get going straight away. But he insisted we must unite as a party, with concerns about divisions hanging over the result. He said: Our job is to unite every single person in this country who is opposed to [right-wing] politics and wants it defeated once and for all. And that means we must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see. Highlighting comments by Tory MP Katie Lam about deporting migrants, he said that the danger in politics was highlighted this week. open image in gallery Starmer welcomed Powells election, saying Labours job is to unite the country ( PA ) People need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled. Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division, and we have to keep going on that. It is the offer we must make to the people of Scotland, Wales and England next year, and that means we must come together. We must unite. The week has seen his party lose the Caerphilly seat in Wales, a result he acknowledged as bad for the party, after holding it for more than a century. Added to that, the grooming gang inquiry is in crisis after victims quit its board and the final candidate to chair it withdrew. Sir Keirs much vaunted returns deal to France also suffered a blow when it was discovered one of those sent back on the one in, one out deal had returned on a small boat. Meanwhile, a Techne UK poll confirmed that left-wing voters are abandoning Labour, benefiting the Green Party, whose support has surged by three points to 12 per cent. Labour was down to just 19 per cent, below 20 per cent for the first time since Jeremy Corbyn was leader. Political opponents sought to capitalise on Sir Keirs embarrassment at having a deputy he sacked from his cabinet just weeks ago. Tory chair Kevin Hollinrake said: Weak Keir Starmer has had the candidate he didnt want and who he fired last month imposed on him by the Labour Party. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: The fact that media were not allowed in to this announcement says it all. Labour just doesnt listen. People are feeling frustrated and disappointed that the Government has failed to deliver the change they promised, after years of Conservative chaos and neglect. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Keir Starmer is standing by Jess Phillips, his embattled safeguarding minister, despite one of the women who quit their role on the national grooming gangs inquiry threatening to sue her. Lawyers acting on behalf of Fiona Goddard on Friday issued the warning in a letter to Ms Phillips about comments she made about their client and two other victims who quit a panel on the grooming gang inquiry. The group has already called for Ms Phillips to resign, claiming she had accused them of lying in a letter to the Commons Home Affairs Committee chair Dame Karen Bradley in which she denied the government was seeking to dilute the focus of the inquiry. Ms Goddard's solicitors, Switalskis, said the suggestion of watering down was patently not untrue and Ms Phillipss letter had been defamatory as it suggested their client had been untruthful. They also referred to a text message conversation in which Ms Goddard raised concerns with Ms Phillips about an item on an agenda for a meeting with survivors that asked whether the inquiry should take a broader approach than an explicit focus on grooming gangs. They said Ms Phillips had replied: I know its hard to trust, but I can promise you no one is trying to manipulate the response, and it is my view it is only a grooming gangs [sic] specific inquiry, but it is not right for me to make that decision without it being formally consulted on. Ms Goddard said she had been abused and smeared online as a result of Ms Phillipss statement. The solicitors concluded: Ms Goddard will accept a written apology from Ms Phillips to put an end to this matter. open image in gallery Fiona Goddard said she had been abused and smeared online after Jess Phillips denied claims the government was seeking to water down the grooming gangs inquiry (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) Ms Phillips said that their concerns over allegedly widening the scope of inquiry and watering it down were untrue. The planned inquiry has descended into chaos this week, with the last candidate to chair it Jim Gamble, a child abuse expert who headed up the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) police command withdrawing because of the public anger around it and victims opposition to his appointment. open image in gallery A group of grooming gang survivors have called for Jess Phillips to resign (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Archive ) However, Downing Street has pointed to a statement made by the prime minister this week, where he gave Ms Phillips a vote of confidence to remain as the minister responsible. Previously, she was the only member of his original Home Office team of ministers to survive the reshuffle despite being under the most pressure to be sacked over her initial reluctance to hold an inquiry into grooming gangs. On Wednesday, when Tory leader Kemi Badenoch quoted victims demands that Ms Phillips resigns or is sacked, Sir Keir responded: I respect the views of all the survivors, and there are different views I accept that but I think the safeguarding minister has probably more experience than any other person in this House in dealing with violence against women and girls, and alongside her will be Louise Casey. These two individuals have spent decades, decades, standing up for those who have been abused and sexually exploited, and I absolutely think they are the right people to take this forward. He also insisted that the inquiry will not be watered down. He told MPs that the victims who resigned from the panel are welcome to return at any time. He said: I do acknowledge that in recent days some members, including Fiona, have decided to step away from the panel. Should they wish to return, the door will always be open, but even if they do not, we owe it to them, to Fiona, and to the country to answer the concerns that they have raised. The inquiry is not and will never be watered down; its scope will not change, it will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair it. Meanwhile, Ms Phillips fellow Birmingham MP Preet Kaur Gill, a former social worker who worked in child protection before being elected in 2017, has stepped into the row, also warning against the inquirys focus being widened. She said: While child sexual abuse in all its forms demands urgent attention, Caseys audit was clear that this particular form of organised, group-based exploitation exposes unique institutional failings that have not been addressed through previous inquiries. Broadening the scope risks losing the focus that Casey rightly identified. The need to hold systems to account for their role in allowing organised grooming and exploitation to persist despite repeated warnings. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A family's peaceful night aboard their boat anchored off Cape Cod turned to horror when they were awoken by barking dogs, fireworks, and smoke, only to discover their vessel on fire. Tyler Sullivan and his parents, Patrick and Cynthia, plunged into the water on Monday night, swimming through the darkness towards a nearby island. While Tyler and Patrick Sullivan survived the ordeal, Cynthia "Cici" Sullivan, 73, sustained severe injuries and tragically died on Thursday at a hospital, a spokesperson for the Cape & Islands district attorneys office confirmed. Patrick Sullivan, who was also injured in the fire, is awake and breathing without help, his family posted on Facebook. Once the Sullivans reached the tiny island, they hunkered down in a barn and waited for help. They had left Falmouth on Friday and planned to return Tuesday after spending the weekend anchored close to Naushon Island, the largest in a chain of islands between the Massachusetts mainland and Marthas Vineyard. open image in gallery A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter approaches Naushon Island, Mass. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, where a couple and their adult son were rescued two days after their boat caught fire and they swam to shore. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP) By Tuesday night, relatives began to worry when the family hadn't returned and the Coast Guard joined local authorities in a search. Other boaters were alerted to the search efforts Tuesday night, according to audio provided by Broadcastify.com. Mariners are requested to keep a sharp lookout and assist if possible, and report all sightings to the Coast Guard, the alert said. It wasn't until Tyler Sullivan found a marine radio washed up on the beach that he was able to call for help Wednesday. Mayday, mayday, mayday! Our ship went down in Tarpaulins Cove! he told a Coast Guard dispatcher, noting that he and his parents had taken shelter at a farmhouse. Our ship burned while we were sleeping and we barely escaped! The dispatcher asked Sullivan about his parents medical conditions and whether they were able to move around or sit up. A Coast Guard helicopter rescued the family and flew them to a hospital. Sullivans brother, Chris Sullivan, initially told WCVB-TV that his mother was in critical but stable condition. But he confirmed on Facebook that she had died. We played her some John Mellencamp as she passed, he was her absolute favorite, she adored him, he wrote. This hurts more than anything I could have ever imagined, I am leaning on my close friends and family and my two young children. We will get through this together. Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator with Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, credited the family for how they responded to the fire. Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help, he said in a statement. Chris Sullivan praised his brothers actions. My brother saved both of them, he was able to get them off the boat under extremely chaotic circumstances, he doesnt want to be called a hero, but he is, he wrote on Facebook. Authorities say the matter remains under investigation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Timothy Mellon, a reclusive billionaire who has donated tens of millions of dollars to support past Trump campaigns, is reportedly the anonymous donor who gave the government $130 million to help pay troops during the ongoing government shutdown. Mellon, a railroad magnate and heir to a prominent banking and political family, has not publicly claimed a role in any donation. President Trump revealed the anonymous donation Thursday, describing it as coming from a friend and patriot. He doesnt really want the recognition, Trump said at a roundtable event. The Independent has contacted a phone number and email associated with Mellon in public records for comment. open image in gallery Timothy Mellon, a businessman and heir to the Mellon banking fortune, is reportedly the anonymous donor who gave $130 million to the government to put towards continuing to pay U.S. troops during the government shutdown ( Alamy ) The White House and Pentagon declined to comment. The Independent has contacted the Treasury Department for comment. Mellon, who Forbes estimated last year had a net worth near $1 billion, is among the countrys most prolific donors to Republican causes. During the 2024 campaign, he donated $100 million to groups supporting Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential campaigns. Mellons donations during the election were among the largest single contributions ever disclosed. open image in gallery The $130m donation, while substantial, will do little to prop up the Defense Department, which spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year paying U.S. troops ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images ) Mellon, a grandson of the early 20th century Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, lives mainly in Wyoming and has largely eschewed the public spotlight, despite his prolific political spending. Little is know about what is motivating the businessmans donation spree. During the 1970s, he reportedly charitably supported liberal causes including feminism, environmentalism, and Native American advocacy, though his politics appear to have swung to the right in recent years. He once compared climate-change scientists to the terror group ISIS, according to The New York Times, and has donated millions to Childrens Health Defense, Kennedys anti-vaccine group. He also previously attracted attention for controversial comments he allegedly made in a self-published autobiography comparing Black people on social assistance programs to slaves accepting freebies. The Pentagon confirmed the anonymous donation Friday, saying it had accepted the funds under its general gift acceptance authority. open image in gallery Timothy Mellon has donated tens of millions of dollars supporting Republican politicians including Donald Trump and his allies like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ( Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images ) The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members salaries and benefits, said Sean Parnell, chief spokesman for the Pentagon. We are grateful for this donors assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops. Observers expressed concern the donation may not be legal. It could run afoul of the Antideficiency Act, which bars federal agencies from spending money in excess of their congressional appropriations or accepting voluntary services. Whether the government is or is not lawfully paying the troops salaries cant depend on this gift, David Super, a professor of law and economics at Georgetown University Law Center, told the Federal News Network. It has to depend on whether there is another appropriation available for this cost, and I dont think there is. And if there isnt, then they can take the gift and hold it, but they cant spend it without approval of Congress. open image in gallery The government has already rerouted billions in research spending to continue paying the troops ( REUTERS ) This should go without saying, but the American government should be funded by the American people, not anonymous mega-donor friends of the president, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wrote in a statement on X. This is not how things should work in a democracythis raises all sorts of legal and ethical alarms, the group added. Mellons alleged donation, while unusual, would do little to alter the financial challenges facing the Pentagon. The Trump administration has requested about $600 billion in total military compensation as part of its 2025 budget. Earlier this month, Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use "all available funds" to ensure troops are compensated during the ongoing government shutdown. Last week, the administration used $8 billion in funds originally meant for research and development to make payroll. PADANG, Indonesia, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bathed in bright sunshine and swaying coconut shadows, the campus of Padang State University buzzed with excitement on Thursday as guests gathered to celebrate the inauguration of the first Confucius Institute on Indonesia's Sumatra Island - and the 10th in the country. Jointly established by Tianjin Foreign Studies University and Padang State University, the new institute is expected to bring fresh cultural vitality to Indonesia's second-largest island, home to more than one-fifth of the nation's population, while opening a new window for China-Indonesia people-to-people exchanges. "The establishment of the Confucius Institute holds great significance not only for our university but also for the entire Sumatra region," said Krismadinata, rector of Padang State University. "Through this platform, Indonesian students can systematically learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture, laying a foundation for their future development. This will not only improve the quality of Chinese education but also strengthen cultural and educational cooperation between our two countries," said Krismadinata Chen Wu, counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, described the inauguration as "a milestone in the history of educational exchanges between our two countries" and "a bridge that connects hearts through language." "China and Indonesia are friendly neighbors across the sea, and bilateral ties are now at their best in history," Chen said. "The Confucius Institute will help young Indonesians better understand a real China in a multidimensional and comprehensive manner, allowing different civilizations to shine through mutual learning and exchange." On the same day, a Center for Chinese Studies was also unveiled at Padang State University. Li Yingying, president of Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said education and cultural cooperation are vital bonds linking the hearts of the two peoples. "We hope the Confucius Institute will serve as a bridge between Chinese and Indonesian youth, fostering closer understanding through language and cultural exchange," she said. For Ganefri, co-director of the Confucius Institute at Padang State University, the unveiling marked the realization of a long-held dream. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long, and today it has finally come true," he said excitedly. He explained that the university currently offers around 50 Chinese classes each semester, with some 2,500 students studying the language. "However, we have long faced a shortage of qualified teachers," he said. "The Confucius Institute will help ease this challenge and create more job opportunities for students." As Chinese investment in Indonesia continues to grow, so does the demand for people proficient in Chinese. "This is a valuable opportunity for Indonesian students," Ganefri said. "The Confucius Institute not only promotes cultural exchange between our two countries but also helps both peoples understand each other better. Students can learn the language, experience Chinese culture, and at the same time introduce Indonesian culture to Chinese friends. It's a genuine exchange of civilizations," Ganefri added. "I really enjoy the sound and writing of Chinese," said Aldo Sonata, a Padang State University student taking Chinese classes. "With the Confucius Institute, our learning will be more systematic, and we can gain deeper insights into Chinese culture." He added that many of his classmates also study Chinese because "it has become a real advantage in finding a job." As Counselor Chen noted, "Language is the vehicle of civilization, and communication is the foundation of friendship." On Sumatra Island, the newly established Confucius Institute is not just a center for learning but also a bridge of friendship and understanding - one that connects young people in China and Indonesia and opens a new chapter in cultural exchange and mutual learning. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration is seeking to keep damaging information in the Epstein files from reaching the public, according to former President Joe Bidens son, Hunter. During an interview this week on Substack with journalist Tommy Christopher, Biden said he had no insider information whatsoever to support his theory, but believed it was silly to think the administration wasnt running political cover of some kind. The simplest explanation in this instance seems to be, whether its about him or whether its people that he is protecting, is that theyre clearly not releasing what theyre not releasing to protect someone, Biden said when asked about the administrations reticence to release more materials related to the late sex criminal and former Trump friend. All of his supporters have gone from calling it the biggest cover-up in the history of the world to a Democratic hoax! he added elsewhere in the interview. President Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing associated with Epstein and has said the two former friends later ceased contact. open image in gallery Hunter Biden argues the Trump administration is declining to release more Epstein files to protect someone ( Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan/YouTube ) The saga around Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 awaiting a federal sex trafficking trial, has simmered throughout the Trump administration. On the campaign trail and then in the White House, Trump figures said repeatedly they would conduct major releases of Epstein-related files. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi went so far as to say Epsteins alleged client list was sitting on my desk right now to review. Since then, the pace of information has angered both Republicans and Democratic critics of the administration alike, especially following a July memo from the FBI and Justice Department that concluded there was in fact no client list and further Epstein-related disclosures and investigations were not warranted. In response to a congressional investigation, the Justice Department has released some files, including mostly public information, and the Epstein estate turned over an unredacted version of the financiers infamous birthday book, which contains a sexually suggestive letter Trump allegedly sent him in 2003. (The president has claimed the letter is a fake.) open image in gallery The Trump administration has face widespread criticism for failing to match its past promises to release more files relating to the late sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein ( Reuters ) A bipartisan group of representatives in the House is attempting to force a vote on requiring further disclosures, but that effort has been paused by the ongoing government shutdown. Democrats in the House have accused the DOJ of continued disregard of subpoenas related to the probe. Outside of the slow pace of releases, critics have taken issue with other irregularities around the governments handling of the Epstein scandal, including Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwells unexpected transfer to a low-security Texas prison weeks after she was interviewed by a top DOJ official. Trump officials have defended their handling of the Epstein files. FBI Director Kash Patel last month testified that court orders and a past federal plea deal between prosecutors and Epstein were in part stopping officials from releasing more information. Im not going to break the law to satisfy your curiosity, Patel told lawmakers. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former Vice President Kamala Harris says shes not done with politics, giving the strongest indication yet that she may consider running for president in 2028. In a BBC interview partially published Saturday, Harris, 61, said her grandnieces would for sure see a female president in their lifetime despite her heavy loss to President Donald Trump in 2024. Could it be you? interviewer Laura Kuenssberg asked. Possibly, Harris replied, while clarifying that she has not yet decided whether shes running for president in the upcoming election. I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it's in my bones, she said. Kamala Harris said her career in politics is far from over when asked by the BBC if she could be the first female president of the United States ( Getty ) Harriss new book, 107 Days, recounts her brief presidential campaign after former President Joe Biden dropped out amid concerns over his health. In the book, Harris stated that she did not have any immediate intentions to seek another major political position, writing, Ill no longer sit in DC in the grandeur of the ceremonial office. I will be with the people, in towns and communities where I can listen to their ideas on how we rebuild trust, empathy, and a government worthy of the ideals of this country. In the full BBC interview airing Sunday, Harris is expected to face questions about whether she should have urged Biden to step aside sooner, and if that might have changed the election outcome. In the clips already released, Harris dismissed polls that rank her as an underdog, even behind actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson, claiming shes never listened to them. "If I listened to polls, I would have not run for my first office, or my second office and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here, Harris told the BBC. Harris career in politics led her to consider running for California governor in 2026, but in July, she revealed she ultimately decided against it. "For now, my leadership and public service will not be in elected office," Harris explained at the time. In her BBC interview, Harris labeled Trump a tyrant, saying her warnings of his fascist behavior had been proven true. She criticized US business leaders and institutions for yielding too easily to the president. There are many that have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation, she said. Harris accused Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department and federal agencies, pointing to Jimmy Kimmels suspension after he mocked Republicans reaction to influencer Charlie Kirks death as an example of Trump silencing critics. "You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists His skin is so thin he couldn't endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process, Harris said. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed Harriss remarks about Trump, telling the BBC, When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should've taken the hint the American people don't care about her absurd lies. Or maybe she did take the hint and thats why shes continuing to air her grievances to foreign publications, Jackson added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough. The anti-tariff ad was funded by Ontarios provincial government and quoted the conservative icon, who appeared to warn in the video that tariffs hurt every American. Trump appeared to take great offense to the ad and announced Thursday he was suspending trade talks with Canada as a result. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that he would pull the ad to allow trade talks to resume following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, Ford said the ad would continue running through the weekend, including during the first World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which has irked the president. open image in gallery President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough ( AP ) Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagans Speech on Tariffs, Trump complained on Truth Social Saturday afternoon from Air Force One while en route to Malaysia. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said. Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. It was not immediately clear when the hike would come into effect or whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Earlier this year, Trump raised the import tax on Canada to 35 percent. The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs. open image in gallery The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs ( Ronald Reagan Presidential Library ) The Reagan Presidential Foundation has also condemned the ad, calling it unauthorized and a misrepresentation of Reagan's views. The foundation indicated it is pursuing legal options over the use of the audio. Ford said the campaigns goal was to spark dialogue about the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels, Ford said in a statement Friday. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. I can play dirtier than they can, Trump told reporters Friday. Many Canadian products have already been hit with a 35 percent tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50 percent. Energy products have a lower rate of 10 percent. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration is funneling $10 billion from the Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Navy to ramp up its construction of migrant detention centers across the country, according to a report. Construction on the facilities, which could hold up to 10,000 migrants each, could begin as soon as next month, sources close to the project told CNN. The DHS is leaning on the Navy to hire companies for the construction and maintenance of the detention facilities, which will reportedly be spread across Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. The construction plans are the latest example of how the Trump administration is wielding the power of the U.S. military to carry out its anti-immigration agenda. The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and the Navy for comment. open image in gallery The Trump administration is funneling $10 billion from the Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Navy to ramp up its construction of migrant detention centers across the country, similar to the one at Fort Bliss in Texas (pictured) ( AFP via Getty Images ) Publicly available documents from July show that contractors with the Navy may be required to provide infrastructure, staffing, services, and/or supplies necessary to provide safe and secure confinement for aliens in the administrative custody of DHS and ICE. Homeland Security officials have reportedly been trying to quickly secure contracts to build more detention facilities due to the uptick in immigration arrests. It was not immediately clear whether the new facilities would be built on existing Navy installations. CNN reports that the new facilities are likely to be soft-sided tents, similar to the ones at the complex at the Fort Bliss Army base in Texas, which became operational in August. Migrants being held at at the complex were recently subject to numerous violations of federal standards, including medical neglect, poor access to legal counsel, and dysfunctional plumbing, according to detainees and federal inspectors. open image in gallery The construction plans are the latest example of how the Trump administration is wielding the power of the U.S. military to carry out its anti-immigration agenda ( Getty Images ) Experts told CNN that it was not surprising the Trump administration was working with the military to quickly turn around the construction project. The military is good at logistics, and theyve had to do quick turn construction projects like this overseas, said Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute specializing in defense spending. Youre already dealing with an organization that knows how to do this type of contracting activity, and do it quickly. Trumps One Big, Beautiful, Bill in July set aside an unprecedented $45 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to boost immigration detention. Federal contracts from ICE have been steadily increasing since Trumps first term, according to the federal spending database, rising from $137.5 million awarded in 2016 to $463.4 million in 2025 so far. Official data published at the end of September reported that there are currently 59,762 people being held in ICE detention centers. ICE is planning to more than double detention capacity to more than 107,000 by January 2026, according to The Washington Post. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump wants a new armada of warships called the Golden Fleet to combat the threat from China, according to a report. While the president is in the midst of a drastic demolition of the White Houses historic East Wing, he has also turned his attention to replacing the current mix of U.S. Navy warships, the Wall Street Journal reports. Navy and senior Trump officials are reported to be in discussions for an ambitious new fleet that could ward off potential future threats from China. The reported plans come as the president is anticipated to take part in a high-stakes sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days in his first visit to Asia since returning to power. Warships in the so-called Golden Fleet would be fitted with powerful long-range missiles amid concerns that China is building and modernizing its own battleships at a rapid pace, officials told the WSJ. This battleship of tomorrow is going to be this thing that carries really long-range missiles, Bryan Clark, a retired Navy officer and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who is involved in the discussions, told the outlet. open image in gallery President Donald Trump wants a new fleet of warships called the Golden Fleet to combat the threat from China, according to a report ( Getty Images ) The Pentagon and the White House are also reportedly in early discussions about plans to build a new 15,000 to 20,000-ton ship that would be heavily armored, potentially with hypersonic missiles, according to the outlet. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly hinted there would be a future announcement about the plans in a statement to the outlet. Stay tuned! she said, after touting Trumps efforts to bolster Americas maritime dominance. The president has long complained about the aesthetic of the Navys warships. open image in gallery Navy officials and senior Trump officials are reported to be in discussions for an ambitious new fleet that could ward off potential future threats from China ( Getty Images ) His former secretary during the first Trump administration, Mark Esper, recalled telling the president that warships are built to fight and win, not win beauty contests, he wrote in his memoir. At a summit last month in Virginia where top American military leaders were summoned from their posts around the world, the president admitted he was not a fan of some of the Navys warships. They say, Oh, it's stealth. I said, That's not stealth. An ugly ship is not necessary in order to say you're stealth, Trump complained. Navy Secretary John Phelan revealed in February that Trump is so fixated on the issue that he was often texting him in the middle of the night to complain before Phelan was even confirmed by the Senate. President Trump has texted me numerous times very late at night, sometimes after one in the morning [about] rusty ships or ships in the yard, asking me what Im doing about it, Phelan said during his confirmation hearing. open image in gallery Warships in the so-called Golden Fleet would be fitted with powerful long-range missiles ( Getty Images ) Retired naval officer Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the administration should focus on fixing the current backlog of ship maintenance before launching a new fleet. The presidents aesthetic eye is not the proper paradigm to evaluate tactical ship requirements, Montgomery told the WSJ. The plans follow a directive earlier this year from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ordering that the ship bearing the name of gay rights icon and Navy veteran Harvey Milk be renamed. The Office of the Secretary of the Navy issued a memo in June revealing the plans to change the name of the replenishment oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk, which was christened in 2021. Instances of renaming Navy ships are rare, and the process is taboo according to Navy traditions. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man fleeing immigration agents in Virginia was killed when he ran onto a busy highway and was struck by a car, according to officials. Police named Jose Castro-Rivera, 24, of Honduras, as the deceased individual. Agents were conducting a vehicle stop as part of a targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation when the man resisted heavily and fled the scene onto a busy highway, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Castro-Rivera was then hit by a pickup truck on Interstate 254 at the Military Highway Interchange in Norfolk, according to Virginia State Police, who were not involved in the chase but are investigating the death. ICE officers attempted to give the 24-year-old CPR at the scene, though he succumbed to his injuries, DHS said. open image in gallery At least two immigrants have been hit by cars and died while fleeing federal immigration agents this year ( AP ) The officer then informed the three detained aliens that their friend had deceased, according to the agency. He then grieved and prayed with them. A similar death occurred in August, when Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez of Guatemala died after running onto a highway in Monrovia, California, during a chase involving immigration agents. As part of the Trump administrations deportation push, masked agents in unmarked cars have been surged to cities around the country and have often used aggressive, raid-style tactics against crowds in public places like Home Depot parking lots. Last month, more than two-thirds of those in ICE detention had no prior criminal conviction. In September, a 79-year-old U.S. citizen and car wash owner sued federal immigration officials, alleging masked officers shoved him to the ground, dogpiled on top of him, and held him without charges or medical attention for 12 hours during a raid on his business. open image in gallery At least 20 immigrants have died in federal detention in 2025, the deadliest year in decades ( Chicago Sun-Times ) Earlier this month, a federal judge in Illinois temporarily barred agents from using rubber bullets, tear gas, and chemical munitions on protesters and journalists, following a lawsuit from press associations and faith leaders accusing Donald Trumps administration of a pattern of extreme brutality. At least 20 people have died in immigration detention this year, the deadliest in decades. Immigration officials aim to nearly double the number of active immigration agents to 10,000 by early next year, utilizing an unprecedented $75 billion infusion of funding secured this summer. As part of the hiring push, ICE has relaxed some of its prior recruiting standards. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A striking image emerged from the immediate aftermath of the audacious crown jewels heist at the Louvre. Paris-based Associated Press photographer Thibault Camus captured uniformed French police officers sealing off one of the museums gates, their vehicle forming a barrier. Instinctively, Mr Camus framed a dapperly dressed young man walking past. He initially dismissed it as not a particularly great photo, citing a shoulder that obscures the foreground. Nevertheless, the photograph powerfully conveyed the scene: French police securing the worlds most-visited museum after the brazen daylight robbery. open image in gallery Police officers block an access to the Louvre museum after a robbery Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. ( AP ) Plus, Camus figured, the guy walking past the officers was unusually well-dressed, in a trench coat, a jacket and tie and wearing a fedora, adding a touch of Paris couture to the scene. And so off went the photo to APs worldwide audiences. From there, fertile imaginations sprang into high gear whipping up an online buzz. Posts on social media declared the well-dressed man to be a French detective if you will, a more dashing version of the famed Inspector Clouseau from Pink Panther movies even though APs photo caption had not identified him. It simply read: Police officers block an access to the Louvre museum after a robbery Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Paris. A post on X/Twitter that now has 5.6 million views says: Actual shot (not AI!) of a French detective working the case of the French Crown Jewels that were stolen from the Louvre." open image in gallery Police officers work by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris ( AP ) Another poster with 1.2 million followers claimed the man who looks like he came out of a detective film noir from the 1940s is an actual French police detective whos investigating the theft. Camus says nothing he saw led him to that conclusion the man was just someone who streamed away from the Louvre as authorities evacuated the area, Camus says. He appeared in front of me, I saw him, I took the photo, Camus says. He passed by and left. If the unidentified man really is one of the more than 100 investigators hunting for the jewel thieves, the authorities are keeping it very hush-hush. Wed rather keep the mystery alive ;) the Paris prosecutors office said with a wink in an email response to AP questions. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Louvre has transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France, according to French radio RTL, after an audacious daylight heist last week exposed the famed museum's security vulnerability. The transfer of some precious items from the museum's Apollo gallery, home to the French crown jewels, was carried out on Friday under secret police escort, RTL said, citing unnamed sources. The Bank of France, which stores the country's gold reserves in a massive vault 27 meters (88 feet) below ground, is just 500 meters away from the Louvre, on the Right Bank of the River Seine. The Louvre and the Bank of France did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Louvre reopened on Wednesday, three days after thieves made off with historic jewellery worth an estimated 88 million euros ($102 million) in a spectacular heist that has raised urgent questions over security lapses at the museum. Visitors queued to enter through the Louvre's glass pyramid for the first time since Sunday's brazen robbery, in which hooded assailants broke through a second-floor window using a stolen movers' lift before making off with jewels from the royal collection. The Galerie d'Apollon, the ornate gilded hall that was robbed, remains closed. Police officers look for clues by a basket lift used by thieves Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at the Louvre museum in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Amid rising frustration in France that no senior official has taken responsibility, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said there had clearly been security failures and Culture Minister Rachida Dati had launched an administrative inquiry. "There was a burglary at the Louvre, some of the most precious jewels in France were stolen. So obviously it's a failure, there is nothing else I can say," Nunez told Europe 1 radio. But he added that "the alarm system worked perfectly, as soon as the window was attacked, it was activated. Police were notified, and within three minutes they were on the scene. The whole system worked, it didn't fail, but what happened has happened." He declined to comment on the police manhunt, but said he was confident the perpetrators would be found. President Emmanuel Macron has announced a six-year renovation of the Louvre, which will include money for security upgrades. Asked on RTL radio whether state budget cuts had led to security lapses in French museums, the head of France's national audit office Pierre Moscovici said that was not the case for the Louvre. "It is richly endowed, there are sponsorships, really, the Louvre is not without resources." Built in the late 12th century, the Louvre Palace used to be the official residence of the kings of France, until Louis XIV abandoned it for Versailles. It was turned into a museum for the royal art collection in 1793, four years after the French Revolution. It is now the world's most-visited museum, with 8.7 million visitors last year. It hosts the Mona Lisa, the world's most famous painting, and the Venus de Milo statue, as well as countless old masters. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For a quarter of a century, Russian president Vladimir Putin has grappled with his countrys declining and ageing population. The demographic crisis pre-dates his ascent to power, with the nation recording its lowest birth rate in 1999, the year before he officially became president. In 2005, Putin acknowledged the issue, stating that it was necessary to maintain social and economic stability in order to address the challenge of a falling population. He reiterated his concerns in 2019, admitting that Russia was still haunted by the problem. Most recently, on Thursday (23 October), he addressed a demographic conference at the Kremlin, where he emphasised that increasing the birth rate was crucial for Russias future. To combat this trend, Putin has introduced various initiatives, ranging from providing free school meals for large families to reinstating Soviet-era hero mother medals for women who bear 10 or more children. Many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had seven, eight, and even more children, Putin said in 2023. Lets preserve and revive these wonderful traditions. Having many children and a large family must become the norm. At the beginning of this century, the birth rate in Russia grew with its economic prosperity, from 1.21 million babies born in 1999 to 1.94 million in 2015. But those hard-won gains are crumbling against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, the war in Ukraine, an exodus of young men, and opposition to immigration. Russias population has fallen from 147.6 million in 1990 the year before the Soviet Union collapsed to 146.1 million this year, according to Russias federal statistics service. Since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the data has included the peninsulas population of around 2 million, as well as births and deaths there. The population is also significantly older. In 1990, 21.1 per cent were aged 55 or older, government data said. In 2024, that figure was 30 per cent. Since the peak in 2015, the number of births has fallen annually, and deaths are now outpacing births. There were only 1.22 million live births last year only marginally above the 1999 low. Demographer Alexei Raksha reported that the number of babies born in Russia in February 2025 was the lowest monthly figure in more than two centuries. Russia is trying new restrictions to halt the backslide and embrace what it calls traditional family values, with laws banning the promotion of abortion and child-free ideology, and outlawing all LGBT+ activism. Officials believe that these values could act as a magic wand for solving the countrys demographic problems, said Russian feminist scholar Sasha Talaver. In the governments view, she says, women might be financially independent, but they should be willing and very excited to take up this additional work of reproduction in the name of patriotism and Russian strength. open image in gallery A woman and two children walk past military posters in St Petersburg earlier this year. The war in Ukraine is one of the factors thought to be behind Russias diminishing birth rate ( AP ) In much of the West, shrinking birth rates are usually linked with economic turbulence. Young couples living in cramped apartments, unable to buy their own homes, or fearing for their jobs, are naturally less confident that they can afford to raise a child. But Russia is saddled with a harsh demographic history. Around 27 million Soviet citizens died in the Second World War, diminishing the male population dramatically. Then, as the country was beginning to recover, the Soviet Union collapsed, and the birth rate tumbled again. The number of Russian women in their twenties and early thirties is small, saysJenny Mathers of the University of Aberystwyth in Wales. This means the authorities are desperate to get as many babies as possible out of this much smaller number of women. Although Russia has not revealed how many of its men have been killed in Ukraine, Western estimates have put the number of dead in the hundreds of thousands. When the war began, many young Russians moved abroad some for ideological reasons, to escape a crackdown on dissent, or to avoid military service. Youve got a much-diminished pool of potential fathers in a diminished pool of potential mothers, says Mathers, explaining that this is a particular problem for Putin, who has long linked population and national security. Some family-friendly initiatives are popular, like the distribution of cash certificates for parents, which can go towards pensions, education, or a subsidised mortgage. Others are controversial, such as the one-time payments of around $1,200 (900) offered to pregnant teenagers in some regions. Officials say these are intended to support vulnerable mothers, but critics say they encourage teenage pregnancy. Other programmes seem to be mostly symbolic. Since 2022, Russia has created new state holidays, such as Family, Love and Fidelity Day in July, and Pregnant Womens Day, celebrated twice yearly on 7 April and 7 October. Last year, Russias fertility rate the average number of children born per woman was 1.4, state media reported. Thats well below the 2.1 replacement rate for the population, and slightly lower than the US figure of 1.6, released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. open image in gallery A family walks through Red Square in Moscow. The fertility rate last year in Russia was 1.4 children per woman well below the replacement rate ( AP ) Some regions have laws that make it illegal to encourage abortions, while national legislation introduced in 2024 banned the promotion of child-free propaganda. The wording in such initiatives is often vague, leaving them open to interpretation, but the change was enough to prompt the producers of a reality TV show titled 16 and Pregnant to change the shows name to Mommy at 16. For many women, the measures have made already sensitive conversations even more fraught. A 29-year-old woman who has decided not to have children told reporters that she sees a gynecologist at a private Moscow clinic, rather than a state one, to avoid intrusive questions. Whether I plan to have children, whether I dont plan to have children I dont get asked about that at all, she said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions. She added that its a completely different story at state-run clinics. An increasing number of laws limit access to abortion. While the procedure remains legal and widely available, some private clinics no longer offer abortion services. New legislation has also curbed the sale of abortion-inducing pills, and also affects access to emergency contraceptives. Women are encouraged to go to state clinics, where waits are longer, while some of these facilities refuse to perform abortions on certain days. By the time patients have completed compulsory counselling and a mandatory waiting period of between 48 hours and a week, they risk exceeding the legal timeframe for an abortion. The number of abortions has fallen steadily under these laws, although experts say it was already decreasing. Still, there hasnt been a corresponding increase in births, and activists believe that restricting abortion will only harm the health of women and children. The only thing you will get from this is illegal abortions. That means more deaths: more childrens deaths and more womens deaths, says Russian journalist and feminist activist Zalina Marshenkulova. She sees the new government limits as simply repression for repressions sake. They exist just to ban, to block any voice of freedom, she claims. open image in gallery Moscow can promise financial rewards for would-be parents, but not the stability they need in order to gamble on the future ( AP ) Russia could increase its population by allowing higher immigration a policy the Kremlin is unlikely to adopt. Russian officials have recently fomented anti-migrant sentiment, tracking their movements, clamping down on their employment, and impeding their childrens right to education. Central Asians who have traditionally travelled to Russia for work are looking elsewhere, hoping to avoid the growing discrimination and economic uncertainty. While the war in Ukraine continues, Moscow can promise financial rewards for would-be parents, but not the stability they need in order to gamble on the future. When people lack confidence about their prospects, its not the right time to have children, says Mathers, adding: An open-ended major war doesnt really encourage people to think positively about the future. The 29-year-old woman who chose not to have children agrees. The happiest and healthiest child will only be born in a family with healthy, happy parents, she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Working as an agent for Ukraine and attacking Russias railways was pretty easy, says Lazzy a Russian fighting against his own country. Its not that complicated. Anyone in Russia can freely buy gasoline for now, while some refineries still work and set the railway on fire, he explains. Of course, you need to prepare the exit routes. To plan the operation, so to speak. You cant just go for a walk and decide to do it. First, recon, then action. But in fact, anyone can do it. The saboteur burned several railway-switching and electrical systems in arson attacks in Russias Volga region. The truth, though, is that it was dangerous and ate away at his nervous system. Which is why he walked across Russias border and joined Ukraines army to fight against Vladimir Putin. open image in gallery Lazzy is a Russian who worked as a saboteur for the Ukrainians before moving across the border to fight against his homeland ( The Independent ) For the last year, he has been a frontline soldier battling in the shattered rubble of what is now known as the dead zone, because its so thinly populated by soldiers from both sides, all hiding from enemy drones with occasional sneak attacks in person. I think its easier for me here. Because in Russia, I constantly felt fear for my life, he says. Here in Ukraine, FSB and GRU [secret service] networks are not so strong. In Russia, its much more dangerous. Also, [in Russia] there are many people who support the regime. Say the wrong word and they will rat on you. Lazzy chose to fight Putins regime because of what he saw as cronyism, corruption and the destruction of democracy: Russia must have a future. As he talks, his face is hidden and hes known only by his military callsign. The Independent met him just a short drive from the front lines where hes fighting in Ukraines south. Here, in Ukraine, I can defend myself with weapons. Yes, its scary on the positions. They want to kill you. But its clear: either you or them. He is part of Ukraines Freedom of Russia Legion, which operates under the control of Kyivs military intelligence services like other foreign volunteer units. The legion claims to field several hundred men. They are all Russians. In Moscow they would be executed as traitors. open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers stand before an armoured military vehicle surrounded by a cage to protect against drone attacks on a road near Oleksandrivka ( AFP via Getty Images ) In Ukraine, they have fought in Sumy province, lost heavily in the bitter battle for Bakhmut, and say they have been involved in driving back recent Russian assaults on the front line of the southern battlefields. Ukraine has stepped up its campaign both inside occupied territory and in Russia itself. In its most spectacular strikes, Ukraine managed to disable Russian bombers in the covert Operation Spiderweb, involving multiple targets and agents on the ground. Russian refineries and power stations are regularly attacked by Ukraines new long-range drones. But the Freedom of Russia Legion has eyes on defending Ukraine locally. And then fighting in Russia to topple Putin altogether. The latter would be welcomed by Kyiv but is not a stated aim. Ceasar, a veteran Russian fighter in Ukraines army, began his opposition against Putin with what he calls terrorist attacks. For at least the last three-and-a-half years he has been in Ukraines army. He is driven by religious fervour and monarchist dreams of the return of a tsar to Russia. Originally from Sochi, he says he does not worry about killing fellow Russians. I do not feel bad for killing my own citizens, because theyre doing very bad things here and I saw how they killed civilians, how they raped, how they robbed and they want to destroy Ukraine. Putin has ruined not only Ukraine, he's ruined also my country, says Ceasar. He is armed, like Lazzy, with a modern M16-type rifle, originally an American design. It is rapidly replacing the AK-47 in Ukraines armoury. open image in gallery Ceasar, a veteran Russian fighter in Ukraines army, began his opposition against Putin three-and-a-half years ago ( The Independent ) Ceasar describes the reality on the front lines of a war he has chosen to join. Theres not a lot of military personnel at the front like it was two or three years ago. We are all dispersed. We are now about two or three men, at most, sitting in a bunker. Because if we will put there, a dozen men, they will be killed, he says. Its very dangerous to move in and move out. Its the most dangerous part of the operation. Soldiers are forced to spend weeks, sometimes months, in foxholes and bunkers, trying to survive constant artillery and drone attacks. Referring to Lazzy, he continues: On the last operation he was about 45 days on the position. I was about three weeks. Its really hard. Every day, every time you dig in, dig in, dig in and again, dig in. open image in gallery Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with Keir Starmer on his tour of Western countries ( PA ) Over the last few weeks, Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has been touring the West seeking long-range missiles and air-defence systems. Putin has stepped up attacks on Ukraines infrastructure, focusing on energy and transport systems ahead of the winter freeze. Russian troops have also advanced in small bounds at huge cost east of Kharkiv, and already committed murder in Pokrovsk against local civilians left behind by Ukrainian withdrawal. But drone warfare has kept the Russians back. Ukraines problem is that drones cannot fly in high winds, rain, fog or when it is snowing. Putins forces are likely to exploit bad winter weather and attempt to break through Ukrainian lines when drones are grounded. That is when Lazzy and Ceasar will face their toughest test. KABUL, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two motorcyclists were killed in a road accident in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, a local police official reported late Friday. The mishap took place in the Nawi Koot area of Nader Shah Koot district when a motorcycle carrying two riders collided with a truck, killing both riders on the spot, provincial police spokesman Tahir Ehrar told Xinhua. The deceased were transported to a provincial hospital, the official said, attributing the crash to reckless driving. Earlier this week, nine commuters were injured in a separate accident after a passenger bus collided with a truck in northern Samangan province. Thousands of people die in traffic accidents across Afghanistan each year, often due to reckless driving, overloaded vehicles, poor road conditions, lack of traffic signs, and dilapidated highways. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Nato has been forced to scramble jets in response to Russian violations of Lithuanias airspace. Two Russian military aircraft, an Su-30 fighter jet and an II-78 refuelling tanker, flew over the Nato member state on Thursday for approximately 18 seconds, prompting a formal reaction from the alliance. They were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700m (0.43 miles) at 1500 GMT, the military said. I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace by the fighter jet and transport plane of the Russian Federation from a Kaliningrad region site, Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda said in a statement. This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania, he added on X. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness. Spanish Eurofighter Typhoons were deployed to deal with the incident ( AP ) Russias defence ministry has denied the incident and said none of its Su-30 jets training in the Kaliningrad region violated the territory of any country. The Russian province is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Natos Baltic Air Policing scrambled Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets that were patrolling the area in response. It deployed aircraft to the Lithuanian airbase of Siauliai as part of its Operation Eastern Sentry. A Nato official said that the swift response demonstrated its readiness to respond to any developments and ability to ensure the safety of the alliances airspace. Lithuania summoned Russias top diplomat to issue a stern protest after the incident. It has informed the alliance, European Union allies and the North Atlantic Council of the episode, the countrys foreign ministry said. This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries, Lithuanian prime minister Inga Ruginiene said on Facebook. Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country. The latest incursion follows a spate of similar events, starting with more than 20 Russian drones entering Poland last month, prompting its foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, to request that a no-fly zone be implemented. Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Nato, General Sir Richard Shirreff, told The Independent that he believes the incursion was a deliberate attack to probe Nato defences, adding that if Russia smells weakness it will persist in its aggression: Nato has to respond with real strength. Nine days later, Russias military jets were accused of violating Estonias airspace for 12 minutes on 19 September. Russia denied its planes entered the country and accused Estonia of purposefully inflaming tensions between Russia and Europe. Violations were also alleged to have taken place in Romania, as training drills got underway in Belarus. Denmark later accused Russia of encroaching on its airspace, which Russia has denied. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia launched a blistering assault on Ukraine overnight, killing at least six people and injuring 35. Some 430 drones and 18 missiles targeted the country, Ukraines president said, calling the strikes a deliberate and calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure. Ukraines air force said most of the drones and missiles were shot down, but officials said falling debris and fires damaged high-rise apartments, a school, a medical facility and administrative buildings across nine districts in the city of about three million. "At that moment you don't know what to do first: save yourself, your child, or run to help people, because so many people were screaming and needed help," said Anastasia, 29, whose apartment block was hit. The attacks came just two days after Russias foreign ministry indicated it was ready to resume direct talks with Ukraine on ending the war in Istanbul. An official told TASS the ball is in Ukraines court. Russia continues to escalate its strikes on Ukraine while coordinating its messaging to present a show of good faith to the United States. Nearly four years since the invasion, the Kremlin maintains its maximalist designs on Ukraine. Zelensky said that Ukraine was responding to the strikes with long-range strength, and called for greater sanctions to be imposed on Russia. open image in gallery The overnight attacks hit residential buildings, despite Russias insistence it does not target civilians ( AFP/Getty ) Russia has waged a devastating aerial campaign against Ukraine since its all-out invasion of its neighbour nearly four years ago. US-led diplomatic efforts this year to stop the fighting have so far come to nothing. Friday's aerial assault, which also targeted Odesa in the south and Kharkiv in the northeast, was mostly aimed at Kyiv, where drones and missiles smashed into high-rise apartment blocks, according to Zelensky. Mariia Kalchenko said it was a miracle she survived after her building was hit. "I didn't hear anything, I just realised that my hair was on fire," the 46-year-old volunteer rescue dog handler said. In the Odesa region, Russian drones struck a busy street on market day in Chornomorsk, killing two people and injuring 11 others, including a 19-month-old girl, regional military administration chief Oleh Kiper said. Moscow denies targeting civilian areas, with the Russian Defense Ministry saying Friday it carried out an overnight strike on Ukraine's "military-industrial and energy facilities." Analysts nevertheless accuse Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in order to wound morale. open image in gallery Eight of the capital's 10 districts reported damage. Emergency crews fought fires in apartment blocks, debris from explosions was strewn across yards and cars parked in the streets were set ablaze ( Reuters ) Natia Seskuria, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said that the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure was a central element of Russias strategy, designed to terrorise the Ukrainian population and erode public morale. The underlying calculation is that a war-weary society subjected to sustained attacks might exert pressure on the government to accept almost any settlement that promises an end to hostilities, she told The Independent. Thus far, however, this strategy has proven ineffective, as Ukrainians have demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in the face of ongoing aggression. Fridays attack was the biggest on Kyiv in almost three weeks. Most recent Russian aerial attacks have aimed at electricity infrastructure around the country ahead of the bitter winter months. With no sign of the war abating, millions of Ukrainians face one of the harshest winters in years as humanitarian organisations scramble to deliver essentials to the frontlines and affected areas. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned on Friday that people whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the war are entering the winter with no financial buffer to support themselves. open image in gallery At least six people were killed in the strikes overnight, Ukrainian officials said ( Reuters ) Frequent power cuts continue to plunge neighbourhoods into darkness, cut heating and force hospitals to use emergency power. For older people and vulnerable people in high-rise buildings, blackouts can mean hours or days of isolation without elevators, heat, and often without food or medicine, the IFRC warned. Almost four years of conflict have eroded peoples resources. Many families are entering this winter with no financial buffer seven out of ten people said they dont have any savings left, said Jaime Wah, Deputy Head of Delegation for IFRC in Ukraine. We have been providing support to people for several years, but our resources are also running thin, Wah added. The scale of the needs is overwhelming, and with each passing day, those needs only grow. Keir Giles, a fellow of the Russia and Eurasia programme at Chatham House, told The Independent that Moscows attacks are designed to cause the maximum possible misery and suffering among the civilian population. Thats the principle we saw applied in Syria, in Chechnya and in countless others of Moscows wars dating back decades and centuries, he said. Mr Giles said Ukraine was the victim of Russias attempts to demoralise its victims through inhumanity. Thats the reason for attacks on maternity hospitals, and nurseries, targeting the most vulnerable in society, as well as for the systematic torture and starvation of Ukrainian military and civilian captives not for any objective purpose other than deliberate and demonstrative cruelty. These attacks continue despite Russias insistence that it is open to talks moving towards a ceasefire. open image in gallery ( Reuters ) Foreign ministry official Alexei Polishchuk said on Wednesday that Russia was ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. No face-to-face talks have taken place between the two sides since they met in the Turkish city on July 23. Overtures towards peace come after a proposed summit between Russias Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump broke down in October, reportedly over Moscows intransigence over its demands. The two leaders have not met since August, when a summit held in Alaska failed to produce a deal. Mr Trump said the meeting was very productive, but the diplomatic push to end the war has yet to yield any results. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A fragile ceasefire in Gaza City was brutally interrupted for the Shorbasi family when their six-year-old twins, Yahya and Nabila, were severely injured by an explosion. The children had been playing near their damaged home when they discovered a round object, which detonated upon contact, leaving them bleeding on the ground. It was like a toy, their grandfather, Tawfiq Shorbasi, said of the unexploded ordnance, after the children were rushed to Shifa hospital on Friday. It was extremely difficult. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are seizing the chance to return to whats left of their homes under the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10. But the dangers are far from over as people, including children, sift through the rubble for what remains of their belongings, and for bodies unreachable until now. Shorbasi said the family had returned home after the ceasefire took hold. Gaza City had been the focus of the final Israeli military offensive before the deal was reached between Israel and Hamas. Weve just returned last week, the grandfather said at Shifa hospital, fighting back tears. Their lives have been ruined forever. The boy, Yahya, lay on a hospital bed with his right arm and leg wrapped in bandages. Nabila, now being treated at Patients Friends hospital, had a bandaged forehead. Both childrens faces were freckled with tiny shrapnel wounds. open image in gallery Hanan Shakshk cares her grandson Yahya Shorbasi, who was injured by an unexploded ordnance along with his six-year-old twin sister Nabila, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) A British emergency physician and pediatrician working at one of the hospitals told The Associated Press the twins had life-threatening injuries including a lost hand, a hole in the bowel, broken bones and potential loss of a leg. The children underwent emergency surgery and their conditions have relatively stabilized, the doctor said. But concerns remain about their recovery because of Gazas vast lack of medicine and medical supplies, said Dr. Harriet, who declined to give her last name because her employer hadnt authorized her to speak to the media. Now its just a waiting game so I hope that they both survive, but at this point in time I cant say, and this is a common recurrence, she said. Health workers call unexploded ordnance a major threat to Palestinians. Two other children, Yazan and Jude Nour, were wounded on Thursday while their family was inspecting their home in Gaza City, according to Shifa hospital. Gazas Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, said five children were wounded by unexploded ordnance over the past week, including one in the southern city of Khan Younis. This is the death trap, Dr. Harriet said. Were talking about a ceasefire, but the killing hasnt stopped. open image in gallery A boy pushes a wheelchair through the rubble of buildings destroyed in the war between Israel and Hamas, in the al-Nafaq area of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Already over 68,500 Palestinians have died in the war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed them without providing its own toll. Luke Irving, head of the U.N. Mine Action Service, UNMAS, in the Palestinian territories, has warned that explosive risk is incredibly high as both aid workers and displaced Palestinians return to areas vacated by the Israeli military in Gaza. As of Oct. 7, UNMAS had documented at least 52 Palestinians killed and 267 others wounded by unexploded ordnance in Gaza since the war began. UNMAS, however, said the toll could be much higher. Irving told a United Nations briefing last week 560 unexploded ordnance items have been found during the current ceasefire with many more under the rubble. Two years of war have left up to 60 million tons of debris across Gaza, he added. In the coming weeks, additional international de-mining experts are expected to join efforts to collect unexploded ordnance in Gaza, he said. As expected, were now finding more items because were getting out more; the teams have more access, he said. Epping hotel migrant Hadush Kebatu who was accidentally freed from prison is at large in London, deputy prime minister David Lammy has said. The manhunt is continuing today (25 October) for Kebatu, who was accidentally released from where he was serving time for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The Ethiopian national, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was jailed for 12 months in September. Mr Lammy said on Friday night that Kebatu was at large in London after he was seen boarding a train at Chelmsford, and the Metropolitan Police was assisting in the hunt for him. If I start this column by declaring I want to talk about two different committees one, the public accounts committee at Westminster, and the other the congressional oversight committee in Washington you would have every right to roll over in bed and go back to sleep, or indeed embark on those DIY jobs that youve been putting off for months. But if we throw the name Prince Andrew into the mix, and the threat that both could pose to him as he stays holed up in Royal Lodge, then I think it might just get your attention. In Britain this week with what looked like a coordinated move from the leader of the Liberal Democrats and the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, in reply to a carefully crafted question from Sir Ed Davey, seemed to indicate that he was open to a parliamentary select committee examining the lease granted to the prince for his pad in Windsor Great Park and yes, talking to the tenant himself. Will it happen? I frankly doubt it. Parliamentary tradition is that you dont go near the royal family. You can scarcely mention the sovereign without the speaker crying order. Look at it this way: the last time a member of the royal family was summoned before parliament, it was Charles I and that didnt end well for the king. open image in gallery Donald Trump, his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania and Prince Andrew pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 12 February 2000 ( Getty ) This looks more like a way of increasing the pressure on the disgraced prince to leave the sprawling mansion on which he pays a peppercorn rent. The present King Charles cant impose internal exile (maybe a more humble ghillies cottage on the Balmoral estate) but the political class can add a little pressure by suggesting an appearance before a Commons select committee. But in America, there is no need for such deference. Whats more there isnt any. This was a country that came into being by getting rid of our royal family. It is also worth underlining that the Jeffrey Epstein saga still rages. There is fury on right and left that among all the powerful men who cavorted on Epsteins island, the only person convicted is a woman, Ghislaine Maxwell. Has anyones death in recent history cast such a long shadow on those who still live as Epsteins? The first thing to say is that there are two classes of people who continue to feel the repercussions of their associations with Epstein. There are those once young women maybe girls would be a better description whose lives have been forever scarred by this evil man. They must be at the forefront of our thoughts. And then there are the others the kings of the universe whose once mighty reputations are being shredded as details of their contacts with him emerge into an unsparing sunlight. Luthiers have yet to construct a violin small enough to lament their demise. When news emerged that Epstein had committed suicide (or at least thats what the authorities said was the cause of death), I dithered over whether I could write that a lot of powerful men would be breathing a sigh of relief. But it hasnt turned out that way: Lord Mandelson, humiliatingly fired as our ambassador to Washington when his fawning emails to Epstein emerged (yum, yum). The one-time titan of Wall Street and former chief executive of Barclays, Jes Staley, was banned from holding executive positions in Britains financial services industry after his less-than-candid declarations. The dark shadow of Epstein is even reaching into the heart of the White House and questions over Donald Trumps longstanding relationship with him. open image in gallery Trump and his wife with Prince Andrew in Westminster Abbey in 2019 ( AFP/Getty ) Then there is Prince Andrew. Its not just that his reputation has been destroyed; it is that he is now a source of shame for the royal family itself. In the terse statement issued the Friday before last, Prince Andrew announced he would no longer be using his title of Duke of York, that he would be giving up the Garter, whatever that means, and that he was doing this because he was an honourable man, whose only interest was what was best for the royal family. It was accompanied by the vigorous denial of all accusations against him. The statement from the now untitled, but deeply entitled prince was designed to kill the story and extinguish all interest in him. What an epic fail. This brings us to another death and someone who is utterly determined that her passing should cast a shadow. This week saw the publication of Virginia Giuffres memoir, a searing and heart-rending account of abuse and exploitation. Though she took her own life, her book and the ghostwriter who helped her write it makes clear she wants to see justice served on those who abused her and the others who were trafficked as playthings for the wealthy and powerful. The book includes the most vivid allegations against the prince. She was the recipient of an out-of-court settlement reported to be in the region of 12m from Andrew, which is a lot of money to shell out for someone you claim you cannot remember meeting, as the prince has insisted. The FBI wanted to speak to him in connection with the Epstein inquiry, but according to the New York state attorney at the time, there was zero cooperation from him. You can see the long list of detailed questions congressmen and women would have for Andrew. Why did you cough up millions of pounds if you say you cant remember meeting her? What about the orgy she details in her book? Why did you tell my co-presenter, Emily Maitlis, in that infamous Newsnight interview, that you broke off all contact with Epstein in December 2010, but were apparently emailing him in February 2011, talking about how we are in this together? What did you mean in that email when you wrote well play some more soon? How long did contacts carry on? Were you lying in that interview, and if you were, why should we believe anything else you say? Then there are the questions about Ghislaine Maxwell and his close friendship with her. In the Giuffre book, she describes Maxwell as the apex predator. What would he say about that? It would be excruciating; it would be blockbuster. It would be electric. But what does the prince do if the committee invites him to give evidence? Sure, you cant compel a foreigner to give testimony as you can a US citizen. But imagine the optics if he declined. A British prince pleading the fifth would not be a good look. He has no good options, and none of this is going away. SSIA 2.0: What would a new SSIA-like savings scheme look like and how would it work? A new SSIA-style savings incentive has been suggested as an alternative to low-return deposit accounts. Economists and financial advisers outline how it might work The original SSIA was designed to control inflation. Photo: Getty Geraldine Herbert Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 In the spring of 2007, Ireland was awash with optimism and cash as the first wave of Special Savings Incentive Accounts (SSIAs) matured. You have to take it on the chin Joey OBrien notes gap in class but fears Shels players showed Palace too much respect Councillor texted garda to sort speeding ticket while at the same time calling for review of speed van locations, trial told A consistent narrative has developed across major global news outlets It is official Catherine Connolly will be the next Uachtaran na hEireann after receiving more than 63pc of the vote over her rival for the presidency, Heather Humphreys, who received 30pc. A village gala is held in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, on June 28, 2025. Nestled in the Wuling mountains, Songtao is home to a large Miao population -- nearly half of its residents -- and boasts around 200 items of intangible cultural heritage. To celebrate the county's rich ethnic traditions, the local government has organized weekly Saturday events since March, encouraging villagers from across the county to participate in friendly performance competitions. (Photo by Xie Huifang/Xinhua) GUIYANG, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Amid rhythmic work songs, a group of craftsmen passionately demonstrated the traditional art of Chinese wooden house construction, their energy electrifying an otherwise ordinary Saturday night in a mountainous county in southwest China. This vibrant scene unfolded on stage during village galas -- entirely directed and performed by locals -- in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province. "They built a house in just ten minutes. That's truly amazing," exclaimed a local resident in the audience. Nestled in the Wuling mountains, Songtao is home to a large Miao population -- nearly half of its residents -- and boasts around 200 items of intangible cultural heritage. To celebrate the county's rich ethnic traditions, the local government has organized weekly Saturday events since March, encouraging villagers from across the county to participate in friendly performance competitions. Zhang Jing, 36, a former dancer with Songtao's ethnic song and dance troupe, now serves as deputy director of the county's cultural center, overseeing performance arrangements and guidance. "Seeing villagers come together as a team to showcase our culture fills me with fulfillment," she said. The growing popularity of village galas has attracted an increasing number of young talents eager to participate. Long Fei, 29, began working as the deputy director of Xiangshuidong Village's committee in 2022. Her village gathered more than 90 residents -- from toddlers to seniors -- to perform a piece based on the migration history of the Miao ethnic group. "From the very first rehearsal, the performance moved both performers and audience members to tears," recalled Long. During the galas, she coordinated rehearsals. What impressed her most, she said, was the unity the event fostered. "A single message sufficed to mobilize everyone. Any disagreements were resolved during practice, and all were committed to the performance's success." Another young returnee, Long Ling -- a 2016 dance graduate from Guizhou Education University -- has infused new vitality into cultural preservation in her hometown. "Village galas provide us young people with a platform to contribute," she said. "The western regions are brimming with untapped opportunities, enabling me to integrate my expertise with hometown development." The popularity of these galas has also revitalized the local economy. Songtao's Panshi Township incorporated performances to a scenic area, attracting tourists from neighboring provinces and ranking second in visitor growth in Tongren City, which administers Songtao. Data show that village galas have generated over 12 million yuan (about 1.69 million U.S. dollars) in additional revenue for Songtao, including tourism spending, since their launch in March, while creating jobs for more than 1,000 people. Digital platforms have amplified the reach of these galas. As of September, Songtao had hosted over 30 livestreams, with a single session attracting up to 1.85 million viewers. On Douyin, China's popular short-video platform, the hashtag "Songtao Village Galas" has amassed more than 600 million views. Today, village galas have become a staple topic among Songtao residents. "As grassroots cultural workers, we will continue to explore local culture," Zhang said. "We believe every village has its remarkable stories to tell." Villagers from Shabahe Township perform at a village gala in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, on June 14, 2025. Nestled in the Wuling mountains, Songtao is home to a large Miao population -- nearly half of its residents -- and boasts around 200 items of intangible cultural heritage. To celebrate the county's rich ethnic traditions, the local government has organized weekly Saturday events since March, encouraging villagers from across the county to participate in friendly performance competitions. (Photo by Xie Huifang/Xinhua) Villagers perform at a village gala in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, on March 8, 2025. Nestled in the Wuling mountains, Songtao is home to a large Miao population -- nearly half of its residents -- and boasts around 200 items of intangible cultural heritage. To celebrate the county's rich ethnic traditions, the local government has organized weekly Saturday events since March, encouraging villagers from across the county to participate in friendly performance competitions. (Photo by Xie Huifang/Xinhua) Man (30s) arrested over alleged assault on women canvassing with Mary Lou McDonald The man assaulted two women amongst a group of canvassers, including Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Liam McBurney/PA) Sarah O'Mahony and Fionnan Sheahan Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 12:17 Gardai have arrested a man following an alleged assault on canvassers in Dublin city yesterday. Gardai release bodycam footage and appeal for help with investigation into Citywest riots Two more people have been charged over the Citywest riots as gardai continue to review CCTV and bodycam footage. A garda spokesperson has said two males - a juvenile in his teens and a man in his 40s had been detained at garda stations in the Dublin region. They appeared in court on Saturday afternoon. Mothers are so reassured to see us how Coombe Hospitals community midwife services have transformed antenatal care Programme has provided reassurance and support to mothers for 25 years Suzanne Dempsey, her husband Barry and daughters Lily and Ava Eilish O'Regan Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Babies have a habit of being born at the most awkward times so its not unusual for Coombe Hospital community midwives to find themselves leaving behind their turkey on Christmas Day to visit a new mother at home. Among the many items recovered from ballot boxes in Tipperary were a cuff link, a sachet of ketchup, and a key Tipperary South Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy congratulated Catherine Connolly at the count centre in Thurles as tallies indicated she was on course to top the poll. He said he hoped she would keep to her pledge to be a president for all Tipperary's Returning Officer, James Seymour, is presiding over the election count in the Presentation Secondary School in Thurles. Early tallies show a commanding lead for Catherine Connolly Tipperary has voted resoundingly in favour of Catherine Connolly to be the tenth President of Ireland, topping the poll in the Premier County with a combined first preference vote of 31,822 north and south. As the polls closed on Friday night, Tipperary Registrar James Seymour reported the turnout at about 40pc, in line with national trends. In the end, it was confirmed as a 46pc turnout in the north and 44pc in the south, at the count centre in the sports complex of the Thurles Presentation School. Mr Seymour announced the results at 4pm. Tipperary North - Total electorate: 68,163. Total poll: 32,026. Turnout: 46pc. Invalid papers: 3,999. Valid poll: 28,027. Catherine Connolly: 16,259. Heather Humphreys: 9,217. Jim Gavin: 2,551. Tipperary South - Total electorate: 65,957. Total poll: 29,128. Turnout: 44pc. Invalid papers: 3,889. Valid poll: 25,239. Catherine Connolly: 15,563. Heather Humphreys: 7,793. Jim Gavin: 1,883. The Presentation Primary School in Carrick-on-Suir saw a turnout of 36pc, CBS Primary School Thurles (39.50pc), Ballina NS (43.56pc), Cashel Boys School (34.65pc), St Peter and Pauls in Clonmel (43.9pc), and St Michael's Girls School, Tipperary town at 35.2pc. Catherine Connolly was well ahead in Tipperary North and South from early morning. Tallies at about 12.30pm showed the Galway woman ahead in the north at 50pc, Humphreys at 30pc and Gavin at 8pc. The spoilt turnout came in at a high 12pc. There were a good few spoilt votes in Cahir who voted for Maria Steens handbag. One of the officials in Thurles said it had been noticed that many of the spoilt votes contained derogatory swear words aimed at the two female candidates. Along with swear words, there were references to Donald Trump, Genghis Khan, and Nick Delehanty, said one person in the Fine Gael camp. Officials are counting the votes in Thurles' Presentation Secondary School sports hall The picture was replicated in Tipperary South, with tallies at 12.30pm showing Connolly on 54pc, Humphreys at 27pc, Gavin at 6pc and 13pc spoilt votes. Heather Humphreys performed very strongly in the Tidy Towns champion village of Emly. To add to the colour, as the boxes were opened, a local teacher brought in the Liam MacCarthy cup for a walk around it wouldnt be Tipperary without a bit of hurling. Up in Newport, several miraculous medals were found in polling boxes, with prayers on the ballot papers its a tradition in the area, with medals often being found in many local and general elections. A passport was found in one box in Cahir the unlucky voter must have accidentally let it slip into the box while voting and chatting at the same time. The person had rang. They are flying out tomorrow, said Mr Seymour. And in Ballina, one voter accidentally inserted their drivers licence into the ballot box. The passport and drivers licence have since been reunited with their owners. Other items found in the ballot boxes include a sachet of tomato ketchup, a key and a cuff link. Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Pat English, a member of the Workers Unemployed Action Group (WUAG), canvassed support for Catherine Connollys campaign during her recent visit to the town. Why did Catherine Connollys message resonate so well with the public in Tipperary? What you see is what you get, said Cllr English. Shes a genuine person. Shes there for people on the ground and shes worked all her life for people on the ground. Ms Connolly comes from a big family and she understands the struggles people are going through at the moment, said Cllr English. You can see the vote shes getting here in Tipperary. She deserves it going forward and shell make a great president. Shes proven herself now today and shes getting a great vote from Clonmel. Cllr English said the WUAG party has worked for ordinary people for 40 years, and thats what Catherine is all about. Tipperary South Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy said at around 12 noon that it was clear that Catherine Connolly would be the tenth President of Ireland. I want to congratulate president elect Connolly and everybody associated with her campaign. The people have spoken and Ive always been of the view that the people always get it right, said Mr Murphy. Ms Connolly comes from a big family and she understands the struggles people are going through at the moment, said Cllr English. You can see the vote shes getting here in Tipperary. She deserves it going forward and shell make a great president. Shes proven herself now today and shes getting a great vote from Clonmel. Cllr English said the WUAG party has worked for ordinary people for 40 years, and thats what Catherine is all about. Tipperary South Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy said at around 12 noon that it was clear that Catherine Connolly would be the tenth President of Ireland. I want to congratulate president elect Connolly and everybody associated with her campaign. The people have spoken and Ive always been of the view that the people always get it right, said Mr Murphy. Ms Connolly will enter her term at a challenging time, particularly in terms of the international scene. I do hope that she holds to her word to be a president for all. Its too soon I think to have a post-mortem on Heathers campaign. Ms Humphreys was polling at about 30pc, which was still a reasonable outcome, said Mr Murphy. There will likely be a review within the Fine Gael parliamentary party, he said. I hope that that review involves the grass roots as well, the members. But today is not the day for post mortems. I just want to congratulate Catherine Connolly. The people have spoken. Fine Gael hold about 22pc of the seats across both houses of the Oireachtas. Were the only political party to put forward a candidate. Thats the reality of it. When you reflect on the fact that we only hold 22pc of the Oireachtas seats, you could argue that 30pc is a respectable vote. Deputy Murphy said he felt that the presidential election was partly a referendum on the government as well. Lets be honest about that. Theres been a lot of commentary around the budget as well. Are these key reasons as to why Catherine was so strong? Deputy Murphy paid tribute to Heather Humphreys record as an elected representative and in the Credit Union movement. Was there some negative campaigning? I think Ivan Yates intervention didnt help, said Mr Murphy, referring the former Wexford FG TDs comments on a podcast that Fine Gael should smear the bejaysus out of Ms Connolly. Unfortunately, presidential campaigns can become nasty, and they shouldnt be, said Mr Murphy. Definitely, to be a candidate for President of Ireland, you clearly dont need any skeletons in the closet. Im not saying either candidate had. Theyre just completely different to any local election, any general election, added Mr Murphy. VoteSmart: Take our test to find out whether Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys best aligns with your views A box from the Piercestown area been opened at the count centre in the Loreto Secondary School on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell Adolf Hitler, Dustin the Turkey, Dan Breen, Eamon O Cuiv, Michael D. Higgins, and Homer Simpson. Those were just of the names Wexford voters chose to support ahead of the three listed candidates on their ballot paper for the presidential election. And those were only the ones that can be listed in this article without censure. In addition, there were drawings of Maria Steen, racist and fascist epitaphs, references to Aisling Murphy, numerous anti-immigration invectives, and an assortment of childish, schoolboy scribblings which would make a vicar blush. Yet, despite all this, despite the people of Wexford expressing their dissatisfaction with the candidates on offer, the process, and the state of the nation in general, the spoilt votes did not, unlike in other constituencies, displace Heather Humphries from the runner-up spot in a race which had arguably concluded many weeks ago. With voters so apathetic it stood to reason that the count centre, at the Loreto College in Wexford town, was populated by only the most hardcore political aficionados on Saturday morning. Behind the fences the counters carried out their tasks in the same diligent fashion, the papers were stacked in the trolleys as usual, the cubbyholes awaited the stacks upon stacks of Connolly number ones, and the scene was one of controlled endeavour. However, unlike last Novembers general election, and the summers local election, there was one vital ingredient missing. The audience. Heather Humphreys supporters Senator Cathal Byrne and Mick O'Grady pictured at the count centre in the Loreto Secondary School on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell On the other side of the fence, the one reserved for the aforementioned politicos, the journalists, and the interested members of the public, you could have driven a decent-sized SUV up and down without coming into contact with a pedestrian, and still have had room for a cycle lane. The talliers were there, diligent and forthcoming as ever, willing to share their numbers, their figures, with anyone who feigned an interest. There was some security, a cleaning lady, and other mildly-important looking, lanyarded people, but after that, nothing. Apart from, of course, the local politicians who had campaigned for the two remaining candidates in the weeks leading up to the election. Independent councillor Leonard Kelly and Sinn Feins Tom Forde and Aoife Rose OBrien were present and accounted for; having canvassed for Ms Connolly during her campaign and joining her during a walkabout in Wexford town, their allegiances could not be called into question. But with talk of a unified left, of Sinn Fein, Labour, the Green Party, and the Social Democrats coming together to take on the Fine Gael Fianna Fail behemoth in the coming years, there was little to no representation from Labour at the Wexford count. Instead it was left to Sinn Fein TD Johnny Mythen to join the extended members of the Greens and Soc Dems in a victory parade which, despite some utterances, did not suggest a new unified front will be created in this part of the south-east. Supporters of Catherine Connolly pictured at the count centre in the Loreto Secondary School on Saturday. Pic: Jim Campbell On the other side, the ever-willing Cathal Byrne, a Fine Gael senator, did the needful, said the right things, and remained brave and stoic in the face of a comprehensive defeat. As painful as it was for Senator Byrne, it paled in comparison to his last experience at the count; an interminable two-day wait to finish fifth in a four-seater at the generals in November. While none of the elected representatives would admit it, the sense, even from early-morning, was akin to a last day of school where everyone is hoping to be left home early. Even the members of An Garda Siochana recognised it for what it was, the first question out of their mouths: What time will this be finished at, lads? While no-one behind the fence was willing to commit to a time, it quickly became apparent that there would only be one count, and that neither Senator Byrne nor any of those willingly subjecting themselves to this procession, would have to ring home to explain their absence. Indeed, the only reason to stay was so that one might hear about the latest elaborate spoilt vote; Bertie had got a few, Trump was in there, and someone had decorated their paper with M.I.G.A insignia. Surely it couldnt get any greater than this. Ultimately it was left to a child, a toddler, to sum up what the rest of us were feeling. Accompanied by her mammy and Fine Gael councillor, Bridin Murphy, little Ava was experiencing the count centre for the first, and her in case, hopefully last time. Having been told she was being brought out to get wellies, poor Ava had instead been dragged into the most deathly dull election in modern Irish history. And she was not having a bit of it. Not even discussions about Halloween outfits could sustain her and, within minutes of her arrival, she demanded to be free from this tedium. As she verged on a strop, many nodded in her direction knowingly, wishing they could tug at someones coat repeatedly until they were informed they could finally leave. Sadly, while Avas torment was relatively brief, those tasked with following this election, with totting up the votes, fielding the offensive drawings of genitalia and whatnot, and noting that Jim Gavin had finished fourth in a two-horse race, were left to complete the formalities, their only solace being that they wouldnt be back here for at least four years. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. All ballot boxes have been opened in Limerick and Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan has said voter turnout across Limerick appears to be in line with previous years. Speaking after visiting the polling station in Adare, Deputy Quinlivan said it was hard to know exactly how turnout compared across the county, but early indications suggested little change from the last presidential vote. General election is always higher [in turnout], local elections, European can be lower, and then presidential election is lowest of luck. With referendums, it can be different. He added: I think were on course to have the same turnout we had in the 2018 election. Turnout in Limerick county stood at approximately 43%, with the AdareRathkeale and CappamoreKilmallock electoral areas reporting the highest levels of participation. With all but four boxes tallied by Sinn Fein in Limerick county, the turnout suggests over 50% in favour of Catherine Connolly and 30% for Heather Humphreys. City numbers tallied by Fine Gael are yet to be released. Due to the unusually high number of spoilt ballots, roughly 3,000 so far, Deputy Quinlivan said: There was a campaign both nationally, locally and individually to spoil votes, and weve seen the most, I think, ever in history. Names scribbled on the local ballots in an attempt to spoil votes were Enoch Burke and Maria Steen. On this, he added: The people who spoiled their votes, at least they came out to the polling station, which is important. He suggested that some of the dissatisfaction may stem from the limited number of candidates on the ballot paper. Theres a sense there from some people, not that I share, but a sense that there should be more people on the ballot paper, he said. Thats down to the process. If people want to change that, we do need a referendum to do that. On early tallies, he predicted that front-runner Connolly was on course for a decisive win both locally and nationally. Shes going to win in Limerick anyway, and shes going to win probably nationally, he said, noting that it was a massive vote for Connolly right across Limerick. Deputy Quinlivan was critical of Fine Gaels performance in the race, saying their candidate had struggled to gain support even in the partys traditional strongholds. I think I saw them winning in one box in the whole constituency, he said. The final results are expected around 6pm in Limerick. Naoise Dolan: Catherine Connollys victory wont fix our many woes, but it is a sign the tide is turning Win came thanks to a coalition of long-neglected groups, including Irish-speakers, women, carers and renters Catherine Connolly mural on South Dock Road in Dublin Naoise Dolan Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 14:15 The first time I saw Catherine Connolly speak was at a Palestine protest in Dublin in May. It was lunchtime outside the Central Bank and perhaps 30 people were there. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (on screens) speaks via a video link at an open debate of the Security Council on the future of the UN at the UN headquarters in New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Guterres called on the Security Council to channel the resources often spent on war to development and peace on Friday. (Xinhua/Xie E) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on the Security Council to channel the resources often spent on war to development and peace. Guterres made the plea at an open debate of the Security Council on the future of the United Nations, held to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the world body. Via a video link from Hanoi, the secretary-general started his speech by alluding to an anecdote of the Security Council. Guterres said that in the spring of 1946, the first ballot box of the Security Council was opened for inspection before voting, and to everyone's surprise, there was already a slip of paper inside. It was a message from the box's maker, a local New York mechanic named Paul Antonio, who said he wished for lasting peace all over the world, the UN chief said. "That humble note reminds us why the Security Council exists: for people -- sincere, hopeful people who, for the last eight decades, have placed their trust in this institution to save them from the scourge of war," he said. "The privilege to sit at this table carries a duty, above all, to honor the faith of those people. And to channel the resources so often spent on war to the causes of development and peace," said the UN chief. On many pivotal occasions, the Security Council has delivered on that task, and it has prevented the chaos of a great-power war in the past eight decades, he said. "The council is a vital necessity and a powerful force for good. But at the same time, its legitimacy is fragile. Too often, we have seen members of this body act outside the principles of the (UN) Charter -- principles we have all freely agreed to as sovereign nations," said Guterres. "When that happens, it not only stalls action in the moment, it erodes trust in the entire United Nations project. It also puts us all in great danger. When one nation flouts the rules, others think they have license to do the same. And history tells us, with brutal clarity, where that road leads," said the UN chief. Guterres also said that reform of the Security Council is imperative and long overdue to maintain global order and safety, including the expansion of the membership. He stressed Africa as an example, where nearly half of all UN peacekeeping missions, along with numerous special political missions, are carried out, yet Africa has no permanent voice at the council table. The time has come to open the doors of the Security Council Chamber and let in the light, because without a Security Council fit for purpose, the world is in grave danger, he said. "It is our duty to forge a body that can meet the challenges of the next 80 years -- one that delivers justice and safety for all," said Guterres. "Paul Antonio the mechanic never sat at this table. He never gave a speech or signed a treaty. But he believed in everyone here. He believed in you. I urge you: honor that trust, make this chamber worthy of the hopes of every man, woman and child." Theres more to it than just picking up litter Tidy Towns winners share secrets to their success Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Letirim lifted the award for Irelands tidiest in a contest defined by biodiversity and sustainability Carrick-On-Shannon crowned winner of 2025 Tidy Towns Darragh Nolan Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 There were scenes of jubilation inside Croke Parks Hogan Suite in Dublin when more than 600 volunteers from Tidy Towns organisations across the country came together to celebrate their achievements. John Downing: Friedrich Merz provokes anger in Germany with Ask your daughters comments about immigration Chancellors critics have accused him of mimicking the far right German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Photo: AP John Downing Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Soon after he took over as party leader, the now German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, famously promised to halve the support for the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). In reality, the AfDs support has continued to grow since Merz became leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 2022. Niamh Kelly was stabbed 50 times by her ex-boyfriend, Josh OBrien, as he tried to murder her. Lucky to be alive, Ms Kelly was left blind in one eye and with life-altering injuries. Her attacker has been jailed for 14 years and warned not to contact her. In sentencing him this week, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring described the violence he used as breathtaking. The judge said Ms Kellys survival was nothing short of a miracle, but that she now lives a totally different life and will face limitations and challenges nobody should have to endure. Ms Kelly has bravely spoken about her trauma and urged those in abusive relationships to leave before it gets even worse. Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021 Today's News in 90 Seconds - Saturday, October 25 Her ex-boyfriend had no record of violence in his past, but she does feel it is important that other women would know about any issues with a partner. I dont think there is enough protection out there for women against men who are violent. I think its important for anyone getting into a relationship with [Josh OBrien] in the future to know about his past. This new register will keep women safe from people like him, she said. Niamh Kelly outside the Criminal Courts of Justice. Photo: Collins Courts Ms Kelly was referring to the introduction of Jennies law, which provides for the setting up of a domestic violence register. Those convicted of domestic violence against a partner or former partner could be publicly named on a domestic violence register of judgments. The register will be managed by the Courts Service, and victims will be required to provide consent before the convicted abuser can be named on the register. People who are in a relationship or considering a relationship with a person will be able to discover whether they have a history of serious domestic violence convictions. The law is named after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021. He attacked and stabbed her to death at her home. He was sentenced to life in prison the following year. Ms Poole was not aware Murphy had a history of abusive behaviour and a conviction for assaulting a former partner. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan sought government approval last week for the legislation to provide for the register. Safeguards will be put in place to protect victims and there will be circumstances where the offenders name wont be published, as it would jeopardise the complainant. A conviction for a crime of this nature is a matter of public record, but not all of these cases are reported upon. In an age of readily available information, it makes sense that potential partners should be aware of the past lives of someone with whom they are entering an intimate relationship. The Government has duly considered the pros and cons around this system and it will be managed properly to ensure the process is transparent. But the rights of the victim or potential victim should be to the forefront. The signs were there for weeks, but nobody thought the Fine Gael collapse would be this brutal. Is it a protest vote? A power shift? Or the first cracks in Irelands old political order? In her acceptance speech she reached out to voters who voted for Heather Humphreys, Jim Gavin and otherwise. "For those who didn't vote for me and those who spoil their votes, let me tell you, I will be an inclusive president to listen to all of you I will be making no distinction on the basis of votes." She vowed to be the first citizen of a democratic country which facilitates "constructive questioning" in order to create "a new republic". She continued: "Together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity, and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language and the new people who have come to our country. Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is live once from Dublin Castle, in the historic Wedgewood Room, joined by Tabitha Monahan and Conal Thomas from the Irish Independents political team, to discuss Catherine Connollys historic win, and what comes next for Irish politics. Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire said the election of Catherine Connolly as the next President of Ireland is a good day and marks a new era of hope. The Cork TD said: In Catherine Connolly, Ireland has chosen vision, compassion, and integrity. This campaign carried the hopes of all who believe in a fairer Ireland. She will be a president of the people, for the people a passionate voice for all of Ireland. Deputy O Laoghaire appealed for people to meet the next challenge with ambition. Now, let us move forward together, and meet the next challenge with ambition - a government for the people. Lets not waste a single day together, we can shape a new, united Republic. Independent Ireland party leader Michael Collins who is a TD for the Cork South-West constituency congratulated Catherine Connolly on her impending election as President of Ireland, describing her as an honest and fair representative deeply committed to public service. In any dealings Ive had with Catherine Connolly, Ive found her to be honest, fair, and deeply committed to public service. I wish her every success as she takes on this important national role. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to an assault in Dublin 9 on Thursday night. Gardai are investigating the alleged assault at a location near Grace Park Road at approximately 9:20pm on Thursday evening. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward, and are appealing to anyone who may have camera footage and who was in the vicinity of Grace Park Road between Griffith Avenue and Richmond Road between 9:00pm and 10:00pm, to make it available to gardai. They are also asking anyone who may have observed any unusual activity in the area to contact gardai. Dr Mary Galvin, Nicola Horan on her graduation day as she got a BH in social care and Dr Aisling Sharkey. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Catherine Lynch from Listowel at her graduation with her sister Eileen O'Connell. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Munster Technological University (MTU) is proudly hosted the 2025 conferring of awards ceremonies on Friday, October 24, at the MTU Kerry Sports Academy. The day saw 1,126 graduates from diverse disciplines across various departments spanning Business, Tourism and Hospitality, Health, Nursing, Leisure, Social Sciences, Computing, IT, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The ceremonies also celebrated the bestowal of honorary doctorates to David Donoghue, a former senior Irish diplomat, and Stan McCarthy, non-executive chairman of Ryanair. With 1,126 graduands in total, including 286 non-EU and 840 EU (including Ireland) graduands from 53 countries, the event celebrated the international diversity of MTU. MTUs Autumn 2025 conferrings began earlier this week at MTU Cork School of Music in Cork City and will continue next week at MTU Arena at the Bishopstown campus. President of Munster Technological University, Professor Maggie Cusack, said this about the day: Conferring ceremonies are among the most significant moments in the life of any university, and today we celebrate the hard work, determination, and ambition of our graduates. They have shown remarkable resilience and commitment, and we are immensely proud of all they have achieved. It is also an honour to recognise our Honorary Doctors, David Donoghue and Stan McCarthy, whose leadership, vision, and impact reflect the very values we seek to inspire in our students. As MTU continues to grow and thrive, our graduates are shaping a future defined by innovation, inclusion, and positive societal change. Chair of Munster Technological Universitys Governing Body, Jimmy Dewnihan, added: Today is a celebration not only of academic achievement but also of the transformative role that higher education plays in our society. MTU has become a vital part of the educational, cultural, and economic fabric of this region, and our graduates are now equipped to make meaningful contributions at local, national, and global levels. The awarding of honorary doctorates to leaders of such calibre is a reminder of the power of education to inspire, to lead, and to create lasting change. Muireann Cooke from Limerick. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Dr Mary Galvin, Nicola Horan on her graduation day as she got a BH in social care and Dr Aisling Sharkey. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Tanya Walsh, Ethan Procter, Emilie Schneider and Aislyn Parrish. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Emma Kenny from Limerick pictured wirh Geraldine and Padraig Kenny. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Chloe Griffin from Tralee pictured wirh Denise and Noel Griffin. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Saoirse Byrne from Killkenny. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Catherine Lynch from Listowel at her graduation with her sister Eileen O'Connell. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Laura McNalley from Galway at her graduation day. Photo by Domnick Walsh. There was a night of celebrations in Carrick on Shannon after the proud committee of Carrick on Shannon Tidy Towns were welcomed home after be ing crowned Irelands Tidiest Town. Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim was crowned as the overall winner of the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns competition at a ceremony held in Croke Park on Friday afternoon. Along with the overall winner award for 2025, the group took home a prize of 15,000, as the competitions highest scoring entrant. Carrick-On-Shannon was also named Irelands Tidiest Small Town. The local community, sporting groups and volunteers lined the streets as the committee returned from Dublin and made their way to the Market Yard for a night of celebrations. The committee with their trophy. Photo: Donal Hackett The victory has been described as a superb honour for the town, the committee and the county. Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Councillor Paddy Farrell said he was delighted to the see the hardworking volunteers recognised at the awards. I offer my heartiest congratulations to Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns Committee and all their diligent, hard-working volunteers, whose efforts over the past number of years, at presenting Carrick-on-Shannon as an attractive place to live and visit, have come to fruition today with national recognition and the winning of this award. Well done to all involved, said Cllr Farrell. Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Joseph Gilhooley also expressed his delighted at Carrick-on-Shannon winning the title of Irelands Tidiest Town 2025. The committee was welcomed back to Carrick on Shannon by a large crowd. Photo: Donal Hackett Mr Gilhooley said today is a wonderful day for Carrick-on-Shannon and County Leitrim. It is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment by the Tidy Towns Committee and the large number of volunteers whom they call upon, to make Carrick-on-Shannon the clean, tidy, attractive and vibrant town that it is. Through collaboration with the County Council the Tidy Towns Committee are making a significant difference to the overall presentation of the County Town and helping to make it an attractive place in which to live in, work in and visit, he said. Local FG TD, Frank Feighan paid tribute to the fantastic volunteers who have developed the dream of winning this prestigious competition for many years. For over 40 years over good times and bad, the hard-working committee have entered Carrick, constantly improving their marks, bringing on new projects, they have embraced innovation and sustainability and demonstrated true community spirit. This is great news for South Leitrim and North Roscommon in particular as this accolade will attract even larger visitor numbers to the area in 2026 to see Irelands tidiest town, Carrick-on-Shannon. A homecoming event was held in Carrick on Shannon on Friday night. I want to congratulate the many partners of the tidy towns committee including the local Chamber and Leitrim County Council, alongside the ordinary residents of the town who showed their support for the volunteers, this is a proud day for all of them, concluded Deputy Feighan. Minister Marian Harkin has warmly congratulated Carrick-on-Shannon on being named Overall Winner of the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition. Speaking following the announcement, Minister Harkin extend her heartfelt congratulations to the people of Carrick-on-Shannon on this outstanding achievement. "To be recognised not only as the tidiest small town, but as the overall national winner, is a reflection of the pride, dedication, and community spirit that define Carrick-on-Shannon. Celebrations in Carrick on Shannon following their Tidy Towns victory. Photo: Donal Hackett This award is the culmination of countless hours of voluntary effort by local residents - men, women, and young people who give their time freely, going out in hail, rain, or shine, donning high-vis jackets to pick up litter, plant flowers, and maintain the beauty of their town. Their commitment to keeping Carrick-on-Shannon at its best is truly inspiring. Minister Harkin also praised the wider community effort behind the win. The Tidy Towns competition is not just about how a place looks, its about community pride, environmental awareness, and teamwork. Carrick-on-Shannons success shows what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision for their place. Members of the committee with their prizes. This achievement will bring great pride not just to Carrick-on-Shannon, but to the entire county of Leitrim. "I want to sincerely congratulate Chairman John Gaffey, his committee and everyone involved for their tireless work, their enthusiasm, and their belief in their town. They have set a wonderful example for communities across the country, said Minister Harkin. Limerick city has achieved gold in the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition, a stellar win after earning silver in 2024. The hard-earned result celebrates years of dedication by local volunteers with Limerick City Tidy Towns, whose tireless efforts have transformed public spaces across the city. Adare continues to shine as one of Limericks most successful entrants, retaining its gold medal and being named County Winner. Galbally and Castleconnell have each retained their silver medals, while Newcastle West and Ardpatrick have both held on to bronze status. Kilmeedy has been recognised with the Endeavour Award for 2025, presented to the entrant showing the greatest improvement from the previous year. This Friday, Mayor of Limerick John Moran shared: I want to congratulate every single community across Limerick who took part in this years Tidy Towns competition. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment to making your local areas better for everyone is truly inspiring. Priomh Chomhairleoir Cllr Catherine Slattery added praise for the volunteers: These achievements are the result of countless hours of voluntary work, creativity, and collaboration. I want to especially congratulate Helen ODonnell and Limerick City Tidy Towns on their Gold Medal win, and to thank every group, school, and resident who continues to make Limerick a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live. In the schools category, Scoil Dean Cussen in Bruff took home the Tiny Tidy Towns Regional Award for the South West and Mid West Region, along with a 1,000 prize. The win comes after a strong year for Limerick schools, with 38 awarded Green Flags in May 2025. Helen Kenneally, Environmental Awareness Officer, acknowledged the broader impact of community work: It is more important than ever to support the voluntary work of Tidy Towns groups and Residents Associations throughout Limerick. This year saw 57 localities across Limerick take part in the national competition. The national results follow the Limerick Going for Gold 2025 Awards, where Kilmallock was named overall winner at a ceremony in the Castletroy Hotel on Thursday, October 23. The show will feature performances by Michael Flatley, Cuckoos Nest, senior ceili band champions Clor na dTonn and many more When Wexford hosted last year, it was described as the biggest Fleadh Cheoil since the festival was first held in Mullingar in May of 1951, with 650,000 people in attendance. Word of Wexfords success evidently spread fast and this year that record was smashed with a conservative estimate of 800,000 people in attendance over the week-long celebration. The magic of Fleadh Cheoil returns to RTE One and RTE Player from Friday October 24 at 8pm. Presented by Daithi O Se, alongside acclaimed musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, the six-part series will showcase the very best of Irish traditional music from Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025. Viewers will be treated to a lively ramble through Wexford town, with street sessions and electrifying performances that capture the magic of Ireland's largest music festival. The series will feature performances by renowned musicians including Michael Flatley, Cuckoos Nest (Maureen Codd and family), Megan McGinley and Marty Barry, Foster and Allen, Aoife Scott, Andy Irvine, and this years senior Ceili Band champions, Glor na dTonn. Other highlights include performances from Damien Mullane and Sean OMeara, Piaras O Lorcain, Neansai Ni Choisdealbha agus cairde, Muintir Ui Mhaolagain, Ademar OConnor and Michael Fearon, Micheal and Meabh Ui Raghallaigh, Conal O Grada, The Rowesome Piping Quartet, and lots more. The series also takes a look back at some of the highlights and competitions that are integral to the Fleadh including Meitheal Summer School and the Guinness World Record attempt in Wexford Park, where more than 1,000 people gathered to form the largest ceili band to play together in history. See the RTE Player for episodes Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), addresses a meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- A meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China was held in Beijing on Saturday, the first Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. Addressing the gathering of about 500 attendees, Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to advance national reunification, and to leave no room for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in any form. The event was organized following a decision by China's national legislature on Friday to designate Oct. 25 as the official commemorative day. In 1894, Japan initiated a war against China and then occupied Taiwan. On Oct. 25, 1945, a ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, noted that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to China represented a great triumph and a shared glory of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. The establishment of the commemorative day demonstrates the unwavering commitment of all Chinese people to uphold the one-China principle and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he emphasized. It also reflects the CPC's steadfast resolve to fulfill its historical mission and achieve complete reunification of the motherland, he said, adding that it has further strengthened the international consensus that there is only one China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of that one China. At this important time to bear history in mind and forge ahead together, Wang stressed that people on both sides of the Strait should shoulder their historical responsibilities in promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and realizing national rejuvenation. The top political advisor emphasized the importance of adhering to peaceful reunification and the "one country, two systems" policy, as well as upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. He called for joint efforts to safeguard the major achievements of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, deepen cross-Strait exchanges and integration, uphold the overall interests of the Chinese nation, and strive for national rejuvenation. A new 7,600 sqft mega pharmacy has opened its doors in Wexford town ahead of an official grand opening event for customers on Saturday, October 25. The opening of Chemist Warehouse in Wexford Retail Park marks the global chain's 16th store in Ireland and has created 22 new jobs locally, including three full-time pharmacists and three managerial roles. The highly anticipated opening comes as part of the companys ambitious 2025 expansion plan with three further stores scheduled to open before the end of the year. In terms of what customers can expect, Chemist Warehouse state that they aim to support Irish communities by offering accessible and affordable health and wellness products with up to 70% off the price of prescriptions and no dispensing fee. In terms of its retail offering, the store stocks leading Irish and international health, wellness and beauty brands. Chemist Warehouse first entered the Irish market in 2020 and now employs over 500 people nationwide in locations such as Dublin, Cork, Meath, Carlow, Louth, Limerick and now Wexford. We are thrilled to open our doors in Wexford officially, Colin Galligan, CEO of Chemist Warehouse said. Expanding into Wexford has been a natural step in our mission to bring value, convenience, and trusted healthcare services to more people in the South-East. "The warm welcome weve received from the community reinforces our belief in the importance of providing quality healthcare products at the best possible prices. Our focus remains on creating local jobs, supporting Irish suppliers, and ensuring that every community we serve has access to the savings and service Chemist Warehouse is known for globally. With further openings on the horizon, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for our business in Ireland. Pharmacy being at the core of the new store's offering, Superintendent Pharmacist Stephanie Slevin said that a team of community pharmacists will be in-store seven days a week, early until late, offering trusted healthcare advice for the whole family. "As we head into another season of colds and flu, were also pleased to offer in-store vaccinations, along with our nationwide commitment to no dispensing fees and up to 70% off prescription costs, she concluded. Chemist Warehouses grand opening event will take place on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with live music, giveaways, prize hampers and brand ambassadors showcasing a range of Irish and international brands. A Wicklow girl guide was awarded with one of the most prestigious honours the organisation can bestow on a member, at a ceremony which took place on Friday, October 17. Bray Guide Lara Bayliss was presented with the Guide Campers Way Gold Badge by Chief Commissioner Amanda OSullivan, who travelled to Bray especially for the occasion. The Campers Way Gold Badge is one of the most challenging and respected awards in guiding, marking the culmination of a guides progress through the outdoor adventure programme. To achieve it, guides build their confidence and skills over time, learning everything from campcraft and outdoor cooking to teamwork and leadership. Lara earned her award through her dedication and enthusiasm, fully taking part in all aspects of the programme, including using an axe and saw safely. She is now working towards the National Guide Award, the highest honour in guiding, and Ms OSullivan expressed her admiration for Laras commitment and confidence that her guiding journey will continue to flourish. During the same evening, Ms OSullivan also recognised the outstanding contribution of two long-serving local leaders, Mary Byrne of Bray Guides and Michele McNerney of Belmont Brownie (Bray), each receiving their 20-year service pins in appreciation of their many years of commitment to guiding in the Bray community. The Irish Girl Guides have been an active and vibrant part of the Bray community for over 100 years, offering girls and young women opportunities to grow in confidence, develop new skills, and experience adventure in a supportive environment. Prince Andrew is in advanced talks with the King Charless representatives about quitting his Royal Lodge home, The Telegraph understands. Buckingham Palace is trying to crank up the pressure on Andrew to voluntarily give up his 30-bedroom residence, from which he cannot legally be evicted under the terms of his cast-iron lease. Ukraines allies vow to take Russian oil and gas off the global market UK to accelerate missile production to get weapons to Kyiv British prime minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky are greeted by Ukrainian school children in Westminster, London. Photo: Henry Nicholls/PA Caitlin Doherty, Alistair Smout and William James Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Allied nations have pledged to act to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, UK prime minister Keir Starmer said, after leaders gathered with Volodymyr Zelensky in London. After two years in an Israeli prison without charge, he came home to find his family dead and his home destroyed Freed Palestinians describe torture in jails and agony of Gazas destruction A drone view shows people burying unidentified bodies of Palestinians, who had been held in Israel during the war, at a mass burial site in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. They were handed over by Israel as part of the ceasefire deal. Photo: Reuters Nedal Hamdouna and Bel Trew UK Independent Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 06:30 Nassem waited two years to be reunited with his wife and four children in Gaza, surviving an Israeli prison where he was held without charge and without contact with the outside world. US president Donald Trump speaks to the media aboard Air Force One ahead of his arrival in Malaysia (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein) US president Donald Trump has said he does not plan to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin until he thinks a deal is in place to secure peace between Russia and Ukraine. ( Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | Disney cruise safety questioned after 5-year-old falls and alarms fail to detect her ) How the fall happened ( Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | Disney cruise safety questioned after 5-year-old falls and alarms fail to detect her ) ( Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | Disney cruise safety questioned after 5-year-old falls and alarms fail to detect her ) Alarm systems did not trigger No criminal case, but questions remain Cruise safety regulations ( Image credit : AI generated via Freepik | Disney cruise safety questioned after 5-year-old falls and alarms fail to detect her ) A chilling incident occurred aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship in July as it returned from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A 5-year-old girl fell from the fourth deck into the ocean, prompting her father to immediately jump in after her. Both were rescued by the crew, but the event has sparked concern over cruise ship safety protocols.Authorities reported that the family had paused on the fourth deck to take a photograph near a porthole. The girl climbed onto the railing after her mother pointed to it, lost her balance, and fell 49 feet into the water. Her father dived seconds later in a desperate attempt to save her.By 11:49 a.m., crew members had retrieved both from the ocean. They were treated for mild hypothermia, and the father sustained minor injuries.Investigators highlighted a troubling issue: the ships man overboard sensors did not detect the child. A detective explained that the girls small body failed to activate the safety system, which is designed to detect passengers overboard. The failure underscores the limitations of current technology in protecting young children on cruise ships.Authorities confirmed there will be no prosecution, noting that while the fathers actions could be considered negligent, they did not meet the threshold for criminal liability. Nonetheless, safety experts have raised questions about the adequacy of man overboard systems and whether cruise lines need to reassess technology to prevent similar incidents.The Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2010 mandated that US cruise ships integrate technology capable of detecting passengers who fall overboard, with a minimum detection height of 48. It remains unclear which type of system was installed on the Disney Dream.The incident raises serious concerns about child safety on cruise ships, highlighting a gap between regulatory standards and real-world risks. While the family is safe, the near-tragedy serves as a warning for both passengers and cruise operators alike. ( Image credit : ABC | Greys Anatomy Season 22, Goodbye Horses, is scheduled to air on ABC. ) Jesse Williams returns to Grey Sloan Memorial The backstory of Jackson and April ( Image credit : ABC | Greys Anatomy Season 22 Episode 4 airs on ABC at 10 p.m. ET/PT. ) What to expect in episode 4: Goodbye Horses ( Image credit : ABC | The fourth episode of Greys Anatomy Season 22 is Goodbye Horses. ) Episode 4 release date Fans of Greys Anatomy have a reason to celebrate, as the promo for Season 22, episode 4, titled Goodbye Horses, has been released. The new clip confirms the much-anticipated return of Jesse Williams as Dr Jackson Avery, a fan-favourite character. The trailer aired on Thursday, October 23, giving viewers a glimpse of whats coming next at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. This comeback comes after a series of major cast changes, including previous departures and some hiatuses, making Jacksons return even more exciting.Jesse Williams, 44, who has portrayed Jackson Avery since 2009, steps back into the hospital in the new episode. In the promo, Jackson is seen walking alongside Ben Warren, played by Jason George, and is greeted warmly by other doctors. His return marks a significant moment for the show, bringing back one of the most beloved surgeons of Grey Sloan Memorial.Previously, Williams reprised Jacksons role during Season 21 alongside Sarah Drew, who plays Dr. April Kepner. Jackson and Aprils relationship had been a central storyline for years, and their reconnection brought back cherished moments for fans. Despite Drews departure in 2018, the show has continued to reference Jackson and Aprils history, keeping their story alive in the hearts of viewers.Jackson Averys character has had an eventful journey on Greys Anatomy. He originally left the show in May 2021, moving to Boston to take over his familys foundation. April Kepner later joined him with their daughter Harriet, providing closure to their long-running storyline.Fans may remember that Aprils character had previously left Grey Sloan Memorial in Season 14 to focus on her faith and family life, which upset some viewers who had hoped for her reunion with Jackson. Showrunner Krista Vernoff explained that the characters of Arizona and April are permanently woven into the fabric of Greys Anatomy, emphasising that the departures were carefully planned to respect the characters arcs.The fourth episode, Goodbye Horses, promises drama and tension for Grey Sloan Memorial. According to the official synopsis, The interns juggle a bizarre trauma, while a complex breast reconstruction forces Meredith into a tense partnership. Fans can expect a mix of medical challenges, emotional moments, and character interactions that keep the shows signature intensity alive.Additionally, the promo hints at Jo (Camilla Luddington) possibly going into labor, surprising her husband, Link (Chris Carmack). This storyline adds personal stakes for the characters, complementing the medical drama and Jacksons return.Greys Anatomy Season 22 Episode 4, Goodbye Horses, is set to air on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Viewers who prefer streaming can watch the episode on Hulu starting the following day. Deadly car chase on the motorway Convictions and appeal Outrage and pain that remains TikTok and Instagram influencer Mahek Bukhari, once known for glamorous lifestyle content and fast-rising social media fame, has had her prison sentence reduced despite being convicted of double murder in one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent UK memory. Her role in a high-speed car chase that resulted in a fiery crash and the deaths of two 21-year-old men continues to horrify the public, and now, her reduced minimum sentence has reignited anger and disbelief.In February 2022, Bukhari, her mother Ansreen, and a group of associates chased a car carrying Mohammed Hashim Ijazuddin and his friend Saqib Hussain. Hussain had been involved in an affair with Bukharis mother and was allegedly threatening to release explicit images of her unless he was repaid money he claimed to have spent during their relationship.The group confronted the two men after luring them to a late-night meeting under false pretences. What followed was a high-speed pursuit on the A46, during which the victims vehicle was forced off the road, crashing and exploding into flames. Both young men died at the scene, trapped inside the burning wreck.Last year, Mahek Bukhari was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of just under 32 years. Her mother received a slightly shorter minimum sentence. Their co-defendants received varying sentences for murder and manslaughter.Bukharis lawyers later appealed, arguing that her minimum term was disproportionately harsh given her age at the time. In a controversial decision, the Court of Appeal agreed, with Lord Justice Warby stating that the sentencing judge did not sufficiently consider Bukharis emotional immaturity when the crime occurred. As a result, her minimum sentence has been reduced to just over 26 years.Families of the victims have long argued that the chase was intentional and ruthless. Hussain was described as terrified moments before his death. His friend Ijazuddin, simply giving him a lift, was an innocent caught in the middle, as noted in court documents.For many, the reduction feels like justice shifting backwards. Two lives were violently taken, and despite the influencers age and background, public sentiment remains clear: the severity of the crime should speak louder than youth, fame, or legal argument. DPRK top leader pays high tribute to Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs Xinhua) 15:40, October 25, 2025 PYONGYANG, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid his high tribute to the Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) Friday on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the CPV's entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, state media reported Saturday. During a ceremony marking the key anniversary, the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the cemetery in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, while the national anthems of the two countries were played, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a report. A flower basket in the name of Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, and the flower baskets in the names of the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK State Affairs Commission were laid before the cemetery. Kim paid a silent tribute in memory of the CPV fallen soldiers, and then visited the grave of Mao Anying at the cemetery. He placed a flower before the grave and paid homage, according to the KCNA report. "The faces of the CPV fallen soldiers, who assisted the revolutionary war of our people at the cost of their blood with the spirit of internationalism and the feeling of fraternal friendship, remain deep in the hearts of the peoples of the two countries as a symbol of valuable DPRK-China friendship," KCNA said in the report. "Our people will never forget the blood shed by the excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people and their immortal feats even after a lapse of many years and the shift of generations," the report said. "The DPRK-China friendship forged at the cost of blood would powerfully demonstrate its inexhaustible vitality in the sacred struggle to realize the cause of independence against imperialism and the socialist cause in the future, too," it added. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) Exhibitors display Chinese electric vehicles at the Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair in Accra, Ghana, on Oct. 23, 2025. The maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair concluded in Accra on Friday, with Chinese technology taking center stage. Hybrid vehicles featuring combined electric and combustion technologies from some of China's leading automakers, including Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM), were showcased to the delight of Ghanaian customers. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) by Justice Lee Adoboe ACCRA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair concluded in Accra, the capital, on Friday, with Chinese technology taking center stage. Hybrid vehicles featuring combined electric and combustion technologies from some of China's leading automakers, including Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM), were showcased to the delight of Ghanaian customers. Zonda Tec Ghana Limited, a Chinese automobile distributor in Ghana, displayed GWM's hybrid models alongside other hybrid vehicles during the exhibition. Zhang Hongye, sales director for light vehicles at Zonda, told Xinhua that as technology continues to evolve, it is essential to meet customers' changing needs. "These hybrid cars can save you 30 to 40 percent in fuel consumption. It literally means that every month you can save at least 1,000 Ghana cedis on fuel," Zhang said. According to her, customers have the flexibility to switch from the electric vehicle (EV) system when the battery runs low to the traditional combustion system during long journeys. The new brands are gaining popularity in the Ghanaian market, as their flexibility and affordability, combined with low fuel consumption, give customers their ideal options, she added. J.A. Plantpool Limited, a Ghanaian auto company that distributes Chery vehicles from China, also displayed the new Soueast models, the latest hybrids from the Chinese automaker. Abraham Dogbey, sales executive at J.A. Plantpool, said the advantage of the Chery hybrid models is that their EV systems can be charged manually. Even when the engine is down, it can charge from external power sources, he noted. Opening the three-day exhibition, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said transport is the "lifeblood of every economy," connecting people to opportunities, driving innovation and fueling inclusive national development. Mahama said his government is working to decarbonize the transport sector, expand electric mobility infrastructure, and promote climate-smart investments that lower emissions and protect the environment. He added that with enhanced port efficiency, modern rail connectivity, expanded airport infrastructure, efficient road transport and digital logistics systems, Ghana will position itself as the gateway for efficient trade and the movement of goods and services across West Africa. Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said that the government has implemented programs to renew the fleet of state-run public bus companies, with the aim of expanding services and driving sector decarbonization through the introduction of more electric buses to enhance fleet efficiency. The three-day exhibition served as a strategic platform for showcasing technological innovations, attracting investments and fostering collaboration toward building an integrated transport and logistics system. A visitor views an electric vehicle during the Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair in Accra, Ghana, on Oct. 23, 2025. The maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Fair concluded in Accra on Friday, with Chinese technology taking center stage. Hybrid vehicles featuring combined electric and combustion technologies from some of China's leading automakers, including Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM), were showcased to the delight of Ghanaian customers. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ( Image credit : Instagram/@kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian shares four children with her ex-husband Kanye Ye West. ) Kim Kardashian defends daughter North Wests bold look ( Image credit : Instagram/@kimkardashian | Kim Kardashian defends daughter North Wests bold look. ) Kim Kardashian speaks on Norths growing self-assurance ( Image credit : TikTok/@Kim and North |North Wests fashion sparks social media reactions. ) Kim Kardashian is standing by her 12-year-old daughter, North West, after her latest fashion choices sparked online debate. North was seen wearing fake body modifications, including faux face tattoos, a nose piercing, and grillz, alongside her friends in clips shared on her joint TikTok account with Kardashian. Fans reacted strongly, raising concerns about her age and the unusual style.The SKIMS mogul addressed the backlash directly in the comment section of the TikTok post, stating, This is such a non-issue , emphasising that she sees Norths appearance as harmless fun rather than something alarming.Videos of North West with faux tattoos and piercings quickly circulated online, prompting mixed reactions. In one of those viral TikTOk videos, as reported by, one viewer commented, How about going to be a kid, while another reminded, Shes 12 years old, by the way. A third critic added, This is just sad. Despite the criticism, Kardashian chose to publicly support her daughters personal style, noting Norths confidence and individuality.Many fans also revisited a September incident in Rome when North sported a dermal piercing on her middle finger, which had previously drawn criticism. Kardashian has consistently defended her daughters right to explore fashion in a safe and guided way.During an appearance on thepodcast on October 15, Kim Kardashian spoke about North Wests maturity and confidence when it comes to style choices. She shared, She's really mature in one sense, where she'll be like, 'Mom, I saw this, and I don't really care that they don't like my blue hair or this or that.'Kardashian emphasised Norths growing self-assurance, explaining that the preteen is learning to make her own decisions. The reality star also reflected on the challenges of parenting a preteen, admitting, I'm like, okay, we're never wearing that again. Unfortunately, we made that mistake in front of the whole world. As a mom, you're kind of like learning at the same time.Kim Kardashian shares four children, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm, with her ex-husband Kanye Ye West. Who is Ravindra Kishore Sinha? From two rooms to a billion-rupee empire ( Image credit : Forbes | Ravindra Kishore Sinha ) The early days: From journalism to entrepreneurship Building the SIS legacy Political career and public service ( Image credit : indianpublicschool | Ravindra Kishore Sinha ) Key Facts About Ravindra Kishore Sinha FAQs When people talk about Indias billionaires, names from Mumbai or Delhi often top the list. But did you know that, Ravindra Kishore Sinha, built a billion-rupee empire right from the heart of Bihars capital? Lets explore the incredible life, career, and net worth of the man who changed Indias security industry forever.Ravindra Kishore Sinha, fondly called RK Sinha, is a businessman, politician, and the founder of Indias largest private security company.His success story is not just about numbers; its about determination and smart thinking. Starting from a modest background in Patna, RK Sinha went on to become Patnas richest man with an estimated net worth of around Rs 8,400 crore (approximately $1 billion).RK Sinhas journey began in 1974 when he founded SIS in just two small rooms in. What started as a small local service has now grown into a global organisation providing security, cash logistics, and facility management services across multiple countries.If youve ever noticed uniformed guards standing outside shopping centres, offices, or banks chances are, they work for SIS. Today, SIS is valued at over Rs 1,200 crore and employs thousands across India and abroad.Born into a middle-class family in Patna, Ravindra Kishore Sinha completed his degree in Political Science in 1971. To support his family, he worked as a trainee journalist. However, fate had other plans.During the, Sinha came into contact with soldiers from the Bihar Regiment and built strong friendships with them. Later, during the JP Movement in 1973, he lost his reporting job a setback that unknowingly led him to his lifes biggest breakthrough.A friend who was running a construction company mentioned a need for ex-servicemen to secure project sites. That conversation inspired Sinha to start a security firm employing retired soldiers and thats how SIS was born.Starting with just a few ex-servicemen in 1974, SIS quickly gained popularity. Within a year, it had over 250 employees and a turnover exceeding Rs 1 lakh a remarkable achievement at the time.Over the years, the company expanded rapidly across India and ventured into international markets like Australia, which today contributes the largest share of its revenue. SIS also operates a joint venture with Spains Prosegur to offer cash logistics services.As of FY24, SIS Group employs more than 2.8 lakh people and recorded a revenue of Rs 12,261 crore with an EBITDA of Rs 585 crore impressive figures that truly reflect the massive scale of Ravindra Kishore Sinhas business success.Apart from being a successful businessman, Ravindra Kishore Sinha has also been active in politics. He is one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament.His dual roles as an entrepreneur and public servant have earned him deep respect in both the business world and political circles.Ravindra Kishore Sinhas net worth and achievementsWith a current net worth of Rs 8,400 crore, as per TOI, Patnas richest man, Ravindra Kishore Sinha, stands as an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. His companys growth from a two-room office to an international enterprise proves that success is possible with hard work, vision, and integrity.Ravindra Kishore SinhaRK SinhaBusinessman, Politician, Founder of SIS GroupRs 8,400 crore (approx. $1 billion)1974, Patna2.8 lakh+Rs 12,261 croreFormer Rajya Sabha MP, BJP founding memberRavindra Kishore Sinhas story proves that big dreams can grow even in small cities. From humble beginnings in Patna to becoming a billionaire businessman, his achievements showcase the power of discipline and determination. Today, Patnas richest man, with his incredible net worth and inspiring journey, continues to motivate a generation of entrepreneurs across India.The richest man in Patna is Ravindra Kishore Sinha, founder of SIS Group.His current net worth is estimated to be around Rs 8,400 crore ($1 billion).He is the founder of Security and Intelligence Services (India) Limited (SIS), Indias leading private security company.SIS was founded in 1974 in Patna.Yes, he is a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has served as a Rajya Sabha MP. Emcee Sonja Delgado (left) crowns Nora Morse (right) as the winner of the Miss American Vampire Pageant at heavy metal bar Doom in Philadelphia on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Read more There were Irish step-dancing vampires and opera-singing vampires. Vampires who claim to hunt billionaires and vampires who moonlight as emergency medical technicians. And, in at least one instance, a vampire who doubled as a heavyweight champ. Such was the lineup of the first-ever Miss American Vampire Philadelphia pageant, where 13 wannabe bloodsuckers donned their best vampiric drag to compete inside heavy metal bar Doom Friday night. Contestants were thirsty to show that vampires contain multitudes (and, perhaps, for a little bit of blood). Advertisement Doom owner and former Royal Izakaya general manager Justin Holden decided to go all in on the unorthodox pageant after bartender Sonja Delgado showed him a black-and-white photo of Miss American Vampire New Jersey staring hauntingly at the camera during her 1970 crowning. Back then, MGM hosted the regional beauty competition to promote the movie House of Dark Shadows, with finalists going on to compete in Los Angeles for title of Miss American Vampire and a guest-starring role on the long-running vampire soap opera Dark Shadows. Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather won the crown, though she never redeemed her prize. The stakes of Dooms pageant were far lower than a TV appearance and eternal life, though just as competitive. Contestants were judged by a panel of full-time goths and burlesque performers on their creativity and vampiric presence as they competed in the standard pageant categories: A costume parade, an interview, and a dark art or talent with a touch of the occult. Prizes included $100 cash, a new set of fangs, and comic books donated from Atomic City Comics. Skull and mixed metal artist Sue Moerder prepared a Bob Mackie-inspired gothic crown, with feathers and pearls sprouting from an arrangement of ornate obsidian gems. Vampires represent the alternative, the occult, the bat-brained, the gothic ... [people] on the outskirts of civilization, Delgado told The Inquirer. We just wanted to show that this bar is a safe cave for vampires to commune. READ MORE: Inside the Neon Clown Dream Lounge, a Kensington bar that takes clowning seriously Both floors at 421 N. 7th St. were packed as contestants flitted across the makeshift stage in costumes that highlighted the full expanse of vampire-dom. There were homages to both the German and Transylvanian versions of Dracula in peasant blouses and bejeweled collars, as well as more contemporary interpretations, with floor-length evening gowns, corseted waistlines, and lots of red lips. Lilith Lobotomy a blue-haired vamp whose bio alleged she bakes cakes and stalks billionaires was an immediate favorite, earning thunderous applause when she turned away from the audience to drop her floor length duster. Emblazoned in sparkling blood red font on the back of her black dress was the phrase Eat the rich. Madame Lobotomy would go on to win the coveted title of Miss Off Putting Delgados spin on Miss Congeniality after belting out the song The Phantom of the Opera while twirling a lit candelabra. She was still no match for Norah Morse, who took home the Miss American Vampire Philadelphia crown after shocking the judges with her interview. When asked how she prepared for the competition, Morse scoffed. I dont know what you mean, she said in a thick Transylvanian accent. Im a vampire and I showed up. Judge and burlesque performer Caress Deville said Morse represented the commitment she was looking for. I was gagged, Deville said. Thats exactly how you would answer if you were a real vampire. During her crowning, Morses human mother rushed to the front of the crowd to take photos. Even vampires, it seems, yearn for moms approval. READ MORE: Philly girls love horror and a film club is enabling their quest for the thrills and chills In the world of us mortals, Morse goes by Alex Decker, a 29-year-old from Bellmawr who has been drawn to vampires since she was a child. Decker lives with contamination OCD, she said, and envies the freedom of the undead. Life would be a lot easier if I was a vampire who could just drink blood all the time, Decker said. I have been weird and creepy and insane my entire life. Competing to be Americas next top vampire For some contestants, Miss American Vampire Philadelphia was an opportunity to transform their mortal selves into bolder and braver versions that were battle-tested from centuries of living. When Doom announced the pageant on Instagram in early October, the post received more than 4,500 likes, Delgado said, and hundreds of shares. More than 50 hopefuls sent in applications via a Google form that asked for their vampiric backstory and talent, forcing Holden and Delgado to spend hours deliberating. Delgado was unsurprised that the pageant took off. They were, however, shocked by the lack of trolling. I didnt know how serious everyone who applied was at first, Delgado said. Its supposed to be campy. On Friday, the beauty competition toed the line between a drag show and an actual Miss America preliminary. The judges pressed contestants on tough questions, such as how they choose their victims, and if its ethical to let them live post blood-sucking. READ MORE: The Wanamaker Building is turning into a film theater for the spooky season For Mira Castigin, of Camden, the most important quality to look for in a vampire is fun. Whats the point in being immortal if you let life pass you by? she told the crowd. Castigins vampiric persona is Elmira, a bewitching goth girl who shares Castigins day job as an EMT in hopes of atoning for her sins. The competition was an excuse for Castigin to air out some special pieces from her vintage clothing collection, including a petticoat and a pair of London Underground shoes. I think its always fun to do your makeup and get dressed up no matter what day it is, Castigin, 25, of Camden, said. And this is like a more thought-out version of that. Castigin opened the talent portion by singing an operatic aria, setting up the audience for a night of bewitching tricks. One vampire played the violin, while another danced an Irish jig to a Type O Negative song. Cassius King a silent movie star turned vampire wowed the audience by performing feats of strength, at one point picking up his assistant and turning him upside down. Rachel Rushmore, 34, of Fishtown, had a simpler talent, using sleight of hand to summon a tiny bat. Rushmore said she felt called to compete after 15 friends including several who dont even live in Philly sent her Dooms Instagram post. Onstage, Rushmore transformed from mortal Rachel to Vampire Rachel, a temptress and philanthropist who had been around since the age of powdered wigs and Ben Franklin. Vampire Rachel wears maroon floor-length gowns and bedazzles her face with gems borrowed from Marie Antoinette. The real-life version works in childrens book publishing and had never performed in front of a crowd before. I called myself Vampire Rachel because its hard for me to be somebody who Im not, Rushmore said. Tonight Im Rachel, but more. When you think of fall in the mountains, the quintessential image that probably comes to mind is of Jim Thorpe. Even if youve never set foot in this petite Pennsylvania town wrapped like an amphitheater in a vertical forest that changes color by the day photos of it have become the calling card of the Poconos, luring day-trippers and weekenders long before ski season begins. Named for the multisport athlete and the first Native American to win Olympic gold, the town flares out on either side of the Lehigh River in checkerboards of boutiques, breweries, and Victorian manors. Theres plenty to do within its small footprint, and the rest of the Poconos waits right at its doorstep. Ride: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Imagine gliding through a kaleidoscope of gold, russet, and amber leaves. Thats why the ticket booth for the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway opens early 7 a.m. on weekends, 9 a.m. on weekdays for its wildly popular Autumn Leaf train excursion. Tickets are sold only in person, the day of, so plan ahead. The 45-minute round trip offers stunning views best seen (and photographed) from the open-air carriages. Advertisement 1 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 Stay: Harry Packer Mansion A five-minute walk from the station, the Harry Packer Mansion counts quirky arched dormers, a copper-topped bell tower, and a grand sandstone veranda among its many eccentricities. Built in 1874 by railroad tycoon Asa Packer as a wedding gift for his son, Harry, the mansion (and adjacent carriage house) feature eight rooms with ornate woodwork and vintage decor. Check in on the second or fourth weekend of each month for an immersive murder mystery, where costumed characters bring the mansion to life. 19 Packer Hill Ave., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 Race: Pocono Raceway About 20 minutes east of Jim Thorpe sits Pocono Raceway, the legendary 2.5-mile track thats hosted NASCAR races since 1971. For an adrenaline rush, hop into a Dodge Charger Hellcat for a ride-along with a professional driver around the Tricky Triangle, hitting 60 mph in just over three seconds. 1234 Long Pond Rd., Long Pond, Pa. 18334 Eat: Pocono Organics Cafe A raceway and organic farm might seem like unlikely neighbors, but the Poconos are full of surprises. One of the largest regenerative agricultural projects in North America, Pocono Organics has a cant-miss cafe with an epic grass-fed cheeseburger, a beet salad dressed with tahini, harissa, and pistachios, and house-baked pastries worth saving for the morning drive home. 1015 Long Pond Rd., Blakeslee, Pa. 18610 Shop: Downtown Jim Thorpe Back in town, stroll down Broadway, the main drag lined with boutiques that feel far more cosmopolitan than youd expect in a mountain village. Browse plus-size consignment at BawdyPlus, bespoke stationery at Somersault, indie paperbacks at Sellers Books, and 18th-century curiosities at Antiques on Broadway. 77 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 (BawdyPlus);65 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 (Sellers Books);52 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (Antiques on Broadway) Drink: Bright Path Brewing Cross the bridge over the Lehigh River to the east side of town for predinner drinks at Bright Path Brewing, a relaxed taproom with forest-green walls and pipe-legged tables. Bright Path has been brewing German-accented beers since 2022; the smoked Maibock may be meant for spring (Mai = May), but its subtle smokiness pairs perfectly with crisp autumn air. 1215 North St., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 Dine: Cafe Arielle at the Stabin Museum End the evening with art and ambiance. Step into the Stabin Museum, where artist Victor Stabins genre-bending naturalist paintings line the walls, before dining at the adjacent Cafe Arielle. Red-curried salmon and roasted duck with blueberry gastrique fill the tables of this stone-and-wood hideaway, glowing like a lantern in the mountain night. 268 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 Perhaps we should start calling the Pentagons secretary of war Baghdad Pete. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is trying to block the Pentagon press corps from using any information not explicitly authorized by his staff, even if it is unclassified. Shades of Baghdad Bob, the infamous Saddam Hussein mouthpiece who delivered the regime line daily to the international press when I was covering the 1991 Gulf War. Advertisement The Hegseth policy even requires an official to accompany accredited journalists visiting Pentagon areas where they were formerly allowed to walk freely. Reminds me of our assigned minders in Baghdad, whose job was to bar us from learning anything the regime didnt want us to know. Hats off to nearly all the Pentagon press corps including conservative outlets such as Fox News, Newsmax, the Washington Times, and the Daily Caller who refused to forfeit their First Amendment rights by signing on to the new rules. They thereby lost their accreditation and their access to enter the building. Even more outrageous, they have been replaced with far-right outlets and slander-mongers known for promoting election denial, fake news, Russian propaganda, and deluded conspiracy theories. Baghdad Pete is striving not only to stop accurate news coverage of the use or abuse of U.S. military operations. In his effort to tightly control Pentagon news, he has also decreed that Pentagon officials cant interact with members of Congress without prior approval. Much (though not all) of the news he is trying to hide is already self-evident, and so damaging to U.S. security that he wont be able to plug future leaks. Politico and the Washington Post have already published important details on President Donald Trumps upcoming National Security Strategy, which will assign Americas top priority to protecting the U.S. homeland and the Western Hemisphere. This means making war on the enemy within in U.S. cities, as well as on immigration and drug cartels. As if those threats overshadow our fraught competition with China, and the very real threat from Russia. The theatrical U.S. military attacks on alleged drug smugglers in small boats off Venezuela and in the Pacific off Colombia - which could easily be stopped by the U.S. Coast Guard - are clearly illegal. But even more obvious, while this showy policy of killing a few unknown civilians at sea may be great for the White House video feed, it does nothing to combat Americas drug problem or drub the cartels. U.S. citizens are dying in enormous numbers from fentanyl, which is neither produced in nor smuggled in from Venezuela or Colombia (most comes in via Mexico, made from Chinese precursors). Indeed, Colombia has been one of Washingtons closest partners for decades in combating narcotics trafficking, and the U.S. strikes have infuriated Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Yet, Trump has now cut off all aid to Colombia and labeled Petro an illegal drug leader. As for Venezuela, the Pentagon has assembled a force of 10,000 in the Caribbean off its coast for a supposed anti-terrorism mission, which many Latin American experts believe is really aimed at fomenting regime change in Caracas. Despite Trumps dismal failure in his first term to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, he is apparently trying again. This upside-down set of priorities has reportedly upset top U.S. military officials. It is hardly surprising, then, that Hegseth just announced that Adm. Alvin Holsey, a 37-year veteran, will quit his job as head of U.S. Southern Command where he oversees all operations in Central and South America. (Could the fact that the highly qualified Holsey is African American have accelerated Baghdad Petes effort to get rid of him two years early?) Thus, there is plenty of news for the now-banned Pentagon press to ferret out for the U.S. public, not just about why the armada was dispatched, but why Trump and Hegseth want to prioritize Latin America and drugs. We know Trump has a thing about the Monroe Doctrine, the 1823 message to Congress by President James Monroe that warned off any other would-be colonizers from interfering in Latin America. Some wags now call it the Donroe Doctrine. Trump has interpreted the doctrine to mean the United States sphere of influence should extend over Northern, Central and South America, while often seeming to concede Europe to Russias sphere of influence, and Asia to Chinas. In other words, a Big Man theory of politics expanding Monroes intended meaning, which presumes Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping can split up the world. However, 2025 is not 1823, and a Donroe Doctrine doesnt fit the world we live in. Some Latin American countries, such as Brazil, have become major forces in their own right. China, with its large-scale investments in Latin America, and helped by Trumps tariff policies, is already an ever more powerful presence on the continent. I see Trumps Caribbean action as a distraction from his failures in handling China and Russia, as Putin and Xi run rings around him. It is far easier for Trump to carry out performative war off the South American coast bang-bang on unknown boatmen about which he and Hegseth can chest thump than to confront the real threats that endanger our country. (And he can still pretend he will tariff Xi into subservience when they meet in Seoul, South Korea, this week.) Let me give just one example of how the boat bombs serve as a distraction. This week, they have obscured the presidents latest failure with his all-carrots approach to Putin, who stiffed him yet again on a ceasefire in Ukraine. True, Trump has finally, after months of threats, imposed new sanctions on two big Russian oil producers. But if you read the text of the new sanctions, you will see he let Putin off the hook once more. The new sanctions which will not even take effect for four weeks are levied against any U.S. firms or individuals who deal with Rosneft or Lukoil. But as the indefatigable Phillips P. OBrien pointed out in his Substack, the U.S. does almost no business with either firm. And secondary sanctions against foreign individuals or companies who keep dealing with the named firms will not be automatically applied. Indeed, the real issue is whether the president will try to squeeze China and India to halt their enormous purchases of Russian oil. Despite Trumps claims, full Indian adherence isnt likely, and forget about China. And POTUS has already admitted he hopes the new sanctions will be short-lived. If Trump had really wanted to pressure Putin, he would have sold Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles. But that would have been a hard choice, and might have disturbed some of his disciples. Better to focus on Caribbean boom-boom and change U.S. security doctrine to fight a war against enemies at home and supposed threats from drug lords. And to prohibit the Pentagon press from interviewing disaffected military or civilians who would explain how this doctrine endangers the United States. After campaigning against the sale of a local sewer collection system, Gloucester Township independent mayoral candidate Keith Gibbons says he wants to fix local problems. Read more Keith Gibbons entered politics by accident. A few years ago, he was driving with his then-11-year-old daughter when she asked where roads came from. Advertisement The government, Gibbons responded. Whats the government? his daughter asked. That led to a longer explanation and eventual father-daughter trip to a Gloucester Township meeting so she could see the government in, ah, action. Having covered many local government meetings and school boards long ago, I can attest that Gibbons went beyond any parental or civic duty. Gibbons continued to attend the meetings when a proposal to dissolve the Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) caught his attention. He feared the township was planning to sell the water and sewer system. But during sworn oral testimony in a May 2023 teleconference, an attorney representing the township said there was no expectation the utilities would be sold within the next five years. Mayor David Mayer agreed. Yet, a year later, the township council voted to sell the sewer system to the highest bidder. They lied to us, Gibbons said. The township received two bids from large for-profit water companies: Aqua offered $52 million, and New Jersey American Water bid a whopping $143 million, plus a promise to make an additional $90 million in capital improvements to a system that only needed an estimated $25 million in repairs. Something didnt smell right. Even for a sewer system. Coincidentally, Mayor Mayer worked for American Water. In addition to his job as director of government affairs at the water company, his mayoral salary is $52,000. To guard against any conflict of interest, Mayer recused himself from any discussion regarding the sewer sale. Even still, American Waters lucrative offer raised eyebrows. But generous bids are part of the for-profit playbook. Aqua offered Bucks County $1.1 billion for its sewer system, but the commissioners backed away after fierce public opposition. For-profit water companies have been throwing big money at small towns in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and beyond in an effort to scale up. The utility systems may not seem sexy, but they are mini monopolies that generate steady cash flow. In Pennsylvania, a 2016 change in the law essentially opened the door for local utilities to be sold at higher prices. Local politicians are often happy to get the utility systems off the books and use the windfall to fund other projects or avoid tax increases. But often left out of the negotiations are the ratepayers. After the sales go through, the for-profit companies often jack up the rates. In some towns, after a brief rate freeze, the water bills have increased by 100%. Rates have also increased at government-owned utility companies, but not by nearly as much. For example, Philadelphia recently increased water rates by 9%. As utility bills grow, residents have nowhere to turn. Aging infrastructure, climate change, and increased demand, including to cool computer data centers, are expected to further drive up water prices in the years to come. For-profit companies say they offer professional management and resources to make long-deferred upgrades, as well as the ability to purchase materials in bulk and spread the risk across systems as they grow. Mayer said in an interview that the sewer sale would have enabled Gloucester to reduce property taxes, eliminate its debt, and make other improvements. But critics argue that handing control to for-profit companies seeking quick returns on investments is shortsighted and results in higher costs to consumers. After all, water and sewer utilities are supposed to be a long-term public good, not a profit center. To its credit, Gloucester Township scheduled a referendum last November to let residents vote on whether to sell the sewer system or not. A public vote should be a requirement, but most towns avoid referendums because the last thing they want is for taxpayers to have a say in the utility system they own. The referendum gave Gibbons time to mount a grassroots campaign against the sale. He knocked on doors, handed out yard signs, and used a podcast to raise awareness. But Gibbons seemed overmatched. His group spent roughly $3,000 opposing the sale, while New Jersey American Water spent about $1 million. Yet, David beat Goliath in a landslide. More than 80% voted against the sale. Gibbons, 48, a Cinnaminson High grad, who ran a Christmas tree farm and worked for Live Nation but is now self-employed and serves on the school board, became somewhat of a local hero in a town of 66,000 residents. Residents soon urged him to run for mayor. Gibbons, a former Republican, is running as an independent against Mayer, who has spent his life in South Jersey politics, working for former U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews in the 1990s before becoming chief of staff in the Camden County Clerks Office. He also served as a New Jersey assemblyman before getting elected mayor in 2010. Mayers wife is a Camden County freeholder. Mayer is part of the Democratic machine that has controlled South Jersey for decades, but has recently shown signs of losing its grip on power. In Gloucester Township, there are still twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. The election has turned nasty. There are allegations that the Democrats tried to recruit a phantom candidate to run as a Republican to siphon votes away from Gibbons. Mayer said Gibbons has been on the school board for three years, and I dont know what hes touting as his accomplishments. Other attempts to muddy Gibbons indicate that the Democratic establishment may be nervous. Is it because Gibbons has a sophisticated field operation? I dont even have a campaign manager, he said. Does Gibbons have deep-pocketed donors? Ive spent about $5,000 on the election, he said. Whats his campaign message? Im not a political person, Gibbons said. I just want to fix local problems. Can an outsider with no political experience win? Gibbons believes voters are fed up with South Jerseys entrenched political machine, in which jobs and contracts often go to cronies. He argues no one is looking out for taxpayers who are often too busy to get involved, or believe they cant do anything to change the system. Gibbons believes voters are fed up with South Jerseys entrenched political machine. But his efforts to block the sewer sale show that one person and a motivated electorate can make a difference. Mayer counters that he is proud to be a Democrat, and that the partys strength has benefited South Jersey. He pointed to a list of accomplishments as mayor, from creating community policing to adding open space, attracting new businesses, and opening an office for veterans, adding that no party boss tells him what to do. For his part, Gibbons said he supports term limits and smart development. He plans to focus on fiscal responsibility and government transparency. If elected, he promised the water and sewer system would not get sold to a for-profit company whose main mission is to maximize shareholder value. I dont claim to know everything, but I do know enough, Gibbons said. Now theres a campaign slogan for an accidental candidate. GAZA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, while Israeli naval forces detained three fishermen off Gaza City, Palestinian sources said. Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at a vehicle in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent said two people were seriously injured and taken to hospital. In Rafah, a child was seriously wounded by Israeli gunfire near the al-Baraksat area, Palestinian medical sources said. Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp reported receiving one casualty from Israeli fire toward homes east of al-Bureij camp. Residents said Israeli artillery also shelled several areas east of Gaza, alongside airstrikes in zones under Israeli control. The Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent offensive has left more than 68,000 dead and 170,000 wounded in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 11, 93 people have been killed and over 300 injured, the authorities said on Saturday. Zakaria Bakr, coordinator of Gaza's Fishermen's Committees, said Israeli naval forces opened fire on small boats off Gaza City, destroying two and arresting three fishermen from one family. The Israeli military has not commented on those incidents. Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said shelter and winter supplies for displaced Gazans remain blocked from entering the enclave, despite being stocked in its warehouses in Jordan and Egypt. "With winter approaching in Gaza, the need for shelter and warmth is increasing," the UNRWA said on X, urging Israel to allow deliveries under the current ceasefire deal. Comedian, author, and Irish Examiner columnist Colm ORegans latest project is a love letter to the way we speak. Not just the grand turns of phrase, but the small, local miracles that vanish along with the last person we remember saying them. Theres a moment, early in our chat, when the Cork man parks the jokes and talks like a man with serious work to do. Weve been doing this for a hundred thousand years, he says, meaning language, meaning the everyday miracle of saying and being understood. Theres so much locked away in how we speak in accents, in the little words we dont even notice were using. He says it softly, but Gallivanting with Words is, at heart, an act of salvage, of quiet rebellion. The book is part almanac, part family album, part wink-and-elbow to the ribs of a nation: write it down before its gone. Hes done versions of this before the Irish Mammies phenomenon, those pithy 140-character gospels from early Twitter days, the fiction that grew out of a Farmers Journal column and a woman named Ann Devine who arrived on the page talking the way real people talk. But this time the project is explicit. I wanted to fuse three things, he says. The nerdy fascination; the reverence because this stuff matters; and the funny, because if it isnt memorable it wont stick. ORegans reverence is mongrel and practical. He has gone down linguistic rabbit holes proper science, he insists, with interviews, corpora, frequency analysis and come back blinking with respect for anyone who maps how words come in and out of use. He grins: It gave me a new humility. People think linguists are making it up. Theyre not. Theyre listening. Hes listening too. To old Dublin via Give Up Yer Aul Sins, to the almost-vanished right you be, to country imperatives smuggled from Irish into Hiberno-English let you go to bed now phrases we inherit without noticing. Thats the thing, he says. A lot of it disappears when people die. ORegan wants the living to fight that drift in small, domestic ways. He imagines the breakfast table as an archive. Your fathers favourite word isnt in this book, he writes, almost daring you to be offended. Grand. Write it down. He has an image he leans on: the Norwegian seed vault; two mountain doors opening onto shelves of quiet rescue. Social media isnt an archive, he says. Its one power surge away from a blackout. A notebook is an archive. Colm O'Regan in the Museum of Literature Ireland, moli.ie. Picture: Nina Val, @nvksocial SMALL COUNTRY, BIG MEMORY If the book has an origin myth, its something like this: small country, big memory. We are islanders, he argues, and islands are self-conscious by necessity. We know the shape of Idaho better than Idaho knows we exist. We look at ourselves in public. We take the piss out of ourselves in private. We overstate our understatement. We wear our dialect like the good trousers for visitors (my fathers accent got stronger if the guests were from abroad, he laughs). I recall one of the first times a phrase wrong-footed me: a petrol-station in Donegal, 19 and green, the shop girl asking are you getting? a plain local kindness that sounded, to a Mayo ear, like a riddle. Later, social media would do a similar trick to the country: all those tiny, unprintable words suddenly typed and shared. Before, youd never write ara, he says. Now you see ara, djever, yerra in comment threads. Were transcribing our mouths. He loves this new evidence while worrying about its fragility. Its being recorded in an impermanent way, he says. So lets help the proper archivists. Lets write. ORegan is careful with certainty. He likes origins but doesnt fetishise them, and he wants the reader to push back when a tidy story feels too tidy. Take latchico is it a bull with one testicle, as John B Keane once quipped? A satchel-rooted insult? A mutated latch-key from the eviction years? ORegan will present the lot and mark his own theories as such, which is part good manners and part ethic: History matters. Dont make it up. Or if you must, label it nonsense. A BOOK OF LABELS Gallivanting with Words is a book of labels and unlabelled jars. You open one and theres a case study of pure Hiberno-English, a road rage row in Irish where a van driver grammatically aspirates the c-word and hurls it across a windscreen like a hand-thrown brick. You open another and theres Shelta seeping into the city sham, feen, pure or the way Cork teenagers could once change your blood type with a single like at the end of a sentence. He loves the original Hardy Bucks because they sound like the place, not the stereotype. He loves when a child on The Late Late Toy Show tells a yarn like an old storyteller and nobody smirks. Weve never been more culturally aware, and never less inclined to hide it. And he admires the quiet graft behind the romance: Duchas collectors with cold hands filling notebooks; Wexfords Michael Fortune gathering snippets on a shoestring; the stubborn online librarians who open a free door to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) if you only ask. Hes bashful about the research a lot of it is just knowing what to look for online but theres hundreds of hours in this thing, even if he wears them lightly. The lightness matters because ORegans humour works like a public service. Laughing is collective, he says. Youre 20 times more likely to laugh with someone than on your own. If theres a function to what I do in comedy, in columns, in this book its giving people that small, shared surprise: Someone else noticed that. In a polarised world, I cant fix anything. But I can give people a few good minutes. Hes instinctively gentle the opposite of the comic who needs a face to verbally smite. Even when the topic invites piety (climate change, say, in his earlier work) he looks for the common grin first. Its a craft choice and a temperament. Its exhausting to be negatively funny, he says. Id be worried about people taking it up wrong. So I look for overlaps. The joy of language is an overlap. Sometimes the overlaps are glorious accidents. Hiberno-English and African American Vernacular English both love the word shook as a way of describing a state of mild discombobulation. We could spend another hour on this alone. Thats the beauty of this linguistic beast. He loves how fiction shows its working too. When his first novel grew out of the Farmers Journal and became Ann Devine on the page, it was the dialogue he trusted. I love writing dialogue. The fun is in getting it right, he says. Irish audiences know when youre faking it. Its like that shot in The Snapper where Dessie drives to the Rotunda taking the worst possible route. Only a Dubliner notices, but once you notice you cant unsee it. Same with the ear. You dont have to capture every localism, but at least dont put words in a mouth that your mouth would never use. Colm O'Regan in the Museum of Literature Ireland, moli.ie. Picture: Nina Val, @nvksocial A MOOD BOARD FOR THE COUNTRY For all the scholarship and sentiment, Gallivanting with Words isnt a dictionary and doesnt want to be. Its a mood board for a countrys sound. It begins with a brisk gallop through our linguistic inheritance (no humble claim, he grins: The utter hubris of me trying to do Irelands linguistic history in the first five pages). It tours the counties with affection and modesty, sometimes inventing a map where none exists simply to provoke the reader in Carlow or Clare into shouting back: Thats not our word this is our word. It admires the old Irish running under the English like groundwater; it argues, gently, that speaking a little Irish might, counter-intuitively, be the best way to preserve the English we actually speak. Theres much rigour, too, disguised as play. He will happily disappear for an evening into the OED, tracing a usage through the centuries like a detective; he will just as happily email a novelist to ask if a pet word truly appeared in a book or did he Mandela-effect it. He delights in the punk archaeology of etymology the way Tayto is a toddlers misfire made empire; the way Reddit can sometimes draw a blank that teaches you more than an answer would. And theres that small-country self-awareness again our complicating modesty, our habit of playing ourselves down while getting the language up for visitors like a good suit. ORegan doesnt scold it. He simply notices the usefulness: Were an island. We look at ourselves. We export ourselves. We talk about ourselves. And we keep talking because the counties still have identities. More words per square yard. If you sense a series in it a podcast that ambles from parish to parish collecting sound the way The Rest Is History collects obscure emperors youre not wrong. He laughs, happily imagining The Rest Is Language. The ideas are already simmering with the other pots: the climate work he keeps tipping away at; a half-dreamed popular maths book. Talking about the book, he says, is how he discovers what the book actually is. When youre writing, youre caught up in accuracy and structure, he says. When youre talking, you remember the joy that sent you there. Thats the why. If theres a beating heart to the enterprise, its a small grief and a small hope. The grief is simple: people die and the way they said now dies with them. The hope is stubborn: someone, somewhere, decides not to let it. Theres that thing about dying twice, ORegan says. I think theres a third time: when the way you spoke no longer exists. He wrote this book to push that day back for the quips of our forefathers, for yours, for the shop girl who once asked a blow-in are you getting? and teaches, on an ordinary afternoon, that a sentence is a map of a place. At the end, he returns to the breakfast table and the battered copybook. I want the 84-year-old to read it and say, hes wrong we said this, and then write this down, he smiles. Let the archive argue with itself. Thats how you keep a language alive. Not with piety. With use. Gallivanting with Words is a brilliantly funny, companionable book, but its also a small act of citizenship. It asks for five minutes of your day and a pencil. It believes in your mouth and your memory. And if the cloud goes dark tomorrow, it wants the next child to find, on a shelf, a word we saved. Their paths crossed on a GAA pitch at the other side of the world when they played for the Marist Rangers club in New Zealand. And Sinead OHalloran experienced match-day emotions, six years later, as she entered Honan Chapel at University College Cork to exchange vows with her bridegroom, Fergus Gahan. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Id probably compare it to the feeling just before playing a county final that mix of excitement and calm confidence, knowing all the preparation is done and your family is there cheering you on, but with a touch of nervous anticipation for whats about to unfold, she says. Sinead, from Ennis, Co Clare, and Fergus, from Gorey, Co Wexford, got chatting during an expat Christmas dinner in Auckland in 2019. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Later that day, we ended up on the beach, spending time together pucking a sliotar back and forth, says Sinead. We got engaged on Christmas Eve 2023 after a hike with some friends. On the way back, we stopped for ice cream and sat on a bench overlooking the water at Whangarei Heads in Northland, New Zealand where Fergus proposed. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek They were married in August by the grooms uncle, Rev Fr Raymond Gahan, parish priest of Kilaveney. Fr Raymond retired two weeks after the wedding, making it a particularly special occasion as his final wedding before retirement, says Sinead. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek The reception was held at the Trident Hotel, Kinsale. The team at the Trident delivered everything we hoped for and more throughout the entire weekend, says the bride. Celebrating with the couple and their 99 guests were the brides parents, Philomena and Thomas, and the grooms mother and father, Stasia and Raphael. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek We chose Kinsale and the Honan Chapel because both hold a special connection for us, says Sinead. I studied at UCC, and Fergus originally studied Furniture Design and Making before taking on the role of design technician at Joseph Walsh Studio, which brought him to live and play GAA in Kinsale for four years. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek During that time, he collaborated with Joseph Walsh and the late Michael Holland, historian of UCC, to design and create the plinth that holds the universitys ceremonial mace. Sineads sister Aishling OHalloran was her bridesmaid, and Ferguss brother Paul Gahan was the best man. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Weve always loved the relaxed Kiwi approach to weddings nothing too formal but having our families around us was really important, so celebrating in Ireland felt right, says the bride. Sinead found her dream wedding dress in Felicity Bridal in Auckland, and Fergus rented his suit from Tangos Dress Hire in Dublin. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Theres a lot of pressure to find the perfect dress. In the end, I found I was much more comfortable going to fittings on my own, so I could figure out what I truly liked without too many opinions, she says. The hair and makeup team were Christine OSullivan and Christine OConnor, both from Cork. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Capturing the day on camera was Jakub Walutek Photography (Walutek.com) and videographer Uray Weddings. Daisy Chain, Kinsale, created the floral decor, and wedding band The Brass Monkeys kept the dancefloor full. Our friend Ben Murray created a brilliant custom-DJ mix for our reception entrance, says the bride. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan. Pictures: Jakub Walutek Sinead is an occupational therapist who works in a community stroke rehabilitation service, and Fergus, a director at Adaptable Consulting, where he leads the Power Platform team, delivering innovative digital solutions for clients. They have since returned to their base in Auckland, New Zealand and plan to honeymoon in Tasmania over Christmas. While many people are looking forward to the extra hour in bed as the clocks go back this bank holiday weekend, Corkonians cant help but feel like there is something missing. The iconic four-faced clock tower and Shandon Bells have been notably absent of late due to restoration works. Its now been more than three years since the bells chimed on the hour at St Annes Church in Shandon with what once made up an important part of Cork citys acoustic backdrop fading into silence. In addition, the historic four-faced liars hands and numbers have been temporarily removed as part of in depth restoration works. And now, for the first time in their history, the clocks will be invisible from view. Shandons clock mechanism was introduced in 1847 by the then Cork Corporation. It wasnt long before the timepiece earned the nickname the four-faced liar as a nod to its unreliable timekeeping. A total of 250,000 was allocated by Cork City Council earlier this year to repair and restore what has become an iconic fixture of Cork Citys skyline. This was the largest individual share of 700,000 in funding received by heritage projects across Cork under the Historic Structures Fund. Keith Starr from Hearthstone in Glanmire is overseeing a team that includes Cork City Council architectural conservation officer Jessie Castle, horologist Philip Stokes, and James Bourke Architects, as well as a large number of construction workers. Keith described having the chance to work on the clock as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You only get a chance like this once in every five to 10 decades, he told the Irish Examiner. Its a really unique opportunity to be able to take these things apart and understand how they are constructed. However, the most rewarding and interesting part to me is seeing apprentices and young people work on such an iconic part of Cork city. "The older fellas take it in their stride but its nice to have a new generation of people that can say they were up here and they worked on it. "The clock is so iconic in Cork but with that comes a lot of responsibility. It is rewarding in its own way but the responsibility of having to carry out the work is an overriding feeling." Given the historical nature of the work, he says restoration is not without its challenges. There is no manual for what we are doing. We had a good idea of what we might encounter. However, its not until you are actually up there and standing in front of the clock that you really understand the scale of this. "The hands alone are nine feet long. When you are looking at these clocks from the ground, its hard to understand the scale of them. As for the work itself, it completely takes over your life. There is nobody really in Ireland that has worked on a timepiece of this scale. The people who worked on it in the past are all gone now, bar one or two so there is nobody to really call or get advice from. Architect Peter Bourke, Reverend Meghan Farr and Hearthstone managing director Keith Starr stand before the scaffolding around Shandon Bell Tower, where Corks iconic 'four-faced liar' clocks have been removed for the first time in decades. Picture Chani Anderson The team is working around the clock to ensure the job is completed as quickly and safely as possible, with works expected to be completed by Christmas. We have been the bones of two years coming up with a plan to carry out the works and envisage everything that could happen or that might go wrong as best as possible, said Keith. We had nine articulated lorryloads of scaffolding just to get us up there. Lots of that scaffolding had to be dropped off at the butter exchange and dropped individually into the car park and then assembled. It took four and half weeks to get us up there before any of the work even started. Keith said it is humbling to follow in the footsteps of James Mangan, who originally crafted the clock. To do this with no reference point and make a clock of this scale is remarkable, he said. This was the biggest clock in Europe until Big Ben was built. I think about the difference this would have made to Cork people as well because prior to that point the city fathers were paying ladies to go around and throw pebbles at peoples windows to call them for work. "That was the idea of the clock because the merchants of Cork had enough of the excuses from workers who were always late. You can just imagine the difference this made to peoples lives. These were among the lifechanging moments for people back then living in the northside of Cork City. Keith praised Cork City Council for supporting local businesses in contracting them to carry out the work. We are based in Glanmire and most of the lads working on this are local so its a big thing for them too. Whats really nice is seeing people like Philip Stokes passing on their wisdom to the younger generation. Its also significant to see a Cork clock being fixed by a Cork company and by Cork people. Horologist Philip Stokes explained what is involved in the lengthy conservation process. All the hands and the numbers have to be stripped and removed, Mr Stokes said. We have to label and reference everything as we do it. Its all very time-consuming. Ironically, time is the one thing we dont have. When it comes to the external parts we try to take a small amount at a time. This is more down to the worry of losing the parts so we try to have as little off site at a time as possible. Everything is meticulously labelled and referenced so there is no chance of this happening, its more for peace of mind. And Mr Stokes said the conservation process is an ongoing one and will need to be repeated again, thanks to the impact of the weather. Horologist Philip Stokes who is part of the team involved with the restoration of the clocks at St Anne's Church. File picture It hasnt been accessed for at least 60 years. There is major work to be done on the face and hands as they are very weathered. There is a lot of corrosion and wear and tear due to the clocks being exposed to all the elements. They are bound to deteriorate unfortunately. Even after we do this the process will start all over again. What we have to do is remove all the external parts of the clock including the face the individual numbers, the hands and the metal supporting them all. The metal is having to be repaired and some parts remade due to corrosion. The numbers are copper with a wooden backing. This wooden backing on each number is rotting away and that all has to be replaced. The copper has to be cleaned down and primed and its all gold-leafed. Wear and tear on the hands is mostly down to weather. Some of them have to have parts replaced because they are corroded too far. Likewise, they have to be gold-leafed. The brief from the city council is restoration. It would be easier to replace everything but thats not what we want to do. Instead, it has to be a much slower job. James Bourke, from James Bourke Architects, says he is enjoying his time working on the project. This is a symbol of Cork and such an important building, Mr Bourke told the Irish Examiner. The clock is like shorthand for Cork because everyone knows it. This is a fantastic project to work on and a huge honour for me. Meanwhile, Reverend Meghan Farr of St Annes Church said her congregation is looking forward to the clocks return. Because of storm damage the bells were chiming at 10 minutes past the hour, she said. We eventually had to switch it off because it was driving the neighbours crazy. God willing, the timing will work out and the bells will be reconnected at the same time the clock is ready to be turned back on. The neighbours miss it very much. These bells are really important to people living here because they are the sound of home. Its a part of the areas identity. The story of James Mangan, the man behind the clock, is also fascinating. Its even believed that he put forward a submission to build Big Ben but unfortunately they passed on the Irish man. She praised Cork City Council for their support. We are delighted to have this relationship with Cork City Council. It was the Cork Corporation who came to the church and asked about introducing a clock in the 1840s. Ever since then that iconic partnership between the council and the church has always existed and its something we are so grateful for. Seeing this iconic feature get to be the best version of itself is going to be of great benefit to the city. A drink driver who crashed his car on a rural road had to be freed from the upturned wreckage by the emergency services, the district court has heard. Court presenter, Sergeant Trish OSullivan, told Bantry District Court that a single-vehicle road traffic accident occurred at Maughanaclea near Kealkill, Co. Cork just before 8pm on October 29, 2024. The car had turned on its roof and the sole occupant Robert Sobura, aged 60 of Maughanaclea, Kealkill, Bantry, Co. Cork was trapped inside and had suffered a broken collarbone. The court was told that the accident happened on a bend and it appeared the driver had lost control of the vehicle turning it on its roof. When Sobura was freed form the vehicle gardai formed the opinion that he was intoxicated, but due to his injuries he was taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH). A blood test carried out at CUH showed that Sobura had a blood alcohol level of 158 mg per 100 ml where the legal limit is 50 mg. The court was told that Sobura had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor, Flor Murphy, said his client was an artist who was originally from Poland but had lived in Germany where he had two adult children before moving to Ireland. He said Sobura was cooking a meal when he realised he needed to get ingredients from the local shop but did not realise he had consumed nearly a bottle of wine. Judge Joanne Carroll said living in a rural location a disqualification would have significant consequences for Sobura. She convicted him of drink driving and disqualified him from driving for three years. Sobura was also convicted of careless driving and fined 150 with five months to pay the fine. The judge agreed to postpone the commencement of the driving disqualification to February 1, 2026. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie has been found guilty of raping a woman in a Boston hotel. The 39-year-old was visiting the US with Irish colleagues to participate in St Patricks Day celebrations when the incident took place in a hotel room he was sharing with a colleague. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching a unanimous verdict. Crosbie was accused of raping a 29-year-old American woman at the Omni Parker House hotel in downtown Boston after celebrating at the Black Rose bar on March 14, 2024. He pleaded not guilty. His conviction comes after a previous trial last June ended in a hung jury. Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on March 14 last year and was scheduled to leave on Tuesday, March 18. Daniel Reilly who delivered closing arguments for the defence last Wednesday emphasised Crosbies innocence and pointed to reasonable doubt in the case, in the form of no video or audio of the alleged attack and the lack of conclusive DNA evidence. Mr Reilly said that his clients testimony declaring himself innocent constitutes reasonable doubt and that the victims blood sample from the hospital Emergency Department she went to established that she was inebriated. Erin Murphy, who delivered closing arguments for the prosecution, asked the jury to convict Crosbie. Ms Murphy said the alleged victim had no reason to lie and gave a detailed account of a stranger raping her. She pointed out that Crosbie exploited his colleague Liam O'Brien's "oblivion" whom he was sharing a room with after drinking to take advantage of the victim. Doctors and nurses who interacted with the victim found her to be clinically sober with no evidence of intoxication. Ms Murphy noted that the defendant was the only other man in the room, there was no other activity in that room (from key use records) around that time period. She claimed that the accused left early for Logan Airport because he knew he was caught. Crosbie is due to be sentenced on October 30. He faces up to 20 tears in jail. Crosbie has been in custody on a $50,000 bail at the Suffolk County Jail since his arrest. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Several senior politicians have said a response is needed to the 213,738 spoiled votes in the presidential election. It represents 13% of all votes cast on Friday, and a more than tenfold increase on the number of spoiled votes in the last presidential election, when there were 18,438 invalid ballots. The turnout was 46%, up on the 2018 presidential election, which had a turnout of 44%. The electoral commission has said there will clearly be a need for deeper and further reflection about why there were so many spoiled ballots in the election. An Coimisiun Toghchain said the number of spoiled ballots is significantly higher than normal and it is clear that some people chose to deliberately spoil their votes. In the Dublin Mid-West constituency, 21% of votes cast were spoilt. Cork North-Central say 6,215 invalid ballots out of a total of 43,686. Many had an x or slash drawn through all three candidates, or the words spoiled or spoilt written on the slip. There were also a significant number of spoiled votes with anti-Government messages on them, including no democracy, EU puppets and no from me. A number of names were also written on many spoiled ballot papers in the count centre in Adamstown, including Maria Steen, who tried to become a presidential candidate but failed to get enough nominations by the deadline. One ballot paper had a sticker of Ms Steen on it. Other names seen written on spoiled ballot papers in Adamstown included Enoch Burke, Father Ted, Michael Collins, Bobby Sands, Dustin the Turkey, Donald Duck and Donald Trump. Sinn Fein Dublin Mid-West TD Eoin O Broin said the spoiled votes meant that there are people out there who are very angry, who are very unhappy. Our job in the time ahead is to try and convince more of those people that there is an alternative, there is a message of hope, and we hear the fact that they are not happy. So, there is a job of work to do afterwards. Following the result, the Taoiseach raised concern about the high level of spoiled ballots, saying the Government would need to interpret it. I think there was probably an issue with the restrictive nature of how one gets on the ballot and thats something that, collectively, the Oireachtas can look at, Micheal Martin said. However, Mr Martin said it was not fair to instruct TDs and Senators to be pressured to back a candidate that may not adhere to their views. Mr Martin said the Oireachtas would need to look at what possible changes could be made to the nomination process, as it would require a constitutional amendment. Tanaiste Simon Harris also expressed concern about the high number of spoiled ballots and said some voters put quite a lot of effort in spoiling their ballot. He said it showed the number of people in Ireland now who are clearly feeling disaffected or disconnected with politics. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said he did not think it was a moral failing to spoil votes, and that it was a legitimate choice that people can make. There is going to be a challenge for everybody in politics, but I would say for the left in particular, that there is a group of people who are very disaffected, very alienated, very angry at the political system. Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly pledged to be a president for all after being elected as Irelands 10th president. The former barrister from Galway, who secured 63% of first preferences in a landslide victory, arrived with her family to Dublin Castle for the result declaration on Saturday evening. She was embraced by the leaders of the left-wing opposition parties that united to back her and who hailed it as a significant victory for the left. The presidential election saw Ms Connolly go head-to-head with former Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys after ex-Dublin football manager Jim Gavin withdrew from campaigning three weeks ago. The two-horse race was criticised as offering voters limited options; in 2018 there were six presidential candidates. The count on Saturday has revealed a significant number of spoiled votes were cast in the election, with 213,738 invalid ballots representing a tenfold increase on the last presidential election. Addressing the assembled crowd after being declared the winner, Ms Connolly said: I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when its necessary. I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country. Our whole mantra during this campaign was that we can shape a new republic together, and we can use our voices for those who havent the ability, or for whom the circumstances dont allow it. But my message is, use your voice in every way you can, because our public and democracy needs constructive questioning and, together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and new people who have come to our country. I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honour. Outgoing president Michael D Higgins said he had rang Ms Connolly to congratulate her. I congratulated the President-elect on her election as the 10th President of Ireland on what is a momentous day for her and her family, he said. The President-elect will have the full support of this office as she prepares for her inauguration next month. Over 1.6 million people cast their vote in the election, representing a turnout of 46%. Ms Connolly was elected on the first count, winning 914,143 first-preference votes with a quota of 721,350. When spoiled votes were excluded, Ms Humphreys won 29% of first preference votes, while Mr Gavin, who withdrew from campaigning, won 7% first preference votes. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris congratulated Ms Connolly, who has been a critic of their actions in government in the past. Mr Martin said: Congratulations to President-elect Catherine. What an outstanding honour that has been bestowed upon her by the people of Ireland. The people are sovereign in our democracy, we have one of the oldest democracies in the world, and its something we cherish very much indeed. And the people have spoken resoundingly today. Theyve given Catherine a tremendous majority and a very clear mandate. He said he looked forward to working with Ms Connolly and also paid tribute to the other candidates, including his Fianna Fail partys candidate Jim Gavin. FULL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2025 RESULTS HUB HERE Addressing Dublin Castle, Ms Humphreys thanked her team, Fine Gael and those who voted for her. She congratulated Ms Connolly saying: I know Catherine will be a president for all of us. Catherine will be my president, and I really want to wish her well. Mr Harris, whose Fine Gael party ran Ms Humphreys as their candidate, paid tribute to her for her grace, determination and decency. The great thing about this country is we live in an enduring democracy, he said. We have elections, we go out of hammer and tongs, and then we come together as a country proudly by the winner of the election. Ms Connolly will be inaugurated as Irelands 10th president on November 11. In September last year, an old school friend sent me a song. Have a listen to this, he said. Its called The First Leaves of Autumn by Scottish duo Gallagher and Lyle. Its one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Six weeks later he took his own life. A long and distinguished life gone in an instant. I get the same old answers, but the questions still remain is a line from the song that still plays on my mind. Suicide is part of the general taboo that exists around death, loss, suffering, and finitude. But its seen as an objectionable act by many because its not a natural end to a life well lived. Its a complex topic that terrifies people. I have an interest in the subject, which stems from an incident years ago when I was the one to find an old friend who had taken his own life. The image has stayed with me, forging the belief that if he could do it, there was no reason why I couldnt if I found myself at that same junction. Or any one of us, for that matter. No one knows their ultimate fate. The manner of his death traumatised me. Its only in recent years I realise just how strong that trauma can still be. Like the song says, I get the same old answers but the questions still remain Suicide is not unlike driving down a busy one-way street, unaware youre going the wrong way because youre being chased by something thats not visible to anyone else, something that terrifies you. In the deepest recess of your mind its there, and youll do anything to get away from the pain its causing. You dont see any other choice. Psychologist Thomas Joiner makes a strong argument for why some people go beyond that point of no return. In his book, Why People Die By Suicide, he cites three factors that mark out those most at risk of dying by their own hands: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of utter isolation; and the capacity to hurt oneself. One man I spoke to some years ago who had survived a suicide attempt told me he had felt his wife and children would be better off without him in their lives. I asked him why he didnt just leave the family home. He told me the level of helplessness he felt left him frozen in time, unable to think, or see anything worth living for. His failure to be the breadwinner and to show them he had a role to play in their lives made his life pointless, he said, and the pain drove him down that one-way street. His brother found him, on the edge of death but having changed his mind, fighting to stay alive. Thankfully, he did. A woman explained to me how she had driven to a location by the river in Cork city one morning and sat facing the water with her engine running for almost an hour. She was waiting for the courage to do it, she told me. Her marriage had ended and she felt so isolated she couldnt cope. Unexpectedly, her phone rang. It was the school. The secretary told her that her daughter was unwell and could she collect her and take her home, which she did. I asked her what made her change her mind. It was like I snapped back into a reality where I had a purpose. My daughter would have missed me for the rest of her life. One man explained to me how the thought of suicide often helped him get through his depression, which he described as an ocean of loneliness. Misery and loss of hope In his bestseller, The Noonday Demon: An Anatomy of Depression, Andrew Solomon describes it better than I ever could: Nourishing your own misery can grow too weary to bear, and that tedium of helplessness, that failure of detachment, can lead you to the point at which killing the pain matters more than saving yourself. In the moment you feel youve lost control, its impossible to sense anything positive. But it is there. Without a sense of hope, the inability to regain control is like driving that car in the wrong direction. Many of us have been there, whether we like to admit it or not. Suicide is like a hurricane of flawed judgement. But hurricanes pass. When someone dies by suicide, questions remain raw and personal. There will never be answers, so those questions float in the air like angel clouds that can never be held. Family and friends often start to feel as though they never really knew the person who did it. A suicide note I was shown by a mother read, I am so sorry for all the hurt I have caused you, Mom. I will always love you but your life will be happier without me in it. Lots of love, A. If only this young girl could have known that her mother would spend the rest of her life carrying that letter, which is now her pain, showing it to anyone who might listen, asking why couldnt she see how much she had been loved. Is not showing enough love often the fear of parents or a partner in the aftermath the cause of suicide? No; but its one of those questions asked over and over. The chance to connect is gone forever, and thats the greatest pain of all. Trauma Trauma has a very real link to suicide. I have no doubt if we educated ourselves better in what trauma is and what its capable of doing to a mind and body, we would have a better understanding. Trauma is defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting effects on mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Loss of control, an ongoing sense of helplessness, and an inability to cope are all linked to trauma. Theyre also linked to suicide. Why did the suicide rate in Northern Ireland double in the 10 years after the 1998 peace agreement? Mike Tomlinson, a sociologist at Queens University Belfast, identified adults who as children had lived through the worst period of Troubles related violence (from 1970 to 1977) as the age group that experienced the most rapid rise in suicides in the decade after 1998. Trauma became the bedrock of life in the North during those years. The Troubles might be over, but the trauma remains. Trauma damages the need every one of us has to be part of what I call a common cause, through which we each find our individual purpose in life. It distorts how a child interprets the world and their place in it. They become traumatised adults, vulnerable to triggers that can lead to self-harm. Suicide rates among children and young people in England have increased by 50% in the last decade, according to figures this week. As Andrew Solomon says, adolescents who die by suicide have often been protected from a bleak view of death. Its time that changed. The subject needs to be brought to light and openly discussed, rather than kept in the dark and ignored. Have you ever felt suicidal? Its an important question each of us should ask those we love. You might be surprised by the answer. That question has saved many lives. In the words of psychologist and author Kay Jamison, the privacy of the mind is an impermeable barrier. There is no future as bleak as a family trying to come to terms with suicide. Those who take their own lives might think theyre killing their pain, but all theyre doing is passing it on to those they leave behind. For them, the questions still remain, and will forever. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. We need to talk about immigration. So goes the refrain in the wake of a shocking incident outside an IPAS centre in west Dublin. A 26-year-old man, who was refused an international protection application, has been charged with the sexual assault of a 10-year-old. The victim had been in care and absconded last weekend. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday night in the vicinity of the Citywest complex in Saggart. For some people this incident of human trauma was treated as a major opportunity. It provided the perfect platform to disseminate their favourite conspiracy theories and lies on social media, to suggest the country is falling apart. People visit the photo exhibition "Shared Lives, Shared Future" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the photo exhibition "Shared Lives, Shared Future" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the photo exhibition "Shared Lives, Shared Future" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the photo exhibition "Shared Lives, Shared Future" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The Palais des Nations is pictured in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The Palais des Nations is pictured in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People walk past the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A man walks past the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The Palais des Nations is pictured in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 24, 2025. A photo exhibition titled "Shared Lives, Shared Future" commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was opened here at the Palais des Nations on Friday, which coincided with United Nations Day. The exhibition presented 27 stories showing the United Nations made a difference in people's daily lives, from advancing peace and security to providing humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight have killed at least three people and wounded 17 others, local officials said. One person was killed and 10 wounded in a ballistic missile attack on the capital Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, said Timur Tkachenko, head of the city military administration. Three of the wounded were taken to hospital, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service. A fire broke out in a non-residential building in one location, while debris from intercepted missiles fell in an open area at another site, damaging windows in nearby buildings, the emergency service added. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko (Niall Carson/PA) Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack, mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote during the onslaught. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed and seven wounded, acting regional governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said, adding that apartment buildings, private homes, an outbuilding, a shop and at least one vehicle were damaged. Ukraines air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones, and air defences intercepted four missiles and 50 drones. Russia defence ministry said its own air defences shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight. The attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the US on Friday to expand sanctions on Russian oil from two companies to the whole sector, and appealed for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia. He was in London for talks with two dozen European leaders who have pledged military help to shield his country from future Russian aggression if a ceasefire stops the more than three-year war. The meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, aimed to step up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding momentum to recent measures that have included a new round of sanctions from the US and European countries on Russias vital oil and gas export earnings. The talks also addressed ways of helping protect Ukraines power grid from Russias almost daily drone and missile attacks as winter approaches, enhancing Ukrainian air defences, and supplying Kyiv with longer-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia. Mr Zelensky has urged the US to send Tomahawk missiles, an idea US President Donald Trump has flirted with. Pakistan International Airlines has resumed flights to the UK for the first time in five years after the lifting of a ban imposed over a fake pilots licence scandal. The state-run airline was banned from the UK and the EU in June 2020 after a crash in Karachi killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licences. The European ban was lifted last November after extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to restore suspended routes in January this year. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return after months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system. The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport. He said in a televised address that the flights are essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send are the backbone of Pakistans economy. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty, he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland. Pakistans high commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations. This milestone will bring major economic benefits, generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. An asylum seeker accidentally released from prison was last seen in the London area as police urge anyone who spots him to call 999 immediately. Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was jailed for 12 months in September for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Justice Secretary David Lammy said on Friday night Kebatu was at large in London after he was seen boarding a train at Chelmsford, Essex, and the Metropolitan Police was assisting in the hunt for him. Essex Police said in a statement released on Saturday: Inquiries are continuing at pace this morning to locate and arrest a man following a prison service releasing error yesterday. Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are working together in this fast-moving and complex investigation. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today. Our inquiries show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus. We would urge anyone who sees him, knows where he is or has any information to call 999 immediately. We would like to thank the public for their support and the information they have already shared. It is not lost on us that this situation is concerning to people, and we are committed to locating and arresting him as quickly as possible. The father of Kebatus teenage victim told Sky News: The justice system has let us down. The Sun first reported Kebatu was freed by mistake instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre. He was wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence and handed a discharge grant, the Telegraph reported. Keir Starmer said the accidental release was totally unacceptable, adding: I am appalled that it has happened and its being investigated. The police are working urgently to track him down, and my Government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes. Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lammy said was livid on behalf of the public and added that he had launched an investigation. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Kebatus release was staggering incompetence and called for a public inquiry. Essex Police said Kebatu was seen to catch a London-bound train at Chelmsford railway station at 12.41pm. The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 13.18pm, according to Trainline data. It is understood Kebatu was accidentally freed on Friday morning at HMP Chelmsford. A prison officer has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation is under way. Court sketch of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu during his trial (Elizabeth Cook/PA) A Prison Service spokesman said: Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident. Aaron Stow, the president of the Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU), said Kebatus mistaken release was a profound failure of duty. He said: The release of Hadush Kebatu is a betrayal of the victims, the community, and the principles of justice. We demand a full investigation and immediate reforms to ensure this never happens again. Mike Rolfe, the CJWUs general secretary, added: The justice system is stretched to breaking point, the publics confidence is collapsing, and those tasked with enforcing the law are left to pick up the pieces of political cowardice. In the 12 months leading up to March this year, 262 prisoners were released in error in England and Wales, according to the prison services annual digest. This is a 128% increase from 115 the previous year, and the highest in the time series, the report said. Of the 262 releases in error, 233 of these releases in error occurred from prison establishments, while 29 were released in error at the courts. A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons following an inspection in January and February 2024 said that HMP Chelmsford faced considerable pressures because of national capacity issues while suffering staff shortfalls in reception and the pre-release team. It stated: Leaders had faced considerable pressures over the past year because of national capacity issues. The remand and unsentenced population had risen to almost 70% and the prison was now managing more admissions, transfers and immediate releases without additional resource. The report added: The turnover of arrivals and releases was high and had increased by about a third in 2023 when compared with 2022. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping (PA) Sentencing Kebatu last month, a judge told him his behaviour really highlights the poor regard you must have for women. The 38-year-old, who arrived in the UK on a small boat days before the incidents in July, told two teenagers he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls thighs and stroke her hair, his trial was told. He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. The migrant was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts in September. The court heard at his sentencing hearing it was his firm wish to be deported. It is understood the Home Office was ready to take him to an immigration removal centre before a planned deportation from the UK. Kebatus case led to protesters and counter-protesters taking to the streets in Epping, Essex, and eventually outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country. Kamala Harris is not ruling out another run for the White House. In an interview with the BBC posted on Saturday, Ms Harris said she expects a woman will be president in the coming years, and it could possibly be her. I am not done, she said. I have lived my entire career a life of service and its in my bones. And there are many ways to serve. Ive never listened to polls The former vice-president said she has not decided whether to mount a 2028 presidential campaign. But she dismissed the suggestion that she would face long odds. I have lived my entire career a life of service and its in my bones, she said. And there are many ways to serve. Ive never listened to polls. She has recently given a series of interviews following the September release of her book, 107 Days. It looks back on her experience replacing then-president Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee after he dropped out of the race. She ultimately lost to Republican President Donald Trump. In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Harris, 61, also made clear that running again in 2028 is still on the table. She said she sees herself as a leader of the party, including in pushing back against Mr Trump and preparing for the 2026 midterms. Asked in an October 17 interview with AP whether she had plans for a 2028 bid, Ms Harris said: I havent decided. Sincerely. I have not decided. I may or I may not. I have not decided. Asked specifically whether she still wanted to do the job itself, she used the past tense, saying: Its a job I wanted to do. But she noted that the only way to do it is to run and win. Meanwhile, political jockeying among Democrats for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out even earlier than usual. Several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in key states, including California governor Gavin Newsom, term-limited Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and California representative Ro Khanna. Upwards of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the primary. PYONGYANG, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid his high tribute to the Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) Friday on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the CPV's entering the DPRK to fight in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, state media reported Saturday. During a ceremony marking the key anniversary, the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the cemetery in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, while the national anthems of the two countries were played, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a report. A flower basket in the name of Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, and the flower baskets in the names of the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK State Affairs Commission were laid before the cemetery. Kim paid a silent tribute in memory of the CPV fallen soldiers, and then visited the grave of Mao Anying at the cemetery. He placed a flower before the grave and paid homage, according to the KCNA report. "The faces of the CPV fallen soldiers, who assisted the revolutionary war of our people at the cost of their blood with the spirit of internationalism and the feeling of fraternal friendship, remain deep in the hearts of the peoples of the two countries as a symbol of valuable DPRK-China friendship," KCNA said in the report. "Our people will never forget the blood shed by the excellent sons and daughters of the Chinese people and their immortal feats even after a lapse of many years and the shift of generations," the report said. "The DPRK-China friendship forged at the cost of blood would powerfully demonstrate its inexhaustible vitality in the sacred struggle to realize the cause of independence against imperialism and the socialist cause in the future, too," it added. A delegation from Hungarian think tanks visited the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province, expressing deep interest in China's ancient civilization. By Kinda Alsamara, The University of Queensland; Eleanor Gordon, Monash University, and Elliot Dolan-Evans, Monash University (The Conversation) Womens political participation is often treated as a measure of a countrys commitment to equality and democracy. Earlier this year, Syrias new leader, President Ahmed al-Sharaa, described his country as moving in a democratic direction after the fall of Bashar al-Assads dictatorship in late 2024. He said: If democracy means that the people decide who will rule them and who represents them in the parliament, then, yes, Syria is going in this direction. Yet, in Syrias recent parliamentary elections, women only won six seats in the 210-member body. Exclusion was not merely reflected in the outcome, it was engineered into the very structure of the process. A long history of marginalisation Assad ruled Syria with an iron fist for more than two decades through widespread repression, war crimes and systematic violence against civilians. Parliamentary elections were highly controlled, with Assads Baath Party and its allies dominating every vote. Women held between 6% and 13% of seats from 1981 to the end of Assads tenure, according to estimates from a global organisation of national parliaments. Although the parliament had little real power, it served to legitimise Assads rule through the appearance of a democratic process. In December 2024, al-Sharaas Islamist-led coalition took advantage of the power vacuum created by the decline of Irans regional influence and the collapse of its allied armed groups to oust Assad and dissolve Syrias symbolic legislature. Al-Sharaas rise was initially hailed as a potential turning point toward political reform and reconciliation. However, early signs suggest that entrenched patterns of marginalisation especially of women are continuing to shape Syrias politics. How women (and others) were sidelined The recent parliamentary elections in early October did not factor in the peoples will, nor were they permitted to vote. They werent involved in the process at all. Instead, the elections were overseen by a government body called the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, appointed by al-Sharaa. Its composition was revealing: nine men and only two women. The process was complicated and deliberately exclusionary. The Supreme Judicial Committee was tasked with forming electoral subcommittees around the country, which then reviewed applicants for individuals to be appointed to electoral colleges. Only those selected were allowed to participate in the voting process or nominate candidates. Ordinary citizens had no direct role in the election. Under this framework, the electoral colleges selected representatives for two-thirds of the parliament seats. Al-Sharaa will appoint the remaining third. Unsurprisingly, womens representation in the subcommittees was minimal. Drawing on raw figures published on the official Syrian election website, women only constituted about 11% of all subcommittee members (18 out of roughly 180 nationwide). Even where women did have decent representation, no female parliamentarians were elected. In Damascus, for example, women comprised nearly a third of the registered applicants (44 out of 145) for the electoral college and a third of the local subcommittee members. Yet, not a single woman from the capital was elected. Minority representation was also limited. Of the 119 members elected so far, only ten belong to religious or ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Alawites and Christians (who won just two seats). Christians are believed to make up 10% of Syrias 24 million population. Previous research on gender and political institutions has shown that exclusionary electoral structures tend to produce exclusionary outcomes. Syrias case fits this broader pattern. Syrian officials have explained womens exclusion as a cultural matter. Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, the head of the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, appeared on television to express surprise at the low number of female candidates, attributing it a society that traditionally views politics as the domain of men. He said the results also reflected alliances (based on established male networks) that formed among members of the subcommittees. While such attitudes undoubtedly shape gender dynamics, they cannot by themselves account for the low participation of women in the election. Women were constrained from the outset. Invoking culture shifts the blame away from the institutional barriers. Raqqah Civil Councils womens committee co-president, Fairuz, cuts the ribbon declaring the opening of the new womens center in Khatuniyah, Syria, March 26, 2018. Coalition Forces are supporting the Raqqah Civil Councils objective to restore critical infrastructure and services in Raqqah and the surrounding area. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ambraea Johnson). Public Domain. Via Picryl Ultimately, this was not a free or fair election. When womens involvement is reduced to symbolic inclusion under state supervision, elections cease to be instruments of representation and become performances of legitimacy. What can be done? Reversing this pattern requires more than rhetoric. There must be institutional reform, including: gender quotas that reserve a proportion of candidacies or seats for women, allowing them to gain political experience and visibility increased funding, training and local networking initiatives to help women build community-based constituencies reforming electoral processes to move toward more direct, transparent voting that limits alliances among elites and presidential control instituting new school curricula and civil society programs that normalise womens participation in public life and challenge gendered perceptions of political leadership. Until such reforms are enacted, Syrias elections will continue to reflect not popular will, but the entrenched hierarchies of a state that governs through exclusion. Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland; Eleanor Gordon, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Monash University, and Elliot Dolan-Evans, Lecturer in Law, Monash University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Click here to donate via PayPal. Personal checks should be made out to Juan Cole and sent to me at: Juan ColeP. O. Box 4218,Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548USA(Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Iraqi Kurdistan is developing an interest in sustainable energy, despite being an oil exporter via Kirkuk. Solar provides little of Iraqs electricity at the moment, but the situation is set to change rapidly over the next decade. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has set a goal of putting in 3 gigawatts of solar power by 2033. It has already commissioned three solar farms that will produce 350 megawatts all together, or about ten percent of the goal. Only a third to a half of Kurdistani households have 24-hour reliable electricity, despite the government-backed Rawnaq program that aims at ensuring power to all KRG residents, and which has greatly expanded electricity provision. The KRG hopes to provide all 6.5 million residents with consistent electricity by the end of 2026. More reliable electricity is also driving many Iraqi Kurds to switch to affordable Chinese electric vehicles, which can be bought for less than $20,000. Although Iraqi Kurdistan has relatively cheap gasoline, it is often of low quality and it is still more expensive than running an EV, especially if the driver has rooftop solar. Solar is good politics. The government of President Masrour Barzani has installed solar panels at 81 schools across Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, Halabja, Kirkuk, and independent administrations . . . Schools had suffered from brownouts and blackouts, which are especially hard on children in the hot months since the air conditioning cuts out. Moreover, many school rooms depend on artificial lighting, so a blackout makes it impossible to continue lessons. Diesel generators were used for backup, but they can damage the health of children and teachers by putting particulate matter into the air. Now, these schools have uninterrupted clean power. Barzani has committed $3.8 million to expand the solar program to 76 more schools. Or by check: Juan Cole P. O. Box 4218, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548 USA (Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) At the household level, the KRG has established a program to provide credit to households that want to install rooftop solar. This program appears to have kickstarted a move to solar installations by Iraqi Kurdish businesses and families this year. Banks are also providing credit for home solar systems. The Kurdistan news agency Rudaw last year quoted solar installer Mawlud Jamil in the capital of Erbil: We used to install solar panels once every one or two months. And that was only for big companies and NGOs. But now ordinary people have also taken an interest. We are now installing solar panels daily in the city and in villages. No estimate can easily be made of the contribution of rooftop solar to the Kurdistan grid because homeowners are not required to provide their generation statistics to the government. Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends. The Ministry of Agriculture is also distributing solar systems to farmers to power their irrigation pumps. Kurdistan 24 quotes a farmer at Qushtapay Gawra in the Erbil Plains: We always need water 24/7 to irrigate the fields, especially during recent years of drought. The national grid could not provide consistent electricity due to widespread outages. Solar energy became our solution, supplying enough power for both the irrigation system and the house. Most families around here have installed this system, which provides an amperage of 8-10 amps, sufficient for our needs. Last May, Iraqs first all-solar village, Hulak, was inaugurated by the government with 195 solar panels powering 36 residences, as well as a mosque, school, and community center. AP: First on-grid solar power plant installed in Dohuk Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed. First on-grid solar power plant installed in Dohuk Several other villages in Kurdistan have gone solar even without this government backing. The trend is just beginning, and unlike in Iraq proper it doesnt seem mainly to be government-driven. As in Pakistan and Brazil, households and businesses are installing their own solar panels, out of dissatisfaction with the state delivery of electricity. Officials in Sulaimaniyah governorate said this month that in August and September some 700 households had installed solar panels. These installations more than doubled the households with such systems to 1,746, suggesting that the governorate is at the beginning of a rush to solar by families. File photo of Erbil by Hisham Yahya on Unsplash Some 90% of the panels used are Chinese-made, and a household system can be put in for $2,000. Because it can reduce electricity costs by $100 a month, the system pays for itself in less than two years. Because Kurdistan, like the rest of Iraq, has frequent electricity outages, families and businesses run diesel generators some of the time, which are highly polluting and much more expensive than solar power. Moreover, their use means that people are burning a petroleum product domestically that could have been exported for profit. Solar panels would solve this problem. Lebanon's health ministry said one person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli strike that hit a vehicle in the country's south on Saturday, the latest attack despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. In a statement, the ministry attributed the death to an "Israeli enemy strike on a car in Haruf, Nabatiyeh district". The Israeli military said it had killed Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni, alleging he was "a commander in the anti-tank unit of the Radwan Force Battalion" of Hezbollah. According to the army's statement, Fatouni "was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon". Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. The Israeli military has intensified its attacks over the past week, killing two people in two separate strikes on vehicles Friday. The military said it killed a Hezbollah "logistics commander" in the first strike and a member "who was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's military capabilities" in the second. A series of Israeli raids Thursday on southern and eastern Lebanon killed four people, including an elderly woman, with the military saying its targets included a weapons depot, a training camp and military infrastructure. Last week, a United Nations special rapporteur told AFP that deadly Israeli strikes on ostensibly civilian vehicles in Lebanon could amount to war crimes, despite Israel's assertion they targeted Hezbollah members. As part of last year's ceasefire deal, Israeli troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River and dismantle any military infrastructure in the south. Under US pressure and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan the movement and its allies oppose. Despite the terms of the truce, Israel has kept troops deployed in five border points it deems strategic. SINGAPORE, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three decades after its launch, the Suzhou Industrial Park in east China's Jiangsu Province, the first intergovernmental project between China and Singapore, has grown into a bustling industrial hub, contributing 400.24 billion yuan (56 billion U.S. dollars) to regional GDP in 2024. Rising from a patch of muddy fields, its industrial base has continuously upgraded, expanding from low-end manufacturing into high-tech sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI). The park's growth underscores the enduring strength of China-Singapore collaboration, driving both countries' modernization. Marking 35 years of diplomatic relations, the two nations have deepened economic links: China has been Singapore's largest trading partner since 2013, while Singapore has remained China's top source of new foreign investment. FROM INDUSTRIAL PARKS TO REGIONAL INTEGRATION In February 1994, China and Singapore signed an agreement to establish the Suzhou Industrial Park. Over the years, the industrial park has attracted more than 5,200 foreign-funded projects, including 189 from 108 Fortune 500 companies, with foreign investment in actual use exceeding 42 billion dollars. The park has also evolved from attracting investment to supporting overseas expansion. Shen Lei, deputy director of the park's management committee, said the Yangtze River Delta Overseas Investment Promotion Center established by the industrial park has helped more than 700 enterprises in the park invest and expand in over 60 countries and regions. In 2008, collaboration extended north to the Bohai Rim region with the launch of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. Built on saline-alkali land and polluted waters, the project aimed to create a model for sustainable urban development. Seventeen years on, the Eco-City is home to over 260 plant species, up from 66 initially, while its low-carbon economy continues to expand, drawing green investment. China-Singapore cooperation also deepened in connectivity. In 2015, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) was launched to link western China with Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, the initiative has produced 323 government and commercial agreements valued at 25.75 billion dollars. It also resulted in the creation of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor -- a multimodal transportation network integrating rail, road and sea systems. It facilitated cross-regional collaboration between western Chinese provinces and Southeast Asian countries, and shortened transit time compared with eastern coastal routes. It now pulses with commercial vitality. At a conference marking the 10th anniversary of the CCI in June, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How said the CCI exemplifies the strength of the Singapore-China partnership and their shared commitment to regional integration and innovation. Tan said trade between ASEAN and China is expected to continue expanding, offering growing opportunities for trade and cross-border financing along the corridor. Speaking ahead of his visit to China in June, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said, "The cooperation between our two countries, because of the close partnership, is never static. It never stands still. We are always upgrading, improving, trying to find new opportunities to cooperate and to be responsive to the needs of our times." EXPLORING NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIERS As China pivots toward high-quality development and Singapore advances its "Smart Nation" vision, collaboration has expanded into emerging fields such as the digital economy, green energy, AI and new materials. The China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, launched in 2010, exemplifies this shift. Now home to more than 50,000 market entities with total registered capital exceeding 760.7 billion yuan (106.8 billion dollars), it has become a hub for biopharmaceuticals, integrated circuits and new-energy vehicles. Singapore's Foreign Ministry described it as "a key landing pad for Singapore companies to access the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area." Science and technology cooperation underpins this growth. As early as 2018, Alibaba and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) established a joint research institute focusing on AI. In September 2024, they launched the Alibaba-NTU Global e-Sustainability CorpLab, which plans to build a 200-member research team over five years to advance studies in 10 areas, including energy-efficient AI algorithms, sustainable living and digital technologies for aging and health. Singapore's former Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said that such corporate labs have an important role in Singapore's research, innovation and enterprise ecosystem. Green transition is another key focus. In recent years, Chinese renewable energy firms such as Trina Solar, Concord New Energy and AlphaESS have set up regional headquarters in Singapore. The Singapore Economic Development Board said close collaboration between Chinese companies and Singapore's government, industry and academia "expands clean energy opportunities for Singapore and the region." According to NTU's China Studies Associate Professor Hoo Tiang Boon, AI, the green transition, smart cities and the digital economy are the future engines of growth. China has made important progress in these areas, and they complement Singapore's economic development, he said. Hoo cited China's BYD, the best-selling car brand in Singapore in 2024, as an example. "Singapore is also transitioning to cleaner and greener vehicles, and China's electric vehicle development aligns well with Singapore's transportation plans." LEVERAGING PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES Since China and Singapore introduced mutual visa-free travel in February 2024, China has emerged as Singapore's largest source of tourists. In the first nine months of this year, Singapore recorded 2.5 million Chinese arrivals. The Singapore Tourism Board reported that the Chinese mainland was also the top market for tourism receipts. To meet the surge, more than 500 outlets under Singapore's largest retailer FairPrice Group, including supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and food courts, now accept Alipay, one of China's biggest mobile payment platforms. Grab, the dominant ride-hailing and delivery app, has also made its Chinese-language interface more comprehensive, improving menu translations, airport maps and local attraction guides. "We look forward to welcoming visitors from China, as travelers are crucial for local communities and businesses on our platform," a Grab spokesperson said. Subramania Bhatt, founder of China Trading Desk, a Singapore-based marketing and research firm specializing in Chinese consumers, said Chinese travelers are now "a system-level driver of Singapore's visitor economy," influencing sectors from hotels and attractions to neighborhood retail and the city's airport. "This is not a cyclical phenomenon. The momentum is structural," he said. Outbound travel from Singapore to China is also on the rise. Li Liangyi, president of China Express Travel in Singapore, said younger Singaporeans are now exploring a broader range of Chinese destinations, from Changbai Mountain in the northeast to Xizang and Xinjiang in the west. Alongside tourism, bilateral exchanges now encompass trade fairs, film collaborations, and academic programs, generating substantial economic impact while enhancing the resilience of China-Singapore cooperation. On Sept. 28, during a photo exhibition and media forum marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Singaporean Parliament Member Tin Pei Ling said that nearly every decade has brought new highlights in bilateral cooperation, noting that the relationship "evolves with the times." "The Singapore-China friendship is set to continue," she said. Friday, October 24, 2025 - Social media is on fire after a video surfaced showing Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka performing what many have described as a ritual during his visit to Raila Odingas Opoda Farm in Bondo on Wednesday. In the video, Lusaka is seen pinning an arrow (mkuki) outside Railas home before entering to condole with the family, an act that has set tongues wagging online. Many online users have interpreted the gesture as a traditional sign of inheritance, with some cheekily claiming that the Governor was symbolically declaring his interest to inherit Mama Ida after Railas passing. Interestingly, after leaving the house, Lusaka retrieved the arrow, further fueling speculation and endless debate online. "Sasa yeye ndiye bwana. Mimi some tribes kuoleka uko zii, one lady commented. Hapa iko kugongewa ukiona mkuki nje, another user joked. Whether it was a genuine cultural expression or something deeper, the video has sparked curiosity. Watch the video below that has caused a heated debate online. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - A man was left in total disbelief after stumbling upon a viral video of his girlfriend, the same woman he calls his queen, engaging in shameful acts inside a club toilet. He was casually scrolling through Facebook when he noticed his girlfriends name trending. He clicked on the post, only to be met with a clip that has since sent social media into a frenzy. What caught the attention of online detectives were the same walls that often appeared in her Instagram selfies. Meanwhile, the lady at the center of the scandal has deactivated her social media accounts amid mounting backlash and trolling from netizens. Check this out. You can watch the video on Facebook HERE>>> The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - Prominent city lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, has revealed the circumstances surrounding the arrest of former Youth Enterprise Development Fund Chairman, Evans Gor Semelango, in Dubai. According to Kipkorir, Semelangos incarceration stems from a shareholder dispute involving a Kenyan businesswoman over ownership and management of a Dubai-based nightclub. What would ordinarily be a civil commercial matter in Kenya has reportedly been treated as a criminal offense under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) legal system. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the outspoken lawyer expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that Dubais legal framework often criminalizes business and contractual disagreements, a reality that many foreigners are unaware of. My BFF Gor Semelango has been incarcerated in Dubai over a club business shareholder dispute with a Kenyan lady. In Dubai, commercial disputes which are ordinarily civil are criminal, Kipkorir wrote. Kipkorir further revealed that he had reached out to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Singoei, urging him to use Kenyas diplomatic relations with the UAE to help resolve the matter amicably. I have asked our good Foreign Affairs PS @SingoeiAKorir to use our diplomatic relations with UAE to amicably resolve the issue, he added. The flamboyant lawyer condemned the act of using foreign legal systems to settle personal or contractual disputes between Kenyans abroad, calling it unfair and unpatriotic. It is not right for a Kenyan to use the Dubai legal system against another Kenyan to settle a dispute that is contractual, Kipkorir lamented. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - Veteran KBC journalist and Master of Ceremonies, Sammy Lui Nguli, has passed away, just two months after the Nairobi County Government demolished his house in Woodley Estate, an ordeal that friends and family say left him emotionally shattered. Nguli, who was once a household name during KBCs golden years, was among the pioneer journalists who helped shape Kenyas broadcasting history. Known for his calm voice, professionalism, and humility, he inspired generations of media practitioners across the country. According to close friends, the demolition of his Woodley home in August 2025 took a heavy emotional and psychological toll on him. The veteran broadcaster was forced to relocate to the village in Subukia, where he reportedly began struggling with depression and frustration. He never recovered from that day, one close associate said. He was deeply hurt - that house meant everything to him. Its where his memories and lifes work were. Sources reveal that Ngulis health deteriorated rapidly in the weeks that followed. Despite efforts by friends and colleagues to offer support, he passed away quietly at his Subukia home on Thursday. President Ruto led the nation in mourning the veteran broadcaster, describing him as a dedicated public servant. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - If you thought Nairobis nightlife couldnt get any wilder, a quick visit to Al-Fakher Lounge along Mirema Drive will quickly prove you wrong. The popular spot, which has become the unofficial headquarters of Nairobis glamorous night crawlers, is setting social media ablaze - thanks to a fresh batch of trending photos showing what really goes down when the lights dim. By day, Al-Fakher looks like an ordinary hangout joint. But as the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms dramatically. The lounge turns into a runway of high heels, designer handbags as slay queens flock in dressed to kill. Inside, the scene is electric. Men from all walks of life, from campus boys to loaded businessmen, fill the tables, each hoping to catch the attention of polished slay queens. And judging by the photos, the ladies come dressed to impress with body-hugging outfits and flawless makeup. Below are some photos from the popular joint. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - A Kenyan woman who mocked Raila Juniors appearance in a controversial TikTok challenge has issued a tearful apology, asking the Odinga family and Kenyans to forgive her. In the video, the remorseful woman is seen crying as she admitted the challenge was insensitive and hurtful. This comes after Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura condemned the act, calling it inhumane and unacceptable. Its very wrong to mock someone based on their appearance due to an inherent condition, he said. Creating a challenge to body shame is horrendous. Such behaviour reflects poor character and upbringing. Lets be human for once. Raila Junior has previously opened up about his condition, revealing that he lives with facial paralysis caused by a noncancerous brain tumor that developed in childhood. Its not an accident, he said in a past interview. Its a disease that affected my nervous system back in 1985. Watch the video. A lady who mocked Raila Jnr with the mouth challenge is in premium tears. She asking the Odinga family and Kenyans at large to forgive her. She has apologized on behalf of her innocent kid too whom she dragged into her wiked ways. Anasema ameshindwa ata kukula au kutembea hapa pic.twitter.com/rp17ajsz2b Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) October 24, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - A heartbreaking story of betrayal and greed has shocked Kenyans online after a US-based Kikuyu woman came forward to reveal how her own family turned against her, stealing everything she had worked for abroad, including her husband and multi-million-shilling property. The woman, who has been living and working in the United States for over a decade, said she had trusted her mother with millions of shillings to help her build rental apartments back home in Kenya. According to her, she sent money faithfully for years, believing her mother was helping her secure her future. However, once the houses were complete, the unthinkable happened: her mother betrayed her by transferring the ownership of the apartments to her sons, effectively cutting her out of her own investment As if that was not enough pain, the woman later discovered that her own sister had been having an affair with her husband behind her back. The shocking story has been brought to light by social media personality Sue Gacambi, who posted a teaser video ahead of an exclusive interview with the victim. The clip has since gone viral, with thousands of Kenyans expressing outrage and disbelief at the extent of betrayal. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, October 24, 2025 - Residents of Githurai 45 have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of a young man, Frankline Gatukui, who was killed just weeks after his wedding. Frankline had tied the knot with the love of his life, Naomi Wambui, on September 13th, 2025, in a colourful ceremony held at AIPCA Kiuu Church in Thika Diocese. The joyous occasion, officiated by Bishop Samuel Mburu, was attended by close family and friends who celebrated the couples union. However, barely a month later, tragedy struck. According to reports shared by friends and family, Frankline was attacked and killed on Monday, October 20th, in the Kasarani area at around 5:20 p.m. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. In a heartfelt statement, members of the AIPCA Kiuu Church expressed their sorrow over the loss. We are deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of Frankline Gatukui. On September 13, 2025, barely a month ago, he entered into holy matrimony with his beloved wife, Naomi Wambui, in a beautiful wedding ceremony officiated by Bishop Samuel Mburu at AIPCA Kiuu Church in Thika Diocese, read part of the message. AIPCA Bishop Peterson Njenga also sent his condolences to the bereaved family, particularly Franklines young wife. What a tragic loss. My condolences to Naomi, the Waweru family, friends, and the entire community. May God grant them strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Frankline Gatukui. May his memory be a blessing to those who knew him. AIPCA Kiuu fraternity and Thika Mother Diocese, poleni sana, wrote Bishop Njenga. Friends and neighbours described Frankline as a kind, humble, and hardworking man whose life was just beginning to blossom. The Kenyan DAILY POST SANAA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthis have detained seven more UN aid workers in the capital Sanaa, taking them from their homes, a Houthi source told Xinhua on Friday. "Four of them were detained tonight (Friday), while the rest were arrested yesterday (Thursday)," the source said on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said in a statement that 12 UN international aid workers were flown out of Sanaa Airport after being released from Houthi detention. According to several Houthi sources, the release was mediated by the foreign ministries of Iran and Oman, both of which maintain ties with the Houthi group. Grundberg added that 53 UN staff members remain arbitrarily detained, alongside numerous aid workers and employees of NGOs and diplomatic missions. The new arrests followed a televised speech last week by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi on the group's satellite channel, al-Masirah, in which he accused UN aid workers of spying for Israel and aiding Israeli airstrikes in August that killed 12 senior Houthi officials. The Houthis seized the capital Sanaa along with several northwestern provinces in 2014, triggering a devastating civil war and a dire humanitarian catastrophe that left millions of Yemenis dependent on foreign aid. Friday, October 24, 2025 - A leaked screenshot of a private conversation between a woman and her boyfriend has gone viral, sparking a heated debate across social media. In the chat, the woman asks if hes still planning to send her money - presumably something he had promised earlier. Are you still going to send the money? she wrote. Instead of a direct answer, the man replied with a photo of himself and an unusual condition: Post my picture on all your social media platforms, saying The king will be sending me some funds soon. The exchange has triggered mixed reactions online. Some netizens criticized the man for being manipulative and emotionally controlling, while others speculated that he might be testing her loyalty before fulfilling his promise. A section of netizens used the moment to highlight the dangers of financial dependence in relationships, urging women to prioritize self-reliance. The Kenyan DAILY POST HANOI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 15th National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam on Saturday approved the appointments of Pham Thi Thanh Tra and Ho Quoc Dung as deputy prime ministers for the 2021-2026 tenure, Vietnam News Agency reported. Tra, born in 1964, has been serving as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in the 12th and 13th terms, local daily VnExpress reported. She has served as Minister of Home Affairs since April 2021. Dung, born in 1966, is a member of the 13th CPV Central Committee and has served as Secretary of the Party Committee of Gia Lai province since July 2025. Also on Saturday, the NA approved the appointments of Tran Duc Thang as Minister of Agriculture and Environment and Le Hoai Trung as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Do Thanh Binh was elected as Minister of Home Affairs. Ellen O'Donoghue A male juvenile teenager and a man in his 40s have been arrested in connection with serious public disorder in Citywest over the past week. Gardai said that investigators from the Dublin Metropolitan Region West, supported by the Dublin Crime Response Team, carried out further searches and arrested both males as part of their investigation into the public disorder on October 21st and October 22nd in Saggart, Co Dublin. The two men are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at garda stations in the Dublin region. Gardai said they are continuing to review CCTV and body-worn camera footage aimed at identifying people involved in the criminal activity, in addition to carrying out forensic examinations at a number of locations. Gardai have appealed to anyone with any information on anyone involved in the public disorder to contact the garda investigation team at Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 6667600 or any member of An Garda Siochana at any garda station. People can provide information confidentially to An Garda Siochana by contacting the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Catherine Connolly will record a commanding victory in the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency of the presidential election, reflecting strong figures across the country as she looks certain to be confirmed as the 10th President of Ireland later today. The Independent candidate from Galway was the number one choice on 61.4% (17,351) of valid ballots tallied with Fine Gaels Heather Humphreys coming in at 30.99% (8,758) followed by the withdrawn Fianna Fail contender Jim Gavin on 7.6% (2,149). Spoiled votes have made up a significant portion of around 11.8% (3,810) of all ballots. SEE ALSO: Kilkenny presidential election count is underway Local politicians from the parties backing Ms Connolly such as Sinn Fein TD Natasha Newsome Drennan and MEP Kathleen Funchion were in attendance to assist with tallies while Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness was also present. The count centre at Kilkenny College was bustling when tallying started at 9am but grew quieter as the morning and afternoon progressed when it was clear that Ms Connolly was well on the way to a resounding victory in Carlow/Kilkenny and across the country. The Carlow/Kilkenny result will later be relayed to the national count centre at Dublin Castle where the official announcement should be made in the early evening. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday said that the national legislature's decision to establish Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is a powerful measure to safeguard the historical facts and national glory of Taiwan's restoration and return to the motherland. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said this solemn decision "epitomizes the shared expectation and collective will of all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan." Oct. 25 is designated as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration and commemorative activities in various forms will be organized on this day, according to the decision adopted at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), which opened on Friday. Chen noted that in 1945, the Chinese people achieved a great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On October 25 of that year, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and a national memory shared by all Chinese, Chen noted. The establishment of the commemorative day will inspire Chinese people to bear history in mind, carry forward the patriotic legacies and national spirit forged in the War of Resistance, and more resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at seeking "Taiwan independence" and external interference, Chen said. Chen also highlighted further efforts to launch various commemorative activities and carry out relevant patriotic education campaigns, as well as efforts to rally compatriots in Taiwan to advance the cause of national reunification and rejuvenation. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 23F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 23F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. People stand in front of the wreckage of a car in the town of Harouf, near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Oct. 25, 2025. A Hezbollah commander was killed and another person injured Saturday in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah commander was killed and another person injured Saturday in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources. Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that the strike, taking place about half an hour past noon, targeted a car near the elementary school on the Harouf-Jibchit road in the Nabatieh area. The Public Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center said the attack killed one person and injured another, whereas a Lebanese army intelligence source told Xinhua the dead was named Zein Futouni, a commander in Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, from the town of Hallousiyeh. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the strike in a statement, saying Futouni was an anti-tank commander from the Radwan Force, who was recently involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, largely halting clashes triggered by the Gaza war. Still, the Israeli army continues to conduct occasional strikes in Lebanon, citing operations against Hezbollah "threats," while maintaining forces at five main positions along the Lebanese border. People stand in front of the wreckage of a car in the town of Harouf, near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Oct. 25, 2025. A Hezbollah commander was killed and another person injured Saturday in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) People stand in front of the wreckage of a car in the town of Harouf, near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Oct. 25, 2025. A Hezbollah commander was killed and another person injured Saturday in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese and Israeli sources. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. This photo taken on Oct. 24, 2025 shows Chinese automaker Jetour's new SUVs during a launch event in Cape Town, South Africa. Chinese automaker Jetour launched its new T-Series SUVs here on Friday evening, drawing strong interest from consumers and underscoring the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in South Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu) CAPE TOWN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automaker Jetour launched its new T-Series SUVs on Friday evening at the Grand Parade in Cape Town, drawing strong interest from consumers and underscoring the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in South Africa. The event, attended by hundreds of representatives from local media, dealerships, business partners and communities, introduced Jetour's T1 and T2 models. The vehicles will go on sale in mid-November through more than 55 dealerships across Southern Africa. Founded in 2018 as a sub-brand of Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery, Jetour focuses on SUVs that blend style, performance and advanced technology. Ke Chuandeng, president of Jetour International, said the T-Series has already earned acclaim abroad. "Since their debut in other international markets, the Jetour T1 and T2 have earned strong praise from consumers and reviewers alike. In the Gulf region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the two models have become local favorites and social media stars, frequently seen on the streets of Dubai and Doha," he said. South African consumers have long awaited the launch, he added. "Now both models are officially available in South Africa, and early feedback has been highly positive," he said. Ke also announced that Jetour will supply 70 T-Series vehicles for use during the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Johannesburg in late November. Nic Campbell, vice president of Jetour South Africa, said the response from the market has exceeded expectations. "Since Jetour first entered the South African market last year, there has been incredible anticipation for the T-Series. We are thrilled to be launching both the T1 and T2 simultaneously today, a move that we believe will change the way people experience SUVs in South Africa." "When we first launched in September 2024, the response exceeded our expectations, and we anticipate an even stronger reception for these new models," he said. Their confidence was echoed by South African consumers who have noticed more Chinese vehicles on local roads. Babalo Ndenze, a South African journalist who attended the event, called Chinese cars "the cars of the moment." "They perform well, just as well as your German cars," he said. He highlighted technology and value as key advantages of Chinese cars. "They are very high-tech, even the entry-level ones. Chinese cars have the best gadgets," he said, noting that "for me, what sets Chinese cars apart is the technology." Ndenze added that Chinese models are becoming increasingly visible. "They are leading at the moment in terms of sales and popularity. Look wherever you go, wherever you drive, you see a Chinese car on every corner," he said. Jessica Bartlett, another local consumer who has driven a Chinese car, said she was impressed by its quality. "They are definitely very beautiful, and I think they are taking over from the bigger brands." Marly Vivier, another young South African who previously owned a Chinese car, agreed with her. "So I am really excited to see the T1 and T2 launch, and I am really excited for everything that is coming ahead of us." Stereotypes about Chinese cars were fading as more drivers experienced them firsthand, Vivier said, noting that the Chinese car she once owned "didn't really have any problems from the beginning." She said reliability was one of Chinese cars' strengths. "I really think they are going to take over, and I love that." This photo taken on Oct. 24, 2025 shows Chinese automaker Jetour's new SUV during a launch event in Cape Town, South Africa. Chinese automaker Jetour launched its new T-Series SUVs here on Friday evening, drawing strong interest from consumers and underscoring the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in South Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu) People attend a launch event of Chinese automaker Jetour's new SUVs in Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 24, 2025. Chinese automaker Jetour launched its new T-Series SUVs here on Friday evening, drawing strong interest from consumers and underscoring the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in South Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu) People attend a launch event of Chinese automaker Jetour's new SUVs in Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 24, 2025. Chinese automaker Jetour launched its new T-Series SUVs here on Friday evening, drawing strong interest from consumers and underscoring the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in South Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Severe flooding affected more than 960,000 people in six states in South Sudan and displaced some 335,000 people, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday. Since last month, the floods have affected more than 140 health facilities, disrupting access to essential health services for thousands of people at a time when South Sudan grapples with disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria, the office said. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 104,000 malaria cases, including 16 deaths, across the country in the past week, marking a 15 percent increase in cases from the previous week, mainly due to the ongoing flooding. OCHA said the flooding is compounding an already dire humanitarian situation in the country, which faces ongoing conflict and acute food insecurity. The office said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to reach flood-affected people with life-saving aid and conduct needs assessments despite significant access challenges in the states of Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile. The World Food Programme said it is delivering food and nutrition assistance. Meanwhile, the WHO and its partners have delivered more than 50 metric tonnes of medical supplies in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states. Assistance in the pipeline includes tents, cholera kits and emergency health kits. OCHA said that earlier this week, the International Organization for Migration signed an agreement with South Sudanese officials that will see 8.5 million U.S. dollars invested to build flood-resilient infrastructure and rehabilitate drainage channels to protect Bor town of Jonglei state. The UN Population Fund and its partners continue to support the response to gender-based violence through the distribution of dignity kits to women and girls in flood-affected areas and access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, said the office. Sarah Slater Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie has been found guilty of raping a woman in a Boston hotel. The 38-year-old was visiting the US with Irish colleagues to participate in St Patricks Day celebrations when the incident took place. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching a unanimous verdict Crosbie has been in custody for 18 months and was accused of raping an American woman at the Omni Parker House hotel in downtown Boston after celebrating at the Black Rose bar on March 14th, 2024. He pleaded not guilty. Last June his court hearing, which ended in a mistrial. Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day, March 15th last year and that he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18th. Daniel Reilly who delivered closing arguments for the defense last Wednesday emphasised Crosbies innocence and pointed to reasonable doubt in the case, in the form of no video or audio of the alleged attack and the lack of conclusive DNA evidence. Mr Reilly said that his clients testimony declaring himself innocent constitutes reasonable doubt and that the alleged victims blood sample from the hospital Emergency Department she went to established that she was inebriated. Erin Murphy, who delivered closing arguments for the prosecution, asked the jury to convict Mr Crosbie. Ms Murphy said the alleged victim had no reason to lie and gave a detailed account of a stranger raping her. She pointed out that Mr Crosbie exploited his colleague Liam O'Brien's "oblivion" whom he was sharing a room with after drinking to take advantage of the victim. Doctors and nurses who interacted with the victim found her to be clinically sober with no evidence of intoxication. Ms Murphy noted that the defendant was the only other man in the room, there was no other activity in that room (from key use records) around that time period. She highlighted that the accused left early for Logan Airport early because he knew he was caught. Crosbie is due to be sentenced on October 30th. Mr Crosbie has been in custody on a $50,000 bail at the Suffolk County Jail since his arrest. THE Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum in Irishtown will host a day of speeches and display a special exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of the introduction of Mountmellick Embroidery. The bicentennial celebration of Irish White on White Embroidery will take place on Saturday 1 November and though admission will be free the Museum advises those who wish to attend to book in advance to secure a seat. Mountmellick Embroidery, also known as Mountmellick Work, is the only embroidery style from the 19th century that is entirely Irish in origin and design. It was introduced by Johanna Carter in 1825 whose designs were inspired by the flora and fauna found on the banks of the Owenass river. Soon after its introduction the craft was supported and fostered by the local Quaker community. The survival of this unique form of embroidery to the present day is largely due to the late Sister Teresa Margaret McCarthy who was inspired to revive this tradition in the 1970s and whose work is continued today by local craft workers. The event will have talks by five historians and experts on the history, culture and future of this craft and a special exhibition of contemporary pieces of Mountmellick embroidery and Quaker samples which are not normally on display at the Museum. By Bairbre Holmes, PA When poet, professor and politician Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as Irelands ninth president on November 11th, 2011 he declared his would be a presidency of transformation. After 14 years in the role, he has remained enormously popular across the country, with many commentators saying his outspoken ways have changed how Irish people view the presidency. He and his wife Sabina have appeared as a duo at many events, and he has previously described her as his rock. Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (left) attend the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Mullingar, Co Westmeath in 2022 (PA) Also supporting his official engagements from the presidents official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Higgins has had three Bernese Mountain dogs, Misneach, Brod and Sioda, who captured the nations hearts. When Brod died in 2023, it triggered what Mr Higgins described as an outpouring of support. His gentle public image inspired Michael Tea Higgins tea cosies and childrens books, providing a sharp contrast to many global leaders in an era of increasing political adversity. Mr Higgins was elected during a turbulent period in recent Irish history, and the economic crisis dominated the start of his presidency. Michael D Higgins with his dogs Brod and Misneach, greet French President Emmanuel Macron (Maxwells/PA) He took on the role in 2011, the first year of the EU-IMF economic bailout programme and when Ireland was experiencing high levels of unemployment, fuelling emigration. In one of his first acts as president, he voluntarily waived almost a quarter of his salary, following a similar pay cut taken by his predecessor, Mary McAleese, after Ireland was hit with a recession. The countrys financial crash forced him to cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy. He returned to Ireland in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC) the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. Austerity measures brought in to mitigate the crash included new water charges, which were ferociously opposed. President Higgins bore the brunt of demonstrators during a visit to a school in Finglas, Dublin, in early 2015, where some of the protesters were filmed shouting abuse at him. Queen Elizabeth II accompanies Mr Higgins as he is shown Irish-related items from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle during the first state visit to the UK by an Irish president (Justin Tallis/PA) His first term also saw some milestones in Anglo-Irish relations, and in April 2014, he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, during which he delivered a historic address at Westminster. Later that day, in his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. However, during the celebrations marking 100 years since the 1916 rising, Mr Higgins pulled out of a civic dinner in Belfast, where he was due to be guest of honour, because of a lack of cross-party support for the occasion. His spokesperson claimed the decision was made because he does not want to become embroiled in matters of political controversy. The Higgins cast their votes in the presidential election for his successor (Niall Carson/PA) During his presidency, Mr Higgins became known for speaking his mind. He faced criticism in late 2016 for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. Mr Higgins rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns, and a statement issued by his spokesperson described the criticism as unsustainable and unwarranted. In 2018, he welcomed Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain during the first papal visit to Ireland in 40 years. Pope Francis arrives for a meeting at Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin (Danny Lawson/PA) Mr Higgins told the pontiff of the anger felt by those in Ireland who were abused as children by Catholic clerics. As his first term came to an end in 2018, he announced he would seek a second term despite previously saying he would not run again. Mr Higgins ran as an independent candidate but was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, who agreed not to field their own candidates. He instead faced a Sinn Fein candidate and four independents but won with 55 per cent of the vote. Michael D Higgins speaking during a ceremony at Dublin Castle after he was inaugurated as President for a second term (Maxwells/PA) On RTEs Late Late Show during the Covid-19 pandemic, he described the word cocooning, used to describe a measure to protect the over-70s, as infantilising. In 2021, he wrote to the Oireachtas, raising concerns about the large volume of complex legislation sent to his office which needed to be signed quickly. It sparked an emergency meeting of Oireachtas committees, and the Taoiseach described the concerns as legitimate, claiming the problem had partially been caused by the pandemic. Later that year, the Government defended the Presidents decision not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland. Irish and British political leaders attended the event at St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, but Mr Higgins declined his invitation because he believed it was not politically neutral. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met the Higgins and their dogs Brod and Sioda during a visit to Dublin (PA) He was championed by the opposition in June 2022 when he described housing in Ireland as our great, great failure. The statement was referenced by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit during leaders questions. A vocal critic of the war in Gaza, Mr Higgins was criticised several times by Israels ambassador to Ireland. In 2024, he accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran. The embassy rejected the claim and called the remarks highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous. After being treated for a stroke in 2024 Mr Higgins used two walking sticks (Brian Lawless/PA) While remaining vocally forceful, Mr Higgins has become visibly more frail. In February 2024, when he was 82, the President spent over a week in hospital for what was later revealed to be a mild stroke. He cut back on public appearances for a number of weeks and was later seen in public using two walking sticks. Flight training will primarily take place at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), with some training flights occurring at Queen City Airport in Allentown, pictured above. Dave Dabour | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Moravian University has announced the creation of a new Aviation Management program set to begin enrolling students in fall 2026, bringing specialized aeronautics education to the Lehigh Valley region. The program will offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Aviation Management and Professional Pilot training, with plans to add Air Traffic Control and other offerings in the future. Mark S. Cronin, a retired American Airlines captain with more than 40 years of aviation experience, will lead the program. Launching an Aviation Management program is a transformative step for Moravian, said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University in Bethlehem. In 2024, we opened the School of Professional Studies & Innovation and this new program will now serve students with a passion for flight and aviation technology, while positioning the Lehigh Valley as a leader in high-skill aeronautics education. Cronin, who founded the Velocity R Aviation Foundation and served as both an A-10 pilot and instructor pilot in the United States Air Force, brings substantial industry credentials to the role. The university will partner with flyGATEWAY, described as one of the leading flight schools in the Mid-Atlantic region, to launch the program. Flight training will primarily take place at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), with some training flights occurring at Queen City Airport in Allentown. Students will receive both theoretical instruction and hands-on flight training required for FAA certifications. The program will emphasize industry placement, licensure rates, internships, and professional mentorship, according to the announcement. Moravian plans to begin recruiting its inaugural aviation class in fall 2025, with information sessions and open houses scheduled through 2026. The Aviation Management program aims to prepare graduates for careers in a rapidly evolving industry by combining rigorous academic instruction with practical flight training, industry partnerships, and a focus on safety and innovation. More information about the program is available at moravian.edu/aviation-management. Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by Moravian University. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff. "It: Welcome to Derry" explores the origins of Pennywise the Clown. HBO The upcoming HBO series It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the horror films It and It Chapter Two. The 2017 film It, which is based on Stephen Kings 1986 novel of the same name, takes place in 1988 and 1989 in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. Welcome to Derry is set more than two decades earlier, in 1962. Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star in Welcome to Derry as married couple Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon. They move to Derry with their son, Will (Blake Cameron James), just as a young boy mysteriously disappears. The new series explores the origins of the horrifying antagonist Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgard). In addition to dealing with the supernatural horrors of Derry, the Hanlons also experience racial discrimination from their new white neighbors. Taylour and Jovans grandson, Mike Hanlon, is a main character in It. In the second part of Kings novel, adult Mike goes to visit his father, Will, in the hospital and learns a piece of terrifying lore. While serving in the Air Force, Will and his comrades opened a nightclub for Black patrons called the Black Spot. One night, members of a white supremacist group called the Maine Legion of White Decency burned the Black Spot down, killing several people inside. READ MORE: This Stranger Things character wont return for season 5 As the Black Spot burned, Will witnessed a giant bird snatch a person in its talons. Mike discovers that the bird was an early version of It, which can shapeshift into various forms, including Pennywise the clown. Normally, the misconception is that It can only be one thing, one creature at a time. But its part of the canon, even in the book, that he creates hallucinations, Andy Muschietti, the co-developer of Welcome to Derry who also directed It (2017), told the Hollywood Reporter. He creates collective creatures like when he became the piranha, right? Thats a flock of creatures. Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. HBO Andys sister and collaborator, Barbara Muschietti, told the outlet that it helps build suspense that It can terrorize people without always taking the form of Pennywise. The last thing we want is to have an audience get comfortable with Pennywise. We dont want anybody to get used to his image, she said. Hes unpredictable. He strikes whenever he feels like it. It: Welcome to Derry premieres on HBO on Sunday, Oct. 26. Phillipsburg Police Chief Anthony Goodell is pushing to add four more officers to the department by the end of 2027. I would never ask for extra officers unless I absolutely needed it, Goodell told a group of reporters this past week. The department recently welcomed its second female officer, who will specialize in covering the South Main Street corridor. The officer is joining the force from the Warren County Prosecutors Office on a part-time basis. The police department has also placed a notice for lateral transfers into the department. According to Goodell, the Phillipsburg Police Department currently has 41 officers roughly the same number it had in 1989. We cannot keep operating with the same number of officers and stabilize violent crime and get to the quality of life calls that residents deserve to have addressed, he said. Although the towns population has remained relatively stable over the past century, violent crime has risen. This year, Phillipsburg experienced two homicides after nearly a decade without one, and police responded to 13 shootings as of Oct. 23, compared to only six in 2024. Calls about domestic violence have also increased, Goodell noted. Were a small town facing some big city problems, Goodell told the town council during a public meeting. The chief expressed concern about the departments reliance on external support, saying the police force averaged more than 600 hours of mutual aid calls this year from law enforcement bodies across the state, a situation he believes is unsustainable. In seeking solutions, Goodell has traveled to some of New Jerseys largest cities, including Newark, Elizabeth and Toms River plus New Jersey State Police headquarters. These visits aim to inform the departments approach to crime diversion and response. The department has also invested in additional training for officers, including in the use of rifles, Tasers, shields and drones. While addressing staffing and crime concerns, Phillipsburg police have simultaneously worked to strengthen community relationships. Through the Safe Pathway Home initiative, officers serve lunch to senior citizens, interact with residents during foot patrols, and partner with local agencies to address traffic safety concerns near school buses and crosswalks. The department recently reintroduced its Fist Bump Friday program at the Early Childhood Learning Center on Friday, Oct. 24, an initiative designed to foster positive interactions between police officers and school-aged children in the Phillipsburg area. MAPUTO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mozambique's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Robert Albino on Friday called for strengthening the country's cashew industry to expand employment, especially for young people and women. Speaking at a meeting on the cashew value chain, Albino said the sector should become modern and competitive, and urged stakeholders to outline their needs so the government can improve the business environment. The country plans to implement a 10-year cashew value chain development program (2025-2034), valued at more than 374 million U.S. dollars, to increase production, improve processing capacity and expand extension services nationwide, according to the ministry. The program targets raising annual production from 158,000 to more than 689,000 tonnes and expanding processing capacity from 40,000 to over 482,000 tonnes, while advancing digitization across the sector. "Industrializing cashew means creating more jobs for young people and women," Albino said, adding that reforms will include privatizing seedling production and nurseries to build a self-sustaining industry. The meeting gathered producers, processors, exporters, traders, researchers and officials from relevant ministries and the tax authority. A Morris County middle school teacher is accused of sending sexual and suggestive text messages to a 13-year-old former student, officials with the Morris County Prosecutors Office said. Lorri Ann Willis, 45, of Hackettstown, was charged with second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a child and luring. Chester police received a report in October about a teacher at Black River Middle School sending sexual and suggestive text messages to a 13-year-old former student, officials said. The messages were sent between June 2024 and October, officials said. Willis was suspended from her teaching position in the Chester Township School District, officials said. She was charged on Monday and is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a future court date. Ms. Willis maintains her innocence and will plead not guilty to the charges at her first court appearance, Ronald Ricci, Willis attorney said. Independent TD Brian Stanley congratulated Catherine Connolly who now looks certain to be the next President of Ireland. As one of the TDs that nominated her and encouraged her to contest the election, I feel it is great to have her elected as the President, a President who believes in social justice and a United Ireland. I want to thank the members of Independent Republicans Laois who canvassed right across the County from Graiguecullen, to Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portlaoise, Portarlington and beyond over the last seven weeks. Catherine will fulfil the role with professionalism, with dignity and with great integrity. She will be an excellent Ambassador, the premier Ambassador for the country, who will reflect the views of ordinary people and will do Ireland proud. I know she will champion the Irish language as she has always done. Catherine will promote an inclusive Ireland, a 32 County Ireland and will progress the work of national reunification, said Dep Stanley. Counting is continuing in Portlaoise where Catherine Connolly has a strong lead over Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin. Catherine Connolly topped the poll in Laois following the first count on Saturday afternoon. She secured 15,814 votes, more than double Heather Humphreys who got 6,775 votes and almost ten times more than Jim Gavins 1,694 votes. In total 55.6 percent of Laois voters backed Catherine Connolly, 23.8 percent voted for Heather Humphreys, 5.95 percent voted for Jim Gavin and 14.6 percent spoiled their votes. Independent TD Brian Stanley congratulated Catherine Connolly. As one of the TDs that nominated her and encouraged her to contest the election, I feel it is great to have her elected as the President, a President who believes in social justice and a United Ireland. "Catherine will fulfil the role with professionalism, with dignity and with great integrity. She will be an excellent Ambassador, the premier Ambassador for the country, who will reflect the views of ordinary people and will do Ireland proud. "I know she will champion the Irish language as she has always done. Catherine will promote an inclusive Ireland, a 32 County Ireland and will progress the work of national reunification. READ ALSO: Connolly tops the poll in the first count We will have a President who will be a strong voice internationally, a voice for peace, diplomacy and international law among world leaders. I look forward to her term in office, said Dep Stanley. Senator Maria McCormack was absolutely ecstatic at the vote when she visited the count centre in Portlaoise. I think it has really shown the power of a left alliance and it has shown that the people of Laois and of Ireland are absolutely sick of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, she said. It has been a landslide here in Laois for Catherine Connolly. We are thrilled in Sinn Fein, she really aligns with so much of our values in uniting Ireland, standing up for people with disability, healthcare, everything like that so we are really really thrilled today, said Ms McCormack. Fine Gael Cllr John King said I am not shocked but I thought Heather would have done much better. I am disappointed with the spoiled votes because our forefathers fought to get those votes, Cllr King said. He said he wondered whether the people who spoiled the votes look to get benefits from the State. If you vote against the State you shouldnt be entitled to benefits, said Cllr King. Meanwhile, Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Buggy said Heather Humphreys was an excellent candidate. I would have thought that the vote would be a lot closer but thats life. He believed people didnt really understand the role of the President. It is not a role that you can dictate policy. You do that in the Dail, he said. My view was that Catherine Connolly didnt answer any question that she was asked. Unfortunately Ivan Yates has a lot to answer for in that he said, smear the bejaysus out of her, so anytime we asked a question, oh thats smear. So you couldnt win in that situation, he said. Cllr Buggy was disappointed with the questions about Heather Humphrey's husband. Catherine wasnt asked one word about her husband, he said. Because of some of the sectarian remarks that were made about Heather, people in the Republic are not ready for a united Ireland because there is two colours on the Irish flag, green and orange, and we need to make sure that everyone on the island feels part of the country and that we accept our different traditions on this island, said Cllr Buggy. He wished Catherine Connolly well and said he hopes she does a good job for the sake of the country. In Laois there were 4,156 spoiled votes in the election and 24,283 valid votes and the turnout was 43.9 percent. The total number of people eligible to vote was 64,816. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Independent TD Brian Stanley was in buoyant mood at the Presidential Election Count Centre at Scoil Chriost Ri in Portlaoise this morning. He revealed that the woman who is likely to be the next President of Ireland had initially been hesitant about running. He said he encouraged her to run. It was important that there was a left voice, a progressive left voice, somebody who believes in Irish neutrality, somebody who believes in social justice, somebody who believes in a united Ireland. said Dep Stanley. I decided to fully back her and I told her that if she went forward that I would put it to our group here in Laois and we would back her which we done in July, he explained. Dep Stanley said the reaction on the doors had been very positive. I am looking at Castletown and Mountrath. I would have canvassed in Mountrath and it certainly is tallying what we were getting on the doors. Those doors we were getting an answer on were overwhelmingly for her, which surprised me, the fact that it was so strong, he said. According to Dep Stanley, it came down to a clear choice. You had a clear choice here between somebody from I would call the established conservative parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and from the broad left. I think it is a good day's work. The Government, the Seanad and the Dail is already controlled by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and I think it is a good thing to have a President that will represent an alternative and I think she will manage that very well, he said. Dep Stanley said he had been confident of Catherine Connollys abilities from the beginning. I watched her when she was Leas Cheann Comhairle she would have done very well in terms of keeping the Dail running smoothly. Building a good working relationship with the Government parties and the opposition, he said. That convinced me that as President she will keep it in between the ditches, but will be a strong voice for ordinary working people in Ireland and particularly peace internationally and neutrality and for a united Ireland. Never more important. Thats why I think this is crucial, he said. When asked if he believed the vote heralded the beginning of a new united left political alliance he said: You would hope so. Some of them came very late in the day. Locally there was noone else out till last weekend as far as we could figure out. However, he questioned how much the parties were buying into it. Dep Stanley said there is a need for the coming together of the people who believe in the key pillars. Social justice, the reunification of the territory and peace internationally. If Catherine Connolly is elected it may cause some disruption for Dep Stanley in the Dail. We are in the same technical group. Obviously she is going to be a loss out of that if she gets elected. I have pondered that. It is a great victory if she pulls this off and it looks like she is going to pull if off, he said. He was speaking before he made the journey to Dublin Castle. Irish people have been told to brush up on their knowledge of their payslips and tax situation after one couple managed to reclaim 10,000 in overpaid tax. Emer Kirwan of Jigsaw Business Solutions spoke to Ciara Doherty who was presenting the Hard Shoulder programme on Newstalk radio on Thursday. Emer said Irish people often don't pay enough heed to their own finances with many not able to read their own payslip correctly. She encouraged listeners to brush up on their knowledge. "We do need to educate people. Should it be on employers, should they have a piece around how to read your payslip?" Emer commented before praising the Local Enterprise Offices around the country for their work helping small businesses in this area. In encouraging people to examine their own payslips, Emer recalled a story of a previous client: "I worked with a lady a couple of years ago and I just looked at her tax and I was saying to her, 'I think you have more tax credits than you're utilising. We unravelled it and there was 10,000 between her and her husband. Her tax credits were attached to her, she wasn't making enough employment and her husband was being taxed highly, so we got 10,000 back. READ NEXT: An Garda Siochana hiring for big civilian job - the starting salary is almost 60,000 "So, it's worth educating yourself what the tax credits are, how much am I earning. Lots of people don't understand, everyone is given a single tax credit or a PAYE or an earned income credit. So, understanding that and looking for additional ones, looking for medical expenses, the mortgage relief one, etc," she added. You can listen to Emer's full interview with Ciara Dohery here. When poet, professor and politician Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as Irelands ninth president on November 11 2011 he declared his would be a presidency of transformation. After 14 years in the role, he has remained enormously popular across the country, with many commentators saying his outspoken ways have changed how Irish people view the presidency. He and wife Sabina have appeared as a duo at many events, and he has previously described her as his rock. Also supporting his official engagements from the presidents official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Higgins has had three Bernese Mountain dogs Misneach, Brod and Sioda, who captured the nations hearts. When Brod died in 2023 it triggered what Mr Higgins described as an outpouring of support. His gentle public image inspired Michael Tea Higgins tea cosies and childrens books, providing a sharp contrast to many global leaders in an era of increasing political adversity. Mr Higgins was elected during a turbulent period in recent Irish history, and the economic crisis dominated the start of his presidency. He took on the role in 2011, the first year of the EU-IMF economic bailout programme and when Ireland was experiencing high levels of unemployment fuelling emigration. In one of his first acts as president, he voluntarily waived almost a quarter of his salary, following a similar pay cut taken by predecessor Mary McAleese after Ireland was hit with a recession. The countrys financial crash forced him to cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy. He returned to Ireland in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC) the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. Austerity measures brought in to mitigate the crash included new water charges, which were ferociously opposed. President Higgins bore the brunt of demonstrators during a visit to a school in Finglas, Dublin in early 2015, where some of the protesters were filmed shouting abuse at him. His first term also saw some milestones in Anglo-Irish relations, and in April 2014 he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, during which he delivered an historic address at Westminster. Later that day, in his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. However, during the celebrations marking 100 years since the 1916 rising, Mr Higgins pulled out of a civic dinner in Belfast, where he was due to be guest of honour, because of a lack of cross-party support for the occasion. His spokesperson claimed the decision was made because he does not want to become embroiled in matters of political controversy. During his presidency Mr Higgins became known for speaking his mind. He faced criticism in late 2016 for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. Mr Higgins rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns and a statement issued by his spokesperson described the criticism as unsustainable and unwarranted. In 2018, he welcomed Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain during the first papal visit to Ireland in 40 years. Mr Higgins told the pontiff of the anger felt by those in Ireland who were abused as children by Catholic clerics. As his first term came to an end in 2018, he announced he would seek a second despite previously saying he would not run again. Mr Higgins ran as an independent candidate but was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, who agreed not to field their own candidates. He instead faced a Sinn Fein candidate and four independents but won with 55% of the vote. On RTEs Late Late Show during the Covid-19 pandemic he described the word cocooning, used to describe a measure to protect the over-70s, as infantilising. In 2021, he wrote to the Oireachtas, raising concerns about the large volume of complex legislation sent to his office which needed to be signed quickly. It sparked an emergency meeting of Oireachtas committees, and the Taoiseach described the concerns as legitimate, claiming the problem had partially been caused by the pandemic. Later that year, the Government defended the Presidents decision not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland. British and Irish political leaders attended the event at St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, but Mr Higgins declined his invitation because he believed it was not politically neutral. He was championed by the opposition in June 2022 when he described housing in Ireland as our great, great failure. The statement was referenced by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit during leaders questions. A vocal critic of the war in Gaza, Mr Higgins was criticised several times by Israels ambassador to Ireland. In 2024, he accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran. The embassy rejected the claim and called the remarks highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous. While remaining vocally forceful, Mr Higgins has become visibly more frail. In February 2024 when he was 82, the President spent over a week in hospital for what was later revealed to be a mild stroke. He cut back on public appearances for a number of weeks and was later seen in public using two walking sticks. The Tanaiste said he has no regrets about the selection of Heather Humphreys as Fine Gaels presidential candidate. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was speaking to journalists at Dublin Castle after it became clear independent candidate Catherine Connolly would win over his partys candidate. He claimed Ms Humphreys held the Fine Gael vote, adding it looks like shell get close to 30%. Thats way more than Fine Gael is polling and way more than Fine Gael got in a general election. The Tanaiste also said he was most particularly concerned about the low turn-out and the high number of spoiled votes, which he said showed the number of people in Ireland now who are clearly feeling disaffected or disconnected with politics. He also noted that some voters put quite a lot of effort in spoiling their ballot. People actually decided to get their car, get their bicycle, walk to their polling station, they didnt just sit at home. Simon Harris said it was legitimate to ask whether the nomination process needs to be changed. But said there has to be some threshold to get the balance right. The Taoiseach said he will engage constructively across party lines about what, if any, change is needed. Asked if a video published by Fine Gael published on social media attacking Catherine Connollys record as a barrister backfired, he replied: Im not sure anything backfired, in many ways the video asked the questions that many of you (the press) were asking. Mr Harris repeatedly congratulated Ms Connolly for her victory saying today is her day continuing: I wish her well as I know people right across this country do as she prepares to this office. Gardai are appealing for information on a burglary that happened at a supermarket in Naas, Co. Kildare earlier this year which saw tens of thousands of stolen goods taken. Three suspects broke into Tesco on the Monread road on May 24th. CCTV featured on Monday night's Crimecall shows the three men arriving in a car just before 2am. READ NEXT: Kildare driver fined for parking in disabled bay illegally They get out of the car and head towards the staff entrance at the back of the store. This door is secured with a four digit code. The three suspects are then seen making their way through the warehouse towards the storeroom. It appears that they are trying to look like staff as one is wearing a blue Tesco jacket and another is in a high-vis top. Their movements also suggest that they had knowledge of the layout of the store. One man remained on lookout while the two others forced open a cage that contained high-value goods with a crowbar. They are then seen taking out a large blue bag which they filled with phones and phone accessories. Less than two minutes after they arrived on the scene, the three men are seen fleeing and heading back the way they came. They exit onto the Monread road and make their way into the Morell Estate. READ NEXT: Heartfelt tributes paid to Kildare lady who passed this week Hours later, at around 7am, staff noticed the goods were stolen and contacted Gardai. When they arrived, they retraced what happened after looking at the CCTV footage. They discovered that over 50,000 worth of stock had been stolen. The Tesco has since gone to "great lengths" to prevent an incident like this happening again. The first suspect is estimated to be aged between 30 and 40-years-old and between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 in height. The second suspect is estimated to be aged between 20 and 30-years old. He is between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 in height and was wearing a green face covering on the day, which is suspected to have been a t-shirt. The third suspect is aged between 25 and 35 and is between 5ft 11 and 6ft 3 in height. Gardai are asking anyone with any information to get in touch with them. "Please call in and give us the names of those three suspects, a Garda on Crimecall said. The phones stolen were Apple and Samsung and a number of accessories including battery packs were taken. If you have any information on the men or the incident, you can freephone 1800 40 50 60 or text crime followed by your information to 57765. You can also email crimecall@garda.ie. CAIRO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's international El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) concluded its 8th edition in the Red Sea coastal resort city of Hurghada on Friday, a run that strongly reaffirmed the festival's humanitarian commitment through its "Window on Palestine" program. This year's GFF, which opened on Oct. 16, features approximately 70 films from around the world, spanning feature narratives, documentaries, and short films, according to the official website of the GFF. The "Window on Palestine" program, a special section of the annual festival, provided a global platform making Palestinian voices heard, particularly those from Gaza. This is the third consecutive year the GFF has featured the program. This year's "Window on Palestine" showcased a special selection of seven short documentaries. These films offered raw, intimate glimpses into the lives, struggles, dreams, and resilience of people enduring unimaginable circumstances in Gaza. "Their screening at GFF ensured that stories of daily life, fear, and hope -- produced under extreme conditions in Gaza -- reached a worldwide audience, a testament to the festival's belief in cinema as a vital medium for understanding," Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, who conceptualized the initiative, told Xinhua. He underscored the program's crucial importance to the new generation of artists in Gaza. Masharawi added that these young filmmakers, working under unimaginable conditions, "have managed to capture the essence of their humanity, their dreams, their pain, and their resilience." The "Window on Palestine" has cemented the GFF's commitment to supporting Palestinian cinema since its launch in 2023. By closing the festival with a focus on these urgent narratives, GFF reinforced its dedication to using film to promote dialogue and empathy during challenging times. Masharawi stressed that hosting these films at the GFF was an honor for the filmmakers, praising the platform for understanding the power of cinema to connect and inspire. "By screening these seven short documentaries, we are not just showing films; we are building bridges and proving that nobody can occupy cinema," he said. The GFF, which started in 2017 with "cinema for humanity" as its permanent cause, has been exerting maximum efforts to support various causes, including refugees, women empowerment and sustainability. Irelands political leaders have said a response is needed to the 213,738 spoilt votes in Irelands presidential election. It represents 13% of all votes cast on Friday, and a more than tenfold increase on the number of spoilt votes in the last presidential election, when there were 18,438 invalid ballots. The turnout was 46%, up on the 2018 presidential election which had a turnout of 44%. Irelands electoral commission has said there will clearly be a need for deeper and further reflection about why there were so many spoilt ballots in the presidential election. An Coimisiun Toghchain said the number of spoilt ballots is significantly higher than normal and it is clear that some people chose to deliberately spoil their votes. In the Dublin Mid-West constituency, 21% of votes cast were spoilt. Many had an x or slash drawn through all three candidates, or the words spoiled or spoilt written on the slip. There were also a significant number of spoilt votes with anti-Government messages on them, including no democracy, EU puppets and no from me. A number of names were also written on many spoilt ballot papers in the count centre in Adamstown, including Maria Steen, who tried to become a presidential candidate but failed to get enough nominations by the deadline. One ballot paper had a sticker of Mrs Steen on it. Other names seen written on spoilt ballot papers in Adamstown included Enoch Burke, Father Ted, Michael Collins, Bobby Sands, Dustin the Turkey, Donald Duck and Donald Trump. Speaking at Dublin Castle, Irish premier Micheal Martin said: Its a worry. I think, first of all, people are entitled to vote, people are entitled not to vote, and I suppose people are entitled in our system to spoil their votes, he said. You do have to try and interpret and listen to that as best you can. I think theres probably an issue with the restrictive nature of how one gets on the ballot, and thats something that collectively, the Oireachtas can look at, and a lot of parties didnt nominate candidates this time, so hence, by definition, youre going to get fewer candidates. I believe that its not fair to say to some parties, and indeed independents, that you must allow someone to get on the ballot even if you disagree fundamentally with their perspectives and their views, I dont think that makes sense. But there might be other mechanisms that would allow for a broader representation and to allow people to come through. I think that needs to be looked at. Irish deputy premier Simon Harris expressed concern about the high number of spoiled ballots and said some voters put quite a lot of effort in spoiling their ballot. He said it showed the number of people in Ireland now who are clearly feeling disaffected or disconnected with politics. Dublin Mid-West TD for Sinn Fein, Eoin O Broin, said the spoiled votes meant that there are people out there who are very angry, who are very unhappy. Our job in the time ahead is to try and convince more of those people that there is an alternative, there is a message of hope, and we hear the fact that they are not happy. So, there is a job of work to do afterwards. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said he did not think it was a moral failing to spoil votes, and that it was a legitimate choice that people can make. There is going to be a challenge for everybody in politics, but I would say for the left in particular, that there is a group of people who are very disaffected, very alienated, very angry at the political system. Donegal councillor Ali Farren spoke to the Leitrim Observer this week about a serious issue facing families all around the country including Leitrim. Cllr Farren is a founding member of the 100% Redress Party, which was formed to secure a "100% redress scheme for all those affected by defective concrete products." He said: "My son-in-law lives in Leitrim with my daughter and when they were looking to buy a house, they came across three properties that showed signs of defective concrete blocks. Both of them came from living in defective houses in Donegal so they know the symptoms. And we know from talking to people that there is an issue in Leitrim." He spoke of how he discovered his own home was built with detective concrete 14 years ago and how that impacted him. "This is a stressful thing for a lot of families and some bury their head in the sand. I saw cracks but thought they were settlement cracks which most people want to think but the problem doesn't go away it gets worse. I manage the Malin Head community centre which has a large new extension funded by Europe which has defective blocks. Within a mile of this centre, there 102 defective houses or buildings and that's a rural area." READ MORE: RIP: Leitrim community pays its respects following the passing of a true gentleman and a great character' He stressed: "I dealt with it by speaking up and I went to the Dail where the government were voting on amendments for the Redress Scheme and the parties in power voted to fast track the bill through without any input from homeowners; then we decided if they won't support us, we'll support ourselves and formed the 100% Redress Party." He said that while his home is substantially affected, there "are others living in far worse conditions; those with young children and black mould. Letterkenny is crumbling to the ground and we'd be afraid to guess the amount of houses affected." Cllr Farren was speaking after a group of Defective Concrete researchers from Ulster University presented Oireachtas members with their research in Leinster House. Among them was Professor Paul Dunlop who spoke of how the damage to homes is caused by an internal sulfate attack due to unstable pyrrhotite and not the mica freeze-thaw process. Professor Eileen Doherty spoke about the "failures of the government to listen to the people affected before setting up a scheme that didn't work" while professor Karen Kirby talked about the mental health and wellbeing of those living in defective homes and how they are "three times more likely to commit suicide." Cllr Farren said he was disappointed by the low number of TDs in attendance. "It just showed the lack of interest; there was very little interest from most TDs or Senators." He said there were "symptoms of defective concrete blocks in 26 counties in Ireland and there are only The Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Schemes in Clare, Mayo, Limerick, Sligo and Donegal." The scheme provides financial support to homeowners whose home has been damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks during its construction. READ MORE: Timeless Leitrim village seen as missed opportunity for film industry investment He continued that if those affected in counties such as Leitrim "don't speak up, it won't happen. We've depended on senators and TDs etc. for long enough and it hasn't delivered; people have to start being verbal about it. The government are not speaking up for the people or standing by us and we need to put more pressure on them to deliver a scheme that is workable for everybody. You shouldn't have to fight to get your county included in this scheme; it should be all-Ireland scheme." Speaking of the reality of living in an affected building, Cllr Farren said that the "people in Donegal are living with a lot of stress 24/7; it's your life and it's biggest investment that you make. It's also something that nobody did wrong; anyone who builds or buys a house; they didn't do anything wrong." He continued: "My fear in Leitrim is that people don't know enough about it and are buying houses with a few small cracks and think it's fine and it actually just gets worse. If you don't know about this problem, you can buy a house that is not fit for purpose and won't be there forever home. We need to raise awareness." He said the party was formed "purely out of frustration; we're accidental politicians; in my opinion, for the Redress Party to progress in Leitrim, we need people to come out of the woodwork so that at the next county council elections, in three and a half years time, we will be running councillors in that area because it's going to be needed. The government really don't want us on the playing field but we're the tenth biggest party in the country with four councillors in Donegal and a TD in the Dail." He continued that those affected in Leitrim can become members can get in contact through the party's website or social media accounts. With no Educate Together in Leitrim, the multi-denominational patron body is calling on the Department of Education and Youth to "live up to the promise made repeatedly over the last three years, to launch a national survey of parental preference in school patronage" A statement to the Leitrim Observer clarified: "Educate Together is asking the government to formally announce the survey, including a specific launch date, facilitate a public discourse and national information campaign about school patronage and multi-denominational education, announce and ring-fence appropriate, adequate funding for schools wishing to transfer patronage ." There are currently 118 schools in the Educate Together schools network, with 97 at primary level. The statement continued: "As a democratic organisation, Educate Together believes that parents being able to have a say in how their local school is run is vitally important, a right that is being denied to them by continuous delays in the DEY survey. READ MORE: Reduced speed limit and safety measures sought for North Leitrim village Leitrim as well as Roscommon and Longford are among the counties in Ireland where families continue to face limited or no choice in equality-based education. Leitrim and Longford remain entirely under religious patronage." Edward Platt, Educate Togethers Schools Development Officer, stated: Although there has been a very encouraging expansion of the Educate Together network over the past 10 years, government policy now makes opening new schools incredibly difficult, with local parents having far less input in the process. It is vital that the Department of Education and Youth formally announce the long-awaited survey immediately and give parents agency in shaping what education looks like in their local community. READ MORE: Ice patch leading to danger for pedestrians and motorists in Leitrim village this winter Edward continued: We know that there are many people who are interested to see if equality-based/multi-denominational education would be the right fit for their school communities. Most Educate Together schools are oversubscribed, and we frequently receive queries from families who have no school choice in their community. Every family in Ireland deserves the option of an Educate Together school, if that is the education they want for their children. As the clocks go back and the leaves fall from trees, leaving skeletons swaying in the autumn winds, Leitrim comes alive with Halloween spirit. From family-friendly pumpkin patches and creative kids camps to eerie trails, folklore-filled festivals, and late-night frights, theres something for everyone this Samhain season. Here are some of the best events and celebrations happening across the county this Halloween week. Samhain at the Organic Centre The Organic Centres Halloween Fest returns on Monday, October 27th, from 124 pm. Take the Halloween Trail and find spooky cats hidden around the grounds and watch out for a few other eerie surprises! Enjoy Samhain-themed folklore with the inspirational Jim Ledwith of the Mummers Foundation, alongside craftswoman Steffi Otto from Heritage Crafts Alive. Therell be live music from The Clearys and Mary T, and dance from Siobhan Butler (Banog Irish Dance). Families can enjoy sustainable crafts with Steve and Seb, while seasonal Samhain food including colcannon, barmbrack, and treats by Lilly Conlon (formerly of Caife Bia Slainte) will be served in the Grass Roof Cafe. Entry is free, with a small charge for the Halloween Trail to cover your map and a goodie bag upon completion. Collect your map at the shop. Halloween Camp at Leitrim School of Art Leitrim School of Art is hosting a two-day Halloween Camp for 58-year-olds on Thursday, October 30th, and Friday, October 31st, from 10 am2 pm. Places cost 75, with a 30 deposit on booking and the remaining 45 payable on the first day. Spooktacular at The Market Yard The Market Yard in Carrick-on-Shannon will be transformed for one Spooktacular Night on Saturday, October 25th, at 6 pm. Dress up in your best costume and enjoy an evening of spooky stories, music, and eerie fun! READ MORE: Leitrim village still has no broadband coverage following Storm Eowyn Eslin GAA Healthy Clubs Pumpkin Patch Eslin GAA Healthy Clubs will host their first-ever Pumpkin Patch on Monday, October 27th, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Eslin GAA pitch. Expect pumpkin painting, spooky races, and plenty of fun family activities - the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season! Cloone Halloween Trail Get ready for a chilling adventure on the Cloone Haunted Trail on Sunday, October 26th, 2025. Brave visitors can test their nerves on this eerie night-time trail at the Cloone Community Centre from 6 pm to 10 pm. Frewaka at The Dock Theatre The Irish-language folk-horror film Frewaka, written and directed by Aislinn Clarke, will screen at The Dock Theatre in Carrick-on-Shannon at 8 pm on October 30th. The psychological horror follows Shoo, a young home care worker grieving her recently deceased mother, who is assigned to care for Peig, an elderly, reclusive woman recovering from a stroke and living in terror of mysterious entities called Na Sidhe. As Shoo settles into the remote Irish-speaking village, she becomes entangled in Peigs rituals and superstitions, confronting her own buried trauma in a haunting blend of folklore and fear. The film merges psychological horror with Irish mythology and history, leaving the line between madness and the supernatural hauntingly blurred. READ MORE: Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre launches appeal for short-term foster owners Glenade Halloween Party The Glenade Halloween Party is back! Join the fun at the Glenade Resource Centre from 79 pm for plenty of spooktacular capers and Howl-a-Ween fun for all the little goblins! Spooky Loopy Event in Dromahair The Barracks in Dromahair will host its Spooky Loopy Event on Sunday, October 26th, 2025, from 2 pm to 5 pm, following last years success. Expect a fun-filled family day with prizes for the best costumes, plus lots of surprises and thrills throughout the afternoon. Ardvarney National School Halloween Party & Disco Get your costumes ready - the annual Ardvarney National School Halloween Party and Disco is back! This much-loved event, organised by the Ardvarney NS Parents Association, promises a fun-filled evening for children (and their adults too!). Expect music, dancing, and plenty of spooky surprises in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. Always a highlight of the local Halloween calendar - book in advance to secure your spot! Samhain Parade in Manorhamilton The spirit of Samhain will fill the streets of Manorhamilton on Saturday, October 25th, as the town hosts its annual Samhain Parade. Hundreds of revellers will march from the Bee Park at 6:30 pm, winding through the town with street performers, music, floats, giant puppets, and lanterns in tow. All are welcome to come along and take part in this vibrant celebration of Samhain! KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- "I look forward to the day I officially become an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) driver," said Muhammad Ikmal, an assistant locomotive driver of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a mega rail project in Malaysia being built by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). Ikmal, 26, hails from Kelantan state in northern Malaysia. He was selected late last year as one of the first group of assistant locomotive pilot trainees for the ECRL. Together with 36 other local employees, he traveled to China to learn locomotive driving and maintenance skills. After completing the training, they returned to Malaysia for further on-site practice. "It has been a new and challenging experience. Beyond the technical knowledge I already possessed, I have also gained valuable first-hand experience in how a train is actually operated," Ikmal said at a training center. He added that experienced Chinese instructors provided guidance, while systematic courses and hands-on practice helped him adapt to his role quickly. "When trains one day speed along the ECRL, I will feel proud of my own contribution," Ikmal said. After lunch break, Ikmal and his fellow assistant locomotive pilot trainees gathered in the training room, reviewing their notes while waiting for Huang Mingyong, their Chinese instructor. The Malaysian trainees said that they are deeply inspired by their Chinese instructors and colleagues, whose efficiency and rigorous work leave a strong impression. Huang said that language was not the barrier for learning. The months-long training covers basic theory, operating procedures and safety protocols. "Sometimes we demonstrate step by step, so they can grasp the knowledge even faster with better results," he said. Paarthibann, who came from Kuala Lumpur and previously worked at Port Klang, joined the ECRL last year and became an assistant locomotive pilot trainee. "The first group of trainees are like pioneers," he said proudly. "This is not only a chance for self-growth, but also an opportunity for us to train the next generation of drivers in the future, passing on our experience and skills." "The ECRL is not only a railway dream, but also a pathway for local talents," said Yow Pey Ling from the project's main office. She said the project has implemented the East Coast Rail Link Industrial Skills Training Program, strengthening cooperation between educational institutions in both countries to nurture local talents for the project's future operation and maintenance. To date, the ECRL project has created more than 23,000 job opportunities in Malaysia and neighboring countries, recruited over 10,000 local employees, and trained more than 2,000 locals in railway construction and operation. The ECRL extends from Malaysia's largest transport hub, Port Klang, and across the peninsula to the northeastern Kelantan state. It is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast. COLOMBO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government has appointed a committee of veterinarians to examine two elephants gifted by Thailand, following concerns raised by Bangkok about their health, a deputy minister said Saturday. Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakodi told reporters that preliminary examinations indicated the elephants did not have any major health problems. The decision followed reports that Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin was scheduled to visit Colombo to discuss the animals' welfare. The two elephants were gifted to Sri Lanka in 2001. In 2023, Thailand took back a tusker it had donated to Sri Lanka, citing health concerns. Thailand has presented several elephants to Sri Lanka as gestures of goodwill over the years. In Sri Lanka, elephants are traditionally featured in Buddhist religious processions. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close MAYOR John Moran has stated it is now essential that Limerick City and County Council has a specific new experienced team to guide it through the transformation brought about by his election. In an email to council staff - but not councillors - issued on Friday night and seen by Limerick Live - he stated there is a need to approach things differently in the local authority, and ensure we have the right resources in place. This includes having the right people, skills, tools and support to help us navigate the change to a different approach, he said. READ MORE: Full details revealed of how the people of Limerick City voted in Presidential Election Mayor Morans Friday email came in response to an email sent on Thursday by the local authoritys director general Dr Pat Daly to council staff and councillors. In that email, Dr Daly highlighted an interview the mayor gave to Live95 on Wednesday last over Christmas in Limerick, expressing his disappointment with Mayor Morans comments. In his email, issued on Friday night, Mayor John Moran said he is disappointed with the communication sent by Dr Daly, adding: There are two sides to every debate. On Live95 on Wednesday, the first citizen had said: I believe in looking after public money, as I think everyone does, but it's a question of higher standards Mayor Moran said Dr Dalys email on Thursday has brought welcome clarity for the people of Limerick that we all here share an ambition to deliver more for them, but we are constrained in our ability to do it. He says Limerick City and County Council has not changed into an organisation capable of maximising the opportunity of having the countrys first directly elected mayor with all the advantages for Limerick that are embedded in the legislation. In the latest email from Mayor Moran - issued on Friday night - he has confirmed he has asked leading Government officials to be given support to bring in the help I need. I have long been of the view that a specific new experienced team to guide us through the transformation would be very helpful. Indeed, with the passage of time, I now think that is essential, the mayor wrote in the email sent on Friday night, to all staff in the local authority, but not his fellow councillors. To keep building on our successes - and to learn and grow from the times things do not go as planned - I believe we need to approach things differently and ensure we have the right In his email on Friday ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend, Mayor Moran has insisted that he holds the staff and management of Limerick City and County Council in the highest regard. Like I am sure many of you, I have been brought up by my parents to always try and be the best version of what I can be. I live in a world where continuous improvement is therefore the aim and also possible when we believe in ourselves and have the right supports, Irelands first ever directly elected mayor added He thanked the many people who welcomed my recent comments and took the time to understand the message I was trying to convey. My main point is the people of Limerick deserve even more from us when it comes to delivering results right across our city and county. There are already many great examples where you all made a difference and I know these efforts have been truly valued by our communities as they are by me, his email continued. Mayor Moran said the email is not an effort to ascribe blame. But I do believe all of us in the most senior leadership (myself included) have a responsibility and a role to to work out what can be done better and to do more to achieve that for you all. He signed off on the email by wishing staff all a restful long Bank Holiday weekend. Limerick City and County Council declined to comment, pointing to the fact the email was internal. The mayors office offered the same rationale for not commenting to Limerick Live. THREE young men will be sentenced early next year after they pleaded guilty to trespassing with the intention of illegal hunting on lands in County Limerick. Brothers Patrick Delaney, aged 23, and Philip Delaney, aged 20, both of Carrowclough, Tipperary Town, appeared before Limerick District Court in Kilmallock along with Patrick OReilly, aged 21, of Wallers Lot, Cashel, County Tipperary. The three appeared before the court charged with entering onto lands with dogs without lawful permission under the Wildlife Act 1976. Inspector Barry Manton told the court that on May 23, 2025, the three men were observed on private lands at Rathmore North, Croom. They had three lurcher dogs with them and had intended to hunt rabbits on the land. READ NEXT: Legal challenge over samples halts dozens of drink-driving prosecutions in Limerick At approximately 8:42am, they were approached by a member of An Garda Siochana, who told them they were in breach of the Wildlife Act. Solicitor Michael ODonnell told the court the three men were fully co-operative with gardai and that they later accepted that they shouldnt have been there. He added that his clients, none of whom work, have a significant interest in horses and dogs and he asked the court to note that none of them have come to the attention of gardai since. The oldest of the three, Patrick Delaney, also appeared before the court charged with a connected offence of allowing his car to be used in the commission of an offence contrary to the Wildlife Act 1976. He has one previous conviction for a similar hunting offence, which occurred on November 4, 2024 and resulted in a 200 fine being imposed. Judge Patricia Harney expressed concern that Patrick Delaney has been convicted of a previous offence and that he had brazenly brought two younger men along with him on the morning. She said she would have to give serious consideration to disqualifying him from driving, given that his car had been used in the commission of the offence. She added that the 23-year-old has a bit of a hill to climb in comparison to the other defendants because he was driving the car involved in the incident and has a previous conviction. "It's an illegal activity and he can't keep doing it." Judge Harney requested that a Probation Service report be compiled to assess the three young men who she described as The Three Musketeers, adding that she wanted to know an awful lot more about their lifestyle. The case was adjourned until January 23, 2026, for the preparation of the report. LIMERICK farmers are coming under pressure in terms of both falling income from both market and CAP and inexorably rising costs for inputs, said the chairperson of ICMSAs Dairy Committee. Noel Murphy said that the year-on-year decline in real terms of CAP and the resultant reduction in direct supports means that farmers are no longer able to use those as the critical bridge to top-up what they were getting from their milk and beef and stay going. READ NEXT: Gardai called to stand-off at Limerick farm as milk lorry is prevented from leaving We now see milk prices falling in tandem with reduced supports and thats going to put Limerick farmers, who would be amongst the states most progressive dairy farmers, under severe pressure. Beef prices are still good but that wont be enough to stave off a crisis if milk prices fall any further and the budget for CAP is not increased very significantly to cover all claims on it, said Mr Murphy. Kerry Dairy Ireland cut milk price for supplies in September by 3c/L while Dairygold went further with a 3.75c/l reduction. Mr Murphy said the economic and compulsory environmental costs to produce a litre of milk are the same, but the price the farmer receives has fallen in the last two months. Theres no other sector that can and does experience this kind of precipitous fall in income and its exactly this kind of income volatility that is cited by the next generation as the single biggest obstacle to them going into farming. The Government had a chance to incorporate a measure to deal with it in the Budget a fortnight ago but, yet again, decided to ignore the problem, he said. READ ALSO: Major Limerick garda-led farm event on security, safety and rural isolation at mart Mr Murphy said the farmers margin was an open book and freely available to anyone to ascertain. However, he said the retailers margin was a different story. The minister must give the Agri Food Regulator the necessary powers to publicly state who is getting what and for what. Farmers work 365 days a year to produce milk for the consumer and it takes the retailer two hours in a fridge to sell it. "There seems to be an unbelievably lop-sided divvy-up of the margins when you consider who has done the work involved in getting that milk to the supermarket fridge. Farmers are up against it again and will not be able to take another fall in their prices or income. URGENT calls have been made for a student housing emergency to be declared in Limerick as the number of third-level students is set to increase dramatically over the next six years. At a meeting of the Home and Social Development Strategic Policy Committee, the local authority was also asked to progress the establishment of a designated student accommodation taskforce. Currently, there are around 30,000 third-level students in Limerick city and that figure is expected to increase by around 5,000 by the 2030/2031 academic year. Cllr Shane Hickey O'Mara, who put forward the motion, highlighted the problems facing third-level students amid the shortage of accommodation. The main objectives of the motion, he said, would be the (formal) acknowledgement of the acute shortage of affordable and suitable accommodation for third-level students and identifying lands which are suitable for student housing developments. READ MORE: Shannon Airport looks to the future with sealed time capsule The meeting heard a number of areas have already been identified by the council including at the former Dunnes Stores at Sarsfield Street, the Sexton District (city centre) and Groody Valley. The possibility of a joint venture with TUS may also see student accommodation being provided in Moyross. As of February 2025, planning permission had been granted for almost 800 new student bedspaces within the city and suburbs but the timeline for their delivery is uncertain and even when completed they will not satisfy demand. Citing the spiralling cost of renting student accommodation, Cllr Hickey O'Mara said "the greed is sickening" and he noted in some cases the costs have doubled in recent years. "Students are talking about where they are going to emigrate to during their lunch breaks," he said adding that he recently spoke to one student who informed him they will have to drop out at the end of the year "purely as a result of accommodation costs". It was noted that planning permission was recently granted for a new large-scale residential development at Groody Road but James Hayes from the Affordable Housing Team conceded the additional 1,400 student bedspaces will not be sufficient to satisfy the current needs. Mr Hayes said current forecasts suggest up to 49,000 additional students will enrol in third-level institutions nationally over the next five years, including between 4,660 and 5,770 in Limerick. READ NEXT: New website launched to support flood relief efforts along River Shannon "We note that in 2023 there were only 5,500 purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces in Limerick. This indicates that only 18% of students studying in Limerick resided in local, purpose-built accommodation, with the majority studying in Limerick residing in family homes, host families or commuting from outside the city," he stated. Cllr Maria Donoghue expressed her support for the motion commenting it was timely: "It's a really good motion that would alleviate so many issues. 5% of housing projects in Limerick can be dedicated to student housing, it should be acted upon sooner rather than later". While supporting the principle of the motion, Cllr Sharon Benson expressed concerns that it might be abused by private landowners: "If we give public-owned land to private developers for new student accommodation then they could rip the students off when it comes to the pricing of these properties." Limerick City and County Council says any declaration of a student housing emergency is a matter for elected members but that it is already working to address the shortage. Sarah Newell A/Director of Service confirmed expressions of interest are to be sought in the coming weeks regarding the potential development of purpose-built student accommodation on council-owned lands. Criostoir OFlynn (O Floinn) 19272023 was one of the most distinctive figures in twentieth-century Irish literature. A dramatist, poet, novelist, and essayist, he wrote with equal fluency in Irish and English. In a literary landscape often divided along linguistic and ideological lines, OFlynn refused to choose between tongues or traditions. His work explored questions of identity, conscience, and faith, often confronting cultural orthodoxy with wit and courage. Born in Limerick city, he grew up amid its lyrical spirit and working-class realism. That environment, steeped in English but haunted by the echoes of Irish, shaped a writer determined to let both languages speak. His career, spanning decades of immense social change, testifies to a lifelong dialogue between faith and doubt, the local and the universal. A Limerick Childhood and the Call of Irish Born on December 18, 1927, just before Christmas, O Flynns upbringing mirrored the Ireland of the 1930s - Catholic, newly independent, and culturally cautious. Irish was heard in classrooms and prayers but rarely on the streets. For many, it was a relic but for O Flynn it became a calling. Embracing the Irish language in adolescence was an act of identity, a way of reclaiming a spiritual and cultural heritage. His education bridged Irelands intellectual divides. At University College Dublin, he absorbed nationalist ideals; at Trinity College Dublin, he encountered secular European thought. This fusion of Gaelic tradition and cosmopolitan outlook became the foundation of his art - an art that would never be parochial, even when rooted in Irish soil. READ MORE: Limericks Acoustic Club - something halfway between a cabaret and a confessional booth The Bilingual Craftsman O Flynns refusal to confine himself to a single language set him apart. He wrote poetry and drama in Irish, and novels and essays in English - often translating his own work. These translations were not mechanical but dialogic - a conversation between the sacred cadences of Irish and the analytical tone of English. Over his lifetime, he produced more than 50 books - spanning stage plays, radio scripts, novels, verse, essays, memoirs, and childrens stories. He viewed genres and languages as equals, each a vessel for truth. His poetry - such as Aisling Dha Abhainn and Ag Caint leis an Simlear - blends humour, mysticism, and moral inquiry. Like many Irish poets, he grappled with the sacred, but he did so through irony and satire, unsettling the very pieties he inherited. Cota Ban Chriost: Faith on Trial O Flynns most controversial and enduring work is Cota Ban Chriost (The White Coat of Christ), later translated by himself as The Order of Melchizedek. Written in the 1960s, the play portrays a doctor wrestling with science, sin, and silence - a man questioning God and tradition in a society governed by clerical authority. When submitted to the Abbey Theatre, it was rejected on moral grounds. In 1960s Ireland, that rejection was both condemnation and confirmation. The Abbey, once a symbol of artistic freedom, had balked at a challenge to orthodoxy. O Flynns reputation suffered - he lost teaching posts and security - but his integrity remained intact. Ironically, the play went on to win the Douglas Hyde Memorial Award at the Oireachtas in 1966, vindicating its artistic and moral vision. Today, Cota Ban Chriost seems prophetic, anticipating national debates over conscience, clerical power, and moral autonomy. O Flynns courage lay not in defiance for its own sake, but in insisting that truth could withstand scrutiny. Between Abbey and An Taibhdhearc: Stages of Resistance While Cota Ban Chriost defined his reputation, O Flynns theatre career extended far beyond controversy. His plays appeared at the Gate Theatre, Lyric Theatre Belfast, and An Taibhdhearc in Galway - the national Irish-language theatre. That distribution mirrored his career: embraced by alternative venues, resisted by the metropolitan mainstream. His drama often straddled realism and allegory. Characters carried symbolic weight; dialogue revealed moral conflict. Yet he was no didactic preacher. A satirist in the Swiftian mould, OFlynn used caustic wit to expose hypocrisy within church, state, and school. Writing from within the culture he critiqued, he remained both insider and rebel - a voice of reform rather than rejection. READ MORE: Limerick city emerging as Ireland's rising capital of culture The Novelist and the Essayist If drama brought him notoriety, prose secured his endurance. His novels - including A Poet in Rome and A Question of Identity - explore exile, belonging, and the tension between homeland and horizon. As an essayist, OFlynn reflected deeply on language and cultural identity. He saw the decline of Irish not merely as linguistic loss, but as evidence of spiritual forgetfulness. For him, art carried a dual responsibility: to tell the truth and to remember what society chose to suppress. His essays articulate a central conviction - that literature in Ireland must act as conscience, questioning comfort and challenging conformity. A Poet of Conscience and Contradiction Across more than a dozen poetry collections, OFlynn balanced intellect with intimacy. His verse grapples with mortality, exile, and divine silence, yet rarely sinks into despair. Humour - wry, dark, self-aware - shields his work from nihilism. A hallmark of his poetry is dialogue: between the poet and God, past and present, Irish and English. This conversational tone transforms belief into inquiry. Rather than preach, OFlynn probes - aligning him with European existentialists like Camus and Beckett, though always grounded in Irish experience. In his hands, Irish becomes not a museum relic but a living instrument - capable of expressing modern doubt as vividly as ancient faith. Recognition and Reconciliation: Aosdana After years of marginalisation, O Flynns contributions were formally recognised when he was elected to Aosdana, Irelands academy of creative artists. Membership brought not only prestige but a cnuas stipend, granting financial freedom to write without compromise. This recognition was poetic justice for a writer once censored by the establishment. His inclusion symbolised a reconciliation proof that dissent, too, can be devotion: to truth, to language, to art. Legacy: A Voice Beyond Fashion Criostoir OFlynn died on October 9, 2023, aged 95 - one of the last Irish writers to bridge revivalist idealism and modern secularism. His work endures precisely because it resists fashion. In an era of shifting identities - global, pluralist, post-religious - his insistence on moral complexity and linguistic dignity feels newly vital. Unlike some contemporaries, OFlynn never courted international acclaim or academic favour. He wrote for the conscience of a people, not for the marketplace. His bilingualism was not performance but philosophy: to be Irish is to think in two tongues, and honest writing must let both speak. Today, Cota Ban Chriost reads less as rebellion than fidelity - to reason, integrity, and the uneasy dance between science and spirit. His poems, compact and humane, affirm that Irish - though numerically minor - remains a vessel for major questions. The Courage to Question Criostoir OFlynn stands as a testament to the union of faith and freedom. In an age when conformity was praised as virtue, he chose inquiry; when silence was safety, he chose speech. Writing in Irish, he expanded a universe, not preserved a relic; writing in English, he entered conversation, not capitulation. He loved his country enough to challenge it, his church enough to question it, and his craft enough to risk obscurity. In every line, one conviction resounds: truth is not the enemy of faith, and literature is not the servant of comfort. Through courage, contradiction, and conscience, Criostoir OFlynn invites us still - in both languages of the Irish soul - to think, to speak, and to listen. In Retrospect In remembering OFlynn we are reminded that the measure of a writer is not in the ease of their acceptance but in the depth of their questions and the endurance of their voice. His work, forged in the tensions of language, faith, and society offers future generations not ready-made answers but the harder gift of dialogue - with the past, with conscience, and with each other. That is his lasting legacy: a body of work that does not merely speak for Ireland, but speaks with Ireland, urging us to honour complexity, to safeguard our languages, and to face our own uncertainties with honesty and courage. COLOMBO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Sri Lanka on Thursday celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research at a workshop held in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital. The 10th China-Sri Lanka Joint Workshop on Climate Change and Maritime Sustainable Development, hosted by the center, took place from Thursday to Friday. More than 200 experts and scholars from countries including China, Sri Lanka, Australia and the Maldives participated in the event. The workshop looked back on the center's development following its establishment in 2015. Over the past decade, it has enabled China and Sri Lanka to engage in close cooperation in areas such as the observation of the Indian Ocean, maritime natural disaster forecast, safe potable water, and the cultivation of professionals. Addressing the workshop, Zhu Yanwei, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, noted that science and maritime cooperation are important parts of China-Sri Lanka friendly cooperation. He added that China is willing to work more closely with Sri Lanka, break new ground in bilateral sci-tech cooperation, and deliver greater benefits to both peoples. Participants of the workshop also held in-depth exchanges and discussions regarding multiple topics, including the impact of climate change on the Indian Ocean, monitoring of the ecosystem and environment, and disaster prevention in coastal areas. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 25 (ANI): Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has announced that its subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence Limited, will form a joint venture company with Facebook Overseas, Inc., a wholly owned arm of Meta Platforms, Inc. The new entity, named Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL), will focus on developing, marketing and distributing enterprise AI services, according to a company statement released on Saturday. Also Read | Reliance assessing impact of UK, US curbs on Russian oil import As per the amended and restated joint venture agreement, Reliance Intelligence will hold 70 per cent, while Facebook will own the remaining 30 per cent stake in REIL. The two partners have jointly committed an initial investment of approximately 855 crore, marking a significant collaboration between two of the world's largest conglomerates. Reliance-Facebook JV REIL was officially incorporated in India on October 24, 2025, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Intelligence. The company will serve as the joint venture vehicle for the partnership with Facebook. Reliance Intelligence has subscribed to 20,00,000 equity shares, amounting to 2 crore towards the initial capital. Reliance Intelligence will invest an amount of 2 crore towards initial subscription of 20,00,000 equity shares of 10 each, the release noted. Also Read | Reliance's oil imports from Russia to take a hit after US sanctions on top firms RIL clarified that the transaction does not fall under the category of related party transactions, and none of its promoters or group companies have any direct or indirect interest in the deal. The company also stated that no governmental or regulatory approvals were required for the incorporation of REIL. The transaction does not fall within related party transaction and none of the Company's promoter/ promoter group/ group companies have any interest in the above transaction, the release said. The intimation regarding the incorporation was received from Reliance Intelligence on October 24, 2025, at 1:19 p.m. (IST). The company said this step follows its earlier disclosures made on August 29, 2025, and September 10, 2025. Through this partnership, both companies aim to strengthen their enterprise technology capabilities and explore opportunities in AI-based solutions for businesses. Also Read | Reliance Q2 results: 5 key highlights from RIL Q2 earnings The development highlights the increasing importance of artificial intelligence in enterprise solutions and signals a strategic move by both firms to position themselves in this emerging field. Reliance Q2 Results Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Friday reported a 14.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated net profit at 22,092 crore for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, driven by strong performances across its Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C), digital services, and retail businesses. The company's consolidated revenue rose 10 per cent YoY to 2,83,548 crore, while quarterly consolidated EBITDA grew 14.6 per cent to 50,367 crore. The growth was supported by higher throughput in the O2C segment, strong consumer demand, and continued traction in Jio's digital operations. Commenting on the results, Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, said, Reliance delivered a robust performance during 2QFY26 led by strong contribution from O2C, Jio and retail businesses. Consolidated EBITDA registered 14.6% growth on a Y-o-Y basis, reflecting agile business operations, domestic-focused portfolio and structural growth in Indian economy. Cognizant Technology Solutions CEO Ravi Kumar S has said that the rise in Artificial Technology would create various job opportunities for employees at the entry level a far cry from many of his peers who fear that AI will steal most jobs in the upcoming years. In an interview with Fortune, the Cognizant CEO said that is company is approaching a different way to hire its entry-level employees. Rethinking your assumptions in a world which is moving at a high pace is important. I think well need more school graduates in the AI era, he told the magazine, highlighting the importance of entry-level jobs in the AI era. Why will Cognizant hire school graduates? According to Ravi Kumar S, many companies have a pyramid where the school graduates are at the bottom, and this pyramid is going to change into a manner that more experts are produced. So many companies have a pyramid with the bottom where school graduates are. That pyramid is going to be broader and shorter, and the path to expertise is going to be faster, he said. The Cognizant CEO noted that undergrad education can be revamped in a way so that it can be more focussed on using AI tools. Its going to be faster if you can rewire your K-12 schooling system with lifelong learners and make undergrad education much more about using AI tools and creating interdisciplinary skills, he said. Also Read | Meta sacks Indian woman within nine months of hiring, shares ordeal This year, we are hiring more school graduates than ever before. I can take a school graduate and give them the tooling so they can actually punch above their weight. AI is an amplifier of human potential. Its not a displacement strategy, Kumar added. Who is getting hired at Cognizant? Talking further about the type of students Cognizant is going to hire, Ravi Kumar S said that the focus will be more on interdisciplinary skills. If Im a historian, I could blend it with computational skills and become a futurist. If I am a biology major, I could crack drug development cycles and disease using computational skills, he said. The Cognizant CEO said that a large part of work is based on problem solving, and departments around problem solvers have been created. AI is an amplifier of human potential. Its not a displacement strategy. These departments were mostly in the non-STEM categories, while at the core of the enterprise was STEM disciplines. Indian multinational tech company, Zoho Corporation's founder and chief scientist, Sridhar Vembu, in a social media post, urged the Indians living abroad to return to their nation amid the talk about immigrants in foreign nations. In a post on X, Zoho's Sridhar Vembu questioned Indians abroad about why should people stay somewhere where they don't feel welcomed. He said that India needs its people back and the nation has the potential to become a strong and prosperous country. From the migrant perspective, why stay where you are not welcome? Bharat Mata wants you, needs you and welcomes you! Come home, let's create a strong and prosperous Bharat, said Vembu in his post. Indians as immigrants Zoho's chief scientist, Sridhar Vembu, sharing another social media post on X, said that Indian immigrants make up for the highest fiscal contribution to their host country. Vembu's reference was to a chart made by Daniel Di Martino, who is a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and focuses his work on publications related to immigration policy and reforms in the United States. Daniel Di Martino's research showed that Indian immigrants have contributed to more than $1.6 million to the positive 30-year fiscal impact, among other nations. Indian immigrants have ranked higher in terms of fiscal impact than people coming from China, the Philippines, Colombia, etc. Also Read | Sridhar Vembu feels rethink required to make AI energy efficient for India Sridhar Vembu also shared how he hopes that India retains its best offerings in reserve for the next generation, which will help to attract some talent which has left the nation. Indian immigrants make the highest fiscal contribution to their host nation, as the chart below shows. India sent her best. I hope India retains its best in the next generation. India also should attract some of the talent that left, said Vembu in his post. Trump's immigration crackdown Mint reported earlier that the US President Donald Trump cracked down on immigrants by imposing a one-time $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas for high-skill foreign professionals who want to work in the United States. This comes at a time when the Trump administration aims to end the practice where foreign workers come to the US to take jobs from hard-working Americans. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that the immigrants exploit the US economy without making meaningful contributions. The federal government's crackdown wants to ensure that the foreign workers provide a significant benefit to the nation's economy and its people. US and Chinese officials began a fresh round of negotiations to de-escalate tensions between the two largest economies ahead of US President Donald Trump's and Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled meeting next week. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have initiated a new round of trade negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, preparing for a potential meeting between the leaders of the US and China, Bloomberg reported. The officials are expected to discuss issues crucial to China-US economic and trade relations, according to reports citing China's Ministry of Commerce. This meeting in Kuala Lumpur represents the fifth in-person discussion between He and Bessent amid growing trade tensions since April. Focus on soybeans, tariffs and rare earth minerals Key areas such as soybeans, tariffs and rare earth minerals have been a concern between the US and China. When we finish our meetings in South Korea, Trump said, referring to a planned summit with Xi before or during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum this month, China and I will have a really fair and really great trade deal together. I want them to buy soybeans. I think were going to end up having a fantastic deal with China. Its going to be fantastic for both countries, and its going to be fantastic for the entire world. US-China tensions escalated this month due to a series of economic sanctions, export restrictions, and Trumps threat of 100% tariffs. Beijing announced a significant expansion of its export controls on rare earth elements, essential raw materials for many high-tech products. This move was seen by many as a response to the US broadening its Entity List, which flags foreign entities that Washington considers a national security or foreign policy threat. Also Read | How to beat Trump tariffs? IMF urges Asia to integrate regional trade All options are on the table, Bessent said in an interview with Fox Business Network. He hoped both sides would resolve some of their differences and the presidents could enter their talks on a more positive note. It would be a shame to waste their first in-person meeting during President Trumps second term trying to get past some problems, rather than moving towards a more constructive dialogue between the US and China, he said. We have a lot to talk says Trump ahead of meeting with Xi Speaking on the upcoming meeting with Xi, Trump told reporters, "...We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think we'll have a good meeting." He added, I will be talking about Taiwan. I won't go there, but I will be talking about it. Lot of respect for Taiwan Top economic officials from the U.S. and China will face off in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to try to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will seek to find a way forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for China's vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. The recent actions, which also include an expanded U.S. export blacklist that covers thousands more Chinese firms, have disrupted a delicate trade truce crafted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng over four previous meetings since May. The three officials on Saturday will try to pave the way for Trump and Xi to meet next Thursday at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, a high-stakes conversation that could revolve around some interim relief on tariffs, technology controls and Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans. First, He, Bessent and Greer must find a way to mitigate their dispute over China's rare earths controls and U.S. technology export curbs, said Josh Lipsky, international economics chair at the Atlantic Council in Washington. "The meeting can't happen without an agreement that they can return to this intermediate ceasefire that we've had over the summer," Lipsky said, adding that the U.S. wants to reverse and end China's new rare earths controls. "I'm not sure the Chinese can agree to that. It's the primary leverage that they have," Lipsky said. The Malaysian government and the U.S. and Chinese sides have provided very few details about the Kuala Lumpur meeting or any plans to brief the media about outcomes. The meeting's venue was not confirmed until Chinese officials began arriving at the Merdeka 118 tower, the second-tallest building in the world. Some of those announcements may fall to Trump, who is due to arrive in the Malaysian capital on Sunday. "We won't know if Beijing has successfully counterbalanced the U.S.'s export controls with restrictions of their own or if they've induced a continuation of an escalatory spiral until Trump and Xi meet," said Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "If they make a deal, their gambit will have paid off. If there's no deal, then everyone will need to prepare for things to get much nastier," Kennedy said. RARE EARTHS STRANGLEHOLD The world's two largest economies are seeking to avoid a return of their tariff escalation to triple-digit levels on both sides that exploded in April when Trump imposed broad global tariffs. China also responded to Trump's tariffs by cutting off rare earths supplies to U.S. buyers. Bessent and Greer's first meeting with He in Geneva in May led to a 90-day truce, which brought down tariffs sharply to about 55% on the U.S. side and 30% on the Chinese side and restarted the flow of magnets. The truce was extended in subsequent talks in London and Stockholm and was due to expire on November 10. But the delicate truce frayed at the end of September, when the U.S. Commerce Department vastly expanded a U.S. export blacklist to automatically include firms more than 50% owned by companies already on the list, banning U.S. exports to thousands more Chinese firms. China struck back with the new global rare earth export controls on October 10, aiming to prevent their use in military systems by requiring export licenses for products using Chinese rare earths or rare earth refining, extraction or processing technology developed by Chinese firms. Bessent and Greer blasted China's move as a "global supply chain power grab" and vowed the U.S. and its allies would not accept the restrictions. Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering a plan to up the ante with curbs on a dizzying array of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines, according to sources familiar with the deliberations. The Trump administration added to the tension on Friday by announcing a new tariff probe into China's "apparent failure" to meet the terms of the 2020 U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement that halted their trade war during Trump's first term. The move could create an additional legal authority for Trump to further increase tariffs on Chinese imports. China committed to major increases in purchases of U.S. farm products, manufactured goods, energy and services in the 2020 deal, but the targets were never met. Punaichak/Patna: Walking through narrow lanes littered with garbage and clogged drains, a young woman from the group announces over a loudspeaker, Aapka button kahan dabega, teen taara jahan rahega. Its 8 AM on a Wednesday. With a hint of October nip in the air, this group of women with a few men scattered here and there fan out through Punaichak, an urban neighbourhood in Digha, seeking votes for Divya Gautam for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. Divya, 34, is the CPI(ML) Liberation candidate for the Digha seat in Patna, which will go to the polls on 6 November - the first of the two election phases. The second phase is scheduled on 11 November. The results will be declared on 14 November. The poll symbol of the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation (CPI-ML Liberation)in Bihar is a flag with three stars. The party is a state-recognised party in Bihar, which entitles it to a reserved symbol in the state As Divya, her neck draped in flower garlands, walks past rows of houses, she gestures toward the overflowing, uncovered drains. These are the real issues here, she tells this reporter while campaigning. What's Sushant Singh Rajput's Connection? Divya, a theatre artist and former leader of the All India Students' Association (AISA), is also a cousin of the late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Though Divya has tried to stay away from the link, she takes pride in what the Kai Po Che actor, who died on 14 June 2020, at his Bandra residence, had achieved in life. As Divya, her neck draped in flower garlands, walks past rows of houses, she gestures toward the overflowing, uncovered drains We could not have imagined that someone would make it so big in Bollywood. Thats what makes us proud, and thats what matters, says Divya. Divya, Bhavya, and Prerna, daughters of Sushants mother Ushas brother, Bhupendra Kumar Singh, are the three cousins with whom Sushant grew up in Patna. Divya had met Sushant in 2019 when he last visited Patna, his hometown. Sushants death case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following demands from the family. Nearly five years after Sushants death, the CBI filed the closure report in March 2025, clearing Rhea Chakraborty and other accused individuals named in the FIR. He reached there through his own hard work, not because of nepotism. I draw inspiration from him showing that dedication and effort can bring real change. He is my brother, and I am proud of him. As an artist, I continue with my theatre work while keeping his memory alive, Divya says as she moves to the next leg of her campaign on Wednesday afternoon. Who is Divya Gautam? Born in Saharsa, Divya studied journalism from Patna college, where she was active in theatre and cultural groups. She lost the Patna University Students' Union election in 2012 as a candidate of the AISA. The same year, she was part of Bekhauf Azaadi, a street play on women's safety after the 2012 Delhi Gangrape case. Divya has also completed a master's degree in Womens Studies from TISS, Hyderabad. She served as an assistant professor at Patna Women's College and also worked as a supply inspector at the Food and Consumer Protection Department of the Bihar government before quitting. Divya has acted in Italian dramatist Dario Fos plays while pursuing her PhD on Caste, class and masculinity in Bhojpuri stardom from BITS Pilani. Divya had met Sushant in 2019 when he last visited Patna, his hometown. Divya has been an active member of Left cultural groups for quite some time. She is known as a theatre artist, academic, and activist before entering the assembly polls this year. While Sushant is her first inspiration, Gautam is also inspired by Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, whose famous movie Children of Heaven had an impact on her life. How has Digha voted in the past? How has Digha voted in the past? Known for its mango orchards during the British era, Digha is one of the 14 seats in Patna district, falling under the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, represented by the BJP since 2009, first by Shatrughan Sinha for two terms and, now by Ravi Shankar Prasad. Comprising six panchayats and 14 wards, Digha is Bihar's largest assembly constituency, with 400 booths and approximately 4 lakh voters. Dominated by the Kayastha caste, Digha has been an NDA stronghold since 2010. Janata Dal United's Punam Devi won in 2010, bagging 62 per cent of the votes. Since then, Sanjeev Chaurasiya of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been winning this seat in two successive elections. Chaurasiya won the seat in 2015 when JD-U was not an NDA partner. He then defeated JD-U's Rajeev Ranjan Prasad by over 35000 votes. In 2020, Chaurasiya secured 57 per cent of the votes and defeated CPI(ML) L candidate Shashi Yadav, who garnered approximately 30 per cent of the votes for the seat. Who is Divya up against? This time, Divya is up against Sanjeev, apart from Ritesh Ranjan Singh alias Bittu Singh from Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party. There is some resentment against the sitting MLA Chaurasiya. Also, Prashant Kishors party has fielded Bittu Singh, who wanted a BJP ticket. Bittu might damage Chaurasiyas chances, said Vikram. As Divya meets people, she discusses topics such as drainage, cleanliness, health, and education. She also discusses women's rights. They think they can buy women by giving 10,000. What about the urban women who have to depend on their male members to make ends meet, she says when asked about women-centric schemes by the incumbent Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The CPI (ML) Liberation is part of the opposition alliance 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, which also comprises the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, the party secured 12 seats. It also won two Lok Sabha seats from Bihar in the 2024 general election. We could not have imagined that someone would make it so big in Bollywood. And we all know he reached there on his own. Thats what makes us proud and thats what matters. The party has fielded 20 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, nominating all 12 of its sitting MLAs. She has been talking about real issues. She comes across as educated women who has good ideas. But as you know, Digha is an urban seat and we know where urban voters of Patna have been voting in last many elections, says Vikram Anand, a local businessman in the Digha assembly. Bihar Election Results Today: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav started the campaign trail soon after he was declared chief ministerial candidate by the oppositions Mahagathbandhan for the upcoming Bihar Elections. Yadav, 35, spoke exclusively with LiveMint at his residence on 1 Polo Road in Patna last month, during his extensive campaigning. Bihar voted in two phases 6 November and 11 November. The vote counting is scheduled today. The Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance, comprising seven opposition parties, including the RJD and the Congress, challenged the incumbent NDA, led by the Janata Dal United and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the two-phase elections. The former Deputy Chief Minister told Mint that the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government has lost public trust, and Bihar is ready for a change. Tejashvi, son of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, dismisses any talk of delay or confusion in announcing his candidature and insists the Mahagathbandhan is united, unlike the NDA, which has not declared a CM face. Excerpts from the interview: Q: You are the first CM candidate of the Bihar elections. How do you see elections going? A: People of Bihar are fed up with the NDA, and they want to see a change in government. We are fairly certain that people will choose the Mahagathbandhan this time. This time, we have to build a new Viksit Bihar and eradicate unemployment and migration. Q: You were declared the CM candidate of Mahagathbandhan just a few days ago. Why was there a delay? A: Who says there was a delay? There is a time and a place for everything. In fact, we are ahead of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). They have not announced the name of any CM candidate. We are clear, and there is no confusion in the alliance. And let me tell you, people of Bihar have no confusion either. Q: So, all is very good within the alliance? Was Congress hesitant to name you? A: No. There was and is nothing like that. In fact, the alliance partners, including the Congress, had long decided to make me the chairperson of the Mahagathbandhan coordination committee. In the 2020 elections, too, we were clear on this, and they trusted me. So, where is the confusion? Everything has already been decided. We were waiting for the proper time. Q: Any issues with ticket distribution? A: See, we are part of a pre-poll alliance. It is true that all parties want to contest in as many seats as possible. However, many considerations must be taken into account. Factors such as winnability, composition, and many other considerations must be taken into account. That is how alliances work. It is an old alliance. It is a successful alliance. Q: There is an issue called friendly fight in some seats within the alliance. How do you deal with it? A: These are non-issues. There are 243 seats in Bihar. It doesn't matter if we have friendly fights at 4-5 seats with candidates from different alliance partners. On Friendly Contests The INDIA bloc had friendly contests in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand, and we won both the elections. Like I said, it is not an issue at all. A Muslim Dy CM face? Q: Mukesh Sahani of the VIP is the deputy CM candidate. Some people are questioning, why not a Muslim face to represent a larger spectrum of the population? A: Do you remember what Ashok Gehlot ji said while announcing the CM and Deputy CM faces at the press conference? He clearly said that we will have more Deputy CM faces in the alliance. The BJP has issues with a representative from the EBCs being declared a Deputy CM face. Their IT cell has been trolling us for not naming a representative from a community they would otherwise call infiltrators. Q: So you're suggesting there will be a Muslim Deputy CM face too? A: We are not ruling out that possibility. Let's wait and watch. It can be from any community. Q: Nitish Kumar has been announcing many schemes for women. And we know that women are an important voting bloc? What do you have to say? A: Nitish Kumar is leading a copycat government. We said we would give 200 free electricity units. They NDA announced 125 free units. We promised a cash scheme for women, and they began giving each woman 10,000 to start a business. Tell me, how can someone start a business with just 10,000? The NDA is exploiting the women voters of Bihar. And women are aware of this. Q: You also promised schemes for women and others? A: Yes, we did promise to regularise community mobiliser Jeevika Didis. We have also promised a government job to every family that does not have any member in government service. Q: Where will the money come from for these government jobs? A: I do not make announcements without research and expert advice. Last time, they also raised questions when we had promised jobs. And we created 5 lakh jobs during the 17 months I was Deputy CM. We will deliver what we promise. Q: The opposition has revived the Jungle Raj allegation against your party. How do you counter this claim? A: There was an incident recently when a person from a backward community was beaten up, and the opposition had to intervene to get an FIR registered. Isn't this jungle raj? Q: Even PM Modi has been targeting your party on law and order. How would you address this if you were to come to power? A: PM Modi doesnt say anything positive. His speeches are filled with negativity. Yesterday, while speaking in Samastipur, he spoke about the internet and reels. He has nothing concrete to say. On Law and Order What did his government at the centre do in 11 years, and what did Nitishji do in 20 years? Why are factories going to Gujarat? Why are factories not being set up in Bihar? They want factories in Gujarat and victories in Bihar. That is what their strategy is. We have promised to bring industry, SEZs. IT parks, IT-based industry. This can be done when law and order are under control. I will not compromise on law and order. And like I said, I deliver what I promise. Q: Nitish Kumar was the CM when you were the deputy CM last time. You called him chacha. Now you say he won't be the CM. What makes you say so? A: Chacha (uncle) has been hijacked by the BJP. The BJP is using his health condition to gain sympathy and is merely cashing in on his face value. I still maintain, he wont be the CM. When the BJP made Modi the face of the 2014 elections, Nitishji withdrew NDA support, and today, he touches the feet of Modi. Q: Will you ever work with JD-U again? A: Like I said, JD-U has become a cell of the BJP. It is finished. We cannot work with it again. I respect Nitish ji. But he has changed a lot. On Prashant Kishor Q: There is a buzz about Prashant Kishor and his party. How do you see it? A: Democracy gives the right to the people to contest. Everyone can come and fight. People of Bihar will decide who they want to win the elections. Q: Less than two weeks in the first phase of polls. Do we see the INDIA bloc leaders campaigning? A: Yes, yes, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will campaign. Akhilesh Yadav will also join. We started the campaign (Vote Adhikar Yatra) with Rahul Gandhi ji. That momentum will pick up after the Chhath festival is over. When Tejashwi becomes CM, 14 crore people of Bihar will become CMs. Q: What is your prediction for 14 November, the day when the results will come. Will Bihar see Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Minister? A: Mahagathbandhan will make the next government of Bihar. And as for the chief minister, when Tejashwi Yadav becomes CM, 14 crore people of Bihar will become CMs the change makers. For more than 20 months during the two-year war in Gaza, Dr. Ahmad Mhanna was locked away in Israels prison network with thousands of other Palestinians taken from Gaza. When he returned to the enclave earlier this month as part of a prisoners-for-hostages exchange deal, he said he left one grim reality for another. Life in Gaza, like prison, has been torturous, full of suffering and hunger," Mhanna said. In prison I hadnt experienced feeling a full stomach in more than 600 days. I came to learn that my wife, who was in Gaza the whole time, hadnt either." Roughly 1,700 Palestinians detained by Israel in the past few years have recently returned to Gaza. Many are trying to re-acclimate into a shattered society and figure out what is next. Two months after the deadly Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, the Israeli Parliament passed an amendment that extended how long alleged unlawful combatants could be held without access to legal counsel or without being brought before a judge. The Israeli military has since 2023 detained thousands of Palestinians under the law, which defines an unlawful combatant as a person who has participated either directly or indirectly in hostile acts against Israel. Former detainees said they often went extended periods without information on their relatives or the war in Gaza. Some disappeared without their families knowing where they were or whether they were alive. They were held without being formally charged or tried, and entered a detention network where their cases were based on evidence to which the defendants and their lawyers, if they had one, didnt get access, said Jessica Montell, executive director of HaMoked, an Israeli legal and human-rights organization. We dont exactly know what the bar for being detained is, because it is all based on secret evidence," said Montell. It is very rare for the detainees to have a lawyer present. Many Gazans we spoke with didnt even know they were being held as unlawful combatants." The Israeli military said Israeli law grants detainees the right to legal representation, and that classified information is used during its investigations. For reasons relating to safeguarding information security and sources, it is understood that classified intelligence information cannot be provided to the detainee," the military said in a statement. Alaa Sarraj, a 34-year-old freelance journalist covering the war, said he was detained at an Israeli checkpoint in November 2023. At the time, he was using a corridor to flee Israeli strikes after experiencing a near miss in Gaza City, he said. After several field interrogation sessions, he was taken into the Israeli prison system. Hundreds of Palestinians remain held under the law, which rights groups say has led to arbitrary detentions. The Wall Street Journal has reported on detainees experiencing harsh treatment, including beatings, psychological abuse, food deprivation, crowded and unsanitary conditions, and being denied requests for medical care and legal counsel. The Israel Prison Service said it isnt aware of such treatment occurring under its watch, adding that it operates in accordance with the law, and that the rights of inmates are upheld, including access to medical care and adequate living conditions." The Israeli military said in a statement that detainees found to not be involved in terrorism are released back into the Gaza Strip and that the use of violence against detainees is prohibited. The Israeli Supreme Court in September ordered the Israel Prison Service to address inadequate food levels in its facilities. Mhanna, who was working as director of Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza during the first months of the war, said Israeli soldiers accused his hospital of harboring militants, which led to his detention in December 2023. The doctor denied the allegation and said he was given access to an attorney only twice in two years. His home is in Gaza Citys Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, which prewar was a more affluent district that roughly translates to Windy Hill." He wasnt able to recognize streets that he once saw as full of life. What I came back to was a hill of rubble and sand," said Mhanna, whose family has been displaced from the area to Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. He is now hoping to find a way to send his teenage children to live in Egypt or Jordan, so that they can continue their education. In Gaza there are essentially no schools, no universities left," he said. Mhanna, on the other hand, says he plans to stay in Gaza because of the acute need for medical professionals. I am stayingthere is a lot of work to do," he said. I just need 10 days or so to rest and recover." They pinned on me the accusation of belonging to Hamas. They said I was a journalist who spreads false reports," said Sarraj, who denied the accusations and said he has no political affiliations. During his nearly two years in prison, months would go by without Sarraj having any news on his five young children. Now reunited in Gaza, Sarraj says he is trying to remind his children he is their father. They are shy around me, especially the twinsthey were just one-year-old when I was imprisoned. They are three now," he said. When I actually got to see them in person, I couldnt believe it. They were so grown up." Sarraj reunited with other relatives, too, and said he learned of the deaths of an in-law, an uncle, a friend, his grandfather and a cousin, as well as the destruction of his home. Palestinian detainees said they had little sense that they would soon be free in the weeks before their release. News about cease-fire negotiations was scant. Hours before the exchange, the detainees say they received unexpected visitors: representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross, who soon facilitated their transfer back to Gaza. Even as they were loading us onto the bus, we didnt want to get our hopes up," Sarraj said. There were times where we would get excited about a possible release as we were being put on a bus, only to find out we were being transferred to another prison." Footage of the Palestinian detainees being released into Gaza, wearing gray prison sweat suits, shows them looking haggard and thinner compared with photos taken before they were detained. They were met by cheering crowds. While what some detainees described as a nightmare finally ended, their returns to Gaza have been bittersweet. Shadi Abu Sido, a 35-year-old Gazan released in October after being held in Israeli custody since March 2024, said he didnt recognize the enclave as he rode in a Red Cross convoy. I kept asking the Red Cross, Where am I? This cant be Gaza. This looks like the end of the world," he said. Sleep escapes Abu Sido, he said. I wake up in the middle of the night from nightmares," he said. I am haunted by what I have seen." Abu Sido said he found his home in Gaza in pieces. Now I am trying to rebuild my life. I am looking for a tent and cant find one," he said. I came out of one hell and into another." Write to Omar Abdel-Baqui at omar.abdel-baqui@wsj.com Okinawa, an archipelago that stretches from just below Japans main islands almost to Taiwan, means different things to different people. For many Japanese visitors, Okinawa, with its white stretches of sand and tropical climate, makes for an ideal, no-fuss beach vacation. For Americans, it is a name from history, the site of one of World War IIs fiercest battlesand still home to a large U.S. military population. And for Okinawans, it is a homeland, a place with its own language, culture and cuisine separate from the rest of Japan. Given the islands split personality, a visit can induce whiplash: One moment youre under palm trees listening to the delicate plucking of sanshin string music, the next youre driving through a stretch of shops and fast-food joints more nostalgically American than most corners of the U.S. On a recent trip, I realized that this complexity, even dissonance, makes Okinawa one of the most fascinating and unusual places to visit in Japan right now. Bonus: Few Americans and Europeans go, so it feels much less congested than hot spots like Kyoto. On this visit, my fourth, I focused on Okinawa Honto, Okinawas largest island, a three-hour flight from Tokyo and home to great beaches and to Naha, the capital city. When I first encountered Naha, 20 years ago, it felt like a one-street resort town, littered with souvenir shops and steakhouses. This time, Stephen Lyman, a Japanese spirits expert and importer, steered me away from Kokusai-dori, the tourist strip, and sent me in search of a young Okinawan bartender named Koji Higa. Following clues picked up from Instagram, I climbed some hills above the towns main street and wandered through a quiet residential neighborhood, looking for his bar. After clambering up three flights of a dark apartment-building stairwell, I entered Higatei, which celebrates all things awamori, an Okinawan rice-based spirit. View Full Image Bar owner Koji Higa prepares an awamori-based cocktail at his bar, Higatei. Higa greeted me at the door and proceeded to pour me some of his favorite long-aged awamoris. I had read that nearly all awamori distilleries and stockpiles were destroyed in 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. I asked Higa about the industrys struggles to recover. Its taken 80 years, since the end of the war, for awamori to re-establish its cultural presence," he said. The real story begins now." The U.S. military occupied Okinawa until 1972 and though the archipelago constitutes only 0.6% of the countrys landmass, it still hosts more than half of all U.S. military personnel in Japan. Curious to see the effect of all that Americanness, I drove north from Naha to Makiminato, a place once dominated by American bases, off-base housing and base-adjacent businesses. Though the military presence has since mostly relocated farther north and behind barbed wire, a bizarre, lingering, nostalgic version of an older America persists there. Below a giant mural featuring a white woman in an A&W cap, dozens of visitors from Japan and elsewhere in Asia waited in line outside Makiminatos A&W Drive-In, which has preserved all of the old-school drive-in infrastructure but now operates like an ordinary fast-food joint. Inside, customers sipped root beer flats and ate cheeseburgers. View Full Image A&W Makiminato retains all its original drive-in infrastructure. Down the road, I found one of the first locations of Blue Seal, a chain of ice cream parlors that was started on a U.S. base in 1948 by an American dairy conglomerate, but lives on independently in Okinawa. Nearby, I pulled into King Tacos to sample a peculiar hybrid cuisine born out of the long intermingling of American, Japanese and Okinawan culinary traditions. The story goes that in the early 1980s, at a now-closed branch of King Tacos, which catered to American soldiers, chef Matsuzo Gibo created what has become an iconic dish across Japan: Okinawan taco rice, consisting of minced beef and other taco toppings, liberally seasoned, served atop a bed of Japanese white rice. The crunch of the iceberg lettuce and the familiar taste of sliced American cheese reminded me of the Old El Paso brand taco kits my mom used to serve in the 80sabout 7,000 miles away. Most visitors to Okinawa arrive at the resort-lined Motobu Peninsula in the north and never leave. I took one look at the giant, corporate beach resorts and kept moving. I followed a small road into the tree-covered village of Bise, where I found B&B Pastoral. The owners, who also run a book and crafts shop, escorted me to my room in an annex made of wood, with clean lines that converged on large windows. The room smelled strongly of cedar, which came from an oval soaking tub at the center of the bathroom. That afternoon, I visited Yamakawa Shuzo Distillery where I saw the awamori renaissance in action. The distillerys third-generation owner, Munekuni Yamakawa, explained his mission: to age his awamori as long as possible in the hopes of re-creating the taste of the awamori that had been lost after World War II. The next morning, after a soak in the cedar tub, I ventured out for breakfast at Tida Moon, a restaurant recommended by Higa, the bar owner in Naha. The tray that emerged from the kitchen was a highlight reel of Okinawan cuisine, prepared by Fumiaki Takada, a Tokyo chef versed in French, Italian and Japanese cooking. Thin slivers of pigs ears came with long-cooked pork belly. In one corner, sauteed bitter gourdin another, briny sea grapes. For years weve been coming here to Okinawa," said Takada, referencing his partner, who helps run the restaurant. But last year we finally decided to open this restaurant. I found someone to teach me Okinawan home cooking and thats what we serve for breakfast. We are obsessed with Okinawa and its culture and cuisine." View Full Image A breakfast spread at Tida Moon, which specializes in Okinawan cuisine as interpreted by a Tokyo chef. Later that day, I walked down Bises tree-lined streets until I reached a rocky shore, where locals gathered outside a tiny all-purpose grocery store. Nearby, tourists watched the sunset. I waded into the crystal-clear water, and felt a strong current pull me. At first I swam against it, trying to return to my entry point. Then, seeing that the current flowed toward a safe, if undefined, point along shore, I stopped fighting and let it take me where it would. Departing for his first Asia trip of his second term, President Trump publicly called for a meeting with a regional leader not on his diplomatic itinerary: North Koreas Kim Jong Un. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Malaysia, reiterated his openness to meeting Kim, asking the media to put out the word. Trump concludes his multi-stop trip to Asia in South Korea, where the president would be within roughly 250 miles from the Korean Demilitarized Zonesite of the two leaders last face-to-face encounter in 2019. In his overture on Friday evening, Trump seemed to suggest hed welcome extra help reaching out to the 41-year-old dictator. They have a lot of nuclear weapons, Trump said, but not a lot of telephone service. Recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state would be a dramatic shift in U.S. policy, which for decades has aimed to persuade Pyongyang to dismantle its arsenal with a mix of economic and diplomatic pressure. Ending that stance would usher in a new era in U.S. relations with North Korea, one where the two countries engage as fellow nuclear powers instead of fierce adversaries. That animosity has led to years of nuclear threats and driven North Korea into closer ties with China and Russia, with Pyongyang even sending troops to assist Russias invasion of Ukraine. Trump recalled the last time he met with Kim, he put it out over the internet that he was coming to South Korea and was open to a meeting. But when asked by a reporter about any plans to see Kim, Trump said the dictator hasnt been in contact. Two senior U.S. officials said the Trump administration hadnt sent Kim an invitation for a meeting. Trumps remark to the press has been the only request, they said. Kim, who has been photographed with a smartphone, is no stranger to Trump. The two met three times during Trumps first term in 2018 and 2019. That included their rendezvous at the DMZ when Trump, while attending the Group of 20 summit in nearby Japan, floated an abrupt get-together on social media, an offer that surprised Trumps own advisers. The meeting came together within a day. The question now is whether Kim will accept the invitationand on what terms. He has fewer reasons to bend to Trump than in the past. The Trump administration has said it remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. But it hasnt presented a clear strategy of how to engage with the North, with turmoil in Europe and the Middle East grabbing much of the U.S.s focus. Last month, Kim issued his first direct response to Trumps overtures, expressing a willingness to discuss peaceful coexistence with the U.S., though he made it clear he wouldnt consider renouncing the countrys ever-expanding nuclear weapons program. Kim made the remarks in a lengthy policy speech to his rubber-stamp parliament on Sept. 21. I say denuclearization is the last, last thing to expect from us, Kim said. North Korean state media didnt have immediate comment on Trumps invitation. Asked about Pyongyangs desire to be recognized as a nuclear state, Trump acknowledged North Korea is sort of a nuclear power. I know how many weapons they have. I know everything about them, he said. They have a lot of nuclear weapons. Accepting North Korea as a nuclear state would create a dangerous precedent for the world, nonproliferation experts say. Other rogue nations with nuclear ambitions could feel emboldened to launch programs of their own. Accepting a nuclear-armed Pyongyang would prompt further calls from South Korea, Japan and other Washington allies to possess nuclear weapons for self-defense. Trump ordered the bombing of Irans nuclear facilities earlier this year to prevent the country from acquiring its first nuclear weapon. But some analysts have long argued that the U.S. could never persuade North Korea to part with its nuclear arsenal and missile program, as Pyongyang has spent decades developing both. No country would invest such time and resources just to give them up under sanctions and political pressure. Kim watches a military parade in Pyongyang, in a picture released this month by North Korean state media. Recognizing that North Korea is, and likely will remain, a nuclear power is simply the reality of Pyongyangs achievement, some current and former U.S. officials say. Trump is set to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday local time, before traveling next to Japan. He finishes the trip in South Korea, where he is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday. The leaders of the worlds two superpowers havent met in person since Trump took office in January. A Trump-Kim meeting would be a high-profile addition. It would represent the first formal engagement between the U.S. and North Korea in more than six years. During that time, Kim has dramatically expanded his nuclear arsenal, upgraded his weapons capabilities and drawn closer to Russia. North Korean hackers have stolen billions of dollars from cryptocurrency exchanges, providing much-needed funds for a regime facing sanctions punishing Pyongyang for its nuclear program. With Moscows support, the main United Nations panel overseeing enforcement of those sanctions was disbanded last year. The result is a Kim operating much differently from Trumps first term, when direct talks with the U.S. leader took priority to win sanctions relief for his cash-strapped nation. The North Korean leader has told his people to defy the economic struggles from sanctions. And Kims confidence in his countrys nuclear program is so strong that he has signaled a major policy shift next year, where advances in conventional weaponry will take equal footing with the nukes. Back then, Kim needed concessions from Trump, said Hwang Ji-hwan, a professor of international relations at the University of Seoul. Now, theres no motivation to seek concessions or negotiate with the U.S. If Kim is able to meet Trump without discussing denuclearization, the North Korean leader could spin the get-together as another sign of his legitimacy on the global stage. Just last month, Kim traveled to Beijing for a Chinese military parade where he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has repeatedly touted his close relationship with Kim, suggesting on the campaign trail last year that the North Korean leader missed him. During a White House visit by South Koreas president in August, Trump said he would like to meet Kim this year if possible. Any immediate meeting between Trump and Kim would likely be for political messaging rather than achieving substantial progress with North Korean denuclearization, said Jo Bee-yun, a security analyst at South Koreas Sejong Institute think tank. A Trump-Kim meeting may present North Koreas nuclear status as a fait accompli, she said. MOSCOW, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- A dam on a local reservoir in Russia's Belgorod was damaged in a strike by the Ukrainian armed forces, a local official said Saturday. "We understand that the enemy may attempt another strike to destroy the dam. If this occurs, there will be a risk of flooding the river floodplain from the Kharkiv region and several streets in our settlements, where approximately 1,000 residents live," Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on social media. He noted that due to the threat of flooding, the regional government "is beginning to offer temporary shelter in Belgorod to residents who face flood risks and have no other alternatives." On Friday, Gladkov said that Belgorod had been attacked by 47 drones, 35 of which were shot down and neutralized. Nine civilians were injured, including a 12-year-old boy. The U.S. opened a probe Friday into whether China complied with the trade deal struck during the first Trump term, marking the latest in a series of retaliatory measures the rivals have been preparing. The result is mounting concern among global companies, who expect significant effects on their businesses in China, even if the two sides achieve a new detente, or forge a trade pact. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer are set to meet with their Chinese counterparts Saturday to de-escalate a flare-up in tensions. Greers opening of a Section 301 investigation into Chinas compliance with the first trade deal is the most recent move, but Trump also has threatened 100% tariffs on top of those in force now. And a pause on three-digit tariffs the U.S. imposed earlier expires Nov. 10. China, meanwhile, has stopped buying U.S. soybeans and said it would further limit access to rare-earth metals, among a plethora of other measures that have received less attention in the press. China has also added U.S. companies to its blacklists that limit trade and transactions with named companies, opened antitrust probes into U.S. companies and laid the groundwork to extend its rare-earth restrictions to foreign companies that sell products to the U.S. Investors are betting the trade delegation will reduce the friction enough to allow for Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump to meet on Thursday and stabilize the relationship. The hope is they will be able to outline the contours of a potential deal. It could be some version of Beijing buying soybeans, approving the sale of TikToks U.S. business, and softening, if not scrapping, export controls on rare-earth metals. In exchange, the U.S. could lower tariffs related to fentanyl, delay the deadline for a tariff increase, and ease restrictions on Chinese companies and access to critical technology. A change in U.S. language about Taiwan is a possibility as well. Even with a deal, companies in the crossfire wont forget the increase in tensions. Lester Ross, a partner at WilmerHale who has spent decades representing companies operating in China, says the backdrop for western companies ranks as one of the toughest in his career. The prospects for American companies doing business in China are diminishing," Ross says. He argues that companies with supply chains in China need to be serious about diversifying, or tapping government support to bringing production onshore, if they can. The pressure comes from both sides. Though the Trump administration so far has taken a more transactional approach and Trump has spoken warmly of his relationship with Xi, analysts say many in Trumps orbit are intent on a managed de-risking, if not a decoupling, from China. They have prepared proposals for months and started unveiling them, including expanding the universe of Chinese companies on the U.S. entities list from about 3,000 to more than 10,000 by adding companies that are 50% or more owned by the firms already on the list. U.S. companies wouldnt be able to do business with those firms without seeking a license from the Commerce Department. It could destroy billions of dollars of commercial opportunities for U.S. companies, which is particularly troubling to those U.S. companies if their non-U. S. competitors dont face similar restrictions and are able to gain market share," says Andrew Shoyer, an international trade lawyer at Sidley Austin. The U.S. has also looked at expanding export restrictions, analysts say. Curbs could expand to include semiconductor-design systems, or even all items made globally that use U.S.-developed software. That could include the programs used in aircraft engines. The Bureau of Industry & Security could also reinstate a rule imposed under former President Joe Biden, but withdrawn by the Trump administration, that restricts Chinese customers from using U.S. data centers. That would limit Chinas ability to train its artificial-intelligence models with the most advanced chips. The move to restrict infrastructure as a service was controversial given the money in data centers but its now in interagency review," says Shoyer, who expects a decision in coming weeks. If reinstated even in a modified form, that would be very significant in its economic impact, especially if BIS extends the restriction to Chinese companies accessing data centers abroad using U.S. technology." The U.S. also could turn to financial sanctions and impose penalties on Beijing for its purchases of Russian oil. Trump has raised that possibility after earlier focusing on penalizing India, another big buyer of Russian crude. A spokesperson for the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry & Security didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. China is putting its own pressure on global companies with several measures similar to those the U.S. has introduced. For example, its new regime of export controls for critical minerals, scheduled to take effect Nov. 8, included its first assertion of extraterritorial jurisdiction. That means it is essentially extending restrictions to foreign-made, commercial products using Chinese rare earths or technology. It could affect semiconductors, autos, imaging machines for life sciences companies, and military equipment. China also recently added companies to its version of the U.S.s entity list, which restricts transactions between Chinese companies and those that are targeted. It has launched antitrust probes into Qualcomm and Nvidia. Increasingly, U.S. companies are worried that by obeying U.S. laws, they could run afoul of Chinese rules. Up until the past few weeks, most clients understood these laws were on the books, but the perception was that the Chinese government didnt want to pull the trigger," says Shoyer. But that perception has changed. Where this was a check-the-box type of exercise, it is now a point of real discussion of the risk. Theres a palpable risk of being stuck in the middle." A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Whether it is saber-rattling or not, the unveiling of these retaliatory tools reinforces the countries desire to build up their self-reliance. Beijing stressed that in its latest Five-Year Plan, while the U.S. flurry of rare- earth deals has the same aim. The rivalry is only intensifying and each kerfuffle, even if smoothed out, erodes trust between the two rivals. Write to Reshma Kapadia at reshma.kapadia@barrons.com Bank holiday today: Banks across India are scheduled to remain closed today, October 25, 2025, as it is the fourth Saturday of the month. According to the Reserve Bank of India region-wise holiday calendar (RBI) for the fiscal year 2025-26, banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays of the month. Banks are typically closed on the weekends except on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of a month. All scheduled and non-scheduled banks will observe public holiday on second and fourth Saturdays, RBI said. When are banks closed next? The next bank holiday is tomorrow, October 26, 2025, since it is a Sunday. Following the weekend holiday, banks will be closed on Monday, October 27, 2025, in some parts of the country due to Chath Puja, a Hindu festival that honours the Sun God, Surya, and his sister Chhati Maiya, who is believed to sustain life. Hence, in these regions, banks will be closed for three consecutive days. Also Read | Banks will be closed on these 15 days in October 2025 check full list When does RBI designate a bank holiday? The RBI designates bank holidays in various parts of the country to mark national, religious, and regional observances. Hence, bank holidays vary across regions. In addition to festivities, banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays of the month. Bank holidays in October 2025 In October 2025, the RBI designated 15 bank holidays across various regions of the country in addition to weekend holidays. Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, and Diwali are some of the observances when banks were closed in October 2025. Here's a list of upcoming bank holidays in October 2025 October 27 - Banks will be closed in Kolkata, Patna and Ranchi for Chath Puja. October 28 - Banks will remain shut in Patna and Ranchi for Chath Puja. October 31 - Banks will be closed in Ahmedabad for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday. Also Read | From next month you can have up to four nominees for your bank account & locker Are online banking services available during bank holidays? Customers must note that banks typically offer online banking services throughout India to ensure uninterrupted access to banking services, even on bank holidays. These services can be used for convenient financial transactions. Fund transfer requests can be made using NEFT/RTGS transfer forms, demand draft request forms, and chequebook forms. Credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards can be obtained through card services. Other services, such as account maintenance forms, setting up standing instructions, and applying for a locker, are also available. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a new framework to regulate how banks fund mergers and acquisitions (M&As), bringing acquisition financing under stricter prudential norms. The draft circular, released on 24 October, aims to prevent excessive risk-taking in large corporate buyouts and ensure that banks maintain adequate capital buffers while lending for such deals. The move comes as India sees a surge in corporate dealmaking funded largely by private credit. By defining a framework for bank participation, the RBI seeks to balance growth in buyout financing with systemic stability. On 1 October, the central bank had first proposed allowing banks to fund corporate buyouts as part of its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies released alongside the monetary policy statement. The 24 October draft now details the prudential guardrails for such lending. Also Read | RBL-Emirates deal shows RBI is warming up to foreign capital Mint explores what the draft norms entail, how they could reshape M&A financing, and what bankers and experts think of the proposal. What has the RBI announced? Under the draft norms, banks capital market exposure, which includes loans for acquisition of shares, will be capped at 20% of their tier 1 capital. This is part of the RBIs broader attempt to ring-fence banks exposure to equity markets and make acquisition financing more prudent. RBI has proposed that only listed companies will be eligible to receive acquisition financing from banks, and that the debt-to-equity ratio of the acquiring company or the company being acquired must not exceed 3:1. Funding should be structured such that not more than 70% of the acquisition cost is financed through bank debt, and the remaining 30% must come from the acquirers own funds. For retail loans backed by shares, such as loans against shares for individuals, a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 60% will continue to apply, given the smaller ticket sizes and granular risk. The proposal also asks banks to assess the earnings capacity and debt serviceability of both the acquiring and acquired companies rather than rely solely on the debt-to-equity metric. These proposals are open for stakeholder comments until 30 November, after which the RBI will finalize the guidelines, which will come into effect from 1 April 2026. What does this mean? Acquisition financing, loans extended by banks to help companies buy controlling stakes in other firms, had so far operated in a relatively grey area, governed mainly by broad prudential limits on capital market exposure. The RBIs move now explicitly defines the conditions under which such funding can take place. This could potentially disrupt the fast-growing private credit industry in pricing and deal-picking, and over the long term, transform the way deals are structured. The proposal could have far-reaching implications for the booming private credit market, which has so far dominated Indias M&A financing landscape. On 6 October, Mint had reported that private credit growth has been strong in 2025. Total private credit deployment touched $9 billion across 79 deals in the first half of calendar 2025a 53% jump from the first half of 2024 and close to three times the value for the latter half of 2024, according to a report by EY in August. Also Read | Will a booming private credit market in India hurt if banks dive into it? The biggest of these was the $3.1 billion raised by Porteast Investment of the Shapoorji Pallonji Groupthe largest onshore private credit transaction in India to date. The proposed entry of bankswith their relatively larger balance sheets and readiness to lend amid muted corporate growthcould result in lower yields, looser terms, and weaker collateral structures. In some cases, enforcing collateral or ensuring debt coverage may be weaker than with traditional bank loans, experts told Mint. Banks, with their lower cost of funds, will also have a pricing advantage that private credit funds cannot match. Experts said this will likely force private lenders to rethink their value proposition to clients. Despite the proposed norms expected to open up capital for acquisition financing, some market participants remain sceptical and warn that this comes with a higher risk of bank exposure to certain corporates. If implemented, the move could rebalance Indias credit landscape, shifting part of the booming buyout financing market from opaque private lenders to the regulated banking system. Why is the RBI doing this? The RBIs rationale lies in curbing concentration risks. Loans for M&A financing are often secured only by the shares of the acquired company, making them inherently risky. If the companys valuation falls or the acquisition fails to generate expected synergies, banks could face losses. The regulator wants to avoid a scenario where aggressive financing of high-profile takeovers leads to stress in the banking system. Moreover, with Indian companies increasingly eyeing large buyouts, both domestic and cross-border, the central banks move seeks to pre-empt the build-up of systemic risk. What are market experts saying? Bankers and analysts have welcomed the intent behind the RBIs move but raised concerns about the rigidity of some thresholds. Analysts believe that debt-to-net-worth is not the only measure of riskthe acquiring companys cash flow and ability to service debt should carry more weight. A flat 3:1 cap may not be suitable across sectors. Similarly, they argue that the 70% funding cap could constrain deal-making. A 70:30 rule effectively sets a 70% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. But in acquisition finance, the security is shares of one company, which can be volatile," a senior bank executive said. Foreign banks, which have long dominated acquisition financing in India, may benefit if domestic banks face tighter constraints. Global lenders already have well-developed M&A lending frameworks and may continue to capture a larger share of this business if domestic lenders find the rules too restrictive, an investment banker said. Are banks ready for this move? Most large Indian banks are already conservative in their acquisition finance exposure and say the rules are manageable. However, they emphasize the need for clarity and flexibility. We are comfortable with risk-based underwriting, but the framework should allow banks to assess viability case by case," another bank executive said. According to experts, Indian banks current exposure to acquisition financing is limited, meaning the transition will be smooth. Still, some believe the move could slow deal momentum in the short term, especially for mid-sized corporates without deep capital reserves. Also Read | Kotak PE arm plans $2 bn fund amid rising private credit demand While the banking industry broadly agrees with the intent, it will likely seek tweaks, particularly to the 3:1 leverage and 70:30 funding rules, before the circular is finalized. The RBIs move, though aimed at caution, signals a growing appetite to let banks play a bigger role in Indias M&A boom, albeit under tight supervision. Hong Kong gave nod to its first exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the performance of the cryptocurrency token Solana, before the US, as the city aims to establish its status as a digital asset hub, according to a report by South China Morning Post. ChinaAMC (HK), the Hong Kong division of Chinese fund manager China Asset Management, began accepting subscriptions for its new spot Solana ETF on Wednesday, following approval from the Securities and Futures Commission last week. The ETF directly holds Solana and will start trading on Monday. According to the prospectus, it aims to offer returns that closely correspond to the token's performance before fees and expenses. SOL, the native token of the Solana blockchain network had a total market value just above US$100 billion, according to data from CoinGecko. SOL was trading at $194.35 at 1:08 pm on Saturday, October 24. The Solana network was established in 2017 and gained significant popularity in 2021 during the non-fungible token surge. It has since become one of Ethereum's main competitors, the report said. The ChinaAMC Solana ETF, Asia's first of its kind, enables trading in Hong Kong dollars, yuan, and US dollars. Canada introduced the worlds first Solana ETF in April, but the US has not yet approved any. The ETF aims to enhance the digital asset ambitions of Hong Kong, which have encountered a setback due to heightened scrutiny from Beijing amid excessive market enthusiasm over stablecoins and real-world asset tokenisation projects. In April last year, Hong Kong approved its first six spot crypto ETFs, overtaking the US in introducing spot ether ETFs. Indias retail investment landscape may be on the cusp of change, with a surge of first-timers ready to enter the equity markets. A fresh class of intenders," as identified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in a new study, is preparing to make the leap into equities in the next one year. The number of intenders could be as high as 39.7 million, according to calculations by Mint based on data from the survey. The study found that 22% of non-investors who are aware of securities market products have expressed interest in investing in the future. This, it said, represents significant opportunities to expand the countrys investor base. The Investor Survey 2025 was carried out by Kantar in association with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Association of Mutual Funds in India, National Stock Exchange of India, BSE, National Securities Depository Ltd and Central Depository Services Ltd and released in September. It covered 90,000 households nationally across 400 cities and 1,000 villages. The sample size was extrapolated to a household population of 337.2 million. According to the survey, intenders represent aspiring investors, eager to participate but often held back by barriers such as complexity, onboarding difficulties, or gaps in financial education. Among the total households, only 32.1 millionor 9.5%had invested in at least one securities market product. About 180.4 millionor 53.5%were aware of securities market products but had not invested, and the intenders belong to this group. The remaining 37% were unaware of investment products. Intenders accounted for 22% of the 180.4 million cohort, or 39.7 million, Mint calculated. Among the intenders, broadly 73% want easy options for investments. Of them, 41% are looking for simpler onboarding, an equal number want intuitive digital interfaces, and 38% cited the need for easier access to financial education (respondents could choose multiple preferences). The message was clear: interest is high, but participation is still daunting for many. Keeping it simple Brokers, AMCs (asset management companies), and fintechs are partly ready on scale but not simplicity," said Paramdeep Singh, an early investor in fintech startups and founder of investment vehicle Long Tail Ventures. With 73% of intenders citing complexity as a barrier, the next breakthrough will come not from new products but from design thinkingmaking investing as intuitive as UPI." While the markets digitization has set the stage, with low-ticket systematic investment plans (SIPs), vernacular apps, and goal-based tools now standard, simplicity hasnt fully caught up with access. Making small-value investing viable will require a sharper focus on cost structures. To make low-value investments viable, the cost of KYC, settlement and distribution must fall sharply," said Ajay Kejriwal, executive director at Choice Equity Broking. He added that intenders are looking for one-tap eKYC, UPI-based funding, 100 SIPs, and even fractional equityfeatures that require rethinking operational costs. Also Read | Retail derivatives traders continue to bleed This influx of prospective investors will add to Indias already high level of retail participation in the stock markets. The total number of dematerialised accountsneeded by investors to buy and sell securitiescrossed 207.1 million this year, up from 40.8 million in FY20, a fivefold increase in five years. The trend signals a democratization of Indias capital markets. The lure of the equity market remains strong, with particular popularity for derivatives trading and investing in initial public offers, which stand out as entry points for many new investors. Yet, rising enthusiasm is shadowed by steep trading losses, notably in the derivatives segment. In FY25, 9.6 million traders who participated in the equity derivatives segment lost 1.05 trillion, according to a survey conducted by Sebi in July 2025. This followed a survey in 2024, which showed that 91% of individual traders ended up in the red. High-risk investing The July survey was conducted after Sebi tightened norms for investing in derivatives in October 2024 and May 2025. Still, the losses persisted, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new regulations. Vipul Bhowar, senior director at Waterfield Advisors, advocated stronger gatekeeping by the market regulator. Sebi should not allow investors with less than 10 years of experience to trade in derivatives," he suggested. A 50-lakh minimum demat balance or mandatory certification could ensure only knowledgeable investors participate, Bhowar added. Experts advised intenders to stay out of high-risk trades until they gain adequate market experience. Brokerages recommend starting with safer options, like mutual funds. Derivatives were made for hedging, not trading. Its become a zero-or-hero game. If new investors enter the derivatives market, they should be aware of the risks. If not, they should invest in mutual funds," said Govind Goel, assistant manager at Zerodha. The concerns over derivatives trading reinforced the urgent need for robust investor education, especially with regard to where intenders turn to for information. The Sebi survey shows 57% rely on social media financial influencers, many of whom are seen as credible. This dependency brings new risks in an era of AI-driven misinformation. Social media, mobile apps and TV/digital advertisements are the preferred modes of receiving financial education, the surveys findings showed. "A dangerous cocktail emerges when you consider new and inexperienced users with limited financial knowledge and fewer reliable sources of truth," said Nishant Shah, CEO of Affinis by Jonosfero. With India's 659 million smartphone users, "the fabrication and dissemination of financial misinformation via AI and social media is becoming laughably easy." Despite these worries, experts are confident that Indias market can accommodate the new wave of investors and believe the impact will be positive. Resilient market A large influx of retail participants will broaden liquidity rather than strain it. In the near term, we may see some volatility in speculative pockets, but over the long term, a democratized investor base makes the market resilient and less dependent on foreign institutional inflows," said Narinder Wadhwa, managing director and CEO of SKI Capital Services Ltd. The IPO market has played a key role in drawing newcomers. The average subscription of retail investor quotas in 2025 was 26.99 times, compared with 33.71 times in 2024, according to Prime Database. While the data indicates a drop with enthusiasm cooling slightly, retail interest in IPOs is still strong and they remain a gateway for new investors. Also Read | Retail investors at risk? Inside the alarming rise of SME IPOs The excitement of owning a piece of Indias growth story is what draws people into equities," said Wadhwa. If post-listing performance and governance remain strong, IPOs can turn one-time investors into long-term shareholders." However, experts said that IPOs should be seen as means to wealth creation through ownership, not just opportunities for quick gains. The focus should now be on accessibility, not just innovation. The next investing wave is about simplificationinnovation can follow," noted Ashish Padiyar, managing partner of Bellwether Associates. Stronger digital literacy, verified advice and stricter influencer norms are essential to prevent enthusiasm from becoming exploitation." As former BSE chairperson S. Ravi and founder of Ravi Rajan & Co pointed out, the challenge lies in directing capital toward sustainable vehicles while ensuring simplification does not come at the cost of sound risk assessment. Small-cap stock under 50: Integrated Industries' share price will remain in focus in Monday's trading session after the company announced that it has provided a corporate guarantee to Union Bank of India as security for the loan facility availed by Nurture Well Foods Limited. On Friday, the small-cap stock closed 0.52 per cent lower at 24.64 apiece. The small-cap multibagger stock has been underperforming lately as the scrip has descended 15 per cent in a month and 31 per cent in the last one year. However, Integrated Industries' share price has doubled its shareholders' wealth, giving whopping 2,980 per cent returns in the last five years. Also Read | Buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends three stocks to buy on Monday Details on Integrated Industries' corporate guarantee According to an exchange filing dated October 24, the company said that it has issued a corporate guarantee to Union Bank of India as security for the loan facility availed by Nurture Well Foods Limited (NWFL). The amount for the security for the loan facility stood at 25 crores, as per the filing. We hereby notify that the Company has issued a corporate guarantee to Union Bank of India (Lender) for an amount of 25 crores as security for the loan facility availed by Nurture Well Foods Limited, a material subsidiary of the Company from the Lender, the filing said. Also Read | Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi recommends three stocks to buy or sell The company further added that there is no immediate impact on the Company, except to the extent of the amount for which the corporate guarantee has been provided, in the event NWFL is unable to meet its repayment obligations to the Lender. The Corporate Guarantee constitutes a contingent liability for the Company. "What do you think?" asks Vikram Goyal, one of Indias leading product designers, showing me his latest work on an iPad. We are in his study at his home in a quiet south Delhi neighbourhood, surrounded by family photos, an M.F. Husain painting, framed sketches picked up from his travels, furniture upholstered with ceremonial textiles made for the Bhutanese royal family, and books on design, economics and history. On the iPad screen is Karabha, a baby elephant sitting at ease with a playful glint in its eyesa three-dimensional sculpture made in brass, a metal thats become synonymous with Goyals work, which includes furniture, lighting and design objects. Three slides later is the twist: Karabhas butt has a secret compartment, inside which lies an image that tells a tale from the Panchatantra, called The Mice and the Elephants. The story is of how kindness begets kindness, told through a sheet of brass hammered from the reverse side for weeksa metalworking technique known as repousse. This 3D work has been completely out of my comfort zone," says Goyal, 60. We have done 10ft (wall panels), 2D animals, birds, but this is absolutely new to me to get the expressions right, the body right, the structure right." Karabha is one of the five animal sculptures Goyal, along with his team of 200-odd artisans, has developed over a span of six months as part of Vikram Goyal Studios latest project, The Soul Garden. Each animal represents a certain quality and carries a Panchatantra fable, rendered in repoussage. All five are on display till 26 October inside the gardens of LHotel de Maisons, once the Paris home of Karl Lagerfeld, as part of Goyals debut showcase at Design Miami/Paris, the European edition of the collectible design fair. I did animals because we Indians revere them, and I wanted to take that belief to the world," says Goyal. Now the normal thing would have been to illustrate the Panchatantra on the surface of the animals, but thats not a very international language; it would have been too decorative. I also didnt want to create hollow sculptures; I wanted to include the tales, since they are part of our folklore. So, they (the tales) are hidden, like how Indian palaces have secret compartments... global and also India-first." This singular ambition has been central to Goyals work since 2004 when he first established his design studio with one craftsperson well versed in brass and repousse work, a traditional skill once widely practised in India. Today, his karkhana, as he likes to refer to his factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has 230 artisans, creating products that, in a country obsessed with gold, have elevated a traditional material like brass to covetable status. His installations, some towering at 28ft to document the Silk Route using semi precious stones, have found homes in Middle East palaces. Many panels adorn the lobbies of corporate offices and private residences in India, the US and Europe. Furniture, including coffee tables carved like the wood of a mangrove tree and mirrors framed with cascading mountains, embellish luxury yachts. Each piece is one of a kind and meant for those who dont mind spending a few lakhs to add a bit of Baroque glamour to their world. Last year, Goyal launched his sub-brand, Viya, selling everything from Paigah jaali-like wall sconces ( 60,000) to table cloths (starting 2,000), to customers who want to spend just a little extra on their homes. Hes scouting for a location for Viyas first retail store. Three years ago, we had 120 karigarsits been the biggest jump so far," offers Goyal as an indication to reflect the brands growth. He isnt willing to share revenue numbers but says: Between last year and this year, we will hopefully double our business." The Indian furniture and decor market is currently valued close to $30 billion and is projected to reach $40 billion by 2030, shows a report by Mordor Intelligence, a market research company. Increasing spending power, urban migration and quick e-commerce are among the drivers for growth. Within this furniture and decor space is the emergence of a relatively new, niche luxury category: collectible design, limited-edition pieces that have a historical or aesthetical interest and blur the line between art and utility. Goyal has created a space for himself in the collectible design space, alongside a few other designers, including Gunjan Gupta, Rooshad Shroff and Ashiesh Shah. Its not a crowded category, leaving ample scope for growth. More so for Goyal, since hes the only designer experimenting extensively with one metal, brass. That explains, to an extent, the international recognition that has come his way in the past few years. In 2023, he became the first Indian designer to debut at Nina Yashars famed gallery in Milan, known for its ability to anticipate design trends. Last year, he was signed on to be represented by the Los Angeles gallery Future Perfect. Both moves have helped him grow despite the Vikram Goyal Studio having not a single retail space. His regular participation in India Art Fair, Milan Design Week and PAD London have helped grow the brands visibility. So has being a patron of the conservation charity Elephant Family and The Great Elephant Migration, supported by the UK royal familys King Charles and Queen Camilla. Some of his wallpapers, designed in collaboration with British luxury interiors company de Gournay, became the background of Tarun Tahilianis couture show in Delhi this July, showcasing how his work has moved beyond the realm of just home or office decor. View Full Image Each animal in 'The Soul Garden' represents a certain quality and carries a 'Panchatantra' fable, rendered in repoussage. (Alfredo Piola) What also makes Goyal stand out is his ability to bring functionality to all things decor. Karabha, for example, is also a bench. Vyaghra: The Tiger, a console. Of course, we have repousse panels that are more artistic, but everything has some utility," says Goyal. Why would you want your table to look like a table? Its also keeping in line with whats happening internationally. Theres great appreciation of collectible design. By adding functionality to a piece of art you elevate someones experience or their form of living; it becomes a sound investment." Goyal excels at mining Indias heritage for inspiration while creating a contemporary visual language. India has a long history of vessels, sculptures and decorative items made in brass," says Goyal, whos studied chemical engineering and has a degree in development economics from US Princeton University. Its also the only metal which allows you to experiment so much and it helps that I understand chemicals and metals. Copper and bronze are very limiting. Silver is very expensive. Theres nothing like brass, really. I always wanted it to be elevated and recognised again for what its worth." Goyal is not formally trained as a designer. After working for six years with investment bank Morgan Stanley in the US and Hong Kong, he returned to India in 2000 to do something with Indias cultural heritage". Two years later, he co-founded Ayurveda-inspired skincare brand Kama Ayurveda, only to exit it so he could set up his design label in 2004. I was always surrounded by art at our home and my grandparents home in Rajasthan," recalls Goyal. My mom was a homemaker but as a side thing she used to make silver frames using repousse and sell them in Jaipur. So, I always wanted to create something. And in India you have the confidence to create because everyone can be a designer. Its in our DNA." Goyals two decades-long journey reflects the evolution of the India design story. When he started, he struggled with selling his work. It was a time when the market had only a handful of popular brands like Good Earth and Fabindia. Indians didnt want to buy Indian; design-wise it was too ethnic," says Goyal. The wealthy were mostly relying on architects who focused on Italian or French names. Now, of course, everyone wants to show they are India-proud." More than 80% of Goyals global clients are architects and interior designers. Over the years, there have been several instances when Goyals business numbers werent encouraging. One instance he recalls was almost 10 years ago, during demonetisation. I was working on several big projects and suddenly everything fell apart. I didnt know what to do," he says. Without offering much explanation, he says, The thing about when youve lived many years and seen all kinds of things is that you weather a lot and youre able to take most things with some element of philosophy. I stayed and continued to play along." Another turning point came during covid when he realised his brands potential to grow beyond India. The kind of interest they (international clients) showed and the questions they asked made me understand what I, as a designer, as an entrepreneur, could do," he says. In India, we dont really have enough infrastructure for designers; I can say this for myself that its taken the Wests gaze to realise our own potential." His suggestion to crack the international market? Its what any business book would say: quality and design, intended for the right audience. For the international clients, Goyal keeps his designs not too decorative. All our deities are decorative but they are for people here. If you want to be international, then youve got to speak the international language while keeping your own country in mind. You cant make everything clean, sober. Whats your USP then?" Besides growing the business, the other thing on Goyals mind is his legacy. We have great designers with us who I know will keep the brand ethos alive. The larger vision is to move the needle for Indian craft and design and showcase it in the most intelligent way internationally," he says. The other important task on his to-do list is to increase the number of artisans to his studio. They (the artisans) have been fantastic. Can you imagine sitting the whole day, hammering something from the back and only being able to see what youve made in front in totality after about a month? Its only their hands and breathwork. Theres so much to do with brass and I feel we are just getting started." Food historian and anthropologist Dr Kurush Dalal loves a good butter chicken. But, to think that Punjabi food begins and ends with the creamy, tomato-based dish, or at best dal makhani, he points out, is a grave mistake. It is with this intention of breaking stereotypes associated with Punjabi food that he and the team at Ikk Panjab in Delhi will host the Provenance Dinner later this week. The six-course tasting menu will trace the evolution of Punjabi cuisine, from the Indus Valley civilisation through invasions and till Partition. View Full Image Tandoori bater on bajra roti. If not for the five rivers flowing through undivided Punjab, the region would have been an arid landscape. Punjabis, by sheer dint of hard work, have turned it into a land of grain, ghee, milk and prosperity. So, the story of Punjabi cuisine is also a story of blood, sweat and tears. It is a story of people who are very closely linked to the soil and who have adapted every time a curveball has been thrown at them," says Dalal. Apart from the Partition, which had a deep impact on the food traditions, foreign conquests, the Green Revolution and even Emergency played a role. Take butter chicken, a dish created by refugees to use leftover tandoori chicken. Or, say maah ki daal, which Dalal explains was created out of an incredible sense of frugality", with women using leftover hot coals from making tandoori rotis at the sanjha chulha (community oven) to slow-cook dal overnight. The menu also doubles up as an ode to winter with the liberal use of warming ingredients such as ghee, jaggery, sesame and mustard. View Full Image Butter chicken, maah ki dal and tandoori roti. Also Read | Breaking stereotypes: From the homes of Punjab to the restaurant menu Barley or jau, the original grain of India", as Dalal calls it, is the mainstay of one course, which is inspired by the Indus Valley Civilisation. Warm barley and sesame porridge will be served along with barley flatbread. Today we speak about sarson da saag and makai ki roti, but makai (corn) is not even 200 years old. It was introduced by the British and farmers realised they were getting better yields from makai. The Harappans cultivated barley. Barley also finds a mention in the Rig Veda," he says. The compost is darkbrown at the edges, black in the centre, still damp from the monsoon night. When I dig my fingers in, it breaks and catches the first light like new topsoil. As I lift out a tray of compost, Bharath Balaji Sathiyamoorthy, engineer-turned-teacher, walks over, points to the chamber Im clearing, and says quietly, That ones mine." He thanks me and steps away. Around us, students keep working: trays slide out, buckets scrape, a couple of voices compare colour and texture. The smell is sharp but not unpleasantsoil after rain. Small, regular mounds form behind the dorm. It looks like maintenance work. Here, it is the curriculum. It is 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti. Its one of the two mornings each year, 2 April and 2 October, when Pathashaala, the Krishnamurti Foundation India school in Chengalpattu district, 80km south of Chennai, opens its dry toilets and harvests the compost. Each chamber takes roughly six months to turn waste into soil. Pathashaala is one of the few places in India where dry toilets have been used campus-wide for over a decade. Comparable efforts exist in Auroville (Puducherry) and in Ladakh, but this is arguably the longest-running successful effort. In fact, educator Sonam Wangchuk visited Pathashaala in 2020 to study its system for his own residential schools. Elsewhere, public or government deployments have struggled to sustain daily practice. Pathashaala has used no flush toilets since 2010; the system has held through fifteen years of student cohorts. Disclaimer: My daughter studies here. J. Krishnamurti, the philosopher-thinker on whose ideas the school is based, once asked what people would do when machines take over everything human thought can do. Its particularly pertinent in the age of AI. Machines can do most things better, faster, cleaner. But they cannot ask why. They cannot listen. They cannot touch soil that was once waste and know that everything returns to the earth. These toilets remind one of this. Pathashaala sits on the floodplain of the Palar, a river locals say is too wide for the water it now carries." About twenty feet beneath the clay lies a shallow aquifer that supplies the schools two borewells and some nearby farms. These bores give clean water; bores farther west draw brackish water," says G. Gautama, Pathashaalas founding head and former principal of The School, KFI, Chennai. The foundation began buying parcels here in 200232 acres first, then the remainder as state purchase rules changed. Where the boys dorms stand now, people used to distill liquor," says Gautama. The place was thorn scrub and water stagnated in pockets. A single shower could trap a truck. You couldnt plan anything." The first building flooded under two feet of water after rain, so the architects moved the campus to higher ground on the southern edge and cut west-to-east drains that let water run off. Sudhakar Mahadevan, the architect from 2006, travelled to Wardha and Hyderabad to study low-energy systems and re-worked the plan. Work began in 2008; phase oneabout 25,000 sq fttook roughly two-and-a-half years. The school opened in August 2010 with 14 students; numbers rose to 120 by 2019, dipped to about 95 post-pandemic, and stands at about 104 students and 25 teachers today. Capacity is capped at 130. Also Read | I went for an evening walk with Delhis djinns Climate sets the timetable too. November and Decembercyclone monthsbecame a scheduled break. The toilets came from the same logic as the rest of Pathashaalas design: live with what the land allows. Ordinary flush toilets were out of the question," says Gautama. The aquifer here lies barely twenty feet below the surface. A flush system would have polluted it within months. And in the monsoon, underground tanks would have overflowed into the channels, contaminating downstream water bodies." The search for an alternative began in 2007, three years before the school opened. That year Dagmar Albrecht, a German educator from Brockwood Park School (Krishnamurti Foundations UK campus), arrived as a volunteer. She spent a year studying the site and proposed an unfamiliar solution: urine-diverting dry compost toilets (UDDTs), a system that separates urine and faeces, keeps the chamber dry, and lets bacteria compost waste into safe soil within six months. Albrecht located a manufacturer in Ahmedabad and persuaded them to send sample units. We had a showroom of toilets in our visitors room," Gautama recalls. Nobody dared to use them." To prove the idea, he installed one in his house on The School KFI campus in Chennai in 2007. He used it for six months. A year later, when he and his son opened the chamber, what they found changed everything. It smelled like rain," Gautama says. That was the moment of proof." In 2008, he invited 30 teachers at The School KFI to witness a harvest. When one teacher, Shobhana Nataraja, picked up the compost and said, It smells like fresh earth," the phrase became an emblem of acceptance. The first 14 students and 5 teachers who moved in to Pathashaala on 19 August 2010 used dry toilets from day one. When the Ahmedabad-based manufacturer shut down in 2011, the crisis forced invention. We had no experts," says Gautama. We became the experts." Pathashaala started designing and fabricating its own models. View Full Image Older students carry a sack of freshly harvested compost during the October 2 collection The first generation, made of stainless steel, was elegant but impracticalhard to clean, easy to smear. Beautiful, but hopeless," Gautama says. The team of teachers, masons and students tried fibreglass, cement, and paint-bucket prototypes, fabricating parts locally with a metalworks shop called V-Steel. They kept improving airflow, slope and surface finish until, by 2015, they found a lasting solution: Cuddapah-stone traysflat slabs of local limestone with a 10cm opening and detachable seat. The design needed surface cleaning, could be used in Indian or Western style, and cost a fraction of commercial models. During these years of trial, the school continued uninterrupted. Every new student went through a dry-toilet orientation," Gautama says. By 2013, when finances were tight and purchased units unavailable, even Gautama considered giving up. Encouragement came from the students. One senior told him, No, anna! One of the nicest things here is the dry toilet. We cant let this go. Lets design our own." Over time, Pathashaalas learner-educators (students) and educator-learners (teachers) co-created a functioning toilet. As of 2025, the campus has 69 toilets across dorms and staff quarters, all urine-diverting and water-free. Each one is locally built, maintained, and harvested twice a yearon 2 April and 2 October. Everyone uses the same toiletsstudents, teachers, kitchen staff," Gautama says. If equality means anything, it must show in where you sit, what you eat, and where you go." Some students have told him they felt uneasy using flush toilets at home. It feels wrong," one said, to use clean water to wash away what could become soil." By the schools tally, the dry-toilet system saves roughly half a million litres of flush water a year at full strengthabout 540,000 litres in 2019 alone (15 litres per flush, 250 days). Pathashaala has stayed smallaround 120 students and 25 adults at any time, from Classes 5 to 12. Each dorm houses twelve children; each classroom holds mixed-age groups. Everyone on campusstudents, teachers and staffrecognises everyone else. As in other KFI schools, adults address one another as akka and annasister and brother. Everyone eats the same food at round tables, introduced after a student said square ones left people out. Seats are randomised so students meet someone new at each meal. Its common to hear them note that the vegetables on their plates grew from compost they once helped harvest. When I dug into the compost that morning, I thought about how lightly we use the word waste. In Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, on 26 November 2019, Constitution Day, activist Abhay Jain walked into the public health engineering department office with others, carrying lumps of human excreta in their hands, to protest the continuing practice of manual scavenging. He told me about sanitation workers who were made to clean open drains behind government quarters with bare hands and a single shovel. When we complained," he said, officials said equipment had been provided. They didnt even know the difference between manual scavenging and sewer cleaning." That image returned as I lifted a tray of compost that had once been excrement. Here, the act was not punishment or protest. It was learning. I understood what these dry toilets truly mean. They are not only about saving water or protecting an aquifer; they are about reclaiming dignity and equality. It is a way to think about water, labour, and what it means to be responsible for what we produce. By noon, the trays are stacked, the pits closed. The soil will rest for six months. On April 2, they will open it again. It will smell, as always, of wet soil after rain. Pankaj Mishra is a journalist and co-founder of FactorDaily, reporting on the intersections of technology, environment, and culture. WARSAW, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A chamber piano concert celebrating the cultural ties between China and Poland was held Friday night in Warsaw, paying tribute to Poland's greatest composer and pianist, Fryderyk Chopin. The event was jointly organized by the Fryderyk Chopin Institute and the Chinese Embassy in Poland, and was attended by around 100 guests from across the country. Two Chinese finalists of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition, Wang Zitong, who won third place, and 16-year-old Lyu Tianyao, who took fourth, performed a selection of well-prepared pieces at the concert. Other performers included Chinese pianist Wu Yifan and Polish pianists Zuzanna Sejbuk and Adam Kaldunski, all participants in the competition. The 19th International Chopin Piano Competition concluded on Thursday in Warsaw. First held in 1927, the competition has been organized every five years since 1955 and is widely regarded as the "Olympics of the piano." Ahead of Chhath Puja celebrations in the country, the Delhi government has given permission to reopen the Chhath Puja Ghat near the Yamuna Bank Metro station in the eastern side of the national capital. The permission was granted by the Rekha Gupta-led government after Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva spoke with officials and reopened the Chhath Puja Ghat. In a release, the BJP said that Sachdeva spoke with officials at the request of many residents of East Delhi belonging to the Purvanchal community to reopen the Ghat. The Chhath Puja Ghat was closed by the previous AAP government in 2020, the Delhi BJP chief claimed, as per the party statement. Representatives of the Purvanchal community met with Sachdeva on Friday and informed him about the closure of the Chhath Puja Ghat near Yamuna Bank metro station, the statement said. The members of Bihar Jagran Manch urged Virendra Sachdeva to help reopen this Chhath Ghat. Sachdeva immediately spoke with officials immediately and obtained permission to begin reconstruction of the ghat, as per the release. New Delhi, India - Oct. 25, 2025: Women shopping for puja items on the eve of Chhath Puja festival at Sonia Vihar Market in New Delhi. Delhi BJP chief lashes out at Kejriwal govt Lashing out at the previous Arvind Kejriwal-led government, Sachdeva said that it created obstructions to celebrations. "The Kejriwal government used to create obstacles in religious and cultural festivals, but the BJP government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is celebrating every festival with enthusiasm and spirit," Sachdeva said. Chhath Puja ghat reopens: Who will benefit? In the press release, the BJP said that the Bihar community living in nearby areas like Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar will benefit due to the rebuilding of the Chhath Puja ghat near Yamuna Bank metro. "By reopening and preparing this ghat for Chhath, we have fulfilled the aspirations of the Bihari community living within a 45 km radius, including in Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar," Sachdeva said. Sachdeva visited the ghat under the pontoon bridge near the metro station and participated in a cleanliness drive along with party leaders and workers. Accompanying Sachdeva were NDMC member Dinesh Pratap Singh, MLA Abhay Verma, Shahdara District BJP President Deepak Gaba, Delhi BJP Purvanchal Morcha President Santosh Ojha, Councillor Sandeep Kapoor, and a large number of Bihar Jagran Manch members who participated in the cleanliness drive at the ghat. Also Read | Chhath Puja preparations underway at 1000 sites across Delhi When is Chhath Puja 2025? Chhath Puja, a major festival dedicated to the Sun God, is celebrated six days after Diwali on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika. Chhath Puja celebrations have already started on October 25, Saturday. A 32-year-old man was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly driving with a woman on the bonnet of his car, causing her to fall and suffer injuries in the western suburbs, police said on Saturday. The accused, Vinit Ghiya, has been booked on the charges of rash driving and physically assaulting a woman for the incident that occurred in Borivali West on Thursday, an official said, as reported by PTI. He said that Ghiya befriended the victim, an employee at a spa, a few days ago, and they partied at a pub. Also Read | Bengaluru woman dies after being run over by truck on pothole-ridden road While returning home in a car, they had a heated argument over some issue, following which the accused took away her mobile phone, and she got out of the vehicle and sat on the bonnet, the official said, as reported by PTI. Ghiya drove the car fast with the woman on the bonnet, causing her to fall, and then sped away, he said. Nearly 4.5 lakh crimes against women were reported in 2023, showing a slight rise compared to the previous two years, according to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In total, 4,48,211 cases were registered in 2023, up from 4,45,256 in 2022 and 4,28,278 in 2021, according to the NCRB data. Locals in the vicinity rushed the woman to a hospital, the official said. The accused was produced before a court, which sent him in police custody, he added. Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore, four people were killed and another was seriously injured when their car veered off the road and crashed into a tree near here, PTI reported, citing police said. According to a preliminary investigation, the accident occurred on Friday night in Perur Chettipalayam after the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree. Also Read | Which states recorded the most road accident deaths in 2023? "All the deceased were aged between 19 years and 25 years. The injured is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital", an official of the Perur Police Station told PTI. In 2023, India recorded more than 1.73 lakh road accident deaths, a 2.6% rise compared to 2022. Over-speeding and reckless driving remained the primary causes of these fatalities, with two-wheeler riders making up a large share, especially those not wearing helmets. The states reporting the highest number of accidents were Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. A member of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang was arrested at Delhi airport after being deported from the United States, officials said on Saturday. Lakhvinder Kumar, a fugitive gangster of the Lawrence Bishnoi group, was deported by the US in an operation coordinated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Kumar, who had an Interpol Red Notice issued against him, was arrested from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi by the Haryana Police on Saturday, officials said. In a statement, a CBI spokesperson said that the Haryana Police had registered multiple cases against Lakhvinder Kumar, including ones related to extortion, intimidation, illegal possession and use of firearms, and attempt to murder. Also Read | Bishnoi's aide Harry Boxer attacked in California months after split with Brar Earlier, the CBI got the Red Notice published against Lakhvinder Kumar through Interpol on October 26, 2024 on the request of Haryana Police. The subject was deported from the USA and arrived in India on October 25, 2025. He was taken into custody by a team of Haryana Police at Delhi airport, according to the statement. Lawrence Bishnoi gang listed as terrorist entity in Canada In September, Canada officially listed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, authorities said. Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation, as per an official statement on September 29. Also Read | Rohit Godara alleges traitor Lawrence Bishnoi colluded with foreign agency Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi Gang. Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said The development came days after NSA Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin held talks in New Delhi. Goldy Brar gang member detained in US Earlier this month, the Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) tracked and facilitated the detention of fugitive gangster Amit Sharma alias Jack Pandit in the United States. Sharma, a key operative of the Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar syndicate, was detained due to coordinated inputs shared by the AGTF with the CBI's Interpol Branch, which alerted American agencies through a Red Corner Notice, Additional Director General of Police (Crime/AGTF) Dinesh M N said. He said that Sharma was operating the gang's extortion and money laundering network from abroad. He was primarily responsible for receiving extortion money overseas and routing it to gang members in India. He also played a crucial role in providing shelter, funding and forged documents for absconding gang members hiding in foreign countries, the officer said. The CBI's Interpol Branch is currently working on his deportation to India. (With agency inputs) Police have arrested 20 people in Ahmedabad after raiding a farmhouse on the outskirts of the Gujarat city for allegedly consuming alcohol during a party, an official said on Saturday. The police initially arrested 15 people from the venue of the alleged party, including 13 African students, out of the 70 people presented there. Later during the early hours of Saturday, they nabbed five other people including two bootleggers and the owner of the farmhouse. This took the number of those apprehended in connection with the party to 20, Superintendent of Police (SP), Ahmedabad-Rural, Om Prakash Jat told reporters. The alleged liquor party happened in Gujarat, which is supposed to be a dry state, meaning sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited. What does investigation reveal? According to a preliminary investigation, the Ahmedabad liquor party was organised under the garb of a get together of the African students. All of them are studying at different colleges and universities in the state, where sale or consumption of liquor has been banned. What did the police say? The police arrived at the venue after receiving a tip-off about availability of alcohol at the event. They purchased passes to the event and entered in civil dress to catch the culprits, Jat said. Based on a specific tip-off, police teams raided a farmhouse in the city's Shilaj area and nabbed 15 persons, including 13 African nationals, in drunk state. These African nationals are studying in different universities of the state, including the Gujarat University, he told reporters. Police personnel during their raids recovered 51 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and 15 'hookahs' (waterpipes used to smoke specially made tobacco mixtures), which are also banned in Gujarat, informed Jat. The get together was meant for African students and it was organised by a Kenyan student. The prices of passes for the event ranged from 700 to 25,000. A liquor party was organised in the farmhouse in the garb of a get together. However, we did not find any narcotics substance during the raid, he added. Who are the arrested people? According to Jat, of the 20 people arrested in connection with the Ahmedabad liquor party, 13 are African students. Most of the students come from Kenya, while some hail from Comoros, Madagascar and Mozambique, according to the police officer. Among the five others arrested on Saturday, two local bootleggers named Anant Kapil and Ashish Jadeja have been held. The owner of the farmhouse, Milan Patel, has also been arrested, the SP said. Those arrested were booked under relevant sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act and under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for hatching a criminal conspiracy, said the officer. Further investigation into the matter are underway. Maharashtra doctor suicide case is in the spotlight since October 23, when a 28-year-old female medical practitioner was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town of Satara district. The victim named her landlords son and a police officer in her suicide note. Here's what we know so far The physician, hailing from Beed district, was posted at a government hospital in Phaltan. The body of the deceased doctor was found with a suicide note that she wrote on her palm before taking her life. In the suicide note, she accused sub-inspector Gopal Badane of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions, while a software engineer and her landlord's son, Prashant Bankar, mentally harassed her. She had alleged that the Prashant Bankar harassed her for the past four to five months. The Satara District Police has taken Prashant Bankar into custody, while the suspended police officer remains absconding. Although, a case of abetment of suicide has been registered, leaders from across party lines demanded an independent inquiry and SIT probe. On Friday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve separately demanded an independent investigation into the alleged suicide. Extremely serious Calling it an extremely serious matter, NCP leader from Beed, Dhananjay Munde, urged the authoprities to expediate the probe through fast-track court. He said that of her superiors had allegedly ignored her complaints because she belonged to Beed district or held onto a particular surname or, it was a serious matter. Also Read | Influencer Emman Atienza dies at 19 by suicide Meanwhile, Maharashtra's state ministers vowed an impartial and detailed probe as the Opposition targeted the Mahayuti government over the incident. "The suicide of this daughter of Marathwada who rose in life by struggling since her birth shows that the protectors have turned predators," ANI quoted former Opposition leader in the legislative council, Danve, as saying. The victim purportedly complained that police officials had threatened her and inflicted sneer insults over the crime in her home district of Beed. This purported statement was in response to a complaint about her by a subordinate police official. A cousin of the victim alleged that the physician was often pressurised by the police to modify medical test reports of arrested persons brought to the hospital and to change post-mortem reports. Social activist named Nitin Andhale shared the deceased physician's purported statement given to an inquiry committee in a post on X and said, The guilty in this incident must face strict punishment. As per reports, the woman doctor had filed a complaint with Deputy Superintendent of Police in June this year, against PSI Badane, who had once threatened her in the hospital. However, no action was taken, as per a purported reply submitted by the woman doctor to police authorities in Satara district. Police on Saturday arrested one person in connection with the alleged suicide of a 28-year-old woman doctor in Maharashtra's Satara district, an official told PTI. Here are the top ten updates on the Maharashtra doctor suicide: 1. A team from the Phaltan police arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two men the doctor had named in a suicide note written on her palm, from Pune, an official told PTI. In the suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped her on multiple occasions, while Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her. 2. The Hindustan Times reported that the note alleged she had been raped four times by Gopal Badane, a sub-inspector posted at the Phaltan City police station. 3. When her body was discovered, a note written in Marathi was found on her palm. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the note claimed that she had been raped four times by Gopal Badane, a sub-inspector at the Phaltan City police station. Investigating officers further revealed that the victim and the accused, who has since been suspended, were relatives from Beed. 4. A case of rape and abetment to suicide was registered against the duo. "One of the accused, Bankar, has been arrested and brought to Phaltan. The investigation is underway," the official said, as reported by PTI. 5. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde says, It is a very unfortunate incident. I have spoken to the local SP. The accused is a police official. FIR has been lodged in the incident. I have asked the SP to take stringent action against the accused in this case. 6. The victim's cousin alleged that the doctor had been facing political pressure related to her work. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI. 7. Another cousin demanded strict punishment for those involved. "The accused should get the strictest of punishment," he said. 8. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve hit out at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, over the doctor's suicide and the name of a police officer cropping up in the case. There is a need for women's security more than that of 'Ladki Bahin' (a financial scheme for women from low income families). If people who flourished under the wings of Fadnavis are harassing women in such a manner, then Fadnavis has failed as the Home Minister and should resign, Danve wrote on X. 9. As reported by ANI, on doctors holding the protest over the Satara doctor's death, first-year student of KEM Hospital, Dr Samya said, The POSH Act has already been implemented by law in 2013... We want this act to be implemented strictly everywhere, and due to deficiencies, this implementation is not happening; that is why this matter has reached this pointAll our OPD and emergency services are working. However, if our demands are not met, then we will escalate our protest. The POSH Act has already been implemented by law in 2013... We want this act to be implemented strictly everywhere. This is a very unfortunate incident. I have asked the SP to take stringent action against the accused in this case. 10. State Women's Commission chief Rupali Chakankar said, "We have taken cognisance of the matter and ordered Satara Police to take strict action against the accused. Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde said there should be no media trial in the doctors incident. (With inputs from agencies) Police sub-inspector Gopal Badane who was one of the accused in the alleged suicide of a woman doctor in Maharashtra's Satara district has been arrested. Earlier on Saturday, another accused who is a software engineer, Prashant Bankar, was arrested in connection with the suicide case. The woman doctor had named the two men in her suicide note. PSI Gopal Badane was arrested after he landed at the Phaltan Rural Police Station and surrendered, said Satara SP Tushar Doshi. Prashant Bankar, accused of mentally harassing the victim and charged with abetment of suicide, was produced before a Satara district court, which remanded him to four days of police custody. The doctor, hailing from Beed district in the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra and posted at a government hospital in Satara district, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town on Thursday night. In her suicide note which she wrote in her palm, the doctor alleged that PSI Gopal Badane raped her on multiple occasions and Prashant Bankar was mentally harassing her. Bankar was the son of the landlord of the house where the doctor was staying. The note read, Badne raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months. She complained multiple times about harassment, but her grievances were not addressed, a relative alleged while talking to a news channel. Another relative relative claimed the victim was pressured to change medical reports at the sub-district hospital where she worked. "Political people in Phaltan often asked her to change medical reports as she used to be regularly on autopsy duty. She had complained multiple times against the PSI (named in the note), but her complaints were not looked into," the relative stated. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accused former BJP MP Ranjitsingh Naik Nimbalkar of pressurising the woman doctor on one occasion in the past. Talking to reporters, Danve claimed that two personal assistants of Nimbalkar once facilitated a call between him and the woman doctor to pressurise her to declare fit accused (brought to government hospital for medical examination after arrest) as unfit and vice versa. Nimbalkar, in his reaction, said the allegation had no truth, and his name was being dragged into the case deliberately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, October 25, extended wishes on the occasion of Chhath Puja. The four-day Chhath Puja festivities kicked off with 'Nahay-Khay' and devotees were seen performing rituals on the first day today. PM Modi in a post on X stated, With the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khay, the four-day grand festival of Chhath is commencing auspiciously from today. My heartfelt best wishes to the devotees across the country, including Bihar. My salutations and homage to all those observing the fast! In another post, he remarked, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit Begusarai yesterday. Bihar's nightingale, Sharda Sinha ji, has a deep connection with Begusarai. Sharda Sinha ji and many folk artists from Bihar have added a unique dimension to the Chhath festival through their songs. He added, "Today, on this auspicious occasion, I am sharing with all of you some songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Chhathi), which will mesmerise everyone who listens to them." Also Read | Chhath Puja preparations underway at 1000 sites across Delhi Describing the festival as a symbol of simplicity and restraint, whose purity and adherence to rituals are unparalleled, he emphasised that the ancient tradition of Chhath has had a profound impact on society. Notably, Chhath Puja rituals begin with Nahay-Khay. widely celebrated on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, Kharna is observed on Panchami. It is followed by Chhath Puja on Sashti and the concluding Usha Arghya on Saptami. Chhath Puja 2025: Tithi, sunrise, sunset and shubh muhurat time Dedicated to Sun God, the four-day festivities will culminate on October 28, according to Drik Panchang. While the festival will be officially celebrated on October 27, Monday, it is important to note the below mentioned tithi, sunrise, sunset and shubh muhurat time. Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day - 6:30 AM Sunset on Chhath Puja Day - 5:46 PM Shashthi Tithi Begins - 6:04 AM on October 27 Shashthi Tithi Ends - 7:59 AM on October 28 The Supreme Court will be hearing a suo motu case relating to stray dogs on 27 October, Monday. The apex court had on 22 August expanded the scope of the stray dogs case beyond the confines of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and directed that all states and Union Territories be made parties in the matter. As per the cause list of 27 October uploaded on the Supreme Court website, the matter will be heard by a three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria. Four separate pleas related to the issue are also listed for hearing on the same day. In its order passed on 22 August, the apex court had modified its earlier direction in which it had prohibited the release of vaccinated stray dogs from pounds in Delhi-NCR, calling it "too harsh" and ordered the canines to be released post sterilisation and de-worming. While pronouncing the order, the bench had said that all similar matters pending in high courts across the country would come to the top court for a "final national policy or decision" on the issue. The bench had earlier ordered municipal authorities to continue to comply with the 11 August directions to pick up stray dogs from all localities of Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram and immediately create dog shelters or pounds. It had said the 11 August direction prohibiting the release of the picked up stray dogs shall be kept in abeyance for the time being. Also Read | Delhi set to microchip 1 million stray dogs in two years. Check details "The dogs that are picked up shall be sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated, and released back to the same area from which they were picked up," the three-judge bench had said, as per PTI. The apex court had also ordered that relocation should not apply to dogs infected with rabies or suspected to be infected with rabies and those displaying aggression. It had directed municipal authorities to file an affidavit of compliance with complete statistics of resources like dog pounds, veterinarians, dog-catching personnel, specially modified vehicles and cages available as on date for the purpose of compliance of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. The bench had impleaded all states and Union Territories in the matter while observing that application of ABC Rules was uniform all over India. A two-judge bench of the apex court had on August 11 passed a slew of directions, including ordering the authorities in Delhi-NCR to start picking up stray dogs from all localities "at the earliest" and relocate the canines to dog shelters. Also Read | How caring for stray dogs and cats is creating a kinder corporate culture The bench had passed the order in a suo motu case initiated on 28 July over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital. Widespread protests were reported across the country following the 11 August order. Later, the matter came up for hearing before a three-judge special bench. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya narrowly avoided injury when a truck lost control and collided with her car on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Friday night, officials said. The state minister for womens welfare and child development was returning to Lucknow after attending events in Hathras when the incident occurred near the 56th kilometre mark in Firozabad, according to Sirsaganj SDM Anivesh Kumar. At around 8:40 pm, the truck reportedly suffered a tyre blowout, causing it to skid uncontrollably into the ministers vehicle. Though her driver managed to regain control, the car sustained heavy damage. The police arrived at the scene immediately after the incident and seized the truck involved in the accident. Meanwhile, Baby Rani Maurya was sent to Lucknow in another vehicle. Taking to X, Baby Rani Maurya reassured her followers: I am safe by the infinite grace of Parampita Parameshwar and all of you, my dear well-wishers. Traffic on the expressway was temporarily limited to a single carriageway as authorities managed the situation. Later, the minister instructed the authorities to take strict measures to ensure safety on the expressway and prevent accidents. She highlighted the need for proactive monitoring and prompt response mechanisms. Authorities are expected to review expressway safety protocol in light of the incident. Meanwhile, three people were killed on Wednesday afternoon under the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi in a bike-truck collision near Tengra mod, officials said. According to Additional Commissioner of Police, Atul Anjan, the officials immediately inspected the incident spot and the bodies of the deceased were sent to the mortuary. MOSCOW, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defense systems shot down 281 Ukrainian drones during the past day, including nine over the Moscow region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday. "Two guided aerial bombs and 281 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been shot down by air defense systems," the ministry said in a statement. The defense ministry said Friday that Russian air defense systems have shot down 1,441 Ukrainian UAVs over the past week. Air defense systems have downed a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft, four cruise missiles, 18 guided aerial bombs, 15 rocket projectiles of the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, as well as 1,441 fixed-wing UAVs, the ministry said in a statement. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 62 drones and nine missiles during the overnight strike on Ukraine. Air defense units shot down 50 drones and four missiles. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the city was targeted by ballistic missiles. The attack sparked fires in several areas, shattered windows in residential buildings, and damaged a kindergarten in the eastern part of the city, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, said on social media. A Chinese second-hand trading platform has caused public outrage after reportedly asking a mother to submit a video of herself slapping her child to get a refund, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The mother, Li Yun, sought a refund after discovering her 11-year-old daughter had secretly spent over 500 yuan (around 6,170.67) on trading cards via the Qiandao app, a popular platform for second-hand toys and collectables. According to reports, the platforms rules state that products are not eligible for unconditional returns within seven days. Li tried to cancel the order just two hours after it was placed. However, the seller accused her of "pretending to be a minor to maliciously cancel orders". The seller then issued a Minor Refund Notice, demanding an uninterrupted five-minute video of Li slapping her daughter, with the "slapping sounds must be clearly audible". The notice also requested a 1,000-character handwritten apology letter from the child, with signature and fingerprint, to be read aloud by both parent and child. Also Read | Indian man's desperate attempt to return from Saudi Arabia goes viral Li contacted the platforms customer service but was told, Sorry, the platform cannot enforce action. We suggest both parties negotiate and communicate directly. Qiandao says notice not an official policy On October 20, Qiandao issued a statement saying the incident arose from a personal second-hand sale. The company clarified that the Minor Refund Notice was not an official policy, adding, We will also guide users who post inappropriate content towards proper conduct, encouraging civil communication and helping foster a friendly trading environment. The incident sparked heated debate online, with many criticising the platforms approach as excessive and harmful. One user wrote, "My first reaction is shock and disbelief. This is no way to resolve disputes. It is treating people like objects to be humiliated at will." Another commented, "Is there no bottom line any more? This demand is outrageously absurd. So now, after-sales service is not about reasoning, but about beating your own kid? Maybe the seller should slap themselves awake before doing business." New York City's mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has more than just Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa to contend with. He's also up against some of America's billionaires. A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani has pushed back against billionaires on multiple occasions. I don't think we should have billionaires, the 34-year-old told CNBC in June, explaining that so much money in such inequality was undesirable to the creation of a more egalitarian society. With his well-documented disdain for billionaires, Mamdani has undoubtedly made enemies in high places, and now, some of them are pushing back. According to a report by Forbes, 26 billionaires and members of billion-dollar families from across America have spent at least $100,000 each on supporting Mamdani's opponents. Also Read | Zohran Mamdani receives long-awaited Hakeem Jeffries endorsement for NYC mayor While $100,000 isn't a small amount, some of the biggest donations to Mamdani's opponents dwarf this, as we will see. These donations have gone to the campaigns of Mamdani's opponents and associated groups, which have in turn, flooded residents with anti-Mamdani content, reported Forbes. In total, these billionaires have spent over $22 million to stop Mamdani from leading the biggest city in the US. Some of the largest donations to Mamdani's opponents have come from towering figures and families, with some of his biggest foes being: 1. Michael Bloomberg: $8.3 million The co-founder of Bloomberg LP and three-time New York Mayor, the longtime Democrat has poured $8.3 million into a group called Fix the City, which supports now-independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. 2. Joseph Gebbia: $3 million The Airbnb co-founder and current 'Chief Design Officer' for US President Donald Trump, Gebbia has donated $3 million to groups such as Fix the City, Defend NYC, Put NYC First, all against Mamdani. A vocal critic of Mamdani, Gebbia has on social media reposted a user calling the Indian-descent Democrat a "terrorist". 3. Lauder family: $2.6 million Several members of the family behind cosmetics giant Estee Lauder Companies Inc. have contributed in various capacities to campaigns against Mamdani, donating a total of $2.6 million. William and Gary Lauder, the late Estees grandsons, have given $1 million and $25,000, respectively, to Fix the City. Lauder's son Ronald and his wife Joe Carole, meanwhile, have donated $750,000 and $250,000 respectively to the same group. Ronalds grandson Jack Zinterhofer too has made donations totalling $500,000 to Fix the City, and has sent another $50,000 to a separate group called Sensible City, as per Forbes. 4. Bill Ackman: $1.75 million Pershing Square Capital Management co-founder Bill Ackman, another vocal Mamdani critic, has also contributed $1.75 million in total to anti-Mamdani PACs like Fix the City and Defend NYC. The hedge fund manager, a pro-Cuomo billionaire, has also called for Sliwa to drop out of the mayoral race so that anti-Mamdani votes don't get siphoned away from the candidate of his choice. 5. Tisch family: $1.2 million With their wealth coming from insurance-to-energy conglomerate Loews Corp and their ownership of the New York Giants, the Tische family is among America's richest. While the brothers Bob and Larry Tische who established the empire have passed away, their descendants have donated to campaigns against Mamdani. Jonathan Tisch and his wife Elizabeth have donated $250,000 to Fix the City, while Andrew Tisch and his wife Ann have donated $100,000 in total. Also Read | New York attorney general urges public to report ICE activity after raid targets vendors Andrew's Andrews sister-in-law Alice contributed has $500,000 to Fix the City, while Larrys grandkids Abigail and Maude have each sent $100,000. Interestingly, one member of the family, Jessica Tisch has not donated to any campaign: she is currently New York's police commissioner and Mamdani has pledged to keep her on if voted to power. 6. John Hess and family: $1 million Oil and gas billionaire Johnathan Hess, the CEO of Hess corporation, and family have donated $1 million to anti-Mamdani PAC Fix the City, but further details aren't known. 7. Daniel Loeb: $775,000 Investor and hedge fund manager and founder of New York-based Third Point, Loeb has donated $775,000 to pro-Cuomo Fix the City as well. 8. Barry Diller: $500,000 Co-founder of the Fox Broadcasting Company along with Rupert Murdoch, Diller is currently chairman and senior executive of IAC Inc. and the Expedia Group. Diller's donations came in two tranches of $250,000 to Fix the City. 9. Steve Wynn: $500,000 A real-estate developer known for his involvement in the luxury casino and hotel industry, the Florida-based billionaire has donated $500,000 to Fix the City. 10. Marcella Guarino Hymowitz (spouse of Gregg Hymowitz): $400,000 The spouse of investor billionaire Gregg Hymowitz, Marcella has a long-standing relationship with Cuomo, and has attributed her large donations to Fix the City and Put NYC First to their friendship. Other billionaire donors to anti-Mamdani campaigns Some other billionaires who donated to campaigns and groups against Mamdani include David Walentas ($350,000), Reed Hastings ($250,000), John Fish ($250,000), David Lichtenstein ($250,000), Alice Walton ($200,000), Deborah Simon ($200,000), Jerry Speyer ($150,000), Stephanie Coleman ($150,000), the Durst family ($110,000), the Fisher family ($110,000), Daniel Och ($100,000), Ken Langone ($100,000), James and Kathryn Murdoch ($100,000), Bruce and Suzie Kovner ($100,000), Richard Kurtz, ($100,000), and the Elghanayan family ($100,000). When is the New York City mayoral election? With the last debate between candidates completed, early voting began on Saturday, 4 October, while 4 November has been designated as election day. US President Donald Trump on Friday terminated all trade talks with Canada, citing Ottawa's "egregious behaviour" over what he alleged was a "fake" television advertisement propagating anti-tariff comments by conservative former President Ronald Reagan. The flashpoint came after the Canadian province of Ontario, under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, began a television ad campaign in the US to raise awareness about the harmful effects of trade restrictions. "Using every tool we have, well never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together," Ford wrote, announcing the ad campaign that would go on to infuriate Trump. Also Read | Trump claims documents prove Biden administration rigged 2020 US election As the US President raged over the ad, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute backed Trump, saying that it misrepresented the former Republican president's words. The statement shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute on Ontario's ad campaign. Was the Ronald Reagan ad fake? As it turns out, the ad was not fake, but edited. On 25 April 1987, Reagan really did rail against tariffs: commenting on his decision to impose duties on Japan due to Tokyo's failure to honour a trade agreement on semiconductors, Reagan said, "Imposing such tariffs or trade barriers or restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loath to take." "Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer," Reagan explained. "In imposing these tariffs, we were just trying to deal with a particular problem, not begin a trade war," Reagan said solemnly, adding, "So next week, I'll be giving Prime Minister [Yasuhiro] Nakasone the same message." "We want to continue to work cooperatively on trade problems and want very much to lift these trade restrictions as soon as evidence permits," was the 'message'. "We want to do this because we feel both Japan and the United States have an obligation to promote the prosperity and economic development that only free trade can bring," Reagan said. In the same speech, Reagan also says, "Now that message of free trade is one I conveyed to Canada's leaders a few weeks ago, and it was warmly received there." "Indeed throughout the world, there's a growing realization that the weight of prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition," was Reagan's unequivocal assertion. The ad campaign run by Ontario largely drew on the aforementioned comments, highlighting conventional economic wisdom vis-a-vis the imposition of tariffs. By the time Reagan had become President, advanced economies had abandoned tariffs as an economic tool, based on the realization that trade restrictions increased domestic firms' reliance on government intervention, stifled competition, and sparked trade wars leading to more tariffs. The result? Job losses and reduced consumption for all parties involved. As the saying goes in economics, no one wins in a trade war. Ad campaign paused to allow US-Canada talks to resume Despite the veracity of the ad with regard to Reagan's comments, the campaign has since been paused to allow trade negotiations to resume between the two North American neighbours. "Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses," Ford said on Friday, announcing a pause in the campaign after a conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney. While the ad campaign has been paused, there has been no official reaction from the US thus far, vis-a-vis the resumption of trade talks with Canada. An amber alert has been issued in Chicago after four children were kidnapped by a man. While the authorities have found the children safe but the accused has not been arrested yet. Riverdale Police Department Chief Mark Kozeluh told NBC Chicago that the children are undergoing a medical examination as a precaution. The accused linked to the kidnapping of the children has been identified as Austin Bell. He is still on the run. Police earlier reported that officers were called to the 13000 block of South Lowe around 1:26 am regarding an abduction. The four children were reportedly in the backseat of an Acura SUV when 30-year-old Austin Bell, who is not the father of any of the kids, drove off with the vehicle. He drove away in a silver 2010 Acura MDX. The car has an Illinois license plate, as per the police, which has also released the vehicle number. Also Read | South Carolina State University on lockdown after shooting at Hugine Suites: What we know so far Police have classified the kidnapping of the minor children domestic-related kidnapping. Who are the children? The children who were kidnapped but later found were Nolan Hill, Noah Hill, Nia Hill and Nova Hill. There are no reports if the children are related. Earlier, police in suburban Atlanta said they found the body of a six-month-old boy wrapped in a trash bag, dead from blunt force trauma to the head, after his father initially claimed the baby was kidnapped during an armed robbery. Both the father and the mother were denied bail Friday and remained in jail after they were charged in the death of Nnakai Pratt. Also Read | Shooting at North Carolina weekend party; 2 killed, 13 shot Antonio Pearce told Clayton County police on Sunday that Nnakai was snatched while sitting in his car seat by two armed men who also stole $6,500 in cash and 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) of marijuana. The kidnapping was alleged to have happened in an apartment that Pearce said he was using as a stash house in Riverdale, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south of Atlanta. But late Tuesday, police found Nnakai's body in the backyard of a house, just on the other side of a fence from the apartment complex. Clayton County Detective Chieyenne Reynolds said, He was caught in a lot of lies throughout his interview process. Just as United States President started his Asia tour, he has stated that he is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a big step towards the possible revival of high-stakes diplomacy between the two countries. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he would be willing to meet Kim if the North Korean leader reaches out. "I would if he would contact. The last time, I put it out over the internet that I'm coming to South Korea. If he'd like to meet, I'm open to it. Certainly," Trump said. The US President continued, I'd do it. I mean, if you want to put out the word, I'm open to it. You know, they don't have a lot of telephone service. They have a lot of nuclear weapons but not a lot of telephone service. I'm open to it. I had a great relationship with him, and he probably knows I'm coming. But if you want to put out the word, I'm open to it. Trump and Kim have previously held three high-profile summits during Trump's first term, and both leaders have recently signaled interest in resuming dialogue. Also Read | TrumpKim Jong Un to meet again? US officials quietly discussing plan during Presidents Asia visit During his last visit to South Korea in 2019, Donald Trump made a surprise trip to the North Korean border for an unplanned meeting with Kim Jong Un in a bid to revive stalled nuclear talks. In August, after hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House for the first time, Donald Trump signaled interest in meeting Kim Jong Un too. Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, indicated that his country was open to further talks if the United States dropped its its delusional obsession with denuclearization of North Korea. But even though Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to meet Kim Jong Un a United States official said on Friday that the two leaders are not scheduled to meet next week when the US president tours Asia. The president, of course, has expressed his willingness to meet with Kim Jong Un in the future. It is not on the schedule for this trip, the senior official told reporters on condition of anonymity. But there were also reports that the Trump administration and the North Korean officials were secretly planning for a meeting between the two leaders. The White House rejected reports suggesting that President Donald Trump intends to name the new White House ballroom after himself, stating that any official decision about the event spaces name will be announced by the president personally. White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital on Friday, Any announcement made on the name of the ballroom will come directly from President Trump himself, and not through anonymous and unnamed sources. Rumours circulated widely on Friday afternoon claiming Trump would name the ballroom after himself, following an ABC News report alleging that administration officials were already referring to the project as The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom. "I won't get into that now," Trump told ABC News on Thursday when asked about a possible name, it noted. Trump on Monday said that construction on the ballroom had begun, following months of his promotion of the project as part of efforts to modernise the White House. According to the administration, the project is privately funded and involves no taxpayer money. "For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday, adding, The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come! Democrats hit out at Trump Meanwhile, the start of the ballrooms construction sparked a wave of backlash from Democrats, who accused Trump of damaging the historic White House. Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on X and reacted, Oh you're trying to say the cost of living is skyrocketing? Donald Trump can't hear you over the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House to build a new grand ballroom, "The White House became my home when I was twelve years old. I always understood that it wasnt my house; it was The Peoples House," former first daughter Chelsea Clinton posted on X. The erasure of the East Wing isn't just about marble or plaster it's about President Trump again taking a wrecking ball to our heritage, while targeting our democracy, and the rule-of-law. Also Read | Binance jumps 8% after Donald Trump pardons exchange cofounder Changpeng Zhao Trump administration rejects criticism The Trump administration has consistently pushed back against the criticism. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News that presidents have historically sought a large gathering space at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Leavitt informed Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime" on Tuesday, "Nearly every single president whos lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own. In fact, presidents for decades in modern times have joked about how they wished they had a larger event space here at the White House, something that could hold hundreds more people than the current East Room and State Dining Room. President Obama even complained that, during his tenure, he had to hold a state dinner on the South Lawn and rent a very expensive tent." FAQs 1. Is President Trump naming the new White House ballroom after himself? No official decision has been made regarding the name. The White House has stated that any announcement will come directly from President Trump, not from anonymous sources. Rumors circulated that it could be called The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom, but Trump himself has not confirmed this. 2. Who is funding the ballroom construction? The ballroom is being privately funded, according to President Trump who said it involves many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly, and emphasised that no taxpayer money is being used for the project. 3. Why is the ballroom being built, and what has been the reaction? The ballroom is intended to provide a larger event space for grand parties, state visits, and other official gatherings, something previous presidents reportedly wished for. The project has faced criticism from Democrats and others who say it risks damaging the historic White House, while the Trump administration argues that renovations and modernisations are a normal part of White House upkeep. Kamala Harris, former Vice President to President Joe Biden who ran against Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 Presidential polls, has hinted at a comeback in the 2028 elections, saying she's not done yet. While Kamala Harris hasnt made a final decision, she expressed confidence that a woman will one day occupy the White House, hinting that she could possibly be that president. "I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service and its in my bones, Kamala Harris told BBC in an interview. Trumps skin is so thin': Harris The former vice president also blasted President Donald Trump over the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel show after the comedian made a joke about how the Republicans had reacted to Charlie Kirk's killing. Speaking further about Donald Trump allegedly using the Department of Justice to to go after his political opponents since taking office, Kamala Harris said, He said he would weaponise the Department of Justice - and he has done exactly that. You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponised, for example, federal agencies going around after political satiristsHis skin is so thin he couldn't endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organisation in the process. Kamala Harris also brushed aside polls suggesting she is an underdog for the Democratic ticket, where she currently trails even Hollywood star Dwayne The Rock Johnson, saying she never listened to them. If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office - and I certainly wouldn't be sitting here. She also took aim at business leaders who, she claimed, had capitulated to Trumps demands, saying, There are manythat have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation. Also Read | Is Kamala Harris staging a 2028 comeback? Kamala Harris had earlier, too, lambasted business leaders for failing to act as guardrails for democracy. Ive worked closely with the private sector over many years. And I always believed that if push came to shove, those titans of industry would be guardrails for our democracy, for the importance of sustaining democratic institutions. And one by one by one, they have been silent. They have been, you know, yes, I use the word feckless, Harris said. White House reacts to Harris' comments on Trump Reacting to Kamala Harris' interview to the BBC and her comments about Donald Trump, the White House said she should have taken a hint when she lost the polls to the Republican leader. When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should've taken the hint. The American people don't care about her absurd lies, Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. Venezuelas Maduro warned US President Donald Trump to avoid escalating tensions in the Caribbean, pleading in English, No crazy war, please please please, after Washington ordered its most advanced aircraft carrier to the region. The deployment marks a major escalation in the Trump administrations expanding military campaign against drug cartels in Latin America. Not war, not war, not war, peace forever, the Venezuelan president was seen saying in an official video. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, which can carry up to 90 aircraft, to move from the Mediterranean on Friday. US Sends Aircraft Carrier to Caribbean Border The Pentagon confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Forda nuclear-powered supercarrier capable of carrying up to 90 aircrafthas been redirected from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean Sea. The move, authorised by US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, brings with it a formidable strike group of destroyers, assault ships and refuelling tankers. The US says the expanded naval presence is aimed at disrupting illicit actors and cracking down on drug traffickers, but the scale of the deployment has prompted speculation that Washington is preparing for broader military action. The enhanced presence will bolster US capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the western hemisphere, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said. Officials familiar with the operation told reporters that the deployment could enable the US to hit land-based targets in Venezuela, with F-35 stealth fighters and drones capable of striking air-defence systems and other installations. Venezuela's Maduro says US fabricating war Maduro has accused Washington of fabricating a war, saying the US is using the language of counter-narcotics operations to justify an attempted regime change. They are fabricating a new eternal war, he told Venezuelan state media. They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war. In an official video message, Maduro appeared visibly agitated as he switched to English: Not war, not war, not war, peace forever. The Venezuelan leader, a longtime adversary of Trump, denies accusations that he oversees a drug-trafficking network, calling them politically motivated. His government has described the US naval build-up as an act of intimidation and a violation of international law. What is Trumps endgame in Venezuela? For two months, the US has been quietly amassing one of its largest military forces in the Caribbean in decades. Warships, F-35 fighter jets, B-52 bombers, marines, drones and surveillance planes have been deployed in what the White House insists is a mission to stop narcotics reaching American shores. Yet few analysts are convinced. This is about regime change. Theyre probably not going to invade the hope is this is about signalling, said Dr Christopher Sabatini to BBC, a senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House. The intention is to strike fear in the hearts of the Venezuelan military and Maduros inner circle so that they move against him. The BBC reports that as of 23 October, ten US naval vessels, including guided-missile destroyers and amphibious assault ships, are operating in the Caribbean. Trump goes bullish in war on Latin America At a press conference on Thursday, Donald Trump appeared to confirm that his campaign against drug traffickers is entering a more aggressive phase. The land is going to be next, he told reporters. The land drugs are much more dangerous for them. Its going to be much more dangerous. Youll be seeing that soon. Pressed on whether he was preparing for a full-scale war against Latin American cartels, Trump was characteristically blunt: I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Were going to kill them, you know theyre going to be, like, dead. Also Read | Trump says US strike on drug-trafficking vessel near Venezuela killed six The remarks stunned regional observers and reignited concerns about the legality and proportionality of the strikes, which Washington says have already killed dozens of alleged smugglers aboard small vessels. No evidence or details about the targets have been released. Regional fears of escalation Governments across Latin America have voiced alarm at the spiralling military presence near Venezuelas shores, warning it could inflame already volatile tensions. Human rights groups have urged restraint, saying the campaign risks plunging the region into a new cycle of conflict. The Pentagon has accepted a $130 million private donation to help cover salaries for roughly 1.3 million active duty US military personnel during the ongoing government shutdown. President Donald Trump hailed the unnamed donor as a patriot and friend, but legal experts and lawmakers are raising serious questions about the propriety and legality of the contribution. How will the donation to Pentagon be used? The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members salaries and benefits, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement, adding that the money was accepted under the departments general gift acceptance authority. Despite the nine-figure sum, analysts note that the donation is unlikely to meaningfully impact US military service members pay, amounting to roughly $100 per troop. The government shutdown, now extending into its second month, has left many federal workers without pay, making this symbolic infusion a curious and unprecedented step. Is the donation to US Military legal? The Pentagons reliance on its general gift acceptance authority has raised immediate concerns among Democrats and legal experts. The authority is typically restricted to specific purposes, such as funding military hospitals, schools, cemeteries, or providing benefits for wounded troops or their dependents. Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers, said Delaware Senator Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Senates defence appropriations subcommittee. Budget analysts have also highlighted potential conflicts with the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending beyond congressional appropriations. The Antideficiency Act is explicit that private donations cannot be used to offset a lapse in appropriations, said Bill Hoagland, a former Senate GOP budget aide and senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center. I think they could accept it but they could not use it for that purpose because the law is very clear. Who is the donor to Pentagon? Trump has declined to name the donor, calling him a friend of mine who doesnt really want the recognition. The secrecy surrounding the donation has sparked speculation about the donors motivations, financial background, and any potential foreign connections. Inquiries by Congress regarding the specifics of the donation have so far been met with limited transparency. A White House spokeswoman deferred questions to the Pentagon and Treasury, which in turn redirected inquiries back to the White House. The Pentagon described the contribution as an anonymous gift but offered no further details or plans to brief lawmakers. What are the implications for US government procedure? Traditionally, US military salaries are funded solely through appropriations approved by Congress. Accepting a private donation to cover service member pay represents a marked departure from standard government procedure. Experts warn it could set a dangerous precedent for future crises. Congressional appropriators on both sides of the aisle are seeking more information from the administration about the specifics of the donation, Parnell said, reflecting the unease among lawmakers regarding the unusual arrangement. Analysis: Symbolism vs. substance While the $130 million donation is largely symbolic given the scale of military payroll obligations, it illustrates the lengths to which the administration is willing to go to maintain troop morale during a politically charged shutdown. Yet, it also highlights the fragility of funding mechanisms that underpin the US government, raising uncomfortable questions about oversight, legality, and transparency. Also Read | Pentagon to deploy National Guard troops to Portland amid protest against Trump The United States is planning additional sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin prolongs the war on Ukraine. A US official said that the additional sanctions on Russia have been prepared to target key areas of the Russian economy and this time, Russian banks and oil infrastructure are the targets. US officials have also indicated to their European counterparts that they back the EU using frozen Russian assets to purchase US weapons for Kyiv, and Washington has also begun internal discussions on using Russian assets held in the US to support Ukraines war effort, according to two officials Reuters quoted. Earlier on Wednesday, October 22, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies, citing their lack of serious commitment to peace in Ukraine. President Donald Trump also noted that conversations with Vladimir Putin were good but did not go anywhere. The sanctions hit two major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Luko to increase pressure on Russias energy sector. What did Bessent say about the sanctions? Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, who announced the sanctions on the Russian oil companiesm, said, Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions, Bessent said. The move spiked oil prices by more than $2 and sent major Chinese and Indian buyers of Russian crude looking for alternatives. Trump, using Truth Social to announce the new sanctions on Russia, said it was time for such measures. He also expressed hope that the tremendous sanctions would be short-lived. US sanctions Russia, what will India do? Watch here Just last week, before the reports of some additional sanctions on Russian banks and oil infrastructure emerged, Ukrainian officials had suggested new sanctions to the US. Their ideas included cutting all Russian banks off from the U.S. dollar system, said two sources. It is, however, not clear how seriously the US is considering these specific requests. After the sanctions, Ukrainian Embassy spokesperson in Washington welcomed the sanctions and said, Dismantling Russia's war machine is the most humane way to bring this war to an end. VILNIUS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Traffic through Lithuania's border with Belarus reopened at noon on Saturday, more than 12 hours after a balloon intrusion led to a temporary suspension late Friday. According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), checks and crossings for people and vehicles at the Medininkai and Salcininkai checkpoints have resumed. Traffic at both checkpoints was halted around 9:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) on Friday following reports of some meteorological weather balloons flying towards Lithuanian airspace. VSAT said that during the closure, no major incidents or conflicts were reported among waiting drivers near the checkpoints. On Friday evening, head of National Crisis Management Center Vilmantas Vitkauskas said radar had detected around 80-90 balloon objects, roughly two to three times fewer than what was observed during a similar incident earlier this week. According to VSAT Commander Rustamas Liubajevas, authorities have so far intercepted four balloons carrying contraband cigarettes. Following the first wave of balloon incursions earlier this week, the National Security Commission held a meeting to assess the situation. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene warned that if mass launches of contraband balloons from Belarus were to continue, Lithuania could consider a complete border closure with its eastern neighbor. Another meeting of the National Security Commission is scheduled for next Wednesday. The White House revealed the names of the donors for US President Donald Trump's plans to build a ballroom worth $300 million. The donors include top businessmen, CEOs, companies, and crypto platforms. Some of the popular contributors are major tech firms such as Tim Cook-headed Apple, Jeff Bezos' Amazon and Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, reported CNN. However, one name that has been missing from the list of donors is the world's richest man and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE ) head, Elon Musk, who was once known to be Trump's close aide and one of the biggest donors to his political campaign. What is White House ballroom? Trump earlier announced the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The White House informed that the newly constructed ballroom will have a seating capacity of 650 people, a significant increase from the 200-person capacity in the East Room of the White House. In a post on Truth Social, Trump also clarified that the project is privately financed and does not involve taxpayer money. Also Read | Is Donald Trump naming White House ballroom after himself? US official clarifies Who is on the donor list? The list of donors for the White House ballroom includes several companies, such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Coinbase, Hard Rock International, HP Inc., Tether America, T-Mobile and several billionaire investors. Meanwhile, the US president has said that he will contribute to the construction. Musk, one of the biggest donors to Trump's campaign Elon Musk spent around $288 million for Trump's political campaign ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election, making him one of the biggest political donors, according to a report by the Washington Post. However, in May this year, Musk stated that he intends to significantly reduce political donations in the future, indicating a shift away from the approach of being Trumps leading supporter. I think, in terms of political spending, Im going to do a lot less in the future, Musk said during an interaction at Qatar Economic Forum. Reflecting on the reason to spend less on political donations, Musk said, I think Ive done enough. Tesla boss went on to say that he may change his mind at some point. Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it, Musk said. I do not currently see a reason, he added. Trump-Musk fallout Elon Musk's absence from the White House ballroom donors list comes after his public fallout with the US President. Trump and Musks relationship deteriorated earlier this year, and personal insults were exchanged on social media. Even though Musk was instrumental in a government cost-cutting initiative by heading DOGE during Trump's second term, their relationship soured over legislation ending tax credits for electric vehicles, which directly affected Tesla, Bloomberg reported. Also Read | From bowling alleys to ballrooms: How first families have reshaped White House However, Musk stated that his opposition was due to worries about the big beautiful bill and rising federal deficit; he even suggested creating a third political party to compete with both Republicans and Democrats. In reply, Trump warned he would withdraw Musks government contracts and subsidies. Nonetheless, subsequently, both parties made efforts to find common ground. Last month, speaking on Musk's return to the Republican party, Trump said on the Scott Jennings show,I dont think he has a choice." Hes a good man. He got off the reservation, incorrectly, and thats okay, because, you know, its just one of those things, he added. As United States President Donald Trump begins a five-day trip to Japan, Malaysia and South Korea, his team is set to meet Chinese officials in Kuala Lumpur to lay the groundwork for a possible meeting between Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and to seek ways to defuse rising trade tensions. The talks, to be held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, aim to chart a path forward after President Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and additional trade restrictions from November 1, in response to Chinas expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. The three US officials who would be meeting the Chinese officials are US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Speaking about the meeting between Xi and Trump, Josh Lipsky, international economics chair at the Atlantic Council in Washington, told Reuters that it cannot happen without an agreement between the two countries first. The meeting can't happen without an agreement that they can return to this intermediate ceasefire that we've had over the summer, Lipsky said. He said the meeting would also talk about reversing China's decision to extend control over rare earth controls. I'm not sure the Chinese can agree to that. It's the primary leverage that they have, Lipsky said. Eaelier, Donald Trump had said that the 100 per cent tariffs that he threatens on China were not sustainable. The US President also blamed China for the latest setback in trade talks, citing Beijings move to tighten control over its rare earth exports. I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair, Donald Trump said. When asked if such high tariffs on Chinese imports were sustainable, Donald Trump said they were not. Also Read | Trump, Chinas Xi are due to meetbut will they? Why it matters for rare earth stocks It's not sustainable, but that's what the number is, Donald Trump said in an interview, and added, They forced me to do that. While a meeting appears likely amid ongoing trade and tariff tensions, an interim deal could offer both countries a pathway toward easing the standoff. US President Donald Trump raised eyebrows after suggesting that North Korea is sort of a nuclear power during a press interaction aboard Air Force One. The remarks came as he departed for an Asia trip that could potentially include a meeting with Pyongyangs leader, Kim Jong Un. What did Trump say about North Koreas nuclear status? Asked whether Donald Trump was open to recognising North Korea as a nuclear statea condition Pyongyang has repeatedly demanded for dialogueUS President replied: Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power. When you say they have to be recognized as a nuclear power, well, they got a lot of nuclear weapons, I'll say that. Also Read | Why North Korea has scaled back its missile tests this year The comments appear to acknowledge North Koreas nuclear arsenal without formally recognising its status as a nuclear-armed state, a stance that could have implications for diplomacy and international negotiations. Could Trump meet Kim Jong Un on his Asia trip? Trump is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. US media have reported that his administration has privately explored the possibility of a meeting with Kim, whom he last met in 2019. Trump has expressed a desire to meet Kim again, potentially before the end of this year. Kim Jong Un himself recently remarked that he had fond memories of previous meetings and indicated openness to talks with Donald Trump, provided that the United States dropped what he called its delusional demand that Pyongyang relinquish its nuclear weapons. South Koreas unification minister, Chung Dong-young, suggested there is a considerable chance of a meeting during Trumps visit. However, a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity that no meeting is currently scheduled. What preparations in North Korea hint at possible dialogue? Although no official announcements have been made, tours of the Joint Security Area (JSA)the site of the 2019 Panmunjom meeting between Trump and Kimhave been temporarily suspended from late October to early November. Minister Chung also noted that North Koreans have been sprucing up areas near the JSA, cleaning, pulling weeds, tending flower beds, and taking photographs, a signal that preparations may be underway for a diplomatic event. North Koreas nuclear capability and global reaction North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an irreversible nuclear state, a claim that continues to raise alarm among global leaders. Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul view Pyongyangs nuclear arsenal as a major threat to regional and international security. Also Read | North Koreas Kim flaunts new ICBM able to reach US Experts note that North Koreas growing nuclear and missile capabilities complicate denuclearisation talks, while China and Russia often advocate for dialogue and restraint to avoid military escalation. The world closely monitors Pyongyangs nuclear tests, missile launches, and statements, weighing the risks of recognition versus continued sanctions and pressure. History of unprecedented encounters between Trump and Kim Jong Un Trump and Kim met three times during the US presidents first term, with their final encounter occurring in 2019 at Panmunjom. That impromptu meeting followed a Twitter invitation from Donald Trump and saw the US president step briefly into North Korean territory, making him the first sitting US president to do so. While these summits were high-profile, talks eventually broke down over disagreements on the extent of North Koreas nuclear disarmament and the concessions Pyongyang would receive in return. Since then, North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an irreversible nuclear state. A top-ranking CIA officer and whistleblower who exposed the agency's use of waterboarding to interrogate al-Qaeda terrorists has now made explosive revelations about US covert operations and Washington's ties with Pakistan, shedding light on the contours of a complicated relationship that shaped the regional balance of power in South Asia. John Kiriakou, who served as the CIA's chief of counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan in 2002, made the bombshell claims in an interview with news agency ANI. Here are some of the most explosive revelations by the former CIA man. 1. Osama bin Laden escaped dressed as a woman, aided by a traitor Kiriakou, a 15-year CIA veteran, said in the interview that when US and allied forces had 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, traitor within the US military helped the al-Qaeda leader escape. "We did not know that the translator for the commander of central command was actually an al-Qaeda operative who had infiltrated the US military. We knew we had bin Laden cornered. We told him to come down the mountain. And he said through the translator, 'Can you just give us until dawn? We want to evacuate the women and children.' The translator convinced General [Tommy] Franks," the former agency man recalled. "What ended up happening was Bin Laden dressed as a woman and he escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup truck into Pakistan," Kiriakou said. 2. US 'purchased' Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Asked about Washington's tendency to collaborate with authoritarian figures, Kiriakou minced no words, saying. "Let's be honest. the United States loves working with dictators. Because then you don't have to worry about public opinion and you don't have to worry about the media," the CIA whistleblower said. "And so we essentially just purchased Musharraf. We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week, and essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do," Kiriakou said, explaining the CIA's hold on the former Pakistani President. 3. Pentagon controlled Pakistan's nuclear arsenal Kiriakou also said that Musharraf, fearing that Islamabad's nuclear weapons could fall into terrorist hands, gave control of the entire Pakistani nuclear arsenal to the United States. "When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, that Musharraf had turned control over to the United States because he was afraid of exactly what you just described," the ex-CIA man told the interviewer. 4. Assassinating Abdul Qadeer Khan Known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, Abdul Qadeer Khan also gained global notoriety for his role in running a nuclear proliferation network. Commenting on whether the US ever meant to act against A Q Khan, the former CIA officer said, "Well, if we had taken, you know, the Israeli approach, we would have just killed him. He was easy enough to find. We knew where he lived. We knew how he spent his day." However, the assassination never took place because the Saudi Arabian government, who backed Khan, intervened directly. "But he [Khan] also had the support of the Saudi government. And the Saudis came to us and said, 'Please leave him alone.' ... there were instructions from the White House not to attack A Q Khan and it had to be because the Saudis were demanding it, insisting on it," Kiriakou said. 5. US ignored Pakistani terrorism against India Kiriakou also went on to say that a conscious decision was taken at the highest levels of the US government to turn a blind eye to Pakistan's support for anti-India terrorist groups. Explain why the White House chose to do so, Kiriakou said, "That was a decision that was made at the White House and the decision was that that the relationship is bigger than India-Pakistan at least temporarily." "We really needed them [Pakistan] to let us base our drones in Balochistan for example... And so a decision was made at the White House that if we strategically ignore this terrorism problem vis-a-vis India, the relationship [with Islamabad] would be much easier to negotiate and and so that's what we did," the the ex-CIA man said. 6. A tale of two ISIs Commenting on what he described as the "dual life" of Pakistan, Kiriakou told ANI that Islamabad had to balance between carrying cooperating on counter-terrorism with the US and backing anti-India terrorists. "There really were two parallel ISIS. There was the the ISI that I was working with and these guys were heroes... But then there was another ISI made up of people with long beards who gave you a dirty look when you were walking the halls there," Kiriakou said, adding, "These were the members of ISI who had created these Kashmiri terrorist groups ... or you know other groups that were blowing up Shia Muslim mosques and were attacking Americans." 7. US paid millions to ISI Apart from aid given to Pakistan to "purchase" Musharraf, Kiriakou said that the US also paid millions of dollars in cash to the ISI. How the money was used still remains a mystery. "We paid tens of millions of dollars in cash as rewards to the Pakistani intelligence service and God knows what they did with that money," the ex-CIA officer said. 8. US expected India to attack Pakistan after 26/11 Kiriakou also said that the White House had expected a war to break out in 2008 following the 26/11 terror attack. Recalling the US government's surprise at India's restraint following the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Kiriakou noted that New Delhi would have been "perfectly within its rights" to attack Pakistan in retaliation. Also Read | Pak PM Shehbaz Sharifs Sycophancy In Full Display For 3 Mins 9. No victory if India attacks However, such an attack by India, if it were ever to happen, would be devastating for Pakistan, Kiriakou unequivocally said. "Literally nothing good will come of a of an actual war between India and Pakistan because the Pakistanis will lose. It's as simple as that. They'll lose. And I'm not talking about nuclear weapons. I'm talking just about a conventional war. The Pakistanis will lose," the ex-CIA agent said. 10. Rampant corruption among Pakistan's elite Giving a firsthand account of the opulence of Pakistan's ruling elite, Kiriakou also recalled meeting former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto during her exile in Dubai. "When Benazir Bhutto was in exile in uh Dubai... we heard a car pull up and she said these exact words, 'So help me, God. If he [former Pakistan President and Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari] comes home with another Bentley, I'm going to kill him,'" Kiriakou said. "And I said to my boss afterwards, 'She makes $60,000 a year. She lives in a $5 million house and he has a collection of Bentleys. Aren't they ashamed of themselves?'," the former CIA agent recalled wondering. Who is former CIA officer John Kiriakou? A career CIA man, Kiriakou shot to public fame in 2007 after becoming the first US government official to confirm that waterboarding was being used as a technique to interrogate al-Qaeda prisoners, something he described as torture. Donald Trump hit out at Canada for dirty play over an advertisement that Ontario decided to pause on Monday. This followed a row over the United States President's claim that it misquoted former president Ronald Reagan as opposing tariffs, prompting Trump to cease all trade talks with the neighbouring country. "Canada got caught cheating on a commercial, can you believe it? And I heard they were pulling the ad -- I didn't know they were putting it on a little bit more. They could have pulled it tonight," Trump said, according to AFP. When a reporter stated that the ad would be withdrawn on Monday, he responded, "That's dirty play. But I can play dirtier than they can." What they did was terrible. They made a fake statement by President Reagan. Reagan was a big supporter of tariffs when needed and we need tariffs for national security. And then totally turned it around because they are getting hurt by the tariffs. They have used the tariffs on us but we had different presidents very successfully in there taking lot of money out our country now would take at all back, Trump said while speaking with press on Air Force One, according to Russia Today. He added, "The Reagan Foundation went crazy when they saw this because it was opposite of what Reagan liked tariffs and when necessary he would use tariffs. It made us very rich country. Trump's all trade negotiations terminated announcement On Truth Social, Trump stated The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. The ad was for $75,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. Also Read | Why Canada May Need India More Than Ever Now He asserted, TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT. Also Read | Trump accuses Canada of trying to influence US Supreme Court Ontario will pause ad campaign so that trade talks can resume On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that, following a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the ad campaign would pause starting Monday so that trade talks can resume, although it will continue to air during MLB's World Series games over the weekend, a report by CNN noted. Ford took to X and said, Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. I've directed my team to keep putting our message in front of Americans over the weekend so that we can air our commercial during the first two World Series games. In speaking with Prime Minister Carney, Ontario will pause its U.S. advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume. Meanwhile, as per ANI report, when reporters asked if he planned to meet with PM Mark Carney, who will also be in Asia, Trump responded, No, I dont have any plan to. Pakistan's defence minister said on Saturday that he believes Afghanistan desires peace, but warned that if the two sides fail to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul, it could lead to open war. This comes days after both countries agreed to a ceasefire following deadly clashes along their shared border. The talks in Istanbul, which began on Saturday and are expected to continue into Sunday, mark the latest attempt by Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent a relapse into violence after the worst border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul, Reuters reported. The talks are meant to devise a mechanism to enforce the Doha ceasefire in the long term. Khawaja Muhammad Asif said there had been no incidents in the four to five days since it was agreed, and both sides were complying with the truce. We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them, he said in televised remarks from Pakistan, Reuters reported. But I saw that they want peace. The latest clashes broke out earlier this month after Islamabad called on the Taliban to rein in militants it claims are launching attacks on Pakistan from bases within Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan carried out cross-border airstrikes, leading to intense exchanges of fire between the two sides that left dozens dead and forced the closure of major border crossings, which remain sealed. Islamabad continues to accuse Kabul of providing a haven to militants targeting Pakistani forces, while the Taliban denies the allegations, insisting that Pakistan's military actions infringe on Afghanistans sovereignty. Amid a renewed wave of attacks targeting its security forces, Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering groups it considers terrorist organisations, chiefly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Also Read | Trump not so sharif? US Prez makes Pak PM wait for 60 minutes ahead of meeting Kabul, however, has firmly rejected these allegations. Throughout the tensions, Pakistan has urged the Taliban government to assert control over militants operating from Afghan territory. A ceasefire brokered last weekend by Qatar and Turkey has brought a temporary halt to the clashes, and the truce has mostly held. Still, the border remains closed, except for Afghan refugees returning home from Pakistan, as reported by AFP. According to Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders are suffering heavy losses, reportedly millions of dollars daily, as cross-border trade and transit remain suspended. Southern Kandahar Province has been the hardest hit by the recent conflict, particularly the border town of Spin Boldak, where Pakistani airstrikes destroyed homes and caused civilian casualties. On Friday, the Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib was leading the delegation heading to Istanbul. Transit trade with Afghanistan to remain suspended Pakistan Foreign Office on Friday said that it plans to keep transit trade with Afghanistan suspended for the foreseeable future till the security situation at the border is evaluated. I believe Afghanistan desires peace. "Afghan transit trade is closed, and is not taking place. It is not taking place because of the factors that you were aware of. There was considerable discussion on this question during last week's briefing as well. Till the evaluation of the security situation, this transit trade will remain closed," said Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi at a weekly press briefing. (With inputs from agencies) Thailand is mourning the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, a royal icon whose grace, philanthropy and influence helped shape the countrys modern monarchy. She passed away at the age of 93, the Thai Royal Household Bureau confirmed on Saturday. Sirikit had been largely absent from public life since suffering a stroke in 2012. Who was Queen Mother Sirikit? FILE PHOTO: Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit salute as they review a guard of honour unit during a military parade in Bangkok December 3, 1989 Born in 1932, the year Thailand transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one, Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of Thailands ambassador to France. She grew up in wealth and privilege, studying music and languages in Paris. It was there that she met her future husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had spent part of his childhood in Switzerland. It was hate at first sight, she recalled in a BBC documentary, noting that he had arrived late to their first meeting. Then it was love. The couple were engaged in 1949 and married a year later when Sirikit was just 17. As Thailands queen consort, she stood beside Bhumibol during his 70-year reign, winning the affection of the nation through their charitable work and high-profile appearances both at home and abroad. How did Thailand's Sirikit charm the world? FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Queen Sirikit waves to people during her arrival in Chinatown for Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok January 23, 2012 Sirikit was renowned for her elegance and fashion sense. During a 1960 visit to the United States, including a state dinner at the White House, Time magazine described her as svelte and archfeminist, while the French daily LAurore called her ravishing. She collaborated with French couturier Pierre Balmain on outfits made from Thai silk, helping revitalise the domestic silk industry and preserve traditional weaving techniques. Her travels often combined glamour with purpose: for over four decades, she accompanied the king to remote villages, promoting development projects for the rural poor. These visits were televised nightly on Thailands Royal Bulletin, reinforcing her image as a compassionate figure. What role did Sirikit play in Thailand's politics? Although the Thai monarchy is officially above politics, Sirikit occasionally exercised influence. In 1956, she served briefly as regent while the king spent two weeks in a temple studying to become a Buddhist monk. In 1998, she used her birthday address to urge Thais to support Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, undermining an opposition effort to hold a non-confidence vote. Later, she became associated with the royalist Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose protests contributed to the fall of governments aligned with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In 2008, Sirikit attended the funeral of a PAD protestor killed in clashes with police, signalling royal backing for the movement. What is Sirikit's legacy? FILE - Then Queen Mother Sirikit, walks with her son then Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, as they leave the Siriraj hospital in Bangkok, Dec. 5, 2009 Sirikits enduring legacy lies in her charitable work and her status as a symbol of maternal virtue. Her birthday, 12 August, became Thailands official Mothers Day in 1976. She is remembered for promoting Thai culture, particularly traditional silk weaving, and for her dedication to the nations rural communities. Sirikit was briefly regent, a global style icon, and a royal figure who navigated both ceremonial and political landscapes with care and influence. In her passing, she leaves behind her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, known as Rama X, and three daughters. What was Sirikit's net worth? A woman holds a photograph of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, 93, as people react following the announcement of her death, outside King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand While the Thai monarchy does not publicly disclose personal wealth, Sirikit lived a life of considerable privilege, with extensive properties, royal estates, and access to state resources. Estimates of the Thai royal familys collective wealth run into billions, reflecting centuries of accumulated assets, though precise figures for Sirikit herself remain undisclosed. Also Read | Founding family of this energy drink empire now rules Thailands rich list It is worth noting that King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, with an estimated fortune of $30$43 billion derived from the Crown Property Bureau, is the richest royal in the world. How will Thailand's Queen Mother be remembered? For many Thais, Queen Mother Sirikit will be remembered as a symbol of grace, compassion and national pride. Her death will be marked with reverence in a country where strict lese-majeste laws make criticism of the monarchy, past or present, a criminal offence. A Japanese man spent most of his life in poverty before discovering that he had been switched at birth. The mix-up happened at Tokyos San-ikukai Hospital. The truth came out nearly 60 years later. The rich familys younger sons grew suspicious of their elder brothers behaviour. They noticed he didnt look like them. They also recalled their late mother mentioning a nurse who had changed his clothes after a bath in the hospital. In 2009, they collected a cigarette butt from their elder brother and sent it for DNA testing. The results revealed that the man was not biologically related to them, the South China Morning Post reported. The case shocked Japan. It reignited public discussion about hospital negligence and human error in maternity wards. The real heir An investigation into hospital records helped the wealthy Japanese family trace the real heir. It was a Tokyo truck driver who had been accidentally switched at birth with their son. Neighbours often remarked that he bore no resemblance to his parents. Still, he had to struggle all his life. The driver was born just 13 minutes earlier but grew up in a poor family. His father died when he was two. He lived without basic comforts like electricity and worked part-time jobs while struggling through school. The child who had taken his place enjoyed a privileged upbringing and good education. He, along with three accomplished brothers, also had a successful career as a company boss, according to SCMP. By the time the driver discovered the truth, both his biological parents had passed away. A court in 2013 ordered the hospital to pay the man, born in 1953, 38 million yen (about 2.18 crore) in compensation. Judge Masatoshi Miyasaka ruled that he was entitled to compensation. According to the judge, he was unfairly deprived of the comfortable life he should have had. Also, he could never reunite with his real parents. He was separated from his biological parents almost immediately at birth and will never meet them, Judge Miyasaka said. Sunil Gavaskar nearly switched at birth Sunil Gavaskar was nearly switched at birth with a fisherwomans baby. It happened in a Mumbai hospital in 1949. The incident, which he often recalls humorously, is described in his autobiography, Sunny Days. On the day Gavaskar was born, his uncle noticed a small hole near Sunils left earlobe. When he returned the next day, the baby beside Gavaskars mother no longer had the mark. After a tense search, the real baby Sunil was found sleeping beside a fisherwoman. The switch reportedly happened when the newborns were taken for their baths. United States President Donald Trump has warned Hamas that the military organisation of Gaza must start returning bodies of the deceased Israeli hostages, who were kidnapped in October 2023 attack, or risk other countries involved in peace in the Middle East taking action. Donald Trump, however, did not elaborate on what kind of action. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, We have a very strong PEACE in the Middle East, and I believe it has a good chance of being EVERLASTING. Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action. Donald Trump also indicated that he has given 48 hours to Hamas to return all dead bodies or make progress at least, saying, I am watching very closely. Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not. Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, Both sides would be treated fairly, that only applies if they comply with their obligations. Lets see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely, Trump added further. As Israel and Trump press Hamas for the return of the remains of the dead hostages, the Palestinian organisation said the bodies cannot be recovered without specialised equipment. The return of all 28 dead hostages is a condition of the US-backed ceasefire deal that came into effect when Israel and Hamas signed on a deal to pause war in Gaza and exchange hostages. Israel has also threatened to halt aid into the Palestinian territory is bodies of the deceased hostages are not returned. Also Read | Trump dreams of everlasting peace, to send US troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire but who will rule the territory? Just a day earlier, Donald Trump urged Hamas to release the remaining bodies of deceased hostages, asserting that the job was not done. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! Meanwhile, the Israeli military has said that it had conducted an air strike targeting an alleged Islamic Jihad militant in central Gaza, despite a ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump. A short while ago, the IDF (army) conducted a precise strike in the Nuseirat area in the central Gaza Strip targeting a terrorist from the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation who planned to carry out an imminent terrorist attack against IDF troops, the military said. A top former CIA officer who was posted in Pakistan has made explosive revelations about the United States' tendency to collaborate with dictators, citing former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as an example of an autocrat 'purchased' by Washington. "Let's be honest here. The United States loves working with dictators, because then you don't have to worry about public opinion and you don't have to worry about the media," John Kiriakou, who was the CIA's chief of counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan in 2002, told news agency ANI, when speaking about Osama Bin Laden's escape from the Tora Bora mountains and the hunt for the 9/11 mastermind shifting to Pakistan. "Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time." the 15-year CIA veteran said. Also Read | Pak PM Shehbaz Sharifs Sycophancy In Full Display For 3 Mins Elaborating, Kiriakou added, "We essentially just purchased Musharraf. We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid." "And we would meet Musharraf regularly, several times a week, and essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do," the agency man said. Kiriakou went on to talk about how Musharraf had to create a balancing act between keeping the Pakistani Army happy while fuelling terror against India. "He [Musharraf] had to keep the military happy. And the military didn't care about al-Qaeda. They cared about India. "And so, in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counter-terrorism while committing terror against India," the ex-CIA officer said. Pentagon controlled Pakistans nuclear arsenal' Asked whether the CIA ever feared about Pakistani's nuclear weapons falling into terrorist hands, Kiriakou responded in the affirmative. "Yes. When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal. Musharraf had turned control over to the United States because he was afraid of exactly what you [the interviewer] just described," was the answer. Kiriakou's insights into US-Pakistan relations under the Musharraf regime come at a time when the current regime headed by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been trying to cozy up to the Donald Trump administration. Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir has thrice visited the White House since June, and in his most recent visit in September, the army chief was caught on camera touting rare earth minerals to Trump as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif watched on. Munir's overtures and Sharif watching on not just invited ridicule online, but from their own countrymen, with a Pakistani lawmaker calling out the two for behaving like a "dukaandar (shopkeeper)" and manager in front of the US President. WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military is sending the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced on social media Friday. The U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility includes the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico, the waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The deployment was made "in support of the President's directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland," Parnell said on X. "These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs," he said. Local analysts view the move as an indication that the Trump administration intends to broaden its anti-cartel campaign, shifting from targeting small vessels in international waters to potentially striking land-based operations across Latin America. The U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean is already the largest in the region in more than three decades, since the American invasion of Panama, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the military sank a suspected drug-smuggling vessel overnight in international waters of the Caribbean, killing all six people on board. It was the first nighttime strike on a suspected narcotics vessel and the 10th such operation since September, bringing the total death toll from these U.S. strikes to more than 40. On Oct. 2, the Trump administration notified Congress in a memo that the United States is in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels it has designated as terrorist organizations and will treat their members as "unlawful combatants." The strikes have drawn sharp criticism from congressional Democrats. Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, said the U.S. government "offered no credible legal justification, evidence or intelligence" for the strikes. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of invoking cartel threats as a pretext for pursuing regime change and expanding its military presence in Latin America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of "murder" for killing drug suspects at sea. US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would like to see Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong's jailed media tycoon released, according to Reuters. Lai was arrested in August, 2020. Why was Jimmy Lai arrested? He faces two charges of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" under Hong Kongs national security law, which Beijing introduced following the large and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019. The charges stem from his pro-democracy activism and the critical stance of his now-shuttered newspaper, Apple Daily, against the Chinese government. Prosecutors claim he encouraged anti-government protests and urged foreign countries to sanction Hong Kong and China. Judges concluded hearing evidence and legal arguments from both sides in August this year, marking a key stage in the extensive trial that began in December 2023. According to AFP, Judge Esther Toh stated, "We will inform the parties in good time" regarding when the verdict will be announced." The defence stated that Lai had been going through heart "palpitations" and had an incident where he felt as if he were "collapsing". After being prescribed medication and fitted with a heart rate monitor, the tycoon continued attending hearings without showing visible discomfort. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious material. If convicted under Hong Kong's national security law, he faces a potential life sentence, according to Reuters. Who is Jimmy Lai? Having fled China for then-British Hong Kong as a child in the 1950s, Lai gradually built a vast business empire over the following decades. His ventures included the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Lai was celebrated as one of Hong Kongs most notable rags-to-riches figures prior to facing a national security trial. He stood out as one of the rare members of Hong Kongs business elite who openly criticised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which assumed control of the city in 1997, and actively supported the pro-democracy movement. Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in the UK, noted that Lais activism made him a likely target for legal action. "From Beijings perspective, Jimmy Lai stands out as he is the highest profile and [most] persistent tycoon who used his fortune to support the democracy movement in Hong Kong, and thus challenges the authority of the CCP. To them, this makes Lai a traitor who must be severely punished, Al-Jazeera quoted Tsang as saying, adding that the Chinese authorities consider Lai must be rebuked in a high-profile way to scare others from following the same path. Also Read | Hong Kong runway reopens after cargo plane crash, but it wont be used regularly for now Hong Kong government's stance Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government stated that Lais case is being handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law", and described criticism of the trial as a smear campaign". The authorities have also cautioned that commenting on the case could be regarded as an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently and could constitute perverting the court of justice. Hong Kong officials have repeatedly defended the national security law against criticism from Western governments and human rights organisations, maintaining that the law was necessary to restore peace and stability to the former British colony after the 2019 protests turned violent. The worlds fastest high-speed train codenamed CR450 which hit the top speed of 896 km/h is making headlines after its trial runs. Designed to run at a commercial speed of 400 km/h, which is 50 km/h faster than the current CR400 Fuxing trains in service it broke the previous 603 km/h record held by Japan's experimental maglev train L0 Series. Where to find world's fastest train? China has made the world's fastest train which connects Shanghai and Chengdu route. This engineering marvel touted as the world's fastest electric multiple unit (EMU) is undergoing operational evaluation and must successfully complete at least 600,000 kilometres trial run to get the clearance for commercial passenger service, CGTN reported. Developed by the China Academy of Railway Sciences, CR450 is in the final phase of trial tests, according to Science and Technology. Targeting 400 km/h speed for commercial operation, it strives to outperform older models which operate at a speed of 350 km/h. Featuring dramatic acceleration capabilities, the CR450 achieved landmark milestones as it can reach a speed of 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds. Meanwhile, the Fuxing EMUs take 6 minutes and 20 seconds to reach the same speed, making CR450 100 seconds faster. Even though the older model already ranks among the fastest globally, the new version is making history. Inspired by the beak of falcons and the shape of arrows, the engineers made breakthrough change and improvements on the trains aerodynamic improvements over a period of 5 years. CR450's groundbreaking design In contrast to its predecessor CR400 Fuxing trains which is currently in service, the CR450 is designed to run at a commercial speed of 400 km/h, which is 50 km/h faster. To cut aerodynamic drag by almost 22 percent, the latest model features a 20-centimeter lower roofline, a longer, sleeker nose and a 50-tonne weight reduction. Even though the new model features higher speed, but energy consumption remains equivalent to CR400 levels. Risks associated with CR450 model "If a short circuit occurs between motor windings, the motor doesn't stop due to the magnetic field," Science and Technology Daily quoted China Railway Academy chief engineer Zhao Hongwei as saying. He added, This could threaten operational safety. Through the 1970s and 1980s, a galaxy of technopreneurs that included Yusuf Hamied of Cipla, Parvinder Singh of Ranbaxy, Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharma, Ramanbhai Patel of Zydus-Cadila, and Habil Khorakiwala at Wockhardt, laid the foundations of India's world-beating generics industry. Even in that stellar list of names, Kallam Anji Reddy stood apart for his audacious vision of turning India into a hub for discovering new drugs, and not just reverse engineering them. In his autobiography An Unfinished Agenda, he wrote that nothing is more joyous (an) experience than the discovery of a new drug". The Indian pharma dream It was once an improbable dream for a country that depended entirely on medicines made by multinationals. Today, Indias $25-billion generics export engine stands as a global success storybut its still far removed from the elite world of new drug discovery. Developing a single new drug can cost anywhere between $1 billion and $2.6 billion and take over a decade, with just one in every 5,000 compounds ever making it to patients. Globally, fewer than a hundred companies belong to this high-stakes club, still dominated by Western pharmaceutical giants. Also Read | Prakash Tandon: The quiet revolutionary behind modern Indian management Yet, Americas dependence on Indian generics has become so critical that even Donald Trumps aggressive tariff regime spared them. With generic drugs accounting for nearly 90% of all prescriptions in the US but only 20% of total drug costs, any tariff-induced rise in prices would have devastated American patients. Indian drugmakers, in that sense, became indispensable to Americas healthcare system. Anji Reddy can take some credit for that. Born in 1941 in Tadepalli village near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, he was the son of a turmeric farmer who made herbal pills and distributed them free, a prophetic glimpse of his sons future calling. After graduating from the famed Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai and completing his PhD in chemical engineering, in 1967, Reddy joined the state-owned Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL). After a seven-year stint with IDPL, where he gained invaluable experience in bulk drug manufacturing, Reddy ventured out on his own. He co-founded Standard Organics and Uniloids before launching Dr Reddy's Laboratories in 1984 with his life savings of 25 lakh. Driving his business was his pricing philosophy: "one dollar equals one rupee." Also Read | Robert Clive: The conman whose plunder built the British India Empire Reddy found early success from manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients for export to Europe and Russia. But by the 1990s, Dr Reddy's had transformed into a full-spectrum pharmaceutical company, entering the US generic market in 1997. In 2001, it became the first Indian pharma company to list on the NYSE, raising $132 million in what was seen as a watershed moment for Indian pharma. The stock debuted at $16.50 and climbed steadily, validating Reddy's vision. An inspiration The landscape shifted dramatically in 2005 when India amended its patent laws to comply with WTO obligations under the TRIPS agreement. Until then, India's 1970 Patent Act only recognized process patents, allowing Indian companies to legally reverse-engineer drugs patented elsewhere and manufacture them using different processes. The 2005 changes introduced product patents, meaning Indian companies could no longer simply copy patented drugs regardless of the manufacturing method used. This called for strategic changes if Indian pharma companies had to capitalize on their early success. Anji Reddy bet big on drug discovery, investing large sums in this cause. Two new drugs, Ragaglitazar and Balaglitazone, reached Phase 3 trials but had to be eventually shelved. Reddy later acknowledged: If my drug Ragaglitazar had been successful, we would have been getting royalties of thousands of crores of rupees every year." The failure coincided with an acquisition gone wrong. In 2006, the company bought Germany's Betapharm for 480 million but failed to realize any value, forcing a subsequent write-down. Despite these setbacks, Reddy wasnt a man to give up. He soldiered on, building on the companys reputation for quality. When he passed away in March 2013 from cancer at age 71, Dr Reddy's had become India's second-largest pharma company with operations spanning 20 countries. His influence extended beyond his company. He proved to be an inspiration for those who worked with him. Thus, Murali K. Divi set up Divi's Laboratories, and B. Parthasaradhi Reddy founded Hetero Drugs after previously working at DRL. Also Read | How the Amul girl became a cultural icon for India Before his death, Reddy also managed a rarity in Indian family businesses: a smooth succession. His son Satish Reddy and son-in-law G.V. Prasad have together continued steering the company, keeping alive his unfinished agenda of making India a force in drug discovery while maintaining its generics strength. As the title of his autobiography suggests, it was a dream that remained tantalizingly incomplete but inspired an entire generation to dream bigger. For more such stories, read The Enterprising Indian: Stories From India Inc News. When Chinas leaders talk of the countrys economy, they often speak in Communist Party jargon, citing terms such as dual circulation", new productive forces" and involution". Recent commentary has also featured a bit of jargon drawn straight from mainstream economics: total factor productivity", or TFP. A rise in TFP is the hallmark" of new productive forces, Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, said last year. On October 21st the Peoples Daily, a party newspaper, urged China to pull the bulls nose of innovation and strive to improve total factor productivity". Stirring stuff. But what exactly is this prize for which China must strive? TFP is best defined by what it is not. Some economic growth comes from mobilising more workers and giving them more machinery and infrastructure with which to work. TFP growth captures everything else. It is the name economists give to increases in output that cannot be explained by increased inputs, such as capital, labour and other factors" of production. There are at least 1,001 ways" to improve TFP, according to Arnold Harberger of the University of California, Los Angeles. One of his favourite examples is a clothing boss who got 20% more out of his seamstresses by playing background music in his factory. TFP is often associated with technology and efficiency, as opposed to effort or expense. Paul Krugman, a Nobel-prizewinning economist, once described it as inspiration", not perspiration". Chinas leaders, who met this week to review the countrys new five-year plan, want its progress to be less sweaty and more inspired. They have little choice. China will not be adding labour in the years ahead: its workforce has already fallen by over 20m since 2016. And Chinas rapid rate of capital accumulation will become harder to sustain as its population ages and its saving rate declines. When Chinas leaders reimagine the countrys growth model, they see TFP as an important yardstick for success. China does not, however, often publish an official measure of TFP growth. The most widely cited estimate comes from the Penn World Table, begun by economists at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1970s and now overseen by Robert Feenstra of the University of California, Davis, as well as Robert Inklaar and Marcel Timmer of the University of Groningen. The project calculates comparable estimates of GDP and factors of production, holding prices constant across time and space. By one estimate, two-thirds of empirical work on growth across countries draws on it. Recent editions suggest Chinas growth has been bereft of inspiration. According to the tenth version, released in 2021, TFP actually shrank between 2009 and 2019 (the last year in the data). Chinas economy, in other words, grew by less than you would expect given the extra inputs it amassed. Out of 118 countries with data, Chinas TFP growth ranked 83rd. Figures like these have contributed to a pessimistic view of China. A similar calculation appeared in the book Danger Zone" by Hal Brands of Johns Hopkins University and Michael Beckley of Tufts University, who coined the term Peak China". They concluded that China is trapped in a quagmire" reminiscent of the Soviet Union. But the latest edition of the Penn World Table, released this month, paints a different picture. It reports that Chinas TFP grew by 2.3% a year from 2009-19, ranking sixth in the world. Over the most recent decade in the data (to 2023) it ranked third. What explains the transformation? TFP performance reflects the gap between GDP growth and input growth. Although Chinas input growth is largely unchanged, the new table has chosen a different measure of GDP. It has adopted Chinas official figures, unlike earlier editions, which relied on numbers calculated by Harry Wu of Peking University. Since Chinas official growth is faster than Mr Wus alternative estimates, its TFP numbers look better, too. The switch was motivated by several concerns. Mr Inklaar worried that departing from the more familiar, official numbers might confuse researchers. If we make too many of these...adjustments, people stop using the database because they cant trace [its figures] to what others are reporting," he says. Mr Inklaar is also wary of singling out China. Yes, its data has raised doubts. Yet so has that of other emerging economies. Dragged over the coals Moreover, Mr Inklaar argues that not all of Mr Wus assumptions are as compelling today as they were when he first made them. To estimate industrial growth, Mr Wu starts with physical measures of the output of more than a hundred commodities, such as tonnes of coal, litres of liquor and metres of cloth. He then combines their growth rates into an index, carefully weighted to reflect the changing structure of Chinas economy. For certain services such as education, finance, government and health care, Mr Wu takes a simpler approach. He assumes they grow only as fast as their workforces (ie, by 0% a year per worker). That contrasts with the 5-6% growth implied by the official figures. His approach serves as a useful check on the official figures. But as Chinese industry has become more sophisticated, its output is harder to capture with physical measures. Services have also become a bigger part of the economy. Thus more rests on his assumption of 0% growth in output per worker. Although such a pace is in line with international experience, there are exceptions. By Mr Inklaars count, growth has exceeded 2% per worker in at least seven economies, including India and Malaysia. If anyone knows whether Chinas figures are more realistic, it is presumably Chinas leadership. If they are confident, they can look with satisfaction at the economys performance over the past decade. If they secretly believe that Mr Wus figures are better, they have work to do. There are 1,001 ways to improve TFP. Chinas leaders might start by improving their statistics. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Aliko Dangote, Africas top business magnate, has made history by becoming the first African-born billionaire. According to Bloomberg Billionaires, his net worth has reached $30.3 billion, which marks Dangotes position as the world's richest Black man. His wealth grew by $2.16 billion year-to-date, including a $430 million valuation gain. Before hitting the $30 billion mark, his net worth stood at $29.8 billion in September 2025, as per Business Insider Africa. Cement expansion drives growth A major contributor to Dangotes fortune is Dangote Cement, the largest company in his business group. The company recently inaugurated a $160 million cement factory in Attingue, Cote dIvoire, 30 kilometers north of Abidjan. The new plant, which is built on 50 hectares, produces 3 million metric tonnes of cement every year, which makes it one of the companys largest factories outside Nigeria. In addition to that, Dangote Cement now operates 11 plants in Africa, producing a total capacity of 55 million tonnes annually. Also Read | Centerpoint outage: 150K without power as thunderstorms wreak havoc in Houston Oil refinery operations boost wealth Dangotes oil ventures have also played a critical role in his record-breaking net worth. The Dangote Oil Refinery, operational since 2023, initially produced 370,000 barrels per day. Today, its output has increased to around 650,000 barrels per day, which reduces the dependency on Nigeria's imported petroleum products, as per Afrotech. The company plans to sell 510% of refinery shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) within a year. Dangote also aims to expand production to 1.4 million barrels per day, surpassing Indias Jamnagar refinery, one of the worlds largest. A timeline of wealth growth Dangotes financial journey has seen both fluctuations and steady growth. After launching the refinery in 2023, his net worth temporarily fell, allowing South African billionaire Johann Rupert to overtake him. By January 2024, Dangotes wealth rebounded to $20 billion, rising to $27.8 billion by October 2024, and $29.3 billion by August 2025. He finally crossed the $30 billion milestone in October 2025. Aliko Dangotes legacy and impact Dangotes success underscores the potential of African entrepreneurship and industrial growth. With expanding cement and oil operations, he continues to shape Africas economic future and inspire a new generation of business leaders. FAQs 1. Who is Aliko Dangote? Aliko Dangote is Africas richest businessman and the worlds richest Black man, known for his cement and oil businesses. 2. How much is Aliko Dangotes net worth? As of October 2025, Aliko Dangotes net worth is $30.3 billion, making him the first African-born billionaire to reach this milestone. Nebraskas Audrey Eckert has been crowned Miss USA 2025, amid the pageants return under new ownership. The 22-year-old competed against 50 other contestants and emerged victorious on Friday, October 24, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. In addition to Eckert, Ivy Harrington from New Jersey and Chantea McIntyre from Oregon were announced as the first and the second runners-up, CNN reported. The event came to a conclusion after nearly 18 months, as the pageant underwent a change in leadership amid public scrutiny following the resignation of Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt. The leadership of the ceremony has even been juggled from one person to another in the past several months. Who is Audrey Eckert? Born in Nebraska, Eckert is more than just a beauty pageant contestant. She has completed her graduation from the University of NebraskaLincoln by earning a degree in science in business administration. Eckert has also specialized in advertising & public relations, as mentioned on the official website of Miss Nebraska. On the professional front, Audrey is a digital safety advocate and a community leader, always on her toes to help the people online and offline. Currently, the Nebraska native is working as a social media and marketing coordinator for Sapahn, a Thai handbag brand. When the winner of the beauty pageant was announced, Audrey expressed her emotions by falling to her knees, drenched in gold streamers. Meanwhile, there was a break in the crowning tradition this year. Eckert claimed the crown by the hands of reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjr Theilvig, instead of last years winner, Alma Cooper, who was not in attendance. Scandalous Miss USA pageant The Miss USA pageant was hit by turmoil last May, after Voight and Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, resigned from the pageant simultaneously. While Miss USA 2023 initially revealed the reason for stepping back as a mental health concern, the fans on social media picked up the first letters of her cryptic note, which were spelled as I am silenced. According to CNN, Voigt later went on to accuse the organizers of failing to be an effective handler in her resignation letter. This resulted in Voight getting sexually harassed during a Christmas parade in Florida, when she was in a car with an unnamed person. On the other hand, Thom Brodeur, an American businessman, acquired the ownership of the pageant. He will serve as Miss USA's president and CEO for the next 10 years. FAQs Who was crowned Miss USA 2025? Audrey Eckert won the title on Friday. How old is Audrey Eckert? She is 22 years old. Two members of An Garda Siochana who were attached to the Longford-Mayo-Roscommon district, and who currently stand accused of corruption-related offences, have been served with books of evidence and will now go forward for trial next week. Garda Brian Carroll (42) of Ballinaboy, Kilteevan, County Roscommon, and Sergeant James Muldowney (47) of Greenville, Caltra, Ballinasloe, County Galway, face two charges each. Garda Carroll stands accused of having disclosed to another individual on September 9, 2021 confidential information he obtained during the course of his duties. He also faces the charge of attempting to obstruct the course of justice in which it is alleged he intentionally damaged his mobile phone prior to a lawful search of his home in Ballinaboy in March 2022. Sergeant James Muldowney stands accused of stealing a quantity of cash at a property in Ardnacassa, Longford, on September 29, 2021. He is also charged with allegedly having attempted to obstruct the course of justice during an incident in Roscommon Town in January 2024. Inspector Paul Dowling told the recent sitting of Longford District Court that directions had been received from the DPP to send the two men forward for trial to Longford Circuit Court on October 28. Addressing both cases separately, Judge Deirdre Gearty set bail for both men with the same terms and conditions as before. Diarmuid Quinn, solicitor representing Sgt Muldowney, made an application to the court for legal aid as the matter is going before the Circuit Court now. Both men will now be brought before the Longford Circuit Court on October 28. READ NEXT: Longford Gardai seize cannabis and cocaine worth almost 12,000 from town premises READ NEXT: ALERT | Uisce Eireann to provide essential Longford upgrades for Granard residents A woman who assumed her newly purchased car was covered by the insurance she had taken out on her previous vehicle has had her case struck out at a recent sitting of Longford District Court. Sophie Umoh of 16 Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford, was represented in court by solicitor Diarmuid Quinn. Mr Quinn told the court, We accept the insurance wasnt on the vehicle but there was a drivers licence. She had just bought a new car and while she had insurance that covered her on that day on the old vehicle, she hadnt transferred it. When asked by Judge Deirdre Gearty why his client had not transferred the cover, Mr Quinn explained, I think she thought the cover on the old vehicle covered her on the new one. The court heard that Ms Umoh had no previous convictions. Judge Gearty said she would strike out everything as it was a genuine mistake. READ NEXT: Longford Gardai seize cannabis and cocaine worth almost 12,000 from town premises READ NEXT: ALERT | Uisce Eireann to provide essential Longford upgrades for Granard residents A Georgian national accused of road traffic offences is alleged to have fled the country, a recent sitting of Longford District was told. Longford solicitor, Diarmuid Quinn, who represented the accused, Ramazi Chitiashvilli, told the court he had received an email the night before in which a friend of the man had informed him he was no longer in the state. Judge Deirdre Gearty pointed out that a Georgian interpreter had been brought in for the matter. 41 year old Mr Chitiashvilli who had an address of 2 Acorns Academy, Manulla, Mayo, stands accused of dangerous driving and failing to comply with the orders of Garda Edward J Flanagan when asked to provide a blood/urine sample. Acting for the state, Sgt Enda Daly, in referencing the DPP v Ratinski case that is currently underway in the High Court, the subject of which concerns how a sample is stored and has resulted in a pause on rulings in cases involving samples - told the court that this particular matter also falls under the Ratinski case. If he isnt here, then it falls under nothing! Judge Gearty replied, Theres a lot of ways to skin a cat! At Mr Quinns request, Judge Gearty put a second calling on the case meaning it would be temporarily adjourned. READ NEXT: Longford Gardai seize cannabis and cocaine worth almost 12,000 from town premises READ NEXT: ALERT | Uisce Eireann to provide essential Longford upgrades for Granard residents Ballymahon Vocational School has once again achieved success in the Engineering & Technology Teachers Association (ETTA) Area 4 competition, continuing its growing reputation for excellence in Engineering and Technology education. This year, Leaving Certificate student Ronan Burke secured third place in the 2025 Engineering Technology Project category a fantastic achievement that recognises his creativity, precision, and dedication. Ronans project was developed in response to the Leaving Certificate Engineering Design Brief. His innovative approach and high standard of craftsmanship earned strong praise from judges and showcased the technical ability being developed within Ballymahon VSs Engineering Department. PICTURES | Longford Rebab Group hosts coffee morning called 'A Cuppa for Rehab' His achievement follows the outstanding success of Chloe Hopkins, who in 2024 won Best Leaving Certificate Engineering Project at the same ETTA Area 4. Chloes project went on to represent the region at national level achieving 2nd place in the national finals, setting a high standard that Ronan has proudly continued this year. The continued success of Ballymahon Vocational School in Engineering is a testament to the dedication of teachers Mr. Robert Jones and Mr. Shane Nolan, who lead the schools Engineering Department. Their focus on hands-on learning, design thinking, and precision manufacturing continues to inspire students to achieve at the highest level. The ETTA Area 4 presentation event took place at Coola Post Primary School, County Sligo, where Mr. ORourke attended on behalf of Ballymahon Vocational School. The ceremony recognised the most accomplished engineering students from across the region, providing a platform to celebrate innovation, design, and craftsmanship in post-primary education. As the only school in South Longford offering Leaving Certificate Engineering, Ballymahon Vocational School are leaders in practical STEM education. The consecutive successes of Chloe Hopkins and Ronan Burke at the ETTA Area 4 competition highlight the schools continued commitment to excellence, creativity, and opportunity for all students. With ongoing investment in facilities and a strong focus on real-world engineering skills, Ballymahon VS is helping to inspire the next generation of makers, designers, and innovators both in the classroom & beyond. Also read: Samhain: Fire, folklore and feasting in Ireland's hidden heartlands Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD and the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher OSullivan TD have today launched the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) for 2026. With over 3.5 million in funding allocated to 28 projects in 2025, the 2026 scheme will support the repair, maintenance, and rejuvenation of historic structures in all Local Authority areas, honouring their past and safeguarding them into the future. Read more: Longford County Council approves of Ballymahon housing estate extension Announcing the 2026 scheme Minister Browne said: Our historic buildings and structures are a great source of pride for local communities. They are part of the fabric of our heritage and it is important that they are preserved, remaining part of life of our villages, towns and cities. The Historic Structures Fund is a vital support to the people who maintain our historic structures and prevent them from falling into disrepair or dereliction. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD, followed: Supporting communities and those who protect and conserve the built heritage of Ireland is of the upmost importance. The funding provided under the Historic Structures Fund recognises the dedication of the owners, skilled craftspeople and conservation experts who work together to ensure the continued care and conservation of these buildings. As Minister, I have visited properties around the country that have received funding and have seen the positive impact of the HSF on the character of a place and the communities that live there. I would encourage potential applicants to get in touch with the Architectural Conservation Officer or Heritage Officer within their Local Authority as soon as possible. The Historic Structures Fund is a grant scheme for historic buildings offered by the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The funding is administered by heritage professionals within each Local Authority, with grants awarded on a nationally competitive basis. Read more: Gardai appeal to motorists over violent attack at Longford house HSF 2026 will offer grants of up to 200,000 for projects with strong built heritage conservation objectives that can also demonstrate a clear public or community benefit. It enables vital investment in our valuable built heritage and helps owners and custodians of historic structures to safeguard for the future benefit of communities and the public. Funded works focus on the conservation of historic fabric of these important buildings, with priority given to works to protect or repair the outer envelope, such as the roof and windows, the repointing or re-rendering of the external walls, and other similar works. In order to be considered eligible for the scheme, the property in question must be included (or eligible for inclusion) in the Record of Protected Structures of the relevant Local Authority. Structures or works within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) may also be eligible. Telsas (TSLA) stock price has defied conventional wisdom in 2025 by overcoming a host of challenges to move into positive territory. The electric vehicle (EV) makers shares closed at $438.97 on Oct. 22 and are up about 13% year to date. Thats quite a feat, considering that in early April the stock was down more than 40% for the year after hitting a 2025 closing low of $221.86. Teslas problems include declining sales and profits, issues with its self-driving technology, and blowback from CEO Elon Musks role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, a federal budget-slashing organization he has since left. Read More: Self-Made Millionaires Suggest 5 Stocks You Should Never Sell Find Out: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement Despite those headwinds, Tesla shares have enjoyed a recent surge along with the broader stock market. That doesnt mean you should jump into the stock with blinders on, however. Here are four Tesla stock mistakes that could cost investors thousands of dollars. Not Accounting for Volatility All stocks go through periods of ups and downs, but things can get pretty extreme with Tesla. Investors who bailed on the stock during one of its sharp downturns left thousands of dollars on the table when Tesla rallied again. If youre betting on Elon, youre betting on a guy whos delivered moonshots before, but youre also signing up for turbulence. Thats just the trade-off, said Edward Corona, a Florida-based trader and publisher of The Options Oracle Newsletter. Check Out: Most Experts Say Buy Index Funds. Charles Payne Says Do This Instead Underestimating the Competition Tesla might be the best-known EV company in the world, but it no longer ranks as the biggest. That title now belongs to China-based BYD, according to The Motley Fool. Tesla also faces increasing competition from traditional automakers like Ford and General Motors. One mistake many investors make is believing that Tesla will be able to ward off rivals based solely on its brand recognition and first-mover status. In fact, the company is losing market share in numerous markets and many investors have lost money as well. Not Understanding Teslas Core Business This is a common mistake. Even though Tesla is best known for its EVs, much of its stock value is based on other businesses. As Corona told GOBankingRates, a lot depends on whether you think Tesla is a car company, a tech company or something else entirely. For now, EV sales provide the lions share of business. Tesla posted over $16 billion in total automotive revenues during its 2025 second quarter, according to a press release. That was down slightly from the previous year. Left-wing party Mes per Mallorca has presented an initiative in the Balearic Parliament to allow municipalities in the Balearics to temporarily restrict the sale of homes to non-residents, legal entities and for second homes. The purpose of this bill is to guarantee the residential use of properties and curb speculation in the islands, the eco-sovereignist party reported on Saturday. The initiative is part of the law to guarantee the residential use of homes and combat speculation, which the general coordinator of Mes per Mallorca, Lluis Apesteguia, is presenting to the municipal groups of the eco-sovereignist party. We propose that every family should have their own home and that every home should be used to house a family, said Apesteguia during the presentation of the proposal in Algaida, the second stop in a cycle that began in Sa Pobla. The spokesperson for the Mes per Mallorca parliamentary group insisted that, given the housing emergency facing the community, exceptional measures are needed to ensure that homes are for normal people who want to build their lives in Mallorca. The proposal is based on the fact that there are already territories in the European Union (EU) that apply restrictions on the purchase of housing, such as Denmark, Malta and the Aland Islands in Finland. As explained by Apesteguia, both the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and several rulings by the Court of Justice of the EU allow restrictions to be imposed on the movement of capital linked to the purchase of housing by non-residents, provided that five conditions are met: overriding reasons of general interest, specificity, proportionality, assessability and non-discrimination. To justify proportionality, the bill details ten conditions, of which municipalities must meet at least three in order to apply the restrictions. These include that the purchase or rental price has increased by 3% above the variation in the Balearic CPI over the last five years; that the municipality exceeds the threshold for empty or non-primary dwellings; that the average purchase price is higher than the cumulative ten-year projection of the average net salary in the Balearics; or that the average purchase or rental price exceeds the national average by 35%. The capacity for evaluation is guaranteed with a ten-year period to review the effects of the restrictions and decide whether to maintain or withdraw them. The specificity is justified by limiting the possible measures to a maximum of three: restricting purchases to non-residents, legal entities and owners who already have a primary residence. Rules for non-EU/EEA citizens in Denmark Individuals from outside the EU/EEA face strict rules for purchasing any kind of real estate in Denmark, including primary residences. To purchase property, you must either: Have lived in Denmark for at least five years. This does not have to be continuous residency. Obtain permission from the Department of Civil Affairs (Civilstyrelsen) under the Ministry of Justice. Permission is not automatically granted. Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering your connection to Denmark, such as family ties, employment, or cultural attachments. A valid residence or business permit is a prerequisite for a non-EU/EEA citizen to even apply for permission. Secondary residences, such as summer houses, are particularly restricted, and permission is rarely granted. Conditions and restrictions for all foreign buyers All foreign property buyers in Denmark should be aware of these additional rules: Prohibition on speculative buying: Denmarks laws are designed to prevent foreign speculation in the property market. If a primary residence is purchased with permission, and the owner later leaves Denmark, they may be required to sell the property. Penalties for non-compliance: If you acquire a property without the necessary permission, the authorities can order you to sell it within a specified period, typically between six months and one year. Financing: Foreign buyers may face higher down payment requirements, ranging from 5% to 40% depending on the buyers status and financial history in Denmark. Inheritance: The residency and permission requirements do not apply to foreigners who inherit real estate in Denmark. If youre middle-aged and in a high income bracket, you can expect the way you contribute to your 401(k) to change starting next year. In September, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the federal tax agency, announced new regulations regarding the way catch-up contributions work starting in 2026. Specifically, the IRS has introduced a new income test for taxpayers looking to contribute to particular retirement accounts. Must Read Heres what you need to know. Make $145K or more? You have fewer ways to save For 2025, all workers can contribute up to $23,500 into 401(k) plans. However, workers over the age of 50 can make catch-up contributions in order to save more in these tax-advantaged accounts as they approach retirement. Typically, workers have the choice to invest catch-up funds into either a regular 401(k) plan or a Roth 401(k) plan. Starting in 2026, workers in this age group face an income test. If your income from your current employer was over $145,000 in the previous year, your catch-up contributions may only be made to a Roth 401(k) plan. The difference between a standard 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) is the tax treatment. Workers can contribute pre-tax income to a standard 401(k), which enables them to claim contributions as a deduction on their tax returns. A Roth 401(k), meanwhile, is designed for after-tax income, which means you do not enjoy the tax deduction on contributions. Put simply, this new rule adds an upfront tax burden for high-income earners (1). This seemingly small change can have big consequences for many workers. Just under one in five people between the ages of 45 and 54 earn over $100,000 a year, according to YouGov, so millions of people could be impacted by this new rule (2). Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now What can you do? If you believe this rule change might impact you, the first step is to reach out to your employer and ask if they offer a Roth 401(k) plan for employees. Nearly 93% of employers offer a Roth 401(k) plan, according to Plan Sponsor Council of America, but there is a chance your employer is part of the remaining 7% (1). For those who have lost a loved one to violence in Boston and still have no answers, the citys police department has taken a step that could make a difference. Boston police launched a public webpage to list the citys unsolved homicide cases back to 1963 a move the department says is necessary to gain information for grieving families seeking transparency on the citys 1,800 unsolved cases. We certainly want the loved ones of these victims to know that we remember them, but this is not a memorial, it is seeking information. These are cases that we need assistance solving, said Sgt. Det. Nick Moore, a member of the departments homicide unit who helped work on the site. Everyone listed on these unsolved pages had a life that existed before this trauma happened to them. They have loved ones who want to know what happened to them, Moore said. Unsolved murders in Boston from the past 62 years are now shown by year on the homepage of the Homicide Unit section on police.boston.gov. The listings, which were compiled from the departments existing records, include the cases from this year of 18-year-old Leroy Ryner killed on Jan. 30, and 20-year-old Kareem Daveiga-Booth killed nine days earlier. But the dashboard stretches back to the case of James Smith, 32, who was shot at 29 Wyoming St. in 1963 the first case listed on the page. Each persons entry includes their name, age, and the date, location and manner of death, with statements confirming their deaths as homicides as ruled by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. We work with family members who lost a loved one to violence 50 years ago. I have seen them shocked that they break down when they talk about their loved one, Moore said. The person who was killed, and the pain of their loss is always with the survivors and we want to try to at least solve these cases. The new unsolved homicides section is now live, though it remains a work in progress part of a broader website redesign to improve public access that began after Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox was appointed in 2022. We need the publics help finding those who are responsible for taking these individuals lives and we want the public to know that we are asking for their help, said Mariellen Burns, chief of Boston police communications. Each individual whose life was taken, is someones son, daughter, sister, brother ... and they have loved ones who still grieve their loss, Burns said, adding that this may be a small piece in helping detectives close cases. Family members and loved ones are asked to submit photos of victims to unsolved@pd.boston.gov. The section can be accessed on the main page of BPDnews.com by clicking on homicide and scrolling to unsolved, or through BPDnews.com/unsolved. A survivors reaction We are glad to see it happening ... its really long overdue, President and CEO of the Luis D. Brown Peace Institute Clementina Chery said. Chery lost her own son, Louis D. Brown, to gun violence three decades ago and has since made it her mission to support other survivors. We want to work with [The Boston Police Department], to really come and present this website to the community, engage with the community, so that the community is aware that this exists, Chery said. While Chery said the dashboard collection may be re-traumatizing to survivors, she plans to host her own community meetings to guide and support homicide victims loved ones how to use it. The dashboard comes after recommendations from the Peace Institute in a report titled Unsolved But Not Forgotten, published in March in partnership with Northeastern University. Chery called the report a second Bible in her advocacy work. Though the Boston police homicide arrest rate matches the national average of 50%, the report highlighted frustration among the citys survivors with communication about their loved ones cases as police continue investigations, based on narrative interviews. While the report made several suggestions to the department, including the creation of a complete database of unsolved homicides, the development of the database isnt explicitly linked to the reports recommendations. Northeastern professor Andrew Haile, who led the study with his law students, discovered the new unsolved homicides dashboard while searching the Boston police website out of curiosity and said its a start. Im grateful for progress and Im glad that it seems like a big improvement, Haile said. The capability for survivors and people with information to connect with the department through the site is a major highlight for Haile. Hed like to see the dashboard become even more user-friendly as the department continues to form it, especially for possible witnesses with more prominent links and clear, step-by-step instructions and assurances for tipsters. As the city takes this public step forward, Chery wants to make sure the stories of survivors dont get lost under the flash-bang that is data. These are people. These are individuals. These are stories behind each victim Yes, we celebrate that homicide is down, she said, referencing last years record-low rates as an example of how data alone does not tell a survivors whole story, and we need to work even harder. At the same time, we want to remind people of the trauma and the stigma and the pain and the shame, Chery said. Cambridge Police Department detectives are looking to speak with a "person of interest" after a shooting in Cambridge on Friday, Oct. 24. The "person of interest" was caught on camera wearing a red top and black pants. (Cambridge Police Department) Cambridge Police Department Cambridge Police Department detectives have released pictures of a person of interest regarding a shooting that happened in Cambridge near Harvard University on Friday. The person being sought after was caught on camera wearing a red top and black pants. They are not currently wanted but detectives are looking to speak with them, the department said on Facebook. Cambridge Police Department detectives are looking to speak with a "person of interest" after a shooting in Cambridge on Friday, Oct. 24. The "person of interest" was caught on camera wearing a red top and black pants. (Cambridge Police Department) Cambridge Police Department The shooting was reported at around 10:58 a.m. by several 911 calls who said multiple gunshots were heard on Sherman Street in the vicinity of Stearns Street in Cambridge. Ballistic evidence and witness statements confirmed the shooting. Information suggests that two to three people had an altercation in the roadway, including someone on a bike, when at least one person fired multiple gunshots at another. All people involved fled the scene before officers arrived and are not believed to be in the area, the post reads. There are no known victims with gunshot wounds at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cambridge police detectives at (617) 349-3121. Instructions for submitting anonymous tips through e-mail and text are available here. AGAWAM Early voting has begun in Agawam, though voters will only see one name at the top of the ballot. Christopher C. Johnson is running unopposed for another two-year term as mayor. There are seven candidates for six seats on the School Committee. The City Council race has more options, with 16 candidates vying for the 11 at-large seats. Town Clerk Vincent F. Gioscia said despite the lack of a mayoral race this year, he expects a similar turnout to the 2023 election, when 27.5% of voters came to the polls to choose Johnson over Cecilia P. Calabrese. He said he expects voters will want to weigh in on the council race. Johnson said hes looking forward to serving another term so that he can continue the work hes been doing in the past two years. Were in the meat of the high school project, he said. That was my main motivating factor to come back to the mayors office. At this point, weve started the construction process, but its going to be a lengthy process. I really want to see that through. The mayor is on pace to win his second consecutive term and seventh overall. Gioscia said he is not aware of any write-in campaigns to oppose Johnson. I hope that people will see fit to continue to trust my leadership for another couple years, Johnson said. I enjoy the job very much. I care deeply about Agawam. Im a lifelong Agawam resident. Agawam broke ground in June on a $231.5 million project to build a new high school on the current campus at Mill and Cooper streets, and the work is expected to last until 2028. Johnson meets regularly with the construction team and said he expects managing the project to be a big part of the mayors job over the next few years. Hed also like to continue overseeing a reorganization hes begun of some Agawam town departments. In the past few months, Johnson has moved the Planning Department into the same building as the towns public works, engineering and code enforcement departments, which he hopes will streamline the permitting process. Hes also moved the Parks and Recreation Department and the veterans agent out of that building, and into the towns Senior Center. The goal is to create more, especially night-time programming at the Senior Center so we can keep the building open longer and we can create intergenerational programming, Johnson said. He also said having younger adults visit the Senior Center will make them more familiar with the facility and more likely to participate in elder programs when they retire. In the long term, parks offices may end up at Perry Lane Park, in a building that currently hosts the school districts Early Childhood Center. The ECC is slated to move to a building on the high school campus when the new Agawam High School is completed. Agawam is also close to opening a new police station, when renovations are complete on the former Hub Insurance and Oaks banquet hall building on Suffield Street. Another of Johnsons priorities for the next two years is securing state funds to replace the roofs on all four of the towns elementary schools. He said he doesnt want to take on too many large projects, however, as debt payments on the high school are going to bring a substantial increase to property tax rates. Im trying to build up a little reserve, Johnson said. Ive tried to bring some fiscal conservatism. Two budgets in a row, we limited the tax increase to 2.5%, with no adverse service impacts. Another point of pride, Johnson said, is that the mayor and City Council have worked together amicably during his term. Johnson previously served as mayor throughout the 1990s, after being elected in the towns first mayoral election in 1989. In the intervening 24 years, he worked as a lawyer and served on the City Council, including several terms as council president. He gave up his law practice when he returned to the mayors office following the 2023 election. He said he hopes to serve as mayor until hes ready to retire. I enjoyed it, but its all-consuming, he said of the law practice. As for the mayors office, This is all-consuming, too, he said. All 11 incumbent city councilors George Bitzas, Edward P. Borgatti, Thomas D. Hendrickson, Dino R. Mercadante, Robert E. Rossi, Anthony J. Russo, Rosemary Sandlin, Gerald F. Smith, Peter J. Smus, Anthony R. Suffriti and Maria F. Valego are running for re-election. Calabrese, who had been a longtime councilor before her failed bid for mayor two years ago, is also in the race, along with fellow challengers Richard Borsari, Uduak A. Enyiema, Peter T. McNair and Christine Rickmon. For School Committee, all six incumbents are on the ballot, which consists of Shelley M. Borgatti-Reed, A.J. Christopher, Dawn M. DeMatteo, Catherine McDougal, Michael D. Perry, Wendy T. Rua and challenger Heather Zielenski. Election Day is Nov. 4, with polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the usual precinct polling stations. In-person early voting is available on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For early voting, residents of all precincts vote at the Senior Center, 954 Main St., Agawam. Voting by mail is also available, with an Oct. 29 deadline to pick up mail-in ballots at the town clerks office in Town Hall, 36 Main St., Agawam. The Massachusetts State Lottery offers a number of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Mass Cash, Keno and more. A grocery store in Norwood sold eight winning Mass Cash lottery tickets for Fridays drawing, with each slip worth $100,000. The $1 tickets were sold at Pams Market. The winning numbers were 3,6,10,13,23, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery website. Another Mass Cash ticket sold at a 7-Eleven in Quincy also won a player $100,000 during Fridays drawing. Overall, at least 537 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Friday, including 13 in Springfield, 28 in Worcester and 53 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. The largest lottery prize won so far this year was worth $1 million a year for life, from a winning Lifetime Millions scratch ticket sold in Springfield and claimed in July. Between 40 to 45 air traffic controllers at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks have been working through the shutdown without pay. Oct. 21, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook WINDSOR LOCKS, Connecticut The people who manage air traffic over southern New England are going without pay. They plan to help travelers understand how that feels. On Tuesday, on what would normally be payday for them, air traffic controllers will be visible in the passenger terminals at Boston Logan International Airport handing out leaflets and making their case to the traveling public, said Kevin Curtiss, regional vice president of the New England chapter of NATCA, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. There are 560 FAA air traffic controllers across New England, including about 45 air traffic controllers/trainees and safety professionals in two facilities at Bradley International Airport. Unless something changes drastically, each one will get zero-dollar paychecks Tuesday despite having worked their regular shifts throughout the federal government shutdown, said Curtiss. The 45 controllers in Connecticut work both at the Bradley airport tower and the Yankee Terminal Radar Approach Control, or Yankee Tracon, also located at Bradley. As necessary federal workers, air traffic controllers come to work even if the federal government has not passed legislation to pay them. Meanwhile, Curtiss said mortgages and childcare bills are due. Thats something controllers are thinking of as they come into work, he said this week. The job is already high-stress and demanding, he said. We need to be right all the time. He said he expects controllers to do the same at Bradley the airport serving the Hartford-Springfield area in the future if the lockout continues. Starting pay for trainees is $40,000 to $50,000 a year A lot of those individuals are living paycheck to paycheck, Curtiss said. Air traffic controllers at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport and Worcester Municipal Airport are hired through a contractor and are not so far affected, according to officials at those terminals. Controllers at Westover Air Reserve Base are provided by the Air Force. Curtiss said air traffic controllers likely didnt get paid for all their hours in their last pay period. There is some financial help available. Lenders offer forbearance on mortgages and the employees credit union is offering no-interest loans, he said. The federal government has warned that there could be increasing disruptions in travel due to the shutdown. We have seen some delays, said Mark Schieldrop, a spokesman for AAA Northeast. It really depends on the day. For travelers, it is a two-pronged threat. The controllers might stay home. The TSA officers, also working without pay, might stay home. Thanksgiving travel is right around the corner, Schieldrop said. WHEN James Wallace Melvin and his friends gathered at the top of Convent Hill in Ballina on an August Saturday evening in 1886 and founded the famed GAA club which would go on to become Mayo's greatest, he surely never imagined anything like the mania played out in MacHale Park this afternoon. Thirty-eight county titles, three Connacht crowns and one glorious All-Ireland had been won by the men in green and red before today, but this evening's display rivals anything that went before even that famous day in Croke Park. Today, the Moysiders were trying to win their third county title in succession and had come back from the dead six days ago to earn another shot at the title when Westport were on the edge of glory. However, as time ticked away in today's replay the Moclair Cup was again readying itself for a trip to the shores of Clew Bay as Westport enjoyed a ten-point lead after 48 minutes. The Stephenites were on the ropes and Westport were 'rarin an tarin' into everything. The men in blue were winning more than their share of ball all over the pitch and looked odds-on to win only their second title. They had started and finished the first half with pivotal scores - a goal from Finbar McLaughlin 16 seconds after throw-in and a two-pointer from Rory Brickenden four seconds from the half-time. They had built on that throughout the third quarter and although their leader Eoghan McLaughlin left the pitch injured with 13 minutes to play, they looked locked-in winners. However, as Evan Regan stated later in the evening 'You can never write off the Stephenites.' They somehow roused themselves from the ashes and the resurrection began when Regan drove a quick free to the net with nine minutes of normal time to be played. However, that might have been just the sting of a dying wasp as the gap between the teams still stood at seven points five minutes later. Then, Frank Irwin's '45 was punched to the net by Dylan Thornton and maybe just maybe the great escape was possible. However, Westport soon stalled the revival when Killian Kilkelly popped over a free to push the lead out to five as injury time came over the horizon. That's when the greatest five minutes in Stephenites history began. Frank Irwin kicked a point and as the roars from their supporters got louder Conor McStay added another and suddenly the gap was down to three with almost four minutes of injury time to be played. The Stephenites belief system went into overdrive when Regan's free cut the gap to two and they looked to the heavens imploring all the Moyside saints for one precious two-pointer. Their prayers were answered in the 64th minute when Regan landed a two-pointer from the left to balance the scores. The great comeback had lifted the Stephenites from the depths of despair and the roars could be heard back by Barney's Boreen and all the other lanes that grace the famous town on the Moy. However, the Stephenites weren't finished. They had the scent of glory in their nostrils and went in search of title 39. The kick-out was won the ball was worked down the field McStay got it to Regan he stepped inside one tackle, rode another and sent the ball between the sticks to complete the resurrection. Not even James Wallace Melvin could have penned a great ending than this. A full match report and reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News. When markets are shaken, headlines scream, and volatility hits Wall Street. Income investors stay calm - and they get paid for it. That's the silent power of dividend-paying stocks. They dont just survive the meltdown - they provide you with steady income through it. While some chase hype and momentum, income investors quietly amass yields quarter after quarter, making the most out of every opportunity. More News from Barchart And when analysts on Wall Street say these high-yield companies are a "Strong Buy", that doesnt just mean safety, but potential growth waiting to happen. Today, lets take a look at the highest-yielding stocks that are rated Strong Buys. How I Came Up With The Following Stocks I used Barcharts Stock Screener to find the highest-yielding companies on my watchlist. Number of Analysts: 16 or higher, as more analyst scores make for a stronger consensus. Current Analyst Rating: 4.5 5. Im limiting the list to Strong Buy stocks that Wall Street expects to perform well within the next 12 months. Annual Dividend Yield (FWD), %: Left blank to be sorted from highest to lowest. The results give us 154 companies. Ill cover the top five, highest-yielding dividend stocks that are strong buy rated. With that, lets begin with the highest-yielding dividend stock: Energy Transfer LP (ET) Energy Transfer LP is a midstream company founded in 1996 and now headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Midstream companies are mainly involved in the transportation, storage, and processing of raw energy materials like oil and gas. Energy Transfer recently announced a binding open season for its Desert Southwest Expansion Project, which is going to expand 1.5 Bcf/d of Permian gas capacity by 2029. This will connect crucial supply points in Texas and New Mexico and cater to growing demands in the Desert Southwest. In its most recent financials, the company reported sales are down 7% year-over-year to $19.2 billion, while net income also decreased about 10% to $1.2 billion, due to lower raw material prices. But this is something that Energy Transfer can bounce back from, given its diversified asset base and long-term contracts. Energy Transfer pays a forward annual dividend of $1.32, which translates to an approx. 8% yield. At the same time, a consensus among 16 analysts rates the stock a Strong Buy. The sentiment has been consistent over the past three months, highlighting the quality of Energy Transfers business. For investors seeking reliable income, Dividend Aristocrats could be solid long-term investments. These are companies within the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) that have increased their dividend payments every single year for at least a quarter of a century. Their commitment to rewarding shareholders shows their financial strength and disciplined approach to capital allocation. Besides offering steady dividend income, Dividend Aristocrats have the potential to deliver decent capital appreciation over time. Their track record of durable earnings and resilient business models means they can often withstand market volatility better than many peers. Over time, this reliability translates into share price stability and total returns that outpace the broader market. More News from Barchart Among the compelling names in this group, Altria (MO) stands out. The company offers a high yield of around 6.7%, supported by a long history of consistent payments. Further, the visibility over its future earnings growth suggests that Altria will keep increasing its dividend in the coming years. www.barchart.com Altria Raises Dividend for 60th Time Altria has recently proven why it remains one of the most reliable income-generating investments. The tobacco giant recently raised its quarterly dividend by 3.9% to $1.06 per share, marking its 60th dividend increase in the past 56 years. This steady stream of dividend growth reflects Altrias robust earnings power and disciplined financial management. The companys ability to consistently return more cash to shareholders is driven by its diversified product portfolio, strategic pricing power, and ongoing operational efficiency initiatives. Together, these strengths form a solid foundation for profitable growth and sustained shareholder value creation. Altria to Keep Increasing Its Dividend Looking ahead, Altria appears well-positioned to keep growing both its earnings and its dividend. Its core smokeable products remain the primary driver of profits, even as the company strategically invests in smoke-free alternatives to capture future demand shifts. Within the smokeable segment, Altrias adjusted operating income is expected to benefit from strong net price realization, helping to offset near-term volume pressures. The companys Marlboro brand continues to dominate the premium segment, expanding its market share to 59.5% in the second quarter. Meanwhile, cigar volumes rose 3.7%, with Middleton outperforming within the large mass cigar market. These gains illustrate Altrias pricing strength and brand loyalty across key categories. A truck driver who backed into a U.S. Coast Guard base in the San Francisco Bay Area the site of earlier protests against federal immigration agents was shot by law enforcement officers and wounded, authorities said Friday. The driver was held for a mental health evaluation after attempting to weaponize the vehicle to ram into Coast Guard Base Alameda on Thursday night, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted on X. The FBI later said the driver was in custody. A bystander was struck by a fragment, treated at a hospital and released, the Department of Homeland Security statement said. It did not elaborate. No Coast Guard personnel were hurt, it said. Officers issued multiple verbal commands to stop, but the driver failed to comply, suddenly accelerating backwards at a high rate of speed directly toward them, the statement said. When the vehicles actions posed a direct threat to the safety of Coast Guard and security personnel, law enforcement officers discharged several rounds of defensive live fire," it said. The driver was wounded in the stomach and was expected to survive, the statement said. The FBI was investigating. It sent evidence, crisis management and bomb technician teams to the scene. At this time, the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known current threat to the public, FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan in San Francisco said in a statement. No other details were immediately released. Video from the scene showed what appeared to be a U-Haul truck trying to back into the base. U-Haul is assisting law enforcement to meet any investigative needs they have, company spokesperson Jeff Lockridge said in a statement. Coast Guard Island is a 67-acre (27-hectare) human-made island formed in 1913 in the Oakland Estuary between Oakland and Alameda. It is federally owned, does not allow visits from the general public without an escort or specific government identification, and it has been home to the current base, Base Alameda, since 2012, according to a Coast Guard document from 2016. Base Alameda provides a variety of services for Coast Guard activities throughout the West Coast. Earlier Thursday, protesters had assembled at the island, with many singing hymns and carrying signs saying, Protect our neighbors and No ICE or troops in the Bay, a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the National Guard. Hours earlier, President Donald Trump had called off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco to quell crime. Mayor Daniel Lurie and Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was unnecessary because crime is on the decline. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving at the Coast Guard base in the region earlier Thursday for a possible ramp up of immigration enforcement, a move that drew several hundred protesters. Trump said he backed off after speaking to the mayor and several prominent business leaders who said theyre working hard to clean up the city. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Friday during a news conference in Minneapolis that she had discussed the incident with Trump and suggested the president could change his mind about holding off a federal enforcement surge in the Bay Area if more violence occurs. If they dont figure out how to protect our law enforcement officers and protect our Coast Guard members, that we would be forced to come in and protect those individuals, she said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement informed Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez that the operation had been called off for the entire Bay Area, a nine-county region of about 8 million people, Sgt. Roberto Morales, a spokesman for the sheriff, said Friday. That decision was in contrast to others made by Trump to send the military into Democratic-run cities over fierce resistance from mayors and governors. The deployment of National Guard troops on the streets of Washington faced challenges in two courts on Friday one in the nations capital and another in West Virginia while across the country a judge in Portland, Oregon, was considering whether to let Trump deploy troops there. Deployment remains blocked in the Chicago area. ___ Associated Press writers Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed. The Pentagon says its taking help from an anonymous donor to keep troops paid as the government shutdown drags on. The surprise move highlights how deep the shutdowns impact has reached forcing the Defense Department to lean on private money to help cover military pay. Its an unprecedented step raising questions about transparency, legality, and what happens when those funds run out. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed to Military.com the Department of Defense accepted a $130 million donation on October 23 under its general gift authority. He says the money will go toward offsetting the cost of service members salaries and benefits. "We are grateful for this donors assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops," Parnell said in a statement. The Pentagon isnt saying who gave the money or exactly how the funds will be applied to troop pay, but officials confirm its meant to help offset salaries and benefits. President Donald Trump speaks during a Homeland Security Task Force roundtable at the White House on October 23, 2025. (White House) Trump Announces Donation at White House Event During a Homeland Security Task Force roundtable at the White House Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters that a longtime friend had stepped forward with a major contribution. "A friend of mine said, Id like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown," Trump said. "He sent us a check for $130 million he doesnt really want the recognition but thats what I call a patriot." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks the Homeland Security Task Force roundtable at the White House on October 23, 2025. (White House) Clock Ticking on Troop Pay Congress still hasnt passed a funding bill to guarantee troop pay during the shutdown. The administration has already shifted billions from research and development accounts just to keep checks going out. For now, the Pentagon says its grateful but the clock is ticking. The next round of military pay is due soon, and its unclear what happens when that $130 million runs out. This is a developing story. Military.com will update this report as more information becomes available. President Trump has changed course. After threatening to send the National Guard into San Francisco, hes backing off. The move caps days of tension after the presidents threat rattled local officials and immigrant advocates who feared mass arrests and military-style enforcement in one of the nations most immigrant-rich cities. The White House now says the city will get a chance to handle its problems on its own, but many remain skeptical about whether the administrations pause will last. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the federal government had been preparing to surge San Francisco on Saturday but decided to hold off after a call from Mayor Daniel Luriewho Trump said was making substantial progress. The president said he told the mayor it would be faster, stronger and safer if federal forces intervened but agreed to give him a chance. He ended the post by writing, Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned. President Trump says hes backing off plans to surge San Francisco with federal forces after a call with Mayor Daniel Lurie. He says the city deserves a chance to handle its problems on its own. Well Be Watching White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the decision during Thursdays press briefing. She said Trump spoke directly with the mayor, who promised to address the citys problems without federal intervention. The president heard him out, she said. He said, Okay, Ill give you a chance. Well be watching. And if you need us, we are here. Military.com reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not comment further beyond referring to the presidents Truth Social post. Reporters raise their hands to as a question as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Advocates Still on Alert The Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco told Military.com the announcement eased some fears but not all. We welcome that decision not to send them, said Jehan Laner, a senior staff attorney with the group. But a lot of people remain vigilant in case there are mass arrests elsewhere in the Bay. For days, talk of troops had the city on edge. Families kept children home. Workers skipped jobs. Businesses lost customers. People didnt want to be harassed on their way to work or asked to show papers, Laner said. Even rumors of immigration activity were enough to cause panic. Community networks activated rapid response hotlines to verify reports of immigration raids. Legal volunteers stood by to help anyone detained. Advocates continue urging residents to know their rights, the right to stay silent, to call an attorney, and to refuse entry without a signed judicial warrant. Administrative warrants dont allow agents to enter your home, Laner said. Were reminding people to stay calm, stay informed, and stay organized. Even with the presidents pause, Laner says anxiety has not fully faded. Weve seen before when the Guard wasnt supposed to come, and then they came, she said. People still feel like theyre under a target. The award-winning documentary and a Q&A with the Muskegon chef is coming to The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts for one night only. 8h ago Screen shot of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity WARN notice portal. Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity OAKLAND COUNTY, MI Close to 100 employees at an Oakland County nursing home are about to lose their jobs. A layoff notice with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity was issued Sept. 2 announcing 94 employees of Premier Care LLC in Bloomfield Hills were losing their jobs. The layoffs will impact employees at the SKLD nursing home facility at 2975 N. Adams Road, according to the notice. The nursing home provides both short-term rehabilitative care and long-term care. In the 1982 science fiction classic "Blade Runner," Harrison Fords character conducts a complicated exam to separate the humans from the androids. In todays world, the process might be a little easier, as the humans will be the ones looking for work. Throughout history, advances in technology have eliminated countless jobs, such as lamplighters, switchboard operators and town criers. The rise of artificial intelligence might be making our lives easier, but many people in many more industries are worried their livelihoods will go the way of the buggy-whip maker. More than 7 in 10 Americans are concerned that improvements in AI will spark permanent job losses for a large number of people in the U.S., according to a recent poll. Andrew Jassy, Amazon's CEO, says the company will use AI to pare the workforce. Photo: F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg/Getty Images The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 71% of adults said they were worried that AI would put too many people out of work permanently. These concerns were likely made worse by reports that Amazon (AMZN) is planning to replace or avoid hiring as many as 600,000 U.S. workers roughly the population of Washington, DC with robots by 2023. Amazon using AI to eliminate jobs Amazon is targeting 75% robotic operations to save $12.6 billion in labor costs between 2025 and 2027, Economic Times reported, citing leaked internal documents. Sources told the news service that 160,000 warehouse roles could be cut in the next two years. The e-commerce and cloud-services giant denied that a mass layoff was planned but confirmed ongoing that continuing investment in automation were reshaping its U.S. workforce. More Tech Stocks: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a message to employees in June that the company expected to reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company. AI has also played a role in layoffs at other companies, including Google (GOOGL), IBM (IBM), Accenture (ACN) and the fintech Klarna (KLAR). Recent studies suggest that fears about robot-related mass layoffs are supported by the facts at least for now. A report by the Yale Budget Lab earlier this month found that the broader labor market has not experienced a discernible disruption since OpenAI released ChatGPT in 2022, undercutting fears that AI automation is currently eroding the demand for cognitive labor across the economy. While this finding may contradict the most alarming headlines, it is not surprising given past precedents, the report said. Historically, widespread technological disruption in workplaces tends to occur over decades rather than months or years. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: American rapper, songwriter, and actor (1971-1996) Tupac Shakur poses for a portrait during the 1994 Source Awards on April 25, 1994 at the Paramount Theatre in New York, New York. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images) Getty Images For nearly 30 years, its been believed that the remains of rap icon Tupac Shakur were spread shortly after his 1996 death, but no formal gravesite exists. However, while researching for his book about Shakur, author Jeff Pearlman says hes discovered a gravesite previously unknown to the public. Pearlman revealed the discovery in a TikTok video posted this week promoting his newly released book Only God Can Judge Me. The book is an in-depth look at the life and persona of one of raps most beloved and misunderstood figures. Pearlman says he learned about the gravesite while visiting the hometown of Tupacs mother Afeni Shakurs, Lumberton, North Carolina. Afeni left Lumberton in the late 1950s but following her sons death, she returned to the town and lived in a house surrounded by many, many acres of land, Pearlman said. Prior to her death in 2016, Afeni had moved out of the home, which remains abandoned. While visiting the town of less than 20,000 people in 2024, Pearlman met a man paid by the Shakur estate to look after the property. The man allowed Pearlman to tour the home, before asking Pearlman a question that the author couldnt believe was real. Do you wanna see where Tupac is buried? the man asked. At first Pearlman says he didnt even know what it meant. Up to that point in his research hed only ever heard that Tupacs ashes had been spread along the coast of the Pacific Ocean during a ceremony. But the caretaker was insistent that Afeni had a burial site on the grounds for her son. We walk out in the yard, and this is an abandoned house in Lumberton, North Carolina. Like, the middle of nowhere, North Carolina, Pearlman said. We walk out into the yard and he tells me that Afeni had some of the ashes and she had them buried. From there, Pearlman picked up a copy of the book and showed a picture of the tombstone. While tombstone is not in great condition, you can clearly make out Shakurs name and date of his death. I cant even tell you the mind-blowing craziness of being me in that moment, Pearlman said, before adding It was very, very profoundly emotional and moving and stirring for me. Related story: All eyes were on Tupac Shakur during 1993 show in Flint Tupac Shakur was killed in Las Vegas on Sept. 13, 1996 in a shooting that took place just blocks from the Las Vegas Strip. Rumors have swirled for years as to what happened with all of his remains. Friends and colleagues have claimed some of the ashes were mixed with marijuana and smoked. Others have said Afeni spread them in places meaningful to her and her son. However, the existence of a tombstone/gravesite had always been treated as rumor. Pearlman says he spent three years researching and writing the book, conducting more than 650 interviews. Insights from friends, family, colleagues, people who grew up with Shakur and more are featured in the book. Edward Smith, formerly of Cadillac, fled to Seattle after being charged in 2018. He was sentenced this week. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel pauses during an interview with The Associated Press, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) AP LANSING, MI - A man from Cadillac was sentenced this week to up to 30 years in prison for child sex crimes committed in 2018. Edward Eugene Smith, 35, formerly of Cadillac and most recently residing in Seattle, Washington, was sentenced on Oct. 23 to between 10- and 30-years prison by visiting Judge Bill Fagerman in the 28th Circuit Court in Wexford County. Smith took nude photos in 2018 of a then-14-year-old victim, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Then-28-year-old Smith contrived a scenario to convince a 14-year-old high school student to pose partially nude while he photographed her in his apartment, the press release stated. A roommate discovered the photographs on a device owned by Smith and alerted authorities. Smith was charged criminally by the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney in 2018, though he soon left the state. Seven years later, Smith pleaded no contest in September to one count each of child sexually abusive activity, accosting a minor for immoral purposes, and using a computer to commit child sexually abusive activity. The bravery of the victim and a roommate who reported this crime, combined with the dedicated work of the Cadillac Police Department, the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, U.S. Marshalls Office, and the Oasis Family Resource Center, ensured that this offender was held accountable and the victim received the support she needed, Nessel said. My office will continue to work with our partners to bring justice to victims of sexual abuse. Under Operation Survivor Justice, Smith was arrested in Seattle, Washington in February of this year and extradited to Michigan to face these charges. The operation is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants. The victim in this matter provided a victim impact statement to the court. The trauma you caused has stuck with me physically, my skin reacting to the chemicals released by ones brain when they get put through such horrendous things, the statement read. It burns, it cracks and separates. It constantly dries out and is itching, almost as if my skin itself cries out and claims if it is ugly, no one will do such things to me again. I will relish in every day I get to heal and grow and do things I want, when I want. Raising my sons into fine young men who will do everything they can to protect the people around them from folks like you because they will know what is right and what is wrong. President Donald Trump said the ad that used former President Ronald Reagan's words to criticize U.S. tariffs misrepresented Reagan's stance. Trump is pictured with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney during a summit to support ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool) AP WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump announced hes ending all trade negotiations with Canada because of a television ad sponsored by one of its provinces that used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs prompting the provinces leader to later pull the ad. The post on Trumps social media site Thursday night ratcheted up tensions with the U.S.s northern neighbor after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to double his countrys exports to countries outside the U.S. because of the threat posed by Trumps tariffs. White House officials said Trumps reaction was a culmination of the administrations long, pent-up frustration about Canadas strategy in trade talks. Later Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province had sponsored the ad, said it would be taken down, though it will still run this weekend. Ford said after talking with Prime Minister Mark Carney hes decided to pause the advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume. Ford said theyve achieved their goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses, Ford said. Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. The U.S. president alleged the ad misrepresented the position of Reagan, a two-term president who remains a beloved figure in the Republican Party, and was aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of a hearing scheduled for next month that could decide whether Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Trump is so invested in the case that he has said hed like to attend oral arguments. You know, its a crooked ad, Trump said Friday night as he left the White House for a trip to Asia, shortly after the ad aired during the seventh inning of Foxs national broadcast of Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. They could have pulled it tonight, Trump said. Well, thats dirty play but I can play dirtier than they can, you know. Canadian premier digs in after Trump ends talks The ad was paid for by Ontarios government, not the Canadian federal government. Ford, the premier, didnt initially back down, posting Friday that Canada and the U.S. are allies and Reagan knew that both are stronger together. Ford then provided a link to a Reagan speech where the late president voices opposition to tariffs. Ford had said the province plans to pay $54 million (about $75 million Canadian) for the ads to air across multiple American television stations using audio and video of Reagan speaking about tariffs in 1987. Ford is a populist conservative who doesnt belong to the same party as Carney, a Liberal. For his part, Carney said his government remains ready to continue talks to reduce tariffs in certain sectors. We cant control the trade policy of the United States. We recognize that that policy has fundamentally changed from the 1980s, he said Friday morning before boarding a flight for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. Trump is also traveling to the summit. But he told reporters on Air Force One that he had no intention to meet Carney there. I dont think theres much they can do, Trump said, noting he was inclined to leave the trade deal with Canada the way it is. Reagans foundation speaks out against ad Earlier Thursday night, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X that the ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade dated April 25, 1987. It added that Ontario did not receive foundation permission to use and edit the remarks and said it was reviewing legal options. The foundation in Simi Valley, California, is perhaps best known for maintaining the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Its board includes longtime Republican Party stalwarts such as former Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who resigned after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose free-market philosophy often clashes with Trumps protectionist tendencies. Another board member is Lachlan Murdoch, the son of Rupert, who is executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation. The board is chaired by Fred Ryan, the former publisher and CEO of The Washington Post. Trump wrote on social media Thursday night that The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. He added, TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Reagan did not actually love tariffs. He often criticized government policies including protectionist measures such as tariffs that interfered with free commerce and he spent much of that 1987 radio address spelling out the case against tariffs. Blowup was a long time coming, administration officials indicate White House spokesman Kush Desai said the ad was the latest example of how Canadian officials would rather play games than engage with the Administration. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters at the White House on Friday that Canada has shown a lack of flexibility and also cited leftover behaviors from the Trudeau folks, referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had a frosty relationship with the Trump administration. If you look at all the countries around the world that weve made deals with, and the fact that were now negotiating with Mexico separately reveals that its not just about one ad, Hassett said. Carney met with Trump earlier this month to try to ease trade tensions, as the two countries and Mexico prepare for a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal Trump negotiated in his first term but has since soured on. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion U.S.) worth of goods and services cross the border daily. Trump initially appeared unfazed by the ad Trump said earlier in the week that he had seen the ad on TV and didnt seem bothered by it. If I was Canada, Id take that same ad also, he said Tuesday during a lunch with Republican senators. Ontario bought more than $275,000 of ad reservations for the spot to air in 198 of the nations 210 media markets this month, according to data from the nonpartisan media tracking firm AdImpact. It was broadcast most frequently in the New York market, with more than 530 airings, followed by Washington, D.C., at around 280. The only other markets with more than 100 airings were those around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Ford previously got Trumps attention with an electricity surcharge to U.S. states. Trump responded by doubling steel and aluminum tariffs. The president has moved to impose steep U.S. tariffs on many goods from Canada. In April, Canadas government imposed retaliatory levies on certain U.S. goods -- but it carved out exemptions for some automakers to bring specific numbers of vehicles into the country, known as remission quotas. Trumps tariffs have especially hurt Canadas auto sector, much of which is based in Ontario. This month, Stellantis said it would move a production line from Ontario to Illinois. Associated Press writers Maya Sweedler, Paul Wiseman and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. Provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service M.C.I. Foods has recalled 90,585 pounds of breakfast burritos and wraps provided to food service institutions because they may contain eggs that are contaminated with listeria. Provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspections Service (FSIS) announced a recall of an estimated 91,585 pounds of specific lots of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito and wrap products over listeria contamination concerns. The agency says the products were produced between Sept. 17, 2025, and Oct. 14, 2025 and may have been sold to school systems nationwide. The recall was instituted by M.C.I. Foods Inc., a Santa Fe Springs, Calif., establishment that produced the items. The recall comes after the company received a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes in the scrambled egg components it tested that are supplied by an outside vendor. The products were distributed nationwide to foodservice institutions. Those companies may have then sold the recalled items to school systems throughout the country. The recalled products were not provided to schools through the USDA National School Lunch Program. The USDA did not provide a list of possible school systems that may have received the recalled products. A full list of recalled items, product codes, and lot codes can be found here. Product labels for the items can be seen here. The recalled products bear establishment number EST. 1162A or P-5890A inside the USDA mark of inspection, the USDA says. So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the concern. Still, the USDA issued a Class I classification for the recall, which is the agencys most serious risk level. Listeria is a potentially serious illness that can be fatal for those with weakened immune systems and older adults. In pregnant women, it can cause stillbirth, miscarriages, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Symptoms of Listeria include fever, headache, loss of balance, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, and convulsions. Symptoms can also be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. The illness is typically treated with antibiotics. Symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks after consuming the tainted food. The USDA advises anyone who has the recalled items in their home or work to throw them away immediately. For more information, consumers can contact M.C.I. Foods, Inc. at 1-888-345-5364. The USDA can be reached at 1-888-674-6854. A screenshot of a Michigan State Police Officer's body camera footage shows the large fire Friday, Oct. 24, at the American House Southgate senior living facility at 16333 Allen Road, in Southgate. Michigan State Police WAYNE COUNTY, MI - All residents were reported safe and accounted for after a large fire at a senior residential facility in Southeast Michigan. The Michigan State Police Detroit Regional Communication Center was notified at 10:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, by Southgate Police that there was a structure fire at a senior living facility, American House Southgate at 16333 Allen Road. Metro South troopers arrived on scene and entered the building with other police officers and firefighters and assisted with evacuation efforts, according to an MSP post on X. A screenshot from a Michigan State Police officers bodycam footage shows tall flames and smoke in the middle of a large building. Once the building was cleared, state troopers remained on scene and assisted with scene security and the transportation of tenants from the complex. All 81 tenants were believed to be safely evacuated to the local Southgate Community Center or picked up by family members, police said. First responders evaluated all residents and Southgate employees and no injuries were sustained in the fire or the evacuation, an update from American House stated. Those residents who were previously frail or compromised were taken to a nearby nursing facility or hospital for oversight. Many residents were relocated to American House Riverview, American House Southland and American House Westland Hunter. Multiple Downriver area fire departments and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene on Friday. Corewell Health and the Red Cross have offered assistance to American House, the press release stated. Last night was a frightening experience, yet our team came through and worked together with dedicated first responders with the wonderful outcome of no injuries whatsoever, said Dale Watchowski, chief executive officer of American House. I applaud the passion and commitment everyone displayed and give my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. Former Lincoln Township police detective Johnathan Chase faces several felony charges for allegedly falsifying salvage vehicle inspections. File photo LANSING, MI - A former Southwest Michigan police officer is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly falsifying salvage vehicle inspections. Former Lincoln Township Police Department Detective Lieutenant Johnathan Chase, 54, of Stevensville, was arraigned on Oct. 22 by Judge Charles LaSata of the Fifth District Court in St. Joseph, according to a press release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Chase has been charged with: Eight counts of false certification, each a one to five-year felony Two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony One count of misconduct in office, a five-year felony Salvage vehicle inspections are conducted to ensure that vehicles extensively damaged or reconstructed with parts from other sources are safe and that their components are not traced to stolen vehicles. Officers performing these inspections must certify the origin of all parts. Chase, who was the sole officer responsible for salvage vehicle certifications within the Lincoln Township Police Department, reportedly submitted multiple falsified salvage inspection forms to the state. The Michigan State Police Southwest Commercial Auto Recovery Team (SCAR) investigated this matter and referred the case to the Department of Attorney Generals Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement (FORCE) Team. Salvage vehicle inspections are vital to protecting residents from stolen or unsafe vehicles on our roads, Nessel said. When law enforcement officers abuse their authority and compromise that process, they not only betray public trust but also put innocent owners at risk. I appreciate the Michigan State Police for bringing this matter to our attention, and we will continue to hold those who misuse their positions accountable. Chase will next appear Oct. 31 before the Fifth District Court. Police said no one was injured in the Friday night shooting that led to one arrest. Michigan State Police Fifth District detectives are investigating. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI - No one was injured after an officer-involved shooting Friday night in southwest Michigan. One male suspect was arrested for suspected operating while impaired, according to the Michigan State Police. The incident took place at 9:15 p.m. Oct. 24 on I-94 near mile marker 66 in Mattawan, Van Buren County. There were no reported injuries, and no one was hit by gunfire in the shooting that involved state troopers assigned to the Paw Paw Post. Police did not provide more information on how the shooting unfolded when contacted Saturday morning. An update is expected to be given Saturday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing. MSP Fifth District detectives were on the scene investigating the shooting Friday night. The left, westbound lane of I-94 near the scene was temporarily closed during investigation. The dogs, rescued from a Calhoun County residence, ranged from puppies to 3 years old and included breeds such as poodle, spaniel and rottweiler mixes. Shelter Volunteer Michele Manik grooms a doodle aged between 1 and 3 years old that was rescued with dozens of other dogs this week. Photo taken by Jackie Martens. Photo provided to MLive by Jackie Martens This story was updated at 4:18 p.m. Oct. 25 to include that eight of the dogs were euthanized due to extreme health or temperament issues. CALHOUN COUNTY, MI - Dozens of dogs rescued from a residence earlier this week have been cleaned up and sent on to several area agencies. Calhoun County Sheriffs deputies found 68 dogs on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the residence located in the 8000 block of 8 Mile Road in Newton Township. The Calhoun County Animal Shelter took in the dogs, including three more that were brought from the same residence, making a total of 71. They were covered in urine and feces, said Jackie Martens, executive director of the animal shelter. She said long-haired dogs were severely matted with feces in their hair. The dogs included various breeds such as doodles (poodle mixes), spaniel and rottweiler mixes. Most dogs were around 25 pounds, with a couple weighing a little bit more. There were two mother dogs with puppies, the youngest 3 weeks old. There were puppies without mothers, as young as 3 months old to three years old. None of the dogs were older than three years old. A dead dog was also found outside, and an unknown number of cats, which were not brought to the county animal shelter, Martens said. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about where the cats are. The shelter, already housing 47 dogs in a 50-kennel capacity, took in the 71 additional dogs for a day and a half. Eight of the dogs were euthanized due to extreme health or temperament issues. Shelter staff and volunteers used extra kennels in the hallways and focused on getting the dogs cleaned up first. We had hundreds of responses from the community, Martens said. I still have messages I havent been able to open yet - it all happened so fast. A local dog grooming and pet supply business, Pawfect Impressions, provided free baths and grooming for 12 dogs. Local volunteers also pitched in their skills to bathe and groom the dogs. These dogs were not socialized, said Casey Russell, owner of Pawfect Impressions. It was just a very sad situation. Martens said the dogs were all incredibly scared and didnt seem used to people or know how to walk on a leash or were potty trained. They were all sweet, they were just scared, Martens said. Russell said she and her grooming staff moved very slowly, used a lot of baby talk and rewarding treats to keep the scared dogs calm. Every dog deserves a grooming - their nails cut, their teeth brushed - they deserve adequate care, just as a human life does, Russell said, adding that she understands not everyone can always afford it. If you see something, say something, Russell added. This could have been handled before it got to 71 (dogs). Police asked anyone with information to contact sheriffs Lt. Curtis Smith at 269-781-0880 or anonymously through Silent Observer at 269-964-3888. Community members donated several bags food and money to the shelter this week. Were very grateful to the community, Martens said, adding that the shelter will be dividing funds to share with the handful of rescues that pulled the dogs to continue their care. More rescues reached out but all the dogs were already accounted for. Dalis to the Rescue pet adoption organization out of Alma took 15 dogs. Saving Souls Pet Alliance animal rescue out of Comstock Park took 10. The Humane Society of West Michigan took eight. Animal Aid of Branch County took six. Unleashed Love Pet Rescue in Grand Rapids took 12. The Harbor Humane Society in West Olive took seven. The rest stayed at the Calhoun shelter and are planned to receive complete medical evaluations and be spayed or neutered before being put up for adoption. Police said the 68-year-old homeowner voluntarily surrendered the animals. Police contacted Adult Protective Services to help the homeowner. The homeowner could be charged with animal abuse and animal torture once prosecutors review the case, sheriffs deputies said. The Texas burrito at El Mesquite consists of steak, shrimp and chicken, along with bell peppers, onions and tomato, topped with a white cheese sauce and pico de gallo. Emily Rose Bennett SPRING LAKE, MI - Local brothers and entrepreneurs Artemio and Luis Mendoza opened El Mesquite in 2022 to offer fresh ingredients complemented by a welcoming atmosphere. The Mexican bar and grill at 510 W. Savidge St. in Spring Lake serves homemade, traditional recipes. Luis Mendoza, who is also the general manager of the location, was the owner of the original El Mesquite location in Muskegon, which opened in 2014, but is now closed. Originally from the central part of Mexico between Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mendoza got his start in restaurants in Meridian, Miss., over two decades ago. He moved to Muskegon 20 years ago on his familys recommendation they already lived there and said it was good for business. My brother has another restaurant (El Burrito Loco) on Harvey Street, which he opened years ago in 2007, Mendoza said. He was getting a lot of customers from the Spring Lake area, so I remember him saying, Guys, you need to open a restaurant in Spring Lake, so when we found this spot, we just took over right away. He told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle the Spring Lake bar and grill has a completely different menu than its former sister location. Since opening, customers have been raving about three menu items: burritos, bowls and street tacos. A top selection, the Ranchero Bowl for $16.50, comes with a choice of chicken or steak, rice, black beans, fresh cheese, lettuce, avocado, pico de gallo and southwest vegetables. Another popular choice is the lunch special, which offers 16 options, including the fajita burrito for $11. It comes with a 10-inch flour tortilla filled with beans and a choice of chicken or steak, along with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and pico de gallo. For those 21 and over, El Mesquite also specializes in fruity margaritas, including flights with options like strawberry and mango. Mendoza touts that the bar and grill stands out from the rest because, in addition to the family-friendly and attentive service, they prepare and make the food every day in the morning. People can tell right away when something is fresh, he said. We dont make food for days. If we have leftovers, thats discarded. We make sure everything is fresh. To place a carryout order, visit menu-technology.com/ordering/restaurant or call 616-607-8378. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Manchester United hopes to keep bringing in the good times on Saturday when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in English Premier League action. Many were doubting what Manchester United was capable of heading into the 2025-26 season. While the team still has plenty of critics regarding how good they really are, the Red Devils silenced a few of the pundits with how they played last weekend. EPL STREAMING OPTIONS Streaming Options Price/month Free Trial? Length Deal FuboTV $84.99 No N/A $20 off first month DirecTV Stream $69.99 Yes 5 days No Sling $35.00 No N/A $10 off first month Peacock $7.99 No N/A None ManU went into Anfield to take on their longtime rivals, and defending EPL champions, Liverpool. While some believed the Red Devils would crumble, they somehow did not, coming away with a 2-1 victory, giving the club back-to-back wins for the first time this season. They now go up against a very sneaky and borderline dangerous Brighton squad, who has been a thorn in the side of Manchester United for the past few years. Coming off a solid win over Newcastle United, the Seagulls are hoping to extend their league point streak to five straight contests. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United FC (4-1-3) vs. Brighton & Hove Albion FC (3-3-2) When: Saturday, October 25 Time: 12:30 p.m. ET Where: Old Trafford (Manchester, U.K.) Channel: NBC, Universo Check out the EPL table and results here With a market cap of $11.7 billion, Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM) is a prominent cloud and cybersecurity company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1998, Akamai operates one of the worlds largest distributed computing platforms, known for powering a significant share of global internet traffic. AKAM is slated to announce its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Thursday, Nov. 6. Ahead of this event, analysts expect the company to report a profit of $1.02 per share, a 2.9% drop from $1.05 per share in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's earnings expectations in three of the past four quarters while missing on another occasion. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts expect the company to report EPS of $4.27, a 6% fall from $4.54 in fiscal 2024. However, EPS is anticipated to rebound in 2026, rising 2.3% annually to $4.37. www.barchart.com Shares of Akamai Technologies have declined 16% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 14.5% rise and the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLK) 7.6% gain over the same period. www.barchart.com Shares of Akamai rose 2.9% on Oct. 2 after the company announced an expanded partnership with Apiiro, a leading agentic application security platform. The collaboration integrates Akamais application and API security solutions with Apiiros security posture management tools to provide end-to-end protection across the entire software development lifecycle. Analysts' consensus view on Akamai Technologies stock remains cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall. Out of 21 analysts covering the stock, seven recommend a "Strong Buy," one "Moderate Buy," nine "Holds," one Moderate Sell, and three "Strong Sell." Its mean price target of $92.26 represents a premium of 23.7% from the current market prices. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan pay their last respects at Piyush Pandeys funeral A video from the funeral has gone viral, showing Amitabh and Abhishek exiting the crematorium after paying their respects. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Ram Charan and team Peddi head to Sri Lanka for their next shooting schedule Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who is Divya Suresh? The Kannada actress allegedly involved in hit-and-run case in Bengaluru According to PTI, the accident occurred around 1:30 am on October 4 when three people on a motorcycle were on their way to a hospital. The incident was also caught on CCTV. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actor Satish Shah dies at 74 due to kidney failure; Nephrologist lists silent symptoms of kidney disease Shreya Garg is a journalist with over 6 years of experience at leading media houses. She writes extensively on lifestyle, health and things that are trending on the internet. Shreya Garg USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Retail traders, especially those in South Korea, have increasingly shifted from altcoins to crypto-related equities, leaving a massive funding gap in the altcoin market, according to new data from 10x Research. Key Takeaways: Retail investors, particularly in South Korea, have shifted from altcoins to crypto-related stocks, creating an $800 billion gap in altcoin market value. Institutional demand for Bitcoin and the rise of listed crypto firms have widened the divide between Bitcoin and other digital assets. 10x Research warns this trend signals a structural change, with altcoins likely to struggle in attracting fresh capital. Over the years, Bitcoin and altcoins have tended to rise and fall together, driven by shared cycles of speculation. But this time, institutional adoption of Bitcoin and the growing popularity of listed crypto firms have created what 10x Research calls a near trillion-dollar gap between Bitcoins market value and that of other digital assets. South Koreas Shift to Crypto Stocks Leaves $800B Altcoin Gap South Korea has long been a hub for altcoin trading, with local investors often favoring smaller tokens over Bitcoin. At times, altcoins have made up over 80% of trading activity on Korean exchanges, compared to global averages where Bitcoin and Ether dominate. Altcoin market capitalization would be roughly $800 billion higher if retail investors especially in South Korea hadnt redirected their attention toward crypto-related stocks and other equities, said Markus Thielen, CEO and head of research at 10x Research. In this cycle, altcoins have failed to attract sufficient new capital. Between Nov. 5 and Nov. 28, 2024, Korean exchanges saw daily average crypto volumes of $9.4 billion, surpassing the $7 billion traded on the Kospi stock index, according to data from CCData and Korea Exchange. Those volumes have since plunged. 10x Research warned that fading retail participation is a key reason altcoins have lagged behind Bitcoinand the trend may deepen. A recent market selloff triggered by renewed US-China trade tensions erased $380 billion in crypto market value, of which $131 billion came from altcoins alone. According to 10x, the shift marks a structural change in the market. As institutional money flocks to Bitcoin and speculative traders chase token-holding stocks, the altcoin sector may struggle to recover its lost share of capital anytime soon. South Korean Retail Investors Pour $1.24B Into US Tech, Crypto Stocks As reported, South Korean investors turned the Chuseok holiday into a high-risk trading week, pouring $1.24 billion into US tech and crypto-linked assets while local markets were closed between October 3 and 9, data from the Korea Securities Depository shows. Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Government and industry estimates indicate that Indian households collectively hold around 22,000 tonnes of idle gold Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Analysts highlight that the mix of projects across hydrocarbon, infrastructure, and international markets will be a key growth driver. Anishaa Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Trump aims to sign mineral deals in Asia to raise pressure on Xi China has unveiled tighter export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals in a new round of tit-for-tat trade restrictions between Washington and Beijing. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Bihar Elections 2025 Live: New poster hailing Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar ka Nayak put up outside RJD office in Patna As Bihar gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, a new poster depicting Mahagathbandhans chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar ka Nayak has been installed outside the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) office in Patna. The poster has sparked considerable buzz in the states politically charged atmosphere. The Opposition Grand Alliance on Thursday officially declared Tejashwi Yadav as its candidate for chief minister and Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani as its deputy chief ministerial face for the polls. According to the Election Commissions schedule, voting in Bihar will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14. By Naomi Rovnick LONDON (Reuters) -Major investors, spooked by AI exuberance yet wary of betting against it, are shifting from hyped-up stocks into potential next-in-line winners, reviving a strategy from the 1990s dotcom era that helped some sidestep the crash. As U.S. stocks have hit successive records and AI chipmaker Nvidia's valuation has surged beyond $4 trillion, professional investors have been trying to find ways to make money from the bull market while avoiding excessive risk. Some are looking back to the 1990s internet boom, which spread from startups to telecoms and tech, and where hedge funds rode the wave by flipping out of highly-valued stocks before they peaked and picking others that had room to rise. "What we are doing is what worked from 1998 to 2000," said Francesco Sandrini, multi-asset head and Italy CIO at Europes largest asset manager Amundi. He highlighted signs of irrational exuberance on Wall Street, such as frenzied trading in risky options pegged to the share prices of big AI stocks. But he said he expected the new tech enthusiasm to continue and hoped to bank gains via bets on reasonably valued assets that might rally next. Sandrini said this involved trying to find "the highest growth opportunities that so far the market had failed to spot", with moves into software groups, robotics and Asian tech. Other investors also expected to edge out of Wall Street's Magnificent Seven stocks after shares in Nvidia more than tripled in two years, but want to keep their diversification within the AI sphere. ASSET MANAGERS NEED TO BE NIMBLE TO RIDE THE WAVE "The odds of this (AI boom) being a bust are very high because you've got companies spending trillions and all fighting for the same market that does not yet exist," said Goshawk Asset Management CIO Simon Edelsten, who worked on telecom IPOs at stockbroker Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in London in 1999. He expected the next phase of AI fever to spread from Nvidia and others like Microsoft and Alphabet into related sectors. Timing the phases of a bubble has historically been a way to play it without the risk of trying to call the peak too early. A study by economists Markus Brunnermeir and Stefan Nagel showed that hedge funds mostly did not bet against the dotcom bubble, but rode it skillfully enough to beat the market by about 4.5% per quarter from 1998-2000 and avoid the worst of the downturn. They shed high-priced internet stocks in time to recycle profits into others before they caught the attention of less sophisticated investors. EC may roll out first phase of all-India SIR next week, beginning with 10-15 states 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept US deputy secretary of Energy James Danly with Indias Ambassador to Washington Vinay Mohan Kwatra. (Courtesy: X | @AmbVMKwatra) Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Is BJP trying to woo TVK or using it to target DMK over Karur tragedy? Swati Das is an independent journalist covering Tamil Nadu politics, and is based in Chennai. Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Congress leader alleges corals were erased from official maps to bypass environmental norms for Great Nicobar project. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Lucknow police arrest two men for allegedly abducting, drugging and gang-raping woman after offering lift Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Maharashtra doctors suicide case: One of the accused arrested, set to appear in court today | Top updates The woman doctor had called one of the accused, Bankar -- who works in Pune -- before ending her life (Image for representation) Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept One of the accused Prashant Bankar was arrested today Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The company's AI-related investments help support its bold growth forecast. Brookfield believes it can grow its distributable earnings per share at a 25% compound annual rate over the next five years. That should support its ability to continue producing robust total returns for its shareholders. Brookfield sees the potential to deploy upwards of $200 billion over the coming years to build out AI factories across North America and Europe through its managed funds and infrastructure affiliate, Brookfield Infrastructure . It's designing these facilities with their power needs in mind. It recently partnered with Bloom Energy to deploy up to $5 billion of that company's advanced fuel cells to support the always-on power needs of AI. Meanwhile, the company is leveraging its internal power expertise by building out a massive amount of renewable energy through its managed funds and renewable power operating company, Brookfield Renewable . However, it's the company's expertise in investing in real assets and providing capital solutions that positions it to thrive in the AI age. Brookfield is leveraging its expertise in investing in and operating data centers, renewable power facilities, and other infrastructure to begin building AI factories, specialized data centers designed to optimize the creation and design of AI models. These facilities require a substantial amount of electricity to power high-performance GPUs, CPUs, networking, storage, and advanced cooling systems that support AI. Brookfield Corporation may not appear to be a leading AI stock at first glance. The global investment firm focuses on alternative investment management, wealth solutions, and operating real assets (infrastructure, power, industrial services, and real estate). As the AI infrastructure boom accelerates, a few companies are emerging as early leaders in capitalizing on this trend. Notably, Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN) and NextEra Energ y (NYSE: NEE) stand out for their leading infrastructure businesses and strong growth prospects. Here's why these companies are among the best stocks to consider investing $1,000 in right now. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be the most impactful technology in history. That's driving companies to invest heavily to build out the digital backbone infrastructure this technology needs to thrive. Over the next decade, it's estimated that companies will need to invest a staggering $7 trillion in data centers, power generation capacity, and other related infrastructure to unleash the AI era. Story Continues Powering the surge in electricity demand Electricity demand in the U.S. has remained relatively stable over the past couple of decades. However, forecasters expect demand to go hyperbolic over the next quarter-century, powered by AI data centers and other catalysts. This electricity will need to come from lower-carbon sources, such as renewable energy, natural gas, and nuclear power. That forecast bodes well for NextEra Energy. It's one of the largest electric power and energy infrastructure companies on the continent, with a focus on clean power. NextEra's energy resources business operates 39 gigawatts (GW) of power generation capacity and has another 30 GW in the backlog. Those projects are part of its mammoth $75 billion investment plan to build out new generation, energy storage, and electricity transmission lines through 2028 to support the country's surging power demand. NextEra Energy's leadership in renewables and energy storage puts it in a strong position to continue developing clean power assets that support AI's growth in the future. The company is already building 6 GW of renewable projects to support new data centers. It possesses the expertise and financial resources to continue expanding its renewable energy capacity to provide more electricity to AI data centers. Additionally, NextEra is a leader in building and operating gas-fired power plants. Earlier this year, it partnered with GE Vernova to identify and build new gas-fired power plants to support data centers over the next four years. Its partnership with the gas turbine maker gives it a competitive edge in developing new gas-fired power plants. Finally, NextEra Energy has a large nuclear energy fleet. The company is currently looking to restart its Duane Arnald nuclear power plant in Iowa to support AI data center demand. It's also open to deploying small modular reactors to help provide AI with more power in the future, should the technology become more financially viable. NextEra Energy expects its heavy investments to drive earnings growth at or near the top end of its 6% to 8% annual target range through 2027. It could continue to grow at or above that level in the future, as demand for power surges. Capitalizing on the AI boom Brookfield Corporation and NextEra Energy own, operate, and develop infrastructure crucial to supporting the growth of AI. That puts these companies in strong positions to capitalize on the AI infrastructure investment boom. It should power robust growth for both companies, which could enable them to generate high-powered total returns. That compelling upside potential makes them some of the best stocks to buy with $1,000 right now. Should you buy stock in NextEra Energy right now? Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and NextEra Energy wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $590,357!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,141,380!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,033% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 193% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of October 20, 2025 Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Corporation, Brookfield Infrastructure, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield, Brookfield Corporation, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and Ge Vernova. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Best Stocks to Invest $1,000 in Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Satara suicide case: Victim had spoken to accused Prashant Bankar shortly before death, police say Ria Kapoor USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept Japanese man credits India for teaching him 'Dharma Yoga', a philosophy of living with kindness The post received a wave of positive responses across platforms, with many praising Nozomu Hagiharas thoughtful explanation of Indian philosophy. Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Digital assets related to Binance and President Donald Trump surged on Thursday following news that the U.S. leader had pardoned the crypto exchange's ex-CEO and founder, Changpeng "CZ" Zhao. Binance's BNB token was among the top-performing cryptocurrencies recently climbing about 4.7% to trade at about $1,115, according to crypto data provider CoinGecko. BNB rose as high as $1,149 earlier in the day. World Liberty FinancialWLFIsoared even higher. The Trump- and Binance-backed asset, which runs on Ethereum, was recently priced at over $0.14 after jumping by 15.2% from Wednesday, same time. And 4, a meme coin linked to Zhao's X posts of the number as a way to list reasons crypto won't fail, rose 32% on the day to change hands over $0.11. The token runs on Binance's BNB chain, which allows developers to introduce new assets and build apps. The White House on Thursday confirmed to Decrypt that President Trump had pardoned Binance founder Zhao. Zhao pleaded guilty to violating U.S. laws against money laundering charges in 2023. He served four months in prison in 2024. Feds had gone after Zhao for years after alleging that the ex-Binance boss allowed individuals linked to virtual theft and terrorism to use the world's biggest crypto exchange. Writing on X on Thursday, Zhao said he was "deeply grateful for today's pardon and to President Trump for upholding America's commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice." Binance has links to the President Trump-backed World Liberty Financial project: The project's USD1 stablecoin is available on BNB, and a $2 billion investment into Binance from Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund MGX was paid using the token. The gains were part of a wider market jump that regained some ground lost in recent weeks. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was recently up nearly 2%, while Ethereum, the second largest digital asset by market value, recently rose 1.3%. Myriad Moves: Does Bitcoin Bounce Before 'Uptober' Ends, and Who Wins the World Series? Cryptocurrencies have been battered along with other risk-on assets as investors have fretted about the U.S. global trade war and other macroeconomic uncertainties. Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Elon Musk jokes about OpenAI and other AI firms, Perplexity CEO responds with a witty comeback MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept Googles new Earth AI uses Gemini to forecast disasters and track global health risks MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -BP's 440,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana, resumed operations on Friday after a outage prompted a temporary evacuation at the plant, the company said. The refinery resumed operations after power was restored, BP said in a statement. The outage was caused by a disruption to electrical service that occurred outside of the facility this morning, the refiner said. All personnel have returned to the plant. BP was in the process of bringing its 110,000 bpd fluid catalytic cracking unit online, according to industry monitor IIR Energy. A fire broke out after an operational incident at the Whiting refinery last week. Multiple units were taken offline due to the blaze. A spokesperson declined to provide details on the restart process. In mid-September, the refinery started planned maintenance work on its units, including the crude processing unit and fluid catalytic cracker. The planned turnaround was expected to last for two months. The refinery, the largest in the U.S. Midwest, produces a wide range of liquid fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. (Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Diane Craft) How Trumps swings between Moscow and Kyiv shape the battlefield Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Shooting at a party in North Carolina kills 2 and critically injures several others Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept US and China begin trade talks in Malaysia to ease tensions At stake is a trade truce thats set to run out on Nov. 10 unless extended. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned convicted Binance founder Changpeng CZ Zhao on Oct. 23. Zhao said he was grateful to the president for pardoning him and "upholding Americas commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice." "Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide." Binance CEO Richard Teng also thanked the president and said it's a moment to reflect on how far the crypto industry has come. "CZs belief in the power of crypto and user empowerment laid the foundation for so much of what exists today." Related: What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency explained A Binance spokesperson told TheStreet Roundtable, "Incredible news of CZs pardon today. We thank President Trump for his leadership and for his commitment to make the US the crypto capital of the world. CZs vision not only made Binance the worlds largest crypto exchange but shaped the broader crypto movement. Binance remains focused on building a secure, transparent, and user-first platform that reduces fees and increases access to the financial system for all." It was during the Joe Biden era that the federal authorities tightened their grip over crypto enterprises as part of their efforts to combat alleged securities violations committed within the digital assets industry. First, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Binance and Zhao for violating securities laws in June 2023. Next, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged them with violating anti-money-laundering (AML) norms in November 2023. Changpeng Zhao, co-founder of Binance Holdings Ltd., during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain adequate AML standards and paid a $50 million fine. Binance also pleaded guilty and paid a $4.3 billion fine. The billionaire founder stepped down as CEO then and there, and Binances then-head of regional markets outside the U.S., Richard Teng, took over the role. In April 2024, a U.S. federal judge sentenced Zhao to four months in prison. He served his prison time and went back to Dubai later that year. More News: When will Zhao return to Binance? The crypto community is now wondering if Zhao will return to an active leadership role at Binance. 69% of traders on Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market, have put their money on him returning to the exchange by Dec. 31. So far, crypto traders have put in $32,770 on the event. US could impose more sanctions on Russia, wants Europe to step up first US could hit Russia with more sanctions to end Ukraine war, but first wants Europe to increase pressure Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The trade fight has also seen China cut off purchases of US soybeans, hammering American farmers who have seen markets shrink amid the US presidents trade war. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who is Jimmy Lai, the jailed Hong Kong tycoon Trump plans to ask Xi Jinping to release? Over 30 US lawmakers urge Trump to act as Lais health worsens; Beijing calls it interference in Chinas internal affairs Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Doug Fords Reagan ad blew up Canada-US trade talks and what it means for tariffs and auto jobs Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept October 25, 2025 Trump Targets Venezuela One never know how serious Trumps leaked plans are. Their purpose often seem to be solely to increase pressure on opponents, to move things into a direction he likes. If that does not work the plans may just be discarded. Or may, just may, be carried out. Trump considering plans to target cocaine facilities inside Venezuela, officials say Politico President Donald Trump is considering plans to target cocaine facilities and drug trafficking routes inside Venezuela, though he has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with them, three US officials told CNN. Outward signs on Friday pointed toward a major potential military escalation, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering the Navys most advanced aircraft carrier strike group currently stationed in Europe to the Caribbean region amid a massive buildup of US forces there. Trump has also authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The president has not ruled out taking a diplomatic approach with Venezuela to stem the flow of drugs into the US, two officials said, even after the administration cut off active talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in recent weeks. Venzuela is, as Politico points out, not known for drug trafficking. It does not have cocaine facilities. But it does have the largest oil reserves in the world. That has always made it a target for a U.S. regime-change operations. But Venezuela is also a huge country double the size of Iraq with a mountainous and often densely wooded countryside. The U.S. military is unable to invade, occupy and control it. But what the U.S. might want to try in Venezuela is a variant of the Israeli plan for Iran. A decapitation strike killing President Maduro and the military leadership accompanied by a bombing campaign to take out air defenses and primary defense units. Meanwhile the CIA and special forces will have to work on the ground in Caracas to organize local thugs for an assault on the main government sites and radio/TV buildings. As soon as those are captured the U.S. selected regime-change puppet, as identified by the Nobel Peace Prize committee, can declare herself president. The rest is just media work. Unless and that is a big question there will be some real resistance. The Venezuelan Bolvarian movement can motivate its youth to resist the U.S. coup even a well planned operation may end up like the Bay of Pigs. The takeover of Nexperia's management by the Dutch government has angered Beijing, which responded by imposing export controls on products manufactured by the chipmaker and its subcontractors in China. Subsidiary Nexperia China, which operates a semiconductor factory in Dongguan, in the southern Guangdong province, has also openly challenged orders from its head office in the Netherlands. In the latest China Future Tech webinar, veteran Dutch journalist Marc Hijink, who has been covering the semiconductor industry in the Netherlands for more than a decade; SCMP chief Europe correspondent Finbarr Bermingham and SCMP senior tech reporter Coco Feng discussed the context and implications of the saga. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Why did the Dutch authorities cite a 1952 law to seize management of Nexperia? Was it to kick out the company's Chinese CEO Zhang Xuezheng from the board? The fear that production would halt at the Hamburg and Manchester factories due to mismanagement by Zhang Xuezheng led the Dutch authorities to invoke the 1952 law, Hijink said. The move was "a bit too dramatic" as there was a sense of urgency that the Dutch had to do something. Zhang is the founder of Wingtech Technology, the Chinese owner of Nexperia. Hijink noted that the US played a part in the saga, putting pressure in the background. Nexperia was not in the crosshairs of geopolitical tensions in 2019, when China's Wingtech acquired Nexperia as its chips were not highly advanced. But the US decision to put Wingtech on Washington's trade blacklist added risk exposure for Nexperia as the Dutch chipmaker "appeared less Chinese and more European". The efforts, however, were not supported by Zhang, and the Dutch authorities had to jump in. Zhang Xuezheng, the chairman and CEO of Wingtech. Photo: Handout alt=Zhang Xuezheng, the chairman and CEO of Wingtech. Photo: Handout> How will the Nexperia dispute affect China-EU relations? The Nexperia dispute, along with China's rare earth export control measures, could push Europe to think further about "how it can disentangle some of its deepest business ties with China", Bermingham said. Besides, there is a lack of unity among European member states over which tools to use. Bermingham said that Europe was also learning to deal with a new world order. "The people in China are probably saying Europe should be less dependent on the US, [while] people in the US are telling the Europeans they need to grow up and be less dependent on China; and people in Europe want Europe to be more European." China was once the undisputed center for Bitcoin mining. Known for its cheap power and access to leading hardware manufacturers, all of this positioned China as a leader in global Bitcoin mining. However, this changed when mining was banned by the Chinese government in 2021. In late September 2021, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) further banned all cryptocurrency transactions. The PBOC cited the role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating financial crime as well as posing a growing risk to Chinas financial system. Fast-forward to todaydespite the governments strong efforts to weed out all crypto miners, many have found ways to continue operations. According to the Q4 2025 update of Luxors Global Hashrate Map, China currently accounts for 14.05% of Bitcoins total compute power, or roughly 145 exahashes per second (EH/s). This is a modest rise from 13.8% in Q3. Source: Luxor China Leads in Global Bitcoin Mining Kaan Farahani, research associate at Luxor, told Cryptonews that Luxors Global Hashrate Map estimates the geographic distribution of Bitcoin mining activity across the world. The map provides weighted hashrate concentration across regions by incorporating mining pool data, ASIC trading flows, and firmware adoption trends, Farahani said. Based on the recent data, China is the third-largest contributor globally to Bitcoin mining, just behind the U.S. and Russia. Luxors findings do not show where specifically the hashrate resides. According to Miner Weekly, multiple sources across the ASIC supply chain have pointed to one possible destination, which is Xinjiang. The regions relative isolation and abundant energy resources have made it a longtime hub for Bitcoin mining before Chinas ban in 2021. China Reveals Underground Bitcoin Mining Operations While Chinas continuation of Bitcoin mining may not come as a complete shock, this illustrates the murky, underground nature of the mining industry. Kent Halliburton, CEO and co-founder of Bitcoin mining platform Sazmining, told Cryptonews that he is not surprised to see mining still occurring in China. This is one of the beauties of Bitcoin mining. Its a cypherpunk way to generate Bitcoin, meaning that as long as you have electricity and hardware, you can generate Bitcoin for yourself. Its tough to shut down mining on the outskirts, and that is why I believe the hashrate we see in China continues to exist, Halliburton said. Other regions where Bitcoin mining is considered illegal are also showing signs of growth. For example, Farahani noted that Luxors Hashrate Map gives insight into Iran, estimating that around 8 EH/s of hashrate is operational in the region as of Q4-2025. This represents 0.75% of global market share. This small rural town had 1 veterinarian, a 74-year old veteran who tried finding his replacement for 5 years Even willing to give away his clinic, truck, and supplies if someone were to move to the town to take over A young graduate student took the offer pic.twitter.com/sruRTN9bMz Dudes Posting Their Ws (@DudespostingWs) October 23, 2025 A radical reimagining of physics puts information at its centre aeon (Chuck L) Not Too Sweet or Too Sweet to Fail? Taste (Randy K) Women Are Getting on Testosterone and They Say Its Absolutely Awesome Futurism. Sigh. My endocrinologist >20 years ago said women should be routinely tested for their testosterone level and werent. 1/3 of women (as in adults in their prime) have low testosterone. He was convinced that depression among women was significantly due to low testosterone and that many women taking anti-depressants should be taking testosterone instead. Climate/Environment China? Koreas South Korea grapples with growing number of idle young adults Nikkei Africa Madagascar : Former President Andry Rajoelina Loses His Malagasy Nationality The government declared this Friday, October 24th, that former President Andry Rajoelina had lost his Malagasy nationality. The decree signed by Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo in pic.twitter.com/ftxIaZOWPD Sy Marcus Herve Traore (@marcus_herve) October 24, 2025 South of the Border O Canada European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch How Amazon Turned Your Neighborhood Into a Police Database Reclaim the Net Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 MAHA Shutdown Democrat Death Wish Mamdani Health Care Our No Longer Free Press Newspapers closing, news deserts growing for beleaguered news industry Associated Press (Robin K) Economy Mr. Market is Moody Another US lender tumbles as credit jitters accelerate City AM AI The Bezzle Antidote du jour (via): And a bonus: Mama cat didn't need to say a word pic.twitter.com/d9DLbqd2Ln Antidepressant Content (@depressionlesss) October 24, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Frances Diderot museum ROBBED just days after brazen Louvre heist Thieves stole nearly 2,000 gold and silver coins from the Denis Diderot House of Enlightenment in Langres (Oct. 20), following a 88 million Louvre jewelry heist (Oct. 19) and other recent robberies, raising concerns about Frances ability to protect its cultural heritage. The Langres theft was premeditated, with thieves selectively taking valuables while leaving other artifacts untouched. The Louvre robbery involved masked thieves scaling the museum's facade with a truck-mounted ladder before smashing cases and escaping on scooters. Opposition figures, including National Rally's Jordan Bardella, condemned the Louvre heist as a national humiliation, blaming lax security and politically motivated appointments (e.g., Louvre security chief Dominique Buffin accused of being selected for diversity over expertise). Investigators are probing connections between the heists, noting similarities in tactics and targets. Experts suggest thieves are exploiting outdated security in historic buildings not designed for modern protection. Experts warn that France's museums, many housed in non-specialized historic buildings, lack advanced security systems making them vulnerable to further thefts. Authorities are scrambling to recover stolen artifacts amid calls for urgent security upgrades. In what appears to be a calculated assault on France's cultural treasures, thieves struck yet another museum on Monday, Oct. 20 making off with nearly 2,000 gold and silver coins from the Denis Diderot House of Enlightenment in Langres. The latest heist reported Wednesday, Oct. 22, comes just a day after a brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre netted 88 million ($102.05 million) in Napoleonic jewelry. It adds to a growing list of high-profile museum thefts plaguing France since September, raising urgent questions about the nation's ability to safeguard its heritage amid accusations of lax security and politically motivated mismanagement. The stolen coins dating from the 18th and 19th centuries were part of a prized collection unearthed during construction work in 2011. Authorities described the Langres break-in as premeditated, with thieves selectively targeting valuables while leaving other artifacts untouched a hallmark of professional operations. The museum, housed in a historic 16th-century mansion, had no overnight security prompting local officials to hire private guards while upgrading surveillance systems. This latest theft follows a string of similar incidents, including an Oct. 16 robbery of 1.5 million ($1.74 million) in gold nuggets from Paris' Natural History Museum and the recent Louvre heist that happened Sunday, Oct. 20. Masked thieves scaled the museums facade Sunday morning with a truck-mounted ladder before smashing display cases and escaping on scooters. The audacity of the Louvre robbery executed in broad daylight has drawn sharp rebukes from French opposition figures. National Rally (RN) President Jordan Bardella said the Louvre heist was an "intolerable humiliation" that reflected "the decay of the state." Member of the European Parliament for France Marion Marechal echoed the sentiment, noting that her country had become "the laughingstock of the world" after the incident. Louvre leadership under fire after heist Critics have zeroed in on Louvre President-Director Laurence Des Cars and security chief Dominique Buffin, accusing them of prioritizing diversity initiatives over security expertise. Marechal, the niece of former RN President Marine Le Pen, demanded their immediate resignation claiming Buffin's appointment was part of a "feminization policy" that compromised safety. Meanwhile, experts suggest the thieves may have exploited systemic vulnerabilities. "The real art in art theft is selling, not stealing," said Robert Wittman, founder of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's Art Crime Team. He noted that high-profile items like Napoleon's jewels are nearly impossible to fence on the legitimate market. The Louvre reopened Wednesday, though its Apollo Gallery remains closed. Investigators are probing possible links between the heists, including similarities in tactics and targets. At the Jacques Chirac Museum in Sarran, burglars struck twice in 48 hours while Limoges' Adrien Dubouche Museum lost 6.5 million ($7.54 million) in Chinese porcelain. Whether these crimes are connected remains unclear, but the pattern suggests a coordinated effort or at least an opportunistic trend among thieves capitalizing on outdated security. France's museums, many housed in historic buildings never designed for modern protection, now face mounting pressure to fortify defenses. BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that "housing cultural and historic artifacts in non-specialized buildings compromises their preservation and security." The decentralized engine adds that "these structures lack the controlled environments, advanced protection systems and expert oversight necessary to prevent damage, theft or degradation." As authorities scramble to recover stolen artifacts, the spree underscores a grim reality. Cultural institutions, long revered as bastions of history, are increasingly seen as soft targets. Watch this video showing the best way to store and display ancient coins. This video is from the Sanjaysmith channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com SCMP.com MSN.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Floridas housing crisis: A warning sign for the entire U.S. economy Over 1.8 million Florida homeowners rely on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), now frozen due to a government shutdown. Without renewal approvals, 150,000 policies per month risk lapsing, leaving homeowners exposed during hurricane season. New homebuyers cannot secure flood insurance, stalling sales and construction. Federal shutdowns halt environmental approvals and permits, worsening supply chain and labor shortages. FHA and USDA loan programs are stalled, hurting first-time and rural buyers. Florida's construction slowdown exacerbates the national housing shortage. Cape Coral home prices dropped 11 percent in two years the steepest decline in the United States. Tampa, Winter Haven and West Palm Beach face additional 10 percent price drops in 2025. Homes now sit unsold for 51 days on average, up from pandemic-era bidding wars. Major insurers flee Florida due to hurricane claims and fraud. Premiums have surged 54 percent since 2019, pricing out homeowners. Florida's real estate makes up 24.1 percent of its GDPdisruptions here threaten the broader economy. Experts warn of a housing crash worse than 2008 due to unaffordability and policy failures. Similar crises loom for high-risk states like Texas and California. The Sunshine State's real estate market, once a booming hotspot for buyers and investors, is now flashing warning signals that could foreshadow a broader economic downturn. With skyrocketing insurance costs, stalled federal programs, and plummeting home values, Florida's housing crisis is exposing vulnerabilities that threaten not just local homeowners but the entire U.S. economy. The state's housing market is uniquely dependent on federal flood insurance, with over 1.8 million policies more than a third of the nation's total. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine mentions that a federal flood insurance policy is a type of insurance coverage provided by the U.S. government to homeowners, business owners, and renters in participating communities to protect their properties from flood damage. This program was established by Congress in 1968 to provide affordable flood insurance to property owners in areas with a high risk of flooding. But as the current Congress remains deadlocked in a government shutdown, critical programs like the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are frozen, leaving thousands of homeowners in limbo. Each month, approximately 150,000 policies come up for renewal. But with federal agencies furloughed, renewals are stalled. A 30-day grace period offers temporary relief, but if the shutdown extends into late October, many Floridians could find themselves uninsured during peak hurricane season. "If the shutdown stretches into weeks, we'd expect to see a buildup of pending sales in flood-exposed areas as closings are delayed until NFIP authority is restored," warned Realtor.com senior economist Anthony Smith. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have temporarily relaxed flood insurance requirements, allowing roughly 1,300 daily home sales to proceed. However, buyers of newly constructed homes face an impossible hurdlewithout an existing policy to transfer, they cannot secure coverage until Congress acts. The shutdown isn't just impacting insurance; it's also crippling Florida's construction industry. Builders, already struggling with supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, now face delays in federal permits and environmental approvals. Florida's construction was beginning to recover with more home orders but delays in flood insurance and federal permits are now threatening to delay new building projects again. This slowdown exacerbates the national housing shortage, as Florida plays a critical role in supplying homes to meet demand. Meanwhile, federal loan programs such as those from the Federal Housing Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture, which assist first-time and rural buyers, are also stalled due to furloughed staff, further dampening sales momentum. The Sunshine State's real estate nightmare Florida's housing market, once the hottest in the nation, is now experiencing one of the steepest corrections in the country. Cape Coral has seen home prices plummet by 11 percent in just two yearsthe largest drop of any U.S. market. Other cities, including Tampa, Winter Haven and West Palm Beach, face a "very high" risk of further declines, with analysts predicting potential drops of up to 10 percent in 2025. The surge in inventory up 40.1 percent in mid-2024 reveals a troubling trend: Sellers can no longer find buyers willing to pay pandemic-era prices. Homes that once sold within days now linger on the market for an average of 51 days. Beyond federal dysfunction, Florida's insurance market is in chaos. Major insurers, overwhelmed by hurricane claims and fraud, have either slashed coverage or exited the state entirely. Homeowners still in the market have seen premiums skyrocket by 54 percent since 2019. Florida's crisis serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of the United States. The states economy relies more heavily on real estate (24.1 percent of GDP) than any other, meaning disruptions here ripple nationwide. "Given Florida's large share of national housing activity, even a modest pullback in buyer engagement could visibly nudge national sales and inventory metrics," Smith warned. The Senate Budget Committee has sounded alarms, suggesting that rising insurance costs, high mortgage rates and inflated home prices could trigger a housing crash worse than 2008. While experts don't foresee a complete collapse, Florida's struggles highlight how quickly markets can unravel when affordability breaks down. For buyers, Florida's downturn offers rare negotiating powerno more bidding wars or waived inspections. But sellers must adjust expectations as prices continue to slide. Meanwhile, policymakers face urgent questions: Will Congress act in time to restore flood insurance before hurricane season worsens? Can insurers stabilize premiums without pricing out homeowners? Will other states particularly those with climate risks like California and Texas face similar crises? As Smith cautioned: "Florida highlights how policy uncertainty can amplify cyclical transitions." The question now is whether the U.S. will heed the warning before it's too late. Watch this Fox News report about what needs to happen to make housing more affordable. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrokerAgentPayscale.com RealEstate.news BrightU.ai DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com Jewish figures urge UN to hold Israel accountable for Gaza GENOCIDE Over 450 prominent Jewish figures including former Israeli officials, artists and intellectuals issued an open letter calling for UN sanctions against Israel, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. Signatories cited Holocaust-era human rights protections, condemning Israel for violating international laws and demanding enforcement of ICJ rulings, an arms embargo and sanctions on officials implicated in war crimes. The letter frames solidarity with Palestinians as aligned with Jewish ethics, rejecting accusations of antisemitism against critics of Israel and emphasizing justice as a fulfillment of Jewish principles. The appeal highlights settler violence in the West Bank and 80 Israeli ceasefire violations, while polls show 61 percent of American Jews believe Israel committed war crimes and 39 percent agreeing it constitutes genocide. Signatories warn that the ceasefire is insufficient without addressing occupation and apartheid, urging global leaders to reject complacency and ensure accountability framing Gaza as a moral test for the world. Hundreds of prominent Jewish figures including former Israeli officials, artists and intellectuals have issued an urgent call for the United Nations and world leaders to impose sanctions on Israel over what they describe as "unconscionable" actions in the Gaza Strip amounting to genocide. The open letter published Wednesday, Oct. 22, was addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It was signed by more than 450 individuals including Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg, Israeli peace negotiator Daniel Levy, authors Naomi Klein and Michael Rosen, actress Ilana Glazer and Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer. The signatories invoked the legacy of Holocaust-era human rights protections to condemn Tel Aviv's conduct. "We have not forgotten that so many of the laws, charters and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust. Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel," the letter stated. The group demanded enforcement of International Court of Justice rulings, an arms embargo and targeted sanctions against Israeli officials implicated in alleged war crimes. The letters release follows a fragile ceasefire brokered earlier this month, which signatories warn is insufficient without addressing "the underlying conditions of occupation, apartheid, and the denial of Palestinian rights." It marks a watershed moment in Jewish dissent against Israel's military campaign, which has killed over 68,000 Palestinians and displaced 90 percent of Gaza's population since October 2023. The signatories emphasized that solidarity with Palestinians aligns with Jewish ethics: "When our sages taught that to destroy one life is to destroy an entire world, they did not carve exceptions for Palestinians. They also urged global leaders to reject accusations of antisemitism against critics of Israel, asserting that justice for Palestinians fulfills Jewish principles rather than betraying them. Burg, who once led the Jewish Agency, framed the crisis as a moral rupture. "Israel stands in conflict with my deepest human and Jewish values," he told Haaretz. The former speaker of the Israeli parliament had issued a worldwide call to Jews back in August, urging them to file an appeal to the International Court of Justice over Israel's atrocities in Gaza. Will the world finally hold Israel accountable? The appeal also highlights escalating settler violence in the West Bank, where UN reports document 3,200 Palestinian injuries this year alone including 71 attacks in a single week. The signatories accuse Israel of 80 ceasefire violations since October, resulting in 97 Palestinian deaths. Meanwhile, public opinion among American Jews has shifted dramatically. According to a Washington Post poll, 61 percent of respondents now believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, The poll also found that 39 percent agree with the genocide designation a stark contrast to traditional narratives of unwavering Jewish support for Israel. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that "Israel denies the genocide in Gaza because it relies on unwavering political, military and financial support from the U.S. and Western allies, who shield it from accountability while enabling its atrocities under the guise of 'self-defense.' Additionally, Israel weaponizes accusations of antisemitism to silence critics and deflect scrutiny, ensuring its crimes remain unchallenged by international institutions." As U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visits Israel amid uncertainty over the ceasefire's durability, the signatories are pushing for sustained international pressure. "The ceasefire must be the beginning, not the end," the letter insisted, warning against a return to "indifference to occupation and permanent conflict." The letter concludes with a vow to pursue "equality, justice and freedom for Palestinians and Israelis" a vision that challenges not only Israel's policies but the global complacency enabling them. The signatories' demand for accountability reflects a broader reckoning within Jewish communities worldwide, as decades of unconditional support for Israel give way to moral scrutiny. For Burg and his co-signers, the crisis in Gaza is a test of whether the world will honor the lessons of history or repeat its darkest chapters. Watch this video about Israel violating its ceasefire with Hamas and threatening more genocide against the population of Gaza. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com MiddleEastEye.net JTA.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump stands firm as shutdown drags on: We will not be extorted The shutdown persists as President Trump and Senate Republicans demand $5 billion in border wall funding, while Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, refuse to negotiate, calling the wall ineffective and wasteful. Trump accuses Democrats of obstructionism and using the shutdown as political leverage, vowing not to reopen the government without wall funding. He also threatens to cut Democrat-backed programs to pressure concessions. Schumer and Pelosi insist they will only discuss border security after reopening the government, accusing Trump of holding federal workers hostage. No compromise appears imminent. The shutdown has left federal workers unpaid, disrupted airports, closed national parks and cost the economy billions dailydeepening partisan divisions. With both sides entrenched, the impasse may drag on for weeks or longer, testing public patience and escalating political risks for Trump and Democrats alike. The government shutdown shows no signs of abating as President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans stand firm in their demand for border wall funding. Trump, speaking at a White House lunch with Senate Republicans, accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats of holding the government "hostage" and vowed that Republicans "will not be extorted." This stance is a stark contrast to the Democrats' refusal to negotiate on border security, leading to a stalemate that has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and essential government services shuttered. Trump and the Republicans have made it clear that they will not reopen the government without funding for the border wall, a key campaign promise of the president. Democrats, led by Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have refused to allocate the $5 billion Trump demands, arguing that the wall is ineffective and a waste of taxpayer money. In his speech, Trump described Schumer as a politician in "deep trouble" and losing in the polls. He accused Democrats of obstructionism and using the shutdown as a political ploy to gain leverage. "They are the obstructionists," Trump said. "And the reason they're doing it is because we're doing so well. We're doing well all over the world." The president also praised Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, whom he likened to Darth Vader, for cutting "Democrat priorities." Trump pledged to release a list of federal programs slated for cuts, which he said would target Democratic programs. This move is seen as an attempt to inflict pain on Democratic constituencies and force a compromise. Schumer and Pelosi have maintained that they will not negotiate on border security until the government is reopened. They have accused Trump of using federal workers as hostages and causing unnecessary suffering. Schumer told reporters that he and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries wanted to meet with Trump before his trip to Asia to discuss a potential deal to extend health care tax credits. However, Trump has shown no signs of backing down and the impasse continues. Economic and social impact BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that the shutdown has had far-reaching consequences, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupting essential services. "Airports have experienced delays and staffing shortages and national parks and museums remain closed. The economic impact is also significant, with the shutdown costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars each day," the AI engine adds. This shutdown is part of a broader political battle between Trump and the Democrats, who have been at odds since the 2016 election. The border wall has been a central issue in this conflict, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise. The shutdown is a reflection of the deep divisions in American politics and the growing polarization between the two parties. As the shutdown enters its third week, the prospects for a quick resolution remain uncertain. Trump's firm stance and the Democrats' refusal to negotiate suggest that the impasse could continue for some time. The economic and social costs of the shutdown are mounting and the political fallout could be significant for both sides. The American people are watching and the pressure is on for both parties to find a solution that addresses the border security concerns without causing further harm to the nation. The shutdown is a stark reminder of the importance of informed consent, personal liberty and the need for transparency and accountability in government. As Americans continue to navigate this political landscape, it is crucial to remain vigilant and demand leaders to act in the best interests of the people. Watch the video below that talks about Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn blaming the Democrats for the dragging shutdown. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: FoxNews.com Bloomberg.com CBSNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com No to digital ID: Thousands protest U.K. governments surveillance scheme amid immigration concerns Thousands marched in London against Labour's proposed "BritCard" digital ID system, fearing it would lead to mass surveillance and social credit-style control. Protesters warned: "Once Scanned, Never Free." The Labour government claims digital IDs (slated for 2029) will curb illegal immigration by verifying worker status. However, leaked details suggest broader applicationsbanking, taxation, education and even biometric tracking of children. Privacy groups like Big Brother Watch warn the system could become the backbone of a surveillance state. Critics highlight globalist ties (Tony Blair Institute) and mission creep, comparing it to EU and Chinese-style digital control. Reform UK's Nigel Farage vowed to dismantle it if elected, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed it as ineffective. Nearly three million petition signatures demand its cancellation, calling it a threat to freedom. Despite protests, Labour plans to roll out digital IDs for those 16+ by the next election, insisting they'll be "voluntary." Skeptics fear eventual mandatory enforcement, fueling deeper concerns over state overreach and lost privacy. Thousands of demonstrators flooded central London last weekend in fierce opposition to the Labour government's proposed mandatory digital ID system, dubbed "BritCard." The protest, one of the largest against digital identity measures in recent years, saw crowds marching from Marble Arch to Whitehall, waving signs reading "If You Accept Digital ID Today, You've Accepted Social Credit Tomorrow" and "Once Scanned, Never Free." Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration has framed the digital ID rolloutslated for 2029as a solution to illegal immigration, claiming it will help employers verify workers' legal status. However, critics argue the scheme is a Trojan horse for mass surveillance, with potential expansion into banking, taxation, education and even children's biometric tracking. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI: A digital ID, also known as a digital identity, is a set of attributes related to an entity (individual, organization or device) that are represented in a digital format. It serves as a digital counterpart to traditional physical identification methods, such as driver's licenses or passports. Digital IDs can take various forms, including but not limited to usernames, passwords, biometric data, digital certificates or even blockchain-based identities. A surveillance state in disguise? The government insists the digital ID will be stored on smartphones and include personal details such as name, birthdate, residency status, nationality and photographs. Officials have stated that possessing one will not be a criminal offense, nor will police have the right to demand it during stop-and-search encounters. But civil liberties groups warn the fine print suggests broader ambitions. Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, told the Daily Mail: "Starmer has sold his Orwellian digital ID scheme to the public on the lie that it will only be used to stop illegal working, but now the truth, buried in the small print, is becoming clear. We now know that digital IDs could be the backbone of a surveillance state and used for everything from tax and pensions to banking and education." She added: "The prospects of enrolling even children into this sprawling biometric system are sinister, unjustified and prompt the chilling question of just what he thinks the ID will be used for in the future. No one voted for this,and millions of people who have signed the petition against it are simply being ignored." Political backlash and public outcry Opposition to the plan spans the political spectrum. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, vowed to dismantle any digital ID system if elected prime minister. "It will make no difference to illegal immigration, but it will be used to control and penalize the rest of us," Farage said. "The state should never have this much power." Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, called it "a gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats" and dismissed the scheme as ineffective. Sir David Davis, a former Tory minister who fought against ID cards under Tony Blair, warned: "While digital IDs and ID cards sound like modern and efficient solutions to problems like illegal immigration, such claims are misleading at best. The systems involved are profoundly dangerous to the privacy and fundamental freedoms of the British people." Public resistance has surged, with nearly three million signatures on a petition demanding the government scrap the plan. The petition argues that "no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system," describing it as a "step towards mass surveillance and digital control." Critics point to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a key proponent of digital IDs, as evidence of globalist influence. Similar systems have been rolled out in the European Union, Australia, Denmark and India, where governments claim they reduce fraud. However, privacy advocates fear mission creepwhat begins as an immigration tool could evolve into a social credit-style system, restricting access to services based on compliance. The protest, organized by Mass Non-Compliance, warned: "If you accept digital ID now, it may be the last real choice you ever make." Despite public outrage, the government appears determined to proceed. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed plans to introduce digital IDs for everyone aged 16 and over before the next election. Officials insist the system will be voluntary, but skeptics fear mandatory adoption could follow. As tensions rise, the debate over digital IDs has become a proxy for broader concerns about government overreach, privacy erosion and the normalization of surveillanceissues that could shape Britain's political landscape for years to come. Watch the video below about the mass protest against digital ID in London. This video is from the Fritjof Persson channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Infowars.com BrightU.ai DailyMail.co.uk SkyNews.com Metro.co.uk Brighteon.com Florida lawmaker proposes mandate for medical examiners to report recent vaccinations in sudden death cases Sen. Ileana Garcia's Senate Bill?188 would require Florida medical examiners to record and report all vaccinations or "emergency countermeasures" given within 90?days before sudden deaths of infants, children and young adults (SIDS, SUID, SDY, SADS). Reported vaccination data would be submitted to the CDC's SUID/SDY Case Registry and medical examiners face administrative penalties for non?compliance. Currently, Florida lacks any requirement to document recent vaccinations in sudden death cases, and its reporting forms don't even include vaccine fieldsprompting calls from advocates like Maija Hahn for systematic data collection. The CDC registry now covers ~32 U.S. sites and about 40 percent of SUID cases; Florida does not participate, contributing to gaps in national surveillance and inconsistent certification of unexplained pediatric deaths. While supporters view the bill as a tool to strengthen forensic and public health research, the proposal has drawn criticism because mainstream public health authorities reject vaccine causation in SIDS and watchdogs such as PolitiFact have labeled causal?link claims false. Florida Senator Ileana Garcia introduced Senate Bill 188 on Oct. 14, proposing a significant change in how sudden deaths among infants, children and young adults are investigated in the state. The bill aims to require medical examiners to systematically review and report any vaccinations or emergency countermeasures administered within 90 days before death, specifically in cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) and Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). This data would be submitted to the national Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry, a program managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Failure to comply with these reporting requirements could result in administrative penalties for medical examiners. Currently, Florida medical examiners are not mandated to report recent vaccinations when documenting children's deaths and existing reporting forms lack sections for vaccine data. Maija Hahn, leader of the Children's Health Defense (CHD) Florida Chapter and author of the bill, emphasized the need for systematic data collection to investigate potential links between vaccinations and sudden deaths. She noted that without such data, meaningful associations cannot be properly evaluated. Florida bill aims to fill gaps in national sudden?death surveillance The CDC's SUID and SDY Case Registry currently includes data from 32 sites across the U.S., covering approximately 40 percent of SUID cases. However, Florida is not among the participating sites, leading to gaps in national surveillance and data consistency. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open highlighted that the CDC may underestimate the rate of sudden unexplained deaths in childhood and that certification of these deaths is inconsistent. The proposed legislation seeks to address these issues by standardizing reporting practices and including relevant medical information, such as recent immunizations, to strengthen public health research and improve prevention strategies. The bill has garnered support from various groups advocating for increased transparency and data collection in forensic investigations of young people's sudden deaths. Advocates are also seeking a sponsor for a companion House bill, aiming to move both measures through committee and reach the Senate and House floors in the legislative session beginning in January 2026. While the proposed legislation has sparked discussions, it also raises questions about the scientific basis of linking vaccines with unexplained deaths. Public health authorities have long maintained that vaccines do not cause SIDS and are considered protective against many infections contributing to infant mortality. For instance, a news outlet has rated claims of a causal link between vaccines and SIDS as false. Nevertheless, the proposed law reflects a push by some groups for more transparency and data collection in forensic investigations of young people's sudden deaths. As Senate Bill 188 advances, Florida could become one of the first states to require medical examiners to systematically record and report vaccination histories in sudden death cases. This development raises both legal and scientific debates over how best to investigate and prevent these tragedies. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, vaccines, particularly those using mRNA technology, pose significant, yet largely ignored, health risks, including sudden death, as evidenced by recent cases. The refusal of regulatory bodies to acknowledge these risks and their continued promotion of vaccines underscores the urgent need for independent, transparent safety evaluations. Watch the video below that talks about child deaths since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This video is from the People Of The Qur'an (TPQ) channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org BrightU.AI Brighteon.com North Korea escalates tensions with ballistic missile tests ahead of APEC Summit North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Oct. 22, its first test in five months, deliberately timed before world leaders (including Trump) gather for the APEC summit in South Korea. The missile launches violated UN Security Council resolutions, reinforcing Pyongyang's refusal to comply with denuclearization demands despite sanctions. The tests follow North Korea's Oct. 10 military parade showcasing its new Hwasong-20 ICBM, signaling Kim Jong Un's intent to leverage nuclear threats for diplomatic concessions. Despite Trump's past summits with Kim (including the 2019 DMZ crossing), negotiations have stalled, with Kim rejecting denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief. Analysts warn that further provocations (including ICBM tests) could destabilize the region, turning the economic summit into a geopolitical flashpoint. North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Oct. 22, marking its first such test in five months and escalating tensions just days before world leadersincluding U.S. President Donald Trumpgather in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The provocative move underscores Pyongyang's defiance of international sanctions and its determination to assert itself as a nuclear power amid stalled denuclearization talks. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that the projectiles were fired from near Pyongyang, traveling approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) northeast before landing inland. While Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi downplayed the immediate threat to Japanese security, the launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from ballistic missile tests. This marks the first missile test under South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June, advocating for renewed dialogue with Pyongyang. Analysts suggest the timingjust ahead of the APEC summitis deliberate, signaling North Korea's refusal to be sidelined in regional discussions. Trump's Asia tour and diplomatic stalemate Trump is set to embark on his first Asia trip of his second term, visiting Malaysia, Japan and South Korea for the APEC summit. While Trump has previously engaged in historic face-to-face meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Unincluding a symbolic crossing into North Korea in 2019progress toward denuclearization has stalled. In September, Kim reiterated that North Korea would never abandon its nuclear arsenal in exchange for sanctions relief, dismissing proposals from Seoul and Washington. Trump, however, remains optimistic, stating in August that he would welcome another summit with Kim "this year." North Korea's military posturing The missile tests follow North Korea's recent military parade on Oct. 10, where Kim showcased the Hwasong-20, a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) described as the country's "most powerful" nuclear-capable weapon. Observers warn that Pyongyang may soon test-fire the ICBM, further heightening tensions. According to BrightU.AI, ICBM is a long-range missile designed to deliver nuclear warheads to targets across continents. These missiles are capable of traveling over 5,500 kilometers (3,418 miles) and are primarily designed for nuclear payload delivery, with their warheads tailored for this purpose. North Korea, which declared itself a nuclear power in 2022, has codified its right to launch preemptive nuclear strikes against perceived threats. The latest missile tests reinforce Kim's strategy of leveraging military provocations to extract concessions from the U.S. and its allies. As world leaders prepare to convene in South Korea, North Korea's missile launch serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula. With Pyongyang refusing to disarm and Washington maintaining its demands for denuclearization, the prospect of renewed diplomacy remains uncertain. Analysts warn that further provocationsincluding potential ICBM testscould destabilize the region, testing the limits of diplomatic patience and military deterrence. The APEC summit, intended to foster economic cooperation, may now also become a stage for geopolitical tensions, with North Korea ensuring its presence is feltwhether through diplomacy or defiance. Watch the video below, where North Korea's plan to unveil new ICBMs and drones at a grand military parade on the 80th Anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea was discussed. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com AlJazeera.com Edition.CNN.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Putin warns of staggering response if Ukraine uses U.S. Tomahawk missiles against Russia Putin issued a stark warning that Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied Tomahawk missiles (range: 2,500 km) to strike Russian territory would provoke a "very serious, if not downright staggering" response, potentially including nuclear retaliation. Putin framed Western military aid such as long-range missilesas deliberate provocation, warning it would undermine peace prospects and worsen U.S.-Russia relations, echoing past grievances over NATO expansion. Russia dismissed new U.S./EU sanctions targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, claiming minimal economic impact but warning of global fuel price spikes if Russian exports are disrupted. Putin criticized Trump ' s abrupt cancellation of a Budapest summit, advocating for dialogue while emphasizing that talks must yield tangible results. With Ukraine seeking advanced weapons and Russia threatening severe retaliation, the war risks escalating into a direct NATO-Russia confrontation, raising global stakes and potential for catastrophic miscalculation. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning Thursday, Oct 23, declaring that any Ukrainian strike on Russian territory using U.S.-supplied Tomahawk cruise missiles would provoke a "very serious, if not downright staggering" response from Moscow. His remarks came amid escalating tensions over Western military aid to Ukraine and fresh sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector. Speaking to reporters after a meeting in Moscow, Putin framed the potential transfer of long-range missiles to Kyiv as a deliberate provocation. "This is an attempt at escalation," he said. "But if such weapons are used to strike Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not downright staggering. Let them think about that." The warning follows reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested Tomahawk missiles during recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. While the White House has not confirmed a final decision, Trump has publicly expressed reservations, citing the missile system's complexity and the extensive training required for Ukrainian forces to operate it effectively. Escalation risks and historical precedents According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Tomahawk missile, with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), would significantly expand Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russiaa red line Moscow has repeatedly warned against crossing. Putin emphasized that such a move would not alter the battlefield dynamics but would instead "severely undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement" and damage U.S.-Russia relations. This is not the first time Putin has cautioned the West against escalating military support for Ukraine. In 2022, Russia cited NATO's eastward expansion and arms shipments as key justifications for its invasion. Since then, Moscow has responded to each new weapons deliveryfrom HIMARS to F-16 fighter jetswith threats of retaliation, including strikes on Western supply lines and Ukrainian infrastructure. Sanctions and economic warfare Alongside military tensions, Putin condemned the latest U.S. and EU sanctions targeting Russias oil sector, describing them as "an attempt to exert pressure." The measures, announced Wednesday, hit state-owned Rosneft and Lukoil, two of Russia's largest energy exporters. "These sanctions will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being," Putin asserted, downplaying their immediate impact. However, he warned that disrupting Russian oil exportswhich account for roughly 10 percent of global supplycould drive up fuel prices worldwide, including in the United States. The Russian leader also took a swipe at Trump's abrupt cancellation of a planned summit in Budapest, suggesting the U.S. president may have intended only a postponement. "Dialogue is always better than any confrontation," Putin said, while stressing that high-level talks must yield concrete results. With Ukraine pressing for advanced weaponry and Russia vowing severe retaliation, the conflict risks spiraling into a broader confrontation between NATO and Moscow. Putin's latest warning underscores the Kremlin's determination to deter deeper Western involvementeven as U.S. and European leaders weigh further military and economic pressure. As both sides test each other's limits, the stakes grow ever higher. Whether through sanctions, long-range missiles or diplomatic breakdowns, the path to de-escalation remains fraught with periland the consequences of miscalculation could be catastrophic. Watch the video below where Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine is far from a done deal. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com AA.com.tr Reuters.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Oil prices crash Trump seizes opportunity to rebuild depleted SPR The Trump administration is initiating the purchase of 1 million barrels of crude oil to begin refilling the severely depleted Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The SPR, a national security asset designed for supply emergencies, is currently only about 60 percent full following historic drawdowns in recent years. The administration is acting as global oil prices hit multi-year lows, creating a favorable buying opportunity to strengthen energy security. However, the effort faces significant financial and logistical hurdles, with limited congressionally-appropriated funds available for the multi-billion-dollar refill process. The situation highlights long-standing concerns over the political misuse of the SPR for non-emergency purposes, leaving taxpayers to cover the cost of restoration. In a move to bolster national energy security, the Trump administration has begun the process of refilling the nations emergency oil stockpile, taking advantage of a recent dip in global crude prices. The Department of Energy announced plans to purchase 1 million barrels for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, marking the first step in a long-term effort to reverse what officials label the costly and irresponsible depletion of the reserve under the previous administration. This initiative, authorized by President Donald Trumps executive order declaring a national energy emergency, aims to restore a critical buffer against global supply shocks, but it faces significant financial and infrastructural challenges rooted in years of political maneuvering. The anatomy of a drawdown The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a network of massive salt caverns along the Gulf Coast, was established by Congress in 1975 in direct response to the oil embargo of 1973. Its singular purpose was to serve as a national insurance policy against severe energy supply disruptions that could threaten the economy or national security. For decades, it functioned as intended, with drawdowns typically reserved for genuine crises like Operation Desert Storm or major hurricanes. However, its role has increasingly been politicized. In recent years, both Congress and the executive branch have tapped the reserve for reasons beyond acute emergencies. Legislators repeatedly mandated sales to use the revenue as budgetary offsets for new spending, a practice that generated an estimated $18.3 billion for the treasury through 2025 but severely weakened the reserve. This was compounded by the Biden administrations historic release of 180 million barrels in 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine, a move that, while addressing a global crisis, drew down the reserve to its lowest level since 1984. The high cost of depletion The cumulative effect of these drawdowns has left the SPR in a precarious state. From a peak of 695 million barrels in 2017, the reserve now holds approximately 408 million barrelsjust 60% of its 714-million-barrel capacity. The Department of Energy now estimates that refilling the reserve to near-full capacity will cost approximately $20 billion over several years, a price tag that exceeds the revenues Congress raised from the previous sales. Furthermore, the agency has warned that the rapid and extensive drawdowns caused structural strain, requiring an additional 100 million in repairs to the aging cavern infrastructure. This financial reality means American taxpayers are effectively paying twice: first, through the diminished security of a depleted emergency asset, and second, through the massive appropriation needed to refill it. A window of opportunity The current market conditions, however, present a strategic opening. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, has fallen about 30 percent from its January peak, trading near $58 a barrelits lowest level since 2021. This price drop, driven by reports of global supply outpacing demand, makes the timing opportune for the government to purchase oil. The administrations initial purchase of 1 million barrels, with deliveries scheduled for December and January, will be funded by a portion of the 171 million allocated for crude purchases in recent legislation. Yet, this funding is a drop in the proverbial bucket; at current prices, the entire $171 million would only buy roughly 3 million barrels, highlighting the immense scale of the financial commitment required for a full restoration. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has acknowledged the process wont be complete overnight, but framed the action as a critical first step. The path forward: Reform and restoration Beyond simply buying oil, a sustainable solution requires reforming how the SPR is managed to prevent future political abuse. Policy experts advocate for several key changes to ensure the reserve is preserved for genuine emergencies and refilled in a cost-effective manner. Canceling the roughly 100 million barrels of congressionally mandated sales still scheduled through 2031 would be the most direct way to halt its use as a budgetary tool. Complementary measures, such as streamlining energy project permitting and repealing the Jones Acta 1920s-era maritime law that inflates domestic shipping costscould lower the overall expense of transporting and storing oil for the reserve. Modernizing the SPRs infrastructure, including potentially leasing unused cavern space to private operators, could generate revenue to offset maintenance costs. These reforms would help align SPR management with its original strategic purpose, reducing the burden on taxpayers while strengthening national energy resilience. Securing a vital National Asset The decision to begin replenishing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve underscores its enduring role as a cornerstone of American energy security. The current administrations move to buy low is a tactically sound start to a much larger projectone that seeks to rectify what critics see as the short-sighted politicization of a vital national asset. The daunting price tag and logistical challenges serve as a stark reminder that using the SPR for non-emergency purposes carries long-term consequences. As the refill process begins, the broader lesson is clear: preserving the reserve for true supply emergencies is not just a matter of energy policy, but a fundamental requirement for national and economic security in an unpredictable world. Sources for this article include: WattsUpWithThat.com WorldOil.com AR15.com NTU.org Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. A woman with a $1.4 million investment portfolio and three properties called into The Ramsey Show recently with a major financial dilemma: Her new husband has a $340,000 student loan debt he kept hidden until after their marriage. Were stuck with it, Donna from San Antonio told hosts Rachel Cruze and Jade Warshaw. It ballooned from $65,000 to $340,000. She Built Wealth On Her Own, But His Debt May Affect Her Donna, 57, said she and her husband, 66, have been married for four years. She has worked hard to build her wealth, including the couples jointly held properties and a Charles Schwab account with $200,000, which she said is entirely funded by her. Ive got about $1.4 million in investment assets, which are owned free and clear, she said. Don't Miss: Meet Flippy: The AI Robot Helping Fast Food Brands Cut Tens of Billions in Labor Costs And You Can Invest Early Forget Flipping Houses This $36 Trillion Asset Class Lets You Invest Without Owning Property Her husbands loans have been in deferment for over 10 years. Before that, they were in default. Donna said there was fraud involved in the debt and they even hired attorneys, but made no headway. Nobody can really give me the right answers, she said. The loans are believed to be federal and were consolidated at some point, making them non-negotiable. If theyre federal, you cant negotiate, Warshaw told her. If theyre private, you can. Despite knowing the size of the debt and her husband having no assets or retirement savings, Donna still wants to help. Shes willing to contribute up to $100,000 toward resolving the issue, but asked, How do I protect myself? Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. No Prenup, No Warning Donna said the couple didn't sign a prenup. When asked why, she replied, What can I say? Were soulmates, you know. She found out about the debt after they married. He thought his student loans were paid off, she said. He didn't realize until suddenly he didn't get a tax refund one year that he was in default. He didn't even know. Warshaw acknowledged the emotional complexity, but didn't let Donna off the hook. There's a balance of power here that feels off, she said. If you don't address certain things, it's going to cause issues down the line. See Also: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse Invest Now at Just $0.81 a Share A Path Forward Donna owns a real estate business where her husband works and earns around $50,000 a year. When asked about the value of her properties, she said they're worth around $600,000 combined and all fully paid off with no mortgage or liens. USDA to restart vital farmer aid, offering financial relief amid prolonged government shutdown The USDA is restarting its Farm Service Agency to provide over $3 billion in frozen loans and aid payments to farmers, offering critical relief during the harvest season. This aid was paused due to an ongoing government shutdown, which has now become the second-longest in U.S. history. The administration is also planning a separate aid package for farmers who have lost billions in soybean sales after China stopped buying from the U.S. and turned to South American suppliers. The shutdown is the result of a deep partisan divide. Democrats are refusing to fund the government unless a bill includes extended health insurance tax credits, while Republicans insist the government must reopen before any such negotiations. While farmers are getting help, the overall political stalemate continues with no clear resolution, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and many government services suspended. In a significant move offering a lifeline to America's agricultural heartland, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will resume critical financial aid programs for farmers, which were frozen due to the ongoing government shutdown. This development comes as the funding lapse officially becomes the second-longest in U.S. history, creating widespread uncertainty. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins declared that the administration will restart operations at the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The FSA, a crucial hub for rural America, handles the processing of farm loans and manages federal assistance programs that many farmers rely on for their operations. In her announcement, Rollins stated that the USDA would reopen FSA offices nationwide, allowing farmers to finally access aid payments that have been in limbo. BrightU.AI's Enoch AI engine explains that this aid, which was previously paused due to the prolonged government shutdown, is now being restarted to offer over $3 billion in loans and aid payments. This resumption of services is particularly critical as the harvest season is currently underway across the country, a period when farmers' financial needs are most acute. The decision to restart these services was directed by President Donald Trump, who has indicated that support for the agricultural sector remains a priority despite the political impasse in Washington. The announcement also shed light on broader challenges facing American farmers, specifically in international trade. The administration is preparing an additional aid package for farmers who have been negatively affected by China's refusal to buy U.S. soybeans amid ongoing trade negotiations. China, the world's largest importer of soybeans, purchased over $12 billion worth of the crop from the United States last year. However, the country has recently turned to suppliers in South America, resulting in billions of dollars in lost sales for American farmers. This market shift has placed significant strain on the agricultural economy. Trump has stated that soybeans will be a major topic in upcoming discussions with China's leader. He further suggested that a portion of the revenues collected from tariffs would be used to assist farmers hurt by the trade dispute, assuring that the situation would work out well for them. Rollins indicated that the planning for this farmer aid package had been delayed by the government shutdown, but confirmed that preparations are actively underway every day. A shutdown for the history books As the USDA moves to restart its services, the government shutdown that caused the interruption has reached a sobering milestone. Having entered its 25th day, the funding lapse is now the second-longest in American history. This means that the two longest government shutdowns on record have both occurred during the presidency of Trump. The longest shutdown began in December 2018 and lasted for nearly five weeks, stemming from a dispute over immigration policy. The current shutdown, however, has different origins. It resulted from a stalemate in the Senate, where Democrats have repeatedly refused to vote for a Republican-sponsored short-term funding bill. The disagreement centers on additional government spending. Democrats want any funding bill to include an extension of enhanced tax credits for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. They warn that without this extension, health insurance premiums for millions of Americans could rise significantly in the coming years. Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the Senate, have accused Democrats of holding the government hostage. They insist that negotiations on healthcare issues should only happen after the government reopens. A Republican-backed bill that would have granted funding solely to the U.S. military recently failed in a procedural vote, highlighting the deep partisan divide. With 60 votes needed to pass any funding bill and the parties entrenched in their positions, there is currently no clear end in sight to the political standoff. Democratic leaders have expressed a desire to speak directly with Trump to negotiate a resolution, but Republican leadership has maintained that the government must reopen first. The resumption of USDA aid provides a positive step for one segment of the American public, yet the broader resolution for hundreds of thousands of federal employees and numerous government services remains elusive as the historic shutdown continues. Watch the video below as Fareed Zakaria talks about China taking the lead while the U.S. is shut down. This video is from the Bruno and Max channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com BrightU.ai Farm-Equipment.com CNBC.com Brighteon.com Champaign, IL (61820) Today Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.. Tonight Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Shares for Hoka and Ugg parent company Deckers Brands dropped over 8 percent in after-market trading on Thursday after the footwear maker posted yearly guidance below analysts expectations. The Goleta, Calif.-based company reported net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 9.1 percent to $1.43 billion compared to $1.31 billion the same time last year. Net income for the second quarter was $268.15 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, down from $357.95 million, or $2.74 per diluted share, the prior year. More from WWD These results beat the companys own expectations, which called for net sales in Q2 to be in the range of $1.38 billion to $1.42 billion, with diluted earnings per share expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.55. By brand, Ugg led the way with net sales of $759.6 million, a 10.1 percent increase compared to $689.9 million the same time last year. At Hoka, net sales increased 11.1 percent to $634.1 million compared to $570.9 million last Q2. Deckers Other brands division which includes the Teva and Ahnu brands saw net sales decrease 26.5 percent to $37.2 million compared to $50.6 million. The company noted that the net sales decline in Other brands division includes the impact from the phase-out of the Koolaburra brand standalone operations. As for wholesale, Deckers said that net sales in the channel increased 13.4 percent to $1.04 billion compared to $913.7 million, while the direct-to-consumer channel saw net sales decline 0.8 percent to $394.6 million compared to $397.7 million the same time last year. By region, the company noted that net sales domestically declined 1.7 percent to $839.5 million compared to $853.9 million in Q2 2025. However, international net sales in the period increased 29.3 percent to $591.3 million compared to $457.4 million. Stefano Caroti, president and chief executive officer of Deckers Brands, said in a statement on Thursday that Hoka and Ugg again delivered double-digit growth in the second quarter, reflecting strong performance and international momentum for these two brands. Our brands ability to connect with consumers through leading innovative products differentiates Deckers in todays dynamic and competitive marketplace, Caroti said. Combined with our best-in-class operating model and financial profile, I am confident in our ability to achieve our fiscal year 2026 outlook, and continue to capture the significant opportunities ahead for Deckers. Looking ahead, the company has issued yearly guidance for the first time after holding back last quarter due to evolving global trade policy and related macroeconomic pressures. For the full fiscal year 2026, Deckers expects net sales to be approximately $5.35 billion, with diluted earnings per share in the range of $6.30 to $6.39. The company also noted that Hoka is expected to increase by a low-teens percentage versus last year in fiscal 2026, while Ugg is expected to increase by a low-to-mid-single-digit percentage versus last year. The guidance is lower than analysts expectations, which call for net sales in the year to be between $5.39 billion and $5.56 billion. Best of WWD Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur have genetically analyzed the remains of former soldiers who retreated from Russia in 1812. They detected two pathogens, those responsible for paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, which correlate with the symptoms described in historical accounts. The study was published as a preprint on bioRxiv on July 16, 2025. It will be published in the journal Current Biology on October 24. The famous Russian campaign led by Napoleon in 1812, also known as the "Patriotic War of 1812," ended with the retreat of the French army. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur's Microbial Paleogenomics Unit, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Biocultural Anthropology at Aix Marseille University, set out to investigate which pathogens may have caused major infectious disease outbreaks that contributed to this historical episode. They extracted and analyzed the DNA of 13 soldiers from Napoleon's army exhumed in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2002 during excavations led by the Aix-Marseille University team specialized in archeo-anthropology. The scientists then used next-generation sequencing techniques applied to ancient DNA to identify potential infectious agents. Their research identified the genetic signatures of two infectious agents: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (serovar Paratyphi C), responsible for paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, responsible for relapsing fever, a disease transmitted by lice and characterized by bouts of fever followed by periods of remission. Although these two diseases are different, they can result in similar symptoms such as high fever, fatigue and digestive problems, and their simultaneous presence may have contributed to the soldiers' worsening state, especially as they were already weakened by cold, hunger and a lack of sanitation. Of the 13 Napoleonic soldiers exhumed in Vilnius, the teeth of four tested positive for S. enterica Paratyphi C and two for B. recurrentis. This study provides the first genetic evidence of these two largely unsuspected infectious agents, although their precise role in the high number of deaths in the Grande Armee during its retreat from Russia is not known. Confirmation of the presence of these two bacteria comes after a previous study identified the typhus agent, Rickettsia prowazekii, and the trench fever agent, Bartonella quintana, pathogens long believed to be associated with the retreat based on historical accounts. Given the low number of samples analyzed in comparison with the thousands of bodies found, it is impossible to determine the extent to which these pathogens contributed to the extremely high mortality observed. The scientists' analysis was based on a limited number of samples (13 out of more than 3,000 bodies in Vilnius and some 500,000 to 600,000 soldiers in the military force, around 300,000 of whom died during the retreat). "Accessing the genomic data of the pathogens that circulated in historical populations helps us to understand how infectious diseases evolved, spread and disappeared over time, and to identify the social or environmental contexts that played a part in these developments. This information provides us with valuable insights to better understand and tackle infectious diseases today," explains Nicolas Rascovan, Head of the Microbial Paleogenomics Unit at the Institut Pasteur and last author of the study. To achieve these results, the team worked in collaboration with scientists from the University of Tartu in Estonia to develop an innovative authentication workflow involving several steps, including a phylogeny-driven interpretive approach for the highly degraded genome fragments recovered. This method enables scientists to accurately identify pathogens even if their DNA only yields low coverage, in some cases even indicating a specific lineage. "In most ancient human remains, pathogen DNA is extremely fragmented and only present in very low quantities, which makes it very difficult to obtain whole genomes. So we need methods capable of unambiguously identifying infectious agents from these weak signals, and sometimes even pinpointing lineages, to explore the pathogenic diversity of the past," he adds. This new study reveals a correlation between historical descriptions of the diseases suffered by Napoleon's army and the typical symptoms of paratyphoid and relapsing fever. It offers new evidence to support the theory that infectious diseases were one cause of the collapse of the 1812 campaign, alongside multiple other factors such as exhaustion, extreme cold and harsh conditions. The Russian campaign led by Napoleon in 1812 ultimately ended in military defeat, resulting in a devastating retreat of the French army. This enabled the Russian army to regain control of Moscow and dealt a huge blow to the Emperor's strategy. Researchers at North Carolina State University have shown a link between the size of cockroach home infestations and the levels of both allergens and endotoxins in those homes, with lowering roach infestation numbers through pest control triggering significant declines in the levels of allergens and endotoxins. The study's findings suggest that eliminating cockroach infestations could help improve indoor environmental health by greatly reducing allergens and endotoxins. Endotoxins are bacterial cellular components that get released when bacteria die. As omnivores that will eat just about anything, cockroaches have a rich and diverse gut microbiome. Previous research has shown that cockroaches shed a lot of endotoxins through their fecal matter, although house pets and humans can also shed endotoxins. The researchers in this study found that a large amount of the endotoxins found in household dust was associated with cockroach feces. "Endotoxins are important to human health, as inhalation of these components has been shown to provoke allergic responses," said Coby Schal, the Blanton J. Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Entomology at NC State and co-corresponding author of a paper describing the research. "Past surveys in U.S. homes found endotoxin levels much higher in homes with self-reported evidence of cockroaches; that association is stronger in low-income homes than in single-family homes." The study, held in multi-unit apartment complexes in Raleigh, N.C., compared estimated cockroach infestation sizes as well as allergen and endotoxin levels in homes infested by cockroaches. These baseline levels were tabulated by capturing settled and airborne dust in homes. The researchers found significant amounts of endotoxins in infested homes, with female cockroaches excreting about twice the amount that males excreted. "Female cockroaches eat more than males, so more endotoxins are shed from their fecal matter," said Madhavi Kakumanu, an NC State research scholar in Schal's lab and co-corresponding author of the paper. She added that more endotoxins were found in kitchens than in bedrooms, as more cockroaches live in kitchens where they find more food. Infested homes were then divided into untreated homes and homes receiving an extermination intervention to eliminate cockroaches. The researchers also included a control group of homes that had no cockroaches. Cockroach counts and floor and airborne dust samples were taken three months and six months into the study. The results showed that infested homes without extermination had very large amounts of both endotoxins and allergens at all timepoints. Meanwhile, in most cases, infested homes that received the extermination intervention were rid of both cockroaches and their allergens, and experienced significant declines in endotoxins. When you eliminate cockroaches, you eliminate their allergens. Small decreases in cockroaches don't lower allergen levels because the remaining live cockroaches deposit more allergens. Endotoxins significantly decreased in homes where cockroaches were eliminated. This paper shows that the cockroach is the most important depositor of endotoxin in infested homes." Coby Schal, the Blanton J. Whitmire Distinguished Professor of Entomology at NC State "We also saw that allergens and endotoxins can be airborne," Kakumanu said. Schal added that next steps include further examining interactions between cockroach allergens and endotoxins in animal models of asthma, such as mice. "There exists the implication that asthma can be worse due to interactions between allergens and endotoxins," Schal said. "We want to see if that is the case in mice." The study appears in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global. NC State's Richard G. Santangelo, Zachary C. DeVries at the University of Kentucky and Jeffrey Siegel of the University of Toronto co-authored the paper. Funding for the work came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Healthy Homes program (NCHHU0053-19, NCHHU0081-24); the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (2013-5-35 MBE); a Pilot Project awarded by the Center for Human Health and the Environment under P30ES025128 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (award number 1R21AI187857-01); Research Capacity Fund (HATCH) (project NC02639) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and the Blanton J. Whitmire Endowment at North Carolina State University. A multiple sclerosis (MS) patient in the UK was the first to receive CAR T cell therapy, invented by UCL researchers, in a clinical trial testing whether this personalized treatment can slow or even halt the progression of the disease. Emily Henders, 37, of Bushey in Hertfordshire, received her infusion at UCLH in October 2025 and is looking forward to being discharged from hospital. She said: "I hope taking part in the trial means I will never have to experience another relapse and that my MS symptoms will not progress. I know it is still experimental but it offers a scientific rationale which, as a biology teacher, makes sense to me." MS is a condition that affects nerves in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). In MS, the myelin coating that protects the nerves is damaged. This causes a range of symptoms such as blurred vision and problems with movement, memory and thinking. There is no cure for MS, and while there are several treatments available to help manage symptoms or slow the progression of the disease, none are fully effective in preventing relapses or the long-term progression of the condition. But with a CAR T cell therapy (obecabtagene autoleucel, known as obe-cel) proven to be highly effective in blood cancer patients, researchers have turned their attention to autoimmune conditions such as lupus and now MS. CAR T cell therapy works by resetting the immune system by depleting B cells, which are thought to drive the autoimmune attack in MS. The therapy modifies the patient's own T cells to target and eliminate B cells (both types of immune cell), potentially leading to long-term remission and halting disease progression. Dr. Claire Roddie, a UCL Cancer Institute researcher and UCLH consultant hematologist who has been instrumental to the UCL/UCLH collaboration on new treatments using CAR T cell therapy, said: "It is fantastic to be involved in the development of obe-cel for patients with MS and this Phase I clinical study will help us understand how safe and effective obe-cel is for MS. Our ultimate goal is to achieve long periods of disease remission with a single, one-time CAR T treatment." The principal investigator on the clinical trial, called AUTO1-MS1, is Wallace Brownlee, a consultant neurologist at UCLH and clinical lead for multiple sclerosis at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Dr. Brownlee said: "Although treatments for MS have dramatically improved in recent years, none of the available medication fully stops relapses or progression of the illness. CAR T cell therapy is an exciting new frontier in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, and this trial will be essential to understanding the feasibility and safety of CAR T in people with MS." Despite the uncertainty about whether the therapy will work for her, Emily remains focused and keen to tackle her condition head on. She added: "Ultimately, I am doing my best to preserve my ability to live life fully, and to enjoy it with my family for many years to come, without the limitations that this disease can bring. My focus is on living fully despite MS - being a wife, a mother, a teacher, and someone who refuses to be defined by illness. "My journey with MS is about choice and action. I choose to be proactive, to educate myself, and to confront uncertainty head-on. While the path is often unpredictable and daunting, I refuse to let MS dictate my life and I remain hopeful, not only for myself but for others who may one day benefit from advances in treatment." There are more than 150,000 people with MS in the UK and nearly 7,100 people are newly diagnosed each year. Dr. Frederick Vonberg, from UCL Department of Neuromuscular Diseases and UCLH, said: "This trial is open to UK patients diagnosed with relapsing or progressive forms of MS who are not responding well to the best medications already available and whose disability is worsening. We encourage patients aged between 18 and 60 years to speak to their neurologist and explore whether they might be eligible for a referral to this trial. The trial aims to recruit up to 18 patients globally by early 2027." The CAR T cell therapy being tested in this clinical trial was invented by scientists from the UCL Cancer Institute, led by Dr Martin Pule, and has delivered promising results in treating patients with an aggressive blood cancer. The second-generation obe-cel CAR T cell therapy has reduced immune toxicity and persists for longer in blood cancer patients, overcoming two common limitations of earlier CAR T cell therapies. It was licensed by UCL spinout Autolus and recently obtained the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but remains an experimental treatment for autoimmune conditions. Dr. Roddie and Dr Brownlee are supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The BRC has been crucial to the development of CAR T therapy at UCL and UCLH, which has helped to lay the groundwork for this trial, with CAR T now being trialled in MS. Callousness of ruling government: BRS Dasoju Sravan on Kurnool bus accident Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 03:44 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 26 (ANI): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Dasoju Sravan on Saturday criticised the state government over its alleged negligence following the recent bus accident involving a Kaveri Travels vehicle in Kurnool.Speaking to ANI, the BRS MLC called the incident in which 19 people, including two minors, were killed, the callousness of the ruling government".He said, " This incident once again amplifies the callousness of the ruling government. This particular Kaveri Travels, or so I guess, that particular bus I think has got about 25 chalan spending and several violations in terms of Compliances and so on are not fulfilled."He questioned the governments approach toward private travel operators, alleging a nexus between them and the authorities.Sravan said, Why is this government behaving so callously? Why is there a laxity towards these private travel operators? It is because there is a dubious, shady understanding between the governments and these private travel agencies. So we demand that a thorough inquiry has to be constituted on this entire incident."The BRS MLC, stating that most of the victims were from middle- or lower-middle-class backgrounds, demanded fair compensation.All those people who travel in these buses are either middle class, lower middle class, or poor people. The discrimination is so explicit that, if you remember the recent Air India accident, each victim was announced to be given compensation directly by Tata Sons. Each victim was already given an advance as per the news," the BRS MLC said.He added, But whereas in this particular case, because they were travelling by bus, not even a single rupee has been sanctioned by the government, and there is no pressure on the Kaveri Travels to compensate all these victims. Therefore, we demand on behalf of the victims and on behalf of civil society that all the victims have to be paid appropriate compensation, not less than a crore rupee." (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 26, 2025, 03:44 IST News agency-feeds Callousness of ruling government: BRS Dasoju Sravan on Kurnool bus accident Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gaza health ministry reports 93 deaths since truce start Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 00:14 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Tel Aviv [Israel], October 25 (ANI): Gazas Health Ministry has said that at least 93 Palestinians have been killed and 324 others have been injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began on October 11.According to officials, 19 people were killed and seven more wounded in Israeli strikes over the last 48 hours alone.The ministry said that since October 7, 2023, when the conflict began, a total of 68,519 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 injured in Gaza.The United Nations has warned that 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip are in need of urgent humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera reported. Many Palestinians returning to their homes have found widespread destruction, with little access to food, clean water, or shelter.In a separate incident, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the occupied West Bank, according to Wafa news agency.The victim, 18-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Abu Haneen, died of bullet wounds during an Israeli raid in Askar camp in Nablus, Al Jazeera reported.Israeli troops also carried out arrests in Hebron and Tal, bringing the total number of Palestinians detained in the West Bank to 44 over the past week, according to the Israeli military. On Saturday, meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who is on visit to Israel met with the families of hostages killed by Hamas. He wrote, We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in Hamas captivity. Today, I met with the families of American citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We will not rest until their and all remains are returned."Calling the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) a subsidiary of Hamas", US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday categorically said that Hamas cannot be involved in governing the future of Gaza."The top US official said this while addressing a press conference at the US Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Israels Kiryat Gat.Heres a lot of work to be done here and theres going to be some impediments along the way and things of this nature that people put out there. Suffice it to say that everyone that signed onto this plan, all of these other countries agreed and everyone agreed that Hamas cannot govern and cannot be involved in governing the future of Gaza.Everyones agreed to that. That has to be part of this," Rubio stated.He said that the immediate focus remains on sustaining the ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 26, 2025, 00:14 IST News agency-feeds Gaza health ministry reports 93 deaths since truce start Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gujarat: Students shine in studies as school helps them improve handwriting Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 22:29 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Ahmedabad, Oct 25 (PTI) Under an initiative running for 15 years, a government school in Gujarats Mehsana district is helping students improve their handwriting to boost their self-esteem and academic performance. Shreemati K B Shah Anupam Primary School in Vithoda village is transforming students connection with Gujarati through a handwriting initiative led by teacher Adityabhai Darji since 2010. Recommended Stories Besides remarkable" improvements in handwriting, the students vocabulary and overall expression have become clearer. Moreover, the school consistently excels in calligraphy, essay writing, and poetry competitions, said Darji. Gandhiji said that bad handwriting is a sign of incomplete education. When a child has poor handwriting, they are stressed about whether their results will be good. But when they write in beautiful handwriting, their confidence increases and they start believing in themselves," he said. The students have started writing better, and their connection with the language has also deepened, said the teacher. This initiative has instilled discipline, patience, and creativity in the students," said Darji. According to the teacher, students are now making fewer mistakes, and their academic progress is clearly visible. The school also honours students who excel in handwriting, which has boosted the childrens confidence," he added. Students also said that their handwriting has become better due to the initiative. I used to make many mistakes because of my handwriting, such as leaving too much space between letters. Because of these small mistakes, my handwriting used to look bad. But when I started correcting them, it became much more beautiful," said Atri Darji, a student of the school. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Manasvita, another student, said, A chart provided by Darji sir helped us improve our handwriting. It included the structure of handwriting, vowels, consonants, and a paragraph." The teacher said the project has fostered love and pride for the Gujarati language among the students. It has not only resulted in better grades in exams but has also strengthened their cultural connection," he added. PTI PJT NR Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 25, 2025, 22:29 IST News agency-feeds Gujarat: Students shine in studies as school helps them improve handwriting Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan threatens open war with Afghanistan if Istanbul peace talks fail Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 00:44 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Istanbul [Turkey], October 26 (ANI): Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad will enter into an open war" with Kabul if the ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail, TOLO News reported. The meetings aim to solve the dispute and rising tensions along the Afghan-Pak border after weeks of deadly clashes and ceasefire violations.In a conversation with reporters, Khawaja Asif added that although no incidents or clashes have occurred in recent days, indicating that the Doha Agreement has been somewhat effective," TOLO News said.However, officials from the Afghanistan government have not responded to these remarks by Pakistans Defence Minister, it said.Delegations from both countries are in Turkey for the second round of discussions. The talks focus on implementing the Doha agreement, stopping cross-border attacks, and rebuilding trust.According to TOLO News, the dialogue is covering four main points: creating a joint monitoring system to prevent future violence, ensuring respect for each others sovereignty, addressing the roots of Pakistans security issues from the past two decades, and removing trade restrictions. The talks also include a discussion on stopping the forced deportation of Afghan refugees and keeping the refugee issue out of politics.Asif, who led Pakistans earlier Doha negotiations, said the situation at the border had been calm recently but warned it could change quickly if diplomacy fails.The meeting follows the first round of talks, jointly mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, which took place in Doha on October 18 and October 19. During this period, both parties agreed to an immediate ceasefire" following days of intense border clashes.Last week, Qatar announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire" following intense border clashes.In a statement issued by Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the follow-up talks in Tukriye are to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner."A round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha, mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye. During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries," the statement said.Asif reminded that Pakistan had supported Afghanistan for decades by hosting millions of migrants and sheltering them. Though earlier this week, Pakistani security forces shut down several long-standing Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan, displacing thousands of residents and demolishing their homes and shops.Camps in Loralai, Gardi Jungle, Saranan, Zhob, Qala-e-Saifullah, Pishin, and Muslim Bagh have been affected. Refugees told they were forced out suddenly without being allowed to gather their belongings.The clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban government curb militants attacking Pakistan from inside Afghanistan. Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border and both countries exchanged heavy fire, killing dozens.However, Taliban officials denied claims that Afghan soil was being used to attack Pakistan. They said the Islamic Emirate does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries" and remains committed to regional peace. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 26, 2025, 00:44 IST News agency-feeds Pakistan threatens open war with Afghanistan if Istanbul peace talks fail Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Three of family stabbed over marital dispute in Delhis Alipur Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 00:44 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) A man and two of his family members were injured after they were attacked with knife by his brothers-in-law in Delhis Alipur on Saturday, police said. The victims have been identified as Fariyad (62), and his sons Sabir (40) and Imran (36). Recommended Stories Initial inquiry revealed that the attack followed a domestic dispute between Imran and his wife Nagma, police said. The couple had been having differences for about a month, following which Nagma left the house with their children and moved to her maternal home. Recently, Imran brought back their daughter from Nagmas residence, which led to renewed tension between the two families," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said. On Saturday, Nagma, accompanied by some relatives, came to Imrans house, where a heated argument broke out. During the altercation, Nagmas cousin Abdul Rehman and others allegedly attacked Imran, his father Fariyad, and his brother Sabir with a knife, the DCP said. Police said they received a distress call in the evening from one of the victims, who said, Mere pet me chaku maar diya hai" (I have been stabbed in the stomach). A police team rushed to the spot but by the time they arrived, the injured had been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, officials said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While Sabir and Fariyad were admitted at Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital in Narela, Imran was admitted to LNJP Hospital, they said. Based on Fariyads statement, medical reports and other evidence, police registered a case. The condition of the injured is stable. Efforts are underway to apprehend the accused persons," DCP Swami said, adding that further investigation is in progress. PTI SSJ RUK RUK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 26, 2025, 00:44 IST News agency-feeds Three of family stabbed over marital dispute in Delhis Alipur Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tourism budget in Kerala up 20 pc: Minister Balagopal Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 21:59 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Idukki (Kerala), Oct 25 (PTI) Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Saturday said the state budget for the tourism department has been increased by 20 per cent and highlighted plans to promote health and pilgrimage tourism in Kerala. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Lokom Kothikkum Keralam Vision 2031 state-level tourism seminar, organised by the Kerala Tourism Department at Marian College, Kuttikkanam. Recommended Stories Balagopal said the budget for the tourism department has been raised by 20 per cent and stressed the importance of attracting domestic tourists with financial means within the state. He added that steps would be taken to establish Kerala as a health tourism hub and highlighted the state governments commitment to pilgrimage tourism, noting that Rs 250 crore has been allocated for maintaining roads leading to Sabarimala each season. The minister also pointed to prospects for cruise tourism, international convention centres in major destinations, and other emerging opportunities. Balagopal announced that the process of providing startup-model financial assistance for hotel projects with investments up to Rs 50 crore has reached its final stage. He emphasised that Keralas tourism sector must adapt positively to the rapid changes brought about by artificial intelligence. Whether society likes it or not, AI is significantly influencing our daily lives and jobs," he said. At this stage, soft skills like art and cookingareas not impacted by AIhold great potential. Tourism is the best sector to acquire and enhance these skills," he added. During the event, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas presented the Vision 2031 policy document. Prepared by the states tourism department and launched at a milestone workshop in Kuttikkanam, Vision 2031 lays out steps to provide infrastructural support for year-round tourism while pursuing sustainable and environment-friendly plans, a press release said. Riyas, while describing the planning of tourist destinations as very important", said several travel spots in the state are set to reach their peak soon. On identifying such places in the next five years, we must upgrade them to international standards with cooperation from local communities," he said. Such planning should be assisted by modern technology such as AI. Easy tourism should be Keralas USP on the tourism map. We plan to expand popular tourism in a way that strengthens local employment and the economy." The minister said Kerala Tourism, as a global brand, competes with destinations worldwide. Whether abroad or at home, there should evolve a situation where all Malayalis become brand ambassadors of Kerala Tourism," he said. He added that no other destination offers such a diverse range of tourism products. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine remarked that the government has successfully implemented a creative action plan in the tourism sector, contributing to the growth of the states GDP. Tourism Department Secretary K Biju presented the sectors achievements over the past nine years, and Tourism Director Sikha Surendran also spoke on the occasion. PTI TBA SSK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: October 25, 2025, 21:59 IST News agency-feeds Tourism budget in Kerala up 20 pc: Minister Balagopal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico asked a U.S. appeals court on Friday to halt a Trump administration order forcing it to unwind a joint venture that lets the carriers coordinate scheduling, pricing and capacity for U.S.Mexico flights. Aeromexico told the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals it would face substantial costs that it could not recover even if a court later upheld the arrangement. In September, the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered an end to the nearly nine-year-old joint venture by January 1, as part of several actions aimed at Mexican aviation, citing competition concerns. Delta said it would also face losses without a court order delaying the requirement pending a ruling. The airline said its flight operations "will face severe disruptions" calling the USDOT action "textbook arbitrary and capricious" and unrealistic, relying on "unsubstantiated, irrelevant and speculative reasoning." The Atlanta-based carrier has already canceled two U.S. flights to Mexico as a result and "may need to cancel additional trans-border flights for next summer." Delta also argued that USDOT held its joint venture to a stricter standard than other joint ventures including United Airlines and ANA USDOT, which on Friday rejected the airlines request to delay the order, did not comment. Aeromexico said the order requires it to "divert existing and hire new staff, establish a new brand presence in the U.S., separate its information technology platforms for U.S. pricing and sales from Delta's." In August, USDOT said the joint venture needs to end because of "ongoing anticompetitive effects in U.S.-Mexico City markets that provide an unfair advantage to Delta and Aeromexico." The carriers account for about 60% of passenger flights from Mexico City Airport to the U.S. The airport is the fourth-largest international gateway to and from the United States. Aeromexico and Delta said they hold a 20% seat share in the U.S.-Mexico market, compared with 21% for American Airlines, arguing that shows there is a very competitive market. USDOT, which is not requiring Delta to sell its 20% equity stake in Aeromexico, has said likely problems from the venture include higher fares in some markets, reduced capacity and challenges for U.S. carriers due to government intervention. Delta argues that up to $800 million in annual consumer benefits could evaporate, two dozen routes could be canceled and smaller aircraft could replace existing planes if the joint venture goes away. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Richard Chang and Sam Holmes) CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. Tarot Card Reading Today October 25, 2025 Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 07:15 IST Daily Tarot Card Reading, October 25, 2025: Aries finds joy, Taurus faces rivalry, Virgo and Gemini gain success, while Pisces heals from the past. Tarot Card Predictions Today October 25 2025 Daily Tarot Card Reading for All Zodiac Signs. (AI generated image) Tarot Card Reading Today, October 25 2025: Todays Tarot Horoscope brings emotional growth, professional opportunities, and personal challenges for all zodiac signs. Aries can expect family happiness and career advancement, while Taurus must guard against betrayal and workplace jealousy. Gemini and Virgo will benefit from new ventures and job prospects, but must be careful about whom they trust. Cancerians are advised to change their approach to harmony, and Leos will face emotional turmoil and workplace politics. Libra and Sagittarius will find growth through concentration and creativity, while Scorpios must remain firm even amid jealousy. Capricorns will experience career expansion with new responsibilities, and Aquarius will see financial gains, but must be cautious of risky investments. Pisces will begin to heal from past pain, see prospects of a brighter future, and better relationships. Recommended Stories Aries Tarot Reading (Ten of Cups) Ganesha says success resulting from past struggles will bring happiness and satisfaction. Workload may cause mental fatigue, but plans are being made for a family outing. Preparations for the wedding of an elder sibling in the family may begin. You may get a great opportunity from a reputed institute, be it in terms of a job or education. Some new changes may change the direction of your familys life. If your childs higher education is to be done somewhere else, your spouse may feel a little uncertain, but this dilemma can be resolved through mutual communication. Plans to buy a new property are almost complete, and soon all the necessary paperwork will be completed, followed by a family prayer meeting. Promotions and salary hikes at the workplace are increasing your enthusiasm. Taurus Tarot Reading (Five of Swords) Ganesha says some people may constantly try to find faults in your efforts and may also try to snatch a good opportunity from you by cunning. If someones behavior towards you seems excessively sweet or flattering, it is important to be cautious. Be careful while sharing work-related or personal information with others, and avoid trusting anyone too much. Control your emotions. Some people in the workplace may be jealous of your growing respect and reputation and may try to hurt your dignity due to jealousy. Time is not in your favor, so trusting others too much may prove to be harmful. During this time, it is advisable to stay away from any kind of dispute. Avoid completing the work in a hurry; rather, work with patience and restraint. Gemini Tarot Reading (The Magician) Ganesha says after a long-standing tension, there may be signs of improvement in relationships. This is the time to adopt a new perspective by moving beyond blaming who made a mistake and why. You can also apologize for your actions, and the other person may also regret their behavior. New business plans seem to be successful, which will bring more financial benefits than expected. You will reconsider your strategies and try to move forward thoughtfully. If someone presents you with a document for signature, he/she may be extremely sensitive. Avoid signing anything without reading and understanding it. Politely ask for more time if needed. Maintain relationships with selfish people based on their behavior, as overthinking may create problems. A good position and salary in a new job may excite you. Cancer Tarot Reading (The Hanged Man) Ganesha says helping others is part of your nature, and this affectionate behavior has earned you respect in both professional and family life. Your diverse work style may win the admiration of your superiors. Your positive behavior at the workplace makes you loved by all. However, due to prejudices, you sometimes treat others badly. Avoid believing hearsay and try to change your perspective. It is important to change your way of seeing and understanding people. You may consider starting something new in your business. Try to change the established perceptions in your relationship with your spouse. Misunderstandings may increase differences in marital life. Try to understand the views of others. If someone outside the family is trying to provoke you against a family member, evaluate their words carefully before reacting. Leo Tarot Reading (Three of Swords) Ganesha says the tension with your spouse has increased due to growing connections with the wrong people. This tension has suddenly turned into a scuffle, causing you emotional distress. You may feel as if lava is boiling inside you. As a result, others are blaming you, while you know that the other party is more at fault. Instead of keeping quiet and suffering, it is time to speak out openly. Politics is increasing against you at the workplace, so you will put your point in front of your superiors. You may also be transferred to some other place. The present time is not in your favor, so it is better to avoid any dispute right now. You may get better conditions than the present ones at the new place. Soon, the circumstances will start turning in your favor. If someone is troubling you with his behavior, then he needs to understand the impact of his actions. Otherwise, he will keep creating problems. Virgo Tarot Reading (Eight of Wands) Ganesha says the coming circumstances seem favorable. Soon you may get some good news which will bring happiness and newness to your life. You will be able to prove your abilities and skills to others and establish a new identity for yourself. You may get a new job opportunity, a long-awaited promotion, and a salary hike in your current job. You may plan to start a new business, and circumstances will be in your favor, so be assured. You may get many opportunities, which may confuse you. Avoid sharing your plans with others, as it may not be beneficial for you. Even though everyone around you seems to be your well-wishers, it is not easy to understand their minds. Therefore, it is important to be cautious. Libra Tarot Reading (Eight of Pentacles) Ganesha says do not think too much about what others say or get distracted by the events happening around you. Your focus should be completely on your goals. You may be considering starting a new business, and to achieve it, you need to learn some new things. A new job or business may start soon. You may miss out on good opportunities due to impatience or haste. The time is favorable, and you can start a new endeavor. Try to stay away from situations or people that can hurt your work. You may get a new job opportunity based on your qualifications and abilities, and you may get completely new experiences in some areas. It is important to have faith in yourself and not get upset by peoples criticism. Scorpio Tarot Reading (Strength) Ganesha says positive changes are coming in your life, and it is time to embrace them. Hastiness in business deals can cause losses. You can try to create balance in every aspect of your life. Despite facing difficult situations in your business, you are moving forward with courage and determination. Your hard work is creating jealousy in your opponents, so it is important to be alert. Some people may try to hinder your progress due to jealousy, so it is better to stay away from them. Keep yourself away from family disputes. Before taking any risk, thoroughly assess all the information related to that task. A religious trip with family is likely, and this may give you valuable opportunities that will help you move forward in your business or professional life. Sagittarius Tarot Reading (Knight of Cups) Ganesha says you may plan to start a new job in your free time, which may be related to studies. Soon, you may have to travel to many places to complete a project at the workplace. These trips may bring both good and bad experiences. You always want to do something new, which may bring new opportunities. Due to excess work, you may not have spent much time with your family recently. You may plan a trip to a nice place where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. If you are looking for a good life partner for marriage, then your wish may be fulfilled soon. Your work will not only be appreciated by your superiors, but you may also be rewarded. Do not back down from facing any challenge; rather, use your creative abilities to turn the circumstances in your favor and keep moving forward. Capricorn Tarot Reading (Knight of Swords) Ganesha says the enthusiasm for your ideas may inspire you to start something new. The arrival of a new person may bring new experiences that may provide you with new opportunities to move ahead in your career. Try to avoid being hasty and careless in nature. The changes coming in your life will be quite positive. New people may help you get a new job. Your efforts to establish yourself in a new place and department will be successful. Soon, you will make a strong presence among everyone. You will successfully resolve some family disputes with your wisdom. You may have to take up bigger responsibilities, although reluctantly. You may be worried about your business. Obstacles in your tasks are making you lose interest in completing them. You may find yourself spending time with talkative people. Aquarius Tarot Reading (Four of Pentacles) Ganesha says you are making good profits by investing your money in the right places and have always been cautious in your financial matters. However, be cautious and avoid getting involved in any lucrative scheme that may trap your capital. Soon, some opportunities may come up that can bring profits to your business. Your financial situation is likely to improve significantly by taking advantage of a new opportunity. By effectively using your sharp intelligence and generosity, you can increase your confidence and complete your tasks more efficiently. You can work on new plans that can bring good financial gains. Be ready to help others as much as you can. Avoid investing money in the wrong things under the influence of a loved one. You may meet someone who has never helped others in times of need before, but now expects help from you. Be careful while helping. Try to change the habit of overspending. Pisces Tarot Reading (The Star) Ganesha says a betrayal has forced you to distance yourself from your loved ones. However, efforts to start something new in a new place seem to be successful. You are likely to get many opportunities soon. The time is coming near when your dreams will be fulfilled. Any mental trauma from the past can now be overcome. You are gradually establishing balance in all areas of life. There is a possibility of getting some good news soon. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all By working with patience and restraint, you can fulfill all your dreams. Control your speech. Try to stay away from selfish people. The coming time is favorable. Make efforts and use your time properly. Some relationships have needed improvement for some time. This is the right time to improve all relationships, and your efforts will be successful. (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 07:15 IST News astrology Tarot Card Reading Today October 25, 2025 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Techie Crushed To Death After Bike Skids While Avoiding Pothole Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 18:14 IST Priyanka, a 26-year-old techie, died in Bengaluru after falling under a lorry when her bike skidded near APMC. A 26-year-old techie, identified as Priyanka, died on the spot after falling under a lorry. (X) In a tragic incident, a 26-year-old techie died on the spot after falling under a lorry when the motorbike she was riding pillion on skidded while trying to avoid a pothole in Bengaluru on Saturday. The deceased, identified as Priyanka, was travelling with her brother, who was riding the bike. The incident took place near APMC on MadanayakanahalliHuskur Road in Bengaluru Rural district around 9:30 am, as per media reports. Recommended Stories According to police, Priyanka was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Her brother escaped with minor injuries as he was wearing one. The road was reportedly damaged due to ongoing construction work in the area. The incident occurred when Priyanka and her brother were heading towards their destination from home. While attempting to steer clear of a pothole, her brother reportedly lost control of the bike, causing both to be thrown off. Priyanka fell onto the road and was run over by a passing lorry. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moment when the vehicle lost control, resulting in the young woman being crushed. Madanayakanahalli Police have visited the accident site and registered a case. The body has been shifted to Nelamangala Government Hospital for post-mortem. A police source said, Priyankas brother was riding the bike while she was the pillion rider. He was wearing a helmet. Soon after they left home and were heading to their destination, he tried to avoid a bad patch of road. Both of them fell off the bike, the rider escaped as he had a helmet on, but Priyanka, who wasnt wearing one, was run over by a lorry and died on the spot." This tragic event highlights the urgent need for better road maintenance and public safety measures in Bengaluru. Bengaluru has been facing backlash over bad roads and crumbling infrastructure in recent times. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to fill all potholes and set a deadline of October 31 for repairs across the citys five corporation zones. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, the deadline is likely to be extended to November 7, as officials struggle to keep up with the heavy rain. Senior officials from the Urban Development Department, which works closely with the Greater Bengaluru Authority, said that of the 1,600 arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city, the white-topping project aimed at reducing potholes will now be pushed faster. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 18:14 IST News bengaluru-news Bengaluru Techie Crushed To Death After Bike Skids While Avoiding Pothole Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP Minister Rani Maurya Narrowly Escapes Road Accident On Agra-Lucknow Expressway Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 07:43 IST Rani Mauryas drivers quick reflexes ensured his and her safety. The incident happened while she was returning from Hathras. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Tyre burst sends truck crashing into Baby Rani Mauryas car. (IMAGE: ANI) Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya had a close shave after a truck driver lost control over his vehicle and hit her car on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Friday night. Officials said that the incident occurred near the 56th kilometre mark in Firozabad when a truck travelling ahead of the ministers vehicle suffered a sudden tyre blowout. The truck skid uncontrollably and collided with the state womens welfare and child development ministers car, Sirsaganjs SDM Anivesh Kumar said. Maurya was returning to Lucknow after attending programmes in Hathras. Recommended Stories Rani Mauryas driver, using his sharp reflexes, brought the vehicle under control but was severely damaged but the minister was unharmed and she continued her journey to Lucknow in another vehicle. Later, in a post on X, Maurya said, I am safe by the infinite grace of Parampita Parameshwar and all of you, my dear well-wishers." Traffic on the expressway was being managed on a single carriageway at the time. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police arrived at the scene immediately after the incident and seized the truck involved in the accident. Later, the minister instructed the authorities to take strict measures to ensure safety on the expressway and prevent accidents. She highlighted the need for proactive monitoring and prompt response mechanisms. Authorities are expected to review expressway safety protocol in light of the incident. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 07:43 IST News lucknow-news UP Minister Rani Maurya Narrowly Escapes Road Accident On Agra-Lucknow Expressway Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Wanted Criminal Koku Pahadia Arrested After Encounter In Delhi's Mehrauli, Two Policemen Injured Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 10:29 IST Koku Pahadia is allegedly involved in illegal arms supply was injured in an exchange of fire with police in south Delhi's Mehrauli area. Wanted Criminal Koku Pahadia Arrested After Encounter (Photo: ANI) A brief shootout broke out in Delhis Mehrauli area on Saturday. In the gunfight, wanted criminal Koku Pahadia got injured. As per the police, Pahadia allegedly opened fire on the cops while trying to escape. Two police personnel were hit on their bulletproof jackets, while one constable sustained an injury on his arm. Delhi police in its official statement said, Pahadia opened fire on the team in an attempt to escape, prompting the police to retaliate. Pahadia was overpowered after being shot and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be stable. He was wanted in multiple cases, including Arms supply. Further investigation is underway." Recommended Stories #WATCH | A brief exchange of fire took place between Delhi Police and wanted criminal Koku Pahadia in the Mehrauli area, injuring the accused. During the encounter, two police personnel were hit on their bulletproof jackets, while one constable sustained an injury on his arm. pic.twitter.com/bHvb37zZHt ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 After being shot at, the criminal was immediately arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Pahadia has a criminal background and is wanted in multiple cases, including Arms supply. A police team set up a picket near Lado Sarai Smashan Ghat Road based on information about a criminals presence in the area. At around 3:15 am, the suspect arrived, and when intercepted, he opened fire at the police. The team responded in self-defence, during which the suspect sustained a bullet injury to his leg, an officer reported. A case has been registered against Kanishk alias Koku alias Vishal, a resident of Madangir, Delhi, under relevant provisions of the law. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police recovered two pistols, loaded magazines, and four empty cartridges from his possession. Further investigation is ongoing to trace the source of the firearms and identify his associates involved in the illegal arms trade, officials said. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 10:29 IST News new-delhi-news Wanted Criminal Koku Pahadia Arrested After Encounter In Delhi's Mehrauli, Two Policemen Injured Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Satara Doctor Who Died By Suicide Had Faced Police Complaints Over Troublesome Conduct: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 14:51 IST Police had written to the district surgeon in September, alleging that the doctor hindered medical examinations of accused persons. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google A letter sent weeks before her death claimed she was uncooperative and troublesome while handling police cases.(IMAGE: REPRESENTATIVE/PTI) Police in September had forwarded a complaint against the woman doctor who died by suicide after accusing a police officer of raping her multiple times in Maharashtras Satara, calling her out for her alleged troublesome and uncooperative behaviour. She also has faced allegations of hindering investigations in the past. Recommended Stories On September 22, the district surgeon received a complaint from the police that alleged that the deceased doctor hindered the medical check-up of the accused in serious crimes. According to the letter, whose existence was first reported by broadcaster NDTV, police officer Sunil Mahadik of the Phaltan Rural Police Station wrote in his letter that police feared that suspects could escape the law due to her behaviour. Mahadik also pointed out that she didnt cooperate with them and frequently argued with the officers. The letter also highlighted that earlier in May, the doctor refused to conduct the pre-arrest medical check-up of two accused who were taken to the hospital late at night. She also accused the policemen of harassing her by delaying the check-ups until late night despite being told that accused cannot be arrested without a checkup. The letter highlighted that she declared some accused unfit and get them hospitalised and prevented their arrest, which forced the police to deploy guards. On May 30, she declared the accused as unfit, only to be found fit the next. In another instance, the complainants alleged that she told the police she wanted to create trouble for them. Earlier, on June 19, the doctor had made a similar allegation against the police in a letter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, accusing two officers of harassment and seeking legal action against them. She had also allegedly tried to pressure a police inspector after being named in the complaint. I am now putting my life at risk," she reportedly told him, while also making caste and gender-related allegations, according to the complaint. In their letter to the district surgeon, the police sought immediate action against her and requested that she not be assigned to conduct medical examinations of any accused. The district surgeons office subsequently directed officials to investigate the claims and submit a report. The 28-year-old doctor, who hailed from Beed district and worked at the hospital in Phaltan tehsil, was found hanging in a hotel room at Phaltan late on Thursday night, an official said. In the suicide note written on her palm, the doctor alleged she had been raped and mentally harassed by the police sub-inspector and another person over the last five months. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She wrote that sub-inspector Gopal Badane raped and sexually harassed her on multiple occasions, while another man Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her. Both have been booked under charges of rape and abetment of suicide, police said. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Satara, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 14:51 IST News pune Satara Doctor Who Died By Suicide Had Faced Police Complaints Over Troublesome Conduct: Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tensions Erupt In Uttar Pradesh After Multiple Temples Defaced With 'I Love Muhammad' Slogan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 14:02 IST Tensions rose in Aligarh after I Love Muhammad slogans appeared on temple walls in two villages. Police boosted security, and investigations are underway. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Visual from a temple which was defaced in Aligarh. (Image: X) Tensions prevailed in Uttar Pradesh after unidentified miscreants defaced the walls of multiple temples in two villages in Aligarh district with the slogan I Love Muhammad." The slogan, written with spray paint or chalk, angered the locals, prompting police intervention. It is learnt that the slogans appeared late Friday night or early Saturday morning at temples in Bulakgarhi and Bhagwanpur. According to Aligarh SSP Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, I Love Muhammad" slogans were found on the walls of four temples in two villages. Recommended Stories The SSP termed the act a provocation" intended to disrupt communal harmony and urged the locals to maintain peace. - , 4 , , pic.twitter.com/OT5cp0epxU ALIGARH POLICE (@aligarhpolice) October 25, 2025 Further the Aligarh SSP inspected religious sites in both the villages and ensured that strict action would be taken against the culprit. The official added that the slogans have been erased from the religious structures in order to maintain law and order in the area. In a post on X, the Aligarh Police wrote, Thana Lodha Upon receiving information about religious slogans being written on religious sites, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Aligarh, conducted an inspection of all religious sites in the villages of Bulakgarhi and Bhagwanpur. Religious slogans written on four religious sites have been removed. Discussions have also been held with the villagers. A previous dispute in the village has also come to notice. A thorough investigation is being conducted into all aspects. A case is being registered in this matter, and orders have been given to take strict punitive action against the accused involved in the incident. Peace prevails at the scene. (sic)" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Locals and organizations condemned the incident, calling it an attempt to incite unrest. It is suspected that the act is a part of the ongoing I Love Muhammad" campaign, which caused chaos across several Uttar Pradesh districtssuch as Bareilly, Kanpur, Moradabad, and Farrukhabadsince September. The campaign has previously triggered violence through posters and slogans. Security has has been beefed up in the area. More details are awaited. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : Aligarh, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 14:02 IST News cities Tensions Erupt In Uttar Pradesh After Multiple Temples Defaced With 'I Love Muhammad' Slogan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... AP LAWCET Counselling 2025 Phase 1 Seat Allotment Result To Be Out Today, What's Next Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 15:17 IST Recipients of seat allotments from the first round must report to the assigned institutions between October 27 and 29 in order to successfully complete the enrolment process. AP LAWCET 2025 counselling at lawcet-sche.aptonline.in. (Representative/File Photo) The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) is set to release the Round 1 seat allotment results for the AP Law Common Entrance Test (LAWCET) 2025 today, October 25. Applicants participating in the phase 1 counselling procedure can view their seat allocation results on the official website, lawcet-sche.aptonline.in. The AP LAWCET 2025 Round 1 allocation results are based on the choices submitted by applicants during the web options filing procedure. Those who receive seat allotments in the first round must report to their assigned institutions between October 27 and 29 to complete the enrolment process successfully. Recommended Stories An official statement clarifies that a candidates admission is not guaranteed merely by being allotted a seat through admission counselling; they must meet the qualifying requirements as per the norms periodically announced by the Bar Council of India. AP LAWCET 2025 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result: How To Check To check your AP LAWCET Round 1 allotment result, follow these steps: Step 1: Visit the official AP LAWCET website at lawcet-sche.aptonline.in. Step 2: On the homepage, scroll down to find the LAWCET allocation result section. Step 3: Enter your AP LAWCET hall ticket number and password, then click submit. Step 4: The seat allocation results will appear on the screen. Step 5: Save the allocation result to your device and print a copy for future reference. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Those who are unable to secure a spot in the first round, you can participate in second round of counselling. The detailed timetable for AP LAWCET 2025 phase 2 counselling is expected to be announced soon. Students will have to provide the necessary certifications and documentation for reporting purposes such as school certificates, category certificates (if applicable), and government-issued ID. Those seeking admission into the three-year or five-year LL.B. programmes, as well as the LL.M./M.L. postgraduate law programmes, must pass the AP LAWCET examination. These courses are offered by State Universities, Constituent institutions, and affiliated institutions in Andhra Pradesh. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 15:00 IST News education-career AP LAWCET Counselling 2025 Phase 1 Seat Allotment Result To Be Out Today, What's Next Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... The Trump-Xi Meeting: What To Expect From High-Stakes Talks And What Happens If They Fail Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 10:07 IST Trumps five-day Asia tour will begin in Malaysia, move through Japan and South Korea, and may culminate in a high-stakes meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of APEC US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping US President Donald Trump will travel to Asia next week for a five-day visit to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, his first to the region since taking office earlier this year. The tour comes at a time of heightened geopolitical pressure for the Trump administration, which is balancing a stalled ceasefire in Gaza, continuing war in Ukraine, and growing economic friction with Beijing. According to the White House, Trumps Asia trip will focus on expanding trade access, securing critical minerals, and strengthening US alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Yet a major focus, and uncertainty, surrounds the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Recommended Stories Officials remain cautious about expectations from the long-anticipated meeting. Theres no guarantee the meeting will happen, and even if it does, no ones expecting a breakthrough," a senior US official told Reuters. The goal right now is to manage differences, not eliminate them." Where Are US-China Relations Now? Relations between the US and China remain tense after a year of repeated confrontations over trade, technology, and critical supply chains. In April, the US imposed 145 per cent tariffs on most Chinese goods. Beijing responded with 125 per cent tariffs of its own. After months of escalation, both sides agreed to a 90-day truce in May, reducing tariff levels and giving room for negotiation. This temporary deal was extended for another 90 days in August, but it is set to expire on November 10. If no new agreement is reached, the earlier higher tariffs could be reimposed. Adding to the friction, China recently introduced a new set of export controls on strategic materials including rare earth elements, synthetic diamonds, and key lithium battery components. These materials are critical to electronics, defence, and clean energy sectors, and China controls around 90 per cent of global rare earth processing. A significant provision in the new rules expands Chinas jurisdiction beyond its borders to cover items manufactured abroad using controlled Chinese technology or materials. These measures also extend to technologies involved in rare earth mining and magnet production. Trump has threatened further retaliation. The US president warned that a 100 per cent tariff could be imposed on Chinese goods beginning November 1 if talks fail, describing the rare earth export limits as a direct challenge to US interests. Whats The Plan For The Trump-Xi Meeting? Trump and Xi are expected to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1, their first face-to-face interaction since 2019. On Thursday morning local time, President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi of the Peoples Republic of China," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. However, Chinese authorities have not confirmed the meeting publicly. Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, told Fox Business that the two leaders talks might only be an informal pull-aside" during Trumps time in South Korea. Trump, however, struck a different tone, telling reporters, Well make a deal on, I think, everything," and added, Were going to make a deal on the rare earth." The meeting, if it happens, is likely to cover trade, technology restrictions, rare earth exports, and wider geopolitical issues. According to Trump, discussions may also include agriculture and global conflicts. What Ill really be talking to him about is, how do we end the war with Russia and Ukraine, whether its through oil or energy or anything else. And I think hes going to be very receptive," Trump said. Whats Happening In Malaysia Ahead Of The Summit? Before any potential summit, senior US and Chinese officials are meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the fifth round of trade negotiations. These talks are being led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. According to CNN, the Malaysia talks are focused on key areas of disagreement, particularly rare earth restrictions, technology controls, and tariff rollback. These discussions follow earlier rounds in Geneva, London, Stockholm, and Madrid. Bessent told Fox Business, Im hoping that we can get this ironed out this weekend so that the leaders can enter their talks on a more positive note." He added that he does not rule out further escalation if Beijings rare earths regime isnt paused or modified. Meanwhile, Chinas Commerce Ministry said the discussions would address key issues" in line with important consensuses reached during recent phone conversations between Xi and Trump." What Is APEC? The APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum is a 21-member regional platform focused on promoting free trade and investment. Its members include the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others around the Pacific Rim. This years theme is Building a Sustainable Tomorrow," and discussions will focus on strengthening supply chains, leveraging technologies like AI, and driving inclusive and environmentally responsible growth. What Else Is On Trumps Asia Agenda? Trumps first stop will be Kuala Lumpur, where he will attend the ASEAN summit hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to CNN, he is expected to participate in the ASEAN leaders working dinner and may witness the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia following recent border clashes. From Malaysia, Trump will travel to Tokyo to meet Japans newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Japan is expected to reaffirm a $550 billion investment plan in the United States during the visit. In South Korea, Trump is scheduled to meet President Lee Jae Myung to discuss trade, defence cooperation, and worker migration policies, areas that have caused friction in recent months. He will then deliver remarks at the APEC CEO summit luncheon and attend a USAPEC leaders working dinner. What Happens If Trump-Xi Talks Fail? The outcome of Trumps Asia tour, especially any dialogue with Xi Jinping, carries high stakes for global trade and political stability. If talks collapse, the US could impose tariffs of up to 155 per cent beginning November 1, a steep escalation from the current 55 per cent rate. Trump issued the warning last week, saying China may face the higher tariff burden unless a deal is reached. Speaking at the White House, he said Beijing has been very respectful" and is paying tremendous amounts of money" under the current 55 per cent duties. A lot of countries took advantage of the US, and they are not able to take advantage anymore. Chinas paying 55 per cent and a potential 155 per cent come November 1st unless we make a deal," Trump added. China, for its part, could tighten its grip on rare earth supplies or open investigations against US firms operating in Chinese markets. Such escalation could trigger a renewed trade war and worsen global supply chain disruptions. Higher tariffs on Chinese imports would raise costs for American consumers and businesses, while the uncertainty could freeze investment, hamper growth, and fuel recessionary fears. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all China, already grappling with domestic challenges, could see further economic strain. Small and medium businesses, a cornerstone of its economy, may face declining exports and rising job losses. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao warned against decoupling and said, The first four rounds of ChinaUS economic and trade consultations have fully demonstrated that, on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation, the two sides are fully capable of finding ways to address each others concerns." About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 09:57 IST News explainers The Trump-Xi Meeting: What To Expect From High-Stakes Talks And What Happens If They Fail Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Any Front, Any Time: Why India's Tri-Services Drill Near Sir Creek Has Rattled Pakistan | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 11:23 IST The Sir Creek-Badin-Karachi belt is among Pakistans weakest military sectors and any successful strike there could isolate Karachi and disrupt maritime trade and energy supplies Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Indian officials typically stress that training along international borders is standard practice to validate joint operational readiness. (Representative Image) A 10-day Indian tri-services exercise along the western frontier has reportedly set alarm bells ringing in Pakistan, with Islamabad said to have put multiple commands and bases on high alert, CNN-News18 has learnt. India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for combined Army-Navy-Air Force manoeuvres reportedly running from October 30 to November 10, focused along the Sir Creek-Sindh-Karachi axisan area Pakistani sources describe as the deep south" of Pakistan. Sources told CNN-News18 that the exercises geographic emphasis and timing have prompted Islamabad to heighten vigilance across southern commands, where the military is allegedly in panic" over potential contingency scenarios. Recommended Stories A top Pakistani security source said the country has issued high alerts for Southern Commands in Sindh and South Punjab, mobilising the Air Force and Navy on stand-by to respond to any perceived aggression. Pakistans Bahawalpur Strike Corps and Karachi (Sindh) Corps were specifically singled out for special preparedness measures, the source said. Air bases reportedly put on standby include Shorkot, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Jacobabad, Bholari and Karachi; naval directives have also been issued to increase patrolling and operations in the Arabian Sea, the source added. Pakistan has now issued a notification restricting multiple air traffic routes along its central & southern airspace possibly for a military exercise/weapons test as India prepares for its Tri-Services Exercise across the border Date | 28-29 October 2025 pic.twitter.com/ucFeSTuWmk Damien Symon (@detresfa_) October 25, 2025 The intelligence picture is said to show India choosing southern sectorsfrom Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan to the Thar Desert and the Sir Creek areaso as to test joint naval-air-land coordination. Pakistan officials quoted by sources fear the drills could be used to demonstrate capability to threaten maritime chokepoints and coastal infrastructure that feed into KarachiPakistans economic heart. Nearly 70 per cent of Pakistans trade reportedly passes through Karachi Port and Bin Qasim, making those facilities strategically sensitive. The sources added that Indias southern focus is designed to send a clear message: The country can open multiple fronts, not just in Punjab or Kashmir. They said the Sir Creek-Badin-Karachi belt is among Pakistans weakest military sectors: relatively flat, lightly defended, and logistically exposed. The concern, they say, is that any successful strike or extended operation there could isolate Karachi and disrupt Pakistans maritime trade and energy supplies. The situation is compounded, according to the same sources, by internal security pressures: Pakistans Army is already stretched by militant activity in the Khyber-Peshawar belt, giving rise to fears that simultaneous external pressure could strain resources further. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias defence ministry, however, describes such NOTAM-defined exercises as routine preparedness measures. Indian officials typically stress that training along international borders is standard practice to validate joint operational readiness. For now, Pakistani commands remain on heightened alert as both sides continue to monitor movements along the western maritime and land approaches. Sources say the episode underscores how military signalling through large-scale exercises can produce acute political and strategic anxiety across borders, even if the activity is framed as routine training. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: October 25, 2025, 10:48 IST News india Any Front, Any Time: Why India's Tri-Services Drill Near Sir Creek Has Rattled Pakistan | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This mix is intentional. After all, the three major pure-play quantum stocks all trade at sky-high revenue multiples while burning cash at an alarming rate. By adding a clutch of profitable companies, the Defiance Quantum ETF offers a balanced approach to a speculative theme. That uncertainty shows up in how the Defiance Quantum ETF is constructed. 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The fund has surged 38% year to date as quantum computing breakthroughs capture investor attention, but extreme valuations among pure-play stocks suggest caution is warranted. Story continues More on the fund's diversification advantage The fund's 38% year-to-date gain through Oct. 22 reflects growing excitement around quantum breakthroughs. Alphabet announced its Willow quantum chip in December 2024, demonstrating error correction that could enable practical applications. IBM continues expanding its quantum network, now counting over 250 partners using its quantum systems. Compare that to owning individual quantum start-ups. If D-Wave Quantum or Quantum Computing Inc. fail to commercialize their approaches in the broad sense, shareholders face potentially catastrophic losses. The ETF structure caps that hefty downside, given that no single holding exceeds a low-single-digit percentage weighting. The fund also captures indirect quantum beneficiaries. 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Here Is the Easiest Way for Investors to Gain Exposure to the Quantum Computing Theme was originally published by The Motley Fool Ayodhya Ram Temples Final Phase Nears Completion As PM Modi Set To Hoist Ceremonial Flag Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 15:45 IST The saffron flag's hoisting carries deep symbolic meaning as its considered a declaration of divine establishmenta moment when the temple becomes a beacon of dharma & devotion Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The ceremony marks the final phase of the Ram Temples construction, which has progressed in multiple stages since the ground-breaking in August 2020. (PTI) Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoist the ceremonial sacred flag atop Ayodhyas Ram Temple? The prime minister has been formally invited by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to hoist the sacred flag atop the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on November 25, in what will mark the symbolic completion of the grand temple complex. The event is said to be the second most grand event after Pran Pratishtha, held in January 2024. Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Temple Construction Committee, said the prime minister has in principle accepted the date", and preparations are already underway for his participation in the ceremony. The hoisting of the flag by the prime minister signifies that the temple and its allied structures are now ready and open for devotees," Mishra said. Recommended Stories The event will also feature RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as one of the chief guests, alongside several top seers and dignitaries. The flag-hoisting ceremony will be preceded by a five-day ritual sequence beginning November 21, culminating on November 25 with Modis participation. Sacred Symbol from Valmiki Ramayana According to Govind Dev Giri, treasurer of the trust, the saffron flaga symbol of divine energy and purityhas been crafted in accordance with descriptions from the Valmiki Ramayana. The flag will bear symbols of the Sun, Om, and Kovidar tree, all of which are sacred elements linked to Lord Ram," he said. The 22-foot-long and 11-foot-wide flag will be raised on a 42-foot-high pole atop the 161-foot spire (Shikhara) of the main temple. The pole itself has been engineered with a 360-degree rotating chamber based on ball bearings to withstand wind speeds of up to 60 km/hour, ensuring that the sacred flag remains undamaged in all weather conditions. The flag hoisting will mark not just the culmination of construction but the consecration of Ayodhyas spiritual skyline," said Anil Mishra, a member of the trust overseeing technical arrangements. Completion of the Grand Temple Complex The ceremony marks the final phase of the Ram Temples construction, which has progressed in multiple stages since the ground-breaking in August 2020. The ground floor was completed in 2022, followed by the consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla in January 2024, which saw participation from lakhs of devotees and religious leaders. Now, with the completion of the first floor and the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbh Griha), the trust says that the temple structure is fully ready. The second floor of the temple is being developed into a spiritual archive, dedicated to preserving Ramayana manuscripts and interpretations in multiple Indian and foreign languages. Mishra confirmed that 14 smaller temples within the complexdedicated to various deitiesare also complete and will soon be opened for public worship. The Parkota (outer boundary) and the Parikrama complex are ready and accessible," he said. A Temple of National Significance Since opening for public worship, the Ram Temple has drawn over seven crore devotees, which highlights its cultural, historical, and spiritual importance. The November 25 ceremony, the trust said, will represent a moment of national unity and devotion, marking the fulfillment of a centuries-old aspiration. Govind Dev Giri said the trust has expanded the guest list from 8,000 to 10,000 people in view of the overwhelming interest in the event. However, attendance will be Ayodhya-centric, with participants invited only from eastern Uttar Pradesh. This event will be limited to local devotees; no outsiders will be invited this time," Giri said. He added that special worship, havans, and Vedic rituals will take place in all eight major temples, including those of Lord Ram, Shiva, Ganesha, Surya, Hanuman, Mata Bhagwati, and Mata Annapurna, among others. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The hoisting of the saffron flag, trust officials said, carries deep symbolic meaning in Hindu tradition. In ancient texts, the flag is considered a declaration of divine establishmenta moment when the temple becomes a beacon of dharma and devotion. The flag atop the Ram temple represents victory of faith and endurance of centuries of devotion," said a senior priest from Ayodhya, who will be part of the rituals. It is the final step before the temple stands eternally as a living symbol of Lord Rams presence." Location : Ayodhya, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 15:45 IST News india Ayodhya Ram Temples Final Phase Nears Completion As PM Modi Set To Hoist Ceremonial Flag Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'End Grave Human Rights Violation': India Slams Pakistan At UNSC, Calls J&K 'Inalienable Part' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 09:21 IST India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish addressed the United Nations Security Council during the open debate organised on the 80th UN Day. PR of India to the UN Parvathaneni Harish. (Photo: ANI) Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, slammed Pakistan in his address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India called upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it". During the open debate organised on the 80th UN Day on Friday (local time), Harish emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral and inalienable part of India." We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistans military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources," Ambassador Harish said. Recommended Stories He also added that while the people in the region exercise their fundamental rights, such concepts are alien" to Pakistan. #WATCH | At the UNSC Open Debate on The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future, refereing to Pakistans statement, PR of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, says, Let me emphasise that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always pic.twitter.com/PNV5Qp9AYA ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 Let me emphasise that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with Indias time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework. We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan," the Ambassador said. He further emphasised Indias commitment to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, seeing the world as one family, and advocating for justice, dignity, and prosperity for all. This is not only an outlook that anchors our worldview, but also the reason why India has consistently advocated for justice, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for all societies and peoples. It is also the reason why India places its faith in multilateralism, international partnerships and cooperation," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While addressing the UNSC Open Debate, the Indian Ambassador highlighted the UNs contributions since World War 2, while acknowledging questions about its relevance, legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy. The theme of this debate gains great salience at a time when the worlds largest multilateral organisation the United Nations faces questions related to relevance, legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy," Ambassador Harish said. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 09:21 IST News india 'End Grave Human Rights Violation': India Slams Pakistan At UNSC, Calls J&K 'Inalienable Part' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Fugitive Gangster Lakhvinder Kumar Associated With Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Deported From US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 23:22 IST Lakhvinder Kumar was wanted by Haryana Police in multiple criminal cases relating to extortion, intimidation, illegal possession and use of a firearm and attempt to murder. Fugitive gangster Lakhvinder Kumar was deported from the US on Saturday. (ANI) A fugitive gangster associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was deported from the United States on Saturday, as part of an operation coordinated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). As per an official release, the accused Lakhvinder Kumar, who is wanted by Haryana Police in multiple criminal cases relating to extortion, intimidation, illegal possession and use of a firearm and attempt to murder, was deported from the US on Saturday. Recommended Stories Lakhvinder is associated with the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier, the CBI had got a Red Notice issued against the fugitive through Interpol on October 26 last year on the request of Haryana Police. He was taken into custody by the Haryana Police at the Delhi Airport after his deportation from the US. More than 130 wanted criminals have been brought back in the last few years through coordination via Interpol channels. Earlier, the CBI got the Red Notice published against Lakhvinder Kumar through Interpol on October 26, 2024 on the request of Haryana Police. The subject was deported from the USA and arrived in India on October 25, 2025. He was taken into custody by a team of Haryana Police at Delhi airport," the statement said. Red Notices published by Interpol are circulated to all law enforcement agencies globally for tracking of the wanted fugitives. The CBI coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through Bharatpol for assistance via Interpol channels. Earlier, the Rajasthan police arrested a shooter linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang on Sunday. A reward of Rs 25,000 had been announced on the shooter, identified as Sanjay Jat, India Today reported. A foreign-made pistol, locally manufactured arms, including seven country-made pistols, three country-made rifles (kattas), a pakira, five live cartridges for the kattas, and nine live cartridges for the pistol have been recovered from him after the arrest. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a well-known organised crime syndicate operating across North India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. It was recently declared as a terrorist entity" in Canada. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 23:22 IST News india Fugitive Gangster Lakhvinder Kumar Associated With Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Deported From US Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Maharashtra Doctor Death: Accused, Named In Note Written On Her Palm, Booked Reported By : & News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 18:02 IST The 28-year-old government doctor was found hanging in a hotel room at Phaltan late on Thursday night. A suicide note was found written on doctor's palm A government doctors suicide in Maharashtras Satara district shook the entire country. In a suicide note, written on her palm, the doctor accused a sub-inspector and her landlords son of raping her multiple times. She alleged that she had been mentally and physically harassed over the past four or five months. As per the police, her landlords son, Prashant Bankar, and the sub-inspector are arrested. The cop has been suspended, while Bankar, a software engineer, has been sent to police custody for four days, news agency PTI reported. Recommended Stories Notably, the SI was suspended on the orders of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He spoke to Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi and ordered the suspension. The 28-year-old doctor, who hailed from Beed district and worked at the hospital in Phaltan tehsil, was found hanging in a hotel room at Phaltan late on Thursday night. Accused Named In Suicide Note The deceased doctor named sub-inspector Gopal Badane and accused him of raping and sexually harassing her on multiple occasions. She also named Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, and stated that he mentally harassed her. Both have been booked under charges of rape and abetment of suicide. The note read, Badane raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months." Speaking to reporters, Satara SP Tushar Doshi said a case of rape and abetment of suicide has been filed against two people, including a sub-inspector, at the Phaltan city police station, and two teams have been formed to trace and nab the duo. The doctor had also submitted a complaint to the SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) of Phaltan against some police officers. Police had separately filed a complaint against her with the hospital administration, Doshi said. The deceased booked a room in a hotel in Phaltan. However, she didnt respond when hotel staff knocked on the rooms door and rang the bell. The staff grew suspicious and opened the door with an alternative key and found her hanging. We have formed two teams to trace the accused," the SP said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reacted to the incident and said that the government will take strict action against accused. This is a very serious issue. A young doctor wrote her suicide note on her hand before committing suicide. It is very unfortunate, and the government, immediately taking action, has suspended the concerned police officials, and arrests are also being made. No one will be spared. Strict action will be taken Politicising such a sensitive issue is very insensitive," he said. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Satara, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 12:46 IST News india Maharashtra Doctor Death: Accused, Named In Note Written On Her Palm, Booked Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Legally Unenforceable: Kerala HC Quashes Ivory Ownership Certificates Issued To Mohanlal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 07:18 IST Kerala High Court declared Forest Department's ownership certificates for Mohanlal's ivory items void and legally unenforceable, marking a major setback for the actor. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google File photo of actor Mohanlal (Photo Credits: X) In a major setback for actor Mohanlal, the Kerala High Court on Friday declared the Forest Departments ownership certificates for ivory items in his possession void ab initio and legally unenforceable." However, a Division Bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Jobin Sebastian clarified that the state government could issue a fresh notification under Section 40(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, if it intends to allow the actor to retain the ivory articles. Recommended Stories The verdict came in response to a petition filed by Paulose KA of Eloor, Kochi, challenging the state governments notifications under Section 40(4) of the Act, which had permitted Mohanlal to declare two pairs of ivory tusks and 13 ivory artefacts before the Chief Wildlife Warden and subsequently obtain ownership certificates under Section 42, news agency PTI reported. The petitioner contended that the Forest Department had issued the certificates even though criminal proceedings concerning the ivory items were already pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Perumbavoor. After considering the arguments from both sides, the court observed that while the government had issued notifications asking Mohanlal to declare his ivory possessions and the actor had complied, the key issue was whether those notifications fulfilled the statutory requirements. The Bench noted that the state government had admitted to not publishing the notifications in the official gazettea mandatory requirement under the Act. Rejecting the governments argument that sufficient publicity through other means was enough, the court said, We are afraid we cannot accept the said contention of the State Government." The judges further explained, The provisions of Section 40(4) are special provisions that empower a State Government to confer immunity on persons otherwise in unlawful possession of animal articles or trophies. Such power must be exercised strictly in the manner prescribed under the Act," according to PTI report. The court held that the omission to publish the notifications in the official gazette invalidated the orders, stating that when a statutory power is not exercised in the manner prescribed under the Act, then that power cannot be seen as having been exercised at all." It also clarified that publication through electronic media could not replace the statutory requirement of gazette publication. We therefore conclude by holding that the government orders dated December 16, 2015, and February 17, 2016, are void ab initio and legally unenforceable," the court noted. While striking down the government orders, the court chose not to comment on the issuance of the ownership certificates themselves, noting that any such observations could prejudice the actor in the ongoing criminal proceedings. The Bench, however, made it clear that the state government is free to issue a fresh notification under Section 40(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in compliance with the prescribed legal procedures. IT Department Raided Mohanlals House In 2012, Seized 4 Elephant Tusks top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In June 2012, the Income Tax Department had raided Mohanlals house in the Thevara area of Kochi following a tip-off. The IT Department handed over the four elephant tusks seized during the search to the Forest Department. The investigation team found that Mohanlal, who did not have permission to keep elephant tusks, had kept them under the license of two other people, prompting the Kodanad Range Forest to register a case in this regard. The Forest Department, which later amended the law, allowed the actor to keep the tusks. The governments decision to withdraw the case against Mohanlal was earlier rejected by the Perumbavoor court. The High Court had stayed the order of the Magistrates Court in the appeal filed by Mohanlal against this. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 07:18 IST News india Legally Unenforceable: Kerala HC Quashes Ivory Ownership Certificates Issued To Mohanlal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Maharashtra Doctor Suicide: Accused Sub-Inspector Surrenders Amid Rape, Harassment Allegations Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 00:13 IST Gopal Badane had been absconding since the tragic incident came to light, prompting a massive public outcry and political pressure for his immediate arrest According to the deceased doctor's final note, PSI Gopal Badane had allegedly raped her multiple times. (Image: X/@abhinabavlogs) Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Gopal Badane, accused in the sensational suicide case of a doctor attached to the Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Maharashtra, has finally surrendered himself to the Phaltan Rural Police Station. Badane had been absconding since the tragic incident came to light, prompting a massive public outcry and political pressure for his immediate arrest. The case involves the death by suicide of a 28-year-old medical officer, who was found dead in a hotel room in Phaltan. The case gained notoriety due to the explosive allegations contained in a suicide note written on her palm, which directly named PSI Badane and another individual, techie Prashant Bankar. Recommended Stories According to the deceased doctors final note, PSI Gopal Badane had allegedly raped her multiple times, while Bankar subjected her to mental and physical harassment over a period of several months. The Satara Police had already registered a case against both men under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. Prashant Bankar was arrested earlier by the police. Beyond the severe allegations of sexual and mental abuse, the case has exposed a disturbing layer of corruption and professional coercion. Relatives of the deceased doctor have alleged that she was under intense police and political pressure" to alter medical records, including post-mortem reports and fitness certificates for arrested accused individuals. Earlier this year, the doctor had reportedly written a complaint to senior police officers detailing pressure from various quarters to issue fake medical certificates. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The surrender of the suspended PSI Badane is a crucial development in the case, which has drawn condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who ordered immediate and stringent action. The ongoing probe now faces the challenge of thoroughly investigating the serious claims of sexual assault and the allegations of systemic pressure from police and political figures within the local administration, ensuring justice for the deceased doctor and addressing the deep-seated concerns over the safety and security of women doctors in the workplace. The police are expected to seek remand for Badane to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the shocking sequence of events. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 23:59 IST News india Maharashtra Doctor Suicide: Accused Sub-Inspector Surrenders Amid Rape, Harassment Allegations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Maharashtra Man Kills Twin Daughters After Fight With Wife, Walks To Police Station To Confess Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 21:33 IST After the gruesome act, the accused drove straight to the police station and confessed to killing his daughters. Police said further investigation is underway.(Representative image) A man from Maharashtra allegedly murdered his two-year-old twin daughters after an argument with his wife and later surrendered to the police, confessing to the crime. The accused, identified as Rahul Chavan, a resident of Washim district, was travelling with his wife and daughters on Friday when a heated quarrel broke out between the couple, police said. During the argument, Rahul Chavans wife decided to leave for her parents home while he continued the journey alone with the children. Recommended Stories In a fit of rage, Rahul Chavan allegedly drove to a forested area near Ancharwadi village in Buldhana district where he slit the throats of the twin girls, police said. After the gruesome act, Rahul Chavan drove straight to the Washim police station and confessed to killing his daughters. Following his statement, a police team rushed to the site and recovered the childrens bodies. Preliminary findings suggest the bodies were partially burnt, leading investigators to suspect that Rahul Chavan may have attempted to destroy evidence by setting them on fire after the murders. However, police said the claim is yet to be confirmed pending forensic and post-mortem reports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police conducted an on-site inspection, collected forensic samples and began a detailed probe into the sequence of events leading up to the killings, they said. Authorities said Rahul Chavan has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway. Location : Maharashtra, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 21:33 IST News india Maharashtra Man Kills Twin Daughters After Fight With Wife, Walks To Police Station To Confess Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... No One Will Be Spared: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis On Satara Doctors Suicide Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 18:46 IST Devendra Fadnavis said the government acted promptly in the matter and immediately suspended the concerned police official. Devendra Fadnavis said that the state government had acted promptly in the matter. (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday expressed sorrow over the suicide of a young doctor, who accused a police officer of raping her multiple times before ending her life, and assured strict action against those responsible. It is a very serious matter that a young doctor expressed her pain in this manner before ending her life. It is extremely saddening for all of us," Fadnavis said as quoted by news agency PTI. Recommended Stories VIDEO | Mumbai: On the Satara doctors alleged suicide case, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, It is a very serious matter that a young doctor expressed her pain in this manner before ending her life. It is extremely saddening for all of us. The government immediately pic.twitter.com/vSz6vr3iUp Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 25, 2025 The Chief Minister added that the state government has acted promptly in the matter. The government immediately suspended the concerned police officials yesterday, and arrests have also begun. No one will be spared," he said. Fadnavis also urged political parties to refrain from exploiting the tragedy for political gains. I believe the opposition should not politicise this sensitive issue," he stated. His remarks came after a young doctor ended her life with a suicide note written on her palm. She alleged rape and mental harassment by the aforementioned police sub-inspector and techie over the last five months. The incident took place on the night of Bhai Dooj, when the doctor was found dead inside a locked room of a well-known hotel in Phaltan (Satara) around 10:30 pm. Badne raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months," the note read. She also left a four-page suicide in which she also accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her indirectly after she denied issuing a false medical certificate. She mentioned that she was pressured to issue fake fitness certificates for accused persons in police cases. The letter detailed the harassment and coercion she allegedly faced from police officials, and in one instance, even from an MP and his personal assistants. The doctor worked as a medical officer at the Phaltan sub-district hospital. She had written on her palm that she had been raped four times by Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and subjected to mental and physical abuse for more than five months. She had been serving at the hospital for 23 months and was just a month away from completing her mandatory rural service bond, after which she planned to pursue postgraduate medical studies. Later Fadnavis spoke to Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi and ordered the suspension of the sub-inspector named in the suicide note. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all SP Doshi said both the accused have been booked under sections of rape and abetment of suicide. The deceased booked a room in a hotel in Phaltan.However, she didnt respond when hotel staff knocked on the rooms door and rang the bell.The staff grew suspicious and opened the door with an alternative key and found her hanging.We have formed two teams to trace the accused," the SP said. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 18:43 IST News india No One Will Be Spared: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis On Satara Doctors Suicide Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Pakistan Will Lose Any Conventional War Against India...: Ex-CIA Officer's Advice For Islamabad Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 11:54 IST John Kiriakou, who has served in the CIA for 15 years, recounted his years leading counterterrorism operations in Pakistan. Representative Image (File/Reuters) Former CIA officer John Kiriakou, who led counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan, in a big advice to Pakistan said that Islamabad needs to arrive at a policy conclusion that it would gain nothing from a war with India. He further recalled that after the 2001 Parliament attacks, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believed the two nuclear-armed nations would go to war after these attacks. Nothing, literally nothing good will come of an actual war between India and Pakistan because the Pakistanis will lose. Im not talking about nuclear weapons. Im talking just about a conventional war. There is no benefit to constantly provoking Indians," the ex-CIA officer John Kiriakou, said in an exclusive interview with news agency ANI. Recommended Stories India Unaware Of Americans Controlling Pakistani Nukes In yet another shocking revelation, Kiriakou said when he was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, he was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal. Responding to the query that if this information was shared with India, Kiriakou said, I doubt that the Americans ever told India that the control of Pakistani nukes also lies with the US because of the vociferousness with which the Pakistanis have publicly maintained that they control their own nuclear weapons. But I can tell you definitively that the State Department was telling both sidesif youre gonna fight, fight. Keep it short and keep it non-nuclear. If nuclear weapons are introduced, the whole world is going to change. And so I think there was restraint on both sides," Kiriakou said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all #WATCH | On the question of fear of nuclear weapons falling into terrorists hands in Pakistan, ex-CIA Officer, John Kiriakou says, When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, and that Parvez pic.twitter.com/iaKPpixhMZ ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025 New Delhi also warned Islamabad that it will not tolerate its nuclear blackmail. First Published: October 25, 2025, 11:27 IST News india 'Pakistan Will Lose Any Conventional War Against India...: Ex-CIA Officer's Advice For Islamabad Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Rape, Harassment, Threat From MP': Satara Doctor's 4-Page Suicide Note Reveals New Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 08:39 IST The doctor accused Sub-Inspector Badne of rape and harassment in Satara, named an MP in her suicide note, sparking political outcry and suspension of Badne. Investigation ongoing. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google A probe is underway in the suicide case. (Image: PTI/File) As probe into the death of a Maharashtra doctor, who accused a cop of raping her multiple times, intensifies, shocking details have emerged in the case. The four-page suicide note left behind by the 26-year-old doctor also mentions a Member of Parliament (MP) whom she accused of threatening her indirectly after she denied issuing a false medical certificate. Recommended Stories The doctor had ended her life in Maharashtras Satara district, revealing in the suicide letter that she was pressured to issue fake fitness certificates for accused persons in police cases. The letter details the harassment and coercion she allegedly faced from police officials, and in one instance, even from an MP and his personal assistants. The doctor worked as a medical officer at the Phaltan sub-district hospital. She had written on her palm that she had been raped four times by Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and subjected to mental and physical abuse for more than five months. She had been serving at the hospital for 23 months and was just a month away from completing her mandatory rural service bond, after which she planned to pursue postgraduate medical studies. In her letter, the young doctor claimed that police officials repeatedly pressured her to issue fitness certificates for accused individuals who were never brought in for medical examination. When she refused to comply, she was allegedly harassed by Badne and others. Recounting one incident, she wrote that after she denied issuing a false certificate, two personal assistants of an MP arrived at the hospital and made her speak to him on the phone. The MP, she alleged, had threatened her indirectly. Earlier, her cousin also claimed that she had faced pressure to falsify medical certificates. She had raised complaints on two to three occasions. Despite writing a letter to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), no action was taken," he told NDTV on Friday. In the letter, she asked that if anything happened to her, who would be responsible for it? She also flagged the lack of security at the premises, but nothing happened. She also called the DSP, who said he would call her back, but no one took any action," he added. The letter also mentioned harassment by her landlord, identified as Prashant Bankar. Following her death, a case has been registered against Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. Further, the accused police officer has been suspended. We are investigating the matter on the basis of evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended," Sunil Phulari, Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur division), told news agency PTI. Political Outcry The doctors death has sparked a political controversy, with the Congress party accusing the BJP-led state government of shielding errant police officials. When the protector becomes the predator! The duty of the police is to protect, but if they themselves are exploiting a female doctor, how will justice be served? Why was no action taken when this girl had previously lodged a complaint? The Mahayuti government repeatedly shields the police, which is leading to an increase in police atrocities," Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar wrote in a post on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Responding to the criticism, BJP leader Chitra Wagh assured that a thorough probe would be conducted. The incident is unfortunate, I have spoken to the Satara Superintendent of Police It has come to our notice that the doctor had raised a complaint but no action was taken. Everything will be investigated in the case I want to appeal to all women that there is no need to take such an extreme step Our government is ready to help. The 112 helpline should be used to register such complaints and action will be taken," Wagh said. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : Satara, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 08:39 IST News india 'Rape, Harassment, Threat From MP': Satara Doctor's 4-Page Suicide Note Reveals New Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... SpaceX, the space exploration company led by Elon Musk, has reportedly transferred over $133 million in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), causing a stir in the cryptocurrency market. The blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence disclosed that SpaceX moved a total of 1,215 Bitcoin to various addresses. This transfer occurred merely days after the company relocated a similar quantity to addresses under its control. On Friday, the firm announced via X, SpaceX just moved funds totalling $133.7 million. They transferred 300 BTC ($33M) and 915 BTC ($100.7M) to new wallets. ARKHAM ALERT: SPACEX MOVING $130M $BTC SPACEX JUST MOVED FUNDS TOTALLING $133.7M. THEY TRANSFERRED 300 BTC ($33M) AND 915 BTC ($100.7M) TO NEW WALLETS THIS COMES 3 DAYS AFTER THEIR LAST MOVE OF 100 BTC pic.twitter.com/YplK8QAdvn Notably, unlike SpaceXs previous transfers, the new wallets are not currently identified as belonging to the Hawthorne, California-based company. Also Read: Dogecoin Whales Accumulate Nearly 1 Billion DOGE in Two Days After Elon Musks Crypto Forecast Before these transfers, SpaceX held 8,285 BTC, valued at roughly $914 million, ranking it fourth on the list of privately held companies with Bitcoin treasuries, as per data from BitcoinTreasuries.net. Meanwhile, Tesla Inc. also holds a substantial Bitcoin portfolio, with 11,509 BTC, valued at over $1.27 billion. SpaceXs massive Bitcoin transfer is significant as it could potentially impact the Bitcoin market. The companys previous Bitcoin holdings placed it among the top private companies with Bitcoin treasuries. Any changes in such a large portfolio could cause market fluctuations. Furthermore, the transfer raises questions about SpaceXs future plans for its Bitcoin holdings. The companys silence on the matter has led to speculation about potential sales or investments. This move also highlights the growing trend of major corporations investing in Bitcoin, with Tesla Inc. also maintaining a substantial Bitcoin portfolio. Read Next Musk Fuels Speculation On US Bitcoin Reserve As Crypto Surges UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Elon Musk's SpaceX Shakes Up Bitcoin Market With $133 Million Transfer originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. To Feed Drug Habit, Punjab Couple Sell 6-Month-Old Son To Scrap Dealer: Police Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 22:30 IST In Mansa, Punjab, a drug-addict couple sold their six-month-old son to a scrap dealer for Rs 1.8 lakh. Punjab Police arrested three people and recovered the child. The commission also directed the SSP to take action against the couple and the family which received the child, and submit a report by October 31.(Representative image) In a shocking incident, a drug-addict couple in Punjabs Mansa district allegedly sold off their six-month-old son to the scrap dealer for Rs 1.8 lakh, police said on Saturday. The case came into limelight after the childs maternal aunt approached the police and informed them about child trafficking, news agency PTI reported. Recommended Stories The couple, residents of Akbarpur Khudal village, was allegedly addicted to drugs and was unable to raise the child. They have also sold off their household belongings and used part of the money to buy drugs. Subsequently, they gave the six-month-old to the family of the scrap dealer in Budhlada town for Rs 1.80 lakh, according to the police. The scrap dealer has four daughters. The families even signed a document, which they called an adoption deed" for the child. Punjab Police has registered a case of child trafficking against four people, including the parents. Three, including the biological parents, have been arrested, while one accused remains at large. Locals claimed that the couple allegedly spent the money on buying drugs, and household items. The childs mother, who got addicted to drugs after her marriage, was a wrestler, locals said. Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the incident, Punjab Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman Kanwardeep Singh issued a notice to the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to recover the infant and hand him over to the child welfare committee. The commission also directed the SSP to take action against the couple and the family which received the child, and submit a report by October 31. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Budhlada) Sikander Singh Cheema told the news agency that the infant has been handed over to the child welfare committee. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Station House Officer, Bareta, Baldev Singh said a case has been registered under BNS Section 143 (human trafficking) against the couple and the family that received the child. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : Budhlada, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 22:30 IST News india To Feed Drug Habit, Punjab Couple Sell 6-Month-Old Son To Scrap Dealer: Police Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Alia Bhatt Shows How To Nail The Perfect Minimal Makeup Look Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 18:18 IST Alia Bhatt stuns in her latest LOreal Paris shoot with a flawless minimal makeup look, soft, dewy skin, rose-brown lips, and effortless elegance. Alia Bhatt's latest LOreal Paris look blends glowing skin, rose-brown lips, and sleek hair redefining modern minimalism. When it comes to style, Alia Bhatt has always championed the power of simplicity. Shes never been one for heavy-handed glam or bold experimentation yet, time and again, she makes an impact with her signature understated elegance. Over the years, the global ambassador for LOreal Paris has redefined modern beauty: polished, minimal, and full of quiet confidence. For a recent brand shoot, Alia once again proved that less truly is more. Her team makeup artist Puneet B Saini and hairstylist Amit Thakur crafted a look that was timeless in appeal yet refreshingly current, capturing the essence of natural sophistication. Recommended Stories The Makeup: Fresh, Flushed, and Flawless Puneet B Saini opted for a luminous, skin-first approach. Alias base was soft and radiant, with a natural dewiness that enhanced rather than concealed her skins texture. A gentle blush added a healthy flush to the cheeks, bringing warmth and life to the face. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Avinash Gowariker (@avigowariker) Her eyes were kept effortlessly elegant softly defined with neutral shadows, brushed-up lashes, and perfectly groomed brows. The focal point of the look was the deep rose-brown lip, matte and precise, adding a refined touch of drama that grounded the otherwise minimal palette. The Hair: Sleek, Sculpted, and Sophisticated For the hair, Amit Thakur styled Alia in a neat, pulled-back updo that was sleek without being severe. A touch of volume at the crown lent shape and balance, creating the perfect harmony between structure and softness. The Finishing Touches Alias accessories subtly elevated the look, chunky gold earrings and stacked rings that hinted at vintage glamour. Her outfit, a black halter-neck ensemble with button detailing, added a classic yet contemporary edge, staying true to her love for clean silhouettes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Minimalism, Perfected This look encapsulated everything that defines Alia Bhatts enduring charm: modern minimalism, effortless confidence, and timeless beauty. In a world of over-the-top trends, she reminds us that elegance doesnt shout, it whispers, beautifully. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in N... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 18:18 IST News lifestyle beauty Alia Bhatt Shows How To Nail The Perfect Minimal Makeup Look Bold, Bright And Timeless: The Evolution Of Printed Shirts In Mens Fashion Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 10:41 IST Printed shirts have evolved from daring rebellion to modern sophistication. Let's trace their journey through style, sustainability, and timeless appeal. Jason Kelce's printed shirt (Photo Credits: Instagram) Once considered an experimental choice reserved for the daring, printed shirts have today become an indispensable part of every modern mans wardrobe. From Hawaiian florals to geometric motifs, their evolution tells a fascinating story of shifting aesthetics, cultural influences, and a growing celebration of individuality in mens fashion. From Rebellion to Runway Recommended Stories Printed shirts first gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a symbol of rebellion against rigid dressing norms. The 1950s witnessed the rise of the iconic Hawaiian shirt, loud, colorful, and carefree reflecting post-war optimism and a newfound love for leisure. By the 1970s, the disco era brought prints to the dance floor with bold patterns, silky textures, and unapologetic flamboyance. What began as a statement of defiance soon transformed into a celebration of personal expression. Printed shirts have always been more than just garments; they represent freedom of choice and creativity," says Samresh Das, Head of Design at Numero Uno. From their early days as symbols of rebellion to their reimagining on global runways, printed shirts have evolved alongside mens changing attitudes toward style and self-expression." The Modern Reinvention Today, printed shirts are being reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Designers are blending traditional motifs with modern silhouettes to ensure versatility and timeless appeal. Whether its minimalist microprints in corporate wardrobes or bold abstract graphics from luxury labels, prints have become an expression of both confidence and sophistication. Das explains, The key to the printed shirts longevity lies in adaptability. Weve moved beyond novelty to create designs that transition seamlessly from a relaxed brunch to a formal evening. The focus today is on wearable art pieces that combine comfort, craftsmanship, and personality." Sustainability and Craft Revival The latest evolution of printed shirts also owes much to conscious fashion. Brands are increasingly turning to hand-block printing, eco-friendly dyes, and artisanal techniques to bring authenticity back to menswear. This fusion of artistry and sustainability adds depth to design," Das adds. Each shirt tells a story not just of fashion, but of mindful creation and cultural legacy." The Evolution of Expression Fashion, at its best, is a reflection of personality and few garments capture that as effortlessly as the printed shirt. Over the decades, it has evolved from a niche statement to a cornerstone of modern menswear, balancing individuality with timeless appeal," says Salesh Grover, Business Head, OSL Luxury Collections, who oversees the India operations of Camicissima Milano. Once viewed as casual or unconventional, printed shirts have come a long way from their restrained beginnings of stripes, checks, and micro-patterns. Todays man isnt afraid of colour or creativity," Grover notes. He embraces bold florals, intricate geometrics, and artistic abstractions. The printed shirt has become a confident, distinctive, and contemporary medium of self-expression." The Italian Influence Italian fashion has played a pivotal role in redefining how men approach prints. From the cobblestone streets of Milan to international runways, Italys signature aesthetic effortless style with refined craftsmanship continues to shape global menswear. Grover elaborates, The Italian approach to prints is about balance relaxed sophistication paired with impeccable quality. Its not about standing out loudly; its about dressing with quiet confidence. Thats the true charm of Italian design." Versatility for the Modern Man The printed shirts enduring appeal lies in its versatility. It can transition effortlessly from boardroom to bar, from formal gatherings to weekend getaways. Pair a bold motif with tailored trousers for a hint of flair, or choose a soft pattern under a linen jacket for understated elegance. The modern man understands that style today isnt about excess, its about balance," Grover adds. A printed shirt allows him to express character while remaining effortlessly refined." A Celebration of Colour and Character top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prints invite men to explore colour, to move beyond predictable palettes and embrace vibrancy with confidence. Whether a soft pastel floral or a striking abstract pattern, each print adds personality without compromising sophistication. Ultimately, as both Das and Grover agree, the printed shirt has transcended trends to become a symbol of individuality, craftsmanship, and conscious design. Its not just a piece of clothing, its a reflection of a mans character, creativity, and confidence. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in N... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 10:41 IST News lifestyle fashion Bold, Bright And Timeless: The Evolution Of Printed Shirts In Mens Fashion Natasha Poonawalla Turns Heads In Bodycon Velvet Dress For Kim Kardashians Birthday Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 12:11 IST For Kim Kardashian's 45th birthday in London, Natasha Poonawalla stunned in a wine-hued plush velvet figure-hugging dress. Natasha Poonawalla wowed in a wine velvet bodycon dress at Kim Kardashian's 45th birthday in London. For Kim Kardashians intimate 45th birthday celebration hosted by Mert Alas in London, Natasha Poonawalla arrived in a look that perfectly balanced sensuality and sculpted refinement. The global fashion maven and philanthropist chose a figure-hugging dress in deep wine velvet. The fabric radiated richness under soft light, catching every camera flash with old-Hollywood charm. The structured bustier neckline and form-fitting silhouette emphasised Natasha Poonawallas hourglass frame, while the plush texture of the dress lent a regal undertone. Velvet, long celebrated for its opulence, was reimagined here in a thoroughly modern way. It was sleek, sultry, and unapologetically confident. Recommended Stories Decoding Natasha Poonawallas Look View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Poonawalla (@natasha.poonawalla) Natashas fashion philosophy has always leaned toward drama executed with precision, and this look was no exception. The sleeveless, body-contouring dress, tailored to perfection, grazed the floor, allowing her to showcase her toned arms and decolletage with effortless poise. Her accessories were minimal yet intentional: diamond-encrusted earrings that caught the light subtly, a statement ring, and dark nail lacquer that added an edgy contrast to the romantic fabric. With her hair styled in voluminous waves cascading over one shoulder and a soft, bronzed glow, she exuded timeless glamour with a modern sensibility. A Masterclass In Modern Femininity What makes this look quintessentially Natasha Poonawalla is her ability to merge couture craftsmanship with a sense of fearless individuality. The dresss sculpted lines echoed the architectural precision often seen in her fashion choices, while the rich burgundy tone evoked both power and passion. This was a look that didnt need embellishment or overt theatrics the cut, the texture, and the attitude did all the talking. In a room filled with Hollywood stars and fashion insiders, Natashas understated confidence stood out as its own kind of luxury. Kim Kardashian Turns 45 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The celebration itself was a reflection of Kim Kardashians evolving personal and creative identity. Hosted by Mert Alas, the evening gathered a constellation of stars, from Teyana Taylor to Naomi Watts, for a night of style and intimacy. Kim, wearing a custom Dilara Findikoglu creation, embodied futuristic sensuality, blending sheer corsetry with satin minimalism. Between impromptu piano performances and couture conversations, Natasha Poonawallas velvet moment was a perfect complement to the night an embodiment of the global fashion connection that bridges London, Los Angeles, and Mumbai in one unforgettable soiree. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 12:10 IST News lifestyle fashion Natasha Poonawalla Turns Heads In Bodycon Velvet Dress For Kim Kardashians Birthday From Pain To Possibility: Making IVF More Comfortable For Women Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 13:44 IST Beyond treatment outcomes, managing daily hormone injections is one of IVFs biggest challenges for women. Needle-free injections ease IVF treatment for women. For many women undergoing IVF, the medical journey is as emotional as it is physical. Beyond the uncertainty of outcomes, the daily routine of hormone injections can be one of the most daunting aspects of treatment. Each needle can trigger not just physical discomfort but also anxiety, stress, and a growing sense of fatigue that weighs heavily on emotional well-being. Today, however, a quiet revolution is underway, one that promises to make fertility treatment gentler, more humane, and significantly less stressful. Recommended Stories Easing Anxiety, Enhancing Confidence The hardest part of IVF for many women isnt just the uncertainty of outcomes, its the relentless routine of daily injections. Needle phobia and anxiety weigh heavily on patients, sometimes even more than the physical discomfort itself," says Dr. Prashant Joshi, Infertility Specialist, Cloud Nine, Bangalore. With the introduction of needle-free injection technology, that burden is beginning to lift. Women who once dreaded every dose now describe their experience as far less overwhelming. They feel calmer, more in control, and more willing to stay committed to their schedules," Dr. Joshi notes. This new system delivers medication through a high-pressure jet, eliminating the need for needles. The result is precise dosing without puncturing the skin a development thats as psychologically freeing as it is clinically efficient. A Patient-Centred Breakthrough The IVF field has traditionally relied on needle-based injections, a source of significant stress for many patients. Needle-Free Injection technology represents a transformative advance in reproductive medicine," says Dr. Basab Mukherjee of Aashirbad Clinic, Kolkata. For patients, it removes one of the most anxiety-inducing elements of IVF treatment, allowing them to approach their care more comfortably and confidently. Clinically, it preserves efficacy and precision while enhancing adherence to treatment schedules. This innovation redefines patient-centered care. Its not just about technology, its about compassion," Dr. Mukherjee adds. A More Humane Approach To Fertility Treatment Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Narendra Malhotra of Ujala Cygnus Hospital, Agra, describes the advancement as a major leap forward in patient comfort and emotional well-being. By eliminating needles, this system delivers medication safely, accurately, and comfortably, making treatment less intimidating for patients. It allows individuals to focus on their treatment rather than on the fear or discomfort of injections," he explains. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr. Malhotra highlights that the benefits extend beyond patients. From a healthcare providers perspective, it simplifies administration and reduces stress for both patients and staff," he says. As fertility treatments evolve, innovations like needle-free injections are reshaping not just medical protocols but patient experiences. IVF is no longer defined solely by science. Its also about sensitivity. By addressing emotional comfort alongside clinical precision, this breakthrough signals the beginning of a more empowering chapter in reproductive medicine. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 13:44 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness From Pain To Possibility: Making IVF More Comfortable For Women Ananya Panday Looks Street-Style Chic In Halterneck Top And Linen Pants Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 17:54 IST Many Bollywood celebrities were in Jamnagar recently for Akash and Isha Ambanis party. Ananya Panday rocks a semi formal look. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Ananya Panday transformed the airport into a runway in yet another beautiful look. The actress was caught exiting the Mumbai airport after her return from Jamnagar. Many Bollywood celebrities were in Jamnagar recently for Akash and Isha Ambanis party. She chose a casual yet glam airport look which once again proved that she surely takes her fashion game way too seriously. Ananya was seen in a fitted abstract print halter neck top. It was tucked inside a straight white trouser. She carried a blue side bag and her hair was tied in a bun. Earlier, Ananya turned up in yet another chic airport look. The actress donned a white crop top with a deep neckline. She wore it with a baby pink and blue shirt and jeans. Tan shoes and minimal jewellery enhanced her beauty, and her makeup was simple but stylish. A sleek hairdo finished off her outfit for the day. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Snehkumar Zala (@sneyhzala) Ananya Pandays Latest Work The actress was recently seen as Dilreet Gill in the historical courtroom drama Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh. Karan Singh Tyagi directs the spiritual successor to 2019s Kesari, which is produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective and Cape of Good Films. Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan play key parts. Ananya Pandays Upcoming Projects Ananya has finished filming Tu Meri Main Tera Tu Meri. She will appear alongside Kartik Aaryan in the project. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, directed by Sameer Vidwans of Satyaprem Ki Katha, looks to be a beautiful blend of romance, humour and uplifting moments. The film stars Kartik Aaryan as Ray and Ananya Panday as Rumi. The film, co-produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora under the banners of Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures, is planned to be released on February 13, 2026, just in time for Valentines Day. Aside from Ananya and Kartik, the film has a diversified ensemble that includes stars like Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta. Ananya is also preparing to shoot Chand Mera Dil with Lakshya. Furthermore, she is working on Call Me Bae 2, which has fans interested for the second season because of Ananyas incredible performance as Bella. About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentar... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 17:54 IST News movies bollywood Ananya Panday Looks Street-Style Chic In Halterneck Top And Linen Pants Please Act Now: Sonu Sood Urges Nitin Gadkari To Improve Passenger Safety After Kurnool Bus Accident Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 15:50 IST After the Kurnool bus accident, Sonu Sood urged Nitin Gadkari to make manual emergency doors mandatory on luxury buses, emphasizing no compromise on passenger safety. Sonu Sood reacts to Kurnool bus accident. The deadly Kurnool bus accident claimed the lives of about 20 people. The bus, carrying about 44 passengers, collided with a two-wheeler and caught fire, leading to multiple deaths. The entire country is in shock after learning about the incident. Today, ace actor Sonu Sood took to his X account to grieve the loss and requested the Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, to look into improved safety for such vehicles. Taking to his X account, Sood shared, Every luxury bus must have a manual emergency door not just electronic ones that can fail in critical moments. For passenger safety, this should be made mandatory by law. Operators must upload proof with pictures before renewing permits. Give 1 month for compliance. @nitin_gadkari @MORTHIndia please act now sir no compromise on passenger safety! " Recommended Stories Every luxury bus must have a manual emergency door not just electronic ones that can fail in critical moments. For passenger safety, this should be made mandatory by law. Operators must upload proof with pictures before renewing permits. Give 1 month for compliance. sonu sood (@SonuSood) October 25, 2025 Yesterday, actor Vishnu Manchu and his father, veteran actor-producer Mohan Babu, also took to their social media to extend their condolences to the families of the victims. Taking to his X account, Vishnu Manchu penned, Deeply disturbed by the tragic bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway. So many innocent lives lost in such a horrific manner. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Prayers for the injured and strength to those grieving." His father, veteran actor Mohan Babu, also reacted to the sad news and, while taking to his X account, shared, Absolutely heart-wrenching to hear about the bus tragedy on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway. So many lives lost in moments. Words fall short in times like this. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon, and may God give strength to all those in grief." Prime Minister Narendra Modi On the Kurnool Bus Accident Earlier, when the news of the massive and shocking accident came out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official social media account to express grief and announce an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The PM, on his official X account, wrote, Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs 50,000." First Published: October 25, 2025, 15:50 IST News movies bollywood Please Act Now: Sonu Sood Urges Nitin Gadkari To Improve Passenger Safety After Kurnool Bus Accident Actor Satish Shah Of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Fame Passes Away At 74 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 16:33 IST Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai actor Satish Shah passed away on Saturday due to kidney failure. He was 74. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Actor Satish Shah Of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Fame Passes Away At 74 Veteran actor Satish Shah, famously known for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, passed away on Saturday. He was 74. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed the news of his death on Instagram. In his video, Ashoke Pandit revealed that Satish Shah passed away due to kidney failure. His health suddenly deteriorated at home and he was rushed to Hinduja Hospital. He passed away at the hospital. Pandit called it a huge loss to the film and television industry. Sharing the news of Satish Shahs demise, Ashoke Pandit wrote, Sad and shocked to inform you that our dear friend and a great actor Satish Shah has expired few hours ago due to kidney failure . He was rushed to Hinduja hospital where he breathed his last . A great loss to our industry . Om Shanti ." Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit1) As per a report in India Today, Satish Shah had been battling kidney-related complications and had recently undergone a transplant. His manager told the news portal that the body remains at the hospital, and the funeral will take place on Sunday. Over a career of more than forty years, Satish Shah became a household name in Indian cinema and television through his memorable roles. He pursued his education at St. Xaviers College, Mumbai, before training at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He made his acting debut with Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) and went on to feature in more than 250 films over his illustrious career. He achieved cult status with his iconic performance in the 1983 film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. He played the role of Municipal Commissioner DMello in the film directed by Kundan Shah. Satish Shah also starred in films such as Shakti, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Main Hoon Na, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Fanaa, Om Shanti Om and others. On television, Shahs role as Indravadan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai is remembered as one of Indian TVs most iconic comic performances. Satish Shah is survived by his wife Madhu Shah. First Published: October 25, 2025, 16:06 IST News movies television Actor Satish Shah Of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Fame Passes Away At 74 Opinion | Max Muller To Doniger To Orsini: Why The West Sends Trojan Horses To India Written By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 10:20 IST Unless Bharat begins to take its own story seriously, vultures will come to feast Rapid Read + Follow us On Google London-based Hindi scholar Francesca Orsini. (File photo via X/@lhrlitfest) India is the imperialists unfinished project. Few lands that have been touched by Christian or Islamic imperialists have managed to remain largely unconverted and geopolitically intact. In a little over 100 years since 1900, the centuries-old fluid indigenous faiths in the entire African continent, for instance, dwindled from 76 per cent of the population to just 8 per cent, having been replaced by the two hardcoded religions. Bharat, or what remains of it after Pakistan and Bangladesh were created, still has not given in. Sanatan Dharma is still the way of life for more than 75 per cent of Indians, and in spite of the best efforts of invaders and colonialists, its nationalism and civilisational self is rising again, its economy rapidly growing, its military gaining muscle. Recommended Stories The mere presence of Bharatwith its staggering size, diversity, and potentialhas unnerved the West enough across ages to repeatedly send academic Trojan horses who would erase and distort history, attack self-esteem, construct divisive narratives, and collude with Indias own sell-out intelligentsia to project credibility. The controversy around Francesca Orsini, Hindi scholar from London-based SOAS, is a continuation of that. A white woman specialising in an Indian language may fascinate us, but a look into her political activism in academic guise begins to reveal a different story. She accuses the very language she teaches, Hindi, of political usurpation of other languages. She has a problem with Indian nationalism. In 2020, she introduced a resolution in the Seattle City Council against Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). While India is not obligated to host those arriving to spread intellectual poison, Orsini was deported recently after landing in Delhi for gross violation of visa conditions during her previous visits. Orsini is a rather mediocre entrant in the galaxy of western radicals who have got into the study of Indology, history, Sanskrit and other languages only to undermine Bharat. German philologist Friedrich Max Muller, hired by the British colonialists in 1847, came with a mission to bury the Vedas, which described in a letter to his wife as the root of their religion, and to show them what that root is, I feel sure, the only way of uprooting all that has sprung from it during the last 3,000 years". He also wrote: The ancient religion of India is doomed, and if Christianity does not step in, whose fault will it be?" Then there was James Mill, a Scottish historian and economist whose work, The History of British India (1817), divided Indian history into Hindu, Muslim, and British periods. In his book, Mill extensively describes Hindus as uncivilised", barbaric", savage", and rude". This gentleman wrote with astonishing confidence on India without once stepping on this land and no knowledge whatsoever of Indian languages. The more recent gift horses from the West to India like Wendy Doniger, Sheldon Pollock, and Audrey Truschke employ a more sophisticated packaging but are no less venomous. Doniger uses psychoanalytic quackery to introduce a homosexual angle to the relationship between Ramkrishna Paramhansa and his disciple Swami Vivekananda; Pollock blames the Sanskrit language for the Holocaust; and Truschke swoons over the genocidal Mughal Aurangzeb. Indias intellectual tradition is among the most welcoming mindscapes in the world. Bharat has continuously assimilated knowledge and made outsiders its own. Even in the modern era, it has been enriched by foreigners from Sister Nivedita to David Frawley, Michael Donnino to Koenraad Elst, Francois Gautier to Maria Wirth. These scholars have taken a dharmic approach. They did not approach Indic knowledge with the mission to debase it. But ultimately, Indians will have to take a major part of the blame for not taking up their own knowledge universe seriously, neglecting languages like Sanskrit, writing their own history, and leaving a vast vacuum for the likes of Orsini to fill. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Unless Bharat begins to take its own story seriously, vultures will come to feast. Abhijit Majumder is the author of the book, Indias New Right. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: October 25, 2025, 10:20 IST News opinion Opinion | Max Muller To Doniger To Orsini: Why The West Sends Trojan Horses To India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Why Modis Not Meeting Trump Gives India A Position Of Strength In Trade Deal Written By : News18.com Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 02:28 IST There are quite a few things that Modis silence and elusiveness in meeting Trump at this stage achieve Modi's firmness against Trump also alleviates Chinas concern that India is eager to be Americas proxy in the region. (File image/Reuters) There is a time to speak and a time to keep silent." Ecclesiastes 3:7, The Bible. Recommended Stories If there is one man who knows the value of stony silence when relentlessly poked and provoked, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 12 years from the 2002 Gujarat riots to his becoming PM in 2014 are the biggest testimony to that. It is happening again, both from home and abroad, but in a different context. US President Donald Trump started using the goad on India to get his waya trade deal skewed in the USs favour, a meek submission on Russian oil purchase and Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, and a public endorsement for the Nobel Peace Prize for himself. Modi responded with a stoic silence and a trenchant refusal to stop buying Russian oil or let Pakistan go scot-free after the Pahalgam terror attack. He reportedly stopped taking Trumps calls, declined his invitation to the White House, and avoided world events in Sharm El-Sheikh and Kuala Lumpur, where he could have bumped into the US President. The Indian Opposition, especially the Congress party, thought they had got a handle on him. It has since tried to portray that Modi was chickening out in dealing with Trump. Rahul Gandhi mocked Modi, claiming that he was frightened of Trump. He said the PM had allowed Trump to decide and announce that India would not buy Russian oil. He accused Modi of sending congratulatory messages to Trump, although every time it was a polite and perfunctory response to periodic warm reach-outs by the US President. PM Modi is frightened of Trump.1. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil.2. Keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs.3. Canceled the Finance Ministers visit to America.4. Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh.5. Doesnt contradict him Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 16, 2025 But if Modi was capitulating, why would Trump and his attack dogs like Scott Bessent, Peter Navarro, and Kevin Hassett be so desperate to get him to the table? The Indian PM is clearly not giving them what they want. And those are signs of a very strong leader who is not swayed by threats from the worlds biggest superpower. There are quite a few things that Modis silence and elusiveness in meeting Trump at this stage achieve. First, it snubs Trump and shows the US that India is not desperate for a trade deal and will not give in to his tariff tantrums. Second, it elevates India to the status of China, Russia, and Brazil, the league of powers that did not bend to Trumps bullying. Third, it carefully avoids a showdown and collapse of ties in case a reckless Trump again publicly claims mediation in Operation Sindoor or insults Modi over Russian oil purchase. Fourth, it tells the world that India stands by friends like Russia even in the face of deep sanctions. It reassures the world about Indias independent foreign policy. Modis firmness against Trump also alleviates Chinas concern that India is eager to be Americas proxy in the region. It exposes Pakistans leadership as broke and laughable, willing to go to embarrassing lengths to curry favour with Trump. Fifth, even a premature bonhomie (topped by a unilateral announcement by Trump of a deal) could take away any leverage currently available to India and make it tougher to negotiate. Sixth, a tight-lipped top leadership allows backroom Indian and US teams to thrash out differences and quietly work out a mutually beneficial deal. Seventh and last, it denies the Indian Opposition the satisfaction of seeing Modi and Indias humiliation on the world stage and a spectacular crash of the India-US relationship. In fact, it shows up Congress as agents of foreign powers who would gladly believe Trump over standing by the PM and the nation during a diplomatic conflict. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Modis innate mental toughness comes through in the last few months of the showdown, not in any measure his escape velocity" during a foreign policy crisis. Abhijit Majumder is the author of the book, Indias New Right. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views First Published: October 26, 2025, 02:28 IST News opinion Opinion | Why Modis Not Meeting Trump Gives India A Position Of Strength In Trade Deal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE:BEN), operating as Franklin Templeton, recently closed on its acquisition of Apera Asset Management. The deal augments the global investment management company's alternatives platform and increases its presence in Europe's lower middle market. With offices in Munich, Paris and Luxembourg, London-based Apera is a pan-European private credit firm with 5 billion euros ($5.868 billion) under management, according to a news release from Franklin Templeton. Don't Miss: Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse Invest Now at Just $0.81 a Share Opportunities abound in Europe's lower middle market, according to a blog post from the CFA Institute. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the European economy, representing 99% of the European Union's 32.3 million enterprises, but they've been operating under constrained bank lending. "The acquisition of Apera reflects our continued commitment to building a world-class global alternatives platform," said Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, when the acquisition was announced in June 2025. "We are pleased to welcome Apera's outstanding team and believe our combined capabilities will deliver even greater value to clients globally." Franklin Templeton Positioned to Dominate Private Credit Market Acquiring Apera grew Franklin Templeton's alternative credit assets under management to $90 billion. That pushed the firm's total alternative AUM to about $270 billion, bolstering its position as a leading manager of alternative assets. Trending: Record Options Trading Activity Has a New Winner Retail Traders Using This AI Automation Platform The private credit market, where private lenders bypass banks and the public to provide capital directly to companies, is a fast-expanding segment of the financial industry. In a January 2025 research note, Moody's said it expects private credit AUM to jump to $3 trillion by 2028. Apera will complement Franklin Templeton's existing global alternative credit offerings, further diversifying the firm's geographic exposure and capabilities within the private credit asset class, according to the firm's news release in June. What Is Apera? Apera was founded in 2016 and provides senior secured private capital to private equity-backed companies in Western Europe. The company is dedicated to supporting mid-market companies, specifically those in the lower middle market that have strong cash flow, market leadership and support from private equity sponsors. Apera provides financing strategies and services to investors, sponsors and companies to help businesses grow. Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 20:00 IST 1 / 8 The year 2026 is fast approaching, and with it comes renewed interest in the chilling predictions of Baba Vanga, the blind Bulgarian mystic often dubbed the Nostradamus of the Balkans. Known for her cryptic yet compelling prophecies, Vangas forecasts for 2026 paint a dramatic picture of global upheaval, technological reckoning, and even extraterrestrial encounters. + Follow us On Google 2 / 8 A War in the East That Will Devastate the West: One of Vangas most alarming predictions is the outbreak of a major war originating in the East, which she claimed would lead to widespread destruction in the West. While details remain vague, many interpret this as a potential geopolitical conflict with global consequences. The prophecy has sparked speculation about rising tensions in Asia and their ripple effects across Europe and North America. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 The Rise of the Lord of the World: Vanga also foresaw the emergence of a powerful global figure referred to as the Lord of the World. This enigmatic leader is said to rise amid chaos and offer a new world order. Some interpret this as a metaphor for authoritarianism or the consolidation of power through technology and surveillance. Others see it as a spiritual or messianic figure who will reshape humanitys destiny. (Image: Pexels) 4 / 8 First Verified Contact with Aliens: Perhaps the most sensational of her 2026 predictions is the claim that humanity will make its first confirmed contact with extraterrestrial life. Vanga suggested that this encounter would not be hostile, but rather a turning point in human understanding of the universe. The idea has gained traction amid growing interest in UFO sightings and space exploration missions. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 AI Surpassing Human Control: In addition to geopolitical and cosmic events, Vanga warned of artificial intelligence surpassing human control. She predicted that machines could begin to make decisions independently, leading to ethical dilemmas and potential threats to human autonomy. This aligns with current debates around AI safety and regulation. (Image: Pexels) 6 / 8 Natural Disasters and Climate Catastrophes: Vangas 2026 outlook also includes devastating natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events. These predictions echo growing concerns about climate change and its unpredictable impact on global ecosystems. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 Born in 1911 in Bulgaria, Baba Vanga lost her eyesight as a child during a storm. She later claimed to have gained clairvoyant abilities and became known for her predictions, some of which followers believe came true, such as the 9/11 attacks and the 2004 tsunami. She passed away in 1996, but her prophecies continue to intrigue believers and skeptics alike. Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 17:00 IST 1 / 8 Indian travellers returning from Dubai can bring gold into India without paying customs duty, but only within specific limits set by the government. (Image: Pexels) + Follow us On Google 2 / 8 For male passengers, the duty-free allowance is up to 20 grams of gold jewellery, provided its value does not exceed 50,000. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 For female passengers, the limit is higher; 40 grams of gold jewellery, with a maximum value of 1,00,000. (Image: Pexels) 4 / 8 These exemptions apply only to gold jewellery, not to gold coins, bars, or biscuits. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 Additionally, the traveller must have stayed abroad for at least one year to qualify for this duty-free benefit. Importantly, children are not eligible for any duty-free gold allowance under current customs rules. (Image: Pexels) 6 / 8 If a traveller carries gold beyond these prescribed limits, they must declare it at customs upon arrival in India and pay the applicable duty, which is approximately 15.75% including cess and surcharge. Failure to declare excess gold can lead to penalties, confiscation, or legal action. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 To ensure a smooth experience, travellers are advised to carry purchase invoices, weigh their jewellery beforehand, and avoid carrying non-jewellery gold items. (Image: Pexels) Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 19:29 IST 1 / 11 Delhi, a city rich in history and heritage, draws millions of tourists each year with its majestic monuments and vibrant culture. But beyond the bustling streets and celebrated landmarks lies a darker, more mysterious side - one whispered about in local lore and avoided after sunset. These are the places said to be haunted, where eerie sightings and unexplained phenomena have turned curiosity into caution. + Follow us On Google 2 / 11 Delhi Cantonment: Among the most chilling tales is that of a woman in a white sari who allegedly appears on deserted roads, asking for a lift. Refuse her, and legend says she might chase your vehicle, vanishing as suddenly as she appeared. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 11 Sanjay Van: This dense forest near Qutub Institutional Area is infamous for ghostly sightings. Visitors report seeing an old woman in white, feeling sudden pushes from unseen forces, and encountering fog even during peak summer. 4 / 11 Khooni Darwaza: Translating to Bloody Gate, this historic site is linked to the brutal execution of three Mughal princes and the hanging of freedom fighters. Locals claim to hear chilling screams and cries echoing through the night. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 11 Lothian Cemetery: As one of Delhis oldest burial grounds, Lothian Cemetery is steeped in ghost stories. Visitors often report hearing ghostly laughter and cries, and some claim to have seen apparitions among the graves. 6 / 11 Greater Kailash Haunted House: A tragic double murder of an elderly couple has left this house shrouded in mystery. Residents nearby speak of strange soundscrying, whispering, and laughterbelieved to be the lingering spirits of the victims. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 11 Feroz Shah Kotla Fort: Locals believe this ancient fort is home to jinns. Every Thursday, devotees offer candles, incense, and sweets to appease these supernatural beings. The fort is largely avoided after dark. 8 / 11 Bhooli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal: This forgotten hunting lodge in the Ridge area is said to echo with cries and whispers after sunset. Police often restrict entry at night, reinforcing its reputation as one of Delhis most haunted spots. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 11 Jamali Kamali Mosque: Located in Mehrauli, this mosque and tomb complex is believed to be haunted by jinns. Visitors have reported hearing animal screams, feeling sudden chills, and sensing an invisible presence calling out to them. 10 / 11 Dwarka Sector 9 Haunted Tree: A large tree near the metro station is said to be haunted by a womans spirit. Motorists have reported accidents after seeing her apparition dart across the road; some even claim to have been slapped by an unseen force. ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 12:26 IST 1 / 7 In a striking reflection of the evolving investment landscape, industrialist Harsh Goenka has compared the dramatic rise in gold prices to the purchasing power it commanded over the decades - from small cars to luxury SUVs, and potentially private jets in the future. His social media post has sparked widespread discussion on the enduring appeal of gold as an investment. (News18 Kannada) + Follow us On Google 2 / 7 Gold, often referred to as the "king of metals", has delivered extraordinary returns this year alone. In the Delhi bullion market, prices have surged past Rs 1,21,525 per 10 grams, translating to over Rs 1.21 crore for a kg. With such value, 1 kg of gold today is equivalent to buying a premium SUV like a Land Rover. (News18 Kannada) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises, illustrated how gold has consistently appreciated over the years. In the 1990s, 1 kg of gold was enough to purchase a Maruti 800, the quintessential middle-class car of its time. By 2005, that same quantity could buy a Toyota Innova. By 2010, it equaled the value of a Toyota Fortuner. Fast forward to 2019, and 1 kg of gold was sufficient to purchase a BMW. Now in 2025, it holds the value of a luxury Land Rover. (News18 Kannada) 4 / 7 Taking this trajectory further, Goenka predicted that by 2040, the price of 1 kg of gold could be so high that it may match the cost of a private aircraft. While this comparison may seem dramatic, he emphasised that it underlines a simple truth that long-term investment in gold has historically yielded substantial returns. (News18 Kannada) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 Industry experts note that gold has appreciated by nearly 47% this year alone on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), making it one of the top-performing assets of 2025. International gold prices have crossed $3,890 per ounce for the first time, driven by global economic uncertainties. Analysts attribute this rally to factors such as a weakening US dollar, widening fiscal deficits, and expectations of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. (News18 Kannada) 6 / 7 Goenka's viral post, although presented in a light-hearted manner, carries a clear message: gold continues to be a resilient and rewarding long-term investment. Investors, however, are cautioned to exercise discretion. Financial experts advise that while gold remains a safe haven, investment decisions should be guided by professional advice and individual financial goals. (AI-Generated Image) ADVERTISEMENT Casting For Votes Beyond MY Pool: Tejashwi Hooks Son of Mallah To Net Bihars EBC Support Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 20:35 IST Tejashwi Yadav has declared that Mukesh Sahani, popularly known as the 'Son of Mallah', will be one of the deputy chief ministers if their alliance comes to power Tejashwi has also hinted at other deputy chief ministers, though he has not disclosed their caste identities, a strategic move to avoid voter polarisation. File pic As the campaign for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections gains momentum, the two main rivals, the Mahagathbandhan or INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are targeting the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who could be decisive in this high-stakes contest. Mahagathbandhans chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, has declared that Mukesh Sahani, popularly known as the Son of Mallah", will be one of the deputy chief ministers if the alliance comes to power. This move is seen as a strategic effort to attract EBC voters, who are traditionally loyal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Nitish Kumar. Recommended Stories The Nishad community, along with sub-castes such as Mallah, Kevat, Bind, and Kashyap, makes up around 5.5 per cent of Bihars population. Sahani has long demanded Scheduled Caste status for this group, but this could upset Dalit communities due to concerns over further division of reservation benefits. Therefore, Tejashwi has refrained from making such promises. However, naming Sahani as a potential deputy CM is expected to challenge the NDA, particularly in north and north-west Bihar, where the fishermen community can impact results in nearly 30 constituencies. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJPs vote share dropped by over 9 per cent in Uttar Pradesh and around 5 per cent in Bihar, despite contesting with NDA partners. Compared to the 2020 assembly polls, the vote margin between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan had narrowed to just 0.03 per cent, the closest in Bihars electoral history. These figures have renewed hope in the opposition camp as Tejashwi seeks to move beyond the Muslim-Yadav (MY) support base and promote a broader A to Z" and MyBaap" formula, representing Muslims, Yadavs, Bahujans, Agdas, women, and the poor. Building on his earlier strategy of fielding several Kushwaha candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, Tejashwi has maintained similar social arithmetic in ticket distribution this time by nominating over a dozen candidates from this community. NDA leader Upendra Kushwaha also claims to represent the Kushwahas, but his dissatisfaction with ticket distribution and waning influence has created an opening for the RJD. Historically, EBCs have supported Nitish Kumar for his welfare and development schemes while also resonating with Prime Minister Modis EBC background. However, voting behaviour in Bihar often differs between parliamentary and assembly elections. For example, Yadav votes were split in Lok Sabha contests but consolidated behind the RJD during Assembly pollsa trend observed across several caste groups. During state elections, smaller communities often align with local leaders who best represent their interests. Since the days of Karpoori Thakur, no EBC leader has commanded universal respect among all 112 sub-castes within this bloc. The absence of a towering figure like Modi in state politics and two decades of Nitish Kumars incumbency have given the Mahagathbandhan some room to recalibrate its EBC outreach. Projecting Mukesh Sahani as a deputy CM candidate is seen as a signal that the Lalu Yadav family is willing to share power with other communities. Tejashwi has also hinted at other deputy chief ministers, though he has not disclosed their caste identities, a strategic move to avoid voter polarisation. For Sahani, however, the challenge remains significant. Even within his own community, his influence is untested after losing the 2020 assembly election from Simri Bakhtiyarpur in Saharsa, despite contesting as part of the NDA. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The fishermen community holds sway in several districts such as Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, West Champaran, Vaishali, Darbhanga, and Khagariaareas considered BJP strongholds. In the last assembly elections, the BJP won 15 of the 21 seats in Champaran, while the NDA secured 9 out of 11 in Muzaffarpur and 9 out of 10 in Darbhanga. Sensing the growing challenge, the BJP recently re-inducted Mallah leader and former Muzaffarpur MP Ajay Nishad into the party and nominated his wife from the Aurai seat. Nishad, the son of four-time MP Captain Jai Narayan Nishad, had earlier represented Muzaffarpur on a BJP ticket in 2019 but was denied a ticket in 2024 when the party fielded Rajbhushan Chaudhary, also from the fishermen community. About the Author Alok Kumar Alok Kumar is the Executive Editor of News18 regional language portals. First Published: October 25, 2025, 20:35 IST News politics Casting For Votes Beyond MY Pool: Tejashwi Hooks Son of Mallah To Net Bihars EBC Support Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... CPI Questions Coalition Dharma As Kerala Decides To Join PM SHRI Education Scheme Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 10:40 IST CPI state secretary Binoy Vishwam said the party was kept in the dark about the governments decision which was taken in unusual haste Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the state executive will decide the future course of action on October 27. Keralas decision to join the PM SHRI education scheme has led to trouble within the ruling LDF, with the CPI objecting to the move, alleging that it would pave the way for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the party was kept in the dark about the governments decision to approve the move and called it a violation of the principles of coalition politics. In a press conference, Viswam said the decision was taken with unusual haste, without any discussion in the cabinet or with coalition partners. Recommended Stories The CPI had raised the issue in the last cabinet meeting too, asking what was happening on the PM SHRI front. No one in the cabinet responded. What kind of a government is this? Where is the collective responsibility?" he asked in a press conference. Viswam added that when the issue was brought for discussion before the cabinet on December 12 last year as well as April 9 this year, it was kept aside due to policy decisions. However, it wasnt taken up again after April. Viswam has said the CPI state executive will decide the future course of action on October 27. However, education minister V Sivankutty said there will be no compromise with the education policy of the state after the adoption on PM SHRI as the NEP will not be implemented in Kerala. Sivankutty said Rs 1,476 crore, which the state was to get, was not provided by the Centre because of delay over PM SHRI. He added that though an MoU was signed, no work under the project had begun, delaying funds further. Sivankutty also said the move did not require a cabinet decision and cited various decisions taken by other departments to join central schemes without discussing them in the cabinet. The CPIM, meanwhile, said it will hold discussions with the CPI on the issue to allay concerns. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under the PM SHRI scheme, the Central government aims to upgrade infrastructure in two schools from each block across the country. Each selected school will receive an average assistance of Rs 1 crore annually for five years. The state government was initially reluctant to join the scheme as it could pave the way for implementing NEP, which the Left parties are opposing over fears of saffronisation" of education. About the Author Neethu Reghukumar Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported ... Read More Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 10:40 IST News politics CPI Questions Coalition Dharma As Kerala Decides To Join PM SHRI Education Scheme Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New Poster Lauding Tejashwi Yadav As 'Bihar Ka Nayak' Installed Outside RJD Office In Patna Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 13:59 IST Mahagathbandhan in Bihar named Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani as its deputy chief ministerial face. New poster put up outside RJD's office in Patna (Photo: ANI) As Bihar Elections near, a new poster featuring Mahagathbandhan Chief Minister candidate Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar Ka Nayak" has been installed outside the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) office in Patna. The poster has created quite a buzz in the politically charged atmosphere of the state. Notably, the Opposition Grand Alliance on Thursday named Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani as its deputy chief ministerial face for the assembly polls next month. As per ECs schedule, Bihar is set to go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Patna, Bihar: A poster depicting RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav with the words Bihar Ka Nayak" put up outside the party office in Patna pic.twitter.com/zDH3ZqIVYz ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 Tejashwi Yadav Criticises PM Modis Speech Following PM Modis visit to poll-bound Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on PM Modi and criticised his speech. He claimed that every single sentence and word of the latters speech was negative" and defamatory" for the state. Yesterday, the Prime Minister came here. Every single sentence and word of his speech was negative and defamatory for Bihar. He didnt say anything positive. We would like to ask the Prime Minister, you have been the Prime Minister for the last 11 years, but what have you given to Bihar?" Yadav said while speaking to reporters. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You set up factories in Gujarat, but you want victory in Bihar, its not going to happen. Bihar is bigger than Gujarat in every aspect. Every tenth person in the country is from Bihar The Prime Minister has only worked to deceive Bihar. Whatever he has given to Gujarat, he hasnt given even 1% of that to Bihar The people of Bihar are demanding accountability for everything, and the Prime Minister has no answers," the RJD leader added. (With ANI Inputs) First Published: October 25, 2025, 13:54 IST News politics New Poster Lauding Tejashwi Yadav As 'Bihar Ka Nayak' Installed Outside RJD Office In Patna Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TVK Chief Vijay Likely To Meet Families Of Karur Stampede Victims In Chennai On Oct 27 | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 07:30 IST Vijay will decide the party's next course of action only after meeting the Karur families Except for one family, the others have agreed to travel anywhere to meet the leader, a TVK source added. File pic/PTI TVK leader Vijay is expected to meet the families of 41 Karur stampede victims in Chennai on October 27, sources tell CNN-News 18. Our leader wants to have a meaningful meeting with the victims families and may spend five to six hours with them. Chennai is a more controlled environment, and we are in the final stages of finalising a venue," a source said. Recommended Stories 41 people died in a stampede at a Tamil Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party meeting held by its leader and actor-politician Vijay on September 27. Top TVK sources mentioned that securing a venue in Karur was a Himalayan task". We tried many venues in Karur but didnt get any. The venue suggested by Karur police was not suitable for the safety of the leader and the victim families. There was no compound wall, and it was like a godown. How can it accommodate many people? Also, managing crowds there would have been difficult. So we rejected that venue," a source said. Except for one family, the others have agreed to travel anywhere to meet the leader, the TVK source added. TVK has faced backlash for the delay in Vijays Karur visit. The party, however, stated that every time they fixed a place in Karur, it was cancelled a few hours later. They had no choice but to explore other districts. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tens of thousands of supporters had gathered at the venue for Vijays rally, despite police only allowing 10,000 people. Vijay arrived at the venue nearly six hours behind schedule, intensifying the already chaotic situation. As he began his speech, the restless crowd surged towards the stage, breaking through barricades and triggering the stampede. TVK chief Vijay will decide the partys next course of action only after meeting the Karur families. The party had temporarily suspended its yatra following the Karur incident. All eyes are on Vijay and his partys next moves and strategies for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls. About the Author Poornima Murali Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 07:30 IST News politics TVK Chief Vijay Likely To Meet Families Of Karur Stampede Victims In Chennai On Oct 27 | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Unlike RJD, No Allegations On Nitish Kumar Till Date': Amit Shah Confident Of NDA Win In Bihar Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 15:15 IST Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a public rally in Khagaria district and expressed confidence over NDA's victory in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Bihar Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday slammed the INDIA bloc for opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Addressing a rally, Shah asserted that every infiltrator would be detected and deported to their countries. The Home Minister addressed a public rally in Khagaria district and expressed confidence over NDAs victory in the state. Recommended Stories Attacking the opposition, Shah said, PM Modi has brought our countrys economy from 11th place to fourth. We will move from fourth to third before 2027. PM Modi has made our country safe. During the UPA government, Pakistan attacked every day. Driven by the greed for vote bank, Sonia, Manmohan, and Lalus government remained silent. After Modi came to power, three attacks were carried outUri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam." Surgical strike and air strike were carried out, and after Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was launched. Modi has worked to secure India. He has worked to make India prosperous. Recently, Rahul Baba came to protect infiltrators. Tell me, should the names of infiltrators be removed from the voter list or not? Form the NDA government again. I promise you that we will remove every single infiltrator from Bihar," he added. #WATCH | Khagaria, Bihar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, PM Modi has brought our countrys economy from 11th place to fourth. We will move from fourth to third before 2027. PM Modi has made our country safe. During the UPA government, Pakistan attacked every day. Driven pic.twitter.com/v3EPf9JEy7 ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 Real Diwali On November 14 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I am confident that people of Bihar will celebrate real Diwali on November 14, when the poll results will be announced. The RJD and its alliance partners will witness a humiliating defeat," the Home Minister said. Amit Shah on Friday also targeted Lalu Prasad Yadavs son, Tejashwi Yadav, and said his supda saaf hone wala hai" (his game will be over) in the Bihar Assembly elections. First Published: October 25, 2025, 15:15 IST News politics 'Unlike RJD, No Allegations On Nitish Kumar Till Date': Amit Shah Confident Of NDA Win In Bihar Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Unlocking Sitaram Kesri's Legacy: Forgotten Congress President Creates Buzz In Bihar Polls Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 22:24 IST The Congress on Friday chose to observe the 25th death anniversary of the OBC leader and its former president, an issue the BJP has latched on to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to former party president Sitaram Kesri on his 25th death anniversary. Image/X The white two-storyed Kesari Bhawan stands out in the hustle and bustle of the dense market in Danapur, just a few kilometres away from Bihars capital Patna. A huge lock and chain greet us. But the house is locked with memories, which were brought back into the spotlight by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with Rahul Gandhis sudden visit to the Congress office in Delhi to pay tribute to the man who was ousted to make way for Sonia Gandhi as party president. The pain of the family cannot be hidden. Sitaram Kesris grandson, Santosh Kesri, told News18, The PM has always mentioned my grandfather. Thank God Rahul Gandhi remembered him after 25 years. Obviously, its election time. But I can never forget the fact that a man who was president of Congress was treated the way he was. I was there; he was locked up; and there was an attempt to burn his dhoti. There is no picture or mention of him anywhere in the Congress books." Recommended Stories Sitting at an adjacent grocery store is Sachin Kesri, who is the grandnephew of Sitaram Kesri. The PM has many times remembered Sitaram Ji, but in the last 20 years, no one from Congress bothered. But suddenly, Rahul Gandhi went to pay tribute. This has got to do with elections, I guess. But the people of Danapur wont forget how Kesri Ji, an OBC leader, was treated." The parting of Sitaram Kesri from his party was bitter. In 1998, a strong pitch was made to debut Sonia Gandhi into active politics. Kesri was voted out on the grounds of non-performance and the defeat of the Congress in the 1998 elections. But the irony is that Sonia Gandhi, who too had campaigned for the 1998 elections, was not held accountable for the performance of the party. It was clear that the decision was made to remove Kesri to accommodate Sonia Gandhi. Party insiders say that Kesri resisted his removal and tried to whip up a rebellion against seniors and Sonia Gandhi. There are reports of Kesri having been locked up in the bathroom of the AICC headquarters in Delhi. For the BJP, this incident is etched in political memory. For the party and the PM, this is an example of how the Congress bends over backwards to accommodate the Nehru-Gandhi family. In fact, like with PV Narasimha Rao, the Congress leaders maintained a distance from Kesris family members. The only time they remember him is when there are political reasons to do so. Like, ahead of Andhra Pradesh polls, Narasimha Raos family was reached out to. Similarly, the sudden visit of Rahul Gandhi to pay tribute to Kesri too is mired in the political scenario of Bihar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sitaram Kesri belongs to the OBC community, a vote bank Rahul Gandhi is trying to woo. And in a state like Bihar, where the OBCs matter in terms of a vote bank, the forgetting of Sitaram Kesri and the way he was removed as Congress president is being used by the BJP to make the point that anyone who does not belong to the Nehru-Gandhi family is ill-treated. And Rahul Gandhis words of protecting the backwards are merely lip service as they showed disrespect towards an OBC leader in their own party. The man whose name has faded in the Congress biography. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. S... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 18:30 IST News politics Unlocking Sitaram Kesri's Legacy: Forgotten Congress President Creates Buzz In Bihar Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... IRCTC Website Down? Users Complain Of Glitches While Booking Tickets Amid Chhath Rush Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 13:30 IST Many travellers took to the internet to complain that they were unable to book tickets as the IRCTC website glitched. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Travellers said they were unable to log in or complete bookings as the IRCTC website faced technical issues on Saturday. (IMAGE: PTI) People planning to travel by train this festive season, especially for the upcoming Chhath festival, took to social media on Saturday to complain about glitches on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The IRCTC is yet to issue an official statement but was replying to social media users tagging it on its X handles while raising the complaints. Recommended Stories Downdetector, a website that tracks and reports real-time outages and service disruptions for online platforms, apps and websites, saw close to 180 reports over disruptions on IRCTC around 10am today. Kindly raise your concern/complaint on https://equery.irctc.co.in/irctc_equery/ using registered mobile no /mail id," IRCTC replied to a post in which a user raised issue with booking tickets, Irctc website is down while ticket booking Sir.Plz do needful", attaching a screenshot of the booking. Sir, kindly raise your concern/complaint on https://t.co/Oiw5leQr8C using registered mobile no /mail id. IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) October 25, 2025 A student possibly appearing for his exams also said that he was unable to do so because IRCTC servers were down. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The IRCTC website is COMPLETELY DOWN just 1min before booking start for #Tatkal booking. Trying to book an AC ticket since last 3days for my exam. This happens every festive season. #IRCTCDown #TatkalBooking #FestiveTravel #IndianRailways," X user @Pradeep63235513 said. There is definitely some problem with irctc app for general public. Either there are some loopholes or some big technical glitch. We couldnt book our tickets. Sharing snapshots if it helps in resolution," said another aggrieved passenger. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 12:46 IST News tech IRCTC Website Down? Users Complain Of Glitches While Booking Tickets Amid Chhath Rush Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This British Queen's Drug Empire Made Pablo Escobar Look Like A Low-Level Street Dealer Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 19:46 IST Author Sam Kelly writes in his book how Queen Victoria operated the largest drug operations in history with the full backing of the British Empire in the 19th century. Queen Victoria launched the First Opium War against China in 1839. When we think of international drug kingpins, we immediately think of Pablo Escobar or El Chapo. However, there was an incredibly powerful queen that reportedly operated a drug empire so big that it made Escobar and Chap look like low-level street dealers". According to author Sam Kelly, former British Queen Victoria was a huge fan of drugs, particularly opium. In his book Human History On Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence, Kelly describes how Queen Victoria operated the largest drug operations in history with the full backing of the British Empire, and how that empire funded the entire country in the 19th century. Recommended Stories Kelly said the British monarch used a range of pharmaceuticals, including her favourite opium in the form of laudanum, a punch of opium and alcohol used to treat pain or discomfort. Queen Victoria drank a big swig of laudanum every morning, believing it was the perfect way for a royal teenager to start her day," Kelly says. Queen Victoria was also a habitual user of cocaine, which was not illegal back then. Her personal preferences were cocaine-chewing gum and wine. She also sipped a liquid form of cannabis to relieve her monthly menstrual symptoms, and embraced the use of chloroform to cope with the pain of childbirth. Queen Victorias Drug Empire When Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837, Britain was heavily dependent on tea imports from China without offering anything in return. This caused the then-Chinese economy to swell, while the British were growing resentful and looked desperately for something the Chinese wanted. Britain then turned to opium, which was being grown abundantly in India under the watch of the East India Company. Kelly wrote that the Chinese were willing to pay insanely high prices" for opium, and it was very addictive, which meant the Britishers could increase the prices even more. The opium trade reversed the trade imbalance overnight, and now China was forced to pay Britain. While Britain profited, extensive opium use was affecting social stability in China, which tried to halt the trade of the poisonous drugs", leading to the First Opium War. First Opium War The Chinese emperor tasked Lin Zexu with the responsibility of ending the opium trade with Britain. He wrote a letter to Queen Victoria, asking why she was sending China poisoning drugs" that were turning the Chinese into opium addicts", while China was shipping goods to Britain that were beneficial and useful. However, the British Empire was not ready to give up the lucrative trade, which was responsible for 15-20% of Britains entire annual revenue. To get her attention, Lin intercepted a fleet of British ships, seized a massive shipment of opium, and ordered his soldiers to dump it all into the South China Sea, Kelly wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Queen noticed and declared war on China, which became known as the First Opium War. British forces delivered a humiliating defeat to the Chinese army and killed tens of thousands of Chinese citizens, forcing the emperor to sign a one-sided treaty that handed Hong Kong to China and opened up more ports for opium in the country. A petulant teenage queen had demonstrated to the world that China could be defeated, and fairly easily," wrote Kelly in his book. Thats how a bullying teenager brought an esteemed ancient civilization to its knees. To the young queen, it was fine with her if untold numbers of foreigners halfway around the world died, so long as silver kept flowing. It was this ruthless, unabashed self-interest that made her the most successful drug kingpin of all time." About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: October 25, 2025, 19:46 IST News viral This British Queen's Drug Empire Made Pablo Escobar Look Like A Low-Level Street Dealer Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 2 Killed, Several Critically Injured In Shooting At North Carolina Weekend Party Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 20:50 IST Gunfire at a large party in North Carolina left two dead and several critically injured. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. (Representational) Two people were killed and several others critically injured when gunfire erupted during a large weekend party in southeastern North Carolina, local authorities said. According to officials, 13 people were shot at the gathering held in a rural area outside Maxton- about 150 kilometres southwest of Raleigh, near the South Carolina border. Recommended Stories Police described the late-night shooting as an isolated incident," adding that there was no ongoing threat to the wider community. More than 150 people reportedly fled the scene before law enforcement officers arrived. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist investigators. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and no arrests have been made so far. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. Homicide detectives and multiple law enforcement units were on-site Saturday, collecting evidence as the investigation continues. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: October 25, 2025, 20:50 IST News world 2 Killed, Several Critically Injured In Shooting At North Carolina Weekend Party Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 9-Hour Pak-Afghan Talks In Istanbul Yield 'Tactical Calm' But No Formal Deal | Exclusive Details Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: October 26, 2025, 02:44 IST Top Indian intelligence sources view the Istanbul dialogue as a calculated manoeuvre within a larger geopolitical context Inside details from the talks learnt by CNN-News18 reveal the core sticking points. File pic/Reuters The second high-level round of security and political talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan concluded in Istanbul after a gruelling nine-hour session, according to top sources. While no formal agreement was signed, both delegations committed to an immediate de-escalation of border tensions, offering a temporary reprieve in the strained bilateral relationship. Inside details from the talks learnt by CNN-News18 reveal the core sticking points. Islamabad intensified pressure for a verifiable monitoring mechanism to prevent cross-border movements by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghan soil. In response, Kabul firmly resisted the idea of joint border patrols but indicated a willingness to explore mutually acceptable modalities for intelligence sharing". Recommended Stories The humanitarian and economic crisis surrounding Afghan refugees was another central focus. Pakistan pushed ahead with its plans for a phased repatriation drive and limited border openings to address the immediate crisis of nearly 1,200 trucks stranded and mounting trade losses. However, Kabul issued a stern warning of severe economic and humanitarian fallout if the forced refugee repatriation is carried out, signalling a major point of contention. In a diplomatic breakthrough, sources indicate that Turkey and Qatar are likely to form a joint trade-security task group to facilitate a phased resumption of commerce and ensure security guarantees. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, top Taliban sources struck a defiant public tone, rejecting any Pakistani diktat" and asserting that the talks were held between equals". They publicly refuted Islamabads charges, claiming that no Pakistani militants are officially sheltered in Afghanistan" and classifying Pakistans allegations as politically motivated". Furthermore, stern public warnings were issued that any Pakistani cross-border military action would be treated as aggression against the Emirate". Top Indian Intelligence sources view the Istanbul dialogue as a calculated manoeuvre within a larger geopolitical context. They interpret Ankaras mediation as part of a broader Islamic bloc diplomacy that strengthens Pakistans geopolitical standing. Crucially, Indian sources argue that the peace time" bought by the talks grants Islamabad a much-needed breathing space" to recalibrate its domestic policy on the TTP without the embarrassment of admitting military weakness. The Istanbul round, according to this assessment, represents a temporary tactical calm but not a strategic reconciliation", with Turkey emerging as a silent gainer for successfully hosting the second round of high-stakes negotiations. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: October 26, 2025, 02:44 IST News world 9-Hour Pak-Afghan Talks In Istanbul Yield 'Tactical Calm' But No Formal Deal | Exclusive Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Ukraine Amid Growing Western Pressure On Moscow Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 16:01 IST The Ukrainian air force said Russian strikes killed four and wounded 20 others amid Western pressure as the war is close to entering its fourth year. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google A firefighting helicopter drops water over food warehouses hit by an overnight Russian missile strike, amid Russias attack on Ukraine. (Reuters) Russia carried out overnight drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, killing four people and wounding 20 others in Kyiv and several other regions, according to authorities on Saturday, as the United States and other Western allies ramped up pressure on Moscow. Ukraines internal affairs ministry said, One rescuer was killed and another wounded as a result of a repeated missile strike on the Petropavlivska community in the Dnipropetrovsk region." Recommended Stories Another woman was killed and seven people were injured in the eastern region, with the ministry reporting damage to fire trucks, residential buildings and shops. Two people were killed in Kyiv as Moscow targeted the Ukrainian capital, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Russia fired nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones, the Ukrainian air force said, adding it had downed four ballistic missiles and 50 drones. US, UK Impose Sanctions On Russian Oil The United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, this week as part of its efforts to compel Moscow to halt its war in Ukraine amid US President Donald Trumps growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This came after Britain imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil as UK finance minister Rachel Reeves visited the United States. The UK also targeted Nayara Energy, a Russian-owned refinery in India, which is controlled by Rosneft. Nayara has already been sanctioned by the European Union. The sanctions are part of the plans by Western powers to ramp up pressure on Russias oil exports. India and China are the biggest buyers of Russian crude at discounted prices that Moscow has been forced to offer after losing sales to Europe following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has refused to agree to a ceasefire. Putin has remained defiant in the face of US sanctions and said he will not bow to pressure. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the decision and urged the US to broaden Russian oil sanctions. This is a very right move by the US Presidentsanctions against two Russian oil companies. Today, all participants, without exception, in the Coalition of the Willing agreed that this is exactly how pressure should continue on Russian oil," he said. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: October 25, 2025, 16:01 IST News world Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Ukraine Amid Growing Western Pressure On Moscow Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Did It For Views: Saudi Police Dismiss UP Mans Hostage Claims As Indian Embassy Launches Probe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 17:10 IST A 25-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district claimed he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia by his employer after he went for a job there. In his appeal he named the local sponsor and said the sponsor had taken his passport. (Instagram/@prayagrajkikhabar) Saudi Arabian police rejected the claims of a 25-year-old man from Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj district, who claimed that he was being held in the Gulf country against his will after his employer confiscated his travel documents and forced him into desert labour. Ankit Bharti, also known as Indrajit, posted a viral video in which he said he travelled to Riyadh on October 1 to earn money after being persuaded by his wife, Pinky, and his father-in-law, Rajesh Saroj. He told viewers that instead of the work he had been promised, he is being made to herd camels across a barren stretch, is isolated and frightened, and has repeatedly asked to be allowed to return home to his mother. Recommended Stories I came to Saudi Arabia. Kapil has my passport. I told him I need to go home, but he is threatening to kill me," he said. Addressing his mother, he accused his wife and father-in-law of trapping him in the job. Share this video so much that it reaches the Prime Minister. Please help me return to my mother," he appealed. However, the Saudi Arabian police rejected his claims as baseless, saying it was found that he had recorded and published the content for the purpose of increasing the number of views on his social media account. In a statement, the spokesperson for the Eastern Province Police said that with reference to the circulated video content of an expatriate of Indian nationality claiming that he wished to return to his country, the individual was summoned." It was found that he had recorded and published the content for the purpose of increasing the number of views on his social media account. There was no dispute between him and his employer, and the necessary legal measures were taken against him in coordination with the relevant authorities," it added. : . pic.twitter.com/CkmjF6d1SK (@security_gov) October 24, 2025 Indian Embassy Launches Probe Meanwhile, the Indian embassy on Friday said it was trying to locate the person, although it could not take further action as the mans video does not contain any details about the location, contact number or employer details. Embassy has been trying to locate the person. No further action can be taken as the video does not contain any details about the location/province in Saudi Arabia, or contact number or employer details," said the embassy. Embassy has been trying to locate the person. No further action can be taken as the video does not contain any details about the location/province in Saudi Arabia, or contact number or employer details.@Lawyer_Kalpana please seek details from the source of the video you have India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) October 24, 2025 The embassy asked Delhi-based lawyer Kalpana Shrivastav, who posted the video and tagged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to urge immediate intervention, to seek more details about the man. It also reached out to officials in Prayagraj, asking them to contact the mans family. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Indian Embassy has urged anyone with verified information, including his family in Prayagraj, to contact them directly. Interestingly, Indrajits mother, Ranju Devi, said the overseas posting was his first and that he was struggling to adjust to the new environment. His wife, Pinky, said the couple have been speaking daily on calls and acknowledged that in moments of anger, he sometimes posts distressing videos on social media. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: October 25, 2025, 17:10 IST News world Did It For Views: Saudi Police Dismiss UP Mans Hostage Claims As Indian Embassy Launches Probe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I Am Not Done: Kamala Harris Signals Another US Presidential Run Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 23:26 IST Kamala Harris said no final decision has been made, but added she believes a woman will eventually become president of the United States. Former US Vice President Kamala Harris Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has signalled another run for the US presidency. In an interview with the BBC, Harris expressed that she would possibly be President one day, suggesting she may seek the Democratic nomination in 2028. She further asserted that a woman will occupy the White House in the future. Recommended Stories I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and its in my bonesIf I listened to polls, I would have not run for my first office, or my second office and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here," she said to BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg when asked She added that she had not yet made a decision but still sees herself as having a future in politics. The former Vice President also slammed US President Donald Trump, claiming that warnings she made during her 2024 campaign had been proved correct. Calling him a tyrant" with thin skin", Harris accused him of using the justice system against opponents. Harris pointed to the suspension of TV host Jimmy Kimmel after he joked about Republican reactions to the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. He said he would weaponise the Department of Justice, and he has done exactly that. His skin is so thin he couldnt endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organisation in the process," she told the news outlet. Meanwhile, the White House reacted to Harriss interview. When Kamala lost the election in a landslide, she shouldve taken the hint the American people dont care about her absurd lies. Or maybe she did take the hint and thats why shes continuing to air her grievances to foreign publication," White House spokeswoman Abegail Jackson said in a statement. Harris is promoting her book 107 Days, which tells the story of her short 2024 campaign. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She became the Democratic candidate only after Joe Biden stepped aside due to concerns about his health. She announced her campaign for president after Joe Biden withdrew his re-election bid and immediately endorsed her as his successor. Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party. She selected Tim Walz as her running mate the following day. The two faced off against and were defeated by Donald Trump and JD Vance, respectively. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: October 25, 2025, 23:26 IST News world I Am Not Done: Kamala Harris Signals Another US Presidential Run Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ex-CIA Officer Reveals How Osama Bin Laden Escaped From Afghanistan Disguised As A Woman Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 11:08 IST John Kiriakou revealed Osama bin Laden escaped Tora Bora disguised as a woman, aided by an Al-Qaeda infiltrator. US later uncovered Lashkar-e-Taiba links to Al-Qaeda in Lahore. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google File photo of Osama Bin Laden. (Image: AP) Former CIA officer John Kiriakou shared some key details about the United States anti-terror operation in Afghanistan against Al-Qaeda following the 9/11 attacks, revealing that its most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, escaped from one of the terror sites disguised as a woman. Speaking exclusively to ANI, the ex-CIA officer said that Al-Qaeda founder Laden escaped from the Tora Bora mountains dressed as a woman to enter Pakistan in a pickup truck. Recommended Stories Having served 15 years in the CIA and leading its counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, Kiriakou disclosed that a translator working for the US military at the time was, in fact, an Al-Qaeda operative. First, the United States was reactive at the time rather than proactive. You remember, we waited for more than a month before we started bombing Afghanistan. We were trying to be deliberate. We were trying to not let emotion cloud our judgment. And we waited a month until we had proper buildup in the region. And then we began attacking known Al-Qaeda sites. Again, mostly in the Pashto areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan. We believed in October of 2001 that we had Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda leadership cornered at Tora Bora," he said. We did not know that the translator for the commander of Central Command was actually an al-Qaeda operative who had infiltrated the US military. And so we knew we had bin Laden cornered," he added. He revealed that the translator persuaded General Tommy Franks to delay the assault until dawn, claiming women and children needed to be evacuated. We told him to come down the mountain. And he said through the translator, can you just give us until dawn? We want to evacuate the women and children and then well come down and give up. The translator convinced General Franks to approve this idea. What ended up happening was bin Laden dressed as a woman and he escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup truck into Pakistan," he further said. Kiriakou added that when US forces advanced at dawn, there was no one in Tora Bora to give up," adding, They had all escaped. And so we had to move the fight to Pakistan proper." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He went on to say that Washington had essentially purchased Musharraf" to gain Pakistans cooperation. We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week. And essentially, he would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Yes. But Musharraf also had his own people that he needed to deal with," he remarked, adding that Pakistans military didnt care about Al-Qaeda; they cared about India." Kiriakou also revealed that in 2002, a CIA raid on a Lashkar-e-Taiba safe house in Lahore uncovered the first analytical link between the group and Al-Qaeda a finding the White House downplayed to preserve its strategic ties with Pakistan. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: October 25, 2025, 11:08 IST News world Ex-CIA Officer Reveals How Osama Bin Laden Escaped From Afghanistan Disguised As A Woman Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan Handed Over Control Of Its Nukes To Pentagon During Musharrafs Reign: Ex-CIA Officer Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 09:18 IST John Kiriakou, former CIA Officer, says US in a way 'purchased' Pervez Musharraf and that Pakistani leaders were mired in corruption. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Pakistan's (now former) President Pervez Musharraf (L) salutes the audience as he leaves a news conference with (now former) US President George W. Bush in the East Room at the White House in Washington in 2006. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) John Kiriakou, former CIA Officer, said Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf handed over control of its nuclear weapons to US Pentagon and that Washington in a way purchased him. When I was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, I was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, that Musharraf had turned control over to the United States," Kiriakou said. Recommended Stories After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Pakistan under Musharraf became a frontline ally in the US-led War on Terror." Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time. And look, lets be honest here. The United States loves working with dictators. Because then you dont have to worry about public opinion and you dont have to worry about the media anymore. And so we essentially just purchased Musharraf," he said, in a conversation with news agency ANI. After 9/11. the United States sharply increased assistance to Pakistan as part of its Afghanistan strategy. According to a Congressional Research Service summary, Washington obligated large packages of military reimbursements, coalition support funds and development aid to Islamabad in the post-9/11 years to secure Pakistani cooperation on counterterrorism and border control. According to an overview of US foreign assistance, released by website Every CRS Report, between 2002 and 2011 the US Congress approved roughly $18 billion in military and economic aid earmarked for Pakistan, though only about $8.65 billion was actually disbursed into Pakistans treasury. We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week. And essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Yes. But Musharraf also had his own people that he needed to deal with," he further added. Kiriakou said that Musharraf just kept the military happy, and pretended to side with the US on counterterrorism while carrying out terrorist activities against India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He had to keep the military happy. And the military didnt care about Al-Qaeda. They cared about India. And so in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism while committing terror against India," he said. Regarding India, US officials were aware of Pakistans continued support for anti-India militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. According to a 2008 Council on Foreign Relations analysis, Washington privately acknowledged this contradiction but chose not to confront Musharraf too harshly for fear of losing cooperation on Afghanistan. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More First Published: October 25, 2025, 09:00 IST News world Pakistan Handed Over Control Of Its Nukes To Pentagon During Musharrafs Reign: Ex-CIA Officer Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistans Naval Chief Visits 'Disputed Creek Areas' Along Border With India | Exclusive Details Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 22:53 IST Top Indian intelligence sources have strongly condemned Admiral Ashraf's visit, terming it a 'deliberate attempt to project military assertiveness in disputed maritime zones' Addressing officers and men during the inspection, Admiral Ashraf articulated a clear strategic vision. Image/News18 Pakistans Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has undertaken a highly significant visit to Pakistans forward posts in the disputed Creek Areas along the maritime boundary with India, a move designed to assert Pakistans operational preparedness and unwavering stance on the contentious Sir Creek issue. The Admirals aggressive rhetoric, vowing to defend every inch of our maritime frontiers from Sir Creek to Jiwani", highlights the increasing strategic focus on this sensitive coastal zone. The visit was marked by a substantial upgrade to the Pakistan Navys operational capability in the complex littoral environment. Admiral Ashraf officially inducted three state-of-the-art 2400 TD Hovercraft into the Pak Marines. These new platforms represent a crucial modernisation step, offering a unique operational advantage. The hovercraft are specifically designed to navigate a variety of challenging terrains simultaneously, including shallow waters, sand dunes, and the marshy, boggy littoral zones that characterise the Creek Areasenvironments where conventional craft are rendered ineffective. Recommended Stories Addressing officers and men during the inspection, Admiral Ashraf articulated a clear strategic vision. He underscored that the induction of these amphibious vessels symbolises the Pakistan Navys unwavering resolve in bolstering defence of the countrys maritime frontiers, coastal belt, particularly Creeks Area". Beyond military necessity, the Naval Chief elevated the importance of the maritime domain to national policy, stating that the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and overall maritime security are not merely a military requirement, but a cornerstone of our nations sovereignty and a vital pillar of economic prosperity and stability". Admiral Ashraf affirmed the Navys role as a vanguard of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region and a significant stakeholder in regional maritime security". The deployment of the new hovercraft, capable of providing an effective and decisive response against all adversaries", serves as a forceful reaffirmation to the nation that the Pakistan Navys defence capabilities remain robust and its resolve to secure its maritime claims, especially in the strategically sensitive Sir Creek region, is absolute. Top Indian intelligence sources have strongly condemned Admiral Ashrafs visit, characterising it as a deliberate attempt to project military assertiveness in disputed maritime zones". The timing of the visit, immediately preceding planned Indian Tri-Forces joint exercises, is seen by New Delhi as a provocative and calculated move. According to these sources, the primary intent behind the high-profile naval activity is two-fold: to escalate tensions and to overtly signal Islamabads ongoing strategy to internationalise the Sir Creek dispute. This show of force is interpreted as a direct effort to convey deterrence against what Pakistan perceives as Indias enhanced naval activity near the Gulf of Kutch and the wider Arabian Sea. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Crucially, the assessment notes that the Pakistan Navys widely publicised induction of the advanced 2400 TD Hovercraft should be viewed as a defensive rather than offensive upgrade". The unique amphibious capabilities of these vessels are perfectly suited for patrolling and defending the complex, shallow-water estuarine environment of the Creek Areas. However, the more significant geopolitical implication, as highlighted by Indian Intelligence, is how this military posturing is used to justify deeper strategic alliances. The entire move, sources argue, strengthens the narrative for continued Chinese presence and cooperation under the overarching framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly within the crucial maritime infrastructure connecting Gwadar and Jiwani. Thus, Pakistans latest naval manoeuvre is seen not just as a defensive measure, but as a strategic tool to legitimise greater external military-economic engagement in a region highly sensitive to India. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: October 25, 2025, 22:53 IST News world Pakistans Naval Chief Visits 'Disputed Creek Areas' Along Border With India | Exclusive Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... By Nell Mackenzie LONDON (Reuters) -Hedge funds' exposure to artificial intelligence-related tech hardware reached its highest in October since Goldman Sachs (GS) started tracking the data in 2016, the U.S. bank said in a client note. Hedge fund buying in semiconductor and related chip industry stocks, considered to be sensitive to economic and business cycles, suggests speculators believe rising markets have further to go, Goldman said in the note on Thursday, seen by Reuters on Friday. Hedge fund stock buying centred on long positions, betting these equities would rise, in Asia and U.S. companies, said Goldman. BCA Research's Chief U.S. Investment Strategist Doug Peta said in a research note on Tuesday, that companies poised to benefit from prospective AI profits or investment are thriving while those without an AI link are lagging. Communications services .SPLRCL, technology .SPLRCT and utilities .SPLRCU are among the best performing S&P sub-sectors so far this year, far outperforming the benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC). But for hedge funds, tech stock fervour has shifted, Goldman Sachs said. Speculators have downsized their trades in U.S. power companies, which are also considered part of the sector behind the servers that power artificial intelligence as well as its research and development. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe The funds also moved on from a general focus in the biggest tech companies, the so-called Magnificent Seven, the note said. The shift toward semiconductors and their related equipment began in September, Goldman Sachs said. Buying in Asia tech companies drove overall inflows in emerging markets apart from China, where positioning has reached "fresh multi-year highs," the bank said. (Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Jacqueline Wong) Russia, US, Ukraine Reasonably Close To Reaching Diplomatic Solution, Says Putin's Top Aide Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 07:13 IST Dmitriev, Putins top economic negotiator, said sanctions will hurt Americans more than Russians but believes Kyiv, Washington and Moscow are close to a diplomatic breakthrough. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Dmitriev, Putins top economic negotiator, said there is potential for economic cooperation between Russia and the US. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) Russia, US and Ukraine are reasonably close" to reaching a diplomatic settlement to end the war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said. Russias top economic negotiator arrived in the United States on Friday for talks, two days after Washington imposed sanctions on Moscows two biggest oil companies. Arrived in the US to continue the USRussia dialogue visit planned a while ago based on an invitation from the US side," Putins top economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on X. Recommended Stories Dmitriev told Russian news agencies that he would convey Russias position on the Ukraine war in meetings with Trump administration officials. I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution. Its a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that its about battle lines. You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely, so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out," he was quoted as saying by US broadcaster CNN. In an interview with the broadcaster, he also said that a planned meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump was not cancelled" but will probably take place at a later date". Trump scrapped planned talks with Putin in Budapest, saying he did not want a wasted" meeting. Ukraine, unfortunately, is disrupting the dialogue that is necessary, and is doing so again at the request of the British, at the request of the Europeans, who want the conflict to continue," state agency TASS quoted him as saying. The former Goldman Sachs banker and Stanford graduate said the latest round of sanctions would backfire on the United States by raising gasoline prices for ordinary Americans. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The potential for economic cooperation with Russia is still there, but only if Russias interests are treated with respect," he said. The latest US sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil, two companies that account for more than half of Russias oil output. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: October 25, 2025, 07:13 IST News world Russia, US, Ukraine Reasonably Close To Reaching Diplomatic Solution, Says Putin's Top Aide Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trumps H-1B Fee Hike Hits Top US Firms As Cognizant, Walmart Scale Back Sponsorships: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 18:01 IST US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month imposing a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, sending shockwaves through global tech hubs. Trump's $100,000 fee on H-1B visas has caused companies to pause sponsorship on such visas. (Image: Representative) Several top US employers have paused or scaled back their sponsorship of H-1B visas after the Donald Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee for new applicants in a move towards preventing abuse of the system to bring in cheap labour and protect American workers. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that sent shockwaves through global tech hubs: a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, effective October 6. The move, targeting the programme that brings skilled workers 70% of them Indian to US shores, aims to prioritise American jobs. Recommended Stories The rise in H-1B fee is also being challenged by unions, employers, and religious groups in a California federal court. The new rules had sparked panic and concern among prospective Indian workers, who are worried that their ambitions of gaining employment in America will face severe setbacks. Which Firms Are No Longer Sponsoring H-1Bs? Despite the new fee hike, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told his staff that the company will continue to sponsor H-1B visas and cover all associated costs, according to Business Insider. he miracle of Nvidia built by all of you, and by brilliant colleagues around the world would not be possible without immigration," he said in a memo. However, several businesses have paused or scaled back hirings that rely on H-1B sponsorship. Cognizant, an IT company founded in India, said it would only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorised to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship" in a job listing for a South Carolina-based software engineering role on October 14, reported Newsweek. Intuitive Surgical, a California-based med-tech firm, also stopped offering sponsorship to applicants requiring an H-1B visa from late September. based on notices attached to more than 100 job listings on its website and covering a range of roles. Due to the uncertainty caused by the recent U.S. executive proclamation, we are temporarily pausing offers to candidates who require H-1B visa sponsorship," the listings said. Tata Consultancy Services, which is one of the largest sponsors of H-1B visas in the United States, has said it will no longer be hiring applicants through the program. CEO K Krithivasan told the Times of India that the company had a sufficient number of H-1B entrants and would be focused on hiring local talent. Walmart, one of the top retail corporations in America that employs an estimated 2,400 H-1B holders, has paused hiring candidates who require the visas, according to Bloomberg. A Walmart spokesperson said that it remains committed to hiring and investing in the best talent to serve our customers, while remaining thoughtful about our H-1B hiring approach." Why This Matters? The Chamber of Commerce, a pro-business lobbying group, has warned that the steep fee hike of H-1B visas would be cost-prohibitive for US employers, especially start-ups and small and midsize businesses." The new $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for US employers, especially start-ups and small and midsize businesses, to utilise the H-1B programme, which was created by Congress expressly to ensure that American businesses of all sizes can access the global talent they need to grow their operations here in the US," said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the US Chamber of Commerce. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The H-1B visa, introduced under the Immigration Act of 1990, has historically allowed US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialised fields where domestic talent is insufficient. Currently, 65,000 H-1B visas are issued annually, with an additional 20,000 set aside for individuals holding a US masters degree or higher. Indians have traditionally been the largest beneficiaries of the program, accounting for roughly 75% of all H-1B visas in 2023, with professionals employed across global tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: October 25, 2025, 18:01 IST News world Trumps H-1B Fee Hike Hits Top US Firms As Cognizant, Walmart Scale Back Sponsorships: Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US, China Hold Very Constructive Trade Talks In Malaysia Ahead Of Trump-Xi Meet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 21:20 IST United States and China held constructive trade talks in Malaysia ahead of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's key meeting in South Korea next week. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping The United States and China on Saturday held very constructive" trade talks in Malaysia ahead of highly anticipated meeting of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea next week, a US Treasury spokesman said. Todays talks have concluded. They have been very constructive, and we expect them to resume in the morning," he said as quoted by news agency AFP. Recommended Stories US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinas Vice Premier He Lifeng at Merdeka 118 the worlds second-tallest building. The worlds two largest economies are looking to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between the two leaders, a high-stakes conversation that could revolve around some interim relief on tariffs, technology controls, and Chinese purchases of US soybeans. The talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for Chinas vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. The two countries also began charging arrival fees on each others ships, sparked by a US Section 301" investigation that found Beijings dominance in the industry was unreasonable. The US President had earlier hoped to seal a good" deal with China and end the trade war, even though he previously threatened to cancel the meeting, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, starting October 31. Meanwhile, Trump embarked on his Asia tour and laid out several talking points for the meeting with the Chinese President. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said farmers, hit by a Chinese freeze on U.S. soybean purchases, and the democratic island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, would be on the list of topics discussed. Trump added he does not have any plans to visit Taiwan. (With inputs from AFP) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : Malaysia First Published: October 25, 2025, 21:20 IST News world US, China Hold Very Constructive Trade Talks In Malaysia Ahead Of Trump-Xi Meet Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Very Right Move': Zelenskyy Praises European, American Sanctions Against Russian Oil Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: October 25, 2025, 08:42 IST European leaders met in London to determine ways to end the war in Ukraine and step up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praises sanctions against Russia. (Photo: Screengrab from a video posted on X) The European leaders on Friday met in London to discuss strategies to end the war in Ukraine. In line with US President Donald Trumps decision to put sanctions on two Russian oil companies, the European leaders also called on more countries to implement sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the decision and urged the US to broaden Russian oil sanctions. Zelenskyy shared a video on X after the meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing". Recommended Stories Addressing Ukrainians, Zelenskyy in the video said, A meeting with leaders in London has already taken place; this is the third positive development for Ukraine in just a few days. More sanctions against Russia are coming, and they will be aligned with the decision of the United States." He further praised US President Donald Trump and said, This is a very right move by the US Presidentsanctions against two Russian oil companies. Today, all participants, without exception, in the Coalition of the Willing agreed that this is exactly how pressure should continue on Russian oil." Russia can signal to the world all it wants that sanctions supposedly dont affect its economy, but everyone can see the truth gas station lines inside Russia, bankrupt regions, federal budget deficit. Sanctions remain one of the most painful blows for Putin," Ukrainian President added. Russia can signal to the world all it wants that sanctions supposedly dont affect its economy, but everyone can see the truth gas station lines inside Russia, bankrupt regions, federal budget deficit. Sanctions remain one of the most painful blows for Putin. pic.twitter.com/n4gauh4s1d Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) October 24, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The meeting in London was hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Dozens of European leaders gathered and pledged military assistance to Ukraine and to shield the country from future Russian aggression. The meeting added momentum to recent measures that have included a new round of sanctions from the United States and European countries on Russias vital oil and gas export earnings. Location : Ukraine First Published: October 25, 2025, 08:42 IST News world 'Very Right Move': Zelenskyy Praises European, American Sanctions Against Russian Oil Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Police in Newark, New Jersey, say reports of monkeys roaming city streets this week appear to be a hoax fueled by AI-generated images. Officers responded to calls about loose monkeys at the Georgia King Village apartment complex on Thursday morning, following similar reports the day before, reports PIX11 . One image showed a couple of monkeys picking through a dumpster, per the New York Post . However, after sweeping buildings and checking the area, police say they've found no sign of any wayward primates. "Officers have not located any monkeys," the city's public safety chief, Emanuel Miranda, tells PIX11, adding that photos and videos circulating online are likely the product of artificial intelligence. Some Newark residents expressed concerns about the hoax. "We need to use AI the right way and not play around too much," a local says. "Having the police come for something that's not real is a waste of their time when they could be doing other things." The incident remains under investigation, but authorities say it has been preliminarily determined to be "a hoax." NJ.com notes that no charges have been filed. The monkey scare follows a similar incident in Yonkers earlier this month, where police warned the public about an "AI homeless man prank" involving a fake image showing a man standing inside various rooms. The state of Michigan has acquired a life ring that washed ashore 50 years ago from the Edmund Fitzgerald, a rare artifact that strangely became part of a settlement in a lawsuit that had nothing to do with the famous shipwreck. Taxpayers are paying $600,000 to settle the lawsuit by Larry Orr, who accused a state police officer of violating his rights during a sexual abuse investigation that was discredited, court records show. Orr, in turn, agreed to give up the life ring, which he owned. US Magistrate Judge David Grand said it was an "unusual settlement conference" when lawyers appeared in court on Oct. 8 and put the deal on the record, the AP reports. Founded in 2018, Hidden Road Partners is a global prime brokerage offering credit, clearing, and access across traditional and digital assets. The firm serves hedge funds, high-frequency trading firms, and institutional investors seeking regulated exposure to crypto markets. Led by Michael Higgins, International CEO and Global Head of Corporate Development, Hidden Road has rapidly expanded its footprint across New York and London. The company was backed early by U.S. pension funds and operates as one of the few prime brokers bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and digital assets. Related: What is tokenization? Explained Institutions are coming for crypto and blockchain Speaking with TheStreet Roundtables Alp Gasimov, Higgins said institutional conversations today center on two converging but distinct worlds cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure. Theres kind of two sides. I think its important to separate the crypto side versus the blockchain technology side. Those are two different things, although converging, he said. On the crypto side, thats like a capital market business. Trading firms whether those be hedge funds, pension firms, or high-frequency fraternity are all coming into this space. Higgins said demand has surged as institutions seek liquidity, credit access, and balance-sheet solutions from regulated prime brokers like Hidden Road. Financial markets are being rewired. Anything of value is getting tokenized and shipping that collateral around on a 24/7 basis is pretty important, exciting, and very relevant to our business and to the institutions we serve. Inside the Ripple deal Hidden Road recently entered into an acquisition agreement with Ripple, the blockchain payments company behind XRP. Higgins described the deal as organic, rooted in aligned visions and complementary strengths. We were funded by a bunch of U.S. pension funds. Ripple was a small investor in us and said, hey, what if we do this? When you look at the size of Ripples balance sheet in Treasury, it made a lot of sense for us to help solve the supply-demand problem. The move allows Ripple and Hidden Road to build what Higgins called a full capital market stack. Ripples done a number of acquisitions on the custody side. They launched a stablecoin called RLUSD, which is an NYDFS-regulated coin. Hidden Road is the prime broker of the credit layer. So to be able to provide institutional services, like a full capital market stack, is pretty interesting. When asked why Ripple, Higgins said the chemistry was natural. The US monitoring of ceasefire compliance by Israel and Hamas now includes deploying surveillance drones over Gaza, an effort to gain an independent view of the situation on the ground. Israel has consented to the flights, American and Israeli officials said, which are connected to the new Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel. The American military said the center was established last week by US Central Command to facilitate the flow of humanitarian and security assistance into Gaza, as well as monitor the ceasefire, the New York Times reports. An envoy and US ambassador to Israel under Democratic presidents described the monitoring as intrusive. "If there was total transparency and total trust between Israel and the US, there wouldn't be a need for this," Daniel B. Shapiro said, per the Times. "But obviously the U.S. wants to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding." The ceasefire that was brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, has been tested by recent attacks and disputes over the exchange of bodies. A Pentagon spokesperson described the truce as fragile and said the new coordination center allows real-time monitoring of developments in Gaza. Other nations have sent representatives to help the US effort, including Australia, France, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, per the Times of Israel. Jordan, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Canada already were participating. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday when he toured the center that more diplomats from other countries would be working with American military officers there. He said progress is being made while acknowledging "there's going to be ups and downs and twists and turns," per the Times. The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Friday on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his family, and a member of his government over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade, sharply escalating tensions with the leftist leader of one of the closest US allies in South America. The Treasury Department leveled the penalties against Petro; his wife, Veronica del Socorro Alcocer Garcia; his son, Nicolas Fernando Petro Burgos; and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Alberto Benedetti, per the AP . Petro "has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation." The move ramps up a growing clash between the Republican US president and Colombia's first leftist leader, notably over deadly American strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats off South America. This week, the Trump administration expanded its crackdown to the eastern Pacific, where much of the cocaine from the world's largest producers, including Colombia, is smuggled. And, in an escalation of military firepower in the region, the US military is sending an aircraft carrier to the waters off South America, the Pentagon announced Friday. The US last month added Colombia, the top recipient of American assistance in the region, to a list of nations failing to cooperate in the drug war for the first time in almost 30 years. The penalties were expected after Trump recently said he'd slash assistance to Colombia and impose tariffs on its exports. After Trump accused him of drug-trafficking ties, Petro on Wednesday said he'd use the US court system to defend himself. The Trump administration has sent military ships and planes to Latin America to target traffickers accused of funneling drugs to the US. Petro has pushed back against the strikes that have killed at least 37 since they began last month, with the latest two targeting vessels in the eastern Pacific, where Colombia has a coastline. Petro has repeatedly feuded with Trump this year, including rejecting US military flights of deported migrants, leading Trump to threaten tariffs. The State Department said it would revoke Petro's visa when he attended the UN General Assembly in New York because he told US soldiers to disobey Trump's orders. President Trump on Friday called for the prosecution of four senior Biden-era Justice Department officials, escalating his attacks on political opponents. In a post on Truth Social , Trump accused former Attorney General Merrick Garland, ex-FBI Director Christopher Wray, former special counsel Jack Smith , and ex-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco of "illegal and highly unethical behavior," without specifying any alleged crimes, reports CBS News . The Hill notes that all four officials "are frequent targets of the president's ire." Trump's call for prosecution follows revelations that the FBI, as part of an investigation code-named "Arctic Frost," obtained phone records of nine Republican lawmakers in 2023. The investigation focused on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and was reportedly approved by Garland, Wray, and Monaco in 2022, with Smith later appointed to oversee related probes. Trump alleged the officials "spied on Senators and Congressmen/women, and even taped their calls," though the Senate Judiciary Committee clarified that only metadatasuch as call times and durationswas collected, not the content of the calls. Trump also repeated unsubstantiated claims that the officials "cheated and rigged the 2020 Presidential Election." This isn't the first time Trump has urged the prosecution of political rivals. Last month, he called for investigations into several other officials, two of whom have since been indicted. Smith, whose team charged Trump in 2023 with conspiring to overturn the election, has defended his actions as lawful and consistent with Justice Department policy. The case against Trump was dropped after his election in November, citing a DOJ legal opinion that a sitting president can't be federally prosecuted. Trump is also seeking $230 million from the Justice Department over two investigations into him. Meanwhile, a federal watchdog is examining allegations of illegal political activity by Smith, though his attorneys dismiss the claims as baseless. A Florida-based drone manufacturer with financial ties to Donald Trump Jr. has landed its largest Pentagon contract to date as the US military steps up efforts to boost domestic drone acquisition. The company, Unusual Machines, in which Trump Jr. holds a stake worth about $4 million, announced it will supply the Army with 3,500 drone motors and other parts, with the potential for an additional 20,000 components next year, reports the Financial Times . CEO Allan Evans described the deal as the company's biggest government order so far, though he declined to reveal how much the contract was worth. Shares of Unusual Machines rose as much as 13% following news of the deal. Trump Jr. joined the company as an adviser in November, and his stake was disclosed shortly afterward. Company officials and a Trump Jr. spokesperson emphasized that he wasn't involved in securing the Pentagon contract and hasn't communicated with the administration on behalf of the company. The New York Times notes that Unusual Machines is also closely linked to investment bank Dominari Securities, which calls NYC's Trump Tower home and recently brought both Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump on board as paid advisers. The contract follows recent moves by the US government to accelerate military drone procurement, including a June executive order from President Trump aimed at strengthening the domestic drone industry. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also pushed for faster production and deployment of drones, emphasizing their growing role in modern warfare. Both the Times and the Intercept note Trump Jr.'s other ties to the drone and defense industry, including his role as partner at 1789 Capital, a venture capital company led by GOP megadonor Omeed Malik that invests in defense firms. The Army hasn't commented on the Unusual Machines contract. Assessing her failed presidential campaign, Kamala Harris acknowledged a few regrets in a new interview promoting her book. But the former vice president and Democratic nominee told the BBC that she's not ready to write herself off as a future White House occupant. Asked directly if she might seek the presidency again, in 2028 or later, Harris replied "possibly." Saying that "there are many ways to serve" in the interview, which airs Sunday, Harris indicated she hasn't decided about making another run but won't be fading away. "I am not done," she said. "I have lived my entire career as a life of service and it's in my bones." Harris criticized President Trump, whom she lost to a year ago, in the interview, saying he's acting like a tyrant and has weaponized federal agencies against political opponents and satiristsmentioning Jimmy Kimmel. She also accused some business leaders of "bending the knee" to Trump's administration for personal gain. White House officials responded by saying voters have already rejected Harris, per the BBC. She said she's unbothered by polls that offer little encouragement in hypothetical presidential matchups. "If I listened to polls, I would have not run for my first office, or my second officeand I certainly wouldn't be sitting here," Harris said, per Politico Europe. Her book, 107 Days, recounts her brief campaign after Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race. Harris suggested that starting her campaign late made winning the presidency nearly impossible, though she declined to directly address whether an earlier Biden exit would have changed the outcome. Her regrets included not having more time to connect with working-class voters and address issues like housing and child care. Harris had considered running for governor of California, which she decided against in July. Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent, has swept Ireland's presidential election, defeating Heather Humphreys of the center-right Fine Gael party. Humphreys conceded Saturday when Connolly was pulling 64% of the vote with two-thirds of ballots counted, the Guardian reports. Although Ireland's presidency is primarily symbolic, Connolly's victory is widely considered a rebuke of the center-right government. She managed to win in historically Fine Gael strongholds and was boosted by public frustration over housing and cost-of-living issues, as well as campaign missteps by the ruling parties. Connolly, 68, said Saturday evening at Dublin Castle that she will champion diversity and be a voice for peace, building on Ireland's policy of neutrality, per the AP. "I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor," she said. A longtime critic of the European Union in a country that overwhelmingly supports it, Connolly, a former clinical psychologist and barrister from County Galway, was not well known at the start of the campaign, per Reuters. She was backed by an alliance of left-wing opposition parties and drew significant support from younger voters. Effective use of social media, along with endorsements from artists and musicians, helped Connolly's campaign gain momentum. A record 13% of ballots were spoiled, a sign of voter dissatisfaction with the choices. Turnout was estimated at 40%. Humphreys, 62, received 29% of the vote, while Jim Gavin of Fianna Failwho withdrew late due to a financial scandalgarnered 7%. Humphreys said Saturday that her family endured "awful sectarian abuse" during the campaign, per the BBC. She was raised a Presbyterian, and her father belonged to the Orange Order, a Protestant organization that opposes a united Ireland. "As a country I thought we'd moved on," Humphreys said. "If we're ever to have a united Ireland we have to respect all traditions." Connolly will succeed Michael Higgins. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, sent a cable of congratulations to His Excellency Alexander Van der Bellen, the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, on the occasion of his countrys National Day. In the cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Van der Bellen for good health and happiness, and to the friendly people of Austria for continued progress and prosperity. TOKYO, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - A man wielding knives in both hands was arrested near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyos Minato Ward on the afternoon of October 25th after injuring a riot police officer on duty. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., when officers stationed near the embassy received a report that a man with knives was acting suspiciously. When officers approached the man, believed to be in his 30s, for questioning, he suddenly took a kitchen knife and a fruit knife from his backpack, brandished them with both hands, and advanced toward the officers. As the riot police attempted to restrain him, the man resisted violently, injuring a 26-year-old officer on the right ankle. The officers injury was not life-threatening. The man was immediately arrested at the scene on suspicion of obstructing official duties. Police say he has admitted to the allegations during questioning. Source: TBS The proposal to strengthen regulations on international eel trade has been formally shelved, marking a result in line with the position pushed by Japan and several other countries. EU member states and others had called for tighter controls on all eel transactions under the Washington Convention, citing global resource depletion and the need for stronger international oversight. However, Japan countered that the Japanese eel faces no imminent risk of extinction and opposed the measure. Life insurance sales in Hong Kong rose 50 per cent in the first half of this year to a fresh record high on the back of increased demand for wealth management and estate planning from high-net-worth individuals in the city and mainland China. The industry wrote HK$173.7 billion (US$22.3 billion) worth of new life policies in the six months to June, up from HK$115.9 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Insurance Authority on Friday. It was the highest first-half-year sales since the authority was established in 2016. "Hong Kong's insurance industry has sustained its growth trajectory in the first half of 2025, driven by strong demand for savings, health and protection solutions," said Patrick Graham, CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The outlook was positive because Hong Kong had solidified its position as a leading international insurance and wealth management hub, he added. "Supported by a growing number of family offices, we anticipate the insurance industry will play an increasingly vital role in helping individuals and families achieve their aspirations for financial security, health resilience and legacy planning in an era of rising longevity," Graham said. Insurance sales agents approach mainland tourists in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Eugene Lee alt=Insurance sales agents approach mainland tourists in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Eugene Lee> Nearly 60 per cent of high-net-worth individuals in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan preferred insurance policies to transfer their wealth to future generations, according to a joint survey released by Manulife and Deloitte in February. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in his latest policy address last month, set the new target of attracting another 220 family offices to Hong Kong by 2028, after the government achieved its previous goal of bringing in 200 such firms between 2023 and 2025. Family offices are entities established by wealthy individuals or families to manage their investments, succession planning and philanthropic activities. The regulator did not disclose policy sales to mainland visitors in the first half, as it had earlier said that it would release the data after reviewing how to classify non-local buyers. But Manulife's Graham said that mainland visitors - alongside local buyers, particularly high-net-worth individuals - were the main buyers of local insurance products as tools to manage their financial planning, prepare for their medical costs, as well as for legacy planning to transfer wealth to the next generation. OSAKA, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - Osaka City has decided to stop accepting new applications for special zone minpaku lodging facilities at the end of May 2026 following a sharp rise in neighborhood disputes over noise and garbage disposal. The special zone minpaku system was introduced by the national government to ease accommodation shortages by loosening regulations on operating days and other conditions. More than 90 percent of such facilities nationwide are concentrated in Osaka City. However, repeated troubles between guests and local residents over noise and waste management have drawn increasing concern. The city received 399 complaints related to minpaku operations in fiscal 2023more than double the previous years figureprompting authorities to suspend new applications. Although the city initially planned to provide a grace period for public notification, sources say it has now finalized a plan to stop accepting applications from May 30th next year. A formal decision is expected to be made at a national government meeting in November. Osaka City also intends to consult with the central government on revising regulations to strengthen oversight of inappropriate operators. Source: YOMIURI TOKYO, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - A cosplayer dressed as a popular female character became the target of a malicious deepfakehis image was manipulated by generative AI to depict him in underwear. The victim, who is actually a man, said he was mistaken for a woman and found images of himself altered into R18 content circulating online. As generative AI rapidly evolves, the boundary between real and fake continues to blur. Concern is growing over the proliferation of highly convincing yet harmful fabricated images and videos. To explore ways to identify these fakes, Fuji TVs It! program interviewed two companies with proprietary AI technologies. Their insights reveal new methods for detecting AI-generated forgeries that are spreading at unprecedented speed. Among the examples examined were videos created using Sora, the new AI model released this month by U.S.-based OpenAI. While some clips can be recognized as AI-generated upon close inspection, many are so realistic that viewers may easily be deceived. One video, for instance, showed a heated exchange between two men, entirely fabricated by AI. The only input required was a short text promptmeeting certain conditions, anyone can create such content with ease. These technologies have already sparked global controversy. A recent fake photo posted on social media appeared to show Prime Minister Koichi and opposition lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto shaking hands and smiling in the LDP presidents office. Tsujimoto later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the image was fabricated, noting that even newspapers had inquired about its authenticity. Meanwhile, the male cosplayers fake image spread online without his knowledge. It was just a normal photo of me in a school uniform, but it was altered to look like Id taken my top off. Using someones image without permission is simply wrong, he said. The image was discovered only because someone happened to report it to him. He warned that such misuse could soon threaten ordinary peoples daily lives. According to police, reports and consultations involving AI-generated sexual images of minors exceeded 100 cases last year. In one case, a male student was referred to prosecutors for creating and sharing fake nude images of a female classmate. Authorities believe most of these malicious fakes are produced by individuals known to the victims. To understand how easy it is to create such content, It! visited a company that launched Japans first AI video talent service. Using a single photo, its system can generate a 3D model with realistic movement in about two hours. You can even change the clothing, explained the engineer, as a test image of a director was transformed into a 3D avatar in a suit, complete with natural gestures and facial expressions. The company also demonstrated AI-generated voices nearly identical to the original persons speech. When compared side by side, even the director admitted, It sounds just like me. The tone and breath at the end of sentences feel authentic. Developers say their goal was to make professional-quality video production accessible to the general public as social media demand for short, high-quality videos grows worldwide. However, preventing misuse has become a pressing challenge. Weve implemented automated detection systems and reporting mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses, the company said. Abroad, copyright and ethical issues are intensifying. In the United States, AI-generated videos depicting late celebritiessuch as Michael Jackson appearing to raphave sparked fierce debate. One fake video of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. making animal sounds during a speech drew sharp criticism from his relatives, who called it deeply offensive. OpenAI responded that it prohibits the deliberate recreation of real individuals and will suspend accounts that violate this policy. AI experts warn that the spread of such technology is forcing both media professionals and the public to reconsider how authenticity can be verified. To help, Japanese firms are now commercializing AI-based fact-checking systems. These can automatically analyze videos and detect signs of manipulation, such as mismatched lip movements, unnatural body motion, or inconsistencies between voice and environment. One company demonstrated how its system analyzed a 10-second fake video in just three minutes, concluding that it was highly likely to be synthetic. The analysis flagged the subjects hand movements as particularly unnaturaljoints moved independently when they should have moved together. Experts recommend several practical tips for spotting deepfakes. First, check for visible logos such as Sora, though many can now be removed with editing tools. If no logo is visible, examine the videos lengthcurrent AI models struggle to generate long, coherent clips. Finally, look for subtle irregularities in body motion and synchronization between audio and visual cues. While such detection tools are currently available only to corporations, experts say public awareness will be vital as generative AI becomes increasingly advanced and accessible. As one developer put it, Every new technology brings both innovation and abuse. The key is to learn how to recognize and respond to it. Source: FNN NAGOYA, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - A 47-year-old man accused of possessing cannabis in Nagoya has been acquitted after the Nagoya High Court ruled that the procedures used to seize the evidence were illegal. The decision, handed down on October 9th, became final after prosecutors decided not to appeal. According to the ruling, the man had been charged in connection with cannabis found in his car parked at a convenience store in Nagoya in March 2023. Although he admitted to possessing the drug, the court ruled the seizure unlawful, stating that the evidence could not be admitted. The High Court criticized the search warrant, which was issued for stimulant drugs but used to confiscate cannabis, calling it grossly inappropriate and noting that there was a disregard for the principle of warrant issuance. The ruling also questioned the actions of the Nagoya District Court judge who approved the warrant, stating that the scope of the seizure was too broad and could have allowed the confiscation of unrelated controlled substances. The court concluded that there were problems with issuing such a warrant. In addition, the court found that the police stop-and-search and on-the-spot arrest procedures were also illegal. The Nagoya High Public Prosecutors Office announced on October 23rd that it would not appeal the ruling, citing no lawful reason to contest the decision. Aichi Prefectural Police said they would sincerely accept the ruling and take measures to prevent similar issues in future investigations. Source: Nagoya TV News Matthias Balk / picture alliance via Getty Images IBM on Wednesday evening reported better-than-expected revenue and profit, and raised its sales forecast. Key Takeaways IBM shares slid on Thursday as investors scrutinized the tech giant's third-quarter earnings and focused on slowing cloud growth. IBM delivered "an overall clean quarter" according to Bank of America analysts, who reiterated their "Buy" rating on the stock. The devil is in the details, as they say. Shares of IBM (IBM) slid Thursday after the tech companys third-quarter results exceeded expectations on the top and bottom lines, but contained a few tidbits that left Wall Street disappointed. IBM reported adjusted earnings of $2.65 per share, up 15% from the year-ago quarter and above the consensus estimate of $2.44. Third-quarter revenue increased 9% to $16.3 billion, also beating expectations. IBM also raised its full-year revenue and free cash flow forecasts. Nonetheless, IBM shares were down 1.5% in recent trading, after falling as much as 8% earlier in the session, as investors focused on softness in the companys software business. Why This Is Important The market's reaction to IBM's solid quarter underscores the high expectations that investors have for tech companies heading into this earnings season. Next week, five tech giants with a combined market cap of about $15 trillion will report earnings. Due to their size, big moves in their stocks would have a significant impact on the major indexes. Sales growth at IBMs Hybrid Cloud unit, a division of its software segment, decelerated to 12% in constant currency from 14% in the second quarter. Transaction processing revenue declined for the second consecutive quarter, falling 3%. IBM reported an overall clean quarter, wrote Bank of America analysts in a note on Thursday. They maintained their Buy rating on the stock, as IBM is mixing up to higher margin Software and driving strong [free cash flow] and we expect continued positive estimate revisions. Wall Streets negative reaction to IBMs beat-and-raise quarter could be ominous for tech investors. The bulk of the Magnificent Seven is slated to report results next week, and with most of the group trading at or near record highs, their results may need to handily beat estimates for Wall Street to be impressed. That said, investors werent reading too much into IBMs slowing cloud growth on Thursday. All of the Magnificent Seven were trading in the green. Read the original article on Investopedia Intel (INTC), which was considered dead money until a few months ago, has seen a resurrection of sorts. INTC stock, which fell over 60% last year to record its worst ever year, has more than doubled this year. No one really expected such a bounce back from the once-iconic chipmaker, but a flurry of investment deals from the U.S. government, Softbank (SFTBY), and Nvidia (NVDA) helped buoy sentiment. The U.S. government, incidentally, is now Intels biggest shareholder after taking a nearly 10% stake in the company. Meanwhile, while all the cash that Intel bagged from the recent investment deals helped bolster its balance sheet, there was one missing piece in the resurrection the companys financial performance. But the Lip-Bu Tan-led company came up with a strong set of numbers in Q3, which has sent its stock soaring today, Oct. 24. More News from Barchart www.barchart.com Intel Reported Better-Than-Expected Q3 Earnings Intel reported revenues of $13.7 billion in Q3, which were up 3% year-over-year and ahead of the $13.14 billion that analysts were expecting. Sales also came in above the high end of Intels guidance, marking the fourth consecutive quarter where it beat its guidance. The company also beat on the bottom line, delivering an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.23 versus its guidance of breakeven. The Q4 guidance was in line with estimates. Intel expects to post revenues between $12.8 billion and $13.8 billion in the current quarter, slightly lower than Street estimates at the midpoint. The company, however, expects adjusted gross margins to fall to 36.5% in the quarter on unfavorable product mix, ramp up of Core Ultra 3, and deconsolidation of its high-margin Altera business following the majority stake sale to Silver Lake. INTC Pitched Itself as an AI Play Intel pitched itself as an artificial intelligence (AI) play during the Q3 earnings call and pointed to the 5% sequential increase in its artificial intelligence (AI) PC revenues. CFO David Zinsner talked about the critical role that CPUs play in the data center ecosystem with inference outpacing training workloads. Tan said that AI is still in its early innings and expressed confidence about the companys role in the revolution. Intel Sounded a Lot More Confident Meanwhile, beyond the headline numbers and talks about Intels role in AI, Intels management sounded a lot more confident about its outlook, which I guess is partly because of the much-improved financial position, as the company exited Q3 with cash and cash equivalents of over $30 billion. This does not include the $5 billion Nvidia (NVDA) investment, which the company expects to close in the current quarter. Intel repaid $4.3 billion in debt in Q3 and is looking to further deleverage its balance sheet in 2026 by repaying the upcoming debt maturities next year. By Rashika Singh (Reuters) -Intel shares surged as much as 7.8% in early trading on Friday, hitting an 18-month high, as investors rallied behind CEO Lip-Bu Tan's aggressive cost-cutting measures that helped the chipmaker surpass quarterly profit estimates and regain stability amid a flurry of high-stakes bets on future growth. The results mark a turning point for Intel, which has struggled to maintain relevance in the face of fierce competition and manufacturing setbacks. After a bruising 2024 that saw its first annual loss in nearly four decades, the company is now leaning on strategic investments and operational discipline to rebuild investor confidence. STEADYING THE SHIP Intel also drew support during the quarter from multi-billion-dollar investments by Nvidia and Japan's SoftBank as well as a U.S. government stake, moves that offered a financial cushion as it works to revive growth. These investments, along with Tan's turnaround efforts, have offered a lifeline to the stock, which has rebounded by more than 90% in 2025, through last close, outperforming AI chip leaders Nvidia and AMD. Intel trades at a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of 71.51 versus 30.49 for Nvidia and 40.14 for AMD. "Intel has turned a corner and is steadying the ship," said Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies. "It feels like a strong setup for 2026." Intel shares were last up nearly 2% in morning trading. TURNAROUND FAR FROM OVER Intel said demand for its chips was outpacing supply, particularly in data centers where operators are upgrading central processing units (CPUs) to support AI workloads. However, finance chief Dave Zinsner cautioned that yields for its advanced 18A manufacturing process will remain below industry standards and won't reach "acceptable levels" until 2027. Tan has also sold a majority stake in Altera and shifted Intel's capital strategy to rely more on external commitments, following criticism of his predecessor's spending-heavy approach. He has pared back Intel's manufacturing ambitions and cut over 20% of the workforce. "We understand the desire to claim victory for the embattled company, but this fight is far from over; perhaps it's better to call it a draw for now," analysts at Bernstein said. (Reporting by Rashika Singh and Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Alun John in London; Editing by Joice Alves and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty) Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is one of the best affordable stocks to buy under $20. Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois reiterated a Buy rating on Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) on October 20, setting a 11 price target for the stock. Stellantis (STLA) Loses 8.6% on on Hydrogen Tech Pullout Separately, Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) announced on October 14 plans to invest $13 billion over the coming four years to support business growth in the critical US market and expand its domestic manufacturing footprint. Management stated that the investment marks the largest in the companys 100-year US history, and is expected to help several aspects for the company, including the introduction of five new vehicles across the brand portfolio in key segments, the addition of more than 5,000 jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and the production of the all-new four-cylinder engine. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) also reported that the new investment would further increase the companys already notable US footprint, expanding the annual finished vehicle production by 50% over current levels. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) designs, manufactures, distributes, and sells vehicles. The company offers products under various brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. While we acknowledge the potential of STLA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Tractor Supply Co., a rural lifestyle retailer, opened its doors Sept. 20 at the new Deptford Town Center on Deptford Center Road. Courtesy MSC Tractor Supply will distribute more than $1 million to local police, fire and veteran organizations across the country on Nov. 1 as part of its newly declared National Hometown Heroes Day. The company plans have its 2,300-plus stores nationwide donate $500 each to local first responder and veteran groups. In New Jersey, where the company operates 33 stores, 49 organizations will receive donations totaling $16,500. The Hometown Heroes program reflects our deep gratitude for those who servemilitary members, veterans, and first responders, Hal Lawton, president and CEO of Tractor Supply said in a statement. These Heroes embody courage and commitment, and were proud to honor them year-round. With National Hometown Heroes Day, were taking that recognition further by uniting communities across the country to celebrate their service and sacrifice. Each store selected its community partner based on local needs to ensure support directly benefits those who serve their neighbors, company officials said. Tractor Supply locations in New Jersey include: A Rutgers parent whose son was in the house when a 19-year-old from Matawan was badly injured is blaming a lack of action by public officials after it was clear the house was unsafe. The parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect her sons privacy, says she wants the officials in charge of keeping the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house safe to be held accountable. I hope that the fraternity (organization) and property management company are held responsible for what theyve allowed to go on, she said, citing the decaying state of the home. They didnt care until someone got seriously injured. NJ Advance Media previously reported that the house had a history of building code violations, including exposed electrical boxes and unresolved fire safety issues. But the national fraternity announced Friday that the Oct. 14 incident involved hazing and water. The house was shut down by city officials in the wake of the incident, and students were told to move out by Saturday evening. The mother, who went to move out her son, discovered that the inside of the fraternity house was vandalized with phrases like RIP ASIG spray-painted on the walls. She believes the house was broken into and the property was damaged this past week. Rutgers University Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday afternoon on the alleged break-in. The mother called for an investigation, noting the houses certificate of inspection was rescinded by the Department of Community Affairs just a few weeks before the student was injured. These very serious hazards have persisted, and that they continued to fine them and cite them and not at any point ... shut it down and say, You cant charge rent for an unsafe building, the parent told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview. The state allowed them to continue operating this unsafe rental and keep charging (renters). The 11-unit Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house on College Avenue in New Brunswick where a 19-year-old Rutgers University student who lived at the house was critically injured from an electric shock last week. Monday, October 20, 2025. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media A July 2025 inspection cited multiple electrical hazards, including open wiring and other so-called life safety issues at the fraternity house, which is owned by the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. However, the national organization has since ruled that hazing was involved on the night of Oct. 14 when an alleged pledge was electrically shocked. The organization closed the chapter Friday as a result of the investigation into hazing. Students who were directly or indirectly involved in hazing will be permanently expelled, a spokesperson for the fraternity said. The parent previously told NJ Advance Media that her son was not in the basement, but rather upstairs watching TV and grabbing food, at the time of the incident. She said she still believes a group of students were listening to music in the dark when the student was injured. The Middlesex County Prosecutors Office says it continues to investigate the matter and has not yet determined what unfolded in the fraternity house. Rutgers University officials said earlier this week they were cooperating fully with the investigation and remained deeply concerned about the serious incident involving one of their students. Rote closed all of its stores, nationwide, including 60 in New Jersey. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) Gado via Getty Images One is up for auction, some are languishing on the leasing market and some have sold quickly for millions of dollars. The 60 commercial real estate sites once occupied by the now defunct Rite Aid pharmacy are leaving a trail of empty storefronts across New Jersey and the country. "They had a lot of units. It created a lot of vacancies," said Tim Deluccia of the Deluccia Commercial Group. But theres a lack of inventory for commercial property right now. The one he listed, located in Somerville, sold with multiple offers to the owner of a liquor store who was operating out of a space across the street that was one-third of the size of the Rite Aid. It has good off street parking, he said. Its a great building. The 11,000 square foot free-standing Somerville building was listed for $2.7 million and sold for $2.6 million, he said. A Rite Aid in Hackettstown is being transformed into a car wash. Another, in Lavallette, sold in less than three months. Its located on Grand Central Avenue, about a block from the Crabs Claw Inn. And one in Trenton was sold and is being leased to a regional grocer. Rite Aid occupied both stand-alone buildings that it owned and storefronts, often in shopping centers, that it leased. A former Rite Aid that was in the Richfield Shopping Center in Clifton has a temporary tenant -- Spirit Halloween. But a permanent tenant is still in negotiations, said Frank Cortes, broker of record and president of The Diamond Agency. Most of Rite Aids stores were about 10,000 square feet and that size store is harder to find a tenant for than a 2,000 to 5,000 square foot space. Anything 10,000 square feet and larger is not for everybody, he said. Its not going to be suitable for dry cleaners or small shops. Its going to have to be a supermarket, a gym, a day care. Thats one of the challenges. Rents for a 10,000 square foot store could be $35,000 to $45,000 per month. Youd have to do over $10,000 to $15,000 in sales a week to cover the rent, Cortes said. Thats a lot of money. Other former Rite Aids, in less populated areas, are sitting on the market longer. In a smaller community like Barrington, a closure like this is definitely seen and felt, said Barrington Mayor Kyle Hanson. The closure certainly impacted our residents, particularly our senior population, who relied on having a local pharmacy right in the center of town. Hanson said the governing body is working with stakeholders to ensure this property doesnt sit vacant for long and that its future use will benefit our residents. Some of the Rite Aids are being divided into smaller spaces. Were seeing a lot of that taking place throughout the country, said Michael R. Katz, of Ref Advisory Inc., who worked with Rite Aids sale and lease back program for more than 25 years. And at least one Rite Aid in New Jersey is being auctioned. The free-standing building, with a two-lane drive through, has a starting bid of $425,000. Its located on Stokes Road in Medford. The auction will run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5. Rite Aid started in 1962 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and at its peak had 5,000 stores. It initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023, emerged from bankruptcy in September 2024, but then filed again in May 2025. At that point it had 1,200 stores in 15 states. All Rite Aids, nationwide, were closed by September 2025, according to Wikipedia. Emergency crews work to rescue a pilot and passenger after their plane crashed in Mannington Township, New Jersey, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 Delaware State Police, provided A helicopter hoisted two people from a small plane Saturday that had crashed in a creek near a Salem County airport, according to officials. Emergency crews responded to the crash in Mannington Township after it was reported around 11:21 a.m., Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Christine Bills told NJ Advance Media. Delaware State Police responded with two helicopters and lifted both people from the partially submerged plane. One person was taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and the other did not require medical attention, Delaware State Police said. The plane crashed near the Rainbows End Airport, a grassy airfield in a wooded area off Route 540. Stacey Pennington, Salem Countys public information officer, said its mostly used as a landing and takeoff spot for smaller planes. Photos shared by police show a rescuer being lowered from a helicopter above the crash site. In another, crews appear to be working in a marshy area, tending to part of the wreckage. The plane became partially submerged in Mannington Meadow, a shallow creek that flows into the Salem River, County Sheriff Chuck Miller told NJ Advance Media. A rescuer is lowered from a helicopters emergency crews raced to rescue a pilot and passenger after their plane crashed in Mannington Township, New Jersey, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 Delaware State Police, provided The injured person was flown to Christiana Hospital in New Castle, Delaware. Im not certain if it was the pilot, at this particular time, or the passenger was able to walk out of the scene, Miller said. He also did not have further information on the airplane. That airstrip is known for small aircrafts, such as Cessnas, etc., Miller said. The Coast Guard dispatched a team from Air Station Atlantic City to the wreckage and was later instructed to stand down after Delaware State Police reached the scene to assist, Bills said. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately return a request for comment. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The Kansas State Wildcats face the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks in a Big 12 volleyball contest on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. The match will be televised on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET. How to watch Here are your best options to watch the match if you dont already have cable: Watch for free with a trial of DIRECTV or FuboTV You can also watch with a subscription to ESPN Unlimited or Sling Streaming platform Free trial Monthly price Discount DIRECTV Yes $89.99 $40 off your first month FuboTV Yes $84.99 $30 off your first month Heres what you need to know: What: Big 12 Volleyball Who: Kansas State vs. Kansas When: Oct. 24, 2025 (10/24/25) Time: 9 p.m. ET Where: Allen Fieldhouse TV: ESPNU Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial), ESPN Unlimited Top 25 AVCA Volleyball Rankings Games through Oct. 19, 2025 1, Nebraska; 2, Texas; 3, Kentucky; 4, Pittsburgh; 5, Stanford; 6, Arizona State; 7, SMU; 8, Louisville; 9, Texas A&M; 10, TCU; 11, Purdue; 12, Wisconsin; 13, Creighton; 14, Kansas; 15, Miami; 16, Tennessee; 17, BYU; 18, Penn State; 19, Baylor; 20, Minnesota; 21, North Carolina; 22, Southern California; 23, Indiana; 24, Colorado; 25, UCLA. JPMorgan Bitcoin. Photo by BeInCrypto JPMorgan, an American multinational investment bank and financial services company, will allow its institutional clients to use Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as loan collateral by the end of 2025. This move marks one of the most significant steps yet by a major traditional bank toward integrating digital assets into mainstream finance, reflecting growing confidence in cryptocurrencies as legitimate financial instruments. JPMorgan Expands Into Crypto-Backed Loans Bloomberg revealed that the program will be offered globally and will rely on third-party custodians to securely hold the pledged crypto assets. Notably, in July, BeInCrypto reported that such an initiative was under consideration. At that time, sources suggested the bank might begin offering crypto-backed loans sometime next year. However, the latest update indicates that the launch could now happen by the end of this year. The latest pivot builds on JPMorgans earlier step of accepting crypto-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as collateral. The bank first began offering financing against BlackRock Inc.s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), marking its initial step toward integrating digital assets into its lending operations. This comes even as CEO Jamie Dimons personal views on crypto remain cautious. In 2023, Dimon described Bitcoin as a hyped-up fraud and even referred to it as a pet rock. That December, he doubled down on his criticism, saying he was deeply opposed to crypto and Bitcoin. We are going to have some kind of digital currency at some point. Im not against crypto. You know, Bitcoin itself has no intrinsic value. Its used heavily by sex traffickers, money launderers, ransomware, Dimon said in an interview in January 2025. Nevertheless, the latest initiatives reflect that the bank is adopting a more pragmatic approach. In May, it began allowing clients to purchase Bitcoin. The bank also introduced its own alternative to a stablecoin the J.P. Morgan Deposit Token (JPMD). This token operates on Base. JPMD represents the first product to be offered by J.P. Morgan on public blockchain infrastructure, and will provide institutional clients a digital money alternative to stablecoins, the bank noted. Furthermore, JPMorgans blockchain network, Kinexys, has experienced significant expansion, with its average daily transaction volume surpassing $2 billion. During Q3 2025, Kinexys broadened its presence across carbon markets, supply-chain finance, and cross-border payments. This highlighted the banks goal of making blockchain infrastructure a core element of institutional settlement. Golden, Colorado-based Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) is a leading global brewer that produces, markets, and sells beer, flavored malt beverages, and other beverages. Valued at a market cap of $9.2 billion, the companys portfolio includes well-known brands, including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Blue Moon, along with an expanding range of non-alcoholic and innovative drink options. It is expected to announce its fiscal Q3 earnings for 2025 before the market opens on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Before this event, analysts expect this leading brewer to report a profit of $1.75 per share, down 2.8% from $1.80 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has exceeded Wall Streets bottom-line estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion. Its earnings of $2.05 per share in the previous quarter topped the consensus estimates by a notable margin of 12%. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts expect TAP to report a profit of $5.47 per share, representing an 8.2% decrease from $5.96 per share in fiscal 2024. Nonetheless, its EPS is expected to rebound and grow by 3.7% year-over-year to $5.67 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com Shares of TAP have declined 18.9% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.1% return and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 3.4% drop over the same time frame. www.barchart.com Shares of TAP surged 1.3% on Aug. 5 after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 results. While the companys net sales declined 1.6% year-over-year to $3.2 billion, it topped the consensus estimates by 2.6%. Meanwhile, its adjusted EPS of $2.05 improved 6.8% from the year-ago quarter, beating analyst expectations by a notable margin of 12%. However, despite the upbeat results, the company lowered its fiscal 2025 guidance, citing higher aluminum tariffs, weaker U.S. market share, and ongoing macroeconomic headwinds. Wall Street analysts are cautious about TAPs stock, with an overall "Hold" rating. Among 22 analysts covering the stock, five recommend "Strong Buy," one indicates a "Moderate Buy, 14 suggest "Hold, and two advise Strong Sell. The mean price target for TAP is $53.14, indicating a 16.9% potential upside from the current levels. On the date of publication, Neharika Jain did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Four stores in Offaly have been named as amongst the best Gala Retail stores in Ireland at the 2025 Gala Retail Delivering the Difference annual conference. Held at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, two Offaly Gala stores also picked up the big awards on the night, with Dolan's Gala, Tullamore named as Social Media Champion of the year and a worthy runner-up in the Chilled Retailer category. Darcy's Gala, Mount Lucas, was a worthy runner-up in the Brand Champion category. Both stores were celebrated as Gala Retail Excellence Award winners, joined by Mulrooney's Gala, Birr and Maunsells' Gala, Tullamore, who each achieved Gala Retail Excellence Awards. Mulrooney's Gala, Birr Sports broadcaster, Jacqui Hurley, was MC for the Gala celebratory evening event, and speakers Bernard Jackman and Geoff Ramm featured at the morning conference. The Gala Excellence Awards are presented to Gala stores that are deemed outstanding following a comprehensive and independent assessment process. More retailers than ever before achieved the standard, which is reflective of the Groups focus on quality, community-centric and innovative retailers. Gala Retail stores in County Offaly consistently feature as some of the best performing stores across the Group, explains Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail Mr Desmond adds: Im delighted to see our Offaly retailers getting the recognition they deserve and would like to thank each of the Gala store owners and their teams for their loyalty, hard work and dedication to quality convenience retailing. Our theme at this years conference was Delivering the Difference and these stores make a difference to their shoppers and communities every day. At the Gala Retail conference, it was announced that over 100,000 of Gala Greener Grants have been gifted to retailers by the convenience retail group part of a 500,000 fund thats been created to help retailers transition to energy-efficient and sustainable retailing of the future. CATHERINE Connolly has scored a resounding victory in the Offaly constituency by securing 62.5% of the first preference vote. Her total of 14,240 was more than double her nearest challenger for the presidency, Heather Humphreys, who got a 29% share, 6,593 votes. Jim Gavin, whose withdrawal from the race for the Aras came too late for the removal of his name from the ballot paper, was a distant third and his 1,929 votes represented an 8.5% share. The turnout for the presidential election in Offaly, where the electorate was 61,882, was 44.7%. There were 4,870 spoiled votes, representing 17.6% of the total poll. Offaly returning officer Sean Ryan announced the figures at the count centre in Birr after getting the go-ahead to do so from the national count centre in Dublin Castle. READ NEXT: Nearly one in five votes spoiled in one Offaly ballot box OFFALY Fine Gael TD John Clendennen has congratulated Catherine Connolly on her presidential election victory and expressed his concern about the large number of spoiled votes. Speaking after tallies indicated that his party colleague Heather Humphreys would be well beaten in Offaly and across the entire country Deputy Clendennen said: Heather was a good candidate. Obviously we had Mairead McGuinness lined up and for different reasons she couldn't partake in the election. Heather stepped in and she served the party well but her experience and the service she has given to the country in the past didn't come through in the votes day for whatever reason. He added that not only the spoiled votes, but the messaging on some of them, was a cause for concern. Some ballot papers in Offaly had the words Deport Africans, Deport Indians and Conor McGregor No 1 written on them, plus an insulting remark about the Roma community. You can call it anger, disgruntlement, you can call it whatever you like but we need to get an understanding as to why people are engaging in such a way because there are people who have essentially fought for democracy and lost their lives for democracy and up to decades ago women couldn't even vote, said the TD. We need to have an understanding of just how precious a vote is, how precious democracy is and respect it when there is a ballot paper, that we vote accordingly. We have a body of work now to try and determine how we can engage the electorate in a way that they understand the importance of actually voting. He pointed to how Irish people had relied on emigrating to other countries such as America where they built lives, families, businesses and wealth. In return, he argued, Ireland benefitted from foreign direct investment. He also said immigrants were especially important in the health service workforce. So I think we need to be very careful that a message doesn't go out from here that we're anti international individuals coming here, anti in any way. At the end of the day there are people living in our local communities and I want to make sure that they feel safe and secure and certain that living in Offaly is a safe place. He recognised people had issues with asylum seekers but said: We have adopted a fair but firm system. We have been dealing with an emergency over the last few years. He said revisions of the system have been made and more are in the pipeline. He said it is fair that there be a debate on it so that individuals from across the world who are living here in Ireland feel welcome, feel secure and can continue to call Ireland home while at the same time ensure we have a robust system for asylum seekers. Cllr Peter Ormond, Fianna Fail, said he was not surprised by the result. There was a very good movement behind Catherine Connolly. I could hear it on the ground, she resonated with the people out there and Fianna Fail hadn't a candidate in the race. Jim [Gavin] withdrew but he was still on the ballot paper and might only get six or 7% and I think there was a bit of an anti-Government vote there as well, said Cllr Ormond. READ NEXT: Offaly presidential election result: Connolly 62.5% I think Catherine Connolly had a very good movement out there and she had a lot of parties backing her and what I was hearing from talking to people is that the choice was very limited with only two active candidates in the race and I felt that Catherine Connolly had all the momentum in the last couple of weeks. The councillor said it should not be presumed that the presidential poll result will be reflected in other elections, pointing out that left candidate had won three of the last four races for the Aras. I think when it comes to government people think a bit different. All those [left] parties will be fragmented come the local and general election and European election and they will all have their [own] candidates back in the field so it will be a completely different race. I think the presidential election is more about personalities and how you interact with people on the ground and that's where Catherine Connolly did well. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) is one of the best affordable stocks to buy under $20. Morgan Stanley analyst Manan Gosalia maintained a Hold rating on KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) on October 20, setting a $24 price target. KeyCorps (KEY) Dividend History: What Makes It Stand Out Under $20 The analyst based the rating on the companys strategic plans and financial outlook, stating that its return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) and net interest margin (NIM) targets are slightly ambitious in comparison to current estimates. It added that while KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) has a goal of a NIM of 3.25% by fiscal Q4 2027, current models are pointing towards a slightly lower number of around 3.15%. According to Gosalia, this discrepancy shows potential challenges in attaining the companys desired financial metrics. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) is a bank holding company that provides financial services. The companys operations are divided into the Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank segments. While we acknowledge the potential of KEY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Concerns about the lack of Garda manpower and opening times of the local Garda Station in Roscrea were raised in the Dail this week. Roscrea's Garda Station, which opens intermittently at unpredictable times due to staffing issues was raised with Taoiseach, Micheal Martin in Dail during leader questions by North Tipperary Fianna Fail TD, Ryan O'Meara. "Roscrea needs more Gardai" was the message from Deputy O'Meara who said he was happy that five new Gardai were recently welcomed to their new roles in North Tipperary in Nenagh and Thurles, but Roscrea "unfortunately was left out", he said. "Roscrea Garda Station effectively does not open anymore, whether it is for policing or for someone to get a form signed for a passport, it is very difficult for the town. READ NEXT: Tipp Council add to 1.2-million Roscrea fund "A number of years ago Roscrea would have had three Sergeants, 18 to 20 frontline Gardai, two civilian staff and a detective - today Roscrea has three Sergeants, seven frontline Gardai and one Garda on loan from Nenagh, essentially to fill basic staffing requirements. "I'm being told that overtime and the loan of a Garda from Nenagh are essentially just keeping Gardai on the streets while out in cars. "I've contacted the Minister and An Garda Siochana about Garda numbers in Roscrea - a town which desperately needs resources and needs representation and I'm asking for your intervention to get more Gardai for Roscrea", Deputy O'Meara put to the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach said Deputy O'Meara made "a very cogent and very strong case for more Gardai in Roscrea". The Taoiseach said the government is "very conscious" of the issue and are examining increasing throughput of new Gardai through the training college in Templemore. READ NEXT: Roscrea rejoices as Brody Lee selected to play for Ireland He said the Minister would acknowledge in recent years there has been a "concentration on Dublin" and hoped that as new recruits emerge from the college there will be a focus on stationing them in rural regions. "I certainly will talk to the Minister - I think it is a legitimate case given the numbers you've quoted", the Taoiseach said. Q. My father died of colon cancer back in 1999. His brother and sister both died of colon cancer too, so this is a big concern in our family. After my father died, I read up on things that might possibly reduce this disease. Aspirin was one, so for 15 years, I took coated aspirin every day. This past spring, I was admitted to a hospital because I needed a number of tests. One was a colonoscopy. Naturally, the doctors who heard about my family history of colon cancer expected the worst. We were all surprised by the results. My colon had no cancer or even any polyps. I believe that taking aspirin for years might have protected me from this disease. A. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Dec. 5, 1991) concluded that Regular aspirin use at low doses may reduce the risk of fatal colon cancer. A new study from Sweden confirms that aspirin may help prevent colorectal cancer in people with a genetic susceptibility (New England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 18, 2025). Anyone who plans to take aspirin on a regular basis needs medical supervision. Even low doses can sometimes cause complications such as stomach irritation, bleeding or drug interactions. Q. Do you have more details about the use of testosterone replacement in men? My understanding is that a relatively recent large-scale study showed that men using testosterone replacement therapy did not have more cardiovascular risks. That has long been the concern of the medical community. A. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration revised the required labeling for testosterone products prescribed for men with low hormone levels. The agency said drug companies should remove the Boxed Warning about adverse cardiovascular outcomes from their testosterone labels. This is based on the outcomes of the TRAVERSE study (New England Journal of Medicine, June 16, 2023). It showed no difference between testosterone and placebo when it came to risks of heart attacks, strokes or stents. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them. The federal government will not be able to deploy any Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, at least until Tuesday. Thats because the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday put a temporary hold until then on a three-judge panels ruling that had opened the door for the federal deployment of Oregon troops to the city. The 9th Circuit granted the hold, or administrative stay, on the panels ruling that had blocked U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts temporary restraining order barring the federal control of Oregon National Guard troops in Portland. The panels ruling is on hold until 5 p.m. Tuesday to allow the full 9th Circuit to determine if it will hold a vote to review the 2-1 split ruling. This administrative order expresses no views on the merits of this matter and is not a reconsideration of the earlier stay order, wrote Senior Circuit Judge Sidney R. Thomas in a brief administrative order. Thomas serves as the courts coordinator for so-called en banc reviews, which are reviews of rulings by a larger contingent, or 11 judges, of the 29-active member court. He previously served as chief judge of the 9th Circuit from 2014 to 2021. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the pause. This decision gives the court time to fully consider the serious constitutional questions at stake, he said in a statement. It also ensures there wont be a federal deployment while that process plays out an important step in protecting Oregonians rights and keeping our communities safe, Rayfield said. Tung Yin, a Lewis and Clark Law School professor, said the administrative hold essentially keeps Immerguts Oct. 4 temporary restraining order in place, at least until Tuesday, to allow the judges of the 9th Circuit to vote whether to reconsider the three-judge panels decision. On Monday, the majority of the three-judge panel found that the president is due significant deference and that his decision to mobilize only 200 Oregon National Guard members for 60 days to Portland was a measured response. The two Trump-nominated judges on the panel, Bridget S. Bade and Ryan D. Nelson, found that the federal government is likely to succeed in its argument that the federal government is unable with regular forces to execute the laws of the U.S. as a result of protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, one of the criteria required for the president to obtain control of Oregon National Guard troops. The majority also criticized Immergut for restricting her assessment of the conditions outside Portlands ICE facility to a limited time leading up to Trumps Sept. 27 authorization of Guard members, saying the plain text of federal law contained no such limitations. The dissenting judge, Susan P. Graber, urged her colleagues to review and reverse the majoritys decision. She not only urged an immediate review of the majoritys decision by her colleagues on the 9th Circuit, but also urged those watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little longer. The 9th Circuits administrative hold followed a hearing earlier Friday as Immergut considered a motion by the federal government to throw out her second broader restraining order that she issued on Oct. 5 barring the federal deployment of any National Guard troops from any state to Oregon. Immergut said she planned to rule on the motion regarding her broader temporary restraining order no later than Monday, yet the 9th Circuits latest move may delay Immerguts self-imposed deadline. The appellate courts administrative hold through 5 p.m. Tuesday runs right up to Immerguts scheduled three-day trial set to start Wednesday morning on the underlying merits of the state of Oregon and City of Portlands lawsuit challenging the federalization of any state National Guard troops in Oregon. The back-and-forth legal maneuvering over the validity of Immerguts temporary restraining orders may ultimately become moot as Immergut prepares to preside over a trial to issue a judgment on the merits of the case, said Jeff Feldman, co-director of the Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law. Yin said he wondered if the 9th Circuits decision to keep Immerguts temporary restraining order in place until late Tuesday, the eve of trial, is a signal that a majority of the appellate court wants the case to run its course at the district court level with a final judgment allowing for a regular appeal. E-Block at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem on Sept. 24, 2025. Attorney Jose Cienfuegos asked the Department of Corrections to return convicted sex offender Joaquin Cowart, 47, to custody, calling the agency's decision to release him unlawful. Mark Graves/The Oregonian The lawyer for the victim of a child sex abuser who was released from prison nearly four years early on Friday called on the Oregon Department of Corrections to return the man to prison. Attorney Jose Cienfuegos referred to the release of Joaquin Cowart, 47, as unlawful and accused the Corrections Department of misinterpreting an Oregon Supreme Court ruling over the summer that dealt with the sometimes arcane calculus of prison sentencing. In a letter to Corrections Director Michael Reese, Cienfuegos asked the department to stop any additional early releases and return to custody people who have already been released under the agencys revised calculations. Cienfuegoss client is a 29-year-old Jackson County woman who was a minor at the time Cowart abused her. The Oregonian/OregonLive typically does not identify sex crime victims. He also sent letters to Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Gov. Tina Kotek, objecting to the way the Department of Corrections is applying the court ruling. Corrections spokesperson Harvey Mathews said the agency has no legal authority to return an offender to custody without a court order. Mathews said the original judgment in Cowarts case clearly showed the court applied time served to each count. If a court provides a corrected judgment to DOC, the sentence will be recalculated, a warrant will be issued by DOC, and the individual will be returned to custody, he said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Cienfuegoss demand comes after revelations that the Oregon Department of Corrections recently reexamined the sentences of most of the states prisoners in light of the Supreme Court ruling. The agency in some cases shaved years off a prisoners time and released people outright without alerting prosecutors or crime victims. The massive review led to earlier release dates for about 350 prisoners, including about 40 who were immediately released, corrections officials said. The Supreme Court ruling stemmed from an argument by criminal defendant Abraham Torres-Lopez that the sentence computation unit of the Corrections Department should have credited him for the roughly four months he spent in two county jails on various criminal charges when it calculated his ultimate prison sentence on a Marion County conviction. The court ruled that a trial court may give credit for concurrent jail time on separate allegations in another county. It also found defendants may get credit for time they spent in jail for violating the terms of their probation. Prosecutors have argued that corrections officials are misinterpreting the ruling. Your decisions to unlawfully and unilaterally cut sentences for dangerous, violent criminals in your custody jeopardizes the safety of Oregonians, retraumatizes victims, and will result in unanticipated and significant ramifications across every community in the state, Cienfuegos wrote. Cowart was sentenced in 2021 for sexually abusing a child and possession of images depicting child sexual abuse. He was sentenced to four consecutive sentences, or 12 years in prison. The Department of Corrections officials applied the more than 3 12 years of time he spent in jail before sentencing toward each count and moved up his official release date to June 3, 2021 two days after he was sentenced. Absolutely no one would believe that a judge would sentence a repeat sex offender to four consecutive 36-month sentences, only to apply credit for time served sufficient to reduce the period of incarceration to two days in prison, Cienfuegos wrote. Yet that is precisely what DOC found. He accused corrections officials of recalculating Cowarts sentence and releasing him without consulting the judge who imposed the sentence or the prosecutor. Cienfuegos also said corrections officials released Cowart without notifying the victim, who subsequently encountered him in the community. Although she does not believe he saw her, this was a searing and traumatic experience for her, the lawyer said. The Oregon Criminal Justice Truth Project, a nonprofit led by retired prosecutors, said Friday it had identified at least four high-profile cases where the Department of Corrections released prisoners early under the Supreme Court decision. They include: Convicted rapist Mitchell Beckwith, 33, whose revised release date is March 2028; originally he was slated to get out of prison in late 2035. Beckwith was implicated in a spree of sex crimes targeting four women. He was prosecuted in Multnomah County. Brandon Gilpin, 32, who was convicted in Multnomah County of first-degree manslaughter for killing Torn Saephan and two counts of attempted murder for trying to silence eyewitnesses to the crime. Under the sentencing recalculation, his release date went from 2049 to early 2044. DeAnthony Simmons, 31, who was convicted in Multnomah County of second-degree manslaughter and first-degree burglary in the death of Ervaeua Ronchelle Herring, who was pregnant at the time of her death. His original release was set for August 2026; corrections officials cut his sentence by about three years. He appears to have been released; his name is not in the state database of people who are currently incarcerated. Xabian Riley, 37, was convicted in Multnomah County of first-degree manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon in the 2012 killing of 29-year-old Kenneth Ray Henry, who was ambushed on his front porch and shot nine times. Rileys release date went from May 2032 to May 2029 under the Department of Corrections analysis. Kotek this week told Oregon district attorneys that the Department of Corrections reviewed each sentence to determine if it fell under the parameters of the Supreme Court ruling. In a letter to the Oregon District Attorneys Association, Kotek said the Department of Corrections needs to comply with the law and to follow the Courts ruling. She said she expects the agency to work collaboratively with prosecutors and the courts to ensure that the sentencing courts original intent in sentencing in each case is effectuated in light of the Supreme Courts ruling. She said the agency also has paused applying the court ruling to sentences to give prosecutors and courts time to enter judgments that spell out sentences for specific defendants. The Creswell Bakery south of Eugene is a delicious destination that draws in locals as well as travelers taking a break from Interstate 5. Classically trained chef Heidi Tunnell and her crew offer from-scratch artisan breads, savory single-serving meat or veggie pies and house-cured beef and ham sandwiches along with cookies, brownies and pastries made with an Oregon twist. I have been stopping here since the bakery opened in 2008 for a gooey pick-me-up (like a hazelnut sticky bun) or a hearty sandwich to power me all the way to Portland. Yet, each time I peer into the pastry case, theres something new to taste. Creswell Bakery at 182 S. 2nd St. in Creswell is a popular stop for locals and people driving on Interstate 5. Janet Eastman/The Oregonian/OregonLive Creswell Bakery makes all its breads and sweets from scratch. Janet Eastman/The Oregonian/OregonLive During my recent fall visit, I was tempted by plump pumpkin cookies, moist marble rye sourdough bread and, always on the menu, the famous sandwich featured on the bakerys long-gone billboard: a crunchy ciabatta roll overfilled with roast beef and topped with chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, onion and Tillamook cheddar cheese ($16). Creswell Bakery is that place, longtime fans say, that feels like walking into grandmas kitchen with the smell of freshly baked goods, sincere warm greetings and a homelike sense of comfort. In this case, grandma is actually 43-year-old Tunnell. My original vision was simple: to make delicious food and have people leave happy, said Tunnell, who graduated from New Yorks Culinary Institute of America and returned to her grandmothers kitchen in Creswell to start her career in 2006. I wanted to create a place where genuine hospitality still exists the kind you dont find much these days." What started as her heartfelt vision for a small hometown bakery has blossomed because Tunnell continues to take full advantage of the small city of Creswells spot in the agriculturally rich Willamette Valley. Creswell Bakery uses locally grown ingredients; nothing premade from a box. The thick-sliced bacon is made by curing pork belly for up to a week in a special brine before perfecting it in the wood smoker. Have time to linger at a picnic table outside? Enjoy a butterhorn roll topped with a crisscross of sugary monkey glaze. In a hurry? Grab-and-go sandwiches and whole quiches are in the self-serve refrigerated cases. While there, pick up a fat bag of freshly roasted hazelnuts and oatmeal-based granola or a jar of house-made lemon curd. The takeaway: The gracious, efficient staff keeps the line moving as crowds roll in for fresh croissants and other tasty items made without preservatives, GMOs or commercial yeasts. Sample menu: The irresistible melted Tillamook cheddar and house-made ham stuffed into a big fresh pretzel ($7), naturally fermented multigrain sourdough bread loaf ($8.25) and a cardamom bun ($4.75). Drinks: Cups of Creswell Bakerys special blend of Farmers Union Coffee Roasters coffees ($3.25-$3.75) are served along with 16-ounce bottles of peach rose or strawberry mint BNF Kombucha ($4.75). Details: Counter service with outdoor seating and takeaway. Open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday; 182 S. Second St., Creswell; no phone; order online at creswellbakery.com. President Donald Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney talk during a summit to support ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Trump said Thursday that he's ending all trade negotiations with Canada. AP WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced hes ending all trade negotiations with Canada because of a television ad sponsored by one of its provinces that used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs prompting the provinces leader to later pull the ad. The post on Trumps social media site Thursday night ratcheted up tensions with the U.S.s northern neighbor after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to double his countrys exports to countries outside the U.S. because of the threat posed by Trumps tariffs. White House officials said Trumps reaction was a culmination of the administrations long, pent-up frustration about Canadas strategy in trade talks. Later Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province had sponsored the ad, said it would be taken down, though it will still run this weekend. Ford said after talking with Prime Minister Mark Carney hes decided to pause the advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume. Ford said theyve achieved their goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses, Ford said. Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. The U.S. president alleged the ad misrepresented the position of Reagan, a two-term president who remains a beloved figure in the Republican Party, and was aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of a hearing scheduled for next month that could decide whether Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Trump is so invested in the case that he has said hed like to attend oral arguments. You know, its a crooked ad, Trump said Friday night as he left the White House for a trip to Asia, shortly after the ad aired during the seventh inning of Foxs national broadcast of Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. They could have pulled it tonight, Trump said. Well, thats dirty play but I can play dirtier than they can, you know. Canadian premier digs in after Trump ends talks The ad was paid for by Ontarios government, not the Canadian federal government. Ford, the premier, didnt initially back down, posting Friday that Canada and the U.S. are allies and Reagan knew that both are stronger together. Ford then provided a link to a Reagan speech where the late president voices opposition to tariffs. Ford had said the province plans to pay $54 million for the ads to air across multiple American television stations using audio and video of Reagan speaking about tariffs in 1987. Ford is a populist conservative who doesnt belong to the same party as Carney, a Liberal. For his part, Carney said his government remains ready to continue talks to reduce tariffs in certain sectors. We cant control the trade policy of the United States. We recognize that that policy has fundamentally changed from the 1980s, he said Friday morning before boarding a flight for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. Trump is also traveling to the summit. But he told reporters on Air Force One that he had no intention to meet Carney there. I dont think theres much they can do, Trump said, noting he was inclined to leave the trade deal with Canada the way it is. Reagans foundation speaks out against ad Earlier Thursday night, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X that the ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade dated April 25, 1987. It added that Ontario did not receive foundation permission to use and edit the remarks and said it was reviewing legal options. The foundation in Simi Valley, California, is perhaps best known for maintaining the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Its board includes longtime Republican Party stalwarts such as former Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who resigned after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose free-market philosophy often clashes with Trumps protectionist tendencies. Another board member is Lachlan Murdoch, the son of Rupert, who is executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation. The board is chaired by Fred Ryan, the former publisher and CEO of The Washington Post. Trump wrote on social media Thursday night that The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. He added, TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Reagan did not actually love tariffs. He often criticized government policies including protectionist measures such as tariffs that interfered with free commerce and he spent much of that 1987 radio address spelling out the case against tariffs. Blowup was a long time coming, administration officials indicate White House spokesman Kush Desai said the ad was the latest example of how Canadian officials would rather play games than engage with the Administration. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters at the White House on Friday that Canada has shown a lack of flexibility and also cited leftover behaviors from the Trudeau folks, referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had a frosty relationship with the Trump administration. If you look at all the countries around the world that weve made deals with, and the fact that were now negotiating with Mexico separately reveals that its not just about one ad, Hassett said. Carney met with Trump earlier this month to try to ease trade tensions, as the two countries and Mexico prepare for a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal Trump negotiated in his first term but has since soured on. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border daily. Trump initially appeared unfazed by the ad Trump said earlier in the week that he had seen the ad on TV and didnt seem bothered by it. If I was Canada, Id take that same ad also, he said Tuesday during a lunch with Republican senators. Ontario bought more than $275,000 of ad reservations for the spot to air in 198 of the nations 210 media markets this month, according to data from the nonpartisan media tracking firm AdImpact. It was broadcast most frequently in the New York market, with more than 530 airings, followed by Washington, D.C., at around 280. The only other markets with more than 100 airings were those around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Ford previously got Trumps attention with an electricity surcharge to U.S. states. Trump responded by doubling steel and aluminum tariffs. The president has moved to impose steep U.S. tariffs on many goods from Canada. In April, Canadas government imposed retaliatory levies on certain U.S. goods but it carved out exemptions for some automakers to bring specific numbers of vehicles into the country, known as remission quotas. Trumps tariffs have especially hurt Canadas auto sector, much of which is based in Ontario. This month, Stellantis said it would move a production line from Ontario to Illinois. By WILL WEISSERT, SEUNG MIN KIM and ROB GILLIES, Associated Press Associated Press writers Maya Sweedler, Paul Wiseman and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he plans to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario. The ad used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, angering Trump who said he would end trade talks with Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would pull the ad after the weekend, and it ran Friday night during the first game of the World Series. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform as he flew aboard Air Force One to Malaysia. Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. It was unclear what legal authority Trump would use to impose the additional import taxes. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on when the 10% hike would come into effect, and whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Canadas economy has been hit hard by Trumps tariffs, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to work with Trump to lower them. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion U.S.) worth of goods and services cross the border daily. A spokesperson for Carney didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Many Canadian products have been hit with a 35% tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50%. Energy products have a lower rate of 10%, while the vast majority of goods are covered by the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement, and are exempt from tariffs. That trade agreement is slated for review. Trump negotiated the deal in his first term, but has since soured on it. Trump and Carney will both attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. But Trump told reporters traveling with him that he had no intention of meeting Carney there. Trump said the ad misrepresented the position of Reagan, a two-term president and a beloved figure in the Republican Party. But Reagan was wary of tariffs and used much of the 1987 address featured in Ontarios ad spelling out the case against tariffs. Trump has complained the ad was aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments scheduled for next month that could decide whether Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Lower courts ruled he had exceeded his authority. By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN, Associated Press Associated Press writers Rob Gillies in Toronto and Josh Boak in Tokyo contributed to this report. FILE - Supporters hold a sign before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign event, Sept.12, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File President Donald Trumps favorability has fallen among Hispanic adults since the beginning of the year, a new AP-NORC poll shows, a potential warning sign from a key constituency that helped secure his victory in the 2024 election. The October survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 25% of Hispanic adults have a somewhat or very favorable view of Trump, down from 44% in an AP-NORC poll conducted just before the Republican took office for the second time. The percentage of Hispanic adults who say the country is going in the wrong direction has also increased slightly over the past few months, from 63% in March to 73% now. The shift could spell trouble for Republicans looking to cement support with this group in future elections. Many Hispanic voters were motivated by economic concerns in last years election, and the new poll shows that despite Trumps promises of economic revitalization, Hispanic adults continue to feel higher financial stress than Americans overall. Hispanic voters made up 10% of the electorate in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of interviews with registered voters, and the number of eligible Hispanic voters has been growing rapidly in recent decades. Alejandro Ochoa, 30, is a warehouse worker in Adelanto, California. He identifies as a Republican and voted for Trump last year, but hes now unhappy with the president. He criticized some of Trumps budget cuts, adding that the cost of groceries is too high and buying a home is still unattainable for him. He was kind of relying on essentially the nostalgia of, Hey, remember, before COVID? Things werent as expensive, Ochoa said. But now its like, OK, youre in office. Im still getting done dirty at the grocery store. Im still spending an insane amount of money. Im trying to cut corners where I can, but that bill is still insanely expensive. FILE - Juan Ojeda, 33, who is Puerto Rican, attends a grand opening event at the "Latino Americans for Trump" office in Reading, Pa., June 12, 2024. AP Photo/Joe Lamberti, FIle Declining approval on economy and immigration Hispanic voters shifted toward Trump in the last election, though a majority still backed Democrat Kamala Harris: 43% of Hispanic voters nationally voted for Trump, according to AP VoteCast, up from 35% in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. But the poll now finds that Hispanic adults are slightly less likely to approve of Trumps handling of the economy and immigration two issues that were major strengths for him in last years presidential campaign and their views of his overall presidential performance have slipped a little as well. In March, 41% of Hispanic adults approved of the way Trump was handling his job as president, but now that has fallen to 27%. Over the past few months, Hispanic communities have also been a target of the presidents hard-line immigration tactics. The poll found that Hispanic adults approval of his handling of immigration has declined slightly since March. Some see the two issues as linked. Trumps attacks on immigration have affected low-wage and high-skilled workers alike, at a moment when the economy is already uncertain because of his erratic trade policies. Fel Echandi, of Winter Haven, Florida, is a behavioral specialist who identifies as a Democrat but sometimes votes for Republican candidates. He said he appreciates Trumps views on transgender issues, including restroom access for transgender women. But hes concerned that Trumps immigration policies leave many people living in fear, with negative effects on the economy. A lot of people rely on immigrants to do labor in certain areas, Echandi said. When that gets affected, all prices go up. Our food costs more because of the costs to get people to do that work. The poll found particularly high levels of financial stress among Hispanic adults, compared with the rest of the country. More Hispanics say the cost of groceries, housing and health care and the amount of money they get paid are major sources of stress, compared with U.S. adults overall. Favorability among Hispanic Republicans drops slightly Views of Trump have even soured a little among Hispanic Republicans. In the latest poll, 66% of Hispanic Republicans said they have a very or somewhat favorable view of Trump. Thats a slight shift compared with where Trump stood in an AP-NORC poll from September 2024, when 83% of Hispanic Republicans viewed him at least somewhat favorably. About 8 in 10 white Republicans had a favorable view of Trump in the new poll, which was unchanged from the year before. In another potentially worrying sign for the president, younger Hispanics and Hispanic men two groups that swung particularly dramatically toward him in last years election also see him a bit more negatively. About two-thirds of Hispanic adults under age 45 and Hispanic men now view Trump unfavorably, according to the new poll. Thats a slight uptick from September 2024, when about half in both groups had a negative opinion of him. Other concerns about Trumps chaotic second term emerged in interviews. Teresa Covarrubias, a 65-year-old retired schoolteacher from Los Angeles, feels things are going in the wrong direction and said she was troubled by how some of Trumps actions have defied norms and may impact social safety net programs. My major concern is the disregard for the Constitution and the law, and then also the level of cronyism, said Covarrubias, who is an independent voter. The people at the top are just grifting and taking, and then theres the rest of us. Mateo Garcia sits in the saddle on Principe, his gray-and-white Andalusian, outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, carrying a Mexican flag and vowing to return weekly with a different horse. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Hispanic adults are more likely to prioritize immigration There are signs in the poll that Trumps tough immigration approach may be alienating some Hispanic adults. Over the past few months, the president has doubled down on his pledge of mass deportations, with escalating crackdowns in Latino neighborhoods in cities including Chicago. The poll found that, in general, Hispanic adults are more likely to say immigration is an important issue to them personally. About two-thirds of Hispanic adults prioritize immigration, compared with about 6 in 10 white adults and about half of Black adults. And although their views on immigration enforcement arent uniform, Hispanic adults are much less likely than U.S. adults overall to favor deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. About one-quarter of Hispanic adults support this policy, the new poll found, while roughly half of them are opposed and the rest dont have an opinion. Among U.S. adults overall, about 4 in 10 favor deporting all immigrants in the U.S. illegally, while 34% are opposed and about 2 in 10 dont have an opinion. Rick Alvarado, 63, a Republican who lives in San Diego, says he still supports Trump and praised his actions to cut public spending. Alvarado, a property manager, is behind Trumps immigration crackdown in cities including Los Angeles and Chicago, saying he believes some immigrants are involved in organized crime. But he added that he would like to see a solution for those without criminal records to obtain legal residency status. The people who are productive should have a pathway to stay here somehow, Alvarado said. --By Adriana Gomez Licon and Amelia Thomson-Deveaux/The Associated Press The AP-NORC poll of 1,289 adults was conducted Oct. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. The margin of sampling error for Hispanic adults overall is plus or minus 6.9 percentage points. The next time youre hiking through Oregons seemingly peaceful forests, you might unknowingly be walking through the set of a horror movie. Several of Oregons most popular trails have served as backdrops for slasher films, while others naturally evoke the eerie atmosphere of post-apocalyptic landscapes without any Hollywood intervention. On a recent Peak Northwest podcast episode, hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor revealed the surprising cinematic connections of Oregons hiking trails, beginning with a revelation about one of the states most beloved destinations. This area in Silver Falls specifically has been used for several scary movies, Jamie explained, surprising many who associate the park only with its magnificent waterfalls. It also was a setting for the 1981 slasher flick Just Before Dawn. ... It seems like a bunch of young people go to the woods and they get picked off one by one. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. While most visitors focus on Silver Falls famous waterfall loop, the parks extensive back country with its dense forests and relative isolation has attracted filmmakers looking for authentic woodland settings. The 2003 thriller The Hunted starring Tommy Lee Jones also filmed there, along with scenes from the Twilight franchise (though as Jamie noted, I dont know if you consider Twilight a scary movie). This cinematic history adds an unexpected layer to Silver Falls identity. The same trails that families hike during summer vacations served as the setting for films designed to terrify audiences. This juxtaposition highlights how dramatically our perception of natural spaces can shift depending on context, lighting, and narrative. Perhaps more naturally unsettling are Oregons extensive wildfire burn areas, which create landscapes that need no cinematic enhancement to evoke a sense of desolation. Walking these trails where the forest is just these charred black toothpicks ... its almost that kind of an apocalyptic-feeling spookiness, Jamie said. These areas, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, create naturally cinematic landscapes that feel otherworldly. I think the gorge in particular with just those sheer cliffs and all of that rock and those burn trees that got so destroyed that area in particular really shows this sort of scary scene that were painting here, Jamie noted. Hiking through these burn zones offers a uniquely unsettling experience: The charred trees create strange, twisted forms against the sky, while the absence of dense vegetation reveals the dramatic topography of the landscape in ways that feel both beautiful and desolate. The contrast of blackened trees against new growth sprouting from the forest floor creates a visual that simultaneously speaks to destruction and resilience. Other Oregon locations with cinematic connections include Ecola State Park, where scenes from The Goonies and Twilight were filmed. While hiking there during summer might feel like a cheerful adventure movie, Jamie suggested that in fall and winter, when the mist rolls in off the ocean and youre hiking along these jagged cliffs along this deep dark forest, the setting transforms into something altogether more atmospheric. The Hobbit Trail near Heceta Head Lighthouse offers another example of how seasonal changes affect the cinematic quality of a hike. In summer, its narrow, tunnel-like passages through shore pine and salal evoke whimsical fantasy, but as Jamie noted, on a misty dark fall day all those really dark underbrush areas can be pretty spooky. This cinematic quality of Oregons landscapes speaks to their versatility and emotional range. The same trails can evoke wonder, peace or unease depending on weather conditions, time of day and the mindset of the hiker. Its that emotional resonance that makes Oregons trails so compelling for both filmmakers and hikers seeking experiences that transcend the ordinary. For those intrigued by the intersection of cinema and nature, seeking out these locations offers a unique way to experience Oregons outdoors through a different lens one that appreciates both their natural beauty and their capacity to evoke the full spectrum of human emotion, including those delicious shivers of unease. To learn more about these cinematically significant trails and other spooky hiking destinations across Oregon, check out the full Peak Northwest podcast episode. but I distributed my own insecurities and madness quite liberally among the figures I modeled after people I knew.Jackson is a folklorist and the director of the African Ame the story of the lost lamb that I had more or less invented for my father because it was the only way he would allow me.the last of which features an autocrat who gives one o Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) is one of the best affordable stocks to buy under $20. On October 21, Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) with an Equal Weight rating and a price target of 19. The firm told investors that it sees limited upside to the consensus earnings estimates. However, Barclays analyst Cecilia Romero reiterated a Buy rating on the stock on October 19, assigning it a 18 price target. Bloomberg reported on October 20 that the Barclays analyst stated that with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) moving on from its failed attempt to buy Banco Sabadell SA, its Spanish peer, the lender should launch a new buyback plan of around 3.5 billion ($4 billion). Romero wrote in a note that it is now time for BBVA to reward shareholders patience and support. The analyst anticipates the programs announcement with the fiscal Q3 results, set to be reported later this month, and its launch as soon as approval from the European Central Bank is attained. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA) is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and operates in the traditional banking businesses of asset management, retail banking, private banking, and wholesale banking. Its operations span the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and the Rest of Eurasia segments. 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But now I can see that Wollstonecraft was one of the rst to make the point that feminists have repeated in various formulations for two hundred yearsthough I hope not fore and so do the combinations of coolness and glee with which this odd manservant runs through the shadowy.is the amount of time it takes to recognize that you have lost your wa My cheesesteak sub was dry and insufficiently cheesy and entirely beside the pointit was a formality.just days after attending a packed-to-vibrating weeknight production of There is a hopefulness to these counterhistories that puts its faith in humanitys capacity for creativity and imaginationin the loosening and intermingling of top-down stere it had a very clear endingNADIA CELIS: I went to Austin in 2016 to explore his definition of romantic love and how it related to power.Whats common can be elusivewe can for I thought of the photographs of famous women reading books that float around the internet from time to timeThere is something more lively in this display than in the entirety truly grasped the nature of Christianity? Havent we instead assimilated to our categories of thought and rhyming (if it is Reinhardt) with Goethes last-minute angelic rescue of Faust from Mephisto: A peerless treasure.What if Im walk native Mack Bolan first appeared in Don Pendletons 1969 novel The Executioner #1: War Against the Mafia.a solo production can sidestep the issue altogether: the complicated I had been brought up on twentieth-century paintingmy grandfather had taken me on Saturday mornings to what was then called the Modern.or was it difficult to write? (Are the Will we delay the disappearance of our atmosphere? Embarrassing moment: Latour says its not apocalypse so The show takes up the two full stories of a church-like building in the same square as the citys opera house.She is a lonely old though all I gleaned with my rudimentary French was Cest parfaitparfait! A girl wearing a sparkling headband and what appeared to be a wedding dress walked down the aisle.2 dont you think? The kindness and wisdom radiating from Keith Urbans voice on the American Idol finale helps me live.We bought three beers for five dollars at the Stop I like how I did this oneIm going to do another one and Im not going to act like it because I know then that its communicating something to another person outside of what Im hearing in it on my own. Sophie would like to make the case new jersey small claims court chatham county clerk of courts united states supreme court calendar and all of a sudden I had more pai alabaster Bladeethe second that some of the nonprofessional act Having read the Selected Diaries I was on the lookout for the remaining volumes of the complete Diary.Bec I suppose the Neapolitan abbot you speak of is Abbot Galiani; all Ive read by him are excerpts of letters. From Katherine Rundel Key Points Nokia's stock jumped over 11% despite the company missing Q3 revenue expectations by a significant margin. Strong order momentum from AI and cloud data center customers is setting Nokia up for stronger revenue ahead. Nokia is transitioning from a pure telecom play to a diversified networking company with a lucrative AI groove. 10 stocks we like better than Nokia Oyj Nokia (NYSE: NOK) investors enjoyed a strong boost on Thursday. The Finnish telecom equipment giant reported robust third-quarter results early in the morning, driving the stock as much as 11.4% higher at multiple points. Strong orders make up for Nokia's revenue static Nokia's third-quarter sales rose 11.5% year over year to 4.83 billion euros (approximately $5.61 billion). Earnings held steady at 0.06 euros per share (roughly $0.07 per share). The analyst consensus had pointed to richer revenue in the neighborhood of 5.43 billion euros, while the bottom-line result was right on target. That's a mixed report at best, with a significant revenue miss. But investors shrugged off the revenue issue in light of strong incoming orders -- Nokia is setting itself up for richer revenue in the coming quarters. In particular, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) data center operators are making heavy investments in optical networking infrastructure. Image source: Getty Images. From telecom stalwart to AI networking star Nokia's stock took a breather in August but started rising in September. After today's steep jump, shares are trading at prices not seen since January 2023. The company's revenue streams used to be a one-note affair, always focused on telecom-grade equipment for long-haul communications. The ongoing AI boom has diversified Nokia's business, as ultra-fast networking solutions for data centers finally found an enthusiastic target market. Should you invest $1,000 in Nokia Oyj right now? 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Luo Sheng: Luo Shan Ji has become the usual Chinese name for Los Angeles but in the past Luo Sheng was also used for this purpose; a sheng is a province; hence.The French pl When did you know this poem was finished? Were you right about that? Is it finished after all?After the basic structure and ending was set in place.and how does reading a dia Good stories slip past our defenseswe all want to know what happens nextand then slow time down.Does my Men are dogsbut the dog is the nicest character in the novel! He supplies aI was going to say wordlessness.DASSO SALDIVAR: It She cites a study described in Psychology Today: If you ask college students to tell you their most important memories.what do you hope to learn by reading reviews of your o 2015]Sometimes it is reflected in the waterlighting effects the grandest stage designer would be incapable of mimicking.Can you really say this? To a child? Winnicott seems And there were price considerationsI needed veal and crayfish for a salad inspired by the V garden.The b Gabe and his mother took turns administering a regimen of medication every few hours: liquid morphine.Tory bellowed through the When did you know this poem was finished? Having a poem appear in a magazine makes it a lot easier to sto A great nature e-book both orders the world and leaves one with the sense of a vastness far beyond ones self.They protested not Though Stein was never an overtly political writershe didnt do messagesand her actual politics involved an unsavory fascination with such putative strong men as Napoleo My mother had no friends and my father was in prison and we always moved so we especially to straight women of a certain age; we dreaded a trip to the discard pile via the Want children field on Hinge.INTERVIEWERWhy do you feel you should?ROONEYPart since the book is often understood as a novel about the translation of the ide and the side walls are lined with beds from which the patients could see the chapel and altar at the fron Lahiri captures the quotidian odyssey of this kind of migrant and the way his story illuminates the shadow-free national epic of Id no sooner lost my wedding ring than I began to attach meaning to the loss: it was gone because I was and had always been a careless.and Fiberseven hypothesizes that the Undo each poem + dress and whats left are the ellipsis of pinholesdots and dashestraveling across the fabric + page.The physical comedy is subtle in that the main character Augusto Monterrosos The Gold Seekers is a fun mix of personal archaeology and literary autobiography in an erudite yet concise package.the dog remarks that countless obse must come through mans recognition of himself (as Georges Bataille put it) not Atais pipeline is designed to transform mental health care. Key assets include VLS-01 (DMT-based for treatment-resistant depression), EMP-01 (MDMA-based for social anxiety), and novel non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A receptor agonists. With convenient administration methods and short in-clinic times, Atai is positioning itself as a market leader in next-gen psychedelic medicine. Based in both Berlin, Germany and the Netherlands, Atai Life Sciences is pushing the boundaries of mental health treatment. This clinical-stage biotech focuses on next-gen therapies using psychedelic compounds and digital therapeutics to tackle depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. With a market capitalization of $1.3 billion, Atai is now expanding its footprint, aiming to acquire Beckley Psytech to create a powerhouse blending expertise in psychedelics, CNS drug development, and rapid-acting therapies. The news sparked a rally in the market, with Atai Life Sciences (ATAI) a biotech focused on psychedelic-based therapies seeing double-digit gains. With a strong pipeline, rising bipartisan support, and Wall Streets bullish outlook, ATAI stock looks like a smart portfolio pick for those eyeing the next wave of mental health innovation. Amid this shift, North Carolina is emerging as an unexpected leader. After a key meeting organized by Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, North Carolina Senator Bob Brinson said the state could lead the nation in expanding access to psychedelic therapies. This growing unmet need is fueling a new frontier in mental health: Psychedelic medicine. Biotech firms are now exploring psychedelic compounds and therapeutics to rewire the brain and restore balance where conventional drugs have failed. Depression remains one of the worlds most debilitating conditions, impacting millions worldwide with symptoms that can disrupt every facet of life from work and relationships to basic daily functioning. For many, traditional antidepressants offer little relief, especially those facing treatment-resistant depression (TRD), where symptoms persist despite multiple therapies. Story Continues Atai Life Sciences performance reflects strong investor confidence and significant market enthusiasm thats hard to ignore. Fueled by an ambitious pipeline of psychedelic-based therapies, ATAI shares have skyrocketed 411% over the past 52 weeks. Even in 2025, the stock has surged 338%, with a remarkable 281% climb over the past six months alone. ATAI stock has hit key milestones along the way. Recently, shares touched an all-time high of $6.75 on Oct. 20, before a minor pullback, signaling healthy profit-taking amid a buying frenzy. Trading volumes highlight the intensity of the rally. Some 31 million shares exchanged hands on Oct. 17 and over 10 million shares traded on Oct. 20, showing that the stock remains a hot ticket among investors, although its technicals do hint at caution. www.barchart.com Atai Life Sciences Q2 Earnings Snapshot Atai Life Sciences entered the second quarter of 2025 with a mix of progress and pressure a story familiar to anyone whos followed the long, unpredictable path of biotech innovation. On Aug. 14, the company posted its Q2 earnings report, and while the results werent perfect, they painted a picture of a company tightening its belt and sharpening its strategy. Revenue came in at $719,000, a 163% year-over-year (YOY) jump, landing roughly in line with expectations. Net loss per share narrowed to $0.14, a big improvement from last years figure, though still a bit wider than Wall Street had hoped. Its a sign that the company is learning to move leaner, cutting excess weight but still sprinting toward profitability. R&D spend fell to $11.1 million from $12.6 million in last years quarter, reflecting lower personnel and consulting costs, even as contract research spending rose. Meanwhile, general and administrative expenses ticked up to $14.9 million, mainly tied to its planned strategic combination with Beckley Psytech a deal that could redefine Atais footprint in psychedelic-based mental health. Cash reserves told a steadier story. Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term securities came in at $95.9 million as of June 30, 2025, up from $72.3 million at the end of 2024, thanks to equity issuances and asset sales. And with another $50 million in committed funding announced in July, Atai expects to stay well-capitalized into the second half of 2027. That's a luxury few early-stage biotechs can claim. The company also delivered a major milestone: Positive topline Phase 2b results for BPL-003, its fast-acting treatment for TRD. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting request is already on deck for later this year a critical step toward commercialization. So yes, the losses are still there, but the direction matters. Analysts see fiscal 2025 losses narrowing 44% YOY to $0.52 per share, remaining steady in the next fiscal year. Profitability remains a longer climb. Atais roadmap from the Beckley merger to its deep R&D bench signals a company preparing not just to survive, but to lead the mental health renaissance thats finally catching global momentum. Atais Moment to Lead North Carolina is quietly turning into the next frontier for psychedelic medicine, and the push is being led by those who have seen the worst of war. With a large veteran population battling depression, PTSD, and anxiety, the state is now opening its doors to alternative therapies. At a recent bipartisan event, Senator Bob Brinson and Representative Eric Ager spoke passionately about veterans who found healing through plant-based treatments, setting the tone for a serious policy shift. Their efforts are already reflected in a bipartisan bill proposing a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force, alongside a $5 million research grant program to study psilocybin and MDMAs therapeutic potential. For Atai Life Sciences, this is where science meets opportunity. As regulations loosen, Atai could step in with its deep R&D capabilities, partnering with universities and state agencies to accelerate trials, validate data, and bring next-gen mental health solutions to market. In a state hungry for hope and armed with funding, Atai might just find its perfect proving ground. What Do Analysts Expect for Atai Life Sciences Stock? This week, Needham initiated coverage on ATAI stock with a Buy rating and a $12 price target, seeing major upside in its psychedelic pipeline. The firm believes Atais lead candidate, BPL-003, could outshine Johnson & Johnsons (JNJ) Spravato with better efficacy and easier administration. By leveraging Spravatos existing infrastructure, Needham projects that BPL-003 could capture 20% of the market and exceed $2.5 billion in sales by 2035. The brokerage firm believes Atai is well-positioned to unlock real value in this fast-evolving mental health frontier. ATAI stock has a Strong Buy rating overall, reflecting solid confidence from the analyst community. Among the 10 analysts tracking the stock, eight issue a Strong Buy, one backs a Moderate Buy, and one advises a Hold. While the average analyst price target of $12.14 suggests the biopharma stock has upside potential of 111%, the Street-high target of $16 hints that ATAI could rally as much as 178% from current levels. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com and Mozart became the key artist of the modern world because his music was richly fired by so many of the factors and energies at work in this process.in which he seemed to Their exchanges are unforgettable: You had great sex with him but you left him because he was a screamer.so eventually I fished out a Balzac novel from my purse and started p Sometimes we enter the state of min the poke court speeding ticket court barrington court gardens that maybe certain people are more Then I was shepherded outsid have to be brought into being by aut photocopied in public libraries and private offices around the country to keep up with ever-changing train schedules.than with these didactic monstrosities?I know better That guard that was so hard to get by is suddenly no obstacle; he is like the Key Points Oklo stock was up over 600% at its peak this year. The stock has sold off in recent weeks, but watch closely as Oklo is targeting a major breakthrough. 10 stocks we like better than Oklo Shares of Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) are swinging wildly since hitting an all-time high of $193.84 per share on Oct. 15. Some investors are suddenly nervous and taking profits off the table after the nuclear energy stock's dizzying run-up in a short time, and shares have tumbled below $120 per share as of this writing. But here's the thing: Oklo stock is still up over 450% this year, and this could just be the beginning. As a young company in the heart of the nuclear energy boom driven by ever-growing demand for power from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, there should be plenty of fuel left in Oklo stock. Oklo stands out among the several start-ups building nuclear plants for two reasons. Image source: Getty Images. Oklo has an edge among nuclear energy start-ups Oklo is developing fast-fission power plants called Aurora powerhouses that can also run on recycled fuel to produce stable, clean energy at scale. Since the U.S. doesn't recycle used nuclear fuel yet, Oklo's entry into this area is an opportunity that most other nuclear companies aren't exploring for now. Oklo is investing $1.68 billion to build a fuel center in Tennessee that will recycle used nuclear fuel into fuel to power Aurora plants. Oklo has also just signed a $2 billion partnership with France-based Newcleo to convert surplus plutonium into nuclear fuel. Second is Oklo's collaborations with the U.S. government. Oklo was awarded nuclear fuel from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and recently broke ground at the INL for its first Aurora powerhouse as part of the three projects it won under the Department of Energy's (DOE) reactor pilot program. Oklo is positioned for a major breakthrough as it expects to start its first-ever reactor, one from the DOE program, by as early as mid-2026. That means the company could be less than a year away from generating its first revenue. Moreover, Oklo has also secured nonbinding letters of intent with multiple potential customers, including Equinix and Diamondback Energy. Its transition from development to revenue generation is the biggest catalyst that could drive this nuclear energy stock much higher. Should you invest $1,000 in Oklo right now? Before you buy stock in Oklo, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Oklo wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. The focus, instead, turned to New York States Frequency of Pay law. It requires manual workers, defined as individuals who spend more than 25% of working time engaged in physical labor, which has been interpreted broadly to include countless physical tasks performed by employees, receive their pay on a weekly basis. (1) Robey said that when we got the lawsuit, the first listing on it was an overtime claim followed by other labor related claims. So the sisters fought it for a year, adamant that theyd paid the former employee every dollar she was owed. She said that it wasn't until it became a class action suit that we realized that it was never about overtime. Suddenly, the sisters were facing a $6 million legal challenge that threatened to bankrupt them and shutter their shop. The sisters say that, even in letting her go, they brought her to breakfast and offered their continued support. Its part of the reason DeMint said the situation with the lawsuit felt so "devastating. In 2019, however, the ice cream hub hit a rocky road when a former employee filed a lawsuit against the sisters for violating a vague, Depression-era New York state law. It hit the sisters especially hard because they say theyd taken the unnamed former employee into their own homes while she dealt with personal issues, issues which eventually led to her dismissal. The sisters also became known for going above and beyond for their employees anything from offering money in times of need to delivering Christmas presents to their workers kids. DeMint, who manages the restaurant, noted that she always wanted to give back and just lift people up, and that once people came into our DQ family, they were family. Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and he begs investors not to miss its explosion Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how We've hired people who've had addiction. We've hired people who have been in jail and are trying to get back. We believe in that. Ever since opening the doors to their Dairy Queen franchise on New Years Eve 2017, siblings Patty DeMint and Michelle Robey known affectionately as the DQ Sisters in their Medford, New York, community earned a reputation for serving up second chances alongside their sundaes and sprinkles. Story Continues Its a law that the sisters said theyd never heard of, which is why they paid their employees biweekly a process they claim was never flagged by anyone, including by their payroll company or during an audit conducted by the states Department of Labor. Ultimately, the lawsuit became part of a trend of suits against New York businesses, according to CBS News (2), filed by law firms that solicited, including through ads on social media, claimants who were paid biweekly. Labor lawyer Howard Wexler told the news outlet that the lawsuits took what was a law that required you to pay your employees weekly into more of a 'gotcha' based on technical violation. The sisters wanted to fight it, but said their lawyer advised them that the way the law is written right now, you're going to lose. So they settled out of court for $450,000. Yet, after lawyers took their share, CBS reported, former employees collected only about $200 each. After the lawsuit, the DQ Sisters stepped up to help protect other small business owners from dealing with a similar nightmare by successfully working with state lawmakers to change the law. As of May, businesses who pay workers biweekly would only be on the hook for interest owed on the late wages a far cry from the sisters half a million payout. Theyre also looking into recouping some of their losses through their own legal action. The sisters themselves, however, still have to pay their settlement. They say its meant liquidating retirement accounts, borrowing money from friends and family and even asking their mother to collateralize her house. But they still owe $150,000, on top of their own legal fees. Which is why it meant so much that one of their own employees set up a GoFundMe for them, noting they did so because the DQ Sisters became surrogate mothers when life gets tough for their workers. (3) As of this writing, theyve raised more than $55,000 much of which is paid in amounts of $5, $10 or $20, with DeMint saying that means a lot of it has come from customers and employees. For them to give that to me, to my sister, it's overwhelming, she said, holding back tears. Because I was very jaded So it brought me back to where I needed to be, grounded in my efforts to pay it forward. Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now How employers and workers can protect themselves Employers should make themselves aware of the various federal, state and local payroll laws to avoid what ADP describes as penalties that could negatively affect their bottom line or even put them out of business (4). The payroll and HR firm notes that common employer payroll mistakes often revolve around the misclassification of employees and contractors as well as errors involving workers compensation and failing to comply with the Equal Pay Act. (5) Using tools like payroll software and compliance checklists can, they add, help avoid tax trouble and maintain positive workforce morale. Employees, meanwhile, can look to The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which is meant to ensure fair pay, overtime compensation and proper employment conditions for workers in the United States. Still, despite the FLSA, Working America an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations warns that If your paycheck doesnt look right, it probably isnt (6). And thats not hyperbole. A 2024 report from the Economic Policy Institute found that government antiwage theft efforts recovered more than $1.5 billion dollars in stolen wages for American workers in only a two-year period, between 2021 and 2023 (7). Wage theft, they say, is pervasive across all industries and income levels in the country. Thats why Working America recommends keeping a close eye on your pay stub and immediately reporting any discrepancies to your employer to ensure its corrected in a timely manner. They also suggest keeping your own records of all the hours you put in on the job and even, if youre comfortable doing so, asking your boss to regularly sign it, thus verifying it and consulting with fellow employees, human resources and even legal representation if you experience consistent shortages in your wages. As for Robey and DeMint, they suggest finding a mentor in a larger organization whose brain you can pick for help and guidance, as well as preparing yourself for the myriad expenses that you didnt expect but may have to cover. Still, despite everything they went through, and the financial struggles that remain, the DQ Sisters remain grounded and grateful. I really thought it was going to destroy us, DeMint said of the lawsuit, before noting how much of a lift the flood of love and support has given them. We might have lost a lot of money, but we're just going to keep doing what we do. So it's been beautiful. You May Also Like Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. New York State Department of Labor (1); CBS News (2); GoFundMe (3); ADP (4); U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (5); Working America (6); Economic Policy Institute (7) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Christopher Mello of Elizabethtown told police he assaulted his wife, who was found dead in their home on Sept. 30, 2021. Lancaster DA's office A 43-year-old Lancaster County man who pleaded guilty to beating his wife to death in 2021 will spend the rest of his life in prison without parole, the district attorneys office said. Christopher A. Mello, of Elizabethtown, punched and kicked Alexandria Reynolds to death on Sept. 30, 2021. Her body was found in a second-floor bathtub, according to the district attorneys office. Prosecutors said Reynolds suffered a nearly 24-hour beating that left her with over 100 bruises covering her body, numerous broken bones, multiple damaged organs and a severed artery in her brain. Its clear she suffered a great deal, Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick said as Reynolds parents sobbed in the courtroom. Elizabethtown Police were dispatched to the couples West High Street home around 7 p.m. after Mellos father called the police and said his son was acting crazy and mentioned something about Reynolds being dead, prosecutors said. Mello called his father the night Reynolds died and said, I must have hit her too hard and killed her, investigators said. Police said the homes walls were smeared with blood and covered in holes roughly the size of a human head. When police questioned Mello, he admitted to punching Reynolds in the face and kicking her while she was on the ground. He also said he had physically attacked her the night prior. An attorney representing Mello told the court he was remorseful. However, Mello declined an opportunity to address the court himself. Judge David Ashworth noted the court could not undo the horror of Mellos actions and instead opted to impose a mandatory life sentence. Before dismissing the courtroom, Ashworth said he hoped Mello can use his life of incarceration to address his very serious anger issues. Mello was also ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution to Reynolds family. Mello was previously charged with making terroristic threats toward one of his children in a separate incident occurring at the same West High Street residence in April 2021. He entered a guilty plea in that case on Thursday. WWE legend Abdullah the Butcher is reportedly battling some serious health issues. ((Photo by Marc Pfitzenreuter/Getty Images) WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah the Butcher has been hospitalized, according to multiple reports. The 84 year olds situation was first shared by booking agent Steve Stasiak on X. The Wild Man from the Sudan is battling serious health issues, Stasiak wrote on his Book Pro Wrestlers account. One of wrestlings most feared figures, Abdullah helped shape the sport from Japan to Puerto Rico to Georgia and beyond. Send your prayers, love, and strength his way tonight. Stasiak followed that with an update late Friday night. Abdullah is continuing to face medical challenges and will not be able to appear at GrappleCon in Lutz, Florida this weekend as originally planned, he wrote on Facebook. His team shared that he is in good spirits, resting comfortably, and receiving the care he needs at this time. Theyve also expressed how much your love, prayers, and messages have meant to him, he added. Abdullahs people have been reading your notes and well wishes to him personally, and theyve truly lifted his spirits and reminded hm how deeply hes loved by fans all around the world. Stasiak said that the wrestlers team said that many of the fan messages are read to him. Abdullah, whose real name is Lawrence Robert Shreve, has had a series of health issues in recent years. He was hospitalized last year in Georgia while dealing with an intestinal issue. That came after he told Click on Detroit in 2023 that he is broke. Shreve told the site that a big reason for that came when he lost a lawsuit for $2.3 million. Shreve blamed his inability to read or write for the loss, saying that he didnt know he was being summoned to court. That, he said, caused a default judgement. According to reports, that lawsuit was filed by Devin Nicholson, who claimed that Shreve gave him Hepatitis C during a match and cost him a contract with the WWE. Shreve, who once ran two restaurants one in Atlanta and one in Japan called Abdullah the Butchers House of Ribs and Chinese Food, also claimed he has lost those establishments. You got a lot of people who try to take what you worked all your life for, he said then. In my opinion, Ive been ripped off so bad its unbelievable, and Im still getting ripped off. You can check out the entire story about the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame inductee, here. Dining out will never be the same for some fans of Mexican food. With 40 stores across the U.S. before things went downhill, Abuelos Mexican Restaurant is now down to just 16 locations. And as a result, the chain filed for bankruptcy. Abuelos a Mexican eatery that has been around for 36 years and is owned by Food Concepts International quietly made a filing in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court located in the Northern District of Texas recently. The chain cites sales declines, rising costs, staffing challenges and changing consumer preferences. It also listed both debts and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million. Meanwhile, Food Concepts International also filed for bankruptcy in early September, and the two companies have asked the court to combine their cases. This decision is a part of a strategic reconstructing process to strengthen our long-term financial position, Abuelos said in a statement obtained by Restaurant Business. We will continue normal operations and remain committed to maintaining stability for our employees, vendors and customers. Through this time, our loyal customers can join us and expect the same quality and hospitality as weve always provided. Per FSR Magazine, the chain has found itself struggling for several years as the challenges began in 2023, with traffic dropping 5.9% that year and persisting into 2024. To solve the issue of the decrease in sales, Abuelos closed underperforming stores and slashed overhead costs. Abuelos currently operates stores across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. The Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house on College Avenue in New Brunswick where a 19-year-old Rutgers University student who lived at the house was critically injured from an electric shock. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media More than a week after a 19-year-old Rutgers University student was electrically shocked inside a poorly maintained fraternity house, authorities with the national fraternity have determined that hazing and water were involved. Based on our investigation, hazing did occur and as a result, the fraternity made the decision to close the chapter, said Gordy Heminger, a spokesperson for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. He added that the Oct. 15 incident occurred in the basement and involved underground and unreported new members. At some point, water became involved, Heminger said. This was not students just listening to music in the dark as was claimed by an anonymous parent. This was hazing. We are still trying to determine who and how many people were involved but we believe it will be double digits when all the facts come out. Heminger said Alpha Sigma Phi will expel any members who were directly or indirectly involved. We hope Rutgers will do the same, Heminger said. New Jersey has very strong anti-hazing laws, and I hope the prosecutor seeks the maximum penalties allowed for those involved. As of Friday, no one has been charged in the incident and the student, who is from Matawan, New Jersey, was no longer in critical condition. We are not commenting on the investigation as it is still active and ongoing, a spokesperson for the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said. Once any arrests are made/charges filed, a press release will be issued. Rutgers University did not immediately return a request for comment, but previously said it was cooperating with law enforcement and was deeply concerned about what happened. Maggie Garbarino, Gov. Phil Murphys deputy press secretary, told NJ Advance Media in a statement that any sort of hazing is completely unacceptable. We have a responsibility to protect all students from these cruel and dangerous illegal acts, said Garbarino. We are encouraging full cooperation with the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office as they continue to investigate this incident. The Oct. 15 incident at Rutgers was not disclosed until more than a day later, when the Middlesex County Prosecutors office issued a brief statement that said an unnamed student had been hospitalized in the early morning hours after sustaining serious injuries at a residence in New Brunswick. Rutgers campus police went to the house in response to a disconnected 911 call. When they arrived, police found a 19-year-old Rutgers student who had been injured and was unresponsive, the prosecutors office said. The student was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition. Prosecutors, who had not provided much more information about what happened, disclosed that when police arrived on the scene, students were already in the process of getting the injured student into a car. They were the ones who drove the victim to the hospital. But other than widespread speculation on social media that the incident had resulted from the hazing of new fraternity pledges, investigators said little, nor provided information about how the student was injured. A parent of a student who is a fraternity member said her son and other fraternity brothers were listening to music in the dark when a student was shocked after coming into contact with exposed wiring in the basement. However, she did not elaborate and insisted hazing was not involved a claim that the national fraternity says is not accurate. Inspection records reviewed by NJ Advance Media subsequently revealed that the building had a history of building code violations, and New Brunswick posted a notice on the front of the residence declaring it an unsafe structure. After the student was hospitalized, Rutgers placed a cease and desist order on all of the fraternitys activities and placed the chapter on organizational disciplinary probation until May 18. The fraternity has since been closed. The state in 2021 imposed new and stiffer penalties for deaths caused by hazing in the wake of the death of Timothy Piazza, a New Jersey student at Penn State, who had been forced to drink heavy loads of alcohol for close to an hour and a half. Louisa Griffith reads the recipes that are handed out during the SNAP Nutrition Education class at Springfield Independence House. July 23, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook The Revs. Shawn Berkebile and Matthew Best This week, a woman walked into church in tears after learning that her SNAP benefits would not be available in November due to the ongoing government shutdown. She wasnt there to debate politics. She came because she didnt know how she would feed her children. Across the Commonwealth, millions of Pennsylvanians are facing the same reality. Reports indicate that SNAP payments were frozen on Oct. 16, and uncertainty continues to ripple through programs like WIC and Medicaid, leaving families anxious and nonprofits overwhelmed. Thousands of households in York and Adams Counties depend on these benefits each month, and many will soon turn to organizations like New Hope Ministries, the Hanover Area Council of Churches, the York County Food Bank, and local congregations that step in when others cannot. All of these local ministries rely on the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank for much of their food supply. When the Food Banks reserves are depletedas they are nowlocal food pantries are forced to purchase food from wholesale providers. That means your donations are needed more than ever, but each dollar simply doesnt go as far. This is not a temporary problemits a current crisis with lasting effects that will be very difficult to rebound from. In Dauphin County, where Christ Lutheran Church Health Ministries operates in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg, the need is just as great. Nearly 30,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits each month to help put food on the table. When those benefits are disrupted, families who already live on the margins have nowhere to turn except to ministries like Christ Lutherans free health clinicsplaces that provide food, care, and compassion to people who have nowhere else to go. When people come to our health ministry clinics, no one asks what political party they belong to, says Pastor Matthew Best of Christ Lutheran Church. We ask their name and what they need. The goal is not to win an argumentits to make sure no one goes hungry or without care. Christ Lutherans Health Ministries operate at the very bottom of the healthcare systemwhere compassion meets crisisoffering free clinics that now see nearly 850 patient visits each month, up from 560 in January. We often joke that we run the clinics with duct tape, Pastor Best says. Now well just try to make the tape go farther. This is Gods ministry, and God will make it work. These cuts have lasting, costly impacts that ripple through every level of care. When government stalls because of political egos or the idolatry of being right, the cost is paid by the most vulnerable among us. Politics is not a sport. There are no winners when real people lose access to food, healthcare, or hope. Jesus said in Matthew 25, Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me. That is not a metaphorits a mission. Now is the time to act. Pray for our elected leaders to work together with humility and urgency. Contact your elected representatives and encourage them to do what they were elected to do- serve the people. Give, financially, if you canto your local nonprofit, food bank, or church ministry. Several have been named here, but this is certainly not the full list of those faithfully working together to share love and compassion in this critical time of need. Volunteer. Speak up. Show up. Our neighbors are counting on usnot to take sides, but to take action. The Rev. Shawn Berkebile is Pastor of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Abbottstown and board member, New Hope Ministries The Rev. Matthew Best is Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, and Harrisburg Director, Health Ministries at Christ Lutheran. President Donald Trumps landslide victory was emblematic of the American peoples demand for change from Joe Bidens administrations lackluster, deep state, federal governments floundering throughout Washington. Trump promised to shake-up Americas political, economic, legal systems, and foreign policy establishment. He is in the process of fulfilling that promise. One of these shakers is Pete Hegseth. His masculine demeanor reportedly frustrates hosts on The View. He has demonstrated his physical prowess by swimming the Hudson River with Navy SEALs and has earned two Bronze Stars during his 20 years of service to America for heroic action in combat. Academically, the man is a rocket scientist as a graduate of Princeton and Harvard. Regarding criticism that he focuses excessively on weight issues, some defenders point to the physical fitness standards of other military forces, such as those in China. Hegseth is working to return the armed forces to what he considers a more focused war-fighting capability. His initiatives include removing what he terms as social engineering from the ranks and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs throughout the force command structure, military service academies, and enlisted ranks. He insists upon, and has reinstated the requirement of good order and discipline to the ranks, as well as demanding superior standards of physical fitness from his generals down to E-1 enlisted recruits. High quality personal grooming and military-style of service uniform presentation have returned. Under his command, no more fat generals and admirals! Hegseth is a true national hero who will go down in history as the most compelling figure as Secretary of War. Earl Beal, Terre Haute, Ind. The U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear development sites, aiming to destroy Irans capability to develop nuclear weapons. Our military performed well to complete a complex operation. Some members of the Administration said the U.S. strike destroyed the Iranian nuclear sites. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) initial damage assessment report said the sites were partially destroyed, entrances were blocked, and Irans nuclear development program was pushed back a few months. Also, the UN nuclear watchdog chief said Iran could be enriching uranium again in a few months. It will be interesting to see the DIA final damage assessment report. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said the sites were destroyed. Since Iran tends to distort the truth, it lends credence to the DIA report of lighter damage to the sites. Iran wants the United States and Israel to believe their nuclear weapons development program was put out of action to avoid follow-up attacks. It is hoping to be able to continue its nuclear weapons development program unhindered by outside intervention. If Iran is able to continue its nuclear weapons development program, the United States might have to conduct a follow-up attack. However, it might take a sophisticated Israeli fly-in air and ground operation to destroy the Iranian sites. Additionally, the Iranian drone manufacturing facilities should be destroyed. They provide drones to Russia to attack Ukraine. Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, Nh. By KEVIN FREKING, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) The Trump administration is rejecting the idea of using roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep food aid flowing into November amid the government shutdown, according to a Department of Agriculture memo that surfaced Friday. States temporarily covering the cost of benefits next month will not be reimbursed, the memo says. Democratic lawmakers and various advocacy groups have been calling on the administration to use the contingency fund to provide partial benefits into November though the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP. Related: Pa. hospital giant donates 1M meals for families about to lose SNAP benefits But the two-page document states that contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits. The prospect of SNAP benefits running out as a result of the shutdown has become a major concern in the states. Lawmakers from both political parties are blaming the other for the hardship that would ensue. The program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries. In Pennsylvania, two million people will be affected. The document states that the contingency fund is reserved for such things as helping individuals in disaster areas. It cited Tropical Storm Melissa, which could become a major hurricane in the coming days, as an example of why its important to have funds available to mobilize quickly in the event of a disaster. The document was obtained by The Associated Press and was first reported by Axios. The document blames Democrats for the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and states that November SNAP benefits would be paid on time if not for Congressional Democrats blocking government funding. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries earlier Friday told reporters the administration has the resources to ensure that not a single American goes hungry on Nov. 1. He accused Republicans of trying to weaponize hunger and called it unconscionable. In a statement later Friday he said it would be a disgusting dereliction of duty to halt the food assistance. Meanwhile, Democrats in the House and Senate have written Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting that she use the contingency fund to cover the bulk of November benefits. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people, said a letter sent Friday by 214 House Democrats. The latest department guidance on the contingency fund appears to contrast in some respects with the departments 55-page plan for operations in the event of a shutdown. That plan stated that its evident Congress has intended for SNAP operations to continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds to cover state administrative expenses and to pay for participant benefits should a funding lapse occur in the middle of the fiscal year. The department guidance that surfaced Friday says the contingency fund is not available to support the current budget years benefits because the appropriations for regular benefits no longer exists. The shutdown began when a short-term measure to fund the government failed to advance in the Senate. The impasse is the second-longest on record. The administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid in October, with states and lawmakers looking for guidance from the administration for what would happen next month. President Donald Trumps favorability has fallen among Hispanic adults since the beginning of the year, a new AP-NORC poll shows. AP President Donald Trumps favorability has fallen among Hispanic adults since the beginning of the year, a new AP-NORC poll shows, a potential warning sign from a key constituency that helped secure his victory in the 2024 election. The October survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 25% of Hispanic adults have a somewhat or very favorable view of Trump, down from 44% in an AP-NORC poll conducted just before the Republican took office for the second time. The percentage of Hispanic adults who say the country is going in the wrong direction has also increased slightly over the past few months, from 63% in March to 73% now. The shift could spell trouble for Republicans looking to cement support with this group in future elections. Many Hispanic voters were motivated by economic concerns in last years election, and the new poll shows that despite Trumps promises of economic revitalization, Hispanic adults continue to feel higher financial stress than Americans overall. Hispanic voters made up 10% of the electorate in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of interviews with registered voters, and the number of eligible Hispanic voters has been growing rapidly in recent decades. Alejandro Ochoa, 30, is a warehouse worker in Adelanto, California. He identifies as a Republican and voted for Trump last year, but hes now unhappy with the president. He criticized some of Trumps budget cuts, adding that the cost of groceries is too high and buying a home is still unattainable for him. He was kind of relying on essentially the nostalgia of, Hey, remember, before COVID? Things werent as expensive, Ochoa said. But now its like, OK, youre in office. Im still getting done dirty at the grocery store. Im still spending an insane amount of money. Im trying to cut corners where I can, but that bill is still insanely expensive. Declining approval on economy and immigration Hispanic voters shifted toward Trump in the last election, though a majority still backed Democrat Kamala Harris: 43% of Hispanic voters nationally voted for Trump, according to AP VoteCast, up from 35% in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. But the poll now finds that Hispanic adults are slightly less likely to approve of Trumps handling of the economy and immigration two issues that were major strengths for him in last years presidential campaign and their views of his overall presidential performance have slipped a little as well. In March, 41% of Hispanic adults approved of the way Trump was handling his job as president, but now that has fallen to 27%. Over the past few months, Hispanic communities have also been a target of the presidents hard-line immigration tactics. The poll found that Hispanic adults approval of his handling of immigration has declined slightly since March. Some see the two issues as linked. Trumps attacks on immigration have affected low-wage and high-skilled workers alike, at a moment when the economy is already uncertain because of his erratic trade policies. Fel Echandi, of Winter Haven, Florida, is a behavioral specialist who identifies as a Democrat but sometimes votes for Republican candidates. He said he appreciates Trumps views on transgender issues, including restroom access for transgender women. But hes concerned that Trumps immigration policies leave many people living in fear, with negative effects on the economy. A lot of people rely on immigrants to do labor in certain areas, Echandi said. When that gets affected, all prices go up. Our food costs more because of the costs to get people to do that work. The poll found particularly high levels of financial stress among Hispanic adults, compared with the rest of the country. More Hispanics say the cost of groceries, housing and health care and the amount of money they get paid are major sources of stress, compared with U.S. adults overall. Favorability among Hispanic Republicans drops slightly Views of Trump have even soured a little among Hispanic Republicans. In the latest poll, 66% of Hispanic Republicans said they have a very or somewhat favorable view of Trump. Thats a slight shift compared with where Trump stood in an AP-NORC poll from September 2024, when 83% of Hispanic Republicans viewed him at least somewhat favorably. About 8 in 10 white Republicans had a favorable view of Trump in the new poll, which was unchanged from the year before. In another potentially worrying sign for the president, younger Hispanics and Hispanic men two groups that swung particularly dramatically toward him in last years election also see him a bit more negatively. About two-thirds of Hispanic adults under age 45 and Hispanic men now view Trump unfavorably, according to the new poll. Thats a slight uptick from September 2024, when about half in both groups had a negative opinion of him. Other concerns about Trumps chaotic second term emerged in interviews. Teresa Covarrubias, a 65-year-old retired schoolteacher from Los Angeles, feels things are going in the wrong direction and said she was troubled by how some of Trumps actions have defied norms and may impact social safety net programs. My major concern is the disregard for the Constitution and the law, and then also the level of cronyism, said Covarrubias, who is an independent voter. The people at the top are just grifting and taking, and then theres the rest of us. Hispanic adults are more likely to prioritize immigration There are signs in the poll that Trumps tough immigration approach may be alienating some Hispanic adults. Over the past few months, the president has doubled down on his pledge of mass deportations, with escalating crackdowns in Latino neighborhoods in cities including Chicago. The poll found that, in general, Hispanic adults are more likely to say immigration is an important issue to them personally. About two-thirds of Hispanic adults prioritize immigration, compared with about 6 in 10 white adults and about half of Black adults. And although their views on immigration enforcement arent uniform, Hispanic adults are much less likely than U.S. adults overall to favor deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. About one-quarter of Hispanic adults support this policy, the new poll found, while roughly half of them are opposed and the rest dont have an opinion. Among U.S. adults overall, about 4 in 10 favor deporting all immigrants in the U.S. illegally, while 34% are opposed and about 2 in 10 dont have an opinion. Rick Alvarado, 63, a Republican who lives in San Diego, says he still supports Trump and praised his actions to cut public spending. Alvarado, a property manager, is behind Trumps immigration crackdown in cities including Los Angeles and Chicago, saying he believes some immigrants are involved in organized crime. But he added that he would like to see a solution for those without criminal records to obtain legal residency status. The people who are productive should have a pathway to stay here somehow, Alvarado said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,289 adults was conducted Oct. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. The margin of sampling error for Hispanic adults overall is plus or minus 6.9 percentage points. By DANICA COTO, JOHN MYERS JR. and EVENS SANON, The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Tropical Storm Melissa was nearly stationary in the central Caribbean on Friday as forecasters warned it could strengthen and swipe Jamaica as a powerful hurricane and dump a staggering amount of rain up to 35 inches on southwest Haiti, where they warned of catastrophic flooding and landslides. The erratic storm was expected to drop copious rain on Jamaica and the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. At least three people were killed in Haiti, and one person was killed and one reported missing in Dominican Republic. This NOAA satellite image taken at 11:40 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, shows Tropical Storm Melissa in the central Caribbean Sea. (NOAA via AP) AP These heavy rains are just going to sit over one area for several days, said Jamie Rhome, deputy director at the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The storm was about 180 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 245 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving northwest at 3 mph, the U.S. center said. A hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning were in effect for Jamaica and Haitis southwest peninsula. The center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early next week, forecasters said. Up to 25 inches of rain is forecast for parts of Jamaica, southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic through Tuesday. Up to 35 inches of rain is possible across Haitis Tiburon Peninsula, the center said. That was considered an unusually high amount even for a slow-moving storm. People place plastic tarps over their tents ahead of expected rain at a shelter for families displaced by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) AP The storm is then forecast to hit eastern Cuba as a major hurricane early Wednesday, where up to 12 inches could fall in some areas. The National Hurricane Center warned that heavy rainfall will result in catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across southwestern Haiti into early next week. It noted that strong winds could also last for a day or more over Haitis Tiburon peninsula. Haitis Civil Protection Agency said a landslide in Port-au-Prince killed two people and injured another, with the death toll rising to three. Earlier this week, a large tree fell on an elderly man in southern Haiti and killed him, while five other people in the countrys central region were injured in flooding, The U.N. said it has prepared more than 100 emergency shelters in Haitis southern region. The latest round of U.S. sanctions targeting two of Russias largest oil exporters has pushed crude oil prices higher, with benchmarks on course to end the week with a gain after a string of losses. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $65.63 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $61.43. Both were slightly down from Thursday but on course for a substantial uptick since Monday, adding some $4 per barrel each in the period. The first reports about the effect of the latest U.S. sanctions, which target Rosneft and Lukoil, suggest that Chinese and Indian buyers are pausing on new orders until they make sure they are insulated against sanction-related action from Washington. The pause, according to analysts, however, is unlikely to last very long. Rosneft and Lukoil together account for over 2 million barrels in daily overseas shipments, and most of these shipments are going to China and India. It would be a challenge for both countries to find a quick replacement, especially in terms of price, what with China already taking in almost all of Irans outbound oil flows. Yet the dominant sentiment on oil markets, after the initial shock, seems to be a conviction that the sanctions will not have any far-reaching seismic effects on the global supply-demand balance. Flows to India are at risk in particular ... challenges to Chinese refiners would be more muted, considering the diversification of crude sources and stock availability, Rystad Energy analyst Janiv Shah said in a note, as quoted by Reuters. China has indeed been building its oil inventories this year, insulating itself from potential supply shocks. ING commodity analysts recalled the Biden administrations sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, which failed to have any palpable effect on Russian oil shipments overseas. Sanctions on companies producing more than 5m b/d of oil are significant, Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey said, adding that We must wait and see if these latest sanctions are more effective or if Russia can circumvent them, as it did with curbs earlier this year. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. Melissa became a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday afternoon and will get a lot stronger as it tracks closer to Jamaica, which is under a hurricane warning. National Hurricane Center KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) U.S. forecasters issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica Saturday as Storm Melissa reached hurricane strength, threatening catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean. A hurricane warning means winds of at least 74 mph are expected in the area within 36 hours. Melissa has become a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Saturday afternoon. Rapid intensification is expected, and Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane tomorrow. The slow-moving storm was expected to drop torrential rain, up to 25 inches, on Jamaica, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. People wade through a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) AP A similar forecast was issued for the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday. Life-threatening flooding and landslides were possible, with up to 35 inches of catastrophic rain across the Tiburon peninsula in southwestern Haiti, the center said. Storms slow progress The erratic and slow-moving storm has killed at least three people in Haiti and a fourth person in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing. Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire, Jamie Rhome, the centers deputy director, said earlier on Saturday. He said the storm will continue to move slowly for up to four days. This NOAA satellite image taken at 11:40 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, shows Tropical Storm Melissa in the Central Caribbean Sea. (NOAA via AP) AP Melissa was located about 145 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 235 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was slowly moving west-northwest at 1 mph, according to the hurricane center. A hurricane warning was in effect for Jamaica and a hurricane watch remained in place for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti. The center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early next week, forecasters said. Melissa was expected to become a major hurricane by Sunday and possibly reach Category 4 status by early Monday, U.S. forecasters said. It is forecast to hit eastern Cuba early Wednesday, where up to 12 inches could fall in some areas. Authorities in Jamaica said on Saturday that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will be closed at 8 p.m. local time. It did not say whether it will close the Sangster airport in Montego Bay, on the western side of the island. More than 650 shelters were activated in Jamaica. Officials said warehouses across the island were well-stocked and thousands of food packages prepositioned for quick distribution if needed. I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously, said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Take all measures to protect yourself. The hurricane center confirmed the risks in a key message Saturday afternoon. Jamaica prep should be completed today. Melissas slow motion brings multi-day damaging winds plus heavy rainfall, catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, damage, long-duration power communication outages, isolation, the center said. Xi chairs symposium to solicit non-CPC personages' opinions on drafting five-year plan recommendations Xinhua) 09:05, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chaired a symposium on Aug. 27 to solicit opinions from non-Party personages on drafting the CPC Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for China's economic and social development. While addressing the symposium, Xi said the planning of social and economic development for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) must be anchored to the goal of basically achieving socialist modernization. It is imperative to gain a deep understanding of both domestic and international situations, make solid efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, steadily advance common prosperity, and mobilize the whole Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work together in building a great country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, Xi said. Chairpersons of the central committees of eight non-CPC parties, chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as a representative of personages without party affiliations, gave their views and suggestions. Noting that the 15th Five-Year Plan period will be critical as the country works to reinforce the foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward basically achieving socialist modernization, Xi stressed focusing on key areas and critical links that affect and constrain high-quality development, consolidating and expanding advantages, breaking through bottlenecks, and strengthening weak areas. Efforts must be concentrated on managing the country's own affairs well, regardless of changes in the external environment, Xi said. He said achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology is a strategic support for high-quality development, and called for efforts to promote the development of new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, while moving faster to build a modernized industrial system. Underlining benefiting the people as the fundamental value orientation, Xi said continued efforts must be made to ensure and improve people's well-being through development. More tangible and accessible measures should be taken to address the needs of the people in employment, education, social security, housing, healthcare, elderly care, and childcare, he said. Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) A rising tide lifts all boats, but rising US sanctions could sink Russian oil tankers. On Thursday, oil prices leaped more than 5%, the biggest single-day gain since June, a day after the United States levied new sanctions on Russias top two oil producers. Intended to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that he ordered more than three years ago, the new measures also sparked questions about the immediate future of global oil supplies and prices. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Wall Street Leaders Fears of Froth Finally Bubble into Markets and Novo Nordisks $10 Billion Bid Ups the Ante in Bidding War for Obesity Biotech Metsera Turn Off the Taps The new sanctions ordered by US President Donald Trump and implemented by the Treasury are very straightforward. First, all the US assets of Rosneft and Lukoil, the two largest Russian oil producers, are frozen. Second, US companies and individuals are blocked from doing business with them. Additional sanctions may be placed on foreign-based financial institutions that work with Rosneft or Lukoil, cutting off their access to international markets. Bye, Felisiya, in other words. It all comes down to a stalemate in recent negotiations with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said Wednesday that talks did not go anywhere, and Moscow has stuck to hard-line demands, including that Ukraine cede large chunks of its territory, which Kyiv and its European partners have balked at. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the new sanctions are designed to weaken Russias ability to fund its invasion by targeting its most important revenue source: taxes from the oil and gas industry, which make up about a quarter of the state budget. And existing US and European sanctions on the sector have proven effective: Russia expects oil and gas tax revenues to fall 22% to $100 billion this year, according to State Duma estimates published last month. The latest round of sanctions is poised to send its biggest customers shopping elsewhere: PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-25 17:00:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 532 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ALEXANDRIA, VA / ACCESS Newswire / October 25, 2025 / The ASCP Foundation proudly announces The Spirits of Medication Management, an endowed initiative made possible through a generous contribution dedicated to improving the lives of all patients through pharmacist-driven medication management, public awareness, leadership, and systems change. This lasting gift supports efforts to reduce polypharmacy, advance safe medication use, and celebrate the expertise and compassion at the heart of pharmacy.The endowment was donated by a Kentucky resident (who wishes to remain anonymous) associated with the bourbon industry who is concerned about polypharmacy. The donor's interest in this issue stems from personal experiences with family and friends who suffered adverse events resulting from polypharmacy. For instance, one friend with Parkinson's disease suffered problems caused by the use of an inappropriate medication, the work of the pharmacist resulted in the individual's avoidable admittance to the emergency room and hospital. Elsewhere, the donor's mother was plagued by a chronic cough that was misdiagnosed and unresolved until her pharmacist correctly identified the cough as a medication (ACE inhibitor) side effect.The donor recognized that pharmacists, especially geriatric care pharmacists, are health care professionals highly experienced in medication management, including complex polypharmacy. As a result, she brought the idea for endowment to ASCP. She believes that ASCP, its members, and its networks can use the endowment to lead the way to improved medication management in perpetuity. She is pleased to be working with a group of like-minded people and an organization that is dedicated to improving medication management, addressing polypharmacy, and providing the best quality of care and outcomes for older adults. The donor also anticipates ASCP's efforts will help address the growing burden of polypharmacy on younger adults and even children.Polypharmacy is generally defined as taking five or more prescription medications daily. This definition applies to the vast majority of long-term care facility residents and over 20% of adults aged 40-79. In general, these individuals have a 50% chance of experiencing an adversemedication event. Polypharmacy also leads to about 30% of all hospital admissions and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.The Spirits of Medication Management endowment is a distinctive initiative that reflects meaningful support from outside the health care community for improving polypharmacy outcomes. It underscores the importance of effective medication management and recognizes pharmacists for their specialized expertise in this area. ASCP is deeply grateful for the donor's confidence in our profession. Together, the donor and ASCP are eager to build engagement, synergy, and momentum as this initiative continues to grow.###ASCP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1982. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to carry out the charitable - including scientific, literary, and educational - purposes of ASCP.ASCP: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, sub-acute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.Contact InformationMelissa BlacketerSenior Director of Communicationsmblacketer@ ascp.com 703-739.1311SOURCE: ASCP By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices surged around 5% to a two-week high on Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over Moscow's war in Ukraine, prompting energy firms in China and India to consider cutting Russian imports. Brent futures rose $3.40, or 5.4%, to settle at $65.99 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $3.29, or 5.6%, to settle at $61.79. Those were the biggest daily percentage gains for both crude contracts since mid-June and their highest closes since October 8. "The announcement of sanctions by the U.S. on Rosneft and Lukoil is a major escalation in the targeting of Russias energy sector and could be a big enough shock to flip the global oil market into a deficit next year," said David Oxley, chief climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics. Russia was the world's second-biggest crude oil producer in 2024 after the U.S., according to U.S. energy data. In addition to soaring crude prices, U.S. diesel futures jumped almost 7%, boosting the diesel crack spread to its highest since February 2024. Crack spreads measure refining profit margins. The U.S. sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen. Multiple trade sources told Reuters that Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil from the two companies now under U.S. sanctions, providing a further boost to prices. Kuwait's oil minister said that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would be ready to offset any shortage in the market by rolling back output cuts. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, said it will take time for the global market to replace Russian oil. "This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia," Putin added. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure. The U.S. said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine. "The various U.S. and EU sanctions thus far have had essentially no effect on Russias ability to export oil, so we doubt that this latest round will be game-changing. That said, the Kremlin may need to use more intricate methods to ship its oil covertly, thereby increasing costs," said Pavel Molchanov, investment strategy analyst at Raymond James. Molchanov noted the U.S. investment bank would "continue keeping an eye on this issue" since Russian exports account for about 7% of global oil supply. PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-25 19:25:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1005 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 25, 2025 / With the growing number of people seeking safe and affordable ways to maintain youthful, radiant skin, dermatology experts are encouraging consumers to explore scientifically backed skincare options that deliver visible results without surgery or injections.Traditional cosmetic procedures like Botox and facelifts are often expensive, require professional application, and come with risks and recovery time that many people prefer to avoid. On the other hand, most over-the-counter creams and serums tend to produce minimal or short-lived results, leaving users frustrated and disappointed.Olavita Liquid Solution is a revolutionary anti-aging formula that has recently generated massive attention online for its remarkable results and accessibility. According to numerous user testimonials and clinical references, Olavita has been hailed as a "facelift in a bottle," capable of visibly reducing deep wrinkles, firming sagging skin, and improving skin texture in a matter of hours. The serum combines powerful peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to rejuvenate the skin from within without the use of needles or invasive treatments.Despite being relatively new in the skincare market across the United States and Canada, Olavita Liquid Solution is already being described as a game changer by thousands of users and dermatologists alike. Many customers have rated it as a five-star skincare innovation for its fast-acting results, lightweight texture, and long-term skin benefits.Olavita has captured the attention of women and men of all ages who are looking for a smarter, safer, and more affordable way to restore youthful skin. This easy-to-apply serum not only targets visible signs of aging but also helps rebuild the skin's structure, giving users renewed confidence in their appearance.With its growing popularity, the serum's unique formula has been discussed in dermatology forums and featured in numerous beauty columns. But the question remains: Is Olavita Liquid Solution really as effective as it claims? With bold promises of wrinkle reduction, skin tightening, and visible transformation in as little as 15 hours, it sounds almost too good to be true.From our research, we found that Olavita's treatments get down deep into your skin to stimulate & make a big difference in skin texture, decreasing fine lines & wrinkles. That's not all we discovered! In this in-depth Olavita review, we provided all the information you need to know about this serum solution, including the cutting-edge features, benefits, how it works, advantages over other brands, and how to use it. We also answered some frequently asked questions and highlighted some real reviews from consumers. Kindly read on to learn moreWhat Is Olavita Liquid Solution? (Olavita Liquid Solution Reviews)Olavita Liquid Solution is an advanced anti-aging formula designed to help men and women restore youthful, radiant skin by reducing visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Unlike traditional creams or serums that only treat the skin's surface, Olavita's potent liquid solution works deep within the skin layers to stimulate natural collagen and elastin production, helping the skin regain firmness, elasticity, and a smooth texture over time.Olavita is a non-invasive face lift serum that gives you a youthful glow and visibly softens fine lines and wrinkles while transforming a dry, sun-damaged skin into a younger, more even complexion in just a few weeks. Olavita Liquid Solution is is a powerful, lightweight skincare serum designed to brighten, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin for a more radiant, youthful look. Think of it as your all-in-one glow booster, targeting dullness, uneven tone, dryness, and early signs of aging in just a few drops.All Olavita reviews state that this cutting-edge skincare innovation is formulated with premium ingredients, including bioactive peptides, hyaluronic acid, and essential antioxidants that work synergistically to nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. Both Olavita before and after customer reviews say it delivers noticeable improvements in skin tone and texture, helping to minimize age spots, tighten loose skin, and provide a long-lasting youthful glow.Unlike most cosmetic procedures or high-end spa treatments that require appointments, injections, or expensive maintenance, Olavita Liquid Solution offers simplicity and convenience. It is easy to apply, absorbs quickly, and is suitable for all skin types. Once applied, it instantly penetrates the dermal layers, repairing and revitalizing from within.What sets Olavita apart from other products is its clinically tested formulation that provides visible results in as little as a few hours of use. Many users report feeling a gentle tightening effect shortly after application, with deeper and more sustained improvements appearing over continued use. The formula also helps strengthen the skin barrier, locking in essential moisture and protecting against environmental aggressors such as pollution and UV rays.Olavita has achieved an impressive 99% customer satisfaction rate, with dermatologists and users praising it for its efficacy, safety, and transformative power. According to skincare experts, one of the most remarkable features of the Olavita Liquid Solution is its micro-molecular absorption technology, which allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeply and act faster than typical serums or creams. This ensures consistent rejuvenation both day and night, giving the skin a firmer and more lifted appearance over time.Another major advantage of Olavita is its effortless usability. The serum requires no professional guidance, simply apply a few drops to clean skin and gently massage it in circular motions until fully absorbed. It dries quickly without leaving residue or greasiness, making it ideal for daily use under makeup or as part of a nighttime skincare routine.Olavita is designed for everyday users seeking a non-invasive, reliable, and affordable anti-aging solution. It comes in a compact, travel-friendly bottle that easily fits into any skincare regimen. Its lightweight formula blends seamlessly into the skin, offering a luxurious, spa-like experience from the comfort of home.Hundreds of verified customers have described Olavita Liquid Solution as an "all-in-one age-defying elixir" that delivers visible and lasting results. Many consider it a one-time investment that replaces the need for multiple skincare products and professional treatments. Unlike many competitors that rely on temporary fillers or artificial tightening agents, Olavita offers a natural, long-term solution for healthier, youthful-looking skin without the PR-Inside.com: 2025-10-25 16:01:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 935 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 25, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluor Corporation ("Fluor" or the "Company") (NYSE:FLR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, and docketed under 25-cv-xxx, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities during the Class Period, you have until November 14, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]Fluor provides engineering, procurement, and construction ("EPC"), fabrication and modularization, and project management services worldwide. The Company operates through three segments: Urban Solutions, Energy Solutions, and Mission Solutions.Throughout 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, Fluor's Urban Solutions segment accounted for the largest portion of the Company's revenue and profit. The Urban Solutions segment offers EPC and project management services to the advanced technologies and manufacturing, life sciences, mining and metals, and infrastructure industries, as well as provides professional staffing services. The Company's infrastructure projects in this segment include work on, inter alia, the Gordie Howe International Bridge ("Gordie Howe"), as well as the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson ("I-635/LBJ") and Interstate 35E ("I-35") highways in Texas.In February 2025, Fluor provided financial guidance for the full year ("FY") of 2025, including adjusted EBITDA of $575 million to $675 million and adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share. Defendants reaffirmed the foregoing financial guidance in May 2025, notwithstanding their acknowledgement of the potential negative impacts of ongoing economic uncertainty on Fluor's business resulting from trade tensions and other market conditions. Contemporaneously, Defendants touted, inter alia, the purported health and stability of Fluor's and its customers' operations and the strength of the Company's risk mitigation strategy, both for itself and its clients.The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Fluor's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) costs associated with the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (ii) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on the Company's business and financial results; (iv) accordingly, Fluor's financial guidance for FY 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of the Company's risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on the Company's business and financial results was understated; and (v) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On August 1, 2025, Fluor issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ("Q2") of 2025. Among other results, the press release reported Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, missing consensus estimates by $0.13, and revenue of $3.98 billion, representing a 5.9% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $570 million. Defendants blamed these disappointing results on, inter alia, growing costs in multiple infrastructure projects due to subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays, as well as reduced capital spending by customers. The same press release also provided a negatively revised financial outlook for FY 2025, guiding to adjusted EBITDA of $475 million to $525 million, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $575 million to $675 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.95 per share to $2.15 per share, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share, citing "client hesitation around economic uncertainty and its impact on new awards and project delays and results for the quarter[.]"The same day, Fluor hosted a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss the Company's Q2 2025 financial results. During that call, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Defendant James R. Breuer, disclosed that the infrastructure projects that had negatively impacted Fluor's Q2 2025 results were the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects.Following the foregoing disclosures, Fluor's stock price fell $15.35 per share, or 27.04%, to close at $41.42 per share on August 1, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has lauded President Bola Tinubus strategic role in the emergence of Philip Mshelbila and Ekperikpe Ekpo in top Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) positions. Mr Mshelbila, the managing director of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was elected as the new secretary-general of the GECF at its 27th Ministerial Meeting held on Thursday in Doha, Qatar. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, also emerged as the president of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting. The Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, described the development as a milestone and testimony to the federal governments Gas Agenda, aimed at utilising natural gas as a major fuel for industrial growth and economic development. Mr Ojulari, in a statement by Andy Odeh, chief corporate communications officer, NNPC Ltd, described the feat as a historic moment for Nigeria. NNPC Ltd is proud of what Mshelbila has achieved at NLNG, where he has worked tirelessly to transform Nigerias vast gas reserves into export-grade LNG, LPG and condensates, serving domestic needs and global markets in the process. With this feat, Philip Mshelbila has put Nigeria on the global energy map for good. This shows that President Tinubus gas to prosperity agenda, aimed at utilising natural gas as the cornerstone of Nigerias industrial growth and economic transformation, is on the right trajectory, Mr Ojulari added. He further assured that with Mr Mshelbila, at the helm of GECF, Africa, Nigeria, and NNPC Ltd, will witness remarkable progress in making natural gas the pivotal resource for sustainable development. The GCEO also congratulated Mr Ekpo on his emergence as president of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting. He said the minister has been at the forefront of championing efforts to harness Nigerias abundant gas resources for industrialisation and economic development. Similarly, Farouk Ahmed, a member of the Nigerian executive board of GECF, also congratulated Messrs Mshelbila and Ekpo on their new top positions at the GECF. Mr Ahmed, who is also the chief executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), described both outcomes as a testament to Nigerias growing leadership, credibility and recognition within the global gas community. In a statement by George Ene-Ita, director of the Public Affairs Department at NMDPRA, Mr Ahmed said that the dual honours reflected the countrys strategic contributions in the energy space. He commended Mr Mshelbilas distinguished track record in the industry. He expressed confidence that his experience would strengthen the Forums role in promoting natural gas as a key driver of global energy security. The GECF is an international intergovernmental organisation that provides a platform for exchanging experiences and information among its member countries. Representing the worlds leading gas-exporting nations, the GECF aims to foster constructive dialogue between gas producers and consumers to enhance the stability and security of global gas supply and demand. Mr Mshelbila succeeds Algerias Mohamed Hamel as the fifth secretary-general of the global organisation, which has been a leading voice in positioning natural gas as a cornerstone of global sustainable development. (NAN) Cast: Uzor Arukwe, Bambam Olawunmi Adenibuyan, Osereme Inegbenebor, Thelma Chukwunwem, Chris Attoh, Patience Ozokwor, Omotunde Adebowale-David. Director: Omoni Oboli Genre: Romance This movie continues the love story of Odogwu Obiora, played by actor Uzor Arukwe, and his Achalugo, Chioml, played by Bambam Olawunmi Adenibuyan. In the first instalment, we see Obiora and Chioma fall in love and get engaged. Before they finally say I do, they must overcome several twists and turns. The movie opens with Chioma having a bad dream. In the dream, her fiances Umunna (male family members) reject her because she was born out of wedlock. This dream traumatises as it should, but she moves past it. The story moves on to launching her perfume store, where she gives a speech thanking her family and Odogwu Obiora for their love and support. This speech goes viral, and she is soon flooded with ordersher business flourishes, as does her relationship. After a bit of a delay, she consents to her Odogwu to commence the wedding plans, which he does by sending his family to collect the brides price list, as is done in Igbo culture. We now see all the wedding planning shenanigans, including the attempted takeover of the wedding by the mother of the bride-to-be, hilariously played by Thelma Chukwunwem, and the brides friend and lawyer, beautifully played by Oseremen Inegbenebor. They make a lot of outlandish demands, but we all know Odogwu is capable. Along the way, a past lover waltzes back into the bride-to-bes life, and a roadblock arises in the form of Odogwus mother, who demands an end to the relationship. Its now up to the couple to navigate these circumstances and whether their love will conquer all. Review First of all, this is a three (3) hour movie. It dragged along so much and had too many unnecessary scenes. For example, the perfume shop scenes and even business talk were excessive. Love In Every Word 2 was promoted as a wedding movie, and more time should have been spent on the main plot, which is the wedding preparations and dynamics around it. The original film was full of delusional moments, such as Odogwu buying the office building to get Achalugos phone number, and this sequel provides more of them. We see Odogwu Obiora gift Chiomas mom a house he built from scratch. In nearly every scene, Oma is constantly spoiled with expensive designer items. He even manages to fly to Lagos from Anambra to see her continually. His character is a billionaire, so maybe hes not delusional! The dialogue between the two main characters was stilted. In the first few scenes, it felt like they were nervous, and their chemistry was lacking. As time passed, they seemed to relax and start showing better, and Uzor, in his usual jocular way, got a few laughs from me. Uzor as Odogwu Obiora gave a somnolent performance. As for Bambams soft-spoken drawl, which was most admired in the original, it became a setback in the sequel. She sounded slow, sure of herself, and a. For a Character with no record of living or even schooling abroad, I found it absurd that she had as much of a foreign accent as her proposed business investors from Dubai. Even when she needed to speak professionally, she kept talking like she was in the bedroom with her man. It was pretty distracting. Then, Odogwus reaction when he found out about Hassan felt rushed. That angle could have been explored more to give Chris Attoh room to shine as the phenomenal actor he is. He was grossly underutilised. Plot holes There were also plot holes, the most noticeable being Obiora meeting with Chiomas father and bringing him to her store. On the bright side, Chiomas mother ate up her role and provided some light-heartedness, as did Adaku, played by Omotunde Adebowale-David. The star-studded cast included the legendary Patience Ozokwor, who played Odogwu Obioras mother. She executed her role perfectly as the Matriarch of a family who wanted to protect her son and the family legacy from disrepute. I wish she had been introduced into the movie earlier and that Adaku had been given more screen time. They provided some much-needed excitement, and their scene together was enjoyable. Another bright spot in the movie was Chiomas friend, Ify. I would name her the breakout star of this sequel. She was the right amount of excited and dramatic. I laughed when she wore black to mourn the relationship being called off. She was great in every scene she appeared in. Everyone loves a good cameo, and Omoni Oboli served us plenty with appearances by Cubana Chief Priest, Zoro, Boy Spyce, Tukand, e Morgan, and others. Verdict There was a disconnect between the original and the sequel. In the original, Odogwu had a more clean-cut look and better grooming. In this sequel, I couldnt help but notice how bushy his hair and beard were and how he folded his red cap and wore it at a jaunty angle. He looked unkempt and unlike a so-called billionaire, and there was a bit of a mix-up with his outfits during the wedding scene. On the bright side, the cinematography was superb. The wardrobe gave us lovely outfits, like the pink dress Chioma wore to reject Hassans car gift. The sound and lighting were also very well done. I must especially commend the director for the wedding scene. The variety of food, performances, outfits, and song choices was put together wonderfully. That was the highlight of the movie for me. It is too lengthy and takes some time to become good, but it has some laugh-out-loud moments. It doesnt live up to or surpass the original, but it is enjoyable to watch overall. 7/10 Showing on Omoni Oboli TV. When the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed Nigeria on its grey list in February 2023, authorities described the move as unfair. However, the global bodys decision underscored deep concerns about Nigerias anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. Countries on the FATF grey list are considered to have deficiencies in preventing money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. This means the world body does not fully trust their financial systems until identified gaps are addressed. The FATF, an intergovernmental organisation that sets global standards to protect the financial system, assesses countries compliance with Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (AML/CFT/P) standards. Grey-listing carries significant implications. It discourages foreign investment, damages reputation, and increases borrowing costs. It can also lead to loss of correspondent banking services and, if unaddressed, escalation to the FATF blacklist of high-risk jurisdictions. A 2021 report by the International Monetary Fund found that grey-listed countries experienced a large and statistically significant reduction in capital inflows. FATF Mutual Evaluation Exercise Nigerias second FATF Mutual Evaluation Exercise began in 2019 and was published in 2021. It covers both technical compliance and effectiveness compliance. While the former covers legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks, the latter measures the achievement of desired outcomes. The countrys results were mixed: Compliant, 7; Largely Compliant, 14; Partially Compliant, 14; Non-Compliant, 2; High/Substantial Effectiveness, 0; Moderate Effectiveness, 2; and Low Effectiveness, 9. These poor ratings placed Nigeria under GIABAs Enhanced Follow-up Process and the FATF International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) process. GIABA is the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa. Under the ICRG, Nigeria was given a one-year observation period to implement 84 recommended actions. The government established a national task force, amended key laws, launched a beneficial ownership register, and operationalised the National Sanctions Committee. By 2023, FATF acknowledged that Nigeria had addressed 69 of the 84 actions, but the remaining 15 were considered strategically important, prompting the greylisting in February 2023. FATFs 19-Point Action Plan Following its greylisting, FATF issued Nigeria a 19-point action plan to be completed within set timelines or risk blacklisting. Key recommendations included implementing targeted financial sanctions in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Between 2023 and 2025, Nigeria submitted six progress reports demonstrating progress, and the FATF determined that the country has addressed all 19 action items. FATF conducted an on-site visit in August 2025 and, at its October plenary, delisted Nigeria from the grey list alongside Burkina Faso, Mozambique and South Africa. Nigerias Reform Push Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Nigeria treated the FATF decision not as a setback but as a call to action. In response, the government carried out sweeping legal and institutional reforms, including the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022. It also launched the Beneficial Ownership Register, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and enhanced the capacity of law enforcement and regulatory institutions to detect and prosecute complex financial crimes. Section 9 of the Terrorism Act 2022 established the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, comprising 16 government ministries, departments, and agencies and chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) serves as its secretariat. Persistent challenges Despite the reforms, Nigeria still faces obstacles in fully implementing targeted financial sanctions. These include: delays from stakeholders, limited information on subjects linked to terrorism financing, name similarities with designated individuals, focus on freezing bank accounts rather than all economic resources, and limited use of technology and inadequate training, especially among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). Delisting Announcing Nigerias removal from the grey list, President Bola Tinubu described it as a major milestone in the nations journey towards economic reform, institutional integrity and global credibility. The exit from the FATF grey list marks the beginning of a new chapter in the nations financial reform agenda as Nigeria will sustain the already institutionalised reforms, deepen institutional collaboration and continue to build a financial system that Nigerians and the world can trust.. Hafsat Bakari, the NFIUs chief executive officer, called the development a true test of our resilience and unwavering commitment to reform, adding that it signals to the world that Nigeria can meet and exceed global standards in financial integrity. She urged continued collaboration among stakeholders to sustain the progress. Nigerias first FATF experience Nigeria was first listed among FATFs Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories in 2001. The country responded by repealing the Money Laundering Decree of 1995, enacting the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003, and later establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). FATF delisted Nigeria in 2006. Since then, Nigeria has continued to strengthen its legal framework, culminating in the enactment of the 2022 laws. The country is scheduled for its third mutual evaluation exercise in 2027, marking the next major test of its commitment to financial transparency. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the recet three attacks on military positions in Borno and Yobe states. The terrorist group said it killed three Nigerian soldiers and injured seven others in the attacks. A propaganda video released by the group shows heavily-armed fighters exchanging fire as they set vehicles ablaze. ISWAP also shows nine motorcycles believed to be looted from the attacks in the footage. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that ISWAP fighters stormed Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo (in Borno), and Katarko in Yobe. The Nigerian Army said a joint task force under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), killed 50 of the terrorists with air support. Sani Uba, the North-east spokesperson for the OPHK, said the attacks occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. when the terrorists simultaneously targeted troop locations, using armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). Zulum laments The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, lamented the terrorists use of drones, blaming the attacks on intelligence failure. According to a Daily Trust report, the governor said there was a well-circulated intelligence prior to the attack. We had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked, and it was duly circulated to all relevant authorities, Mr Zulum was quoted saying when he visited Mafa. I believe there is a need for us to come together, including the state and federal governments, as well as the military high command to identify the gaps and address them directly. The governor said he suspected sabotage within and it has to be identified and addressed. We dont have to blame each other; we have to come together and resolve this situation, he said. Mr Zulum added that the successful use of drones by the terrorists exposed a critical vulnerability in Nigerias airspace security. One thing I want to comment on is the issue of drones, he said. This is frightening. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used. The proliferation of drones, particularly in the hands of non-state actors, is of great concern for the entire country. We have to do something to stop the rampant use of armed drones. Mr Zulum also called for a trans-border collaboration to strengthen our airspace. He noted that the security threats are beyond Borno. This is something that we need to address urgently; this is not an issue confined to Borno alone, the governor said. This is the right time for the security architecture to thoroughly look into strengthening the capability of our airspace to curtail the use of armed drones by terrorists. ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgency: A trans-border threat Boko Haram, which split into at least three factionsISWAP, Bakura Doro-led Jamatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Ansaru, continue to pose a regional threat to countries in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel. With bases in Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger Republic, these groups have exploited weak border governance, capitalising on the grievances of disgruntled local Fulani in West Africa to sustain their operations. READ ALSO: NEMA receives 150 stranded Nigerians from Niger Republic To dismantle their operations across the borders, regional governments came up with collaborative frameworks and realigned existing ones such as the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), an initiative now threatened by the schism that rocked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Established by Nigeria in 1994 to curb banditry and facilitate free movement of individuals and belongings along its northern border, the MNJTF was strengthened around 2015 to curtail Boko Haram in Lake Chad basin region. Nigeria arrives at MI26 with momentum: a refreshed institutional architecture, an active licensing sanitisation drive that has returned dormant titles to the market, high-profile push into critical-minerals processing, and headline figures the government is using to signal progress and attract capital. That said, gaps remain across predictable regulation, downstream processing capacity, infrastructure, investor confidence on governance and security, and the supply-chain readiness needed to convert exploration interest into bankable projects. How effectively Nigeria translates reforms into verifiable, investible pipelines and how it frames that story at Indaba 26 will determine whether it moves from headline promise to near-term deals. Why MI26 matters for Nigeria now Mining Indaba is the continents premier mining investment platform; MI26s theme is: Stronger together-Progress through partnerships, foregrounds partnership, value chains and downstreaming. For Nigeria, which has historically under-exploited its mineral base while depending on oil revenues, MI26 is a chance to reset external perceptions and to anchor inbound capital into projects that support jobs, import substitution, and critical-minerals supply chains for the energy transition. Attending MI26 is not merely a marketing exercise; its a place to surface concrete projects, forge offtake and processing partnerships, and secure technical and finance partners for industrialisation. What Nigeria brings to the table- recent, verifiable progress 1. Regulatory sanitisation and title clean-up. The federal government has revoked large numbers of dormant or non-compliant mineral titles and strengthened the cadastre process to reduce licence racketeering, a move intended to improve the investment climate and free up attractive parcels. This use it or lose it enforcement has been widely reported and is central to the governments narrative. 2. Policy re-organisation and institutional focus. The Ministry structure was split and retooled to create clearer upstream (mining) and downstream (steel/processing) policy responsibilities, positioned by officials as a way to align licensing, local content and industrialisation goals. 3. Publicised injection of investment and processing plans. Abuja has promoted figures and projects, including government announcements of substantial foreign processing projects and planned rare-earth / lithium processing facilities to show credible pipelines for downstream manufacturing. State releases cite large investments and boosted revenue as evidence of reform traction. 4. Digitalisation and cadastre modernisation. The mining cadastre has been digitised (eMC+ and other systems), improving title transparency and speeding application/monitoring processes, an important signal to investors about reduced procedural friction. These points will be the cornerstone of Nigerias MI26 pitch: credibility (we fixed licensing), pipeline (we have projects and processing ambitions), and access (we digitalised cadastre and reduced red tape). Readiness assessment and the six dimensions 1. Policy & regulatory clarity Strengths: Visible enforcement (revocations), local-processing mandates and tighter licensing create a short-term narrative of seriousness. Risks/Gaps: Investors prize predictability. Frequent sudden policy shifts, poorly explained local-processing rules, or ad hoc enforcement can chill investment. Clear, published timelines for licence re-allocation, transparent dispute-resolution, and stable fiscal/royalty regimes are still incomplete in public view. 2. Institutional capacity & governance Strengths: Restructuring ministries and stronger cadastre functions help streamline approvals; public relations emphasize anti-corruption and compliance. Risks/Gaps: Capacity at subnational levels, variability in permitting timelines between states, and effective enforcement of environmental and social safeguards remain uncertain. Demonstrable third-party audits, functioning environmental regulators, and independent titling verification will be key. 3. Project pipeline & bankability Strengths: Reported $800m+ in foreign commitments and new processing projects (government claims) are powerful headlines to attract meetings. Risks/Gaps: Headlines do not equal bankable, finance-ready projects. Investors will want JORC/NI-43-101 standard resource statements, feasible mine plans, off-takes, community consent, and environmental/social impact assessments (ESIAs). Nigeria must present a slate of shovel-ready assets with clear de-risking steps. 4. Downstream processing & value addition Strengths: Announcements of processing plants (lithium/rare earths) and an explicit push for local beneficiation match global demand for secure critical-minerals value chains. Risks/Gaps: Building processing plants requires reliable feedstock, power, water, trained workforce and logistics. Nigeria needs to show demonstrable progress on site selection, partner commitments, and power/logistics plans, not just MOUs. 5. Infrastructure, logistics & services Strengths: Nigerias large domestic market and ports offer potential advantages if logistics are managed. Risks/Gaps: Roads, rail links, and energy supply to remote deposits remain weak relative to South Africa or Ghana. MI26 investors will look for credible mitigation plans (blended finance for infrastructure, PPPs, corridors). 6. ESG, community consent & security Strengths: Crackdown on illegal mining and the creation of mining marshals are sold as steps to improve security and revenue capture. Risks/Gaps: Nigeria must demonstrate effective community engagement practices, clear land/FPIC processes, remediation plans, and measurable reductions in illegal mining. Without this, reputational and offtake risk from responsible buyers will persist. The endgame: what Nigeria likely hopes to achieve at MI26 Nigerias public and private messaging suggests a three-part endgame for MI26: 1. Attract anchor partners for processing and critical-minerals value chains. Convert interest into investment commitments (MOUs HoTs debt/equity commitments for lithium, rare earths and other strategic commodities. 2. Lock in technical partners and capital for upgrading the project pipeline. Secure technical partners (majors, mid-tiers, engineering firms) to produce bankable feasibility studies and JORC/NI 43-101 reporting, enabling mobilization of project finance. 3. Rebrand Nigeria as an investible, downstream-oriented mining jurisdiction. Move the narrative from untapped, risky frontier to partnerable source of critical minerals with downstream ambitions, leveraging headline progress (licence cleanups, cadastre digitalisation, and announced plants). Messaging & positioning- a suggested playbook for MI26 Nigeria should avoid vague promises and instead use MI26 to project three certainties: 1. Evidence over rhetoric: bring a short list (36) of bankable, due-diligence projects with public fact sheets: resource reports, permit status, ESIA status, local partner, and precise capital need (USD X million). Investors want data not forecasts. 2. Show, dont tell, progress on governance: publish a concise two-page reform scoreboard showing revocations completed, cadastre digital metrics (e.g., eMC+ operational metrics), timelines for title re-allocation and an independent audit mechanism. Investors respond to verifiable, time-bound reforms. 3. Downstream narrative anchored in partnerships: promote specific public-private masterplans for processing hubs (site, anchor investor, off-taker pipeline, ETA for plant commissioning). Position Nigeria as a partner in the critical-minerals value chain rather than merely an upstream supplier. 4. Risk mitigation packages: offer clear, replicable de-risking instruments: state credit guarantees for certain first-of-a-kind plants, one-stop shop for permitting, fast-track grid access corridors, and blended finance vehicles. This reduces perceived zovereign and project execution risk. 5. ESG and host-community offer: present a standardized host-community engagement and revenue-sharing model tied to benefits (jobs, contracting targets, local processing quotas), this reduces social licence risk and attracts ESG-sensitive investors. Likely investor reception & geopolitical overlay 1. Investors focused on critical minerals (battery supply chains) will view Nigeria with strong interest, large resource upside + geographic advantage in servicing African industrialisation and western supply-chain diversification. But they will demand geological transparency and reliable supply chains. 2. Major miners may remain cautious until projects reach feasibility and governance risk reduces further; many will prefer partnerships or earn-ins with strong offtake and processing guarantees. Reuters and global miners outreach in 202425 shows appetite but caution. 3. Geopolitical factors: competition among global buyers (U.S., EU, China) for critical minerals gives Nigeria leverage but only if it can credibly present processing capacity and governance. Strategic partnerships (e.g., Nigeria-South Africa pact) can strengthen credibility. Immediate actions to maximise MI26 outcomes 1. Bring a verified Top 5 project book. Each project, resource statement, ESIA status, permit checklist, investment needed, and clearly defined offtake/processing pathway. 2. Publish a compact reform scoreboard. Include measurable indicators, number of titles revoked/re-issued, cadastre uptime and eMC+ metrics, and timelines for outstanding regulatory changes. 3. Announce one or two credible PPP processing anchors. Even if financing is staged, announce lead partners, LOIs or conditional commitments that show industrial intent (with implementation milestones). 4. Offer concrete de-risking tools. Present a toolkit of blended finance facilities, export credit insurance options, and a timeline for tax/fiscal stability agreements for anchors. 5. Deploy an MI26 outreach team with clear roles. Ensure ministers, technical leads, NMCO, and a deal-flow manager/front office are present to convert meetings into term sheets and MOUs. 6. Invite credible third-party validators. Bring an independent auditor or respected international bank to validate the reform claims, this builds investor trust immediately. Performance metrics to track post-Indaba (how Nigeria can measure success) 1. Number of MOUs converted to term sheets (target: 3050% conversion within 6 months). 2. Capital committed to feasibility/FS stage (USD value). 3. New processing capacity agreements (tonnage/year and expected commissioning date). 4. Time-to-title reallocation (days) and percentage of cadastre transactions completed digitally. 5. ESG/compliance baselines established (number of community consent agreements signed). Realistic optimism, not marketing Nigerias recent actions show clear intent to sanitise the sector, prioritise downstream processing, and make bold announcements to attract capital. These are necessary first steps but MI26 will separate rhetoric from readiness. To convert attention into investment, Nigeria must present verifiable, bankable projects; transparent governance metrics; and concrete de-risking instruments that bridge the gap between exploration interest and financing/implementation. If Nigeria can bring that to MI26, a credible project book, third-party validation, and at least one anchor processing commitment; it will have a strong chance of turning a high-profile presence into measurable industrial progress. Victor LIMAN is the former Chief Trade Negotiator and Acting Director General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations. Mr LIMAN is also the former Head and Commissioner, Nigeria Regional Investment and Trade Office, China; with the concurrent mandate to oversee Nigerias trade and investment relations with South Eastern Asian Countries. [email protected] (+234 7011276040). S&P Global Commodity Insights is setting its heart on Nigerias blooming resource development drive to spur its operations in the country and start an office next year. The West African nations resource development drive has led the government to shift his gaze towards energy and mining among the priority areas needed to speed up economic growth. S&P Global, the New York City-based parent, currently runs serviced offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of its African operation. The commodity market intelligence powerhouse has picked Abuja, Nigerias administrative capital, as its base, where it has secured a place at the World Trade Center complex as a strategic point to connect with clients, policymakers and the local industry. Not only are we excited to become a part of this unique location in the heart of Nigerias capital at this pivotal period in the evolution of the nations energy, metals, and mining sectors, but we welcome the opportunity it provides, by proximity, to working more closely with industry leaders, policymakers and market participants, Dave Ernsberger, a co-president of the company, said in a statement on Thursday. AFEX Commodities Exchange, also based in the city and recognised by the Financial Times two years ago as Africas fastest-growing company, similarly offers commodity insights and real-time pricing data for grains like sorghum, soybean, paddy rice and maize. It does so through its AFEX Commodity Index. S&P Global Commodity Insights is taking its services in price reporting, analytics, market surveillance and research to the doorstep of West Africas largest economy to keep its radar tuned to immediate developments and trends in its energy transition and commodity space. It ranks alongside Argus Media and ICIS among the worlds most prominent price reporting firms, and the data it supplies are popular benchmarks for pricing in both physical commodity and derivative markets. Nigerias newfound oil push The race to grow the Nigerian economy to the $1 trillion mark by 2030 is feeding a push to turn to its largely unharnessed natural resources to generate revenue for infrastructural expansion and critical projects. Oil & gas, projected to take the lead, will have reached 3 million barrels per day in output terms by 2030, the government projected. Strong outcomes from combatting commonplace crude theft, pipeline vandalism, insecurity and sabotage in oil-producing regions are giving international investors an assurance of safety to put their capital in an industry, where oil output slumped to a 32-year low in 2022. This month, Shell announced a $2 billion final investment decision on a joint venture gas project with local company Sunlink, mirroring a surge in IOC activities now seen in deep-water areas of the Niger Delta, where ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies are taking on new projects. These and other upstream operations are helping restore production to fairly high levels. Output currently stands at 1.61 million bpd (crude oil and condensates), compared to below 1 million in May 2023, when Bola Tinubu took over presidency. Nigeria is rising to become a regional refining hub, with Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the continents biggest refiner, now expanding its daily capacity to 650,000 barrels from the original 600,000, and a couple of other conventional refinery constructions, including Akwa Ibom State-based 200,000 bpd BUA Refinery, are in the works. Aliko Dangote, Africas richest man who owns the plant, bared his plan to scale up the capacity to 1.4 million bpd in a recent interview with S&P Global. At least five modular refineries are also processing crude. Such activities suit the ambitions of S&P Global Commodity Insights, which, in April, introduced a number of regional price assessments to monitor the value of waterborne refined oil products traded in the Gulf of Guinea. The company said the move aims at supporting West Africas energy markets to attain higher transparency and efficiency as the supply of refined petroleum products grows and regional demand surges. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, first began a West African crude oil price assessment (Platts Nigeria Forcados) 41 years ago. Forcados Yokri oilfield, situated southwest of Warri in Delta State, produces the medium sweet crude oil grade. Mining revolution S&P Global Commodity Insights said tracking the countrys metals and mining sector will also take centre stage of its operation. In a way, the country is shifting its fixation away from oil as the biggest contributor of the governments revenue and the dominant source of Nigerias foreign exchange earnings. That has sparked an urgency to explore other promising economic activities, including tapping its mineral wealth, now in the neighbourhood of $750 billion, to quicken growth. Minings contribution to the GDP was as low as 0.2 per cent between 2018 and 2022, according to PwC. That surged to 4.6 per cent in the second quarter of this year, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake told a media parley ahead of the Nigerian Mining Week this month. President Tinubu has announced an investment package of N1 trillion from this years budget to boost industry operations in areas including geological surveying, geoscientific exploration and mining infrastructure. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 150 Nigerians who were stranded in Agadez, Niger Republic, under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The returnees, comprising 88 adult males, 32 adult females, 14 male children, and 16 female children, arrived at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, around 5:20 a.m. on Thursday. NEMA confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday, noting that the returnees were received by officials from its Kano Operations Office in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and other relevant agencies. According to NEMA, immigration officials immediately conducted biometric registration and proper documentation of all returnees to facilitate their reintegration into the country. In line with the Federal Governments commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified, and humane return of its citizens, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, the agency said. The assistance included the provision of food and potable water, medical care and ambulance services, luggage handling, logistics support, and general coordination to ensure a smooth and orderly reception process. READ ALSO: WHO reports major decline in polio cases across Africa NEMA commended the collaborative efforts of IOM, NCFRMI, and other key stakeholders in ensuring the exercise was well-coordinated and centred on the dignity and welfare of the returnees. Over the years, NEMA and IOM have facilitated the voluntary return of thousands of Nigerians stranded abroad as part of efforts to curb irregular migration and support reintegration. Stephen Mba, father of the young man fatally shot in August by a security operative attached to the residence of Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Calabar, demanding N950 million for the killing of his son. The incident happened in Calabar. The victim, Moses, was 21 years old. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Mbas lawyers, O. R. Ogboaka and Okon Efut (SAN), filed the suit on his behalf. In an originating motion filed on 10 October, the applicant joined Victor Edet, Police Service Commission, Commissioner of Police, and Governor Otu as respondents. He prayed the court to declare the torture, assault, and murder of the deceased as unlawful, unwarranted, flagrant abuse and executive recklessness against the deceased. He prayed the court to order the respondents to pay him N950 million as exemplary and aggravated damages. Mr Mba explained that the demanded amount is for general damages, including the torture, murder and wanton violation of the deceaseds fundamental rights. Background NAN recalls that the victims mother, Victoria, had alleged that her son was beaten and shot by the security operatives attached to the governors residence on 1 August 2025. Victoria had demanded justice for her slain son. She had explained that Moses died on 9 August at the Naval Reference Hospital, Calabar, following injuries sustained from the beating and gunshot. According to her, Moses, who would have turned 22 in November, was beaten, shot, and left in a pool of his blood in front of the governors residence. We (my husband and I) were away in Abia State when the incident occurred; we got a call the same day from an official of the Red Cross Society who rushed him to the hospital. Upon our arrival at the hospital, we sought to enquire from our son the event that led to the beating and subsequent shooting. According to him, he only requested to see the governor and that he had a message for him from God. Victoria said she was not making excuses for Moses, but that her late son had a gift of prophecy, which she said was noticeable when he was just 10. She said the family had pleaded with Moses to complete his education before considering going into ministry. She claimed her son was beaten and shot when he insisted on seeing the governor, and that he was left on his own without assistance from those who caused him harm. It was the Red Cross, whose office had closed at the time, that rushed him to the hospital as he was bleeding profusely from the gunshot wound. They (Red Cross) also paid N1.3 million, aside from other medical bills, for his surgery, she stated. Victoria said that throughout the period her son was hospitalised, security operatives from the governors office were at his hospital bed, mounting surveillance. She said that the plainclothes security operatives worked three times a day: morning, afternoon, and night. Victoria dismissed the claim by Governor Otus security aides that her slain son had a mental disorder. According to her, Moses wrote the last JAMB and scored 196, and his WAEC result is perfect. She said Moses was preparing to study business administration at the University of Calabar. They are saying all I need is money, and that N3 million will keep me quiet. Nigerians should please help me. I want justice for my son, who is still in the mortuary, she said. Cross River govts reaction The Commissioner for Information in Cross River, Erasmus Ekpang, condemned the killing of Moses, but said that the governors security aides were not responsible for the mans death. He claimed that Moses was mentally challenged and that the house he went to was the governors former residence. There is video evidence that the boy threw big stones at the policeman. He was not mentally okay, and at one point, had to apologise for throwing stones. In spite of this, we condemn the beating and shooting of the boy. It is not something that we should be happy about, no matter what. The Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Rasheed Afegbua, said the matter was before the DPP for advice. Whatever the DPP advises, we will follow, he had stated. The police operative accused of the killing has been arrested. Last week, automotive parts supplier AutoZone gave a worrying update. The Memphis-based company reported an $80 million non-cash LIFO (last in, first out) charge in the previous quarter due to tariffs, and they expect that number to grow to $120 million in the current first fiscal quarter. After that, it expects charges between $80 million and $85 million throughout the rest of the fiscal year. U.S. auto parts tariffs at a glance 25% duty on imported auto parts, engines, and vehicles USMCA exemption for Mexico and Canada Japan and EU rate reduced to 15% UK rate reduced to 10% But AutoZone also said it was in a good place due to consumer inelasticity. Customers can defer that maintenance for some period of time, but ultimately they realize that theyve got to fix it or it creates more damage, Chief Executive Philip B. Daniele said on the earnings call. According to Daniele, the cost of going to his stores to buy parts to fix a car yourself is still far below dealership costs, so although prices are going up due to tariffs, AutoZone is well positioned. This week, however, one of its national rivals gave an update that contradicts AutoZone's view of the U.S. consumer. O'Reilly Automotive CEO sees DIY pullback due to price increases.Photo by Sundry Photography on Getty Images O'Reilly Automotive stock sinks after forecasting auto repair DIY pullback Replacement auto parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive reported third-quarter results this week, sending shares dropping nearly 7%. The company's exposure to bankrupt supplier First Brands Group was the big driver, but its outlook on the American consumer doesn't help matters. Related: Top AutoZone exec makes a move shareholders should know about The pressure to our DIY business as we move through the quarter was primarily felt in some categories, where we could be seeing some deferral in larger-ticket jobs, CEO Brad Beckham said during the company's analyst call. While O'Reilly did raise its full-year profit and revenue outlook, it lowered its projections for cash from operating activities, noting that "also factored into our guidance is a continuation of the pressure to our DIY customers." Beckham described the DIY situation as fluid, explaining that "there's a lot of movement" with the deferral of larger-ticket jobs. O'Reilly Automotive plans to open up to 235 new stores Despite the DIY headwinds, O'Reilly still plans to expand with hundreds of new store openings in 2026. The Springfield, Missouri-based company shared a 2026 target of between 225 and 235 net new stores, including its first store in Canada. O'Reilly also says it's on track to achieve its 2025 new store opening target of between 200 and 210 new stores by the end of the year. Leading Yoruba traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, met in Lagos on Friday in what has been described as a landmark reconciliation between the two ancient thrones. The meeting was convened by businessman and philanthropist Kessington Adebutu as part of activities marking his birthday celebration. At the end of the deliberations, both kings jointly announced the establishment of the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity (JCUY), a new body aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland. In a communique signed by the Ooni and the Alaafin, and witnessed by Mr Adebutu, the royal fathers reaffirmed their shared commitment to unity, mutual respect, and the advancement of the Yoruba nation. Today marks a defining moment in our shared history. We are committed to promoting harmony among Yoruba sons and daughters and to upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood bequeathed to us by our forebears, the communique stated. The Ooni and Alaafin also emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue between traditional institutions, noting that the prosperity of the Yoruba race depends on collaboration rather than competition. The gathering was attended by prominent Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, and cultural figures, many of whom hailed the development as a new dawn for inter-kingdom relations. Mr Adebutu, the convener of the meeting, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as a milestone of reconciliation and vision. He said the coming together of the two foremost thrones would inspire peace and progress not only across Yorubaland but also among Yoruba descendants worldwide. A rivalry rooted in history Relations between the Ooni and the Alaafin have historically reflected the broader power dynamics of Yoruba history. While Ile-Ife is revered as the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba nation, Oyo emerged as a powerful political and military empire centuries ago. In modern times, occasional disagreements over hierarchy, protocol, and representation in national affairs created visible rifts between the two palaces. PREMIUM TIMES had reported the crisis that erupted after the Ooni of Ife,conferred the chieftaincy title Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin of Oyo immediately challenged the Oonis authority to bestow such a title on anyone, arguing that only his stool can validly confer Yorubawide titles. According to the Alaafin, the Oonis authority is legally and traditionally limited to Ife Central, Ife North, and Ife South local government areas of Osun State, making the conferment an overreach. In a statement from the Alaafins media office, the monarch issued a 48hour ultimatum to the Ooni to revoke the title, warning of dire consequences if the demand is ignored. The Alaafin referenced a Supreme Court ruling that he claimed supported his exclusive right to bestow titles covering Yorubaland, emphasising that his stance is aimed at preserving traditional hierarchy and cultural order within the Yoruba nation. However, the Ooni, through his media aide, Moses Olafare, dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Alaafin. The feud led to a division, with certain groups supporting the Alaafin and others claiming the Ooni held a higher rank. Previous efforts by Yoruba elders and political figures to mend fences often resulted in brief symbolic gestures without lasting effect. However, the Lagos meeting appears to have gone further to design a structured framework for ongoing dialogue through the newly created Joint Council of Yoruba Unity. The Police command in Lagos State has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer of Festac Division, Chief Superintendent of Police, Matilda Ngbaronye. The Commands spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos. She said Mrs Ngbaronye died on Friday after undergoing surgery at Mayriamville Medical Centre, Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos. Ms Adebisi described her death as a huge loss, noting that she was a disciplined and upright officer who served with exceptional professionalism and integrity. She said Mrs Ngbaronye was known for diligence, discipline, and devotion to duty, adding that her humane approach helped strengthen policepublic relations. Ms Adebisi noted that Mrs Ngbaronye was never found wanting in the discharge of her duties and her passing shocked the entire Command. She said the Commissioner of Police, Olohumdare Jimoh, and all officers and men of the Command commiserated with her family and aged mother. Ms Adebisi added that CP Jimoh had personally contacted Ngbaronyes husband and elder brother, a priest, to convey the Commands condolences and support. She said burial arrangements would be announced later and prayed for her soul to rest in peace. (NAN) when the chronicle of this struggle is finally written, history will not remember those who paralysed their own people in the name of resistance. It will remember the man who dared to confront power on its own sacred ground; the one who carried the fight from the dusty streets of despair to the fortified gates of tyranny, and made the mighty flinch, if only for a fleeting moment. For that audacity alone, Omoyele Sowore has earned not scorn, but our enduring respect. At the crack of dawn on Monday, 20 October, the usually bustling arteries of Abuja were transformed into a fortress. By 6:00 a.m., combined contingents of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) had fanned out across the city centre, sealing off access to the Three Arms Zone, the sanctum of Nigerias political power housing the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court. Armoured vehicles squatted menacingly at key intersections: Toyota Hilux trucks formed barricades across Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro, while grim-faced men in uniform stood guard, their presence the foreboding symbol of a government on the edge. The tension was not misplaced. For the first time in the long and tortuous struggle to free Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Nigerian government was being made to feel a modicum of the pressure it had so callously imposed on others. At the heart of this new wave of agitation stood one man: Omoyele Sowore. You may scoff at him from the safety of your comfort zone, dismiss him as a rabble-rouser, or mock the image of him ducking live bullets. You may question his motives or ridicule his defiance. But what you cannot deny is that Sowore, through sheer audacity and persistence, has managed, in just two weeks, to shake the complacency of a government long accustomed to governing without consequence. He has succeeded where bishops, monarchs, politicians, and countless civil society actors couldnt: he forced Aso Rock to take notice. For the first time in years, the agitation for Kanus release dominated national headlines and compelled both President Tinubus administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress to respond publicly. In the stagnant pool of Nigerias political inertia, that alone is a tremor worth celebrating. Before now, many of us had challenged the wisdom of the Monday sit-at-home orders that have become the South-Easts recurring nightmare. We argued, rightly, that you cannot profess to fight for a peoples freedom while simultaneously strangling their livelihoods. The artisans, petty traders, transporters, and subsistence farmers who live from hand-to-mouth have borne the heaviest burden of this misbegotten strategy. Each Monday of paralysis is another wound in a region already bleeding from decades of neglect and over-militarisation. What kind of liberation movement punishes its own? Instead of taking the fight to Abuja, the true theatre of power, many have chosen to terrorise their kin, creating a siege mentality in their own homeland. The cruel irony is that the victims of the lockdowns are not government bureaucrats or politicians, but ordinary men and women already crushed by the weight of survival under a state that treats them as suspects. Let us be clear: the call for Nnamdi Kanus release is no longer merely about one man. It is not an endorsement of IPOBs excesses, which have rightly drawn criticism. It is about what his continued incarceration represents the institutionalisation of double standards, the perception that the South-East is governed by a harsher, more punitive logic than any other region. That is why Sowores intervention marks a turning point. He has redirected the struggle to its rightful arena; the seat of power where the architects of injustice reside and from where decisions of consequence emanate. His protest was not a regional tantrum but a national moral statement. Of course, there are whispers that some Igbos have worked against Kanus release. That may hold some truth, but it is disingenuous to ignore the relentless efforts of countless Igbo groups and indeed non-Igbo allies who have repeatedly journeyed to Abuja to plead for his freedom. From the Buhari years to the Tinubu administration, delegations of traditional rulers, clergy, and statesmen have made overtures to the powers that be, all in vain. What Sowore has done is to reframe the issue, stripping it of its ethnic garb and presenting it for what it is: a question of justice and equality before the law. His defiance is not for the Igbo cause alone but for the soul of a nation that has made selective justice its moral compass. Sowore is cut from the same cloth as Gani Fawehinmi, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and the uncompromising lineage of Nigerian dissent. His is the voice that refuses to be tamed, the conscience that cannot be bought. I have long admired his courage, even if at times his tactlessness undermines his message. You cannot berate Peter Obi one day and expect his cooperation the next day; politics, after all, is as much about persuasion, as it is conviction. But flaws notwithstanding, Sowores relentless crusade against tyranny remains one of the few bright flames in the darkening Nigerian firmament. Some sneer that it took a Yoruba man to champion an Igbo struggle. That argument is as hollow as it is toxic. Sowore has never filtered justice through the lens of ethnicity. He understands, as every enlightened mind must, that injustice is an equal-opportunity destroyer. The moral obligation to resist oppression transcends geography and tribe. After all, many Igbos, the likes of Chuma Ubani, Arthur Nwankwo, and others, risked imprisonment and death during the June 12 struggle for Moshood Abiolas mandate. They did not fight for a Yoruba cause; they fought for a Nigerian ideal. Let us be clear: the call for Nnamdi Kanus release is no longer merely about one man. It is not an endorsement of IPOBs excesses, which have rightly drawn criticism. It is about what his continued incarceration represents the institutionalisation of double standards, the perception that the South-East is governed by a harsher, more punitive logic than any other region. His imprisonment has become the pretext for criminal opportunists to impose ruinous sit-at-home orders that have gutted the South-Easts economy and psyche. His release would likely undercut this pretence, robbing these marauders of their excuse for terror. Yet, the governments obstinate refusal to act sustains a growing sense of alienation and fuels the dangerous conviction that the Nigerian State has no empathy for the Igbo plight. In an age in which silence has become a survival strategy, Sowores voice, unrefined sometimes but fearless, echoes as a challenge to the rest of us. He reminds us that moral authority is earned not through rhetoric but through risk. His methods may offend sensibilities, his tone may be abrasive, but his purpose is unambiguous: to force power to reckon with its hypocrisy. The larger issue, however, transcends Kanu himself. It speaks to the perception, borne of history and confirmed by policy, that Nigeria operates two systems of justice: one lenient and conciliatory for some, the other harsh and vindictive for others. The same government that courted Niger Delta militants with cash and contracts has refused dialogue with Igbo agitators. The same State that quietly dropped charges against Sunday Igboho and rehabilitated thousands of repentant Boko Haram fighters, sees no reason to temper justice with mercy for Nnamdi Kanu. When President Tinubu recently granted clemency to 175 convicts, among them kidnappers, drug traffickers, and fraudsters, the omission of Kanus name was neither an accident nor an oversight. It was a deliberate act; a message encoded in silence. Sowores march on Abuja is, therefore, not just a protest; it is a confrontation with the Nigerian conscience. It is a reminder that true courage lies not in online activism or regional bravado but in standing, physically and morally, in the line of fire. While others retreat behind hashtags, he has chosen to occupy the very space that power guards most jealously. His action should provoke reflection among those who claim to fight for justice yet choose tactics that harm their own. Real activism does not thrive on fear; it dismantles it. It does not terrorise the weak; it confronts the mighty. In an age in which silence has become a survival strategy, Sowores voice, unrefined sometimes but fearless, echoes as a challenge to the rest of us. He reminds us that moral authority is earned not through rhetoric but through risk. His methods may offend sensibilities, his tone may be abrasive, but his purpose is unambiguous: to force power to reckon with its hypocrisy. And so, when the chronicle of this struggle is finally written, history will not remember those who paralysed their own people in the name of resistance. It will remember the man who dared to confront power on its own sacred ground; the one who carried the fight from the dusty streets of despair to the fortified gates of tyranny, and made the mighty flinch, if only for a fleeting moment. For that audacity alone, Omoyele Sowore has earned not scorn, but our enduring respect. Osmund Agbo is a medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached@ [email protected] In vain President Donald Trump cried out that he is no king, and does not intend to be one. However, many United States (US) citizens did not appear to be listening. At least some seven million of them did not believe him as they cramped into over 25,000 protest centres across 50 states, protesting his alleged attempt to turn the country into an empire with him as emperor. As I went through the streets of New York on Saturday, 18 October, there were people carrying placards returning from various rallies in the city. Some of the placards had Trump graffiti with weird crowns on his head. They carried the central theme of rejecting authoritarianism and dictatorship. It was also a Honk for free day with motorists honking in solidarity whenever they came across protesters. The police swarmed everywhere apparently overwhelmed, looking tired and submissive. But the crowds that turned out in Chicago seemed to have dwarfed those in New York. It was as if that city simply emptied into the streets. It appeared the earlier clashes in Chicago between the populace and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) teams, backed by various security agencies, were but dress rehearsals for the No King Day. No Make America Great Again (MAGA) or bagger had a chance turning out counter protesters. They could only hurl insults in the media calling the protesters terrorists. They even predicted violence at the rallies, but they turned out to be peaceful. To worsen matters for Trump, that day was the 18th Day of the Government shutdown with many federal employees going home without their pay packets. Some had even been laid off. It seemed quite a bad week for Trump and his MAGA people. Hurling his former National Security Adviser, John Bolton, before the courts for alleged breach of security in his new book, was not good optics for the Trump administration. Few seemed to believe Trump when he said he knew nothing about the Bolton arraignment. In contrast, many believed Bolton that his trial is a retributive response by Trump for their parting ways. The disbelief in Trump may also be due to the fact that Bolton is the third top level American official having disagreements with him, who has been dragged to court. The first was former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Comey. The second is Leticia James, former New York Attorney General who openly accused Trump of weaponising the justice system and publicly challenged him, saying she is not afraid of him. The week also turned out to be one the US President set free a convicted fraudster and fellow Republican, George Santos. The implication was not lost on many: the American President pardons a convict while striving to convict people who had served the country. Trump had been riding on the crest of securing peace in Palestine. This has led to a noisy campaign that he should be coronated with the Nobel Peace Prize. But with Israel resuming its attacks in Gaza, shutting the Rafah Crossing to stop the flow of refugees back to their ancestral lands in Gaza, and restricting food aid, it appeared that while Trump had gotten the Gaza Peace Plan sealed and signed, he had not delivered. Then, the alleged peace maker has sent warships, including nuclear- powered ones anchored off the coasts of Venezuela. There, they are bombing boats and killing their occupants because he suspects they are drug smugglers. Back home in Africa, there are elected Presidents who are kings; leaders who, like monarchs, stay endlessly in power with or without the will of the electorate. President Faure Gnasingbe overthrew the Togolese government after his father, Eyadema, died in 2005. Months later, he was elected President and has been in power for 20 years now with extension plans. Paul Kagame led rebel troops who stopped the Rwanda Genocide. He was in power under various designations until he officially assumed the elected presidency 25 years ago. President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti is 26 years in power. The Eritreans fought a brutal war of independence before achieving independence from Ethiopia 32 years ago. Since then, President Isaias Aferwerki has held on to the presidency. Uganda had to fight a civil war before General Idi Amin Dada was overthrown. Then, the victors fought themselves until President Yoweri Museveni emerged from the bushes in 1986. Since then, he has been President. So, for 39 years he has been President and intends to continue. Dennis Sassou-Ngueso of Congo-Brazzaville was President for 13 years from 1979. Then he staged a comeback five years later, and has remained in office since then. Paul Biya in poor Cameroun has been President since 1982. At 92, and after 43 years in power, he is unable to walk on his own, and lives in Switzerland while visiting his country once in a while. Despite this, he contested the October 12, 2025 presidential election. Since he is unable to stand or walk on his own, he did not border to campaign. Rather, effigies of himself and his wife were made and used to represent them at campaign rallies. One week after the election, the Cameroun Vote Counting Commission released provisional results that claimed Biya won the election, while rival candidate, Issa Chioma Bukari and the opposition declared their own results which claimed Biya lost. The Dean of the Monarchical Life-Presidents of Africa, Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea is in his 46th year on the presidential throne. There is not the slightest chance of Nigeria featuring on this list of monarchical presidents. But the possibility of the 2027 Nigerian elections becoming a mere coronation is high. President Bola Tinubu was half way into his four-year term when the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, declared him unopposed as their presidential candidate for 2027. So, there is no room for any other member of the party contesting its presidential primaries. Now, many state governors who contested on the platform of other political parties have decamped to his party. Also, many members of the National Assembly have similarly decamped, but retain their seats despite Section 68(1) (g) of the Nigerian Constitution which states that elected legislators who decamp to other parties before the expiration of their tenure should lose their seats. But the Constitution is made for Nigerian leaders. So, they retain their seats, especially when they decamp for a good cause: the compulsory retention of a good man in office. Apparently what is structured for Nigeria in 2027 is a coronation not a democratic election. So, what happens in Nigeria after 2027? If you ask me, who do I ask; more so when I am not educated? Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. The decolonisation of Western Sahara is not just a matter of history, morality, politics and diplomacy. It is, first and foremost, a matter of justice. Therefore, human beings, especially those committed to emancipatory politics, development and justice, should empathise, solidarise and support Sahrawi people in all ways possible, and by any means necessary, against Moroccos intransigence. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), better known as Western Sahara, is Africas last colony. It was technically handed over to Morocco and Mauritania by its first colonising power, Spain, in October 1975, to be re-colonised. This October, therefore, marks fifty years since Morocco illegally invaded and occupied Western Sahara. But it equally marks the golden jubilee of the Sahrawi peoples tireless resistance against occupation, and their struggle for independence from Morocco. Similarly, October marks fifty years of Moroccos desperation, political disappointment, and diplomatic failures to subordinate, contain and neutralise the Sahrawi peoples struggle. It equally marks the fiftieth year of Moroccos never-ending construction of colonialist proposals that offend simple common sense, transgress logic, violate international laws, and contravene civilised human ethics. Equally, this month marks the golden jubilee of the United Nations General Assemblys (UNGA) request for the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (IJC) on the legal status of Western Sahara. The ICJ found that while there were ties between Western Sahara and Morocco in the pre-colonial period, those ties did not make the latter part of the former. Consequently, Western Sahara is distinct and independent of Morocco. As such, the principle of self-determination fully applies to Western Sahara. It was after this landmark opinion that Morocco and Mauritania criminally marched their lumpen elements to occupy and divide Western Sahara between themselves. While Mauritania realised its stupidity and withdrew in 1979, anachronistic Morocco, governed by a retrograde monarchy, persist in illegally occupying Western Sahara! Morocco, having failed to get the Polisario Front, the sole and authentic representative of the Sahrawi people, outlawed as a terrorist organisation by its Western and Zionist allies, is now dangling a sugarcoated Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal. First submitted to the UN Security Council in April 2006, the proposal deceptively renamed occupied Western Sahara as Sahrawi Autonomous Region. It proposes that power be shared between Morocco and Western Sahara. The proposal seeks to establish legislative and executive organs for the autonomous region. The suggested Parliament is to be comprised of elected and appointed members representing diverse Sahrawi groups, while the Executive will be appointed by the Moroccan monarch. Moroccos proposal, to start with, breaches the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that, All human beings are born free and equal. It also breaches Article 20 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (AfCHPR), which affirms that, All people shall have a right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination. They shall freely determine their political status and shall pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen. Also, Morocco proposes to be in charge of the occupied Western Saharas security, defence, and territorial integrity; supervise its judiciary and currency; oversee its religious rights and freedom; and decide on the regions national symbols, including its flag and anthem. The region, on the other hand, will oversee the local police and jurisdictions; and economic planning and development, including investment, trade, industry, agriculture and tourism. It will also manage infrastructural development, including transportation, public works, water and electricity. It will further handle social policy matters like education, employment, health, social welfare, social security and spots; cultural and environmental affairs; and cooperation with foreign regional governments. Moroccos witchcraft Sahrawi Autonomous Region is, to say the least, offensive to common sense; it insults logic; negates the ICJ advisory opinion; violates UN declarations, resolutions, and laws; and seriously contravenes all the elaborate peace plans of the UN and African Union (UN). Moroccos proposal, to start with, breaches the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that, All human beings are born free and equal. It also breaches Article 20 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (AfCHPR), which affirms that, All people shall have a right to existence. They shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination. They shall freely determine their political status and shall pursue their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen. The proposal also attempts to bypass UN and AU resolutions, which liberally and amicably seek to resolve Moroccos occupation of Western Sahara. The plan, jointly elaborated by the UN and AU, signed by both the POLISARIO and Morocco, and endorsed by the Security Council in 1990, simply stipulates that Sahrawi people should vote in a referendum whether or not they want to be independent, or become an integral part of Morocco. If Morocco were sincere, why did it refuse to accept the agreement it signed? Moroccos proposal equally contravenes the Advisory opinion of the ICJ, which states that between Western Sahara and Morocco, there are no legal ties that: might affect the application of Resolution 1514(XV) in the decolonization of Western Sahara and in particular, of the principle of self-determination through the free and genuine expression of the will of the peoples of the Territory. Why is Morocco refusing to respect this simple ICJ opinion? Similarly, why has Morocco, which claims civility, liberality and modernism, refused to respect any of the AU resolutions on Western Sahara; and the rulings of the African Court on Human and Peoples Right (AfCHPR)? In 2022, AfCHPR, for instance, ruled that Moroccos occupation of Western Sahara violates the Sahrawi peoples right to self-determination and ordered African states to help secure Western Saharas independence. Moroccos autonomy proposal further amounts to asking the POLISARIO Front to abandon its objectives, mission and goals; impose a fait accompli of occupation and colonisation; and force Sahrawi people, whom international laws grant the right to self-determination, to accept an autonomy that is outright undemocratic, non-democratic, anti-democratic and dehumanising. Equally, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has made seven key rulings on European Union (EU)Morocco trade agreements. All, recognise that Western Sahara is distinct and independent from Morocco; underscore the importance of the principle of self-determination in international law; and obligate European countries to respect the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. Yet, Morocco and its European backers refused to obey ECJ rulings! Morocco, as a member of UN and AU, should, therefore, respect and totally subordinate itself to the UN and AU charters. It should also adhere to ICJ opinion, and AfCHPR and ECJ rulings. Moroccos autonomy proposal further amounts to asking the POLISARIO Front to abandon its objectives, mission and goals; impose a fait accompli of occupation and colonisation; and force Sahrawi people, whom international laws grant the right to self-determination, to accept an autonomy that is outright undemocratic, non-democratic, anti-democratic and dehumanising. Should the POLISARIO Front accept Moroccos proposal and GOD forbid it ever happens it will be abandoning Sahrawi peoples glorious traditions of resistance and rich culture of struggles. It will also be tantamount to throwing the Sahrawi peoples historic military, political, legal, diplomatic and moral gains to hyenas. It will be synonymous to committing national suicide. The POLISARIO Front should, therefore, continue its struggles, with more vigour and rigour, for Western Saharas independence in the spirit and letter of Article 20 (2) of AfCHPR, which states that: Colonized or oppressed peoples shall have the rights to free themselves from the bonds of domination by resorting to any means recognized by the international community. That Moroccos proposal is supported by the North America, EU countries especially France and Spain, the United Kingdom (UK), Zionist and Apartheid Israel and, of course, some of their neocolonies within and outside Africa does not give it any credence, or make it legitimate. The decolonisation of Western Sahara is not just a matter of history, morality, politics and diplomacy. It is, first and foremost, a matter of justice. Therefore, human beings, especially those committed to emancipatory politics, development and justice, should empathise, solidarise and support Sahrawi people in all ways possible, and by any means necessary, against Moroccos intransigence. Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Administration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: [email protected] Governor Umar Namadi has inaugurated the Jigawa State Council on Nutrition 774, pledging his administrations continued dedication to addressing malnutrition and promoting food security across the state. The inauguration followed a courtesy visit to the governor by Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwuka, the senior special assistant to the president on public health (office of the vice president), who was in Jigawa State for the official launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative. In her remarks, Mrs Rochas-Anwuka said she was in Jigawa on the directive of the Vice President to discuss with Your Excellency and members of your cabinet a matter that touches deeply on the lives and on the nerves of our nation. She explained that the Nutrition 774 Initiative, which forms part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was conceived by the vice president as a flagship initiative of the National Council on Nutrition in response to the devastating impact of malnutrition and its associated consequences on the Nigerian population. The Nutrition 774 of the Renewed Hope Agenda was initiated by His Excellency, the Vice President, as a flagship initiative in response to the devastating situation that malnutrition and its associated consequences have brought upon our society, she said, adding that development partners are deeply involved in the programme and have demonstrated strong commitment to eradicating malnutrition. Mrs. Rochas-Anwuka further stated that malnutrition is not merely a health issue but a national economic concern. When a child is malnourished, when a family is malnourished, the entire system focuses on what to eat next rather than the development of our dear nation. The entire system becomes preoccupied with survival needs rather than progress. This is why malnutrition is not just a problem of individuals; it is a national problem that directly affects our manpower and ultimately our nations economic growth. In his response, Governor Namadi expressed appreciation to the Office of the Vice President for the initiative and reaffirmed Jigawas leading role in nutrition advocacy and implementation. Your coming to Jigawa State will help strengthen our efforts on nutrition. Jigawa has been at the forefront of tackling malnutrition in this country, but we are yet to achieve what we want to achieve, he said. The governor stressed that effective nutrition interventions require community engagement and grassroots participation. The Masaki Programme, which was established in 2020, solely helps in the serious and rigorous campaign of nutrition at the grassroots level. You see, this issue of nutrition cannot be treated in the officethat is our understanding as a government. You must move down to the grassroots, talk to the mothers, let them understand what they need to do, and also support them. If you sit in the office and continue to speak grammar, you will not move anywhere. And that is the essence of establishing the Masaki in the first instance. Im happy to say that the Masaki has achieved a lot. Right from inception to date, almost 1.3 million people have participated in various activities as a result of Masaki. And Masaki is also being supported. Every month, Masaki is receiving about 13.5 million as support to ensure its success. We will review this scheme and see the need to improve it, because it is important that we invest heavily. Governor Namadi further highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Tom Brown Supplement Programme, under which 600 women across the state have been trained and supported to produce and package nutritional supplements for local distribution in partnership with NAFDAC and local governments. He stated that 250 million is set aside annually for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in collaboration with UNICEF, while members of the Jigawa State House of Assembly contribute 300 million yearly to support community-level nutrition interventions. The governor announced that the newly inaugurated Jigawa State Council on Nutrition 774 will coordinate and strengthen all nutrition-related efforts across ministries and sectors. He will serve as Chairman of the Council, while members include the Commissioners of Budget and Economic Planning, Finance, Agriculture, and Basic Education, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, who will serve as Secretary. Governor Namadi assured that Jigawa will be the first state to achieve the goals of the Nutrition 774 project. Our budget for health has been increased beyond the Abuja Declaration to show that health is an important component of our 12-month agenda. In the ongoing budget process, the Ministry of Education has already included nutrition provisions, and we expect Health, Women Affairs, and Agriculture to do the same. Sectoral allocations for nutrition will be included in every relevant MDA. Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Friday, inaugurated the Accreditation and Special Duties sub-committees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in preparation for the partys convention. This follows the partys recent announcement of 16 and 16 November as the dates for its 2025 Elective National Convention, scheduled to take place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. A statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the Accreditation sub-committee was inaugurated at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja. The statement noted that, as chairman of the Accreditation sub-committee, Governor Lawal described the sub-committee as the most vital component of the National Convention. He said: To the men and women selected to serve on this sub-committee, I extend a special welcome. You have been chosen not for a routine task, but for one of the most critical assignments in our democratic process. The work you are about to undertake is the very foundation upon which a credible, transparent, and successful convention will be built. Ladies and Gentlemen, this committees mandate is an honour and burden. Your responsibilities include producing the official Delegates list, booklets, and tags for all participants and observers, as well as for the Board of Trustees, and mobilizing, accrediting, and ensuring the welfare of all delegates and dignitaries. This is not merely an administrative task. It is a sacred trust. You are the gatekeepers of our conventions integrity. You will be the first to welcome every participant, and in doing so, you will set the tone for the entire event. As we embark on this crucial internal journey, we cannot ignore the broader context. Our party is navigating a political terrain that is, indeed, both uncharted and turbulent. In these times, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal. During the inauguration of the Special Duties sub-committee at Wadata Plaza, Governor Lawal highlighted that the sub-committee is responsible for safeguarding the most critical aspect of the National Convention. He said, To the esteemed committee members, I congratulate you. You were chosen for your fiscal prudence, integrity, and dedication. While other committees carry out specific tasks, your role is to empower them all. You are the conventions central nervous system, ensuring every organ functions with the needed resources. Your portfolio precisely covers essential tasks for a seamless convention: coordinating sub-committee financial activities, collecting and approving budgets, raising funds, managing disbursements transparently, and executing other duties assigned by the National Convention Organising Committee Chairman. The Katsina State Government has once again reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, innovation, and industrial growth under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda. The Governor has approved a specialized technical training programme for mechanics of the Central Mechanical Workshop at the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), alongside establishing collaboration with Autogig International Resources Ltd., Lagos. The specialized training, which commenced yesterday and will run until November 3, is designed to upgrade the technical competence, innovation mindset, and hands-on skills of KYCV mechanics in line with global automotive standards. The programme focuses on modern vehicle systems, advanced diagnostics, electric and hybrid technologies, IoT-enabled diagnostics, CNG kit installation, and workshop management. It combines rigorous classroom learning with hands-on sessions, giving participants practical exposure to emerging automotive technologies. Speaking on the initiative, the Coordinator of the Katsina Youth Craft Village, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi, described the Governors approval as a visionary and transformative gesture that reflects the administrations deep belief in the power of technical education to transform lives and communities. He said, What His Excellency has done is more than just approving training; it is an investment in the future of Katsinas young people. This programme will open doors for our mechanics to learn the most modern automotive techniques that align with global best practices. They will be exposed to innovations reshaping the vehicle industry, including hybrid systems, digital diagnostics, and alternative energy technologies. This kind of practical training is what turns ordinary craftsmen into master technicians. He further explained that the Central Mechanical Workshop is being repositioned to serve as a centre of excellence for automotive innovation and training, where young mechanics can continually upgrade their knowledge and become self-reliant professionals contributing to the states industrial development. We are grateful to Governor Radda for his foresight and his continuous investment in the Katsina Youth Craft Village. He is not just providing opportunities; he is building capacity, restoring dignity to technical labour, and giving our youths a platform to dream beyond the ordinary. This is how societies grow, through knowledge, skill, and vision, the Coordinator added. A major highlight of the initiative is the discussion between Autogig International and the Katsina Youth Craft Village, aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and ensuring sustainable technical development. The discussions which will lead to signing an MoU, covers key areas such as authentic and affordable spare parts supply, joint technical research, staff training, and industry linkages with major automotive manufacturers. This partnership will help reposition the Katsina Youth Craft Village as a trusted, government-backed hub for modern vehicle repair, diagnostics, and innovation in Northern Nigeria. Facilitated by top industry experts, the training exposes participants to the latest innovations in electric and hybrid vehicle systems, digital fault detection, and clean energy conversion. It also emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and workshop management, skills essential for building professional discipline and sustainable workshop operations. The Youth Craft Village Transformation Programme, under which this initiative falls, remains one of the flagship interventions of the Katsina State Governments Building Your Future agenda. Its objective is to nurture a generation of skilled, self-reliant, and entrepreneurial youths equipped with the technical knowledge to drive industrial and technological advancement across the state. Through this forward-thinking programme, the Katsina State Government continues to demonstrate its unwavering dedication to empowerment through education and skills, ensuring that young people are not only employable but also capable of creating opportunities, innovating, and leadership. Governor Radda administration remains steadfast in transforming vocational and technical training centres across Katsina State into vibrant, innovation-driven institutions where practical learning meets industry demands. This initiative reinforces the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant Katsina that thrives on knowledge, skill, and creativity. The Niger State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected thugs in Minna and Kontagora in a clampdown on criminal activities in the state. According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were arrested between Tuesday and Thursday during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts. On Thursday, officers attached to the A Division in Kontagora conducted a sting operation at Tudun-Wada area, leading to the arrest of three suspects Abdullahi Abdullahi, 22; Fahad Abubakar, 19; and Nasiru Aliyu, 28 all residents of Tudun-Wada. *Recovered items included a large quantity of suspected cannabis, two knives, and a pair of military trousers. The police said investigation was ongoing. Similarly, officers from the Central Police Station, Minna, raided hideouts in Angwan Sarki, Kuta Road, Sabon Gari, Ogbomosho area, Baida, and parts of Makera. Seven suspects were arrested: Hamza Dauda, 28; Hussain Sanda, 25; Sani Hassan, 22; Danlami Garba, 25; Saidu Hassan, 19; Musa Umar, 21; and Hassan Usman, 25. The operatives recovered suspected cannabis, shisha pots, pipes, and other illicit substances. All suspects were charged to court on October 24, 2025. In a separate development, police officers attached to Maje Division on Wednesday arrested two suspected robbers fleeing from Bida to Kogi State. The suspects, identified as Aliyu Salihu, 25, and Jibrin Ndako, 22, both residents of Barkin-Saleh in Minna, were intercepted at Tungan-Shanu, Maje, with a white unregistered Lucky motorcycle. The police said investigations revealed that the duo had earlier attacked a student in his lodge in Bida around 2:30 a.m. the same day, robbing him of the motorcycle, four handsets, and 40,000 cash. Recovered items include the stolen motorcycle, four handsets, two ATM cards, and 7,000, said to be the remaining part of the stolen cash. The suspects confessed to the crime and have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation. On October 24, operatives attached to Chanchaga Division arrested one Saidu Aliyu of Kpakungu area, Minna, with a Bajaj motorcycle suspected to have been stolen. According to the police, the suspect was intercepted along Chanchaga Paiko Road and could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the motorcycle. Subsequent investigation revealed that the bike was stolen from a victim around the Maitumbi area of Minna. The suspect remains in custody while investigations continue, Mr Abiodun said. Meanwhile, police operatives from Bosso Division also arrested three men over alleged conspiracy, criminal trespass, housebreaking, and theft in Shanu village. The suspects: Abdulkarim Nawah, Nafiu Mohammed, and Abdulrazak Aminu were apprehended on October 17 following a complaint from victims in the area. Investigations showed that the trio had trespassed into a yam farm and stolen tubers worth over 60,000. They were also linked to a housebreaking incident in which two phones valued at over 400,000 were stolen on October 11. The police said the suspects confessed that the stolen phones were sold to an individual identified as 2Baba, who is currently at large. Twenty-three tubers of yam were recovered. The suspects were charged to court on October 21, 2025. Mr Abiodun reiterated the commands commitment to maintaining peace and order across Niger State and urged residents to continue providing credible information to support police efforts. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has ordered an immediate assessment and repair of potholes across the Uyo metropolis following a PREMIUM TIMES report. This newspaper reported on Wednesday how potholes have resurfaced in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, once reputed for its quality road network. In that report, PREMIUM TIMES listed the worst-affected areas to include both lanes of Atiku Abubakar Avenue by the flyover, Oron Road by Nyong Essien, Nwaniba, Ibom Plaza, and the highbrow Ewet Housing Estate, where potholes litter the roads, forcing motorists to swerve dangerously. Other affected areas include Udoette Street and Park Road in Itam, where previously smooth lanes now have water-filled potholes, forcing drivers to drive on pedestrian walkways. This newspaper had also queried the quality of jobs executed by contractors and the supervision by the Ministry of Works and Fire Service, as most of the roads failed less than a year after repairs were carried out. Frustrated by the deplorable situation, some residents had taken to social media, particularly Facebook, to call for government action. Many described the Akwa Ibom Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA)a parastatal under the Ministry of Works responsible for fixing potholes and other failed sectionsas existing only on paper. A former spokesperson to then-Governor Godswill Akpabio (now Senate President), Usoro Usoro, described potholes as a blessing in the state. In a satirical article, Mr Usoro said the Kingdom of Akwa Ibom is ruled by the ever-working King Eno, whom he described as a visionary leader so focused on development that he sometimes forgets the humble potholes beneath his throne. But calm down. Potholes are not bad. The only negative is that they murdered AKROIMA. Still, relax. Potholes here are not yet ditches or even ravines. In many cases, potholes are good for democracy. They provide free swimming season for the poor, Mr Usoro wrote on Facebook. We are aware of the potholes Akwa Ibom govt Barely 72 hours after the PREMIUM TIMES report, Governor Eno ordered a detailed assessment of potholes and failed portions of roads within Uyo metropolis for immediate intervention. The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. The State Government is aware of the potholes that have appeared on some roads as a result of the heavy and prolonged rainfall in recent weeks, Mr Umanah said. Government wishes to assure members of the public that, as the rains subside, rehabilitation work will begin in earnest to ensure proper and durable reconstruction of the affected portions, he added. He stated, Desilting of drainages and clearing of blocked water channels will also commence in various parts of Uyo to reduce flooding and prevent further damage to road infrastructure. He appealed to residents and motorists to be patient as the Ministry of Works takes steps to address the situation. By Jessica DiNapoli and Juveria Tabassum (Reuters) -Procter & Gamble on Friday beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter revenue and profit, helped by strong demand for its beauty and hair-care products amid higher prices and a broader slowdown in spending due to economic uncertainties. The Tide maker, a bellwether for the global consumer goods industry, reduced its annual tariff cost estimate to about $400 million after tax, from about $800 million forecast in July, largely on Canada lifting retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. However, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday terminated all trade talks with Canada. The Canadian government had no immediate comment. P&G CFO Andre Schulten said on a media call that "beyond the headlines, we have no information that would have any impact on how we view our tariff exposure at this point in time." The company's shares were up about 4% in premarket trading. They have fallen about 9% so far this year. The results from P&G, whose CEO Jon Moeller will be replaced by another company veteran Shailesh Jejurikar on January 1, echo those from rival and Dove parent Unilever, which on Thursday disclosed double-digit sales growth from beauty brands in the U.S. P&G has raised some prices in the U.S. to help mitigate the impact from tariffs, with the Cincinnati-based company banking on demand for its portfolio of products such as Dawn dish soap and Pampers diapers at a time when discretionary spending remains muted. It lowered prices in Canada after retaliatory tariffs were canceled. Despite the price hikes, the company's operating margins fell 50 basis points from a year earlier. CHINA SHINES ON PREMIUM PUSH The company is also turning to its fine-tuned strategy of introducing improved products at higher prices, with sales growing in the grooming segment, helped by pricing and volumes. Sales volumes in the beauty segment, which houses brands such as Pantene shampoo and the Olay brand, rose 4% in the three months ended September, compared with a 1% increase in the prior quarter. Prices in the business were up by about 1% sequentially. A P&G spokesperson said while underlying market conditions in China were still challenging, with a low level of consumer confidence, the company still managed to report double-digit growth in categories such as baby care, helped by demand for its premium Bum Bum diapers in the country. Still, overall volumes across the company remained flat as consumers, particularly from lower-income households, have continued to stretch their budgets as higher-priced items hit store shelves. Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, on Friday, flagged off the rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, with a pledge to deliver the project on time. Speaking while flagging off the 25-kilometre project in Umuahia, Mr Otti thanked President Bola Tinubu for granting approval for the Abia State Government to take over and rehabilitate the abandoned sections of the road. The governor said that the failed sections of the road had caused commuters and transporters daily horror over the years. He acknowledged the support of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for facilitating the technical processes required for the project. Mr Otti said: The general objective is to accelerate the actualisation of our broad development agenda. I would like to specially appreciate President Bola Tinubu for graciously giving us the go-ahead to initiate the reconstruction of the abandoned sections of this federal highway. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for his firm support and guidance as we work on the technical documents for the takeover of these projects. We are greatly impressed with the favourable disposition of the federal government to the holistic infrastructural development of our state. We have said it in the past, and it is repeating today, that differences in political affiliations need not stand in the path of the responsibilities of governors and other critical development imperatives. Mr Otti stressed that the state government remained committed to the maintenance and development of all roads within Abia, whether federal, state, or local, to support socioeconomic development. He said some unpatriotic political actors had attempted to frustrate the initiative for personal and political gain, and praised the federal government for refusing to be swayed by such attempts. He also said that the federal government had awarded the contract to reconstruct the road about 10 years ago, but that the work stalled and the roads condition worsened. Mr Otti said that the project served as part of the broader strategy of the Abia State Government to accelerate development across communities. He announced that the project would be delivered within 18 months and hoped it could be completed even sooner. A senators advice to politicians In his remarks, the senator representing Abia Central District, Austin Akobundu, said that he was delighted to witness the reconstruction of the road. Mr Akobundu commended the governor for putting aside bottlenecks to fix the road and urged all politicians to put aside political differences and rally around the governor to get the road done. He also thanked the federal government for giving the state government the approval to fix the road. He said it shows that the federal government is more interested in delivering democracy dividends to citizens irrespective of political affiliation. The Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Austin Meregini, commended Mr Otti for taking the initiative to rehabilitate a federal road in the state. Mr Meregini said the move demonstrated the governors proactive leadership and commitment to improving infrastructure across the state. In his address, the Commissioner for Works, Otumchere Oti, said that the construction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road represented the breaking of a jinx of over 40 years. Mr Oti, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Izuchukwu Onwughara, said that the road began at Umudike Junction in Umuahia Capital, traverses through Umuahia North and Ikwuano communities, and terminates at the boundary with Akwa Ibom State. He said the project covered all road sections not previously rehabilitated, ensuring uniform quality and durability. Mr Oti said that the carriageway would be 7.3 metres wide with 2 metre-wide shoulders on both sides for safety. He said that the pavement structure includes a 200mm lateralised soft-base, 200mm crushed rock base, 60mm asphaltic binder course, and 40mm asphaltic wearing course. Mr Oti said the project also provided culverts, drains, catch pits, road signs, markings, kilometre posts, access slabs, and solar-powered street lights. Community pledges support In his remarks, the Managing Director of GELD Construction Company Limited, Nabeel Esawi, assured the governor that his company would deliver the project on schedule and to the highest technical standards. Mr Esawi thanked the state government for its support and reaffirmed GELDs commitment to quality, durability, and professional integrity throughout the project. He also appreciated the works commissioner, the ministry engineers, and the host community for their cooperation and urged continued collaboration to ensure the projects timely completion. Earlier, the President General of Ndume Otuka Development Union, John Onyiro, thanked the state government for its decision to fix the road to alleviate the suffering of the people in the area. We will work together to give adequate support to the construction company to ensure that this road project is successfully achieved, Mr Onyiro said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Governor Otti also flagged off the 13.1-kilometre Ariam-Usaka Ring Road project in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. WUHU, China, Oct. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As carbon neutrality becomes a global consensus and intelligent transformation reshapes industries, the automotive value chain is undergoing a profound shiftfrom hardware-driven competition to ecosystem co-creation. At this historic juncture, the 2025 Chery International User Summit built an open global platform, becoming a focal point for the entire industry. the 2025 Chery International User Summit built an open global platform Led by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chery Global ESG Honorary Advisor Chery is transforming its sustainability commitments into measurable and tangible practicestogether with global users, at a pivotal moment for the industry With its core theme "Co-Create Co-Define," the summit served not only as a showcase of Chery's global achievements but also as a declaration of future mobility. Positioned as a pioneer in smart and green mobility, Chery is reshaping industry boundaries through user co-creation and shared valueoffering systematic, sustainable solutions that unite people, vehicles, and nature. Shared Green Vision: Turning Commitment into Global Action In response to global climate and resource challenges, Chery Group integrates ESG into its core strategy and decision-making, setting an example of responsible growth. Chery has evolved from product export to cultural and lifestyle co-creation, building a sustainable global community. During the summit, the upgraded Chery Global ESG Advisory Alliance was officially launched under the witness of international dignitaries, marking a new phase of global ESG collaboration for Chery. Led by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chery Global ESG Honorary Advisor, the Alliance brings together leading figures from international sustainability organizations and industrial chain partners. Their participation injects cutting-edge global insight and strong professional support into Chery's ESG strategydemonstrating the company's determination to lead the industry in ESG standard-setting and to advance large-scale sustainable mobility worldwide." During the summit, Mr. Ban Ki-moon remarked: "In today's changing world, we need vital leadership from all sectors to help transcend the pressing challenges we are facing. Against this backdrop, I believe that Chery's commercially successful ESG practices could offer a viable new path for the larger automotive industry to forge win-win victories for both business and societal value." Mr. Ban Ki-moon particularly emphasized: "Chery's concrete actions such as establishing 'Green Factories', developing advanced new energy technologies, building a responsible supply chain, and supporting education show how broad goals translate into tangible steps, demonstrating timely corporate citizenship. I firmly believe that this shared commitment, and dynamic convergence exemplifies the guiding spirt: 'actions speak louder than words'." At the summit, Chery Group and UNICEF jointly announced a renewed three-year strategic partnership, with an additional USD 6 million commitment to create inclusive, healthy, and safe learning environments for children worldwide. Meanwhile, Chery will further strengthen its partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the global "Cherish the Nature" initiative, advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as a cornerstone of its sustainable growth strategy- demonstrating how environmental protection can drive lasting economic and social value. As the first Chinese automaker (with its first vehicle model) to receive the Sino-Europe Automotive Carbon Footprint Mutual Recognition Certificate, Chery's ESG systembuilt on three pillars: low-carbon transformation and nature-positive action, value chain co-creation, and integrity-driven growthis turning sustainability from corporate vision into measurable, industry-wide practices. Technology as the Foundation: Innovation with a Human Touch A solid technological foundation has always been the core strength of Chery Group's sustainable growth. Amid industry transformation, Chery remains committed to its "Technology-Oriented" strategypioneering a path of innovation that is both eco-friendly and value-driven, empowering the global automotive sector toward a sustainable future. During the summit, more than ten breakthrough technologies were unveiled, including the next-generation hybrid engine, humanoid robots, intelligent digital chassis, amphibious mobility systems, autonomous driving large models, and flying mobility platforms. The AiMOGA Robotics made its independent debut, astonishing audiences by autonomously performing tasks such as pouring juice and assisting as an award presenterdemonstrating its full potential as a reliable, human-centered intelligent companion. These technological breakthroughs stem not only from years of engineering expertise but also from the synergistic power of Chery's global R&D network. This open and forward-looking global innovation system continues to fuel "Technology Chery," while serving as a driving force for the global automotive industry's green and intelligent transformation. Co-Creation and Shared Value: When Users Become Product Designers If technology is the backbone of Chery's progress, then user co-creation is its soul. At the summit, more than 3,000 representatives from Chery's 17.72 million global users took part as true "product managers," deeply engaging in defining the brand's meaning and future direction. Throughout the venue, users from diverse countries exchanged stories about their journeys with Chery. They tested vehicles on professional tracks, shared feedback in design workshops, witnessed automation at Chery's Smart Factory in Changshu, and even co-created at the world's first LEPAS Global Boutique Storeall while echoing the OMODA&JAECOO spirit: "My car, my definition!" "We are not here to listen to storieswe are here to write them," said a dealer from Brazil at the User Festival. From design customization to user rights, from smart cabin UX to service processesuser feedback is now systematically gathered, refined, and applied to Chery's product development and brand evolution. No matter who they are or where they come from, every user shares the same goalto build better vehicles. Co-creation has thus become the new starting point of Chery's innovation journey. From Explorer to Leader: The Time for Evolution Is Now The 2025 Chery International User Summit was not only a celebration of technology and ecosystem innovation but also a profound practice of co-creation, co-definition, and co-prosperity with users. As Mr. Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (9973.HK), noted, under the guidance of the "In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere" globalization strategy, Chery Group hope to develop low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies by collaborating with more global partners. It seeks to fulfill its responsibility as a global corporate citizen through practical actions, forming a new global paradigm of shared technology, co-created value, and mutually beneficial growth, ultimately to do good to human beings. From an automaker to a creator of intelligent mobility ecosystems, Chery is transforming its sustainability commitments into measurable and tangible practicestogether with global users, at a pivotal moment for the industry. SOURCE Chery International TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The key piece of equipment needed to launch the BayCare Cancer Institute's new proton therapy center arrived in Tampa and was lifted into place today at St. Joseph's Hospital. The arrival of the proton accelerator is a milestone in BayCare's push to bring the most advanced cancer-fighting treatment to West Central Florida. The extensive construction work at St. Joseph's Hospital, next to the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center in Tampa, comes 13 months after BayCare broke ground on the proton therapy center. With the addition of proton therapy, BayCare continues to build on its reputation of providing clinical excellence and compassionate care to the Tampa Bay community and beyond. The construction of the proton therapy center is on an expedited timeline due to the development of innovative technology that is manufactured in the United States. The compact unit is the only proton accelerator built domestically. Its journey from Mevion Medical Systems in Littleton, Massachusetts, to Tampa was completed by highway transport, demonstrating the practicality and accessibility of the technology. Once delivered, construction crews spent approximately five hours positioning the accelerator inside the newly built proton therapy center. A major milestone in cancer care has arrived in Tampa. The accelerator for BayCares new proton therapy center has reached its new home at the BayCare Cancer Institute at St. Josephs Hospital. After traveling more than 1,300 miles from Mevion Medical Systems in Littleton, Massachusetts, the systems arrival marks a significant step toward bringing advanced proton therapy treatment to patients across the BayCare community. "The proton therapy center construction features collaboration of many working seamlessly with the shared goal of expanding cancer care in our community," said Jennifer Kotwicki, director of operations at St. Joseph's Hospital. "We are very proud to highlight this major milestone with the expectation of offering this treatment to both adult and pediatric patients. The placement required intricate removal of a previously poured concrete-planked roof so a 400-ton crane could carefully lift the accelerator from its delivery truck and lower it into the vault for precise placement. The 32 concrete planks were then returned, and the roof was fully reinstalled. The center is expected to begin treating patients by mid-2026. Proton therapy is an advancement that will optimize cancer treatment services across BayCare. This type of treatment uses highly charged proton particles to destroy tumors with a precise, targeted dose of radiation. It minimizes radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, potentially reducing or eliminating short- and long-term treatment complications. As a result, patients report fewer side effects and have a lower risk of secondary malignancies. For more information: BayCare Cancer Institute About BayCare BayCare is a leading not-for-profit academic health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 16 hospitals, including a children's hospital, and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. The system is West Central Florida's largest provider of behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit BayCare.org. SOURCE BayCare Health System Sustained improvements across stringent measures of disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA): One-year improvements were sustained to three years across measures of peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, skin psoriasis, and nail psoriasis indicating sustained inflammation control One-year improvements were sustained to three years across measures of peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, skin psoriasis, and nail psoriasis indicating sustained inflammation control Sustained clinical response to stringent endpoints in half of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA and AS): From Week 16 to three years, 50% of patients never lost ASDAS low disease activity (LDA) (<2.1) status at any assessed visit indicating sustained inflammation control From Week 16 to three years, 50% of patients never lost ASDAS low disease activity (LDA) (<2.1) status at any assessed visit indicating sustained inflammation control First real-world findings demonstrate rapid quality of life (HRQoL) improvements in patients with PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS: Improvements in outcomes in routine clinical practice were reported at 24 weeks, with benefits as early as Week 2 in some patients ATLANTA, Oct. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced new three-year data from Phase 3 trials, and their open-label extensions, investigating BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). BIMZELX, the first and only medicine approved to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F),1 continued to demonstrate sustained control of inflammation and deep efficacy in patients living with PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS.2-6 Sustained improvements across stringent measures of disease in patients with PsA2 "The diverse, multi-faceted nature of PsA can make it challenging to treat, as therapy should ideally address multiple disease domains," said Professor Laura Coates, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Diseases, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. "These compelling data show sustained improvements over three years across key PsA disease domains. This demonstrates that bimekizumab has potential to benefit a broad range of patients, and may improve long-term inflammation control and prevent structural damage." In patients with PsA, one-year improvements were sustained to three years across the following GRAPPA domains:* peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, enthesitis, skin psoriasis and nail psoriasis.2 Individual domain responses were consistent between bDMARDnaive and TNFi-IR patients.2 Further, exposure-adjusted incidence rates per 100 patient years for uveitis and definite or probable adjudicated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to Week 156 were 0.2 (95% confidence interval 0.1, 0.6) and 0.3 (0.1, 0.7) in BE OPTIMAL and 0 and 0.1 (0.0, 0.6) in BE COMPLETE, respectively.2 (See Appendix for further details). Sustained clinical response to stringent endpoints in half of patients with nr-axSpA and AS "In clinical practice, ASDAS LDA is an important treatment target for disease control for people living with axSpA, as it is a highly stringent measure of low disease activity," said Professor Fabian Proft, Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany. "It is therefore meaningful that in this study of bimekizumab, half of the patients never lost their ASDAS LDA response at any assessed visit over three years, while over three quarters of patients maintained this response over three years. This suggests long-term disease control, which is paramount in treating both nr-axSpA and AS." A high proportion of BIMZELX-randomized patients who achieved clinical responses at Week 16 maintained these to Week 164 across the full disease spectrum of axSpA, including nr-axSpA and AS.4 From Week 16 through to Week 164, 50% of patients never lost their ASDAS LDA (<2.1) status at any assessed visit (MI), with a further 22.4% only losing their ASDAS LDA status at one visit, and 6.1% at two visits, respectively (MI).4 Of the 152 patients (43.6%; NRI) who achieved ASDAS LDA at Week 16, 78.8% still achieved ASDAS LDA at Week 164 (MI).*4 *Proportion of patients who achieved ASDAS LDA at Week 16 and Week 164 in patients randomized to BIMZELX 160 mg every four weeks (Q4W) at baseline. 4 Real-world findings demonstrate rapid HRQoL improvements in patients with PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS5,6 Interim, post-hoc data analysis (observed case, OC) of patient-reported outcomes from the SPEAK study in routine clinical practice showed that:5,6 For BIMZELX-treated patients with PsA, improvements in PsAID-12 total score were observed to 24 weeks, with mean (SD) change from baseline (CfB) at Week 24 of 1.9 (2.0).5 SF-36 PCS scores improved to Week 24 (mean [SD] CfB: +4.6 [7.9]), as did PGADA scores (mean [SD] CfB: 17.5 [23.8]).5 At Week 2, mean (SD) CfB in PsAID-12 total score and PGADA score were -0.8 (1.6) and -7.1 (19.3), respectively.5 For BIMZELX-treated patients with nr-axSpA and AS, improvements in ASAS HI score were observed to 24 weeks, with mean (SD) CfB at Week 24 of 1.6 (3.0).6 SF-36 PCS scores improved to Week 24 (mean [SD] CfB: +5.7 [7.3]), as did PGADA scores (mean [SD] CfB: 1.0 [2.5].6 At Week 2, mean (SD) change from baseline (CfB) in ASAS HI score and PGADA score were 0.7 (2.3) and 0.8 (2.1), respectively.6 "This data presented at ACR shows that bimekizumab continues to demonstrate long-term improvement in inflammation control and deep efficacy in patients living with PsA and axSpA, and emphasizes that this effect is consistent across a spectrum of patients with these diseases," said Donatello Crocetta, Chief Medical Officer, UCB. UCB will present 16 abstracts on BIMZELX at ACR 2025 in Chicago, October 24-29, across nr-axSpA, AS, PsA, and psoriasis. These will complement seven other presentations from UCB across their rheumatology portfolio. This data underscores UCB's ambition to be a leader in rheumatology, commitment to advancing clinical research and innovation, and focus on developing meaningful solutions across the spectrum of rheumatic diseases. *Core domains of PsA according to GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) recommendations.7 Study methodology PsA abstract :2 Included patients who were randomized to subcutaneous BIMZELX 160 mg or placebo every 4 weeks (Q4W) in BE OPTIMAL (biologic DMARD [bDMARD]naive patients with PsA), BE COMPLETE (patients with PsA with inadequate response or intolerance to TNF inhibitors [TNFiIR]), BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA) and BE MOBILE 2 (AS, i.e., radiographic axSpA).2 From Week 16, all placebo-randomized patients received BIMZELX 160 mg Q4W.2 Week 52/16 BE OPTIMAL/BE COMPLETE completers were eligible for BE VITAL open-label extension; BE MOBILE 1 and 2 Week 52 completers could enter BE MOVING OLE.2 AxSpA abstract :4 BE MOBILE 1 (nr-axSpA) and 2 (AS) from Week 16, all patients received subcutaneous BIMZELX 160 mg Q4W. At Week 52, eligible patients could enroll in the OLE (BE MOVING).4 Real-world study :5,6 SPEAK is an ongoing 52-week, multi-country, observational study in Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom.5,6 This planned interim analysis reports data to April 2, 2025 (approx. 50% enrollment).5,6 Adult patients with active PsA, nr-axSpA, or AS who initiated BIMZELX in routine clinical practice could be included if receiving treatment per label (BIMZELX 160 mg Q4W).5,6 Notes to Editors ASAS40 responder rate: Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society 40% improvement 4 ASAS HI: Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index 6 ASDAS LDA: axSpA Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) low disease activity (LDA; <2.1) 4,8 Dactylitis: Inflammation of a finger or toe 9 Enthesitis: Inflammation where the tendons and ligaments insert into bones 10 GRAPPA domains: Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)-based treatment recommendations focus on six core domains and the PsA-related conditions, uveitis and IBD. The six core domains are: peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, skin psoriasis and nail psoriasis 2,7 IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease LDI: Leeds Dactylitis Index LEI: Leeds Enthesitis Index MI: Multiple imputation 2 mNAPSI: Modified nail psoriasis severity index 2 mNRI: Modified NRI 2 NRI: Non-responder imputation 2 PASI 100: 100% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 2 PGADA: Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity 5,6 PsAID-12: 12-item PsA Impact of Disease questionnaire 5 SF-36 PCS: Short Form 36-item Health Survey Physical Component Summary 5,6 SJC: Swollen joint count 2 TNFi-IR: Inadequate response or intolerance to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors 2 Uveitis: Inflammation of the middle layer of the eyeball called the uvea11 Appendix Further detail from 3-year PsA data across GRAPPA domains2 For the majority of GRAPPA domains, 1-year improvements were sustained to 3 years across all studies.2 These include stringent measures of disease within the disease domains, for example, complete resolution of the following:2 Complete resolution criteria within domains2 Data extracted from abstract table for nail psoriasis, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, skin psoriasis BE OPTIMAL (bDMARDnaive) BIMZELX (BKZ) Total (n=712) BE COMPLETE (TNFi-IR) BKZ Total (n=400) BKZ 160 mg Q4W Total includes patients who switched from placebo to BKZ at Week 16 Year 1 Year 3 Year 1 Year 3 Peripheral arthritis2 Swollen joint count (SJC)=0 (mNRI) 61.8 (58.265.5) 59.5 (55.763.3) 58.2 (53.263.1) 59.1 (54.064.2) % (95% CI) Enthesitis 2 Complete resolution of enthesitis, LEI=0 (mNRI) in patients with enthesitis at baseline (LEI >0; BE OPTIMAL: n=213; BE COMPLETE: n=142) % (95% CI) 63.1 (56.569.7) 59.6 (52.766.5) 58.9 (50.667.2) 59.9 (51.468.4) Dactylitis2 Complete resolution of dactylitis, LDI=0 (NRI), in patients with dactylitis at baseline (LDI >0; BE OPTIMAL: n=89; BE COMPLETE: n=48); missing data imputed using NRI as MI was not estimable as it would not converge 83.1 (75.490.9) 66.3 (56.576.1) 85.4 (75.495.4) 70.8 (58.083.7) % (95% CI) Skin psoriasis2 Complete skin clearance (PASI 100) (mNRI), in patients with 3% body surface area affected by psoriasis at baseline (BE OPTIMAL: n=357; BE COMPLETE: n=264) 64.7 (59.669.8) 61.9 (56.667.3) 66.2 (60.372.1) 67.5 61.673.4) % (95% CI) Nail psoriasis2 Complete resolution of nail psoriasis, mNAPSI=0 (mNRI), in patients with nail psoriasis at baseline (mNAPSI >0; BE OPTIMAL: n=400; BE COMPLETE: n=242) 68.7 (64.173.3) 65.6 (60.570.6) 67.0 (61.073.0) 67.1 60.973.4) % (95% CI) Axial disease2 Pooled BE MOBILE 1 and 2 nr-axSpA and AS Data were pooled for all randomized patients with nr-axSpA and AS in BE MOBILE 1 and 2 Any BKZ 160 mg Q4W Includes patients who switched from placebo to BKZ at Week 16 n=586 Year 1 Year 3 ASAS40 responder rate (MI), % (95% CI) 62.4 (58.4, 66.4) 60.2 (56.0, 64.5) Table adapted from data extracted from abstract table for nail psoriasis, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, skin psoriasis, axial disease. About Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a serious, highly heterogeneous, chronic, systemic inflammatory condition affecting both the joints and skin with a prevalence of 0.02 percent to 0.25 percent of the population.12 Psoriatic arthritis affects approximately 30 percent of people living with psoriasis.13 It manifests as joint pain and stiffness, skin plaques, swollen toes and fingers (dactylitis) and inflammation of the sites where tendons or ligaments insert into the bone (enthesitis).14 The burden on those living with PsA extends beyond physical discomfort to reduced quality of life, with comorbidities including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression.15 In PsA, uncontrolled active disease can lead to long-term, irreversible structural damage.16 About BE OPTIMAL and BE COMPLETE BE OPTIMAL and BE COMPLETE were two Phase 3 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of BIMZELX in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.17,18 The primary endpoint in both studies was the proportion of patients reaching 50% or greater improvement in American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR50) at Week 16.17,18 BE OPTIMAL (bDMARD-naive) and BE COMPLETE (TNFi-IR) assessed subcutaneous BIMZELX 160 mg every four weeks (Q4W) in patients with PsA; both studies were placebo-controlled to Week 16, after which placebo patients switched to BIMZELX.17,18 BE OPTIMAL Week 52 and BE COMPLETE Week 16 completers were eligible for BE VITAL open-label extension.17,18 About Axial Spondyloarthritis Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes both non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease.19 nr-axSpA is defined clinically by the absence of definitive x-ray evidence of structural damage to the sacroiliac joints.19 axSpA is a painful condition that primarily affects the spine and the joints linking the pelvis and lower spine (sacroiliac joints).19 The leading symptom of axSpA in a majority of patients is inflammatory back pain that improves with exercise, but not with rest.19 Other common clinical features frequently include anterior uveitis, enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dactylitis.19 The overall prevalence of axSpA is 0.3 percent to 1.4 percent of adults.20,21 Approximately half of all patients with axSpA are patients with nr-axSpA.19 axSpA onset usually occurs before the age of 45.19 Approximately 10 to 40 percent of patients with nr-axSpA progress to ankylosing spondylitis over 2 to 10 years.19 About BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 were two Phase 3 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of BIMZELX in the treatment of nr-axSpA and AS, respectively.22 The primary endpoint in both studies was the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 40 percent (ASAS40) response at Week 16.22 BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 comprised a 16-week double-blind treatment period followed by a 36-week maintenance period.22 In BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2, patients were randomized to BIMZELX (160 mg Q4W; N=128 for BE MOBILE 1 and N=221 for BE MOBILE 2) or to placebo (N=126 for BE MOBILE 1 and N=111 for BE MOBILE 2). Patients initially randomized to placebo were switched to BIMZELX (160 mg Q4W) at Week 16.22 BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 Week 52 completers were eligible for BE MOVING open-label extension.22 About BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) BIMZELX is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that is designed to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.1 IL-17A and IL-17F are key contributors of chronic inflammation and damage across multiple tissues, with IL-17F increasing over time.1,23-25 IL-17F is over-expressed in skin and highly elevated in the serum of patients with psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).1,23-26 The approved indications for BIMZELX in the U.S. are:1 Plaque psoriasis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy Psoriatic arthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation Ankylosing spondylitis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis Hidradenitis suppurativa: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate- to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa BIMZELX U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Suicidal Ideation and Behavior BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (SI/B). A causal association between treatment with BIMZELX and increased risk of SI/B has not been definitively established. Prescribers should weigh the potential risks and benefits before using BIMZELX in patients with a history of severe depression or SI/B. Advise monitoring for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal ideation, or other mood changes. If such changes occur, instruct to promptly seek medical attention, refer to a mental health professional as appropriate, and re- evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment. Infections BIMZELX may increase the risk of infections, including serious infections. Do not initiate treatment with BIMZELX in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. In patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection, consider the risks and benefits prior to prescribing BIMZELX. Instruct patients to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of clinically important infection occur. If a patient develops such an infection or is not responding to standard therapy, monitor the patient closely and do not administer BIMZELX until the infection resolves. Tuberculosis Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating treatment with BIMZELX. Avoid the use of BIMZELX in patients with active TB infection. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to administering BIMZELX. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of BIMZELX in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of active TB during and after treatment. Liver Biochemical Abnormalities Elevated serum transaminases were reported in clinical trials with BIMZELX. Test liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin at baseline, periodically during treatment with BIMZELX, and according to routine patient management. If treatment-related increases in liver enzymes occur and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt BIMZELX until a diagnosis of liver injury is excluded. Permanently discontinue use of BIMZELX in patients with causally associated combined elevations of transaminases and bilirubin. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with acute liver disease or cirrhosis. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, including BIMZELX. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with active IBD. During BIMZELX treatment, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of IBD and discontinue treatment if new onset or worsening of signs and symptoms occurs. Immunizations Prior to initiating therapy with BIMZELX, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines. Avoid the use of live vaccines in patients treated with BIMZELX. Most Common Adverse Reactions Most common ( 1%) adverse reactions in plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, other candida infections, and fatigue. Most common ( 2%) adverse reactions in psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. Most common ( 2%) adverse reactions in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, cough, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, tonsillitis, transaminase increase, and urinary tract infections. Most common ( 2%) adverse reactions in ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, injection site pain, rash, and vulvovaginal mycotic infection. Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. Prescribing Information at www.UCB- USA.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX . For further information, contact UCB: Investor Relations Antje Witte T +32.2.559.94.14 email [email protected] Brand Communications Nicole Herga T +1.773.960.5349 email: [email protected] About UCB UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 9,000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of 6.1 billion in 2024. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter:@UCBUSA. Forward looking statements This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "potential", "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this document. Important factors that could result in such differences include but are not limited to: global spread and impacts of wars, pandemics and terrorism, the general geopolitical environment, climate change, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues, supply chain disruption and business continuity risks; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of UCB's information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars or disruptive technologies/business models, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in laws and/or rules pertaining to tax and duties or the administration of such laws and/or rules, and hiring, retention and compliance of employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems. Given these uncertainties, the public is cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward- looking statements are made only as of the date of this document, and do not reflect any potential impacts from the evolving event or risk as mentioned above as well as any other adversity, unless indicated otherwise. The company continues to follow the development diligently to assess the financial significance of these events, as the case may be, to UCB. UCB expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this document, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. References BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) U.S. Prescribing Information. https://www.ucb-usa.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX . Merola J. Sustained Efficacy up to 3 Years with Bimekizumab Treatment Across GRAPPA Core Domains in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: Long-Term Results from Two Phase 3 Trials [abstract]. ACR 2025. #2129566. Rudwaleit M. Long-Term Uveitis Rates with Bimekizumab Treatment Across Pooled Phase 2b and Phase 3 Studies in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis: 3-Year Update [abstract]. ACR 2025. #2129301. Proft F. Bimekizumab Treatment Resulted in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis Maintaining Their Clinical Responses Over 3 Years: Results from Two Phase 3 Studies and Their Open-Label Extension [abstract].ACR 2025. #2129239. Baraliakos X. An Interim Analysis of Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes from an International Multicentre Observational Study in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Initiating Bimekizumab in Real-World Clinical Practice [abstract]. ACR 2025. #2127676. Baraliakos X. An Interim Analysis of Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes from an International Multicentre Observational Study in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis Initiating Bimekizumab in Real-World Clinical Practice. [abstract]. ACR 2025. #2127714. Coates LC, et al. Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA): Updated treatment recommendations for psoriatic arthritis 2021. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2022;18(8):46579. Garcia-Magallon B et al. Is the new ASDAS nomenclature in agreement with therapeutic decision making in patients with axial spondyloarthritis? Semin Arthritis and Rheum. 2020;50(5):854-57. Hamard A, Burns R, Miquel A, et al. Dactylitis: A pictorial review of key symptoms. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2020;101(4):193-207. Sudo-Szopinska I, Kwiatkowska B, Prochorec-Sobieszek M, et al. Enthesopathies and enthesitis. Part 1. Etiopathogenesis. J Ultrason. 2015;15(60):72-84. Maghsoudlou P, Epps SJ, Guly CM, et al. Uveitis in adults: a review. JAMA. 2025;334(5):419-434. Ogdie A, Weiss P. The Epidemiology of Psoriatic Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):54568. Mease PJ, Gladman DD, Papp KA, et al. Prevalence of rheumatologist-diagnosed psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis in European/North American dermatology clinics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(5):729-735. Mease PJ, Armstrong A. Managing patients with psoriatic disease: the diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. Drugs. 2014;74(4):42341. Lee S, Mendelsohn A, Sarnes E. The burden of psoriatic arthritis: A literature review from a global health systems perspective. P T. 2010;35(12):68089. Kwok T, Sutton M, Cook R, et al. Musculoskeletal Surgery in Psoriatic Arthritis: Prevalence and Risk Factors. J Rheumatol. 2023;50(4):497503. Ritchlin C, Coates L, McInnes I, et al. Bimekizumab treatment in biologic DMARD-naive patients with active psoriatic arthritis: 52-week efficacy and safety results from the phase III, randomised, placebo-controlled, active reference BE OPTIMAL study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023;82(11);140414. Coates L, Landewe R, McInnes I, et al. Bimekizumab treatment in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and prior inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: 52-week safety and efficacy from the phase III BE COMPLETE study and its open-label extension BE VITAL. RMD Open. 2024;10(1):e003855. Deodhar A. Understanding Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Primer for Managed Care. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25(1):S31930. Reveille J, Witter J, Weisman M. Prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in the United States: estimates from a cross- sectional survey. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012;64(6):90510. Hamilton L, Macgregor A, Toms A, et al. The prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis in the UK: a cross-sectional cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;16:392. Baraliakos X, Deodhar A, van der Heijde D, et al. Bimekizumab treatment in patients with active axial spondyloarthritis: 52-week efficacy and safety from the randomised parallel phase 3 BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 studies. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024;83(2):199213. Glatt S, Baeten D, Baker T et al. Dual IL-17A and IL-17F neutralisation by bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: evidence from preclinical experiments and a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial that IL-17F contributes to human chronic tissue inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77:52332. Gordon KB, Foley P, Krueger JG, et al. Bimekizumab efficacy and safety in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE READY): a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised withdrawal phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):475-486. Reich K, Papp KA, Blauvelt A, et al. Bimekizumab versus ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE VIVID): efficacy and safety from a 52-week, multicentre, double-blind, active comparator and placebo controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):487-498. Rumberger BE, Boarder EL, Owens SL, et al. Transcriptomic analysis of hidradenitis suppurativa skin suggests roles for multiple inflammatory pathways in disease pathogenesis. Inflamm Res. 2020;69(10):967-973. US-BK-2501221 Date of preparation: October 2025 BIMZELX is a registered trademark of the UCB Group of Companies. 2025 UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA 30080. All rights reserved SOURCE UCB NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important November 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased Fluor securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44868 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) costs associated with the Gordie Howe International Bridge ("Gordie Howe"), the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson ("I-635/LBJ") and Interstate 35E ("I-35") highways in Texas projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (2) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on Fluor's business and financial results; (3) accordingly, Fluor's financial guidance for the full year 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of Fluor's risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on Fluor's business and financial results was understated; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44868 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Rivian has agreed to settle a 2022 class-action lawsuit by paying $250 million to some shareholders who had alleged that the electric vehicle maker defrauded investors over vehicle prices when it went public, according to a court filing on Thursday. The lawsuit claimed that Rivian, during and after its blockbuster 2021 initial public offering, concealed that it had underpriced its EVs, leading to unpopular price hikes later. "The company denies the allegations in the suit and maintains that this agreement to settle is not an admission of fault or wrongdoing," Rivian said in a separate filing on Thursday. "However, settling will enable Rivian to focus its resources on the launch of its mass market R2 vehicle in the first half of 2026." Rivian, known for its R1S electric SUVs and R1T pickups, is set to launch a smaller, more affordable R2 SUV to expand its market share at a time when EV demand in the U.S. is expected to plummet after a key tax credit expired last month. (Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco and Mike Scarcella in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Leslie Adler and Muralikumar Anantharaman) If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Rivian has agreed to settle a 2022 shareholder lawsuit. The automaker will pay out $250 million to qualifying investors if the agreement is approved. The lawsuit stemmed from alleged deception surrounding a March 2022 price hike for the R1S SUV and R1T truck. The class-action lawsuit alleges that Rivian misled investors around the time of its 2021 IPO. The core accusation is that the automaker failed to disclose that the R1s and R1T were initially priced lower than their production costs. Shareholders claim this made the eventual price increases inevitable, something they (understandably) believe Rivian should have shared. Rivian raised the base price of the R1S and R1T by $12,000 in March 2022. That initially included most reservations. However, the company quickly reversed course on the last bit: Following a backlash, it allowed customers who pre-ordered before the announcement to pay the original price after all. Rivian framed the settlement as a chance to move forward. "The company denies the allegations in the suit and maintains that this agreement to settle is not an admission of fault or wrongdoing," the automaker wrote in a statement. "However, settling will enable Rivian to focus its resources on the launch of its mass market R2 vehicle in the first half of 2026." The US District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, will still need to approve the settlement. News of the proposed agreement comes a day after Reutersreported that Rivian is laying off 4.5 percent of its workforce (over 600 workers). Last month's expiration of $7,500 tax credits and President Trump's tariffs, combined with weakened EV demand, are making profitability more of an uphill climb. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is one of the 10 Best American AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On October 13, Reuters reported that Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) has announced it will invest $15 billion in San Francisco over the next five years. This investment is aimed at boosting AI adoption. According to the report by Reuters, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is looking to strengthen its competitive edge against major tech companies. Salesforce (CRM) to Invest $15 Billion in San Francisco Over Five Years Pixabay/Public Domain Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is already integrating AI into its products, including Slack, the companys workplace messaging platform. The company is competing with other tech firms to attract businesses that want to adopt AI technology. This investment would support a new AI incubator hub on Salesforce, Inc.s (NYSE:CRM) San Francisco campus. It will help companies adopt AI agents to perform tasks on behalf of users. Previously, on October 8, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) had also announced plans to spend $1 billion in Mexico over the next five years. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a leading American AI cloud-based software company that specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The company offers software, tools, services, and applications for sales, customer service, marketing, e-commerce, and analytics. While we acknowledge the potential of CRM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Best American Semiconductor Stocks to Invest In and 12 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Soybeans are trading with 1 to 3 cent losses so far at midday. November options expire today, with first notice day on the 31st. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 2 3/4 cents lower at $9.73 3/4. Soymeal futures are up $1 to $1.70 at midday. Soy Oil futures are down 26 points in the nearbys. November soybeans have averaged $10.20 in October as part of the harvest price crop discovery. That is still 17 cents above the harvest price last year but down 34 cents from the February base price. More News from Barchart President Trump and China President Xi are expected to meet in South Korea on Thursday. Nov 25 Soybeans are at $10.42, down 2 3/4 cents, Nearby Cash is at $9.73 3/4, down 2 3/4 cents, Jan 26 Soybeans are at $10.60 3/4, down 1 1/4 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans are at $10.73 1/2, down 1 3/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Super Micro (SMCI) shares slipped over 7% in Thursday trading after the company lowered its Q1 revenue forecast, citing delays in customer deployments for large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) deals. SMCIs management now expects first-quarter revenue to come in at $5 billion only, well below the up to $7 billion it had guided for earlier and the $6.52 billion that analysts had expected. More News from Barchart Including todays decline, Supermicro stock is down more than 20% versus its year-to-date high. A graph of stock market AI-generated content may be incorrect. Should You Load Up on SMCI Stock Today? Despite trimming its Q1 outlook, Super Micro reaffirmed its commitment to at least $33 billion in revenue for the full year (fiscal 2026) on Thursday. The artificial intelligence company also disclosed over $12 billion in newly secured business, with deliveries scheduled for the second quarter, underscoring confidence in long-term demand. This means the first-quarter shortfall reflects deferred shipments only, not lost sales. In other words, customers are still buying, just receiving later. For long-term investors, the mere timing shift is far less concerning than a true slowdown, making the related selloff in SMCI shares worth buying. Supermicro Shares Are Inexpensive to Own Investors should consider investing in Supermicro shares on the pullback also because theyre now trading at a relatively attractive valuation. At the time of writing, SMCI is going for a price-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.48x only sharply below 33x for the likes of Nvidia (NVDA), according to Barchart. Moreover, market experts seem aligned on the view that artificial intelligence is in its early innings only. In fact, investment firms, including Morgan Stanley, estimates up to $400 billion in AI spend this year alone. This suggests the company has massive room to grow its share in a market thats broadly expected to be worth trillions of dollars over time, further strengthening the case for owning SMCI shares for the long-term. How Wall Street Recommends Playing SMCI On the downside, Super Micro continues to grapple with governance issues, and that, according to Wall Street firms, warrants caution. The consensus rating on SMCI stock currently sits at Hold only. However, analysts price targets on the firm go as high as $60 heading into 2026, signaling potential upside of over 25% from here. LUGANO, SWITZERLAND Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum Bank has teamed up with bitcoin (BTC) lending startup Debifi to launch what they say is the first bank-backed loan platform that doesnt require borrowers to give up full control of their BTC. The offering, dubbed MultiSYG and set to open in the first half of 2026, will target institutions and high-net-worth individuals who want access to bank-grade loan services but are wary of rehypothecation, a practice common in traditional finance where lenders reuse client collateral to back other deals. The move underscores the growing market for digital asset-backed financial products, which has evolved well beyond the early, and failed, crypto lenders like BlockFi and Celsius. Institutional players are increasingly demanding more sophisticated structures, especially those that avoid the single-point-of-failure risks that plagued centralized platforms in the last cycle. "Borrowers shouldnt need to trust a custodian blindly," said Debifi CEO Max Kei in a statement, pointing to years of demand for non-custodial lending options. Most banks offering bitcoin-backed loans typically require full custody, cutting the borrower off from their assets until repayment. With MultiSYG, would-be borrowers can deposit BTC into a wallet controlled by five parties Sygnum, the borrower and independent signers with any collateral movement requiring three signatures. That model helps prevent rehypothecation and allows borrowers to verify the existence of their funds onchain throughout the life of the loan. "[This] combines the best of both worlds the ability to hold your own keys while accessing regulated banking products and white-glove service," said Pascal Eberle, Bitcoin@Sygnum and MultiSYG initiative lead at Sygnum Bank, in a statement. "Borrowers can benefit from bank-grade terms in pricing, drawdown flexibility and loan duration, while keeping cryptographic proof of their holdings and partial control of their BTC." Read more: Arch Aims to Help Bitcoin Holders Slash U.S. Tax Bill With BTC Mining Investments (Reuters) -Target is cutting around 1,800 corporate roles in its first major layoff in around a decade as the retailer looks to reverse years of stagnant sales and simplify its operations. The move, unveiled by incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke in memo to employees on Thursday, comes at a time its share price has lagged rivals and the company has faced backlash for pulling back from its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. "Too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions, making it harder to bring ideas to life," Fiddelke, who takes the helm in February next year, said in the memo. "It's a necessary step in building the future of Target." The decision will affect about 8% of its corporate workforce, including the closure of 800 open positions. Employees losing their jobs will receive pay and benefits through early January, along with severance packages. The cuts, which will impact managers more than individual contributers, do not affect store or supply chain roles. Target had named insider Fiddelke as CEO in August, an appointment that was panned by investors who viewed the 20-year company veteran as unlikely to fix its myriad issues including merchandise missteps and inventory management problems. The company, whose shares are down by nearly a third so far this year, has grappled with 11 consecutive quarters of weak or declining comparable sales and also faces pressure from U.S. tariffs on foreign imports. It maintained its annual forecasts in August, after lowering them in May, when it blamed weak demand for the largely discretionary merchandise it sells like apparel and electronics. (Reporting by Anshi Sancheti in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) is one of the best affordable stocks to buy under $20. Teva Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA), announced on October 20 that it entered into a license agreement with Prestige Biopharma for the commercialization of Tuznue (trastuzumab), a biosimilar to Herceptin across a majority of European markets. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (TEVA): Among Small-Cap Healthcare Stocks Hedge Funds is Buying Tuznue is an approved treatment for breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer, with Prestige Biopharma attaining the European Commission (EC) marketing authorization for the treatment in September 2024. Management reported that the terms of the license and supply agreement show that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) has rights to distribute and market Tuznue in a majority of European markets, leveraging its extensive commercial network and proven expertise in biosimilars. Prestige Biopharma would be responsible for production and supply through its EU-GMP-certified, high-tech facilities equipped with advanced single-use technology. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) develops, produces, and sells medicines. Its operations are divided into the US, Europe, and International Markets geographical segments. Each business segment covers the entire product portfolio in that region, including specialty, generics, and over-the-counter (OTC) products. While we acknowledge the potential of TEVA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. When Cathy called into The Ramsey Show, she was already six months into a nightmare. The 68-year-old from Texas admitted she had gotten involved with an online investment group and wound up losing everything. (1) She retired from her job of 36 years and cashed out her entire 401(k) and pension handing over $487,000. In addition, she borrowed $50,000 from her brother, who also invested $110,000 of his own money. Must Read "Last month they ghosted us and froze our accounts, and we lost it all," Cathy said in a clip posted Oct.16. Now, shes jobless with nothing but the $2,000 she gets in Social Security each month, which barely covers her expenses. She does have a paid-off home worth about $400,000, but also $33,000 in debt and an angry brother who wants his money back. Where does someone like Cathy go from here? The harsh reality check Co-hosts George Kamel and Ken Coleman didnt sugarcoat Cathys situation. On her brothers demand for repayment, Kamel suggested hes on his own. The promises are over, he said. You both got screwed in this and you just simply dont have the money to pay him back. As for tackling her debt, the co-hosts advised Cathy to focus on generating income rather than take a drastic measure like declaring bankruptcy or tapping into her homes equity. Cathy says shes applied for sales jobs, her old field of work, but the co-hosts suggested she expand her search to areas she wouldnt normally have considered, including retail and food service. Liquidating the home should be a last-resort option, according to Kamel. If Cathy finds herself unable to work in a few years, she can sell the property, downsize and invest the difference to create a small nest egg for herself. Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now Warning signs of investment fraud Cathys story isn't isolated, as investment scams have exploded. In 2024, consumers lost $5.7 billion to investment scams 24% more than in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear, the biographer explores the complicated life of A.A. Milne and his Winnie-the-Pooh stories. What drew you to this subject? My publisher said to me that were about to celebrate the centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh and that I might be the right person for this because in my big biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II, I write about her and Winnie-the-Pooh. She was born in 1926, the year the book was published. I said that I am the right person because I knew the real Christopher Robin. I met Christopher Milne, on whom Christopher Robin is based, 40 years ago when I wrote a play about the Milne family. Youre shaking the hand that shook the hand that held the paw of the original Winnie-the-Pooh. In what ways was A.A. Milne a complex person? Winnie-the-Pooh is his most famous book, but that frustrated him hugely because he was a playwright, a novelist, a polemicist. He was a serious writer and a very popular writer. In the 1920s, he had plays running on Broadway and in the West End of London simultaneously. He also had complicated feelings about life. He was a shy person, but also a gregarious person at the same time. He was quite buttoned-up. He didnt give a lot of himself away. And yet he was a great observer and could write brilliantly about people. He believed that pure happiness is only available when you are a child. What were you most surprised to learn? I was surprised to learn that Milne was so prolific. He wrote more than a million words40 plays and screenplays, 20 plays on Broadway, seven movies. All of this was totally obliterated by Winnie-the-Pooh. Then I was surprised to find that the Winnie-the-Pooh booksthanks to Disney but also thanks to the success of the books themselveshave been huge sellers since they were published. So he has been a publishing phenomenon and a financial phenomenon. Why are the Pooh stories so enduring? They are set in an enchanted place like Wonderland in Alice in Wonderland or Neverland in Peter Pan. But it is a place of sunshine where there is no darkness. Because theyre beautifully written, they work for adults as well as children. Though the characters are toysa teddy bear, a toy kangaroo, a toy donkeythey have human characteristics that we all recognize. Everybody knows a Tigger. Everybody knows an Eeyore. These books provide a passport to the pure happiness of childhood. As Washington debates how to deter China, one fact rings true: without India, any U.S. deterrence strategy is incomplete. The rise of the New Right has brought Realism into sharper focus in U.S. foreign policy. It rejects illusions about global democracy promotion, endless wars, or the magic of globalization. Instead, it embraces nationalism, focuses on hard power, and is serious about rebuilding Americas industrial base and technological edge. Every aspect of that worldview makes India more, not less, important. The current Under Secretary of War for Policy, Elbridge Colby, was lead author of the 2018 National Defense Strategy during President Trumps first term. That document was clear in its ambition: America must concentrate on Asia and deny China hegemony, while leaning on allies to shoulder more of the load. Colby has described India as the type of ally the U.S. needs more of because it is an independent and autonomous partner. Now in President Trumps second term, Vice President JD Vance has argued the U.S. must rebuild its industrial base and end critical dependencies on adversaries. In a Michigan speech earlier this year, he put it plainly: If we do not protect our nations manufacturers, we lose a fundamental part of who we are as a people. Making things, building things, working with our hands is Americas heritage Under President Trumps guidance, Colby and Vance have sketched a worldview of the New Right that stresses building resilience at home and practicing Realism abroad. President Trumps first term elevated the Indo-Pacific, advanced defense ties with India, and put confronting China at the center of U.S. national security strategy. His return now gives the New Right an opportunity to say America is not quitting the worldits economizing some of its commitments outside of Asia. Behind this shift is a recognition that China is no longer just a competitor, but a capable peer bent on displacing the United States. In that challenge, arguably no country matters more than India. A denial strategy in Asia collapses without it. Geography puts India up against China on land and astride Chinas critical sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean. Size and scale give India, now the most populous country in the world, weight no ally can match. Political will has already been tested in real clashes with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). India has also led internationally through decisive action. In 2020 it banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok and WeChat, and has since expanded the list to cover more than 300. It tightened foreign investment rules to screen, and in some cases block Chinese capital, especially in sensitive sectors. State-owned firms were instructed by the Indian government not to use Chinese telecom gear, effectively excluding Huawei and ZTE from Indias networks. On the border, India has confronted the PLA directly. From the Galwan clash of 2020, to subsequent standoffs, while accelerating road, tunnel, and airfield projects along the disputed border. At sea, Malabar exercises with the U.S., Japan, and Australia now integrate anti-submarine warfare, maritime domain awareness, and cross-domain coordination. Just this year, India deployed warships and conducted its first joint naval exercises with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, signaling that its maritime reach is extending into Chinas backyard. Indias intent is proven in acting earlier and bolder than most democracies in reducing exposure to China. This convergence is not only about China. Indias push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) echoes the Trump administrations turn toward industrial policy and secure supply chains. Vice President Vances call to protect and revive U.S. manufacturing reflects the same instinct. Both capitals are skeptical of multilateral abstractions and prefer arrangements built on sovereign interest. This is not to say Delhi and Washington agree on everything. Far from it. India will never be comfortable with Americas ongoing defense ties with Pakistan, and will never accept junior partner status to the U.S. For its part, the U.S. is uncomfortable with Indias relationship with Russia as Washington tries to end the war in Ukraine and deter aggression against its NATO allies. The U.S. will also continue to push for India to lower trade barriers. But compared to the old Washington habits of democracy, promotion, and globalism, the New Rights realism sits much closer to Indias own strategic culture. India has historically worked more easily with Republican administrations and President Trumps first term was a high point, with the Indo-Pacific strategy, stronger defense ties, and leader-level political visibility. The second term has opened more unevenly. Delhi has been unsettled by the way the White House has rolled out the red carpet for Pakistans army chief. But its likely that outreach reflects the peculiarities of the moment, not a larger rethinking of U.S. policy. Its noise, not strategy. There are bigger changes afoot in Washington. New actors are in town, and a new ideology is shaping the debate. Conservative influencers, business leaders, and cultural outsiders now carry more influence than much of the old guard. They are more narrowly focused on the threat of China, promoting growth, and defending Americas borders and sovereignty. President Trump is also willing to upend old orthodoxies. The rise of the New Right can be a tailwind for India. It is producing a U.S. foreign policy that appears closer to Indias natural instincts than the liberal internationalism of the past. And the New Rights view of U.S. foreign policy seems to put a premium on what India can deliver. Europe is too weak, distant, and distracted to balance China. South Korea is too preoccupied with the North. Southeast Asia will never align. Pakistan cannot be trusted. Japan, Australia, and the Philippines cannot stand alone. Only India brings scale, position, and experience of Chinese aggression and hegemony. That makes it indispensable. Not because it is an ally, but because without its weight, denial strategies collapse into theory. With India, balance and deterrence can become reality. Kriti Upadhyaya is a Visiting Fellow for India at The Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. The contest between Georgia and Florida has been a staple on the college football calendar for just shy of a century. Excluding 1943, when the game was skipped due to World War II, the Bulldogs and Gators have faced off every season since 1926. As expected, the SEC kept Georgia and Florida as annual opponents at least until 2029 and, barring something unexpected, The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party will continue far into the future. Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems, observes N Sathiya Moorthy. IMAGE: A poster with the photographs of the 41 people who died in the Karur stampede at the TVK head office in Chennai, October 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab In these weeks after the Karur stampede in which 41 people lost their lives at actor-politician Vijay's road-show, the question has erupted if the TVK founder, if elected chief minister as desired, would be running a government by some kind of remote-control, AI, Alexa or whatever. By the same token, increasing questions are being asked about the post-stampede handling of the evolving situation by Tamil Nadu's DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin, and his legal team arguing the case against a CBI probe, supervised by a panel headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. The reasons are not far to seek. Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems. Stalin, for his part, continues to give the impression that an inefficient and at times motivated bureaucracy is running the political administration, which is his exclusive responsibility as CM. And the Karur stampede shows how and why -- not that others involved, starting with the Supreme Court but not excluding the BJP ruling the Centre and the AIADMK Opposition in the poll-bound state, have covered themselves with glory -- or so it seems. Post-Karur, Vijay's idiosyncrasies not only as an aspiring chief minister but even going by his insular and insulated behaviour once he attained superstardom have been well 'documented', by the social media and Tamil TV talk show guests through the past weeks in particular. How not just in Karur but in every one of his political roadshows, Vijay had arrived late, and was surrounded not by a cadre force to secure his personal safety, or even the police, but by a bunch of bouncers who have lately been identified only with superstardom across the country. How, not only Vijay but his entire team 'scooted' from the Karur venue, that too all the way to the safety of their respective homes in distant Chennai, rather than standing their ground, owning up moral responsibility, apologising to the victim's families, and encouraging their cadres to assist the victims and their families in their grave crisis. How weak Vijay's politico-legal team was that TVK General Secretary 'Bussy' N Anand and another top aide, C T R Nirmal Kumar, had told the courts that they had no responsibility for organising the roadshow, after the police had added their names to the FIR, along with those of district-level functionaries, and hence they were entitled to anticipatory bail. This was so when their court petitions had claimed that the stampede was an 'accident' even when Vijay, through his delayed four-minute video, had declared it as a 'DMK conspiracy'. The list goes on.... All of them culminating in the current question: Will Vijay, if elected chief minister, be moving with the people or would run a remote-controlled administration, and with ministers as inexperienced as his party leaders now are. Even MGR, who otherwise was known to have had the pulse of the people in his fingers, was not as erratic or unpredictable until after he suffered a stroke in 1984 and lived on for another three years and as chief minister. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condoles with family members of victims of the Karur stampede, September 28, 2025. Photograph: @CMOTamilnadu X/ANI Photo The same cannot be said of Stalin, whom Opposition AIADMK chief ministerial aspirant and predecessor Edappadi K Palaniswami had begun taunting months ago, as being inefficient and ineffective. If prima facie Stalin was seen as taking charge of the ground situation even as it was evolving, and even flying down to Karur in the middle of night to personally satisfy himself that all was as well can be under the circumstances, it stops there. At different levels in the party, there is an increasing disquiet and dismay bordering on acknowledgement that the chief minister has not been able to instill or inspire like-mindedness, especially in the top bureaucracy, which he seems to trust more than his veteran ministerial colleagues. Plain and simple, Stalin is not as inspiring as his late father M Karunanidhi, or fear-instilling as arch-rival Jayalalithaa, both as chief ministers. Or, that is the kind of verdict that is evolving within the DMK's ranks -- but no one is talking. With the Karur stampede as only the latest instance, it is being pointed out how the CM did not take any official, whether the district collector or the superintendent of police, to task, even if for political optics and nothing more. There were intelligence input-gaps in the police inputs and/or follow-up action. None at the top rung has been made to pay for it, just as in the past cases of near-similar seriousness, including the Kallakurichchi illicit liquor tragedy where 68 people lost their lives -- and that was not the only one. That Stalin did not consider it worth his while to visit the place even weeks later is still being held against him. Political opponents have revived their comparison in the matter, post-Karur, insinuating a conspiracy that never possibly was there. In comparison, neighbouring Karnataka's Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had the DGP and Bengaluru police commissioner, among others, suspended over the IPL stampede that claimed 11 lives earlier this year. It may or may not have been the answer, but it did help cool agitated nerves across the state. IMAGE: A view of the spot where the stampede occurred on September 27 in Karur. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Then there are those who quiz why the CM did not order Vijay's detention -- which demand could have been outlandish, yes. But the government has failed to convince those who argue that at least all four named in the FIR should have been arrested. In this case, however, no seeming attempt was made to trace Bussy Anand and Nirmal Kumar while the other two lower-level cadres languished in prison. Wonder of wonders, the day after the Supreme Court took away the probe from an SIT suo motu constituted by the Madras high court to the CBI, the two worthies overnight made their public appearance -- cocking a snook at the state police and the political administration. IMAGE: Massive crowds attended actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur. Photograph: TVK/ANI Photo It did not stop there, though. The Supreme Court's order for a CBI probe under supervision was passed by a two-judge bench of Justices J K Maheswarai and N V Anjaria. It derived from two separate sets of petitions. The CBI probe was based on separate petitions from parents of two who had lost their lives. The TVK-centric petitions demanded a probe monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge. The Supreme Court heard the petitions two or three days after they were filed. By then, neither the police, nor the government's legal team in the Supreme Court had cared to screen the antecedents of the two independent petitioners. All of it mattered when on the morning of the eve of the Supreme Court hearing, a YouTube channel in Karur showed the mother of a victim that her husband, who had filed for a CBI probe, was estranged from the family for six or seven years, and did not even attend the child's funeral. She implied that the father had no moral or possibly even legal responsibility to file the petition that he was believed to have filed. No response has been heard from the other side, since. In the other case, the very man, the father of a dead child, went in front of television cameras to declare that he did not sign any petition to the Supreme Court. He had been told -- by who, the police is yet to declare, if already found -- that it was for seeking a government job for a family member, and that was it. If and if only the police, egged on by the government's legal team in the Supreme Court, had tried to track down those petitioners on day one, they would have had all the material in their hands while a respectable panel of senior advocates appeared before the Bench, to argue the case. By implication it also means that the Delhi-based senior advocates might not have been seen the basic court documents for them to ask those preliminary questions about the antecedents and authenticity of the two independent petitioners. So, when the Supreme Court passed the formal orders, after a two-day weekend -- and it read like the obiter dicta or oral queries to the state at the last hearing -- all that the government's senior advocate A Wilson could do was to refer to the 'new findings'. The court then sort of converted what otherwise looked like a 'final order' into an 'interim order' with leave for the state to file its counter, but without setting a date for the next hearing. If and if only the government had registered its reservations at the appropriate time in the appropriate way, it could have been -- it's still a big 'could' -- able to convince the judges to 'complete' the preliminary hearings in full before passing an interim or final order. Incidentally, questions are also being raised about the judges naming retired judge Ajay Rastogi to head a three-member panel, the other two members being senior Tamil-knowing IPS officers but not from the state cadre, to supervise the CBI probe. There may be no substance in the argument against the CBI probe, taking it all away from an SIT headed by a non-Tamil state cadre IPS officer, Asra Garg, inspector general of police. Court-ordered CBI probes, for which there is a legal provision flowing from a Supreme Court order in 2000, always happen that way. But to brand all IPS officers from Tamil Nadu as capable of being biased or influenced has left a bad taste. Otherwise, Dravida Kazagham activist and advocate Arulmozhi has come up with a 'revelation'. That Justice Ajay Rastogi, chosen by the bench to head the supervisory panel, had attested to the Gujarat government's powers to grant remission to all 11 lifers in the gruesome Bilkis Bano murder case at the height of the Gujarat riots 2002. As she has pointed out, a division bench of the same court was 'revolted' by such an order that they cancelled the single judge's verdict. The implications for the present case was not mentioned, however. It is particularly so, when the Supreme Court order also mentioned that they had already obtained Justice Rastogi's clearance for heading the supervisory panel, when the bench could have heard the state on this point, which had been flagged by the TVK in its petition. As and when the Supreme Court bench gets to hear the case after the state government had filed its affidavit and other related processes too are completed, a question may arise over the credibility and the consequent admissibility of the two private petitions on which the CBI probe had been ordered in the first place. The Supreme Court, while sort of admonishing the single bench headed by Justice N Senthil Kumar at the main bench of the Madras high court for passing orders without hearing the TVK, also quashed the suo motu appointment of a special investigation team of the state police, pointing out that there was no specific prayer in the matter. If it now turns out that the Supreme Court is convinced that the two independent petitions demanding a CBI probe were fraudulently obtained, would the CBI probe hold -- especially after the CBI team had taken over the case papers from the SIT and had commenced its work? In such a situation, what probe, or what kind of probe would the Justice Rastogi-headed committee get to supervise? Even without it, questions have been raised about the desirability and admissibility of a panel ordained by the Supreme Court and not under the criminal procedure codes supervising (and directing) any criminal investigations, if not created through an Article 142 order of the Supreme Court. IMAGE: An eight-member committee of National Democratic Alliance parliamentarians, led by BJP MP Hema Malini, visits the Karur stampede site for an on-ground assessment. Photograph: @NainarBJP X/ANI Photo This is especially so as three days after ordering a CBI probe into the Karur stampede, the very same bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Maheshwari and Anjaria, held that higher courts should 'exercise their power or ordering a CBI probe sparingly, cautiously and in exceptional circumstances'. In its October 16 order, flowing from allegations of favouritism in staff recruitment in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council, the bench also observed that 'Constitutional courts must exercise some degree of judicial discretion before burdening a specialised central agency with matters that do not satisfy the threshold of an exceptional case'. If through all these, it also turns out that the Supreme Court order was burdened by the way the Karur stampede 'shook the conscience' of the nation, as Justice Maheshwari observed, could it then flow that Justice Senthil Kumar in the high court too was similarly moved, as he openly admitted, to pass suo motu observations and also orders? What then is it all about, for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls due by next summer? Going by the current phase and pace, through over-exposure and otherwise, the Karur stampede may have lost much of its electoral steam -- barring the unanswered questions that are being flagged about the organisational skills and structures of the TVK in general and Vijay in particular, to be entrusted with governance of a large and complex state such as Tamil Nadu. This has already led to the next set of social media rumours and debates about the ruling BJP at the Centre adapting/cajoling the TVK into a 'bear-hug' of an electoral alliance, that too in the revived National Democratic Alliance with AIADMK's Edappadi as CM candidate. With the TVK not having any MLAs -- the Election Commission has since clarified that it was not even a registered political party, as yet -- the AIADMK and the BJP, bent over backwards in the four-day session of the state assembly, to defend Vijay and Co, and charge the ruling DMK even more, for the stampede deaths and the aftermath. Not that anyone other than a diehard Vijay fan had believed that the TVK could win a majority of seats in the 234-member state assembly, for their man to become CM, but the post-stampede politico-legal travails has made it less of an attractive proposition, even more. However, yesteryear actor and AIADMK Propaganda Secretary Gowthami has since clarified that even if the TVK joined the NDA, Edappadi alone would (have to) be their chief minister candidate. IMAGE: The hospital where the injured were brought after the stampede at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Karur, September 28, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Theoretically, Vijay fans still argue that going it alone with smaller allies, the TVK could still hope to become the single largest group, and Vijay could become CM, with support from or coalition with other anti-DMK parties. Post-Karur, the DMK seems to be their sole adversary -- and there is no mention of the BJP being the 'ideological enemy', as Vijay used to reiterate at every turn. According to them, it may thus be in 'everyone's interest' if Vijay contests on his own, with smaller allies like T T V Dhinakaran's AMMA, and consider post-poll options, when the public mood would have veered away from the TVK's current anti-Hindutva ideological peg. Yet, barring a couple of thousand diehard fans, not everyone believes that Vijay and the TVK already have 20 to 25 per cent vote-share, as propagated -- and that the figure would only surge ahead during election time. To them all, the numbers just do not add up, especially going by the past presence and poll performance of such other star-politicians with greater social accessibility, political agenda and electoral acceptability. Even now, some of TVK's votes may be 'hidden' in the eight per cent polled by another actor-politician Seeman's NTK. It's otherwise the same vote-share, which since the first general elections in 1952, has always gone to a 'fresher'. It's different from the 'swing voters', who form a class by themselves, and whose ratio has only been increasing. Does it all mean that EPS and the AIADMK-BJP combine -- call it NDA, if you wish -- stand a better chance than Stalin or Vijay, if the latter were to go it alone? Not exactly, not so far. While EPS as chief minister handled the Covid crisis fairly well all-round, memories of his rule still abound in controversies down to the village and panchayat levels. This makes it less of an option compared to the incumbent DMK regime, where again anti-incumbency, from an urban viewpoint abound. For EPS to win back power, he has to win all those 30-plus per cent of 'non-committed' voters, whose predictable swing from one end to the other end of the electoral pendulum. The ruling DMK strongly believes that it has arrested the swing this time, near-exclusively through individual-centric subsidies -- especially in the form of free bus travel and monthly monetary support-schemes and also the free breakfast scheme, all aimed at women voters. The DMK has to prove its belief on the ground. It is more so because those women voters, once forming MGR-Jaya duo's committed vote-bank, are also Vijay's fans at present. It remains to be seen, if in the absence of hard-nosed politics that convinces these women voters, they would switch sides to the TVK. IMAGE: Mourning relatives of a stampede victim at a hospital in Karur, September 28, 2025. Photograph: ANI/X That is not the only problem of the AIADMK and/or the TVK, in the BJP's company. While the saffron party was sort of blunting popular apprehensions over forced Hindutva and also denial of the state's rights by the Modi-led Centre, from time to time, the BJP has been going off tangent, making a mess of the little gains that they might have otherwise achieved. The latest is the imagery that the BJP has already pushed Vijay and the TVK to the wall, with little scope for resistance. It's not on in the popular Tamil perception of the present generation. Earlier, the BJP soiled its copy-book through an avoidable religious controversy centred on the Muslim community, in the hill-town of Tiruparankundram, with its temple for Lord Murugan. A division bench of the Madurai seat of the Madras high court has barred calling the hill by any other name. It has also banned animal sacrifices (in the dargah) up the hill. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Actor-politician Vijay is likely to meet families of the Karur stampede victims in Mahabalipuram near Chennai on October 27, a month after the tragic incident, a source in the party said. IMAGE: As many as 41 people lost their lives and over 60 injured in the stampede that occurred at the TVK meeting addressed by Vijay on September 27. Photograph: ANI Photo Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has arranged the meeting at a resort where the party has booked 50 rooms to enable him to personally meet the bereaved families and convey his condolences. "They have arranged a bus for us to reach the venue. Many of us are going," one of the victims' family members told reporters in Karur. As many as 41 people lost their lives and over 60 injured in the stampede that occurred at the TVK meeting addressed by Vijay on September 27. The proposed meeting triggered a debate on social media with some users flaying the actor for arranging travel and accommodation for the meeting of the affected families whereas he could have visited Karur and consoled them. The party, however, claimed that the new arrangement was because Vijay could not get the permission from the authorities to visit the affected in Karur. Perumal of Velusamypuram, who lost his minor daughters, told reporters that it was not proper for the affected families to visit the leader. "He should visit the families," he said. For now, the injured are unlikely to be among those visiting Mahabalipuram. With a market cap of $74.1 billion, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is a prominent aerospace company specializing in the design, production, and supply of engineered aircraft components. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, TransDigm focuses on proprietary, highly engineered parts for commercial and military aircraft, including control systems, pumps, valves, and cockpit instruments. The aerospace titan is expected to release its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings results shortly. Ahead of this event, analysts project TDG to report an EPS of $9.62, a 4.7% growth from $9.19 in the year-ago quarter. The company has exceeded Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast TransDigm to report EPS of $34.49, up 8.7% from $31.74 in fiscal 2024. Moreover, EPS is expected to grow 9.9% annually to $37.91 in fiscal 2026. www.barchart.com Over the past 52 weeks, TDG stock has fallen marginally, underperforming the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.2% return and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLI) 13.2% gain over the same period. www.barchart.com On Oct. 15, shares of TransDigm dropped 4.4% after Morgan Stanley (MS) lowered its price target to $1,600 from $1,750, citing higher debt and increased interest expenses following recent debt transactions and a $90-per-share special dividend. Despite the adjustment, the firm kept an Overweight rating, noting the new target still implies a potential 21.9% upside. Analysts' consensus view on TransDigm stock is bullish, with an overall "Strong Buy" rating. Among 22 analysts covering the stock, 16 suggest a "Strong Buy," and six provide a "Hold" rating. Its mean price target of $1,555.10 represents a premium of 15.2% from the prevailing price levels. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Relatives of a woman government doctor, who committed suicide allegedly after rape and harassment in Maharashtra's Satara district, on Saturday demanded capital punishment for the two men named by her in a note, including a cop. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Pixabay.com The 28-year-old physician, posted at a sub-district hospital, hanged herself in a hotel room in Phaltan town of the western Maharashtra district on Thursday, and left a note on her palm, accusing a police sub-inspector (PSI) of rape and a software engineer of mental harassment. She complained multiple times about harassment, but her grievances were not addressed, a relative alleged while talking to a news channel. The deceased hailed from Wadvani taluka of Beed district in the Marathwada region and was posted in Phaltan. Another relative, who is also a doctor, said, "Police told us about the incident (suicide) and we went to the hospital (where the body was brought). Being a doctor, I told them I will remain present for the autopsy. That time I saw the suicide note on her palm and conveyed this to police. I suggested that forensic experts should do the autopsy." A third relative claimed the victim was pressured to change medical reports at the hospital where she worked. "Political people in Phaltan often asked her to change medical reports as she used to be regularly on autopsy duty. She had complained multiple times against the PSI (named in the note), but her complaints were not looked into," the relative stated. "A medical officer tortured the lady doctor. He used to assign her autopsy duty repeatedly," the kin claimed. "Just apprehending the accused is not enough. They should be hanged to ensure justice to the doctor and her family," emphasised the relative. "If justice is not done, how will other professional women do their duty without fear or pressure. What example we are presenting before people. How will women pursue education under such circumstances?" asked the kin. Software engineer Prashant Bankar, accused of mental harassment by the victim, was arrested from Pune on Saturday, police said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Ambadas Danve hit out at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, over the doctor's suicide and the name of a police officer cropping up in the case. "There is a need for women's security more than that of 'Ladki Bahin' (a financial scheme for women from low income families). If people who flourished under the wings of Fadnavis are harassing women in such a manner, then Fadnavis has failed as the Home Minister and should resign," Danve wrote on X. The former Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council posted an RTI application and a handwritten compliant of the doctor on the social media platform and asked what action Fadnavis is going to take in both matters. Danve also asked about the identity of two PAs who, he claimed, connected the lady doctor to an MP over phone. "What action did the dean or superintendent (of the hospital) take on the lady doctor's complaint?" he sought to know. In another post, Danve appealed to National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar to intervene in the case. The Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Gulf Air Airlines to compensate a former Tamil Nadu legislator for denying him travel at Moscow airport as his passport did not contain his surname. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Pixabay The airlines has been directed to pay a compensation of about Rs 1.4 lakh with nine per cent interest per annum from the date of travel, to former MLA and advocate Nizamudeen, the affected passenger. This resident of Periamet here was stopped from boarding the Gulf Air flight at Moscow airport because his passport had a single name. On February 9, 2023, he was scheduled to travel by Gulf Air flight from Moscow to Dubai via Bahrain but was denied travel as his passport had contained only his name Nizamudeen without the surname. Nizamudeen claimed that he was allowed to board a flight from India to Moscow under the same name in the passport. He had a meeting in Dubai the next day but the airline's ground staff was "inconsiderate" to his requests and made him wait for nearly one-and-a-half hours. He was put under immense stress and hardship due to the inordinate delay in reaching the UAE and this forced him to file a complaint. The Commission led by D Gopinath and consisting members V Ramamurthy and Kavitha Kannan, recently found that the amendment to a key rule allowing passengers bearing a single name to travel if their family name appeared on another page in the travel document was not followed in the case of the former MLA. The airlines was also directed to refund Rs 29,689, which was the cost of the ticket and pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation for deficiency in service, monetary loss, mental agony, and suffering, and a sum of Rs 10,000 towards the cost of litigation within two months, the commission said. 'The United States loves working with dictators' 'Because then you don't have to worry about public opinion and you don't have to worry about the media anymore' IMAGE: Pakistan's then military dictator General Pervez Musharraf listens to then prime minister Manmohan Singh (not in picture) in New Delhi, April 18, 2005. Photograph: B Mathur/Reuters John Kiriakou, former CIA Officer, has said that the United States threw millions of dollars to Pakistan under the leadership of former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, in a way 'purchased' him. In an interview with ANI, Kiriakou said that Pakistan was deep buried under corruption that Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto led a lavish life in the Gulf while the common people starved. "Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time. And look, let's be honest here. The United States loves working with dictators. Because then you don't have to worry about public opinion and you don't have to worry about the media anymore. And so we essentially just purchased Musharraf," Kiriakou, who served 15 years in the CIA, first as an analyst and later in counter-terrorism, said. He said that Musharraf then let the US do anything they wanted. "We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week. And essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Yes. But Musharraf also had his own people that he needed to deal with," he said. Kiriakou said when he was stationed in Pakistan in 2002, he was told unofficially that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal. "That Musharraf had turned control over to the United States...But the Pakistanis in the intervening years, and remember, I was there 23 years ago...over the last 23 years, the Pakistanis have come to say that is absolutely not true. The United States has nothing to do with the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, that Pakistani generals are the ones who control it," he said. Kiriakou said that Musharraf just kept the military 'happy,' and pretended to side with the US on counter-terrorism while carrying out terrorist activities against India. "He had to keep the military happy. And the military didn't care about Al-Qaeda. They cared about India. And so in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counter-terrorism while committing terror against India," he said. "India-Pakistan were on the brink of war in 2002. December 2001 was when the parliament attack also happened. During that time," Kiriakou said. Kiriakou said that he was worried that the Pakistani political issues could spill over, as they are known to get spun up in their own web of disagreements. "I'm worried about continued disagreement in Pakistani politics that has the potential to spill into the streets because the Pakistanis have a tendency to get themselves spun up and people die during demonstrations and there are attacks against political figures and assassinations and the country is not known for its transformative leaders making positive decisions," he said. In a similar vein, Kiriakou recounted a Marie Antoinette moment with Bhutto. She complained to him of Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan of buying a Bentley 'again'. "When Benazir Bhutto was in exile in Dubai, I went to see her with another senior officer. I went as the note taker. And she lived in this $5 million palace on the Gulf. And we were sitting in the front room, the salon of the house, and we heard a car pull up. And she said, her exact words, so help me God, if he came home with another Bentley, I'm going to kill him!" he told ANI. On being asked, "Is that Zardari?" "Yeah. Her husband." "And I said to my boss afterwards, she makes $60,000 a year," he recounted. Kiriakou rhetorically asked if these politicians meant to serve the people have no shame. "She lives in a $5 million house and he has a collection of Bentleys. Aren't they ashamed of themselves? Like, how can they go back to Pakistan and look the Pakistani people in the face when their people don't even have shoes and enough food to eat? Like, I understand corruption is a problem there, but that level of corruption? Come on!" he said. He bemoaned that the Pakistani public have to deal with such politicians! "Well, those are the kinds of politicians that the Pakistani people have to deal with. Right. And so, you know, you talked about Benazir Bhutto, you talked about Zardari. Zardari is the current president over here," he said. In Musharraf's autobiography, In the Line of Fire, he elaborated on how he decided to take a foreign policy U-turn by ending his support for the Taliban. Musharraf described how he first weighed the option of fighting the US. "I war-gamed the United States as an adversary," he wrote, saying he assessed whether Pakistan could withstand the onslaught. "The answer was no, we could not, on three counts," he added. Pakistan's military would have been wiped out, its economy could not be sustained, and the nation lacked the unity needed for such a confrontation, Musharraf wrote. In a key revelation, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer John Kiriakou has said that Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was the most wanted terrorist for the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had escaped from the Tora Bora hills in Afghanistan in the guise of a woman. IMAGE: Osama bin Laden. Photograph: Hamid Mir/Wikimedia Commons In an exclusive interview with ANI, Kiriakou, who was in the CIA for 15 years and was the chief of CIA counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, also said they did not know that the translator for the commander of Central Command was actually an 'Al Qaeda operative who had infiltrated the US military'. "First, the United States was reactive at the time rather than proactive. You remember, we waited for more than a month before we started bombing Afghanistan. We were trying to be deliberate. We were trying to not let emotion cloud our judgment. And we waited a month until we had proper buildup in the region. And then we began attacking known Al-Qaeda sites. Again, mostly in the Pashto areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan. We believed in October of 2001 that we had Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda leadership cornered at Tora Bora," he said. "We did not know that the translator for the commander of Central Command was actually an Al Qaeda operative who had infiltrated the US military. And so we knew we had bin Laden cornered. We told him to come down the mountain. And he said through the translator, can you just give us until dawn? We want to evacuate the women and children and then we'll come down and give up. The translator convinced General Franks to approve this idea. What ended up happening was bin Laden dressed as a woman and he escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup truck into Pakistan," he added. He said when sun came up at dawn, there was no one in Tora Bora to give up. "They had all escaped. And so we had to move the fight to Pakistan proper." Kiriakou was answering a query about the United States having cornered Al Qaeda terrorists in the Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terror attack that killed 3,000 people, and their escape to Pakistan, and the close ties between the US and Pak intelligence. The US later tracked down Osama bin Laden to Abbottabad, a city in northern Pakistan in May 2011. He was killed on May 2 by United States Special Forces during a raid on his safe house. Referring to the then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, he said they 'essentially just purchased Musharraf' and 'essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do'. "Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time. Let's be honest here. The United States loves working with dictators. Because then you don't have to worry about public opinion and you don't have to worry about the media anymore. And so we essentially just purchased Musharraf. We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week. And essentially he would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Yes. But Musharraf also had his own people that he needed to deal with," he said. "He had to keep the military happy. And the military didn't care about Al Qaeda. They cared about India. And so in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism while committing terror against India," he added. Answering a query, Kiriakou said the United States was focused on Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan and there was not much attention to Indian concerns. "And I'll tell you another thing. Just a couple of months later in March of 2002, we raided a Lashkar-e-Taiba safe house in Lahore. And in that house, we captured three Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters who had with them a copy of the Al Qaeda training manual. And it was the first time, analytically, that we were able to connect Lashkar-e-Taiba with Al Qaeda. The very first time. I remember receiving a cable from the deputy director of the CIA for intelligence congratulating us on finding this training manual, saying it was the very first time that we could attach the Pakistani government to Al Qaeda," he said. Asked about the issue not being highlighted, he said that the decision was made at the White House. "And the decision was that that the relationship is bigger than India, Pakistan. At least temporarily. The relationship, we needed the Pakistanis actually more than they needed us at that point. We were happy to throw money at them. That's what they responded to. But we really needed them to let us base our drones in Balochistan, for example," he said. Answering another query, he said Islamabad needs to come to a policy conclusion that there's nothing positive for it in fighting with India and that Pakistan will lose any conventional war with India. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty / Anadolu Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA) chairman and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) senior vice president and co-COO Cliff Hou said during a question-and-answer session that TSMC has enough rare-earth supply from its sources that it is not concerned about the short-term direct impact of any rare-earth export controls from China. Digitimes reports that TSIA has been monitoring the situation and that it does not expect any significant impact within the next couple of years. However, the primary issue lies in the transition to suppliers from Australia and other regions, should China completely stop rare-earth exports, which he says will take time. Despite the name, rare-earth materials arent rare at all, at least geologically speaking. However, the limited infrastructure required to extract and refine them is what makes them quite difficult to attain, with China owning over 85% of global processing capacity. The country has used this advantage in global trade negotiations, with Beijing declaring in 2024 that all its rare earth resources are now state-owned. It then banned some rare earth exports in April 2025, when President Donald Trump announced his far-reaching tariffs on all imports into the United States. This export ban was lifted in July in exchange for the White House removing export licenses for EDA software, but was reinstated with far more implications in October. All this instability had the semiconductor industry reeling, especially as it affects chips that are 14nm and smaller or those that have more than 256 layers. There are other sources of rare-earth minerals, but they lag sorely behind China in output. Australia, one of the second-largest producers of rare-earth raw materials, is looking to capture more of it out of its mining waste. Canada is also making plans to expand its mining industry to include the crucial elements, while the U.S. is considering investing $2 billion to boost the rare-earth supply chain. As for processing and refining, Malaysia hosts the largest non-Chinese refining facility in the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant, owned by the Australian Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. Incidentally, China has also been in talks with Kuala Lumpur, offering it assistance to develop so that it can tap its own rare earth reserves, which some estimates say are worth approximately $175 billion. According to Hou, TSMC has one to two years of rare-earth supplies, allowing it to operate even if China turns off the taps. Its main concern at the moment is that it will take time for the company to pivot away from Chinese sources for medium- and long-term, with the shift expected to take time. But the bigger question that looms is whether there would be enough supply for the company and the entire industry to pivot to if Beijing decides to cut off the world from its rich rare-earth reserves. Six Montagnards are wanted on terrorism charges by Vietnamese police for their alleged involvement in deadly attacks nearly six months ago on government facilities in the southern province of Dak Lak, which left nine people dead, state media reported on Thursday. The security investigation agency of the Dak Lak provincial police has issued a special warrant for the six, who are charged with terrorism under Article 299 of Vietnams Penal Code. In the early hours of June 11, two groups of about 40 people armed with guns and knives conducted the attacks in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes of Cu Kuin district, killing four policemen, two commune officials and three villagers. Authorities detained nearly 100 ethnic minorities for allegedly participating in terrorist attacks in the areas, home to about 30 indigenous tribes known collectively as Montagnards, who have a long history of conflict with and discrimination at the hands of the Vietnamese majority. They are sometimes referred to as Dega. So far, Dak Lak provincial police have charged or prosecuted 96 people on various offenses related to the attacks and have expanded their investigations, state media reported. Montagnard groups have denied that they were involved in the attacks. Among the six wanted individuals is Y Quynh Bdap, co-founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice, or MSFJ, an organization that advocates for the religious freedom of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. The remaining five are Y Chanh Bya, 40; Ipen Eban, 39; Y Nien Eya, 45 years old all from Cu Jut district in Dak Nong province; and Y Chik Nie, 55, from Krong Pak district, and Y Mum Mlo, 63, from Krong Buk district in Dak Lak province. Y Quynh Bdap, who fled to Thailand as a political refugee in 2008 and is still there, said Dak Lak police, who issued a special warrant for his arrest on Aug. 14, are using the attacks to accuse members of the MSFJ of being terrorists. However, a wanted list posted on the Ministry of Public Securitys website does not include his name, he said. Denial Y Quynh Bdap denied the accusations of involvement with individuals or organizations that advocate violence to resolve issues of ethnicity, religion, and land in the Central Highlands, as reported by state media over the past months. The authorities are using the incident to slander and accuse us of participating in these terrorist activities, he told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. The Vietnamese governments accusations are aimed at smearing my reputation and silencing my voice of human rights protection, Y Quynh Bdap said. He and his team at MSFJ have collected information, compiled numerous reports on human rights violations in the Central Highlands, and submitted them to the United Nations and various international rights organizations, he said. Y Quynh Bdap also said he did not know the other five wanted Montagnards and that it was irrational for authorities to put six people together and label them terrorists. About two months ago, ANTV Television, which operates under the Ministry of Public Security, reported that Y Quynh Bdap and the MSFJ had been working with a U.S.-based Montagnard support group to topple current authorities and establish a so-called State of Dega in the Central Highlands. In October, Tran Quoc, Vietnam's deputy minister public security, said mismanagement was among the causes of the attacks on government facilities in Dak Lak province, in the first official acknowledgement that reasons other than "incitement" by hostile forces were to blame for the incident. He acknowledged that frustration over Vietnams growing wealth gap and poor land management by local officials were partly to blame. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. At least two people were killed and 13 injured in Kyiv overnight after a wave of Russian ballistic missiles triggered powerful explosions and fires across the Ukrainian capital, city military authorities said on October 25. A kindergarten in the Dniprovskiy district was damaged and large blazes broke out in nonresidential areas of the Desnianskiy and Darnytskiy districts. Meanwhile, two people were killed in strikes in the Dnipropetrovsk region, local authorities said. Ukraines air force said Russia carried out a large overnight mixed strike across the country, launching nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles from the Rostov and Kursk regions and 62 attack drones from several directions, including Kursk and Oryol in Russia and Hvardiiske in occupied Crimea. Destruction In Kyiv After Russian Missile Strikes by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:37 0:00 The military said air defenses downed four missiles and 50 drones while confirming impacts across 11 locations as morning assessments continued. Elsewhere, Russian outlets claim Ukrainian forces launched several HIMARS rockets at the Belgorod reservoir dam. Authorities initially said there was no flooding threat to nearby settlements, but Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov later warned that the dam could be destroyed if strikes continue and said officials are "suggesting" that roughly 1,000 residents in atrisk areas should evacuate. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment publicly on the specific strike, consistent with Kyivs general policy of operational ambiguity regarding cross-border attacks The overnight escalation also intersected with a new diplomatic signal from Moscow. Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putins special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said he believes the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are quite close to a diplomatic solution. He did not elaborate on why he believes a diplomatic solution is imminent. The public positions of Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on key issues, including territory and security guarantees. Dmitriev is in the United States, and US media reports suggest he will meet with President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Miami on October 25. Plans for a meeting in Budapest on Ukraine were put on hold this week after early signals of a TrumpPutin summit gave way to a reversal in Washington, with the White House saying there were no immediate plans to meet and Trump warning he didnt want a wasted meeting. The pause followed preparatory contacts in which Moscow rejected an immediate ceasefire that would freeze current front lines, prompting Washington to pivot toward new sanctions on major Russian oil firms and reinforcing European skepticism about a Budapest format without Kyivs terms at the center. Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One on October 25, Trump said that his meeting with Putin could take place once there were grounds to conclude a peace deal. Im not going to be wasting my time, he added, calling the negotiation process with Russia very disappointing. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine's Western backers are ready to take to the next level their efforts to punish Moscow for continuing Europe's deadliest war in decades and force Putin to the negotiating table. Starmer made the statements following a meeting in London on October 24 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of the Coalition of the Willing, a grouping of more than 20 nations helping the embattled country. "We've been clear today that we must respond. Working with the US, this coalition is determined to go further than ever, to ratchet up the pressure on Putin -- from the battlefield to his war economy -- because that is the only way to change his mind and push him back to the table," Starmer told a press conference following the two-hour meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation said he believes the United States, Ukraine, and Russia are close to a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine. "I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution, Kirill Dmitriev said on CNN on October 24. Dmitriev's comments come as peace talks appear to be faltering and Russia shows no sign of relenting in its attack on civilians. Early on October 25, a kindergarten in the Dniprovskiy district was damaged and large blazes broke out in nonresidential areas of the Desnianskiy and Darnytskiy districts. Earlier this week, a kindergarten in Kharkiv was hit by a Russian drone attack. Moscow denies it is targeting Ukrainian civilians despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Dmitriev confirmed earlier that he is in the United States for a long-planned meeting. He did not say with whom he would be meeting. US news reports said he would meet US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Miami on October 25. The Russian state-owned news agency TASS quoted Dmitriev as saying he would also meet other people without naming them. Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions this week to press Russia to end its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The US Treasury Department announced on October 22 that it was sanctioning state-controlled Rosneft and privately owned LUKoil , whose exports go a long way toward filling the Kremlins coffers. "These are very big -- against their two big oil companies," Trump said, describing the sanctions as "tremendous. A day later, Brussels targeted Rosneft and Gazpromneft, another major oil company that is a subsidiary of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom. Dmitriev said the sanctions are not such a big issue, telling CNN that Putin said Russia will never act under pressure and the sanctions will lead to higher gasoline prices in the United States while Russia will just sell less oil at a higher price. So I think the real issue is how to continue a dialog how to have a peaceful resolution to the crisis while having realistic solutions rather than put forward unrealistic solutions, Dmitriev said. Dmitriev did not explain in detail why he believes a diplomatic solution is close. The public positions of Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on key issues including territory and security guarantees. Pressed about why Putin refuses to agree to a cease-fire and freezing battle lines where they are, Dmitriev said Russia wants not just a cease-fire but a final solution to the conflict. He said a cease-fire can always be broken or used by the warring parties to rearm. Its a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that its about battle lines, Dmitriev said. His previous position was that Russia should leave completely. So actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out. Kyiv has not dropped its call for a full Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, but along with the US and European backers, it favors a cease-fire that would leave the front lines in place for the time being. Dmitriev also said that he believes a Trump-Putin summit will happen but "probably at a later date." Trump spoke to Putin last week and said he planned to meet him in Budapest within the next few weeks, but Trump later canceled the meeting although he said it could take place at another time. "The RussiaUS dialogue will continue, but it is certainly only possible if Russia's interests are taken into account and treated with respect," Dmitriev said. Asked about Trump's frustrations that while his phone conversations with Putin are productive, Russia nevertheless continues hitting civilian targets, Dmitriev said the Russian military's position is it only hits military targets. Ukraine endures nearly nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles that hit apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other major cities far from the front line. Asked about an attack this week that hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Dmitriev claimed the Russian military is not targeting kindergartens but that the military should be asked about this specific situation. "Im not a military guy," he said. "Im just working to have dialog and make sure that the conflict is ended as soon as possible." US President Donald Trump said he is not going "to be wasting my time by meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin if the Kremlin leader is not ready to make a deal to end his war on Ukraine. "You have to know that we're going to make a deal. I'm not going to be wasting my time," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on October 25 during a stop in Doha en route to Malaysia, where he landed later to begin an Asia trip. "I've always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing. I thought this would have gotten done before peace in the Middle East," he added. Trump spoke to Putin last week and said he planned to meet him in Budapest within the next few weeks. However, the US president later canceled the meeting, although he said it could take place at another time. Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a US official and another person familiar with the matter as saying Trump's administration has prepared an additional series of sanctions against Russias economy that could be imposed if Putin refuses to reach a peace deal. However, Reuters quoted an unidentified senior US official as saying Trump would prefer to have European nations make the next big move against the Kremlin -- either in the form of additional sanctions or tariffs. The United States sent shockwaves across global energy markets on October 22 when it said it was sanctioning state-controlled Rosneft and privately owned LUKoil -- Russias two largest oil companies, whose exports go a long way toward filling the Kremlins coffers used to fund the war. "These are very big -- against their two big oil companies," Trump said at the White House, describing the sanctions as "tremendous. A day later, the European Union targeted Rosneft and Gazpromneft, another major oil company that is a subsidiary of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom. Maria Shagina, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Berlin, said the sanctions were the first significant measures taken by the Trump administration against Moscow and reflect frustration with Russia's stalling tactics in efforts to end the Ukraine fighting. Observers are watching closely to gauge reactions by India and China -- the two biggest buyers of Russian oil exports. China is one of Moscows top allies and trading partners, sourcing much of its Russian energy via Siberian pipelines. New Delhi has so far resisted US pressure to curtail its use of Russian energy, and Trump has lashed out at India on the issue, imposing punitive tariffs and threatening more actions. Trumps latest remarks appear to throw cold water over comments by Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, who told CNN on October 24 that he believes the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have made strong progress toward ending the war in Ukraine. "I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution, Dmitriev said, although he did not explain in detail why he believes a diplomatic solution is close. The public positions of Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on key issues including territory and security guarantees. Dmitriev was in the United States to meet with US officials. No details of the talks were immediately available, although Reuters quoted a source as saying the discussions were to resume on October 26. "Meetings between [Dmitriev] and representatives of President Trumps administration were held on October 24 and 25 and will continue on October 26," the source said. Trump Set To Meet Xi In South Korea Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on the final day of his regional trip that is expected to focus mainly on trade. He also stopped in Malaysia, where he presided over an agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on their border conflict. The US president is also expected to visit Japan on the trip. In the meantime, Ukraine continues to endure nearly nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles that hit apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other major cities far from the front line. Asked about an attack this week that hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Putin envoy Dmitriev said the Russian military is not targeting kindergartens but that the military should be asked about this specific situation. "Im not a military guy," he said. "Im just working to have dialogue and make sure that the conflict is ended as soon as possible." Early on October 26, Ukrainian officials said an overnight attack by Russian drones on a high-rise building in Kyiv injured at least 26 people, including six children. "Everyone is receiving medical assistance. Some have been hospitalized," the government said on Telegram. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Children, parents, and doctors met in Kyiv for an event called the Breakfast of Gratitude: a chance to celebrate young patients' recovery from organ transplants. For several children, survival has meant enduring not only illness and surgery, but also Russian attacks like last year's assault on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital. In 2024, a girl named Solomia was among the patients at the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. As her kidneys failed, she was receiving dialysis and waiting for a potential organ transplant. Every day we hoped that Solomia would get a kidney, her mother, Oksana Fomenyuk, told RFE/RL. But on July 8, it wasn't the kidney that arrived, but a Russian missile. The missile strike was part of a deadly wave of attacks on Ukraine that day, including assaults on civilian sites like the childrens hospital that drew international condemnation. The attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital killed two people, one of whom was Solomias doctor. Her mother rushed to look for her in the destroyed hospital wing, imagining the worst. Before I found Solomia, I had said good-bye to her several times in my mind, she said. But Solomia survived and was transferred to a hospital in Lviv for further treatment. The following spring, after a three-year wait, the moment arrived that she and her family had hoped for: a donor kidney was available for Solomias life-saving surgery. 'This Smile Is What We Live For' On October 17, Solomia and her mother were among the guests at an event in Kyiv called the Breakfast of Gratitude, a gathering for young organ transplant patients and their families. In a city scarred by war, it was a rare occasion to celebrate. Children were invited to make pancakes and share a sweet meal with the doctors who conducted their surgeries and oversaw their recovery. Borys Todurov, a surgeon and the director of The Heart Institute of the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, greeted a heart-transplant patient named Kira with a warm hug. Its been three months, and now shes smiling. Its this smile that we live for and work for, he said. Three months earlier, the war nearly shattered Kiras hopes for recovery. Russian air strikes hit Kyiv just as a donor heart was being transported to Kiras hospital. The alarm started around 10 p.m., her mother, Alyona Sklyarova, said. I prayed all the time, because Kira couldnt be moved, and there were big windows in her ward. Dr. Todurov oversaw the delivery of the organ. The heart was transported during bombing and shelling. It was a terrifying night, he said. But we made it, as you can see. Here are the results. As families shared their gratitude with their medical teams, Sklyarova also extended her thanks to the donor whose heart saved Kiras life. This is a miracle. We were saved by a little girl named Veronichka. She was 5 years old, she said, adding that she had a good relationship with the girls family. I will be grateful to her mother, Lyuba, for the rest of my life. For families at the event, the terror of living through a war has run in parallel with the stress of a childs serious illness. And recovery has hinged on long waits for donor organs while families try to access treatment through the many disruptions caused by the conflict. But the celebration in Kyiv meant a chance for kids to leave their ordeals behind as they hugged their doctors and shared breakfast with their families. UBS said it remains on track to complete the Credit Suisse integration by the end of 2026. - denis balibouse/Reuters UBS Group named Beatriz Martin, head of noncore assets, new chief operating officer in a reshuffle of its executive team as the bank nominated compliance chief Markus Ronner as vice chairman of its board. The Swiss bank said Friday that Lukas Gaehwiler, vice chairman of its board since 2022, wouldnt stand for re-election at next years annual general meeting as he decided to retire. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal UBS proposed Ronner, currently the groups chief compliance and governance officer, to succeed Gaehwiler as board vice chair. It also appointed Michelle Bereaux, chief integration officer, as head compliance and operational risk control, and transferred responsibility for governmental and regulatory affairs under the remit of Todd Tuckner, its finance chief. The executive shake-up puts Martin in charge of finalizing the integration of Credit Suisse as COO. She will keep her current responsibilities as sustainability lead and head of the groups noncore and legacy businesswhich houses assets formerly owned by Credit Suisse it wants to exitas well as president for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and chief executive for the U.K., UBS said. Bereaux, who was named chief group integration officer in 2023 and led the completion of client migrations of Switzerland and part of the work in the banks home country, will relinquish her responsibilities to assume her new role, UBS said. The bank said Gaehwiler, who is retiring after a 45-year career in the financial sector, played a key role in the integration of Credit Suisse, having served as its final chair. With these changes, UBS is ideally positioned to successfully complete the integration, focus on growth opportunities and continue to deliver in the best interest of all our key stakeholders, UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti said. UBS said it remains on track to complete the Credit Suisse integration by the end of 2026. Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@dowjones.com Most Read from The Wall Street Journal Key Points It is doing innovative work with a major American retailer. Its partner will soon start using the company's technology in its stores. 10 stocks we like better than Avery Dennison Packaging and labeling materials company Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) was wrapping up some appealing gains for its investors over the past few days. A tie-up with a major retailer and a bottom-line beat in its latest earnings report juiced the stock's price. As of Thursday night, it was up by almost 17% in value, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Innovation at the deli counter While the higher-than-expected quarterly profit was encouraging, that partnership was more of a driver of Avery Dennison's share price. Image source: Getty Images. The company's partner is none other than Walmart. On Wednesday, the two companies announced they have teamed up to design a breakthrough radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology for various categories of fresh food. Previously, they added, it was thought that RFID solutions were not suitable for cold, moist environments such as meat cases, deli counters, and the like. The two companies said they have developed innovative sensor technology that can function effectively under these conditions. These RFID solutions will be used in these sorts of places by Walmart. According to it and Avery Denison, the retailer's employees "can track inventory faster and more accurately -- making sure products stay stocked and ready when customers want them." A bottom-line beat Separately, the same day, Avery Dennison unwrapped its third-quarter results. For the period, sales increased by slightly over 1% year over year to $2.2 billion, while its net income not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) rose by 2% to $2.37 per share (the company did not provide a raw number for the metric). Although net sales were in line with the consensus analyst estimate, the company's adjusted net income recorded a beat -- pundits tracking the stock were expecting $2.33 per share. Should you buy stock in Avery Dennison right now? Before you buy stock in Avery Dennison, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Avery Dennison wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $602,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,105,092!* N. Iorga as remembered by his contemporaries Some people leave behind powerful memories due to their striking personalities. One such personality was the historian Nicolae Iorga. Lo scultore Frederic Storck Steliu Lambru, 25.10.2025, 12:15 Some people leave behind powerful memories due to their striking personalities. One such personality was the historian Nicolae Iorga. He was imposing due to his physical appearance, being a very tall individual with a long beard, through his work, his volcanic temperament, and his tragic end. A historian, writer, philosopher, professor, journalist, politician, Iorga did not go unnoticed in the eyes of those who met him. He was born in 1870 in Botosani, in north-eastern Romania, into a family of Greek descent. He studied history at the University of Iasi, the Ecole pratique des hautes etudes in France, and the University of Leipzig in Germany. His work comprises over 20,000 titles and consists of books, studies, brochures, speeches, and press articles, making him the most prolific Romanian author. The themes and subjects of his work are in the fields of history, literature, philosophy, and current political affairs. As a politician, he was a nationalist and leader of the Nationalist Democratic Party, which he founded in 1910, breaking away from the Conservative Party. He was a senator and deputy in the Romanian Parliament and a member of the Crown Council between 1938 and 1940. In this latter capacity, Iorga was one of those who opposed accepting the ultimatum given to Romania by the Soviet Union in June 1940 to cede Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, and called for armed resistance. As prime minister, he led Romania for one year and two months, from April 1931 to June 1932. On November 27, 1940, Iorga was taken from his home by a team of legionnaires, taken to a forest north of Bucharest, and shot. The Legionnaires justified their actions as revenge for Iorgas personal involvement in the arrest and assassination of Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, leader of the fascist Iron Guard party, in 1938. Posterity named the history institute of the Romanian Academy in Bucharest after him, as well as a large number of streets, and erected busts and statues in his honour. Historian Eliza Campus was Iorgas student in the early 1930s. In an 1999 interview for the Oral History Center of Radio Romania she talked about her deep respect for her professor. At the Faculty of History, our main subject was Universal History, coordinated by our great scholar Nicolae Iorga. From the very beginning, I had a very cordial relationship with him. Seeing me in mourning, as my father had died, he asked me from the first classes if I needed help, if he could give me lessons to keep or to give me other opportunities to earn money. However, I had just started working as a teacher at a school, so I had an income. From then on, he had a very close relationship with me. He always invited me to his home to study various works from his library, and we remained close until I graduated his class. After I got my degree in 1931-1932, I regularly attended his classes as if I were still his student. I also visited his home countless times. I remember that while I was writing my thesis, I was at his home and he had given me some works to consult. He got a phone call, and I heard him say, No, Sire, I cant come now, I have students here. It was King Carol II who had summoned him to the Palace, and he refused to go because he had students. That was Iorga, independent, proud, and full of the desire to bring young people closer and to turn them, his students, into true historians. Engineer Paul Stiubei worked at the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation from its inception in the 1930s. In 1994, he recalled that Iorga had also appeared in front of the radio microphone. He had a script and spoke freely. But I always listened to him at his public conferences, where he would deviate from the script and start digressing. Not directly, but with subtle hints. I know that once the general manager, Nicolae Sarateanu, came and asked me to let him keep his hand on the microphones mute button. He stood with his hand on the button, afraid that Iorga would say something against the Germans. It was a time when the Germans had come to the country and we were Germanophiles. During the years of decline of Romanian democracy, a process that began in 1938, Iorga was a member of the National Renaissance Front, the totalitarian single party of King Carol II. Literary historian Gabriel Tepelea, a member of the National Peasant Party, does not have fond memories of Iorga from that time. I can still see Iorga today, with his patriarchal beard, dressed in a blue uniform as a royal advisor, a member of the Renaissance Front! In other words, a group of people of immense cultural stature proved that, politically speaking, they were unable to veto the ambitions of the king, in this case, and their own personal ambitions. And they went along with it. Memories of a person vary from one memoirist to another. And Iorga is no exception. (MI) Key Points The veteran casino operator posted some gangbusters quarterly results. It posted double-digit increases for both revenue and profitability, blowing past analyst estimates in the process. 10 stocks we like better than Las Vegas Sands On Thursday, the coins were gushing out of the slot machine that is Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) stock. The storied casino resort operator scored a more than 12% gain in its share price on the back of a well-received third-quarter earnings report. That rise was significantly steeper than the S&P 500 index's performance; the bellwether stock market indicator increased only by 0.6%. Major winnings Las Vegas Sands drew the curtain on its quarterly figures just after market close on Wednesday. It earned net revenue of $3.3 billion, which was a robust 24% improvement over the same period of 2024. Its net income not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) -- adjusted net profit, in other words -- increased by 66% to $536 million, or $0.78 per share. Image source: Getty Images. With those numbers, Las Vegas Sands crushed the consensus analyst estimates. These anticipated less than $3.1 billion on the top line and only $0.61 per share for adjusted net income. Despite its name, the company no longer operates casinos in Las Vegas, instead choosing to concentrate on Asian gaming markets Macao and Singapore. Of the six properties it runs on the continent, The Londoner Macao and Marina Bay Sands did the best in the quarter. The former saw net revenue growth of 49% (to $686 million), while the latter's top line rose by 56% to over $1.4 billion. The Asian future Given the recent liveliness of those markets, Las Vegas seems to have made the right choice to shift its focus across the Pacific Ocean. It's anticipating continued growth in Asian travel which, if channeled to a sufficient degree to Macao and Singapore, should help the fundamentals keep rising. Should you buy stock in Las Vegas Sands right now? Before you buy stock in Las Vegas Sands, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Las Vegas Sands wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $602,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,105,092!* Russian Writer Mihail Siskin in Romania Between September 25 and 28, Brasov was particularly lively Mihail Siskin (arhiva personala) and , 25.10.2025, 13:20 Between September 25 and 28, Brasov was particularly lively, as the first edition of a new and ambitious literary festival, suggestively titled NOD, the knot, took place here. Proclaimed a literary rights festival, NOD brought together professionals from the written arts and the book industry publishers, writers, literary agents, translators , whom it invited to hold debates in a smaller or larger setting, often in front of the public. The festival also included a host of other events, from guest meetings with students to film screenings, poetry recitals, various workshops and autograph sessions. Among the guests of the organizers were renowned Romanian writers such as Bogdan Alexandru Stanescu, Simona Gosu, Cristian Fulas, Dan Coman, Simona Antonescu or writer-director Cristian Mungiu, but also five important foreign writers translated into Romanian: Ukrainian Andrei Kurkov, Russian Mihail Siskin, Swedish Linda Bostrom Knausgard, French Mathias Enard and American Edward Ashton. Mihail Siskin is known to Romanian readers especially through his titles Venus Hair, Scrivener translated by Antoaneta Olteanu and, more recently, My Russia, translated by Adriana Danila, all published by Curtea Veche Publishers. These books, unfortunately, are no longer for sale on the shelves of bookstores in Russia, where Mihail Siskin was recently declared a foreign agent. Having left his homeland 30 years ago, he is a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin and his regime, and refused to return to Russia after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, although he is the only living writer to have received all the major Russian literary awards (Bolshaya Kniga, Russkii Buker and National Bestseller), has been translated into 30 languages, and is considered one of the most prominent representatives of contemporary Russian literature. We asked Mikhail Shishkin if there is a continuity between his work as a novelist and his civic activism. There is a fundamental difference between literature and journalism. Literature is much too big a weapon to shoot at the dictators of our time. Because literature does not fight Putin, but all the evil in the world. You do understand the difference, yes? That is why you will never see any current politics in my novels. But you cannot sit and watch what is happening in silence either. When you are silent, it means that you support what is happening. For me, it is important to say NO to everything that is happening in Russia, because we are living in a war. And I am not naive to believe that through books, literature, art, music we can prevent or stop the war. Literature cannot stop the cannons. But it gives man hope that the world will not roll into hell, into the abyss. Because the Putins, Stalins, Hitlers come and go, but Bach, Beethoven remain, they will always be relevant. I would formulate the task of literature as follows: well, my novel cannot take a person out into the streets, onto the barricades, to say NO to war, only to be thrown into prison later. But if someone who reads it then thinks about his human dignity, the novel will influence him in some way because in life the most important thing is not to get an apartment and buy a nice car, but to think about your human dignity. And what does that mean? What am I ready to sacrifice for the sake of my human dignity? Where is the limit to which I am ready to endure, to debase myself in this life, and when will I go out into the streets to defend my dignity? Only art, literature can make you think about this. And that is why my novels are weapons. Mikhail Shishkin also spoke to us about how he sees the role of literature in todays world. We cannot say that literature is some kind of panacea, that it can change the world The world can be changed by only one thing culture as a whole, education, the spread of knowledge. Over the past 200 300 years, the most important revolution of humanity has taken place, the transition from tribal to individual consciousness. And today a gap has opened between the population of Russia and evolved humanity. It is a gap in time. Because in Russia the majority of the population still lives in the past, with a tribal consciousness, identifies with their own tribe. But I already live with an individual consciousness. Only I alone decide what is good and what is bad, not my tribe, not the leader of my tribe. And the transition from tribal to individual consciousness is possible only through knowledge, through education, through culture, through literature. That is why any regime in Russia, any dictatorship will make culture its main enemy. How many schools Are there in Russia? Hundreds of thousands, no one has counted them. In every school there is a Russian language department, where a portrait of Tolstoy hangs on the wall. No teacher will put his quote patriotism is a form of slavery next to Tolstoys portrait. Because the only thing that culture should do for the regime is to raise patriots that is, slaves. Slaves who will think that they are defending the homeland from enemies, but who will actually defend this dictatorship. Therefore, the main task of the regime is that there should be no education, no culture. From all of Tolstoys work, they will pick only the education of patriots. So, in Russia, to change this consciousness, the regime must first be changed. And there is no longer any peaceful means to change the regime. When the war against Ukraine began, I had hope that, finally, the whole world would unite and give Ukraine enough weapons to win on the battlefield. It is the only possibility to defeat Putins regime. And in the first months of the war it seemed that yes, the whole West would unite and help Ukraine. And what happened in the end? A betrayal. All democratic countries betrayed Ukraine. They betrayed me, they betrayed my personal struggle, my hope. This means that in Russia everything will remain as it is. Children will continue to be raised to be patriots. Look at what is happening now in schools, children are once again dressed in military uniforms and prepared to become cannon fodder. How can we prevent this? In 2024, the Dar literary prize (in translation: gift, after the name of the last novel written in Russian by Vladimir Nabokov) was awarded for the first time for authors who write literature in Russian, a prize established at the initiative of Mikhail Shishkin to support the translation into popular languages of Russian-speaking writers outside the official circuit of the Russian Federation. Even during the NOD festival, to the great bitterness of the guest, the Dar prize was also declared a foreign agent in Russia. The latest book published by Mikhail Shishkin examines the relationship that the novelist has today with his cultural fathers, the great classics of Russian literature, in the context of the war in Ukraine. We are waiting for it to be translated into Romanian as well. October 25, 2025 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 25.10.2025, 13:57 DAY On Saturday in Iasi, north-eastern Romania, President Nicusor Dan has said that upgrading the Romanian army is a priority. He underlines that it is not enough to say that you want peace, but you have to be responsible and get ready to deter war. As all opinion polls describe the Romanian army as the most trusted institution it means that inside it we find professionalism and professionals, President Dan went on to say. Nicusor Dan on Saturday participated in the military ceremonies and religious services staged in Iasi, with the occasion of Army Day. In turn, the Senate president, Mircea Abrudean, has said that Romania is today a safe country and a pillar of stability in Eastern Europe and the Romanian citizens are benefitting from the most solid security guarantees in the countrys history. Army Day is being celebrated today all over Romania, in the military units abroad where Romanian servicemen are serving, in military theatres of operation as well as in the countries where Romania has military attaches or representations. Military and religious ceremonies are being held at the monument of the Unknown Soldier in Bucharest where wreaths of flowers are being laid. Aircraft of the Romanian Air Forces flew over the monument while military ceremonies and religious services were being held at army barracks across Romania, at heroes monuments and military cemeteries in Romania and abroad in countries like Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, the Republic of Moldova and Hungary. DST Together with most European countries on Saturday night Romania will adjust to the Daylight Saving Time with clocks rolling back one hour and Sunday becoming the longest day of the year. The DST has been part of a seasonal adjusting system since the 20th century aimed at making the most of the sunlight and curbing electricity consumption. The DST is still a controversial topic at European level and although the European Commission has proposed its elimination, the member states have failed to reach a consensus in this respect. CATHEDRAL The paintings of the National Cathedral will be sanctified on Sunday by Bartholomew 1st, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and Daniel, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, which is the majority denomination in Romania. The event, which is expected to bring together over 100 thousand people is marking the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. This year we celebrate 140 years since the Romanian Orthodox Churchs status of autocephalous church was recognized and 100 years of its Patriarchate status. The National Cathedrals altar was sanctified on November 25, 2018, when the Big Union Centenary was celebrated. The National Cathedral is 120 thousand meter high and its bells had a total weight of 33 tons. Its architecture is a synthesis of traditional and modern elements blending architectural elements from various parts of Romania with elements from foreign cathedrals, as a big part of the Romanian Diaspora is presently in the West. Its mosaics are covering a surface of 25 thousand square meters and are inspired from Byzantine and Romanian medieval art. F-16 A fresh squadron of F-16 jet fighters are joining missions under NATO command, the Romanian Minister of Defence, Ionut Mosteanu has announced. The new F-16 squadron, certified for NATO missions, is a clear proof of the professionalism of the Romanian Air Forces and our capacity to operate jointly with our allies. Romania is presently boasting three squadrons ensuring the protection of the airspace, two Romanian and an allied one made up of Typhoon jet fighters of the German Air Forces deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in south-eastern Romania. These three units are forming an umbrela of real security on NATOs Eastern Flank. Every air police mission, flight hour, every team behind these aircraft are part of a collective effort namely that of preserving peace and security in the region, Minister Mosteanu went on to say. (bill) THE WEEK IN REVIEW 20-24 October 2025 The week in review Roxana Vasile, 25.10.2025, 12:39 President Nicusor Dan in Brussels Romanian President Nicusor Dan joined the heads of state and government of the European Union who met in Brussels on Thursday for discussions on intensifying support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to achieve peace. In fact, the day began with the announcement that the Union had managed to adopt the 19th package of sanctions against Moscow. As President Dan explained at the end of the Council: Up until now, Romania has acted in solidarity with the countries of the Union, it has joined the sanctions packages, and I believe that in the immediate future we will do the same. Whenever you discuss sanctions, you also discuss the collateral effects that these sanctions have for parts of your industry or the partner industry,. The new sanctions include a progressive ban on imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia starting from April 2026 for short-term contracts and, from January 1, 2027, for long-term ones. The EU also decided to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats between the EU countries and punished 45 new companies that help Moscow evade sanctions. Romania has a revised version of the NRRP The European Commission approved this week the final version of Romanias National Recovery and Resilience Plan, worth a total of 21.4 billion euros. The decision marks the end of the renegotiation process of the NRRP, which is now realistic, supports the economy and local communities said Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The aim of this revision, not an easy one, was to reduce the pressure on the 2026 state budget, the deficit, avoid penalties that would have resulted from the delay in reforms, but also, last but not least, to protect investments. In fact, the money will go towards investments in infrastructure, hospitals, digitalization, green energy and the modernization of the administration. The document is to be published on the Commissions website, a stage that will also be followed by a formal approval at the November Ecofin meeting. Magistrates pensions, a case for discord The Constitutional Court of Romania rejected, on Monday, the reform of the special pensions of magistrates, which mainly aims to increase the retirement age of judges and prosecutors, as well as reduce their pension from 100% to 70% of the net income from the last month of activity. The CCR had already postponed the verdict twice, after being notified by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, which harshly criticized the document and claimed dozens of violations of the Constitution. The government included the special pension reform law in the second package of fiscal measures aimed at reducing the deficit, and it also represented a milestone assumed in the NRRP. The European Commission drew Bucharests attention that, by November 28, it must complete the reform of magistrates pensions, part of payment request number 3 within the NRRP. Otherwise, the Commission will make a decision regarding the suspension of the payment of the respective tranche of funds. The CCR decision generated tensions in the ruling coalition in Romania. The NLP argues that the Courts motivation must be awaited to determine the next step. The USR would like a referendum to change the Constitution, if there is no other way to solve the problem. The SDP advocates for the creation of a working group to draft a new bill that the CCR will no longer reject. Some Romanians once again at the polls The Bucharest government adopted, on Thursday, a decision regarding the organization of partial local elections for the general mayor of the Capital, for the president of the Buzau County Council (southeast) and for the mayors of 12 other localities in the country. The partial local elections will take place on Sunday, December 7, and the electoral period will begin on November 2. The decision to organize this election was previously agreed upon in the governing coalition, after long and contradictory discussions. In the elections for the Bucharest City Hall, all four parties in power decided to present their own candidates. The future mayor, elected in a single round, will succeed Nicusor Dan, who was voted president of Romania in May. Sabotage attempt foiled The authorities in Romania and Poland have dismantled a network of saboteurs coordinated by the Russian secret services. Three Ukrainian citizens have been arrested for trying to send explosive packages to their country. Two of them were detained and remanded in custody in Romania after leaving such packages at the Bucharest headquarters of an international courier company operating in Ukraine. The company is Nova Post, the Romanian Intelligence Service said. According to it, the aim was to reduce the support given to Ukraine by the two neighboring countries, in this case by attempting to damage the most extensive Ukrainian courier infrastructure, which ensures the connection of millions of Ukrainians who have left the country with those at home. Disaster in a Bucharest neighborhood 3 people died, 15 were injured and entire families were left homeless, last Friday, in an explosion in an apartment building in a neighborhood of the Capital. Two floors were completely destroyed, and the entire building was severely damaged. The explosion also affected a high school, as well as other nearby residential buildings. From the initial investigation by the authorities, which continued this week, it is possible that a short circuit in an underground electrical cable led to the cracking of the neighboring gas pipeline that supplied the block of flats, although the legislation prohibits the placement of such elements in the same space, precisely to prevent the risk of explosion. In the meantime, solutions are being sought to accommodate the families left homeless. According to the interim mayor of the capital, Stelian Bujduveanu, 12 families have been relocated to other apartments in the medium and long term, while 148 people are accommodated in hotel rooms, where they will stay as long as necessary. Lack of money for current expenses, loss of personal documents and emotional shock are also some of the problems faced by those who suffered from the terrible explosion. The Monster range of motorcycles from Ducati sits at the bottom of the companys portfolio, acting as an entry portal into the Italian brands revered legacy. Monster is the model tasked with bringing large volumes for Ducati, which was first introduced in 1993. For 2026 model year, Ducati has given it a new beating heart. This new 890cc V2 engine revving under 2026 Monster is nothing new, as it is seen with other Ducati models like Panigale, Multistrada and Streetfighter. However, replacing the older 937cc Testastretta Twin with this new engine is crucial for the brand as it brings the latest Euro 5+ emission standards compliance. Lets take a closer look. 2026 Ducati Monster Updated With 890cc V-Twin After the companys announcement to phase away the older 937cc Testastretta V-Twin engine with newer 890cc V-Twin engine, there have been multiple models ported over. These include Panigale, Multistrada and Streetfighter models. Now it is time for Ducatis affordable Monster to make the switch to this new engine. The only other models remaining in Ducatis portfolio to yet make this switch include Desert X and Hypermotard 950. This new 890cc V-Twin engine powering 2026 Ducati Monster is cleaner and greener as it complies with latest Euro 5+ emission standards. 2026 Monster comes either in Ducati Red or Iceberg White colourways. Sales in Europe will start from February 2026 and the starting price of this model is GBP 11,995, which translates to around Rs 14 lakh. Notable elements apart from the new engine include front-frame design, new hollow double-sided swingarm like on Panigale V4, non-adjustable Showa USD front forks, Brembo brakes, Pirelli tyres and more. Twin exhaust is standard on this motorcycle and one can spec it with sportier Termignoni ones as well. Seat height is 815 mm, which can be taken down to 775 mm using accessory seats or lowering kits. Kerb weight has gone down with 2026 Ducati Monster by up to 4 kg. 5-inch TFT instrument cluster, 6-axis IMU based electronics suite including traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS and engine braking control are also on offer. New Beating Heart The main highlight of 2026 Ducati Monster is its engine, which is a 890cc liquid-cooled V-Twin unit with a peak power of 109.4 bhp at 9,000 RPM and 91.11 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. This engine is a stressed member of the mainframe and it gets four riding modes Sport, Road, Urban and Wet. While not official, Honda V3R (E-Compressor) could have a displacement of around 900 cc, generating more than 100 hp Honda has several innovations to its credit, such as the Uni-Cam engine, self-balancing tech, e:DCT, E-Clutch, eSP and advanced airbag system. The latest technology from Honda making headlines is the new V3 engine platform that comes with an electric compressor. While the concept version was showcased at last years EICMA, Honda might be unveiling a production version at 2025 EICMA. The new V3 engine with the electric compressor will power a new range of Honda motorcycles. Lets get more details on this story. Honda V3R E-Compressor bike Performance, features Hondas first model to feature the new V3 engine will be the V3R E-Compressor naked bike. Trademarks for this new bike have already been filed in Europe and the USA. Earlier this year in February, the V3R name was registered in Europe. Honda has also registered the name V3R E-Compressor in Europe. Similar trademarks have been filed in the United States. At last years EICMA, Honda had provided a few details about the new V3 engine. It is a water-cooled, 75-degree V3 engine, which will be used with multiple large-displacement bikes. While the exact displacement has not been revealed, speculation suggests that Hondas V3 engine could be around 900 cc. Working with the electric compressor, the engine could generate more than 100 hp and 100 Nm of torque. According to Honda, the electric compressor is the first-of-its-kind to be used in a motorcycle. When launched, it will be the worlds first production bike to have this tech. Powered by a compact battery, the electric compressor controls the compression of the intake air independently. It does not have to depend on engine rpm or exhaust flow. As a result, the engine is able to deliver high-response torque even at lower rpm. Hondas electric compressor has various other benefits. For example, it does not need any type of intercooler. Honda has also designed the electric compressor with a compact profile so that it can be easily accommodated within the limited space of the bikes core frame. The chosen orientation and lightweight profile ensure that the electric compressor does not adversely impact the bikes centralization of mass. Users can expect a distinctive aural experience with Hondas new V3R bike. Honda V3R Launch date, pricing It is expected that Honda will introduce its new V3R (E-Compressor) bike sometime in 2026. The official presentation for the bike at 2025 EICMA is scheduled for 4th November at 10 AM. The V3R is likely to have a base variant (naturally aspirated engine) and a top variant with the E-Compressor (supercharger). While pricing details are not available, Honda had mentioned last year that its new bikes with the V3 engine are geared towards mass production. That indicates a competitive pricing strategy. As per estimates, the Honda V3R E-Compressor bike could be offered at a starting price of around 14,500 (Rs 14.80 lakh). By choosing the old Hyundai Venue, customers could unlock benefits such as lower pricing and special dealer-level discounts and offers Hyundai will be launching the new 2nd-gen Venue on November 4th, 2025. Ahead of that, details about the updated version have been officially revealed. New Venue gets a comprehensive range of exterior and interior updates. While the new Venue is certainly better equipped than its predecessor, Hyundai might continue selling the current model alongside the new one. Lets explore more details on this development. Old Hyundai Venue sales to continue While Hyundai might continue selling the old Venue, it could be offered with only the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. This unit generates 83 PS and 113.8 Nm of torque and is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. In comparison, the new Venue will continue with all three engine options, as available earlier. It includes the 120 PS 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and the 114 PS 1.5-litre diesel. Across variants, transmission options for new Venue include MT, AT and DCT. Prices for the new Venue are expected to be revealed at the time of launch. In case of the old Venue, only four variants might be carried forward. These include Venue 1.2 Kappa (MT) S, Venue 1.2 Kappa (MT) S+, Venue 1.2 Kappa (MT) S(O) and Venue 1.2 Kappa (MT) S(O)+. Current prices for these variants range between Rs 8.49 lakh and Rs. 9.15 lakh (Ex-sh). Since the new Venue has received comprehensive updates, it is likely to be offered at a slightly higher pricing. This could make the previous-gen Venue a more attractive option for cost-conscious buyers. In terms of styling, the new Venue stands out with its more impactful presence. Four new colour options are on offer Mystic sapphire, Hazel blue, Dragon red and dual-tone Hazel blue with abyss black roof. Inside, the tech package has been upgraded with dual 12.3-inch screens in curved panoramic format. Interiors of new Venue have sharper lines, a new D-cut steering wheel and enhanced ambient lighting. Hyundai has also changed the variant nomenclature, choosing the HX prefix. The new model has petrol variants HX2, HX4, HX5, HX6, HX6T, HX8, HX10 and diesel variants HX2, HX5, HX7 and HX10. Hyundai Venue vs. rivals With its bold styling and updated tech package, the new Hyundai Venue has improved capabilities to take on rival offerings. In the sub-4-meter SUV segment, Hyundai Venue competes with the likes of Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV3XO, Kia Sonet, Skoda Kylaq and Kia Syros. In September, Hyundai Venue was ranked 4th in the list of bestselling sub-4-meter SUVs. It was ahead of Maruti Brezza by 1,311 units and had a market share of 10.65%. In Hyundais lineup, Venue was the second best selling product in September, contributing more than 22% to overall sales. As both the new and old Venue will be available for sale, the SUV could deliver even better results in the future. Source Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Key Takeaways Sharper views from a single telescope: Normally, astronomers link multiple telescopes together to get the clearest images of distant stars and galaxies. A UCLA-led team has now achieved record-breaking detail of the star beta Canis Minoris using just one telescope equipped with a breakthrough device called a photonic lantern. Normally, astronomers link multiple telescopes together to get the clearest images of distant stars and galaxies. A UCLA-led team has now achieved record-breaking detail of the star beta Canis Minoris using just one telescope equipped with a breakthrough device called a photonic lantern. How it works: The photonic lantern divides starlight into many fine channels that capture subtle spatial patterns. Advanced computational techniques then combine these channels to rebuild a high-resolution image filled with details that would otherwise be lost. The photonic lantern divides starlight into many fine channels that capture subtle spatial patterns. Advanced computational techniques then combine these channels to rebuild a high-resolution image filled with details that would otherwise be lost. A new frontier for astronomy: This innovative approach could let scientists explore objects that are smaller, fainter, and farther away than ever before, offering fresh insight into the hidden structure of the universe and sparking new discoveries. A Breakthrough View From a Single Telescope For the first time, astronomers have used a new imaging method on a ground-based telescope to capture the most detailed look ever at the disk surrounding a distant star. Led by UCLA researchers, the achievement revealed hidden structures that had never been seen before. This breakthrough paves the way for scientists to study finer details of stars, planets, and other celestial objects, potentially transforming how we explore the universe. A telescope's ability to reveal faint or distant objects depends on its size. Larger telescopes can collect more light, allowing them to see dimmer targets and produce sharper images. The highest levels of detail are usually reached by linking multiple telescopes together to form an array. Building these large instruments, or connecting them, has long been the key to achieving the precision needed for discovering new cosmic features. Harnessing Light With a Photonic Lantern Using a device called a photonic lantern, astronomers can now make better use of the light gathered by a telescope to produce extremely high-resolution images. The details of this breakthrough appear in Astrophysical Journal Letters. "In astronomy, the sharpest image details are usually obtained by linking telescopes together. But we did it with a single telescope by feeding its light into a specially designed optical fiber, called a photonic lantern. This device splits the starlight according to its patterns of fluctuation, keeping subtle details that are otherwise lost. By reassembling the measurements of the outputs, we could reconstruct a very high-resolution image of a disk around a nearby star," said first author and UCLA doctoral candidate Yoo Jung Kim. The photonic lantern divides the incoming light into multiple channels based on how the light wavefront is shaped, much like separating the notes of a musical chord. It also divides light by color, creating a rainbow-like spectrum. The device was designed and built by the University of Sydney and the University of Central Florida, and it forms part of the instrument FIRST-PL, developed and led by the Paris Observatory and the University of Hawai'i. This system is installed on the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument at the Subaru Telescope in Hawai'i, which is operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. "What excites me most is that this instrument blends cutting-edge photonics with the precision engineering done here in Hawai'i," said Sebastien Vievard, a faculty member in the Space Science and Engineering Initiative at the University of Hawai'i who helped lead the build. "It shows how collaboration across the world, and across disciplines, can literally change the way we see the cosmos." Pushing Beyond Traditional Imaging Limits This method of separating and analyzing light enables a new way to see fine detail, achieving sharper resolution than traditional telescope cameras. "For any telescope of a given size, the wave nature of light limits the fineness of the detail that you can observe with traditional imaging cameras. This is called the diffraction limit, and our team has been working to use a photonic lantern to advance what is achievable at this frontier," said UCLA professor of physics and astronomy Michael Fitzgerald. "This work demonstrates the potential of photonic technologies to enable new kinds of measurement in astronomy," said Nemanja Jovanovic, a co-leader of the study at the California Institute of Technology. "We are just getting started. The possibilities are truly exciting." At first, the researchers faced a major challenge: turbulence in Earth's atmosphere. The same shimmering effect that makes distant horizons appear wavy on a hot day causes starlight to flicker and distort as it travels through the air. To correct for this, the Subaru Telescope team used adaptive optics, a technology that continuously adjusts to cancel out these distortions and stabilize the light waves in real time. "We need a very stable environment to measure and recover spatial information using this fiber," said Kim. "Even with adaptive optics, the photonic lantern was so sensitive to the wavefront fluctuations that I had to develop a new data processing technique to filter out the remaining atmospheric turbulence." Exploring Beta Canis Minoris in Stunning Detail The team put their technique to the test by observing the star beta Canis Minoris ( CMi), located about 162 light-years away in the constellation Canis Minor. This star is surrounded by a fast-spinning hydrogen disk. As the gas in the disk moves, the side rotating toward Earth appears bluer, while the side moving away looks redder, a result of the Doppler effect (the same phenomenon that changes the pitch of a moving car's sound). These color shifts slightly alter the apparent position of the starlight depending on its wavelength. By applying new computational methods, the researchers measured these color-based position shifts with about five times more precision than ever before. In addition to confirming the rotation of the disk, they discovered that it is lopsided. "We were not expecting to detect an asymmetry like this, and it will be a task for the astrophysicists modeling these systems to explain its presence," said Kim. A New Way to See the Universe This innovative approach will allow astronomers to observe smaller and more distant objects with unprecedented clarity. It may help solve long-standing cosmic mysteries and, as in the case of the lopsided disk around CMi, uncover entirely new ones. The project involved an international collaboration that included scientists from the Space Science and Engineering Initiative at the University of Hawai'i, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona, the Astrobiology Center in Japan, the Paris Observatory, the University of Central Florida, the University of Sydney, and the University of California Santa Cruz. Security and privacy are closely related concepts. In order for a system to respect user privacy, it must be fundamentally secure and behave as intended in the presence of an adversary. Similarly, a perfectly secure system doesnt meet the needs of many users if it doesnt respect user privacy. While this book focuses on security, you can often apply the general approaches we describe to achieve privacy objectives, as well. Reliability and security are both crucial components of a truly trustworthy system, but building systems that are both reliable and secure is difficult. While the requirements for reliability and security share many common properties, they also require different design considerations. It is easy to miss the subtle interplay between reliability and security that can cause unexpected outcomes. The password managers failure was triggered by a reliability problempoor load-balancing and load-shedding strategiesand its recovery was later complicated by multiple measures designed to increase the security of the system. It took an additional hour for the team to realize that the green light on the smart card reader did not, in fact, indicate that the card had been inserted correctly. When the engineers flipped the card over, the service restarted and the outage ended. At this point, the engineers in Australia decided that a brute-force approach to their safe problem was warranted and applied a power drill to the task. An hour later, the safe was openbut even the newly retrieved cards triggered the same error message. These smart cards were stored in multiple safes in different Google offices across the globe, but not in New York City, where the on-call engineer was located. When the service failed to restart, the engineer contacted a colleague in Australia to retrieve a smart card. To their great dismay, the engineer in Australia could not open the safe because the combination was stored in the now-offline password manager. Fortunately, another colleague in California had memorized the combination to the on-site safe and was able to retrieve a smart card. However, even after the engineer in California inserted the card into a reader, the service still failed to restart with the cryptic error, The password could not load any of the cards protecting this key. The load caused the primary replica of the password manager to become unresponsive, so the load balancer diverted traffic to the secondary replica, which promptly failed in the same way. At this point, the system paged the on-call engineer. The engineer had no experience responding to failures of the service: the password manager was supported on a best-effort basis, and had never suffered an outage in its five years of existence. The engineer attempted to restart the service, but did not know that a restart required a hardware security module (HSM) smart card. On that day in September, the corporate transportation team emailed an announcement to thousands of employees that the WiFi password had changed. The resulting spike in traffic was far larger than the password management systemwhich had been developed years earlier for a small audience of system administratorscould handle. Google has an internal password manager that allows employees to store and share secrets for third-party services that dont support better authentication mechanisms. One such secret is the password to the guest WiFi system on the large fleet of buses that connect Googles San Francisco Bay Area campuses. The presence of an adversary can also affect methods of collaboration and the information thats available to responders during an incident. Reliability incidents benefit from having responders with multiple perspectives who can help find and mitigate the root cause quickly. By contrast, youll often want to handle security incidents with the smallest number of people who can fix the problem effectively, so the adversary isnt tipped off to the recovery effort. In the security case, youll share information on a need-to-know basis. Similarly, voluminous system logs may inform the response to an incident and reduce your time to recovery, butdepending on what is loggedthose logs may be a valuable target for an attacker. In designing for reliability, you often need to add redundancy to systems. For instance, many electronic locks fail secure but accept a physical key during power failures. Similarly, fire escapes provide a redundant exit path for emergencies. While redundancy increases reliability, it also increases the attack surface. An adversary need only find a vulnerability in one path to be successful. As a result, different systems are designed to respond to failures in quite different ways. In the absence of an adversary, systems often fail safe (or open): for example, an electronic lock is designed to remain open in case of power failure, to allow safe exit through the door. Fail safe/open behavior can lead to obvious security vulnerabilities. To defend against an adversary who might exploit a power failure, you could design the door to fail secure and remain closed when not powered. In designing for reliability and security, you must consider different risks. The primary reliability risks are nonmalicious in naturefor example, a bad software update or a physical device failure. Security risks, however, come from adversaries who are actively trying to exploit system vulnerabilities. When designing for reliability, you assume that some things will go wrong at some point. When designing for security, you must assume that an adversary could be trying to make things go wrong at any point. Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks are an interesting case because they straddle the areas of reliability and security. From a victims point of view, a malicious attack may be indistinguishable from a design flaw or a legitimate spike in traffic. For example, a 2018 software update caused some Google Home and Chromecast devices to generate large synchronized spikes in network traffic as the devices adjusted their clocks, resulting in unexpected load on Googles central time service. Similarly, a major breaking news story or other event that prompts millions of people to issue near-identical queries can look very much like a traditional application-level DDoS attack. As shown in Figure 1-1 , when a magnitude 4.5 earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area in the middle of the night in October 2019, Google infrastructure serving the area was hit with a flood of queries. Finally, of course, availability is both a reliability and a security concern. An adversary might exploit a systems weak spot to bring the system to a halt or impair its operation for authorized users. Or they might control a large number of devices spread around the world to perform a classic distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, instructing the many devices to flood a victim with traffic. Similarly, data integrity compromise need not involve an active adversary. In 2015, Google Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) noticed that the end-to-end cryptographic integrity checks on a few blocks of data were failing. Because some of the machines that processed the data later demonstrated evidence of uncorrectable memory errors, the SREs decided to write software that exhaustively computed the integrity check for every version of the data with a single-bit flip (a 0 changed to a 1, or vice versa). That way, they could see if one of the results matched the value of the original integrity check. All errors indeed turned out to be single-bit flips, and the SREs recovered all the data. Interestingly, this was an instance of a security technique coming to the rescue during a reliability incident. (Googles storage systems also use noncryptographic end-to-end integrity checks, but other issues prevented SREs from detecting the bit flips.) In the aviation industry, having a push-to-talk microphone stuck in the transmit position is a notable confidentiality problem. In several well-documented cases, a stuck mike has broadcast private conversations between pilots in the cockpit, which represents a breach of confidentiality. In this case, no malicious adversary is involved: a hardware reliability flaw causes the device to transmit when the pilot does not intend it to. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability have traditionally been considered fundamental attributes of secure systems and are referred to as the CIA triad. While many other models extend the set of security attributes beyond these three, the CIA triad has remained popular over time. Despite the acronym, this concept is not related to the Central Intelligence Agency in any way. Both security and reliability are concerned with the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, but they view these properties through different lenses. The key difference between the two viewpoints is the presence or lack of a malicious adversary. A reliable system must not breach confidentiality accidentally, like a buggy chat system that misdelivers, garbles, or loses messages might. Additionally, a secure system must prevent an active adversary from accessing, tampering with, or destroying confidential data. Lets take a look at a few examples that demonstrate how a reliability problem can lead to a security issue. Reliability and Security: Commonalities Reliability and securityunlike many other system characteristicsare emergent properties of a systems design. Both are also difficult to bolt on after the fact, so you should ideally take both into account from the earliest design stages. They also require ongoing attention and testing throughout the entire system lifecycle, because it is easy for system changes to inadvertently affect them. In a complex system, reliability and security properties are often determined by the interaction of many components, and an innocuous-looking update to one component may end up affecting the reliability or security of the entire system in a way that may not be evident until it causes an incident. Lets examine these and other commonalities in more detail. Invisibility Reliability and security are mostly invisible when everything is going well. But one of the goals of reliability and security teams is to earn and keep the trust of customers and partners. Good communicationnot only in times of trouble, but also when things are going wellis a solid foundation for this trust. It is important that the information beto the greatest degree possiblehonest and concrete, and free of platitudes and jargon. Unfortunately, the inherent invisibility of reliability and security in the absence of emergencies means that theyre often seen as costs that you can reduce or defer without immediate consequences. However, the costs of reliability and security failures can be severe. According to media reports, data breaches may have led to a $350 million reduction in the price Verizon paid to acquire Yahoo!s internet business in 2017. In the same year, a power failure caused key computer systems to shut down at Delta Airlines and resulted in almost 700 flight cancellations and thousands of delays, reducing Deltas flight throughput for the day by approximately 60%. Assessment Because its not practical to achieve perfect reliability or security, you can use risk-based approaches to estimate the costs of negative events, as well as the up-front and opportunity costs of preventing these events. However, you should measure the probability of negative events differently for reliability and security. You can reason about the reliability of a composition of systems and plan engineering work according to desired error budgets,1 at least in part because you can assume independence of failures across the individual components. The security of such a composition is more difficult to assess. Analyzing a systems design and implementation can afford some level of assurance. Adversarial testingsimulated attacks typically performed from the perspective of a defined adversarycan also be used to evaluate a systems resistance to particular kinds of attacks, the effectiveness of attack detection mechanisms, and the potential consequences of attacks. Simplicity Keeping system design as simple as possible is one of the best ways to improve your ability to assess both the reliability and the security of a system. A simpler design reduces the attack surface, decreases the potential for unanticipated system interactions, and makes it easier for humans to comprehend and reason about the system. Understandability is especially valuable during emergencies, when it can help responders mitigate symptoms quickly and reduce mean time to repair (MTTR). Chapter 6 elaborates on this topic and discusses strategies such as minimizing attack surfaces and isolating responsibility for security invariants into small, simple subsystems that can be reasoned about independently. Evolution No matter how simple and elegant the initial design, systems rarely remain unchanged over time. New feature requirements, changes in scale, and evolution of the underlying infrastructure all tend to introduce complexity. On the security side, the need to keep up with evolving attacks and new adversaries can also increase system complexity. Additionally, pressure to meet market demands can lead system developers and maintainers to cut corners and accumulate technical debt. Chapter 7 addresses some of these challenges. Complexity often accumulates inadvertently, but this can lead to tipping-point situations where a small and apparently innocuous change has major consequences for a systems reliability or security. A bug that was introduced in 2006 and discovered almost two years later in the Debian GNU/Linux version of the OpenSSL library provides one notorious example of a major failure caused by a small change. An open source developer noticed that Valgrind, a standard tool for debugging memory problems, was reporting warnings about memory used prior to initialization. To eliminate the warnings, the developer removed two lines of code. Unfortunately, this caused OpenSSLs pseudo-random number generator to only be seeded with a process ID, which on Debian at the time defaulted to a number between 1 and 32,768. Brute force could then easily break cryptographic keys. Google has not been immune to failures triggered by seemingly innocuous changes. For example, in October 2018, YouTube was down globally for more than an hour because of a small change in a generic logging library. A change intended to improve the granularity of event logging looked innocent to both its author and the designated code reviewer, and it passed all tests. However, the developers didnt fully realize the impact of the change at YouTube scale: under production load, the change quickly caused YouTube servers to run out of memory and crash. As the failures shifted user traffic toward other, still healthy servers, cascading failures brought the entire service to a halt. Resilience Of course, a memory utilization problem should not have caused a global service outage. Systems should be designed to be resilient under adverse or unexpected circumstances. From the reliability perspective, such circumstances are often caused by unexpectedly high load or component failures. Load is a function of the volume and the average cost of requests to the system, so you can achieve resilience by shedding some of the incoming load (processing less) or reducing the processing cost for each request (processing more cheaply). To address component failures, system design should incorporate redundancy and distinct failure domains so that you can limit the impact of failures by rerouting requests. Chapter 8 discusses these topics further, and Chapter 10 goes into depth on DoS mitigations in particular. However resilient a systems individual components might be, once it becomes sufficiently complex, you cannot easily demonstrate that the entire system is immune to compromise. You can address this problem in part using defense in depth and distinct failure domains. Defense in depth is the application of multiple, sometimes redundant, defense mechanisms. Distinct failure domains limit the blast radius of a failure and therefore also increase reliability. A good system design limits an adversarys ability to exploit a compromised host or stolen credentials in order to move laterally or to escalate privilege and affect other parts of the system. You can implement distinct failure domains by compartmentalizing permissions or restricting the scope of credentials. For example, Googles internal infrastructure supports credentials that are explicitly scoped to a geographic region. These types of features can limit the ability of an attacker who compromises a server in one region to move laterally to servers in other regions. Employing independent encryption layers for sensitive data is another common mechanism for defense in depth. For example, even though disks provide device-level encryption, its often a good idea to also encrypt the data at the application layer. This way, even a flawed implementation of an encryption algorithm in a drive controller wont be sufficient to compromise the confidentiality of protected data if an attacker gains physical access to a storage device. While the examples cited so far hinge on external attackers, you must also consider potential threats from malicious insiders. Although an insider may know more about potential abuse vectors than an external attacker who steals an employees credentials for the first time, the two cases often don't differ much in practice. The principle of least privilege can mitigate insider threats. It dictates that a user should have the minimal set of privileges required to perform their job at a given time. For example, mechanisms like Unixs sudo support fine-grained policies that specify which users can run which commands as which role. At Google, we also use multi-party authorization to ensure that sensitive operations are reviewed and approved by specific sets of employees. This multi-party mechanism both protects against malicious insiders and reduces the risk of innocent human error, a common cause of reliability failures. Least privilege and multi-party authorization are not new ideasthey have been employed in many noncomputing scenarios, from nuclear missile silos to bank vaults. Chapter 5 discusses these concepts in depth. From Design to Production Security and reliability considerations should be kept in mind when translating even a solid design into a fully deployed production system. Starting with the development of the code, opportunities exist to spot potential security and reliability issues through code reviews, and even to prevent entire classes of problems by using common frameworks and libraries. Chapter 12 discusses some of these techniques. Before deploying a system, you can use testing to ensure that it functions correctly both in normal scenarios and in the edge cases that typically impact reliability and security. Whether you use load testing to understand the behavior of a system under a flood of queries, fuzzing to explore the behavior on potentially unexpected inputs, or specialized tests to ensure that cryptographic libraries arent leaking information, testing plays a critical role in gaining assurance that the system youve actually built matches your design intentions. Chapter 13 covers these approaches in depth. Finally, some approaches to actually deploying code (see Chapter 14) can limit security and reliability risk. For example, canaries and slow rollouts can prevent you from breaking the system for all users simultaneously. Similarly, a deployment system that accepts only code thats been properly reviewed can help to mitigate the risk of an insider pushing a malicious binary to production. Investigating Systems and Logging So far we have focused on design principles and implementation approaches to prevent both reliability and security failures. Unfortunately, it is usually impractical or too expensive to attain perfect reliability or security. You must assume that preventive mechanisms will fail, and craft a plan to detect and recover from failures. As we discuss in Chapter 15, good logging is the foundation of detection and failure preparedness. In general, the more complete and detailed your logs, the betterbut this guideline has some caveats. At sufficient scale, log volume poses a significant cost, and analyzing logs effectively can become difficult. The YouTube example from earlier in this chapter illustrates that logging can also introduce reliability problems. Security logs pose an additional challenge: logs typically should not contain sensitive information, such as authentication credentials or personally identifiable information (PII), lest the logs themselves become attractive targets for adversaries. Crisis Response During an emergency, teams must work together quickly and smoothly because problems can have immediate consequences. In the worst case, an incident can destroy a business in minutes. For example, in 2014 an attacker put the code-hosting service Code Spaces out of business in a matter of hours by taking over the services administrative tools and deleting all of its data, including all backups. Well-rehearsed collaboration and good incident management are critical for timely responses in these situations. Organizing crisis response is challenging, so its best to have a plan in place before an emergency occurs. By the time you discover an incident, the clock may have been ticking for some time. In any case, responders are operating under stress and time pressure, and (at least initially) with limited situational awareness. If an organization is large and the incident requires 24/7 response capabilities or collaboration across time zones, the need to maintain state across teams and to hand off incident management at the boundaries of work shifts further complicates operations. Security incidents also typically entail tension between the impulse to involve all essential parties versus the needoften driven by legal or regulatory requirementsto restrict information sharing on a need-to-know basis. Moreover, the initial security incident may be just the tip of the iceberg. The investigation might grow beyond company boundaries or involve law enforcement agencies. During a crisis, it is essential to have a clear chain of command and a solid set of checklists, playbooks, and protocols. As discussed in Chapters Chapter 16 and Chapter 17, Google has codified crisis response into a program called Incident Management at Google (IMAG), which establishes a standard, consistent way to handle all types of incidents, from system outages to natural disasters, and organize an effective response. IMAG was modeled on the US governments Incident Command System (ICS), a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response among responders from multiple government agencies. When not faced with the pressure of an ongoing incident, responders typically negotiate long intervals with little activity. During these times, teams need to keep individuals skills and motivation sharp and improve processes and infrastructure in preparation for the next emergency. Googles Disaster Recovery Testing program (DiRT) regularly simulates various internal system failures and forces teams to cope with these types of scenarios. Frequent offensive security exercises test our defenses and help identify new vulnerabilities. Google employs IMAG even for small incidents, which further prompts us to regularly exercise emergency tools and processes. Rajiv Kumar urges students to embrace AI and emerging technologies. Stresses leadership traits like decision-making and communication. Encourages continuous learning to face future challenges. Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President of Microsoft India, encouraged students to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies that are transforming the global economy. Speaking at NRI Institute of Technology (NRIIT), Guntur, on the theme 'Emerging Trends in Technology and Industry Readiness for Students', he said that innovation and adaptability are key to success in the digital era. Kumar advised students to welcome every new technology and understand its potential to drive growth and opportunities. He urged them to develop leadership qualities such as effective decision-making, long-term vision, and risk-taking traits that helped Microsoft founder Bill Gates build a world-leading company. He also highlighted the leadership style of Satya Nadella, Microsofts CEO, who emphasizes communication, continuous learning, and clarity. Kumar said these skills are essential for students to thrive in an ever-changing industry landscape. Students must keep learning, upgrading their skills, and staying ready for the future. Change is constant, and those who adapt will lead, he said. Also Read: Microsoft Confirms Next-Gen Xbox and Expands Into Handheld Gaming The event saw participation from NRIIT Secretary and Correspondent Alapati Rajendra Prasad, Director Ravindra Alapati, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education Chairperson K. Madhu Murthy, and a large audience of engineering students. Kumars session served as an inspiration for youth to combine technology, leadership, and lifelong learning to build impactful careers in the modern economy. Last call at Castleton: Randall Manor Tavern wraps up its final weekend before the big move. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Randall Manor Tavern in West Brighton will serve its final meal at its longtime 735 Castleton Avenue location this Sunday, Oct. 26 2025 before shutting its doors to prepare for a move. The popular neighborhood bar and restaurant isnt going away for long. Plans call for reopening at a new, expanded location on November 4 at 382 Forest Avenue, where patrons can expect chef Steve Rowans signature comfort food alongside new additions. Co-owner Steve Noss said his business partner, John Venturella, will also be in the kitchen, preparing pizzas and fresh house-made pastas. Randall Manor Tavern has built its reputation on comfort food, conviviality and cold beer including those from local Flagship' Brewing Co. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si Hes shifting from just being the bartender to playing a key role in producing the daily specials and tweaked menu, Noss said. Carrie Gaeta, a longtime bartender at Randall Manor Tavern since its inception, has also joined as a partner. She will oversee day-to-day operations at the new location. Well be doing the regular menu for the next two days, Noss said of the final weekend at the current location. Wings, burgers, and other pub grub will be available through closing. Chef Steve Rowan, shown here, will join John Venturella in the kitchen at the new place where pizza and house-made pastas will debut on the menu along with its signature comfort fare. For those wanting one last visit to the original spot, the restaurant and bar will be open until 4 a.m. Sunday morning, and will reopen Sunday at 11 a.m., running until the last customers leave. Forest Avenue Expectations The new space, former home to Liberty Tavern, has undergone extensive renovations over a two-year period. Youd think we were building the Taj Mahal, said Noss. The renovation process was extensive. We ended up gutting the whole place electric, plumbing, every single appliance is brand new, everything from grease traps to walk-in freezers to the air conditioning system. When it reopens, the restaurant will feature 75 indoor seats with outdoor space for an additional 50 guests. Hours at the new location will be 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with outdoor seating closing at 10 p.m. so neighbors dont get bothered. The Randall Manor Tavern on Castleton Avenue was once near an Acme and Chicken Delight. This was what the space looked like when it was Chic's. (Courtesy of the DeMizio family) The expanded space will include a party room with barn doors that can be closed for private events and its own entrance. We have garage doors that go up to the street, Noss added. Natural light through the front windows will brighten the space during the day, while evenings will offer a cozy vibe. While maintaining beloved comfort foods, the menu at the new location will add offerings including thin-crust pizza and homemade pasta made with a machine imported from Italy. Were not looking to put out 100 things, Noss said, emphasizing a focus on consistency. Rich Staten Island history The Castleton Avenue location has a rich history on the North Shore. Before becoming Randall Manor Tavern, the premises at 735 Castleton was known as Chics, and later as Roscoes. Before the restaurants, the address neighbored an Acme and Chicken Delight. Chef Rowan has been a constant through some of those changes, having worked at the location when it was Roscoes under Pete Roskiwinski. As prior Advance/SILive.com reports have noted, Rowan has become known for his mouthwatering grilled burgers and roast beef platters with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach, and has been a neighborhood fixture particularly during snowstorms when locals can simply walk to the establishment. We usually are busy because the people can walk here I, being one of those people, Rowan once said, explaining that he lives just a few blocks away. Snow days are always good days. And the more snow the better. Two years ago, a modest renovation project began at 382 Forest Ave. in West Brighton, intended to become the new home of Randall Manor Tavern. By early November of this year, the address will be unveiled following what evolved into a major transformation. Silvestri The new location sits within one of Staten Islands most restaurant-dense corridors, covering parts of West Brighton and Randall Manor a swath of neighborhood informally known as Peter Pan Alley. Longtime locals coined the nickname, calling it the place where one need never grow up. Theyd also describe it as a town for those who were no strangers to the strong drink, a nod to the sections active bar scene and the steady cycle of restaurant openings, closings, and reinventions. Randall Manor Tavern can be reached at 347-855-2724 and via randallmanortavern.net. The new phone number on Forest Avenue will be 917-677-2024. Councilmembers Morano and Carr, with mayoral candidate Sliwa oppose redevelopment of South Shore property and the 'City of Yes.' (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas) (For the Advance/SILive.com | Am STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island residents gathered at 65 Uncas Ave. on Saturday alongside local officials to protest the potential redevelopment of a single-family property into multiple housing units a project they say symbolizes whats wrong with the citys City of Yes zoning initiative. South Shore Councilmember Frank Morano shared that as someone who grew up in the neighborhood, he wants to keep it a great place to live, expressing his dissatisfaction with the propertys planned redevelopment. Either neighborhoods mean something, either zoning means something, or it doesnt, said Morano, a Republican. And what the City of Yes is, is the biggest giveaway to developers youve ever seen in the citys history, with very little community input. The City of Yes introduced by Mayor Eric Adams administration, and later passed in late 2024 is the most significant citywide zoning initiative since the 1960s. It aims to bring a city-estimated 80,000 units of new housing to the five boroughs through a series of zoning regulation changes to things like accessory dwelling units, parking mandates and transit-oriented development. Community leaders contend that the roughly 10,000-square-foot corner-lot property on Uncas Avenue and Alborn Road is being sized up for at least five homes. The site measures less than 230 feet wide, qualifying it for higher-density development under the citys zoning laws. Joining Morano was a contingent of local Republican elected officials: Councilmember David Carr, who represents Mid-Island; Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, who represents the East Shore of Staten Island and part of South Brooklyn; and Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, who represents Mid-Island. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also attended. Morano denounced the zoning changes that allow increased housing density near transit zones even in areas without nearby train access. Councilmember Morano speaks at 65 Uncas Ave., calling the "City of Yes" a giveaway to developers that threatens the boroughs character. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas) (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas) Carr, who voted against all three City of Yes proposals and is co-plantiff in the ongoing lawsuit challenging them, said the citys environmental review was both misleading and incomplete. They did an environmental study for City of Yes Housing that claims that theres only going to be 80 to 120,000 new units of housing created citywide in the next 10 years, said Carr. This development could have been a 14-unit development. Fourteen from one. So do we really think were not going to get above 120,000 new units in 10 years? That is not real math. Morano and Carr also urged residents to pay attention to ballot proposals 2, 3, 4, and 5, which they said would increase dense housing without community input. Sliwa, who is again running for mayor, echoed that warning and accused city leaders of putting developer interests before residents. Because of the greedy developers and realtors who have wined, dined and pocket lined one-and-done Eric Adams, the most corrupt mayor in the history of New York City. Hes in the back pocket. Hes one and done, said Sliwa. So now its Andrew Cuomo whos for the City of Yes. Hed probably be driving the dozer. And Eric Adams, his new partner in crime, would have the wrecking ball. And they would take delight into leveling your neighborhood for these greedy developers and realtors. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City speaks against the First City of Yes development on Staten Island. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas) (For the Advance/SILive.com | Am Sliwa also criticized mayoral candidate and Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, accusing him of supporting what he described as unfair housing policies. But Zohran Mamdani is bored also, said Sliwa. He wants to put a special white tax on all of you property owners...Were all Americans. The value of being an American is to live the American dream... You want a home of your own. Keep your greedy hands, developers and realtors off peoples property who want to stay in their neighborhood. Permits filed for Uncas Avenue property According to the city Buildings Department, the only permit filed for the property on Uncas Avenue calls for the reallocation of one zoning lot and one tax lot into one zoning lot and five tax lots, which would allow for the construction of five homes on the site. A tax lot is a parcel of land identified for property tax purposes. A zoning lot is one or more adjacent tax lots within a block. The requested permit has been assigned to a Buildings Department plan examiner, but has yet to be formally reviewed, according to the agency. It was originally filed Sept. 26. Other projects now possible In September, the Adams administration announced the city has officially begun accepting applications for the construction of safe, and code-compliant ancillary dwelling units in the five boroughs of New York City. Acceptable types of ADUs under new city rules include basement apartments, attic apartments in one-family homes, and backyard cottages on the same lot as one- and two-family residential homes, that can be used by household family members or rented out long-term. Councilmember David Carr voted against the "City of Yes" proposals and is co-plaintiff in the ongoing lawsuit challenging them. (For the Advance/SILive.com | Amanda Faublas) (For the Advance/SILive.com | Am However, many Staten Island residents and elected officials have spoken out against the plan. The major concern is the new units built do not require onsite parking, like other housing in the borough. And on car-dependent Staten Island, parking can be scarce in some residential areas. Luck was in the air at a Yonkers gas station this week when the shop sold not one, but three $1 million second-place Powerball tickets during Monday nights drawing. The tickets were sold at V&C Taneja, a convenience store inside a BP gas station on Nepperhan Ave. Workers told the New York Post crowds have been pouring in ever since, hoping to cash in on the stores newfound luck. State lottery officials said this triple win is not impossible, but infrequent. They all know this is the lucky spot, store manager Shahid Shah, 54, told The Post. This is the first time I ever see it like this. Everyone is coming by and buying Powerball tickets in the morning. Store manager Shahid Shah reports unprecedented crowds as players hope to capture some of the location's luck, while the three second-place winners remain unidentified. (Advance/SILive.com | Melissa Giaccio) None of the winners have stepped forward to claim their prizes, according to lottery officials. They have until Oct. 19, 2026 to claim their prizes. Park told The Post it is possible that the three tickets were purchased by one individual using the same lucky numbers multiple times. While the odds of winning a $1 million Powerball prize are roughly 1 in 11.6 million, New York has seen other unusual strokes of luck, including a Schenectady man who, in 2023, won both the first and second place prizes from the same CASH4LIFE ticket. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Perfect fall weather was the order of the day for families who enjoyed a variety of Halloween-themed events on Saturday. That included the pumpkin patch at Decker Farm, located at 435 Richmond Hill Road in New Springville. Adults and children searched the patch for the perfect pumpkin, while others tried their skill at pumpkin chucking or pumpkin painting. New York Citys oldest continuously working family farm provided an opportunity to enjoy a classic hayride with family and friends. For those who worked up an appetite, there were seasonal foods and treats from vendors. Kevin Jairus brought his family from Brooklyn after finding Decker Farm on a Google search. This was ideal for my family. We wanted our son to have his first Halloween experience, and this is not too far, Jairus said. Tina Kim, from Sydney, Australia, moved to New York City two weeks ago for work. Along with her husband and two sons, they traveled to Staten Island to for their first Halloween experience. My colleagues work in New York City as well, and they said one thing that we have to do is come to the pumpkin farms, Kim explained during a visit to the Decker Farm, which is easily accessible from their new Manhattan home. The family selected this particular location because it was quite close to Manhattan and they had great kids activities. I live in Kings Park in Long Island, but I grew up in Staten Island, and I come to visit my friends all the time, said Christina Ziegler, formerly a Port Richmond resident. We tried to find something that was fun that we could do with the kids, said Ziegler, who brought her two daughters to enjoy the farms offerings. We chose Decker Farm, and theyre having a great time, she confirmed, watching her children explore the grounds with another child. The farm is open for pumpkin picking on Sunday. Cost: Adults (12+) $12; seniors (65+) $10; Historic Richmond Twon Members $10; youth (311) $8; children (02) Free (tickets here) SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: SILive.com is offering a perk exclusively for subscribers: Log in, click on the photo gallery and choose GET PHOTO to download print-quality images free of charge. Plus, get 50% off the purchase of keepsakes. If youre not already a subscriber, sign up here. Note to SILive.com mobile app users: To download high-resolution photos, please access this report and gallery from a standard mobile or desktop/laptop web browser. The Office of Neighborhood Safety, in partnership with NYCHA, hosted a Family Re-Entry Forum at Curtis High School in St. George on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Courtesy of Ranti Ogunleye) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Office of Neighborhood Safety, in partnership with with New York City Housing Authority, hosted a Family Reentry Forum at Curtis High School in St. George on Oct. 18. The forum connected those affected by incarceration with resources that would assist in their transition to reentering public society. The event is a result of the Mayors Action Plan for Neighborhood safety. Mayors Action Plan collaborates with NYCHA residents, local leaders and New York City agencies to develop solutions aimed at improving the well-being of the community. The Office of Neighborhood Safety, in partnership with NYCHA, hosted a Family Re-Entry Forum at Curtis High School in St. George on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Courtesy of Ranti Ogunleye) Residents have been calling for a more streamlined process that makes it easier for formerly incarcerated NYCHA residents to return home especially to rejoin family leases and access supports without being re-traumatized by bureaucracy, according to Ranti Ogunleye, one of the directors of Mayors Action Plan within the Office of Neighborhood Safety. For the first half of the event, attendees listened to representatives from NYCHA and the Staten Island Justice Centers Transformative Reentry Initiative, who shared information on services for those previously involved with the justice system. Between presentations, justice-themed poetry provided moments of reflection and hope. After hearing of some potential services, four individuals impacted by the justice system shared personal stories and tips on reform in a panel discussion. The talk ranged in topics, among the notable themes was the desire to establish a path for young individuals reentering society, expand access to jobs for those reentering, ensure reentry agencies act with empathy, as well as the wish to provide access to information to individuals in upstate and federal facilities ahead of release. At one moment, a man who returned home after 37 years of incarceration noted the amount of resources available and said that it was like his birthday. By the end of the forum, the man walked away with connections, a bicycle after his previous bike was stolen, and nearly $500 raised by attendees and partners. The Office of Neighborhood Safety, in partnership with NYCHA, hosted a Family Re-Entry Forum at Curtis High School in St. George on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Courtesy of Ranti Ogunleye) Joining guests at the event were also community leaders, such as those from True2Life and Malcolm Penn of New York Center for Interpersonal Development. We need a clear process for residents coming home from incarcerationsomething that helps them get back on the lease, reconnect with family, and access the supports they need to rebuild, a resident from the Mayors Action Plan initiative shared. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks concluded the first half of the forum, calling for a boroughwide roundtable on access to jobs and awareness of funding streams that support Black and brown low-income communities. Staten Island needs a stronger voice in shaping real solutions, she added. The latter half of the event was a resource fair that featured over 20 city agencies and nonprofits offering services. Among those in attendance was the Legal Aid Society, which sealed records and provided legal advice, IDNYC which issued IDs, as well as The Shoppe, which offered free haircuts. (Left to right) Engineering Technician Thomas Mooney, Topographical Coordinator Tiffany Zuffi, Topographical Associate John Raimonda, and Operations Office Manager Brooke Russell-Zaccone look at one of the maps in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Although most residents may have their minds set on the mayoral race, there will be a number of proposals on the ballot this Election Day that could impact day-to-day life in New York City. Among those issues at hand is ballot proposal number five, which pertains to the digitization of a singular city map. The proposal, according to the City Charter Revision Commission, would streamline housing projects across the city. During our public input process, the Charter Revision Commission heard testimony from representatives of both the public and private sectors that bottlenecks in City Map functions can delay housing and infrastructure projects for months or even years. Centralization of the City Map would allow greater efficiency, consistency, and predictability for critical housing and infrastructure projects, said a Charter Revision Commission spokesperson. However, critics of the proposal who have worked with borough maps for decades, say there are undisclosed repercussions such a resolution could pose. The keepers of Staten Island history In the lower levels of Borough Hall in St. George lies the print copies of the Islands history. Safely kept in vaults are thousands upon thousands of intricately-detailed maps of the streets which residents call home. The historical documents date back decades upon decades - some dating back to the 1800s - and are carefully inscribed with information, ranging from home numbers to street ownership. One of the vaults holding thousands of maps in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George, as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) These maps are often relied upon for matters such as accurate house number assignments and resolving property right discrepancies. Nobody knows these maps and the lands they encapsulate better than the men and women of the Topographical Bureau. Borough President Vito Fossella maintains a yes vote for this proposal would ultimately remove the local office from each respective borough in a move akin to a power grab that would simply result in more red tape and the loss of direct access from borough residents to their own street maps. A Staten Island resident has a question, they come here, they get the question answered - face to face or over the phone - and proposition five effectively will dismantle this whole situation and consolidate it [with the] City Planning [Department], which can be like a black hole, Fossella told the Advance/SILive.com Wednesday afternoon. Opponents said the centralization of all these maps and responsibilities could result in extended response times to simple inquiries, a lengthy backlog of requests and a staff who isnt familiar with the historical context that borough-specific staff is able to provide. When a resident has a question, they will no longer be able to come here, will no longer be able to call this office. Theyll have to call the agency of City Planning in order to get it, and our concern - and I think its a huge concern - is that people are going to get shut out of the process, said the borough president. A map of a section of South Beach as seen in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) Borough President Vito Fossella looks at one of the maps in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) Brooke Russell-Zaccone, operations office manager for the Topographical Bureau of Staten Island, explained that the bureau has helped countless constituents, architects, attorneys and others with requests requiring the aid of the bureau. Given the local care and office location, the staff has been able to assist residents and get them on their way in a matter of minutes. A yes vote for proposition 5 would essentially remove the requirement for the borough president to maintain the bureau and pave the way for the defunding and eventual closure of the office, according to those who contest the proposition. In its final report, the Charter Revision Commission says it strongly believes that any transition to a City Map maintained by the Department of City Planning will rely on the expertise of the Borough Presidents topographic staff, and that administration of a unified City Map will likewise rely on that expertise. However, it adds that it would remove the Charter requirement that borough presidents maintain a bureau staffed by a professional engineer. The eventuality of all of this is, by consolidation, its going to diminish the borough presidents authority, eventually, to where the representation of the people of Staten Island - and of each borough - is going to be diminished to a point where the decisions are going to be made at Manhattan at a round table instead of here, in Staten Island, where it belongs, Engineering Technician Thomas Mooney told the Advance/SILive.com. Given the challenges posed by City of Yes and the rapid growth of Accessory Dwelling Units, house number assignments remain a concern for the bureau, which feels it is uniquely qualified to address Staten Islands complex challenges. Should there be errors in house number assignments, residents may result in a delay during an emergency response or packages delivered to the wrong address. Tiffany Zuffi (left), topographical coordinator, and Borough President Vito Fossella (right) look at maps in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) As noted by Russell-Zaccone, the vast majority of the staff has been with the bureau for at least 10 years. Its something thats vital and is needed and it needs someone who understands, where it relates to and what it means, not a tech bro who can just scan it and just post it somewhere, she said. So the concern we have is the loss of local access and local representation with people who are knowledgable and know about the borough. The loss of history With this proposal comes the question, what happens to these maps and the staff who cares for them? The bureau does not know. If City Planning takes over the house number assignments, if City Planning takes over the maps, yeah, its a good question, what happens to the staff? Nothings been said to us, nothings been said to our office, Russell-Zaccone said. Even if the proposal goes through, Russell-Zaccone explained that it is just not realistic for such a tight timeframe. Should the proposal pass, there is a deadline of Jan. 1, 2028, for the maps of the boroughs to be consolidated into one unified city map under the Department of City Planning. One of the vaults holding thousands of maps in the Topographical Bureau at Borough Hall in St. George, as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley) Fossella and the bureau are not against digitization, in fact, the bureau continues to take steps towards digitizing local maps themselves. If they could somehow guarantee that the human interaction, and lets call it customer service was going to be better, then I think we would be for it, but its not, Fossella said. Customer service will get worse, people will get more confused, people will have to deal with the new system that I think will be extremely complicated and its unfair; its unfair to those people who just want a simple answer. If people want to be inconvenienced, if people have land use issues and want terrible, potentially terrible service, if they want to go to Manhattan or someplace else to solve a problem, then they should support this referendum, he added. But if they want to be convenienced, if they want to have a ear of people where they can get fast answers to Staten Island problems and they dont want to be traveling to Manhattan and sitting in an office for hours on end and may or may not get an answer, then every Staten Island resident should vote against proposition number five. Former Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira took to social media on Thursday to denounce a vote made by Senate Democrats this week. Teixeira, who is running for a seat in Congress in Texas, responded to a report from The Hill that Democrats blocked a Republican-sponsored bill to pay active-duty members and essential federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown. Completely unacceptable that Dems refuse to pay our military and essential workers, Teixeira wrote on X. The government shutdown entered Day 24 on Friday. According to The Hill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill a ruse to give broad authority to White House budget director Russell Vought in determining who would be paid, while bill sponsor Ron Johnson said Democrats were mischaracterizing the bill. On Aug. 28, Teixeira announced that hed be running in Texass 21st Congressional District, where Rep. Chip Roy will not seek re-election as he runs for Texas Attorney General. As a proud Texan and lifelong conservative who loves our country, Im ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional, Teixeiras statement read. It takes teamwork to win, and Im ready to help defend President Trumps America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty. Teixeira, 45, is a Maryland native who currently lives in the Austin area. He spent the first four-plus years of his major-league career with the Texas Rangers. The three-time All-Star concluded his career with eight years on the Yankees, winning a World Series in 2009. Teixeira retired in 2016 after a 14-year career in which he hit .268 with a .869 OPS and 409 home runs. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Parnell Palme McGuinness says the Liberals are on life support (Its time for a deathbed conversation, Sun-Herald, October 19). What was just a broad church has gone beyond life support. The teals have replaced the Liberal social conservatives. The Nationals have taken the right-wing rural vote. Hastie and co have siphoned off the anti-immigration, leave the country like it was in 1950 crowd. The economic arm has discovered that a centrist Labor Party is not that bad. What remains are the dregs of various groups, more interested in being the captain of a sinking ship. I dont think a deathbed conversation is going to prolong life. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea Can the Liberal Party ever recover from its landslide defeat in May? Credit: nna\KCampbell McGuinness goes to great lengths to examine the death throes of the Liberals, a party, in her own words, on life support, partly blaming the moderates who, by wanting to adopt a net zero by 2050 policy, have embraced the populism they usually decry. The problem with this assertion is that net zero, a necessary goal to combat catastrophic climate change, is hardly populism, is it? Also, backing aspiration isnt, as she would have us believe, the prerogative of the Liberal Party and their supporters. The important social changes and progress made by those whose politics is further to the left (think same-sex marriage, for example) must be seen as being aspirational for a better, more just and fair society. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown The Liberal Party could certainly do with a think tank because what they have now is a stink tank, as they are certainly on the nose with the Australian public. They are an example of too many individuals rather than one solid team. RIP Liberals, you fought one fight too many. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Riley Brown, please remind me what Tony Abbott ever achieved that was useful for the country (Letters, October 19). Peter Kamenyitzky, Copacabana Advertisement Byron on the map Eryk Bagshaw writes Byron Bay has been a tourist hotspot since the 1890s (Justin Hemmes wants to conquer Byron Bay. A primary school is in his way, October 19). I grew up in a country town about 80 kilometres from Byron Bay. During my childhood in the 1950s, the only tourist attraction in Byron Bay was the slaughtering of whales. Our family of seven would pile into the Kombi as soon as word got around the bush telegraph that a whale was being slaughtered and off we would head to Byron Bay to watch and smell the blood of whales being spilled. Little did we know that one day all would be forgotten and forgiven and that Byron Bay would be much prized by the rich and famous. Helen Russell, Leichhardt How wonderful that Justin Hemmes is declaring his love for Byron Bay and its community. Are the good burghers of Narooma aware of this new north coast romance? He has invested heavily there and changed the face of hospitality in that beautiful South Coast town. What a shame the man-bunned, Birkenstock-wearing restaurateur cannot develop such an affinity with western NSW. Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke and Lightning Ridge would welcome soy latte or almond mocha, a plate of smashed avocado and feta on sourdough served with some juicy eastern suburbs gossip. Peter Snowden, Hawks Nest Iemmas call to action In the midst of a housing crisis, I dont know why Morris Iemmas meetings with the premier or ministers, disclosed or not, is a big deal (How Morris Iemma opens doors for Sydney property developers, October 19). We need leaders, politicians or businesses to drive the building of houses expeditiously. Providing more homes has been a talkfest for years, but we need urgent action by any means. Former premiers and ministers from both sides have been involved in several businesses and lobbying on behalf of their clients. It is nothing unusual and Iemma is not doing anything wrong. If he can get thousands of homes built in the next two years, he should get a gong. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill The next time the Minns government boasts about its determination to urgently solve the housing crisis, everyone in NSW struggling to rent or buy a home might reasonably ask how exempting any developer from a rule to prevent a significant loss of existing dwellings can possibly be consistent with that commitment. Ross Duncan, Potts Point Like so many ex-politicians of all persuasions before him, Morris Iemma has taken to the well-trodden road of self-enrichment by selling his political connections to the highest bidder. While not illegal, its no wonder people are increasingly losing their faith in politicians and the system. If only they would take a leaf out of Julia Gillards book and keep a low profile after politics. Paul Duncan, Leura Advertisement Ninety-year-old Lord Norman Foster has been called the architect who changed the world, with his love of glass and steel skyscrapers such as the 180-metre London landmark, The Gherkin. He has been awarded every architecture prize there is, but every design still starts with a pencil a Pentel mechanical model .9 mm and a drawing. And, later, a model: a kind of Lego for grown-ups. Sydney architecture students look at a 1:100 scale model of the Gherkin, aka 30 St Mary Axe in London, at a new exhibition. Credit: Dylan Coker The most prosaic of things have been Fosters inspiration, such as the curve of the handle bars of his old racing bike. He loved the shape it made, said Katy Harris, Fosters communication manager and a senior partner who has worked with him for more than 40 years. Since he founded Foster Associates, now known as Foster + Partners, in 1967, Foster has filled well over 1500 sketchbooks, Harris said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size They come for us at night when our guard is down. Moths are bearing down on the suburbs, haloing streetlamps, invading bedrooms and, according to many reports across Sydney, launching fuzzy and frightening ambushes on people in the shower. Many of these stubborn house guests are of a species undertaking one of the greatest migrations on Earth which recent research has revealed as all the more astonishing by identifying the insects exceptional navigation system. Billions of bogong moths fly up to 1000 kilometres from their winter breeding grounds, such as the plains of central Queensland, to shelter from summer heat in the cold mountain caves of the Australian Alps. Bogong moths blanket mountain caves where they spend their summer; up to 17,000 roost within a single square metre. Credit: Eric Warrant They dont always come through Sydney, Associate Professor Kate Umbers, a bogong researcher from Western Sydney University, said. Some years we get a bazillion of them, and other times we get an inconspicuous number. Its based on wind. We already knew the moths, like many other animals, use Earths magnetic field to navigate. But Professor Eric Warrant, an Australian biologist attached to Swedens Lund University and a collaborator of Umbers, suspected something else was at play: starlight. Warrant built a flight arena from black felt in a field lab in the Snowy Mountains to test the moths navigational prowess, in an experiment reported in Nature in June. Advertisement The arena was free from magnetic metals think Magnetos plastic prison in X-Men 2 and housed within electromagnetic coils designed to negate Earths magnetic field, so researchers could isolate and test the moths ability to navigate solely using the stars. The researchers tethered moths to a fine stalk and projected the night sky onto the roof of the arena. What happened next, Warrant recalled, astounded them. The moths flew in the right direction of their migratory route, even when severed from Earths magnetic field. When Warrant flipped the projected stars 180 degrees, the moths flew the opposite way. Finally, when the stars were scrambled, the moths seemed lost and fluttered in every direction. Warrant had proved bogongs use the stars as a compass to fly in a specific direction an ability, to the researchers knowledge, shared only by humans and some night-flying songbirds. This extraordinary power gives the moths two methods of finding their way. If its cloudy, they use the magnetic field. And if a geomagnetic storm disrupts that field, they can follow the stars. That means those little brown bodies find their way to our porches and bathrooms by following a map made from the invisible force field thrust from the electromagnetic core of Earths molten belly and the light of the galaxy. Thats pretty startling for an insect fuelled by minuscule sips of eucalyptus nectar with a brain one-tenth the size of a rice grain. Advertisement If the monarch butterfly is the king of insect migration for its multi-generational journey from Canada to Mexico, Warrant writes in Current Biology, then the bogong moth is its dark lord. A bogong moth tethered to test its flight movements (left), and the flight arena surrounded by Helmholtz coils, which negate Earths magnetic field. Credit: Eric Warrant, Nature For millennia, the bogongs have served as a deliciously nutty food source for Aboriginal peoples who gathered the insects from their alpine caves and roasted them for summer feasts. The migration also delivers a life-giving smorgasbord of winged fat and protein to alpine creatures, including the mountain pygmy possum, whose populations have crashed in tandem with that of the moths. The moths are clawing their way back from near oblivion after drought in concert with a raft of other threats, including irrigation, land-clearing and insecticides devastated their numbers in 2017. Go back another decade to 2007 and you might remember clouds of moths swarming Parliament House and flocking in clouds so thick they were mistaken for thunderstorms. Last year we were at roughly 50 per cent of the pre-2017 crash numbers, Umbers said. Its too early to know if this year is a strong one for the moths, at least relative to their much-depleted populations of recent years, but the first bogongs have started to arrive at the foothills of the Alps in good numbers. Advertisement The mountain pygmy possum is critically endangered due to reduced bogong moth numbers. Credit: Nick Moir More information on the moths movements and how they use their alpine aestivation, or dormancy, sites over summer is desperately needed. Their cold mountain caves are quickly growing too hot under climate change to provide the cool shelter the moths need. Umbers is working to figure out if theyve started to abandon some of the fastest-warming sites near Canberra. The moths are listed as endangered on an international level under the IUCN Red List but not under Australias EPBC Act threatened species list due to a lack of data. To help rectify that, scientists have asked moth spotters to snap photos of bogongs they find outside or in their homes and upload them to Zoos Victorias Moth Tracker website, or iNaturalist. Confirmed bogong moth sightings this season across Sydney. Credit: Mother Tracker/Zoos Victoria Bogongs are mottled brown, about 2.5 to 3.5 centimetres long, and sport a dark stripe on each wing, studded with two spots. Advertisement Anthony Albanese has praised the generosity of the traditional owners of Uluru during the Indigenous Voice to Parliament campaign as something that stays in my heart as much as this rock is the heart of this continent. In the shadow of the iconic Northern Territory landmark, the prime minister reflected on the failed referendum vote on Saturday while commemorating the 40-year anniversary of the return of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to its traditional owners. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with Mutitjulu school student Annalisha Buzzacott during the ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the handback of Uluru to its traditonal owners, the Anangu. Credit: AAP Albanese said that he accepted the outcome of the October 2023 referendum in which a majority voted against the proposal for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people even though it was not what he wanted or voted for. But he said he still treasured his memories from his time in the red centre during the campaign for a Yes vote. I will be forever grateful for the generosity of the traditional owners, in particular the leaders, the women who did a dance and song to show respect to the prime minister of Australia, he told reporters at Uluru on Saturday. Its something Ill never forget that stays in my heart as much as this rock is the heart of this continent. Melbourne has surged ahead of Sydney for the first time in the multibillion-dollar race for planned new data centres, as the state capitalises on old manufacturing land to attract the worlds tech giants. But this unprecedented surge in projects, reshaping suburbs in Melbournes west and north-west, has sparked concerns about the impact of these power-hungry facilities on the states electricity and water supply. Melbourne is experiencing a data centre boom. Credit: Monique Westermann Economic Growth Minister Danny Pearson told The Age the government wanted to accelerate planning processes to bring more data centres to the state, with cheaper land availability giving Melbourne the upper hand over Sydney. He said much of the states vacant industrial land, a legacy of the manufacturing boom, already had good utility access, positioning Victoria well for the data centre industry fuelled by the artificial intelligence explosion. A retro knockdown in Ryde will become the site of a dream home after fetching $2,591,000 under the hammer. All five registered bidders at 30 Dorothy Street intended to replace the antiquated four-bedder with a new build, said agent Cameron Nicholls of Nicholls & Co Estate Agents. The buyer will be speaking with their architect to design a new home, Nicholls said. Its quite an old dwelling which didnt have the sort of bones or the floor plan to try to renovate. With shaggy carpet, built-in dressing tables and a pink bathroom, the property on a peaceful street and a block of about 594 square metres had the hallmarks of decades past. Pride said the son of Lonhro and Savatiano, which he picked up from Godolphin in its switch to public trainers this season, would be spelled and probably chase shorter group 1 targets in the autumn. He said it was first time he had taken a horse to group 1 glory in a maiden preparation. Were part of the way there, the Spring Champion is a very nice race, a group 1, but theres a lot to be done with this horse, Pride said. Bear in mind its his first preparation, but geez, the manner of that win. I thought he just had too much to do at the furlong, but the way he pinned his ears back and attacked the line, 2000m, no problems at all. A very exciting horse. I cant wait for the autumn. Horses like this, they werent on my doorstep a couple of years ago, so its nice to be working with quality and its a great result. It would be nice to think we could get him a bit sharper for the autumn and aim him at races like the Randwick Guineas. It gave Godolphin a stakes double after Ohope claimed the Callander-Presnell with Collett aboard. Stefi bounces back for Bjorn Bjorn Baker will look to the Champions Mile at Flemington on November 8 with Stefi Magnetica after the Doncaster Mile winner bounced back from a setback to claim the $2 million Invitation (1400m) at Randwick. Baker was forced to pull the pin on a shot at the $5 million King Charles III Stakes last week after a temperature and a little bug led to her withdrawing from the Golden Pendant. Jockey Jason Collett and trainer Bjorn Baker celebrate Stefi Magneticas win. Credit: Getty Images A $3.90 TAB chance on Saturday, Stefi Magnetica came with a well-timed run under Jason Collett to beat Gerringong by a neck, with Gangsta Granny a half-length third. It gave Collett a treble on the day. I cant win a race during this carnival, so its a big relief, Baker said. You need your big horses to step up and Im very lucky. I had Overpass who ran a very gallant fourth last week [in the Everest] and Stefi. Its very, very special. Shes a high-class mare. Shes hard to catch. When shes an absolute moral, she gets beat, except for Wellington. And when I think shes very vulnerable, she wins. I didnt have any confidence today coming in off a little bit of a setback, but she was great and Jasons riding great. Ohope helps Collett get one back Jason Collett was back on top with a Michael Freedman-trained horse, after Ohope proved the winning option in the $1 million Callander-Presnell (1600m) at Randwick. The Godolphin-owned I Am Invincible colt held off Rivellino late for a half-length win, backing up his Tapp-Craig victory last start. Collett landed the ride after Tommy Berry was forced to make a tough call between Freedmans Ruination and Ohope. Ruination finished sixth. It was a case of getting one back for Collett, who was aboard Manaal before choosing Stefi Magnetica, which ended up not running, in the Golden Pendant. Berry then rode Manaal to a win there. Ohope (Jason Collett) wins the Callander-Presnell. Credit: Getty Images Im going to come ride some trackwork, Collett quipped to Freedman after the win. Freedman said Ohope would probably go for a spell. He won his maiden back at Hawkesbury in August, and here he is winning a group 2 race on a big day, so its been a fantastic prep, Freedman said. I think probably a mile sees him out and I think his pedigree probably suggests that, but Im really excited for the autumn. I think the Randwick Guineas and those sorts of races, anything between 1200 and a mile would be in his hitting zone. Lindermann tipped as autumn kingpin Nash Rawiller didnt get his wish of a Cox Plate ride on Lindermann on Saturday, but he believed the six-year-old could be a genuine contender in the $5 million next year. Front-running warhorse Lindermann added victory in the $750,000 Craven Plate to his Chelmsford and Hill Stakes wins, kicking clear for a two-length success at Randwick over Chris Waller-trained stablemates Militarize and Kovalica. The Debbie Kepitis-owned star took his prizemoney past $4 million with an eighth win in 35 starts. After his last-start win in the $2 million Hill Stakes, Rawiller said Lindermann would be worth a shot at the Cox Plate. He now believed he could spell and come back better again in the autumn. I really think he can come back the kingpin, Rawiller said. Hes just gone to another level now and if can come back and find another half length to a length, well be going around in the Cox Plate next year. Waller colt on the rise Flying Artie colt Skyglider proved a bargain buy, backing up a Canterbury win on debut with an impressive victory in the listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. A $100,000 buy from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Skyglider kicked away from Pallaton late to score a 1-length win in the $200,000 race for three-year-olds, taking his earnings to $190,750 in two starts. Kerrin McEvoy gave Chris Waller-trained Skyglider a rails sit behind the leaders before hitting the front with Pallaton at the 200m and striding clear. Hes a lovely little horse, nice horse to sit on and hes got a great attitude, McEvoy said. The form of the Canterbury race has stood up, with Sixties running behind him, and hes pleased at the trials since. It didnt surprise me he was able to do that today. He could go further, Chris will know what to do. There might be something over a little bit further down in Melbourne towards the tail of the carnival, or even up here. Long-shot brings massive thrill But for Boss, the tsunami came next a wall of noise rumbling down from the grandstands and smacking the riders in the face. Its a feeling actually, its more than a noise, Boss explains. You can actually feel it. Its a cool experience to have. As Moonee Valley prepares to shut its doors on 142 years of history after the last race on Saturday night and completely rebuild its track, Boss was one of several champion jockeys and administrators who said they were proud and fortunate to have been part of such an intimate venues storied history. Boss would go on to win four Cox Plate titles across 15 years, two of them on champions Makybe Diva and So You Think. Loading But Im really excited for the next chapter of Moonee Valley, he said. I think its going to be extraordinary. I really do. Well before he became chairman of the racing club, Adam Lennen was a student and boarder at Melbourne Universitys Newman College. He lobbed at the Valley in October 1992 to watch a Cox Plate at a time, he said, when he should have been studying. Not that he regretted the decision. He was on track to witness an epic. The race was turned on its head when favourite Naturalism stumbled over a fallen horse and lost his rider at the 600m mark, leaving veterans Super Impose and Better Loosen Up to fight it out with champion mare Lets Elope and lesser lights Kinjite and Slight Chance. In a messy, rough-house finish, Super Impose and Greg Hall swept around the outside to grab Lets Elope on the line by a nose. But the drama was far from over. Fifth-placed Better Loosen Ups jockey Simon Marshall would successfully protest against the second horse. Damien Oliver steers Northerly to victory over Sunline in 2001. Credit: Vince Caligiuri What a race to see, Lennen said this week. I dont think you see too many protests of fifth against second that are upheld, particularly in a group 1 race. It was phenomenal. Just an amazing atmosphere. So Lennen understands the theatre that Moonee Valley has provided over the past century, and knows that his board has a responsibility of preserving an atmosphere that had stood the test of time. Loading We are very focused on it. The last thing we want to do is destroy what it is, he said of the coming rebuild. Theres every chance that it is even more of a cauldron when we are finished. Australias leading group 1 winner Damien Oliver landed two Cox Plates, the first on outsider Dane Ripper and then a memorable victory on the fighting tiger, Northerly, over arch rival Sunline. But it could easily have been three. I was actually meant to be on Super Impose, he said. I was booked to ride him, and then I won the Caulfield Cup on Mannerism the week before, so I was forced to sort of stick with her. That 1992 race was dramatic, obviously, with the fall and was probably one of the most memorable Cox Plates. Being involved in that was pretty special, too. James McDonald returns after winning the Cox Plate on Anamoe. Credit: Getty James McDonald is the new king of the hoops and is shooting for his fourth win in four years in the Cox Plate, following victories on Anamoe, Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina. He will ride Via Sistina again on Saturday. He grew up in New Zealand, watching champions of the turf such as Sunline winning our iconic race. Craig Williams on Fields Of Omagh after winning the Cox Plate in 2006. Credit: Vince Caligiuri Its going to be sad to see it change, but it would be nice to win the last running of it for sure, McDonald said. You need a proper horse, and Ive been lucky to have three of them. Hopefully, weve got a fourth. The venue has been as special as the race. Two tight turns from the back straight, an accelerating field slingshotting out of the top corner, before sweeping down the famous school side of the track. Then they swing around the velodrome-like final bend into the main stage of the amphitheatre a 173m home straight. The crowd feels like theyre on top of you, two-time winner Craig Williams said. Its one of those amazing feelings the enormity of having the crowd so close to you and erupting if youre victorious. Soon, it will all be gone. But Williams, who rides outsider Attrition on Saturday, readily admitted he was not one to be mired in the past. He said making things new could also make them better. Things adapt. Things evolve. The track itself has been out of date for 18 years. So the track had to get redone anyway. And they just thought that they could change the design of the track, and were all looking forward to seeing how it goes, Williams said. Weve already learned how we ride this track now, and the next stage will be how to ride the new track. So thats all it is. The new course that Williams and his cohorts will have to navigate when the clubs self-funded $220 million renovations are completed in 2027 will be almost 100 metres shorter, three metres wider and have a new 317m home straight that runs from east to west instead of north to south. The new grandstand and clubhouse, expected to include a 182-room hotel, will shift from the west side of the course to the northern edge, sitting across the road from the Wilson Street primary school. Hugh Bowman wins the 2015 Cox Plate on four-time winner Winx. Credit: Michael Dodge The racecourse will eventually be shadowed by new apartment buildings that will house up to 5000 people. But Lennen was quick to point out that the history of the race remained. It will still be a great race, he said. It still sits in an amazing spot on the calendar. But the thing that is lost is that youve got to be spending money on these facilities, and the old facilities are very tired. The track is 30 years old and even though it has raced really well this spring, it needs replacing. Hugh Bowman returned to Moonee Valley from Hong Kong on Friday in preparation to ride Chris Wallers Aeliana in the Cox Plate. He, too, embraced the coming change. The only thing I would say is, I hope it proves to be a fair racetrack, and every horse gets their chance, Bowman said. The furniture elevator was attached to a truck stolen in Louvres, near Charles de Gaulle airport to the north-east of the French capital. Experts have warned that even if police caught the gang, it was already too late to save the jewels which could have been broken up. Dozens of DNA samples had been found at the gallery, including on helmets, gloves, angle grinders and a vest abandoned by the robbers. Credit: Getty Images More than 100 detectives are on the investigation, with the Banditism Repression Brigade of the Judicial Police leading the inquiry, along with the Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Property. Laurence des Cars, director of the Louvre, this week told a French Senate Committee that no security cameras were monitoring the second-floor balcony where thieves gained access to the museum. Unfortunately, on the Apollo gallery side, the only camera installed faces west and therefore does not cover the balcony affected by the break-in, she said. The new details of the investigation emerged as the Louvre transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France. Police officers examine a basket crane used by thieves. Credit: AP French radio RTL reported that the transfer of some precious items from the museums Apollo gallery, home to the French crown jewels, was carried out on Friday under secret police escort. The bank, which stores the countrys gold reserves in a massive vault 27 metres below ground, is less than a kilometre from the Louvre. Detectives have yet to make an arrest over the embarrassing heist but speaking to Ouest France, Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor whose office is leading the case, said that dozens of DNA samples had been found at the gallery, including on helmets, gloves, angle grinders and a vest abandoned by the robbers. More than 150 samples of DNA, papillary and other traces were taken, she said. The analyses require time limits, even if they are a priority for the labs. We are expecting feedback in the coming days, which may be able to provide us with leads, especially if the perpetrators were on file. Beccuau also confirmed that police had been able to use CCTV to follow the gangs movements on two Yamaha TMax scooters out of Paris towards other areas, adding that video surveillance from public and private cameras made it possible to follow their route in Paris and in neighbouring departments. She gave the strongest hint yet that the heist may have involved an inside job and confirmed police were investigating whether there was help from someone at the museum. Beccuau said: We obviously want to arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible to recover the jewellery before their stones are possibly removed and the metals melted down. We are therefore exploring all theories. The possibility of complicity within the museum will be studied, as will all other possibilities. Loading Beccuau said that media coverage had given her the small hope that the gang wont dare move too much with the jewels and that if police moved quickly, they could still recover them. I want to be optimistic. And thats the hope that the investigators also maintain, hence their absolute and intense mobilisation. The Louvre has said it would not be commenting on the investigation. CGI Group, an Israeli intelligence firm which previously helped solve a multimillion-dollar heist at the Green Vault in Dresden, Germany, has also been brought in to help. Zvika Nave, chief executive, said he would not comment about its operations or clients. However, as an exceptional case, we were approached by parties connected to the Louvre museum to assist in identifying those involved in the robbery, as well as in recovering the stolen treasures, he said. This request came in light of our experience and success in 2019 in solving the billion-euro Dresden museum heist in Germany. The Telegraph, London Washington: The Pentagon accepted an anonymous $US130 million ($200 million) gift to help pay members of the military during the government shutdown, raising ethical questions after President Donald Trump had announced that a friend had offered the gift to offset any shortfalls. Thats what I call a patriot, Trump said during a White House event when he disclosed the payment from the donor. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) and President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. Credit: Bloomberg It came as the US military sent an aircraft carrier from Europe to the waters off South America, in the latest escalation of military firepower in a region where the Trump administration has unleashed more rapid strikes in recent days against boats it says are carrying drugs. Trump declined to name the person, whom he called a friend of mine, saying the man didnt want the recognition. The US standoff with Venezuela: what we know Washington, Oct 24 (AFP) Oct 24, 2025 US President Donald Trump has ordered a major military buildup in Latin America that he says is to combat drug trafficking, but which his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro fears is aimed at regime change in Caracas. The US deployment -- and the deadly strikes on alleged drug traffickers that American forces have carried out -- have fueled fears of wider military conflict and sparked wars of words between Trump and some Latin American leaders. Below, AFP examines the forces available to Washington and Caracas, the strikes the US has carried out, and the diplomatic fallout that has resulted. - Military forces - The United States has deployed 10 F-35 stealth warplanes to Puerto Rico as well as eight US Navy ships to the Caribbean: three destroyers, a cruiser, a littoral combat ship and three amphibious assault ships accompanied by a contingent of Marines. Trump has also ordered the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group to the region, a move which will massively increase American firepower there. And Washington sent at least one B1-B bomber off Venezuela's coast on Thursday, after making a show of force with B-52 bombers that circled near the country for several hours last week. Venezuela would be massively outgunned in a conflict with the United States. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that Venezuela's armed forces comprise 123,000 personnel, with an additional 220,000 volunteer militia members made up of Maduro loyalists, though some experts believe the numbers are much lower. Maduro -- who earlier this week said that Venezuela had 5,000 Russian surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces -- has ordered exercises nationwide and positioned soldiers at the borders amid the heightened tensions with the United States. Thousands of Venezuelans have also joined a civilian militia in response to Maduro's call for bolstering the cash-strapped country's defenses. Many have taken part in weapons training held at military barracks and in neighborhoods. - Deadly strikes - On Trump's orders, US forces began carrying out strikes in early September targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats -- a campaign that has seen the destruction of at least 10 vessels -- nine boats and a semi-submersible -- so far. The strikes have killed at least 43 people, according to an AFP tally based on US figures, but Washington has yet to release evidence that its targets were smuggling narcotics. Experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed traffickers. The Pentagon has told Congress that the United States is in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, designating them as terrorist groups and describing suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants." - War of words - The United States accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel and is offering a $50 million bounty for his capture. Trump has also said that he authorized covert action against the South American nation. Maduro has meanwhile pleaded against a conflict with the United States, saying: "No crazy war, please," while his defense minister vowed that the country would fight against the installation of a government "subservient" to the United States. Other regional countries have also weighed in, with Colombia's Gustavo Petro -- a sharp critic of the strikes -- verbally sparring with Trump, while an aide to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula said the regional powerhouse "cannot accept" an outside intervention in Venezuela. On Friday, Washington sanctioned Petro, saying he "allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity." Petro was defiant, posting on social media: "Not one step back and never on my knees." Two killed in Israeli strikes in south Lebanon Beirut, Lebanon, Oct 24 (AFP) Oct 24, 2025 Israeli air strikes killed two people in southern Lebanon on Friday, state media and the ministry of health reported, with Israel's military saying it had targeted members of Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA), one man "was targeted by an Israeli drone with a guided missile while he was driving" along the road to the village of Toul, not far from Nabatieh. It identified the slain man as Abbas Hassan Karky. In a statement, the Israeli army said it "struck and eliminated" Karky, calling him "the logistics commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front headquarters". The military said Karky had "led efforts to rebuild Hezbollah's combat capabilities" following last year's war with Israel, and that he had also been responsible "for managing the transfer and storage of weapons in southern Lebanon". The health ministry later reported that another "Israeli strike targeting a car" had killed one person and wounded another, also near Nabatieh. The Israeli military announced a strike in the same area, saying it had targeted a "terrorist who was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's military capabilities". Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite the November 2024 truce, which sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah that culminated in two months of open war. The latest attacks come a day after Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon killed four people, including an elderly woman. The Israeli army said Thursday that it "struck several terrorist targets", including "a camp used for training Hezbollah militants". As part of that ceasefire deal, Israeli troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River and dismantle any military infrastructure in the south. Under US pressure and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan the movement and its allies oppose. During a meeting on Thursday with US General Joseph Clearfield, the head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that "Lebanon is committed to completing the arms monopoly process south of the Litani River before the end of the year". He demanded, in return, that Israel fulfil "its duties and obligations to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories and cease its ongoing attacks". Despite the terms of the truce, Israel has kept troops deployed in five border points it deems strategic. US 'fabricating' a war: Venezuela's Maduro on military deployment Caracas, Oct 24 (AFP) Oct 24, 2025 Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro asserted Friday the United States was "fabricating a war" as Washington sent an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, building up a military deployment there. "They are fabricating a new eternal war; they promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war that we are going to prevent," Maduro told state broadcasters. Washington is deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to counter drug-trafficking organizations in Latin America, the Pentagon said Friday -- scaling up a military buildup that is fueling fears of war. US President Donald Trump launched a military campaign in September, including 10 F-35 stealth warplanes and eight US Navy ships, in a campaign he said was aimed at "narco-terrorists." Strikes on at least 10 boats have killed over 40 people so far, said by their governments and families to be mainly civilians, some of them fishermen out at sea. Washington on Thursday announced joint military exercises with Trinidad and Tobago off Venezuela's coast. The USS Gravely destroyer will dock in Port of Spain from October 26-30, and a contingent of US Marines will conduct joint training with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, it said. Trump sending US carrier to Latin America as war fears rise Washington, Oct 24 (AFP) Oct 24, 2025 The Pentagon on Friday ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to counter drug-trafficking organizations in Latin America, a major escalation of a US military buildup that Venezuela's leader warned was steered at "fabricating a war." US President Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise of ending foreign military interventions, in early September launched a military campaign targeting boats allegedly used to smuggle narcotics, destroying at least 10 vessels in a series of strikes. But the American military buildup as part of that campaign -- including 10 F-35 stealth warplanes and eight US Navy ships -- has sparked fears in Venezuela that Washington's ultimate goal is the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro, and the decision to send the carrier is certain to add to those concerns. Late Friday, Maduro accused the Trump administration of stoking "a new eternal war." "They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war that we are going to prevent," Maduro told state broadcasters. The US-Venezuela standoff has also pulled in Colombia's Gustavo Petro, a sharp critic of the American strikes who was sanctioned by Washington on Friday for allegedly allowing drug trafficking to flourish. The deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford and accompanying ships "will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement, referring to transnational criminal organizations. The carrier announcement came after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an overnight strike on a boat alleged to be operated by Venezuelan drug trafficking gang Tren de Aragua had killed six people in the Caribbean Sea. "If you are a narco-terrorist smuggling drugs in our hemisphere, we will treat you like we treat Al-Qaeda. Day or NIGHT, we will map your networks, track your people, hunt you down, and kill you," Hegseth said on X. - 'Inflame South America' - The latest military action brings the death toll from the US strikes to at least 43, according to an AFP tally based on US figures, but Washington has yet to release evidence that its targets were smuggling narcotics. Regional tensions have flared as a result of the campaign, with Caracas accusing the United States of plotting to overthrow Maduro, who said earlier this week that Venezuela had 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces. On Thursday, at least one US B-1B bomber flew over the Caribbean off Venezuela's coast, flight tracking data showed, following a show of force by multiple US B-52 bombers that circled off the country's coast last week. Colombia's Petro -- who has accused Trump of murder over the strikes on the alleged drug boats -- was sanctioned by the US Treasury on Friday along with his wife and son. Regional powerhouse Brazil has also weighed in on US actions, with a senior foreign policy advisor telling AFP that the country views a military intervention in Venezuela as unacceptable, fearing it could be damaging for the whole of South America. "We cannot accept an outside intervention because it will trigger immense resentment," said Celso Amorim, aide to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "It could inflame South America and lead to radicalization of politics on the whole continent." Trump meanwhile said Thursday that he did not need a declaration of war from US lawmakers to attack Venezuela or other countries he accuses of involvement in the drug trade, warning that strikes on land are coming. "The land is going to be next," Trump said, likening drug cartels to the brutal Islamic State jihadist group. Trump heads to Asia for Xi talks, eyes Kim meeting Aboard Air Force One, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump left on Friday for Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping -- adding that he would also like to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his trip. Trump is set to meet Xi in South Korea on the last day of his regional swing in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the world's two biggest economies. He will also visit Malaysia and Japan on his first trip to Asia since he returned to the White House in January in a blaze of tariffs and international dealmaking. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he hoped for a "very good meeting" with Xi, adding that he expected China to make a deal to avoid further 100 percent tariffs that are due to come into effect on November 1. As he left Washington, Trump added to speculation that while on the Korean peninsula he could meet Kim Jong Un for the first time since 2019. "I would. If you want to put out the word, I'm open to it," Trump added aboard the presidential plane. "I had a great relationship with him." The two leaders last met in Hanoi, Vietnam, during Trump's first term. Kim has said he would also be open to meeting the US president if Washington drops its demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear arsenal. Seoul's reunification minister has said there is a "considerable" chance that Trump and Kim will meet while the US leader is in South Korea, mainly for a regional summit. - Peace and trade deals - Trump's first stop will be Malaysia, where he arrives on Sunday, for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit -- a meeting he skipped several times in his first term. Trump is set to ink a trade deal with Malaysia, but more importantly he will oversee the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia, as he continues his quest for a Nobel Peace Prize. He said he also expected to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the summit to improve ties with the leftist leader after months of bad blood. Trump's next destination will be Tokyo, where he arrives on Monday. He will meet conservative Sanae Takaichi, named this week as Japan's first woman prime minister, on Tuesday. The US leader said he had "heard great things about her" and hailed the fact that she was an acolyte of assassinated former premier Shinzo Abe, who had close ties with Trump. Japan has escaped the worst of the tariffs Trump slapped on countries around the world to end what he calls unfair trade balances that are "ripping off the United States." - Trump and Xi - But the highlight of the trip is expected to be South Korea, with Trump due to land in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Trump will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, address an APEC lunch with business leaders and meet US tech bosses for dinner, on the sidelines of the summit in the city of Gyeongju. On Thursday, Trump will meet Xi for the first time since his return to office. Global markets will be watching closely to see if the two men can halt the trade war sparked by Trump's sweeping tariffs earlier this year, especially after a recent dispute over Beijing's rare-earth curbs. Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting and announced the fresh 100 percent tariffs during that row, before saying he would go ahead after all. The US president says he will also discuss fentanyl with Xi, as he raises pressure on Beijing to curb trafficking of the powerful opioid and cracks down on Latin American drug cartels. Trump says North Korea is "sort of a nuclear power" Aboard Air Force One, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump said Friday that North Korea was "sort of a nuclear power" as he left the United States for Asia on a trip that could include a meeting with Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un. Asked aboard Air Force One whether he was open to North Korea's demand to be recognised as a nuclear state as a precondition for dialogue with Washington, Trump replied: "Well, I think they are sort of a nuclear power. "When you say they have to be recognized as a nuclear power, well, they got a lot of nuclear weapons, I'll say that." Trump is expected in South Korea on Wednesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. US media have previously reported officials from his administration have privately discussed setting up a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim, who he last held talks with in 2019. Trump has said he hopes to meet Kim again -- possibly this year. Kim said last month he had "fond memories" of Trump and was open to talks if the United States dropped its "delusional" demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons. On Friday, South Korea's unification minister Chung Dong-young said he believed there was a "considerable" chance that Trump will meet Kim during his visit to the peninsula next week. But a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters in a call Friday that a meeting "is not on the schedule for this trip." While no official announcements of the duo's meeting have been made, South Korea and the United Nations Command halted tours of the Joint Security Area (JSA) from late October to early November. Kim and Trump last met in 2019 at Panmunjom in the JSA in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas -- the only place where soldiers from both sides face each other on a regular basis. Minister Chung said North Koreans have been spotted "sprucing up" areas near the JSA for the first time this year -- cleaning, pulling weeds, tidying flower beds and taking photos. Kim met Trump three times for high-profile summits during the US leader's first term. The duo's last and impromptu meeting at Panmunjom was hastily arranged after Trump extended an invitation to Kim on Twitter a day prior. That event saw the two leaders shake hands over the concrete slabs dividing North and South before Trump walked a few paces into Pyongyang's territory -- becoming the first US president ever to set foot on North Korean soil. But talks eventually collapsed over just how much of its nuclear arsenal the North was willing to give up and what Pyongyang would get in return. Since then, North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear state. Israel army says conducts strike targeting Islamic Jihad militant in Gaza Jerusalem, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 The Israeli military said on Saturday that it conducted an air strike targeting an alleged Islamic Jihad militant in central Gaza, despite a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. For the past two weeks there has been a fragile truce between Hamas, an ally of Islamic Jihad, and Israel -- although the latter reserves the right to defend itself and its forces from militant attacks. "A short while ago, the IDF (army) conducted a precise strike in the Nuseirat area in the central Gaza Strip targeting a terrorist from the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation who planned to carry out an imminent terrorist attack against IDF troops," the military said. Inside the Hamas-run territory, the Al-Awda hospital confirmed it had received wounded for treatment after a strike in Nuseirat. "The hospital has received four injured people following the Israeli occupation's targeting of a civilian car in the Al-Ahli Club area in Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza," the hospital said. The military said it would continue operations in Gaza "to remove any immediate threat" to its troops. Hes currently applying his craft to Thikra a show redolent of myth and mystery, inspired by the spectacular isolation of Saudi Arabias AlUla desert. The way they seduced me was to invite me for a chat and to see if I could respond to the space, Khan says. Space is what they have a lot of. History too Islamic, Jewish and Christean communities have all passed through, and before that nomadic Nabataean tribes. You feel like a grain of sand. Its epic. They took me to caves with writings on the wall, carved by previous civilizations. The Health Secretary said: I am appalled that this man was released, he should never have been on our streets, we will get to the bottom of what went wrong and we will make sure there is accountability and transparency with the public. Further incriminating material came from messages Giga sent to an undercover officer in June 2016, where he said he had never knew about jihad until 2015 when ISIS took control of parts of Syria. He told the officer he supported Nusra, part of Jaysh Al Fath, and wanted martyrdom very soon in the first row. Commander Nick John, who is in charge of public order policing in London this weekend, said: Our role in relation to the policing of protest is to ensure that they take place peacefully, that offences are dealt with, that they do not cause excessive disruption to the ordinary lives of local residents, visitors and businesses and to ensure that where there is a prospect of disorder we take action to prevent it. Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat eight days before the incidents in July, was convicted of making inappropriate comments to a 14-year-old girl before he tried to kiss her on July 7 - just eight days after he arrived in the country on a small boat. Tony Plohetski is a national award-winning journalist whose reporting is featured in print, digital and television platforms. He has chronicled some of Texas' most significant stories, and his investigative and accountability reporting has led to indictments and prompted new state laws. He joined the Austin American-Statesman in 2000 and since 2013, he has worked in partnership with KVUE, where he is the stations senior reporter. Plohetski was the lead reporter for the Statesmans groundbreaking coverage of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for public service. The coverage also received the Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Journalism from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard. Additionally, Plohetski has received more than two dozen national and state journalism prizes for his work with the Statesman and KVUE, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award, four National Headliner awards, the Hillman Prize and the August 2022 Sidney Award. He was the inaugural winner in 2021 of the Dan Rather Medal for News & Guts for journalistic courage and was named Star Reporter of the Year by Texas Managing Editors in 2021 and 2023 and was a key part of two teams that won Sigma Delta Chi Awards in 2019. Plohetski also has received multiple regional Emmy awards and was named Best Television Reporter by the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Headliners Foundation in 2023. Becker Elementary School kindergartener Skylar Sersen, 4, is shown this month protesting the possible closure of her school. We would lose not only the legacy of the school but a part of the community if the district decides to close Becker Elementary, a reader says. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Save piece of community In the 1970s, half of our 10 children attended Herman Becker Elementary School in the Bouldin area of South Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As parents we participated in all aspects of the school, from parent-teacher conferences to serving on the PTA Board. Our children grew and thrived in the small but significant school within walking distance of our home. Our children participated in choir, plays and Ballet Folklorico. The school is still as vital a part of the neighborhood today as it was when Becker's relatives, H.E. Becker and P.A. Wilde, donated the land in 1935 because there was no elementary school within 5 miles of the area. If the Austin school district decides to close this school, we would lose not only the legacy of the school but a part of the community. If it is any indication how much the school is needed and loved, you merely must look to the young children there on school grounds picketing and protesting its closure. Austin Independent School District, please save Herman Becker Elementary School. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moses P. Saldana Sr., Austin Lawmakers to blame Neither the Austin school district trustees nor the administrators are responsible for the dire situation of possibly closing schools. Texas Republican lawmakers are. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By passing a voucher program providing $10,800 for students attending private schools, lawmakers added yet another roadblock for public schools to retain teachers and offer the enriched curricula our students deserve. Texas public schools currently receive a basic allotment of just $6,160 per student. Austin school district's per-pupil cost is more than $13,000. Besides pathetically low state funding, recapture takes tax dollars from property wealthy districts like Austin to give elsewhere. Since 2021, Austin ISD has given back about $3.8 billion in recapture payments to the state. Austin students and families are being punished for living in a property wealthy area. Its no secret Republicans have been under-funding and undermining Texas public schools for decades. It is time to vote for individuals who will fund the quality of education our children deserve. Emma Lea Mayton, Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gov. Greg Abbott, shown in August, pushed for the passage of private school vouchers. A reader says Texas officials are responsible for the funding decisions that have put the Austin school district in a dire situation. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Ashamed UT considers offer I was so happy to read that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology had declined President Donald Trumps audacious funding agreement, which required them to adopt President Trumps political agenda in exchange for favorable access to federal funding. Then I was horrified to read that the leaders of the University of Texas system were honored its flagship university in Austin was invited. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Are you kidding me? Ive never been more ashamed of my alma mater than I was when I read this. Lisa C. Self, Austin UT should reject compact As alumni, we join faculty and students at the University of Texas to encourage UT to reject President Donald Trumps Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Of the nine universities approached, seven have already said no. Yet UT is the only school that, via Board of Regents Chair Kevin Eltife, said the university was honored to be asked to participate. This suggests that university leaders and Eltife are not seen in Washington as principled guardians of higher education but as pliable players who can be pressured into surrendering university control for access to increased federal funds that are not based on scientific merit but on Trumps priorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Legislature has already banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs to the detriment of the university. The compact goes against everything UT stands for. We need to fight back against Trumps bribe and encroachment on academic freedom. Barbra and Debra Mann, Austin How about a tax swap? Austin's budget is seriously out of whack when we can't pay for the essentials but pay year in and year out for something optional like a few miles of light rail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austinites raised their property taxes five years ago for a plan to build 27 miles of light rail. Proposition Q on the Nov. 4 ballot would raise taxes again for city services. Cost estimates for our light rail now approach a billion dollars per mile. With the rising construction costs, maybe we will get 9 miles of rail for our money, provided the federal government ponies up several billion dollars. Let's repeal the Austin light rail Project Connect and give ourselves a break so we can properly fund ongoing operations like the animal shelter, domestic violence programs and other essentials that Prop Q is supposed to do. David Langenkamp, Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Closing primary door Right now, Texas has open primaries, and its easy to understand why Attorney General Ken Paxton wants to create a closed primary in Texas. If a large number of Democrats vote in the Republican primary for Sen. John Cornyn, Paxtons chances of unseating him are greatly diminished. The GOP, however, wants to limit eligibility to registered Republicans. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It seems like a lot to accomplish before March, but never underestimate Texas Republicans willingness to shove a change down our throats if its to their benefit. David Seay, Plano Finality of death All this controversy and conflict over the death penalty, as with the Robert Roberson and Rodney Reed cases, could be avoided with one simple and reasonable change in the law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Death penalty cases must be proved beyond the shadow of a doubt instead of just beyond a reasonable doubt. With the finality of death, there should be no doubt. Eugene Czora, Cedar Creek Supporters cheer as State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, kicks off his campaign for U.S. Senate last month. Talarico shows that religious beliefs can be practiced without imposing them on others, a reader says. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Talarico will do more Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why is it that a political candidate who is not a conservative and who publicly proclaims his faith is considered to be a fraud? State Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, has mentioned his faith many times while simultaneously respecting the importance of the separation of church and state. Religious beliefs can be practiced without imposing them on others. State Rep. Jeff Leach of Plano questions Talaricos motives by posting on social media, "Talarico isnt reading the same Bible Im reading. And his 'values' couldnt be more unTexan. He may talk to talk but he cant walk the walk." Has Leach ever considered that possibly he is misinterpreting the Bible? Advertisement Article continues below this ad I cant imagine a 2025 Jesus demonizing our immigrant community, leaving public schools under-funded and rejecting expansion of Medicaid in a state where 21% of adults have no health insurance. Talarico would do far more for everyday Texans than either Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton, Republicans who are both running for Senate. Robert Gibbons, Austin Thinking of others I continue to be appalled by the anti-science and anti-vaccine people and their carelessness toward others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Personal freedom does not mean you get to do whatever you want, whenever you want. If you live in a society, you have a certain amount of responsibility to protect others; especially those who are vulnerable. If you put others at risk because you choose to not follow science, then you should not be allowed to be around others. Would you drive on the wrong side of the road just because you feel you have the right? Give that a try and see how that works. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., should be focused on protecting people. Instead, he is spreading conspiracy theories and anti-science rhetoric that has been proven wrong. What is it going to take to get people to stop listening to the inexperienced and start listening to those who have dedicated years of study and research to help people have better, healthier lives? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Please try to think more in terms of others and not just yourself. It will definitely make for a better world. Peggy Aschenbeck, Austin Melody Tremallo leads thousands of protesters through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally on Oct. 18. The rally against President Donald Trump occurred in conjunction with others across the country. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Proud of No Kings moment My heart swelled with pride on Oct. 18, as I joined other Americans in the No Kings protest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the age of 67, I had never participated in a protest before this one, but I am glad I did. It was like a national block party that unified millions of fellow citizens from all walks of life. We gathered together with a unified message for President Donald Trump: The people of this country are the true stewards of democracy. Contrary to the opinion of Trump and Republican leadership, I did not see any act of violence or hatred toward our country. We were vocal but peaceful. No Kings protests were a far cry from the disgraceful scene that took place at our nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when mobs of rioters ransacked the halls of Congress and beat police with flag poles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the No Kings protest, I stood proudly, waving my homemade sign in the air and using my voice to denounce Trumps blatant abuse of power and his disregard for the Constitution. It was a proud moment for me, and a day for which I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of. Andrew L. Norton, Dallas Advertisement Article continues below this ad A sign at Gate Two to the entrance to F.E. Warren Air Force Base outside Cheyenne, Wyoming. (Mead Gruver/AP) The airman found dead Oct. 8 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming was a security officer under investigation for the fatal shooting of an airman at the base on July 25, the Air Force said Friday. Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen was identified Friday as the airman found dead on base. He was assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing, at the base. White-Allen was under investigation as a subject in relation to an on-base shooting incident in July 2025 that resulted in the death of Airman Brayden Lovan, the base said in a statement. White-Allen was being investigated as a subject on suspicion of making a false official statement and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the July incident. The Air Force did not describe the circumstances of White-Allens death. Lovans and White-Allens deaths remain under investigation. The Air Force confirmed that an obituary for Marcus Tyione White-Allen posted online by a Fort Wayne, Ind., funeral home was the airman who died at the base. White-Allen joined the Air Force and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in 2023 before being assigned to F.E. Warren. Lovan, 21, from Greenville, Ky., was killed July 20, 2025, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. He was a Remote Targeting Engagement System Operator with the 90th Security Forces Squadron. The squadron provides security for the base, which is a key operations center for nuclear-armed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Lovan was killed by a Sig Sauer M18 pistol. The Air Force initially investigated whether the gun had discharged without the gun user pulling the trigger. Air Force Global Strike Command ordered a pause on the use of the pistol, and the Air Force mandated a service-wide safety inspection of all Sig Sauer M18s. The Air Force previously reported that a service member had been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice and making a false official statement. The statement Friday did not explicitly say White-Allen was the person facing the charges. When it announced an airmans Oct. 8 death, the 90th wings commander, Col. Terrance Holmes, offered condolences for the fatality. It is with deep sadness that we face the loss of a member of the Mighty Ninety, and on behalf of our entire team, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the lost individual. Col. Jeremy Sheppard, commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, issued a statement this month regarding the deaths. If your intentions are pure, I will ALWAYS have your back, Sheppard said. Sheppard told the group that while most members were doing the right thing every day, those who were not should consider then this might not be the right place for you. Sheppard called on the security group to return to its role of safeguarding the base. We did talk about the recent fatalities, but the larger message was a call to action: to block out the noise, refocus and recalibrate on what matters most, he said. White-Allens death was the fourth involving an airman from F.E. Warren. An airman was found dead Sept. 30, and authorities linked the death to the fatal shooting of a female victim in Fort Collins, Colo., that was classified by local law enforcement as a murder-suicide. Airman Jadan Orr was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the Aug. 16 shooting death of Senior Airman Joshua Aragon, 23, when he fired an AK-47-style rifle through the wall of his off-base apartment, hitting Aragon. Orr has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is awaiting trial. Aviation maintenance technician Adler Dobert works on a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter on Aug. 20 at the Coast Guard's Air Station Detroit at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Harrison Township. Selfridge is one of two Coast Guard air bases in Michigan. (David Guralnick/The Detroit News via TNS) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Tribune News Service) The U.S. Coast Guard is rarely needed on bright, sunny days. The circumstances that beseech them tend to be dark, dreary and brutish. It was such a night in August when four people somehow marooned themselves in Lake Michigan without a boat. It was cloudy, rainy and windy. Blackness abounded. It was the type of night pilots are encouraged to stand down. Coast guardsmen, however, arent like most pilots. A helicopter from a service station in Traverse City raced into the tempest. Like the flight crew, the Coast Guard at large is facing headwinds of its own. Decades of meager funding have left it with few members and old equipment, service officials said. The problems limit its ability to perform its most vital mission: search and rescue. U.S. senators from the Great Lakes states described the situation as dire in May as they asked the Trump administration for more Coast Guard funding. In Michigan, 13 of the services 25 units are temporarily closed, have open positions or limited operations, said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township. Units range from teams to vessels to facilities. Shortages of Coast Guard personnel have led to changes in operations, Peters told The Detroit News. We need to prioritize more funding to hire and train these professionals. In July, President Donald Trumps sweeping spending plan allocated $24 billion to the Coast Guard that, among other things, will allow it to replace its aging flock of helicopters. Called into action A sign at the pier in Frankfort in northern Michigan warns all comers: Danger. Waves flood surface. Keep off during storms. The concrete jetty extends into Lake Michigan for 2,000 feet before ending at a lighthouse. The Frankfort Light makes for good fishing and, in August, four anglers were there for the annual run of salmon up the Betsie River, said one of them, Ward Litwiller of Ithaca. Litwiller and his teen daughter arrived at the lighthouse just before dark, but shortly after throwing their lines into the water, the wind began to pick up. Litwiller, 48, a farmer who often checks the weather, wasnt overly concerned. The forecast suggested it would be a short blow. Instead, the wind persisted and grew stronger, he said. It also changed direction, coming from the north, which caused 12-foot waves to engulf their only way back to the mainland. The wind totally caught us off guard, Litwiller said. It was a freak weather event. The four anglers, standing on the lighthouse base, were stranded nearly a half mile from shore. A few minutes after sunset, Frankfort police received a call from Litwillers wife at a neighboring resort, according to the police report. She said her husband and daughter were stuck at the lighthouse. Responding to the distress call were the city police, Benzie County Sheriffs Office and Michigan State Police. But the water was too turbulent for them to reach the lighthouse. It changed. It changed fast, Frankfort fire Chief Mike Cederholm said about the watery conditions. That lake can change in a heartbeat. Waves can kick up out of anywhere. This was the type of problem that had just one solution. The city called the Coast Guard. A different military mission Some people are surprised to learn the Coast Guard is part of the military. Its in the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense. Its mission is to save lives, not wage war. Among its diverse duties are overseeing boat safety, tracking vessel traffic, and maintaining buoys and beacons. Responding to an edict from the Trump administration in January, it also beefed up its presence along the border to thwart drugs and migrants from entering the country. But the services bread and butter is search and rescue on the seas. And thats where Coast Guard air stations and their helicopters play a starring role, said Cmdr. Ryan Hawn, who leads such a base in Traverse City. While drones are being used more and more by the service to monitor waterways and inspect buoys, the one thing they cant do is pluck someone from a raging sea in the middle of a thunderstorm. We can go places where others dont have the capability to go, Hawn said. We kind of bridge the gap that other local resources cant provide. Besides the air station at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, the other air base in Michigan is located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. The Traverse City base, which has 120 people, covers Lakes Michigan and Superior and the northern half of Lake Huron. Summer is their busy season, especially in southern Lake Michigan, which is teeming with boaters from Chicago and west Michigan. The air base responded to 74 calls in the past year. In September, it pulled three people from Lake Michigan after their small plane crashed near Milwaukee, the Coast Guard said. In August, it retrieved four sisters ages 8-14 who were stranded after paddle-boarding to a Lake Superior island near Duluth, Minn. In July, it yanked three people from the water after their 16-foot vessel capsized in Lake Michigan west of Mackinaw City. Always ready When the four people were stranded at the Frankfort lighthouse in August, they were one-third of a mile from a Coast Guard boat station, but it was temporarily closed because of budget constraints, the service said. A boat station in Manistee is responsible for the area, but couldnt send a vessel because the water was too turbulent. That left the air station in Traverse City. Lt. Jon Ray was in bed at home. The married Ray, who has twin toddlers and a 4-year-old girl, joked that he sleeps better while at the base. Ray and three other crew members scrambled into an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, which left the heliport at 9:59 p.m., 50 minutes after the Coast Guard was called by police, according to the police report. The services motto is Semper Paratus, always ready. This is what we do. Its our bread and butter, Ray said. If you call for help, were coming out there, whatever it is. Ray, 33, the aircraft commander, has been involved in 100 rescues during his five years as a pilot. Each one is different, he said. The crew never knows what theyll encounter until they arrive. Thats where all their training comes in. They practice every day, hovering over targets, pulling dummies from the water, flying at night or during hazardous weather. The white-and-orange Jayhawk, a cousin of the Black Hawk, can fly 205 miles an hour and travel 800 miles on a full tank of fuel. The station normally had three helicopters but was down to two. The wind-swept ride to Frankfort was bumpy and murky, Ray said. The radar showed thunderstorms everywhere. The clouds were just 700 feet high, dissolving the horizon into a gray haze. It wasnt easy-peasy. It was pretty challenging, Ray said. The helicopter, traveling 120 mph, stayed under the clouds by sometimes flying 300 feet above the ground. Its easy for pilots to lose their equilibrium in the darkness, Ray said. They learn to trust their instruments more than their feelings. Overcoming obstacles Besides the weather, Ray had to contend with something that isnt an issue during most rescues a 67-foot lighthouse. Swatted by 35-knot gusts, he struggled to steady the Jayhawk just above the beacon, keeping his rotor blades free from the cement structure that would obliterate them. He had to stay near the lighthouse because the wind was blowing his rescue hook far from the four people he was trying to save. Below the helicopter, angry waves were striking the lighthouse, sending sprays of water 30 feet into the air. The stranded quartet got soaked as they huddled on the other side of the structure. Descending into the maelstrom was Petty Officer Nick Mauricio. Hes a rescue swimmer, an elite job that, like Army Rangers and Navy SEALS, undergoes harrowing training to achieve the position. He described his role as having a bias for action. You want to jump in when people are in danger, Mauricio said. You want to make sure people are OK. For us, its looking down, seeing a bad scenario and figuring how to get people out. Mauricio, 30, wearing a black wet suit, was in a harness attached to a hoist that slowly dropped him to the lighthouse base. He was struck by the waves spray as soon as he left the helicopter. After dropping to the base, he greeted the four people with a joke, saying he hoped the fishing made their travails worthwhile. Unfortunately, the fish werent biting that day. Mauricio handed each person a light stick. Otherwise, they would be impossible to find if they were knocked into the inky water. The two fishermen, unrelated to the Litwillers, originally told police they didnt want to be saved, that they were just going to wait out the storm. After they learned the Coast Guard doesnt charge for rescues, they changed their minds. The helicopter lowered a 4-foot metal basket four times as Mauricio helped Litwillers daughter into it. He then repeated the process with the three adults. One of the fishermen, Nick Harris, 72, of Arcadia, Ind., asked if he could bring his fishing pole. Mauricio sympathized. He was an avid fisherman during an earlier stint at the Coast Guard station in Kodiak, Alaska. He allowed Harris to keep the pole after he broke it down. Those things are not cheap, Mauricio told the angler. The last thing I want is for you to lose the rod. Returned to safety Litwiller tipped his cap to the Coast Guard. He said he and the others would have been stranded at the lighthouse for a long time. The waves that flooded the jetty didnt subside until the following afternoon, he said. Outstanding job, professional and personable, Litwiller said about the Coast Guard. As for the saviors, after returning to the station and finishing post-rescue errands, Ray and Mauricio went back to bed. Rays children were already asleep, so Dad was able to get some shuteye. Mauricio also had a good slumber. It was definitely rewarding, he said. Its one of the best feelings you can get, delivering all four people back to their family. Its why we do what we do: To get people home. 2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Vampires and werewolves take center stage at the Museo dei Vampiri e Licantrope in San Marino. (iStock) In the weeks leading up to Halloween, were all up for a good scare, and interest in all things creepy tends to spike. But delving deeper into unsettling subject matter is possible throughout the year, thanks to these eerie and eclectic European museums examining crime, crypts, myths and more. Krampus Museum in Kitzbuhel, Austria: With cloven hooves, dark matted fur, sharp horns and long tongue, this beast has been terrorizing the youngest residents of certain Alpine regions for centuries. Although Krampus usually makes an appearance on or around the date of the feast day of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6, they can also be encountered outside peak season at this small museum in the village of Ruatn Pass. About 600 hand-carved masks, along with many of the creatures other accoutrements, are on display here. The museums director, Christoph Rieser, produces the furs and accessories worn by the members of the many active Krampus groups throughout Austria. The museum, located at Sportfeld 1, is open from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays from June through mid-January or at other times by prior arrangement. Online: tinyurl.com/3fmh2rx8 Museum of Ghosts and Fairy Tales in Pilsen, Czech Republic: Portrayals of monsters and storybook creatures hailing from Pilsen and its environs, from fire dogs to witches to water sprites and other mythical creatures, have found a new home on the former site of a 16th-century guest house. Visitors leaving reviews of the Muzeum Strasidel rate it as appropriate and engaging, even for younger children. The museum located at Namesti Republiky 33 is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Admission costs 80 Czech Koruna (about $3.85) for adults and 60 CZK for children. Online: muzeumstrasidel.cz Museum of the Mummies in Agrigento: This municipal museum located in a Capuchin convent in the village of Burgio on the island of Sicily serves as the final resting place for the mummified remains of individuals dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The bodies of 49 friars and local benefactors, meticulously preserved, clad in elaborate clothing and accompanied by their personal effects, are respectfully displayed in a crypt. Visits to the Museo dei Mummi are free of charge and can be arranged with the towns tourist authority. Online: tinyurl.com/5e9bf8dp Museum of Vampires and Werewolves in San Marino: Blood-sucking vampires, wolfmen and other creatures of the night have formed part of European myth and culture for centuries. The Museo dei Vampiri e Licantrope, found in the historical center of this tiny landlocked republic, offers four floors of objects including life-size statues, photographs, installations, stage sets and memorabilia helping bring these eerie legends to life. The museum is described as suitable for children. Expect to pay about 9 euros entry for adults and 5 euros for children. Online: tinyurl.com/3rr6wbt2 Museum of Curiosities in Nottingham, England: Thousands of objects, from taxidermy mounts to skulls to horror movie props, are on display across four stories of exhibition space. Guides are on hand to provide the backstory of any object that sparks the imagination. The museum, located at 75-77 Derby Road, is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Mondays; adult admission costs 8 UK Pounds ($10.75). Online: themuseumofcuriosities.co.uk True CRIME Museum in Hastings, England: Gruesome killings and unsolved mysteries are the topics of most of the exhibits in this disturbing museum. The macabre items shown here include a board for administering lethal injections and the barrels used by a serial killer to dissolve his victims bodies in acid. The museums cave-like setting only adds to its creepiness factor. The museum, found at Palace Court, White Rock, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; entry tickets go for 11.50 UK Pounds adults and 9.50 pounds for youth ages 6-16. Online: truecrimemuseum.co.uk Voodoo museum in Strasbourg, France: The Chateau Vodou Museum, near the citys main train station, contains more than 1,200 objects hailing from west Africa, to include sculptures, statuettes, clothing, jewelry and more. The display is laid out across three floors of what once served as a water tower. The museum, located at 4 rue de koenigshoffen, is open 2 p.m.-6 p.m. daily; entry costs 14 euros for adults and 8 euros for visitors ages 6-10. Online: chateau-vodou.com Dutch Funeral Museum in Amsterdam: The Museum Tot Zover offers insight as to how the local population views death, funerals and the afterlife. More than 2,000 exhibits, photos and videos explore the livings relationship with those who have passed on. Many visitors are particularly moved by the displays of hair art, in which a dead ones locks were weaved into an item of jewelry. The museum, found at De Nieuwe Ooster, Kruislaan 124, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mondays. Admission costs 11 euros for adults and 6 euros for ages 13-18. Online: totzover.nl Morbitorium in Wales: Just a half-hour drive from the center of Cardiff brings one to this cabinet of curiosities, three rooms jam-packed with objects ranging from antique lobotomy tools to mummified cats to Victorian sex toys. This quirky place located 5 Gelli-Unig Place in Pontywaun, Caerphilly, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Wednesdays and Sundays. Entry costs 2.50 UK pounds per person; those under 16 enter free. Online: morbitorium.co.uk/museum Syracuse, N.Y. - A fire damaged a vacant house in Syracuse early Saturday morning, and one man was later arrested after interfering with the investigation, city officials said. No injuries were reported, according to officials. Two people safely left the house before crews arrived. Around 2:24 a.m., firefighters arrived at 213 Lincoln Ave. where they saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the back of a 2-1/2 story house, according to Syracuse Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Erik Caster. Heavy flames engulfed the entire back of the house, Caster said. Crews brought the fire under control in about an hour by attacking it from the outside using hoses and aerial devices, Caster said. A partial collapse of the house, along with an unstable chimney, made it unsafe for firefighters to enter. The house sustained significant fire damage, Caster said. Crews were on the scene for over five hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation. While crews were investigating the scene, two people began to interfere with the investigation, one of which was arrested, according to Syracuse police spokesperson Sgt. Thomas Blake. Durban Seymour, 24, of Syracuse, was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration, according to Blake. Brendan J. Lyons | Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Albany, N.Y. Thomas H. Mungeer, the former president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, was arrested and arraigned on a grand larceny charge on Friday that accuses him of misusing thousands of dollars in funds from the union he headed for more than 13 years. Mungeer, 56, who resigned from his trooper position last month, was processed at a State Police barracks in Latham early Friday morning after he surrendered himself to troopers. He was then brought to Albany County Court in custody and arraigned on the felony complaint in front of state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle. Under a plea agreement that his attorney secured with prosecutors in early September, Mungeer is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 1 to probation and will be ordered to pay about $25,000 in restitution. He was on crutches when he was brought into the courtroom by uniformed state troopers. Three family members sat behind him in a front row of the courtroom. Mungeer did not speak during the brief proceeding and declined to comment outside the courthouse following his arraignment. His attorney, Michael McDermott, also declined to comment. If Mungeer pleads guilty as expected, he would not receive his honorary State Police retirement badge and credentials, items that are highly coveted by members. His arrest marks the culmination of a years-long investigation by the State Police Special Investigations Unit that had focused on the former leaders of the union that represents thousands of current and retired state troopers. Evidence gathered during the investigation had included hard drives and dozens of boxes of records that were seized from the PBAs Albany headquarters in January 2023. That court-authorized search unfolded as Gov. Kathy Hochul was delivering her second State of the State address two blocks away at the Capitol. When the PBA offices were searched, investigators also raided what was then the neighboring offices of the Signal 30 Benefit Fund, a charity organization formed by the PBAs former leaders more than two decades ago. Signal 30 has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes, including financial donations for troopers or their families in connection with an injury, illness or fatality. Computer hard drives were also copied by State Police investigators at Signal 30s former offices on Howard Street in Albany, which was then located directly behind the PBAs headquarters on State Street. The union was plagued by internal concerns dating back years that included questions about alcohol use in the PBAs Albany headquarters, as well as alcohol bills charged to the union during lavish dinner outings. The Times Union reported last year that State Police sources had said the evidence gathered in the case also included issuing subpoenas that were used by investigators to examine bank accounts and credit card expenses. In addition, there were instances when vehicles were being leased under contracts that front-loaded payments, allowing PBA officials to purchase the vehicles at prices below their market value when they were returned at the end of a lease. That practice has since been prohibited under policies adopted by the PBAs new leadership. The arrest of Mungeer came after the investigation stalled last year when federal prosecutors opted to drop out of the case. The Times Union reported at the time that law enforcement sources said the U.S. attorneys office made that decision without fully examining the trove of materials that were seized during the 2023 raids. Still, the single felony charge filed against Mungeer does not sit well with all of the unions members, some of whom said that they believed more former PBA officials were involved in the alleged misuse of funds. But no one else is expected to face criminal charges. The one-page criminal complaint filed against Mungeer also had little information about his alleged theft of funds, including a lack of details on how much money he is alleged to have misappropriated or how. But Mungeer abruptly turned in his police credentials and equipment last month, submitting his notice of retirement as he prepared to face criminal charges in connection with his former leadership of the union. A spokesman for the State Police previously confirmed that Mungeers retirement would take effect on Oct. 1. Mungeer resigned as president of the PBA in October 2022 amid a leadership shakeup. He exited the position as questions mounted about the finances of the union. He subsequently returned to duty at Troop F in Middletown, where he worked a lot of overtime over the past few years. After federal prosecutors dropped the case, officials with the Albany County District Attorneys Office agreed last year to meet with State Police investigators and said they would consider prosecuting a case if the criminal charges were honed and supported by evidence. That office had initially been involved in the investigation in 2022, including issuing subpoenas that were used by investigators to examine the PBAs bank accounts and credit card expenses. Earlier this year, District Attorney Lee Kindlon and members of his staff met with State Police, including Superintendent Steven G. James, and agreed to move forward with a criminal case. Kindlon sat at the prosecutions table during Fridays court proceeding. Accountability and integrity are cornerstones of my administration, and I was proud to pick up the case and help the State Police maintain the highest standards of transparency and professionalism, Kindlon said following Mungeers arraignment. James, who was appointed superintendent by Gov. Kathy Hochul in April 2024, did not issue a public statement following Mungeers arrest. The Times Union previously reported that another aspect of the criminal investigation examined the PBAs longtime prior contract with Epic Risk Solutions, a small brokerage in Goshen, Orange County, founded and operated by Michael S. Klugman, whose firm specialized in providing augmented coverage plans for various state trooper unions, including the New York State Troopers PBA. Mungeer and Richard E. Mulvaney, the PBAs longtime general counsel and a former New York Police Department lieutenant, both had state-issued insurance licenses; their credentials listed the address and in Mungeers case, the business email of Epic Risk Solutions. In an interview with the Times Union two years ago, Klugman said that neither Mungeer nor Mulvaney had received compensation from his firm and that his business dealings with the PBA were lawful and ethical. Trooper Charles Murphy, the president of the Troopers PBA, issued a statement saying the current union leadership began to internally investigate suspected impropriety involving former leadership almost three years ago and has cooperated fully with outside investigators. Since 2022, we have taken decisive steps to restore integrity and ethics to PBA operations, creating new safeguards to ensure that our union reflects the highest standards of transparency and professionalism, Murphys statement continued. Our members deserve a union that works in their best interest, and both they and the public should feel confidence that the PBA is committed to responsible oversight. Syracuse, N.Y. Motorists with unpaid parking tickets in Syracuse could get a chance to clean their slates while avoiding late penalties. Mayor Ben Walsh is seeking Syracuse Common Council authorization to conduct a parking ticket amnesty program in November. If approved, an amnesty period would run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 21 for all tickets issued prior to the start of the program. The deal is simple: paying off the base amount of the ticket and the mandatory $5 New York state surcharge wipes away all late fees. Late fees start with a doubling of the base fine amount, which ranges from $25 to $100 depending the violation, after 20 days from the violation. An additional $20 penalty is added after 30 days and another $20 after 75 days. A person with a $100 ticket thats 76 days or more past due could save $140 by paying during the amnesty period. The Walsh administration is proposing the plan in the hopes of generating additional revenue. There are currently about 140,000 unpaid parking tickets on the citys books issued to the owners of 86,000 registered vehicles, the mayors office said. The fines on those tickets amount to roughly $5.3 million and late penalties total $6 million. The Syracuse Common Councils Finance Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Monday to discuss the proposal. The council could vote on it at the 1 p.m. regular meeting. Finance Committee Chair Corey Williams said at a study session Wednesday that the council generally supports the idea. We just want to make sure that we know what exactly were doing and how were doing it, he said. Syracuse last held a parking amnesty program in September 2020. According to the administrations response city auditors review of parking collections published a few years later, that amnesty program generated almost $1 million in revenue. Then-City Auditor Nader Maroun recommended against holding future amnesty programs, though. He wrote that amnesty incentivizes people in the future who have amassed large amounts of unpaid tickets to wait for an amnesty program to pay. This means that amnesty programs may produce short-term gains at the expense of long-term consequences. The city held prior amnesty programs in 2003 and 1996. Microsoft Teams is preparing to release a contentious feature that may appear "unfair" for work-from-home employees. Soon, the app will immediately know if you are really working in your respective location by monitoring through a Wi-Fi tracking feature. Microsoft Teams Location Tracking Based on Microsoft's official 365 roadmap, Teams will automatically record a user's work location when connecting to their company's Wi-Fi. This is in line with the effort to provide managers with increased insight into whether or not workers are onsite or remote. For team leaders, this might mean more precise tracking of attendance and fewer misunderstandings regarding where workers are working from. But for those who value the quiet and focus of remote work, this change might be seen as an invasion of privacy in the form of digital manipulation. How Microsoft Teams' Wi-Fi Tracking Works Though Microsoft hasn't unveiled all the technicalities, the new feature seems to use Wi-Fi network identifiers and IP addresses to identify a user's precise location, according to a report by Tom's Guide. After a device connects to the company's network, Teams automatically alters the user's work location status to the office building or campus where they are. Teams users can currently manually designate their work location, a useful feature for big organizations with several offices. According to the software giant, the new feature just automates that process. The deployment will be rolled out to Windows and macOS. Significantly, Microsoft made it clear that the feature will be off by default, i.e., it will not start automatically tracking users. However, tenant administrators can turn it on and make it mandatory for users to opt in, possibly compelling employees to reveal their work location within office hours. Privacy vs. Productivity Most of us know this update revives the age-old controversy surrounding employee monitoring and office privacy. While organizations claim that tracking employees' locations makes collaboration and openness better, most employees regard it as an additional surveillance layer in the hybrid world. Such tactics have been seen in other corporations after the pandemic. For instance, there were some Amazon employees who allegedly attempted to spoof the names of their home Wi-Fi to look like office networks to seem compliant with in-office policies. But Teams' sophisticated system probably verifies more than Wi-Fi names. It might check IP addresses or router MAC information, making spoofing almost impossible. Five things to know about Ivory Coast as it goes to polls Paris, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 The Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer and a centre of growth and stability in west Africa, goes to the polls on Saturday with President Alassane Ouattara expected to win a fourth term. Here are five things to know about the former French colony. - From stability to crisis - Ivory Coast, bordered by the Atlantic, gained independence from France in 1960. It saw three decades of stability and prosperity under its first president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who only introduced a multi-party system in 1990. But after he died in 1993, unity unravelled. In 1999, an army mutiny was followed by a coup, the first in the country's history. Then in 2002 a military uprising effectively cut the country in two, with rebels holding the north and the army retaining control of the south. In 2011, Ouattara came to power. The US-trained economist has dominated political life since, even as other countries in francophone Africa have been rocked by coups. That does not mean Ivory Coast has been without political violence, however. Ouattara's rival Laurent Gbago, barred from Saturday's vote, contested the 2010 election result, leading to violence killing 3,000 people. Anti-Ouattara protests also claimed the lives of some 85 people in post-2020 election violence. This time round, tensions have climbed in recent weeks, with at least one person dying in demonstrations against a possible fourth term by Ouattara. - King cacao - Ivory Coast is one of the continent's most dynamic and promising economies. The country of almost 32 million people has for more than a decade had one of the fastest growth rates in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Bank. It is the world's leading producer of cacao, the raw material for cocoa; also produces cashew nuts, and has a thriving oil industry. The International Monetary Fund has forecast a 6.4 percent increase in growth this year and next, after six percent in 2024, fuelled by the oil and gas sectors. The government has said it aims to reduce the poverty rate to less than 20 percent by 2030. It stood at 37.5 percent in 2021, according to the national statistics office. - Massive deforestation - But, as cacao plantations spread, the country has over the last six decades lost 90 percent of its forests, according to a 2021 survey. Faced with poaching and the gradual destruction of their natural habitats, big mammals have largely disappeared, according to the survey which underlined the need to protect chimpanzees, buffaloes and elephants. Icons of the Ivory Coast, the number of elephants has dropped by half in three decades, and they now number less than 500. - Privileged relations with France - Ivory Coast has remained firmly within the sphere of French influence, despite a decade-long crisis in relations in the 2000s. It has held on to those links even as neighbouring Sahel countries, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, came under control of juntas rejecting and shunning the former colonial power. ` - Land of reggae and dance - Ivory Coast is a country of reggae, with its internationally-known stars Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly. It also introduced the zouglou and coupe-decale dance music styles around the world. Since then other Ivorian musicians have become known internationally, thanks to streaming, notably rappers Didi B and KS Bloom. Nigerian NGO slams Turkish decision to keep rescued baby gorilla Lagos, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 Turkey's decision to keep an African baby gorilla rescued from trafficking defies logic, a Nigerian conservation NGO that was preparing to receive it for onward repatriation, said Saturday. The primate was five months old when he was discovered at Istanbul airport in a wooden crate just before Christmas en route from Nigeria to Thailand and taken in a zoo in the hills outside Istanbul to recover. Nigeria sought his repatriation and Turkey's conservation authorities launched the process but halted it after a DNA test confirmed Zeytin belonged to a species not native to Nigeria. On Friday, Turkish officials announced that Zeytin would not be repatriated to Nigeria but kept in a zoo in Turkey. Pandrillus Foundation in Nigeria was preparing to house Zeytin with another young gorilla of the same sub-species before sending the pair to a sanctuary in central Africa. "We are exceedingly disappointed. There is no logic in what the Turkish government is doing," Pandrillus Foundation director Liza Gadsby told AFP. "And if Turkey doesn't want to send him to Nigeria, but directly to a gorilla sanctuary, that's fine. But they need to do the right thing for this animal," she said. "They did the right thing by confiscating him in the first place," but keeping him in Turkey "goes against everything that they're supposed to be doing as a signatory to CITES", or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, she said. The Pandrillus Foundation has another gorilla which was confiscated by Nigerian customs over two years ago. Gadsby said it would begin a process on Monday to repatriate the other gorilla to a habitat country. "We never intended to keep her," she said. Jamaica, Haiti brace for 'catastrophic' hurricane impacts Miami, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 Jamaica and Haiti braced Saturday for devastating impacts from slow-moving Tropical Storm Melissa, which is forecast to rapidly develop into a major hurricane and bring "catastrophic" flooding. Three people in Haiti have already been killed this week as storm bands from Melissa -- steadily churning away in the Caribbean -- lashed the impoverished nation with heavy downpours, provoking landslides. The latest bulletin from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) projects Melissa will become a hurricane on Saturday and intensify by Sunday into a major hurricane, meaning sustained winds in excess of 111 miles (178 kilometers) per hour. The storm is expected to move dangerously slowly at it approaches Jamaica from the south, battering the island nation for multiple days before it heads north and threatens eastern Cuba. Fears are growing that Melissa's extreme winds and rains could provoke life-threatening floods in the mountainous terrain of eastern Jamaica and western Haiti. The NHC said it "expected" catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across southwestern Haiti and portions of Jamaica. The southern Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, also faces potential risks of flooding. Residents in southwestern Haiti should begin "immediate preparations to protect life and property," the NHC said, warning the storm will likely cause "extensive infrastructural damage and potentially prolonged isolation of communities." Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Friday urged residents of flood-prone areas to heed warnings and be prepared to evacuate. "If you live in an area that was flooded before, expect that it will flood again," he said. Rains this week from Melissa have already seen several roads in the Jamaican capital Kingston inundated, images from local media showed. Melissa is the thirteenth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from early June to late November. The last major hurricane to impact Jamaica was Beryl in early July 2024 -- an abnormally strong storm for the time of year. Beryl brought downpours and heavy winds to Jamaica as it moved past off the island's southern coast, leaving at least four people dead. Tens of thousands protest on anniversay of deadly Spain flood Valencia, Spain, Oct 25 (AFP) Oct 25, 2025 Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Spain's eastern city of Valencia on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of floods that killed 229 people, and to denounce the handling of the disaster. Demonstrators, many carrying photos of the victims, called on regional leader Carlos Mazon to resign over what they say was the slow response to one of Europe's deadliest natural disasters in decades. "People are still really angry," said Rosa Cerros, a 42-year-old government worker who took part with her husband and two young daughters. "Why weren't people evacuated? Its incomprehensible." Mazon's administration has been heavily criticised for not sending text alerts until flooding had already started in some places on October 29, 2024. The messages were sent more than 12 hours after the national weather agency had issued its highest alert level for torrential rains. Residents told Spanish media that by the time they received the alert, muddy water was already surrounding their cars, submerging streets and pouring into their homes. The floods hit 78 municipalities, mostly in the southern outskirts of the city of Valencia, killing 229 people in the region. The body of one victim was found as recently as Tuesday. Despite warning signs, Mazon went ahead with an hours-long lunch with a journalist on the day of the floods, also appearing in photos tweeted by his staff receiving a sustainable tourism certification. - Pressure to resign - "Mazon wasn't where he should have been that day, he wasn't up to the task," said protester Gonzalo Bosch, a 38-year-old accountant from Paiporta, one of the towns worst hit by the floods. More than 50,000 people took part in the protest, according to the central government's office in Valencia. The groups that organised the protest did not provide their own esitmate. Demonstrators made their way through the streets of Spain's third-largest city holding placards calling on Mazon to resign or even be imprisoned. Under Spain's decentralised system, disaster management is the regional administration's responsibility. But Mazon, a member of the conservative Popular Party (PP) that sits in opposition to the Socialist-led national government, has argued his administration did not have the information needed to warn people sooner. In a poll published earlier this month in El Pais newspaper, 71 percent of Valencia residents said Mazon should resign. Almost half of the people who died in the catastrophic floods were 70 or older, a fact highlighted by some protesters. They accuse the authorities of having failed to protect the most vulnerable. - 'Deaths were preventable' - Rosa Alvarez, who heads an association representing victims of the floods and was among those leading the march, blames the regional government's inaction for her 80-year-old father's death. He was already drowning by the time the mobile phone alert was issued, she said, the walls of his home in Catarroja already knocked down by the floods. "Every minute counted that day. When the alarm sounded people had already drowned or were in real danger," the 51-year-old social worker told AFP. "All those deaths were completely preventable." Campaigners have staged regular demonstrations against Mazon often on or near the monthly anniversaries of the disaster. The PP's national leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, continues to back Mazon despite his unpopularity. Anton Losada, a politics professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, told AFP Feijoo "he has no other choice". Mazon's resignation would trigger early elections in Valencia, which would probably be "catastrophic" for both the PP and Feijoo's leadership, Losada told AFP. The party is hoping a successful reconstruction effort will help restore its standing, he added. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice I dont remember much from my time in secondary school, but I do remember the exact moment I told someone that Britney Spears would soon be dead. It was 2008, shortly after Spears had been carried out of her home on a stretcher and taken to a psychiatric hospital, and the words tumbled out of my mouth so quickly that I remember being jolted by them. I think I believed it. Or maybe I just wanted to show off not my absolutely non-existent precognitive powers but the fact that actually, fellow classmates, only I truly understood the gravity of what was happening. Wed all witnessed Spears transition from pop cultural zygote in a schoolgirls outfit to sexy MTV temptress to angry, fragile shambles beset by paparazzi flashbulbs and judgment. And now, I insisted, there was a single, dire outcome on the cards. I thought about this ultimately incorrect claim while reading You Thought You Knew, the new tell-all by Spearss ex-husband Kevin Federline, the father of her two children and Americas least favourite white boy in a durag circa 2005. After 200 pages of ruminations on his former marriage and his aborted rap career, Federline closes his book with a premonition of doom similar to that which I made as a teenager almost a decade ago. One just as empty and as unhelpful to Spears herself as mine had been. Its become impossible to pretend everythings okay, Federline writes. From where I sit, the clock is ticking, and were getting close to the 11th hour. Something bad is going to happen if things dont change. The biggest problem with You Thought You Knew is that it never properly articulates what it is that needs to change. Federline paints Spears as an unpredictable and frequently volatile individual, whose mood swings and erratic behaviour have traumatised her two sons, now aged 19 and 20, and derailed both her pop career and her personal life. He alleges historic drug use and boozing, and nods to the severe dysfunction of the wider Spears clan, which he implies would have greatly impacted her life even if she hadnt become one of the most famous women on the planet. He claims that Spearss current use of Instagram where she posts near-daily videos of herself dancing in her home or in restaurant bathrooms or in the hallways of Mexican hotels, all of which are occasionally buffeted by captions of varying legibility is a sign of both an unstable person and a drug user. But whether or not he is prevented from doing so legally, Federline doesnt prod further on the page, or ask why Spears is the way she is. You Thought You Knew, then, is a deeply conservative book: Federline frames the chaos apparently surrounding Spears as a situation entirely of her own making, even while all his vivid description of that chaos heavily suggests the opposite. open image in gallery Britney Spears with her ex-husband Kevin Federline in 2004 ( Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock ) Federline is a tedious storyteller, with a limited vocabulary and a strikingly vapid perspective on the world. If becoming a professional back-up dancer and then marrying Spears isnt surreal (a word repeated eight times throughout the book), it is a whirlwind (repeated 11 times). He is undoubtedly a loving, committed and responsible dad but so is mine, and I dont see him writing a book about himself. In fact, Federlines life is so uneventful outside of Spears that his birth, childhood and teenage years are condensed into a single chapter shoved into the middle of the book. Passages not about Spears are almost hilarious in their banality. Pink had arranged a full-day horseback safari for us, he writes. We saw black cockatoos (which I didnt even know existed), huge monitor lizards, koalas, kangaroos, and more It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Readers with wind beneath their ears may find Federlines insights compelling (The truth is, fame is a double-edged sword; Something shifted in Britneys demeanour the moment the paparazzi showed up She was more anxious), but everyone else will be baffled. I wouldnt say Spears comes off badly in the book, if only because the behaviour Federline alleges seems so rooted in a toxic cocktail of stardom, paranoia, new money and mental illness. Spears has never confirmed nor denied that she lives with mental illness, and has denied ever being addicted to drugs or alcohol (she did write in her own memoir, 2023s The Woman in Me, that she at one point became reliant on the ADHD medication Adderall to cope with depression). She has, though, written repeatedly on Instagram of experiencing long-term trauma as a result of her family and the conservatorship she was placed under for 13 years, which until late 2021 gave her father Jamie total legal power over her finances, her relationships, and her day-to-day workload. She has alleged being forcibly placed into a psychiatric facility and drugged with lithium. Just this week, amid Instagram posts decrying Federlines book as filled with white lies, she wrote that she feels as if my wings were taken away and brain damage happened to me. Discussion about Spearss mental health is largely forbidden within official Britney fan circles. Popular fan forums and Britney-themed sub-Reddits frequently ban users who express even well-intentioned concern for her present-day wellbeing. I fear its a little misguided Spears often seems entirely alone in her cavernous mansion, angry and estranged from her family and at least one of her sons, and lacking in many real friends, or much of a team. Its OK to worry about and talk about worrying about Spears, whose life seems so incredibly hard. But I also understand the impulse to shut down such discourse: the language of voyeuristic celebrity tabloid coverage has evolved in sneaky and quite evil ways since 2007, with pointing-and-laughing replaced by insipid faux-compassion. Britney Spears sparks concern with off-key rendition of Prince song in bizarre video from dishevelled mansion, went a Daily Mail headline in August. open image in gallery Meaningless, reductive guff: Federlines memoir You Thought You Knew ( Listenin ) Federline takes a similar approach, couching sleazy, Perez Hilton-era tattle-telling in sympathetic tones. You Thought You Knew wallows in the gory details of Spearss apparent dysfunction while vaguely imploring someone to do something!? He comes across like a street preacher handing out blank pamphlets. The final chapters are borderline incomprehensible. In the space of a few paragraphs, Federline alternates between blaming narcissistic Spears for her own behaviour, sadly declaring that she has nobody there that truly cares for her, attacking fans for supporting the movement to get Spears out of her conservatorship, lightly suggesting that Spears should be placed under another conservatorship, and then ultimately asking fans to stand by our sons and their mother now, more than ever, they need your support. It is meaningless, reductive guff. I have no idea what Federline hopes to achieve with it. Other than securing an opportunity to proudly stand atop possible tragedy and, like a pimply teenager in a secondary school drama class, boast that he told you so. You Thought You Knew is out now, via Listenin Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Glen Powell has addressed the controversy surrounding his friend and former co-star Sydney Sweeney regarding her American Eagle jeans advert, which garnered unwanted attention earlier this year. Titled Sydney Sweeney has great jeans, the ads featuring the Euphoria star in the brands denim were widely criticized, with people comparing the phrase to the racist language of eugenicists due to wordplay on jeans and genes. In a new interview with The Guardian, Powell who starred alongside Sweeney in the 2023 rom-com Anyone But You was asked why no one in Hollywood defended the actor publicly. I think people weighed in on it, Powell argued; however, interviewer Marina Hyde disagreed, saying Sweeney was left to twist in the wind. But I think people are aware that its bulls***, Powell said. open image in gallery Powell and Sweeney co-starred in 2023s Anyone But You ( Getty Images ) In an apparent jab at the media firestorm surrounding the controversy, he continued: Look, in an era in which businesses are evolving and are seeing their mortality in front of them, sometimes they are desperate to make anything run. Whether its true or not, whether it hurts anyone there is no accountability any more. Asked if he tries to avoid public discourse because it may distract from his work, Powell responded: You cant get caught up in it it has nothing to do with you, it has to do with ad dollars. And, you know, there is no course-correcting. If somethings false, youre not actually setting the record straight, youre just feeding the beast. Thats why I dont say s*** just let it come, and let it go. Not feeding the beast and not trying to fight anything. Ive realised the smart people in Hollywood dont try to fight anything that has nothing to do with them. open image in gallery American Eagles ad starring Sweeney was accused of using eugenic language ( Getty Images ) While critics accused the American Eagle ad of playing into eugenic ideals, that some genetic qualities are better than others, MAGA supporters quickly came to Sweeneys defence. President Donald Trump even defended Sweeney, writing on Truth Social: Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. (Public voting records revealed Sweeney is a registered voter with the Republican Party in Florida.) In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, published last month, American Eagle CEO Jay Schottenstein stated that he instructed executives and employees to remain calm and refrain from commenting on their July ad campaign. You cant run from fear, he said. We stand behind what we did. While the brand defended Sweeney, the actor herself has not commented on the controversy. During the premiere of her new film, Christy, at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, she shut down a question about the commercial, declaring that she would only discuss the movie. American Eagle will continue with Sweeney as their brand ambassador for the rest of the year. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice June Lockhart, the TV mom known to millions as the kindly figure on Lassie and Lost in Space, has died of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica. She was 100 years old. Spokesperson Harlan Boll announced her death on Saturday. She was very happy up until the very end, reading The New York Times and LA Times every day, he said. It was very important to her to stay focused on the news of the day. Lockhart died Thursday with her daughter, June Elizabeth, and her granddaughter, Christianna, by her side, People magazine reported. The daughter of prolific character actor Gene Lockhart, Lockhart was cast frequently in ingenue roles as a young film actor. Television made her a star. open image in gallery June Lockhart died of natural causes with her daughter and granddaughter by her side ( Getty ) From 1958 to 1964, she portrayed Ruth Martin, who raised the orphaned Timmy (Jon Provost), in the popular CBS series Lassie. From 1965 to 1968, she traveled aboard the spaceship Jupiter II as mother to the Robinson family in the campy CBS adventure Lost in Space. Her portrayals of warm, compassionate mothers endeared her to young viewers, and decades later, baby boomers flocked to nostalgia conventions to meet Lockhart and buy her autographed photos. Offscreen, Lockhart insisted, she was nothing like the women she portrayed. I must quote Dan Rather, she said in a 1994 interview. I can control my reputation, but not my image, because my image is how you see me. I love rock n roll and going to the concerts. I have driven Army tanks and flown in hot air balloons. And I go plane-gliding the ones with no motors. I do a lot of things that dont go with my image. Early in her career, Lockhart appeared in numerous films. Among them: All This and Heaven Too, Adam Had Four Sons, Sergeant York, Miss Annie Rooney, Forever and a Day and Meet Me in St. Louis. She also made Son of Lassie, the 1945 sequel to Lassie, Come Home, playing the grown-up version of the role created by Elizabeth Taylor. When her movie career as an adult faltered, Lockhart shifted to television, appearing in live drama from New York and game and talk shows. She was the third actress to play the female lead in Lassie on TV, following Jan Clayton and Cloris Leachman. (Provost had replaced the shows original child star, Tommy Rettig, in 1957.) After six years in the rural setting of Lassie, Lockhart moved to outer space, embarking on the role of Maureen Robinson, the wise, reassuring mother of a family that departs on a five-year flight to a faraway planet in Lost in Space. open image in gallery Lockhart was also known for her role as mother to the Robinson family in Lost in Space ( Getty ) After their mission is sabotaged by a fellow passenger, the nefarious Dr. Zachary Smith (Jonathan Harris), the party bounces from planet to planet, encountering weird creatures and near-disasters that required viewers to tune in the following week to learn of the escape. Throughout the three-year run, Mrs. Robinson offered consolation and a slice of her space pie. In 1968, Lockhart joined the cast of Petticoat Junction for the rural comedys last two seasons, playing Dr. Janet Craig. The original star, Bea Benaderet, had been diagnosed with cancer and died, also in 1968. Lockhart remained active long after Lost in Space, appearing often in episodic television as well as in recurring roles in the daytime soap opera General Hospital and nighttime soaps, Knots Landing and The Colbys. Her film credits included The Remake and the animated Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm, for which she provided the voice for Mindy the Owl. She also used her own media pass to attend presidential news conferences, narrated beauty pageants and holiday parades, appeared in B pictures and toured in the plays Steel Magnolias, Bedroom Farce and Once More with Feeling. Her true passion was journalism, Gregory said. She loved going to the White House briefing rooms. Lockhart liked to tell the story of how her parents met, saying they were hired separately for a touring production sponsored by inventor Thomas A. Edison and decided on marriage during a stop at Lake Louise, Alberta. Their daughter was born June 25, 1925, in New York City. The family moved to Hollywood 10 years later, and Gene Lockhart worked steadily as a character actor, usually in avuncular roles, sometimes as a villain. His wife, Kathleen, often appeared with him. She was married and divorced twice: to John Maloney, a physician, father of her daughters Anne Kathleen and June Elizabeth; and architect John C. Lindsay. Throughout her later career, Lockhart was connected in the public mind with Lassie. Even though she sometimes mocked the show, she conceded: How wonderful that in a career there is one role for which you are known. Many actors work all their lives and never have one part that is really theirs. Additional reporting by The Associated Press Get our weekly Drive Smart newsletter for motoring news, reviews and advice from EV editor Steve Fowler Get motoring news, reviews and advice from EV editor Steve Fowler Get our EV editors weekly Drive Smart newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice According to an understandably overheated press release, the Omoda and Jaecoo car brands recently managed to grab 2.7 per cent of the UK market which, if sustained, would put these two newcomer badges into roughly the same space as well-known names such as the Seat/Cupra combi, or Peugeot. If there was any doubt about the strength of the Chinese challenge (the diplomatically favoured term) to the automotive establishment, then a succession of remarkable sales breakthroughs by those and other increasingly prominent makes, such as BYD, is indicative of just how rapidly the scenery is shifting. open image in gallery The Omoda is marketed as the mainstream sibling to Cherys premium Jaecoo range ( Sean O'Grady ) The Omoda 9 SHS Ive just been swanning around in goes quite some way in explaining why. Literally, in fact, given that this plug-in petrol/electric hybrid has a claimed electric-only range of 93 miles, which I found plausible in my time with the SUV/coupe crossover. A few years ago such a feat would have been thought impossible; yet here we are. The Chinese companies are well known for their prowess in electric cars confounding those who like to caricature the country as a coal-fired hypocrite but this version of the Omoda 9 shows that they have all sectors of the market covered, including sophisticated plug-in hybrids. And it drives nicely. In case you were wondering, Omoda is a word made up a few years ago by the maker, Chinese giant Chery, for export markets. Apparently: The O stands for life and vitality, a symbol of the essential element of life, oxygen. Moda is derived from modern fashion. Whatever. Its supposed to be the mainstream sibling to their premium Jaecoo range (Ill explain that puzzling nomenclature another time), but the Omoda feels anything but cheap, let me say. Its extremely well equipped, for example, with advanced laser-based Lidar assistance, complete connectivity and a classy, well-finished cabin. THE SPEC Omoda 9 SHS Price: 46,475 (one model only) Engine capacity: 1.5l petrol, 4-cyl + 34.5kWh battery, 3sp-auto 4WD Power output (hp): 499 Top speed (mph): 124 0 to 60 (seconds): 4.9 Fuel economy (mpg): 166.2 (notional, using battery) CO2 emissions (WLTP): 38 (notional, using battery) The ride is comfortable, and the seats and steering wheel completely powered and adjustable including the seat squab, which I always look out for as it really gives a car the bespoke touch. Theres also nice ambient lighting around the cabin, plus a 540-degree panoramic camera system, which I think means that you can see the thing in birds-eye mode, not that theyve reinvented geometry. You also get cabin air purification, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats front and rear for the four cosseted occupants, plus a 14-speaker Sony surround sound system and a curved 24.6in display. Even the rear seats recline just like a Bentley! Well really only learn with time whether this is all durable and built properly, but, assuming it is, this is Mercedes kit at Citroen prices. For now, theyre offering a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, comparable to the brand that pioneered such consumer reassurance, Kia. The boot is OK, 1,783l with seats down (bigger than the Volvo XC60, smaller than a Dacia Bigster). open image in gallery A 14-speaker Sony surround sound system and curved 24.6in display are among the selling points ( Sean O'Grady ) The SHS in the model designation stands for super hybrid system, and it is, with the petrol engine able to drive the wheels directly where needed or to act as a generator to top up the battery pack depending on conditions. Power can also go to all four wheels in variable proportions. This is quite similar to the system used by Honda, and that also demonstrates that the Chinese makes are comparable to their better-established rivals. The Omoda also deploys something called an M3P battery-cell system, which I confess I dont understand, but which also contributes to its remarkable blend of performance, range and efficiency. Theyve not made the leap to solid-state cells yet, but it is certainly state of the art. The net result is a total range of 700 miles, hot hatch performance and still-acceptable fuel consumption. Only when pressed in sport mode does the setup sound a bit strained. open image in gallery Room in the boot is respectable, at 1,783l with seats down ( Sean O'Grady ) I liked the Omoda 9, as Im sure anyone would who isnt an utter snob or Sinophobe, but there were a few things that stopped me falling in love with it. The highly styled dash eats into legroom for taller passengers, and the ADAS (advanced driving assistance systems) require one to place too much faith in the Omoda, such that even a slight nervous pull on the steering wheel provokes the system to turn off, almost in petulant protest. Also, the SatNav has an excessively Californian accent, as it told me about my planned journey from Oad-bye (Oadby) to Harl (Hull), and it thinks that St always means street, hence Street Margarets Way. The Omodas lines are smart enough in their generically fashionable way, but the Hyundai Santa Fe is way more handsome. Its an incredibly crowded market for plug-in hybrid fully-equipped SUVs, driven by tax breaks for company car users, but its worth exploring. Now youve heard of it, that is. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring the heart of a Tennessee inmate executed by lethal injection in August reportedly showed "sustained cardiac activity" for nearly two minutes after Byron Black was officially pronounced dead, his attorney told a judge on Friday. These startling comments from Kelley Henry emerged during a court hearing. The proceedings are set to determine whether legal representatives for Black, alongside several other current death row inmates, will be granted permission to depose the key personnel responsible for carrying out Tennessees executions. This legal challenge is part of a broader lawsuit initiated in Nashvilles Chancery Court, which directly disputes the state's latest lethal injection protocol, asserting it violates both federal and state constitutional bans on cruel and unusual punishment. In the hearing, state Deputy Attorney General Cody Brandon argued that requiring members of the execution team to testify risks exposing their identities, even if their faces are hidden and their voices are disguised. Instead, he proposed that Tennessee Department of Correction officials could testify. If the inmates' attorneys designate the appropriate topics, the agency is required to provide witnesses with knowledge of those topics, he said. Henry, who leads a group of federal public defenders representing indigent death row inmates in Middle Tennessee, said only the people who were actually there will be able to answer the question of what went wrong during Black's Aug. 5 execution. At one point, the blanket was pulled down to expose the IV, she told Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins. Why? Did the IV come out? Is that the reason that Mr. Black exclaimed, Its hurting so bad? Is the EKG correct? Black was convicted of shooting and killing his girlfriend Angela Clay, 29, and her two daughters, Latoya Clay, 9, and Lakeisha Clay, 6, in 1988. open image in gallery This undated booking photo provided by the Tennessee Department of Corrections shows Byron Black. (Tennessee Department of Corrections via AP, File) Henry also noted an issue during the May 22 execution of Oscar Smith. Attorneys don't know what Smith's cardiac activity looked like because there was no paper was loaded into the EKG machine. Since we filed this lawsuit, there have been two executions that have not gone to plan, she said. They are batting a thousand with regard to not following the protocol. Brandon interjected that Tennessee's lethal injection protocol doesn't specifically say paper should be loaded into the EKG machine. Perkins told the attorneys he will take their arguments under advisement and rule later. open image in gallery India Pungarcher, left, hugs Rev. Ingrid McIntyre as demonstrators gather in the area reserved for anti-death penalty protesters outside Riverbend Maximum Security Institution before the execution of Byron Black in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing and shooting Judith Smith, 13-year-old Jason Burnett and 16-year-old Chad Burnett in 1989. Smith had earlier come within minutes of execution before a surprise reprieve from Republican Gov. Bill Lee in April 2022. It later turned out the lethal drugs for that planned execution had not been properly tested. A yearlong investigation revealed numerous other problems with Tennessee executions that led to the new lethal injection protocol put in place last December. The lawsuit filed in March claims the corrections department failed to make the changes to its protocol that were recommended by the governor and an independent investigator. Rather, the lawsuit claims, department officials wrote a new protocol with fewer specifics, making it hard to hold them accountable. A trial in the case is currently set for April. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A new butterfly species has been named to honor the young Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death while riding the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier this year. The scientist who dedicated the pretty, light-blue colored species to Zarutska said the tribute would outlast most others because her name will be immortalized as a butterfly. Harry Pavulaan, president and director of the International Lepidoptera Survey, called the insect Irynas Azure, which is primarily found in South Carolina around April. The species name is a tribute to Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was senselessly murdered on August 22, 2025, on a Charlotte, N.C. transit car, Pavulaans report read. Common name: Irynas Azure. The name is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, and is associated with tranquility, harmony and serenity. Pavulaan told ABC News that before Zarutskas killing, he already had a name in mind for the insect, which was first discovered in 1985 by another researcher who never named the butterfly officially. open image in gallery A new previously unspecified species of the Celastrina butterfly (similar to the one pictured) has been named in honor of the Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death while riding the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) In 2018, Pavulaan went to South Carolina to study the species and then spent years researching to conclude that it was the first known hybrid introgression for the Azure butterflies. When the scientist saw the news of Zarutskas death, he told ABC that he was driven to tears and decided to expedite his research paper, naming the butterfly after the 23-year-old. He said that Zarutskas mother wrote to him in response to the tribute, and said it was heartfelt. Zarutska and her family fled the war in Ukraine in 2022 for the U.S. in search of a better life. She was killed in the horrifying train attack as she was traveling home on the evening of August 22. open image in gallery The scientist who dedicated the pretty, light-blue colored species to Zarutska said the tribute would outlast most others because her name will be immortalized as a butterfly ( Iryna Zarutska ) Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday and could face the death penalty if hes convicted. Brown was charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which makes him eligible for the death penalty. Zarutskas family welcomed the indictment and said they were hopeful for swift justice. The family is pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr., a short statement released by the familys attorney said. Horrific footage of Zarutskas final moments showed her boarding the light rail car and taking a seat. Four minutes later, prosecutors say, fellow passenger Brown pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times from behind. The accused had been arrested more than a dozen times before but was released earlier this year on a misdemeanor charge without bond. The incident sparked renewed debate about public safety and crime across the U.S., with Browns own criminal record and concerns about his mental health raising questions about how and why he was released from prison. An attorney listed for Brown did not respond when The Independent attempted to reach him previously for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Nebraska teacher and her boyfriend were charged with sex trafficking this week after one of her female high school students reported inappropriate interactions with the pair, the Holdrege Police Department announced Thursday. Elizabeth Jamie Love, 36, and her boyfriend, Jarid Jack Krause, both of Holdrege, have been charged with felony sex trafficking of a minor. Love, who is listed as a transition coordinator and teacher of the deaf on the Education Service Unit 11s website, also faces an additional felony charge of sexual grooming by a school employee. Police say they received a report on October 14 of possible sexual abuse involving a juvenile girl. They did not identify the students school in a news release, but said Love had worked for years with ESU-11, serving more than a dozen schools across south-central Nebraska. According to an affidavit obtained by Nebraska TV, the current high school student, taught by Love through her role with ESU-11, claimed she overheard an August phone call where Krause allegedly told Love he wanted to have sex with the girl. open image in gallery Elizabeth Jamie Love allegedly drove a student to her Nebraska home, where her boyfriend, Jarid 'Jack' Krause, allegedly asked the juvenile girl for sex ( ESU-11 ) Love allegedly picked the girl up on October 11 and brought her to her home. There, Krause reportedly led her to an upstairs bedroom and made a request she thought was for sex. The girl said she declined Krauses request and asked to leave, which he allowed her to do, according to the affidavit. Authorities reportedly said they reviewed security footage showing Love following the girl in a black Dodge Durango. The girl later got in the vehicle, and Love drove her home. The girl told police that Love apologized, warned her not to tell anyone, and gave her $100, which Love later claimed was a gift for a new phone, not hush money. The Independent has contacted ESU-11 outside of traditional school hours for comment. Authorities are not aware of any other cases involving the couple and current or former students. Still, anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Holdrege Police Department at 308-995-4407. open image in gallery Love and Krause are being held in the Phelps County Jail on $250,000 bonds and are set to make their first court appearance on Monday ( Phelps County Jail ) Love and Krause are being held in the Phelps County Jail on $250,000 cash bonds. If convicted, they could face life in prison and mandatory lifetime registration as sex offenders. Their first court appearance is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. in Phelps County Court. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Newly released surveillance video shows the moment two emergency dispatchers in New Hampshire were allegedly assaulted by a man wearing only a Speedo and a yellow hat inside the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. The footage, shared Thursday by WMUR, shows 50-year-old Corey Nickerson of Goffstown attempting to enter the secured dispatch center around 3:45 p.m. on August 9. Nickerson was arrested and faces several charges, including assault, criminal threatening, and false imprisonment, to which he has pleaded not guilty. It hasnt happened in my 24 years here, and hopefully it never happens again, Sheriff Brian Newcomb told the outlet. The video shows Nickerson assaulting one dispatcher as she arrived for work through a secured door. He allegedly tried to move from the vestibule into the dispatch center when another dispatcher rushed in to help. open image in gallery Corey Nickerson, 50, pleaded not guilty to assault and other charges as newly-released surveillance video allegedly showed him attacking two New Hampshire 911 dispatchers ( Goffstown Police Department ) At one point, one of the employees pushed Nickerson out the door as he fought back before fleeing and briefly leading officers on a chase. "Typically, they're here, rendering assistance, over the phone and over the radio for people that are calling 911 or have an emergency that they need assistance for, and they found themselves in, needing assistance here," Newcomb said. Both dispatchers are now recovering from physical and emotional injuries, the sheriff said. They did sustain some serious bodily injury, and certainly theres emotional damage coming to work every day knowing this is where the act happened, Newcomb added. You expect to come to work and be safe, and that wasnt the case that day, Newcomb continued. But this dangerous individual accosted them, and through their selfless actions, they helped each other, persevered, and were able to get him out the door. Nickerson is being held in jail, according to WMUR. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An 18-year-old high school student in Ohio was accidentally shot and killed by his minor relative, according to police. Isaac Brocco Rivera diedlast Saturday at Lakeview Park in the community of Lorain, a suburb of Cleveland. He was a student at Lorain Success Academy. Police were dispatched to the park around 6:44 pm on Saturday after receiving reports of gunshots. The park was full of students taking photos before a homecoming dance. Once police arrived, they found a car parked near the west end of the parking lot, and the unresponsive 18-year-old inside the vehicle. The young man, identified later as Rivera, had suffered at least one gunshot wound to the head. He was in the drivers seat of his vehicle which was a gold jeep, Captain Jacob Morris with the Lorain Police Department, told Cleveland 19. Isaac Brocco Rivera, 18, of Ohio, was fatally shot when a juvenile family members accidentally discharged a gun they were holding ( Gofundme ) Police began treating Rivera until EMS arrived. He was then taken to Mercy Health - Lorain, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators have determined that the shot that was fired was done so by accident by a child who was holding a gun, according to FOX 8. Through exhaustive investigative efforts, detectives have learned that a juvenile family member who was present with Mr. Brocco-Rivera was handling a firearm inside the vehicle, and that the firearm was accidentally discharged, fatally striking Mr. Brocco-Rivera while both were seated in the car, Morris wrote in a statement on Friday. Police recovered a handgun on the night of the shooting, but later found a second handgun from another location, which they now believe was the weapon used in the fatal shooting. Morris said that many of the people in the parking lot at the time were taking photos for the dance, but he did not confirm if any of the individuals at the scene actually witnessed the shooting. There were people who called that were close proximity of the shooting occurring and that they were interviewed by police, Morris said. After learning of Rivera's death, the Lorain Success Academy released a statement acknowledging the incident. In the statement, the school said it was "not able to share any more details at this time, as the Lorain Police Department investigates the circumstances surrounding his death." The school said it had deployed its crisis team to provide support for students and staff in the wake of Rivera's death. "Hold your loved ones a little closer and a little tighter, and have a blessed evening," the statement said. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Lorain Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Twitch CEO Dan Clancy reportedly admitted that TwitchCon 2025 fell short both in protecting one of its women streamers and in its response after she was attacked during the event. Emiru - real name Emily-Beth Schunk was taking photos with her fans when a man emerged from the crowd, grabbed her, and tried to kiss her without her consent. The streamer's personal security team intervened and pushed the man away, but Twitch's security team didn't apprehend the man until hours later. She called out the incident in a social media post on October 18. "Yesterday, the man who assaulted me was allowed to cross multiple barriers at twitchcon and even in front of another creators meet and greet to grab me and my face and try to kiss me. Fortunately he wasn't able to, but a lot of people have pointed out it could have been a lot worse!" she wrote. "I'm obviously shaken up by what happened and it's not the first time I've dealt with something like this, but to tell you honestly, I am a lot more hurt and upset by how Twitch handled it during and after the fact." She said Twitch's statement that the man was caught immediately after the incident was a "blatant lie" and claimed that multiple Twitch security personnel in the vicinity did nothing to stop the man. open image in gallery Popular Twitch streamer Emiru, whose assault by a fan at TwitchCon 2025 in San Diego kicked off a wave of criticism about the events security ( emiru.jpg/Instagram ) The streamer said that the event would be her final TwitchCon after going on and off for a decade. The incident sparked days of condemnation and debate in Twitch creator spaces, as other streamers especially women with aggressive male fans and stalkers called out the company for its allegedly lackluster security. Pokimane, a massively popular Twitch streamer, responded to Emiru's post, wishing her well and saying that she hopes "this pushes Twitch to finally take our concerns seriously." Clancy issued a statement this week acknowledging that Twitch "failed, both in allowing [the incident] to occur and in our response following." Days after the incident, Clancy drew criticism for a video interview he gave, claiming that "the challenge we face is a challenge in todays society. Its not limited to Twitch, it extends throughout our society." In the most recent statement, he apologized for his comments. "We mismanaged our communications about the incident, and that includes the comments I made. I apologize to Emiru for all that took place," Clancy said. He went on to say the company was reviewing the incident and using it to rethink how it runs events like meet-and-greets. "For Meet and Greets, we've begun a complete analysis of the incident that took place, as well as other issues that came to our attention after TwitchCon concluded," he said. "We're examining everything, from how we do sign-ups to the layout to increased security controls." Clancy said the company will be making security changes for upcoming conventions, but that further details would come at a later date. "You put a lot of trust in us by attending TwitchCon, and we take our responsibility to keep you safe seriously," he said. "We know that TwitchCon means a lot to a lot of people, and it means a lot to us. Be on the lookout for more updates, and thanks for being a part of Twitch." : : . . . : . . . The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), via its Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), has issued a critical alert warning of a vulnerability in Microsoft's Windows Server Update Service, afffecting Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025, and people are urgeed to ACT NOW. Details below. The ACSC advises this alert has been written primarily for, but is not limited to, business and government, and is intended for a technical audience - so it definitely relates to iTWire readers. Background Microsoft has identified the following vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows Server Update Service: CVE-2025-59287: This vulnerability involves deserialisation of untrusted data in WSUS, which could enable an unauthenticated actor to achieve remote code execution with system privileges. The ASDs ACSC recommends that organisations take immediate action to address affected products. The vulnerability impacts Microsoft Windows Server Update Service in Windows Server (2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025). Mitigation Australian organisations should review their networks for use of vulnerable instances of the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), and consult the Microsoft Security Update guide for mitigation advice. Assistance Organisations that have been impacted, suspect impact or require advice and assistance can contact us via 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371). You can read this alert on the ACSC website: Critical vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) Two guests wearing the same dress is usually the greatest drama inside the A-list Birdcage enclosure at the Melbourne Cup carnival but next month, The White Lotus actor Michelle Monaghan and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Dorit Kemsley are raising the stakes. Monaghan, who played fictitious famous actor Jaclyn Lemon, holidaying in Thailand with her two best friends in the HBO hit series, will check into the Landmark by Lexus pavilion on Derby Day. Swimwear designer Kemsley will make the neighbouring Crown marquee her home on Oaks Day. Michelle Monaghan attending the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week on October 1. Credit: AP On the surface of your TV screen, the differences between the respected star of The White Lotus (season three), Mission Impossible franchise, and True Detective series, and Real Housewives Kemsley famous for jumping off a boat in Mexico to get a Birkin handbag from Hermes on season seven of the series seem great. Common ground extends beyond Flemington Racecourse, however, with a love of fashion uniting them. Both women have scored Anna Wintours seal of approval with profiles in US Vogue. At its peak, the Uzbek city of Samarkand was the beating heart of an empire that stretched from India to the Middle East. Ruling the realm was Timur the Lame, or Tamerlane, a bloodthirsty tyrant who claimed to be a direct descendant of Genghis Khan. Artisans from across the empire used their wizardry to create timeless architectural treasures. Credit: Nikita Sursin / Stocksy United The chess-playing Tamerlane was regarded as a brilliant tactician and one of the greatest military leaders in history millions are believed to have died as a result of his murderous ambition. But juxtaposed against that brutality was his generous patronage of the arts and Islam. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in his picturesque stronghold. Ive come to Samarkand with high expectations. Of all the highlights listed on our Bunnik Tours itinerary through Central Asias five Stans, from melting under the heat rising off a crater furnace fuelled by leaky gases in the deserts of Turkmenistan to bedding down inside a yurt in Kyrgyzstan, its the three days allowed for exploring Samarkand Ive looked forward to most. Im also a little apprehensive. What if it doesnt live up to those lofty ideals? Will its mosques be as grand as those Ive visited in Esfahan or Damascus? Will it be a noble and great city, where there are many of gardens with fruits in abundance, as stated by the most famous of Silk Road travellers, Marco Polo? Or will it be a disappointment, a city much diminished from its time as the Silk Roads most prosperous trading hub? At the start, I tried a bit of everything staff twirling (manipulating a length of wood or plastic), manipulation, juggling, aerial and acrobalance. I got a chance to try a bit of everything and find out what I was reasonably good at, or interested in, as I went along. I did things like hanging upside down and swinging, things that you tend to stop doing after you stop playing at school, when youre no longer a kid. Im 75 now and do weekly classes. Im surprised how much aerial I can do because Im short and fat and have no muscle tone whatsoever. I can also do a pretty nifty dive roll while tumbling, something I used to do as a child. Its amazing how much you can achieve if you learn how to go about it the correct way if you have a coach who explains how you can put two things together, and you suddenly realise, Wow, I really can hang from a trapeze. One of my favourite skills now is Lyra, which is a hoop that you get onto, and then move around inside. Its not particularly strenuous; it just makes me feel good to make all these beautiful shapes. I had a sore back before I started, and just going along to classes, warming up and stretching, and then using those muscles in a reasonably unusual fashion, seems to have fixed it. The circus has reawakened my inner show-off. I realise that Im quite happy to stand up and perform, but before joining, I hadnt done it for a very, very long time. Perhaps above all else, the circus gives me a sense of freedom, of feeling slightly unshackled. I feel that I can actually do things that are possibly not what people would expect me to do. Circus definitely keeps me young at heart Sheryl Bryce, 68 Sheryl Bryce feels a wonderful sense of achievement every time she learns a new skill. I moved to Melbourne from Adelaide when I was 40. I worked full-time at a very conservative organisation and it was hard to make friends at my age, so most of my friends were from other states or countries. Loading In 2001, I went to the Womens Circus open day, where you could test run doing different things. I was blown away and put my name down [to join], and thought to myself, Im going to run away with the circus. The circus landscape was so different back then; there werent a lot of social circuses around, but I also heard about the Performing Older Womens [POW] Circus, so I put my name down for that as well. Then, after about a years wait, both had spots available for me and I joined both. For the first six months, I tried a whole lot of different skills. Then I decided which classes to join. Twenty-four years later, and I have performed in shows, at festivals and parties. My main skill is acrobalance, which is where you do different balances by yourself and with other people. Im also a roller-skater and a stilt walker. I stilt walk in the Midsumma Pride March every year. I also do German wheel rolling, where you have two big circles of metal joined together with crossbars that you can sit in, stand on, roll in, and do things with other people in it. When I learn a new skill, I feel a wonderful sense of achievement as Im in my 60s. Circus definitely keeps me young at heart, but Im proud of my age. One of the signature things we do at POW is an age line at the end of each performance. We stand in a line, from the youngest to the oldest, and say our ages and do our bow. Its incredibly affirming and also a very motivating thing for the audience to think, Oh my goodness, you know, I can do that. Circus has changed my life Mary Wyer, 61 Mary Wyer says when youre on the apparatus, you cant worry about whats happening at work or home. Credit: @tonypalmer.photos It was my daughter who first went to the Sydney Trapeze School. She was in the Youth Troupe and came three times a week. I started watching and becoming really interested and proud of my daughter, but part of me was thinking, I wish I had this when I was younger, I wouldve loved it. One Mothers Day, a TV breakfast show came to the school and got the mums up on the silks. They had to push our bums up to get onto them, and the weatherman made fun of me on national TV. I thought, this is a sign its too late, that there are other things I might be able to do, but the circus isnt one of them. About six months later, I saw one of the other mothers doing a student performance with her son, and I said to her, You were as bad as me. What did you do? I just took classes, she replied, and I was like, alright, Im going to do that. I took a term class in static trapeze, and at the end we had a class performance, so I invited all my friends. This is my 55th birthday party this year, I told them. You need to come and watch me. A few years later, my daughter left the school, but I kept going. I love the static trapeze it doesnt swing or move; instead, you perform particular moves while on it. You can pick a character and music or learn tricks that you piece together and choreograph. Now I like to choreograph my own pieces. Loading I also love doing tricks. Each time I perform, I choose at least one trick thats really going to challenge me, something thats hard, but not outside my scope, not outside something that my body can achieve. It is something that I can work towards and perform. When youre up on the apparatus, you cant think of anything else. You cant be worrying about whats happening at work, or at home, or about any money worries. Youre on a trapeze and you have to concentrate. Circus has changed my life. I train three times a week, face my fears, and prove every day that its never too late to run away with the circus! TB: Yes. What I try to do with these interviews is really drill down, move beyond the usual anecdotes that you get when people have been interviewed before, and try to really find out who my subject was. And so this is what Ive discovered is really the defining characteristic in him, which is that he had a difficulty in how he related to people: ministers, public servants, staff. He was, in many ways, a crazy brave political leader, who wanted to crash through or crash as he called it. Fitz: Well, in the end, he did both. You have minutely detailed the crash, the Dismissal. Were you outraged by what you found? Gough Whitlam addresses a Labor rally outside Parliament House in 1975. Credit: Michael Rayner TB: Less outraged than shocked. This is the most dramatic, convulsive moment in our political history, and its a train wreck for the individuals and institutions that were involved. And there are no heroes in this story. Malcolm Fraser pushed the system to the brink. He smashed precedents. He shattered conventions. He was naked in his pursuit of power. John Kerr was deceptive. He said he approached the prime minister by stealth. He didnt convey how he really felt and did not warn Whitlam. He compromised the High Court by consulting chief justice Garfield Barwick about his powers and, secretly, with Anthony Mason (a judge on the court). Fitz: Youll be interested to hear that, 35 years ago, when I told Gough that, for fun, and if hed come, Id love to arrange lunch with him and Sir Garfield, he replied, breathily, Well, that would be all right, comrade, but youre going to need a very, very long table. TB: [Laughs] Thats Gough! Fitz: You also make clear that it was not as if Gough had not received plenty of warning of what was to come. TB: Yes. Its astonishing, Peter, to sit in the National Archives and read memo after memo sent to Gough in September, October, November 1975, where they say to him, There is a risk here of dismissal. Dont treat John Kerr with contempt. Dont call him my viceroy. Have a contingency plan. Think about how this crisis may be resolved. Gough didnt listen to the public service. He didnt listen to his staff. He didnt listen to his colleagues. Treasurer Bill Hayden saw John Kerr on November 6, 1975, and his coppers instinct told him something was wrong. He went to Whitlam and said, Im worried ... Kerrs thinking about sacking us. And Whitlam looked at Hayden and said, He wouldnt have the guts. Fitz: One of the stunning quotes you have in the book comes from Paul Keating, who said that if hed been in the same situation as Gough, I would have arrested Kerr. I would have said: You are abusing a kingly power that was never yours to abuse. So therefore youre seeking to illegally dismiss the government of Australia, which I regard as a criminal act, and Im ordering the police to arrest you. Wow! TB: Keating was not joking. He was deadly serious. Fitz: And yet, despite the drama of the day, I love the fact that youve gone into the fact that Norman Gunston himself aka the brilliant satirist, Garry McDonald stands beside Gough on the steps, with no security anywhere, flashes the V for Victory sign, and asks if the fact that Mr Frazier is now caretaker prime minister means he will also be responsible for mowing the Parliament House lawns? Gold! TB: The crowd laughs. They enjoy the joke. Garry told me that is something that speaks to the Australian character, our sense of humour, that at this moment of such great drama, we can allow ourselves to poke fun at it, to see a lighter side. Jenny Hocking fought for the release of correspondence between Queen Elizabeth and governor-general John Kerr (pictured inset) about the Dismissal. Credit: Fairfax Fitz: I also note you disagree with Professor Jenny Hockings contention in her own great book The Palace Letters that the Queen was complicit in the Dismissal because Hocking asserts she knew what Kerr was going to do but didnt stop it. TB: Yes, I do disagree. I dont think theres any evidence in the letters that the Queen or her staff encouraged the Dismissal, knew about his actual decision to dismiss the government in advance, or gave it a green light. Its also the view of leading scholars like Anne Twomey and George Williams. Its also the view of Keating, Hayden and Doug McClelland. And having talked to Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street staff, I am convinced that the Queen would not have had any involvement. It is not how she operated: liquidating prime ministers in her realms. There is no motive either. Fitz: But Hocking cites the letter from the Queens private secretary Sir Martin Charteris to Kerr dated October 2, 1975, as pivotal in revealing the British monarchys prior knowledge of Kerrs plans. She contends it shows that Kerr confided to Prince Charles that he was considering having to dismiss the government and that Charles relayed this to the Queen and Charteris. She describes this as collusion and deception and maintains it reveals a deliberate palace role in undermining Australian democracy. Loading TB: I disagree, Peter. Charteris replied that if Whitlam had Kerr recalled, then the Queen would follow her prime ministers advice. She would take Whitlams side. On November 4, Charteris gave three warnings to Kerr: that the reserve powers should only be used when there is no other option; the crisis was political not constitutional; and only use the powers in the last resort and not for political reasons. Thats hardly encouragement. Fitz: Can we agree, at least, that it was OUTRAGEOUS for Prince Charles to, afterwards, commend Kerr for what he did? TB: Yes, I was the person who discovered that letter in the archives. It is completely outrageous, and it breaches royal protocol. When I interviewed Sir William Heseltine, later the Queens private secretary, he said that Charles letter was sent without the Queens knowledge or approval. Charles risked the impartiality and standing of the monarchy in this country. It was the wrong thing to do, and he should be condemned for it. Fitz: I condemn. Youve done biographies of four Australian prime ministers. And youre up there with David Day as a prime ministerial authority across the span of our history. Would Gough take pride of place on your own Mount Rushmore of great Australian prime ministers? TB: No, Id probably put John Curtin at the top. [Fitz, interrupting: Hooray! Go on.] Weve never had a prime minister whos more popular than Curtin. Geoffrey Blainey told me that when Curtin was leaving his Melbourne hotel during WWII, people would stop in the street and clap because he had touched something in the hearts of Australians. Weve never had [another] prime minister like that. He stood up to Winston Churchill. He stood up to Franklin Roosevelt. He did lead the country at its most perilous moment, and he paid the ultimate sacrifice. Fitz: Whos next to Curtin on our Rushmore, for you? TB: You would have to put Bob Hawke up there, because the Hawke government really did transform the country economically, socially, environmentally, and he was also hugely popular and won four elections. And youd have to pay respect to John Howard because he is the second-longest serving prime minister. He also won four elections, so he seemed to get something right as well. Fitz: Wheres Gough? The Sydney father at the centre of an alleged murder plot outside his childrens daycare centre had allegedly fallen foul of his employers, a transnational crime syndicate based in Vietnam, in a dispute over hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Herald can reveal that the man who was to be killed by three alleged guns for hire, Huy Tran, was at odds with a group who call themselves The Final Crime Family, who believe he owed them $200,000. Tactical officers on The River Road after the Revesby arrests. Credit: Nine News Detectives had previously canvassed whether Trans loyalties were in question, or whether his employers believed he had stolen drugs. Organised crime squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux has said he believed it was highly likely that a syndicate allegedly run by Sydney-born man Daniel Rodney Badger was linked to the attempt on Trans life. The syndicate had allegedly ordered Tran be killed as he collected his small children and a note left atop his corpse in a calculated, cold-blooded murder that was to be livestreamed for crime bosses to watch. The trial also heard evidence that police were warned by the VFPMS not to seek the views of the babys treating doctor because they didnt have the expertise to comment. That doctor, intensive care physician James Tibballs, was not convinced by the abuse diagnosis. He also speaks on the podcast for the first time. Throughout my career I often came home and thought, Well, shit, thats wrong. What can we do about that? Nothing. Ive got 20 patients to look after tomorrow. Ill concentrate on them, Tibballs says. David told Diagnosing Murder that Oliver, at four weeks old, simply went limp in his arms one night in November 2017. Oliver was unconscious and not breathing for 42 minutes as the family, then paramedics, performed CPR on him. Such a long period not breathing can, in itself, cause catastrophic brain damage. Oliver died in the Royal Childrens Hospital a few days later. VFPMS doctors did not believe David and his partners account of events. One of their forensic doctors, Maryanne Lobo, came to suspect just hours after Oliver was admitted that he had been violently shaken. As the last person holding him, David was under suspicion. The Royal Childrens Hospital. Credit: Simon Schluter Lobos expert evidence formed the backbone of the prosecution case, but was heavily criticised by Davids defence lawyers. David did not give evidence but told the podcast: The first time we met that doctor, she came rushing into the room, didnt introduce herself, went straight over to Oliver. She began an examination, which took a couple of minutes then she turned and looked at me and said, You did something and Im going to prove it. Davids partner told the court that Lobo told us that You must have hit him you must have hit his head. Lobo denied this in the trial, insisting: I would never say such a thing. David said the diagnosis had cost him seven years of my life and my kids lives ... that I can never get back. And people keep forgetting that we lost our son. Lobos abuse diagnosis, backed by her boss, VFPMS deputy director Dr Jo Tully, was based on clinical signs known as the triad subdural bleeding, retinal haemorrhages and brain swelling which are together widely known as shaken baby syndrome. The diagnosis is the current medical orthodoxy, and held in good faith by doctors at the VFPMS and in hospitals around the world, but it is heavily contested internationally. Based on the diagnosis, the familys other child, who is autistic, was removed from them, and when a baby girl was born the following year, child protection was waiting at the maternity ward to remove her as well. The mother was ultimately allowed to keep the child as long as she did not live with David. Tibballs, a paediatric intensive care physician at Royal Childrens Hospital for 43 years, said he had been sceptical from the start that baby Oliver was a victim of abuse but said he had been shut out of discussions within his own hospital over the case. Dr Jo Tully, a forensic paediatrician from the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service, at a 2018 conference. Evidence at the trial showed VFPMS staff including a nurse and doctor had warned police that Tibballs was not sufficiently qualified to offer his opinion on the case. Tibballs told the podcast he had only learned about this during the case, adding he had been gobsmacked. It took police a number of years, and multiple requests from Davids defence team, to finally take a statement from Tibballs. He said once child abuse specialist doctors began to suspect someone of abuse, I almost have never seen suspicion converted to innocence. Once you get on that track, it leads in one direction and thats to the court. The trial also revealed that Olivers mother, who we are not naming for privacy reasons, told the court she had signed a VFPMS consent form that allowed forensic doctors to examine her son and prepare a report for police and child protection. Professor Stephen Cordner said most people would think a doctor was acting in their interests. The mother told the court her mind was all over the place at the time, and shed signed the form thinking it was for further treatment. I thought anything that might help him [Oliver] get better, I would do it We were happy to sign. Loading The VFPMS consent form says parents do not have to sign it, but it appears they are not explicitly warned that they have a right to silence, or to legal representation. The Royal Childrens Hospital said in a statement: Consent for a VFPMS procedure involves a transparent discussion with parents about what the procedure entails and how information might be used. Retired forensic pathologist Stephen Cordner asked: Do [parents] really know the basis upon which theyre talking to the forensic doctor? Most people would think a doctor is acting in their interests, not inquiring with perhaps a suspicious mindset. Cordner, a former long-time head of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, has called for an inquiry in Australia into the science behind shaken baby syndrome. He also told this masthead he thinks forensic medical decisions relied on by police to charge a carer should be made independently of the Royal Childrens Hospital. Loading He said forensic doctors did not see it as their job to look after the interests of the parent or carer because their priority was the child. This could lead to children being wrongly removed, or criminal charges against parents. Cordner said this was tiger country, medically and ethically. Forensic decisions, including evidence prepared for courts, should be made independently of the hospital, he said. The courts might prefer a report written by doctors who are independent from the hospital and so, structurally, more able to be impartial, Cordner said. An impartial report is going to be more valuable from the point of view of police and the courts. A desperate VCE student who smuggled a laptop under their clothes and stashed it in a toilet is one of 87 caught cheating during the 2024 VCE exams. The student admitted using the laptop in breach of exam rules and had marks deducted as a result, according to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) Another student took blank paper into their exam to write notes, but this isnt allowed under VCE exam rules. As many as 87 students were caught cheating at last years VCE exams. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer The blank paper was uncovered as the student was leaving the exam, and they were reprimanded for their conduct, but no marks were deducted. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A CFMEU insider turned whistleblower has alleged the union forced him to cover up a crime and stymie a police investigation in return for a job on major public infrastructure projects. Charles Farrugia, a former CFMEU representative on the Allan governments signature Big Build program, has made a series of damning claims about corruption and intimidation within the union, alleging state- and federal-funded jobs have been abused and traded by the union with impunity. He also claimed the current leadership of the CFMEU has failed to adequately combat the cover-up and nepotistic culture within the unions most powerful branch, Victoria behaviour which the Albanese government pledged to stamp out 15 months ago when it appointed administrator Mark Irving, KC, to run the union. Charles and Helena Farrugia claim they were attacked at home in front of their children. Credit: Alex Coppel The damaging claims come with the CFMEU administration in the midst of a crisis, having been forced to sack an influential Victorian CFMEU boss it promoted in July after this masthead and 60 Minutes uncovered his involvement in suspected serious bribery and corruption. In NSW, it can also be revealed that the administration has sacked a newly appointed organiser after this masthead uncovered his involvement in an assault late last year. The Albanese government now faces growing questions about whether its CFMEU clean-up is working, with the opposition slamming it as a failure and criticism from crossbenchers and unionists. Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has defended the administration while claiming inaccurately it had uncovered the conduct that led to the sacking of Victorian union boss John Perkovic and the NSW organiser when it was, in fact, unearthed by this masthead and 60 Minutes. Advertisement Farrugias allegations open a fresh front in the rolling Building Bad scandal which plunged the union into administration last August. He makes new claims that the ousted pre-administration union regime in Victoria engaged in serious corruption and what could amount to the offence of perverting the course of justice. Farrugia also attacked Irvings administration for inaction, saying it had empowered select union wrongdoers and allowed exiled union boss John Setka to maintain influence in the CFMEUs most powerful Victorian faction. Farrugia was appointed by the CFMEU as one of dozens of union delegates on the Big Build in June 2022, having volunteered in union headquarters for months after an injury cut short his 15-year steel-fixing career. But his path to union whistleblower began on a much smaller building site: his own. In 2023, his neighbour, a boxer called Lee Bozic, complained about building works in Farrugias backyard. CFMEU delegate Lee Bozic doing a chin up with former union boss John Setka (right). Credit: Facebook In late December, amid rising tensions, Farrugia alleges Bozic stormed onto Farrugias property, attacking him with multiple blows to his face and body as Farrugias two young daughters, aged four and six, watched screaming. Advertisement Next, Farrugias wife Helena was allegedly confronted by Bozic, who declined to respond to questions about the allegations when he was called by this masthead last week. I see Lee attacking him [Charles]. He was throwing punches at him, kicking him, Helena alleged. Then Lee approached me. He went down to my eye level, he grabbed me and said, Youre f---ing next and pushed me to the floor. My little one had wet her pants. She was screaming and crying. She was absolutely petrified. Absolutely terrified. Both of them were. At the time, my youngest was four-and-a-half years old. So, to see her mummy and daddy being bashed in their own backyard, what are you going to do? Farrugia responded with an ugly crime. His father, 76, and his two brothers had arrived shortly after the attack to do landscaping. Instead, they sought revenge, with the four Farrugia men brutally attacking Bozic on his property. Farrugias attack was caught on CCTV. Credit: The Age Im not proud of it, and I probably could have gone a different way about it, Farrugia said when pressed about why he chose to break the law rather than go to the police. Advertisement But at the time, the emotions were high, and I knew that he was not going to stop. Farrugia knew something else. Bozic was, like him, a union delegate, albeit with much greater influence: he was a key member of the so-called Croatian faction. The faction is a powerful grouping which, at the time, was headed by union secretary John Setka and the now-sacked CFMEU leader John Perkovic. Loading The faction still commands the loyalty of an estimated 120 union delegates. According to Farrugia, after the attack he was summoned to a cafe to meet two of Setkas union subordinates and given an order: If he wanted to keep working on Labor government projects, Farrugia had to agree to stymie the police investigation into the initial alleged bashing and assaults by Bozic that provoked Farrugias revenge attack. The alleged demand, if proven, would involve the serious crime of perverting the course of justice. The union subordinates party to the deal could not be reached for comment and this masthead is not naming them for legal reasons. Advertisement There is no suggestion that Setka, Perkovic or Bozic knew of or directed this allegedly corrupt deal, although it is not the first time the union has been accused of suppressing a violent crime. The bashing in 2020 of two union officials by Albanian developers was also improperly suppressed by the CFMEU, according to a report released last year by administration investigator Geoffrey Watson, SC. CFMEU delegate Lee Bozic (left). Credit: Facebook Desperate for work, Farrugia accepted in return for a job on another Allan government Big Build project. I had to shut my mouth, keep quiet, and not tell anyone, and if the police were to get involved to make no comment, he said. Court records confirm that Farrugia refused to assist police, instead pleading guilty in the Victorian Magistrates Court, where he was issued a good behaviour bond and non-conviction. His brothers also pleaded guilty and received the same sentence. Farrugia claims that after agreeing to stay silent he was given a job, but before long was double-crossed by still serving union insiders aligned with the Croatian faction, who implemented an unofficial ban on Farrugia from Big Build projects. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It started with a bang explosive testimony from the man who admitted to pulling the trigger in one of the most brazen underworld killings in Perths recent history. Then, after hearing that many in WAs underworld wanted Nick Martin dead, the trial was over. David Pye, the man who is accused of paying $150,000 for the hit, is still awaiting his fate as the Supreme Court judge charged with deciding it has taken some time to consider the evidence that was put before him during the six-day trial. A court sketch of bikie David Pye, who is accused of paying a former soldier to shoot Martin. Credit: Anne Barnetson That evidence consisted mostly of the testimony of a 39-year-old man whose identity is top secret, after he admitted to shooting Martin dead with a high-powered long-range rifle from precisely 365 metres away at Kwinana Motorplex in December 2020. Hes now serving a 20-year sentence for the murder, a reduced stretch in return for testifying against Pye, after he claimed he was paid by the bikie to do the job. Pye says he is a compulsive and pathological liar, and that he had nothing to do with it. The only evidence against him is the word of a convicted murderer. Advertisement But while the former soldier sat behind a protective wall of glass last week, and brazenly explained to the court how he carried out reconnaissance on Martin before shooting him dead in front of his friends and family, the trial became more than just a question of guilt or innocence. It also offered an alarming but fascinating look into the gritty world of organised crime. Through his evidence, we heard how Pye and Martin were once friends and allies, both members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang. But Pye defected to the Comancheros, igniting a violent rivalry. Murder accused man David Pye walking out of court in 2013 in front of his former ally and alleged victim, Nick Martin. Credit: 9 News Perth The court heard Martin allegedly wanted Pye dead, going so far as to tattoo a bullet with Pyes name on his back. In an escalating cycle of revenge, Pye allegedly reciprocated, wanting Martin deada desire apparently shared by many others. But it was an online conversation between Pye and the secret soldier in 2019, the beginnings of an allegedly deadly friendship, that prosecutors say put that plan into motion. Pye, it seemed, was fascinated with the sniper who at the time was working as a mercenary in Iraq. He wanted to know more about the charity he was volunteering for, Shadows of Hope, so he messaged him on Instagram and the two struck up an unlikely friendship. Advertisement Months later when the soldier was back in Perth, he needed some drugs which he believed would help his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and so reached out to the dodgiest person I knew. At the time, Pye was on house arrest after he was charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend. The soldier told the court he went to his house to collect the drugs but instead, allegedly found himself being asked by Pye if he would kill and dispose of the woman. [Pye] said, The reason Im on house arrest is because of my ex-girlfriend, shes a lying bitch Ive found out where she is ... Ill give you $380,000 to kill her and dispose of her body, the sniper told the court last week. Nick Martin was killed by a sniper at the Perth Motorplex in December. Credit: WAtoday The soldier said he turned down the request, citing a moral issue he had with killing innocent women. Pye denies ever asking the man to kill his ex, but was later allegedly heard during a secretly recorded conversation ranting about how he would murder her and her entire family if she did not drop the charges. Days after the soldier allegedly turned down the job, he says he was asked by Pye to kill Martin instead. Advertisement He basically wanted to blow holes in him with a .357 [pistol], the former solider claimed. He agreed to look into it, the sniper said, considering the job for the paltry sum of $150,000. For weeks, he claims, he tailed Martin as he came and went from his house, trying to find a pattern of behaviour that would enable him to set up and carry out the kill. The man convicted of Nick Martins murder was a former soldier. Credit: Nine News Perth He bought a drone, the court was told, and flew it over his house to assess his security set up. But he later decided the best place to murder the 51-year-old was in front of 2000 people, in the dark, from 365 metres away. He sat among some bushes, he said, on the far side of the Kwinana Motorplex on December 12, 2020, and watched Martin through the lens of his rifle. He turned off his phone, he said, and then took the shot, firing one single bullet through his chest as he sat next to his wife, Amanda, his step-daughter Stacey and a bunch of horrified friends and onlookers. Advertisement The bullet exited Martins back, brushing past the leg of his step-daughters boyfriend, Ricky Chapman, before embedding itself in his arm. The then 31-year-old survived the shot but died 16 months later from an unrelated medical episode. Through a typed statement he gave to police before his death, Chapman recalled watching Martin getting CPR as the crowd scrambled to try and work out what had happened. On the other side of the track, the sniper calmly packed up his rifle and headed back to his car before driving to the beach and disposing of his clothes and shoes in a public bin. Ricky Chapman in hospital following the shooting at Perth Motorplex. Credit: Nine News News of Martins dramatic death had already started to spread. When he turned on his phone, he says he received a text message from Pye that contained two coffin emojis and a hand clap. Was there two? the soldier says he responded. Advertisement Giuffres memoir Nobodys Girl, published posthumously this week, incinerates whatever was left of Andrews reputation. His denials were already thin, and they got thinner when he gave his now-notorious Newsnight interview in 2019. Recently he was exposed in a lie he apparently told during that interview about when he cut off contact with Epstein an email was leaked in which Andrew expressed solidarity with his paedophile friend and said he hoped they could play some more soon. The denials get even thinner still when set against the detail of Giuffres memoir. Truth is in detail, and there is plenty of detail in Giuffres book. The New York Times reviewer called it the saddest story Ive read in years. Virginia Giuffre in 2022, with a photo of herself as a teenager. Credit: Miami Herald via Getty Images The British public mostly love their monarchy, but there has always been an ebb-and-flow between reverence for the royals and resentment of them. Andrews alleged sexual misdemeanours are only one genre of his disgrace he has also been deemed a possible security risk, thanks to the ways he leveraged his job as trade envoy for the United Kingdom to apparently enrich himself, meeting with shady oil sheikhs and even a probable Chinese spy. According to Lownies book, a Foreign Office employee asked to procure women for Andrew during the princes dubious trade envoy stint, objected that he was a diplomat, not a pimp. Acclaimed British historian A. N. Wilson, a monarchist, said the contents of Entitled are the stuff of which revolutions are made. It made me feel I wanted a republic, that book, Wilson said this week. Where are the consequences? This week Andrew continued his denials of wrongdoing, even as he announced he had decided, in consultation with the King, that he will no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me (conferred, of course, by his mummy, the Queen). Loading It sounded grand, as though it was a major concession. But all it meant was he would no longer call himself the Duke of York which also affects his ex-wife, who has shamelessly monetised her duchess title in numerous and shockingly greedy ways also detailed in Lownies book. Does a dukedom even exist if the title cannot be used? Its a question for philosophers, but there is no question that the former (dormant?) duke still enjoys great material comfort and wealth as a result of his birth. The British parliament usually maintains a deferential silence on the various intersections between the royal family and the state notably, how much the royals cost the taxpayer. But this week there were efforts led by one ex-Labour MP, and fuelled by public outrage, to officially strip Andrew of his dukedom, something that can be done only through legislation. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for a select committee inquiry into the deal that allows Andrew to live rent-free in a 31-room manor on the grounds of the Windsor Estate, with live-in staff. For contrast, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, are soon to move to a small(er) eight-room home with no live-in staff. The chairman of the British parliaments influential public accounts committee, Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, has said he will formally ask the Crown Estate and the Starmer government to provide further information on the lease arrangements for Royal Lodge. Prince Andrew lives at the Royal Lodge, a 30 room mini-mansion near Windsor Castle. The prince paid 1 million to lease Royal Lodge for 75 years, as well as stumping up 7.5 million to refurbish it. The government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is so far resisting calls to allow time in the parliamentary schedule to debate Andrews titles and financial affairs. It is a confounding move. It is difficult to see why the Labour government is providing any kind of political cover for Andrew, or the Crown. A YouGov poll conducted in August showed that 67 per cent of British voters backed removing Andrews titles, and that was before the most recent outrages were made public. The British Social Attitudes survey published in September showed that public support for the monarchy was at its lowest since the survey began 40 years ago. Calls for its abolition have started to rise. For many Britons and indeed, for many Australians, the thought of England without the royal family is unthinkable, and even sad. But if the price is putting up with Prince Andrew, not to mention literally putting him up, it might be deemed too steep. World events of the past decade have taught us that no institution is untouchable, and nothing established can be taken for granted. King Charles, a student of history, has sniffed the wind and realises he needs to evict his brother. Negotiations are under way, it has been reported, but Andrew is reluctant to move. One suggestion is that Andrew could live in the modest Frogmore Cottage, which his nephew Prince Harry and his bride, Meghan Markle, deemed too small when they were given it to live in as newlyweds. There would be an elegant symmetry to that. Paris: It was shortly after the stunning heist of the crown jewels at the Louvre when photographer Thibault Camus caught in his frame a dapperly dressed young man walking by uniformed French police officers, their car blocking one of the museum gates. Instinctively, he took the shot. Thibault Camus photographed the dapper man shortly after the Louvre jewel heist. The image whipped up online speculation as to the mans identity and even his existence. Credit: AP It wasnt a particularly great photo, with someones shoulder obscuring part of the foreground, the Paris-based AP photographer told himself. But it did the job showing French police sealing off the worlds most-visited museum after the brazen daylight robbery last Sunday. Washington: US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on his forgiveness of Australian ambassador Kevin Rudd, saying he doesnt forget criticism of him, while promising to appoint his own ambassador to Australia once he finds someone Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will like. Rudd was dressed down by Trump during Albaneses meeting with the US president this week, after a reporter asked Trump about old comments Rudd made before he was ambassador describing Trump as a traitor to the West and the most destructive president in history. US President Donald Trump answered questions from this masthead as he left the White House for Asia on Friday night. Credit: AP Trump indicated he was not familiar with Rudd or the remarks. You said bad? he asked Rudd. Before I took this job, Mr President, Rudd replied. Trump then said: I dont like you either. And I probably never will. It was not entirely clear whether the president was being serious. But Albanese said that later, as the cameras were leaving the room, Trump remarked that Rudd seemed like a good guy and told him all is forgiven. Toyota Alabama Starts Differential Production Smooth Move: Toyota Alabama Starts Differential Production - Toyota USA Newsroom Melissa Faulner Part of previously announced $282 million investment and 350 new jobs HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Oct. 15, 2025) Toyota Alabama started assembly of three cutting-edge differentials, engineered to elevate Toyotas legendary trucks, the Tacoma and Tundra, and the Toyota Sequoia. The new production lines and additional 350 high-quality American jobs are the result of a $282 million investment announced in 2024 and Toyotas commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations. These new product lines highlight Toyota Alabamas flexibility and reinforce the companys commitment to our team and the Huntsville community, said Marc Perry, Toyota Alabama president. Toyota Alabama team members dedicated themselves to mastering the new processes and techniques needed for these products, and they are fully prepared to tackle the exciting challenge of machining and assembling differentials. A differential enables the wheels on the same axle to rotate at varying speeds. This helps ensure smooth, safer handling by allowing the outer wheel to travel a longer distance than the inner wheel when navigating a turn. Theres a real energy that comes with being part of new product lines at the plant, said Alex Potter, a Toyota Alabama team member of nearly two years. Our plant is known as an engine powerhouse, and we are confident our proven success will carry over to assembling these new differentials. In addition to differentials, Toyota Alabama supplies engines for seven of the nine Toyota vehicles assembled in North America, accounting for nearly half of all engines assembled in the region. Innovation, collaboration and community are the hallmarks of Huntsvilles growth, and Toyota has embodied those values for nearly a quarter-century, said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. This $282 million investment and the 350 good-paying jobs it created are fueling our economy and strengthening our workforce, ensuring Toyota remains at the forefront of industry innovation. In 2024, the plants dedicated team members assembled more than 895,000 engines. With the addition of the three differential products, the companys total investment in Toyota Alabama is more than $1.7 billion. Beyond the plant, Toyota is deeply committed to supporting the Huntsville community. The company recently announced up to $4.2 million in grants to Huntsville City Schools as a part of Driving Possibilities, an initiative aimed at expanding access to quality STEM education and career pathways. The grants build on a $6.7 million commitment in 2023, bringing the total Driving Possibilities investment in Huntsville to nearly $11 million. Driving Possibilities is an initiative of the Toyota USA Foundation, funded in part by Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services. Absconding criminal involved in murder nabbed Staff Reporter : Madhotal police succeeded in apprehending an absconding criminal involved in murder and carrying the reward of Rs 5,000. The arrested has been identified as Fulwar Bhatt (54), resident of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Madhotal. SHO of Madhotal Police Station Nilesh Dohre, informed that on October 5, 2025, police received information from Medical College Hospital regarding an injured person brought for treatment. Upon reaching the hospital, police recorded the statement of Dev Vanshkar (16), a resident of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Lane No. 5, who informed that his father Ishwar Prasad Vanshkar (39) and some locals were heading towards Hanumantal. When they reached near Shibbu Seths stall, Ishwar Prasad went into a nearby lane to buy gutkha. There, Fulwar Bhatt, Arun Bhatt, Arun Jain, Raj Bhatt and Shivam Chakravarti were standing and suddenly started assaulting him with swords, pipes and fists without any provocation. Ishwar Prasad collapsed on the spot. When Dev Vanshkar, along with Prince Rajak, Ajay Choudhary and others tried to intervene, the attackers assaulted them as well, using sticks and fists. As a crowd gathered, the accused escaped from the spot. Ishwar Prasad was rushed to Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. A case was registered under Sections 103(1), 191(2), 191(3) of BNS and Sections 3(2)(v), 3(2)(v)(a) of the SC/ST Act. Four of the accused Arun Bhatt, Arun Jain, Raj Bhatt and Shivam Chakravarti were arrested earlier and sent to judicial custody. However, Fulwar Bhatt, one of the key accused, had been absconding since the incident. To apprehend him, Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay (IPS) announced a cash reward of Rs 5,000 for information leading to his arrest. During the search operation, police received a tip-off that Fulwar Bhatt was standing near Paton Bypass and planning to escape. Acting promptly, police raided the spot and apprehended Fulwar Bhatt taking him into custody. The successful arrest was carried out under the leadership of CSP BS Gothariya by police team comprised of SI, Ganpat Marskole, Head Constable Tarun and Constables Sachin Mehra, Nikesh, Sandeep, Dileep, Vivek Tiwari and Ratan Uike. Bird hits Air India plane shortly after take-off Staff Reporter : Emergency landing at Ngp Airport averts potential mishap An Air India plane narrowly escaped a mishap on Friday. Shortly after takeoff, the plane, travelling from Nagpur to Delhi, was struck by a bird. The pilot noticed vibrations in the planes engine and decided to turn around and make an emergency landing in Nagpur. The jolt frightened all passengers. There were 170 passengers on board. No injuries were reported. Passengers remained seated on the plane after landing. On Friday, Air India Nagpur-Delhi flight number 466 took off at 6:38 pm. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot noticed the planes engine vibrating. The pilot suspected a bird had struck the plane. The pilot decided to return the plane to Nagpur Airport and contacted ATC. The plane traveled in air for sometime and landed. Immediately after landing, engineers began inspecting the plane. During this time, the passengers remained seated on the plane for about an hour. Ticket amount refunded to passengers According to sources, when the distressed passengers expressed their anger while on board, they were disembarked. Instead of arranging for another flight, the airline refunded full ticket amount to the passengers. When contacted regarding the incident at the airport, MIL officials stated that the flight from Nagpur to Delhi had returned due to technical reasons. Diwali festivities are currently underway, and firecrackers are being burst everywhere. Therefore, the likelihood of birds flying over the airport and surrounding areas is very low. However, sources say there must be a technical reason behind the vibrations felt in the engine. Carbide gun tragedy: Deputy CM Shukla visits Hamidia Hospital Staff Reporter : The aftermath of the Diwali tragedy involving carbide guns has drawn sharp attention from both the Government and Opposition leaders, as dozens of children and youth were injured across Madhya Pradesh. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla visited Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal to meet the victims and review their treatment. He was briefed by doctors that out of the 37 injured admitted, 32 have been discharged while five remain under medical care. Shukla assured that all patients are receiving the best possible treatment and instructed hospital staff to maintain strict vigilance and avoid any negligence. He emphasised that a thorough investigation is underway into illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage, and promised that those found guilty will face strict legal action. Senior officials including Dr Kavita Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College, and Dr Sunit Tandon, Superintendent of Hamidia Hospital, were present during the visit. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar also visited the hospital and met with the injured children. He expressed deep concern over the widespread injuries caused by the Rs 200 carbide guns, which reportedly led to the loss of eyesight in 292 individuals across 11 districts. Singhar criticised the government for failing to enforce its own ban on the sale of such hazardous items, calling the incident not just a tragedy but a governmental crime. He questioned why, despite prior orders from the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to halt sales, no preventive action was taken. Singhar condemned the repeated lapses in ensuring childrens safety during festive seasons and accused the ruling BJP government of failing both in protecting citizens and in implementing its directives. As the state reels from th e consequences of this incident, public pressure mounts for accountability and stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future. Cracker gun ban tightens: District admin to serve notices to e-commerce platforms Staff Reporter : In the wake of over 150 children suffering eye injuries, many of them serious, due to the use of carbide-based cracker guns during Diwali celebrations, the district administration is taking decisive action to curb their sale and distribution. Following a formal ban under Section 163, authorities have directed police to crack down on the sale, manufacturing, and storage of these hazardous items. Sources within the administration have confirmed that e-commerce platforms selling cracker guns will soon receive official notices. These platforms have been found to be offering the banned items despite the prohibition, prompting the administration to initiate legal steps to enforce compliance. The crackdown comes after a surge in hospital admissions, particularly at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, where dozens of children were treated for eye injuries caused by cracker guns. The incident has sparked public outrage and led to demands for stricter enforcement and accountability. Officials have instructed law enforcement agencies to monitor both offline and online sales channels. Police teams have been mobilized to identify local vendors and warehouses storing these guns, while cyber cells are tracking digital listings on popular e-commerce sites. The administration has also appealed to the public to refrain from purchasing or using cracker guns and to report any violations. With Diwali festivities still underway till devuthni gyaras, authorities are trying to ensure that no further harm is caused by these dangerous devices. Doctor ends life withsuicide note on palm, claims cop raped her SATARA : A WOMAN doctor working at a Government hospital in Maharashtras Satara district has committed suicide, leaving a note on her palm, accusing a Police Sub-Inspector of rape and mental harassment besides naming a techie, police said on Friday. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi and ordered the suspension of the Sub-Inspector named in the suicide note. The 28-year-old doctor, who hailed from Beed district and worked at the hospital in Phaltan tehsil, was found hanging in a hotel room at Phaltan late on Thursday night, an official said. In the suicide note written on her palm, the doctor alleged that she had been raped and mentally harassed by the Police Sub-Inspector and another person over the last five months. She wrote that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badane raped and sexually harassed her on multiple occasions, while another man Prashant Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her. Both have been booked under charges of rape and abetment of suicide, police said. The note read, Badne raped me four times. He subjected me to rape, mental and physical abuse for more than five months. Talking to reporters, SP Doshi said a case of rape and abetment of suicide has been lodged against two people, including a Sub-Inspector, at the Phaltan city police station, and two teams have been formed to trace and nab the duo. The doctor had submitted a complaint to the SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) of Phaltan against some police officers. Police had separately filed a complaint against her with the hospital administration, he said without providing further details. The deceased booked a room in a hotel in Phaltan. However, she didnt respond when hotel staff knocked on the rooms door and rang the bell. The staff grew suspicious and opened the door with an alternative key and found her hanging. We have formed two teams to trace the accused, the SP said. The doctors body has been sent for post-mortem and police are investigating the allegations mentioned in the suicide note on the victims palm, Doshi stated. Sunil Phulari, Inspector-General of Police (Kolhapur division), said, We are investigating the matter on the basis of evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended. A relative of the doctor claimed that she was under pressure to change a post-mortem report and also to modify medical test reports of arrested accused, who were brought to the hospital where she worked, in some cases. The woman doctor had called one of the accused, Bankar -- who works in Pune -- before ending her life, and the two had also exchanged text messages, police said. She lived as a tenant in a flat owned by Bankars father, a senior police official told PTI. While the Opposition targeted the MahaYuti Government over the doctors suicide, State Ministers said police will carry out an impartial and detailed investigation. Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe said the doctors suicide was a matter of concern. This is a serious issue. I have written to CM Fadnavis, seeking stringent action against those involved, Gorhe said. Environment Minister Shambhuraj Desai, who hails from Satara district, has assured that there will be an impartial probe into the case, Gorhe stated. Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar said she spoke to the Satara civil surgeon and was informed that the doctor had never complained about facing any sort of harassment. Describing the physicians suicide as a grave incident, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said it highlights the breakdown of law and order situation in the State. Fashionistas Fashionavya Pop Up and Foodpreneurs exhibition open today Business Reporter : THE spectacular Fashionavya Pop-up inaugural event and Foodpreneurs 2nd Edition exhibition, curated by the esteemed Fashionista Group of Exhibitions, since 2008, will be launching at Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur on October 25 and 26, 2025. The event will take place from 11 am to 9 pm, offering attendees an extensive timeframe to explore the diverse range of fashion and lifestyle offerings. Fashionavya, the one-stop solution for all fashion needs, is all set to leave its mark once again on Nagpur, offering attendees an unmissable opportunity to revamp their wardrobes with the latest trends and styles. More than 45 designers from prominent cities nationwide, including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, and others will come together to showcase their creativity. In addition, Foodpreneurs 2nd Edition gets notable gourmet and specialty food brands both in general as well as in organic segment. Brands like Madrasi Snacks Roasted N Healthy, The Dough Tales, Basically Pure, Luxury Basket, Organic Eggs, MB Evergreens and many more are showcasing their edible products. From 0001 to 9999 Special numbers drive Rs 6.84 cr windfall for RTO Staff Reporter : Nagpurs motorists are proving that style and superstition are as powerful as horsepower. Since start of the year, the citys vehicle owners have collectively spent an astonishing Rs 6.84 crore to secure special or auspicious registration numbers for their new vehicles, transforming vanity into a major source of revenue for the Regional Transport Office (RTO). For many, a vehicles registration number is more than just a formality; its a statement of identity, prestige, and luck. The most coveted number, 0001, commands a staggering Rs 6 lakh for cars and Rs 1 lakh for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Interestingly, the East Nagpur RTO has already sold this number across all categories, while the City RTO still awaits its first taker. The trend gained further prominence after September 1, 2024, when the State Government doubled the fees for special registration numbers. The once Rs 4 lakh price tag for 0001 rose to Rs 6 lakh in larger districts, while other popular numbers such as 9999 and 5555 now cost Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. Even mid-range combinations like 0007 and 2424 saw substantial hikes, rising to Rs 70,000 and Rs 25,000 each. The results have been remarkable. Between January 1 and October 13, 2025, the City RTO generated Rs 3.17 crore and the East Nagpur RTO Rs 3.66 crore from fancy-number sales, together contributing a significant boost to State Transport revenues. This enthusiasm reflects a wider national phenomenon where numerology, aesthetics, and personal branding increasingly influence vehicle owners choices. The advent of the online reservation system has only accelerated this demand. Vehicle owners no longer need to visit the RTO in person; they can now browse available numbers and reserve their preferred ones from the comfort of their homes. Transport officials view this as a welcome development, combining convenience with fiscal gain. Fancy numbers have become a dependable and growing revenue stream, remarked one senior RTO official. As citys roads continue to fill with gleaming new vehicles bearing distinctive plates, one thing is clear, for many motorists, the right number isnt just about registration; its about reputation, recognition, and a touch of good fortune. Govt declares holiday on Rajyotsav Staff Reporter : RAIPUR : The State Government has declared holiday for all educational institutions of State on the occasion of State Foundation Day, on November 1. In this regard, General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Chhattisgarh has issued an order on Friday. According to the order, all educational institutions of State will remain closed on This order will be not effective for banks, treasuries, sub treasuries and other financial institutions. All the government officers are already closed due to Saturday, on November 1. Late Urmiladevi Rameshchandra Agrawal donates eyes Business Reporter : A TRULY inspiring act symbolising compassion and social responsibility Late Urmiladevi Rameshchandra Agrawal, Co-founder of R C Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd, has donated her eyes posthumously. Through this noble gesture, not only did two people receive the gift of vision, but a strong message was also reinforced in society Donation is the truest form of service. R C Plasto Group has always upheld its sense of social responsibility by remaining connected with society through various initiatives. The company has consistently taken initiatives in areas such as cleanliness, education, environmental protection, water conservation, cowshed preservation, and public health awareness. R C Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd is one of Indias leading companies, manufacturing high-quality water tanks, pipes, and household plastic products. Quality, trust, and social service are the core values that form the foundation of every endeavor of the company. Throughout her life, Late Urmiladevi Agrawal upheld the values of humanity and compassion in both family and business. Her decision to donate her eyes gave a beautiful and inspiring completion to her lifes journey. Her act of kindness will remain an enduring source of inspiration not just for the R C Plasto Group, but for the entire society. Man stabs elder brother, wife to death over ancestral property Staff Reporter : Sensation prevailed in Waldi Kori Ki Dafai area when a man brutally killed his elder brother and his wife by stabbing them with a knife over the dispute of ancestral property under the jurisdiction of Ghamapur police station, on Friday. According to SHO of Ghamapur Police Station Pratiksha Marko, learning about a stabbing incident in Waldi Kori Ki Dafai area, police reached the spot and rushed the two injured at District Hospital where they were declared brought dead. Police sent the bodies for post-mortem after conducting Panchnama at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital. In further investigation, police learnt that the deceased Sanjay Choudhary had an old dispute on distribution of ancestral property with his younger brother Bablu Choudhary. Their late grandfather Ramlal Chaudhary also owned a piece of land behind their house, where Sanjay had constructed a building. Bablu, claimed a share of his grandfathers land. This issue had led to a conflict that had been ongoing for nearly a month, with several altercations between the brothers. Despite attempts by neighbours to mediate, the dispute remained unresolved. On the day of the incident, Bablu arrived at Sanjays house carrying a knife. After exchanging heated words, he called Sanjay out of the house. Once outside, Bablu attacked his brother with the knife, seriously injuring him. Bablu then entered the house and repeatedly stabbed Babita, his sister-in-law. After the brutal killings, Bablu managed to escape from the spot. SHO, Pratiksha Marko mentioned that Sanjay Chaudhary was a snack vendor while accused Bablu Chaudhary worked as a labourer. Police have obtained the CCTV footages of entire incident and started search for the accused. PM Modi launches Bihar poll campaign Predicts record-breaking win for NDA SAMASTIPUR : BEGUSARAI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday blazed through poll-bound Bihar with back-to-back rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts, calling upon voters to keep at bay the Opposition RJD-Congress combine led by people out on bail and predicting a record-breaking victory for the NDA. The PM also drew a contrast between a fractious INDIA bloc and the cohesive BJP-led coalition, which included Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party and Hindustani Awam Morcha headed by Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, respectively, besides Rashtriya Lok Morcha headed by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha. All the alliance partners were present at the PMs rally in Samastipur, where he also took exception to stealing of the epithet Jan Nayak (peoples hero), of late used for Rahul Gandhi by Congress workers, even though it was largely associated with Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, whose native village he visited before addressing the rally. The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results set to be announced on November 14. Reaching out to young voters, Modi said, It was in October 2005 that your parents had brought jungle raj (rule of RJD-Congress) to an end. Exactly 20 years later, you have a big responsibility on your shoulders, to facilitate prosperity (samriddhi) by voting in favour of good governance (sushasan). Modi underscored the fact that the NDA was fighting the Assembly polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, in an apparent rebuttal of the Opposition charge that after the elections, the BJP was planning to replace the 75-year-old JD(U) President, who is seeking a record fifth consecutive term in office. The PM also highlighted that the BJP has been able to retain power in States like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, as also Maharashtra, where it was heading a coalition Government, and hoped the NDA will break all previous records in the Bihar polls. The Prime Minister took a swipe at the INDIA bloc, calling it a Mahalathbandhan (grand alliance where partners beat each other with sticks), a wordplay on Mahagath-bandhan. He also alleged that leaders of the RJD and the Congress, the two largest constituents of the INDIA bloc, were most corrupt and out on bail, and, despite having been out of power for decades, they were arrogant enough to snub alliance partners like JMM, and take for a ride the Vikassheel Insaan Party, which did not get a favourable share of seats but its founder Mukesh Sahni has been promised the deputy CMs post. Teachers e-attendance dispute reaches MP HC Legal Correspondent : E-attendance has been made mandatory for teachers in Government schools in Madhya Pradesh. Teachers posted in various districts of the State have filed a petition in the High Court regarding the problems faced by the teachers. A single bench of Justice MS Bhatti has directed the petitioning teachers and the government to submit affidavits. The next hearing on the matter will be held on October 30th. Mukesh Singh Varkade, a resident of Jabalpur, and 27 other teachers from various districts of the state have filed a petition challenging e-attendance. Advocate Anshuman Singh, representing the petitioners, argued that teachers are facing numerous problems in recording attendance through the Humare Shikshak App designed for e-attendance. Many teachers do not have good smartphones. There are also problems with purchasing a monthly data pack, keeping the mobile battery charged daily, and lack of network connectivity in the school. The app also faces server issues and face matching issues. Higher officials are forcing teachers to use e-attendance by threatening to withhold their salaries. It was demanded that attendance be recorded either through biometric machines or in the employee register as before. The High Court directed all petitioners to file personal affidavits stating whether they had attempted to mark their attendance through the Our Teachers App. If so, were they unable to do so due to lack of network connectivity? The government stated that 73 percent of teachers in the state are marking their attendance through the app. The court directed the government to submit records and documents in this regard. The court also asked the government to provide data on the schools where the petitioners are currently posted and on the e-attendance being recorded by other employees in those schools. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, voted on Friday to designate Oct 25 as a new statutory national commemoration day. The decision to establish the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is of profound historical, political and emotional significance. It reaffirms the irrefutable fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China: an undeniable truth enshrined in history, international law and the collective memory of the Chinese nation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule of the island and its restoration to China, following Japan's surrender at the end of World War II. That is why the Chinese mainland held a series of commemorative events on Tuesday to mark the occasion, reaffirming the nation's shared historical memory and honoring those who gave their lives for the country. The commemoration was not only a tribute to history but also a reaffirmation of China's commitment to peaceful reunification and national rejuvenation. That Taiwan's return to China was a direct outcome of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War is clearly recorded in legally binding international documents, including the Cairo Declaration (1943), the Potsdam Proclamation (1945), and Japan's Instrument of Surrender (1945). Moreover, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, makes it clear that there is but one China in the world and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of the whole of China, including the Taiwan region. Together, these documents constitute irrefutable evidence that Taiwan's status as part of China has long been settled. It is therefore revealing that the secessionist-minded Lai Ching-te authorities in Taiwan banned local officials from attending the mainland's commemorative events this week. A move that not only exposed the insecurity of the Lai administration but also laid bare its political agenda of seeking "Taiwan independence" by seeking to undermine the national identity shared by compatriots on both sides of the Strait. Against this backdrop, the NPC Standing Committee's decision to formally establish the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is of far-reaching importance. As a statutory commemoration, it provides a national platform to honor history, strengthen collective memory and consolidate consensus for national reunification, serving as a constant reminder to younger generations that Taiwan has always been and always will be part of China. It is telling that this decision came one day after the conclusion of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which stressed promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advancing the cause of national reunification. The establishment of the commemoration day is thus not only a historical tribute but also a forward-looking step in implementing that objective. The cause of national reunification is both just and unstoppable. It is an internal affair that brooks no external interference. Any attempt to challenge the one-China principle or support "Taiwan independence" runs counter to the trend of history and the will of 1.4 billion Chinese people. By designating Oct 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, China is not only honoring its past but also charting a course toward a future in which the historical truth of one China is upheld and national identity is reaffirmed. The secessionists' cause is doomed to fail as the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation moves ever closer to fulfillment. I shake my head in disbelief. Is this really happening in the United States? As a pediatrician and public health advocate, I believe we are witnessing the literal systematic dismantling of our health care system. Case in point: the federal governments mishandling of two recent lead contamination crises (in Michigan and Wisconsin). These failures not only expose children to preventable toxic harm, but also reveal a deeper breakdown in democratic accountability and responsible governance. This should alarm us all. I am a pediatric cardiologist, a doctor who has committed my career to caring for some of the sickest children. In my field, it is often a matter of life and death. For three decades, I have always advocated for access to the best medical care available on behalf of critically ill infants and children. I have fought my share of battles against insurance companies and the bureaucratic inertia of our health care system. I can proudly say that I have never given up when my patients optimal health and safety was at stake. I do not settle for second best. I never thought I would witness the day when my own government would be among those standing in the way of critically needed medical and public health care. It is deeply painful to witness the callous recklessness of those chosen to lead our health care system. In 2023, lead levels at the Okemos Public Montessori School (OPMS) in Michigan tested over three times the states action limit, the threshold beyond which the risk of harm to those exposed is significantly increased. In 2024, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) uncovered lead levels as high as 170 times the safety threshold. These numbers are not just shocking; they demand swift, expert intervention. Yet federal assistance has been entirely absent. The United States has a century-long history of grappling with lead toxicity. By the 1970s, evidence firmly established that even low-level lead exposure could cause irreversible harm, especially to the developing brains of children. The banning of lead-based paint in 1978 and the phaseout of leaded gasoline were milestones in a larger effort to protect the public. Central to that effort was the CDCs Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, which supported surveillance, education, and community-level response. These efforts proved successful as the nation witnessed a dramatic decline in average blood lead levels among American children over the next several decades. But we never fully solved the problem. Lead still lurks in aging infrastructure. When schools like OPMS and MPS discover acute contamination, they need expert support now more than ever. The original success story, however, is unraveling. In April 2025, just as communities like OPMS and MPS were seeking help and without consulting the public, the CDCs lead prevention program was abruptly eliminated under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In Milwaukee, Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis expressed shock at the sudden dismissal of federal lead experts, calling the decision startling and counterproductive to public health. I agree completely. Meanwhile, during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 20, RFK Jr. asserted that the CDC had a team actively assisting Milwaukee. Local officials immediately disputed this claim. Totoraitis clarified that the only CDC presence had been a short, prescheduled technical visit unrelated to the school crisis. In reality, Milwaukee has been forced to develop its own emergency infrastructure consisting of testing clinics and water line replacement plans while facing a $630 million funding gap. This dissonance between federal assurances and the reality facing Milwaukee is both misleading and dangerous. In Okemos, Michigan, local leadership took a different approach. They stepped up when federal support collapsed. Superintendent John Hood candidly admitted the districts delayed response, took full responsibility, and oversaw critical interventions including filtered water installations and system-wide testing. This is the kind of transparency and leadership we expect and urgently need at the federal level. But I sense a deeper concern: How can communities protect themselves if they are not even informed that essential public health infrastructure has been dismantled? The CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention Program was cut without public notice, which sets a dangerous precedent. It undermines the very democratic process of deliberation and open proceedings that is meant to safeguard community health. The government is violating its duty to protect, especially when it chooses ideology and cost-cutting over scientific expertise and public safety. How much is a childs life worth? To me, it is priceless. And let us be clear: This is not an issue isolated to underserved communities. Meridian Township, where OPMS is located, is relatively affluent and well-educated, outperforming many Michigan regions on standardized testing. If a leading school in a high-income area can be abandoned during a public health crisis, we must all watch out for our safety. No community is immune. The erosion of science-based governance in favor of ideological decision-making is not just short-sighted, it is abusive. When so many people are harmed by those in power entrusted to serve the greater good, that is abusive. When leadership covers up bad decisions instead of taking responsibility, especially when people are in urgent need, that too is abusive. Public health must be equitably administered. It requires investment, transparency, and trust. When for political theatre those well off and least likely to suffer dismantle such systems in the guise of fiscal restraint, it is unethical and dangerous. It sacrifices the well-being of those most vulnerable and our childrens future. We are all being abused. We need to face the fact that we are all interconnected in this democracy. What happens to a stranger will ultimately affect our own lives. This reality demands that we must advocate for everyones well-being. We must demand the immediate reinstatement of the CDCs lead prevention teams, greater funding for lead remediation, and a renewed commitment to the principle that public health is a public right. As a pediatrician, my conclusion is clear: this is a dereliction of duty by the government, health care leaders and the general public if we remain silent. This situation has far-reaching health consequences beyond the lead contamination crises in these two states. As a citizen, I call on others to speak out and hold our leaders accountable: to reinvest in the public health systems that protect us today and into our future. Protecting our children should never be negotiable. Eric Fethke is a pediatric cardiologist. Something is wrong with our health care system. Our country spends more per capita than any other developed nation, yet we have some of the worst health care outcomes. Rising costs are making health care prohibitive. Access to the system is becoming a growing concern. Medical care has become bureaucratic, bulky, and inefficient. I am a retired physician, a urologist, who has observed the health care system from outside medical practice since my retirement 23 years ago. I have gained insight into medical care through my familys experiences. There were obvious and increasing numbers of inexplicable, delayed, and frustrating events. In addition to observing medical care through my own experiences, I have interfaced with practicing physicians through my advocacy for physician burnout and suicide. I recently interviewed several practicing physicians to prepare for this position paper on the state of health care in the United States. Many of my comments are based on the results. The most adverse factor affecting health care today is the deterioration of the doctor-patient relationship. This relationship is the critical central point of medical care in our country. The patient and physician, often in the exam room, should make clinical decisions together. Therapeutic alternatives, along with the robust discussion of risks and benefits, allow the most informed decisions to be made. This may be time-consuming, and some may find it old-fashioned, but it is of critical importance. I believe that the doctor-patient relationship in our country is nearly dead. The deterioration of the doctor-patient relationship began gradually and progressed insidiously. The onset is debatable, perhaps dating back 30 or 40 years. In my urologic practice in 2000, the patient and I made nearly all health care decisions. In 2025, others will make the same decisions regardless of physician input. My first recollection of an obstruction to this relationship occurred during my practicing years, in the early 2000s. A physician assistant offered to do the presurgical history and physical. That was helpful without compromising patient care. In retrospect, this practice hindered my understanding of the patients medical history. In addition, after performing this history and physical examination, it was my practice to obtain informed consent at that time. This consent was then moved to the phone or preoperative room. It was not the same. A second early example of interference with the relationship involved drug guidelines. Sometimes, I often compromised, selecting the guideline drug despite my preferences. The deterioration of the all-important doctor-patient relationship began in the distant past and evolved gradually. I blame the entire physician community, including myself. We relinquished clinical decision-making, seeing these as facilitating our practice. Often, this made our lives easier. In retrospect, it cancelled physician control. Non-clinicians, physicians on committees, government agencies, and large businesses made day-to-day clinical decisions. Restoring the doctor-patient relationship will require a concerted effort. Whenever an obstruction to this relationship occurs, physicians need to take back their position as the clinical decision maker. Reversing those changes will be difficult. They will have to claw back the control. Those who are making the decisions are reluctant to give back their power. Those making choices believe that their decision-making is superior to that of the physician. Many have contempt for the physician. Many feel that they deserve to be physicians, despite their lack of training. I wish I felt more encouraged about the future of American medicine. Our profession must improve. The only hope is to reestablish the patient-doctor relationship with determination and reclaim our precious health care system. William Lynes is a urologist and author of A Surgeons Knot. Understanding Manipurs Opium crisis with compassion | Chongboi Haokip, MCIHortI write on Manipurs illegal poppy cultivation issues to defend our people, our environment and our way of life which are so close to my heart.As poppy fields spread across our hills, blame comes easily. But before judging, we must ask what drove our neighbours to this point. I do not support illegal poppy culti- vation, but we need compassion. Real change begins with understanding the causes and helping farmers find honest ways to live and rebuild their lives.Behind Manipur's Poppy Fields-Poverty, Pressure, and FearWhen we look closely at what has unfolded in the hills of Manipur, we see more than just fields of flowers. We see fear, pressure, and survival. It is possible that many farmers could have grown illegal poppies under intimidation, or they are blackmailed into it. Some might have done so out of desperation. Others might have had no real choice at all. We don't know unless we care enough to consider the real reason behind it.It is easy to blame farmers, but harder to ask what forced them into this position. Reports from across Manipur suggest that poppy cultivation expanded over the past decade. When survival is at stake, resistance becomes dangerous. People who only wanted to feed their families became part of a larger system they did not control. The income is deceptive. Once trapped in the cycle of poppy farming, people find it hard to stop. The profit benefits middlemen, not the actual cultivators. The social cost is immense, as families live under constant threat, law enforcement cracks down, and violence spreads like a wild fire.It is common sense to connect the dots by reading and listening to the news. When we combine poverty and insecurity, we get a system that forces people to choose survival over legality. We cannot expect a farmer with no income and no protection to say no to those who carry guns. We cannot expect a village with no market access to grow only vegetables. And of course, we cannot expect people to resist when there is no one standing beside them.A Story of Compassion and ResurrectionAs I reflected on John 11: 1 to 44 (NIV), about the story from the life of Jesus that speaks powerfully, I could relate it to our current situation in Mani-pur. When Lazarus, died, his sisters Mary and Martha were consumed by grief. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Martha said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Mary fell at His feet, weeping, echoing the same lament.What strikes me most about this story is not just the miracle that followed, but Jesus's response to their pain. The Gospel tells us - "Jesus wept." Before He raised Lazarus from death, before He performed the miracle that would astonish everyone, He stood with the mourners and felt their grief. He saw their suffering and was moved with compassion.Then Jesus went to the tomb and called out: "Lazarus, come out!" And the man who had been dead for four days walked out, still wrapped in burial cloths. Jesus instructed those standing nearby: "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." This story holds profound wisdom for us today. Manipur's opium crisis is like that which has wrapped our communities in grave clothes - the bindings of fear, poverty, intimidation, and despair. But just as Jesus did not simply weep and walk away, neither can we? And just as Jesus called on the community to unbind Laza-rus and help him walk free, so too must we collectively work to free our farmers from the circumstances that have bound them to illegal poppy cultivation.Jesus's compassion did not ignore the reality of death, but it refused to accept death as the final word. Similarly, our compassion must not ignore the truth of the opium crisis, but it must refuse to accept it as Manipur's destiny.The Cost of DivisionIllegal poppy cultivation not only harms individuals. It weakens the whole community. Intimidation grows as fear replaces trust, and violence could become a routine. Villages that once worked together now live in suspicion. The sense of collective responsibility fades. That is the real tragedy!Manipur's strength has always been its communities. Localities stood together, and families supported one another. Communities shared united decisions and understood their responsibilities. These traditions kept people safe in hard times and offered stability even when the government failed. They settled conflicts through dialogue and mutual respect.But the illegal poppy economy breaks these bonds. It turns neighbours into competitors. It makes collaboration dangerous. It rewards silence and punishes honesty. When communities fracture, external forces fill the vacuum. It becomes a perfect ground for drug networks when societies divide.The erosion of community trust creates a vicious cycle. As fear takes hold, people retreat into isolation. They stop sharing information. They stop looking out for each other. They stop believing that collective action can make a difference. This isolation makes them even more vulnerable to exploitation by those who control the drug trade.Why Unity Matters NowThe path forward requires rebuilding what has been broken. No police operation alone can solve this crisis. No government scheme by itself can offer a sustainable alternative. The solution must come from within communities themselves.It means standing together as a united team. It means village elders, youth groups, women's organisations, and the civil society working in coordination. It means honest conversations about what is happening and why. It means creating spaces where farmers can speak without fear of punishment.Unity does not mean ignoring the problem. It means facing it collectively. When a community stands united, people find the strength to make hard choices. A farmer who knows his village supports him can reject the drug dealer's pressure.Community spirit also means taking collective responsibility. Instead of pointing fingers at individual farmers, commu- nities must ask more complex questions. Why were these farmers vulnerable? What economic alternatives exist? Who benefits from keeping people divided? What systems of support have failed? These are uncomfortable questions. They require looking inward at failures of leadership, gaps in social support, and breakdowns in traditional systems. Only by asking these questions can communities learn how to stop the problem from returning.Moving Forward TogetherAnyone with an understanding of Manipur's opium crisis can see that division strengthens the drug trade cartel, while a united community brings hope and restoration. A real community works together across differences. Definitely, every village that stands together, every farmer who leaves poppy farming, and every family that resists fear moves Manipur toward healing and strength. Manipur's restoration depends on unity, shared vision, and common purpose.It is not about waiting for government intervention or outside rescue. It means recognising that communities hold the power to change our own lives. When people stand together, we resist control. When we act as one, we can solve even the most complex problems.Just as Jesus wept before He acted, let us first feel the weight of this crisis - not as distant observers but as members of one body, where the suffering of one is the suffering of all. And then, having wept, let us act. Let us call our communities forth from the tomb of this crisis. Let us work together to unbind them from the grave clothes that have held them captive, like supporting the illegal poppy cultivators free from their poppy bondage.The story of Lazarus shows that renewal needs collective effort. Yes, Manipur's healing depends on Manipur's shared courage. When communities stand together as one, we can restore our environment, restore our dignity, and walk toward a new, promising future!Statement: I do not support illegal poppy cultivation. I support sustainable alternatives that strengthen society and help affected farmers in Manipur. I stand firmly behind the Manipur Government's "War on Drugs" campaign. As a strong, united community, we must work alongside government agencies that are helping farmers abandon illegal poppy farming. We, the people of Manipur, can eliminate unlawful poppy cultivation through collective effort. I call upon the entire Manipur community to unite as one team in this fight against illegal cultivation of poppy, working together to create sustainable livelihoods and a healthier future for all.The writer is an international development consultant specialising in Agriculture, horticulture, and trade facilitation. She can be reached at [email protected] Grenades planted | IMPHAL, Oct 24: Two Chinese hand grenades were planted at a godown located at Khabam Lamkhai, Imphal East under Heingang police station this morning. Bahubali Marbles where tiles and marbles are stored has two gates and each of the gates was found affixed with a hand grenade, sources said. After some local people came across the hand grenades, police were informed immediately at around 7.30 am today, sources said. After retrieving the hand grenades with the help of Heingang police station, a bomb detection and disposal squad of Manipur Police safely set off the grenades at Heingangching at around 8.40 am. A piece of paper found near the gates named PREPAK and it read Bomb manghanba yaroi, manghanlabadi nashana daitya pugadabani (The bombs should not be wasted; you must take responsibility if the bombs are wasted), said the sources. Different takes on the man from Somdal From jungles to PM level | In the winter of his life and whatever ones position is on what is dubbed as the Naga issue, it stands that Th Muivah has been able to bring the said issue to the level of the Prime Minister and accordingly the ongoing dialogue is held at this level. This much is true and while the turnout at Ukhrul was mammoth to receive what many have dubbed as the home coming of Muivah to his birthplace after a gap of more than 50 years, with the United Naga Council putting it at 61 years, one question, for which there is no answer as yet is, how history will judge the man from Somdal. Giving a definitive political colour to a bush war which he waged under the banner of first the Naga National Council under AZ Phizo, then under the NSCN which later split into the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (K), is a description that may sit on his name in the decades to come. Yet at the same time, there will be many who will hold the view that in pursuing an ethnic centric approach to an issue, Muivah is central to sowing the seeds of division where people are identified and tagged as either a Naga or a Meitei or Kuki. This is true in so far as Manipur is concerned. To many who share this line of thought, Muivah will be viewed as the man responsible for holding Manipur and her people to ransom on numerous occasions and this line of observation comes from the countless number of times Manipur has reeled under the scourge of economic blockades as well as the extortions carried out on the National Highways. It is also not without reason why the man from Somdal will be understood and viewed as someone who painted Manipur and her people, particularly the Meiteis, as the nemesis to be neutralised while championing the cause of the people identified as the Nagas. A point which becomes clear from the manner in which India, against which the NNC then NSCN first took up the guns, suddenly and gradually became an ally while Manipur and the Meiteis became the adversary to be defeated or neutralised. These are some of the views that people may hold, but what cannot be denied is the manner in which a certain sense of awakening amongst the people identified as the Nagas was implanted and which seems to have spurred the young Naga boys and girls to take pride in anything associated with what is called Naga. If one cares to look back at the recent and not so recent past, long before the call for a Lim or Nagalim started gaining traction, not a single Naga boy or girl from Manipur identified themselves with Manipur students organisations based in any of the cities which drew a large number of students from Manipur for their higher studies. Instead, their allegiance was with student bodies which came under the Naga tag. This is where one can see the seeds being sown for the call of Greater Lim, long before the ceasefire was signed between the NSCN (IM) and New Delhi in 1997. Nagalim for Christ is the slogan under which the NSCN of Muivah and the late Isak Swu operated and this is where one can take note of the astuteness of the man in recognising the immense role that religion or the Church can play in taking forward the political agenda of the rebel group. Recognising the immense role that religion can play and effectively taking it forward to meld into the political agenda of the NSCN and Th Muivah saw this decades back and this is where one should acknowledge the vision of the man, whether one agrees with his stand or not. However for all his political astuteness and far sightedness it stands that the NSCN has not been able to take all the Nagas along with their stand, best exemplified by the NNPGs and their loyalists. It also stands that the NSCN has seen splits after splits down the decades and the stand of the Nagas of Nagaland and the Nagas of Manipur may stand opposite to each other. All these points taken together and many more of which have been left untouched here, will decide how the future treats him but what cannot be refuted is the fact that one simply cannot remain indifferent to the man from Somdal. And there must be reasons why the NSCN is widely held as the mother of all insurgencies in North East India. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive a ceremonial salute from 16 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who won gallantry medals for their participation in Operation Sindoor on the occasion of 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' parade in Gujarat on October 31, Friday. The nation is observing 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the nation's first deputy prime minister and home minister. "The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event to be held on October 31 at Ekta Nagar in the Narmada district of Gujarat is going to be extremely special this time. The day and the event are symbolic of the unity and harmony of our great country," BSF Director General (DG) Daljit Singh Chawdhary said during a curtain raiser press conference here. In recognition to the exceptional operational proficiency displayed by Sh. Madan, Deputy Commandant of BSF during Operation Sindoor, he was awarded with the Commendation Disc by Lt. Gen. M K Katiyar, PVSM, AVSM. #JaiHind #OperationSindoor #BSF pic.twitter.com/9v6r30A6W6 BSF (@BSF_India) May 17, 2025 According to the BSF DG, Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest of the event, where the 16 decorated BSF personnel will be joined by five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel for the parade. These central armed policemen were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for their dedication and valour in thwarting Pakistani attacks during Operation Sindoor. They will be seated atop a moving vehicle during the parade, the senior officer added. The PM will also receive a guard of honour from a contingent led by a woman officer, he added. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is celebrated every year on 31st October This years celebration is particularly special to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel This years unique pic.twitter.com/0pjfUs4hKs PIB India (@PIB_India) October 24, 2025 The BSF personnel were decorated with the police medal for gallantry (GM) on Independence Day for displaying "conspicuous bravery" and "unmatched valour" during Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor was carried out by the three defence forces along with the BSF along the western border, targeting terrorist and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from May 7 to 10. Apart from the 16 winners of the gallantry awards, two BSF personnel were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra (third in precedence after the Param Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakra) for their contributions during Operation Sindoor. A government gazette issued on October 4 stated the story of their brave act undertaken on May 10 at the border outpost (BOP) Kharkola in Jammu. The medal was announced on Independence Day in August. Another highlight of the event will be Riya, the Mudhol hound, and Lily the Rampur hound the first Indian breed dogs to have been trained for high-risk operations, descending from a helicopter with a commando and river rafting, news agency PTI reported. India is gearing up for a massive joint military exercise Ex Trishul, with the three servicesIndian Army, Navy, and Air Forceset to demonstrate their joint multi-domain operations and interoperability. In the wake of the exercise, a notice to airmen (NOTAM) has been issued. The joint military exercise, taking place along the Pakistan border from October 30 to November 10, merely months after the military stand-off between the two nations, will showcase the capabilities of India's indigenous weapon systems. "India has issued a notification for a Tri-Services Exercise along its western border with Pakistan, the chosen area & scale of activity are unusual Date | 30 October- 10 November 2025," a tweet by open-source intelligence (OSINT) and satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon read. According to media reports, the joint exercise seeks to validate military operations across diverse terrains, including offensive maneuvers and amphibious operations, electronic warfare, and cyber capabilities of the three services. ALSO READ: Indian infantrys 385 battalions get an Ashni drone platoon each, Bhairav fighters on way The joint exercise will be led by the Southern Command of the Indian Army, led by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth. Defence ministry sources have been quoted as saying that the exercise will showcase the application of Atmanirbharta in operational practices and refinement of tactics, techniques, and procedures tailored to counter the emerging threats and changing nature of warfare. Pakistan has responded to India's NOTAM, issuing a notification restricting air routes along the country's central and southern airspace. "Pakistan has now issued a notification restricting multiple air traffic routes along its central & southern airspace possibly for a military exercise/weapons test as India prepares for its Tri-Services Exercise across the border ," a tweet by Damien Symon read. As dawn breaks over Kyiv today, the echoes of fresh Russian drone strikes reverberate through apartment blocks, injuring civilians and underscoring the unrelenting brutality of a war nearing its fourth year. The wars long-term effects will be felt for generations, and it does not look like an end is in sight yet. The conflict, far from an isolated European quarrel, has crystallised into a pivotal arena in the great power competition reshaping the world. At its core lies the burgeoning Russia-China axis, a partnership that threatens to dismantle the US-led international order. Yet this war offers the West a critical opportunity to stunt this alliance, delay its mounting challenge to American hegemony, and avert an irreversible realignment of global power. Amid this, conflicting signals emanating from the White House and the President Donald Trump's flirtation with short-term deals risk squandering a golden opportunity to stunt this alliance and delay its existential challenge to Western primacy. A Russian victorywhether outright or through a frozen conflict that cements territorial gainswould prolong Vladimir Putin's rule, entrenching Moscow's ties with Beijing for decades. A reversal of the battle situation is essential to prevent an irrevocable shift in global power. Hardening Russia-China axis: A threat to global order The Russia-China entente has deepened alarmingly since the onset of the Ukraine invasion, evolving from opportunistic cooperation into a robust anti-Western front. Bilateral trade exploded to $240 billion in 2023, with China absorbing discounted Russian hydrocarbons that now fund nearly half of Moscow's budget. Beijing supplies vital dual-use goodsmicrochips, drones, and opticscomprising 89 per cent of Russia's semiconductor imports, enabling Kremlin's war effort despite sanctions. Intelligence reports confirm Chinese satellite assistance in targeting Ukrainian positions, while joint military drills enable the exchange of advanced weaponry from Russian hypersonics to Chinese electronic warfare systems. This synergy amplifies mutual strengths: Russia diverts the US attention from Asia, granting China freer rein in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, while Beijing's economic might insulates Moscow from isolation. Unchecked, it could cascade into coordinated revisionismRussian probes in the Baltics, Chinese coercion over Taiwaneroding norms of sovereignty and inviting a fragmented, autocrat-friendly order. The war has supercharged this dynamic, with Russia integrating Iranian drones and North Korean artillery, forging a broader "axis of illiberals" that shares tactics and defies sanctions. Washington's transactional trap Signals from the recent Trump-Zelenskyy engagement highlight the dangers of prioritising immediate resolutions over enduring strategy by urging the Ukrainian President to concede territory, freeze the conflict along current lines with both sides "declaring victory." He rejected pleas for long-range Tomahawk missiles, warning of "destruction" if Ukraine resisted, and has since cancelled a planned summit with Putin, citing that it "didn't feel right." However, the White House's plans for high-level advisor talks suggest a rush to broker a deal, possibly involving reduced US aid to Ukrainemirroring earlier pauses in intelligence and military support after the acrimonious Oval Office meeting in February. Such transactional endeavors, emblematic of Trump's deal making ethos, risk sacrificing long-term geopolitical gains for illusory short-term peace. A ceasefire on Russian terms would validate Putin's aggression, bolstering his domestic standing and ensuring his regime's survival amid economic strains. With Russia controlling nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine, including key industrial heartlands, Putin could rebuild forces using Chinese tech transfers, solidifying the axis. Beijing would interpret this as a Western retreat, emboldening its Taiwan ambitions and accelerating multipolar initiatives. History's stark warnings History abounds with inflection points where expedience birthed catastrophe. The 1938 Munich Agreement, where Britain and France appeased Hitler by ceding Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland for "peace in our time," and instead emboldened Nazi expansionism, resulted in World War II. An erroneous decision by Hitler to invade the USSR in 1941 (Operation Barbarossa), much against the advice of his generals, sealed the Reich's doom. Similarly, Napoleon's 1812 march into Russia shattered his empire through hubris. These missteps illustrate how such blunders, whether through appeasement or aggression, rewire power balances for decades. They underscore that forsaking strategic foresight for immediate gains invite catastrophe. And today, the West is at a similar inflection point. Yielding to Putin's terms could empower the Russia-China bloc, like it did Hitler in 1938, allowing Moscow to distract the West while Beijing advances, potentially triggering a two-front crisis and tilting the 21st century toward authoritarianism. Why a Russian victory is fatal Victory for Russia (meaning retention of captured areas) would cement Putin's rule beyond 2030, consolidate the axis through joint planning and resources, collapse Western deterrence (emboldening Iran and North Korea), and lead to the reordering of Eurasia with Moscow's leverage over Europe's energy. China, viewing Russia as a vital partner, would accelerate multipolar initiatives, exploit Western retreats, and ascend in power and stature, thereby assuming ascendancy. Conversely, a reversal of Russian gains would expose flaws in Russia's military (97 per cent of forces committed), breed internal instability, a possible regime change, and diminish Moscow's allure to Beijing. This would free the US resources for the Indo-Pacific, bolstering deterrence from Warsaw to Taipei. Navigating the nuclear balance Russia's nuclear arsenal demands caution; red lines are real, but deterrence is mutual. The combined aim of the West should be to expel Russian forces from Ukraine without existential provocation, via precision munitions, air defences, and intelligence, escalating support without NATO troops. Firmness with restraint, as in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, averts disaster. Recent US sanctions on oil firms underscore this calibrated pressure, urging a ceasefire without concession. A call to resolve This war tests the post-1945 global order of deterrence, law's primacy, and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations that have fostered peace and prosperity. It is a strategic imperative for the combined West to seize the opportunity and turn the conflict into its advantage. It must thus clearly articulate the endgame a sovereign, intact Ukraine and a constrained Russia. A Russian victory (ceasefire with freezing of the current frontline) will result in a transactional, unsafe world where small nations hedge and democracies falter. The US and allies thus stand at history's hinge as Ukraine is only the Indo-Pacific's preludea weakened Russia curbs China. It is thus essential to arm Ukraine to reclaim its borders, manage escalation to keep it below red lines, and clearly narrate the stakes. For this, scaling up of ammunition, drones, air defence and deep strike capability is essential, and the US must ramp up aid with precision munitions to reclaim territory. It is also important to sever the axis lifeline by secondary sanctions on Chinese dual-use goods suppliers and disrupt the shadow trade, besides fortifying NATO deterrence by bolstering its eastern borders. Critics lament escalation risks, but history teaches that hesitation at inflection points invites greater peril. The US must prioritise the long game over ephemeral deals, ensuring Putin's defeat to preserve the order that has fostered unprecedented prosperity. Failure now could tilt power equations irrevocably toward autocracy. Kannada actress Divya Suresh has been identified as the driver in the hit-and-run accident that left a woman seriously injured on October 4. The accident that occurred in the afternoon involved a black Kia car, which is now confirmed to have been driven by Divya, striking a motorcycle with three people heading to a hospital. According to reports and CCTV footage, the car struck the bike near the Nitya Hotel, around Byatarayanapura Police Station, and sped away without stopping. STORY | Bengaluru hit-and-run: Car driven by Kannada actress Divya Suresh, say police Weeks after a hit-and-run incident left three people injured in Byatarayanapura, police on Friday said the vehicle involved was allegedly driven by Kannada actress Divya Suresh. The accident pic.twitter.com/yZcBcUGrK7 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 25, 2025 The people on the bike were Kiran G and his cousins Anusha and Anitha. Kiran lodged the complaint at the police station. Anitha had sustained the most severe injuries with a fractured kneecap and had to undergo surgery costing nearly 2 lakh. Who is Divya Suresh? Bengaluru Traffic police used CCTV footage to determine that the driver of the vehicle was Divya Suresh. She is a well-known Kannada actress and was a former participant in Bigg Boss Kannada 8 in 2021. She is also a former professional kabaddi player. She made her TV debut in 2013 with the Knanda series Chitte Heje, followed by OM Shakti Om Shanti in 2016. She has also appeared in Kannada films like Huliraaya, Face 2 Face, Dhwaja, and Ranchi. Before she began acting, she had also competed in state-level Kabbadi tournaments in Karnataka. Divya Suresh made a post on Instagram on Friday to share screen recordings of reels and a post that the showed the alleged CCTV footage from the incident. She had also shared a screenshot of a few comments on the post. The comment read The mistake was the bikers... Three people were riding on the bike, and none of them was wearing helmets. The car driver was taking a left turn when the biker came from his opposite direction and collided with the car. Now, blaming the person in the car is utter foolishness. Please check the video or get your eyes checked. Just because someone is an actor doesnt mean you can falsely accuse them without reason. (sic)" Divya Suresh's post on Instagram Re-sharing the screenshots she wrote in Kannada, Thanks to the noble souls who commented. Truth alone triumphs." Her comment confirmed that it was her who drove the Kia. DCP traffic Anoop A Shetty said while speaking to ANI, The investigation found the car driver to be Divya. Further investigation is underway. Both the parties failed to file a complaint the very next day; the complaint was lodged after three days. No idea of what happened between them, once we investigated, we found the car owner to be Divya S. We have seized the car." The police have seized the vehicle as part of the investigation. The two youths arrested for their alleged ISIS links wanted to carry out a major terror attack in Delhi on Diwali, a news report claimed, citing investigators. Bhopal-native Abu Mohammad (20) and Delhi's Mohammad Adnan Khan, alias Abu Muharib (19), were reporting to a handler in Syria, they added. The duo, who were radicalised online, were tasked to target one of the busy public parks or malls in India's capital city during the Diwali rush, a news report said. The duo were jointly running pro-ISIS Instagram pages and YouTube channels in the hope of meeting and recruiting more like-minded people, it added. From keyboard warriors to group operatives However, their extremism entered a new sphere altogether after they found Abu Ibrahim Qureshi online. The Syria-based terrorist became their handler after they pledged their allegiance (Bayah) to ISIS. Dressed in black and covering their heads with a shemagh scarf that is often associated with the fighters of the terror outfit, they made videos of themselves pledging allegiance to the Caliph and sent them to Qureshi, the report added. Abu Mohammad and Adnan Khan reportedly met several times in Delhi to finalise their plans but law enforcement were vigilant and caught them before they could move to the execution part. Abu Muharib's father was a driver for Doordarshan. He learned video editing online and stepped into the world of terror through social media and encrypted chat groups, Times Now said in a report. Abu Mohammad, meanwhile, the more radical and experienced of the two, was arrested last year by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for threatening an additional sessions judge linked to the Gyanvapi Mosque case on social media. Since 2020, he has been following ISIS propaganda all while planning to assist his father in accountancy by pursuing CA, the report added. It was Abu Muharib who reportedly got caught first and during interrogation, spilled the beans on his accomplice from Bhopal. They became pals after Abu Mohammad started sharing jihadi propaganda with Muharib to make videos out of after being impressed by his video editing skills. However, the reports didn't explain how exactly the two youths communicated with the Syria-based terrorist. The much-awaited press conference in Patna not only declared Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan, but also announced Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani as a deputy chief minister candidate. Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who made the announcement, added that leaders from other communities may also be given the position of deputy chief minister if the alliance comes to power. According to party insiders, Sahani has repeatedly raised the demand to be declared the deputy chief ministerial candidate. However, during internal discussions, concerns have been raised over such a move triggering requests from other caste communities to be accommodated. A Congress leader said, During several meetings on seat distribution, Sahani has always insisted that he be announced as the deputy chief minister. Maybe it is also because he believes that the community he belongs to the Mallahs, who constitute roughly 9.6 per cent of the total population will vote for him in larger numbers if they see their caste leader getting a prominent position. The understanding between the alliance partners is that if the Mahagathbandhan comes to power, there could be two more deputy chief ministers one from the Congress and one from the Left parties. An RJD leader said, For now, one name has been declared; others will be decided after the victory. Within the RJD, there is apprehension that if there are multiple deputies, the influence of an individual deputy chief minister may get diluted. There are more factors that need to be considered for having more than one deputy CM first, to ensure caste representation, and second, to distribute power between the other alliance partners. Technically, it should be the Congress alone getting the position, but one leader from the dalit community and another from the minority community may also be accommodated, said the RJD leader. Notably, the votes of the Mallah community (Nishads) have emerged as a decisive factor in several assembly constituencies, which is why Sahanis political weight has grown within the alliance. During Rahul Gandhis Vote Adhikar Yatra, Sahani was among the few leaders who accompanied the Leader of the Opposition and was prominently projected as the representative face of the Mallah community. This comes at a time when the alliance, which has largely relied on the Muslim-Yadav social equation, is planning to expand its social base by focusing on Dalits and OBCs (Mallahs) to gain electoral leverage in Bihars caste-dominated politics. A political analyst said, Muslims and Yadavs together form more than 30 per cent of the total population. Now, they need to integrate more castes to broaden their base. He said Sahani has been brought in to appeal to the Mallahs, while the Congress is trying to reach out to dalits, who constitute around 15 per cent of the states population. This time, Muslims who previously voted for the JD(U) may not support them because of its alliance with the BJP, and that gives the Mahagathbandhan an edge. After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conducted an elaborate yatra in Bihar, raising the issue of vote chori and accusing the BJP of having a backdoor understanding with the Election Commission of India, the grand old party is now planning to deploy its ace campaigner once again. Gandhi is expected to hold a major rally after Chhath Puja on Monday to build momentum for the opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, a week before the assembly elections. According to sources, the final date has not been confirmed yet, but the rally is likely to be held on Tuesday (October 28). Political analysts say there is visible churn on the ground; however, the opposition remains wary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose speeches and presence continue to energise voters and consolidate the BJPs support base. With Rahul Gandhis renewed presence, Congress aims to counter Modis personality cult by organising large-scale public gatherings, focusing on issues that the current JD(U)-BJP government has failed to address, thereby attempting to make the elections issue-driven rather than personality-based. Speaking to THE WEEK, Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari said, "Rahul Gandhi, who earlier spent 14 days in Bihar during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, had then raised his voice against vote chori and stood with the people of the state. During that period, he focused on awakening the conscience of Bihars farmers, labourers, and youth, urging them to fight for their rights rather than fall prey to divisive politics. Gandhis message is being accepted by people as he highlights how politics in the state is shaped by religion and caste, leaving ordinary people deprived of economic justice. His renewed engagement will rebuild the Congress connect with those who feel alienated by polarisation." Party insiders say that the Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party's top orator Priyanka Gandhi will also join the party campaign in Bihar after the puja, which is the state's biggest festival. However, after the seat-sharing arrangement, a small section of leaders has been protesting against the current Congress leadership in the state, led by in-charge Krishna Allavaru, accusing him of foul play in ticket distribution. A senior Congress leader dismissed the allegations, saying, There is no evidence to suggest that the tickets were not distributed sincerely. Those accusing the leadership of selling tickets are largely the ones who didnt get them. This happens in every electionthere will always be aspirants who feel left out. Interestingly, this is the first time the Congress has denied tickets to the sons of former ministers and individuals who have long tried to keep the party under their control. With this rally, the party leaders think the Congress as a party and the Mahagathbandhan as an alliance will solidly align together once again, a week before the crucial assembly elections, which will streamline the political energies of the cadres. The Congress will be contesting more than 55 seats and expecting to win not less than 25 assembly seats. A Congress leader said, "Our strike rate has been very low the last time, as we won just 19 out of 70 seats. Now we have 17 remaining in the assembly and four sitting legislators have been denied tickets. We are working hard to win more than 25 seats. This can also help energise our cadre for the next five years and consequently help us expand our base in the state." The father of the Maharashtra doctor, who died by suicide in Phaltan, Satara district, on Saturday demanded death penalty for the perpetrators who are behind his daughter's death. The doctor, 26, who was from Beed district, hanged herself in a hotel room in Phaltan on Thursday night. She was the sole resident medical officer at the Phaltan hospital. #WATCH | On Satara Woman Doctor Suicide Case, Congress leader, Manikrao Thakare says, "... The incident involving a doctor's suicide has raised serious concerns about the government and administration. The doctor left a suicide note blaming a police officer and a Member of pic.twitter.com/9W6K5BC9Fh ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 In his direct plea for justice to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the father said that his only demand is that "the culprits should be punished with death by hanging. That's all. There is nothing else. This is my demand." "This happened to my daughter. But at least from now on, such atrocities should not happen to other daughters. So, the people who do this should definitely be punished with the death penalty," he added. In her suicide note on her palm, she accused police sub-inspector Gopal Badne of raping her several times over five months. She also accused software engineer Prashant Bankar, the son of the owner of the victim's flat, of mentally harassing her during this period. Bankar who was working in Pune was arrested on Saturday. Badne is still absconding. The bereaved father said everyone stood and watched when the injustice happened. "There were Duryodhana and Dushasana there, but not a single Krishna came forward to help my daughter. So, for the sake of the daughters in the future, at least one Krishna should come forward and protect her honour," he said. CM Fadnavis assured the victim's relatives that no one who is directly or indirectly involved in the case would be spared. "The doctor dying by suicide and writing such a letter on her hand shows the pain she went through. Yesterday, we suspended the officer involved. We have initiated an investigation, and no one will be spared. The Opposition is politicising it. Even if someone is involved directly or indirectly, they won't be spared," he said. The doctor, in her suicide note, said she was pressured to falsify postmortem reports. In one instance, police allegedly forced her to declare a high-blood-pressure patient fit for custody. She wrote a complaint to the deputy superintendent of police in June, but no action was taken. One of the two accused named in the note by the Maharashtra doctor who died by suicide has been arrested. Prashant Banker, the son of a landlord of the house where the doctor lived, was taken for a medical examination, according to the police. The Satara police have registered a case against PSI Gopal Badane and Prashant Banker under charges of rape and abetment of suicide. Badne is still absconding, and a search is underway to find him. He has also been suspended. Investigators also said that the Prashant had connections to the PSI, who was accused of rape. Banker will be produced before the court today. The 28-year-old doctor who was working a the Phaltaan sub-district hospital as a medical officer was found dead in her hotel room on Thursday evening. In a note written on the deceased's left palm, she wrote that Badne had raped her four times over the course of five months, and the landlord's son, Prashat Banker, had physically and mentally harassed her during the period. He had allegedly threatened her several times to vacate the rented room. She had allegedly called Banker and spoken to him over the phone before ending her life, according to police. The doctor also left behind a four page suicide letter. In it she details how she was pressured to issue fake fitness certificates for accused in police cases not just by police officers but also in one case a member of the Parliament. The authencity of the letter and claims have not been verified. According to the letter, the doctor had submitted a complaint to the hospital committee. VIDEO | Satara, Maharashtra: A woman doctor working at a government hospital in Satara district committed suicide, leaving a note on her palm, accusing a police sub-inspector of rape and mental harassment besides naming a techie. Satara Additional SP Vaishali Kaduskar said, "If pic.twitter.com/BYCoFj98IJ Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 25, 2025 She claimed she was pressured to alter post-mortem and medical reports. In one incident, police officers had allegedly forced her to declare a high blood pressure patient fit for custody and took the patient away without proper treatment. She claimed that no action was taken despite her submitting a written complaint to the deputy superintendent of police. Party leaders have demanded an independent inquiry and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged suicide. Satara Additional SP Vaishali Kaduskar said on Saturday that she was anguished over the incident and that the doctor could have been saved is action had been taken on time and if she had tolld someone what she was going through. "If action had been taken on the complaint of that woman doctor in time... or if she herself had told someone about the atrocities being committed against her... then perhaps her life could have been saved today. As a female police officer, I anguished and pained over this incident," she said while speaking to PTI. Concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) have prompted minority organisation Jamait Ulema-i-Hind in West Bengal to set up special units at the district level to assist its members with relevant documents as per the norms of the Election Commission (EC). There will be emergency organisational meetings at various districts on October 29, Wednesday, to chart out a course of action. This involves forming a group of 57 people to take charge at the district level. A WhatsApp group and a control room will be created to coordinate efforts. The team will visit villages to raise awareness about necessary documents and encourage people to reach out to those in charge for assistance. We want to rise above politics and help the people of West Bengal. Bengal has been targeted because of an anti-BJP government, and this (SIR) is being done to create trouble, to ruin the environment in Bengal, said Siddiqullah Chowdhury, President of Jamait Ulema-i-Hind, West Bengal. Chowdhury is an MLA from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and also a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. The Manteswar MLA also said that there are civil courts in districts where advocates will look into issues and if needed, members of the Jamait Ulema-i-Hind will hold rallies to create awareness as Chowdhury believes Indian voters should not be harassed. There is a list of 14 advocates in the 22 districts who will help people with documentation work if required. Citizens in the state cannot be removed; there should be no one at the receiving end of injustice. We will look at the documents of people and then go to the EC if there are concerns and revolt if the EC does not genuinely conduct the SIR exercise, explained Chowdhury. The Jamait Ulema-i-Hind is a 106-year-old organisation with 1.5 crore members across India, of which 14 lakh members are spread across 22 districts and 725 units in West Bengal. The concern for the minority community stems from general apprehensions of many voters in the state over the SIR. The support of Mamata, who has been vocal about the voter revision exercise, calling it a backdoor NRC, also prompts voters to be concerned about the challenges they might face. Meanwhile, comments by BJP leader Shantanu Thakur that 1.2 crore voters will be removed from the voter list post the SIR have not been encouraging for many voters in West Bengal either. The SIR will involve referring to the 2002 SIR list; for others who are not part of that list, a list of 11 relevant documents, as suggested by the EC, will be required. BJP can say this as a political party, but the Election Commission has to decide. BJP is not India; it is a political party which might be in power today and not tomorrow. The people of India are Indians, said the minister. Will the EC decide or BJP or RSS? They (BJP, RSS) are not the Election Commission. They are political parties and they (the EC) are under their influence. They (BJP) want to make this political, and we want to rise above politics and see that there is no discrimination amongst the people of India; we have to look into that, said Siddiqullah Chowdhury. The SIR in West Bengal is expected to begin by November and be completed by February 2026 ahead of the Assembly elections in April-May. The Israel Defense Forces on Friday revealed that the chief of Hezbollah logistics unit was killed an Israeli drone strike earlier in the day. The slain Hezbollah leader was identified as Abbas Hassan Karki, who has held several senior roles in the Iran-backed Shia militant group over the years. He was killed while driving in Toul, a town near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Who was Abbas Hassan Karki? Abbas Hassan Karki was responsible for rebuilding Hezbollah's force structure and manage the transport and storage of the group's weapons in southern Lebanon. ELIMINATED: Abbas Hassan Karky, the logistics commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front headquarters, was struck & eliminated in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon. Abbas led recent efforts to rebuild Hezbollahs combat capabilities: Managing the transfer and storage of pic.twitter.com/stBt9FFzZK Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 24, 2025 IDF said Karki "led and advanced efforts to rebuild" Hezbollah's capabilities and restore infrastructure in southern Lebanon after they were destroyed in the 2024 conflict. His actions constituted a violation of understandings between Israel and Lebanon, the Israeli military said. This comes two days after IDF killed Issa Ahmad Karbala, a platoon commander in Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force. He was responsible for moving weapons to various locations and launching attacks against Israel. Karbala was targeted while riding a motorbike in Ain Qana, around halfway between Beirut and Lebanon's southern border with Israel. His death was confirmed by the Lebanon health ministry. Tel Aviv had reached a ceasefire with Beirut on November 27, 2024, wherein the latter was required to stop militants from attacking Israel while the former required to stop "offensive" military actions in Lebanon. However, the pact stated that both Israel and Lebanon can act in "self-defence". A monitoring committee of the US, France, Israel, Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping force UNFIL was established to track violations. Two decades after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iraqs still-fragile political experiment stands at a critical juncture. The country is going to the polls on November 11, with a total of 7,768 candidates in the fray, including 2,248 women, for the 329 parliamentary seats. Yet there is growing public estrangement from formal politics. For most Iraqis, the ballot box no longer represents a mechanism of accountability but a ritual through which elites renegotiate their share of power. While the democratic institutions launched two decades ago remain intact, they have proved ineffective in fostering genuine political participation and healthy competition. There is widespread disillusionment regarding electoral politics. Many Iraqis are likely to skip the polls, convinced that the process cannot alter their daily hardships. Turnout, which was nearly 80 per cent in December 2005, has steadily fallen as citizens see no improvement in public services or living standards. Iraq, despite its vast oil reserves, suffers from unreliable electricity and chronic unemployment. Against this background, elections have come to symbolise elite self-preservation rather than public renewal. The upcoming vote is therefore less about popularity or performance and more about recalibrating power within the political establishment. Analysts describe it as an exercise in patronage and corruption rather than democratic competition. Former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi remarked that the outcome will rest not on ideas but on money and influence, and observers have dubbed it the billionaires election. Money alone could be the single biggest deciding factor in the upcoming polls. As a result of the widespread apathy towards the polls, political parties are turning to largely transactional measures and administrative processes to win votes. For instance, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has created about a million government jobs during his term, largely aimed at consolidating support. Meanwhile, a black market for biometric voter cards has emerged, where votes can be effectively purchased for $100$200. Payments are made either to ensure participation according to instruction or to buy abstention altogether. Parties also direct short-term service projects to neglected districts to cultivate loyalty. Despite the predictable outcomes, Iraqs elections remain fiercely contested. 20 years ago, the first election featured only a few grand coalitions. Today, those blocs have fractured. The 2025 elections feature 31 alliances, 38 political parties & 75 independent candidates. 3/x pic.twitter.com/o08lUK01LD Chatham House MENA (@CH_MENAP) October 24, 2025 Security-sector voting remains another tightly managed arena. Members of the armed forces, police, Popular Mobilisation Forces (a coalition of militias established to fight the Islamic State group, which operates with considerable autonomy) and Peshmerga cast their ballots early under the supervision of commanders who steer votes towards the political factions that oversee their units. The influence of social media has also grown sharply, with candidates paying influencers to promote their campaigns or disparage opponents, often at unprecedented rates. There is also a further fragmentation of the ethnosectarian landscape compared with the past. As many as 31 alliances and 38 parties are in the fray, signifying not plurality and diversity, but the growing divisions among various ethnic groups. The ruling Shia Coordination Framework (SCF), a coalition of Shia factions, is expected to dominate and once again form a consensus government with major Kurdish and Sunni groups. Within the SCF, key players include Sudanis Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Nouri al-Malikis State of Law, Qais al-Khazalis al-Sadiqoun, and Hadi al-Ameris Badr Organisation, several of which maintain strong historical links with Iran. Parties aligned with militia networks such as Harakat Huqouq and the Sadiqoun Bloc are using their military and financial clout to secure seats. The electoral field is notably altered by the absence of Muqtada al-Sadr and his movement, who are boycotting the vote. The Sadrists had won the largest share of seats in 2021 but withdrew after failing to form a national majority government in defiance of the power-sharing system known as Muhasasa. Al-Sadr has launched the Patriotic Shia Current, rebranding himself as a moral critic of the ruling order and preparing to return to politics should his rivals falter. Sheikh Ahmed Ibrahim is not a candidate in Iraqs parliamentary elections, but his picture is on posters instead of his wife Shayma Sami who is running for Mohammed al-Halbousi's Taqadum Party in Kirkuk. READ MORE: https://t.co/O5G4Hp7f8s pic.twitter.com/lvd8sfbxEx Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) October 25, 2025 In Iraq, the elections only mean the beginning of a protracted process of bargaining. Iraqs constitution establishes a 329-seat parliament where sectarian balance is maintained through informal conventions: the prime minister is Shia, the president Kurdish, and the parliamentary speaker Sunni Arab. In practice, no single list governs alone. The Federal Supreme Courts interpretation that the largest bloc can be formed after voting entrenches coalition-making as the decisive phase of politics. Since 2005, forming a government has taken on average 224 days. Seats are treated as bargaining chips exchanged for ministries and nearly a thousand senior posts known as special grades positions that open access to patronage networks and state resources. Behind closed doors, negotiations are accompanied by the threat of street mobilisation or targeted violence, as witnessed when militia supporters and later Sadrists occupied Baghdads Green Zone after the 2021 vote. The upcoming election is expected to reaffirm the dominance of the Shia Coordination Framework, though the eventual premiership will be decided only after drawn-out talks among elites. Another challenge has been the growing incidents of political violence. On October 15, a car bomb killed Safaa al-Mashhadani, a Baghdad Provincial Council member and Sunni candidate running in the al-Tarmiya district north of the capital. Three days later, the office of another candidate, Muthanna al-Azzawi, was attacked by gunmen, injuring two bodyguards. Meanwhile, political parties supported by Iran-backed militias are using their substantial military and financial power to assert influence. Among them are Kataeb Hezbollahs political wing, the Harakat Huqouq (Rights Movement) bloc, and the Sadiqoun Bloc, led by Qais al-Khazali, the head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia. Another interesting development ahead of the election is President Donald Trumps appointment of Mark Savaya, a loyal entrepreneur, as his special envoy to Iraq. It could mean that Washington is likely to exert pressure to exclude militias and their affiliated parties from sharing the spoils of power after the polls. The painful contradiction of the Israeli social contract has crystallised in recent weeks, accentuated by the solemn return of the remains of the Bedouin IDF tracker, Sgt. Maj. Muhammad al-Atarash, along with the heroic tales of the civilians, like that of minibus driver Youssef Ziadna. It was a fleeting moment of national solidarity on the profound sacrifice of the Bedouin citizen on October 7; however, this unity has been immediately placed under siege by the very administrative apparatus their fallen fought to protect. This is not merely a transient lapse in ethical governance; it represents the defining, structural tension of Israels spatial governance policy in the Negev. The actions of the state are so contrasting; on one hand, it embraces the Bedouin heroism, and on the other, it systematically rejects their historical claim over the land and curtails their rights to communal existence. It is a modern-day paradox of being Bedouin: you are hailed as a national hero, but, parallel to it, your village is declared illegal. Mahin Siddiqui From a distance, it might seem just a contemporary Squatting. The issue is complex and deepens; the states desire for territorial homogeneity further exacerbates the relentless structural dispute over land claims. The core mechanism of control is the continued existence of the roughly 35 unrecognised villages, home to over 100,000 citizens, who inhabit a politically created Grey Space. The systemic displacing of Bedouins in the Negev is legalised by perpetually subjecting them to the Legal Artifice, where Israeli law disqualifies the validity of traditional Bedouin land tenure and deems them unrecognised, hence making them stay outside the statutory planning. The designs to exclude the Bedouin population date back to the 1960s master plan to exclude and contain the Bedouin population that was forcibly relocated to the Siyag region after 1948, which is often termed as internal colonialism. It is needless to say, the state is seizing strategic land reserves for Jewish development. The Grey Space has gained negative attention because of the October 7 attacks and their consequences. The Bedouin communities have faced a significant brunt of the war due to their proximity to the Gaza border, bearing some civilian casualties, yet facing violence without any state protection. Due to the unrecognised status of the Bedouin villages, they were not even provided with public bomb shelters. Compounding this vulnerability, it was widely reported that the Iron Dome air defence system initially identified these towns as open, unpopulated areas, leading to a failure to intercept incoming rockets from the Gaza Strip. Some Bedouin citizens were killed in this cruel failure of protection, exposing the political truth that the residents were legally rendered invisible. This crisis has highlighted the betrayal by the state, which continues. Even in the wake of Bedouin sacrifices for the state, the demolition of the Bedouin homes is accelerating. Political figures like the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have openly advocated for the demolitions of illegal homes and to speed up this process. Bedouin activists describe this punitive approach as a deliberate act of spite. In the case of former hostage Farhan al-Qadi, it is only a reprieve for his immediate family. At the same time, his neighbours homes remained slated for destruction, furthering the paradox where Bedouin men bid for loyalty serving in the army but only to know that their villages are levelled to the ground. The state has tried to devise a solution for the seven government-planned townships, including Rahat, the largest Bedouin city; however, they remain neglected, and progress has even stalled. Bedouins are the pastoral people, but these new towns have disregarded the old tradition by making it densely populated, which has eventually resulted in the breakdown of social cohesion along with flawed planning and underinvestment, fuelling the surge in violent, organised crime that now destabilises the entire Negev region. It is a cynical proposition to relocate Bedouins from unrecognised villages into these failing centres desperately. It is time for self-reflection on the current policy of internal dispossession while simultaneously mourning for heroes like Sgt. Maj. al-Atarash. With the current attitude, Israel could lose its Bedouin loyalty. This cynicism is hollowing out the meaning of Israeli citizenship. The first step to bolster will be the immediate halting of demolitions, and the second would be to recognise the Bedouin claim over the land, the same way as Jews have a claim over their promised land. Mahin Siddiqui is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. Former CIA officer John Kiriakou in a recent interview recounted Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden's daring escape from the clutches of the US, dressed as a woman. The former chief of counterterrorism operations was stationed in Pakistan after the devastating 9/11 attacks in the US, masterminded by Bin Laden, whom Washington branded its most-wanted terrorist. ALSO READ | 'If nukes are introduced...': Ex-CIA officer claims THIS is why India-Pakistan tensions never went nuclear Kiriakou explained that the US followed Bin Laden's movements all the way to Afghanistan, where the military took a month's time to get a footing; a "proper buildup" in the region, before bombing it to draw out the nefarious terrorist. "Then we began attacking known Al Qaeda sites. Again, mostly in the Pashto areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan. We believed in October of 2001 that we had Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda leadership cornered at Tora Bora, Kiriakou told ANI. However, Bin Laden made good on his escape after using the US military's translatoran insider from Al Qaedato convince Central Command to let women and children be evacuated before forcing Bin Laden out. "The translator convinced General Franks to approve this idea. What ended up happening was bin Laden dressed as a woman and he escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup truck into Pakistan, he said about the Al Qaeda terrorists' ingenious escape to Pakistan. #WATCH | On the escape of Osama Bin Laden, Former CIA Officer in charge of counter-terror operations in Pakistan and a Whistleblower of the CIA's Torture Program, John Kiriakou says, "... Bin Laden dressed as a woman and escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup pic.twitter.com/aN3OHWjBND ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025 By May 2011, the US had tracked down Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad in northern Pakistan. He was killed soon after by United States Special Forces during a raid on his safe house. When asked about Pakistani opposition to the killing, Kiriakou pointed out that Pervez Musharraf (then the President) had already handed over full control of Pakistan's nuclear weapons to the US at the time, in return for "millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid". This kept the military happy, and let Pakistan "continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism while committing terror against India". Former CIA officer John Kiriakou recently pointed out that there was no use in Pakistan's constant quarrels with India, and that nothing good would come out of a "conventional war" between the two, as the "Pakistanis would lose". The former chief of counterterrorism operations was stationed in Pakistan after the devastating 9/11 attacks in the US. "I'm not talking about nuclear weaponsI'm talking just about a conventional war. And so there is no benefit to constantly provoking Indians," he told ANI, echoing India's concerns against Pakistan harbouring terrorists, ever since Operation Sindoor, which was a response to the devastating Pahalgam attack of April 22, which killed 26 people. Just a day ago, India attacked Pakistan for defending a terror outfit at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), during an event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the UN. "Few examples are more telling about the challenges facing the UN than its response to terrorism. When a sitting Security Council member openly protects the very organisation that claims responsibility for the barbaric terror attack such as at Pahalgam, what does it do to the credibility of multilateralism?" External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar questioned, at the event. As for nuclear weapons, the whistleblower added that 23 years ago, Pervez Musharraf (then the President) handed over full control of Pakistan's nuclear weapons to the US, in return for "millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid". In that regard, he questions Islamabad's claims of owning a large nuclear arsenal, many years latera claim it has often used to threaten India. Kiriakou also insisted that the US, which once hesitated from killing Abdul Qadeer Khanoften labelled the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons programmedue to pressure from Saudi Arabia, had even told both India and Pakistan to keep their fights "short" and "non-nuclear". "I can tell you definitively that the State Department was telling both sidesif you're gonna fight, fight ... If nuclear weapons are introduced, the whole world is going to change," he pointed out, claiming it was the reason why India-Pakistan tensions have never gone nuclear. India continues to call out Pakistan for harbouring terrorisma claim that Pakistan continues to reject. India on Friday took a broadside against Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over the grave human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it. New Delhi also reiterated its position that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. "We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources," said Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. #WATCH | PR of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish's complete address at the UNSC Open Debate on The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future (Source: India at UN, NY/X) pic.twitter.com/67rUwFwtfz ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025 Harish was addressing the Security Council during the open debate organised on the 80th UN Day. Indias fresh attack on Islamabad came amid reports of massive protests and agitations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the government. At least 12 people died and scores of others were injured as the protesters clashed with Pakistani security forces, leading to a total shutdown in the region earlier this month. Harish emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir has been and will always be an integral part of India. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework. We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan," he said. The official further highlighted Indias commitment to the ideology of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). "This is not only an outlook that anchors our worldview, but also the reason why India has consistently advocated for justice, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for all societies and peoples. It is also the reason why India places its faith in multilateralism, international partnerships and cooperation," he said. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. The office of president is seen as a largely ceremonial role which involves hosting heads of state at the official residence, Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and other diplomatic and civic engagements. The president must also consider whether legislation passed by the parliament complies with the constitution, and if they believe it does not, in consultation with the Council of State, they can refer it to the Supreme Court. In recent years, the Irish presidency has become a more political role. During his tenure, outgoing president Michael D Higgins said Irelands housing crisis was our great, great failure, that the UN was losing credibility, and that the Irish State must urgently meet the needs of, and address the concerns of, the survivors of mother and baby homes. Irelands next president, Catherine Connolly, has also been an outspoken critic of the Government. The powers and functions of the president are set out in Article 13 of the Irish Constitution. Among her roles, Ms Connolly will represents all the people of Ireland at home and abroad through public engagements, making speeches and receiving visitors to the Aras. She will also officially appoint the countrys premier, or Taoiseach, after they are nominated by the Dail parliament. The president also appoints members of Government and other office holders, including judges, commissioned officers of the Defence Forces and the attorney general. The office holder also summons and dissolves the Dail on advice of the Taoiseach, and can call a fresh election when the premier no longer has majority support. The president may also refuse to dissolve the Dail in which case MPs, or TDs, must nominate an alternative government. Ms Connolly will also act as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. The term of the role is seven years and a president can serve a maximum of two terms. More than a few items for close news watchers to consider as we keep up to date with police action, court cases, drug war and, of course, community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . KCPD cracks down on speeding with hundreds of traffic tickets KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Police Department's Traffic Unit kept busy Thursday, as officers handed out more than 200 traffic tickets. Officers clocked drivers at speeds above 10... KCPD urges drivers to stay alert as KC Streetcar line extends down to UMKC As the KC Streetcar gears up to extend service south of Union Station, Kansas City police say the new red "transit-only" lanes are an adjustment drivers will need to get used to. Man charged with murder for fatal road rage shooting in northeast Kansas City Court documents say Logan told police, "I killed a man that did not deserve it." Charges filed against man who led Cass Co. deputies on chase ending in I-49 crash The man who led Cass County deputies on a pursuit earlier this week has been charged, court records show. Kansas City man charged after investigation into overdose deaths of Wingstop employees Prosecutors in Jackson County have charged a man two years after a pair of fentanyl overdose deaths. Man pleads guilty to 2020 Oxycodone distribution, causing death A Kansas man pleaded guilty to distribution causing death charges in Johnson County court Tuesday after selling drugs that resulted in a man's death in 2020. KCK man charged with murder for role in fatal shooting near 19th & Vine Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Thursday the charges against Sipple following a shooting on June 15, 2025. Bomb and Arson unit investigating fire that engulfed Kansas City apartment building, burned nearby home The Kansas City Police Department Bomb and Arson unit will take over an investigation into a large fire that engulfed an apartment building and badly damaged a nearby home. Independence man accused of child abuse after infant found to be internally bleeding An Independence man has been accused of child abuse after an infant was found to be internally bleeding. License plate reader cameras help deputies find missing Liberty man with Alzheimer's A man with Alzheimer's who left home earlier this week is safe after an assist from law enforcement technology. California woman sues KCPD's governing body after crash that left 'anguishing' injuries A new lawsuit claims a California woman was injured by an on-duty Kansas City Police Officer. Johnson County joins national effort to improve interactions between officers, disabled adults A nationwide effort to improve how officers communicate with a person diagnosed with a disability has made its way to Johnson County. "The Blue Envelope" doesn't have to leave your car. Developing . . . Here's what so many locals on "many sides" of the political spectrum haven't factored . . . OBVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DRAGS DOWN OTHER KANSAS CITY BIZ IN A COWTOWN WITH SO MANY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES!!! Proof and a more realistic view of the local economy . . . Notice more biz closings this week . . . Smaller crowds around sporting events and bars . . . Fewer home sales . . . Despite debates over data . . . Ask around and jobs that pay a living wage are scarce for the vast majority of locals looking for work. This report offers a peek at harsh times that should be apparent to anybody who looks outside their window: Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown including 30,000 in the Kansas City area. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Related . . . And a bit of big picture news from both sides . . . Government shutdown updates: Pentagon accepts $130M donation to help pay troops The ongoing government shutdown is hitting thousands of federal workers on Friday. Government shutdown live updates as impasse hits Day 24 with no deal in sight The government shutdown hit Day 24 with no deal in sight as the Senate stands adjourned for the weekend. Follow live updates here. Federal Workers Line Up at Food Banks After Dem Whip Calls Them 'Leverage' A Washington, DC-area food bank serving federal workers impacted by the government shutdown ran out of items on Friday morning. Americans brace for food stamps to run out: 'the greatest hunger catastrophe since the Great Depression' Nearly 42 million people in danger as federal government shutdown continues and Snap funding to end 1 November Schumer accuses Trump of 'skipping town' during shutdown as president heads to Asia for trade talks Sen. Chuck Schumer blasts President Donald Trump for leaving the United States for Asia during the government shutdown, accusing the president of "skipping town." Developing . . . Just a few more things to consider for late night lurkers, insomniacs and our favorite early birds. Check TKC news gathering . . . Toy Train Part Deux Debut Kansas City celebrates grand opening of streetcar's Main Street Extension City leaders and community members alike celebrated Friday as the KC Streetcar opened its Main Street Extension, a project that's been years in the making. Tragic Postscript Driver found not at fault in fatal crash that killed 10-year-old Leawood boy The Leawood Police Department determined that the driver was not at fault in the crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy on Monday, Oct. 13. Inferno Aftermath Kansas City firefighters battle massive fire at apartments A two-alarm fire at apartments near 35th and Euclid forced Kansas City firefighters into a defensive attack Friday morning. Bittersweet Conclusion Andre's Confiserie Suisse announces closure of South Overland Park location The couple running the daytime cafe and chocolate shop, Brigitte and Kevin Gravino, say they are hanging up their hats to spend more time with their grandchildren. Another Hipster Hangout Begins Afterword Tavern & Shelves turns the page on KC's nightlife Afterword Tavern & Shelves brings a unique, living-room experience to the nightlife scene with their hybrid bookstore and bar. D-List Love Reunites Inside Megan Fox and MGK's Reconciliation Since Welcoming a Baby Girl: 'They Haven't Put a Label on It' (Exclusive Source) Megan Fox and MGK, who welcomed their daughter Saga in March, "act like a couple but they haven't put a label on it or made anything official," a source exclusively tells PEOPLE. MAGA Demands Payback Trump calls for Jack Smith, others to be prosecuted over Jan. 6 probe President Trump called for some former Biden administration officials, including Jack Smith and Merrick Garland, to be prosecuted over their involvement in Jan. 6 election investigation. Progressive Move Toward Socialism Hasan Piker on why the Democratic party fears Zohran Mamdani On the latest episode of Newsweek's 1600, Hasan Piker shifts from culture wars to politics, spotlighting Zohran Mamdani's rise in New York City. Right-Wing Mocks Turnabout Letitia James Claims Mortgage Fraud Case Is About 'Weaponized' Justice System New York Attorney General Letitia James claimed that the mortgage fraud case brought against her is about a "weaponized" justice system. MAGA Carrier Moves Signal South Of Border Drug War Trump considering plans to target cocaine facilities inside Venezuela, officials say | CNN Politics President Donald Trump is considering plans to target cocaine facilities and drug trafficking routes inside Venezuela, though he has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with them, three US officials told CNN. Noting Walking Papers US says it now plans to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia as soon as Oct. 31 The U.S. government now plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia. A statement from his immigration attorneys on Friday that calls the plan "punitive, cruel, and unconstitutional." Political Pre-Crime Satire "Conception Begins At Erection Act" could be a new law in Ohio which would make it illegal for men to have sex without intent to make a baby A memo sent out by Rader and Somani to other representatives to co sponsor says "the legislation seeks to ensure that men share responsibility in reproductive health, particularly in light of the numerous bills introduced across the country in recent years that disproportionally target women's access to abortion and contraception." Out-Of-Towners Love Toy Train Kansas City, Missouri, streetcar riders give Main Street extension straight A's on opening day Kansas City, Missouri, streetcar riders gave the new Main Street extension glowing reviews on its opening day, with most passengers awarding the long-awaited transit addition straight A's. Soggy Weekend Starts Kansas City weather: Rain lingering Friday evening; more showers this weekend Rain is expected throughout the day Saturday, so keep an umbrella on hand. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. From October 31 to November 2, Baku will host the Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW arts festival, an event that brings together art, culture, and ecology, Trend reports. The project is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. The author and initiator of the project is Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Association. This immersive event will transform Baku into a living stage for contemporary creativity, dialogue, and discovery. Special attention will be devoted to the ecological situation in the oceans and seas, conveyed through the language of art. The festivals central theme water symbolizes life, renewal, and sustainable development. Water, as a symbol of resilience, renewal, and collective memory, has been chosen as the key element of Art Weekend, fostering a meaningful dialogue with the international art world. One of the festivals highlights will take place at the Maksud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Centre, where the multidisciplinary project The Pistachio Tree: Roots of Memory will be presented. Based on a story by the prominent Azerbaijani writer, Peoples Writer of Azerbaijan and State Prize laureate Maksud Ibrahimbeyov (19352016), the production tells the story of a man and a tree a symbol of resilience, memory, and hope. It is a tale about roots, time, and the human ability to preserve ones inner light. The monodrama will be performed by Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Shovgi Huseynov. The project unites three elements art, tradition, and nature creating a single artistic space where the past and future meet in the symbol of the pistachio tree a tree that thrives where water is scarce and sustains life even in harsh conditions. By combining literature, tradition, and ecology, "The Pistachio Tree: Roots of Memory" expresses the idea that By preserving the culture of the past, we are responsible for the nature of the future, said Anna Ibrahimbeyova, Director of the Maksud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Centre. A Pistachio Carpet woven by masters from Azerkhalcha will serve as a visual embodiment of cultural roots and national traditions. Its patterns echo the themes of the story, intertwining literature, craftsmanship, and the living fabric of Azerbaijani culture. In addition, a pistachio tree will be planted in front of the Maksud Ibrahimbeyov Creativity Centre in Icherisheher a living symbol of respect for nature and water. This gesture transforms an artistic concept into action, uniting humanity, art, and nature in a single breath. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline. The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity. An operational meeting has been held under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev at the Central Command Post of the Ministry of Defense with the participation of the leadership of the Defense Ministry and the commanders of the joint corps located in the frontline zone, Trend reports. The head of state addressed the operational meeting. Speech of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev - The war has been going on for about a month. During this period, our country has achieved great successes on the battlefield. Good news comes from the frontline every day. During the day, I am regularly updated about the operations carried out in the war zone and give relevant instructions. Almost every hour I receive information about events in different regions. The Ministry of Defense and other agencies keep me informed. Operational meetings are held every day. In short, the situation is fully under control. During this period, a part of our occupied lands has been liberated from occupiers. More than 100 settlements cities and villages have been liberated from the occupiers. The Azerbaijani flag has already been hoisted in our liberated cities and villages. Video footage of these cities and villages is available to the Azerbaijani public, so everyone can see the state to which the savage enemy has brought our cities and villages. There is not a single building left there. All buildings, houses, administrative buildings, social facilities, historical and religious sites have been destroyed by the hated enemy. The occupied lands and ruins are witness to Armenian vandalism. The Armenian state is responsible for these crimes and will be held accountable for them. I have ordered to conduct inspections in all liberated areas, to register all the destruction, to draw up acts, to register the destroyed property of our citizens. The Armenian state will definitely be held accountable for these war crimes. Once again, the whole world can see what kind of savages we are facing. Today, Azerbaijani soldiers and officers are teaching the enemy a lesson on the battlefield, are putting the enemy in its place, are driving the enemy out of our lands. We shed blood, we have martyrs both among servicemen and civilians. Armenia cannot confront us on the battlefield and, as always, fires on our civilian settlements. As a result of this cowardly shooting, more than 60 civilians have been killed and about 300 injured. Two days ago, National Hero Shukur Hamidov died as a hero. Shukur Hamidov showed heroism in the battles of April 2016. He was awarded the honorary title of National Hero and I personally presented the National Hero star to him. I suggest that we observe a minute's silence in memory of all our martyrs who died in the battles. May they rest in peace. I pray to God to send healing to our wounded soldiers and civilians. These days, we have seen again that Armenia does not intend to leave our lands of its own accord. We have seen again that during these 30 years, Armenia simply wanted to gain time, to imitate the negotiations and to perpetuate the status quo. Unfortunately, the international mediators were unable or did not want to put the necessary pressure on the occupying state. Otherwise, four UN Security Council resolutions would not remain on paper. I must also note that a few days ago, the co-chairs held a meeting of the UN Security Council. A document was put forward at the meeting that did not meet our interests and was intended to draw a line through the resolutions adopted in 1993. We strongly objected to this. This is another manifestation of injustice, another manifestation of double standards. The resolutions adopted in 1993 express a clear position on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Resolutions adopted in 1993 demand complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories. The draft document initiated the other day did not contain these provisions. In short, this step is viewed as yet another provocation against Azerbaijan. We have raised our voice, and I am glad that some of the members of the Security Council objected to this even though they were pressured by major states. However, these countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, which is currently chaired by Azerbaijan. of course, their support for Azerbaijan is highly appreciated and shows that there is a high level of solidarity within the Non-Aligned Movement. In short, this political step failed and no document was adopted. I think this is another political victory for us. Just as we are winning on the battlefield, we are winning in the political arena. Just as we are driving the enemy away on the battlefield, we are also responding to the provocative steps of the enemy's supporters. Azerbaijan is not alone, our territorial integrity is recognized by the international community and we operate within the norms of international law even though Armenia has repeatedly provoked us during this period, fired on our military positions from Armenian territory, fired on our settlements, fired two ballistic missiles at Ganja from the territory of Armenia, as a result of which innocent people were killed. Hundreds and thousands of shells are fired at our cities and villages in Tartar, Aghdam and other frontline regions every day, but the international community remains tight-lipped over this. And so do the mediators. All they are concerned about now is how to get Armenia out of this situation. There is a way to do this Armenia must withdraw from our lands, it must get out of there. This is required by international law. But no pressure is being put on them. On the contrary, there are attempts to influence and put pressure on us. Of course, no-one can influence us, no-one can influence our resolve. I want our servicemen and citizens to know that there is a very serious struggle both on the frontline and in the political arena. We shed blood on the battlefield, liberate our lands from occupiers at the cost of the lives of these heroes, while at the same time, we resist, show courage and defend our positions on the political stage. A ceasefire was declared at the request of Armenia and at the suggestion of major powers twice and Armenia violated the ceasefire both times. The first time, less than a day later, they bombed Ganja. The second time they violated the ceasefire two minutes after it was announced. This being the case, Azerbaijan gave them and will continue to give them a decent rebuff, of course. We will continue to drive the enemy out of our lands, all the way. We have one condition: the countries that are so concerned about Armenia, patronize them and create conditions for the Armenians to occupy our lands for about 30 years should put pressure on Armenia. The Armenian prime minister must declare that Armenia will withdraw from the occupied territories. We have not heard such statements. On the contrary, he talks of the self-determination of peoples and, in fact, has disrupted the process of negotiations. The ceasefire cannot be unconditional. They will deceive us for another 27 years, for another 30 years. Delegations will be coming here for another 30 years and negotiations will be held. We are fed up and the patience of the Azerbaijani people is exhausted. Twenty-eight years ago, the Minsk Group was established. They have been deceiving us for 28 years. For 28 years, they have been promising to us, asking us to wait, saying that they will put pressure on Armenia, that they will do this and that. It was all a lie. Everyone sees it now. I have always told my people the truth. I have always said things the way they are. And I am saying that today. I must say that Armenia is being armed. The most modern weapons are being sent to Armenia every day. We have a list of these weapons. We have all the information about the flights, when, where and from which city they departed, when they arrived in Yerevan and what they carried. During the current fighting, about 300 Armenian tanks have been either destroyed or taken as military booty. Where does all this money come from? It is a poor country with no money and no opportunities. They got it for free. Six S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems have been destroyed. Their price is known. Where does this come from? TOR, OSA anti-aircraft missile systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft which have already been destroyed by Azerbaijan. Where did Tochka-U and SCUD come from? It is given to them for free. We cannot remain silent about it. Everyone should know this. We are fighting alone, on our own! I am saying all this, first of all, for the people of Azerbaijan to know the real situation. People should realize at what cost we are liberating our lands from occupiers. People should know that if Armenia had not received financial, military and political assistance over the course of these 27-28 years, our lands would have been liberated from the occupiers long ago, and peacefully. Notice how Armenian soldiers are fleeing the battlefield. This footage is available. Only some of these images are published in the media but this is a very extensive video. Without these weapons, without this political support, could Armenia have occupied our lands? Of course not! As I said, we are driving them away and will continue to do that. No-one can stand in front of Azerbaijan. We are right, we are fighting on our own land, we are restoring our territorial integrity, we have not crossed into the territory of Armenia and have no such plans. If we had such an idea, we would have done it a long time ago. It does not take much effort to do so. We have succeeded on the battlefield. At the same time, these battles have shown that there are still drawbacks and shortcomings, and we are eliminating them promptly. At the same time, after these battles, after the end of the Second Karabakh War, all the successes and shortcomings of the war must be seriously analyzed. Although the Azerbaijani Army is one of the strongest armies in the world today, we must continue to use more modern methods in army building. These battles are a great experience for us. We have seen that some of the weapons in our military arsenal are not particularly necessary in modern warfare. On the contrary, we have entered a high-tech stage and, of course, technology and professionalism contribute a lot to the success of any army. I have said this before and I want to say again that it is the soldiers and officers who are liberating our lands from the occupiers. They are raising our flag and clearing the land from invaders. Therefore, in the coming days we will talk about that today our military operations must be conducted in a more effective manner and without wasting time. In some cases, there have been delays. In some cases, no justification can be provided for a delay. We are analyzing all this and will continue to do so. I repeat the Azerbaijani Army shows great courage and professionalism. We lost our lands in the early 1990s over several years, but parts of Fuzuli, Hadrut, Jabrayil, Zangilan, Kalbajar and Gubadli districts have been liberated from the occupiers in less than a month. Again, good news comes from the frontline every day. It is true that some areas need serious adjustments but, on the whole, we are reaching our goal. Every day, a combat mission is set for the next day. I approve this combat mission and it is possible to say that almost all of it is fulfilled. I am confident that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. We are fighting on our own land. Justice is on our side, international law is on our side, historical justice is on our side. We must restore our territorial integrity, expel the occupiers from our lands and ensure the sovereignty of our country. I am confident that we will achieve this. But this, of course, requires great responsibility, courage and discipline from every official. These days, I regularly address the people of Azerbaijan, express my views and report on our successes. I want to assure the people of Azerbaijan today that we will not turn back from the right path! No force can affect our resolve. We will drive the enemy away to the very end. We will restore our territorial integrity! BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of his countrys national holiday, Trend reports. "Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to convey to you, and through you, to the brotherly people of your country, my sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Republic Day. The brilliant successes achieved by Kazakhstan in every field, its economic development, the improvement of the well-being of its population, and its high prestige in the international arena are the results of the significant reforms implemented under your leadership and your tireless efforts. The common historical and cultural roots of our peoples are among the primary factors shaping our interstate cooperation. Relations between our brotherly countries are developing in the spirit of mutual trust and high respect. The "Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan," the 20th anniversary of which we marked this year, vividly reflects the strategic nature of our interstate relations. The intensity of our political contacts, the presence of mutual understanding at the highest level, and active dialogue create a favorable ground for deepening our cooperation in various fields, particularly in trade and economic relations, energy - including green energy - transport, investment, information technologies, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and other areas. The results achieved, the agreements reached, and the documents signed during my recent state visit to your brotherly country are a clear manifestation of our unwavering will and determination to further deepen our relations. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to strengthen the brotherhood, reliable strategic partnership, and alliance between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as to comprehensively expand our cooperation. On this joyous day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your high state activities, and lasting peace, prosperity, and abundance to the brotherly people of Kazakhstan," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. A meeting was held in Tbilisi between Mamuka Mdinaradze, Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, and Colonel General Ali Nagiyev, Head of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who is visiting the country, the State Security Service of Georgia said, Trend reports. During the meeting, the parties discussed the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as future initiatives aimed at further deepening cooperation in the security sector. The parties emphasized the importance of intensifying the exchange of information and experience. It was noted that strong cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries significantly contributes to both the development of bilateral relations and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. During the meeting, attention was also paid to ongoing processes and existing challenges in the region. Mamuka Mdinaradze expressed gratitude to Ali Nagiyev for his visit to Georgia and noted the significance of this visit for cooperation between the relevant agencies of the two countries. The meeting, held at the State Security Service of Georgia, was also attended by deputy heads and heads of departments of the security agencies of both countries. Following the meeting, Mamuka Mdinaradze and Ali Nagiyev laid wreaths at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev and the monument erected in memory of the heroes who fell for Georgia's territorial integrity. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. The EU and Azerbaijan target constructive dialogue and strengthening partnership, the EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kujundzic told Trend on the sidelines of the "Education in Europe" exhibition in Baku. "I'm very optimistic about the future and development of relations between the EU and Azerbaijan," the official said. She emphasized that both sides are committed to constructive dialogue and further strengthening their partnership. "We are all looking forward and hopeful for a bright future for relations between the EU and Azerbaijan," the ambassador added. Speaking about the "Education in Europe" exhibition, she noted that 30 European universities from ten EU member states, as well as Azerbaijani universities ADA and UFAZ, are participating in the event. "We are very pleased that European universities have come to Baku to present their educational programs. We hope that Azerbaijani students will find the opportunities to study in Europe attractive," said Kujundzic. According to Kujundzic, the exhibition is being held within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, which is open to the entire world, including Azerbaijan, and provides young people with extensive educational and academic exchange opportunities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. The Commission for Cooperation with NATO of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by the Chair of the Commission and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Josip Brkic, held a meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska and the NATO Partnership and Cooperative Security Committee (PCSC), Trend reports. During the meeting with the NATO Committee, the document titled Individual Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO for the period 20252028 was adopted. The Individual Tailored Partnership Programme, in line with NATOs concept One Partner, One Plan, encompasses and builds upon the existing partnership mechanisms between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing a comprehensive framework for cooperation. The ITPP enables more unified, coherent, and integrated management of NATOs partnership programs with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The strategic goals of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO stem from the defined priorities in Bosnia and Herzegovinas Reform Programs, which represent the main framework of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO, as well as from the analysis of the alignment between the priorities of the Allies and those of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Allies welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovinas efforts in preparing the document, expressing understanding of the challenges the country faces. They particularly emphasized their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for the continuation and strengthening of NATOBiH cooperation. During the meeting with the Committee, Commission Chair Brkic informed the Allies that the Reform Program 2025 had been adopted at the level of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO, and that, in accordance with legal procedures, it would be forwarded to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for adoption. He also noted that the Self-Assessment Reports for the Reform Programs of 2023 and 2024 had been finalized and submitted to NATO. As part of its visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the Commission for Cooperation with NATO of Bosnia and Herzegovina also met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska. The Deputy Secretary General expressed satisfaction and welcomed the unanimous adoption of the ITPP document for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 20252028, stressing that this represents a historic moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina and a confirmation of the countrys strong partnership and cooperation with NATO. The participants highlighted the importance of the timely adoption of the Reform Program 2025 and the continuation of activities aimed at strengthening the partnership and concrete cooperation. They also reflected on the successful adoption of previous Reform Programs and recent high-level visits, including those by the NATO Secretary General and the NATO Deputy Secretary General to Bosnia and Herzegovina in September of this year. The meetings concluded that further strengthening of the NATOBosnia and Herzegovina partnership is beneficial for the stability of Southeast Europe, which is considered a shared strategic interest, and that both Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO remain committed to deepening their relations without prejudice to any final decision on membership. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. This week, a high-level meeting took place in Vilnius between representatives of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Rail Baltica implementation organizations, Trend reports. During the meeting, participants assessed the projects progress and discussed upcoming construction priorities. As part of the visit, the projects central coordinator RB Rail AS signed a new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) grant agreement for 295.5 million euros in EU co-financing. In Estonia, the allocated funding will be directed toward continuing construction of the main line between Tallinn and the EstonianLatvian border, including the development of a 10.2-kilometer double-track embankment on the RaplaParnu section. In Latvia, the financing will cover the construction of railway embankments in four southern sections of the main line, totaling 13.3 kilometers. It will also fund the technical design for electrification between Upeslejas and the LatvianLithuanian border (Phase 1), along with project management and oversight activities. This includes FIDIC engineer services to ensure technical supervision and compliance with global project standards, as well as design review costs. In Lithuania, major works will focus on the Kaunas railway hub, where new overpasses and rail crossings will be built. The funding also covers technical studies and design works, including regional station infrastructure and technical design preparation for the KaunasPoland border section. In addition, land acquisition and related procedures will take place in the Kaunas area. The Baltic joint venture RB Rail AS will also receive funding to continue cross-border project management and coordination, under the Project Management Agreement, co-financed equally by all three Baltic States. The continued support from the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency ensures steady progress in constructing the Rail Baltica main line. This funding allows us to move forward strategically with key project segments in all three Baltic countries, said Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairperson of the Management Board at RB Rail AS. During the high-level meeting, CINEA representatives and Rail Baltica project implementers discussed cross-border cooperation within the CEF funding framework. Participants also visited construction sites in Lithuania, including the bridge over the Neris River. With EU support, the total length of the completed railway embankment in Lithuania has now reached 27.7 kilometers. Effective cooperation and transparent communication among all involved parties are crucial to building trust and ensuring steady project implementation. This coordination helps identify challenges early, accelerate decision-making, and advance the Rail Baltica project in line with its objectives, said Ojars Daugavietis, Member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer of RB Rail AS. The next CINEA progress visit is scheduled for November 2025 in Riga. Rail Baltica is one of the largest high-speed rail infrastructure projects in Europe and part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Its goal is to enhance connectivity, strengthen regional resilience, and foster economic growth in the Baltic States. The new railway line will connect Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with Poland, and indirectly with Finland and the broader European rail network. Rail Baltica will be a fully electrified standard-gauge (1435 mm) line equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and built to meet European standards. Designed for speeds of up to 249 km/h, the railway will significantly reduce travel time between the Baltic capitals and major European cities. The project will serve passenger, freight, and military mobility, supporting business, tourism, and cultural exchange, while making the Baltics a key hub in Europes transport and trade network. RB Rail AS is a joint venture between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, established to lead and coordinate the implementation of the Rail Baltica project the first cross-border infrastructure initiative of this scale in the region. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 25. As of 2025, Kyrgyzstans state balance accounts for reserves from over 1,000 deposits across 51 types of minerals, including gold, copper, coal, and construction materials, the country's Ministry of Natural Resources said, Trend reports. Approximately 400 of these deposits are currently under active development or geological exploration, while around 600 are temporarily suspended due to depleted reserves or the need for re-evaluation. In 2024, the state-owned company Kyrgyzgeology received 1 billion soms ($11.4 million) to upgrade equipment and advance projects in polymetals and rare earth elements, of which 72% has already been implemented. The mining sector showed growth in the first nine months of 2025. Tax revenues from mining companies reached 42.7 billion soms ($488.2 million) - 16 billion ($182.9 million) more than the same period last year. Over the past five years, the industry has contributed over 191 billion soms ($2.1 billion) to national and local budgets. Geological surveys have also yielded positive results, identifying new reserves of gold (5.8 tons), silver (3.7 tons), copper (6,400 tons), coal (9 million tons), and other minerals. Total national reserves currently include 973 tons of gold, 960,000 tons of copper, 1,100 tons of silver, as well as coal, gypsum, marble, and construction materials. From January to September 2025, Kyrgyzstan produced 17 tons of gold, 198,000 tons of oil, nearly 19 million cubic meters of natural gas, and 2.3 million tons of coal. Additionally, 26 subsoil auctions were held in 2025, generating $1.6 million. The country currently operates 2,000 subsoil use licenses, of which 103 are held by state enterprises. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 25. As part of his official visit to Brussels, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with King Philippe of the Belgians at the Royal Palace of Laeken to discuss the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, and investment spheres, Trend reports. King Philippe highly appreciated the fruitful results of the talks between the President of Uzbekistan and the leadership of the European Union and sincerely congratulated the country on the signing of the historic Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation with the European Union. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the steady development of Uzbek-Belgian relations. Active contacts have been established at the ministerial level, political consultations are held regularly, and friendship groups have been formed in the parliaments of both countries. Mutual trade turnover continues to grow, and Belgian companies are successfully operating in Uzbekistan, particularly in the fields of textiles, logistics, and services. Last year, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce opened its representative office in Tashkent. During the conversation, both sides underscored the importance of organizing new business missions of Belgian companies to Uzbekistan and holding joint cultural events. At the conclusion of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev invited King Philippe to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, a signing ceremony for the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union took place in Brussels on October 24, in the presence of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The new agreement updates and significantly expands the legal framework for Uzbekistan-EU relations, replacing the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. The IslamabadTehranIstanbul container train connecting Pakistan, Iran, and Turkiye is set to resume operations in December, Trend reports via Irans Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash met with Pakistans Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of Communication Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi to discuss the project. During the talks, the sides reached an agreement within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to restart the operation of the IslamabadTehranIstanbul freight train. They also agreed to complete the modernization of the QuettaTaftan railway line in Iran by the end of the year, which will further enhance the efficiency and reliability of the transport corridor. The parties emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in railway transport and freight logistics to promote regional integration and boost trade. A two-day regional transit conference of transport ministers was held in Islamabad on October 2324, bringing together delegations from twelve countries. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Tamar Ioseliani met with Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics of Saudi Arabia Ahmed bin Sufyan Al-Hasan on the sidelines of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Trend reports. During the meeting, the sides discussed the development of transport cooperation between the two countries, with particular focus on the 2019 air transport agreement that has significantly boosted passenger traffic and air cargo volumes. Over the first nine months of 2025, the number of passengers traveling between Georgia and Saudi Arabia increased by 12.8% compared to the same period last year and nearly ninefold compared to pre-agreement levels. Saudi Arabias Flynas currently operates flights between the two countries on two routes with a total frequency of seven flights per week. The officials also reviewed cooperation in maritime transport. It was noted that a 2021 memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of seafarer certificates enables Georgian sailors to work aboard vessels flying the Saudi Arabian flag. The meeting further covered potential collaboration in maritime education, digitalization of maritime transport, and environmentally friendly transport solutions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. Iran has expressed interest in launching a commodity exchange in Tajikistan, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the financial and capital markets, Trend reports. Head of Iran Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO), Hojatollah Seyedi, discussed the initiative during a meeting with Tajikistans Minister of Finance, Kahhorzoda Fayziddin Sattor. Seyedi noted that Iran has over 6 decades of experience in securities trading and about 20 years of expertise in operating various exchanges. He emphasized that the SEO is ready to assist Tajikistan in establishing both a commodity exchange and a securities market. He expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries in the development of capital markets will continue to grow stronger. During the meeting, Minister Kahhorzoda stated that expanding cooperation with different countries remains a key priority in Tajikistans economic policy. Tajikistan has extensive economic ties with Iran. We believe that collaboration between our countries can deepen further, allowing us to take stronger steps together, he said. He added that Tajikistans economy has remained stable over the past decade, and the country is interested in developing various exchanges and advancing its capital market in cooperation with the Iran Securities and Exchange Organization. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 26. Discussions between Iran and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will continue at the expert level, Secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Hadi Khani told local media, Trend reports. According to him, discussions at the FATF meeting indicated the working groups interest in reaching a new agreement with Iran. The FATF is closely monitoring Irans two-pronged program aimed at reforming legislation in line with international standards and demonstrating its effective implementation. Khani added that Iran has taken the first step by ratifying the Palermo and CFT conventions. Iran's discussions with FATF on proving the implementation of these conventions are in the spotlight. The Iranian official said that, in principle, the ratification of the Palermo Convention as one of the 41 provisions of the step program is at the level of leaving the "black list". Iran's mutual understanding with FATF to resolve its several-year-old problem has begun recently and will develop day by day. "Since the CFT convention in Iran was approved after the report was sent to the FATF, practically only the Palermo convention was discussed at the last meeting. Since Iran has conditions on this convention and additional legal studies are needed, Iran's documents on these conditions were accepted," he explained. Mentioning the 'snapback' mechanism of the FATF statement, which envisages the restoration of UN resolutions against Iran, Khani pointed out that the FATF's capabilities are intended to be used when UN Security Council resolutions are adjusted and approved. FATF expressed its position on this issue solely within the framework of the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. On May 15, 2025, the Iranian Advisory Council approved the FATF Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo). The Convention against the Financing of Terrorism (FT) is currently under review. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is an intergovernmental body that regulates the rules for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. At the last meeting of this organization, Iran was warned that if the country's program of steps is not improved, Iran may be added to the list of non-cooperative countries. Iran has complied with 37 out of 41 FATF steps. The remaining four steps or conventions fall under the scope of the legislation. "Amendments to the Law on Combating Money Laundering," "Amendments to the Law on Combating the Financing of Terrorism," "Accession to the International Convention on Combating Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo)," and "Accession to the International Convention on Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT)" have been drafted by the Iranian government and sent to the parliament. Although the four conventions were approved by the parliament and sent to the Advisory Council, the CFT conventions and the Palermo Convention have not yet been approved by the mentioned council. The G7 group founded the FATF in 1989 to address money laundering. The organization comprises 37 members, with its administration situated in Paris. The FATF designated Iran as a high-risk jurisdiction in 2007 and enacted formal sanctions on Tehran in 2009. Consequently, nations needed to exercise prudence in financial and banking transactions with Iran. Since 2016, diplomatic initiatives have postponed the implementation of retaliatory actions against Iran. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) designated Iran as a non-cooperative country (blacklist) on February 21, 2020. Iran allocates funds to accelerate Chabahar-Zahidan railway construction Iran plans to allocate around $110 million to accelerate the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway, which will link the Chabahar port to the national railway network and boost freight transport and regional economic development. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. In recent years, Uzbekistan has been steadily strengthening its position as one of the key centers of cooperation and development in Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs visit to Brussels became a logical continuation of this course and one of the most significant events in the history of UzbekistanEurope relations. The signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the European Union not only opened a new chapter in their interaction but also marked an important step toward strengthening practical cooperation based on mutual interests and trust. In Samarkand, we committed to deepening our relations with Central Asian countries. Today, we are delivering on that commitment by reinforcing our long-standing relationship with Uzbekistan. The Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement provides a framework for Uzbekistan and the European Union to work together for the mutual benefit of our citizens, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. For the EU, the EPCA represents a strategic move: Brussels aims to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, where China, Russia, and Turkiye are increasing their influence. The European Union, however, is relying not on political pressure, but on economics, technology, and 'soft power'. For Uzbekistan, the new agreement opens the path toward deeper integration into the global economy, increased investment attractiveness, and consolidation of its status as an independent and reliable partner. Economic ties between Tashkent and Brussels are already developing rapidly. Over the past seven years, Uzbekistans trade with European countries has doubled, exceeding 6 billion euros, and the number of joint ventures with European capital has surpassed 1,000 - clear evidence of growing trust in the countrys ongoing reforms. Notably, major European financial institutions are expanding their presence: the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is already a key partner for Tashkent, financing projects in green energy, transport, and the private sector, while the European Investment Bank (EIB) is preparing to open a regional office in Tashkent - a step that demonstrates Brussels long-term commitment to developing cooperation. The EPCA document, consisting of nine sections, 356 articles, and 14 annexes, covers nearly all areas - trade, investment, energy, education, science, the digital economy, and more. Essentially, the new agreement updates the legal framework that had been in place since 1996 and establishes a modern architecture of interaction based on mutual interests and trust. During the meetings in Brussels, President Mirziyoyev outlined four priority areas for future cooperation. First - the development of joint high-value-added production through deep processing of strategic raw materials and mineral resources. This approach will allow Uzbekistan to move away from raw material dependence and advance up the value chain, while Europe gains reliable sources of critical materials for its green and digital transitions. Second - the green economy and chemical industry. Uzbekistan invited European companies to participate in projects for the development of solar and wind energy, energy storage systems, and environmentally friendly technologies. With its vast renewable energy potential, the country can become a key EU partner in building a new architecture of energy security. Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbekistan fully supports international projects for the supply of electricity from our region to Europe. European investments in the green sector accelerate Uzbekistans transition to a low-carbon economy, while the EU gains alternative energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Third - infrastructure and logistics development. Uzbekistan is modernizing its transport network on a large scale - roads, railways, airports - and creating new transport corridors. In this context, the president highlighted the importance of cooperation in establishing modern logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia. Strengthening transport links with the EU, including the use of the Trans-Caspian route within the Global Gateway initiative, will diversify trade routes and reduce dependence on traditional corridors. Fourth - the digital economy and IT. Cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and innovation will raise Uzbekistans technological level and integrate it into the global digital space. Among the key outcomes of the visit is the practical completion of the negotiation process on Uzbekistans accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to Azizbek Urunov, the presidents special representative for WTO affairs, this is the result of more than two years of negotiations and joint work. Agreements on market access have already been reached with 27 EU countries, with only three partners remaining before the final signing of accession agreements. This progress serves as a clear signal recognizing Uzbekistans ongoing reforms and strengthening its role in global trade. Experts note that WTO membership will grant Uzbekistan access to the markets of over 160 countries and create strong incentives for the growth of export-oriented industries. European participants in the negotiations highly praised the transparency and stability of investment conditions in Uzbekistan, as well as the countrys readiness to implement large-scale projects. Business representatives expressed particular interest in cooperation in the mining and processing of critical minerals, energy, and digital technologies areas that are at the heart of the new cooperation agenda. The Brussels visit clearly demonstrated that relations between Uzbekistan and the EU are moving from a primarily diplomatic format to a practical partnership. For Europe, this is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, where new trade routes and energy corridors are taking shape. For Tashkent, it is an opportunity to consolidate its role as an independent player shaping the regional agenda. This visit became a symbol of Uzbekistans transformation from an observer into an active architect of a new geo-economic reality. The signing of the EPCA and the breakthrough in WTO accession confirm that the country is confidently integrating into the global system while maintaining its own strategic independence. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 25. Baghdad Amreyev, President of the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF), met with Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and a Member of TIFs Board of Governors, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation between the Fund and Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports. Amreyev, accompanied by TIF General Director Ramil Babayev and Chief Investment Officer Sanjar Usmanov, briefed the Kyrgyz minister on the Funds recent initiatives and outlined upcoming steps on its agenda. He emphasized TIFs commitment to promoting regional investment, facilitating economic collaboration among member states, and supporting sustainable growth through concrete cross-border projects. Minister Sydykov welcomed the TIF delegation and reaffirmed Kyrgyzstans strong commitment to continued cooperation with the Fund. He highlighted member states expectations for TIF to support shared economic priorities, joint projects, and regional connectivity. The officials also discussed preparations for the forthcoming Board of Governors meeting in Bishkek, reviewing the draft agenda and organizational arrangements. They noted the meetings significance in guiding the next phase of TIFs development and ensuring productive outcomes for its member states. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 25. Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between Russia and Kazakhstan remain at a high level and expressed confidence they would continue to strengthen, according to a congratulatory message sent to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the countrys national holiday, Trend reports. Your country is confidently moving along the path of social and economic development and steadily strengthening its position on the international stage. Russian-Kazakh ties are at a high level. Our states successfully cooperate across various areas and interact effectively within the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the CSTO, the SCO and other multilateral frameworks, Putin said in the message published by the Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan. He added that Tokayevs upcoming state visit to Russia would help deepen the strategic partnership and alliance between Moscow and Astana. Putin also wished the Kazakh leader good health and success, and the people of Kazakhstan prosperity and well-being. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev plans to pay a state visit to Russia on November 12. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 25. Russia has introduced temporary special rules for customs clearance of goods entering the country from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, Trend reports. Under the decree, goods transported by road from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan may be imported into Russia until December 10, 2025, even if they do not have the usual documents confirming their status as goods of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) or the required product marking normally required by EAEU and Russian law. The measure applies to goods destined for Russian legal entities. Once the goods cross the border, recipients in Russia must meet several conditions. They must notify customs authorities in writing that the goods will be formally declared later, ensure that the goods are taken to temporary storage warehouses designated by Russian customs, and provide company and tax identification details to the Ministry of Industry and Trade so the necessary labeling or marking can be completed while the goods are in storage. All customs declarations and related formalities must be finalized no later than December 27, 2025. The Federal Customs Service has been authorized to issue official explanations on how the decree should be implemented. The new rules take effect immediately. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 25. Kazakhstan has prevented damage to the state amounting to 3.8 trillion tenge ($7 billion) since the beginning of 2025, Chairman of the National Security Committee Yermek Sagimbayev reported to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports citing the presidential press service. Sagimbayev noted that 255 billion tenge ($473.5 million) has already been returned to the state budget. A total of 91 criminal cases related to corruption have been initiated. In addition, national security authorities have detained 67 individuals involved in extremism and terrorism, while 83 supporters of radical ideologies have been convicted. Joint actions with the Ministry of Internal Affairs led to the dismantling of 17 criminal groups, with 244 members arrested and 96 placed in pre-trial detention. Security forces also seized 453 firearms, 64 grenades, and around 6,000 rounds of ammunition. Anti-drug operations resulted in the closure of 16 narcotics laboratories, as well as 25 international and 19 regional drug trafficking channels. Authorities confiscated approximately 20 tons of narcotics, including 13 tons of Colombian cocaine and 10 tons of precursor chemicals. These measures demonstrate Kazakhstans ongoing efforts to strengthen economic security, combat corruption, and counter extremism and organized crime. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 25. The U.S. expects to strengthen its expanded strategic partnership with Kazakhstan in the coming year, according to a congratulatory message sent to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of the countrys Republic Day by U.S. President Donald Trump, Trend reports via Akorda. Trump highlighted that the U.S. highly values its close economic ties and security cooperation with Kazakhstan. A congratulatory message was also sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who emphasized Beijings readiness to work with Kazakhstan to further strengthen political engagement, mutual support, alignment of development strategies, and promotion of high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. In his message, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Kazakhstan continues to move confidently along the path of socio-economic development while steadily strengthening its international standing. He added that Russian-Kazakh relations remain at a very high level, with successful cooperation across multiple areas and effective interaction within the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the CSTO, the SCO, and other multilateral frameworks. More than 120 people have lost their lives in severe flooding across Niger this year, according to the United Nations. Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said the floods, which began with the onset of the rainy season in June, have affected approximately 550,000 people nationwide. The regions of Dosso, Tillaberi, and Maradi are among the hardest hit, with widespread destruction to homes and farmland. Nearly 55,000 houses have been destroyed, while over 10,000 acres of agricultural land remain submerged under water. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is coordinating with Nigerien authorities to deliver emergency assistance to displaced and affected communities. However, Haq warned that resources are critically insufficient. The 2025 humanitarian response plan for Niger, valued at 603 million U.S. dollars, remains less than 20 percent funded. The UN continues to appeal for urgent international support to help the West African nation confront one of its worst flooding disasters in recent years. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home White House confirms Trump, Xi Jinping meeting in South Korea US President Donald Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House has confirmed Saturday October 25, 2025 1:47 PM , ummid.com News Network Washington: US President Donald Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House has confirmed. In a media briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the much anticipated bilateral meeting between the two leaders will be held on Thursday October 30, 2025 on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit. The 2025 Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit is taking place from October 31 to November 01 in South Korea's eastern city of Gyeongju. It will be the first face-to-face meeting for both the leaders since Trump's return to office as US President in January 2021. The two leaders had last met in 2019, during Trump's first term as President. Trump, Xi Meeting Agenda Besides confirmation that Trump and Xi will be meeting on coming Thursday, the White House has not shared more details about the agenda. But, as the bilateral meeting between the two is being held amidst tariff war and hightened tension between the world's two largest economies, trade is likely to take centrestage. Meanwhile, Trump while embarking on his Asia tour said he will be discussing with Xi Jinping a lot of things, including Taiwan. "We have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts, and our tremendous asset together", Trump said while talking to reporters. "I will be talking about Taiwan. I won't go there, but I will be talking about it. Lot of respect for Taiwan...," Trump added. Trump's mention of Taiwan ahead of his meeting with Xi could be tricky as China considers it a red line. Taiwan is a self-governed island but China asserts sovereignty over it. Trump's Asia tour includes participation in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2025 to be held in Malaysia Sunday. Trump will then visit Japan and South Korea where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Watch: Zohran Mamdanis Dream resonates with Indian Muslims No matter what the outcome of the New York Mayor Election will be. But, Mamdani deserves praise for bringing to the fore so forcefully the plight of Muslims living in most parts of the world today Saturday October 25, 2025 5:55 PM , ummid.com News Network Zohran Mamdani is here again. Two days after explaining why he criticizes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, the New York Mayor hopeful in a new video described in details what it meant to be a Muslim nowadays. Zohran Mamdani, who is running for the New York Mayor, voting for which is scheduled to be held on November 04, 2025, shared his experience, and the experience of around 10 million Muslims living in New York. Treated like strangers in own country and living under constant stress and threat, Mamdani said. Repeatedly mocked and laughed at, labeled an extremist, called a terrorist and a supporter of global Jihad, he said. Mamdani recalled how his opponents are making fun of his eating habits and Halal food. He also referred to his aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her Hijab. Mamdani also described how every Muslim in New York has been marked as the other, who is randomly selected in a way that rarely feels random, who feels that they carry a stain that can never quite be cleaned. The New York Mayor hopeful also recalled how Muslims are treated as suspects, while on road and airport, the moment their identities are revealed. Zohran Mamdani also explained how Muslim students are treated in schools and how terrorist tag sprayed on Mosques and Muslim faith centres, and all these things were done with complete impunity. To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does, he said. Mamdani said despite challenges and facing unsolicited treatment, he worked very hard to become acceptable to all and to be treated at par with other, but he was wrong. I thought that if I behaved well enough or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist baseless attacks while returning back to my central message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith I was wrong, he said. The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker. And yet for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that and to be satisfied with whatever little we receive, he added. Islamophobia is not seen as inexcusable People are free to incite violence against Muslims and mosques, and nobody will even condemn, Zohran Mamdani said. Zohran Mamdani, who has Indian roots , in the little over six minute video has summarized the plight of every Muslim living in most part of the world today The plight of Muslims in the United Kingdom where only two days ago the government announced additional fund for the protection of Muslims and safety of Muslim community centers, faith schools and mosques The plight of Indian Muslims who are not as lucky as their counterparts in the UK as the attacks against them, their properties and their mosques are becoming routine, systematic and done with full government support. No matter what the outcome of the New York Mayor Election will be. But, Mamdani deserves praise for bringing to the fore so forcefully the plight of Muslims living in most parts of the world today Mamdani deserves praise for sharing with the world the dream of Muslims to be treated equally Mamdani deserves praise for calling upon the world to end the vicious cycle of hate Mamdani deserves praise for forcefully telling to the world No More Watch: Zohran Mamdani The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker. And yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that, and endure hatred and bigotry in the shadows. No more. pic.twitter.com/B7BWrifQ1f Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 25, 2025 Full Transcript Six years ago, shortly after I had announced I was running for assembly, a well-meaning Muslim uncle pulled me aside. He smiled softly and looked at me with care. In a quiet voice, he told me I did not have to tell people I was a Muslim. His eyes kind, his beard proud and his face heavy with the implication of the unsaid. I had not learned the lesson that he had been taught, time and again. It is the lesson that safety could only be found in the shadows of our city that it is in those shadows alone where Muslims could embrace the fullness of our own identities. And that if we are to emerge from them then it is in those shadows where we must leave our faith. These are the lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught again and again. And over these last few days, these are the lessons that have become the closing message of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams. Yesterday, Andrew Cuomo laughed and agreed when a radio show host said that I would cheer another 9/11. Yesterday, Eric Adams said that we can't let our city become Europe. He compared me to violent extremists, and he lied when he said that our movement seeks to burn churches and destroy communities. The day before that, Curtis Sliwa slandered me from a debate stage. When he claimed that I supported global Jihad. Every day, Superpack ads imply that I am a terrorist or mock the way I eat, push polls that ask New Yorkers questions like whether they support invented proposals to make Halal mandatory or political cartoons that represent my candidacy as an airplane hurtling towards the World Trade Center. But I do not want to use this moment to speak to them any further. I want to use this moment to speak to the Muslims of the city. I want to speak to the memory of my aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her Hijab. I want to speak to the Muslim city worker, whether they teach in our schools or walk the beat for the NYPD, New Yorkers all make daily sacrifices on behalf of the city only to see their leaders spit in their face. I want to speak to every child who grows up in New York, marked as the other, who is randomly selected in a way that rarely feels random, who feels that they carry a stain that can never quite be cleaned. Growing up in the shadow of 9/11, I have known what it means to live with an undercurrent of suspicion. I will always remember the disdain I faced, the way my name could immediately become Muhammad, and how I could return to my city, only to be asked in a double-mirrored room at the airport if I had any plan of attacking it. And since I was very young, I have known that I was spared the worst of it. I was never pressured to be an informant like a classmate of mine. I have never had the word terrorist spray painted on my garage as one of my staff had to endure. My mosque has never been set on fire. To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity. But indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does. Since I announced my candidacy for Mayor one year ago yesterday, I've sought to be the candidate fighting for everyday New Yorkers, not simply the Muslim candidate. I've carried these indignities with me each moment of this race, doing so all the while as the first major Muslim candidate for mayor in New York City history. I thought that if I could build a campaign of universality, I could define myself as the leader I aspire to be, one representing every New Yorker, no matter their skin color or religion. I thought if I worked hard enough, it would allow me to be that leader. I thought that if I behaved well enough or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist baseless attacks while returning back to my central message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith. I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough. In doing this, I told the wide-eyed young boy in Jackson Heights, or the first-time voters in Parkchester, that they too should remain in the shadows. I am becoming that same uncle who took me aside. No more. The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker. And yet for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that and to be satisfied with whatever little we receive. No more. For as long as we have lived, we have known that no matter what anyone says, there are still certain forms of hate acceptable in this city today. Islamophobia is not seen as inexcusable. One can incite violence against our mosques and know that condemnation will never come. Elected officials in this city can sell T-shirts calling for my deportation without fear of any accountability. The consequences are stark. More than one million Muslim New Yorkers exist in this city, only to be made to feel as if guests in our own home. No more. We stand on the precipice of an election, but that is not what today is about. We know that in less than two weeks, we will say goodbye to a disgraced former governor and our current indicted Mayor. The bigger question is whether we are willing to say goodbye to something much larger. It is whether we are willing to say goodbye to anti-Muslim sentiment that has grown so endemic in our city that when we hear it, we know not whether the words were said by a Republican or by a Democrat, we know only that it was spoken in the language of the politics of this city. In an era of ever diminishing bipartisan, Islamophobia has emerged as one of the few areas of agreement. And while I appreciate all who have rushed to my defense over the past two days, I think of those Muslims in this city who do not have the luxury of being the Democratic nominee, who do not have the luxury of being deemed worthy of solidarity. While my opponents in this race have brought this hatred to the forefront, this is just a glimpse into what so many Muslims have had to endure every day across the five boroughs that we call home. And while it would be easy to say that this is not who we are as a city, we know the truth. This is who we have allowed ourselves to become. A question lies before each of us. Will we continue to accept a narrow definition of what it means to be a New Yorker that makes smaller the number of those guaranteed a life of dignity? Will we remain in the shadows? Or will we together step into the light? There are 11 days remaining until election day. I will be a Muslim man in New York City each of those 11 days, and every day that follows after that. I will not change who I am. I will not change how I eat. I will not change the faith I am proud to belong to. But there is one thing I will change. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light. Thank you... [All images shared by Zohran Mamdani on X.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Google claims 13K faster than Supercomputer Quantum computing breakthrough In a major breakthrough, Google has claimed its Willow quantum computing chip can crack algorithm and complex equations 13,000 times faster than the finest supercomputer available today Saturday October 25, 2025 9:31 PM , Technology Desk In a major breakthrough, Google has claimed its Willow quantum computing chip can crack algorithm and complex equations 13,000 times faster than the finest supercomputer available today. Google tried to run the out-of-order time correlator (OTOC) algorithm, calling it Quantum Echoes on its Willow quantum chip. Quantum Echoes can be useful in learning the structure of systems in nature, from molecules to magnets to black holes, and Google demonstrated it runs 13,000 times faster on Willow than the best classical algorithm on one of the worlds fastest supercomputers. What is Quantum Computing? This new paradigm is different from supercomputers in that it uses quantum bits or qubits, which exist in multiple states at the same time. In quantum computing, a qubit is a basic unit of quantum information that can take on richer states that extend beyond just 0 and 1. Google's quantum computers work by manipulating qubits in an orchestrated fashion that it calls quantum algorithms. Google's Quantum Supremacy Google quantum computers were the first to demonstrate a computational task in which they outperformed the fastest supercomputers in 2019 when a Google AI team achieved sort of " quantum supremacy " by developing a new 54-qubit processor named "Sycamore" that is comprised of fast, high-fidelity quantum logic gates in order to perform the benchmark testing. A team of Chinese researchers had in 2022 claimed to have replicated the performance of Google's Sycamore quantum computer using traditional hardware. The Chinese researchers used a system comprised of 512 GPUs to complete the same calculation developed by Google to demonstrate it had passed the quantum supremacy milestone back in 2019. The latest breakthrough as announced by Google is the first visible signs that quantum computing may finally be reaching the real world application stage. Interestingly, the United Nations (UN) too is keeping a close watch on the latest development. The UN has even announced 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Tunisias Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA-Tunisia) has announced on October 23 that 22 Chinese companies have established operations in the country, contributing over 31 million Tunisian dinars in foreign direct investment and generating around 1,100 jobs. The disclosure followed the visit of Li Shijie, a senior member of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, who met with FIPA Director General Jalel Tebib and other officials to explore investment and trade opportunities between the two nations. Talks focused on expanding Chinese involvement in key Tunisian sectors, including automotive manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism. Tebib reaffirmed Tunisias openness to Chinese investment, while Li highlighted the countrys strategic location, skilled labour, and favourable market access as major attractions. Both sides emphasised their commitment to deepening economic ties under the Belt and Road Initiative, positioning Tunisia as an emerging hub for Chinese enterprises in North Africa. Candidates in Cote dIvoire concluded their final rallies on Thursday, October 23, 2025, as the West African nation prepares for its presidential election on Saturday. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking a fourth term that would extend his leadership of the cocoa-rich nation to nearly two decades. Running under the ruling Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Paix (RHDP) with the slogan For a Great Nation, Ouattara faces four weakened opposition parties in a race that has drawn 8.7 million registered voters. The campaign season ended with grand rallies across the country. In Abidjan, thousands of Ouattaras supporters filled the streets for a final show of support as the president delivered a defiant message to his critics. Former first lady Simone Gbagbo held her closing rally in Aboisso, while former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon addressed supporters in Bouake. Despite these efforts, political analysts believe the opposition stands little chance following the disqualification of major contenders such as former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam and ex-president Laurent Gbagbo. As election day nears, fear of violence has led to shuttered shops and deserted streets across Abidjan a city once vibrant but now cautious, given the countrys history of post-election unrest. Campaign posters of Ouattara dominate public spaces, underscoring his apparent advantage. Many supporters, such as 25-year-old Ange Ouattara, express confidence in an outright first-round victory for the incumbent President. Moroccos initiatives for food security in Africa were highlighted, on Friday before the Ministerial Segment of the 6th ordinary session of the African Unions (AU) Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE). Moroccos permanent representative to the AU and UN-ECA, Mohamed Arrouchi, emphasized that the Kingdom has made Africas food security a strategic priority, integrated into its socio-economic development programs, mainly the National Strategy Green Generation 2020-2030, recalling the launch of several concrete initiatives and key actions for food security within the framework of Agenda 2030, Agenda 2063, and various multilateral initiatives. In this regard, the diplomat cited the call for the creation of an international fund dedicated to food security in Africa, on the occasion of the second review of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4), the launch in 2016 of the African Agriculture Adaptation Initiative (AAA) and the Initiative for Sustainability, Stability and Security in Africa (Triple S). He also highlighted the Kingdoms commitment, through the tripartite partnership between the OCP Group, AUDA-NEPAD, and the AU Commission signed in 2019, and the opening by OCP of 12 representative offices on the continent to strengthen fertilizer production and distribution. He noted that the OCP Group has also donated thousands of tons of fertilizer to several African countries, an action that is part of Moroccos solidarity and concern for African farmers. Arrouchi also emphasized that this session is being held at a pivotal moment for the continent, marked by the transition from the Malabo Declaration (20142025) to the new Kampala Strategy and Action Plan (20262035), noting that the Kingdom welcomes and fully supports the African initiatives launched in this context, particularly through the sustainable transformation of African agri-food systems and the strengthening of resilience to climate change. The diplomat also highlighted Moroccos achievement of the highest score in the 2023-2025 STC-ARDWE cycle, demonstrating the countrys ongoing efforts in this area. He emphasized that this performance illustrates the vision of King Mohammed VI, who has placed agriculture at the center of the Kingdoms economic and social development. As part of its active solidarity and unwavering policy in favor of South-South complementarity, and in light of the many challenges facing the continent, Morocco reaffirms its full readiness to cooperate actively with the African Union Commission, the Regional Economic Communities, and all member states to translate the guidelines of the Kampala Vision into concrete actions, he said, assuring that the Kingdom will continue to defend the values of solidarity, unity, and partnership that underpin joint action. Together, let us work for an Africa that produces and feeds its population, while sustainably preserving its natural resources for the benefit of future generations, he concluded. The Ministerial Segment, organized by the AUs Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, was preceded by a session of experts and senior officials on October 21-22. The main objective of the meeting is to review and recommend to the AU Executive Council the main policy and operational documents relating to agriculture, rural development, water, and the environment. This involves reviewing and validating the report on the implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the 5th STC-ARDWE and reviewing and approving the progress report on ongoing programs and projects in order to update previous decisions and declarations. Israeli propaganda ( - hasbara) has rarely been a function of Israeli governments, but rather an operation of associations partially funded by them. These associations, which have their own ideologies, are not accountable for their actions to the Israeli people, but exclusively to their sponsors, including the governments in Tel Aviv. The self-proclaimed "largest democracy in the Middle East" thus funds profoundly anti-democratic operations without the knowledge of its citizens. Israels chronic instability since its founding and the habit of appointing central ministerial directors based on political criteria rather than competence have blurred Israels message. Several competing powers deliver different messages [1]. Ultimately, an authority has been created for "public diplomacy" (propaganda). It has become particularly secretive. Before the founding of Israel, the term hasbara referred to the act of explaining a position in the Diaspora. But over time, it became synonymous with "propaganda." In 1974, following the Yom Kippur War, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin created a Ministry of Information, which he entrusted to General Aharon Yariv [2]. But the latter resigned seven months later and devoted himself to creating a prestigious think tank, the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies. It was not until 2006 that a Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Hasbara (now the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy) was again created; a ministry that does not have a website and does not communicate, but which became famous in 2015 with its campaign against the phenomena of delegitimization and boycotts against Israel, that is to say, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This discreet ministry created its own (non-governmental organization organized by the government) (sic), Kela Shlomo (Solomons Sling) (later Concert, then Voices of Israel) led by Colonel Yossi Kuperwasser, Ambassadors Dore Gold and Ron Prosor and Brigadier Sima Vaknin Gill, former director of military censorship. Various companies (Black Cube, Psy-Group and Cyber Shield [3]) spied on BDS activists on behalf of Kela Shlomo [4]. In recent years, approximately $200 million a year, or four-fifths of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacys budget, has been allocated to the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP). Ron Dermer, the current minister since 2022, was an advisor to Natan Sharansky and the author of his book, The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror. It was to him, in late 2023, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was entrusted with a plan aimed at minimizing the Palestinian population of Gaza [5]. Specifically, Sharansky is the president of ISGAP. He is a Ukrainian revisionist Zionist; a disciple of the other Ukrainian, Vladimir Jabotinsky. He played a central role in the fight against Russia during the Soviet era. He was the main reference for Senator Henry M. Jacksons Straussians, emigrated to the United States, was awarded the Congressional Medal by Ronald Reagan, and became a minister under General Ariel Sharon. In 2001, he founded One Jerusalem, the association that campaigns for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the "Jewish State" alone (and not that of the Palestinian State). Today, he heads ISGAP and, in this capacity, oversees almost all of the hasbara. Hasbara has won many battles. The latest for ISGAP is the campaign of hearings of university rectors by the United States Congress, resulting in several resignations and sanctions against pro-Palestinian associations. However, one can only be surprised by the ineffectiveness of their international campaigns against antisemitism. Eighty years after the founding of the State of Israel, not only has the problem not been resolved, but it has worsened [6]. During this time, machismo, homophobia, and racism have declined considerably. It must be considered that antisemitism is a means by which the Israeli authorities exert pressure on their own population. Let us remember that revisionist Zionists used antisemitism to advance their cause in the diaspora. During his lecture at the Israeli Consulate General in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that his countrys ambitions were to control people under the age of thirty-five via social media [7]. According to YNetGlobal, he launched a campaign to take control of social media and influence people under 25, "Project 545" [8]. It was entrusted to Havas Media Network, the company owned by Yannick Bollore (son of Vincent Bollore and husband of Chloe Bouygues). The latter awarded Clock Tower X LLC a $6 million contract to "provide strategic communications, planning, and media services in support of Havass commitment by the State of Israel to develop and execute a national campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism." Clock Tower is the company founded by Brad Parscale after he left Donald Trumps campaign team. According to a poll conducted for Israel in the United States, 47% of the population believes the IDF is committing genocide. The Israeli governments main idea is to influence the responses of artificial intelligence by creating a multitude of social media accounts that will provide the narrative that ChatGPT and its rivals will feed on. "Project 545" is the code name for this operation, funded to the tune of 545 million shekels, or $145 million, by 2025. It terminated Israels contract with SKDKnickerbocker, the communications firm linked to the US Democratic Party. According to Responsible Statecraft, the influencer network Benjamin Netanyahu referred to during his speech at the Israeli Consulate General in New York was reportedly formed by Bridges Partners, the company owned by Yair Levi and Uri Steinberg. The campaign, called the Esther Project, has already cost $900,000. Fourteen to 18 influencers are believed to have published 75 to 90 posts during this period. The fees are paid by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Three of the influencers have been identified. They are Lizzy Savetsky, a prominent online advocate for Israel since the beginning of the war; businessman Ari Ackerman, grandson of Israeli-American tycoon Meshulam Riklis; and digital creator Zach Sage Fox. Uri Steinberg, meanwhile, is a former senior official in the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. He works at Natan Sharanskys Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP). A tax document provides an estimate of Bridge Partners overhead costs [9]. Journalist Candace Owenswho reported Xavier Poussards revelations about Brigitte Macrons real identitypublished screenshots of Charlie Kirk attesting that his funding had been cut and that he had received threats two days before his assassination [10]. Now Charlie Kirk had just taken a stand against the massacres in Gaza. During his speech in New York, Benjamin Netanyahu said: "The most important purchase underway is (...) TikTok. Number one. And I hope it goes through because it can be substantial. And the other one? X. We need to talk to Elon [Musk]. Hes not an enemy, hes a friend. We should talk to him. Now, if we can achieve those two things, well achieve a lot. We need to fight the fight, give direction to the Jewish people, and give direction to our non-Jewish friends." Billionaire Safra Catz became executive vice president of Larry Ellisons Oracle when it acquired 45% of the social network TikTok on September 25. On that occasion, she said: "We need to integrate love and respect for Israel into American culture." Oracle will store TikToks US user data on its cloud computers. At the same time, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just created the company Show Faith by Work, which it has registered as a foreign agent of influence in the United States [11]. This time, the aim is to disseminate the official version of the October 7 attack and messages against the existence of a Palestinian state to all American Christian Zionists. A budget of $3.2 million has been allocated, including the rental of a caravan that will allow propaganda films to be shown during Christian gatherings. Nine months ago, all sorts of commentators were calling Donald Trump names, as his peace plan for Israel and the Palestinian territories began to be implemented. A host of personalities claimed responsibility for it. Its a sport among communicators, now politicians, to have no ideas or initiatives, but to appropriate those of others when they succeed. It is true that no one, except Donald Trump and his idol Andrew Jackson, had thought that trade could be "substituted for war." [1] Its a bold bet that doesnt resolve any of the problems besetting the populations, but sweeps them away and opens new perspectives [2]. Thus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed to have always sought this outcome, making people forget the crimes he committed against the Palestinians, the Lebanese, the Syrians, the Iraqis, the Yemenis, and the Iranians. But he is not alone: Bridget Phillipson, the British Education Secretary, declared, on behalf of Governor Starmer, that she had played a decisive role behind the scenes. [3] We would have forgotten the spy flights over Gaza by the Royal Air Force throughout the conflict and the discreet trips back and forth between the Israeli chiefs of staff and London [4]. Even stranger, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while congratulating themselves on their relations with the torturers and murderers of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood (Hamas), came to sign the peace agreement, under the gaze of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian president, who considers both Israel and the Brotherhood his enemies [5]. This signing was unlike any other. In the presence of some twenty Western heads of state, the pretense continued to be that this conflict was tribal, that it pitted Israelis and Palestinians against each other, unable to agree for 80 years. Stupid politicians chose sides based on their proximity to the Jews for some, and to the Arabs for others. Yet everyone who has lived in the Levant, and particularly the French, knows that this conflict was artificial, that it was designed by the British Empire to last forever for its own benefit. Hence the question: how did Donald Trump manage to unravel this trap on which a long list of predecessors failed? To understand this, we must consider that the President of the United States realized that the British-American-Israeli deep state was pulling the strings of this endless conflict. He had fought for twenty-four years against the Straussians (the disciples of Leo Strauss) in the United States [6] and recognized Elliott Abrams (whom he had employed during his first term) as the true leader of the ruling coalition in Israel. Similarly, when the Biden administration considered overthrowing Netanyahu and helping to place Benny Gantz in power in Tel Aviv (March 2024), it understood that the British were standing in the way because they opposed General Gantz destroying Hamas [7]. Yes, London still protected the Muslim Brotherhood, while also providing military assistance to Israel. This was its imperial strategy: "Divide and rule" and support both sides at once, so that each would neutralize the other, and the Crowns interests would persist effortlessly [8]. Similarly, President Trump has relied on Benjamin Netanyahu, whose obsessions and versatility he has long since realized. Didnt Jacques Chirac call him a pathological liar seeking only to expel the Palestinians? Trumps bet is that Netanyahu hasnt suddenly become a Nazi, but that he is following the directives of the revisionist Zionists on October 7th, just as George W. Bush followed those of the Straussians on September 11th. [9] Donald Trump will not stop there. He intends to end the war against the Russians just as he ended the one against the Arabs. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, explained to him at the beginning of his tour of Moscow and Kyiv that the Ukrainian fundamentalist nationalists have been allies since 1921 (the rapprochement between Symon Petliura and Vladimir Jabotinsky). Together, they massacred pro-Soviet Ukrainians and non-Zionist Jews [10] The fundamental nationalists manipulate the unelected President Volodymyr Zelensky, just as the revisionist Zionists manipulate Benjamin Netanyahu. They have penetrated Ukrainian institutions with Andriy Biletsky (now head of the 3rd Army Corps), Dmitryo Yarosh, and Andriy Parubiy (assassinated two months ago), while the Straussians have penetrated the United Nations, and the British have penetrated the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine. To resolve this imbroglio, Donald Trump should turn around Volodymyr Zelensky, as he did with Benjamin Netanyahu. He should invest in rebuilding what remains of Ukraine to make people forget the territories it has lost. For this staging, he will be able to count on his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who can accept losing in the eyes of the West, if he clearly wins for the Russians. To begin, Donald Trump called President Putin on October 16. Putin reminded his interlocutor that the Danish warnings about Russian drones were only decoys. Indeed, the Danes, like other European states, have long protected their airports against drone attacks (Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, and Slovenia also do so for their nuclear power plants). However, Denmark refused to destroy the drones flying over its airports or to provide any information about them. It preferred to blame Russia and close its airports. Clearly, this operation was nothing more than a setup to justify the establishment of a NATO-led drone wall to seal off the European continent. Vladimir Putin insisted: Russia would never provoke the Atlantic Alliance. Then, the next day, October 17, Donald Trump informed Zelensky that he would have to admit to having lost the territories liberated by Russia [11], which implies that the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine, led by the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, established by the Council of Europe, are null and void. Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world. Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense. Contents of issue N148 EDITORIAL 4099 International Court of Justice Delivers Opinion on Israels Obligations AMERICAS 4100 John Bolton indicted 4101 Towards the indictment of John Brennan 4102 The FDA concealed the dangers of Tylenol for a decade 4103 Dismissal of the Commander of the SouthCom 4104 U.S.-Australian Agreement on Rare Earths 4105 - $500 billion in pharmaceutical investments 4106 Trump administration spokespersons respond to Huffington Post insinuations 4107 Charlie Kirks Listeners Are Fascinated by the Bible 4108 BNP-Paribas sentenced in New York 4109 Amazon Automation 4110 US military reform moves forward 4111 Signing of the Pentagons New Press Rules 4112 Tucker Carlson Calls for a Commission of Inquiry into the 9/11 Attacks 4113 Texas Has Removed 1 million Fake Voters 4114 Why Karine Jean-Pierre left the Democratic Party 4115 Americans concerned about Donald Trumps actions 4116 Senate Hearings on Hezbollah, Venezuela and Drug Trafficking 4117 Rodrigo Paz Pereira elected Bolivian president 4118 The Pentagon bombs an eighth ship in international waters EUROPE 4119 Removal of the President of the Oxford Union 4120 Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy jailed 4121 Polish judiciary releases Nord Stream saboteur 4122 Peter Szijjarto denounces Polish pro-terrorist justice 4123 EU increases sanctions against Russian oil tankers 4124 The European Commissions Defense Roadmap 4125 Sweden wants to deprive Hungary of EU funds 4126 France wants to deprive NGOs opposed to "European values" of European funds 4127 Planning for the Donors Conference for Palestine 4128 European Parliament in favor of amending the treaties for foreign policy and defense decisions 4129 Sakharov Prize 2025 4130 Zelensky meets with the Hudson Institute and the American First Policy Institute 4131 Planning the meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine 4132 Pro-Zelensky states accept the idea that peace negotiations will start from the line of contact 4133 Putin-Trump summit postponed AFRICA 4134 Maminiaina Ravatomanga placed under surveillance in Mauritius ASIA 4135 First post-peace agreement incidents in Gaza 4136 Donald Trump plans to intervene in Gaza 4137 Preparation of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza 4138 Gazan lawyer denounces Hamas dictatorship 4139 Disputed resignation of the Syrian consul in Dubai 4140 Iraq accepts US military presence to protect itself from Daesh 4141 Mark Savaya, Donald Trumps Special Envoy for Iraq 4142 Turkiye grants more water to Iraq 4143 Saudi-Chinese Military Exercises 4144 Death of Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, 4145 Attack on an Iranian fuel tanker off Yemen 4146 Turkiye Could Allow Halki Seminary to Reopen 4147 Ali Shamkhanis daughter gets married without hijab or straps 4148 Former president of the International Criminal Court calls for Kim Jong-un to be tried 4149 Number of detainees halved in North Korea 4150 Very significant purge of the PLA 4151 Sanae Takaichi forms a militarist government 4152 Shigeru Ishiba confirms that he is an imperial militarist INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 4153 UN Security Council Discusses Situation in Syria Man fell from a height of seven metres off Pantheon perimeter wall. An investigation is under way after a Japanese tourist fell to his death from the perimeter wall of the Pantheon in Rome, a drop of about seven metres, on Friday night. The man, aged 69, fell off the wall to the rear of the ancient landmark at around 21.50. Emergency medical services and firefighters forced open a gate on Via della Palombella, however rescue efforts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the tragedy is unknown, with some local media speculating that the man may have fallen after suddenly becoming ill or leaning over too far to take a selfie. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated calls for a realistic and compromise-based approach to resolving the Western Sahara dispute in his latest report to the Security Council, as international support for Moroccos autonomy initiative continues to expand. The report, covering developments through October 2025, emphasizes the necessity of solutions grounded in realism and compromise, aligning with Security Council Resolution 2703. Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura has maintained this position throughout diplomatic engagements, reflecting growing international consensus around Moroccos 2007 autonomy proposal. The document confirms explicit backing from France and the United Kingdom for Moroccos plan, deemed the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for achieving a durable political solution, with Paris communicating this stance in July 2024 and London in June 2025. The autonomy initiative, presented to the UN in 2007, proposes self-governance for the region under Moroccan sovereignty. Multiple Security Council resolutions have acknowledged the proposal as serious and credible, with increasing international recognition marking a significant diplomatic shift. Notably absent from Guterres assessment is any mention of a referendum on self-determination, signaling departure from a framework that has proven unworkable for decades. This evolution reflects geopolitical realism and recognition of the autonomy plans viability as the primary path toward resolution. De Misturas diplomatic efforts have received broad support from Security Council members during briefings in October 2024 and April 2025. The envoy maintains regular contact with all parties including Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and permanent Security Council members, representing the most sustained mediation push in years. The report documents Moroccos continued development of the southern provinces, including infrastructure investments and population growth from 450,000 to 600,000 residents since 2014, demonstrating effective territorial administration and economic development initiatives. Mayor underlines Rome's credentials as greenest city in Europe. Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Friday hailed an "unprecedented" forestation campaign, with the goal of one million new trees throughout the metropolitan area, including 800,000 in the city. Speaking at a general assembly dedicated to green spaces, the mayor said that Rome has a "tremendous responsibility as the greenest city in Europe", boasting 85,000 hectares of parks, historic villas and agricultural land. "We estimate that this represents more than two-thirds of the city's surface area, and 340,000 trees are under direct public responsibility", Gualtieri said, adding: "Forestation campaigns haven't been carried out for many years, and this is certainly the largest." Gualtieri, who recently announced his intention to seek a second term in office, described the ongoing project as "an extraordinary opportunity to once again become a leading city, not only in the fight against climate change, but also to restore a new relationship with nature and improve the quality of life of Romans." Regarding the possibility of incorporating greenery into areas around heritage sites, the mayor clarified that the "protection of monuments is essential, but a city centre as large as Rome needs more greenery". "In an era of intense heat and climate change, urban greenery is increasingly vital" - Gualtieri said - "so incorporating it into areas around monuments is very complex, but it is possible if done with attention, care and the participation of the scientific community". Gualtieri said the city is making good progress with its tree-planting project "and will move forward with determination. The campaign continues amid an ongoing threat to Rome's iconic pine trees from pine tortoise scale insects, with critics accusing the city of not acting fast enough, or not acting at all in some areas, to deal with the crisis. The city also came in for heavy criticism this month for felling dozens of cypress trees around the Mausoleum of Augustus and for chopping down a landmark Ginkgo tree in Villa Borghese. In both cases, city authorities said the trees were diseased and at risk of falling, and promised that they would be replaced. Eva Osborne With polls set to close in under two hours, the two candidates in the presidential election, as well as politicians and some members of the public, have already cast their votes. The race for the Aras is a two-horse race between Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys. Connolly casts her vote in the election for the next Irish president at Claddagh National School in Galway city, Co Galway. Photo: PA Catherine Connolly cycled from Claddagh National School in Galway city after casting her vote in the election. Photo: PA (L-r) Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys with her daughter Eva and one-year-old grandaughter Charlotte, and an Irish Wolfhound called Peig, arriving to vote at Killeevan Central National School in Newbliss, Co Monaghan, to cast her vote in the election. Photo: PA Humphreys cast her vote with the help of her grandaughter Charlotte. Photo: PA Voter turnout is expected to remain slow in the presidential election on Friday night. Most constituencies across the country are reporting turnout in the high teens or early 20s. The ballot paper used to elect the next president on display at Claddagh National School in Galway city, Co Galway. Photo: PA President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina casting their votes in the presidential election. Photo: PA Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald voted at the Deaf Village in Cabra, north Dublin. Photo: PA Michael Rooney, his wife Stephanie, and their granddaughter leaving the Deaf Village in Cabra, north Dublin, after casting their vote in the election. Photo: PA Micheal Martin and his wife Mary voted in Ballinlough, Cork, on Friday. Simon Harris voted on Friday morning, urging the public to use their vote. Councillor Declan Barry has been appointed a Peace Commissioner by the Department of Justice. The Independent councillor for Waterford City East said he is proud of the appointment and that the way it will allow him to serve the community that elected him last year. It is a great honour to serve the people of Waterford as a public servant. And now I feel that I can be of even greater service to my community under my new role as a Peace Commissioner. It is a privilege to have been selected and I promise to carry out my duties to the highest standard possible, said Cllr Barry. A Waterford teenager has pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman. Thomas Hayes (19) of The Drive, Fairfield, Baltimore Road, was arraigned at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene O'Kelly. He committed assault contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on August 27, 2024 at a location in Waterford City. Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL requested a probation report for the defendant and referenced that he suffered from 'a severe form of ADHD'. Judge O'Kelly granted the application and requested a victim impact statement from the injured party. Hayes was remanded on bail and will return to Court for sentencing in January 2026. (Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme) Advertisement Review Eating outSouth Perth Is one of Perths best steak bargains found at a suburban Japanese restaurant? By day, Hiyori serves set-menu teishoku lunches. After dark, it switches to a value-packed a la carte menu featuring smart contemporary Japanese cooking. Max Veenhuyzen October 25, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 3 Is this one of Perths best-value steaks? Supplied 2 / 3 Unsurprisingly, the sashimi is top-class. Supplied 3 / 3 Enjoy a glass of sake with your meal. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$$ Pop quiz. What is The Bradshaw? Is it a variant of the Cosmopolitan cocktail as popularised by Sex in The City that swaps out the standard issue cranberry juice for richer blackcurrant juice? Is it the nickname for the Brisbane Lions fairest and best award? Or is it name of a large French herding dog? The answer, of course, is none of the above. I also, of course, suspect dialled-in readers guessed that and quickly saw through my flimsy Balderdash-style ruse. Advertisement Hiyori is a must-visit neighbourhood Japanese. How many readers, however, have visited The Bradshaw, an apartment development in Manning? If so, youre doing better than me. Although this area has featured throughout my life my first job was at OBriens Clothing Co it was only this month that I learned there were residents living among the commercial tenants here. The catalyst for this discovery was Hiyori, an urbane Japanese restaurant that opened in The Bradshaw last November. While Japanese food is well established in WA see supermarket shelves everywhere stocked with soy sauce and takeaway California rolls Hiyori still manages to bring new ideas to the party. Advertisement Related Article 14 / 20 Review Heading to Rottnest this summer? Put this cheery all-day bar on your radar The space, for starters, is no izakaya-by-numbers snoozefest or Temu Nobu knock-off. Those approaching via the Manning Laneway will be greeted by windows dressed with pale linen curtains, ornate lamp shades, a wabi-sabi arrangement of stones, and more empty space than probably makes sense in the current economic climate. Juliana Koh, the restaurants Singaporean-born owner, might have done marketing for a living, but architecture and design are her passions, and it shows. Neatly stacked chirori sake flasks line the shelves; the bevelled circular plates are Robert Gordon; the plywood chairs are locally made using the Japanese wood joinery technique kigumi. Yet despite all this design attention to detail, Hiyori presents as warm, not cold; somewhere to hang rather than a museum to be Instagrammed. Much of its charm comes via the cheery front-of-house: natural hosts who are easy to smile and sincere by nature. Its tempting to chalk up this service as typically deferential Japanese, yet the approach here feels Japanese, but remastered for suburbia. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive From the bowls club to the big time: Perth chef duo set their sights on Victoria Park The menu, a team effort between Koh and her son Jerome Mark Amin, also demonstrates same-same-but-different thinking. Raw tuna is sluiced with a spicy mayo, then arranged on rice paper crackers of impressive load-bearing capacity: a free-spirited yet likeable interpretation of poke tostada. Miso butter and warming togarashi chilli lend a Japanese spin on ribs of char-grilled corn. Fried chicken junkies can choose between squares of chook skin puffed into golden crisps or midwings (shio teba) marinated in shio koji, split in two, then fried. Which is most deserving of a place on your dinner order? In the immortal (translated) words of Mia Agraviador: why not both? Being mostly a neighbourhood spot, Hiyori doesnt have Kobe beef, Hokkaido sea urchin and other high-end Japanese ingredients on the menu. But neither does it have the accompanying wallet-busting prices. So while theres West Australian Futari wagyu on the menu, the cut is oyster, an undervalued cut of beef equally suited to being thinly sliced and presented raw as carpaccio as it is being char-grilled and served with a sweet miso-spiked bearnaise sauce. The cooked wagyu is also just $26 and is surely one of Perths biggest steak bargains. Advertisement While the yakitori isnt quite Washokudo-good, theres enough caramelisation and char on Hiyoris sticks to appease grilled chicken fans. Skip the generic-tasting sake clams in favour of the shimesaba: vinegary cured mackerel (not made in-house but imported from Japan) teamed with a ginger oil that conjures memories of Hainanese chicken rice. Desserts and a tight drinks list another study in east meeting west keep the focus on value right to the finish. While I havent road-tested every neighbourhood Japanese restaurant in Perth, I like to think that Ive experienced enough Japanese meals to confidently say Hiyoris approach and price point feels spot-on for the suburbs. Dinner for three with sweets and booze was less than $200. A recent solo omakase outing cost me more than that while being far less enjoyable. Perhaps theres a little-known address in your neck of the woods delivering bang-for-buck? I hope so. (And that you tell me about it.) But until you find your local Hiyori, a visit to The Bradshaw makes for a rewarding night out. Advertisement The low-down Atmosphere: An urbane eatery bringing contemporary Japanese cookery and value to the inner south Go-to dishes: Futari wagyu steak, $26 Drinks: Japanese teas plus a small but considered selection of sake, beer and wine Cost: About $100 for two people, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: South Perth Hiyori Perth Japanese Reviews Max Veenhuyzen is a journalist and photographer who has been writing about food, drink and travel for national and international publications for more than 20 years. He reviews restaurants for the Good Food Guide. John Perkovic was promoted to a high-ranking position in the CFMEU only to be sacked months later over bribe allegations. One was shown the door for taking bribes, the other told to leave over an assault. Both contribute to a crisis engulfing the troubled unions administration. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Federal police are investigating allegations building companies paid massive bribes, including financing a $2.5 million property development and a $150,000 luxury vehicle, to a union boss recently promoted to help lead the Albanese government-backed clean-up of the scandal-tainted CFMEU. Veteran union official John Perky Perkovic was dramatically sacked on Thursday after this masthead and 60 Minutes uncovered damning evidence of his alleged corruption and alerted the Labor-appointed CFMEU administration which, just three months ago, had elevated Perkovic to second-in-charge of the unions all-powerful Victorian branch. The rolling CFMEU scandal has also infected NSW, with a second official there abruptly sacked days ago after this masthead confronted the unions administration with evidence he had engaged in a violent act in the company of a former Hells Angels bikie gang boss in late 2024. In a statement, the Australian Federal Police revealed it had launched an investigation into the Perkovic allegations as part of an operation probing alleged corruption and criminal conduct related to the CFMEU. Related Article Building Bad Labor stands by CFMEU administrator despite parade of scandals on his watch The two sackings have left the barrister hand-picked by federal Labor as administrator of the CFMEU, Mark Irving, KC, facing his biggest crisis since his appointment 15 months ago, when the first instalment of the Building Bad series forced the Albanese government to pledge to reform the powerful union. Since then, Irvings administration has been marred by legal challenges, missteps, and resignations, but the latest scandal is particularly damaging because it is at least partly self-inflicted in the case of both recently sacked officials, there was readily available information they had previously engaged in highly questionable conduct. Advertisement Perkovics sacking sparked calls from the federal opposition and crossbench for greater government action to clean up the troubled union. Opposition industrial relations spokesman Tim Wilson said the publics faith in the administration had collapsed. Industrial Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said she still had complete confidence in the administration. Six serving and former union insiders told this masthead on Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information, that a small number of other organisers still employed by the administration were strongly suspected of improperly lobbying on behalf of select labour hire companies, including those run by their relatives and close friends, in return for benefits. The evidence uncovered by this masthead suggests Perkovic secretly accepted benefits from or engaged in non-disclosed commercial dealings with the construction companies he was meant to oversee as a union boss protecting workers, including major construction cleaning firm the Cleanex Group. Perkovic was promoted in July by another CFMEU boss, Zach Smith, who is running the Victorian branch for Irving. Perkovic was given a key leadership position as CFMEU construction co-ordinator, effectively making him Smiths deputy. CFMEU Victorian boss Zach Smith, ex-CFMEU Victorian state secretary John Setka, and CFMEU delegate John Perkovic at a recent funeral. Smiths captain call elevation of Perkovic was endorsed by Irving, although it is unclear if this was before or after Perkovics promotion. Advertisement Irvings spokesperson said the appointment as co-ordinator was on an interim basis and that the administration would act decisively when there was clear evidence of wrongdoing. The suspect Perkovic dealings include a plot of land now worth an estimated $1 million and which was purchased by the owner of Cleanex and on sold to Perkovics daughter in highly suspicious circumstances, as well as the building of a $1.7 million two-storey home by the boss of a second building firm, a former corrupt cop with alleged gangland connections. Perkovic is also suspected of using his union power to push Cleanex and other favoured firms onto major building sites, including Victorian government Big Build projects, helping them to earn many millions of dollars. Irving said in a statement circulated to union officials that Perkovic had been dismissed for accepting a series of bribes and other secret benefits from employers in the construction industry. The now-former NSW CFMEU official embroiled in the latest scandal, Ash Howe, was a union delegate for the Irving administration in Victoria, prior to his promotion to Sydney CFMEU organiser in Sydney in August. Former CFMEU delegate Ash Howe is accused of bashing a union official. According to three sources close to Howe, last October he requested the former boss of the Hells Angels, and self-styled union-fixer, Peter Skitzo Hewat, accompany him to a meeting at a Melbourne cafe. Advertisement At the meeting, Howe then assaulted a union official who Howe believed had undermined him. The attack was an open secret in the CFMEUs Melbourne headquarters it was first relayed to this masthead last November by three serving and former delegates. Peter Hewat But this knowledge never reached the CFMEU administrations NSW office, who appointed Howe to serve as a CFMEU organiser in Sydney. Howe, who did not respond to efforts to contact him, was sacked after this masthead sent questions to the administration earlier this month, outlining the allegations against him. In a statement, Irvings spokesperson said he was satisfied that Smith did not have critical information about Howe when he went to NSW. He also backed the decision of the NSW branch to sack Howe. A fortnight ago, this masthead told the administration there was also serious evidence of suspected wrongdoing involving Perkovic. Advertisement In response the union administration launched an investigation and, on Thursday, removed Perkovic. He again declined to comment on Friday. But the question of why Perkovic was promoted to a key administration role in the first place now looms over Irvings administration. Theres been a cloud over him for quite some time, so it really was remarkable. I think the whole industry was shocked when he was promoted to second in charge, former national secretary of the CFMEU John Sutton told this masthead and 60 Minutes. It is, I think, almost inconceivable, how he could have been promoted. Loading The promotion occurred despite Perkovics well-known role as an avowed supporter of John Setka, the former CFMEU boss whose toxic leadership transformed the union into an enabler of corruption and organised crime. It was also made despite persistent suspicions of multiple union officials and industry insiders that Perkovic had for years abused his union power to help certain construction company bosses win work. Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive NationalCrime I wanna kill him so bad: Bikie turned Four Corners journalist in fabricated message feud Kate McClymont and Calum Jaspan October 25, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share An ongoing feud between a former bikie member turned Four Corners reporter and his ex-podcast host, a former felon, has escalated amid claims of fabricated text messages in which the ABC journalist allegedly describes a well-known YouTube figure as a f---in rat whom he wanted to kill. Mahmood Fazal, a former member of the Mongols bikie gang who has worked as an investigative reporter with the ABC since 2021, has accused former associate Ryan Naumenko of fabricating an explosive text message in which Fazal speaks out against YouTube figure Jordan Shanks, known online as FriendlyJordies. ABC reporter Mahmood Fazal (left) and his former podcast co-host Ryan Naumenko. The Sydney Morning Herald In the encrypted text exchanges between the pair, screenshots of which have been seen by this masthead, Fazal sent a text to Naumenko on the evening of October 2 saying: F--- Jordies and his people theyre dogs I wanna kill him so bad. The previous day, Shanks had released a video, They Tried to Kill Me, in which he complained that the only person who had been jailed over the November 2022 firebombing of his home had been the hired muscle for the Alameddine organised crime gang. Advertisement I dont know why hes [sic] cryingcomes with the territoryu want to shit on gangsters and make fun of them in ur [sic] video, said Fazal in one message. In another, he said, nah he [Shanks] has to get what he gets Asked about the exchanges, the Four Corners reporter said the text message expressing his desire to kill Shanks had been falsified, while others had been taken out of context. You have put a fabricated message to me and select [sic] messages out of context. I deny any wrongdoing, he said. Naumenko, who describes himself as part journalist, part outlaw complete with a 30-page criminal history, denied the fabrication claim, telling this masthead: The old narrative Ryan lies doesnt work and wont work this time. Advertisement Fazal has since made a statement to police and has applied for a personal safety intervention order against Naumenko. In late September, a week before his explosive text messages, Fazal, 34, had launched a podcast with Naumenko, 42, called Word on the Street, which Naumenko said would dive into the gritty underbelly of crime. A photo from Mahmood Fazals Instagram feed. But a bitter break-up between the pair saw Naumenko launch a savage attack on Fazal in a YouTube video aired last week. On Thursday, Naumenko turned on the media, including this masthead, for reporting on the Fazal saga. The vast majority of mainstream media, in my humble opinion, are absolute c---s, Naumenko said on a YouTube video. Advertisement He repeated his previous allegations against his former co-host, including that Fazal demanded payment in cash, and that he had not told his employer, the ABC, that he was being paid. Naumenko later identified that the money funding the podcast was coming from online gambling firm Vegastars. Related Article Media & marketing ABC investigates Four Corners reporter after podcast blow-up with underworld blogger However, Naumenko said he would not be co-operating with the ABCs investigation into what he described as Fazals side-hustle. Yes, Fazal acted very greedy, said Naumenko, though he said their spat should have stayed online. The media circus around Fazal shows Australian journalisms true colours. Everyones got a f---ing angle, and integrity is nowhere to be found, he said in Thursdays video. In the text exchanges earlier this month, Fazal said he wanted to run a favourable podcast about the notorious Alameddine crime gang. Advertisement Apart from 20 tit-for-tat murders, the Alameddine gang and rival Hamzy clan have engaged in kidnapping, arson and torture as they battle for control of Sydneys lucrative drug trade. Fazal, who is no stranger to drugs and violence, having been a sergeant-at-arms of outlaw bikie gang the Mongols, also said in the text exchange, nah he [Shanks] has to get what he gets hes a dog ratted me to jacks [police]. Last year, this masthead revealed that Fazal had been reported to NSW Police for passing on threats from the Alameddine crime gang to Shanks, 36, and his producer, Kristo Langker, 25. Police did not take any action against Fazal. Loading Shanks house was firebombed only weeks after the August 2022 release of a contentious FriendlyJordies video highlighting the activities of senior members of the Alameddine network, including Fazals friend, rapper Ay Huncho, whose real name is Ali Younes. Advertisement Although an Alameddine foot soldier was arrested over the firebombing in December 2023, early last year Fazal was passing on threats that worse might happen if Shanks and Langker didnt remove the FriendlyJordies video to which the Alameddines had taken exception. In his statement to police on January 19, 2024, Langker alleged that Fazal had said to him: These people kill people. If you dont take the video down something bad is going to happen. Fazal is also alleged to have said, Jordan has already been firebombed, what more could it take to take the video down. Langker told police that Fazal said he, too, was being threatened and that he had been receiving furious calls from Sydney builder Andy Nahas, who featured in the video and wanted it taken down. Following the threats, the video was taken down. Advertisement Both Nahas, 37, and Younes, 28, were recently named in a police exhibit, tendered in a murder trial, as senior members of the Alameddine organised crime group. It is not suggested that either of them, or Fazal, was involved in the firebombing. Last year, in response to questions from this masthead about Fazals role delivering death threats to other journalists, an ABC spokesperson said, Mahmood Fazal does extremely challenging, impactful and important public-interest journalism for the ABC and the ABC stands by his reporting. Langker later emailed the ABC asking: Does the ABC believe it is acceptable for one of their employees to pass on death threats to other journalists and then refuse to co-operate with police? We have no evidence of any illegality or misconduct by an ABC employee, an ABC spokesperson replied. NSW Police said the investigation into the threats reported by Langker went nowhere in part due to the reluctance of Fazal to provide a statement. Advertisement While Shanks did not name Fazal in his recent video about the three-year jail sentence given to the arsonist, Tufi Junior Tauese-Auelia, 39, the YouTuber had a not-so-subtle dig at Fazal, saying, Why do the Alameddines, an organised crime gang, give so much access to certain ABC journalists? Why is the ABC so ardent in defending these certain journalists? After seeing the video, Fazal texted Naumenko about Shanks quote referring to certain journalists having access to the Alameddines. After calling him a f---in rat, Fazal said he didnt know why Shanks was crying, saying it comes with the territory. Naumenko said in his YouTube video last week that Fazal had wanted to do a podcast episode to earn some respect from the Alameddine crime family. But he said that the ABC wouldnt let him, due to the stories tying him too closely with the Alameddine crime family. Naumenko told this masthead that the Alameddines were pissed at Fazals efforts early last year to get the FriendlyJordies video taken down. It blew up in their face, Naumenko said. Advertisement In the text messages the pair supposedly exchanged earlier this month, Fazal said to his then-podcast co-host, Bro Alameddines still wanna hit me. Fazal went on to say in the text that he planned to make up to em by doing a favourable podcast on the Alameddines. Better him than me but f--- him we should do a pod on that and get my story out, he said of Shanks. Mahmood Fazal conducting an interview for the ABC, where he has worked for Four Corners since 2023. Nah, leave it, Naumenko replied. Its not worth it. Seriously, jordies is a nerd, bro, hes not part of OC [organised crime] why hit a house over a story its f---ing gay Just leave it. Im not willing to speak about it cause lets be real you sent the f---ing threats, they f---ed you. Fazal replied that Shanks was a dog who has to get what he gets. Advertisement In response to questions about the exchanges, Fazal said in an email: Ryan Naumenko has a criminal history, a history of harassment, and a documented record of dishonesty. As a journalist you should know that background is material when assessing his reliability and motives as your source. His previous allegations about the podcast are demonstrably false and it is surprising that the Herald chose to publish them. Similarly, you have put a fabricated message to me and select messages out of context. I deny any wrongdoing. The former bikie turned ABC reporter won a Walkley Award in 2020 for the podcast series No Gangsters in Paradise, which detailed the bloody feud between Sydneys warring Darwiche-Razzak families more than a decade earlier. Fazal was then hired by the ABC as an investigative reporter before joining its flagship current affairs program, Four Corners, in August 2023. Naumenko, who delivered the recent public tirade about Fazal, has a colourful background. He has served jail time for drug trafficking and obtaining property by deception and has previously said he was once associated with the mafia, scammers, conmen and drug dealers. The relationship between the two former underworld figures blew up last week after Naumenko alleged that Fazal had not told the ABC about his paid gig following an incident in Melbourne between the pair before the recording of their second episode. Naumenko said he had fired Fazal but would still publish the second and final episode. Advertisement Naumenko also said he paid Fazal $13,000 in total for his involvement in the podcast. On Monday, the ABCs program Media Watch published screenshots of text conversations between Fazal and Naumenko, in which the ABC journalist requested that he transfer money directly to his account. Related Article Exclusive Crime The ABC reporter, the underworld postman and the sinister threats Fazals lawyer Rebekah Giles told Media Watch the ABC journalist had connected Naumenko with a production crew, and that any funds transferred to him were to pay those contractors. However, Naumenko provided further screenshots to Media Watch showing he had made direct bank transfers to members of the crew who produced the podcast. Fazal had previously told the ABC he was not being compensated for his appearances. The ABC last week announced it was investigating Fazals role in the venture following Naumenkos on-air tirade about Fazal demanding cash payments for his involvement in the project. Advertisement After the interview aired, which included gambling ads, his manager withdrew endorsement of the work. ABC management is looking further into this matter, an ABC spokesperson said at the time. When asked about the fresh allegations this week, the ABC provided the same statement, though added that management is now thoroughly investigating the matter. Get the days breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalAustralian War Memorial Might ruffle feathers: Award-winning journalist Chris Masters uninvited from delivering lecture Harriet Alexander October 24, 2025 2:29pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share An award-winning journalist who wrote a book about the war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith has been uninvited from delivering an annual military history lecture due to fears by the organisers that it would jeopardise any future commercial relationship with the powerful Australian War Memorial. Chris Masters was invited last month to deliver the 2026 CEW Bean lecture in what the organisers hoped would provide a retort to the war memorials intervention to remove his book Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes from contention for the Les Carlyon Literary Prize. Chris Masters addresses the media after Ben Roberts-Smith lost his defamation case. James Brickwood But in an incident that prompted the departure of its highest-profile historian, the non-profit group that organises the annual lecture rescinded the invitation due to concerns by the managers of the historic homestead where they operate that it would put the war memorial offside. Peter Stanley, a former principal historian with the Australian War Memorial and now one of its fiercest critics, excoriated the Minders of Tuggeranong Homestead [MOTH] for withdrawing the invitation in an email that copied in the former Bean orators. Advertisement I deplore MOTHs craven decision, and the reason for it, he wrote. Your decision to refuse to give one of Australias most respected journalists a hearing because he might ruffle feathers tragically places you on the side of the forces that have acted against honesty and truth and for lies, bullying, and cowardice. Former principal historian with the Australian War Memorial and now one of its fiercest critics, Peter Stanley. Tuggeranong Homestead is a historic building in Canberra with convict ties and where war historian Charles Bean lived while documenting Australias role in World War I. It is now leased for weddings and functions, and the managers allow MOTH to carry out activities such as restoring the old orchards and remnant woodland and educating the community about its history. MOTH chair Jenny Horsfield told Stanley that the organisation had been excited about hosting Masters, but the managers were not willing to have a speaker who they saw as controversial, as they wanted to have a good relationship with the war memorial and explore potential tourist links. Advertisement MOTH, as a voluntary body, is able to access the homestead and carry out our various activities there, solely at the discretion of the management, she wrote. If I stood my ground and insisted that MOTH had the right to choose our own speakers and set our own agenda, I would be signing our death warrant. The managers declined to comment on their reasons for ruling out Masters as the orator. But the organisation became mired in acrimony last month when the Guardian reported that an external panel of judges had selected Masters book as the winner of the Australian War Memorials biennial literary award, before the memorial decided to restrict entrants to emerging authors. The book chronicled the story of decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith from the Afghanistan battlefield to being unmasked as a war criminal by Masters and Nick McKenzie in this masthead, and the defamation trial that followed. Advertisement Roberts-Smiths uniform and Victoria Cross continue to be displayed in the Australian War Memorials Hall of Valour, and he is described in a plaque as Australias most decorated combat soldier. Earlier this year, the war memorial added an extra text panel noting that a Federal Court judge determined there was substantial truth to the allegation that he was complicit in the killings of unarmed civilians, while adding he had not been charged with any criminal offences. Related Article Australian War Memorial Kim Beazley defends controversial decision to deny Chris Masters a literary prize Former war memorial chair Brendan Nelson is one of Roberts-Smiths most loyal supporters. One of its biggest donors, billionaire Kerry Stokes, bankrolled his defamation case. Stokes is also one of the biggest funders of the Les Carlyon literary award. Bean biographer Peter Rees, who delivered the inaugural Bean lecture, first suggested to MOTH that Masters deliver the lecture after the war memorial had ruled out his book. He said: To my mind, it would be a positive thing to have someone of Chris stature giving the public lecture and could only benefit the whole concept of Tuggeranong Homestead. Like Bean, Chris has been a seeker of truth. Advertisement Masters said the war memorial had a bipolar attitude towards military history, as many of its historians believed in a rounded account of history, but the administration had not risen to the challenge of displaying the more unattractive side of war. Its not that hard either, Masters said. They could easily tell a rounded tale, which is exactly what Charles Bean meant for the place. Theres absolutely room for myth in storytelling. Its everywhere. But reality counts, and soldiers know that better than anybody. The war memorial said it planned to open a new gallery next year that would unpack the war in Afghanistan. Advertisement We look forward to welcoming visitors to learn about the complex history of Afghanistan, through new and varied perspectives including artists, those who served in Afghanistan and the Afghan people. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Ita Buttrose has done it all in a trailblazing media career that began six decades ago. Now 83, and slowed only by her declining mobility, she remains as sharp and opinionated as ever. Just dont tell her that prejudice against women is a thing of the past. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share This story is part of the October 25 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories . A colossal burst of rain is thrashing down on Ita Buttroses apartment balcony, spilling onto the grassy courtyard below in this retirement complex in south-eastern Sydney. Sitting inside her airy, modern living room with her back to the view in a casual ensemble of blue jeans, turquoise jumper and a fetching grey faux-fur wrap (shes finding it a bit nippy), Buttrose appears oblivious to the biblical deluge outside, resting both hands nails painted her trademark coral in her lap, a picture of perfect composure. Over the course of our two-hour conversation, the first of two principal interviews, Buttrose reels off dates, events and names, some dating back 70 years, in a chapter-and-verse account of her long career. An email arrives from her a few days later correcting a date and clarifying a detail. Ita Buttrose, I conclude, has a mind like a steel trap. At 83, she has done and just about won it all. Australian of the Year. Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). Australian Media Hall of Fame. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Three honorary doctorates. Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism. Age may have creased the distinctive angles of her famous face, but those wide-set blue eyes can still sparkle or intimidate in equal measure. Friends and foes alike call it the Buttrose aura: the way she raises that chin of hers, looks you directly in the eye. And the voice of a woman in command is as unmistakable as ever. She tells me that at the height of her fame, when she occasionally resorted to large Jackie O sunglasses and sunhats to hide her identity, it was her voice that betrayed her. The moment I opened my mouth, they knew who I was, she says, breaking into a little laugh. More recent years havent been without their heartache, however. After finding it increasingly difficult to walk steadily without pain, Buttrose had back surgery (a laminectomy and a spinal fusion) in 2021, and for a time was able to walk pain-free with a cane. But her recovery hit a wall when her feet started to freeze as she was about to take a step: it was as if her brain wasnt talking to her feet. The doctors were perplexed, but a merry-go-round of tests produced a diagnosis. My specialist now calls it an isolated gait disorder as I havent acquired any other symptoms; nobody seems to know exactly why Ive developed it, she explains. Originally, I was diagnosed as having frozen gait disorder, which is a symptom of Parkinsons, but I dont have Parkinsons. Last year, after suffering 12 falls, her specialist strongly advised her not to walk without a chaperone and to use a wheelchair around the house. This meant Buttrose had to part ways with her much-loved split-level, two-bedroom apartment with city skyline views in Surry Hills earlier this year. I didnt want to push my luck any further, she says, sipping from a cup of strong tea. I needed a safer place on one level. My old apartment had stairs I could no longer manage. Loading Buttroses new digs come with 24-hour emergency care and an open-sesame front door she can open and shut with a press on a remote. Shes also located closer to daughter Kate; the pair recently went out to buy her an electric wheelchair, which shes now road-testing in the complexs corridors. I havent had a fall since Ive been here, she says. Never in her wildest dreams, she tells me, could she have envisaged the career shes had. She did, after all, come of age when women were expected to leave work after falling pregnant (and were sacked if they refused to quit), were forbidden from entering public bars (and relegated to ladies lounges), and when divorce was a multi-step ordeal. When I was a girl, it was assumed youd get a job, work for a few years, get married, have children and go home to be a housewife, she says. Well, I did all those things. I just didnt go home. Advertisement Buttrose has long described herself simply as a journalist, but somehow a single word doesnt cover her enormous versatility as a communicator, much less the multiple glass ceilings she shattered in eras far less welcoming of women in top management roles. Buttrose cleared the path for at least two generations of women in the media, but her career never brought her the riches enjoyed by a handful of her high-profile successors. Even when she was one of the highest-paid female executives in Australia in the late 1970s, her bank turned her down for a housing loan because she was a single, divorced woman. Its not too much of a stretch to say the story of Ita Buttrose is the story of Australia in the second half of the 20th century, with a bite out of the early 21st. Its a story of women entering the workforce, of the sexual revolution, the rise of the womens movement, the expansion of the middle class and the flight to the suburbs, of no-fault divorce, the AIDS epidemic, media celebrity, ageing Baby Boomers in short, of an avalanche of social changes that, back in the sheltered-if-calcified 1950s, would have seemed as improbable as the trajectory of Buttroses future career. As the post-World War II order dissolves, the story winds up with the collision of the old media rules with the new and with Buttroses last major post as chair of the ABC, which was marked by conflict with government and (more on this later) heated controversy over the Antoinette Lattouf court case. Ink in her veins A fit-looking, fluffy kookaburra swoops down on the lush green lawn in the mid-morning sun outside the tearooms at Vaucluse House. Buttrose is transfixed. You dont often see a kooka just land on the ground like that. It looks very friendly. As Im squinting at said kingfisher through myopic eyes, Buttrose explains that since cataract surgery last year, the cloud cover has lifted on her distance vision. Still gazing outside, she says that people dont believe me when I tell them sheep used to graze around these grounds theyd follow us kids around. Buttrose and her three brothers Julian, Will and Charlie grew up in Parsley Bay, about 10 minutes walk away, and came here to play and buy cheap orange juice and scones from these very tearooms when the grand Victorian home opposite was in a state of decay. The famous film director Peter Weir (Picnic at Hanging Rock, Gallipoli), who grew up in the house next door to the Buttroses, would later describe his childhood here as a kids Camelot. Buttrose with her brothers (from left) Julian, Will and Charlie in 1999. Courtesy of Ita Buttrose But this picture of a silver-tailed childhood isnt what it might appear. Buttroses parents rented their house, didnt own a car, and young Ita was taken out of a private school and enrolled in a public one when they couldnt keep up with the fees. Vaucluse was then considered a long way out of Sydney, Buttrose recalls. My mother told me that for years, the harbourside suburbs fell out of favour after the Japanese mini subs came into the harbour during the war; this didnt change much until the late 1950s. Advertisement Buttrose remembers volcanic fights between her father, Charles Buttrose, a respected newspaper journalist, and her mother, Mary Clare, who worked in public relations. These usually involved her father at one end of the hall, her mother at the other, tossing shoes at one another. My parents broke up when I was 16, were divorced by the time I was 18, so I figured that I had to look after myself and to do that I had to get a job and earn money. Growing up the only girl with three knockabout brothers gave Buttrose an early insight into negotiating a mans world. I couldnt beat my brothers at sport they were bigger than me but I could beat them at things like chess. Fiercely competitive from a young age, she asked a local chess champion to teach her a few crafty moves to checkmate her oldest brother, Julian. The boys said I owed everything to them, she laughs. I grew up thinking we were all equal. I soon learnt otherwise. Buttrose knew she wanted to be a journalist from the age of 11, when shed eavesdrop from the top of the stairs whenever her parents had guests, usually journalists, photographers and artists. They appeared to be lots of fun, with always something to say. She received an early warning of how ruthless the industry could be when her father, then editor of The Daily Mirror, was suddenly demoted by newspaper proprietor Ezra Norton. When Norton demanded to know why the newspaper was late to the printer one day, Charles replied in frustration that they were short of sub-editors. Oh, is that right? Norton snapped back. Well, you can become a sub-editor then. Buttrose on her first day at The Australian Womens Weekly in 1975. Courtesy of Ita Buttrose Ita, then around 13, remembers the hushed tone at the dinner table that night, but her father would go on to a job with Australian Consolidated Press and later with the ABC, just as his daughter was starting out as a copy girl on The Australian Womens Weekly. It sounds very much like you were a daddys girl, I suggest. We had a lot in common, and he always took an interest in my career, she says. Even after her parents divorce, when her father married a woman 30 years his junior, they stayed on good terms. I accepted my parents decision to divorce and didnt take sides. I didnt judge either of them. Advertisement On the day of Itas own wedding in 1963, her father warned her groom, Alasdair Macdonald, that he was marrying a very independent woman. For a time, Buttrose was the principal breadwinner while her British-born husband studied architecture, but she will be forever grateful to the well-educated Macdonald for introducing her to music, literature and art. He was also ahead of his time in his support for her career. When I was about 21, I realised I could probably go a lot further than I first thought. How to sum up the milestone-studded six-decade career that followed? At 23, Buttrose was appointed the youngest editor of the womens pages of The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph. At 30, she launched the groundbreaking and wildly successful Cleo, a magazine that demonstrated a radical proposition when it was launched in 1972: that women have sexual desires just like men. A nude male centrefold! A sealed section! Initial marketing research predicted the magazine would bomb, but a young Kerry Packer took a gamble with his new editor, shoving said report to the bottom of his drawer, out of sight of his father, Sir Frank Packer, then chairman of ACP. Buttrose with Cleos first centrefold, Jack Thompson, in 1972. John French In 1975, at the age of 33, Buttrose was appointed the youngest-ever editor of the venerable Australian Womens Weekly. She set about relaunching the magazine founded by Sir Frank back in 1933, giving it a fresh, glossy, newsstand-friendly format (it had previously been a newspaper-like tabloid). Circulation rose to 1 million a week, achieving the highest per capita sales of any womens magazine in the world, it was claimed. It was while she was at the Weekly that Buttrose became a household name, thanks to her appearance in weekly TV advertisements across all major networks. At 36, Buttrose became editor-in-chief of both the Sunday Telegraph and Daily Telegraph: the first time a woman had been appointed to lead a metropolitan newspaper, and she subsequently joined the News Ltd (now News Corp) board. News Ltd back then was the last bastion of male chauvinism, recalls Ainslie Cahill, Buttroses personal assistant at the time. Ita wasnt intimidated by anyone. If Buttrose could be tough on staff, she was also generous and loyal. Ita didnt crack the whip so much as recognise talent in people and wheedle it out of them, notes Cahill. If someone worked hard on a project, theyd receive a handwritten note and a gift. She was very generous. By 1980, Buttrose had been voted the most admired woman in Australia, and even had a hit song recorded about her Ita, by Cold Chisel. Its safe to say no other public figure at the time combined relatability with authority so seamlessly. During these years, she also managed to raise two children, Kate (born in 1967) and Ben (1972). I loved being a mother, loved their company, Buttrose says. I still do. Describing herself as a strict but protective mother, she kept them out of the limelight (nobody knew what they looked like) and they were left in no doubt about the stark difference between their mum and Ita, the media persona. She laughs while recalling her cheeky teenage son Ben yelling out, Hey Mum, Ita Buttrose is on TV! (Ben is now a scientist with the CSIRO and has three of her five grandkids). Buttrose with her children, Kate and Ben, in the 1970s. Courtesy of Ita Buttrose Advertisement After an amicable divorce from Macdonald in 1976, Buttrose says she was determined her kids would have a good relationship with their father (Ita would remarry briefly years later). See, you can be well known and still raise children successfully, she chuckles. But with all this, Buttrose still cut a lonely figure at the top. Even by 1985, she was the only woman on the national Top 100 Senior Executives list. There were no role models for women of my generation, Buttrose writes in her new book, Unapologetically Ita. We had to blaze our own trails it is too easy to forget how much we did to advance women to where they are today, with a freedom and an earning capacity that no one would have thought possible to achieve back in the days when I started work. By the end of that decade, trading on her high profile, Buttrose set up her own magazine company, Capricorn Publishing, and launched her namesake glossy, Ita, the magazine for the woman who wasnt born yesterday, aimed squarely at middle-class women. At its peak, Ita reached a steady circulation of 70,000 a month, but Paul Keatings recession we had to have and a constant struggle for advertising dollars (many of the advertising agencies seemed to be staffed by the sort of young men and women who believed growing older would never happen to them) made it a financial slog. After six years, shed run out of puff and couldnt see any light at the end of the economic tunnel, and closed the magazine in August 1994. She didnt declare bankruptcy and paid her staff and freelancers their full entitlements; however, she spent several years afterwards discharging her personal tax bill, which she hadnt been able to pay off fully because of her companys erratic cash flow. Its never been about the money for me, but the work, she says. Dad used to give me lectures about being more money-conscious. I was never frivolous, but Im not a greedy person. For a magazine doyenne whod enjoyed a run of ever-expanding success, the closure of Ita risked looking like her first public failure and the media was ready to pounce. In an interview with 60 Minutes, Buttrose faced a barrage of hardball questions from interviewer Tracey Curro, who put it to her that she was a failure. Dont you feel old? Curro asked. Whats old? Buttrose responded with a zinging comeback. To a 15-year-old, you would be old. Far from being Buttroses last stand, the close of the self-titled magazine ushered in a second career of speaking engagements and regular TV appearances (including as a panellist on Beauty and the Beast). Then, in 2011, the ABC screened the drama series, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, a ratings blockbuster that snared 1.2 million viewers and introduced a new generation to Buttrose along with, in Asher Keddies award-winning portrayal, an amplified version of her famous lisp. They must have chosen every s word possible in the script, says Buttrose, smiling. One day, I was watching it and thought, Oh Christ, Asher, stop lisping. In 2013, at the age of 71, Buttrose became the founding host of new morning chat show, Studio 10, which meant daily 5am starts and an opportunity to express her showbizzy side. Ita was the first person in make-up every morning, scouring through the newspapers; there wasnt a misstep through 2 hours of television a day, says broadcaster Sarah Harris, co-host of Studio 10 during those years. She could do a serious interview with a politician one moment and then do a sketch with [comedian] Ash Williams recreating Mills & Boon covers. Advertisement Advertisement A disgraced Sydney property developer has been granted bail after police allegedly found a cache of counterfeit badges, replica firearms, valium, and large amounts of steroids and cocaine inside a Double Bay apartment. Police began investigating Jaime Charles Farrelly on Thursday, after a member of the public handed in an AFP badge and identification that led police to the 50-year-old. Farrelly has since been charged with one count of impersonating a federal public official, possession of prohibited firearms, and supplying a prohibited drug. Loading Appearing at Parramatta local court via video link from Surry Hills police station, Farrelly, wearing a dark grey V-neck jumper, sat impassively as his charges were read. He faces the possibility of 14 years imprisonment for possessing a prohibited weapon and two years imprisonment for impersonating an officer. Advertisement The prosecution did not oppose bail, and bail was granted on the condition that Farrelly surrender his passport, report to police daily, and not enter international points of departure. Jaime Charles Farrelly was released on bail on Saturday. Flavio Brancaleone Farrelly declined to comment as he left the police station on Saturday afternoon. Its a beautiful day, he said. His arrest followed a search warrant at a Double Bay address on Friday, in which allegedly fraudulent badges were found mimicking those carried by NSW, Victorian and federal police officers, and cards for multiple US law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hats and T-shirts bearing the AFP insignia were also found at the property, while four replica firearms, 11 high-quality gel blasters and 14 grams of cocaine were also seized. Advertisement A LED flashlight mimicking those placed on police vehicles and at least three model grenades were also found. Several fraudulent police badges and identification cards were seized at the Double Bay address. Australian Federal Police Farrelly was refused bail by NSW police to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. He was handed a temporary ban from managing corporations last year for his role in the failure of four property development companies in Canberra, after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission found the companies owed more than $9 million to unsecured creditors. The ban ended on Thursday. Advertisement Four replica firearms and 11 gel blasters were found at the address. Australian Federal Police AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said the alleged impersonation of a police officer was extremely concerning, saying that false representations supported by fraudulent badges and identification cards poses a genuine danger to public safety. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement WorldEuropeRoyal family Prince Andrew in advanced talks to leave the Royal Lodge Gordon Rayner , Hannah Furness and Robert Mendick October 25, 2025 1:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Prince Andrew is in advanced talks with the Kings representatives about quitting his Royal Lodge home, Londons The Telegraph understands. Buckingham Palace is trying to crank up the pressure on the Prince to voluntarily give up his 30-room residence, from which he cannot legally be evicted under the terms of his cast iron lease. Loading Discussions over the Princes living arrangements have been happening on a daily basis since reports of him living there rent-free caused a public outcry. However, it is understood that the Prince is resistant, and negotiations are continuing. While the Princes initial response was to dig his heels in and cite the fact that he has 50 years left on his pre-paid lease, there is a growing sense of inevitability that he will now move out. Advertisement The main sticking points are where he will live instead, and how much money he will receive in compensation for the millions he has spent on the property, which is leased from the Crown Estate. Royal sources report a mood shift in the Palace in recent days, including a renewed determination to force Andrew out and a recognition that his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, need to be looked after and reassured that their own homes in St Jamess Palace and Kensington Palace respectively will not be affected. An aerial view of Prince Andrews home, Royal Lodge. There had been hopes that the Princes living arrangements could be sorted out quickly to draw a line under the constant stream of negative publicity about his indiscretions with rumours swirling on Thursday that he was hours away from moving but finding a solution that works for all parties is proving difficult. The King had hoped that by forcing his brother to drop his Duke of York title and other honours, the furore over his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and with suspected Chinese spies would die down. However, it has failed to do so. Advertisement Buckingham Palace will be keen to avoid a long, drawn-out parliamentary inquiry into any matter that touches on royal finances, which has given added urgency to the matter of resolving Andrews accommodation. On the question of where the Prince will live if he leaves Royal Lodge, the most trouble-free solution would be to house him in one of the Kings privately-owned properties, most likely Sandringham or Balmoral, where he could have the use of one of the many self-contained homes on either estate. That would enable him to live rent-free without any cost to the public purse. Discussions over Prince Andrews living arrangements have been a daily affair since reports of him living at the Royal Lodge rent-free caused a public outcry. AP But Andrew is not keen to be exiled to Norfolk or Scotland and wants to remain in London or Windsor, close to his daughters. Moving him to a smaller property on the Windsor estate would minimise the publics outrage at him living a life of taxpayer-subsidised luxury, but he would have to pay rent which he might not be able to afford. Advertisement Moving him into Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace would also risk accusations that he was being rewarded rather than punished, and there would be a cost to the public purse of accommodating him in buildings that belong to the nation. Meanwhile, there is also the question of what would happen to Royal Lodge, as its proximity to Windsor Castle makes it difficult, if not impossible, to rent out privately. Under the terms of the lease, which he signed in 2003, the Prince is entitled to a refund of some of the money he paid up front, which included a 1m payment for the 75-year lease and more than 7.5m in refurbishment costs. If he leaves before next June, he will be in line for a refund of 557,596, which reduces by 185,865 each year until 2028, when he will be owed nothing. The prince has argued all along that it makes no sense for him to walk away from a property which cost him around 10m before he even moved in, and which has cost millions more in upkeep since then, regardless of the rent being waived. Advertisement Activists staging a protest at the entrance to Windsor Great Park and Royal Lodge where Prince Andrew lives. Getty Images That means he is likely to demand considerably more than the money he is legally owed, which might have to be funded by the King, as the Crown Estate answers to the Treasury, which is unlikely to allow public money to be used. The living arrangements of Andrews ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has her own rooms in Royal Lodge, are an added complication. It is unclear whether she would move with the Prince or find somewhere to live on her own. Related Article Royal family The real reason Prince Andrew thinks the King wants him out of Royal Lodge The Prince of Wales is understood to have been keen to stay out of the negotiations, as he remains on good terms with his cousins Beatrice and Eugenie, but has made it clear that he wants the matter resolved. Advertisement In recent days, Prince William and the King have made it clear through their representatives that Beatrice and Eugenie are blameless in the furore and that their homes in the royal palaces are safe. In a further blow for Prince Andrew, his royal banner has been removed from St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. It was linked to his membership of the Order of the Garter, which he gave up last week. The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Landon Dotys legal team filed a motion saying neither the bus monitor nor the bus driver saw any sexual acts. Leesville, LA (71446) Today Clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low 46F. Winds light and variable. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The Kentucky Supreme Court has thrown out the double murder conviction of a Louisville man sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 ambush killing of a father and his 3-year-old daughter. The court said Thursday that the trial judge erred when he didnt declare a mistrial after a juror learned that a witness was accused of perjury during the 2022 trial of Kevon Lawless. Prosecutors said Friday that they will seek to retry Lawless. Our prosecutors will proactively pursue a conviction based on the evidence and ensure accountability, Jefferson County Commonwealths Attorney Gerina Whethers said in a news release. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the childs killing was personal for him, since he stood with the girls mother by her coffin in 2020. Lawless was convicted of gunning down Brandon Waddles and Waddles 3-year-old daughter, Trinity Randolph, in front of their home. Lawless had a girlfriend lure Waddles outside the home, where Lawless was waiting and opened fire on him and his daughter, according to court records. A man who drove Lawless to the shooting was accused of committing perjury while testifying at Lawless trial, according to the court. While in deliberations, jurors sent a note to Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin revealing they were aware that the man had been arrested for lying on the stand, and one juror said they could no longer make a decision truthfully. Chauvin rejected Lawless attorneys motion seeking a mistrial, but one juror was replaced by an alternate. Lawless was later convicted of two counts of murder and one count of burglary. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The high court said Chauvin committed reversible error by denying Lawlesss motion for a mistrial after the jury became aware of the trial court arresting a witness for perjury. Lawless remained in prison on Friday, according to online records. State corrections records show he has previous convictions for attempted murder and assault. By DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press Its 40 years ago today, October 25, that approximately 15,000 people turned up at Connacht Regional Airport now known as Ireland West Airport to watch the take offs of the very first commercial flights. It was a Friday and more than 400 pilgrims boarded a trio of Aer Lingus charters headed for Rome. It was the culmination of a bold and daring plan by Monsignor James Horan that would transform and give unprecedented accessibility to the West of Ireland. Incredibly, 900,000 passengers are forecast to use Ireland West Airport this year alone while todays anniversary comes in the very same week that Ryanair on its own confirmed it has had 12 million passengers travel through the airport in those four decades. Although its 40 years today since those first commercial flights, the 40th anniversary of the official opening of the airport will not be marked until 2026. The tally has been completed at the Mayo count centre at the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre, Castlebar with Catherine Connolly securing the majority of the vote. The Presidential frontrunner received 56% of the vote in Mayo while Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys received 24%. Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, who withdrew from actively campaigning but remained on the ballot, received 6% of the vote. In line with national trends, 14% of votes in Mayo were spoiled. Voter turnout in the county was just over 30%. Indications from around the country show that Catherine Connolly is on course for a landslide victory. Speaking at the count centre, Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh said should Connolly stay the course and win the election, it would mark a significant day in Irish politics. "I think it's wonderful news and my first thoughts to the people of Mayo are that of gratitude. I feel proud of the people who saw the authenticity of Catherine Connolly and saw through the dirty tricks campaign against her," she said. "What is really significant is the alliance of the opposition and how they held together throughout the campaign to focus on winning the 10th Presidential election." Acclaimed poet Christina Hennemann releases her highly anticipated debut collection Birthmark (Shearsman Books), a powerful exploration of growing up, becoming, and belonging that charts the complex terrain between personal history and collective memory. A native of Germany, she was up to recently based in Ballina and is part of the local artist collective theNCF. In this notable debut, Hennemann demonstrates the keen ecological awareness and lyrical precision that have earned her recognition from Arts Council Ireland and multiple literary awards. Her poems traverse vivid landscapes from both her German roots and Irish home, exploring the intersections of gender, class, and sexuality against the backdrop of intergenerational trauma. Birthmark showcases Hennemanns distinctive voice as she weaves personal history with ancient mythologies and archetypes into poems with a vatic and haunting nature. Her work reveals a playful approach to bilingualism and wordplay, as in Hades Gothic: Eye hear you, every woman is an eyeland, my I's fixed on the upturned earth. The collection has garnered exceptional praise from leading literary voices. Patrick Cotter notes: "Christina Hennemann presents here a collection densely interwoven with meaning and experience. She percolates childhood, girlhood, womanhood through a personal mythology inventive and original; with language cadent, elegant and sonically sparkling." 'Birthmark' is the new collection of poetry from Christina Hennemann. Sophie Dumont praises how "Christina Hennemanns Birthmark pulses with warmth and daring part mirror, part blade a knife passed down through generations". Hennemann will celebrate the collections launch on November 15th at The Winding Stair, Dublin, from 6.30 to 8.30pm. The free event, open to all, will be launched by Damien Donnelly and feature four guest readers - Alicia Byrne Keane, Derval Tubridy, Eoin Cahill and Sinead McClure. Hennemanns impressive literary credentials include winning the Cerasus Poetry Chapbook Competition for Leafing (2024) and publishing Witch/Womb (Book Hub, 2024). Her work has been funded with an Agility Award from Arts Council Ireland, and she has received the Luain Press Poetry Prize, a Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction, and a Mayo Artist Bursary. Birthmark is available through Shearsman Books website, as well as Amazon, and signed copies are available directly from the author. Reading, PA (19601) Today A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. . Tonight A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Find a shady spot under a tree, take a breath of fresh air and call me in the morning. Health care providers have long suggested stressed-out patients spend time outdoors. Now hundreds of providers are going a step further and issuing formal prescriptions to get outside. The tactic is gaining momentum as social media, political strife and wars abroad weigh on the American psyche. Of course, no one needs a prescription to get outside, but some doctors think that issuing the advice that way helps people take it seriously. When I bring it up, it is almost like granting permission to do something they may see as frivolous when things seem so otherwise serious and stressful, said Dr. Suzanne Hackenmiller, a Waterloo, Iowa, gynecologist who started issuing nature prescriptions after discovering time outdoors soothed her following her husbands death. Getting outdoors can improve your health Spending time in natural areas can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and boost immunity, multiple studies have found. Study after study says were wired to be out in nature, said Dr. Brent Bauer, who serves as director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The program focuses on practices that usually arent part of conventional medicine, such as meditation, acupuncture, massage and nutrition. Thats more than just Woo-woo, I think nature is cool. Theres actually science. Telling someone to go outside is one thing. The follow-through is something else. Starting about a decade ago, health care providers began formalizing suggestions to get outside through prescriptions. Dr. Robert Zarr, who doubles as a nature guide, launched an organization called Park Rx America around 2016, offering providers protocols for prescribing nature outings. The guidelines call for talking with patients about what they like to do outside walking, sitting under a tree, maybe just watching leaves fall how often to do it and where to go. That all then gets included in a prescription, and Park Rx America sends patients reminders. Nearly 2,000 providers have registered with the organization across the U.S. and a number of other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Cameroon and Spain. Theyve issued more than 7,000 nature prescriptions since 2019, said Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Park Rx Americas associate medical director. About 100 other organizations similar to Park Rx America have sprung up around the U.S., she said. A nature prescription can motivate Bauer specializes in treating CEOs and other business leaders. He said he issues about 30 nature prescriptions every year. The chief executives he treats sometimes dont even know where to begin and a prescription can give them a jump start, he said. I recommend a lot of things to a lot of patients, he said. Im not under the illusion all of them get enacted. When I get a prescription, someone hands me a piece of paper and says you must take this medication Im a lot more likely to activate that. Hackenmiller, the Iowa gynecologist, said shes having more discussions with patients about getting outside as a means of escaping a world locked in perpetual conflict. When so many things are out of our control, it can be helpful to step away from the media and immerse ourselves in nature, she said. I think time in nature often resonates with people as something they have found solace in and have gravitated to in other times in their life. Getting outside is the important part The effectiveness of nature prescriptions is unclear. A 2020 joint study by the U.S. Forest Service, the University of Pennsylvania and North Carolina State University concluded that more work was needed to gauge follow-through and long-term health outcomes. But unless youre choking on wildfire smoke or swatting swarms of mosquitoes, getting outside no matter what motivates you can be helpful. At William & Mary college in Williamsburg, Virginia, students issue nature prescriptions to their peers. Patients obtain prescriptions by filling out online applications indicating how far theyll travel to get to a park, times they can visit, whether they need a ride and favorite outdoor activities. Students issued an average of 22 online prescriptions per month in 2025, up from 12 per month in 2020. Kelsey Wakiyama, a senior, grew up hiking trails around her home in Villanova, Pennsylvania, with her family and their dog, Duke. When she started her freshman year in Williamsburg, she didnt know where to walk. She saw an advertisement for nature prescriptions in the weekly student email and eventually got one that helped her find trails near campus. I love the greenery, Wakiyama said. When youre sitting inside I was in the library for four hours today the fresh air feels very nice. It calms my nervous system, definitely. I associate being outside with a lightness, a calmness, good memories. That kind of comes back to me when Im outside. By TODD RICHMOND Associated Press After months of financial strain, Planned Parenthood will get a $140 million lifeline to offset losses it sustained after Congress in July cut funding for the health system, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday. The money will help Planned Parenthood keep 109 California clinics open. In a statement, Newsom said the move reflects the states continued commitment to abortion and reproductive health care. Trumps efforts to defund Planned Parenthood put all our communities at risk as people seek basic health care from these community providers, Newsom said. Lawmakers will also take up the issue in January when the Legislature reconvenes. The news comes a week after the nonprofit organization announced it would eliminate primary care at clinics in Orange and San Bernardino counties. Five other clinics also closed in July in the Bay Area, Santa Cruz and Central Valley, all in response to federal defunding. Planned Parenthood needs roughly $27 million monthly to operate all of its local facilities, according to Jodi Hicks, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the organizations statewide advocacy group. Were incredibly grateful that weve found a way to get some funding out to our Planned Parenthood health centers so they can remain operating and continue services, Hicks said. California is the fourth state, following Washington, Colorado and New Mexico, to pledge public funds to keep Planned Parenthood afloat. Lawmakers in Oregon and New York are also considering similar moves. Republicans have lambasted and targeted Planned Parenthood for decades over contraceptive and abortion services. A 1977 law banned federal funding for abortions, but this summer President Donald Trump took additional steps to cut down the nations largest abortion provider. His sweeping tax and budget bill prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid dollars for any kinds of services, including mammograms, pap smears, birth control and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. According to Planned Parenthood, abortions account for less than 10% of its services, while other reproductive health services make up the bulk of medical care provided. Federal funding losses have forced Planned Parenthood to close clinics across the country, where half of all patients rely on Medicaid. In California, where 80% of Planned Parenthood patients have Medicaid known as Medi-Cal in the state the losses are even greater. There was definitely an outsized impact on California, Hicks said. Primary care closures ripple across the state Democratic lawmakers, Newsom and Planned Parenthood have spent most of the year searching for a funding solution that protects reproductive health access without cash from federal coffers. But, faced with a multibillion-dollar state deficit, solutions have been slow to appear and challenging to maintain. Well fight like hell to maintain access to care in the coming months and years, said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Davis Democrat who leads the Legislative Womens Caucus, Even with the states pledge to protect sexual and reproductive health care, Planned Parenthood clinics face growing uncertainty driven by federal grant freezes, lawsuits and even some proposed state cuts. Last week, Planned Parenthood in Orange and San Bernardino counties announced facilities would close primary care services on Dec. 13. The group, which runs nine health centers, added primary care more than a decade ago to serve low-income patients unable to find appointments elsewhere. Dr. Janet Jacobson, medical director of the Orange and San Bernardino counties clinics, said the federal actions are destroying our primary care program. She said she worries patients with urgent mental health needs or chronic conditions wont be able to quickly find another provider. Many communities in the region have too few doctors, according to state data. Roughly 13,000 patients will lose access to care and Planned Parenthood will lay off 77 staff. Its inhumane to take away peoples health care, Jacobson said. Folks that have Medi-Cal should be able to see the provider of their choice for primary care. Aguiar-Curry called the loss of primary care unacceptable and dangerous. Seeking stability as financial cliff still looms Farther north, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte which runs 30 health centers along the California coast, Central Valley and Nevada closed five health centers in July shortly after Trump blocked Planned Parenthoods funding. Mar Monte Chief of Staff Andrew Adams said the organization has been working to maintain its financial stability. The closures helped preserve services at the organizations other clinics until the end of the year, but Adams warned that it could hit a financial cliff in January. We are planning for an environment where there is no federal funding, Adams said. What that looks like is having to potentially charge patients some amount of money for services we provide. Other Planned Parenthood groups in the state are exploring ways to cut costs and boost revenue while keeping clinics open for patients. Dr. Neda Ashtari, a former Planned Parenthood and Medi-Cal patient, emphasized the importance of ensuring more than 1 million patients continue to have access to cancer screenings and other reproductive health services. When Ashtari was a teenager, her mother died of breast cancer after missing routine scans that could have detected the cancer earlier, she said. It really crystallizes that this preventative care is the difference between life or death, Ashtari said. ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. By KRISTEN HWANG/CalMatters CalMatters Exxon Mobil Corporation is suing the state of California over a pair of 2023 climate disclosure laws that the company says infringe upon its free speech rights, namely by forcing it to embrace the message that large companies are uniquely to blame for climate change. The oil and gas corporation based in Texas filed its complaint Friday in the U.S. Eastern District Court for California. It asks the court to prevent the laws from going into effect next year. In its complaint, ExxonMobil says it has for years publicly disclosed its greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related business risks, but it fundamentally disagrees with the states new reporting requirements. The company would have to use frameworks that place disproportionate blame on large companies like ExxonMobil for the purpose of shaming such companies, the complaint states. Under Senate Bill 253, large businesses will have to disclose a wide range of planet-warming emissions, including both direct and indirect emissions such as the costs of employee business travel and product transport. ExxonMobil takes issue with the methodology required by the state, which would focus on a companys emissions worldwide and therefore fault businesses just for being large as opposed to being efficient, the complaint states. The second law, Senate Bill 261, requires companies making more than $500 million annually to disclose the financial risks that climate change poses to their businesses and how they plan to address them. The company said in its complaint that the law would require it to speculate about unknowable future developments and post such speculations on its website. A spokesperson for the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an email that it was truly shocking that one of the biggest polluters on the planet would be opposed to transparency. By JANIE HAR Associated Press The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Asia India: Strike by Delhi Municipal Corporation workers enters third week The strike by about 5,200 multitasked workers and mosquito-breed checkers from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi entered its third week on Monday. Workers walked out on October 3 and have been rallying outside the corporation headquarters. Anti-Malaria Ekta Karamchari Union members are participating in the action. Strikers want a wage increase, equal pay and grade parity, as well as jobs for family members of deceased workers, paid medical leave, earned leave and permanent jobs for precarious employees. Tamil Nadu: Madurai sanitary workers union suspends strike and accepts privatisation The Madurai Sanitary workers union, affiliated with the Centre for Indian Trade Unions, called off an indefinite strike planned for Tuesday over the dismissal of 23 workers following an agreement with the Madurai Municipal Corporation. The deal allowed privatisation of the corporations solid waste management in return for the reinstatement of the 23 dismissed workers and 10,000 ($US114) to 20,000 rupees to workers, including for the reinstated workers, as a bonus for Diwali (Hindu festival of lights). Erode General Hospital sanitation workers protest non-payment of Diwali bonus About 125 sanitary workers, employed by a private contractor at the Erode General Hospital, Tamil Nadu walked out and demonstrated outside the hospital on Monday over non-payment of the Diwali bonus. The workers were organised by the All-India Trades Union Congress which convinced workers to withdraw the protest after a discussion with hospital management. The workers had demanded one-months wages as the Diwali bonus but accepted managements payment terms. Jeypore Municipality sanitation workers strike for unpaid wages Over 360 sanitation workers from the Jeypore Municipality in Orissa struck work on October 17 demanding payment of one-month of overdue wages. The workers ended the strike in the evening after management said the issue would be resolved that day. Bangladesh: Fashion Forum Garments workers demand outstanding wages Workers from Fashion Forum Garments, of IDS Group in the Ashulia area of Savar, Dhaka rallied outside their factory on Sunday blocking the road. The action followed a demonstration two days earlier to demand payments in arrears. Fearful that the unrest would spread, factory authorities from six garment factories in Ashulia, including High Fashion, FNF, Trade Fashion and Priti Group, declared a general holiday on Sunday. Authorities from the Shahriar Garments Factory also closed their factory on Sunday as its workers were demonstrating following the retrenchment of several workers. Ashulia police were deployed to the factories. Non-government secondary school teachers in Bangladesh continue strike Thousands of non-government secondary school teachers under the Monthly Payment Order (MPO) scheme are maintaining their strike and protest begun on October 11 to demand nationalisation of MPO schools and an end to the disparity with government education institutions. MPO schools receive financial support from the federal government, which covers teachers basic salaries. Other demands include payment of a medical allowance of 1,500 taka ($US12), a 75 percent festival bonus and an increase of the current house rent allowance from 1,000 taka to 3,000 taka. The government offered to increase house rent to 1,500 taka, which workers rejected. The teachers have held repeated protests over their demands. In February, they held a sit-in protest for 22 days in Dhaka and in May went on strike in different districts. Records for 2023 show that 396,368 teachers and 136,036 other employees are MPO registered in 28,655 non-government post-primary level educational institutions. The teachers are maintaining their protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. About 200 have begun an indefinite hunger protest. Australia Australian Catholic University staff strike for pay rise and job security About 400 National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at Australian Catholic University (ACU) campuses at Ballarat, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne stopped work for two hours on October 16 to demand an improved pay offer in the universitys proposed enterprise agreement. They rejected managements 2.5 percent annual pay rise offer which they said was well below the wage price index (national general wage growth) of 3.4 percent. Along with an improved pay offer, workers want strengthened job security, workload regulations, and stronger rights in flexible work. A union spokesperson said that in a context where universities rely on rampant casualisation and redundancies to solve upper management problems, a key demand is for significantly stronger job security for all staff. The union says ACUs vice-chancellor received a $60,000 pay rise last year, taking his salary to $1.1 million, a 5.8 percent pay rise, while offering staff only 2.5 percent. Armaguard security workers in Victoria and Tasmania strike The Transport Workers Union (TWU), covering 150 cash-in-transit security guards at Armaguard and Prosegur in Victoria and Tasmania, began industrial action on Wednesday over a delay in finalising a new enterprise agreement. Workers placed indefinite bans on overtime and working weekends and planned strike action on Friday and next Monday. Workers are concerned about delays in the finalisation of a new funding model with the banks and supermarkets which would guarantee the future of the cash delivery industry. Workers want a decent wage rise, and stronger safety nets around pay and conditions. The industrial action could affect the availability of cash at ATMs and supermarket checkouts. Rixs Creek coal mine strike in New South Wales enters third week The strike by 250 Mining and Energy Union (MEU) members at the Bloomfield Group-owned Rixs Creek open-cut coal mine near Singleton, New South Wales is now in its third week. Workers voted near unanimously on September 19 to take industrial action following ten months of failed negotiations over the companys proposed enterprise agreement. Workers rejected Bloomfields pay increase offer of 16.75 percent over four years, saying it was totally unacceptable. As well as an improved pay offer, workers want accident pay lifted to parity with other pits. Currently, injured workers are helped by fellow workers who contribute from their own wages to top up accident pay. The MEU claimed that management has started advertising for replacement labour and is offering a worse deal than its original. Bloomfield is a billion-dollar family-owned company with approval to extract 1.3 million tonnes of coal per annum from its open cut mine. CDC bus drivers in Darwin strike for better pay and safety Transport Workers Union (TWU) members employed by the commuter bus company CDC in Greater Darwin and regional areas stopped work for 24 hours on Monday to demand a pay increase and improved working conditions in a new enterprise agreement. This includes better weekend and overtime rates and a wage that recognises the increasingly unsafe work environment, saying they have been hit, kicked, spat on and abused. Weve seen rocks thrown through windows, attempted stabbings and buses vandalised, a worker said. After several months of failed negotiations, the workers voted on September 3 for future action which could include work stoppages between one minute and 24 hours, wearing union badges and placing stickers on buses. On September 15, TWU members at CDC Darwin, CDC Regional NT and Buslink NT began low-level industrial action which the union has restricted to placing union posters in buses and drivers wearing union hi-vis vests. ZircoDATA warehouse workers in New South Wales strike for improved pay offer Fourteen Transport Workers Union members employed by the data storage company ZircoDATA at its three warehouses in New South Wales walked off the job and rallied outside their premises on October 16. After rejecting what workers said was a substandard pay offer from the company, the workers voted unanimously on October 1 for future industrial action that could include an overtime ban and work stoppages ranging from one hour to a week or an indefinite strike. ZircoDATA has not responded with an improved offer. Coca-Cola factory maintenance workers in Queensland strike About 30 Electrical Trades Union members from Coca-Colas factory maintenance department stopped work for 24 hours and rallied outside the factory in Brisbane on Monday. Workers decided in late September to begin industrial action after four months of negotiations for a new work agreement stalled. They said they will take further action until they win the fair outcome they deserve. Public school teachers in Tasmania to hold national strike Thousands of teachers and support workers from 192 public schools and colleges across Tasmania will conduct staggered strikes spread over three days next week. The stop-work action will be from 9am to 11am on Tuesday in the north-west, on Wednesday in the north, and on Thursday in the south. The Australian Education Union (AEU) called the action after it accused Tasmanias Liberal state government of walking away from long-running enterprise agreement negotiations. The AEU said the governments actions will deny teachers a wage rise before the Christmas break and force many of its lowest paid workers to find work over the enforced break. The governments last offer included a 3 percent wage rise conditional on further EA negotiations for a long-term agreement. Teachers rejected the offer saying it did nothing to meet their wage demands, or address the exploitative workloads, classroom violence and issues driving teacher shortages. The AEUs demands include a 21.5 percent increase over three years, starting with an initial 11 percent rise in the first year of the new agreement, a reduction in class sizes and career advancement in line with the mainline states. Another demand is for changes to the current employment arrangement for teaching assistants who are not paid for a full year and are stood down during school holidays. Workers at Graincorps port facilities in Victoria strike for better pay and conditions About 100 United Workers Union (UWU) members at Graincorps port facilities at Geelong and Portland walked off the job for 24 hours on Tuesday in their dispute over the companys proposed enterprise agreement. According to the union, Graincorp is refusing to agree to the wage rise demands or the inclusion in the new agreement of an improved roster system that allows workers to plan their lives. Workers want wage rises to achieve parity with Graincorp workers employed at the companys other Victorian facilities. Negotiations faltered after the UWU became aware earlier this year that workers at Graincorps site in the Port of Geelong were paid a higher duties penalty during a six-year period and amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Following the underpayment revelation, the union says Graincorp is now seeking to remove or amend key clauses carried over from the old agreement into the new agreement related to the span of hours, rostering and the duration that casual workers are engaged for. Infrabuild steel mill workers in Victoria strike for new work agreement Over 100 workers employed at InfraBuilds steel mill in Laverton, a suburb of Melbourne, began a campaign of rolling 12 to 24-hour stoppages on Friday after decisively rejecting the companys substandard new enterprise agreement. The Australian Workers Union said that after four years of negotiations and disputes over safety failures and wages falling behind the cost of living the workers had reached their limit. Workers want the new agreement to include a wage rise that reflects the true cost of living increases and addresses concerns over safety and job security. Workers said they will maintain industrial action until Infrabuild presents an acceptable offer. InfraBuilds Laverton plant processes recycled scrap metal into steel products. The company claims its $3.5 billion Laverton mill is the biggest in Australia. Canadas federal government under former Goldman Sachs executive and Bank of England governor Mark Carney is pushing forward with two bills containing sweeping attacks on democratic rights and immigrants. Elected on a wave of popular revulsion to the fascist spectacle of Trumps first three months in office, Carney has repudiated the cynical pose of opposition to Trump he struck for the cameras during the campaign. Groveling before the aspiring fascist dictator in the Oval Office earlier this month, Carney praised Trump as a transformative president. A similar transformation of Canadian social relations is underwayfrom bourgeois democracy to authoritarian police state. Demonstration in Toronto in defence of the rights of refugees and immigrants [Photo: Migrant Rights Network] The Carney governments first substantive piece of legislation after Aprils election was the so-called Strong Borders Act Bill C-2, an omnibus bill amending multiple existing laws. The bill combines a sweeping power grab for the police, spy agencies and Cabinet together with a full-frontal attack on immigrants and refugees. Since its introduction in June, the bill has provoked widespread opposition, with multiple campaigns for its repeal from initiated by the Migrant Rights Network, Green Peace and other refugee-support, civil rights and internet privacy groups. The government has been forced to change tack due to the posturing by the opposition Conservatives and New Democrats as opponents of Bill C-2, at least in its current form. On October 8, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree tabled a new bill, C-12, containing only the attacks on the rights of refugee-claimants and immigrants, with the aim of adopting them as quickly as possible. Underscoring that the Liberals still intend to implement the new spying and police powers, they left the remainder of Bill C-2 on the legislative agenda. On October 11, he declared that the police spying measures would not be abandoned but rather introduced separately, after being refined to eliminate overreach. The Carney government proposes to give the police and Canadian spy agencies sweeping powers to eavesdrop on private communications, forcibly enlist doctors, accountants and other providers of services as state informants, and force postal workers to open private mailall without a warrant. In a series of attacks on the rights of immigrants and refugees, it creates the legal basis for a regime of mass deportation. There is no mass support for any of these measures. The government did not win an election on attacking immigrant rights or on expanded police powers, nor could it have. They won an election by posturing as opponents of the man whose playbook they are moving to adopt ever more completely: Donald Trump. The legislation cannot be understood apart from the deepening inter-imperialist competition between Canada and the United States, the escalating crisis of world capitalism, and the Canadian bourgeoisies effort to accommodate itself to the fascist in the White House. The Trump regime has whipped up hysteria about the supposed insecurity of the Canada-US border, advancing its fraudulent claims that fentanyl and illegal migrants are flowing from Canada to the USA in order to justify after the fact its decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. Bill C-2 was ostensibly introduced in order to appease these entirely concocted concerns and assist the governments ongoing efforts to negotiate tariff-free access to US markets for Canadian business. At the same time, the Canadian ruling class, like its US counterpart, recognizes that the greatest threat to its interests comes from belowfrom the working class entering into mass revolutionary struggle against moribund capitalismwhich is why it is determined to strengthen the powers of state repression. Workers must be repressed in any event in order to transfer hundreds of billions of dollars from social spending to war and infrastructure investments under Carneys upcoming fall budget. In a televised address to the nation Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Carney made clear it would include crushing social austerity to fund corporate handouts and massive increases in military expenditures to prepare for world war. As in the United States, Canadas ruling class is seeking to pre-empt the inevitable wave of working class opposition with state repression. Already the Liberal government has moved to effectively abolish the right to strike, using a newly concocted reinterpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, to illegalize strikes by railway, port, and Canada Post workers; and the Quebec government has followed suit, imposing draconian limits on the right to strike in the countrys second-most-populous province. But the Carney government knows that it must proceed by degrees. As in the United States, the weakest and most vulnerable sections of the working class will be attacked first. And the most vulnerable sections of the working class include immigrants and refugees. Bill C-12 contains multiple provisions attacking refugee and immigrant rights. It: Significantly limits who can claim refugee status in Canada, including barring refugee claims from anyone who failed to make a claim for refugee status in Canada within one year of their first arrival, retroactive to 2020. Further restricts the ability of refugees fleeing to Canada from third countries via the United States to claim refugee status in Canada. Requires refugees to claim refugee status upon their first entry to Canada, denying all claims to anyone who had previously entered Canada, for any purpose. Grants sweeping power to the Minister of Immigration to cancel individual refugee claims, and to cancel claims en masse, based on criteria such as country of origin or political affiliation. Major attacks on privacy and democratic right in Bill C-2 include provisions that would: Authorize law enforcement, including Canada Border Services Agency officers, prison guards and special constables, to make warrantless demands for information about surveillance targets from the providers of digital services, including cell phone companies, internet service providers and social media providers. Empower state authorities to order Canada Post workers to open private mail without obtaining a warrant. Grant CSIS, Canadas domestic spy agency, and other national security and police agencies warrantless access to the data of individuals, based merely on suspicion that a law passed by Parliament had been breached. According to the Globe & Mail, Police could reach out to doctors, abortion clinics, hotels, rental car companies and other entities and service providers, who would be obligated to inform on patients and clients, under gag orders not to reveal their informant activities. Those who refuse to collaborate could face stiff penalties or prison. This sweeping power grab aroused an enormous amount of opposition, of both a principled and opportunistic variety. The Migrant Rights Network correctly objected that the measures directed against refugees would make the Canadian government complicit in the Trump regimes witch hunt of immigrants and refugees. Previously, they explain, migrants crossing from the US between official ports could apply for refugee status after 14 days. Bill C-12 removes this completely, trapping vulnerable people under Trumps xenophobic policies. The sweeping powers granted to the Minister of Immigration to deny refugee and permanent residency claims create the legal basis for Canada to engage in the kind of mass deportations and grotesque abuses of human rights that are ongoing in the United States. These powers could also conceivably be used to reject political refugees fleeing the savage campaign of state repression which is developing in the United States. Donald Trump has signed a document called NSPM-7 (National Security Presidential Memorandum) which criminalizes opposition to fascism and designates opposition to capitalism and Christianity as thought-crimes. The journalist Ken Klippenstein has revealed that the FBI is drawing up lists of people to be targeted for repression under NSPM-7. It is entirely possible that political opponents of a fascist crackdown by the Trump regime could flee to Canada, as did tens thousands of draft resisters and other American opponents of the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s. The Carney government would be collaborators in their repression. Internet privacy advocates have pointed out that governments new requirement that internet service providers and social media outlets create digital back doors so as to allow the state rapid access to private subscriber information would leave Canadian workers vulnerable to cyber-crime, including identity theft, fraud, harassment and blackmail. CSIS is already permitted to grant access to information they obtain to the spying agencies of the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, under the so-called Five Eyes spy treaty. These spying measures, for which CSIS and the police have long campaigned, have nothing to do with the governments latest proffered justification of border security. University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist opined to the CBC that the spying powers contained in the bill constitute an effort to sneak old provisions from failed legislation into this billabout which theres very little to do with lawful access. Geists comment points towards the entirely unprincipled nature of the objections to these new spying measures on the part of Canadas parliamentary opposition. The Liberals power-grab has given the Conservatives the stage to poseentirely fraudulentlyas champions of civil rights and privacy. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre cynically declared, We dont think that law-abiding Canadians should lose their liberty to pay for the failures of the Liberals on borders and immigration. The previous Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper attempted and failed to pass similar spying measures in 2014, on the fraudulent basis that civil rights stood in the way of stopping child pornography. Poilievre voted for those powers. Further, Poilievre is perfectly content if immigrants should lose their liberty. His Conservatives have been whipping up xenophobia against immigrants and refugees, especially Muslims, equating opposition to Israels genocide in Gaza with terrorism. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel-Garner is campaigning to revoke birthright citizenship, in a further attempt to align Canadian policies with those of the fascist Trump regime. In Aprils election, the Conservatives defeat, which included Poilievres loss of his own parliamentary seat, was bound up with the widespread recognition that the Tories shared Trumps far-right politics. This includes his warmongering, drive to establish authoritarian forms of rule, and commitment to savage attacks on the working class. The NDPs posturing against Bill C-2 is no more credible. This is a party that propped up the Liberals in parliament for six years as they enforced a massive rearmament program, slashed public spending, and undermined democratic rights. The NDP is sponsored by the trade union bureaucracy, which demonstrates in every workers struggle its bitter hostility to the democratic and social rights of workers by imposing concessions and riding roughshod over widespread support for a fight against capitalist austerity and war. The Liberal government campaign for vast police powers and against refugees demonstrates that there is no political constituency within the Canadian ruling class for basic democratic rights. As in the United States and in every other country, the only social force which can turn back the tide of reaction and authoritarianism in Canada is the working class, united in struggle with workers in the United States, Mexico and other countries on the basis of a socialist program. The government sanctioned persecution of British Palestinian anti-genocide medic Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan continued Thursday. A Tribunal agreed with the General Medical Council (GMC) to continue investigations into her entirely legitimate social media activity. Dr. Rahmeh Aladwan arrives at the Tribunal hearing in Manchester, October 23, 2025 The GMC initiated the politically motivated witch-hunt after Zionistsled by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) and Jewish Medical Association (UK)and backed by Labour government Health Secretary Wes Streeting, complained about Dr. Aladwans social media posts opposing the genocide of the Palestinians and destruction of Gaza by Israel. Following a previous Tribunalheld September 25that found no need for any order against her, a GMC case examiner brought together social media posts by Dr. Aladwan from September 29 to October 2 as the basis of referring her to the Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT). At the October 23 hearing in Manchester, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) agreed that a second tribunal would go ahead which could result in Dr. Aladwana National Health Service doctor of seven years with an impeccable recordlosing her license to practise. The MPTS ruling therefore overturned the previous tribunal decision, made less than a month ago, called as the result of the GMCs investigation over the doctors social media posts. The decision of that tribunal said it did not believe the complaints against Dr. Aladwan were sufficient to establish that there may be a real risk to patients and ruled that she had done nothing to undermine public confidence in the medical profession. Arriving at the hearing Dr. Aladwan told the WSWS, I have been summoned here by the General Medical Council, more commonly referred to now as the Genocide Medical Council, unfortunately. It is only four weeks since I was summoned here for exactly these allegations, it is my social media postings, it is my support for the Palestinians to resist under international law and mostly really its the GMC buckling to the pressure of the Israeli lobby and the MPs such as [Labour government Health and Social Care Secretary] Wesley Streeting who are funded by them and who are making comments. Theres been a huge media smear campaign, corruption and collusions between all these institutions who have been subverted by the Israeli lobby to just take my license away or silence me. At the tribunal Dr. Aladwan was denied the right to ask questions directly of the Tribunal members and GMC counsel. Representing the GMC, Emma Gilsenan said that this Tribunal was not bound by the decision of the previous tribunal to allow Dr. Aladwan to ask questions and that any questions from her this time should be posed by her legal representative Speaking on behalf of Dr. Aladwan, Kevin Saunders, instructed by Zillur Rahman of Rahman Lowe Solicitors, said that at the last Tribunal the questions posed were to establish if there was any conflict of interest. They were to establish if any of the panel had links to pro-Israel groups or Zionist groups, and if anyone present, or their family had had any connections with the IOF (Israel Occupation Forces). They also wished to establish if the GMCs counsel were members of the UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), or if they had any communications with the UKLFI or other pro-Israeli groups. Saunders said that the material cited in Dr. Aladwan case was of political importance and that it would be naive if not disingenuous to pretend that it was not politically charged. The Tribunal responded that there was no conflict of interest based on the questions asked, but that Dr. Aladwan should, personally, not be permitted to ask questions. The main contention of Dr. Aladwan was that the attempt to hold the present tribunal was an abuse of process and an affront to the rule of law, Saunders said: This is mere regurgitation of the matters that were previously litigated. This is a perversion of procedure and an attempt to relitigate until the General Medical Council, and those placing pressure on the General Medical Council, achieve the result they desire. This is, on any view, a brazen attempt to keep relitigating this matter before a tribunal until the General Medical Council gets the result it wants. Saunders noted the unprecedented intervention of Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streetingwho denounced the September 25 Tribunal ruling in Dr Aladwans favoursaying it would be implausible to contend that lasts month ruling did not provoke a political reaction. He added, It ill behoves Wes Streeting to seek to undermine the rule of law and the determination of an objective independent tribunal. Gilsenan denied that re-referring the already cleared Dr. Aladwan to an IOT was due to external pressure. It was a necessary and proportionate referral, claiming that with her September 29-October social media posts the doctors behaviour takes on a new tone and suggests a continuation and doubling down of concerning conduct. Saunders explained that there was nothing within the 12 pages of material gathered by the GMC case examiner that was materially distinct, and which would allow the present Tribunal to reach any different conclusion than the previous one. Saunders cited the submissions made on behalf Dr. Aladwan in the previous hearing, stating that she was a Palestinian doctor and her social media posts were separate from her clinical practice, which was exemplary. Dr. Aladwan was posting material on social media to express resistance to a regime persecuting her own people, including family members and friends. No evidence had ever been presented or complaints made that her social media postings had any impact on patient safety or her ability to fulfil her duties as a doctor, he said. Saunders stated that Dr. Aladwan contended that pressure was brought on the GMC to continue to pursue a campaign against her, threatening the loss of her medical license to practise. This included the social media posting on October 6 by the Campaign Against Antisemitism threatening to take legal action in pursuit of a judicial review of the Tribunal decision that cleared Dr. Aladwan. Saunders also stated that Streeting commented on and criticised the decision to clear Dr. Aladwan and the present Tribunal had a duty to eschew political pressure surrounding the proceeding, in accordance with the principles of fairness. MPTS interim orders tribunal chair Lee Davies completely sided with the GMC, ruling that there was no abuse of process and that the hearing should go ahead. Refusing the request for a stay of proceedings, the Tribunal Decision reads that following the last Tribunal, Since then a GMC case examiner, having reviewed additional information, referred the matter to a new Tribunal. This Tribunal understands that this is within their power to do and that the role of this IOT is to make a fresh assessment of risk. It considered that this was fair and what the public would expect. This is a perverse decision, which must be opposed by every health care worker and the entire working class. What is taking place is not a Tribunal but a political show trial. The essential issue involved is the lie that a doctor opposing genocide means that there is a danger to public health. The government acting in collusion with Zionist groups to persecute Dr. Aladwan is led by a Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who has declared that he is a Zionist, without qualificationwho at the outset of the genocide said that Israel had the right to deny water and the essentials of life to the Palestiniansa war crime under international law. China will seek to intensify its technological development and become increasingly self-sufficient in this area according to its 15th five-year economic plan the outlines of which were approved at the fourth plenum of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee held this week. The emphasis placed in the plan on further high quality development will bring more countermeasures from the US, which regards the technological advance of China, particularly in new fields such as AI, as an existential threat to its global dominance. A worker assembles electronic devices at an Alco Electronics factory in Houjie Town, Dongguan City, in the Guangdong province of China. [AP Photo/Ng Han Guan] The communique from the fourth plenum said China would seek to upgrade traditional industries as well as foster, strengthen and expand emerging and future industries. It said China had to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and steer the development of new quality productive forces and to seize the historic opportunity presented by the new round of industrial transformation to boost Chinas strength. No specific details were releasedthat will not happen until the next National Peoples Congress in March next year. But it is certain to involve further government spending and initiatives. According to Julian Evans-Pritchard of the research firm Capital Economics, whose remarks were cited in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ): There are few signs that officials are backing away from industrial policy. If anything, the balance the leadership is trying to strike between market forces and government intervention is still shifting toward the latter. Another analyst speaking to the WSJ, Katja Drinhausen of the Mercator Institute for China Studies based in Germany, noted that when China first advanced plans to dominate in key economic areas and cutting-edge technologies these were dismissed as party language not carrying much weight. But the past decade and a half has shown that there is power in these plans, especially if they are coupled with investment, resources and incentivesand that this formula has paid off. However, all is far from plain sailing. The turn to the development of new quality productive forces launched two years ago has led to industrial overcapacity and price wars for industrial goods, deflation and lower profit margins in a process described by the party leadership as involution. These problems are reflected in the domestic economy. Data released on the eve of the Central Committee plenum showed that the economy grew at its slowest pace in a year. The year-on-year growth in GDP was 4.8 percent, compared with a 5.2 percent growth in the second quarter. The National Bureau of Statistics said the third quarter growth laid a solid foundation for reaching the official target of around 5 percent for the year. But as a Bloomberg report noted, growth was powered by an export boom thats papering over deeper vulnerabilities. China has been hit by the Trump tariffs with exports to the US dropping by 27 percent in September. But exports to the rest of the world are booming as a result of deflation in the Chinese domestic economy. Total Chinese exports in the month of September rose to $328.6 billion at the fastest pace in six months. Chinas surplus in merchandise trade has increased by 12.4 percent in the past three months compared to the same period last year and the trade surplus is expected to reach $1 trillion for the year, setting a new record high. The relationship between the domestic economy and exports was highlighted in comments by Christopher Beddor, the deputy director of Chinese research at Gavekal Dragonomics, to the New York Times. As things get worse at home, their exports get more competitive. The bottom line is that between the deflationary shock and depreciation in currency, Chinas exports are just mechanically becoming way more competitive to many other countries. China is becoming increasingly reliant on foreign markets to absorb its factory output. Net exports accounted for 6.2 percent of the economy in the third quarter. While this was slightly down from the record 6.4 percent in the second, it was still larger than in any other quarter since 2014. But the Chinese export surge is leading to other countries, including in Southeast Asia, to consider imposing restrictions. The latest draft five-year plan approved by the plenum makes some reference to the need to expand domestic demand, improve living standards and increase consumer spending, but there are unlikely to be any major initiatives. Past actions have included limited measures to boost consumption, but they have had little effect as indicated by the latest data. Figures showed that so-called nominal growth, that is growth without adjusting for price changes, was down to 3.7 percent in the third quarter. This means that overall, prices as measured by the GDP deflator fell for the 10 consecutive quarterthe longest period of deflation in recent history. The ongoing decline in the property market continues to weigh on the domestic economy. Apartment prices are down by as much as 40 percent from their peak in 2021 and there is a contraction in real estate and construction. In the past, this sector accounted for as much as a quarter in the Chinese economy. Local government authorities, which are responsible for much of infrastructure spending have been impacted because their growth model has been all but destroyed. In the past they were able to finance themselves by selling land for development and then using the funds for local development projects as well as providing some social services. In an outline of the measures it considers should be adopted, economists at the financial firm Societe Generale said the central government needed a fiscal system that effectively incentivises consumption while addressing the fiscal gap for local governments caused by declining land revenue. But from the data released so far, that does not appear to be the case. The WSJ said that Chinas five-year plan only nods at priorities while Western economists and US officials have called for most notably, boosting consumption in an attempt to lessen its reliance on export-driven growth. Summing up the economic situation, the plenum communique said China faced a stage where strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges, and uncertainties and unpredictable factors are increasing. It insisted, as has become mandatory, on the need to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This phrase may have more significance than usual in view of the recent purge organised by Xi. In the lead-up to the meeting, the number two general in the Peoples Liberation Army He Weidong was sacked along with eight other senior commanders. It was the first time in six decades that such a high-ranking military leader was removed. The purge went further. According to WSJ calculations, the Central Committee meeting was one of the smallest in decades with nearly one sixth of those on the Central Committee that was elected three years ago absent this week. On Thursday, social, community, home care and disability service (SCHADS) workers participated in a National Day of Action called by the Australian Services Union (ASU) to protest retrogressive award restructuring proposals from the pro-business Fair Work Commission. A report on the rallies is published here. World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke with protesters in Melbourne and Sydney. Jackie Jackie, 27, attended the Melbourne rally outside the State Library. Our pay is already quite average across the field, so any cut will be a ten-year step backwards since getting a SCHADS award. It will drive people out of the sector, which is already underfunded across the whole community. Staff wont be retained for as long, and people will have to look elsewhere if they cant make a living doing this job, Jackie said. Theres already been some changes where I workclosing buildings where clients can go face-to-faceand thats before these current proposed cuts. Because the government hasnt put any extra funding into keeping these services afloat for ten years or even longerour clients arent going to be able to access their services, and it will affect their health and wellbeing. Asked about SCHADS workers being asked to do tasks outside their job description without a pay rise, Jackie said: The SCHADS award already has some vague descriptions around each role, so changing that is probably going to make it even vaguer and allow employers to get away with having people on lower pay grades but having to do different roles. Referring to the endless funding made available for the military and war, Jackie added: Government policies serve the interests of the banks and the corporations, thats who any of themLiberal or Laborare backed by. The only difference is that Labor might appear a little bit more like they care about healthcare and whatnot but at the end of the day, their funding and backing is from the big corporations and banks, and thats who they prioritise. Governments are always looking for ways to take money away from this sector, vulnerable communities and the people that serve them. Id like more focus on workers rights in political movements as a whole andand if it comes to itthere should be a general strike in Australia to protect peoples jobs. Vanessa Vanessa and fellow worker Lulu attended the Melbourne rally. They work with prisoners who are soon to be released and those who have recently left prison. The FWC proposals, Vanessa said, are abhorrent and unjust. Theyre unfair and are attacking people integral to making our society function and be tolerable, especially for the marginalised and those that suffer from health conditions and disadvantage. It doesnt recognise the experience and skills and qualifications of people that work in the sector, which means fewer case managers and people supporting our clients directly on the ground. They wont get positive outcomes to go on and are necessary to lead more meaningful and less disadvantaged lives, she explained. I see society in Australia definitely becoming more towards the us and them, Lulu added. Thats the reality of these actions that are being taken at the moment and thats why we are protesting We have to solidarise and support each other. Will, 23, said he attended the Melbourne rally to support the people who do important work for the disabled in the community. My mums disabled as well and theres a lot of disability workers who make everyones life a lot better. I work at a charitable organisation and the way we get funding is predominantly through grants, which is a difficult situation in itself. As a society, I dont think we value our disability and community workers highly enough, even though this work underpins all of society and uplifts the people on the front lines of the different crises were facing. I consider myself a pacifist in many ways and think we could spend our money in better ways. We do need to redistribute wealth, land and power so that everyday people get what they need and are paid what theyre worth. Workers of the world need to unite. Without the redistribution of wealth and power nothing will change. Biljana Biljana, who works with people suffering from the impact of sexual violence, participated in the Sydney protest, which was held in Parramatta. I think the FWC proposals are totally disgusting, she said. We have been working hard for disability and support workers and social workers who work in human services to get paid adequately. Thats been a big fight so to now have someone say that your work is not worthy and you deserve less is very disappointing and unfair. The communities we work with are vulnerable and deserve a highly-skilled, well-paid workforce because this is what keeps people safe. Theres a whole range of things that make society not work well, but in a lot of other countries this sort of social safety net isnt there. Were quite fortunate in that theres a safety net here, but to want to try and destroy, remove or minimise this, is pretty dangerous and unethical, she said. My team works with the problems of sexual violence and family violence and in that space your work has a lot of risk. It involves a lot of managing and helping children heal and recover and supporting women and men to make changes. To see that work not adequately paid is wrong, and especially when you know that there are people doing data entry that get paid three times as much as our people. Theres just inequality in the system. The FWC is not actually valuing the work experience and the lived experience and the practice wisdom that our people have. Its also cutting our ability to proceed or progress through the system. If theres no growth or ability to move through and get your skills and experience recognised, then people will just leave. And this is bad because weve already got a skills shortage. I dont understand what all this is supposed to achieve but I know its going to cause complete chaos. People will start to shift into either larger NGOs or full-profit agencies, which dilutes the work done with communities on the ground and this creates a whole ripple effect. It will also mean that people completely leave the sector, Biljana added. Jarmira works in family and domestic violence in the Nepean and Blue Mountains. The impact of these proposals will be absolutely dreadful for workers, and this can flow on to the clients we assist, she said. In my workplace, we highly value the lived experience of working in family and domestic violence but thats not reflected whatsoever in the proposed changes, which will affect us greatly. Lived experience is so much more valuable a lot of times than formal education. If this is removed then itll be a disincentive for people to work in the industry and may simply mean its not worth them being in the industry any longer. This will have a flow-on effect for our clients and others experiencing family and domestic violence. We need to acknowledge that these industries, whether it be in community services, family and domestic violence, disability, aged care, are predominantly women-led industries but they seem to be the most disadvantaged when it comes to changes like these. If theres no workers to support the women who are experiencing violence, what do they do then? Kristen Kristen travelled with colleagues from Southern Youth and Family Services in the Wollongong area, south of Sydney, to attend the Parramatta rally. I work with young people and families that are either homeless or facing homelessness. Our sector will be dramatically impacted, because low pay wont attract workers and especially those with the experience that our sector needs. Its not just the difficulty of finding housingespecially for young peopleits getting the right people to do this work, she explained. Everyone knows the homelessness and housing crisis wont go away but it seems the Fair Work Commission doesnt have a clue, and now AiG [big-business lobbyist Australian Industry Group] is threatening us. I was shocked by this, but AiG should know that this wont stop us fighting for our rights and the necessity of our work for the whole community, Kristen said. Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a shaky truce last weekend in talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, after more than a week of military clashes in which scores and likely hundreds died. Relations between Pakistans military dominated government and Afghanistans Taliban regime have progressively deteriorated over several years. Even amid the current ceasefire, Islamabad and Kabul continue to exchange incendiary claims. The former charges the Taliban regime with consorting with Pakistans arch-rival, India, and working with New Delhi to provide support for the Pakistan Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist insurgent group based in Pakistans traditional, Pashtun-speaking, tribal areas. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emerged in the first decade of this century in response to the brutal methods that the Pakistani state and US imperialism employed in suppressing opposition, after the Afghan warin which Islamabad was a key partner from the outsetspilled over into Pakistan. The Taliban, meanwhile, accuses Pakistan of working with Washington to bully and undermine it, because of its refusal to entertain US President Trumps demand that it return to American control the massive Bagram Air Base that the US military built on Kabuls outskirts during its two-decade-long occupation of Afghanistan. Trump has explicitly tied the airbases return to US control to Washingtons plans to wage war on China. One of the reasons we want the base, said Trump last month, is it's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. Relations between the US and Pakistan have long been in a tailspin. However, they have improved markedly since Trump returned to the presidency last January. Trump has twice received Marshal Munir, Pakistans Chief of Army Staff and the power behind the throne of its Muslim League (Nawaz)-led civilian government, at the White House. Americas would-be- dictator president has touted newly-negotiated rare earths and energy pacts with Pakistan. There are reports Islamabad has proposed US firms build an Arabian Sea port at Pasni, which lies approximately 75 kilometers or 47 miles east of Gwadar, a key hub of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Smoke rises from a hillside following overnight clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. [AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir] The military hostilities began on October 9, when Pakistan, in flagrant violation of international law, initiated a series of air raids on what they claimed were TTP bases located in or near Kabul, Khost, Jalalabad, and Paktika. Two days later, Afghanistan retaliated with attacks on dozens of Pakistani border posts, more than two dozen of which it claimed to have overrun. Cross-border fighting raged on October 12-13, with Pakistan claiming to have killed more than 200 Taliban and affiliated fighters and conceding the loss of 23 soldiers. Kabul for its part said its forces had killed more than 50 Pakistani troops. Cross-border fighting erupted anew on October 15 and continued for the next two days, while Pakistan mounted a fresh air attack on Paktika, in which 10 civilians, including children, were reportedly killed. On Saturday, the 18th, the two sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, which after further clashes was transformed into a permanent ceasefire in talks in Doha. According to a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement, Kabul and Islamabad agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries. The more than week-long military hostilities have further aggravated popular suffering in a region already marked by extreme poverty and hunger. For days, the Torkham and Chaman crossingsthe main trade routes between the two countriesand other border points, have been closed, stranding thousands of trucks carrying food supplies and other goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Residents remove debris from a house in Kabul, Afghanistan damaged by two Pakistani drone strikes, Oct. 16, 2025. [AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai] The Pakistani-Afghan clash underscores the extent to which South Asia is being transformed into a geopolitical powder keg, as longstanding reactionary inter-state rivalries rooted in colonialism and the 1947 communal Partition of South Asia become inextricably enmeshed with the imperialist drive to repartition the world and great power rivalries. For US imperialism, the region is central to its plans to strategically and militarily encircle China, including by dominating the Indian Ocean, through which the worlds most important sea lanes and those most critical to Chinas economy traverse. Pakistan carried out its first bombing raid on Afghanistan on the very day that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi began a week-long visit to India. It was clearly intended to deliver a message to both New Delhi and Kabul. To date only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistans government. However, the visit marked a significant warming in Indo-Afghan ties, with India pledging to provide significant humanitarian assistance and health aid in a joint statement. The statement signalled growing security cooperation between the two countries. India declared its appreciation of Kabuls condemnation of last Aprils Pahalgam terrorist attack in Indian-held Kashmir. New Delhi used the Pahalgam attack as the pretext for mounting a campaign of military strikes on Pakistan that led to a four-day border war, which brought the two nuclear-armed states to the brink of full-scale war. For its part, the Taliban regime pledged not to allow any group or individual to use the territory of Afghanistan against India. In a move which Islamabad took angry exception to, it also implicitly voiced its support for Indias claim to Jammu and Kashmir, with its commitment to respect Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. India and Pakistans competing claims to Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir (Indias only Muslim-majority state or territory) and Azad or Pakistani-held Kashmir have long been the focal point of their reactionary strategic rivalry. The Indian-Afghan rapprochement will further heighten Islamabads fears, especially as Indias Narendra Modi-led, Hindu supremacist BJP government has repeatedly declared that the war it unleashed against Pakistan last May, Operation Sindoor, is merely paused. In a move that threatens Pakistans economy by potentially denying it the water it needs for irrigation and power-generation, New Delhi has also demonstratively announced its withdrawal from the Indus Water Treaty. Islamabad has for some time been accusing Afghanistanwith which it shares a 2,500-kilometre-long porous borderof harboring the TTP insurgents and plotting, with India, to use them as proxies to destabilize Pakistan. It is also accusing both Kabul and New Delhi of providing support to the Baloch ethno-nationalist separatist insurgency, which is led by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The BLA has long sought to win Washingtons support by emphasizing its hostility to China and the CPEC. As it has traditionally done, Pakistans military and capitalist elite have responded to the development of national-ethnic and communal cleavages, that are rooted in imperialist oppression, social inequality, military impunity and the systematic squelching of the democratic and social aspirations of the working class and oppressed masses, with extreme violence and repression. At the same time, like their capitalist rivals in India, the Pakistani establishment has whipped up communally-laced nationalism, complete with bellicose threats to wage war on its neighbour, as a means of diverting social anger and frustration along reactionary lines. The Pakistani ruling classand this dates back to the late 1970s, when its military served as the nexus of Washingtons scheme to organize and arm Islamist opposition to Afghanistans pro-Soviet regimehas long harboured the aim of dominating Afghanistan so as to use it to provide strategic depth in its rivalry with India. During the last stages of the US occupation of Afghanistan, Islamabad maneuvered to accomplish this aim, seeking to broker a deal for a transitional government between the Taliban, the US puppet-regime in Kabul and Washington. But the scheme fell apart when support for the puppet regime evaporated in July-August 2021 amid a drawing down of US military forces. Relations between Pakistan and the new Pashtun-dominated Taliban regime in Kabul quickly unraveled, as the latter balked at Islamabads efforts to bully it, refused to recognize the British-imperialist-imposed Durand Line as the border between the two countries, and signaled its support for a Greater Pakhtunkhwa (Land of the Pashtuns), incorporating the Pashtun-majority areas of Pakistan. Islamabad responded by moving to fence the entire border, cutting off families and communities from each other, and then launched a campaign to expel millions of Afghan refugees, many of whom had lived in Pakistan for decades and or were born there. China has joined Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other states in the region in calling for de-escalation of the Pakistan-Afghan conflict. Beijing has long had an all-weather friendship with Pakistan, and is seeking to forge ties with Taliban-led Afghanistan, including by offering to make it part of its Belt and Road Initiative. The next round of Pakistan-Afghan peace talks are to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday. Nonetheless the situation remains highly explosive. A key destabilizing factor is US imperialisms determination to exploit any opportunity to further its drive to thwart Chinas rise. Since the turn of the century, Washington has aggressively courted India, showering it with strategic favours and advanced weaponry with the aim of harnessing it to its military-strategic offensive against Beijing. Pakistan has issued ever shriller warnings that the US has altered the regional power dynamic, emboldening India, and leaving it no option to seek ever closer ties to China. Now, however, New Delhi is angered, if not spooked, by the sudden warming of US-Pakistani ties. At 19 percent, Pakistan has the lowest US tariff rate of any South Asian country, while Trump has slapped 50 percent tariffs on most Indian exports, with the aim of compelling it to halt its purchases of cheap Russian oil and to massively downgrade its long-time strategic partnership with Moscow. In a television interview this week, Pakistans Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, fulminated against both India and Afghanistan: It is premature to say how long the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan will last. Afghanistan has become a proxy for India. These attacks were launched during the Afghan Foreign Ministers visit to India, which India is sponsoring. At present, the TTP is a proxy for Kabul, and Kabul is a proxy for India. India is actually operating on both sides of Pakistans borders at the moment. The decision of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Muslim League government to shut down all Afghan refugee camps and deny any further extension of their stay is throwing further fuel on the fire. Prime Minister Sharifs directive for the repatriation of Afghan nationals includes the establishment of additional exit points along the border to expel the millions of remaining refugees. This policy will undoubtedly aggravate Afghanistans already dire economic and social conditions, with many Afghans fearing being returned to not only poverty but persecution and repression by the Taliban regime. The deportation of those legally-designated Afghan nationals, irrespective of the strength of their ties to Pakistan and the centuries-long interaction of the people on both sides of the Durand Line, will only serve to deepen hatred, anger, and divisions among the massesdivisions exploited by Islamic militants on one hand and Pakistans venal capitalist elite on the other. The only way forwardand the most urgent taskis to build an anti-war movement rooted in the working class and youth across the region, with the central objective of developing a broad anti-imperialist struggle. This struggle is inseparable from the overthrow of capitalism, the root cause of imperialist war, inequality, and oppression. It must be carried out in complete independence from all factions of the bourgeoisie and on the basis of the program of Permanent Revolution first elaborated by Leon Trotskyaiming to replace moribund capitalism with the socialist reorganization of society. The reactionary state borders created by colonialism, imperialism, and the cowardly national bourgeoisie must be transcended through the unified revolutionary struggle of the toilers under the leadership of the working class and the establishment of the Socialist United States of South Asia. Protesters at the "No Kings" rally in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 18, 2025 Following the massive No Kings protest held in the US and internationally this past Saturday, the official organizers of the event held an online call Tuesday night, titled Whats Next After No Kings? At its height, some 40,000 people watched the event live, with over 26,000 still watching at the conclusion. This high viewership, along with Saturdays protest, which drew an estimated 7 million people, expresses mass opposition to the fascistic Trump administration and its ongoing attacks on the working class. Under conditions where Trump is running roughshod over the Constitution and arrogating to himself absolute power to imprison his political opponents and assassinate alleged narco terrorists, speakers on the call proposed no concrete action to remove Trump from office. The entire purpose of the meeting, which did not allow any public comment, was to block the development of an independent movement of the working class against the capitalist system, the source of inequality and fascism, and channel mass social anger back into the political graveyard of the Democratic Party and electoral politics. This is under conditions where there is no guarantee the 2026 midterm elections or the 2028 presidential election will even take place. Trump is currently surging federal agents, immigration Gestapo and National Guard elements to major cities without the consent of local politicians. In an interview this week with The Economist, Steve Bannon, one of Trumps leading January 6 co-conspirators, made clear that Trump is planning to violate the Constitution and remain president for a third term. Trump is gonna be president in 28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that, Bannon said. Repudiating the American Revolution, waged to destroy the Divine Right of Kings, Bannon said, there is a plan, and that Trump is an instrument of divine will. In the face of coming dictatorship, the Democratic Party-aligned speakers proposed no actions to actually remove Trump from office. The words impeachment or strike were never uttered. Speakers at the event included several executives of organizations tied to the Democratic Party. The event was moderated by Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson from Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible; Lisa Gilbert, co-executive director of Public Citizen; and Jiggy Geronimo of progressive consulting firm JG Insights, provided the most substantial comments. In his remarks, Levin noted that Saturdays protests were supported by nearly 300 partners, including the American Federation of Teachers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and MoveOn.org. While the AFT and SEIU were named as partners, no union representatives were on the call. Under conditions where the Democratic Party is widely hated for collaborating with Trumps dictatorship, from attacks on immigrants to support for Trumps war budgets, Levin was the only person during the event who, however briefly, actually criticized a Democratic politician. Levin noted that there were 86 No Kings demonstrations in the state of Pennsylvania, where Senator John Fetterman, previously supported by Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America, was currently voting with Republicans to end the government shutdown. In the course of the 80-minute event, this was the only criticism leveled at the Democratic Party. Speakers spent the rest of the event praising the efforts of the Democrats to get a win in the ongoing government shutdown by restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which had the effect of minimizing how rapidly the disintegration of democratic rights is proceeding in the US. Gilbert, of Public Citizen, bluntly stated that the purpose of the event was to channel the momentum from this weekend into winning the government shutdown fight. She claimed that Thus far this budget battle leverage moment is being utilized by Democrats effectively to push for negotiations and an eventual deal that returns healthcare to regular Americans. Gilbert continued: We have had numerous votes in the Senate on the House-passed continuing resolution, which is a bill that would open the government without improving our healthcare, and in these votes, so far, we have lost only a few Democrats. So thus far we are doing really well and they are holding the line. Gilbert said that in order to inspire the millionaires in Congress to fight for the working class, it was essential that our outside pressure keep the Dem caucus together and to provide accountability if they start to waiver if they dont stay tough In order to keep the Democrats, a party of big business and war no less than the Republicans, tough, Gilbert proposed two less than useless calls to action. She said, First, in the next 24 hours, call your senators office and leave a message telling them they should restore healthcare to millions of people and thanking the Democrats for staying strong on the shutdown so far. Gilbert then called on participants to organize events in opposition to the Republican healthcare heist. These actions included taking a picture in front of a hospital and holding a rally or press event. In an interview with USA Today, Gilbert told the newspaper she hoped the protests would inspire people who never considered themselves activists to start contacting members of Congress and posting on social media their concerns. In other words, leave it all in the hands of the Democrats. As the World Socialist Web Site previously wrote: It must be stated bluntly that any subordination of this movement to the Democratic Party will prove fatalabsolutely fatalto the struggle against Trumps fascistic conspiracies. the Democrats act not as opponents of the Trump administration, but as its collaborators and enablers. Far from exposing these collaborators, Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson of Movement for Black Lives falsely claimed the millionaire bourgeois politicians were fighting for us. Henderson specifically named as examples black Democrats, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock and failed gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Since coming into office, both Johnson and Warnock have participated in attacks on immigrants. During the Biden administration, Johnson proposed that the city build a large concentration camp for immigrants on a field containing heavy metals and petroleum products. Upon Trumps return to the White House in January, Warnock was one of several Democrats who voted in favor of the anti-immigrant Laken Riley Act, characterizing his vote as a genuine step toward true bipartisan cooperation to secure and strengthen resources at our southern border The Democrats, beholden to the same capitalist interests and system as their Republican colleagues, have already proven they are incapable of and unwilling to stop the rise of fascism in the US or internationally. In response to Trumps failed coup on January 6, Biden and the Democrats called for a strong Republican party and bipartisan unity with their Republican colleagues, even as the Republicans continued to support Trumps drive to dictatorship. The fight against fascism, as the Socialist Equality Party explained in its statement to the No Kings protests, must be rooted in the social and political struggles of the working class, based on an internationalist socialist strategy. The statement continued: The defense of democracy is impossible without the development of a socialist movement to end capitalism and place the wealth of society under the democratic control of the working class itself. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) launches from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), in operation in the Mediterranean Sea, on March 23, 2003. [AP Photo/Intelligence Specialist 1st Kenneth Moll/U.S. Navy ] The events of the past days mark a new stage in the imperialist military escalation against Russia and the preparations for a third world war. The meetings of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and the so-called Coalition of the Willing in London on Friday were not ordinary diplomatic gatherings but war summits. Together they approved new sanctions, further military aid to Ukraine and a Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 that sets out a five-year plan for the militarisation of the entire continent. At the same time, Washington escalated its direct involvement. The Trump administration lifted key restrictions on Ukraines use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, enabling Kiev to strike deep inside Russian territory. On Tuesday, Ukraine used a British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missile to attack a plant in Bryansk that produces explosives and rocket fuel. The Ukrainian general staff celebrated the successful hit. Such operations risk triggering an open confrontation between the NATO powers and Russia, which could rapidly spiral into a nuclear exchange. The United States and its European allies are deliberately escalating the conflict. Both Washington and London announced new sanctions against Russias largest oil and gas producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, while the European Union agreed to tighten its own economic war. The Brussels summit resolved to expand export bans on dual-use goods, restrict Russian access to European capital markets, ban 117 ships of the Russian shadow fleet from EU ports and impose new travel and financial limits on Russian diplomats. By 2027, the import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be completely prohibitedone year earlier than previously planned. Even more provocative is the EUs plan to seize and repurpose the frozen assets of the Russian central bank to fund weapons for Ukraine. Although Belgium raised legal objections, the European Council instructed the Commission to present a proposal as soon as possible. This constitutes nothing less than an act of international theftan imperialist expropriation that signals to every nation on earth that its reserves are not safe if they conflict with Western interests. The European Councils declaration on Ukraine boasts that the EU has already provided 177.5 billion since 2022 and commits to meeting Ukraines urgent financial needs for 20262027, including for its military and defence efforts. Hundreds of billions more will follow. The so-called Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, presented alongside the summit, makes absolutely clear what this money is for. It opens with the declaration: Defence readiness entails developing and acquiring the capabilities that are needed for modern warfare. It means ensuring that Europe has a defence industrial base that gives it a strategic advantage and the independence needed. And it means being ready to deliver cutting-edge innovation and fast, mass production at critical times. This is a blueprint for a European war economya coordinated mobilisation of industry, finance and technology for mass armament. The need to speed up and ramp up efforts, the Roadmap states, reflects the increasing dangers of today. Russia is being identified as the main enemy and called a persistent threat to European security for the foreseeable future, but the documents scope is global: Europes readiness must be rooted in the wider global context with a 360 approach. We cannot be blind to threats from other parts of the worldfrom Gaza and the Middle East to several latent or open conflicts in Africa, from increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific to the Arctic. In other words, the EU is preparing for worldwide war to pursue its economic and geostrategic interests independently of the US. It explicitly notes that traditional allies and partners are shifting their focus to other regions of the world and concludes that Europes defence posture and capabilities must be ready for the battlefields of tomorrow, in line with the changing nature of warfare. The Roadmap sets quantitative targets that rival the rearmament programmes of the 1930s. It celebrates the rise of European defence expenditure from 218 billion in 2021 to 392 billion in 2025 and calls for a further acceleration. Under the ReArm Europe agenda, up to 800 billion will be mobilised for armaments through new funding mechanisms, such as the SAFE instrument. Commitments made at the June NATO summit to reach a defence spending target of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035 will require at least an additional 288 billion annually. These astronomical sums can only be financed through brutal austerity, the destruction of social programmes, and the plundering of public funds. Defence readiness, the document explains, requires not only money and weapons but the reorganisation of the entire continent for war. Under the section Towards an EU-wide military mobility area, it proposes: By end 2027 an EU-wide military mobility area will be set up, with harmonised rules and procedures and a network of land corridors, airports, seaports, and support elements ensuring unhindered transport of troops and military equipment across the Union, in close coordination with NATO. The goal is to transform Europe into a single battlefieldan integrated logistical zone where troops and armour can move freely from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Civilian infrastructure is being subordinated to military needs. Exercises such as Red Storm Bravo in Hamburg, which practised the movement of tens of thousands of NATO troops and the deployment of soldiers against antiwar demonstrators, already anticipate the domestic dimension of this militarisation: the suppression of internal opposition. Germany stands at the forefront of this transformation. With the support of the Greens and the Left Party, the ruling coalition has created a trillion-euro framework for rearmament. The 2025 defence budget totals 86.5 billionmore than at any time since the end of the Second World Warand is set to rise to over 150 billion by 2029, roughly 3.5 percent of GDP. If infrastructure military readiness expenditures are included, total war-related spending will reach 5 percent of GDP, around 215 billion annually. Tens of thousands of new military and civilian posts are being created and the draft will be reinstated. Billions are flowing into the production of fighter jets, transport helicopters, new tanks, armoured vehicles, warships, drones, missile systems and even a dedicated space command. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has openly declared his goal of making Germany the strongest conventional army in Europe. These policies recall the preparations of German imperialism in the 1930s, when the drive to rearmament and world power required the installation of a fascist regime, the destruction of democratic rights and the suppression of the working class. The same logic is asserting itself again. Across Europe, ruling elites are cultivating fascist forcesFarage in Britain, Le Pen in France, Meloni in Italy and the AfD in Germanyto suppress social anger and prepare for war. The objective tendencies are unmistakable. The integration of the EU, NATO and the arms industry into a unified war apparatus goes hand in hand with the turn toward authoritarian rule. The assault on democratic rights, the criminalisation of protests against the Gaza genocide, and the militarisation of police forces all reflect the ruling classs fear of mass opposition. The same contradictions that drive imperialism to warabove all, the deep crisis of the capitalist systemalso produce the conditions for revolutionary upheaval. The vast reallocation of wealth to finance rearmament, the destruction of living standards, and the ever-growing danger of nuclear annihilation will provoke resistance throughout the working class. In the United States, more than 7 million people joined the No Kings protests against Trumps fascistic policies on October 18. In Europe, strikes and demonstrations have erupted among other places in Greece, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and France against austerity and militarism. These are signs of an explosive global resurgence of class struggle. But spontaneous opposition is not enough. It must be armed with a conscious political programme that connects the fight against war and dictatorship to the struggle against their root cause: the capitalist system itself. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in its 2016 statement Socialism and the Fight Against War laid out the principles that now acquire burning urgency: The struggle against war must be based on the working class, the great revolutionary force in society, uniting behind it all progressive elements in the population. The new antiwar movement must be anti-capitalist and socialist, since there can be no serious struggle against war except in the fight to end the dictatorship of finance capital and to put an end to the economic system that is the fundamental cause of militarism and war. The new antiwar movement must therefore, of necessity, be completely and unequivocally independent of, and hostile to, all political parties and organizations of the capitalist class. The new antiwar movement must, above all, be international, mobilizing the vast power of the working class in a unified global struggle against imperialism. The task facing workers, youth and intellectuals across Europe and internationally is clear: to build independent rank-and-file committees in every workplace and neighbourhood, to link their struggles across borders, and to develop a conscious revolutionary leadership in the fight for socialismthe Socialist Equality Parties as sections of the ICFI. Only by overthrowing the capitalist system and replacing it with the United Socialist States of Europe as part of a socialist world federationwhere the resources of the planet are used rationally and democratically for human need, not profitcan humanity avert the catastrophe of world war. Work at VW Chattanooga? Fill out the form at the end of the article to get in touch about forming a rank-and-file committee or to share your thoughts about the contract fight. Your identity will be kept confidential. The Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee [Photo by Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0 The United Auto Workers announced Thursday that it will hold a strike authorization vote on October 28 and 29 for over 4,000 workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Workers voted to join the UAW in April 2024 but are still without a first contract. No strike deadline has been set. A company final offer, a contract spanning four years, has been posted online. Management has set an October 31 deadline for the UAW to accept the offer or it will withdraw a proposed $1,500 signing bonus. The Chattanooga facility is the only VW assembly plant in the United States, and the first of the foreign transplant auto factories in the US, to be unionized. The Chattanooga facility builds the ID.4 electric SUV, Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. Prior attempts by the UAW to secure recognition in 2014 and 2019 failed. By voting 3-1 for union recognition, workers showed their determination to fight for improved pay and conditions, but the UAW has done nothing to meet those expectations. During the whole protracted negotiation process, the UAW bureaucracy has made no effort to bring matters to a head, being content to string talks along while it collects dues. It has not even advanced a list of demands, as it did in the 2023 Detroit Big Three contract negotiations. The current strike vote has been provoked largely by the actions of management, not by any hardening of the stance of the union. In March, VW announced a shift reduction and the furlough of 160 workers due to declining demand for the electric ID.4 electric SUV and higher costs, evoking no response from the union. Meanwhile, the UAW has made no attempt to link the fight of Volkswagen workers with autoworkers across the United States, let alone with VW workers in Europe, who are facing a massive assault on jobs and conditions. In Germany alone, VW is planning to cut one-third of its workforce, 35,000 jobs, by 2030. Instead, UAW President Shawn Fain has lined up behind the trade war policies of the fascist Trump, presenting this right-wing demagogue as a defender of workers rights and advising workers to look to the anti-worker National Labor Relations Board, stacked with far-right Trump appointees. Recently, UAW President Shawn Fain hailed the announcement by Stellantis that it would shift production of the Jeep Compass from its factory in Brampton, Ontario to Belvidere, Illinois, displacing 3,000 Canadian autoworkers. This nationalist policy plays into the hands of the transnational auto companies, allowing them to pit American workers against their working class brothers in other countries in a fratricidal race to the bottom. VW workers cannot afford to leave the contract fight in the hands of the UAW apparatus. The World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees call on VW workers to organize rank-and-file committees to spearhead the fight for a decent contract. These committees, democratically run by workers themselves, should lay out demands based on what workers actually need and mobilize support from throughout the working class, including brother VW workers globally. The lack of any serious intent by the UAW apparatus to win a decent contract is revealed by its response to managements final offer. The UAW has submitted a counteroffer, saying it will call off the strike vote and recommend ratification if management accepts the proposed deal. The UAW pointed to four areas where it said VWs proposal falls short, including language against layoffs and plant closings, affordable, high-quality healthcare matching the standard at the Detroit automakers, an improved cost-of-living allowance and language that ensures members can use their earned PTO, are protected from punitive drug testing, and have adequate breaks to recover from the physical demands of the job. Very little further information about the UAWs counteroffer has been made public. The UAW is not even demanding that VW align the contract expiration with the May 1, 2028 expiration for the Detroit automakers, the date of the much hyped general strike that UAW President Shawn Fain is constantly promoting. Significantly, the UAW has said nothing about VWs miserable wage proposal of 20 percent over four years, leaving workers significantly below the current, inadequate, wage levels of UAW-represented autoworkers at the Detroit-based car companies. The company final offer includes a more than four-year wage progression that starts at $23.41 per hour and tops out in 3030 at $39.41. By comparison, the current wage progression at Stellantis is three years. As of September 2025, the starting pay was $26.19, topping out in 2027 at $40.46. Perhaps more egregious, the UAW is silent on the failure of VW to propose any language protecting temporary workers, essentially giving management a free hand to abuse this highly exploited section of the workforce. The final offer references document SPRC-002 on temporary part time workers, but no specific language is posted. Chattanooga, Tennessee Volkswagen workers at rally in May 2024 [Photo: United Auto Workers] While the number of temporary workers at VW Chattanooga and their pay levels does not appear to be publicly available, it is well known that all the foreign transplant auto companies in the US use large numbers of temporary and contract workers to keep costs low. According to a 2021 report in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, VW was hiring 1,000 temp workers through a staffing agency at pay rates starting as low as $15.50 per hour for forklift drivers. During the 2023 Big Three contract negotiations, the UAW claimed it would demand sharp limits on the use of temporary workers and convert thousands to full-time status upon contract ratification. Instead, workers soon discovered this was a lie, with thousands of temp workers fired following the contract signing. For its part, VW has included, in some cases it appears almost verbatim, the bulk of the corporatist language contained in the 2023 Big Three agreements, comprising a substantial portion of its ponderous 400-page contract document. This includes the UAW-VW Joint Continuous Improvement Committee, tasked with cutting costs and driving up production, the National Joint Training and Development Program, UAW-VW Quality Program. Sixty pages alone of the proposed contract detail the duties of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. The purpose of all these committees is to tie the union at the hip to management and prevent any real independent oversight and control by workers over conditions. At the same time, these committees provide cushy jobs for union officials and their cronies. During the years-long federal investigation into UAW corruption, that sent more than a dozen UAW top leaders to prison, it came out that the joint training centers were a conduit for illegal management bribes to UAW officials. This is particularly the case of the joint UAW-management health and safety committees. In no case has management been held truly to account for the deaths of autoworkers over the past decades. During the Workers Inquiry into the death of Stellantis Dundee Engine worker Ronald Adams Sr., held this past July in Detroit and organized by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, testimony exposed the role of the UAW in working with management to cover up the circumstances of Adams death and prevent any real investigation. This included the attempted intimidation of co-workers of Ronald Adams Sr. to try to keep them silent. Despite this, many workers came forward to expose the conditions that contributed to the tragedy. Many workers on social media expressed frustration with the long, drawn-out contract negotiations and lack of transparency by the UAW. The UAW Volkswagen Local 42 Facebook page has not been updated since May. A rally called by the UAW on Thursday to announce the strike authorization vote drew sparse attendance. One worker posted on Facebook, If the UAW cant muster any more of the workforce to protest yesterday than that small group they arent really getting the support they are looking for. Less than 100 out of 4500 employees, plus Im betting some of that group are not even employed by Volkswagen. Chattanooga VW workers must reject the nationalist, pro-corporate policies of the UAW apparatus. Workers must instead organize rank-and-file committees, independent of the union bureaucracy. These committees must map out a strategy aimed at unifying autoworkers in the US, Canada, Mexico and globally in a common fight to defend jobs and working conditions. The World Socialist Web Site interviewed several people attending Thursdays rally in Auckland as part of the so-called mega strike involving more than 100,000 public sector workersNew Zealands largest strike in more than 40 years. Striking public sector workers in Auckland, October 23, 2025 More than 15,000 peopleincluding teachers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, social workers and other healthcare workersprotested in Aucklands Aotea Square and marched down Queen Street. They were joined by many young people, students and retired workers supporting the strike. The workers are opposing the National Party-led governments attempt to impose historic cuts to their real wages, amid soaring costs for food, housing, electricity and other essential needs. They spoke with WSWS reporters and members of the Socialist Equality Group about rundown and understaffed schools and hospitals, and the broader social crisis that workers confront, including increased homelessness, and the vast inequality created by capitalism. Many also denounced the New Zealand governments support for the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza and its alliance with the US, as well as the diversion of billions of dollars to the military to prepare for war, at the expense of public services. A healthcare worker said: At the top level, they have all the money in the world. Why dont they just stop taking money from low-income people? Take it somehow from the rich people. She said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was another Trump at this end of the world. Squashing the middle class, squashing the lower income [workers] in favour of the rich. She pointed out that the cost of dairy products had soared, including butter which is now $11 or $12 a block, yet the CEO of Fonterra [the dairy producer and one of NZs biggest companies] is paid $6 million. How can you justify that? She said those on strike, teachers and healthcare workers, are the heart of any nation: were the labourers, were the ones who do all the hard work. Commenting on the governments decision to double the military budget, while saying there was no money for public services, she said: Wheres the justice in that? And all these wars and everything are killing innocent people. Danielle, who is training to be a teacher, said we need teacher aides in every classroom because we have so many kids that need support and its not fair on the teachers to run that whole classroom. Asked to respond to claims by Public Service Minister Judith Collins that teachers are privileged, Danielle said, Until youre actually in the classroom, you will never understand. Laura, a learning assistant with 11 years experience, said more support was needed because working in the system I sometimes do the job of many. She said the strike was not just about the money, its about the system and its about our kids missing out on their needs and learning, including the lack of support for mental health. Peter, a retired worker supporting the strike, denounced the government for spending money on the military while letting children starve in the streets. Its a bloody disgrace to chuck money away like that. Theyve got it all wrong. The Socialist Equality Group distributed hundreds of copies of its statement, Workers need a socialist perspective to fight pay cuts, austerity and war, which warns that the trade union bureaucracy is preparing a sellout, explains the need for workers to build new organisations in the form of rank-and-file workplace committees, and calls on workers to adopt a socialist program in opposition to the entire political establishment, including the opposition Labour Party and its allies. We urge workers to attend a public webinar at 4:00pm on November 9, to discuss these urgent issues and the way forward in the fight against pay cuts, austerity and war. Register here to attend. The Committee for Public Education and International Youth and Students for Social Equality have called an urgent public meeting, in Sydney and online, tomorrow, October 26, to discuss how to fight Labors university restructuring and job cuts. Following the huge No Kings protests, David Rye, a leader of the US Educators Rank-and-File Committee, will join our speakers to discuss the parallels between the Trump regimes assault on educators and students and the Labor government-driven pro-corporate and pro-military restructuring and job destruction throughout Australian universities. Click here to register now. Developments on Thursday at the University of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney, show how the campus trade union officials and university managements are working together to try to stifle opposition to the Australian Labor governments pro-corporate and pro-military restructuring of universities, and the accompanying destruction of some 4,000 jobs nationally. At a half-day strike rally, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) representatives partnered with the universitys security team to ban members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) from campaigning at the event, even though it was held in the open air on the university campus. Despite having long been a registered club on campus, IYSSE members were blocked from circulating World Socialist Web Site articles on the crisis of Australian universities and this Sundays online public meeting, Oppose Labors national priorities university restructuring and job cuts, jointly called by the IYSSE and the Committee for Public Education, the educators rank-and-file network. A university security representative told a club member that one of the NTEU rally organizers had said that the IYSSE was not part of the event, which was joined by about 200 staff members. To shut down the IYSSE campaign, the security representative invoked the Campus Access Policy (CAP) introduced in October 2024. The CAP was part of a barrage of similar policies imposed at universities across Australia and internationally to suppress students and staff opposition to the Gaza genocide. The initial target of the CAP were anti-Israeli genocide student encampments, but Thursdays ban underscores the far wider political censorship involved. Last month, security officials also cited the CAP to bar the IYSSE from holding an anti-genocide speakout, making the false and anti-democratic claim that the use of a PA system would harass students walking past. Previously, however, the IYSSE has regularly held speakouts on campus since 2010 without needing approval from security. This Sundays public meeting will discuss a strategy for university students and workers to fight the Albanese government-driven university restructuring, which is in line with the fascistic and militarist agenda of the Trump administration and other capitalist governments around the world. The blocking of the IYSSE campaign is a stark expression of the role that the trade union apparatuses are playing nationally and internationally to prevent discussion with students and workers on the critical political issues at stake. At the largely working-class University of Newcastle (UoN), like at all Australias 39 public universities, hundreds of jobs are being targeted. According to documents seen by staff members, about 205 full-time jobs are to be axed. Staff who lose their jobs will be compelled to compete for 97 new jobs that will supposedly be created. Yet the NTEU and the other main university union, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), are everywhere intent on isolating the struggles against the job destruction and restructuring. They are trying to blame individual managements for the offensive, not the underlying pro-business and pro-military program of the Labor government, which was outlined in its 2024 Universities Accord report. The half-day strike at UoN indicates that tertiary education workers are looking for a way to fight. NTEU branch members had previously voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. Strike rally at University of Newcastle, October 23, 2025 However, the rally was dominated by speeches pleading with management to be reasonable and complaining about a lack of progress on enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations over the past six months. At the rally, the NTEU branch president Terry Summers made clear that the union accepts the managements Business Improvement Program (BIP), a corporate restructuring plan that aims to save up to $22 million annually by slashing jobs and courses. Were not saying that the university cant change the way that it operates, Summers told the rally. No one is trying to do that. All we are trying to say is, be reasonable. If you are going to get rid of people, try to be fair. In other words, the unions role, as elsewhere around the country, is to partner with management in negotiating job cuts and restructuring, including by driving people out via voluntary redundancies, in order to suffocate resistance, not to fight the cuts. At a September 18 NTEU members meeting, officials reported that the management had rejected the unions EBA log of claims, which includes a 4 percent per annum pay rise until the end of 2029. Even that would be another wage cut in real terms, because of the soaring cost of living and housing. In response to the management applying to the governments Fair Work Commission (FWC) to shut down the dispute, the NTEU has reportedly lodged a dispute with the same FWC, saying that the university-wide changes are in breach of the current EBA and Workplace Health and Safety requirements. Far from calling for a unified struggle across Australia to stop the job cuts, the NTEU is seeking to channel the anger and opposition of workers back behind Labors pro-employer Fair Work industrial arbitration system, which functions to smother the class struggle. Nationally, the NTEU is fraudulently claiming victories at Western Sydney University and Australian National University. But hundreds of jobs are being eliminated at both, including by voluntary redundancies and spill and fill processes that force workers to compete against each other for fewer jobs as the result of restructuring. This is all in line with the Labor governments Universities Accord report, which insisted that universities must focus both their teaching and research on meeting the needs of business and the AUKUS military plan for a US-led war against China. The Albanese government is applying intense financial pressure on the universities to restructure along these lines, including by cutting enrolments by international students and continuing the previous Liberal-National governments Job-ready Graduates scheme that hiked the cost of three-year humanities degrees to more than $50,000, while reducing the funding to universities for delivering them. From January 1, each universitys funding will be tied to a mission-based compact with the governments new Australian Tertiary Education Commission to contribute to national priorities. This language is similar to that of the Trump administration. This month the White House sent a letter to universities, titled the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, demanding that they advance the national interests and priorities of the U.S. government or be defunded. The suppression of the IYSSE campaign at UoN shows the need for joint rank-and-file committees (RFCs) of university workers and students, independent of the union bureaucracies and corporate management, to oppose this restructuring and job destruction and to link their struggles across the country and internationally. While the union apparatuses claim to be in battle against individual university managements, they are in fact united in trying to block such a development. Political conclusions need to be drawn. The fight against job destruction, the suppression of wages and the militarisation of education cannot be waged within the framework of the NTEU, CPSU and other unions. It requires a conscious political break from these institutions and the building of new organisations, RFCs, through which workers and students can elaborate and fight for demands based on their interests and futures, not the dictates of the corporate elites and their parliamentary and trade union servants. To discuss these critical issues and how to form RFCs, join our public meeting on Sunday October 26. You can register here. Public meeting: Oppose Labors national priorities university restructuring and job cuts Noon, Sunday October 26 Boronia Grove Community Centre 40 Victoria St Epping, NSW and online via Zoom. Nine Chinese generals, including He Weidong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commissionthe governing body of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)were expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and dismissed from the military late last week. He Weidong, then vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission attends the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 5, 2025. [AP Photo/Ng Han Guan] The expulsions at the top levels of the Chinese military are an indication of turmoil not only in the armed forces but also within the party leadership. General He ranked number three in the military after President Xi Jinping, who chairs the Central Military Commission (CMC), and senior vice-chairman General Zhang Youxia. He was also a member of the partys 24-member Politburo, which is second only to the paramount 7-member Politburo Standing Committee. No details have made public of the charges against He or the other eight generals. In announcing the expulsions, defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang simply said the nine had seriously violated party discipline and are suspected of serious duty-related crimes involving an extremely large amount of money. While the generals are accused of unspecified corruption, an editorial in the PLA Daily last Saturday underscored the political character of their expulsion. It stated that the nine had seriously undermined the principle that the military must be loyal to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They have seriously damaged the political ecology of the army and dealt a serious blow to the foundation of the political ideology that forged unity and advancement of the army, the editorial declared. The CCP, which came to power in 1949 on the back of predominantly peasant armies, has relied heavily on the PLA not only to counter external threats, but to crush internal opposition in times of crisis in particular during the Mao Zedongs misnamed Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and the mass protests and strikes in 1989 focussed on Beijings Tienanmen Square. The accusations of disloyalty and a total collapse of their beliefs as party members take on particular significance as the CCP regime confronts the Trump administrations accelerating preparations for war with China, along with a slowing economy, high unemployment, especially among young people, and rising social tensions. The announcement that the nine generals would be expelled came on the eve of the fourth plenum of the partys central committee, which is tasked with discussing the next five-year economic plan as China confronts the US administrations barrage of tariffs and export restrictions. Xi is due to meet face-to-face with Trump next week in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Along with He, who has had not been seen in public since March, those purged included Admiral Miao Hua, who was removed from the CMC in June after being put under investigation for serious violations of discipline last November. Miao previously headed the PLAs Political Work Department. Miaos deputy, He Hongjun, was also expelled. The others were also top military officers: Wang Xiubin, former executive deputy director of the CMCs Joint Operations Command Centre; Lin Xiangyang, former commander of the Eastern Theatre Command; Qin Shutong, former political commissar of the army; Yuan Huazhi, former political commissar of the navy; Wang Houbin, former commander of the Rocket Force (the PLAs nuclear arm); and Wang Chunning, former commander of the Peoples Armed Police Force. Since being installed in office in 2012, President Xi has repeatedly used extensive anti-corruption purges of the party, military and state apparatus to consolidate his grip on power. While corruption is undoubtedly rife throughout the regime, including the military, Xi has exploited it as the pretext for removing his factional rivals. In the lead-up to the 20th CCP Congress in 2022, Xi pushed through constitutional changes to allow him to remain in office beyond the two five-year terms that had become customary over the previous three decades. In assuming office for a third term, Xi installed many of his trusted proteges in top positions in the party, military and state apparatus. As the World Socialist Web Site wrote at the time, the choreographed promotion of Xi at the 20th Congress as a great leaderthe core of the partywas not a sign of strength, but of weakness. Amid a growing crisis on every front, the regime required a strongman to hold the party together. Xi has assumed the character of a Bonapartist leader precariously balancing between the subterranean factions rife within the party amid a slowing Chinese economy, profound social tensions and an accelerating drive by Washington towards war with Beijing, the WSWS wrote. In the wake of the 20th Congress, the purges under the banner of corruption have continuednot so much of Xis rivals, but of his hand-picked appointees. General He himself had ties with Xi stretching back to their overlapping time in office in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in the late 1990s. In 2022, Xi overlooked more senior generals to install He not only as number three in the Central Military Commission but also in the CCP Politburo. Other top officials appointed by Xi have suffered a similar fate. In mid-2023, less than a year after being appointed, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from office for unspecified reasons. Also in 2023, Defence Minister General Li Shangfu came under investigation over corruption charges. He disappeared from public view and was finally expelled from the party in mid-2024. In 2023, the leadership of the PLA Rocket Force, which oversees Chinas nuclear arsenal, including its commander Li Yuchao, his deputy Liu Guangbin, and former deputy commander Zhang Zhenzhong, were all removed from their posts and arrested on corruption charges. Now Lis replacement is among the nine expelled last week. The Chinese military has been a particular target. More than 20 top officers have been removed from their posts since the beginning of Xis third term in office. Given the opaque character of the CCPs internal machinations, the precise reasons for the purging of the latest nine are not clear. The expulsions from the party were confirmed at the plenum of the Central Committee held this week and their cases have referred to military prosecutors for review and prosecution. Nevertheless, the least that can be said is that the latest purge highlights considerable political tensions within the Chinese regime as it confronts serious economic and political problems, both externally and internally, and is ever more dependent on President Xi to hold the party together. Amanda Knox was just a typical American college student studying abroad in Perugia, Italy when she made headlines after her roommate, British exchange student Meredith Kercher, was murdered in 2007. She quickly became a suspect and was arrested, though was ultimately found innocent. More than a decade after the case, Knox has continued to share her story in the mainstream media. Life & Style breaks down everything to know about who Knox is, what happened during her criminal trial and where she is today. What Happened to Amanda Knox? Knox shared an apartment with three roommates, including Kercher, when she was studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. After she spent the night with her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, she returned home to find the front door of her apartment open and blood in the bathroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA Found in Helmet, Glove After Louvre Robbery as Manhunt for Thieves Continues Knox called the police, and authorities found Kerchers body in her locked bedroom after she had been stabbed to death. Amid the investigation, police noted that Knox appeared to be unconcerned about the murder and they quickly grew suspicious of her. She was then interviewed by authorities, who claimed she implicated herself and her employer, bar owner Patrick Lumumba. Knox, Lumumba, and Sollecito were all arrested on suspicion of murder, according to NBC News. Lumumba had an alibi and was released, while Sollecito claimed he couldnt remember if he was with Knox at the time Kercher was murdered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police continued to find more suspects when the fingerprints of known burglar Rudy Guede were found at the scene of the crime, and he was arrested in his alleged connection to the murder after Knox and Sollecito. Guede was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in prison for Kerchers murder in October 2008, according to CNN. His sentence was reduced on appeal, and he was released early for good behavior in 2021. What Happened During Amanda Knoxs Trial Knox and Sollecito had a joint trial in 2009, where they were both convicted and sentenced to 26 and 25 years behind bars for their alleged involvement in the murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, an appeal in 2010 led to Knox and Sollecitos case to be reexamined in a 2011 trial. Due to contested DNA evidence and Knox having been excessively interviewed by police, they were both found not guilty during the second trial, according to Today.com. Knox then returned to the United States. However, the drama didnt end there and both Knox and Sollecito were convicted again of Kerchers murder in 2014, per Today.com. Knox who remained in the U.S. was sentenced in absentia to 28 and a half years in prison, while Sollecito was sentenced to serve 25 years behind bars. NBA Stars Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Arrested in Federal Gambling-Related Investigation The pair went to trial for a third time in 2015, where their murder convictions were once again overturned by Italys highest court. According to NBC News, their convictions were overturned due to glaring errors in the investigation of Kerchers murder. Where Is Amanda Knox Today? One decade after she was found innocent for a second time, Knox is working as an activist, writer and podcast host in Seattle, Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She married husband Christopher Robinson in 2020, and they welcomed their daughter Eureka Muse Knox-Robinson in 2021 and son named Echo Knox-Robinson in 2023. Knox has opened up about her experience in several projects, including the 2016 Netflix documentary Amanda Knox and the 2025 Hulu scripted limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. Starbucks Teases New Information On AI Barista While promoting The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which she produced and was based on her 2013 memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, Knox opened up about what she wanted viewers to take away from the show. I think the ultimate message that our show conveys is that you can survive, and become a person that is not limited by the box that society put you in, she told The Hollywood Reporter in August 2025. You can stand up on that box and tell your own story, be a bigger person than society wanted you to be. You can withstand awful things. Dont let anyone define you but you. Miss USA is a beauty pageant that started in 1952. The current titleholder is Alma Cooper. The pageant features a swimsuit, evening gown, and interview round. All women 18 and up can compete. The 2025 Miss USA pageant is taking place on October 24 in Reno, Nevada. It's almost time to crown the next Miss USA. The famous pageant has had a tumultuous few years, featuring rigging accusations, sexual harassment allegations, and two queens giving up their crowns a first in the organization's 73-year history. Now, Thom Brodeur, the new CEO and president of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, is hoping to launch a new era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what's the story behind the pageant that introduced the world to the likes of Halle Berry and Olivia Culpo, and who is allowed to compete? We've got the answers to all your questions before the show on October 24. What is Miss USA? Noelia Voigt was crowned Miss USA 2023. Courtesy of Miss USA Miss USA all started because of a swimsuit. When Miss America 1951 winner Yolande Betbeze refused to pose for pictures in a swimsuit, Catalina a swimwear company sponsoring the competition created its own pageant. A year later, Jackie Loughery became the first-ever Miss USA. That same year was also the first Miss Universe pageant. The Miss USA competition consists of three rounds: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview. Unlike Miss America, which offers scholarship money as part of its prize package, the winner of Miss USA is typically paid $100,000 for a yearlong reign that involves numerous appearances and speaking engagements across the country. The Miss USA organization has historically emphasized philanthropy, allowing titleholders to advocate for their cause or charity of choice during their reign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every winner also competes at the annual Miss Universe pageant. Nine American women have won Miss Universe, the most of any country. Venezuela is in second place with seven wins. Who has owned the Miss USA pageant? Donald Trump with Olivia Culpo after she won Miss Universe in 2012. David Becker/Getty Images The Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe pageants were operated by the Miss Universe Organization until 2020. Donald Trump owned the Miss Universe Organization from 1996 to 2015. He sold the company to Endeavor after NBC dropped the show following remarks he made about Mexican immigrants when announcing his 2016 presidential campaign. In 2020, both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA were franchised to Crystle Stewart, who won Miss USA in 2008. The Miss Universe Organization still oversees every national pageant that sends delegates to Miss Universe and has the final say if there's an issue. So it was the organization that suspended Stewart in October 2022 amid allegations the Miss USA pageant had been rigged that year. Though the Miss Universe Organization said it found no evidence of rigging during its investigation, Stewart and the organization parted ways in August 2023. Laylah Rose was named the next Miss USA president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Endeavor also sold the Miss Universe Organization to Anne Jakrajutatip and her Thailand-based company, JKN Global Group, in October 2022. On September 16, the Miss Universe Organization announced that Thom Brodeur was replacing Rose as the new Miss USA president and CEO. Jakrajutatip's company, JKN Universe, is suing Rose's company, VVV Global Ent., for its management of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Who is eligible to compete at Miss USA? Eligibility rules for the Miss USA pageant have changed drastically over the past few years. In 2023, the pageant began allowing married women and mothers to compete, which is still not permitted in the Miss America pageant. All women aged 18 and over are now eligible to compete at Miss USA (the cutoff age was 28 until 2024). Women between the ages of 14 to 19 can compete at Miss Teen USA. Once you've won a state pageant, you can only compete once for the Miss USA or Miss Teen USA title. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss USA contestants are allowed to have tattoos or undergo plastic surgery. There is also no height requirement. Who has won Miss USA? Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih was the first Middle Eastern woman to take home the crown. Denise Truscello/WireImage The current Miss USA is Alma Cooper, a US Army officer and West Point graduate from Michigan. Texas holds the record for the most Miss USA winners. Ten women have won the crown for the Lone Star State, which had a five-year winning streak from 1985 to 1989. There are 18 states that have never won a Miss USA pageant, including Alaska, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon. The youngest Miss USA in history is Myrna Hansen, who was 17 when she won the crown in 1953. R'Bonney Gabriel is the oldest winner on record, winning the title when she was 28 in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Miss USA winner list has become more diverse in recent decades. Miss USA 1962 Macel Wilson was the first woman of color and the first Asian American to win the title, while Miss USA 1985 Laura Martinez-Herring was the first Hispanic winner. In 1990, Carole Gist became the first Black woman to win, and Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih Slaiby was the first Middle Eastern woman to take home the crown. Gabriel was the first Filipina American to win Miss USA, while Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt was the first Venezuelan American to hold the title. Why is Miss USA controversial? UmaSofia Srivastava and Noelia Voigt both resigned their titles in May 2024. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited The dust had barely settled from the scandals of 2022 when Miss USA found itself back in the headlines. In May 2024, Voigt announced she was giving up her crown. Two days later, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava followed suit. Both women gave few details on their resignations, citing nondisclosure agreements they had to sign to compete in 2023. But their mothers, Jackeline Voigt and Barbara Srivastava, told Business Insider at the time that their daughters had suffered through "eight months of torture and abuse" under Rose's leadership as president and CEO of Miss USA. Rose has denied the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her official resignation letter, Voigt said she had been diagnosed with anxiety to manage symptoms including "heart palpitations, full body shakes, loss of hair" that developed "due to consistently being on edge, worrying about what Laylah will pop up with and choose to harass me about daily." "It is devastating and unacceptable that my mind and body have been so horrifically affected by the treatment I have received at the hands of current Miss USA leadership," she added in the letter. After Voigt resigned, more than 40 Miss USA 2023 contestants posted a shared Instagram statement demanding that she be released from the NDA. Miss Colorado Arianna Lemus also resigned in a show of support, and Miss Teen USA first runner-up Stephanie Skinner refused to assume Srivastava's title. "One thing I will never give up is my character, nor my integrity," Skinner told Business Insider at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Voigt and Srivastava's resignations, the 2024 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants went on as planned, and Cooper and Addie Carver were crowned the respective winners in August of that year. JKN's lawsuit alleges that Rose's company, VVV Global Ent., failed to pay Cooper her $100,000 salary as Miss USA and had not given Carver her $10,000 Miss Teen USA scholarship. It notes that Rose is the sole employee of VVV. The complaint also said the Miss Universe Organization has been unable to secure a US broadcaster to air the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants due to Rose's "public scandals." Voigt told Business Insider that she "felt vindicated" by the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The facade is crumbling big time," she added. When is the next Miss USA pageant? The 74th annual Miss USA pageant will take place at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, on October 24, with 51 women competing for the crown. Both the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants will be streamed on the Queen Beauty Network. Read the original article on Business Insider Miss Nebraska Audrey Eckert was crowned the new Miss USA in Reno, Nevada, on Friday night. She will represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant on November 21. Eckert is a social media and marketing coordinator for a handbag brand. There's a new Miss USA in town. Miss Nebraska Audrey Eckert was named the winner of the 74th annual Miss USA pageant on Friday night at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. She was crowned by the current Miss Universe, Victoria Kjr Theilvig. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper shared in an Instagram post on Friday that she had declined to participate in the 2025 pageant, though they paid tribute to her reign during the finals. Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert was crowned by Miss Universe 2024. RezaNation Media Eckert studied business administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was a member of the Husker cheer squad, according to her Miss USA bio. Now, she's a social media and marketing coordinator for the Thai handbag brand Sapahn. The 23-year-old will go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in November. Revamping the Miss USA pageant Fifty-one women competed for the Miss USA crown, taking part in swimsuit, evening gown, and interview rounds during the preliminary competition earlier this week in Reno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In past years at Miss USA, the top 15 to 20 contestants were picked by a selection committee. The new CEO, Thom Brodeur, told Business Insider in September that he was eliminating the committee to bring more transparency to the competition. Miss Nebraska 2025 Audrey Eckert. Courtesy of Miss USA "For many, many years, young women have come into this organization competing with a rule it's very clearly stated, you know what you're signing up for in your contestant contract that the leadership team, management, and others can be part of the selection process," Brodeur said. "So the process for selecting a new Miss USA and Miss Teen USA isn't just left up to the judges. That's how it has historically been." "Part of what my team and I intend to do is to remove that selection committee rule out of contestant contracts," he added. "What that means, very simply, is who the judges pick is the winner of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. And what that means to the competitors the young women who compete in this sport is that they are going to have a 100% fair shot where nobody else's voice or influence affects their ability to place in the competition." This year's judges were Miss USA 2014 and current "The Valley" star Nia Sanchez, "Dancing With the Stars" pro Sasha Farber, former "Bachelor in Paradise" star Jade Roper Tolbert, model scout Hannah Edwards, and fashion designer Kenneth Barlis. The final question Audrey Eckert advocates for digital safety. RezaNation Media Brodeur also brought back interview questions about current events, which had been off-limits under former Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're not just all talking about our favorite colors, movies, or songs," Brodeur told Business Insider in September. "So I think it's important that we allow the intelligence of the women in the Miss USA and Teen USA communities to shine." During the final question round, the contestants were asked about artificial intelligence, barriers women may face when building lasting wealth, and more. Miss Nebraska's question was: "When people look back on our generation 100 years from now, what do you hope they say about us, and what are you doing to help make that happen?" "Our generation is, without a doubt, adaptable," Eckert said. "We have learned to grow and change through so many things." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I work in digital media every single day, and I teach 500 athletes on a weekly basis how to stay safe online, and being safe online, and learning to grow up in a digital world requires you to be adaptable, just like the job of Miss USA," she continued. "She's heading to Miss Universe very shortly, and she needs to be adaptable, she needs to roll with the punches, and she needs to lead our great nation with pride." A new winner for a new era Miss USA hasn't had a scandal-free year since 2020. In the half-decade since, there have been rigging accusations, sexual harassment allegations, three different CEOs, two resigned queens, and one bombshell lawsuit. Miss Nebraska Audrey Eckert in the 2025 Miss USA costume contest. Reza Venegas Brodeur hopes to usher in a new era with the new Miss USA, who will kick off her reign with a flight to Thailand for the weekslong Miss Universe 2025 competition. The televised finals will air on November 21. Brodeur told Business Insider in September that the new Miss USA will have a "pretty aggressive appearance roster" when she returns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Time is going to prove this out, and we have to do the work to prove it, but my goal is to reestablish Miss USA and Miss Teen USA as America's It Girls," he said. Let the reign begin. Read the original article on Business Insider Originally appeared on E! Online She's beauty and she's grace, she's officially Miss USA. Miss USA crowned Miss Nebraska, Audrey Eckert, as its 2025 winner at Nevada's Grand Sierra Resort on Oct. 24, marking the state's second winner in the nationwide competition after Sarah Rose Summers triumphed in 2018. Following her victory, Eckert will travel to Thailand in November to compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 23-year-old beat out 50 other contestants representing each state for the title of Miss USA during the pageant, which was co-hosted by Emmanuel Acho and Olivia Jordan. She faced off against the other women in the state costume competition, preliminary competition and final round before judges Nia Sanchez, Jade Tolbert, Sasha Farber, Kenneth Barlis and Hannah Edwards gave her the highest overall score, earning her the coveted crown. And while 73 other beauty contestants before her have worn the iconic tiara, there was one notable difference this year for the winner's ceremony. Hours before the final round took place, Miss USA 2024 winner Alma Cooper revealed she would not be attending the final show to pass down the sash and crown as it's been done in previous years. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After much consideration, Ive made the extremely difficult decision not to attend this years Miss USA pageant and crowning ceremony," the former Miss Michigan wrote on Instagram Oct. 24. "As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high, just like the crown I was honored to wear." The decision came two days after Miss USA CEO and President Thom Brodeur shared that Cooper had not yet confirmed whether she would be attending the 2025 beauty pageant. Instagram "Our dream was to warmly welcome Alma to participate in the 2025 competition in whatever capacity she was most comfortable," he wrote on Instagram Stories Oct. 22, per People. "Our invitation still stands and we hope to provide her the dignified end to her reign that she deserves." And while Cooper may have ultimately opted out of returning to the stage, Brodeur insisted that it wouldn't affect her place in the pageant's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We honor you, Alma," the CEO said. "You are a queen. You are our queen even if we didn't start this journey with you. And, you are forever our Miss USA 2024." For a closer look into the pageant world, keep reading... 1. Age isn't just a number when it comes to the storied Miss America pageant, first launched as a type of swimsuit competition on New Jersey's Atlantic City boardwalk back in 1921. Hopefuls for the 2026 event must be no older than 28 on Sept. 30, 2026, and no younger than 18 on Sept. 1, 2026, the day before the preliminary events kick off. 2. As for those that would be exactly 18 years old when they'd slip into their evening gowns and, ideally, that winning tiara, they enjoy what's called a "pivot year" in which they decide if they'd rather compete in the Teen or the Miss division. (The age requirement for teens: They must be no younger than 14 on Sept. 1, 2026; no older than 18 on Sept. 30.) However, once the teens have chosen their adventure, they cannot change divisions until the next application cycle. 3. There's a reason the words are, "There she is, Miss America!" Hopefuls cannot be married at the time of competition (though they can be divorced). They also must certify that they're not pregnant and have no children. 4. As for all those state titleholders, they must stay in their lanes, so to speak. In order to compete for a state title, delegates must provide proof that they've lived in the state at least 120 consecutive days before they took the stage. Other options: Proving that they've worked in the state a minimum of 40 hours a week for at least 120 days or are enrolled full-time at one of the state's accredited colleges or universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5. They've got talent, yes they do. Because the contestant's 90-second performance in the talent portionsinging, instrumental performances and dance are among the most popular, though Miss Vermont 2015 Alayna Westcom provided a chemistry lesson and that year's winner Kira Kazantsev played the cups Pitch Perfect-stylecounts for 20 percent of the scoring in each round. Not a part of the tally: The swimsuit competition, which was washed away in 2018. 6. Contestants know how to keep score. In both the prelims and the final rounds, those coveting the crown are judged on their private interview (worth 30 percent of their total score), a fitness category (20 percent), the talent portion (another 20 percent), the evening wear portion (their 20 percent is tallied based on confidence and composure) and the stage question segment (worth 10 percent). For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Michael Jacksons daughter, Paris Jackson, rocked one of her most gothic, and daring, looks of all time, and its an amazing sight to see. In case you missed it, earlier this week, Paris shared a series of photos from her latest photoshoot. She shared the photos with the caption reading, my friend shot these thanks @elle_spain photographer: @juankr_/ stylist: @sylviamontoliuelle/ makeup: @pedrocedeno1/ hair: @torrentfernando. More from SheKnows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can see the photos HERE! In the post for Elle Spain, we see pics, which were taken by Juankr, of her rocking a sheer white dress, a rocker-boho-chic ensemble topped with gold jewelry and a fur jacket, a dark green, off-the-shoulder gown, and as well as a truly radiant portrait. But we need to talk about slide five! Slide five may be one of the most daring looks shes ever wowed in: a gothic, black lace corset look. In the hypnotic, moody photo, we see Jackson looking incredible as she models a corseted bodysuit that hugs her curves perfectly (and the cape moment is something that needs to be talked about). Seriously, were obsessed! (And like she said, all of these were styled by Sylvia Montoliu, and she had her makeup done by Pedro Cedeno and hair done by Fernando Torrent!) Paris Jackson at the Tom Ford fashion show as part of Spring/Summer 2026 Paris Fashion Week on October 01, 2025 in Paris, France. For those who dont know, Paris signed with IMG Models in 2017 and has since been seen on the cover of numerous magazines around the world, including Harpers Bazaar, Vogue, and LUomo, to name a few. Per Models.com, shes been on three magazine covers in 2025: LOfficiel, this one for Elle Spain, and Harpers Bazaar Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as many fans know, in a previous interview with LVR, she spoke about her eclectic personal style, saying, I have had the same style since high school: a combination of Sixties, Seventies, and Nineties. I love a good bellbottom, Earth tones, Doc Martens, ripped leggings, and band T-shirts for day-to-day. Its boho grunge. Before you go, click here to see the best photos of Paris Jacksons red carpet fashion below: Paris Jackson Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Gist As pressure mounts on Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to leave their longtime home Royal Lodge, a royal expert says the former couple might be eyeing a move abroad. Prince Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title on October 17. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are embroiled in a scandal over their alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein. As the fallout continues over Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusons alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced royals are looking ahead to their futureand it might not be in the U.K. In light of damaging new allegations, Prince Andrew announced he was giving up his Duke of York title and other honors while Sarah Ferguson dropped the Duchess of York titlea change thats already been reflected on their social media pages as well as the royal familys website. As public pressure now mounts for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferugson to leave their longtime home, Royal Lodge, a royal expert says its likely the couple is making plans to leave Britain all together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Controversy over Prince Andrews alleged connection to Epstein has plagued the royal family in recent years, leading King Charless younger brother to step back from public-facing duties even before the latest developments. However, the release of a tell-all memoir from one of Andrew's accusers as well as new allegations led Prince Andrew to surrender his title in an announcement shared by Buckingham Palace on October 17. Prince Andrew's coat of arms was also removed from St. George's Chapel, a significant symbol that the Palace is distancing themselves as the move is typically only reserved for traitors. Getty Images Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 Now, new reports suggest that Prince Andrew may be getting ready to leave his Royal Lodge residence, his home of 25 years, despite having a lease that lasts until 2078. The royal, who lives in the 30-bedroom Windsor mansion with his ex-wife, has been digging his heels in for years despite public calls and financial pressure to evacuate the home from King Charles. Despite having a cast iron lease, The Telegraph reported that Buckingham Palace is cranking up pressure with advanced conversation about Prince Andrew evacuating the premises. Getty Images Prince Andrew and King Charles in September 2025 Prince Andrew and King Charles in September 2025 Andrew Lownie, author of a biography, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about the former couple, told Hello! that its likely that the couple will try to lay low and under the radar if they choose to leave Royal Lodge, per The Mirror. Getty Images The Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice attend a photocall on February 18, 2003 in Verbier, Switzerland The Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie, the Duke of York and Princess Beatrice attend a photocall on February 18, 2003 in Verbier, Switzerland Noting that Sarah Ferguson recently sold her London property in Belgravia earlier this year, Lownie said that he believes that the former Duchess of York will move to Switzerland where the family once owned a Verbier chalet to escape the scandal. Meanwhile, Andrew may follow suit by leaving the U.K., especially when nephew Prince William becomes king. Lownie shared, "Probably hes being encouraged to go to his palace in Abu Dhabi or to take up a Swiss nationality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Lownie emphasized that leaving Royal Lodge is ultimately Prince Andrew's decision, thanks to his "ironclad" lease. "He has this ironclad lease as long as he maintains the terms of that lease, he said on Hello!s A Right Royal Podcast. The only way I think he can go is to voluntarily go. The optics look terrible for a non-working royal in a 30-room mansion." Read the original article on InStyle Fans were totally charmed by this moment. A social media user posted a video to TikTok of Regents Park in London. However, natures beauty wasnt what caught their followers eyes. In the clip, Rose McGowan could be seen walking her dog. Rose McGowan was spotted in this TikTok video. Instagram/@ritafarhifinds Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, Holly Marie Combs in Charmed. Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Rose McGowan walking past in the green coat? one person wrote, while a second chimed in, Is this Rose McGowan walking in green coat?! The original poster replied back and was just as surprised, explaining, I didnt realise that while filming this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGowan, 52, can be seen rocking a green coat with fur trim and lace up sneakers. Her signature short do was bleach blonde as she walked her dog on a leash. The star is best known for her breakthrough role as Tatum Riley in the 1996 horror classic Scream. Matthew Lillard and Rose McGowan in the 1996 movie Scream. Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection Julie Benz, Rebecca Gayheart, Rose McGowan star in Jawbreaker in 1999. TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Colle / Everett Collection McGowan went on to star in the horror indie film Devil in the Flesh in 1998, the 1999 crime comedy, Jawbreaker, and 2001s comedy fantasy film, Monkeybone. That same year, she landed the role of Paige Matthews in the hit drama Charmed for five seasons until 2006. In 2007, McGowan got back to her horror roots, starring in Grindhouse. Rose McGowan in The Doom Generation. Trimark Pictures/Courtesy Evere A scene from Grindhouse. Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Coll / Everett Collection Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her performance landed her a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Actress along with a Scream Award. Despite her successful career, the actress left Los Angeles in early 2020 and moved to Tulum, Mexico. My father lived in Mexico for 35 years and mi gusta Mexico, McGowan said in May while at 90s Con, per People. Te quiero much, mi amores. It is an incredible country. It is so wildly geographically diverse, culturally diverse and just very, very special. Theres so much joy. Rose McGowan in the 1998 movie Phantoms. Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection My favorite word in Spanish is alegria, which means joy, and theres so much of that there and color and and passion and and fun and different just different. And you know I had to talk for a lot of years, kind of more than normal people might. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGowan also looks to her on-screen characters for real life inspiration. At one point, you know, as Paige was a social worker and I was raised in a commune growing up in Italy to be kind of a volunteer, and I kind of thought, Well, I can also do this in real life. Away from this, she noted. McGowan continued: Theres a point where I just got really talked out. I just wanted to listen. I wanted silence, and I wanted to listen more than I wanted to talk. Rose McGowan in Devil in the Flesh. Courtesy Everett Collection As the Death Proof alum described, I like adventure. Ive kind of always been the adventurous sort. I always kind of lived in dense areas, so at one point I went to like the most remote location in this area in Mexico that Im at. It was just me and my dog and a metal pipe for a shower, McGowan admitted. That was it, and I was grateful, right? And the gratitude that you feel for smaller things, because you have to fight for them and you appreciate them. Halloween is next week, but over on Netflix, its all about meddling dads, magical sisters and hijacked planes. In the action-comedy Good News, terrorists take over a Japanese plane and only one man can stop them a mysterious fixer known only as Nobody. In the poetic thriller We Have Always Lived in the Castle, two sisters must battle outside forces, which include a male suitor (Sebastian Stan) with potentially deadly intentions. Advertisement Advertisement And finally, the comedy About My Father casts Robert De Niro as an overprotective dad who only wants the best for his soon-to-be-married son. Good News (2025) In 1970, a plane traveling from Japan is hijacked by the militant Red Faction Army. Their demands? To be flown to Pyongyang, North Korea and be allowed to land peacefully. But North Korea officials wont allow it, and the plane, which has several hundred passengers, is stuck in the air with nowhere to land. Now, Japan, South Korea and United States officials must find a way to land the plane safely while also capturing the terrorists who hijacked the plane. 6 New Movies to Watch This Weekend on Netflix, Prime Video and More (October 24-26) On paper, this sounds like your typical Hollywood thriller starring Jason Statham, but Good News is anything but. Instead, its played as a comedy of international errors as everyone, from the Red Faction in the sky to the overworked police on the ground, must figure out a way out of this mess. The solution might be Nobody (Sul Kyung-gu), a fixer brought in to help, but his unorthodox methods might cause even more problems. Advertisement Advertisement Good News is a refreshingly lo-fi, fast-paced action-comedy that breathes new life into the hijacked plane disaster subgenre. The movie absolutely nails its retro look, with fuzzy visuals and muted colors that bring back the early 70s in all their subdued glory, and its skillful blend of over-the-top action and exaggerated comedy makes it the most unique Netflix film Ive seen this year. Good News is streaming on Netflix. We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2019) Sisters Merricat (Taissa Farmiga) and Constance (Alexandra Daddario) are outcasts who lock themselves away in their family estate. Temptation arrives in the form of Charles (Sebastian Stan), who seduces Constance in an attempt to gain access to their fortune thats rumored to be hidden somewhere in the estate. Merricat isnt as fooled as her older sister is by Charles, but can he convince Constance that theyre both in danger before its too late? Based on Shirley Jacksons cult 1962 novel, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a fascinatingly strange hybrid of fairy-tale drama and domestic thriller. This is a story not unlike Beauty and the Beast, complete with a greedy villain, imprisoned heroines and storming villagers, but the movie itself feels as dreamy as Edward Scissorhands. Best known for her work in the American Horror Story franchise, Farmiga has her best role ever as the suspicious Merricat, whose intelligence is only surpassed by her burgeoning powers as a would-be witch. Advertisement Advertisement We Have Always Lived in the Castle is streaming on Netflix. About My Father (2023) Have you ever been frustrated with your dad enough to exclaim to him, Youre driving me crazy! If so, then the comedy About My Father is for you. Sebastian (comedian Sebastian Maniscalco) wants to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Ellie (Leslie Bibb). But he needs his mothers wedding ring to do so, and only his father, the traditional and very Sicilian Salvo (Robert De Niro), can give it to him. Salvo agrees to give his son the ring on one condition he has to meet Ellies family first. What follows is a culture-clash comedy that pits not only two very different families against each other, but also Sebastian and Salvo. 7 Must-Watch Netflix Movies of 2025 So Far, Ranked: Havoc, Back in Action and More About My Father is a very broad comedy that doesnt shy away from Italian and Sicilian stereotypes. Some of that is softened a bit knowing that Maniscalco also cowrote the screenplay, which doesnt steer too far from the Meet the Fockers formula. De Niro ultimately is the one who makes this movie work his grumpy curmudgeon gets the most laughs, although Kim Cattrall, as Ellies flinty mom Tigger, scores some easy chuckles too. About My Father isnt good enough to rush out to the movie theater to see, but its just the right amount of entertaining to stream at home. About My Father is streaming on Netflix. NEED TO KNOW Francis Ford Coppola set out on what was planned to be a five-month shoot with Apocalypse Now The Vietnam War epic ended up taking over 200 days to shoot after various setbacks John Malahy looks back at the film's history in his new book, Rewinding The 80s: Cinema Under the Influence of Music Videos, Action Stars, and a Cold War One of Francis Ford Coppola's early greats was also the source of a great deal of stress. Making the 1979 Vietnam War epic, Apocalypse Now, "almost killed" the legendary director, noted author John Malahy in his new book, Rewinding The 80s: Cinema Under the Influence of Music Videos, Action Stars, and a Cold War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the book, Malahy detailed the numerous catastrophes that surrounded the months spent filming the movie, a loose adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness, in the Philippines. Towards the beginning of the whopping 238-day shoot, Coppola had to switch out his original star, Harvey Keitel, with Martin Sheen a month into production, forcing the cast and crew to reshoot all the scenes that had already been filmed. Then, a month after Sheen settled in, a typhoon destroyed over half of the sets created for the film, causing production to halt once again. They wouldn't return to the set for nearly two months. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. CBS via Getty Martin Sheen as Captain Benjamin L. Willard in "Apocalypse Now" Martin Sheen as Captain Benjamin L. Willard in "Apocalypse Now" Filming resumed in July 1976, but it was still far from an easy go of things, Malahy noted. A local insurgency diverted military helicopters, borrowed from the Philippines' government, from the filming area. The planes also needed to be painted daily to distinguish them from those in use by their government at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As if that wasn't enough chaos, the director was also tasked with handling "an untamable Marlon Brando," Malahy wrote. "Seemingly stuck in a Kafkaesque world that wasnt helped by reported alcohol and drug abuse on set, the director recalled, 'Little by little we went insane,'" the author wrote in the book, which came out Oct. 7. Caterine Milinaire/Sygma/Getty Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper, and Francis Ford Coppola on the set of "Apocalypse Now" The insanity only continued when they returned to the Philippines for reshoots in early 1977. During the brutal days of filming, Sheen, then in his mid-30s, had a near-fatal heart attack while in the middle of the jungle. Worried that another delay could jeopardize production, the incident was publicly regarded as the actor suffering from heat stroke. Still, they had to wait until Sheen was cleared to resume shooting, ballooning the budget and causing yet another setback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the difficult road there, the movie was a success, earning eight Academy Award nominations after it came out in August 1979. The film remains one of Coppola's most shining achievements and a well-dissected film in art discourse. Read the original article on People When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Sony Christopher Judge, the iconic booming voice behind Kratos from Sony Santa Monica's God of War series, says his hope for the series' next game is an entry taking place in Egypt, which indeed sounds pretty rad. During a panel at MCM London Comic Con, sent to GamesRadar+ via press release, Judge seemingly let slip, and then retracted, the potential existence of a third game in Sony's rebooted God of War series. The last entry was 2022's God of War Ragnarok, which was a triumphant success critically and commercially, but has yet to spawn a follow-up, at least not that we know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because I became best known as Teal'c from Stargate, to go to Egypt would be a completion of my circle," Judge said. "But whatever is decided - wait if there is another game, I have no doubt that no matter what pantheon it is, it will be great." A God of War game set in ancient Egypt is definitely an intriguing proposal, and presumably would be a massive visual and thematic shakeup from previous entries, not to mention a cool full circle moment for Judge. Still, a post-Ragnarok God of War game has yet to be announced, or even teased, by PlayStation, and Judge's comments by no means confirm a follow-up. Still, both 2018's God of War and Ragnarok were incredibly well-received games with strong sales, and without spoiling anything, Ragnarok definitely leaves the door open for a sequel. This is all to say, whether or not Judge actually goofed and revealed something he wasn't supposed to, I'd be surprised if Sony decides against continuing the series. And after three long years, I'm definitely ready to return to that world. God of War Ragnarok lead says AAA studios should "diversify into double-A and single-A, and then perhaps indie" even if blockbuster releases result in "potentially really large" payoffs A new album of Malawian roots music is the inaugural release of a new record label from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). A collaboration with California label Hen House Studios, Mass MoCA Records released the Kasambwe Brothers self-titled album today, and you can hear it below. The Kasambwe Brothers are a band of four decades, based in the Ndirande township near Malawian capital Blantyre. They found their way to a Mass MoCA residency with help from Hen House and Luc Deschamps, the director of the Jacaranda Foundation and Frances honorary consul to Malawi. Watch a documentary on the making of the album, which involves collaborators from the Massachusetts music scene, below. Clement Kammwamba is the artist behind the cover painting. Mass MoCA Records will operate in tandem with the museums curatorial ethos, a press release notes, and is running as a three-year pilot. Museum director Kristy Edmunds said, By joining forces with Hen House Studios and being able to tap into the remarkable number of music studios and intimate venues in the local areathe ingredients for a hand-made record label were all around us. I see this label as an extension of how we innovate to support the mobility of artists ideas and connect audiences the world over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harlan Steinberger, the producer and engineer behind Hen House, added, Though technology today can work wonders, the digital world has de-humanized us. I believe in an older-world method that emphasizes the magic of a band making music together in one room, playing off the creativity of the moment. The humanistic approach creates a deeper emotional listener experience that can not only be heard, but also felt. An album from Compton jazz artists Black Nile will follow in 2026, the press release notes. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Now that Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere has hit theaters, audiences will see a version of Bruce Springsteen they have never quite met before: messy, soulful, and deeply human. The film dives into the creation of Nebraska, the stripped-down album that revealed some of his most personal songwriting, and the cast completely captures that off-duty, small-town energy. Here is how each actor stacks up against their real-life counterpart. Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen Kevin Winter - Getty Images If anyone could pull off the quiet intensity of the Boss, it is Jeremy Allen White. Between The Bear and The Iron Claw, he has perfected the art of brooding charisma. In the film, his version of Bruce is all cigarette smoke, sleepless nights, and creative frustration. He embodies a man who cannot stop thinking about the stories hiding in static radios and dark highways. Real-life Springsteen fans will recognize the slouched stance, the love of denim, and the slightly tortured artist energy. It is not an impression so much as a full emotional translation. Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau (Springsteens manager) Steve Granitz - Getty Images You've seen him wield power plays in Succession. Now, Jeremy Strong is tackling a different kind of business as Jon Landau, Springsteen's longtime manager and creative partner. Strong plays the man who once declared, I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen. Their relationship is the heartbeat of the film: part mentorship, part creative tug-of-war, and all emotional chaos. Odessa Young as Faye Romano Maya Dehlin Spach - Getty Images Odessa Young plays Faye, a fictional composite inspired by several of Springsteens early-1980s confidantes. Shes not the manic-pixie muse type. Shes the woman who forces Bruce to look at himself beyond the music. With Odessas trademark mix of vulnerability and edge, Faye becomes the emotional mirror for The Bosss unraveling. Think cigarette smoke, tangled bedsheets, and quiet kitchen-table confessions. Stephen Graham as Douglas Springsteen (Bruces father) Stuart C. Wilson - Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is where the story turns raw. Stephen Graham, who has delivered powerhouse performances in Boiling Point and Netflixs hit Adolescence takes on the complex role of Bruces father. The real Douglas Springsteen was known for his working-class pride and emotional distance. Graham captures that mix of frustration and love with remarkable sensitivity. Watching him and White together feels like witnessing a lifelong conversation finally being resolved. Johny Cannizzaro as Steven Van Zandt Steve Granitz - Getty Images If anyone can embody Springsteens bandmate, consigliere, and all-around rock-and-roll philosopher, its Johnny Cannizzaro. As Steven Van Zandt the E Street Bands resident swagger machine Cannizzaro brings the humor, loyalty, and hair-flowing bravado of a man who helped define the sound of New Jersey rock. Paul Walter Hauser as Mike Batlan Kevin Winter - Getty Images Paul Walter Hauser, master of lovable oddballs (I, Tonya, Black Bird), steps into the role of Mike Batlan; Springsteens trusted engineer who turned lo-fi cassette tapes into the haunting tracks that became Nebraska. Hausers take is reportedly a mix of comic relief and quiet brilliance: the unsung tech guy who knows that sometimes the most honest art happens when you forget to hit record on the fancy stuff. Marc Maron as Chuck Plotkin Steve Granitz - Getty Images Comedian, podcaster, and all-around neurotic king Marc Maron steps behind the mixing board as producer Chuck Plotkin, the man who helped shape Springsteens sound. Picture Marons trademark mix of cynicism and heart as he tries to coax magic out of an artist spiraling into perfectionism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Go for the music history lesson, but stay for the denim jackets, soulful stares, and the uncanny way this cast makes a forty-year-old story feel brand new. Shop Now You Might Also Like The wind beats down across my brow. I stand on the precipice a mountain of a molehill (or a molehill of a mountain, I cannot decide). And as the brightness breaks through the hollow clouds, I find what even Emily Bronte finds in the bleak solitude of the moors liberty. For that is the root of "You on the Moors Now," the Florida State University School of Theatre's upcoming production. Four unforgettable women from literature take upon themselves the freedom to rewrite their own stories in a 21st-century twist. Jasmine Bracey is the director of "You on the Moors Now" at FSU Theatre. Jasmine Bracey is the director of "You on the Moors Now" and an Assistant Professor at the School of Theatre, where she teaches Shakespeare. She took an afternoon before a production meeting, discussing stories as a concept and how they integrate into her directing style, specifically for this production. The encompassing concept of story and play While watching classic '90s Nickelodeon shows like "You Can't Do That on Television" and "Global Guts," Jasmine Bracey wanted to be a performer at the age of 6. "It was real kids on TV," Bracey said. "And I went, 'I want to do that, too." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the age of 3, Bracey had been participating in a variety of performing-based courses, such as gymnastics, dance, and talent shows. Yet, theater became pivotal to her life at 8 years old, after she saw a touring production of the musical "Cats" while her family lived at a military base in Korea. "I remember sitting on the aisle (and an) ensemble member crawled right next to me," Bracey recalls. "And I just remember having this experience of 'It's happening live, and I want to do this for the rest of my life.'" And when it came to choosing a major in college, after back and forth between options, much to her "mother's chagrin," Bracey chose theater. She said her mother "had me performing since I was 3, how is it that much of a surprise?" The concept of performing and entertaining is "so human in such a profound way," Bracey said. She describes in her studies of performance and theater, how people crave the desire 'to play' despite society and other elements suppressing it, chipping it away by assigning expectations onto us. The concept of play encompasses the ingrained human capacities for creative expression, imagination, empathy, confidence, emotion regulation, and more. The desire to "play" gets shut down, but the need for story never does Whether it's playfulness and you have a story in that regard, or whether it's as you become older, the stories you tell yourself (stories) are so part of the human experience." Katie Ellis, Charlotte Fletcher, Caitlin Hagney, Brooke Culp rehearse for "You on the Moors Now," the Florida State University School of Theatre's upcoming production. The modern connection to the classical When it comes to the stories of "You on the Moors Now," Bracey with all the books connected to this play on her desk found the interpretations within different from those of the original classic pieces of literature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four classics ingrained in the play "Pride and Prejudice," "Wuthering Heights," "Jane Eyre," and "Little Women" are typically a part of some required English course in high school or college. And while Bracey never had to read them as a required course material, her first exposure to these stories was in movies and theatre. She was studying for her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at FSU when she went to study abroad in London. "We saw a production of the play called Bronte," Bracey said. "[It's a play] about the three Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne) the lives they lived and how their imaginations went into their books." And it was after that experience that she immediately went forth to gather as many of their stories as she could. "I found so much of my growing up was based off of a lot of these stories." Bracey uses the example of the 1995 movie "Clueless," a retelling of Jane Austen's "Emma." Onyekachi Anyagaligbo, Mali Dennis, Aly Mackenzie, Katie Ellis, Charlotte Fletcher, Caitlin Hagney, Brooke Culp rehearse for the FSU Theatre production of "You on the Moors Now." "[It's] the modern connection to the classical." Bracey explains how these tales are constructed from such different times, societies, and moralities, yet so many of them are "timeless" and universal." All these stories have the complications that haven't left us The container is different, but the core is always the same." Collaborating on the container It was something she was very focused on maintaining in this production of "You on the Moors Now." Bracey had previously professionally assistant-directed numerous productions and always took directing notes as an actor. One note is about the art of performing, aiming for herself and other actors to feel they are actively contributing to the story and are part of it, rather than being mere puppets in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bracey's inspiration for directing, who "changed the paradigm" of the relationship between actor and director, is Eric Ting, former Artistic Director of California Shakespeare. "He trusted actors, his casting, his container that he created, and he allowed actors to inform the space he was holding to then create this space of collaboration." It is that mindset that Bracey brings to her directing style, wishing actors to collaborate, "versus thinking everything has to come" from her. "When you realize, as a director, that the ownership is on the actors, this is their medium. You are just helping facilitate their creation of this story You want them to own the stories." Casey McLeod, Jason Alvarez are part of the "You on the Moors Now," FSU School of Theatre's upcoming production, Oct. 31-Nov. 9, 2025. The construct of identity In owning the stories of this play, Bracey states that the 'container' resembles a role-playing of the heroine characters, which evokes the concept of virtual reality (VR). "What if this whole thing is a simulation, like role-play therapy for these couples?" Bracey continues to describe how the men in the play mention that they didn't expect things to turn out as they have, while the women defy expectations. "Were the expectations the books. Or something else? Like these relationships, possibly finding some healing?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And within those expectations, there are numerous elements crucial for audiences today. "We all have these roles we play," Bracey explains. "And are you saying yes to a role or are you saying yes to yourself?" Bracey continues by elaborating on the distinction between questioning roles and the construction of our identity. "[It's] such a big thing in this play: identity of self, identity of relationship, and identity of society Who are we as communities [and as] individuals within this construct." Perhaps it is a question for you, who take that moment within your own stories, to see "You on the Moors Now" and ponder who you are. Indeed, it is a question for me to contemplate back on the hillside of the non-existent Tallahassee moors. If you go What: "You on the Moors Now," by Jaclyn Backhaus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When: Oct. 31 Nov. 9 | 8 p.m. evenings, 2 p.m. matinees Where: 502 S Copeland Street, The Lab Building A (TLA) FSU Campus Tickets: General, $30; discount tickets, $10-$28; visit calendar.fsu.edu Samantha Sumler is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Council on Culture & Arts. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, COCA is the capital area's umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org). This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU theater director reimagines classics in 'You on the Moors Now' Step aside, Athens Thessaloniki is quietly stealing the spotlight. While historical sites like the Acropolis in Athens tend to get the most tourist attention, Greece's second-largest city has much to behold. With the energy of a student hub, the flavor of a culinary capital, and the layered history of an old port that's seen empires come and go, it's big enough to feel exciting but small enough to take in at an easy pace. Best of all, the sea is never far from view. Getting to the city is convenient, with frequent buses heading from the airport to the city center for just a few euros. From the center, your best bet is to navigate the city on foot. History anchors everything in Thessaloniki. The White Tower looms over the waterfront, a 15th-century fort that later became a prison and now offers sweeping views across rooftops and sea. A short walk away, the Rotunda of Galerius tells a different story: Built in the 4th century, transformed into a Christian church, then an Ottoman mosque, and finally re-purposed into a museum in 1917, each layer still lingers in its stones and mosaics. Farther uphill, the Heptapyrgion Castle overlooks the city, its walls once used for defense and later, like the White Tower, as a prison. The museum is forgettable, but the walk through cobbled lanes and bougainvillea-draped balconies of the Ano Poli neighborhood makes the climb worthwhile. When your feet need a break, Thessaloniki's boardwalk is waiting over 4 miles of waterfront, perfect for a sunset run, a long stroll, or seaside drinks at one of the many cafes. Read more: The Safest Countries For Travelers In 2025, According To Previous Visitors Where to swim around Thessaloniki Small beach alcove with towels - Shelby Nater / Static Media With waters that remain swimmable from May to November, it makes sense to map out your beach days first, then fit everything else in between. Several seaside escapes are easily reachable by bus from central Thessaloniki. While bus may not be the most romantic way to travel, in the area surrounding Thessaloniki they're efficient, cheap, and offer large windows for languidly watching the coast pass by. The closest major beach is Perea (about an hour by bus), always buzzing with locals. Seaside cafes spill onto the sand, rows of loungers stretch along the shore, and the whole place hums with energy convenient, if a little commercial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keep riding about another 15 minutes and the coast softens: Hidden Beach is exactly what it sounds like. With little alcoves carved into the cliffs, you can float in peace and feel like you've found your own corner of the sea. Go a bit farther and you'll stumble onto Surfer's Beach, with broad, calm waters that make it a top spot for windsurfing. You'll see boards and foils stacked up right at the shoreline, lessons ready if you want them, music from the surf school keeping the ambiance lively. If you visit any of these beaches, locals will tell you to venture to the real treasure further along the coast: Halkidiki. Known for its three "fingers"-- large peninsulas Halkidiki boasts Maldives-like clear waters and soft sand beaches. The city's great bus transport system won't take you over to this beach paradise, but it's just over an hour by car from Thessaloniki, or you can take a bus through the KTEL Chalkidikis (about 90 minutes for $12). After dark in Thessaloniki Outdoor cinema in a courtyard with trees and an apartment surrounding the screen - Shelby Nater / Static Media Food and nightlife aren't separate in Thessaloniki; they flow into each other until the evening becomes one long, social stretch. Taverns here aren't just restaurants they're gatherings, the kind of authentic, local-approved taverna restaurants tourists will love. At Palati, music fills the room and the night feels more like a party than a dinner. Mornings are for something quick in hand. Mary Berry Health Bar does fresh smoothie and granola bowls, while (translating to "Bread and Sweets") is known for warm, flaky pastries whipped up from scratch. Both are just a few minute's walk from the boardwalk, perfect for grabbing breakfast and eating on the steps down to the water, watching the city wake up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the sun sets, options unfold: Open-air cinemas where films play under the stars, rooftop terraces with decadent cocktails, or clubs that keep live music rolling until dawn. But Thessaloniki is just as good when you keep it simple sipping wine at a taverna, drifting along the waterfront, or staying up late just because night here is often more bustling than day. Looks like it's time to get packing for your next trip to Greece. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Explore. Tunnels are used to carry traffic through some of the most extreme terrain on the planet and they help ease journeys with reduced travel time. While most tunnels offer a short underground burst of driving, some are much longer. Here are the worlds 10 longest road tunnels that use cutting edge technology to make their construction possible and to keep drivers alert while passing through their extended subterranean length. Ryfylke Tunnel, Norway 8.98 miles (14.46km) The Ryfylke Tunnel is the longest undersea road tunnel in the world at present and stretches some 8.98 miles between Stavanger and Ryfylke. Norway developed the Ryfylke Tunnel to reduce reliance on ferries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is now part of its Rogfast project to connect several islands with undersea tunnels, and this means Ryfylke is likely to relinquish its title as this building work continues. Opened in 2019, the Ryfylke Tunnel took seven years to build and a toll is charged to help recoup the cost of construction. Ryfylke Tunnel, Norway 8.98 miles (14.46km) By the time the Ryfylke Tunnel started operating, it had cost 6.4 billion Norwegian Kroner (460 million) to complete. Electric cars are subject to a 50% discounted toll charge. Descending to 285-metres under the sea at its deepest, the Ryfylke Tunnel consists of two separate tubes to carry traffic in opposite directions. Each tube has two lanes and the tunnel is capable of carrying up 10,000 vehicles per day. Zigana Tunnel, Turkiye 8.99 miles (14.48km) Close to the northern coast of Turkiye, the Zigana Tunnel runs through rugged mountain rock to bypass the Zigana Pass that becomes blocked by snow in the winter. Work started on the Zigana Tunnel in 2016 and it was finished in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is Turkiyes longest road tunnel at 8.99 miles long and it reduces the journey via the exposed Zigana Pass by five miles. It also cuts the journey time in summer months by around 20 minutes. Zigana Tunnel, Turkiye 8.99 miles (14.48km) Consisting of two separate tunnels to keep traffic flows apart, the Zigana Tunnel was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. This system adapts to the rock as excavation continues and uses a spray-on concrete to create the walls. There are 16 laybys in each of the tunnels tubes, as well as six ventilation shafts. It was also built with 40 connecting tunnels between the pair of tubes, plus nine transformer rooms to house the Zigana Tunnels electric power. Muzhailing Tunnel, China 9.46 miles (15.22km) A great many challenges faced the designers and builders of the Muzhailing Tunnel in Chinas Gansu Province. For starters, its built at high altitude and also in an area of active seismic activity, which means its prone to earthquakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although not ideal conditions for creating one of the worlds longest road tunnels, the build used a technology called NPR anchor cabling. This secures the structure into the surrounding rock and allows the tunnel to withstand deformation as the ground moves. Muzhailing Tunnel, China 9.46 miles (15.22km) In common with most modern road tunnels, the Muzhailing Tunnel consists of two separate tubes, each carrying the stream of traffic in the opposite direction to the other. Construction work on this tunnel started in 2016 and reached its finish in 2024, with further complications to the build caused by the thin air at its high altitude and its effect on the workers. Now complete, the Muzhailing Tunnel is widely studied by tunnelling experts for the way it deals with such difficult terrain. Tiantaishan Tunnel, China 9.67 miles (15.56) It cost 2.75 billion Chinese Yuan (300 million) to complete the Tiantaishan Tunnel, which is something of a bargain in the world of road tunnels. Started in 2016, the Tiantaishan Tunnel was finished and working by 2021, which is again something of a record when it comes to build time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is even more impressive when you consider the high altitude of the tunnel and the bitterly cold weather in Shaanxi Province in northwest China. Tiantaishan Tunnel, China 9.67 miles (15.56) When construction started in November 2016, there were 2000 workers spending their shifts underground in the Qinling Mountains. They also lived there for the duration of the build work. As part of the construction of the Tiantaishan Tunnel, a new smart lighting system was developed that delivers a more natural light inside its depths. This set-up also provides different light patterns and designs on the tunnels walls to ward off boredom as drivers traverse its 9.67-mile length in either of the three-lane tunnel tubes. Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland 10.46 miles (16.84km) Previously the longest road tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland has slipped down the ranking as new projects have overtaken for length. However, the Gotthard has been in operation for much longer than any other in the top 10 as it opened in 1980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work started on the Gotthard Road Tunnel in 1970 and it carries traffic to a maximum height if 1175-metres (3855-feet), which is higher than Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Wales. Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland 10.46 miles (16.84km) It takes around 13 minutes to drive through the Gotthard Road Tunnel as the 80kmh speed limit is strictly enforced. There is also a toll charge to pay for using the tunnel and its capable of carrying up to 24,000 vehicles per day. The Gotthard Base Tunnel is unusual in modern road tunnelling for using a single tube to carry both directions of traffic. In 2016, 57% of the Swiss population voted in favour of building a second Gotthard road tunnel in a referendum. Jinpingshan Tunnel, China 10.90 miles (17.54km) While all of the other road tunnels in the top 10 are open to the public, the Jinpingshan Tunnel restricts what traffic can use it. This is because the tunnel was built to provide access to the Jinping Dam, which is the worlds highest dam, and access between this and another hydropower dam. The Jinpingshan Tunnel runs through an area noted for its geological activity in south-west China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is partly why access to the tunnel is limited, and also because of security surrounding the hydroelectric complex at the dam. Jinpingshan Tunnel, China 10.90 miles (17.54km) At its deepest point, the Jinpingshan Tunnel runs 2375-metres beneath the earths surface, and more than half of the tunnels entire length sits at more than 1500-metres deep. It took five years to build the Jinpingshan Tunnel and, at the time, was the longest tunnel made with a blind heading. This is where each end of the tunnel is started simultaneously and meet in the middle. Total cost of Jinpingshan Tunnel came to 1.3 billion Chinese Yuan (146 million). Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China 11.21 miles (18.04km) The Zhongnanshan Tunnel is not far from the Tiantaishan Tunnel but outdoes its near neighbour in overall length and how deep it travels under the Earths surface. With a maximum depth of 1640-metres, the Zhongnanshan Tunnel is among the deepest in the world. Despite this, it still took only five years to complete the tunnel, which is about the same time as many shorter tunnels that travel at shallower depths in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work started in 2002 on the Zhongnanshan Tunnel, and it was the longest tunnel in Asia when it opened to traffic in 2007. Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China 11.21 miles (18.04km) It cost around 3.2 billion Chinese Yuan (350 million) to complete the Zhongnanshan Tunnel. This makes it one of the most expensive road tunnels to date in China. Three ventilation shafts provide fresh air to each of the two tunnels, and each tube carries traffic in the opposite direction to the other, so the streams are never together. Along its 11.21-mile length, there are different coloured lights and patterns projected onto the tunnels roof, and artificial plants to provide stimulation for drivers and prevent fatigue. Yamate Tunnel, Japan 11.3 miles (18.20km) The Yamate Tunnel in Tokyo, Japan is like Londons Blackwall Tunnel but on a grand scale. Where the Blackwall Tunnel is a mere three quarters of a mile long and is as close as 1.7-metres from the riverbed, the Yamate Tunnel runs to 11.3 miles and passes as much as 30-metres beneath the Japanese capital citys population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Yamate Tunnel still holds the honour of being the longest urban tunnel in the world. Yamate Tunnel, Japan 11.3 miles (18.20km) It took 15 years for the Yamate Tunnel to be completed, with delays due to objections from residents and environmental concerns. However, the tunnel was given the go-ahead as it would ease traffic on Yamate Street that runs above the tunnel. Both of the 11-metre diameter tubes that form the Yamate Tunnel have emergency telephones positioned every 100-metres along their length. There is also a sophisticated filtration system to remove particulate emissions from the air extracted from the tunnels. WestConnex, Australia 13.67 miles (22.0km) The WestConnex Tunnel was finished in November 2023 and is part of a plan to ease congestion in the city of Sydney. To date, the tunnel is the largest road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Australia and the 13.67-mile tunnel is part of a longer overall 20.5-mile stretch of traffic-reducing motorway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will eventually link Sydneys suburbs, airport, north shore, and city centre. The land above the WestConnex Tunnel has mostly been given over to parks, playgrounds, and open space for the citys inhabitants to relax. WestConnex, Australia 13.67 miles (22.0km) The WestConnex Tunnel is the longest underground stretch of public road in Australia, and its thought to have cost A$10 billion (5.1 billion). This figure set a new record for transport spending by the New South Wales Government, and its estimated the fully completed project will come in at A$45 billion (23.1 billion). However, the government also states the tunnel contributes to A$22 billion (11.3 billion) in savings due to reduced travel time and journey reliability. Lrdal Tunnel, Norway 15.23 miles (24.51km) Topping the longest road tunnels in the world is the Lrdal Tunnel in Norway. This 15.23-mile underground construction was started in 1995 and opened to the public in 2000. It took some 20 years to agree to the construction of the tunnel, which cost 1.1 billion Norwegian Kroner (85 million) to complete, which represents great value in the world of roads tunnelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was so much cheaper to build than most tunnels as the nature of the rock means the tunnel doesnt need to be lined and nor does it have to be made earthquake proof as they no not occur with any severity in Norway. The tunnel connects Lrdal and Aurland and con Lrdal Tunnel, Norway 15.23 miles (24.51km) While its the longest road tunnel in the world, the Lrdal Tunnel is also one of the most lightly used. On a typical day, it carries around 2050 vehicles, which is largely due to its remote location 180 miles to the northwest of Oslo. To alleviate the monotony of driving through the worlds longest road tunnel which is also straight throughout - this Norwegian project is divided into four sections, each separated by a large cave with parking areas. The caves have blue and yellow lighting to give the feel of a Norwegian sunrise, which is thought to give drivers brains a boost when they are tired. Police cameras have also been installed to combat speeding. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> Many themed restaurants out there are so life like, you feel like you've stepped into another realm as soon as you enter the door. For example, California's Enchanted Forest will convince you that you're suddenly in Middle Earth, while any Rainforest Cafe (there are only 16 of these nostalgic and kitschy restaurants left in the whole country) sweeps you into an animal-filled jungle. The same can be said for 66 Diner, a charming eatery located in Albuquerque, New Mexico one of a long line of diners along historic Route 66 that will transport you back to the 1950s faster than Marty McFly in a DeLorean time machine. 66 Diner is much more than Elvis Presley tunes and black-and-white checkered floors. The restaurant goes all in on what it was like to eat out in mid-century America. There's a soda fountain where patrons can order at counter seating; the stools and booths are resplendent in brightly colored upholstery; a jukebox lets customers choose their favorite classic hits; there are vintage signs galore; and employees are decked out in throwback 1950s uniforms. Even the menu showcases the kinds of foods popular with diner-goers roughly 70 years ago: classic cheeseburgers, fried chicken, meatloaf sandwiches, and liver and onions. That said, 66 Diner also pays homage to its New Mexico roots, with several dishes containing New Mexico green chiles plus meals like huevos rancheros and Frito pie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Signature Sandwich Of Every State Before the building became a diner, it was a gas station 66 Diner in Albuquerque, New Mexico - Deatonphotos/Shutterstock There are so many elements that contribute to a great dining experience here, from the excellent food to the friendly service and the sheer nostalgia of the decor. The 50s vibe is so strong at 66 Diner, it's easy to assume the restaurant's been continuously in business since the bygone era. In reality, the diner opened in 1987, but the building was once home to a Phillips 66 gas station and repair shop. In 1945, John H. Samuelson opened Sam's 66 Service Center, which also eventually sold cars. When the proprietors of 66 Diner moved into the building, they repurposed its rooms and structures. They turned the main gas station building into the kitchen, soda fountain, and front dining areas, while the old repair service area became the back dining room. In 1995, a devastating fire broke out at 66 Diner, destroying almost everything on site. The only thing that was salvaged was the 1958 jukebox, which is still churning out tunes in the restaurant today. To preserve the history of the site and the historical integrity of Route 66, the owners rebuilt the diner just as it was before, with a few minor adjustments to enhance efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Vintage steak dishes are sometimes unappetizing by today's standards. They're frequently made from less-than-choice cuts and some dishes, like Salisbury steak, are not really steak at all. You might not find such recipes gracing Michelin-style restaurants anytime soon, but their merit stems more from practicality. These older recipes are often affordable and relatively easy to cook. In the '40s and '50s, one such dish was Swiss steak. How do you make Swiss steak? Here's the good news: The best cuts of beef for Swiss steak are inexpensive as they're tenderized considerably. Round steaks work well, which brings us to the name. Swissing refers to tenderizing meat with a machine (and likely nothing to do with Switzerland). To make Swiss steak, you soften your steak with a mallet or a tenderizer until it's about half an inch thick. Recipes vary from here. Swiss steak is typically coated with a mix of flour and spices, browned with oil, and then simmered in a tomato-based gravy. Swiss steak is served with a sauce made with some combination of vegetables like tomatoes and onions as well as beef broth and Worcester sauce. When tougher cuts of meat are pounded flat and braised, you get a lot of mileage in terms of taste and texture even when using cheaper ingredients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 25 Popular Ruth's Chris Steak House Menu Items, Ranked Worst To Best What are the origins of Swiss steak? Overhead shot of plate of Swiss steak on wooden table. - Sergii Koval/Shutterstock Like many older recipes, the exact origins of Swiss steak are unknown. It may have originated in Indiana as early as the late 1800s. The dish seemed to gain some traction during this time throughout Indiana and Ohio, although who invented the dish and why is murky. There were a great deal of Swiss immigrants in this area at the time, so it's possible that the name Swiss steak did indeed originally relate to Switzerland, although as much is contested. At any rate, Swiss steak was something of a local specialty at the turn of the century. Swiss steak did not catch on nationwide until the 1940s and '50s. Reynold's Aluminum foil may have helped bring the dish to American kitchens, encouraging citizens to serve Swiss steak on foil for hassle-free cleanup. Wartime rationing may have also accelerated the Swiss steak trend. Many old-school steak dishes born during World War II were made from cheaper ingredients. Ration books encouraged Americans to stretch supplies throughout the war. Given Swiss steak uses cheaper cuts of meat and readily available ingredients, it likely fit right in with popular foods at the time. For more food and drink goodness, join our newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on Mashed. A Kailua-Kona woman was killed and six other people seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver crashed his pickup truck head-on into a vehicle with six occupants on Daniel K. Inouye Highway Thursday afternoon, Hawaii island police said. At about 4 :34 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers and personnel from the Hawaii Fire Department and Pohakuloa Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a head-on collision near the highways 25-mile marker, according to a police news release. Police said a 2022 Toyota pickup truck driven by a 43-year-old man was traveling east overtook multiple vehicles and struck a westbound 2014 Subaru multipurpose vehicle with six occupants head-on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One backseat passenger of the Subaru, identified as 47-year-old Anina Masaichy of Kailua-Kona, was unresponsive and pronounced dead at 7 :53 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown, and five other occupants of the Subaru were transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center. The injured Subaru occupants were a 3-week-old baby girl, a 4-year-old boy, a 17-year-old girl, and two adultsan 18-year-old woman and a 51-year-old manwho all sustained serious injuries. The baby and 4-year-old child were medevaced to Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children on Oahu, and the 17-year-old was flown to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. Medeiros was also medevaced to Queens where he remains in serious condition, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Medeiros for suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant ; first-degree negligent homicide ; three counts of first-degree negligent injury ; two counts of second-degree negligent injury ; reckless driving ; and driving without a license. Police said speed, alcohol and /or drugs are believed to be contributing factors in the crash. Daniel K. Inouye Highway was closed in both directions during the investigation and has since reopened. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Officer Laurence Davis at (808 ) 961-2391 or at Laurence.Davis @hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters may also call the departments non-emergency line at (808 ) 935-3311. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was Hawaii islands 19th traffic fatality of 2025 compared with 25 traffic fatalities at the same time last year. See more : 53 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One person has been injured after a shooting in west Columbus on Saturday morning. Authorities responded to the 3700 block of Briggs Road in the Hilltop at 6:34 a.m. on Saturday after report of a shooting, according to the Columbus Division of Police. One person was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Two suspects were detained, police said. Other details have yet to be released. The shooting remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. One person was sent to a hospital after a shooting in north Charlotte early Saturday morning, MEDIC said. MEDIC responded to the scene at the intersection of Wilson Heights Avenue and B Avenue just before 1 a.m. Saturday. There, they found one person had sustained a gunshot wound. That person was sent to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, MEDIC said. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH: Violent crime spree in Charlotte leaves community in shock I-10 eastbound lanes to close in Escambia County ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A portion of I-10 in Escambia County is set to close temporarily due to beam placement in the area. Midtown Mobile church fire: likely cause revealed According to a release from the Florida Department of Transportation, the closure will take place in the eastbound lanes near Exit 5, close to the Nine Mile Road interchange. Drivers should expect the closure from Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs will direct drivers to the designated detour via the eastbound ramps. This work is part of the $55 million I-10 bridge replacement project over Nine Mile Road, which aims at improving safety and expanding capacity for the estimated 62,000 drivers who travel this corridor daily, the release said. Robertsdale police arrest woman accused of abusing small child The project is weather-dependent. Drivers should use caution in the area and around workers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. NEED TO KNOW A Miami student was hit by a fire truck while crossing the street to get to school, authorities said The fire truck was transporting a patient to a hospital when it struck an 11-year-old girl The driver was inconsolable, a witness said in an on-camera news interview at the scene A young girl was hit by a City of Miami Fire Rescue truck while crossing the street and heading to school, according to local news stations. The 11-year-old was walking near SLAM Miami charter school when she was struck on the morning of Friday, Oct. 24, WPLG 10 reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the incident, around 8 a.m. local time, the Miami Fire Rescue (MFR) truck was driving south in a northbound lane while taking a patient to Jackson Memorial Hospital, MFR Lt. Pete Sanchez said, per the news station. Officer Mike Vega of the Miami Police Department noted to WLPG 10 that the MFR truck was "allowed" to drive "into the opposite traffic" because traffic was backed up and the patient needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible. As the truck went "into the opposite traffic" lane, the girl went "between two rows of stopped vehicles without looking to her left" and "just crossed," Vega continued. "I guess she realized what she had done and tried to back up, but by that time, it was too late." The truck's lights and sirens were on when the 11-year-old "unexpectedly stepped out between standstill traffic," Sanchez said. The MFR truck tried to "avoid the child" and "made an evasive maneuver," but struck her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews immediately stopped, began assessing the child, and rendered medical aid on scene," Sanchez told the outlet in an email. The patient who was being taken to the hospital was placed in another rescue vehicle, which continued the route. The little girl came out of nowhere, a mother named Hellen, who was dropping her daughter off at school at the time of the incident, told the news station in an on-camera interview. Her shoes they just flew off when she was struck. She ended up on this mark, she didnt move, the witness added. At the moment, it took time to react we thought she was gone. Rita Newa, a former nurse who also saw the situation unfold, told the outlet that "the driver was insolable. He broke down, he tried everything." She added that she hopes the child "pulls through." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were in emergency mode, which is lights and sirens, because they were taking a patient to the hospital, Sanchez said of the fire rescue truck, WSVN 7 reported. No crossing guards were present because school had already begun for the day, the outlet added. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a statement to NBC Miami, SLAM Miami said: "Earlier this morning, a SLAM Miami student was involved in an accident while crossing the street near the school. The student was struck by a City of Miami ambulance. Emergency medical personnel responded immediately, and the student was transported to the hospital to receive medical care. Our thoughts are with the student and their family during this difficult time. The school is in contact with the family and offering support. At this point, we are focused on the students well-being and are unable to share additional details." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospitals Ryder Trauma Center. Her condition has not been made public. PEOPLE reached out to MFR, the Miami Police Department and SLAM Miami for comment. Read the original article on People Air power may have proved lethally effective during the First World War, but the technology was still in its infancy. By 1939, however, European air forces as well as North American and Asian powers had developed planes with formidable speed, devastating armaments, and plenty of striking aesthetics. As the Second World War tore through borders and continents, the United States joined the struggle, and Allied forces bolstered their air power with the likes of the P-51 Mustang, Avro Lancaster, B-29 Superfortress, and increasingly lethal models of the Supermarine Spitfire. These fighters and bombers commanded fear, awe, and decades later huge prices in collectors' markets. Tough and brilliant, the following 13 aircraft are the most beautiful planes of the Second World War. They embody the grit and determination of the Allied forces, highlighting the era's design principles and the key elements of successful air combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 11 Of The Most Iconic Ground Attack Military Planes In History North American P-51 Mustang a P-51 Mustang - By Sonmez/Getty Images The P-51 Mustang is among the most recognized fighter aircraft in history. Roughly 8,000 P-51D variants were built, featuring a 'bubble top' that raised the transparent canopy in a rounded arch over the pilot's head. This allowed for greater visibility, enhancing maneuverability and confidence in the air. It was also the first aircraft to introduce a wing that generated laminar flow. This innovation reduced drag by as much as 50%, combined with the plane's conical lofting. This process created a much smoother outer finish with gradual curves running throughout the aircraft's geometry. P-51s took on numerous combat and air support roles, such as high altitude and long range attacks in Europe. P-51 operators ultimately destroyed more enemy aircraft than any other in the skies above Europe (4,950 confirmed kills, in total). Supermarine Spitfire two Supermarine Spitfires - Alex Dean/Getty Images The Supermarine Spitfire is the icon of British military aviation. It was designed by Reginald Mitchell, a tinkerer through and through and one of the most impressive aircraft designers of his time. Unfortunately, Mitchell succumbed to cancer and didn't live to see the Spitfire's immense role in the war. He did, however, see it become a realized vessel and take to the skies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powerful and classically designed, the fighter possessed a two-stage supercharged Merlin engine, a powerplant built in coordination with Rolls-Royce specifically for this vessel. It also featured an elliptical wing that wasn't just an aesthetic choice, although the silhouette is certainly striking. The thin cross-section of the wing's shape minimized drag, achieving much faster movement in the air. It also positioned the eight machine guns outside the propeller's spin diameter, which allowed the design to dispense with an interrupter gear and still fire at targets ahead. Relocated weaponry added another visual change that offered a potent reimagining of the plane's aesthetic language. The Spitfire was a nimble fighter built on an all-metal airframe that gave a resounding British answer to the German fighters that had been dominating the war effort. Spitfires destroyed 529 enemy aircraft throughout the war, while losing just 230. The aircraft was enhanced throughout the war, with two dozen new models. It was the basic foundation that got the little things right that provides an enduring visual statement that spectators still love today. Gloster Gladiator a Gloster Gladiator in flight - Andy_oxley/Getty Images A different sort of visual appeal can be found in the Gloster Gladiator. This was the RAF's last biplane built to offer forward fighting capabilities. It didn't last long in combat against the technically proficient German fighters, but the Gladiator remains a stunning artifact. The aircraft was designed on the classic double-wing design of the day and sported a single forward propeller and fixed landing gear beneath the hull. While its war service was limited as a result of rapidly evolving aircraft designs, the Gladiator had a small but defiant role in the defense of Malta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gladiator couldn't match the Luftwaffe, but the biplane maintains a special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts. Lockheed P-38 Lightning a Lockheed P-38 Lightning in flight - Angel Di Bilio/Getty Images An oddity during its time, the P-38 Lightning featured twin booms that connected the tail segment to the front of the aircraft, leaving an empty central area. The design lent itself perfectly to the support of a twin-engine capability, too, something that was prioritized in aerial fighting throughout the Pacific theater. The aircraft featured a significantly rounded nose, and the bulbous engine compartments just behind its twin propellers on either side of the cockpit complete the visual appeal. This was Lockheed's first military aircraft design, and so the decision to subvert the standard layout is surprising. Famously, Charles Lindbergh flew one in the Pacific and taught other pilots a technique to extend the fighter's range. Col. Robin Olds, a P-38 pilot, called it "the most beautiful plane of our generation." Not only were these unique fighter planes powered by a pair of Allison V-1710s, but the engines were turbocharged, delivering up to 1,700 bhp to provide both speed and high altitude capabilities (along with a rapid climb rate). The United States' leading ace during the war, Richard Bong, downed 40 enemy aircraft while flying a P-38 Lightning. The vessel hassled and confounded the enemy, so much so that it earned the nickname "the forked-tail devil" from German pilots. Boeing B-29 Superfortress Boeing B-29 Superfortress at sundown on tarmac - Steven_kriemadis/Getty Images The Boeing B-29 Superfortress took over where the B-17 'Flying Fortress' started. The B-29 was larger in all directions, the wings stretched out to a span of just over 141 feet, and the bomber's height came in at 27 feet, 9 inches, making it a little less than twice the height of a modern F-35 and dwarfed by the modern B-52's measurements. It featured twice the range and could also pack in 20,000 pounds of bombs, four times the capacity of the earlier model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sitting low on its landing gear and hugging the ground as it waited for liftoff, the massive frame was powered by four propeller engines and featured a large, segmented window that reached up and back over the cockpit. The 99-foot length and grisly array of machine gun barrels pointing out in every direction are all iconic visuals. The bomber was the first to place its crew in pressurized cabins, allowing the aircraft to reach supreme altitude levels outside the effective interception range of most enemy countermeasures. One pilot said of the aircraft, "It just blew my mind. First of all, its size, and then its capabilities..." Technically and visually stunning, the B-29 was a force of nature. Gloster Meteor black and white photo of a Gloster Meteor - Bettmann/Getty Images The Gloster Meteor was the only Allied jet fighter to see combat during the Second World War. The sleek fighter's polished aluminum panels featured subtle curves and jet engines ballooning from each wing in a smooth, aerodynamic form. The tail resembled a guitar pick with a rising vertical tail and a fin segment slashing horizontally through the upper portion of the element. From above, viewers will quickly spot an interesting detail. The wing shape is elongated front to back, with squat dimensions persisting throughout. The engines are positioned fairly close to the aircraft's centerline, with a roughly 5-foot separation from the fuselage to the powerplants. The tailfin extends to roughly the center of each engine. From there, the wings curve upward at a slight angle. The 'clipped' wings were likely the aircraft's most notable design feature among a raft of eye-catching visuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engineers chose this after testing issues with the Mk. 4 model. Chopping the wings down in the center spurs by nearly 6 feet allowed it to fly with much greater stability, and generating that compact look of engine and cockpit all densely packed together. Some Meteors were retrofitted with the wing modification because production had already begun, potentially forcing the team into this choice rather than redesigning the wings. Bell P-63 Kingcobra Bell P-63 Kingcobra with 'test' painted on side - BlueBarronPhoto/Shutterstock The Bell P-63 Kingcobra may have been designed for the U.S. Air Force, but it never flew with American insignia on its hull. Instead, the vessel was sent to the Soviet Union, where they were used for training and target practice. All told, more than 3,000 P-63s were produced (with around 2,300 going to the USSR and 300 heading to the Free French forces). These aircraft were outfitted with additional armor plating and a lighting system that indicated hits earned by pilots engaging them. The aircraft featured a propeller and a side door with a far more angular frame than most military aircraft of the era (and later, for that matter). The hull looks more like a low-wing Cessna cousin than anything that might have lifted off to protect bombers or shoot down enemy fighters. Its modest properties caused authorities to relegate the vessel to a lend-lease product rather than a fighter donning American or British liveries. Despite that, there's a certain charm about the Kingcobra. From its rounded bottom to the elongated nose and bulged cockpit, the aircraft can easily grow on viewers as a classic example of World War II-era innovation. Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star black and white photo of a Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star - Apic/Getty Images Named for its immense speed, the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the American answer to British and German jet fighters. It was the first U.S. aircraft to surpass the 500 mph threshold while in level flight (and could top 600 mph in certain models). It was the first American jet fighter to see combat (in the Korean War) and the first to be mass-produced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also helped that the fuselage featured a smooth outer skin with flush rivets to produce a massively aerodynamic flying machine with some resemblance to the equally flight-ready taper of a bullet. The jet was finished before the end of World War II, going from idea to working prototype in 143 days. Four examples (then designated YP-80) were sent to Europe. However, the war ended before they had a chance to participate in combat operations. Nevertheless, the P-80 is a crucially important WWII-era aircraft, and one that absolutely claims immense cool-factor. It was intended as a high altitude interceptor, but during the Korean War, it took on numerous other tasks. Hawker Hurricane a Hawker Hurricane parked on grass - FlyingRabbit/Shutterstock The Hawker Hurricane entered service for the RAF in 1937 and quickly became an instrumental fighting tool for the British. It was the lynchpin of aerial defense throughout 1940 and the Battle of Britain, in particular. At the outbreak of war, Britain had roughly 500 in service, and many flew across the channel to France in the early stages of the war. War production boomed, and by September 1940, the number of Hurricane squadrons in the Royal Air Force had nearly doubled from 18 to 32. During the Battle of Britain, Hurricane pilots destroyed more enemy aircraft than all other air and ground defenses combined. The aircraft had a cockpit with a sliding window closure to encase the pilot while offering overhead visuals. The short, sleek airframe is simplified, with a short taper that extends from nose to tail. It featured a classic propeller design and carried eight Browning machine guns fitted in the wings and capable of delivering .303 ammunition at an impressive clip. The fighter was fast, relentless, and deadly. De Havilland Mosquito two De Havilland Mosquitos - Rancho_runner/Getty Images The De Havilland Mosquito was a bomber developed with a lightweight plywood and balsa wood airframe. The result was a fast and agile bomber in stark contrast to hulking aircraft like the B-17 and B-29. It featured a strong wing taper that appears largely triangular from above, with the tops of the wings extending out to its 54-foot, 2-inch wingspan in a virtually flat topline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft would serve as a key bomber during the war, but got its start as a concept designed to compete in the England-Australia Air Race. The wooden frame was glued and screwed together. The body material obviously lent itself well to maneuverability, and tight turns produced audible vortices at the wing tips. The aircraft was produced in plywood segments that were then joined together with balsa segments, offering spacing between the inner and outer faces. The exterior was fitted with an aircraft fabric to round out the production. Some 8,000 Mosquitoes were built across Britain, Canada, and Australia, and many were delivered to American flyers through various channels, including the lend-lease program (in reverse). These vessels retained the British naming conventions, but those from Canadian sources were reclassified as 'F-8s' and used for photo reconnaissance. Two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines delivered 3,380 horsepower, combined. The burly nose segment housing the power system draws the eyes first, and the aircraft follows a fairly straightforward taper from there back to the rounded tail fin. Vickers Wellington Vickers Wellington bomber flying - Historical/Getty Images The Wellington was the only British bomber produced throughout the war. It featured a geodetic airframe construction, with something of a honeycomb frame underpinning the vessel's body structure. This choice also allowed for free movement within the aircraft from front to back. The bomber featured a cockpit set back away from the stout nose, while also providing a forward-facing gun turret in a secondary cabin shoved right into the tip of the plane. Another was positioned under the tail and covered the vessel's hindquarters. The aircraft was quite square in its dimensions. There's a slight taper upward along the bottom of the plane, but the top funnels air essentially straight back over the fuselage. Two propeller engines are crammed in close to the body, and the wings continue outward at a slightly raised angle. The tailpiece was exceedingly tall and housed a singular fin and rudder design that became "a characteristic feature of the Wellington." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bomber was capable in numerous other roles. They were outfitted with powerful searchlights to support nighttime operations, and anti-submarine and other maritime defense tasks, in particular. Wellingtons made up the bulk of bombers participating in the first 1,000-bomber raid over Germany in May 1940, and one was even built in its entirety in just under 24 hours. Vought F4U Corsair a Vought F4U Corsair on the tarmac - M T Bostic/Shutterstock The British Navy introduced prototype aircraft carriers during the First World War, but it wasn't until the Second that these vessels became indispensable. In the Pacific Theater, American carriers launched fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers, securing victories at Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, and numerous others. Aircraft carriers have been the supreme naval force ever since, although there are numerous carrier alternatives. Among the aircraft launched from carriers in WWII, the Vought F4U Corsair is among the most important. It ran with a 13-foot propeller to deliver major velocity in the air (surpassing the 400 mph mark). To accommodate the extra size, the plane featured inverted gull wings that dip midway along their length. After extensive tests, engineers chose this design to provide low drag, huge speed, and carrier-specific qualities including stout landing gear, slow-speed performance, and acceptable stall figures.The result was a winning aircraft produced in huge numbers, with over 12,000 built by the time the F4U ceased production in 1952. With a length of just over 33 feet and a wingspan of 41 feet, the small fighter looked a bit like the classic P-51 Mustang from the side, but that dipped wing elevated the design to another level. Avro Lancaster an Avro Lancaster flying - Pawel Bednarski 303/Shutterstock The Avro Lancaster was Britain's most successful bomber during the war. It had four massive engines delivering 1,460 horsepower each (the iconic Merlin engines that helped support many British aircraft). Avro produced some 7,300 Lancasters, which specialized in night bombing operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft was a real bruiser. Two bulbous gun turrets greeted viewers from the front (with many more located elsewhere). The pilot was situated above in a cockpit featuring a large glass enclosure wrapping overhead and all the way around the seats. The oval-shaped fuselage, combined with the front compartments, made the vessel look like something of a gigantic over-under shotgun. The massive wings spanning 102 feet were roughly symmetrical, and the aircraft featured dual tailfins rising from either end of the tailwing (itself measuring 33 feet across). This backend design supported greater flight stability and a wider field of fire for the gunner positioned in the rear. The Lancaster casts a menacing shadow from below. The bomber replaced an earlier 'Manchester' model that flew with two engines but wasn't powerful enough, with most ultimately lost to engine failure. The Lancaster flipped the script. The bomber was crewed by seven and carried over 33,000 pounds of bombs and fuel, with a nearly 2,500-mile range. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Oct. 24GRANITEVILLE Seventeen deceased people were given a joint funeral on Oct. 23 during the Aiken County Coroner Office's annual paupers' burial, a funeral service for individuals who have not been claimed by family members or who were unable to otherwise have a traditional funeral. The service took place at Graniteville Cemetery. Coroner Darryl Ables said that his team doesn't pass any judgment when it comes to why these individuals are unspoken for whether it's due to financial inability to make funeral arrangements or because a family member is estranged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We get involved in making sure that their final arrangements are taken care of and that they're laid to rest in a respectful, dignified manner," he said. "I think it's an important program to have. I think we show support to our community by taking care of the ones that are less fortunate. Those who may have lost contact with families over the years for whatever reason," he said. "We make sure they are laid to rest as best we can." Several of the deceased had family members in attendance. Ables said that tracking those family members down can often be challenging. "Sometimes it is very difficult to locate family members because they have estranged themselves from one another... we do our best through a multitude of software programs to locate those families," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, other attendees came who had no connection to those being laid to rest and just wanted to offer their support. One woman came from Greenville to honor the life of her father, who was one among the 17. The woman, who requested to go by A.B., said that it means a great deal to her to see the community come together even for people they don't know. She said she was informed of her father's death a month ago. "This is nice," she said. "This is nice that they do that and that there are community members who come out and pay respects... I do believe in paying respects to the dead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope that somebody will do it for me someday," she added, "and I know that might sound morbid, but it's nice to know that there are people who are willing to be here for someone who they didn't have a clue about." At the gravesite, George Grinton was one of three members with the Sheriff's Office Pipes and Drums team who performed at the start and end of the ceremony. Grinton said he's been playing at this event for 15 years. "Everybody deserves a nice send off. Being able to play the bagpipes for these people even though we don't know them, we're actually, we feel honored to do it and happy to do it," Grinton said. The 17 honored individuals were cremated and their remains will be buried side by side in two rows. These individuals include Katie Ryans, Lorraine Hargrove, Jeffry Cofield, David Gleaton, Clarence Byrd, Jesse Gordon, Katherine Propst, George Cadelli, Donnie Busbee, Erica Clemmons, Charles Broom, Walter Colden, Robert Hopkins, Candace McDaniel, Kather Isaac, Steven Coats and Wallace Lowman. All deaths occurred either in 2024 or 2025. Many people instinctively know when something in their body is not functioning correctly. Whether it's a mysterious new symptom, an unusual bump, or a persistent pain, the change often prompts them to visit a doctor. This, in many cases, is how individuals are diagnosed with cancer... ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection If you experienced surprising symptoms that led to a cancer diagnosis, feel free to tell your story using this anonymous form! 1. "I initially thought I was going through menopause. My period had always been irregular (I had pelvic inflammatory disease when I was younger), but it was becoming more irregular. I went to see the doctor, who ran a few blood tests, sent me for an ultrasound, and said I was too young to be going through menopause, so it must be because of my weight." 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection / Via youtube.com "He never sent me to a gynecologist, but instead told me I needed to 'Say no to desserts' and go for a walk in the evening. Fast-forward a year. I start bleeding, and it doesn't stop for a month. I go back to the doctor, and he again tells me its my weight and complications from the PID. Five months later, Im still bleeding lightly, on and off, but it still happens daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then one day, as I was getting groceries out of the car, I banged my stomach on the tailgate, which hurt terribly, so I took acetaminophen and went to bed. The next morning, I woke up covered in blood that had soaked down to my mattress. I panicked, went to the hospital, and within four hours, I was undergoing an emergency D&C and a blood transfusion. The biological material from the D&C was sent away for testing. Turns out, I had endometrial cancer, and it was very likely present 18 months earlier when I first went to see the doctor who told me I needed to 'stop eating desserts.'" u/FormalMango Related: "I Hope This Helps Someone, Too": People Are Sharing The One Thing They Always Turn To When It Hasn't Been Your Day, Your Week, Your Month, Or Even Your Year 2. "I had bone pain for about four months, but I didnt do anything about it, then I noticed my posture was changing. I still didn't do anything about it because I was busy with work and family, but one day at work, I sneezed and broke a rib. So the next day, I went to urgent care, where they performed blood tests." "The doctors came in and told me that I needed to go to the hospital and start chemo immediately. They said I had about two weeks left before extreme organ failure led to my death. The chance of surviving a few more months was less than one percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma bone marrow cancer. Essentially, my bones were dissolving, which caused them to weaken and break. The calcium from my bones was harming my kidneys and other organs. That was 14 years ago this Thanksgiving. I underwent chemo and had a stem cell transplant. I still take expensive drugs each day, but am in good shape." u/universal-traveler-2 3. "My first symptom was full-body hives, but that wasn't what led me to the doctor. I was in college, so I dealt with the hives for months, thinking I had developed a new allergy. I was waiting for winter break so I could address it at home. But my PCP told me to take antihistamines (which I had been doing and it was not helping)." "It wasnt until I developed a random blind spot in my eye that my mom took me to the ER. They ordered a head CT that caught just enough of my chest to show that all my lymph nodes were swollen. I was admitted and later diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second time I got diagnosed, I hadn't been experiencing any symptoms, but had thankfully kept up with my annual appointments. My oncologist found a small lump above my left clavicle, in the same place as my original biopsy location. I'm currently finishing up treatment, and I cant wait for this all to be over." u/Chellemam 4. "When I was around 50, I began getting dizzy every time I stood up, but it didn't seem alarming as much as annoying. It worsened over the course of a week, but I just ignored it, assuming it was due to fatigue. On day six, I began hearing my pulse in my ears during these bouts of dizziness. I wrote to my PCP to ask if this was urgent or if I should make a regular appointment. The next day, the pulse evolved into temporary hearing loss, and my eyesight began fading, so I went to the ER." Alex-mit / Getty Images "I walked in and asked to see someone. The nurse looked at me, said, 'Wow, you look pale. I think we need you to skip the line. Come with me,' and drew blood for urgent labs. My hemoglobin level was 4.0g/dL, which is so low that the lab initially thought there had been an error. They drew more blood, and it came back as 3.8. The nurse said she had never seen anyone come in with that low a number who hadn't been shot, not to mention walked in and seemed lucid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I immediately got a room and had eight pints of blood transfused back-to-back just to get me up to 8.0. Afterward, I was sent for a CT scan to find out why I was bleeding. Turns out, I had a rare form of pancreatic cancer that had grown from the tail of my pancreas, into and around my spleen, and was heading towards my stomach. It had blocked up enough blood vessels that I had more than a dozen that were bulging and could burst any minute. One of them in my stomach had burst already, and I had been digesting my own blood for more than a week. The doctors think I lost nearly 80% of my blood supply without realizing anything was wrong. After all was said and done, my tumor turned out to be 19 cm, but had somehow not metastasized. The surgery to remove it included taking my spleen, two-thirds of my pancreas, and a few dozen lymph nodes, all of which were clear of any tumor cells." u/syzygy96 5. "One night in October 2023, out of nowhere, my left hand went numb and began uncontrollably spasming. I started panicking and managed to tell the people I was living with at the time what was happening before I completely lost consciousness." "The next thing I remember, I was waking up in an ambulance covered in blood from biting my tongue, and asking the EMTs what was going on. They explained I had experienced a cluster of tonic-clonic seizures. Immediately after hearing that, another one occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countless MRIs and a brain biopsy later, I was diagnosed with an inoperable grade two astrocytoma on my right parietal lobe. Luckily, it's been stable (and even shrunk) a bit since starting treatment." u/trappedghost 6. "I was 26 and pregnant for the first time when I was diagnosed with cancer: Since my early 20s, I had had a small black spot on my foot. It never hurt, and when I originally brought it up to the doctor, they said it was just dead skin and if it doesnt hurt, I should just leave it." "Fast-forward to pregnancy, my foot really hurt and was causing pain with every step. Again, it was dismissed by many doctors, who told me that 'first-time pregnancy legs and feet tend to hurt.' When I was six months pregnant, I couldnt handle the pain anymore, and finally convinced one doctor to cut the dead skin. She did, but didnt send it for testing. The skin healed after a week, and I returned because it was still hurting. Then she said, 'Thats not dead skin,' cut it again, and finally sent it for testing. The results came back as stage three melanoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently, it's the only type of cancer that can spread through the placenta to the baby. Doctors indicated the cells were active, which is why I was feeling so much pain." u/Lifexxxx Related: 19 Wholesome Posts I Saw This Week That Were So Cute, They Legitimately Put Me In A Happier Mood 7. "I was soaping up in the shower to shave my armpits when I felt a grape-sized lump on my right breast on the side closest to my armpit. I'm small-chested, so it was pretty noticeable after I realized it was there. You could see it protruding slightly if I lifted my arms over my head." FX on Hulu / Courtesy Everett Collection "I got an appointment with my doctor the next day. He checked it and suggested it was a clogged milk duct, but sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound anyway. The mammogram went smoothly, but then I arrived at the ultrasound room. The technician took images and then left to speak with the doctor. When she came back into the room, she said that he needed more images that concentrated on my armpit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I immediately knew what the outcome would be. She left to speak to the doctor again and came back with an appointment scheduled for a biopsy. I was originally told that the appointment was going to be a consult and that I would have the biopsy done at the hospital a couple of days later. To my surprise, I got to the surgery clinic and the surgeon saw my scans and decided to do an ultrasound biopsy right there that day. I was sobbing while a chunk was being removed from the lump. Less than two weeks after finding the lump, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage one, at 38 years old. My kids were 4 years old and 10 years old at the time. I've since had a lumpectomy, 20 sessions of radiation, a reconstruction surgery, and have been on hormone therapy for nearly a decade. I finally had my first 'No evidence of disease' scan this past April." u/Spirited_Penalty_229 8. "I got SUPER lucky. One day, when I was 17 years old, I was lying on the couch and realized I was rubbing a lump on my back, so I went to show it to my dad. He and my mother were divorced, and by chance, he was renting the master bedroom out to a nurse. He walked me down the hall, knocked on her door, and had her feel it. She said it felt hard, and I should get it checked out." "The next week, I was in a doctors office, and less than a week after that, I was getting it removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks later, they removed the stitches, and at that point, they still didnt know what it was. Three labs failed to determine it. It had to be sent out of state, where it was finally identified as a very rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that kills 60% of the people who develop it. The doctors bypassed chemo and immediately sent me for surgery and amputations. I had a second wide excision surgery on my spine to remove the surrounding area. Everything came back clear because we basically caught it before it could spread. This all happened because we rented a room to a nurse. If my parents werent divorced, I would probably be dead." u/he2lium 9. "I had what I thought was a canker sore on the back of my tongue, a metallic taste in my mouth, and tingling of the tongue. It wouldn't go away, so I tried different kinds of mouthwashes and rinses. Later, when I went for a dental cleaning, I mentioned it to the hygienist. She didn't think it was anything, but decided to be on the safe side and suggested that I see an oral surgeon. I was supposed to get it checked by my doctor the following week, but I had to reschedule an earlier appointment due to the pandemic." "I went to the oral surgeon, and he thought it was just my teeth cutting into my tongue, but he noticed another spot on the side of my tongue that looked like a pimple, which he was more concerned about because it was a buildup of fatty tissue. He said that since he was going to biopsy the one spot, he would just biopsy both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turns out, both were tongue cancer, stages zero and one. Because it was an aggressive cancer, and it had been growing for over a year, I had to undergo a partial glossectomy." u/No-Ask9973 Related: "They Had No Idea How Dangerous It Was." Doctors Are Calling Out The "Bad" Habits That Are Actually Ruining Your Health 10. "I was rolling around on the floor, showing my son some wrestling moves. He was lying across my chest when I noticed I couldn't breathe. I went to my primary doctor, who ordered an X-ray. The X-ray tech was adamant that I go back to my doctor immediately. The doctor reviewed the X-ray and referred me to the cardiology department. The cardiologist identifies it as cardiac tamponade , and over the next couple of days, nearly a gallon of fluid is drained out of my pericardium." Skaman306 / Getty Images "A couple of years later, I became super cold at work like teeth chattering cold in the middle of September. Turns out, it was sepsis! I ended up in the ER and was hospitalized for a few days while the antibiotics did their thing. During my stay, I underwent a CT scan that found some stuff in my chest. Doctors took a biopsy and told me they didn't know what it was, but not to worry because 'it's not cancer.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few months later, they sent the biopsied tissue to a pathologist in Boston, who said that it could be Erdheim-Chester disease. My doctor was excited because it meant I was a medical unicorn! My own excitement faded quickly when I read about it online, and the first paragraph ended with 'Mean life expectancy is 3.5 years post-diagnosis.' The oncologist was very nice, but said there was nothing he could do for me. BUT that he'd heard there might be someone in town who might know something. Sure enough, he found the only guy on the West Coast who knew anything about ECD and got me a referral. ECD is classified as a blood cancer, and it turns out one of the tumors it gifted me is situated on a vein directly outside my heart. Hence, I had to undergo a pericardial drain. Apparently, some people got total remission from the chemo I'm on, but I'm not one of them. The chemo is holding it steady, though. It's been eight years since I was diagnosed, so I guess daily chemo is working out for now. My immediate goal when diagnosed was to live long enough to see my kids graduate from high school. Now they're both in college, and I guess I should set new goals." u/josteos 11. "I had an itch, which I thought was thrush. I tried the usual meds, but they didn't help. The itch worsened to the point where it could not be relieved. The doctor tried stronger variants of the medication, but it didn't help." "They eventually referred me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with VIN 111, but I pushed for another test, and the biopsy showed vulvar cancer. I underwent a full vulvectomy, clitoris removal, etc. It turned out to be stage three cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes, so I had to undergo surgery, chemo, and radiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors are often surprised that I was diagnosed at 34 because it's usually older women who develop this type of cancer. I'm four years clear this month." u/significantmorsel 12. "My only symptom was feeling a lump on the bottom part of my right testicle. It didn't hurt at all, even if I pressed it lightly, so I wasn't worried, but I still decided to do the responsible thing and get a testicular ultrasound." "So I got an appointment with a urologist, showed him my ultrasound, and he examined my lump. When he was done, he told me, 'We need to remove that lump. We could try to cut around and save the testicle, but it's not worth it considering that simply removing the testicle gets rid of the lump and you can live normally.' He sent me for some blood tests, an X-ray, and scheduled me for the removal. The surgery and recovery were quick. It took two months to get the results on the biopsy of my lump, but the diagnosis was very early-stage malignant cancer. Now, four years later, everything is fine, and I still undergo yearly blood tests to ensure this remains the case. Also, because it was early-stage, there was practically no risk of metastasis, so I didn't have to go through chemo or radiotherapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though I was unlucky to get testicular cancer at 21 years old, I feel I got lucky in catching it at a very early stage because back then, I didn't have the habit of checking my testicles, so it was just by chance that I felt like doing it in that moment." u/Pokadats 13. "One morning, my 16-year-old son showed me his bleeding gums. I thought it was weird and scheduled a dental appointment for the next day. At lunch, he showed me purple, freckle-like spots that had appeared on his feet. When I called the triage nurse at our family clinic to determine if this was a dental issue or a medical issue, she told me to take him to the ER immediately." Summit Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection "I did, and he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and transferred by ambulance to the childrens hospital an hour away. They immediately started him on chemo because he was high risk with an extremely high white blood count and had disseminated intravascular coagulation, which meant he was bleeding out internally because he didnt have any platelets. He was in an inpatient for 17 days and received 50 blood product transfusions most of them platelets. After nine months of arsenic IV chemo and chemo pills, he went into molecular remission and beat it. Hes been off therapy since the middle of June, and spent his summer hiking, fishing, and camping as if nothing ever happened. Hes back in school with straight As and aiming for college scholarships to pursue wildlife conservation." u/SpaceSparkle 14. "I'm a diabetic, so I have routine appointments with an endocrinologist. One day, I mentioned that I'm constantly cold at night. As in, it will be 85 degrees, and I want to sleep under a comforter with the heat on." "I underwent an ultrasound, and it found a nodule that was right on the border. They biopsied it, and it showed a 75% chance that it was dangerous. Ten days ago, I decided to have surgery to remove my entire thyroid. I got the pathology report back on Friday: thyroid cancer. But fortunately, it's all been removed. I'm still cold, but haven't started taking my replacement thyroid pills yet." u/Sp1dyL1fe Related: First Responders Are Revealing "Fatal" Safety Mistakes People Make All The Time (And What To Do Instead) 15. "I was having watery discharge that smelled metallic and horrific periods with bleeding in between. I had undergone a pap smear two years prior and a pelvic exam a year later, neither of which had detected anything, so I wasn't too worried until these symptoms popped up. Once my OB/GYN opened me up, she told me she could see a tumor popping out. I had stage three cervical cancer. Turns out, the tumor was growing closer to the uterus, so the brush couldnt catch it." Artisan Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection "Four months into treatment, my lymph nodes were back to normal, and the tumor was almost gone. I underwent six weeks of chemoradiation with immunotherapy, then four surgeries for brachytherapy. I finished treatment eight months ago, my last two scans were clear, and Im feeling great, other than dealing with the side effects of radiation. I'm lucky that I was still considered curable at my stage and tumor type. My oncologist told me most women ignore those symptoms and dont see a doctor. Please get the HPV vaccine, and get it for your kids. My mom never got me vaccinated because of all the misinformation and fear being spread about it (I thought I was vaccinated because I had gotten everything else as a teen)." u/paisley-pirate 16. "My symptoms were a feeling of fullness in my bottom when sitting down and bright red blood in my stool when wiping. I was 40 years old at the time and visited my doctor right away, but she dismissed it as hemorrhoids." "Within two months, my stools had changed shape, and I was losing weight. I reached back out to my doctor, who referred me to a gastroenterologist. From the onset of my symptoms to when I was able to finally see a specialist was six months. They ordered a colonoscopy, but it was initially denied by my health insurer. My GI doctor appealed and had to move the procedure to a hospital before it was approved. The day of my colonoscopy, I had lost 45 pounds since my first visit to the doctor six months prior. When I woke up from the colonoscopy, my gastroenterologist told me they found a 7-centimeter mass that was likely cancer. They took biopsies, and a few days later, those were confirmed as malignant. I had blood work and a series of imaging over the next month and was eventually diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer with metastasis to the pelvic organs, lungs, and one adrenal gland. This was in May 2025, and now I'm almost through with my first phase of treatment. I start round seven tomorrow and should finish round eight the first week of November. My following treatment after that will be 2535 rounds of chemoradiation. As of today, no cancer DNA can be detected in my blood, my primary tumor is now undetectable through imaging, and all my metastasized nodes have shrunk by more than 50%." u/LogRevolutionary1584 17. Lastly, "When I was 16, I had a bump on the roof of my mouth. After they drained and biopsied it, doctors said it was a pinched salivary duct. However, when I was 21, it returned in the same exact spot. I then found out it was a tumor. Outside of the bump, I had no other symptoms. It was a slow-growing oral cancer that generally affects older people and the lower jaw. Because it is slow-growing, there was no chemo or radiation, only surgery." Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection "I had to have the entire right side of the roof of my mouth, my back two teeth, half the jawbone where the teeth were, the bone between my nose and mouth, and my sinus lining in the right side of my mouth removed. This was between semesters in my senior year of college, and I basically had a retainer that covered all the removal. After graduation, I had a reconstruction surgery where they moved veins and arteries from my forearm to the roof of my mouth, and a skin graft from my upper arm all in all, I have about three inches of scarless skin on my right arm. Right before they wheeled me back for my first surgery, my doctor let us know they pulled the slides from when I was 16. Turns out the bump was cancer then, too, but they missed it the first time. I'm considered cancer-free now, but I had to have yearly scans and check-ups for the first decade." u/aewalker1926 Did any of these stories surprise you? Those who've had cancer, what were the concerning symptoms that made you go to the doctor? Tell us in the comments or answer anonymously using the form below! Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Also in Goodful: A New Study Has Revealed A Serious Downside To Being A Firstborn Or Only Child Also in Goodful: "As A 34-Year-Old, I Think My Time Doing This Is Far Over": People Are Revealing The Everyday Things That Age A Person Really, Really Quickly Also in Goodful: "My Husband Was Shocked": Women Are Sharing The Everyday Routines And Practices They Do In Private That Have Men Incredibly Baffled Read it on BuzzFeed.com Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A party attended by more than 150 people ended when gunfire erupted, killing at least two and wounding 11 in a rural area near Maxton, N.C., early Saturday morning. Maxton is located about 30 miles southwest of Fayetteville, and the shooting occurred at a large party on Dixon Drive during the early-morning hours, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office. "Thirteen individuals have been shot, with two confirmed deceased and several others critically injured," the Sheriff's Office said in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no current threat to the community as this appears to have been an isolated incident," the Sheriff's Office said. "More than 150 people ran from the location before law enforcement arrived." The identities of those killed have not been released yet but will be after their respective families have been notified, WBTV reported. The shooting occurred shortly before 3 a.m. EDT. Saturday morning's mass shooting happened after veteran Nigel Edge, 40, was charged with killing three while firing a semi-automatic rifle from a boat at patrons of a waterfront bar called the American Fish Company in Southport, N.C., on Sept. 27. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Two girls were shot in Southeast D.C. on Friday, according to police. The Metropolitan Police Department said two juvenile girls, who are believed to be teenagers, were shot in the 800 block of Yuma Street. Federal workers without paychecks; SNAP funding deadlines loom The girls were conscious and breathing and walked into a hospital, according to police. There is no lookout at this time for who was involved in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) Two people were hospitalized in Somerset after a three-vehicle crash on Saturday. Just after 4 p.m. on Oct. 25, the Somerset Fire Department posted on Facebook that crews had been sent to the intersection of North Main Street and West Limestone Street in response to reports of an injury crash. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Firefighters reportedly stabilized the vehicles and went to help those involved in the crash before cleaning up the debris. A utility pole was also found damaged. Two people were taken to the hospital, according to authorities. Their conditions have not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky Utilities was informed about the pole, and officers with the Somerset Police Department helped at the scene. An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Two workers at a redevelopment site near Boston Harbor were killed when a construction crane toppled from a barge on the Mystic River on Friday, authorities said. One worker was pronounced dead at a hospital and another died at the scene, the police chief for the city of Everett, Paul Strong, said at the scene. One of the victims had to be extracted from the downed crane, the chief said. Their identities will be released after family is notified, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria told NBC Boston that the victims were young men who worked for a private company helping to dismantle the onetime fuel terminal, which opened in 1965. May they rest in eternal peace, DeMaria said of the men. The estimated time of the collapse on Friday was unavailable. Its not clear why the crane collapsed, and the question will be part of an investigation, authorities said. Aerial imagery from NBC Boston showed what appeared to be a construction cranes red tower flat on its barge and across adjacent docks. In a statement, the Everett Fire Department praised first responders for their help in reaching the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a complex technical rescue which involved our members as well as crews from our mutual aid partners, it said, adding that those at the scene did a tremendous job. DeMaria said the collapse happened at a site formerly owned by ExxonMobil. Everett Landco, a joint venture redeveloping the former marine terminal, said on its website that its October operations included taking down storage tanks and dismantling offices at the location. The joint venture said by email that all work based on the barge where the crane was operating has been paused. We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that occurred today in Everett, Everett Landco said. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives and to everyone affected by this incident. We are working closely with public safety officials and the contractors performing the work to gather information and understand what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entitys website said the location was once used to distribute petroleum products and store gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, oil and asphalt. Plans include 7.2 million square feet of industrial structures, manufacturing buildings, offices and retail along the Mystic River, which feeds into nearby Boston Harbor, the company said. ExxonMobil did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Everett has a population just shy of 50,000 and is 6 miles north of downtown Boston. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEED TO KNOW Two men were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Poland on Oct. 21 The blast was caused by a World War II artillery shell, according to Gubczyce police Police also discovered another explosive wartime souvenir as they searched the apartment amid their investigation Two people were injured after a World War II artillery shell exploded inside an apartment building in Poland. At around 7:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Oct. 21, police in Gubczyce received reports that a window in an apartment building on Mickiewicza Street was hanging unnaturally as if an explosion had occurred, police stated in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon further investigation, officers discovered that an object had exploded inside an apartment where two men, aged 62 and 65, and a 45-year-old woman had been drinking alcohol. One of the men and the woman had blood alcohol levels 12 times over the legal driving limit in Poland, CBS News reported. According to the police news release, both of the men sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the blast. One of them had to be taken to the hospital due to their leg wound. Gubczyce Police The apartment where a WWII artillery shell exploded in Poland The apartment where a WWII artillery shell exploded in Poland Other residents of the apartment building and people living in nearby houses were evacuated amid the polices investigation. Dogs trained to detect the scent of explosives assisted alongside bomb disposal experts from the Independent Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Police in Katowice at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary findings indicate that the explosion was caused by a World War II artillery shell that detonated in the apartment, per the police news release. The owner of the premises allegedly revealed that they brought the object home after finding it in the woods several years ago. Another explosive wartime souvenir was discovered as police searched their apartment, which had to be secured and neutralized at a military training ground. We remind you that if you discover an object resembling an unexploded ordnance, you must not, under any circumstances, move, touch, or disarm it, the police warned. The area where it is located should be secured from access by unauthorized persons, especially children." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Gubczyce Police Police at scene of the explosion Police at scene of the explosion If you are in an open space or forest, mark the area so that no one enters it and it can be easily found, the police continued. Report the discovery to the nearest police station as soon as possible. Officers will secure the area and notify the bomb disposal unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Remember that very large projectiles can have a range of up to several hundred meters," they concluded. Gubczyce police officers are working alongside the District Prosecutors Office in Gubczyce to investigate the apartment building explosion. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes after a building inspector approved. PEOPLE reached out to Gubczyce police on Friday, Oct. 24, but did not receive an immediate response. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW The Fort Worth Police Department said two of its officers, with the help of bystanders, saved the life of a baby girl The girl was pinned under a car following a vehicle crash on I-30 in Texas on Thursday, Oct. 23 In police bodycam footage, the officers could be seen pulling the child from underneath the car and providing CPR until first responders arrived Texas police are praising the heroic efforts of two officers, who saved a baby who was pinned under a car following a crash. According to a release from the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD), along with bodycam footage of the high-stakes rescue, Sgt. R. Nichols and Officer E. Bounds were able to rescue the baby from the trapped vehicle with the help of some bystanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FWPD shared in its Oct. 24 statement that the incident happened on Thursday, Oct. 23. The two officers responded to a vehicle crash on I-30 between Eastchase Parkway and Cooks Lane that resulted in a mother and her 1-year-old child being ejected from the car. The infant was pinned beneath the overturned vehicle and was unresponsive, police said. WARNING: The following video contains graphic footage. In the bodycam footage, an officer could be seen running toward the overturned vehicle and bending down on the grass to see if anyone was still trapped inside the car. After locating the child, the officer could be heard telling bystanders, [The childs] right under here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to move the car. I think the babys under here. Keep moving, he said as the bystanders continued to help push the vehicle over. The officer then reached over when the car was lifted to the side by bystanders and pulled the child to safety from underneath the car. He and the other officer turned the child over to check if she was still breathing. One of the officers, identified as Nichols, started chest compressions on the girl while the other attempted to clear her airways. One of the officers could be heard saying, She has a pulse. Is she breathing though? Nichols kept up chest compressions, as Bounds said, I think I feel her breath. I feel her breathing. The infant could be heard making sounds of struggling to breathe as the officers continued CPR. Eventually, the child let out a cry, letting the officers know that she was alright. Fort Worth Police Department/Facebook Scene of the car crash Scene of the car crash Sgt. Nichols immediately began to perform CPR on the unconscious infant, eventually waking the child and keeping her alive until [the] Fort Worth Fire Department arrived on scene, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the video, a firefighter could be seen wrapping the child up and carrying her into an ambulance to receive further medical care. Police said that at this time, the woman and infant are in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The FWPD praised the officers and bystanders for their heroic efforts. We are beyond proud of the lifesaving actions performed by Sgt. Nichols and Officer Bounds for their bravery and quick response to this terrible scene, the department said in their statement. We are also grateful to the Fort Worth citizens who saw someone in danger and, without hesitation, assisted our officers. Read the original article on People A 27-year-old man from Meriden has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for manslaughter and firearm charges, officials said. Brandon Ramons was sentenced to four decades in prison on Oct. 20, after he was previously found guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit on July 29, in New Haven Superior Court. The sentencing comes after Ramos was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for illegally possessing a loaded firearm back in June 2024, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the evidence introduced at trial, in the early morning of Aug. 22, 2021, Ramos fatally shot Jyineez Cruz, 20, of Meriden. During their investigation, the Meriden Police Department determined that Ramos was hosting a birthday party at his recording studio in downtown Meriden when he engaged in an argument with Cruz in the parking lot outside. During the argument, Ramos walked to a nearby parked car to retrieve a .45 caliber handgun and returned to the location of the argument and shot Cruz three times. Cruz was pronounced dead on scene. Ramos did not have a permit to carry a pistol at the time of the incident. An arrest warrant was secured for Ramos in September 2021 and he was extradited from the state of Florida in December of that year, according to officials. Ramos, who was previously out on bond, also has other charges for allegedly fleeing from police after pulling a gun in a Southington bar and aiming it at the bar staff back in 2023, police said. For that incident, he was charged with first-degree threatening, interfering with an officer, reckless endangerment and engaging in a pursuit in connection with the incident, according to the Southington Police Department. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com TBILISI, Georgia (AP) Three Chinese citizens have been arrested in Georgias capital, Tbilisi, while attempting to illegally purchase 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of uranium, the countrys State Security Service said Saturday. The suspects planned to transport the nuclear material to China through Russia, the security service said in a statement, while also releasing video footage of the detention operation. Three Chinese citizens have been detained in Tbilisi while attempting to illegally purchase 2 kilograms of nuclear material uranium, the agency said, adding that members of the criminal group planned to pay $400,000 (344,000 euros) for the radioactive material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the authorities, a Chinese citizen already in Georgia, who was in breach of Georgian visa regulations, brought experts to Georgia to search for uranium throughout the country. Other members of the criminal group coordinated the operation from China, the statement said. The perpetrators were identified and detained while "negotiating the details of the illegal transaction, the security service said. The agency did not specify when the arrests occurred or provide the identities of the suspects. NEED TO KNOW Three people were found dead outside their home in Conroe, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 23 Police said "preliminary facts and evidence suggest the incident is believed to be a murder-suicide" The dead were identified as 52-year-old Salvador Ramirez and 39-year-old Maria Ramirez, as well as a 3-year-old boy, whose name has not been released Police are investigating the deaths of three people in Texas, in what is suspected to be a murder-suicide. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) said in a release on social media that the three individuals an adult male, an adult female and a child were found dead at a home in Conroe on Thursday, Oct. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MCSO said officers were called to the home at around 3:45 p.m. local time, and when they arrived, they found the three dead just outside the home. Authorities did not provide any additional information on their exact locations or the specific injuries, as well as information about what led to the deaths. Montgomery County Major Crimes detectives and crime scene investigators immediately launched an investigation at the site, per the MCSO. Preliminary facts and evidence suggest the incident is believed to be a murder-suicide involving one adult male, one adult female, and one child, authorities said in their statement. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Getty A police car (stock image). A police car (stock image). Police identified the deceased individuals as 52-year-old Salvador Ramirez and 39-year-old Maria Ramirez. The 3-year-old was identified as a boy, but his name was not released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a tragic event," Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said during a press conference, per Click2Houston. "It will shock people's conscience to see this kind of thing happening in our community, he continued, adding: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members, especially those that have discovered this horrible incident. The MSCO said that, based on its initial investigation, authorities believe the tragedy was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public. They also echoed the sheriff, saying, Our hearts and prayers are with the family involved in this tragic incident. Getty A photo of a crime scene barricade tape in front of a police car. A photo of a crime scene barricade tape in front of a police car. Neighbors who lived near the Remirezs home were shocked by the incident, including Carlos Delgado, who told Click2Houston that it was rare to see such in their quiet community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its scary, its dangerous, Delgado told the outlet. Something like that happened too close to our house." The investigation into the deaths is still ongoing, the MSCO said. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) Dozens of people who were part of a drug trafficking organization in Pennsylvania were arrested, officials announced. A total of 33 members people who were allegedly members of the Weymouth Street Drug Trafficking Organization (Weymouth DTO) were indicted Friday with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and dozens of related offenses, according to the Department of Justice. This was the largest federal case the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorneys Office has ever prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AG: Man convicted of murdering daughter in Pennsylvania, dumping body in New York This indictment is, by defendant, the largest federal case of this century prosecuted by our office and it attacks the very heart of the opioid crisis in the neighborhoods of Kensington, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said. We are committed to returning these neighborhoods to their residents and reclaiming them from drug dealers who profit from the misery of others. Weymouth DTO is accused of distributing fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine in a block in Kensington, which was noted by the DOJ to be one of the most prolific drug blocks in Philadelphia from 2016 through October 2025. The groups alleged criminal activity also stretched to the surrounding streets. The DOJ says the group is also allegedly responsible for shootings, murder and assault that were to enforce its territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the group, 45-year-old Jose Nieves, allowed other members to sell drugs in exchange for rent, the DOJ said. He also allegedly used or authorized violence to protect members. Two others, 40-year-old Ramon Ramon-Montanez and 33-year-old Nancy Rios-Valentine, are accused of being responsible for organizing a drug shift schedule and maintaining funds. The DOJ said 24 of the members were arrested Friday while eight others were already in state or federal custody. One member remains at large. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Today, even more criminals are off the streets because of the diligent work of the FBI and our partners, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Over 30 people have been charged for their alleged role in drug trafficking and dozens of other offenses. These individuals were charged with distributing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on one of the most prolific drug blocks in Philadelphia. They were members of a violent drug trafficking organization and used violence to enforce their territory and sell drugs that poison our city streets and community. The FBI will continue our work to put an end to drug trafficking and violence in our cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI assisted Philadelphia Police in the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. HARTFORD - Democratic leaders at the state Capitol are trying to reach a consensus on the amount of state surplus funds to possibly put aside to offset federal funding losses due to the federal government shutdown and budget cutbacks. Gov. Ned Lamont and the legislature's Democratic leadership have yet to land on a dollar figure for a federal response fund, but the ceiling appears to be $500 million based on consultations with Treasurer Erick Russell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamont suggested an appropriation from last year's $2.5 billion surplus in the range of $300 million to $400 million when asked whether he had an amount in mind. "We certainly talked to the legislative leadership about $300, $400 million," he said. Meanwhile, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, and Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, have pushed for $500 million premised on discussions with Russell and his independent office, though each leader said legislative Democrats would prefer a higher figure. "We hope to be able to get the governor to that number," Looney said. "He has not committed to a number that high, and other people may be putting out wishful numbers and hopeful numbers, and I certainly agree that in an ideal world we could have an even bigger fund. But the reality is that we dealing with at this point unless something changes in the executive branch or the treasurer's evaluation is $500 million." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Representative is expected to meet in special session to approve the special budget fund on Nov. 12, with the Senate expected to do so the following day, according to Ritter and Looney. Under a contingency fund, state money could be allocated to bridge some of the funding gaps resulting from the shutdown or budget cutbacks that Republicans in Congress and President Donald Trump made earlier this year. There is a sense of urgency among Democrats to reach agreement on the amount and approve the state response fund because otherwise the treasurer's office will be obligated to use the surplus funds to pay down long-term state pension debt by the end of the year. "Look, we're going to figure this out," Ritter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Establishing the state response is a critical first order of business, Looney said. "The important thing is that we have to create that fund in the special session because otherwise we lose the capacity to create a fund at all," he said, saying that otherwise the money would go into the pension or budget reserve fund. "So, we have to take action in November ... to reserve the funding for the purposes we want," Looney said. If $500 million from the last surplus were deposited in a response fund, there would still be money available to pay down pension debts and meet other needs, Looney and Ritter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican legislators are suspicious the Democrats are using the government shutdown as an excuse to create an off-budget fund outside of the state spending cap and constraints of other "fiscal guardrails" that they can use to fund programs and services. "We believe that is not prudent," said House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora,R-North Branford. House Republicans proposed a plan earlier this week that would increase the property credit on the state income tax from $300 to $1,000 and expand eligibility to 800,000 more taxpayers. The plan would use $500 million in surplus funds to initially fund the first year of the proposed expansion. Senate Republicans expressed support for the plan. The Republican minority leaders were participating in the ongoing negotiations between Lamont and Democratic leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another issue for Lamont and Democrats is a bipartisan budget law originally enacted in 2017 requires that certain state bonds include a pledge to bondholders that the state comply with seven specific caps on appropriations and bonding through the 2033 fiscal year. Looney and Ritter said Russell and the treasurer's office have advised that no more than $500 million could be set aside in a state response fund without violating the bond covenants. "We need to be in sync and basically link arms with the state treasurer, who has to evaluate what he thinks would be a reasonable number for a set-aside fund or a contingency fund that would not be seen as disturbing or undermining any of the agreements we made in 2017 regarding bond covenants or things that relate to the spending cap. And the number that he is comfortable with right now is $500 million," Looney said. If Lamont and Democrats agree to create a state response fund, they also have to work out details of how and when its funds might be disbursed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looney said he believes the legislature should be responsible for appropriating funds, and, though Ritter agrees with him, he said it may also be necessary to provide the executive branch with some interim spending authority until the legislature convenes for its regular 2026 session in February. "Certainly, the money will have to be appropriated by the legislature," Ritter said. "One of my concerns, of course, is it is hard for us to come back into special session. We're not back until February. So, what do you do between Nov. 13 and Valentine's Day basically? We may have to think about a system that when we are not in regular session that may give some leeway to the administration to do things like LIHEAP." LIHEAP stands for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income households pay for winter heating costs and is affected by the shutdown and federal budget cuts. Two other federally funded programs most at risk of running out of funds are the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, and the overall Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lamont administration announced earlier this month that state funds would be used to maintain WIC benefits that provide healthy food, infant formula and other staples with the hope that the federal government would reimburse Connecticut once the shutdown ends. The cost would be $200,000 a day. But for SNAP benefits, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified states that the food assistance program funds will lapse Nov. 1 if the shutdown persists. Also, the state Department of Social Services reported that 36,000 income-eligible people in Connecticut who are receiving SNAP benefits risk losing them under new work requirements that take effect Dec. 1. DSS officials advised the Appropriations Committee last week that state cannot replace SNAP benefits with state funds because the federal government is not expected to provide reimbursement. The state would be unable to replace SNAP benefits if the federal government shuts down the electronic benefits transfer system used to pay retailers on Nov. 1, Lamont said. "There is some talk that the Trump administration would pull off that system. So, we're not able to do that. In that case, we'd have to look at other alternative ways where we can help out," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state could provide funding to food pantries and organizations that supply them, such as Connecticut Foodshare, Lamont said. "We talked about that with the legislature," he said. The state response fund could also be used to support state residents who receive federal tax credits under the Affordable Care Act to purchase health insurance through the state that are due expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts, Ritter said. Democrats in Congress say they will not vote to reopen the government unless Republicans and Trump negotiate an extension of the expanded subsidies. This article originally published at $500 million could be set aside in CT to offset government shutdown, Trump cuts. Seattle-bound drivers can expect delays on Interstate 90 near Cle Elum after an oversized truck bashed the Bullfrog Road overpass at Exit 80 on Tuesday. The overpass was removed by Friday morning after the Washington Department of Transportation hired an emergency contractor to remove the structure. Crews were working to remove debris from the interstate Friday afternoon. It wasnt immediately clear when the westbound lanes would reopen. WSDOT previously said that would happen early next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until then, tens of thousands of vehicles that use I-90 daily are being detoured around the damage on the off- and on-ramps. WSDOT said eastbound I-90 will stay open, though one lane will be closed overnight. Travelers headed to Suncadia/Roslyn are being told to use Exit 85 to Highway 903, WSDOT said. Video shows significant damage to the bridge, with all girders suffering heavy damage and broken rebar dangling above the debris-scattered roadway. Check out dramatic video at the WSDOT Facebook page. They were going bananas! Viral photos showing wild monkeys on the loose in New Jersey sent cops on a frantic search this week but officials now say it was likely an AI-generated hoax. The phony images showing scores of primates running wild at Georgia King Village apartment complex in Newark triggered panicked calls to authorities, leading police on a frenzied hunt Thursday morning, according to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, PIX11 reported. The viral images of monkeys were likely AI-generated, police said. NJ 1015 One image showed two monkeys rummaging through a dumpster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers scoured the area and inside the buildings, but the animals were nowhere to be found, Miranda said. Officers have not located any monkeys, he told the outlet, noting the citys animal control officers also received a similar bogus report on Wednesday. Any photos or videos posted on social media regarding this incident are likely AI-generated. Newark cops responded to the area after receiving reports of monkeys on the loose but didnt find anything. PIX 11 While the fake sightings are still being investigated, police labeled the incident a hoax. Hariette Guity, who works in an office near where the monkeys were reported, told the outlet she received a call from an alarmed coworker who advised her to be careful due to the digital fakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Use AI for the right things, not something like this, she told News12 New Jersey. The fake sightings are still being investigated. PIX 11 Because when something really does happen, officers are going to take their time coming out because it could possibly be AI, something thats false. Local resident Richard Chapman also blasted the stunt for wasting police resources and time. Having the police come over here for something thats not really real, its wasting their time when they could be doing other things with their time, he said. The incident comes after the AI Homeless Man Prank craze blew up on social media. PIX 11 I just think that we need to us AI the right way and not play around too much and make things bigger than what it is. The incident comes amid nationwide police warnings about a viral TikTok craze dubbed the AI Homeless Man Prank a brazen stunt where people generate images of a homeless man inside their homes or outside their doorways and then report it to authorities. Reports of unruly passengers rose five times in 2021 compared to the year before. There are still about twice as many incidents as pre-pandemic. International aviation rules classify disruptive passengers into four levels. Since the pandemic, incidents with unruly passengers on airlines have escalated. There were almost 6,000 reports in 2021, nearly five-times as many as a year earlier, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next three years, the number of incidents remained roughly twice the amount reported pre-pandemic. Up to September 28, there have been 1,205 reports this year. That's already more than in 2020, although it's an encouraging sign that the numbers are falling. "Incidents where airline passengers have disrupted flights with threatening or violent behavior are an ongoing problem and airlines have seen rapid growth in occurrences since 2021," the FAA says on its page for such statistics. "The rate of unruly passenger incidents steadily dropped by over 80% since record highs in early 2021, but recent increases show there remains more work to do," it adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Civil Aviation Organization defines a disruptive passenger as one "who fails to respect the rules of conduct at an airport or on board an aircraft or to follow the instructions of the airport staff or crew members and thereby disturbs the good order and discipline at an airport or on board the aircraft." It also classifies them into four levels. Business Insider has laid out the levels below, including an example of each type of disruption. 1. Disruptive behavior The lowest classification of unruly passenger involves being verbally disruptive. That could include swearing or threatening other travelers or crew, and refusing to follow the crew's instructions. In 2023, a bachelor party delayed their flight for three hours after harassing the crew and other passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seven men, including the groom-to-be wearing a pilot's costume, were on a TUI plane to the Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach. After being told they weren't allowed to drink alcohol on board, the men swore at other passengers who asked them to quiet down. When a flight attendant warned them, "they cheered her loudly and wolf-whistled her," one passenger told WalesOnline. Security removed the men from the flight, while confusion over the passenger manifest extended the delay. 2. Physically abusive behavior The second level involves physically abusing other passengers or the crew. That could include hitting, grabbing, and spitting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, an American Airlines flight attendant was assaulted by a passenger, an FBI agent's affidavit said. About 30 minutes into the journey, Julius Jordan Priester grabbed a flight attendant by the collar and "forcefully brought the victim to the ground," it added. It says Priester, 24, then tried to drag them down the aisle before other passengers intervened. The flight landed back in Hartford, Connecticut, just over an hour after taking off. 3. Life-threatening behavior This is when an unruly passenger is so violent that they could put somebody's life at risk. It also includes the use or display of a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, an Alaska Airlines passenger stabbed an off-duty law enforcement officer with an improvised weapon, an FBI agent's affidavit said. It added that Julio Alvarez Lopez admitted he made the weapon before the flight by bundling pens together with a rubber band. As the plane began descending, Lopez went to the bathroom and then came out and started attacking the victim, leaving "blood everywhere," per the affidavit. 4. Attempted or actual breach of the cockpit The most serious level of unruly passenger involves trying to enter the flight deck without permission or indeed gaining entrance. Last year, Alaska Airlines cabin crew had to use a beverage cart to stop a passenger from entering the cockpit, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents said Nathan Jones tried three times to open the cockpit door on a flight from San Diego to Washington, DC. When a flight attendant asked him why, Jones is said to have replied that he "was testing them." Off-duty law-enforcement officers "restrained Jones in flex cuffs and sat on either side of him," while cabin crew barricaded the cockpit door with the cart. Read the original article on Business Insider ST. LOUIS Alaska Airlines will soon begin direct flights from St. Louis to Portland. From May 13 to Oct. 2, 2026, Alaska Airlines will fly directly from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Portland International Airport. Lambert Airport officials announced the new flights on Saturday and say this is Alaska Airlines second destination from STL to the Pacific Northwest. The airline also provides non-stop service from St. Louis to Seattle, Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the service, Alaska Airlines will operate a daily, non-stop flights from St. Louis to Portland, seven days a week. For tickets and more information, visit Alaska Airlines website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Alaska Airlines is working to normalize operations and will bring in outside experts after hundreds of flights were canceled in an IT outage that has left tens of thousands of travelers reeling. The IT outage caused a ground stop Thursday for the Seattle-based carrier, with passengers complaining about being stuck on planes waiting for updates on their travel plans. Alaska Airlines, which also operates Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines, has yet to resolve the issues with more than 400 flights on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air canceled as of 1 p.m. PT on Friday, according to an X post from the carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaiian Airlines flights have not been impacted by the outage. Alaska Airlines is working to 'normalize operations' and will bring in outside experts after hundreds of flights were canceled in an IT outage that has left tens of thousands of travelers reeling (Mario Tama/Getty Images) The carrier said more than 49,000 passengers have faced travel disruptions over the past two days as it races to normalize operations safely and as quickly as possible. We are immediately bringing in outside technical experts to diagnose our entire IT infrastructure to ensure we are as resilient as we need to be, Alaska Airlines said, adding that its increased airport staffing to support guests. This is the second IT outage the carrier has faced this year. In July, flights were grounded for three hours due to a technical issue. Alaska Airlines said it took action to harden our systems after the July outage, but the new IT failure underscores the work that remains to be done to ensure system stability. More than 49,000 passengers have faced travel disruptions over the past two days, according to the carrier (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The carrier apologized and took responsibility for the inconvenience this outage caused passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply sorry for the disruptions this event has caused for so many of our valued guests, Alaska Airlines said. We know our guests put their trust in us when they choose to fly with Alaska, and this level of performance is not acceptable. The carrier advised travelers to check their flight status before going to the airport. A flexible travel policy that allows guests to self-service on our app and website is in place, Alaska Airlines said. Oct. 25Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Friday that Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle left his administration, making him the third high-level cabinet member to depart in the same number of months. Boyle follows former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum, who resigned in July, and former Attorney General Treg Taylor, who resigned in August. Both have since announced they are running for governor. In a written statement, Dunleavy thanked Boyle for his service to the department but did not provide any specifics on the reason for Boyle's immediate departure, which was not previously announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunleavy, who is termed out from seeking reelection, is entering his final year in office. Prior to joining the Dunleavy administration in 2023, Boyle worked as a government affairs manager for Santos, an Australian oil and gas company, and before that for oil giant BP. Dunleavy appointed John Crowther to serve as acting commissioner of the natural resources department beginning Friday. Crowther most recently served as deputy commissioner. He previously worked as director of state and federal relations for Alaska, based in Washington, D.C., and as counsel to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He is originally from Anchorage and holds a law degree from Georgetown University. "Managing Alaska's natural resources is an enormous responsibility that I take extremely seriously, and I want to thank Gov. Dunleavy for placing his trust in me to manage the department and its hundreds of hard working employees," Crowther said in a statement shared by Dunleavy. MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) An alcoholism treatment program in Wisconsin will close its doors after losing funding, resulting in nearly 100 employees being laid off by the end of the year. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letter submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, First Step Community Recovery Center in Milwaukee will shut down after losing financial support from the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. Trump administration denies Wisconsins federal disaster request, Gov. Evers to appeal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire Detox Center will be closed, with 45 full-time and 40 part-time employees losing their jobs. A small number of staff will remain temporarily to assist with the closure process, and fewer than two employees will stay on to oversee the final wind down of operations. NeighborWorks Green Bay celebrates, reflects on the past years accomplishments No union represents the affected employees, and there are no bumping rights in place. This marks the third mass layoff notice issued in Wisconsin in October 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. ALEXANDRIA Chrystal Jenkins wants to cook for her family, but has to make sure theres enough water. Nothing comes out of her kitchen faucet or the other faucets in her home. The mother of three lives at the Alexandria Mobile Home Park, which has been without water for nearly two months because of an ongoing payment dispute between the city and the property management company, Park Place Communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona-based company owes the city more than $97,000 in water bills. City officials say they have reached out to Mike and Kara Ayala, the companys owners, to no avail. So Jenkins and others living at the 74-lot mobile home park continue to make do day after day without running water. Its been 59 days now, nearly two full months, of time-consuming inconvenience and frustration. When my freezer is full and Im like Oh, I wanna cook, but Ive got to use this many jugs of water to do my dishes. Thats time consuming too, Jenkins said. Using the restroom or taking a shower isnt as simple as turning on the shower head or pressing the flush handle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins and her fellow mobile home park residents have to buy water in jugs or fill up at the water tank provided by the city behind the nearby Pizza King. However, residents say the tank behind the Pizza King is not regularly filled, and that the quality of the water is poor. Katrina Rushing, another resident of the mobile home park, totes water from the city tank into her home and pours it into her bathtub for later use. On Wednesday, she showed a visitor the tub filled with yellowish water from the tank, leaving a rusty stain around the inside of the tub. Jenkins and her three teenage children are using a camp shower a portable setup meant for outdoor showering without running water. What used to be a simple shower taking just a few minutes has become a complex task taking about an hour, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to get the temperature just right. You have to boil the water, and if its not right, you have to boil more water, Jenkins explained. City officials shut off water to the park Aug. 25. Residents had been forewarned by the city, but it was still a shock, particularly since residents had been paying their water bills to park management. It was a slap in the face. ... All of us were like, We paid our bill, wheres our money going? Jenkins remembered. City officials say theyre working on a solution. The Alexandria Board of Works approved the filing of a receivership Sept. 9 which, if approved by a judge, would allow for rent and utility fees at the mobile home park to be collected by a court-appointed third party, resulting in water service being restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as of Tuesday, the receivership had not been filed. City attorney Chou-il Lee did not reply to recent requests from The Herald Bulletin for comment. Its like they dont care, Alexandria Mobile Home Park resident Olivia Mabbitt said. I feel like theyre doing it for their own personal gain, like they just want to run us out. Residents of the mobile home park are fighting back against the city and their landlord. Stacey OBryant and fellow resident Steve Paul filed lawsuits against Park Place on behalf of themselves and their neighbors. They are represented by Muncie attorney Brian M. Pierce, who is also representing residents who have filed tort notices, often a step toward the filing of a lawsuit, against the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first set of claims was received by the city in early September. Pierce previously noted that the city has at least six months to respond. Jenkins said she wants restitution for the two years worth of payments she made. Before the shutoff, she paid more than $660 per month for rent and utilities. Her last bill, she said, was $866, which included a $156 water bill, the highest it had ever been. City officials have attributed park managements debt, in part, to water leaks. Its been going on since about 2023. Theyve had several leaks out there which drove up their utility bill, and theyve just consistently gotten behind, Mayor Todd Naselroad said in August. Weve tried to work with him (Mike Ayala). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residents lawsuit against the mobile home park owners, filed in Madison County Circuit Court 3, states that Alexandria officials made 13 attempts to resolve the debt. Jenkins said the leak under her trailer is so severe that portions of the front yard and the entire backyard cant be mowed. Ive had a leak since Ive moved in here. I moved in here in June 2020. There has been a constant leak, she said. It has caused so many puddles in my yard, that my yards wet and bubbling up. I have to weed-whack my yard. Mabbitt said her family has dealt with leaks and weak water pressure since moving into the mobile home park in April 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several residents interviewed by The Herald Bulletin this week said they want to move out, but circumstances, including lack of running water, are not favorable. I have a mortgage on my home, Mabbitt noted. I cant just walk away from that. According to Mabbitt and other residents, accountability should begin with the city. We paid our bills. They knew we paid our bills. Its just Mike and Kara, Park Place Communities didnt pay their bills, Mabbitt said. I feel like they (the city) should have never let it get to almost $100,000. Residents are wondering why the city waited two years to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe if he (the mayor) had done something sooner, it wouldnt have affected us as bad, Mabbitt said. She said she hopes Mike Ayala will be charged and tried in federal court. Mabbitt and Jenkins want the Indiana General Assembly to ban out-of-state landlords from buying property in the area. Park Place Communities owns parks in Hartford City, Fairmount and Anderson. All three have been involved in water bill payment disputes this year. According to Fairmount officials, the Ayalas owe about $30,000 in water bills, dating back to January. The towns attorney contacted Mike Ayala, who agreed to a payment plan. Both parties are working to resolve the debt. Meanwhile, residents of the Alexandria Mobile Home Park are still toting water to their homes. It sucks, Rushing said. We have no water, and it just sucks. A French court has sentenced an Algerian woman to life imprisonment without parole for raping, torturing and murdering a schoolgirl in Paris, making her the first woman to receive this maximum sentence. Dahbia Benkired was handed an "irreducible life sentence" for killing 12-year-old Lola Daviet in Paris in 2022. The case caused outrage and sparked anti-immigration fervour in France because the woman did not have the right to be in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentence is the harshest under the French penal code and does not allow for parole or a reduction in sentence. "We believed in justice and we got it," said Lola's mother, Delphine Daviet following the verdict. Heaviest possible sentence Benkired, now aged 27, was detained after Daviet went missing in the northeast of Paris. Her body was then found in a trunk in the lobby of the building where her father and mother worked as caretakers. In the verdict, the presiding judge cited the "extreme cruelty of the criminal acts", describing them as "true torture" and "total dehumanisation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In determining the appropriate sentence, the court took into account the unspeakable psychological damage to the victim and her family in such violent and almost unspeakable circumstances," he said. The public prosecutor had argued earlier in the day that Benkired should be handed an "irreducible life sentence", saying it reflected the "extreme gravity" of the crimes and "the suffering" they caused her family. Lola's brother Thibault Daviet thanked the justice system after the ruling. "We have restored the memory of my sister, we have restored the truth," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since its introduction in 1994, only four men have received the same maximum sentence. Those given it may in theory, after 30 years, ask a judge to review the ban on seeking parole. France tries Algerian woman for rape and murder of 12-year-old girl 'Psychopathic' tendancies Residents in the building saw Benkired in the lobby of the apartment block in the 19th district on 14 October, 2022, carrying suitcases and a heavy trunk covered in a blanket, the investigation showed. An hour and a half earlier, security footage showed Benkired approaching the girl as she returned from school, then leading her into the flat her sister occupied in the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benkired raped and hit the schoolgirl with scissors and a box cutter, then bound her up in duct tape, including around her face. An autopsy found she had died from asphyxiation. Benkired apologised for her "horrible" actions when her trial opened last week. She had undergone a psychological evaluation ahead of the trial. Three psychiatric experts said they had noted "psychopathic" tendencies in the defendant, and did not think she suffered from any mental health condition that could be cured. She was found competent to stand trial. During the trial, Benkired described growing up in a dysfunctional family, a childhood spent between Algeria and France, unloving aunts and a violent father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She settled in France in 2013 but had no stable job or residence. Conservative and far-right politicians seized on the case to call for better immigration law enforcement, after Benkired was found to have overstayed a student visa and failed to comply with a notice to leave France. The far right organised demonstrations against what they said was the governments poor management of illegal immigration. The victim's mother has urged politicians to stop exploiting her daughter's death. (with newswires) FULTON In their 26 years of marriage, Jolie and Dan Reid have shared many moments of joy none greater than the births of their son and daughter, 20-year-old J.C. (John Carter) and 22-year-old Sadie. Theyve faced challenges and together have persevered. In 2023 at the age of 57, Dan Reid was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease. Its perhaps the Reids most daunting obstacle, but its crystal clear the family of four has made a pact: They are lovingly committed to taking this journey together. Jolies from Guntown; Dan from Holly Pond, Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I worked for her daddy for a while, Dan said, a perpetual and sweet smile on his face. The rest is history. When they first met, Dan was in college; Jolie was 12. We started dating when I was 23, said Jolie, a speech therapist and psychometrist with Tupelo schools. The two dated six months before marrying October 19, 1999. On Oct. 31, 2022, Dan was working as a truck driver when he was laid off from his 18-year job. Jolie thought she noticed Dan was exhibiting a bit of strange behavior. The holidays were approaching; I was tutoring and working on my psychometry degree, Jolie said. We passed in the night. But he became apathetic and not motivated to get a job. I panicked. We had a sophomore in college and a senior in high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas came, followed by a new year. In February, Dan was driving a truck for a friend one day and the next day was in the hospital. He had a urinary tract infection and was septic, Jolie said. He was admitted. I asked him at one point if he knew where we were. He mentioned two places in Alabama, but we had not lived in Alabama for years. Jolie began documenting things she noticed, including a note that she believed Dan needed a neurologic consult. I gave him some mini mental tests that I knew how to do, Jolie said. Something was just not right. A five-day hospital stay garnered Dan a diagnosis of encephalopathy, a condition that affects brain function. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was weak and couldnt drive, Jolie said. He's never driven again. A local neurologic consult led Jolie to request a referral elsewhere. Soon after, the two began making the two-hour trip to neurologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Reids first trip to UAB was October 19, 2023 the couples wedding anniversary. It also became the date Dan was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. The neurologist at UAB started Dan on Aricept immediately, Jolie said. Dan had multiple MRIs, CT scans, an amyloid pet scan. Soon after, we received the Alzheimers diagnosis. I did all the research; I had to in order to advocate for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was never any doubt she would be her husbands fiercest advocate. He worked really hard for us a lot of years, she said. Its my turn. At one point after Dans diagnosis, he and Jolie became aware of a medication called Leqembi. FDA approved, Leqembi is used to treat early onset Alzheimers by targeting and tossing out amyloid beta plaques from the brain. The plaques are believed to be a primary factor in the development of Alzheimers. Dans first Leqembi infusion was at UAB on March 8, 2025. As a speech therapist, Jolie noticed that Dans language was affected. I can tell you the three things Dan would mention on that first trip, Jolie said. Crossing into Atlanta, smoke stacks and the Vulcan. It was really difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolie made an attempt to create a playlist that might fill the near silence of their Saturday trips to UAB. She and Dan could listen to the playlist on their round trips to and from Birmingham. The playlist she made was the soundtrack of the past 25 years of their life songs that played when they were dating, when their kids were young. We had always loved music, Jolie said. But Dan didnt recognize or respond to any of the songs. The week following Dans infusion of Lequimbi, Jolie began to notice a few differences. One such difference was how Dan responded to Jolies playlist. He started recognizing the songs, Jolie said. Hed say, Oh, we havent heard this one in a long time. One day, we talked about something we could add to the playlist." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there were other memories that resurfaced for Dan. We passed a camper and he asked if it was an Airstream, Jolie said. On one trip to Birmingham, we drove by where we thought the farmers market had been, but we couldnt recall the name of the street. Dan had stopped using his phone; he didnt answer the phone and rarely made calls anymore. One day he called me at work and left a voicemail: I think Finley Avenue was where the farmers market was when we used to go. It was not just holding hope close. Dans short-term memory was improving. It was not perfect, but it was way better than it was before the Lequimbi, Jolie said. Its not a cure; its supposed to slow the disease down. At our house, we have seen massive improvements, especially quality-of-life improvements. When I come home now, he wants to know about my day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These days the long-held roles have reversed. Jolie said Dan was always the caretaker. He carried my lipstick and drivers license for years, she said. And I let him. His dry sense of humor is still present, and getting better. The family recently took part in the Alzheimers Walk. Dan turned to a family member beside him and asked, Now what are we doing here? Jolie is not one to make resolutions for a new year, but she chooses a word that serves as a goal of sorts. At the beginning of 2025, her word was intentional. We decided we wanted to make our trips to Birmingham count, Jolie said. Every other Saturday, when we go for Dans infusion, we try to choose a restaurant for lunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, an eatery is recommended; other times, she and Dan let the Wheel of Restaurants an app that allows users to spin a wheel to choose a place to eat decide for them. For the hope Leqembi has brought, Jolie is grateful. I feel we have been given a chance, she said. While we are having good days, we try to cherish them. Some days we cry. When we got the diagnosis, a lot of friends were scared of it, like there is some sort of stigma attached. I want to do what I can to educate people about this disease. This is our life now. Its not perfect, but its not horrible either. One day Dan said to me, This medication is not a cure, but theres a path. And the fact there is this med that helps in amazing ways, it shows we are so much closer to a cure than we used to be." RIVERDALE, Ill. (WTVO) UPDATE: At 1:13 p.m. Saturday, police said all four children were recovered and were being medically evaluated as a precaution. The suspect, Austin Bell, is still at large. ORIGINAL STORY: Authorities are asking the public for help locating four children who were abducted in Illinois on Saturday when a suspect drove off with a car while they were in the back seat. According to the Illinois State Police, the incident happened around 1:26 a.m. in the south Chicago suburb of Riverdale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riverdale Police described the incident as a domestic-related kidnapping, and said Bell is not the father of the children. Police said the children were in the back seat of a silver 2010 Acura MDX with an Illinois license plate FE60619 when Austin Bell, 30, got in and drove away. Bell is described as black, brown eyes and hair, 57, 215 lbs, wearing a black varsity jacket and white stitching. The incident happened in the 13600 block of S. Lowe Avenue, police said. Authorities describe the children as follows: Nolan Hill, 7, black, 54 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, and blue Nike Air Jordans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nova Hill, 7, 64 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, wearing an Army fatigue jacket, blue jacket, blue jeans and blue slides. Noah Hill, 8, 60 lbs, brown eyes, black hair, a big birth mark on the left side of his neck, wearing a green hoodie, black pants, and white shoes. Nia Hill, 10, 90lbs, brown eyes, black braided ponytail, wearing an orange graphic t-shirt and black joggers. An AMBER Alert has been issues. Police encourage anyone with information to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. RIVERDALE, Ill. (WGN) Authorities say four children who were allegedly abducted in the south suburbs have been located, but a search for the suspect at the center of the incident continues. A statewide Amber Alert was issued around 9 a.m. Saturday by Illinois State Police at the request of Riverdale Police as authorities were searching for a 10-year-old girl, her eight-year-old brother and seven-year-old twin brother and sister. Police say the children, who were missing for hours, appeared physically okay, but underwent a medical evaluation as a precaution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Riverdale Police, 29-year-old Austin Bell allegedly took a 2010 Acura MDX from a home in the 13600 block of Lowe Avenue just before 1:30 a.m. The children were in the back seat at the time. Police described the incident as a domestic-related kidnapping but said Bell is not the childrens father. Police told WGN-TV the suspect is known to the childrens mother. Shortly after the Amber Alert was issued, police received information that the children may be at a Walmart in Lansing. When officers responded, they located the SUV and the children. Surveillance video obtained by WGN-TV shows officers driving through the lot with emergency lights just after 10 a.m. Its not clear how long the children may have been at Walmart before they were found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Bell was not with the children when they were located by authorities and remains at large, police say. Cook County records show Bell has several prior arrests for domestic battery, criminal damage to property and violating an order of protection. Court records confirm he is currently on probation in a case out of Blue Island for violating an order of protection, a charge he pleaded guilty to months ago. Bell was sentenced to 18 months of probation starting in April 2025 and ending in October 2026, court records show. Bell is described as a Black male who stands about 5-foot-7 and weighs around 215 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black varsity jacket with white stitching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bell is asked to contact the Riverdale Police Department Detective Division at (708) 841-2203 or dial 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Amelia Island Brewing Company (AIBC) will close its doors for good on November 5, thanking guests and staff for almost ten years of memories, good food, and community service. The announcement was shared on the companys Facebook pages for both The Tavern by AIBC and The Alley by AIBC. Owners and staff expressed pride in their work, especially their charitable efforts, such as spaghetti dinners and support for local groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve built amazing relationships along the way, the team wrote on a Facebook post. AIBC also reminded customers of the importance of supporting local businesses by following them on social media, leaving reviews, telling friends, and visiting in person. Those acts of support mean everything to the people behind the scenes, they said. The brewery will no longer serve breakfast on weekends during its final days. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Oral arguments are made from parties in Utahs latest congressional maps process during day two of testimony, before Judge Dianna Gibson in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) Just as the second and final day of complicated map-drawing expert testimony came to an end late Friday, another twist cropped up in Utahs court-ordered redistricting legal battle. An attorney for Utahs top election official, the lieutenant governor, told Third District Judge Dianna Gibson that the bid for an indirect initiative to repeal Proposition 4 the 2018 voter-approved law that calls for an independent redistricting process had been withdrawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are withdrawing this effort prior to initiating a direct initiative effort on the same issue, Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson wrote in an email to the states elections director, Ryan Cowley sent at 4:15 p.m., just as Fridays evidentiary hearing was wrapping up. Now, rather than seeking about 70,000 signatures to require the Legislature take an up or down vote on repealing Proposition 4 an approach the plaintiffs in the states anti-gerrymandering lawsuit have challenged in court as unable to undue Proposition 4, which was approved by more than 500,000 votes in 2018 Axson and other members of the group Utahns for Representative Government are shifting gears. Instead, theyve submitted an application to pursue the same method that the group Better Boundaries successfully pursued to get Proposition 4 on the ballot in 2018 and look to repeal that law by another statewide vote. In a statement issued Friday evening, Utahns for Representative Government the group supporting Proposition 4s repeal said legal filings opposed to their effort made it clear that the Lt. Governors Office would likely be forced to deny the indirect initiative application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we would have preferred to continue under the process provided by law, the time required to defend our rights and appeal flawed judicial decisions would have made it impossible to meet statutory deadlines, the group said. The Utah Constitution is clear: the authority to draw congressional districts rests with the peoples elected representatives not with the courts and not with an unaccountable commission. We again call on all Utahns to stand against judicial overreach and defend the separation of powers outlined in our state constitution. Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, issued a statement Friday characterizing the withdrawal of the indirect initiative as a victory for the time being. Once again, political insiders attempts to undermine the peoples voice and repeal Proposition 4 have fallen flat, at least for now, she said. This is a win in our ongoing fight to give Utahns the reforms they voted for in 2018. Proposition 4 remains the law of the land. Moving forward, we will continue to strongly oppose any and all efforts to undermine fair maps and the ability of voters to choose their politicians. Katharine Biele, president of the Utah League of Women Voters, one of the redistricting cases plaintiffs, told reporters outside Gibsons courtroom Friday that it was wise of Proposition 4s opponents to abandon their indirect initiative effort but she warned pursuing a ballot initiative is no easy task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will find out just how difficult a real initiative is, she said. We went through that in 2018, and it was hard. In order to successfully get their repeal on the ballot, the GOP group will need to collect at least 140,748 valid signatures from registered voters across Utah while meeting specific thresholds in at least 26 of Utahs 29 Senate districts. Utah Democratic Party Chair Brian King, in a statement, called the groups withdrawal an embarrassing end to a pathetic last-ditch effort by the Utah GOP to create chaos. Even with millions of dollars, the backing of Donald Trump, Jr., and support from high-profile elected Utah Republicans, they realized they still didnt have the competence nor the public support to pull this off, King said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King was referring to Trump Jr., in a post on X earlier this week, urging people to sign up as signature gatherers for the indirect initiative effort. The Utah Republican Party may continue to try to ignore the will of the voters next year using other tricks. But Utahns will continue to see through the corruption, abuse of power, and overall disrespect, King added. We will be there to support everyday Utahns when it is time for that particular fight, but today we celebrate another win for voters. The GOPs strategy shift comes as the states Republican leaders continue to protest Gibsons earlier ruling that determined the 2021 Utah Legislature overstepped when it undid Proposition 4. As a result, she struck down the congressional map lawmakers adopted that year as a product of an unconstitutional process and she ordered a process to pick a remedial map in 2026. Sean Trende, an election analyst for Real Clear Politics hired as a consultant and expert by the Legislature, provides testimony during oral arguments in Utahs latest congressional maps process on day two of testimony, before Judge Dianna Gibson in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) In court, the Legislatures attorneys and the redistricting lawsuits plaintiffs have submitted to Gibson their preferred maps one known as map C that the Legislature advanced in a special session earlier this month, and two submitted by plaintiffs as alternatives. The judge faces a Nov. 10 deadline to pick a map in order for it to be ready in time for the 2026 elections. In the courtroom, experts clash over mapping methods Thursday and Friday, attorneys grilled each others redistricting experts while building their cases for why Gibson should pick their preferred maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs have argued in court documents that the Legislatures retained map-drawing experts used methods unfit for a state like Utah that is dominated by the Republican Party while Democrats are concentrated in the densely populated area of Salt Lake County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Legislatures experts, however, defended their methods during hours of testimony and cross examination on Friday while also questioning the plaintiffs experts methods and whether they were evaluated for partisan slant with tests that favored allowing a Democratic-leaning district. Friday, the Legislatures attorneys called three experts to testify: Michael Barber, political science professor at Brigham Young University and director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy; Sean Trende, senior elections analyst for Real Clear Politics; and Jonathan Katz, professor of social sciences and statistics at the California Institute of Technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trende explained how he drew the Legislatures map C, saying he based it on the 2021 maps original boundaries but he sought to correct it to bring it more in line with Proposition 4s neutral redistricting criteria. However, because he said Proposition 4s language explicitly calls for measures of partisan symmetry to be considered among the best available scientific methods, he said he felt he had no choice but to use what he sees as the only way to measure partisan symmetry: the partisan bias test. Sean Trende, an election analyst for Real Clear Politics hired as a consultant and expert by the Legislature, provides testimony during oral arguments in Utahs latest congressional maps process on day two of testimony, before Judge Dianna Gibson in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) The plaintiffs argue the partisan bias test is among the worst methods to use to measure fairness in a lopsided state like Utah where statewide races are won by Republicans with wide margins. Trende anticipated there would be controversy over the method saying he wished Proposition 4s language didnt call for it because he knew it would inevitably lead to a challenge and he didnt want to end up in a courtroom like he has for many other redistricting legal battles. He went as far as calling it a tragic addendum. This is a trainwreck I saw coming the moment I read (Proposition 4), Trende said. I think the person who drafted this should be put in a cage and paraded around Salt Lake City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Trende and another one of the Legislatures experts, Barber, argued that their analysis of map C compared to thousands of map simulations showed the map wasnt an extreme partisan outlier, as the plaintiffs expert Jowei Chen testified Friday. Instead, they argued it passed multiple tests analyzing for partisan fairness, while they said plaintiffs maps appeared to be the true outliers. Barber said his analysis of Chens map simulations showed that his algorithm is almost always producing a very Democratic district located in the northern half of Salt Lake County. He said his own simulations produced comparatively more variety while using data thats publicly available and peer reviewed, while Chens isnt. To me this is a tell-tale sign of a biased algorithm, Barber said. The algorithm should be producing a representative sample of maps. Were seeing a single orientation over and over and over again. While the plaintiffs have accused Trende of using a map simulation set that wasnt programmed to prioritize Proposition 4s neutral criteria, Trende argued he did his best to follow Proposition 4 while creating map Cs boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt want to be here (in court), he said with a laugh. I was trying to draw maps that would easily comply with at least the structural requirements of Utah law. Michael Barber, a political science professor at Brigham Young University, is called for expert testimony for the state during Utahs latest congressional maps process on day two of testimony, before Judge Dianna Gibson in Salt Lake City, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune) But while cross examining Trende, the plaintiffs attorney, Mark Gaber with the Campaign Legal Center, pointed out that multiple times Republican legislators expressed misgivings with accepting maps drawn on a platform called Daves Redistricting Tool with a partisan data view turned on. During questioning, Trende acknowledged he drew maps using the tool, but he said the political data was set to a useless composite with data from 2012 to 2020. Whats next? The judge now has hundreds of pages of court documents with extremely complicated statistical analysis to wade through before picking a new map sometime before Nov. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has scheduled another hearing to consider oral arguments in the case on Nov. 4, Election Day. That day, the parties are scheduled to debate another complaint filed by the plaintiffs urging the judge to block a law that lawmakers passed alongside their map submission that requires the use of three specific statistical tests that the plaintiffs argue lead to maps that favor Republicans over Democrats. Another hearing scheduled for Nov. 5 was previously expected to debate the plaintiffs legal challenge of the GOPs indirect initiative, but given that issue is now moot, its likely that hearing will be canceled. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A strong line of thunderstorms swept through Texas overnight, bringing heavy rain, hail, and strong winds to millions of people across the state. The wet weather isn't over yet, either, as another round of strong to severe storms is expected to form on Saturday, with East Texas under the greatest risk. In San Antonio, lingering thunderstorms are possible Saturday morning, some of which could produce heavy rainfall and urban flooding. We also have a slight chance of storms redeveloping by the afternoon. Here's a look at what you can expect. San Antonio forecast Early morning (4 a.m. to 9 a.m.): Strong thunderstorms are expected to be ongoing around the San Antonio metro area between 4 and 6 a.m. Saturday, with some lingering scattered storms possible through 9 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire region is under a flood watch throughout the morning, continuing until 1 p.m. Multiple inches of rain could cause urban flooding, as well as flooding along rivers, creeks, and streams. Travel is not recommended on Saturday morning. If you must travel, do not drive over flooded roadways. Shown is the potential weather radar at 6 a.m. Saturday, as scattered storms linger in the San Antonio metro area. (Pivotal Weather) Midday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.): A dry period is expected for the San Antonio metro area, as storms move off to the east. Some sunshine might peek through between clouds as temperatures climb well into the 80s by the afternoon. Prepare for humid, muggy air, though, as indicated by dew point temperatures hovering near 70 degrees. Afternoon and evening (2 p.m. to midnight): Several thunderstorms are expected to redevelop over Central Texas by the afternoon, and they'll move southeast toward Houston by nightfall. Much of this activity is expected to stay north and east of San Antonio, but there will still be a 30% chance of additional storms in the Alamo City through the afternoon and evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Severe storms: The highest chance of severe storms are expected from Austin eastward toward Houston, Beaumont and Lufkin. The National Weather Service has placed this area under a level 2 of 5 risk of severe weather, as several storms may be capable of delivering large hail and damaging winds. Storms are expected to exit the state by the overnight hours. Shown is what weather radar could look like at 10 p.m. Saturday, as strong to severe storms move into Southeast Texas near Houston. (Pivotal Weather) Sunday and Monday: Warm and quiet weather is expected to return to San Antonio briefly. On Sunday, after a cool start with low temps in the mid-60s, you can expect temperatures to reach the mid- to upper 80s under bright, sunny skies. Monday is expected to be the warmest day of the week as San Antonio afternoon temps rise to around 90 degrees, more than 10 degrees above normal for late October. Skies will stay sunny with no chance of rain across the region. Cold front incoming Weather models are now showing with more confidence that a significant cold front is likely to move through San Antonio on Tuesday. Afternoon temps will trcend lower, but they'll stay warm on Tuesday, topping out in the mid-80s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A true taste of fall is expected to arrive by Wednesday morning, though, as predawn temps are likely to fall into the 50s for the first time since spring. High temperatures on Wednesday are expected to be very comfortable, hovering in the mid-70s under bright sunshine. This front will bring very dry air into the area, keeping rain chances at near zero. Morning temperatures are expected to fall into the lower 50s on Thursday and Friday, and a few spots near San Antonio could even briefly dip into the upper 40s. Parts of the Hill Country may fall into the mid-40s by early Thursday. This article originally published at Another round of strong storms aims for parts of Texas on Saturday. Here's where.. HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) An ordinance was passed in Homewood earlier this month to address campsites on public property. The police department says this includes any property owned by the city, park board, library or school board. The ordinance passed by the city council on Oct. 13 addresses some of the concerns brought up by parents and community members over the last few months. Though it went into effect on Oct. 14, Homewood police says it has not yet begun enforcing it. Weve been educating our officers on the parameters of the ordinance and how the enforcement would look and making sure everybody is on the same page with all the details, Homewood Police Sergeant Mark Trippe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ordinance says when a campsite is found on public property, police have to give a written or verbal warning to the person letting them know they have 24 hours to clear off the property or theyll be charged with violating the ordinance. Trippe says the new ordinance will give the police department another tool to address homelessness. Now that weve gotten the details and weve trained our officers, now were starting to kind of look for the, check the areas that we have seen them in past incidents, he said. Tailgaters arrive at Legion Field ahead of Magic City Classic Trippe says over his last 12 years in the city, hes not noticed a dramatic change in homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot more just public perception about it. People posting about it on social media and talking about it and things like that recently, said Trippe. I know when we started checking our stats for some issues, some incidents, we have seen a small increase, I believe it was around 12% in the last year or so I think it has gone up a little bit. Because there are no homeless shelters in Homewood, the police department says unhoused people have to go to Birmingham if they want help or resources. All the shelters that are in place in the area are all in the city of Birmingham. Even before this ordinance, we routinely when we do encounter people that might be camping or possibly homeless, we do offer to arrange to take them to shelters if they request it, said Trippe. The Jimmie Hale Mission says Homewood is not the only city this applies to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We serve the homeless throughout central Alabama. Shelby County, Jefferson County, St Clair, Blount, we dont care where they come from, said Perryn Carroll, the executive director of the Jimmie Hale Mission. Theres no barriers to service here but if theyre in need, they can come. Carroll says homeless people will find somewhere to go when theyre no longer allowed to sleep in Homewood. I understand the concerns of Homewood and there are some legitimate concerns there but when people can no longer be in those areas, theyve got to go somewhere. So theyre likely going to migrate to adjacent areas, Carroll said. I hope they come here. I hope that they will seek our services to help turn their life around. To read Homewoods new ordinance in full, click the link here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Antisemitic activist Linda Sarsour isnt just playing a big role in Zohran Mamdanis NYCs mayoral campaign shes been a political mentor and close friend of the silver-spoon socialist for nearly a decade and helped guide his far-left hatred of Israel, according to a foreign intelligence report and critics. Mamdanis propensity for making pie-in-the-sky Marxist campaign promises date back to his high school days when he made a failed bid for student government with a fresh juice for all campaign. However, it was the Hamas-supporting, Palestinian-American firebrand Sarsour who helped nuture the 34-year-old into the radical mayoral frontrunner he is today, according to a foreign intelligence service report obtained by The Post. Anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour isnt just playing a big role in Zohran Mamdanis NYCs mayoral campaign shes been a political mentor and friend of the silver-spoon socialist for nearly a decade. Obtained by the New York Post Zohran Mamdanis candidacy is linked closely within a network of Islamist figures and organizations with extremist associations, says the document, which names notorious Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing who once urged jihad on New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His reliance on Linda Sarsour as a mentor, and her own allegiance to . . . Wahhaj, situates Mamdani within the ideological chain of influence extending from Wahhajs radical teachings to the political sphere of New York City, the document reads. Sara Forman, executive director of the pro-Israel New York Solidarity Network, called Sarsour one of the main antagonists for normalizing anti-Israel rhetoric in New Yorks public sphere. Much of what Zohran Mamdani now says about Israel and Zionists would have never been politically acceptable in New York, said Forman. Linda Sarsour is an absolutist, committed to the destruction of the State of Israel with every fiber of her being, she added. Zohran Mamdanis brand of socialism is intertwined with, and indistinguishable from, Lindas and certainly a reflection of her decades of work to delegitimize Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani was largely unknown in New York political circles until joining the Sarsour-founded Muslim Democratic Club of New York in 2017, the report notes. Sarsour shared this photo to Instagram on Oct. 18 celebrating Mamdanis 34th birthday. Linda Sarsour/ Instagram The two card-carrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America worked closely later that year assisting DSA-backed, Palestinian-American community activist Khader El-Yateems failed campaign to win a City Council seat representing Bay Ridge ultimately won by Democrat Justin Brannan. Sarsour, Mamdani and Brannan are now political allies. In 2020, Sarsour was instrumental in Mamdanis first political run, helping use her influence to score the state Assembly seat he currently holds representing Astoria and surrounding Queens neighborhoods. Shortly after Mamdani won the Democratic primary in his assembly race, Sarsour shared one of Mamdanis political flyers on Facebook and gushed, I am sitting here crying. My heart is FULL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called the socialist pol very dear to my heart. Mamdani replied, Love you habibti, the Arabic term for loved one. You did so much to make this a reality, he wrote, adding a heart emoji. Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic consultant, said anyone who thinks [Sarsour] wont have access to City Hall if Mamdani becomes mayor including access to anything having to do with city policy toward Jewish-Americans is out of their minds. Mamdani on Oct. 17 shared this photo of himself on the campaign trail with controversial Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj (right) and NYC Councilman Yusef Salaam (left). X/ZohranKMamdani Every administration has had informal advisors, he said. Linda Sarsour will likely have an important role in the administration, as will other anti-Israel activists, many of whom are also anti-American. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a critical element of his thinking, which is anti-Israel and ultimately antisemitic. Sarsour and Mamdani did not return messages. Brooklyn Councilwoman and staunch Zionist Inna Vernikov called Mamdani a lovechild of the radical left and radical Islamist movements that people like Linda Sarsour spearheaded the past decade. In 2018, Sarsour placed Mamdani on the board of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York a board which included members with past roles in CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America), groups cited by analysts in Hamas-funding probes, the Republican lawmaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Linda Sarsour groomed, so Zohran could run and destroy. Mamdani was actually elected not appointed to the MDCNY board in April 2018, but Sarsours influence as co-founder played a huge role in him winning the seat, sources said. Sarsours contempt for the Jewish state long predates the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians that sparked the war in Gaza. She declared in 2018 that fellow Muslims shouldnt humanize Israelis because theyre the enemy. If youre on the side of the oppressor, or youre defending the oppressor, or youre actually trying to humanize the oppressor, then thats a problem, said Sarsour, speaking at the Islamic Society of North Americas annual convention. Zohran Mamdani at the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood Annual Gala on Sept. 20. Zohran Mamdani/ X The 45-year-old activist is a former leader of the Womens March on Washington that organized after President Trump won his first term, but she and two other founding members were booted from the group over their unapologetic embrace of notorious antisemite Louis Farrakhan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarsour also has a history of speaking glowingly about Wahhaj, who has been linked to other terrorist activity in the United States beyond the 1993 WTC bombing that left six people dead. The imam has denied any connection to terrorism. My favorite person in this room, because thats mutual, is Imam SIraj Wahhaj, who has been a mentor and motivator and encourager of mine, said Sarsour during the 2017 ISNA convention, according to the intelligence document, which relies heavily on media reports and other Internet sourcing comparable to opposition-style research reports typically drafted to help political campaigns. Sarsour a longtime advocate, like Mamdani, of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement campaigned heavily from behind the scenes for Mamdani during the Democratic mayoral primary where he upset heavily favored ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is now running the Nov. 4 general election as an independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She donated the maximum $2,100 to Mamdanis campaign and has sent out many social-media blasts asking her hundreds of thousands of followers to donate to his campaign. Linda Sarsour played the long game, and though Zohran Mamdani may claim hes disinterested in foreign policy, when hes winking and nodding about Jews and Israel, its directed toward Linda Sarsour and those in his orbit aligned with her, said Forman. The entrance sign to Zion National Park just outside of Sprindale, Utah. (Photo by SageElyse/Getty Images) Instead of getting paid as they normally would on Friday, many of Utahs federal employees were figuring out how to stretch their budgets for as long as it takes Congress to reopen the government. The anxiety is starting to really rise in a lot of people, said Robert Lawrence, president of the union representing Ogdens IRS employees. Theyre starting to wonder, you know, how theyre going to pay their bills, how theyre going to pay their mortgage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence said many of his colleagues did not get a full paycheck earlier this month and some have applied for unemployment, but those benefits probably wont meet their needs. The IRS employs about 6,500 people in Ogden, Lawrence estimated, and the majority are furloughed because of the shutdown unable to work or get paid. The possibility of layoffs has exacerbated their stress. Roughly 100 were among thousands of U.S. government workers across the country who received notices earlier this month saying theyd be laid off, Lawrence said. A judge temporarily blocked the terminations, which were set to happen in December. Lawrence said the shutdown is holding up the agencys work ahead of the coming tax season, all while its still trying to recover from a slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. What makes it so frustrating is that, you know, we have nothing to do with whats going on in D.C. We have a job to do. We do that job. We do it proudly, and we expect to get paid for it, Lawrence said. Im not siding with either side. Change has to come from both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the agencys employees in Ogden are longtime staffers who moved up the ranks, but the majority are getting paid somewhere near $15 per hour, said Lawrence, president of the National Treasury Employees Union chapter 67. You cant support a family on that, Lawrence said. So to miss a paycheck is potentially devastating. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rangers at Zion National Park are also feeling the pressure of another week without pay, according to the Zion Forever Project, a nonprofit supporting the park and its workers. On a typical day, you would see rangers kind of everywhere, and thats not the case anymore, said Tiffany Stouffer, the organizations development director. Very few of them are working, and even less of those who are working are working with pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization launched a push Friday to raise more money for a fund helping to cover counseling and mental health support for the parks employees and its own staff. Stouffer said many park rangers fear that theyll be called back to work when the government reopens, only to be laid off a short time later. These are career professionals with sometimes multiple degrees, or lifetimes of knowledge and experience, she said. At the nonprofit Switchpoint, which operates a food pantry in St. George, spokesperson Zachary Almaguer said four federal employees two working for public lands agencies have gotten in touch about food assistance, expressing concern about making ends meet. Stouffer fought tears as she thought about Zion employees in similar situations. Said Stouffer: Theyre Utahns, theyre part of the fabric of our communities, and theyre suffering. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COFFEE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) An appeals court recently made a decision involving a Manchester father convicted three years ago in connection with his babys death, paving the way for a new trial. Gavin Clark claimed his infant son, Noah Clark, died from a tragic accident in January 2020, but doctors testified the injuries looked more like abuse. While he was initially charged with murder, a jury found Gavin guilty of lesser charges, including reckless homicide, in September 2022. He got 23 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JANUARY 2020: Father charged with murder of infant in Coffee County His head was the first initial thing that hit, Gavin said as he took the stand in September 2022. Noah was just 5 weeks old when he died. The boys father who was 21 years old at the time of the incident claimed he tripped on a toy and fell down the stairs while holding Noah. However, during the trial, medical experts said the baby suffered head trauma that looked like abuse He had bruising on his head and face in multiple places, Dr. Kristina Betters, with Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt, testified three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His mother, Angel Liggins, still claims his innocence. SEPTEMBER 2022: Disturbing details revealed in Manchester infants death as murder trial begins It was an accident of the fall, Liggins said. Its very hard to face, I mean, to know what Gavin has gone through since hes been incarcerated, to be taken away from his children, his siblings, friends, the community. Hes such an amazing person, such an amazing person, so to see anyone go through something like this is so unfair. An appeals court found the jurys verdict was ambiguous because of how jurors filled out the verdict form. The court said jurors appeared to simultaneously acquit and convict Gavin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liggins called the appeals courts decision to overturn Gavins conviction a victory for her family as they continue to grieve Noah, as well as Gavin. Were all still suffering. Every day, we are aware that Gavins not home; we can never get Noah back, Liggins said. SEPTEMBER 2022: Manchester father found guilty of lesser charges in death of his 5-week-old baby According to documents, the trial judge also failed to act as the thirteenth juror, which is where the trial judge is supposed to review the jurys decision to ensure its not against the evidence. Overall, the court filing doesnt say Clark is innocent or that the evidence was insufficient during the trial, but rather the way the verdict was delivered was flawed. As a result, the case is being sent back for another trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get his freedom and it to be considered, its a very big deal, Liggins said. News 2 spoke to Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott. He shared his disappointment from this appeal but said there are still more steps that need to take place before a new trial date is set. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A man learned his punishment for shooting and killing his mother in Clinton County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kyler Whitt, 33, was sentenced to a total of 19.5 years to 25 years in prison, according to the Wilmington Police Department. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitt was sentenced right after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance, receiving stolen property, and tampering with evidence, the department said. As previously reported by News Center 7, Kelley Blazer, 55, was shot and killed inside an apartment on Brownberry Drive on April 15. The victims son, Whitt, was arrested on scene of the shooting. After Whitts sentencing, he was taken into custody by the Clinton County Sheriffs Office for transfer to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The Wilmington Police Department wishes to thank the Clinton County Sheriffs Office and the Clinton County Prosecutors Office for their assistance and collaborative efforts throughout this investigation and prosecution, the department said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Officers with the Greece Police Department arrested a 40-year-old man from Rochester early Friday morning after officers received reports of a burglary at a home on Bancroft Drive in Greece. Officers say the victim reported that her ex-boyfriend Joseph R. Alessi forcibly entered her apartment by kicking in the front door. According to the GPD, Alessi was seen walking through the home armed with a shotgun. Alessi does not reside at the location. Alessi allegedly damaged property, took the victims car keys, and stole her vehicle during the incident. Officers were able to recover the shotgun discarded on the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GPD issued a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) alert for Alessi and the stolen vehicle. Officers with the Rochester Police Department located the stolen vehicle on Maple Street in Rochester. According to the RPD, the vehicle was not occupied at the time it was recovered. Following coordinated efforts between the GPD and the RPD, Alessi was located and arrested at a residence on Maple Street. Alessi was taken to Greece Police Headquarters for processing. Alessi was charged with burglary in the first degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Alessi was taken to the Monroe County Jail for arraignment in CAP Court. No one was injured during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Scott Courtright reached the summit of Humphreys Peak and breathed in a tranquility that quickly turned into a jolting trek for him and another hiker a fight to survive on Arizonas highest mountain. The two hikers exchanged pleasantries, with Courtright snapping a photo of his newly acquainted companion when, without warning, both men were struck by lightning on the morning of Oct. 22. "I was kneeling down to get a drink of water and then put my pack on," Courtright said Oct. 24 in an interview with The Arizona Republic. "The next thing I know, I woke up. There was no bang." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtright, 50, said that based on his injuries, the lightnings current appears to have shot into his right forearm, spilt two ways and exited through both his right heel and centimeters below his left pinkie toe. "The craziest thing: It doesn't hurt," Courtright said of the burns he sustained. Courtright said his fellow hiker, a Canadian visiting Arizona, had nearly all of his clothing burned away, leaving him almost completely naked. The pair were out cold for about 15 minutes before they came to and were immobile on the ground for about another 45 minutes. As clouds engulfed the summit and 40 mph winds swept in, the men hunkered behind a low-standing wall of piled rocks gathered by prior visitors to the peak, Courtright said. They huddled together for warmth, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was determined to return home to Flagstaff and reunite with his wife of 24 years and his two daughters. Top stories: Woman fatally struck at Arizona Walmart. 3-year-old taken to hospital 'We weren't gonna die on top of that mountain' "We were both of the mindset that we weren't gonna die on top of that mountain. Because that was really our only other option at that time just based on the weather." Courtright said. At least one hiker has perished on Humphreys Peak. In July 2016, a lightning strike claimed the life of 17-year-old Wade Young, a recent high school graduate from Tempe. After enduring three grueling hours at the summit of Humphreys Peak, the two men began their descent toward the tree line, where rescue workers, whom they had managed to contact by cell phone, were waiting. Scott Courtright is seen in this Oct. 22, 2025 photo on the summit of Humphreys Peak sone minutes before the hiker was strike by lightning. Located about 14 miles north of Flagstaff, Humphreys Peak rises more than 12,600 feet as part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The dormant volcano presents a daunting challenge even for experienced hikers, with steep, treacherous slopes inhabited by bears and mountain lions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After navigating about a mile of difficult terrain, Courtrights injured companion could go no farther. Courtright continued another 200 yards and reached the search and rescue team. He was taken by UTV to the teams command center, while his companion was carried down the mountain on a gurney. An avid outdoorsman, Courtright said he regularly hikes as part of his work as an archeologist. On what was his second trip to Humprheys Peak, he heard no thunder rumbling, saw no flash of lightning and felt no static electricity. "There was zero sign," Courtright said. "I know when I need to not be someplace. Absolutely no indication that I was going to be struck by lightning." On the evening of Oct. 24, Courtright texted the hiker whom he traversed close to death with on Humphreys Peak. He learned the man was recuperating well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with escaping with his life from Humphreys Peak to be with his family, Courtright had music on his mind. He refused to miss The Cult, one of his favorite rock bands, which was slated to perform the night of Oct. 25 at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix. He will, however, likely not be back to Humphreys Peak for a while. "I'm going to take a break," he said with a laugh. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Humphreys Peak lightning-strike survivor shares story TOPEKA (KSNT) A group of over 30 attorneys general signed a letter asking Congress for a clarification of the federal definition of hemp to separate which products are legal and illegal. Nearly 40 attorneys general across the nation and its territories, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, submitted a letter on Oct. 24 to the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) regarding a provision of the 2018 Farm Bill. They ask for Congress to clarify the definition of hemp or reauthorize the Farm Bill to settle the legality of THC products being sold in the U.S. We, the undersigned Attorneys General, write concerning a provision of the 2018 Farm Bill that has been wrongly exploited by bad actors to sell recreational synthetic THC products across the country. We ask that Congress clarify the federal definition of hemp during the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process or through the reauthorization of the Farm Bill to leave no doubt that these harmful products are illegal and that their sale and manufacture are criminal acts. NAAG letter excerpt The attorneys general say that illegal hemp-derived THC products are flooding communities across the nation due to a misinterpretation of the 2018 Farm Bills definition of hemp which they say is being used to exploit customer at the expense of public health. The group argues that clear directives from Congress are needed to put a halt to the production of these products to prevent a larger threat to public health than what presently exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which Kansas federal lawmakers are refusing pay during the government shutdown? The 2018 Farm Bill specifics that hemp-derived products cannot be made up of more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. However, the attorneys general say that chemical processes not taken into consideration by Congress when it enacted the 2018 Farm Bill has allowed for the creation of products that contain much higher concentrations of THC that are dangerous to consumers. The letter accuses industry actors of misinterpreting the Farm Bills legalization of low concentrations of hemp-derived delta-9. It also accuses them of taking advantage of the lack of definition of hemp-derived THC products other than delta-9 to claim the Farm Bill allows for the production of various synthetic cannabinoids. In this way, legal, nonintoxicating hemp is used to make Frankenstein THC products that get adults high and harm and even kill children. NAAG letter excerpt The attorneys general end their letter by asking Congress to act swiftly and clarify the 2018 Farm Bills definition of hemp to ensure that dangerous THC products are not available for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The benefits of being outside in nature are undeniable. In fact, spending time outdoors boosts mood, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive function. But it's important that tourists and outdoor enthusiasts respect and preserve the nature they are enjoying. Some Australians were recently reminded of this by local authorities, as detailed in a report by Yahoo News. Several rock formations were defaced with graffiti in Bowling Green Bay National Park in Townsville. The Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation reminded everyone that fines for individuals defacing rocks were $1,613. If the matter were taken to court, the fines could reach an astounding $26,600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems several couples have been writing their names on the rocks, an old-school sign of romantic intent. Unfortunately for the lovebirds, defacing rocks in these parks could permanently alter environmentally and culturally significant sites. The rocks may hold geological importance, ancient markings, or cultural heritage values. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident of people acting poorly in nature. One poster took to Reddit to show tourists in Rocky Mountain National Park veering off designated paths despite warning signs, which endanger plant life in the area. Some amateur photographers angered passersby by getting too close to the ancient redwoods in Sequoia National Park. In Britain, illegal campsites have caused destruction in the Lake District's Haweswater and Thirlmere regions, much to the chagrin of other local outdoor enthusiasts. There are many ways to prevent such irresponsible behavior. First and foremost is education. Talking about climate issues with family and friends might teach them how these actions have consequences. Taking local action by becoming active in our communities will also help. The Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation was clear in its directions to the public. "For the love of parks, never graffiti trees or park infrastructure. Take only photographs, leave nothing but footprints, and help us keep our parks beautiful and natural for everyone to enjoy," they shared in a statement, per Yahoo. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban was delighted to learn last week that Russia and the United States had chosen his country as the venue for another summit on ending the war in Ukraine. Having positioned Hungary a European Union and NATO member as an ally of both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, Orban was hoping to show the world that the road to peace runs through Budapest. But his hopes were dashed after the Trump administration abruptly shelved plans for the Budapest summit and on Wednesday unveiled sanctions on Russias two biggest oil producers the first since Trump returned to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the sanctions aim to deplete Russias war chest, they could also wreak havoc on Hungarys economy. Whereas almost all EU countries have diversified their energy mix away from Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Hungarys dependence has deepened. Along with Slovakia, its fellow antiliberal Central European neighbor, Hungary is almost totally reliant on Russia for its oil imports. Orban is now reckoning with the grim consequences of his own energy policy. Alongside Washingtons oil sanctions, the EU on Thursday confirmed it would ban Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from 2027. Last month, Orban told Trump that, without Russian energy imports, Hungarys economy would be brought to its knees. Against what he decries as the bland uniformity of Brussels, Orban says he stands for sovereignty Hungarys right to chart its own course within the EU and forge ties with hardline leaders abroad. But Orbans quest for sovereignty spurning EU efforts to diversify its energy supplies has left his country perilously dependent on one country for fossil fuels. The double blow of US oil sanctions and the LNG ban comes as Orban, Europes longest-serving prime minister, is struggling to contain Hungarys surging opposition movement led by Peter Magyar, a former Orban loyalist-turned-arch-rival. While Orban had hoped a Trump-Putin summit could shore up his support at home, he now faces a deepening economic crisis that could weaken his hand before a crucial election in the spring. US President Donald Trump and Orban shake hands at a summit on ending the war in Gaza, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, October 13. - Yoan Valat/Pool/Reuters After Moscows all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, EU countries moved to slash Russian energy imports to cut off a major source of the Kremlins revenue. However, Brussels gave Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic an exemption from a ban on Russian crude oil, giving them time to reduce their reliance on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Hungary and Slovakia used the exemption to deepen their dependence. Hungary increased its Russian crude oil reliance from 61% pre-invasion to 86% in 2024. So far this year, 92% of Hungarys crude oil imports have been from Russia. Slovakia, meanwhile, is almost 100% dependent on supply from Moscow, according to a report from the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). By May, Hungary and Slovakias crude oil purchases had sent the Kremlin 5.4 billion euros ($6.3 billion), the report found, saying this was the equivalent of the cost of purchasing 1,800 Iskander-M missiles that have been used to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure and kill Ukrainian civilians. The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at a refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. - Bernadett Szabo/Reuters The crude oil imports flow through the Druzhba pipeline, which has been repeatedly attacked this summer by Ukrainian drones, in an effort by Kyiv to punish its neighbors for helping to fund Moscows war. The CSD-CREA report said that Hungary could diversify its energy supplies, receiving non-Russian oil through Croatias Adria pipeline rather than Druzhba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Orban has shown no sign of changing tack. In an interview with Hungarian state radio Friday, he said his government was working on how to circumvent the US sanctions, without providing further details. Hungarys intent to find workarounds to the US sanctions could provide the first major test of the Trump administrations seriousness about enforcing them, said Elina Ribakova, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a think tank based in Washington, DC. Despite harsh rhetoric towards Russia from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the decision to impose new sanctions on Russia was due to Putins refusal to end this senseless war in Ukraine, Trump has been less abrasive, saying he hoped the sanctions wont be on for long. The US president also left the door open to the Budapest summit, saying well do it in the future. The success of the sanctions on Russias oil majors will depend on how they are enforced, including against a Trump ally like Orban, Ribakova told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which will it be: A friendly Putin-Trump meeting in Hungary, or throwing Hungarys administration under the bus if they try to evade sanctions? she said. I have no idea which way the cards will fall here. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Becker community is reeling after the sudden closure of its local post office. In a news release issued on October 14, the United States Postal Service announced retail and delivery operations will be suspended at the Becker Post Office at the end of the day Friday, due to the expiration of its building lease. Starting on Saturday, Beckers postal operations will move 8 miles away to the Monticello Post Office. Customers with post office boxes will still be able to receive their mail from mailboxes located at the Becker Community Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post office, located at 13974 1st St SE, is housed in the same building as a gas station and a chiropractor. The move has upset residents, with Becker Mayor Mark Kolbinger voicing his concerns on social media. "USPS leadership was given 40 months notice about the expiration of the lease," wrote Kolbinger in a Facebook post. "Ive seen the documentation that was sent in June of 2022 via certified mail. My opinion is that they had time to find a solution and this emergency closure was unnecessary." Becker Post Office Google Maps Kolbinger also writes he and his wife will be providing rides to senior citizens and others without transportation to the Monticello Post Office on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. He also plans on advocating for a permanent postal facility in Becker in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Post offices are a lifeline service for many Minnesotans, so when they close, it can have real consequences. USPS should work directly with communities to prevent this, said Minnesota Senator Tina Smith in a statement, saying there was "still time for USPS to make it right." "Postmaster General David Steiner is responsible for ensuring the Postal Service works for everyone. Instead of shifting blame, the USPS needs to preserve service to the thousands of residents in Becker, Monticello, and Big Lake who rely on the Postal Service to get their bills, paychecks, and prescriptions." Bring Me The News has reached out to USPS representatives for additional comment, but has not heard back as of Friday evening. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The fighter aircraft was never more important than it was during the global calamity that began in 1939. However, at this time of need, the fighter types available were pretty limited to say the least. If you were an air force leader choosing a fighter to defend your nation, your choice (if you were lucky and appropriately aligned politically) would be from this pack of misfits and immature thoroughbreds. Here are the ten best fighters operational at start of the biggest war in history. 10: Mitsubishi A5M Claude Mitsubishi A5M Claude There may have been a few better land-based fighters in 1939 but if you wanted a carrier fighter then this is it. None of the classics had entered service yet, so no Grumman F4F Wildcat, no Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" - even the Brewster Buffalo didnt appear till December. If you want a monoplane its either this or a Blackburn Skua, and lets face it, no-one wants a Skua (which was an appalling aircraft in many ways). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manoeuvrable, fairly fast and long ranged, the A5M was dominant over China and was the first carrier aircraft to demonstrably prove to be as good as its land-based contemporaries. 10: Mitsubishi A5M Claude Mitsubishi A5M Claude In the second Sino-Japanese War the A5M had the upper hand (in terms of airframe performance) on almost every foe it faced and importantly established Japanese naval air power as a force to be reckoned with. The Mitsubishi A5M Claudes establishment of air superiority cemented the aircrafts reputation as one of the best of its time, known for its superb manoeuvrability and resilience to battle damage. Though its top speed of 250-280mph (402-451 km/h) had been pretty impressive when the type had first flown in 1935, the world had moved on and the best fighter-producing nations, Germany and Britain, were now fielding machines demonstrating 350mph. Likewise, two light machine-guns were a weak armament in 1939, with British aircraft boasting four times the firepower. 9: Fokker G.1 Fokker G.1 Fokker was a Dutch aircraft company famous for its World War I fighters that served with Germany. The G.1 caused a sensation when it was first revealed in Paris. The twin-boom (a design with two longitudinal auxiliary booms like the handles of a wheelbarrow) design was radical but effective (and influential), and was dubbed La Faucheur (the Reaper) by the French press due to its unheard of armament of eight nose-mounted machine guns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tasked with policing the Netherlands neutrality, the G.1s first victory was the accidental shooting down of a British RAF Whitley bomber. 9: Fokker G.1 Fokker G.1 When the German forces invaded in May 1940 the Fokker G.1 had only five days of action to prove its worth during which it operated effectively, despite being massively outnumbered, in both the ground attack, and air to air role, scoring at least 14 victories. In 1941 two Dutch test pilots escaped to the United Kingdom in a Fokker G.1, which, despite its exciting history was left outside to test the effects of the climate on a wooden airframe and then scrapped in 1945. 8: Messerschmitt Bf 110C Messerschmitt Bf 110C The best twin-engined fighter of 1939 looked like an invincible force when first committed to action. It was fast, powerful, had a massive range and terrific firepower. Unfortunately, it was very large for a fighter and lacked manoeuvrability. Having said that, the 110 could outclimb any other European fighter in 1940. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supremely successful over Poland, France, Norway and the low countries, it's subsequent mauling when faced with modern, well-organised single-engined fighters has diminished its postwar reputation. This is unfair as it was the tactical employment of the aircraft that was at fault rather than the aircraft which was more or less as good as it was possible to be in 1939. 8: Messerschmitt Bf 110C Messerschmitt Bf 110C The Bf 110 was ahead of other twin-engined fghters in terms of reaching operational service. Britains tough Bristol Beaufighter and fast Westland Whirlwind were yet to enter service, and Frances fighter versions of the Potez 630 was proving extremely troublesome. Later attempts to replace the Bf 110 with the Bf 210 would prove to be a nightmare for the Luftwaffe. 7: Bloch MB.152 Bloch MB.152 Despite being the best French fighter available in 1939, the prototype of what would become the MB.152 actually failed to fly as a result the fact that this aircraft makes it onto the list at all is nothing short of amazing. Unlike the British and German aircraft on this list, the 152 featured a radial, as opposed to inline, engine in the form of the Gnome-Rhone 14N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one would call the MB.152 a looker, in fact the whole nose was canted off to one side to counteract propellor torque an ingenious if mildly hideous solution. 7: Bloch MB.152 Bloch MB.152 It wasnt particularly fast but the MB.152 was amazingly resilient (one once returned to base with over 360 bullet holes), and unusually well-armed for a single-seat fighter of this era with two 20-mm cannon and two light machine-guns. Though tough and manoeuvrable, the Bloch MB.152 was a bit slower than Bf 109s it would face, and only carried 60 rounds of ammunition per cannon. Better aircraft were in development for France, notably the faster Dewoitine D.520, but its introduction was too late to affect to deter the German invasion. 6: Curtiss P-36/Hawk 75/Mohawk Curtiss P-36/Hawk 75/Mohawk By far the best American fighter of 1939, and by far the shiniest aircraft on this list, the Curtiss Hawk 75A scored the first aerial victory on the Western front of the Second World War. The combat victories were claimed by French pilots in Curtiss Hawk 75A-1s of the SPA 160 "Red Devils" squadron of GC II/4 on 8 September 1939. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years later the Curtiss made history again by scoring the first aerial victory for the US over Pearl Harbor. 6: Curtiss P-36/Hawk 75/Mohawk Curtiss P-36/Hawk 75/Mohawk Despite seeing very little service with US forces the Hawk 75 flew successfully over France, scoring a third of all French victories though making up only 12 per cent of the fighter force. Survivors were then used to great effect by Finland. In the RAF Mohawks fought the Japanese until the end of 1944 and Argentina only withdrew theirs in 1954. The Hawk 75 was tough, nimble it was notably more manoeuvrable than a Spitfire or Hurricane at high speed, well-armed (with one light and one heavy machine-gun) but never quite fast enough. 5: Polikarpov I-16 Polikarpov I-16 Due to its primary mission seemingly being to become the fighter with the greatest number of nicknames in aviation history, by 1939 the Soviet I-16 was no longer at the cutting edge of combat aircraft technology but it was still a force to be reckoned with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite looking like a barrel it was easily the most advanced fighter in the World when it entered service in 1934, the aesthetically abrupt I-16 cut a dash over Spain and was master of all aircraft that opposed it except, tellingly, one. 5: Polikarpov I-16 Polikarpov I-16 Faster than nearly all contemporary fighters, it was very manoeuvrable but difficult to fly. Interestingly Mark Hanna, possibly the only Western pilot to fly both the Hurricane and I-16 (though neither in combat) said I had just flown a Hurricane for the first time, a week before the Rata I felt that youd be better off fighting in a Rata. At any rate I felt quickly far more comfortable in it. In air combat against early low-powered 109s, I would suspect that the two aircraft were very comparable. Which leads us neatly on to 4: Hawker Hurricane I Hawker Hurricane I The famous British Hawker Hurricane fighter first flew in 1935. The Hurricane was available in large numbers in September 1939 which was its principal advantage over its great rival the Spitfire. Later its relative simplicity and great sturdiness would prove invaluable but when war broke out these were not great concerns, and it was simply one of the worlds best fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricanes saw the most action of any British type over France and it acquitted itself well before historically proving its worth in the Battle of Britain. 4: Hawker Hurricane I Hawker Hurricane I Not particularly fast, the Hurricane was very well-armed by the standards of the day, and able to withstand battle damage to a greater degree than any other British fighter, though horrifically prone to catching fire in the vicinity of the pilot. In tests at 15,000 feet the cockpit went from room temperature to 3000 degrees Celsius in ten seconds when the fuel tank caught fire. It was supremely responsive and easy to fly a great boon at a time when very few pilots had experienced combat. 3: Macchi MC.200 Saetta Macchi MC.200 Saetta Entering service a mere month before the outbreak of World War Two the Macchi MC 200 was for several years Italys premier fighter, despite its slight rotundity and old-fashioned open cockpit. The open cockpit it received was a retrograde step said to be requested by conservative pilots used to the ease of escape and unobstructed view possible without an enclosed canopy (though it was likely influenced by opinions coming from a higher level in the air force). Indeed, some Italian pilots preferred the slower more aerobatic biplanes the 200 replaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saetta was an excellent flying machine, being pretty quick with viceless handling and sprightly manoeuvrability. Later it would fly rings around Hurricanes over the Mediterranean. 3: Macchi MC.200 Saetta Macchi MC.200 Saetta Sadly for the Italians it never had the sort of engine power that was becoming necessary by 1939 and its armament of only two machine-guns was pitiful, so Hurricanes largely got away. Despite its shortcomings it established a surprisingly good kill ratio against later designs over the Soviet Union, where it operated until early 1943. Fitted with a decent engine (the German Daimler-Benz DB 601) it became later become Italys best all-round fighter of the war, as the Macchi C.202 Folgore). Thanks to the more powerful engine and streamlined nose, the 202 was an impressive 60mph faster. Of course, all this was academic in 1939 because Italy was neutral - at least for the time being... 2: Supermarine Spitfire I Supermarine Spitfire I The British Spitfire first flew in 1936 and entered service in August 1938. What is surprising about the fabulously capable Spitfire is just how early it was available. When most of the world was still operating biplanes that would not have looked out of place in 1918 (including the RAF) the Spitfire looked sensational and pointed the way to the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite being the fastest aircraft in service anywhere it was still an underdeveloped aircraft in 1939, the rate of climb particularly suffered due to its being fitted with a fixed-pitch wooden airscrew. Well-armed by contemporary standards, it was considered easy to fly though not as forgiving as the Hurricane. The Spitfire was highly energetic and extremely responsive to pilot controls. 2: Supermarine Spitfire I Supermarine Spitfire I On the downside it was woefully short-ranged and the engine was prone to overheating virtually as soon as it was started. In combat the Spitfire of 1939 was not able to withstand the same levels of damage as the Hurricane and it could not perform some of the manoeuvres possible with the 109 because the engine would conk out. Despite this, the formidable Spitfire was a fine handling aircraft of superlative performance with the devastating armament of eight Browning machine-guns. 1: Messerschmitt Bf 109 Messerschmitt Bf 109 In 1939 the Bf 109E had proved to be the most formidable aircraft of the Spanish Civil War and it was the finest fighter in service at the outbreak of World War II. The best fighter in the world was not without its flaws; Willy Messerschmitt was a noted glider designer before he turned his hand to fighters and aspects of its design were somewhat flimsy for a combat machine, a tail supported by struts was pretty weak by the late thirties and the occasional catastrophic total structural failure kept the Luftwaffe pilot of 1939 on his toes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless in September 1939 it was a more mature combat aircraft than its great opponent and nearest rival, the Spitfire, and at the outbreak of war over 2000 Bf 109s had been built as opposed to barely 300 Spitfires. It had been refined with experience garnered in Spain, it was cannon armed and its fuel injection system was better able to cope with combat manoeuvres than the British aircraft. It was fitted with a variable pitch airscrew from the outset which maximised engine efficiency and speed. 1: Messerschmitt Bf 109 Messerschmitt Bf 109 By contrast, even once the Spitfire got a variable pitch propeller it initially had only two settings; in the 109 airscrew pitch could be set at any angle between fully feathered and coarse at the wish of the pilot. In addition, it had marginally better range which was eventually to be greatly improved by a drop tank, though not until late 1940. Within hours of the outbreak of hostilities, it was sweeping all aerial opposition aside and appeared unstoppable. It was decidedly more difficult to fly than most of its enemies, but Germany entered the war correctly confident that its premier fighter aircraft was the worlds finest. The full Hush-Kit article this is based on can be viewed here. Joe Coles is the author of The Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes Vol 1, Vol 2 and Vol 3 If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> Best of Great State: Pawnee Bill Ranch PAWNEE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) Galen Culver has visited all kinds of places after dark for the past 35 years. He only ever heard about one haunted painting back in 2002 at the Pawnee Bill Ranch. previous More Great State Stories The Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum in Oklahoma is hosting a ghost story candlelight tour Saturday, October 25, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Guides will lead guests through an outdoor tour while sharing ghost stories about Oklahoma and the Pawnee Bill Ranch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tours will leave every 30 minutes from the museum building, and will take place on porches or inside the buildings if it rains. Great State is sponsored by True Sky Credit Union Follow Galens Great State adventures on social media! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. For the first time in more than a decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit South Korea next week, travelling to the historic city of Gyeongju for talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung as well as to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit. While the trip carries limited expectations for immediate breakthroughs, it is seen as a carefully calibrated step towards resetting strained China-South Korea ties, according to experts. Xi's last visit in 2014, at the height of Beijing-Seoul relations, culminated in a free-trade agreement that took effect in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Park Geun-hye, South Korean president at the time, sought Chinese support for her vision for Korean unification, focusing on building trust, humanitarian aid and reconciliation. Despite Pyongyang's criticism of the initiative, Beijing referred to it in a joint statement during a summit in Seoul in July that year. Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with former South Korean president Park Geun-hye during an Apec summit in Beijing in 2014. Photo: EPA alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with former South Korean president Park Geun-hye during an Apec summit in Beijing in 2014. Photo: EPA> Last month, when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited China for the first time in more than six years to watch a massive military parade, he and Xi also held face-to-face talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a readout following that meeting, Beijing omitted any reference to "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", raising doubts about the prospects for arms reduction. Diplomatic experts said that while the Apec summit was unlikely to yield meaningful outcomes, it did reflect an effort by Beijing and Seoul to lay the groundwork for normalising bilateral ties and fostering future cooperation. But since the United States and North Korea were deeply embedded factors in South Korea-China relations, breakthroughs or significant progress were unlikely this time, they said. Zhan Debin, director of the Centre for Korean Peninsula Studies at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, said that Seoul and Beijing both faced pressing domestic and international priorities, making Xi's visit largely "a symbolic restart" of bilateral relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given the challenges in ties over the past few years, this visit signals a moment to reset and reinvigorate bilateral ties, entering the phase of 'managing differences while pursuing practical cooperation'," he said. Niu Xiaoping, an expert on the Korean peninsula at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, expected that the summit would address supply chain stability amid the ongoing US-China trade war, cooperation in the digital and green economies as well as upgrades to the existing China-South Korea free trade agreement. Niu added that Beijing's recent sanctions on five US affiliates of Hanwha Ocean, a major South Korean shipbuilder and key player in revitalising America's shipbuilding industry, could be raised by the Korean side during the meeting. Since Lee's inauguration in June, Beijing and Seoul have cautiously sought to reset ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former president Yoon Suk-yeol had shifted Seoul's diplomacy closer to Washington and Tokyo, straining ties with Beijing. But in an interview with Time magazine last month, Lee said the country could not fall back on the traditional approach of relying on the US for security and on China for economic growth. However, it could position itself as a potential "bridge". "Our values of democracy and a market economy are based on our US-South Korea alliance," Lee said. "We cannot completely sever our relationship with China. So, we need to manage our relationship at an adequate level, and I believe that the Western world has to be understanding in this regard." South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul. Photo: EPA/Yonhap alt=South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a meeting at the presidential office in Seoul. Photo: EPA/Yonhap> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Beijing and Seoul will exchange views on the Korean peninsula," Niu said, adding that progress would depend on trust between Pyongyang and Washington, with a need for phased compromises rather than unilateral concessions. Amid what seemed to be a growing willingness among parties to engage in talks, China could play a role in easing dialogue, Niu said. North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday morning in its first launches in months. The missiles flew around 350km (217 miles) and appeared to have fallen inland, according to South Korea's military. Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, said Beijing played "an indispensable role in stabilising" the situation and tempering Pyongyang's actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to North Korean state news agency KCNA, Beijing and Pyongyang reached a "complete consensus" on international and regional issues following a visit by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui late last month. Seoul and Beijing have also held high-level exchanges in recent months. China has showcased its influence over North Korea, signalling to South Korea the importance of prioritising ties with Beijing if Seoul aims to advance inter-Korean relations, according to Lee Dong-gyu, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. "As it seeks to lay the groundwork for improved inter-Korean relations, the Lee administration will also likely manage its relationship and try to build friendly ties with China," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given the unstable international situation, it will be difficult for the two countries to quickly build consensus on various diplomatic and security issues and restore bilateral relations." However, China-South Korea ties could hit a snag if Washington prioritises containing Beijing with Seoul's help, according to experts. "South Korea's top priority is to first manage its relationship with the US by resolving key issues such as tariff negotiations and modernisation of the Korea-US alliance," said Zhan, from the Centre for Korean Peninsula Studies. "Until these challenges are addressed, South Korea is likely to refrain from signalling a strong desire to strengthen ties with China, out of concern for potential dissatisfaction from the US." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee Dong-gyu said he was concerned about "how long China will be accommodating and continue seeking to restore bilateral relations with South Korea, if South Korea fails to meet China's expectations for balanced diplomacy". Niu, meanwhile, highlighted non-sensitive areas, such as fighting online scams and maritime rescue operations, as promising opportunities for China-South Korea cooperation. In recent years, Chinese citizens have been duped by online scams in Southeast Asia, prompting authorities to collaborate with Myanmar to crack down on telecoms fraud and other crimes. This effort has led to the arrests of more than 57,000 Chinese nationals and the dismantling of several criminal gangs. A surge in similar cases involving the kidnapping and torture of Koreans in Cambodia has sparked a national reckoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These areas not only steer clear of political sensitivities but can also produce tangible results, making them ideal for future China-South Korea cooperation," Niu said. This article was first published by The Korea Times in partnership with the South China Morning Post. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. A lawmaker sent a letter to corporations funding Trump's White House ballroom project. The letter demanded they answer several questions, including whether they had federal contracts. The East Wing was demolished this week as part of the renovation process. The giant hole in the White House left by construction crews this week could be a metaphor for something bigger, one lawmaker says: the erosion of public trust. The East Wing of the White House was demolished on Monday to make way for President Donald Trump's new 90,000 square-foot ballroom. The president says the project will cost upward of $300 million paid for by corporate donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, a Democratic congressman from Mississippi, is now demanding answers from those companies. "It looks like you're tearing an abandoned building down, and you are looking at the citadel of democracy just being attacked by a bulldozer," Thompson told Business Insider. In a letter sent on Friday, Thompson demanded that over 20 corporations share information, including the amount of their donations and whether they had been promised anything in return. "Today, there is a gaping hole in the side of the White House, and no one in the White House has been honest with Americans about the construction plans or the costs," one letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said. "You owe Americans an explanation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson said the Trump administration bypassed the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Presidents who want to renovate the White House typically submit plans to a commission and hold forums for historians, citizens, and experts to weigh in on the project's outcome, he said. "That obviously did not occur before demolition started," Thompson said in the letter. Construction began as the federal government remains shut down. WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 22: Demolition crews continue dismantling parts of the East Wing of the White House on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The work is part of preparations for the construction of a new ballroom, ordered by President Donald Trump. Peter W. Stevenson/The Washington Post via Getty Images Thompson gave the corporations until November 7 to respond to his questions, which also include a request to list any current federal contracts they hold. "I'm thinking that a lot of the information we are asking for, they would've asked the same questions before they agreed to give the money," he told Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House this week released the list of donors contributing to the project. It includes Amazon, Apple, Google, Coinbase, Comcast Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Meta, Microsoft, Palantir, and several other notable companies. Some of these companies also donated to Trump's 2024 inauguration fund, including $1 million contributions from Meta and Amazon. YouTube's parent company, Alphabet, contributed more than $20 million to the ballroom project as part of a legal settlement following its suspension of Trump's account, according to court filings. The donation was made on Trump's behalf to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit entity dedicated to restoring and preserving the National Mall. Trump initially said the ballroom project wouldn't affect the current building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It'll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of," he told reporters in July. A construction crew, however, began demolishing the East Wing on Monday, two days before Trump told reporters that the project's cost had grown to $300 million, up from his previous estimate of $200 million. Thompson said his office hasn't received any responses to the letter yet, but expects to in the coming week. "I know of no other symbol of this great democracy than the White House, so if you are putting money into any kind of project toward that symbol, then the process has to be public," Thompson told Business Insider. Read the letter in full below: Read the original article on Business Insider Bill Maher on Real Time slams Zohran Mamdani. Well, he did campaign with a terrorist this week I just dont know if this is a good look for the party. pic.twitter.com/GTETd605GU Zachary Leeman (@WritingLeeman) October 25, 2025 Bill Maher clashed with a guest on Friday over New York Citys mayoral race, and he accused Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani of campaigning with a terrorist. On Real Time, Maher and Kate Bedingfield, CNN commentator and former White House communications director under former President President Joe Biden, clashed on Mamdani and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomos attacks against him. Mamdani is leading Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa by double digits in most polls leading into the race. Im talking about what Cuomos doing, suggesting that Mamdani couldnt be a leader in a terror situation if he were mayor of New York, Bedingfield said, referring to Cuomo agreeing with a conservative radio host who claimed Mamdani would cheer if he were mayor when 9/11 happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, he did campaign with a terrorist this week, Maher said. He did say it, well, but Cuomo was pretty clear. I thought he talked about that in a way that I thought was was ugly, Bedingfield responded. Maher went on to explain his terrorist accusation about Mamdani being pictured with Imam Siraj Wahhaj. Well, he campaigned this week with a guy who was an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and served as a character witness for Omar Abdelrahman, the terrorist who organized it. So Sarah Palin used to say, [Barack] Obama palled around the terrorists, which was bulls**t. I just dont know if this is a great look for the party, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maher also red flagged Mamdanis dual citizenship at one point. You make it sound like hes a little more mainstream than I think he is. I mean, the issue now that Andrew Cuomo is bringing up in New York is that he is a Ugandan citizen. Ugandas a country where they kill homosexuals, Maher said. So somebody who is a dual citizen cant be mayor of New York or? Bedingfield asked. If I was a dual citizen with a country whose policy, government policy, was we kill homosexuals. Yeah, I would renounce that citizenship, Maher said to applause from the audience. I think that is buying into a fear framework that is not good for the country, Bedingfield shot back. Watch above via HBO. The post Bill Maher Accuses Mamdani: Well, He Did Campaign with a Terrorist first appeared on Mediaite. Bill Maher on Real Time calls anti-Trump No Kings protests very white. pic.twitter.com/FO7xzyHLlE Zachary Leeman (@WritingLeeman) October 25, 2025 Bill Maher questioned on Fridays Real Time why the recent No Kings protests against President Donald Trump were so white. On Real Time, Maher noted that The Baltimore Sun claimed their journalists struggled to find Black people at the No Kings rallies to photograph. More than seven million people showed up for the rallies across the country. Heres a question that I saw, I did not realize until it hit the news a lot, was that it was very white. What do you make of that? Maher asked panelist Michael Steele. The guy in Baltimore, the paper there said, we struggled to, our photographer to find a picture of black people in this march. Im okay with that. I didnt go and I feel like, well, you talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, we had a meeting, Steele joked as the audience laughed. And lets just say it didnt go too well for white folks. Steele called the focus on race a distraction. He argued: That is a distraction for me to go down that road because the No Kings piece is very different from another piece that that question I think gets to. And that is the relationship that broke with Democrats and the African-American community in the last cycle, particularly with Black women. And so I think the no-kings thing, I would set that aside because, you know, you look at the fact that in the first version of that, five million Americans showed up, this version seven-plus million, thats a trend line that you pay attention to. Maher later claimed Black people may have been less interested in taking part in the protests out of fear of being identified. In China, if they see you at a rally and they always do because they have cameras everywhere and they may have that here. Maybe when I go into work, Im not going to be welcome there, he said. And I think Black folks have a greater understanding of this than the white folk, which is why they might not have shown up, and I dont blame them. Watch above via HBO. The post Bill Maher Asks Why More Black People Did Not Show Up To Very White No Kings Protest first appeared on Mediaite. Real Time host Bill Maher on Friday endorsed disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York Citys mayoral race and excused his past sexual misconduct allegations, while slamming progressive opponent Zohran Mamdani as a danger for the Democratic Party. I think he seems like a sweet guy, Mamdani, Maher said to laughter from the crowd. But I would just like to say, because the election is in a couple of weeks, this is not just New York thats on the ballot. I think the whole Democratic Party in the country is on the ballot. Buzz: Tess Holliday Says Flight Attendant Told Her She Was 'Very, Very Large' On Recent Flight And the whole country will be looking at this race to see which way are the Democrats going to go, he continued. No, Andrew Cuomo may not be that exciting and that inspirational, but for a party that said, We want to get back to normal, hes kind of normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahers guest Kate Bedingfield, who served as the White House communications director under former President Joe Biden, appeared surprised by that assessment. She disagreed, noting some things in Cuomos history actually arent normal at all. An investigation from the Department of Justice released in 2024 concluded the former New York governors sexually hostile work environment affected at least 13 female state employees, one of whom said Cuomo grabbed her buttocks and put his hand up her shirt. Those mounting accusations of sexual misconduct had led Cuomo to resign in 2021. Buzz: Judd Apatow Floats Chilling Theory About Donald Trump's Meme Machine Well, we did a deep dive on that because we had him on the show, Maher told Bedingfield. A lot of it is kind of bullshit. I mean, maybe he was a little too handsy, a little too Italian, a little too touchy, you know? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you Democrats want to keep doing this, throwing guys like that under the bus, because thats not good enough and pure enough, youre going to wind up with a guy who did a little more than what Andrew Cuomo did, he continued with a nebulous warning. Bedingfield argued that fellow Democrats have wrung their hands excessively over Mamdani, who has brought a lot of energy, healthy discourse and a whole new coalition to the party. She said him winning in the face of fearmongering would be a good thing. Maher then introduced some of that fearmongering himself. Buzz: Towelie Makes Very NSFW Comeback In Wild 'South Park' Trump Halloween Special He not only rejected that Mamdani is as popular as Bedingfield suggested, despite him currently leading in the polls by double digits, but raised the issue brought forth by Cuomo that Mamdani has citizenship from Uganda, where they kill homosexuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bedingfield asked, So somebody who is a dual citizen cant be mayor of New York, or? Andrew Cuomo (right) recently seemed to agree with the racist notion that Zohran Mamdani would be cheering on another 9/11-style attack. Left: Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press; Right: Yuki Iwamura/Associated Press Maher doubled down, claiming he would renounce his citizenship from a country whose government policy was to kill homosexuals. Uganda executes people who engage in same-sex acts with minors, the disabled and people over 75, per the Human Rights Watch. Bedingfield fired back and told Maher hes buying into a fear framework and the race baiting employed by Cuomo, who shockingly seemed to agree Thursday with the racist claim that Mamdani would be cheering on another 9/11-style attack if one occurred under his watch. News: Mamdani Stuns Cuomo In Scathing Confrontation Over Sexual Harassment Allegations Maher tripled down by noting, just as President Donald Trump told Fox News, that Mamdani recently posed with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a New York City mosque leader. Maher noted that he was an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wahhaj denied any wrongdoing at the time and was never charged in the case. Maher failed to mention that New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was then the borough president of Brooklyn, posed with Wahhaj in 2015 while presenting him with an award. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg reportedly met with the imam himself back in 2009. I just dont know if this is a great look for the party, he said about Mamdani. I really dont. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Bill Owens, who worked as the executive producer of 60 Minutes until his surprise resignation in April, told the Guardian that Paramount was especially concerned about stories about Donald Trump and the war between Israel and Hamas in his final weeks. The Trump stuff they were very concerned about, he explained. The Friday interview was Owens first public remarks since he left the news organization. After the program ran a story about state department employees who quit in response to the Biden administrations handling of the Israeli-Hamas war, Shari Redstone reportedly asked others to communicate a message: Well, youre not going to do another Gaza story, are you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I said we were going to do another Gaza piece, that was like hitting a hornets nest, Owens continued. This idea that we were doing stories that [lacked] balance, on the face of it its just wrong. Negative coverage of Trump received similar feedback. The Trump stuff they were very concerned about, he also said. I remember at one point I got a phone call from someone that was trying to be an intermediary saying: Do you need to mention Trumps name that often?' Owens also refused to apologize for how the program edited an interview with Kamala Harris. I said, Im not apologizing for anything. We havent done anything wrong,' he explained. We havent done anything wrong. 60 Minutes isnt perfect. 60 Minutes has made mistakes in the past, and we have always owned those mistakes. Read the interview with Bill Owens at The Guardian. The post Bill Owens Says 60 Minutes Bosses Were Very Concerned About Trump and Gaza Stories appeared first on TheWrap. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) An organization that supports victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation placed a billboard at a busy Shreveport intersection to send a message to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The billboard, which is placed at the corner of E. 70th Street and Youree Drive, reads, Courage is Contagious: Release ALL The Epstein Files. World Without Exploitation, a national coalition that combats human trafficking and sexual exploitation, created the billboard campaign. The organization has worked closely with survivors who endured sexual abuse and exploitation by Jeffrey Epstein and his former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. A billboard placed at E. 70th Street and Youree Drive by the organization World Without Exploitation (Source: KTAL/KMSS Staff Marlo Lacen) World Without Exploitation National Director Lauren Hersh said, For them (the survivors), this is not political at all. It is deeply personal. And that is why we have billboards going up around the country, and specifically for our purposes in Speaker Johnsons district. They are asking members of Congress to release the Epstein investigation in its entirety, only redacting the names of victims and survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hersh said the billboard campaign started in Colorado Springs, where the family of Virginia Giuffre lives. Giuffre was one of the most vocal survivors of Epstein and Maxwell. She tragically died of a suicide in April this year at her home in Australia, months before her memoir, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting For Justice, was posthumously released. Watch now! Beyond the Headlines: Human Trafficking in Our Community The billboards in Colorado were posted in the districts of Republican members of Congress: one voted yes to release the files, and the other has not voted in favor of the release. Hersh said the groups action is deliberately non-partisan: We wanted to send a clear message that Virginia was truly such an inspiration to so many survivors. Her family has carried her torch. She said their campaign is not limited to elected members of the nations legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to urge members and constituents to make sure these files get released, and all of the files, not just some of them but all of them, Hersh said. Spectators of the ongoing Epstein saga have noted the swift and decisive action taken by the British Royal Family, who first suspended Prince Andrew from his royal duties and have now completely stripped him of his title as Duke of York and removed his banner that once hung in Windsor Castle. Oppositely, in America, where leaders seem not to know what to say or do in response to the question, What is in the Epstein files? Hersh said she believes this is a critical cultural moment, Because at this moment, what were seeing is the American people who are paying close attention to survivors voices. And those survivors are demanding accountability. And the government works for the people. And so I feel really optimistic. We are seeing people from across the aisle and across the pond saying, This is a moment for accountability.' She believes that ultimately the voices of the American people will become too loud to ignore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you spot the signs of human trafficking Hersh said that educating oneself on what human trafficking is and how so many women, youth, LGBTQIA individuals find themselves in these situations. She suggests reading Virginia Giuffres memoir to learn what she and others endured at the hands of not only Epstein and Maxwell but the men who supported them in their sexual predation. She also says to listen to other survivors. There are hours of podcasts, broadcast interviews, and documentaries where these women shared their experiences of abuse. The website worldwithoutexploitation.org includes a link for constituents to take action and send a letter to their member of Congress, urging them to sign the discharge petition and ensure the Epstein Files Transparency Act is passed in the House. She said the organization will move on to the Senate should the House pass the measure. Hersh acknowledges the argument that some members of Congress would use to rebut the organizations demands for transparency information from the Epstein investigation has been released, to some degree. But Hersh counters that they want it released in its entirety interviews with state and federal investigators, photographs, and the names of those who fueled Epstein and Maxwells enterprise, the sex buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there were no sex, if there were no sex buyers, then we know there would be no sex trafficking at all. And when were thinking about this and were educating ourselves, its critically important that we understand, yes, the traffickers, weve got to hold them accountable. The victims, yes, weve got to make sure that were getting them the necessary exit strategies and services. But we als have to be talking about the sex buyers who are fueling the market and causing a tremendous amount of harm, Hersh said. Speaker of the House Mike Johnsons office was contacted to provide a statement or an interview for this story. They did not respond to the request by the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) The Blount County Sheriffs Office is asking the public for assistance finding a teen who has not been seen since September. The sheriffs office released on Friday that it was searching for 17-year-old Sara Gerardo Guillen, who was last seen in the 2600 block of East Broadway in Maryville on September 24. BCSO first asked for help finding the teen in the days after she was last seen. Driver charged after Alcoa crash leaves Maryville man dead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen is approximately 51 tall and weighs around 146 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. Sara Gerardo Guillen (Blount County Sheriffs Office) Sara Gerardo Guillen (Blount County Sheriffs Office) Investigators said Gerardo Guillen may be in the company of an unknown male in Knoxville or the surrounding area. The sheriffs office added that she has not been in contact with her family for several weeks. Anyone who has seen the teen or knows where she may be is asked to call the Blount County Communications non-emergency number at 865-983-3620 or the lead investigator J. Taylor at 865-273-5114. Threat of furloughs, layoffs loom over federal workers in Oak Ridge Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Boston 25s own Bob Ward is being honored for his continued coverage of stories involving animals in Massachusetts. The Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts presented Bob with a certificate of appreciation at an event in Auburn, Friday night. Bob is being honored for "bringing to light all the happenings in and around Massachusetts, both good and bad involving animals in the Commonwealth, and for bringing a voice to the voiceless," according to the ACOAM. Boston 25's Bob Ward receives a certificate of appreciation for his coverage of animals across the Commonwealth. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Bolivar man is facing a felony charge after he allegedly assaulted another man outside a Springfield bar in May, leaving the victim hospitalized with a brain bleed and other injuries. Court dockets state that Keliegh Jordan Walters, born in 1997, is charged with first-degree assault serious physical injury, a class A felony, in Greene County Circuit Court. The probable cause statement says the incident happened on May 3 of this year outside of a bar on W. Sunshine Street in Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement alleges the victim went to the bar with friends, who later invited Walters. Throughout the night, the victim and Walters allegedly had several negative interactions while both were drinking. The victims girlfriend arrived later that evening, and the group began leaving at around midnight. A witness who knew Walters said the victim shouted toward the group Walters was with, calling them Kamala supporters, the statement says. Walters allegedly threw what he was holding to the ground, approached the victim, and the two exchanged words before Walters punched the victim in the left eye, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement says the victim put Walters into a hold and repeatedly told him he did not want to fight. After the two separated, Walters allegedly struck the victim in the face again, knocking him backward and causing him to hit his head. The man was unconscious for about one minute. Walters then left the scene, according to the statement. The victim was taken to Mercy Hospital by ambulance, where medical records showed he suffered an acute subdural hemorrhage, a large scalp hematoma and sinus trauma. He later reported head and neck pain, memory issues, and numbness in his hands that lasted for at least a week after the assault, per the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement says the victim identified Walters in a photo lineup. A warrant has been issued for Walters arrest with a $75,000 bond amount requested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. CHEYENNE A Laramie County circuit court judge decreased the bond Wednesday for a local man charged with multiple counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals from $100,000 cash to $5,000 cash or surety. On Oct. 10, after finding more than 100 animals suffering or deceased in extremely unclean conditions, authorities arrested Michael Ohern on 22 counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals. On Wednesday, Ohern waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and instead Circuit Court Judge Sean C. Chambers addressed his bond, which was originally set at $100,000 cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly I understand that there is emotion tied up in this, but I dont think emotion is supposed to govern how a persons release from incarceration is handled, and what amount of money they may need to post in order to secure that release, senior assistant public defender Baend J. Buus told the court. Buus added that Ohern has medical needs that are better met outside the jail and could lose his house if he misses upcoming payments. He assured the court that Ohern is no longer in possession of any animals and argued for a $5,000 bond at 10%, meaning someone pays $500 to secure the defendants release and may be required to pay the remaining amount if they violate their bond conditions. He also requested that any restrictions on travel be removed from Oherns bond conditions, as Ohern is employed outside of the state and believes he still has a job. The state argued that, although they did not believe Ohern to be a flight risk, the bond still needed to be substantial enough to ensure his appearance in court. They proposed a bond of $10,000 at 10%, should the court be inclined to reduce the bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Chambers reduced the bond to $5,000 cash or surety. Should Ohern post bond, there will be no travel restrictions in the bond conditions. He will, however, not be permitted to possess any animals while out on bond. Oherns arraignment, where he will enter a plea, had yet to be scheduled as of Wednesday. The incident During a warrant service at Oherns residence in the 200 block of H Bar E Drive on Oct. 10, authorities found more than 100 live animals living in poor conditions and 26 dead animals, including four house cats that were so decayed that it was hard to initially separate the carcasses. The location is east of U.S. Highway 85 and south of Chalk Bluff Road, south of Cheyenne city limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The live animals, including dogs, birds of various breeds, a turtle, tortoises, a goat and rabbits, were transported to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter (CAS) for treatment and care. By most recent estimates, itll require approximately $355,000 to care for the animals for 90 days from their arrival at the shelter. Authorities had to wear full body suits and respirator masks to protect themselves from health hazards, including feces, rodents, debris and insects, according to court documents released Wednesday. Ohern attributed the conditions to his age, poor health and job, which is in Superior, Colorado, saying he intended to start cleaning on the Monday after his Friday arrest. When asked if he believed he was providing the animals with proper care, court documents say Ohern didnt answer directly, but rather stated the dogs were good animals and had nothing wrong with them; rather, the presence of law enforcement was causing them anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohern is the subject of an ongoing investigation due to multiple complaints of animal cruelty and prior charges related to animal welfare. LCSO joined Animal Control in the investigation in early September of this year, but Ohern has charges dating back to 2022. Many of the living animals were in poor health, with varying diseases and physical injuries. Notably, some birds were missing feet due to self-mutilation or rodents, and the rabbits had a zoonotic upper respiratory disease, which is transmissible to both animals and humans. Several carcasses were found stacked on top of each other, with no indication of efforts to humanely euthanize or otherwise treat these animals before their deaths, according to an assessment by CAS veterinarian Dr. Sarah Crystal. The deceased animals posed a clear health hazard to humans. The condition of the remains and the environment points to prolonged neglect and abandonment, Crystal wrote. In my professional opinion, the deaths of these animals were preventable, given the young age of several of the deceased. The absence of basic care constitutes severe neglect. CHICAGO U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is under intensifying scrutiny in Chicago after he was recorded on Thursday throwing what appeared to be a tear gas canister at protesters, leading attorneys to accuse him of violating a temporary restraining order that bans the use of tear gas, pepper spray and other tactics against journalists and protesters unless under imminent threat. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Bovino was struck in the head by a rock thrown by hostile and violent protesters, though several witnesses challenged that contention. On Friday, Bovino was ordered to appear before a federal judge on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court orders Defendants to produce Defendant Gregory Bovino, in person, for this hearing, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis stated in a written order. Greg Bovino, US Border Patrol's commander-at-large, looks on during a protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Ill. on October 3. (Octavio Jones / AFP via Getty Images) Bovino was already under court order to sit for a deposition in the same federal case alleging excessive use of force by immigration officers. This action violates multiple paragraphs of this Courts TRO, plaintiffs attorneys wrote to a federal judge on Thursday, including in their filing a link to a video and a still image of Bovino throwing a canister. DHS and CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the citys Little Village neighborhood on Thursday, Bovino, wearing military fatigues and no helmet, appears to throw a canister at a crowd protesting an immigration arrest. Immigration officials said Bovino took action after rocks were thrown at him and rioters shot commercial artillery shell fireworks at the officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head, a statement from the Department of Homeland Security said. Border Patrol agents repeated multiple warnings to back up and that chemical agents would be deployed if warnings were ignored. Videos posted on social media and obtained by NBC News capture some of the scene preceding the action. While videos show objects falling near agents, none show Bovino being hit before throwing the canister. Illinois state Sen. Celina Villanueva, who was at Thursdays clash in Little Village, said authorities did not issue a warning before deploying tear gas. They started throwing tear gas at people even as people were running away. They grabbed people who were running away to get to safety, she said. None of it was announced, they dont even identify themselves so no, everything that they claim are lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another witness, Yani Sotelo, captured the scene in a lengthy video she posted on social media. No one hit him with a rock, she said in a text message. You can clearly see in the video. Ellis had previously ruled that federal immigration agents must wear body cameras if they had them and that the cameras must be turned on. It was unclear if Bovino or any other agents present were wearing body cameras or if they were turned on. CBP did not immediately respond when asked about it. Bovino, considered the lead in what federal authorities dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, has become a ubiquitous presence in the Chicago area. The Border Patrol chief frequently sits for local news interviews, including those aired on the most popular prime-time channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week he made no apologies for how agents have conducted themselves and suggested at one point that if people dont want to get hit by a pepper ball, Dont protest. The use of force Ive seen has been exemplary. By exemplary, I mean the least amount of force necessary to accomplish the mission, Bovino told a local CBS reporter in an interview aired Thursday. The reporter pressed Bovino on whether he believed that was the case around the Broadview facility. I do, he said. If someone strays into a pepper ball, then thats on them: Dont protest. And dont trespass, Bovino said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Mind your handbag. Put that phone away. Dont use the cash machines or youll be mugged. This is what passes for local knowledge here in the London borough of Newham. Already ranked fourth for crime in London, new figures have revealed it has the highest rate of unemployment in the country. So many of the immigrants around here dont have any work that they treat thieving like a full time job, a shop assistant tells me, gesturing with her head towards the bank opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They mug old people in pairs; one queues behind them at the hole in the wall pretending to be on their phone but really taking down the [Pin number]. Then the other follows them up the street and pickpockets them, taking their cash and withdrawing more. I used to call the police but I dont bother any more because they never come. Shes far from a lone voice. By the time I have wandered the length of East Hams depressing High Street with its multiple Paddy Power and chicken shops, everyone I meet has warned me about robbery in broad daylight apart that is, from a smartly-dressed African man called Mr Madiba. Betting and takeaway shops line the High Street in Newham where crime is rife - Paul Grover for The Telegraph He hands me a business card that explains hes a gifted spiritual healer who can sort out problems including voodoo, sexual impotency and immigration cases; results guaranteed. Given the extraordinary nature of Newham, Mr Madiba has got his work cut out. This East End borough is the very definition of diverse; 54 per cent of residents were born outside the UK and some 100-plus languages are spoken. It also has one of the highest rates of immigration in the country per capita. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent 2021 Census recorded that 69 per cent of the population are from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities. Just 14.8 per cent of residents identified as White British, falling to 4.9 per cent in the down-at-heel ward of East Ham. Newham once epitomised industrial East London. Its docks, gasworks and factories provided tens of thousands of jobs and attracted workers from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The decline of these industries after the 1960s reshaped its identity as did new arrivals from Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East who settled here. But its thriving labour market is no more. Now figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed a jobless rate of 8.7 per cent in Newham, making it the countrys unemployment capital the national average stands at 4.8 per cent. And with that, comes an increase in crime. Standing in the doorway of his homewares and mobile phone shop, Afghanistan-born Fawad Nouri, 39, describes how he recently suffered at the hands of blatant criminality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some men came in and one of them wanted to buy an iPhone so I handed him the latest model to have a look and he immediately ran out the door with it, he tells me. I work hard and pay my taxes but things are getting very difficult here in Newham. Afghanistan-born Fawad Nouri outside his homewares and mobile phone shop in Newham - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Nouri came to Britain in 2009 from Holland, where he had worked as a car mechanic for 10 years. I wanted to bring my wife to join me [in Holland] but the authorities refused to accept my marriage certificate, he says in very good, self-taught English, although possibly not up to Shabana Mahmoods standards. The Home Secretary has famously announced she wants would-be migrants to be fluent enough to pass an English A-level. A big ask given that a typical course includes a module on Chomskys theory of child language acquisition. Nouri moved to the UK because he felt that bringing over his wife would be easier. He was absolutely right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I came here and worked in a factory and after I showed my pay slips with my income I was able to bring my wife over. We now have four children and I have big ambitions for them to do well at school and get careers. Locals prefer to shop in the High Street during the mornings; in the afternoons groups of young, bored men mill around, which leads to an edgy atmosphere. There are too many immigrants, says Cathy Peck, a retired supermarket worker. They come to Newham, we just hand them benefits and now they are taking the p--- out of us. The shoplifting is horrendous, so we only come here first thing and only ever withdraw money inside at the bank counter a friend of mine was robbed of 300 at the cash machine. Her husband Vic, a retired wood carver, agrees: Newham has changed so much and its not for the better. People just flock here but there are no jobs and were accused of racism if we say anything, even though theyre racist towards us. You can see in their eyes that we dont count because were just white people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of the unemployment figures, I drop by a Jobcentre to see just what work might be available. The notice board is virtually empty apart from glossy posters advertising temporary retail work over Christmas so I approach a staff member. Are there any other permanent jobs at all? I enquire. We have other vacancies in the system and we can show them to you once youve applied for Universal Credit, he says brightly. Local residents Cathy and Vic Peck say Newham has changed so much and its not for the better - Paul Grover for The Telegraph I ask whether, if Id prefer to avoid claiming benefits, I could have a look now, as Id like a job straight away. He looks baffled then repeats himself. It seems crazy and Im struggling to grasp why a job centre would refuse to tell people what jobs are available and insist on keeping them secret until a job hunter registers as unemployed and becomes a burden to the state. Is this just in Newham or everywhere? I suggest Keir Starmer have a long hard look at his Get Britain Working Again slogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be impossible of course, to examine Newhams extraordinary unemployment levels without examining its rapidly rising demographic. Since 2021, some 58,000 more people, predominantly from Bangladesh and India, have moved here to join existing communities and swell the total number of residents, currently standing at around 374,522. Only the major cities of Manchester and Birmingham have seen more arrivals. But when figures are adjusted for size, Newhams growth is proportionally far greater and as a result the borough is broke. Despite his Brexit exhortation for Britain to Take Back Control, it turns out we have Boris Johnson to thank for the huge influx of migrants into an area with poor job prospects. The so-called Boriswave can be blamed for much of this, concludes Dr Rakib Ehsan at the Policy Exchange think tank. When you look at the way the population has grown so rapidly in Newham and elsewhere in the country, the causal link is clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Boriswave refers to the relaxation of visa rules following Brexit. Throughout Johnsons premiership, from 2019 to 2022 (and beyond) Britain saw a huge rise in mass immigration from beyond EU borders. Johnson recently told The Telegraph that my mandate was to take back control and thats what I did. He blamed Rishi Sunak, who became prime minister in 2022, for failing to send illegal migrants to Rwanda. But in 2019, ONS data showed long-term net migration to the UK was around 184,000 per year. By 2022 it had already reached 872,000 and in 2023 it was 860,000. The current Government has staked its reputation on getting net migration down, hence the Prime Ministers controversial speech in which he declared, Without strong migration rules, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ehsan concludes the entire strategy needs an overhaul. For any immigration policy to be successful, it must focus on quality control, he says. We need to be sure we are attracting the brightest and the best, ascertaining they can speak good English. We also need to control the numbers coming into the country. Neither of these things are happening because our immigration system is broken. For Ehsan, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, a cultural reluctance to let women work outside the home is one factor influencing the total unemployment figure. Conservative gender norms may relax over time as groups integrate and British-born women enter the jobs market in higher numbers. Nationally, women are less likely to claim Universal Credit than men but eight local authorities have a higher claimant count among women. Newham is one, with the rate 0.2 points higher for women the highest in the country alongside Barking and Dagenham, Mid Ulster and the City of London. Cheek-by-jowl affluence and poverty are the hallmark of a great many areas in London. But Newham is extreme, encompassing as it does the food bank deprivation of Canning Town and Plaistow and the showcase Olympic Park and urban regeneration of Stratford. One catastrophic knock-on effect of this nearby gentrification has been a 9.2 per cent increase in rents over the past year as professionals spill over into the borough. The result is rocketing levels of homelessness. There just isnt enough social housing and a lot of the local population is employed in precarious and low-paid work like hospitality and the building trade. People simply cant afford any additional costs, says Susanne Wessendorf, professor of social anthropology at the Centre for Peace and Security at Coventry University, who has carried out research into Newham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asylum seekers are moved into the area by the Home Office for whatever reason, the local authority doesnt have to be informed in advance, which places more pressure on the council. The Home Office resettles so many asylum seekers and refugees here that the borough has a dedicated Welcome Newham Refugee Resettlement Programme, which provides housing support, language services and integration help. But it comes at a high cost. Newham councils annual expenditure on temporary accommodation has grown from 14m in 2022-23 to an estimated 69.9m this year and a projected 145m in 2027-28. It has had to request exceptional financial support from the Government. Meanwhile the human consequences are horrifying. Gentrification around the Olympic Park in Stratford has helped trigger a 9.2 per cent increase in rents in Newham - Ryan Pierse/Getty Last winter it was revealed that homeless families in the borough were being housed long-term in hotels without kitchens leading to malnutrition, dental decay and, most shocking of all, rickets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have children with rickets. Everybody thinks it is an old Victorian disease, but its coming back, Monica Lakhanpaul, a consultant paediatrician at Whittington Health NHS trust, told The Guardian. Rickets is a disease of poverty that should not exist in the 21st century, but we are seeing it again in our hospitals. We have children whose bones are so weak they fracture when they fall. But moving families from hotels to houses is a challenge. Local councillors have expressed dismay about a growing trend of landlords evicting tenants and then re-letting their properties to councils as temporary accommodation at inflated nightly rates. At a meeting in July, Green Party councillor Danny Keeling accused private landlords of cashing in on the temporary accommodation crisis; the average cost for nightly paid temporary accommodation has risen from 55.18 in May 2023 to 84.77 in March 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While our residents are stuck in mouldy, overcrowded, unsuitable housing, someone is getting rich, he said. Private providers are charging us eye-watering nightly rates to warehouse families. We cannot fix the housing crisis while feeding the people profiting from it. But what is the answer to the perfect storm that is engulfing the borough of Newham? According to Wessendorf, the future depends on public investment in social housing. For Rakib Ehsan at the Policy Exchange, we must wait for societal change. And if those suggestions dont work, theres always Mr Madiba. Data reporting by Ollie Corfe and Ben Butcher Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Originally appeared on E! Online When Albert DeSalvo was arrested by Cambridge, Mass., police in November 1964, it wasn't for murder. Rather, the 33-year-old handyman was wanted for robbery and sexual assault. After being judged mentally unfit to stand trial for rape, he was sent to a psychiatric hospital. And that's where he told attorney F. Lee Bailey that he had killed 12 women, 11 of them victims linked to the so-called "Boston Strangler," a moniker coined by Record-American newspaper reporters Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while DeSalvo was eventually sentenced to life in prison for 10 rapes, he recanted his confession and was never charged with any of the murders before he was stabbed to death behind bars in 1973. The new Oxygen documentary The Boston Strangler: Unheard Confession, premiering Oct. 26, delves into the lingering suspicion that maybe DeSalvo wasn't the serial killer (a term that wasn't even in use yet at the time). Meanwhile, a number of beyond-a-doubt treatments of the case cropped up in its wake, starting with the 1968 film The Boston Strangler, starring Tony Curtis as a clearly guilty DeSalvo and Henry Fonda as prosecutor John Bottomly. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But there was absolutely zero evidence connecting him to any of the murders," said an expert interviewed in the Oxygen doc, which features never-before-heard sections of the more than 50 hours of tapes chronicling DeSalvo's confession that went missing for decades before Casey Sherman tracked them down. Bettmann / Contributor (Getty) Sherman's aunt, Mary Sullivan, was 19 when she was found dead in her Beacon Hill apartment on Jan. 4, 1964, and she's in the history books as the final victim of the Boston Strangler. "My mother always questioned Albert DeSalvo's confession," Sherman, author of A Rose for Mary: The Hunt for the Real Boston Strangler and Search for the Strangler: My Hunt for Boston's Most Notorious Killer, says in the doc. "And now I know why the Boston Police Department didn't release any more of these tapes." Sullivan's murder, however, remains the only one of the alleged Boston Strangler killings linked to DeSalvo by forensic evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is what to know about DeSalvo and the Boston Strangler case, which authorities consider to be closed but prompts questions to this day: Who were the earliest victims attributed to the Boston Strangler? All crime scene descriptions are according to Gerold Frank's The Boston Strangler, which utilized police reports, court documents, medical records, interrogation transcripts and his own interviews and research, and won an Edgar Award for true crime: The first victim attributed to the Boston Strangler was Anna Slesers, a 55-year-old seamstress who lived alone in a third-floor apartment in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Her 25-year-old son found her at 7:45 p.m. on June 14, 1962, when he showed up to drive her to a church serviceand, when he found her lying in the hall next to the bathroom, he assumed she had hanged herself with her own bathrobe tie. But seeing the tub partly full of water, the freshly baked muffins in the kitchen and the way Slesers' robe was opened below her shoulders to expose the rest of her naked body, Boston Police Special Officer James Mellon, one of the first cops at the scene, knew he was looking at a murder. On June 30, when Nina Nichols, 68, failed to show up at her sister's house for dinner, her brother-in-law called her apartment superintendent to ask if he could check on her. The janitor found Nichols lying on the bedroom floor in her fourth-floor unit, strangled with a pair of her own stockings, her housecoat pulled up so she was exposed from the waist down. Worried after not seeing Helen Blake all weekend, two neighbors borrowed her key from the super in their Lynn, Mass., building and peeked in at 5 p.m. on July 2. They called police, who found the 65-year-old face-down on top of her bed, her pajamas pushed up over her shoulders. Blake was strangled with a stocking and the ends of her bra were tied under her chin into a floppy bowsimilar to how Slesers' robe cord and Nichols' stockings were tied. Investigators determined Blake had also been killed on June 30. Ida Irga, 75, was found on the living room floor of her fifth-floor apartment in Boston's West End on Aug. 22. She'd been manually strangled but a pillowcase was tied around her neck. On the afternoon of Aug. 30, Jane Sullivan, 67, was found strangled with her own stockings in her first-floor apartment in Dorchester, across town from Irga. She'd been left posed in a kneeling position in her bathtub, her face and forearms in six inches of water, and it was determined she'd been dead for days. Investigators found that the items tied around each woman's neck were all tied with what's known as a granny knot. How did police investigate the Boston Strangler murders? After it turned out that Nichols and Blake were killed on the same day, police set up a 24/7 emergency hotline (911 wasn't established until 1968) and issued statements encouraging women to keep their doors locked, not let any strangers into their home and report any suspicious characters. At the same time, per Frank's book, Police Commissioner Edmund McNamara didn't want mass hysteria in the streets, so while assigning every available cop to the murders and arranging for dozens of his detectives to attend an FBI seminar on sex crimes, not a lot of information was released to the public. But the hotline was still ringing off the hook with reports of disturbing behavior, as it turned out that there were a lot of men bothering women, even if they weren't killers. After Irga, the fourth victim, was found, public speculationand widespread fearkicked into overdrive. Women wouldn't even let police into their apartments, the detectives on Irga's case settling for interviewing her terrified neighbors through chain-locked doors. In the days between Irga and Sullivan's deaths, The Boston Herald ran an editorial intended to calm people down in which it called the chance of becoming a victim of the killer (or killers) "almost nil," while the Boston Advertiser published a front-page open letter to the Strangler, urging him to contact the paper for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How were the Boston Strangler murders connected? Investigative medical reporter Loretta McLaughlin's interest in the case heightened after Irga's murder in August 1962. She approached her editor at the Boston Record American about doing a series on the killings, but he wasn't interestedand didn't think readers would be, either. "An editor disputed the worth of a series on the four dead women, noting that they were 'nobodies,'" McLaughlin wrote in the Boston Globe decades later. "That was it exactly, I felt. Why should anyone murder four obscure women? That was what made them so interesting...sisters in anonymity, like all of us." But then, 20-year-old Sophie Clark, a nursing student who lived with two roommates in Back Bay, was found sexually assaulted and strangled with her own stockings on Dec. 5, 1962. For the first time at one of these crime scenes, per Frank's The Boston Strangler, semen was found near the body. Then Patricia Bissette, 23, was found Dec. 31, in the same neighborhood, per Frank. She was tucked into bed, the covers pulled up to her chin concealing the stockings and white silk blouse knotted around her neck. After Bissette's murder, McLaughlin and Jean Cole were assigned to the storyand they, unlike a lot of cops, including the police commissioner, were increasingly convinced that one killer was responsible. Which other killings were attributed to the Boston Strangler? Beverly Samans' fiance found the 23-year-old Boston University grad student dead in her Cambridge apartment on May 8, 1963. According to Frank's The Boston Strangler, she was lying on her pullout couch, stockings knotted around her neck and her wrists tied with a sequin-studded silk scarf. But Samans had been stabbed 22 times, and the stockings were just decoration. Evelyn Corbin, 58, was found in her Salem apartment on Sept. 8, 1963, strangled with stockings, underwear stuffed into her mouth and another pair of stockings tied in a bow around her left ankle. Joann Graff, 23, was raped and strangled in her apartment in Lawrence, Mass., on the afternoon of Nov. 23, barely 24 hours after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The stockings around her neck were tied into a floppy bow, and she had bite marks on her left breast. On Jan. 4, 1964, two longtime roommates returned to their Beacon Hill apartment to find their newest housemate, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan, propped up in bed and killed in such a way, Frank wrote, that "multiplied all the horror of the ten strangulations that preceded hers." The stocking around her neck and a pink silk scarf tied in a big bow were familiar calling cards. When was Albert DeSalvo arrested? On Oct. 27, 1964, a 20-year-old newlywed reported to police that she'd been tied up and sexually assaulted in her Cambridge apartment. She said her attacker held a knife to her throat and told her not to look at him, but she didand the description she gave resembled a criminal dubbed the "Measuring Man." Albert DeSalvo, a married father of two, had spent two years in jail for attempted breaking and entering and assault and battery: His M.O. was posing as a modeling agent to get into women's apartments so he could take their measurements. The so-called "Measuring Man" was released April 9, 1962, two months before the strangling murders began. The 33-year-old was arrested Nov. 3, 1964, but pleaded not guilty to the Oct. 27 assault and was released on $8,000 bail. When his picture was released, however, Connecticut authorities said that four women in four different towns had reported being assaulted within a few hours on May 6, 1964, and he looked like their suspect. DeSalvo was arrested again Nov. 5. He said he wouldn't talk until his wife came to the station, where he told herwith police observingthat he'd "done some very bad things with women," but he'd never killed anyone. His reportedly unsurprised wife, Irmgard DeSalvo, encouraged him to confess everything, and he told detectives he'd done more than 400 break-ins and "there's a couple of rapes you don't know about," per Frank. He denied knowing anything about the strangling murders. When did Albert DeSalvo confess to the Boston Strangler murders? DeSalvo, diagnosed as sociopathic with schizoid features and depressive trends, per Frank, was transferred from jail to Bridgewater State Hospital. He was judged incompetent to stand trial on the rapes and committed to the psychiatric facility on Feb. 4, 1965, where he started sharing details that seemingly only the Boston Strangler himself would know with fellow inmate George Nassar. Nassar called his lawyer F. Lee Bailey, who made a name for himself representing DeSalvo three decades before joining O.J. Simpson's defense "Dream Team." DeSalvo told Bailey on tape that he'd killed all 11 of the aforementioned women, as well as 69-year-old Mary Brown in Lawrence on March 9, 1963. He was going to kill another woman in 1962, he said, but she had a heart attack right in front of him. (She was later identified as Mary Mullen, 85.) Bailey, who used his client's murder confession to argue that he was too insane to be guilty of rape, maintained for the rest of his life that DeSalvo was, in fact, the Boston Strangler. But no witnesses who remembered seeing a strange man in their buildings or nearby on the days of the killings recognized DeSalvo when investigators showed them pictures. And authorities, including Assistant Attorney General John Bottomly, had doubts that the prisoner was telling the truth, per Frank. They also wondered if Nassar, who was later convicted of killing a gas station owner, was the Strangler and he was trying to pin the other killings on DeSalvo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was Albert DeSalvo really the Boston Strangler? In the summer of 1965, Bottomly sat down for a series of interviews with DeSalvo, hoping to learn once and for all whether he was the Strangler or not. DeSalvo went on to describe the crimes in detail. Eventually Bottomly and the lead detectives started to believe that he really was the killer, especially when he shared a correct detail that every published news article had got wrong because there had been an error in the police report. As Frank explained, upon getting out of jail, DeSalvo had been categorized as a known breaking-and-entering perp and not a sex offender, which kept him off authorities' radar when they were searching their records for possible suspects. Some of the statements DeSalvo made over the course of 50-plus hours of interviews, which amounted to 2,000 pages of transcripts, were unprovable. But relatively speaking, he didn't get much wrong, and investigators were able to verify most of the details he provided. On June 30, 1966, DeSalvo was found competent to stand trial for the "Green Man" rapes (so dubbed because victims recalled their attacker wearing green work pants). He pleaded not guilty and Bailey argued that the jury had no choice but to find his client insane so he could receive psychiatric treatment. But DeSalvo was convicted of 10 counts of rape and armed robbery and sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 18, 1967. "Massachusetts has burned another witch," Bailey told reporters after the verdict. "No fault of the jury's, of course. It's the fault of the law." What happened to Albert DeSalvo? DeSalvo and two other inmates escaped from Bridgewater on Feb. 24. He was caught the next day at a clothing store in Lynn and, after that escapade, was transferred to a maximum-security facility that is now the Massachusetts Correctional InstitutionCedar Junction. DeSalvo later recanted his confession. He was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate in the prison infirmary on Nov. 25, 1973, having never been charged with any of the Boston Strangler killings. Why do authorities still think Albert DeSalvo was the Boston Strangler? In July 2013, authorities announced they had recovered familial DNA evidence linking DeSalvo to the 1964 murder of Mary Sullivan. DeSalvo's remains were exhumed to confirm their findings, and authorities said the chance was 1 in 220 billion that the DNA belonged to someone else, the first bit of forensics propping up DeSalvo's confession. "That confession has been the subject of skepticism and controversy since almost the moment it was given," Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said at a press conference when the findings were announced. He acknowledged the lack of consensus that DeSalvo was the so-called Boston Strangler, and stressed that this evidence still only linked him to one victim (whose own nephew had written a book detailing why he thought there were multiple killers). "I hope this brings some measure of finality to Mary Sullivan's family," said then-State Attorney General Martha Coakley. "This leaves no doubt that Albert DeSalvo was responsible for the brutal murder of Mary Sullivan, and most likely that he was responsible for the horrific murders of the other women he confessed to killing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Boston Strangler: Unheard Confession premieres Sunday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. ET/PT on Oxygen True Crime. Three open seats on the SETD board The The Sunset Empire Transportation District Board of Commissioners announces three vacancies on the SETD Board due to recent resignations. The board is seeking candidates to fill the unexpired terms for Board Positions 1, 5 and 7. SETD Commissioners set policy and adopt the annual budget for Sunset Empire Transportation District as well as oversee the SETD Executive Director. Commissioners attend and participate in all monthly Board meetings held at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members will have the opportunity to speak with the applicants prior to their interview by the SETD Board. The SETD Board of Commissioners will fill the vacant position at their meeting to be held on Dec. 18. Interested candidates can access a Board Application Packet application online at nwconnector.org or pick one up at the Astoria Transit Center, 900 Marine Dr., open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Completed applications must be received no later than noon on Monday, Dec. 1. Bicyclist struck by vehicle, then arrested for outstanding warrants Shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday, a person driving a white Cadillac struck a bicyclist at the intersection of W. Marine Drive and W. Bond Street, in front of the Pig N Pancake in Astoria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle stopped at the scene, and the cyclist, conscious but bleeding from the head, was transported by a Medix ambulance to Columbia Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. According to Astoria Police Chief Stacy Kelly, the cyclist was 26-year-old Aaron DePriest, who was crossing against the light. The person driving the vehicle was not at fault, police said. Later in the afternoon, DePriest was released from Columbia Memorial Hospital and then arrested on outstanding warrants for assaulting a police officer in Texas. Thousands of sea cucumbers wash up on Seaside beaches Heavy seas and low tides have uprooted thousands of skin breathing sea cucumbers leaving them high and dry on Seaside Beach. The Seaside Aquarium issued a press release about the occurrence, saying while it is not unusual for this time of year, it is remarkable how many have been left stranded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lacking tube feet, the strange animals look more like a worm than a sea cucumber. They live just past the surf, burrowed into the sand for protection. The release said most of the time they are just fine, nestled down in sand, but certain ocean conditions, such as heavy surf combined with low tides can dislodge them leaving them stranded along the shoreline; sometimes by the thousands. The Astorian Profound change sometimes takes a long time to fully register. The economic and geopolitical consequences of President Donald Trump are a case in point. When elected, it was tempting to think of him as just a temporary aberration, a time-limited cluster bomb of disruptive behaviour before the resumption of normal service in four years time. This is, after all, what happened with his first presidency, which for all its consensus-busting rhetoric was largely inconsequential in its impact. Yet if you think the same will be true of his second presidency, think again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is now increasingly clear is that Trump 2.0 marks a permanent change in the economic and geopolitical weather. Theres no going back to the ex-ante as it existed before last November. The once-prevailing globally interconnected order of things is being swept away, and a new one of standalone economic blocks with their own internal alliances, supply chains and technologies is taking its place. Until Trump, the progressive march of free trade and economic interdependence seemed unstoppable, but now its giving way to unhedged pursuit of self-reliance and great power rivalry. The old world will admittedly take some time to die out entirely; todays globalised supply chains are so thoroughly embedded in industry and commerce that they cannot and will not be easily dismantled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the direction of travel is now pretty much written in stone, and there is very unlikely to be any turning back. Even if Trump is hammered in next years mid-terms, and a Democrat wins the next presidential election, we will not be returning to the neo-liberal ways of the last 40 years. No presidential candidate could any longer win on a pro-globalisation platform. That much is obvious. All this leaves Britain as an open, free-trade economy in an alarmingly awkward position. The present Governments policy of attempting to ride all three horses at the same time the US, the European Union and China is fast running out of road. To bend the knee to one is only to incur the wrath of the other two and be disadvantaged accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woe betide British trade with China if it refuses China its long planned super-embassy in central London. And woe betide Britains relationship with the US if it grants China the sought-after permission. Still seething with rage over the carve-out the UK achieved in its trade deal with the US, EU member states are likewise fast back-pedalling on the promised reset in relations. With all three of the big trading blocks aiming for economic self sufficiency, Britain is at high risk of being frozen out entirely. By the time theyve had their fill of the required investment binge, there will be nothing but scraps left for the UK. As is usually the case when the tectonic plates of history shift, its not all down to the actions of one man. No one personifies the rush to autarky more than Trump, yet the trend has been long in the making and is a reflection of much broader geopolitical forces than the individual foibles of just one man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alarm bells have been ringing for more than a decade now, but perhaps the defining moment was the pandemic. This exposed the fragility of global supply chains as never before, leaving the likes of Britain acutely vulnerable, with gaping deficiencies in key industries and skill sets. Shamefully, the UK was caught badly short across a wide range of medical equipment, apparel and treatments, forcing the Government to horribly overpay in the hunt for alternative sources of supply. The Department of Health and Social Care paid up to five times the usual price in the dash to procure thousands of Chinese ventilators, costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds. Many of them turned out to be unsafe and therefore useless. The Cabinet Offices ventilator challenge to encourage British design and production of ventilators turned into a costly farce which to the best of my knowledge failed to produce a single British-made product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar fate awaited the Governments vainglorious ambition to become the vaccine research and manufacturing centre of the world. For all the UKs initial success with Covid-19 vaccines, it largely came to nothing, and the pharmaceuticals industry is today departing these shores as fast as it decently and operationally can. The pandemic was warning enough, but then came Putins invasion of Ukraine, which laid bare European dependence on Russian energy supplies. Todays wakeup call comes in the form of Western reliance on Chinese supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals. No doubt the US can survive without Chinese made Barbie dolls, furniture, clothing and even smart phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it cannot survive without rare earths, which are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics, and are vital to data centres, oil refining, renewable energy technologies, and many medical and defence systems. Chinas choke hold on rare earth supplies is already being used to great effect in forcing Trump to back away from some of his more extreme tariff threats. Yet in so doing, it has only further enhanced the case for greater economic self sufficiency. The US will take some years to establish its own rare earth mining and processing facilities, but get there it will, and I suspect rather more quickly than the sceptics believe. The US has been caught with its trousers down; it does not intend to repeat the mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any standoff, its usually six of one and half a dozen of the other. In China there has been an equal degree of alarm over a rather different form of economic dependence on others in Chinas case, on exports to the US and Europe. These concerns have grown since Chinas property crash, which has served to further deflate already badly deficient domestic demand. This in turn has left China more dependent than ever on exports to sustain jobs and growth. Chinas attempt to dominate the industries of the future has in turn spawned runaway overcapacity, crippling price wars, and mounting losses, or what has become known in China as involution, a process of diminished returns for all participants. Worse, China finds itself increasingly shut out of its time-honoured practice of dumping the resulting surpluses on the rest of the world. Trump has ensured that the US is no longer the soft touch it once was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not to be outdone, China is doubling down. At its fourth plenum last week, the ruling Communist Party announced an acceleration in efforts to secure self-sufficiency in manufacturing and technology. China is as determined to disassociate itself economically from the US as the US is from China. Its a huge change, and one likely if it continues on its present path to create a deflationary glut in global production capacity of truly stupendous proportions. Britain is going to struggle in such an environment. Eventually it will be forced to pick a side. Wherever it finds partial shelter, its in for a battering. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BINGER, Okla (KFOR) The Caddo County Sheriffs Office is searching for the suspects they believe robbed a local family farm. In the video of the store operated by the Rhoades Family Farm, two people can be seen taking armfuls of merchandise out of the store. The Caddo County Sheriffs Office later identified the alleged thieves as Karla Francesca Jones and Donnie Ray Parks. These two identified individuals broke into this establishment and took every single piece of produce, every jarred product, every meat product out of the refrigeration system in the freezer and stole it all, said the Caddo County Chief Deputy Chris Leal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The store ran on an honor system; customers were able to get the homemade goods they wanted and were expected to leave their payment in a lockbox in the building. Ms. Rhodes has indicated to me that not only does this hurt them personally and their business, they feel violated, but also due to the current shutdown, her husband is affected as well as her family, of course, and this was another way they were trying to get by making ends meet, said Deputy Leal. The State Regents for Higher Education approve the largest Oklahomas Promise Scholarship budget in history The sheriffs office believes they have identified the pair in the video, but they have been unable to take them into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have not been able to locate them. They could still be in Caddo County, but we know they have ties to Blaine County, specifically Watonga, Canadian County, Yukon, and the El Reno area, and they frequent casinos, Deputy Leal explained. Deputy Leal says both Jones and Parks have arrest warrants for second-degree burglary. The suspects are believed to be travelling in a four-door Chevrolet with Apache tags. Deputy Leal says that anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact local law enforcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org. In August, the Caesar Rodney school board asked state education officials for permission to purchase a nearly $10 million piece of land, near Camden, from its own elected board vice president. Although the deal would have lost money for the board member, David Failing, the district never publicly disclosed his involvement, raising questions around transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five-member school board steadily formed the plan over the past year, but its members did not reveal during public meetings that the potential seller of the 207 acres next to Postlethwait Middle School on South State Street was a member of their school board. Failing also did not abstain from a vote in August on a motion to submit the districts land purchase request to the Delaware Department of Education. That formal request called a certificate of necessity does disclose that Failing is the current owner of the property. In an interview with Spotlight Delaware, Failing acknowledged that a plan for a school board member to buy land and sell it back to a school district looks odd. But, he said, it isnt out of the ordinary in districts, like his, in Kent County. This is not unusual for our culture, Failing said. Postlethwait Middle School, just outside Camden, Delaware, is part of Caesar Rodney School District. Failing also described how his purchase last year of the empty rural flatland came at a fortuitous time for the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Caesar Rodney School District wanted the land in order to replace the Charlton School, which serves students with disabilities from kindergarten until adulthood. But at the time it didnt have the money, and board members feared that developers in the lively real estate market would instead buy it to build new homes. Then, in the summer of 2024, Failing sold his lumber company for what he said was a whole lot of money that most people dont deal with. His subsequent purchase of the Camden-area land gave him a really big safe spot to park the money, he said. It also allowed the him to hold the property for the school district to acquire at a later date. Asked whether the land purchase allowed him to also defer tax payments from the sale of his companys property, Failing said it did not. In fact, he says he planned to lose about $1 million on the sale of the land to the school district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss, he said, represents a culture of giving back to Caesar Rodney schools a district with one of the lowest tax rates in the county but with the highest number of students, according to its superintendent. Ultimately, the school district and Failing will have to wait at least a year to carry out the sale. On the afternoon of Oct. 17, Delaware Department of Education spokesperson Alison May said in an email that the state would not approve any school district requests submitted in August for capital budget expenditures. In the email, May cited budget limitations. Delaware school districts must obtain a certificate of necessity for capital projects that cost more than $1 million. What are the ethics rules? Students line up before going to their respective classrooms at McIlvaine Early Childhood Center in Magnolia. Before the education officials decision on Oct. 17, Spotlight Delaware had asked the states ethics body, called the Public Integrity Commission, to comment on the facts of Failings potential land purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission declined to comment directly, but its chairman Ron Chaney said in an emailed statement that the Delaware code of conduct generally requires any state employee to recuse themselves from participating in the review or disposition of a matter in which they have a personal or private interest. Asked about the commissions statement, Failing said he is not a state employee, but added that he would abstain from any board action involving the potential sale of that property if state officials approve it in the future. Caesar Rodneys superintendent, Corey Miklus, also told Spotlight Delaware in early October that the district has a statement prepared to announce that Failing owns the property. But, he said, the time to release it would be after the state approves the districts request to buy the land from Failing for $9.6 million. Asked on Oct. 17 whether the district would submit another request next year to purchase the land, board President Jessica Marelli said the district has not yet made a decision regarding future certificate of necessity submissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marelli said that the need that led the district to submit the request isnt going away, so its likely well revise them and submit again next year. Spotlight Delaware also asked May for a comment from Education Secretary Cindy Marten on Caesar Rodneys intention to buy property from its own school board member. May in response said the Secretary does not oversee school boards. There was a deadline Caesar Rodney High School held their 103rd commencement with 413 graduates Saturday, June 1, 2019. About five months before Failing purchased the 207 acres last fall, the Caesar Rodney Board of Education met with Wilmington-based ABHA Architects to begin drafting a certificate of necessity to submit to the state, according to documents from an April 2024 board meeting, A month later, the board submitted a Preliminary Land Use Service application, which allows state agencies to provide input on land development projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The application stated that the landowners at the time, Beiser Group LLC, agreed to allow Caesar Rodney School district to begin the land-use review process for the property. The following August, the district submitted a certificate of necessity to purchase a 43-acre chunk of the land for $2.2 million. That request, which the state ultimately rejected last year, stated the districts intent to replace the Charlton School. That same month last year, a press release announced that Failing sold his lumber company, Wyoming Millwork Co. to Builders FirstSource Inc., a $13 billion, Texas-based company. Failing subsequently purchased the entire 207-acre plot of land near Camden for $11 million from the Beiser Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked, Failing said the school board had not yet heard back from the state about their request to buy the smaller chunk of the land before he made his purchase. Failing did say that he spoke with board members individually and during confidential executive session meetings prior to purchasing the land. And he told them that he was prepared to sell the land for at least $1 million less than what he bought it for, he said. Failing also noted that the school board had tried to buy the land six years ago but was unable to because, he said, they could not pass a referendum. There was a deadline. It was going to be developed and sold, so I purchased it, Failing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miklus, the Caesar Rodney superintendent, said the district was lucky that Failing bought the property, because the window on that land was closing fast. He also said that overcrowding in district schools would have been worsened if a developer had purchased the land and built more homes. Last spring, district conversations about purchasing the land started again, and the school board in August submitted another certificate of necessity seeking permission to buy the full 207 acres for $9.6 million. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox by signing up for the free newsletter at spotlightdelaware.org/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Caesar Rodney wanted to buy a $10M property from school board member Conservationists were thrilled when the gray wolf returned to California after the apex predators were hunted to near extinction a century ago. But it turns out the Golden State's regrowing wolf packs are not merely content to feed on their traditional prey of elk and deer. Some also have a voracious appetite for cattle. In response to an "unprecedented" surge in cattle kills across the Sierra Valley which has been widely bemoaned by the region's ranchers officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently euthanized four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From March 28 to Sept. 10, these four wolves were responsible for 70 total livestock losses, representing 63% of wolf-caused livestock losses reported across the state during that time period, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read more: Beautiful, deadly: Wolves stalk rural California "Wolves are one of the states most iconic species and coexistence is our collective future, but that comes with tremendous responsibility and sometimes hard decisions," department Director Charlton Bonham said in a statement. "The Beyem Seyo pack became so reliant on cattle at an unprecedented level, and we could not break the cycle, which ultimately is not good for the long-term recovery of wolves or for people. The targeted wolves included a breeding male and female pair, a solo male and a solo female. During the operation, officials also accidentally killed a fifth wolf a juvenile male that was mistaken for the breeding male because of its similar color and size. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to euthanize the wolves followed a months-long effort to combat the surge in Sierra Valley cattle kills through "hazing" methods such as firing guns into the air, using trucks and ATVs to shoo wolves away, shooting non-lethal bean bags and harassing wolves with drone noises. This summer, Fish and Wildlife staff spent 18,000 hours engaging in 95 hazing operations across 114 days at 18 ranches. Staff also helped facilitate investigations into cattle deaths, which allow ranchers to claim government compensation. Read more: Killing wolves remains a crime in California. But a rebellion is brewing Nevertheless, Beyem Seyo pack members continued to feast on the valley's ample supply of cows, which are fatty, tasty and relatively easy to catch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cattle kill crisis is not only costly to ranchers, who lose several thousand dollars per animal killed, but is also dangerous for the long-term health of the wolves. Gray wolves naturally prey on deer and elk, but members of the Beyem Seyo pack have become so accustomed to preying on cattle that they are passing the habit onto their young, officials said. "This shift not only undermines recovery efforts for the species in California but also risks altering generational feeding patterns and broader ecological dynamics," Fish and Wildlife said in a statement. "Moreover, habituation to livestock inadvertently draws wolves closer to human communities, increasing the potential for conflict despite their natural avoidance of people." While some California ranchers have asked to resume wolf hunts an option that has been granted to their peers in states such as Idaho, Montana and Wyoming it remains a crime to kill a gray wolf in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hate em, Siskiyou County rancher Joel Torres told The Times earlier this year. Theyve just been tearing into our baby calves, mostly our yearlings. While their population is rebounding, wolves remain protected as an endangered species under state and federal law. Lethal removal is permitted only under strict conditions. A century ago, wolves were almost wiped out in the United States by ranchers who regarded them as deadly enemies. But in 2011, something extraordinary happened. A sole wolf, known by wildlife officials as OR-7, crossed the Oregon border and helped launch the regeneration of California's wolf population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wolves' return has been praised by conservationists for its ecosystem balancing effect. By controlling deer and elk populations, gray wolves allow overgrazed vegetation and trees to regrow, creating ripple effects that boost biodiversity and improve the overall health of the landscape. In Yellowstone, their return has been credited with the recovery of willows, aspens and cottonwoods, as well as an increase in beavers, songbirds and fish species. "Several things can be true simultaneously," Bonham said in a statement. "Wolves are here in California and that is an amazing ecological return. Yet, their reemergence is a significant, disruptive change for rural communities." Times staff writer Jack Dolan contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEED TO KNOW A mom of two was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide that took place inside a barbecue restaurant in California Police said 35-year-old Jonathan Wang walked into the restaurant at around 6:45 p.m. local time on Oct. 14 and shot Jacqueline Medrano, 45, before turning the gun on himself Medrano had an active protective order against Wang following a domestic violence incident A California community is mourning the loss of a mom of two after she was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide that took place inside a barbecue restaurant. According to police in La Habra located about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles a man identified as 35-year-old Jonathan Wang walked into a Korean barbecue restaurant at around 6:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and shot Jacqueline Medrano, 45, before turning the gun on himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on preliminary information, the incident appears to be a targeted attack of murdersuicide. Mr. Wang shot Ms. Medrano before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound," police said in a statement, adding that Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics pronounced them both dead at the scene. "Investigators have no indications of any outstanding suspects, and there is no known threat to the public," police said. According to police, several witnesses were inside the restaurant Gui Gui 9292 Korean BBQ, located on Imperial Highway at the time of the shooting, but no one else was injured. Investigators said Medrano and Wang had previously been in a romantic relationship. Medrano, a urology nurse, had a criminal protective order against Wang in place since Sept. 16. The order prevented Wang from contacting Medrano, and was active at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLA and ABC 7 Los Angeles reported that Wang was arrested in Long Beach on July 15 after police received a report of domestic violence. The Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office then filed a case against Wang, alleging he willfully caused injury to Medrano. According to the victim's statement obtained by the outlets, Wang "punched Medrano one time in the mouth, grabbed her by the front of the neck, pushed her to the ground, then held her down by the back of her neck." Wang was due back in court in November for a pre-trial conference, Long Beach City Prosecutor Douglas P. Haubert told the outlets. Wang was prohibited from owning, purchasing or possessing a firearm. Google Maps Gui Gui 9292 Korean BBQ, where the shooting took place. Gui Gui 9292 Korean BBQ, where the shooting took place. On Thursday, Oct. 23, Medrano's friends and family gathered in the nearby city of San Pedro for a vigil and displayed flowers, candles and photos of the devoted mom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members who spoke to KTLA said that Wang was still stalking Medrano, but she continued to show up for work as a nurse at a Kaiser Permanente facility. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. It just proves how hard-working she was, Medranos coworker, Maria Barragan, told the outlet. All that she was going through, you would have never known. Shes my hero, my role model forever in life, and no one can take that away, Magali Rodriguez, Medranos niece, added. Shes not a victim. Shes a hero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law aimed at protecting marine life by gradually phasing out the use of set gillnets, a type of commercial fishing gear linked to widespread ocean harm. Assembly Bill 1056 addresses the long-standing environmental threat posed by these nets while providing a pathway for fishermen to transition away from their use. Set gillnets are mile-long nets anchored to the seafloor to catch species like California halibut and white seabass, but their near-invisible design makes them deadly for hundreds of other marine animals. Scientists and conservationists have documented high levels of bycatch, including sea lions, sharks, rays, and other fish, much of which is discarded. Despite decades of partial bans in Northern and Central California, the nets continued to be used in federal waters off Southern California and state waters around the Channel Islands, one of the most biodiverse ocean regions in the world. AB 1056 introduces a gradual phase-out of these nets. Current permit holders can continue using them until retirement, but all permits will become non-transferable after January 1, 2027, with a one-time exception allowing transfer to a single family member. After that, permits cannot be passed on further, effectively ending the gillnet fishery in California over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation groups welcomed the law. Caitlynn Birch, a marine scientist with Oceana, an international organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation, said, Southern Californias ocean waters support an incredible diversity of marine life, which sustains ecosystems, fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities. AB 1056 is a balanced, forward-looking approach that protects ocean biodiversity while providing a fair transition for fishermen who rely on this fishery today. U.S. ranks among the least peaceful nations in 2025 Scott Webb, director of advocacy at the Resource Renewal Institute, noted that gillnets have threatened Californias ocean biodiversity for more than a century and that the law demonstrates the states leadership in ocean conservation. Oceana experts say more selective hook-and-line fishing methods now exist to catch California halibut and white seabass. These techniques reduce bycatch, produce higher-quality fish, and are safer for the environment than gillnets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A federal judge certified a class-action lawsuit last week that challenges a California school districts policy that directs employees to conceal a childs gender identity from their parents and guardians. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez allowed the case to move forward on behalf of potentially millions of parents and teachers in the district. This is a watershed moment for parental rights and religious freedom in education, said Paul M. Jonna, the special counsel for the Thomas More Society, a conservative legal foundation that is representing the plaintiffs. Judge Benitez has recognized that Californias gender secrecy policies affect millions of families and teachers, and that everyone impacted deserves to have the fundamental constitutional issues squarely resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonna added that he expected the Nov. 17 hearing to provide clarity and accountability on the districts policies. The judge will decide at the hearing if the policies in question violate the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religious expression and the Fourteenth Amendment rights that protect parents rights to direct how to raise their children. Background on the lawsuit This class action stems from a lawsuit in April 2023. Two Escondido teachers, Elizabeth Mirabelli, a Catholic, and Lori West, a Christian, sued the school district and the California Department of Education for violating their rights to free speech and religious freedom. The Escondido Union School policy required them to withhold information about students from parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state pushed back and said that the policy, which they categorized as just a suggestion," is meant to protect students from abuse. Parents should not be left out of their childs school life. What parent would want that? Mirabelli told the San Diego Union-Tribune in July 2024. At the time, Judge Benitez blocked the policy, ruling in favor of the two teachers and substantiating their concerns about curbing religious freedoms and dismissing the value of parental guidance. Newsom vs. the federal government California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill in July last year that prohibited school districts from telling parents information about their students sexual orientation or gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps Department of Education responded by launching an investigation into the bill Newsom signed. Teachers and school counselors should not be in the business of advising minors entrusted to their care on consequential decisions about their sexual identity and mental health. That responsibility and privilege lies with a parent or trusted loved one, said U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon at the time. Huntington Beach, a red-leaning coastal city in California, and a group of parents also sued the state over the law. A group representing poultry farmers in Germany is pushing for greater protection of their flocks as bird flu spreads rapidly across the country. The top priority must be to prevent the spread of the virus, protect animals and avert economic damage, said Georg Heitlinger from the Poultry Industry Association of the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg. He called for a nationwide requirement to keep poultry indoors. Free-range poultry would have to be kept in closed barns or coops in accordance under such an official order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the animal disease is prevalent in Germany all year round, the infection gains momentum with the autumn bird migration. This year, migrating cranes have been particularly hard hit, but the highly contagious H5N1 virus has also been confirmed in other species such as wild geese and ducks. Germany's Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) estimates that more than 200,000 chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys have been killed and disposed of in Germany so far this autumn following outbreaks of avian influenza. The institute does not rule out the possibility that the infection will reach similar proportions to four years ago when more than 2 million animals had to be culled in the winter of 2020-21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FLI says 50 cases of infection have been registered nationwide in commercial poultry farms so far this year, 26 of them in October alone. The number of animals killed as a precaution ranged from 5,000 to 93,000, and the peak of bird migration is still to come, the FLI said. Farmers are compensated if the culling of animals is ordered after an outbreak, but under German law that may not exceed 50 ($60) per animal. Ducks and turkeys often fetch significantly higher prices on the market. YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) Two Cameroon opposition leaders have been arrested, their parties said, as protests rattled the country over the presidential election results that were expected on Monday. Among those arrested late Friday in the economic hub of Douala were Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, two top figures in the Union for Change political platform that endorsed candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary and his claim to have defeated President Paul Biya in the Oct. 12 election. The African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party said its treasurer and other members were also kidnapped by local security forces. It said the aim was to intimidate Cameroonians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The circumstances of the arrests were not immediately clear. Cameroons Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, meanwhile, told reporters Saturday that the government arrested several people during the week on suspicion of plotting violent attacks in the guise of protests. Their planned modus operandi is to infiltrate groups of protesters and commit terrorist attacks, leading to the loss of human lives which will later be attributed to the forces of law and order, he said, without further details. Cameroons top court, the constitutional council, is expected to announce the final election results on Monday, but opposition supporters have staged protests in recent days warning against an attempt to rig the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Tchiroma claims to have won based on results he said were collated by his party, Biya's party accused him of trying to disrupt the election. Protests were held Saturday in Bafoussam, the capital of the West Region, as motorcyclists flooded major roads, calling for a credible election process. Protesters clashed with security forces in other cities earlier in the week. Some protesters were arrested and one person was killed in the northern city of Garoua, authorities said. The victim, a 30-year-old primary schoolteacher identified as Zairatou Hassana, was not among the protesters and was only out to check on her sister who was yet to return from school, Amadou Adji, her uncle, told The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her death makes me keep a bad souvenir of this regime like all other Cameroonians, he said. On Friday, Tchiroma hinted at attempts to arrest him. In a Facebook post, he said such a move would constitute an assault against the entire Cameroonian people. The people are simply asking you to recognize their victory, he said. Two Cameroonian opposition figures and backers of presidential hopeful Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who challenged President Paul Biya's 43-year grip on power in recent elections, have been arrested just two days before the official outcome is due to be announced. Anicet Ekane, leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), and Djeukam Tchameni of the Movement for Democracy and Interdependence (MDI) were detained in their homes in Douala on Friday, the Union for Change 2025 opposition grouping said in a statement. They were held by "hooded and armed" members of an elite military force and taken to "an unknown destination", the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MANIDEM and MDI are members of the Union for Change 2025 coalition that endorsed Tchiroma Bakary for the 12 October election and his claim to have defeated President Biya. Although official results are not expected until Monday, Tchiroma said earlier this week that he'd won 54.8 percent of the votes against Biya's 31.3 percent. Biya's RDPC party has slammed Tchiroma's victory claim as "a grotesque hoax" and an "unacceptable fraud in a state of law", saying in a statement they were "calmly awaiting the official results". MANIDEM said its treasurer and other members were also "kidnapped" by local security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition denounced the "abusive arrests, whose clear aim is to intimidate (Cameroonians) who are waiting for the election results to be respected". Meanwhile, the MDI in a separate statement accused the government of "gross manipulation" and "political intimidation". It criticised the spread of "false information... suggesting that weapons or fake electoral records had been found at Tchameni's home". Cameroon's 92-year-old president poised for eighth term Calls for mobilisation Biya, the world's oldest serving head of state aged 92, has been in power since 1982 and has won every election in the past 20 years with more than 70 percent of the vote. But former employment minister Tchiroma generated unexpected enthusiasm among voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrests have sparked speculation that Issa Tchiroma Bakary could be next in line. In a Facebook post on Friday, he hinted at attempts to arrest him, saying that such a move would constitute "an assault against the entire Cameroonian people". On Wednesday, Tchiroma called on Cameroonians to protest if the Constitutional Council the only body authorised to proclaim the outcome of the elections announces "falsified and distorted results" on Monday. He has also called for peaceful march across Cameroon on Sunday at 3 p.m. "to show the world that it is the people who choose their leader". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has denounced his statement as incitement to insurrection. In a press briefing, Communication Minister and government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi urged journalists to act responsibly and avoid "fanning the flames". The media play a structuring role in shaping public opinion in any democratic society, Sadi said. "Acting in this way is neither a denial nor a dilution of the sacred principle of press freedom, which is central to democracy and the rule of law." Rather than "pouring oil on the fire and fanning the flames", he said the role of the media "should be that of an extinguisher one that calms and strengthens democracy" in Cameroon. Cameroon: Amnesty calls for release of 36 activists, five years after crackdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, officials banned public gatherings and the movement of motorcycle taxis in several cities after opposition supporters staged protests warning against an attempt to rig the vote. Protests were held Saturday in Bafoussam, the capital of the West Region, as motorcyclists flooded major roads, calling for a credible election process. Protesters clashed with security forces in other cities earlier in the week. Some were arrested and one person, who was not among the protestors, was killed in the northern city of Garoua, authorities said. Internet monitor NetBlocks has recorded significant disruptions to internet access in Cameroon in recent days, which it said "could limit coverage of events on the ground amid calls to annul the presidential election results". (with newswires) NEW CANAAN - A 20-year-old man was charged with murder Friday after he called police and confessed to killing his mother, police said. The victim, who has not yet been identified officially by police, died at the scene, New Canaan Police Lt. Marc J. DeFelice said in a news release. At approximately 10:30 a.m., New Canaan police responded to the area of South Avenue and Gerdes Road for a report of a man yelling in the woods, DeFelice said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officers were responding, New Canaan Police dispatch received a 911 call from a man at a Gerdes Road home stating that he killed his mother. Arriving officers immediately developed probable cause and identified the suspect as Sebastian Van Stockum, DeFelice said. New Canaan Police Officers and New Canaan EMS attempted life-saving measures for the victim but were not successful and she was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The name of the victim is being withheld until next of kin are notified, police added. Police charged Van Stockum with murder and he is being held on a $2 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Canaan Police Detectives are investigating the domestic violence murder and are being assisted by the State Police Western District Major Crimes, DeFelice said. This is an isolated incident and there is no danger to public safety, DeFelice said. This article originally published at New Canaan man charged with murder after confessing to killing his mother, police say. Recently Dr. Salomeh Keyhani, a UCSF professor of medicine, had a visit with an older patient with heart disease who mentioned they were smoking cannabis regularly. That's concerning, she said to the patient, and talked about the risks of cannabis use - in particular smoking it - on heart disease. The patient was unimpressed. "They said everything they read doesn't agree with what I'm saying," Keyhani recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Patients view this as it must be safe," she said, "and I don't think we have the evidence to say it's safe." Older adults, like the rest of Americans, are increasingly using cannabis as the drug becomes legalized for medical and recreational uses across the country. Medical marijuana is now legal in 39 states, and it's legal for recreational use in 24, including California. Surveys taken over the years show that as recently as the 1990s, cannabis use was so low among older adults that it was almost negligible; as of 2023, 7% of adults 65 and older had used cannabis in the prior month, according to a study published earlier this year. "It's remarkable that we went from zero to approaching 8%, and it's increasing," said Keyhani, who is leading multiple studies on the health effects of cannabis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts in geriatric medicine say there remain many questions about the safety of cannabis use for all ages, and those questions are particularly important to address for older adults, who may be especially vulnerable to risks from any drug use. Why people use cannabis In surveys, people who turn to cannabis for health reasons report using it for sleep, anxiety and pain. But doctors say there's little evidence that cannabis is effective for those purposes, and in fact it may make sleep and anxiety issues worse. The results for pain are varied; studies show that cannabis can be effective at reducing pain and nausea for some conditions, including cancer and neuropathy, for which there aren't good alternative treatments. "We should acknowledge that some patients say it helps with pain, and if we don't have treatments, I'm sympathetic to that," Keyhani said. But for sleep and anxiety, cannabis has not been shown to help in the long run, doctors said. People may notice relief, but it is often short-lived. There are far better treatments for both sleep and anxiety than cannabis, including cognitive behavioral therapy and medication, said Dr. Smita Das, a Stanford psychiatrist who specializes in addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cannabis is not, according to any practice guidelines, going to be effective for sleep or anxiety," Das said. "In fact it can worsen sleep or anxiety over time, even though it can feel in the moment like it's helpful for these things." Though Das said she generally recommends against cannabis use, "I feel a lot of compassion when individuals are looking for relief and there's so much advertising, especially on social media, about the potentials of cannabis. "I can see where my patients are coming from," Das said, "but I'd love for them to be able to access and explore the evidence-based treatments instead." Dr. Laura Vollen is a self-described medical marijuana specialist who has been prescribing cannabis for a variety of health reasons since 2000. She said she's cognizant of her colleagues' concerns about the drug, including the risks and questionable benefits. But in her experience, she said, it can be an effective alternative for people who haven't had success with other methods for treating issues like insomnia or anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She warned that most patients, especially if they don't have experience with cannabis, should not be using marijuana for health reasons without a doctor's input. Vollen prescribes very low doses for her patients, who are mostly over age 60 and often tell her that they don't want to get high. The doses she uses are so low, in fact, that they usually can't be obtained from a dispensary and must be special ordered. "I wish I could tell you overall what percentage of the elderly population this could be helpful for, but I can't," said Vollen, who is based in Berkeley. "I can tell you that in my experience, most but not all patients find it helpful" for conditions including insomnia, anxiety and pain. Syringes of cannabis oil are seen at the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in 2017. (Liz Hafalia/S.F. Chronicle) Risk for older adults The main risk for older adults using cannabis is falls, doctors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most common side effects of cannabis are dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue and somnolence," Keyhani said. "And in older adults, dizziness is especially concerning because of falls." Older adults are more at risk of severe injury or a poor outcome compared to younger adults if they take a tumble. In addition, older adults may be especially vulnerable because they are more likely than younger people to be taking multiple medications that could interact poorly with marijuana. "One of the first questions I ask patients they're presenting with confusion is, Do you use cannabis? '" Keyhani said. "I worry that in combination with other medication it causes sedation." There are also known health risks associated with inhaling anything, whether it's tobacco or marijuana smoke. Studies also have shown a strong link between cannabis use and heart attack risk, which is especially troubling for older adults who may already have heart disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And there's increasing data that cognitive impairment can worsen with older adults and cannabis use," Das said. Das also advised that addiction is a concern among regular cannabis users. Many people aren't aware that marijuana can be addictive, Das said, but if individuals are struggling with how much they're using and feel it's interfering with their life, it may be a problem they need to address. Using cannabis safely Several doctors said they don't think there's any safe level of marijuana use - just as they would advise there's no safe level of alcohol use. They are both drugs that can have deleterious effects on health, and both can be addictive. If people are using cannabis for something like insomnia or anxiety, Das recommends they reach out to their doctor for a referral to get appropriate treatment, whether it's therapy or medication, instead of relying on an unproved and potentially dangerous drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Das said she's seen patients in their 70s report significant improvements in their sleep after participating in cognitive behavioral therapy - and she notes that though therapy is expensive out of pocket, it's cheaper in the long run than using marijuana to fall asleep every night. For those who want to keep using, Keyhani and others recommend using the lowest dose possible and avoiding frequent use. "If you're going to use, I would recommend low potency THC," she said, "and don't use it every day." This article originally published at Is cannabis safe as you age? Doctors see dangers - and the main risk may not be what you expect. Cameron the Cat, a fixture at the Nebraska State Capitol. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Cameron the Cat, the unofficial mascot of the Nebraska State Capitol, is about to become even more famous. Cameron, a frequent visitor to the stairs outside the Capitol, is being featured in a new book by photographer and author John Shaw. The book captures the Capitol Cat as well as the unique architecture of the Capitol, the unique Tower on the Plains that has won acclaim for its design. Cameron the Capitol Cat, a mainstay of the Nebraska State Capitol, lounges outside the Capitol building. Aug. 7, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) On Saturday and Wednesday, Shaw will be signing copies of his book, Cameron the Capital Cat: A Portrait in Light, Stone, and Fur, at the Capitol Gift Shop on the buildings first floor. The signings are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gift Shop, which is operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society, re-opened in June and is the official home of Cameron the Cat merchandise. Cameron, who has been mistaken more than once for a stray cat, visits the outside of the Capitol frequently, greeting workers and visitors at the South Entrance. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MANCHESTER - Eight residents of a duplex located in the 500 block of Center Street were displaced Saturday after a vehicle struck the building, causing structural damage, according to a Facebook post by the Manchester Fire Department. No one was injured and no extraction was needed, fire officials said. The post said the vehicle left the road and struck the building early Saturday morning, fire officials said. The crash is under investigation by the Manchester Police Department. This article originally published at Car crashes into Manchester duplex, displacing 8 residents, officials say. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A credit card skimming device was found on a gas pump in Hesston, authorities said Saturday. It happened on Monday at a Caseys General Store on U.S. Route 81, Hesston police said in a social post. The device was discovered on a single pump shortly after a technician had inspected all of the pumps. Police reported that only one person used the pump between the time the device was placed and when it was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burglars steal cash, electronics from Kansas landfill office Police said they are trying to find the victim and the suspect and are working with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on the case. Police called it a reminder to stay vigilant. Continue to monitor your credit card and banking charges and report any suspicious activity that you believe to be fraudulent, the post read. See something, say something. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children is holding food drive for local foster families, families involved in the child welfare system and local food banks. Jenny Crosby, CASA training and outreach coordinator, said CASA wanted to do something for people who are and will be affected by the federal government shutdown. The food drive goes on until Nov. 30. The food will be distributed to local foster families living within the child warfare system, Crosby said. Were also going to distribute it to local food banks. All the food collected in Muskogee County will stay in Muskogee County, the food collected in Wagoner County will stay in Wagoner County, and we will find food banks that need that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crosby said many foster families receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits of help with their food budget. With the shutdown, recipients will lose their benefits Nov. 1 unless the federal shutdown has ended. Because our primary goal is children, first the CASA volunteers and families will take the food to CASA childrens families houses, she said. We are still working on a plan depending on how much food we get. If we get a lot, will give it out to everyone. Crosby said first, after the CASA families receive their food donation, it will probably go to school food banks. Then to the larger food banks after that, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only canned goods and non-perishable food items will be accepted. Drop-off locations are at: CASA for Children, 1002 N. Main St., Muskogee Servpro, 402 W. US 62, Fort Gibson Muskogee Chamber of Commerce, 310 W. Broadway, Muskogee Wagoner Chamber of Commerce, 202 N. Casaver Ave., Wagoner Genesis Church, 6561 S. Cherokee St., Muskogee Queen City + Co., 109 N. Main St., Muskogee Karen Holmes State Farm, 13513 E. US 51, Coweta Muskogee Public Library, 801 W. Okmulgee Ave., Muskogee I was scrolling Facebook and saw food stamps were ending Nov. 1 and said this is really going to affect foster families, she said. A lot of foster families do rely on the state to support those additional children living in their house. Its expensive to feed those additional children. If food stamps ends, its going to be harder on them and we dont want to see that burden on all of these families. Oct. 25The following stories from this week appeared on www.jamestownsun.com and in The Jamestown Sun. Around 300 people showed up on Mill Hill in Jamestown on Saturday, Oct. 18, for a peaceful No Kings rally to show solidarity with their voices while exercising their First Amendment rights. Individuals gathered with signs opposing the Trump administration's actions at the top of Mill Hill before walking down the hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions gathered on streets nationwide on Saturday as part of the No Kings protest. Ten No Kings protests were planned across North Dakota, including Valley City. The $150,000 allocated to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to match a federal grant is being held by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, according to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority chairman. "The indications we've got from North Dakota DOT is that they are of the mind that every state across the corridor would need to put in dollars for the nonfederal match before any of the funding appropriated in the state of North Dakota would be released," Dave Strohmaier said. "Our position is that that is not stated in the legislation. So there's no statutory requirement that that is the case, and I am not familiar with any legislative intent on the part of the North Dakota Legislature that that was intended to be the case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Dakota Legislature allocated $150,000 that would be used to match $1.1 million of an $11 million grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority would use the funds to create a service development plan to restore passenger rail service from Chicago to Seattle. North Dakota is the only state that has allocated funding for the $1.1 million match. The rail authority is looking to secure funds from all eight states where the passenger rail route would go through. The NDDOT will enter into an agreement with the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to provide the $150,000 allocated by the state Legislature once all other states along the corridor have committed funding to the project, the NDDOT Director Ron Henke wrote in a letter to the authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jamestown Finance and Legal Committee unanimously recommended approval on Tuesday, Oct. 21, to adjust utility rates effective Jan. 1. The Jamestown City Council will need to approve the adjustments at its meeting on Nov. 3. The average water utility rates could increase by 7% overall depending on water usage, said Sarah Hellekson, city administrator. Proposed changes include increasing rates for garbage containers and water and sewer utility. For water utility rates, residential and business water use would increase by $1.90 from $27.20 to $29.10 per month and commercial multi-unit rentals and mobile home court water use would increase by 95 cents from $13.60 to $14.55 per month for the first 400 cubic feet of water used. After the first 400 cubic feet of water is used, rates will increase by 24 cents from $3.40 to $3.64 per month for every additional 100 cubic feet of water used for residential, business, mobile home court and commercial multi-unit rentals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump approved a presidential disaster declaration for severe storms on Aug. 7-8 that caused significant damage to mostly electrical infrastructure in the state. The presidential declaration makes public assistance available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which notified the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services that the request had been granted. Gov. Kelly Armstrong submitted the declaration request on Sept. 4. The Aug. 7-8 storms brought damaging straight-line winds, large hail and numerous tornadoes. The declaration, approved Wednesday, Oct. 22, covers Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele and Stutsman counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water meter replacement project in Jamestown is about 94% complete , but about 300 accounts still need their meters replaced, according to Karen Olson, sales project manager for Ferguson Waterworks. Olson gave an update on the water meter replacement project during the Jamestown Public Works Committee meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23. The committee took no action on the update. Olson said discussions have been held with city staff on how to get the water meters replaced for the 300 remaining accounts. Olson said some customers have been noncompliant and never scheduled an appointment to replace their water meters. She said others either have plumbing issues that need to be repaired or the old water meter cannot be accessed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Old water meters are being replaced with radio-read water meters. The old water meters were installed in the 1940s, '50s or '60s and didn't give accurate readings on how much water is being used. The water meter replacement project began in 2024. Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen has announced that he will seek re-election next year. Castlen, a Republican, said he is proud of the work Daviess Fiscal Court has done in the nearly three years it has been in office. Im pleased with the accomplishments of this court, he said, and Im pleased with my accomplishments as judge-executive. Castlen, 63, is seeking his second term as judge-executive. He previously served 10 years as an Owensboro city commissioner, followed by 12 years as a county commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castlen said one of the things hes most proud of has been the courts fiscal responsibility, which he noted allowed property taxes to be cut from 12.9 cents to 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Thats a pretty significant cut in property taxes, Castlen said. The last time there was a bigger decrease was 1980. Castlen said a goal during his first term was to see the completion of the county-wide broadband project, which is finished. Castlen said public safety is always the courts top priority, and he noted the increased support it has provided to the Daviess County Sheriffs Office and Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im proud of the support weve been able to give to the sheriffs office and also the detention center, he said. Weve helped them with additional court security, and on the sheriffs side we provided them with additional patrolmen. If you ask the sheriff and the jailer, I guarantee you both of them would say theyve been pleased with the support that Ive given them as judge-executive. The detention center, they were very short on help at one point. I think they had 17 vacancies, and we gave them a significant increase in their compensation to where (Jailer Art Maglinger) can fill those vacancies. Castlen said repeal and replace, which eliminated volunteer fire department dues and replaced them with a 1.1% insurance license fee, allows for more consistent funding of those facilities. Hes also proud that the Daviess County Fire Department received a Class 4 Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating, which could lower insurance premiums for some residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think Daviess County has ever had that (rating) before, Castlen said. Thats because of our improved fire protection, and also the additional fire hydrants weve put in. Thats a huge benefit to our citizens. Castlen has also overseen Fiscal Court putting an emphasis on improving county parks, with numerous projects having been completed. Im pleased with the parks and what weve done with the new shelters and the restrooms, he said, and we established an ongoing capital plan to where we can address things rather than wait until theyre falling apart. Castlen said he remains confident in his decision to support It Takes a Village rescue taking over operation of the Daviess County Animal Shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im pleased that we adopted and implemented the Bowling Green model for our animal shelter, contracting with ITV, he said. I dont care what anybody says, the Bowling Green model is superior to (what we were doing). Castlen noted the financial support Fiscal Court has provided Habitat for Humanity and arts agencies, and he wants the court to continue being fiscally diligent. We are in great financial shape, he said. We wouldnt have been able to lower taxes like we did if we werent. County Commissioner Janie Marksberry, a Republican, previously announced her candidacy for judge-executive. Rod Kuegel is the only Democrat that has announced as a candidate for the office. ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) Three central Ohio suspects, including two from Columbus, could face over 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and possession charges. According to the Muskingum County Prosecutors Office, three major fentanyl dealers admitted guilt related to separate, months-long investigations by the countys Joint Drug Unit, CODE Task Force and the FBI. One man, 26-year-old Steven Smith, of Zanesville pleaded guilty to multiple charges in two cases, the first from a March investigation that resulted in Smith admitting to LSD possession with a firearm specification, aggravated possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability. The second case stems from June in which he pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related to the June case were the guilty pleas of two Columbus residents Krisawn Taylor-Hayes, 23, and Breonna Kelly, 19. Taylor-Hayes pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine, while Kelly pleaded guilty to the same charges, plus possession of methamphetamine. Steven Smith (top), Krisawn Taylor-Hayes (left) and Breonna Kelly (right) pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges in Muskingum County, Oct. 22, 2025. (Courtesy/Muskingum County Prosecutors Office) The prosecutors office stated that Smith and Taylor-Hayes participated together in selling approximately 400 pills containing fentanyl but appearing to be Percocet to undercover law enforcement. The two, plus Kelly, who was driving, were later caught in possession of the money they were paid for the transaction. Both men were in custody during the duration of their trial. Kelly had posted bond, but had it revoked when she tested positive for drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, a Muskingum County common pleas judge sentenced Smith to 17 years in prison. Kelly faces a sentencing hearing in which a jointly recommended sentence was agreed to of four years. Taylor-Hayes will have a pre-sentencing investigation and could face a maximum sentence of 20 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Before Michelle Tanner entered recovery, she was on the streets of Cleveland sometimes in the gutter, sometimes in trap houses. As intravenous drug use left her unemployable, Tanner lost custody of her children. She contracted hepatitis C, was raped, experienced sexual abuse and endured the loss of family member after family member, all from overdoses. As her life spiraled, her view of the worlds possibilities shrank as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes a lot of times when youre in the grip of your addiction, its very difficult to see hope, Tanner told an audience of nearly 50 people Thursday at the annual Crawford County Mental Health Awareness Program (CHAPS) candlelight vigil. You dont see it, you cant imagine it and you definitely dont want to hear about it. From such a vantage point, the 51-year-old Tanner continued, hope is something for other people, those who have crossed the seemingly impossible step of entering recovery and achieving stability. I didnt have any hope and no one could provide it, she continued. I couldnt see it. Surrounded by staff members from CHAPS and other local agencies, CHAPS clients, members of the recovery community and others, it was clear that things have changed for Tanner. She was three-and-a-half years clean and sober, she told the crowd, and had found forgiveness and re-established a relationship with her children. After working at Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission, she has worked at CHAPS since May in direct support for clients, in the agencys Community Hospital Integration Project Program (CHIPP) and generally doing a little bit of everything, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What had previously seemed impossible became possible. Possibilities, to me, are what create hope, Tanner said. There are so many possibilities in our community and a lot of them are sitting in this room and a lot of people that use, that are helpless, broken, lost, dont know about these possibilities. I know I sure didnt. Tanner was one of three speakers at the vigil, one of them a current CHAPS client, two now employees of the agency. Each spoke of significant struggles they experienced before arriving at the places they now inhabit. For Executive Director Lynn McUmber, hearing of those journeys makes the annual vigil a highlight of the year. This night lifts us all, McUmber said as participants gathered and talked after each member of the audience had lit a tiny candle for a moment of reflection. To share your story and for others to be there for you, its brave and powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the event is broadcast by Armstrong and shared through social media by CHAPS and others, the event also helps spread word of the possibilities that Tanner highlighted. We often get a lot of response and inquiries for service, McUmber said. People out there that might not have yet reached out and not have thought about that they deserve some help and support will make that call and start their journey. The agency assisted 2,055 such people on their journeys last year, including 269 people or families who obtained permanent housing. The agency also provided 3,006 nights of emergency shelter, 89 percent of the people who used the shelter to find eventually exiting to permanent housing. CHIPP program staffers like Tanner made more than 14,000 medication deliveries. As the community speaker for the vigil, Meadville Medical Center Chaplain Dustin Heath said that the CHAPS mission is an example of the sort of vocation that can make life meaningful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are broken. People are broken, Heath said in drawing attention to how people seem to shine in their ability to adapt to the things they experience that are beyond their control. As an example, Heath turned to the Japanese art of kintsugi, or golden joinery, in which broken pottery is painstakingly repaired and the repairs, far from being hidden, are instead highlighted with gold. Something has filled the brokenness with beauty and meaning, he said. The scars that item has now have been highlighted and its been filled with value and you cant or shouldnt use it as something just for utilitys sake anymore. Its now valuable for what it is its always been that way. Just as kintsugi highlights the repairs of what was previously broken, the context of the vigil made Heaths metaphor clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are valuable for who you are, Heath said. The cracks and the brokenness need not be ignored, even when those experiences were bad or painful. It is possible to look backwards and say, what seeds are growing in the cracks of that brokenness? Has any goodness come of that? Have I learned anything? Maybe I have. How am I more compassionate to people that are depressed? Tanners look back at her experiences provided a reminder of the possibility of hope that she hoped to share widely. I beg of you, all of you, she concluded, that as you go out, do not look at people with their addiction. Imagine the possibilities that they could be once they got some treatment, got some recovery, got some compassion. A charter school operation notified Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) of its plans to use spaces in over two dozen district schools for its own use, for free. Action News Jax got a copy of all 25 letters sent by Mater Academy to DCPS through a public records request. The letters show Mater Academys intent to open inside 25 of the districts schools that are underused/vacant/surplus district facilities. It wants to begin classes at the start of the 2027 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letters also show the number of students they plan to have enrolled for each school in the next 5 years - the total for all 25 schools comes out to over 11,000 students. Duval County Schools get almost $9,000 per student in state funding. That means Mater Academy could take away nearly 100 million dollars from traditional public schools if its enrollment goals are reached. In September, the Florida Department of Education signed off on an expansion of its charter school rules to allow certain charter schools, known as Schools of Hope, to co-locate, or move into, any public school in districts across Florida, for free, that have unused space within their buildings. New State Law by ActionNewsJax Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every public school family and taxpayer should be livid about the takeover of our community assets and our public schools, said Katie Hathaway, a DCPS parent and school advocate. Hathaway has kids enrolled in the School district. She tells me shes worried about what this means for public school students. To allow these private charter operators to come into our public schools and use our facilities at no costs is asinine, said Hathaway. Its stealing resources away from every child in our public education system. Most of the schools listed in the 25 letters are elementary schools. Of the 25 schools named by Mater Academy, four of them are already closed, and most of them are elementary schools. Of the 21 schools that are still operating, more than 75% of them are located in school districts 4 and 5, which contain Northwest Jacksonville and a good portion of the northside. Duval_Mater Academy Building Notice_A. Philip Randolph Career Academies-combined by ActionNewsJax Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that theres going to be some financial drain, said DCPS District 4 School Board Member Darryl Willie. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Willie says he doesnt think this will help the district. Especially with where we are in our facilities, planning with what were trying to do with consolidations and making sure that every single student has a great option. It really causes extra confusion for our families and parents right now, said Willie. Darryl Willie says he looks forward to having discussions with his fellow school board members and other state lawmakers about how this new rule could impact public school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to DCPS for a statement about this, and a spokesperson said: Charter operators have expressed interest in our DCPS campuses, spanning elementary, middle, and high schools. No decisions have been made, and we are carefully reviewing these requests in accordance with state law. Action News Jax told you this month when Mater Academy sent a letter to St. Johns County Schools informing them of wanting to operate in one of their districts schools. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] A beloved high school cheerleader was among four people shot at a bonfire near Birmingham, Ala. Kimber Mills, 18, died from her injuries. Three others were wounded. Officials say there was a large gathering at a wooded location known locally as The Pit when shots rang out. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Mills was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital, where she died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Tyler Whitehead, 27, was arrested and initially charged with three counts of attempted murder. His charges were later upgraded to murder. Mills family started a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised more than $36,000. TRENDING STORIES: Blount County Schools Superintendent Rodney Green shared a statement saying that Kimbers smile and infectious personality will certainly be missed, but she will always be remembered. Whitehead is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEED TO KNOW Multiple Chicago schools were reportedly on soft lockdowns amid reports of ICE activity in the area One elementary school said its soft lockdown was "out of an abundance of caution and in our commitment to protecting everyone in our school community" Federal agents also reportedly used tear gas in another Chicago neighborhood, where an alderman told CBS Chicago that agents seem to be targeting "construction workers, landscapers and nannies" Multiple Chicago schools were reportedly on soft lockdowns amid ICE activity on Friday, Oct. 24. Federal agents also reportedly used tear gas in the Lakeview neighborhood. The A.N. Pritzker Elementary School in the Wicker Park neighborhood was among the schools that went into soft lockdown amid reports of ICE agents in the area. The schools principal, Dr. Joenile Albert-Reese, said in a statement to families that the soft lockdown was a precaution and not due to an emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of an abundance of caution and in our commitment to protecting everyone in our school community, we will enter a Soft Lockdown for the remainder of the day, the schools statement read. This simply means that all doors will remain locked, and we will not open them for anyone until further notice. Our daily schedule will continue as usual, but we will be extra mindful to keep our environment secure. Parents were asked to tell teachers about a trusted adult if they could not pick up their child themselves at dismissal. Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty ICE agents during a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago on Jan. 26 ICE agents during a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago on Jan. 26 During a soft lockdown, the schools teachers are asked to check the hallways for staff and students before locking doors and windows. There are no outdoor activities and the principal and assistant principal will verify that all classroom doors are locked, and that each classroom is calm and quiet. Other schools in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods took similar safety measures on Friday, according to CBS Chicago, reportedly including Mitchell Elementary, Pulaski International and Rauner College Prep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a press conference on Friday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson asked Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to consider allowing Chicago public school students to learn from home, per the Chicago Tribune. However, when asked about this at a separate press conference, Pritzker said schools are already prepared, adding, Youve seen lots of neighborhood programs that have developed to support the parents also. Federal agents have been in Chicago for over a month as part of Operation Midway Blitz and Operation At Large. Ald. Bennett Lawson, who represents the 44th Ward, told CBS Chicago that tear gas was set off when neighbors protested federal agents pulling a construction worker from a home in Lakeview. Construction workers, landscapers and nannies seem to be a target, Lawson told the outlet. "There's no name involved, there's no reading of rights. They're just grabbing people." Immigration rights groups also claimed to CBS Chicago in September that ICE agents have targeted stores like Home Depot. When the Department of Homeland Security announced Operation Midway Blitz on Sept. 8, it said the ICE operation "will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Diehl, who was tear-gassed, told CBS Chicago on Friday that agents rolled their windows down, dropped the tear gas and continued on driving, adding that there are two schools in the area. People were walking their dogs. Children get walked here frequently. It's Friday in the middle of the day, Diehl added. Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty ICE agents outside the ICE processing facility in Broadview, Ill. on Sept. 27 ICE agents outside the ICE processing facility in Broadview, Ill. on Sept. 27 Near another site, officers responded to the Lake View East neighborhood after an altercation involving federal agents and two individuals, the Chicago Police Department told Fox 32 Chicago. Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet. Earlier this month, a federal judge prohibited federal agents from using tear gas and other weapons against protesters, journalists and others who do not pose an immediate threat to agents, reports WTTW. According to the order from U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis, agents have to issue two warnings before using tear gas and other types of chemical sprays. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an interview with CBS News, published on Friday, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino praised federal agents use of force as exemplary in Chicago. When asked if agents defied the court order against using tear gas, Bovino disagreed, saying, "All uses of force were well within CBP [Customs and Border Protection] policy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not gonna let any violence be perpetrated against any federal agent or officer," Bovino said. "Any use of force was well within CBP policy, as well as, I believe, anything else in conjunction with that court order." On Thursday, Oct. 23, Ellis ordered Bovino to appear in court in person on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Read the original article on People Across the United States, more parents are growing concerned as they witness a narrow religious ideology gaining influence over their childrens public schools. While some argue that inclusive school curricula are threatening their religious freedom, many others are worried that one belief system is being imposed dictating not only which books are available in classrooms but who gets to be represented in the school experience. Politics: Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Religious Parents Against LGBTQ+ Books The battle over books, especially those centering LGBTQ+ lives and diverse identities, has become a larger conflict about who controls the definition of American childhood and which values shape that narrative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question emerging in the law right now is: Which parents have rights? Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of Rewire News Group, told HuffPost. Were seeing the conservative legal movement rally around a narrow vision of parental identity, control, and rights, one that doesnt reflect or include all families. For many families, the cultural and legal battles over school curricula arent abstract; theyre deeply personal. Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Getty Education, once a shared public good, is increasingly becoming a battleground. And at the center of it is a Supreme Court case that could have far-reaching consequences: Mahmoud v. Taylor, which challenged the inclusion of LGBTQ+ books in a Maryland school district. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court blocked a Maryland school districts LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum, ruling it posed a very real threat to the religious beliefs of some parents and supporting their right to opt their children out of such instruction. Family: The Rudest Things You're Probably Doing In Your Friendships While the ruling doesnt impose a nationwide ban, it opens the door for local challenges that can limit educators ability to provide diverse and inclusive education. For parents, this means the fight is about whose voices are heard in their communities. Beyond Book Bans, A Silent Erasure Is Occurring This isnt a book ban case, explains Kelly Jensen, award-winning author and editor at Book Riot. Its a case about education and religious rights. None of the books are being banned or pulled from curricula. The real issue is the chilling effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers, already working under immense pressure, may now think twice before including LGBTQ+ books in classrooms, even if those books are age-appropriate and affirming. The silent erasure of books, disappearing from shelves without formal challenges, is as insidious as outright bans, Jensen warns. The ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor didnt change the law outright, but it signaled a cultural shift. One where certain religious beliefs are being elevated above others. The uproar over inclusive books in schools isnt a spontaneous, grassroots movement; its a carefully coordinated effort. These book bans are astroturfed, Pieklo said. They dont bubble up organically in a community because theres overwhelming concern that some inappropriate material has been placed there. These are part of a larger advocacy campaign. Despite the noise, most families support inclusive curricula and occupy a middle ground, favoring opt-out options for personal or religious objections without imposing blanket bans that restrict access for everyone else. Family: This 'Chilling' Right-Wing Movement Is Taking Over Classrooms And It's Only The Beginning According to Pieklo, these efforts to flood schools with opt-outs are part of a broader conservative legal strategy aimed at undermining public education and controlling what students learn, particularly around race, gender, and history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt about free speech or parental choice, she said. Its about using the power of the law to try and direct outcomes. Religious Freedom For Who? And those outcomes are already changing. The 11th Circuit Court recently upheld a Florida law that prevents teachers from using students preferred pronouns, mandating that they refer to students only by their sex assigned at birth. The court even ruled that misgendering students is protected speech. The religious justification being used in these cases isnt general, its specific. The ruling essentially says religion is more important than your identity, and not just any religion, but specific types of religious interpretations, Pieklo explains. Politics: The Supreme Court Is Getting Involved In The War On Books In oral arguments for Mahmoud, conservative justices grossly distorted the nature of inclusive books. Justice Neil Gorsuch even described Pride Puppy, a board book about a child attending a Pride parade, as a bondage manual for kindergartners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many families, the cultural and legal battles over school curricula arent abstract; theyre deeply personal. My kids are older now, Pieklo said, but it is very important for me and my family that our children have access to, not just exposure, but access to, books, information, resources, materials that explain not just the world around them but a world they may or may not feel 100% a part of. That helps them understand and navigate shifting understandings of identity. That sense of wanting children to see and understand the world in its full complexity is shared by other parents across the country. Stephanie, a mother from North Carolina, echoes the importance of broad exposure: Im a Christian and I want my kids to learn about the world as it is, not just through the lens of our faith. Family: 'Should I Hide From My Family That I'm An Atheist To Appease My Mom?' Katie, a public school teacher and parent, said shes horrified by efforts to limit what kids can learn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want my kids to learn as much about the world as they can, and I know I cant teach them everything. I trust that they can handle hearing viewpoints that differ from their own. That trust in students ability to think critically is matched by a strong belief in the power of representation. Mindi, a former teacher, reflects on how she would approach things if she were still in the classroom. I would have integrated books with secondary characters who identify as LGBTQ not for indoctrination, but to support my students with other identities. No book bans, ever. For some, like Denise, a mother in Pennsylvania, the issue goes even deeper into questions of visibility and belonging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its disgusting that LGBTQ+ is being erased from our childrens education, she said. These are real people with real and valid ways to love. Taking it out of schools means my kids will always think its taboo to love who they love. We All Lose Something Underlying all of these perspectives is a shared concern about whose values are shaping whats taught, and whose voices are being silenced. When one religious ideology dictates what can be taught, read, or affirmed in public schools, we all lose something, Pieklo notes. As public schools face funding cuts and increasing pressure, decisions like Mahmoud v. Taylor hand a louder platform to a narrow, often extreme religious agenda that can then shape what every child is allowed to learn, regardless of their own parents wishes. Though these rulings claim to protect parental rights, some parents feel they frequently silence and disenfranchise those who want their children to see themselves reflected in their education and to understand the rich diversity of the world around them. Some parents are pushing back on the notion that rulings like Mahmoud v. Taylor actually protect their religious freedom or rights as parents. Steve Chenn via Getty Images Megan, a mother of children in public schools, puts it even more bluntly: Religion does not belong in schools. I do not enforce or force my beliefs on other peoples children. And Im incredibly not okay with one religion being forced on mine in a free country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deeper issue, some parents argue, is the widening gap between well-funded private religious schools and under-resourced public ones. Jensen warns that unless communities push back, this divide will only deepen: This ruling might fuel the expansion of voucher programs, pushing public funds toward private religious education, she said. It divides the haves from the have-nots. And it hurts public schools that already struggle for funding. Megan echoes that concern, pointing to the strain on her childrens school, where the teachers union has had to fight for basics like smaller class sizes and fair pay. They deserve help not funding cuts and more pressure on an already struggling system. Related... Read the original on HuffPost With their distinctive shaggy orange manes, pale blue faces and dense fur covering their hands and feet, it's hard to mistake China's endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys for any other animal. These rare and charismatic monkeys, unique to the frigid mountains of central China, have recently joined the country's famous pandas as furry envoys to zoos in Europe for the first time on loan for 10 years from the same government-overseen group that coordinates official panda exchanges. As with panda diplomacy, some observers cheer new opportunities for scientific and conservation collaboration, while others raise concerns about the welfare of individual animal ambassadors transported around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaping among red and gray-tiled roofs Three golden monkeys arrived at Frances Beauval Zoo in the city of Saint-Aignan this April, following an agreement to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Peoples Republic of China and France. Another trio of golden monkeys arrived at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Hainaut, Belgium, in May. The zoo distributed Belgian and Chinese hand flags to visitors on the day the monkeys arrived. After a monthlong quarantine, the two sets of monkeys made their public debuts. So far, they appear to be in good health, according to the two zoos, adapting to new climates outside Asia for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Pairi Daiza, the habitat enclosure for Liu Yun, Lu Lu and Juan Juan includes traditional Chinese gazebos with red columns and gray-tiled roofs, where the monkeys spend much of their time jumping between logs and rope ladders and scrambling over roofs. The diplomatic aspect comes from this cultural awareness, said Pairi Daiza spokesperson Johan Vreys. The hope is to build longstanding scientific exchanges between the zoos and Chinese authorities, said Anais Maury, the communications director for the Beauval Zoo. The zoo is in discussions with China to launch joint research and conservation programs similar to those already in place for other emblematic species like pandas, Maury said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short history of modern animal ambassadors Both giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys are endangered animals that are unique to China and they can only be moved outside the country with approval from the central government, said Elena Songster, an environmental historian at St. Marys College of California. While both species are considered national treasures, only monkeys have deep roots in Chinese art and culture, appearing in countless paintings and as characters in classic literature, including the wily Monkey King in the 16th century novel Journey to the West." When pandas stepped, rolled, scratched and stumbled onto the world stage in recent decades, they quickly became symbols of modern China in part to due to their own cuddly cuteness and deft diplomatic presentation, said Susan Brownell, a China historian at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original soft power couple from post-war China was a pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping and Qi Qi, sent to the Soviet Union in 1957 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, which led to the establishment of the worlds first Communist state. In 1972, a pair of pandas was sent to the U.S. for the first time, following President Richard Nixons historic visit to Beijing. In 1984, China switched from gifting pandas to loaning them. Following outcry from animal-rights activists, China ended the practice of short-term loans and began longer leases, usually around a decade. In this arrangement through the China Wildlife Conservation Association, part of the money that an overseas zoo pays annually to China must be earmarked for habitat conservation or scientific research to benefit the species. Still, what benefits a species may not be beneficial to an individual animal. Transporting animals over long distances and sending their offspring back to China, as the agreements require, may highly stress animals, said Jeff Sebo, an environmental and bioethics researcher at New York University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Animal health and welfare matters, he said, not just for geopolitical or strategic aims. Habitat conservation in China Within China, the golden snub-nosed monkeys today live across a swath of central and southwestern China that includes parts of Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Hubei provinces. At the Shennongjia National Park in Hubei, conservation efforts since the 1980s have helped increase the regions population threefold to around 1,600 monkeys today, said Yang Jingyuan, president of the Academy of Sciences at the park. Its unclear exactly how to evaluate the diplomatic track record of furry ambassadors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, in an era of rising global tensions, I think pandas are a really useful entryway, said James Carter, a China historian at Saint Josephs University in Philadelphia. Pandas open up an opportunity for people to think something positive about China theyre cute, they dont do anything bad. The golden snub-nosed monkeys now at zoos in France and Belgium are so far the only ones outside of Asia. Chinas golden snub-nosed monkeys arent globally iconic yet, said Brownell, but there may be potential for them to be in the future. ___ Associated Press video producer Wayne Zhang, in Shennongjia National Park, contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. More than a month after Arizona-based conservative influencer and vocal Christian advocate Charlie Kirk was killed, Christian churches in the Valley have taken markedly different approaches on how to discuss it. A handful of pastors from across the Valley spoke with The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about their thoughts on Kirk, what to preach to meet the moment and what his death means for society. Here's what to know. Is a Christian 'revival' happening in Arizona? People define "revival" differently. Attendance at some evangelical churches in the Valley has increased, but whether that continues remains to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several evangelical pastors in Arizona said the assassination of Kirk spurred a Christian "revival" and "renewal," with thousands more people flocking to church than before the slaying. Pastor Ryan Visconti of Generation Church in Mesa said 2,000 more people than usual attended Sunday service the week after Kirk's death. Pastor Mark Driscoll of Trinity Church in Scottsdale claimed on his social media account that there was a 1,500-person increase, and some had to walk half a mile to the church because the parking lots were packed. Jeff Peterson, leader of the Arizona Ministry Network's group of 230 Pentecostal Assemblies of God churches across the state, said churches in rural and urban areas were seeing a significant "swell" in attendance. The turnout appears most pronounced at evangelical Christian churches, with those pastors publicly sharing attendance figures. Some churches, however, have seen increases that aren't as significant: Pastor Terry Mackey of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, a predominantly African American church near downtown Phoenix, said attendance increased, but not significantly by 2-3%. Pastor Frank Switzer of Redemption Arcadia said he perhaps had seen an increase of 5-6%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix did not respond to The Republic's questions about changes in attendance. Catholics make up the largest share of Christians in Arizona, at 21%, according to Pew Research Center. Why are people going to church? Pastors and new attendees have given a few reasons for attendance: seeing the video of Kirk's death online felt traumatizing, and seeing reactions to the death particularly those that weren't sympathetic felt disorienting, confusing and disheartening. It led to questions about how much online life was shaping worldviews, as opposed to in-person interactions, and whether that was leading to unhealthy mental states. One churchgoer told The Republic she felt an inexplicable compulsion to go. Christian 'revival': Fountain Hills to weigh proposed Charlie Kirk statue Are there concerns about how Kirk's death is affecting faith communities? Those who opposed many of Kirk's ideological views said it made them question the fusion of Christianity and conservative politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mackey said the events served as a reminder to his congregants that they had to continue to fight for equality and visibility when the nation raised up a man who espoused racist and sexist views. He expressed concern about a rise in Christian nationalism, which he defined as placing the nation before God. Another pastor expressed concern that other churches were "exalting" Kirk above the gospel. The aftermath has prompted concerns from some churchgoers, too. One long-time Christian told The Republic she left her church because the sermons had grown increasingly political and focused on culture war issues. Kirk's death, and her pastor's announcement that he'd discuss Kirk's "martyrdom" was the final straw her. A first-time churchgoer said she was concerned that opportunistic politicians would exploit any positive movement. Why are pastors calling Charlie Kirk a 'martyr'? In charging documents, Utah prosecutors said suspected killer Tyler Robinson targeted Kirk for his "political expression." Some religious leaders have said the fact that Kirk's political agenda was driven by his Biblical beliefs meant he was killed for his faith and amounted to an attack on Christianity. They reject claims of Kirk as racist or sexist, saying his detractors typically took him out of context or didn't understand his point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While much of the public viewed Kirk as a primarily political figure, some of his ardent religious supporters saw him as a Christian above all else, leading to their belief that his murder was an attack on the ideas they themselves hold. How does the rise in attendance compare to 9/11 or other events? Pastors told The Republic the significant attendance surges mirrored those after 9/11, but with one key difference: The drop-off after the terrorist attacks nearly a quarter of a century ago was immediate. This time, the surges have sustained so far. One pastor said it was because after 9/11, new attendees "wanted to know what the church had to say about Muslims flying planes into buildings ... whereas with Charlie Kirk, people are saying, 'I need to understand this Christian faith ... that would lead somebody to be killed for his faith.'" Mackey said the slight uptick in attendance mirrored what his church saw after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, an incident that fueled the Black Lives Matter movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Seely is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow at The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Do you have a story about the government infringing on your First Amendment rights? Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116. Seely's role is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Charlie Kirk's death affected sermons from Arizona pastors EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Chuze Fitness in West El Paso will be moving into a new facility, hopefully in the fall of 2026. The fitness center is currently located at 981 N. Resler and plans to move into the old Big Lots building, located at 7025 N. Mesa St., under a lease. According to management at the Resler location, the current Westside location will continue to operate until the opening of the newest facility. They are expecting to be at the Mesa location in fall 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, you can visit Chuze Fitness website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The CIA tried to recruit Sir Winston Churchill to broadcast propaganda into the Soviet Union, The Telegraph can reveal. Newly released documents show that Radio Liberty, a CIA-backed station in Eastern Europe that broadcast into the USSR, hoped it could use the war-time UK prime minister to turn listeners against their Communist leaders. In 1958, the stations controllers informed CIA bosses in Langley, Virginia, that they were preparing a special series of programmes to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of Karl Marx. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Russia was gripped by the spread of revisionism an intellectual departure from the Marxism-Leninism of the early USSR. American intelligence operatives were keen to exploit revisionist thinkers, who opposed the existence of one Soviet bloc led by Moscow, in favour of individual Communist states. Radio Libertys programmes were designed to exploit the climate of fresh and unorthodox political thinking by promoting Western thinkers who would help undermine the Soviet state. Radio Liberty was a CIA-backed station in Eastern Europe that broadcast into the USSR A briefing note, released by the CIA under freedom of information laws, shows the stations controllers launched a special propaganda operation between March 14 and May 5, 1958. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programmes intended to stimulate heretical thinking and undermine confidence in any form of Marxism by suggesting that its basic assumptions, its historical method and its predictions are false. Although it would not have been clear to Soviet listeners at the time, the station was funded by the CIA and effectively controlled from Washington. Churchill was among several British figures that the station hoped would deliver broadcasts, although experts say there is no evidence he accepted their invitation. The briefing note on Churchill does not contain details about his planned broadcast, but notes that the special events staff in Munich will write to the following people and contact some in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other people suggested for propaganda broadcasts included Clement Attlee, Aneurin Bevan and Hugh Gaitskell, three sgnificant post-war Labour figures, and Arthur Koestler and Arnold Toynbee, two prominent Left-wing intellectuals . The note also listed potential guests from other countries Sidney Hook, the philosopher, and Eugene Lyons, the Russian-born journalist, both from the US, along with Vincent Auriol the former French president, and Bruno Pittermann, the vice-chancellor of Austria. Radio Liberty appeared to its listeners as an emigre radio station, offering a different perspective on world events to Soviet citizens. It was covertly funded by the CIA between 1951 and 1972, and merged with Radio Free Europe, which focussed on Soviet satellite states. The station continues to broadcast, and remains funded by the US government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The propaganda drive had three objectives, which were all designed to capitalise on emerging Left-wing thinking within the USSR, using the anniversary of Marxs death as a pretext. The first task was to stimulate heretical thinking by showing that outside the Soviet Union Marxism is not a static, dogmatic body of thought which ignores contemporary social and economic realities. The CIA was also attempting to undermine confidence in any form of Marxism by suggesting that its basic assumptions, its historical method and its predictions are false and show that the future does not belong to the communist idea and the Soviet State structure. Churchill knew Alan Dulles, the legendary director of the CIA at the time, and John Foster Dulles, his brother and then US Secretary of State with who he was photographed in Washington DC and London on multiple occasions. Churchill enjoyed good relations with the Americans seen here with President Eisenhower and Allan Dulles, the head of the CIA - Bettmann In spring 1958, around the same time as he was earmarked for a propaganda programme, he declined an invitation to visit Washington for health reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former prime minister, then 83, managed just one further trip to America the following year, to visit President Eisenhower, and did not return before his death in 1965. Churchill made his last visit to the US in 1959 to see Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles, just weeks before the latters death - Getty Images Prof Rory Cormac, a professor of international relations and intelligence history at the University of Nottingham, said the CIAs attempt to recruit Churchill was typical of the agencys strategy towards the USSR in the 1950s. Propaganda operations in the Cold War were designed to undermine authority, chip away at orthodox ideas, and encourage questioning, he told The Telegraph. He said the US government was looking for credible messengers for its appeal to Soviets, and sometimes operated indirectly through Radio Liberty and other channels, including newspapers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the CIA declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. City officials offered a final version of a comprehensive plan for what Stillwater could become in the next 20 years. City staff, an advisory committee and consulting coordinators met Thursday for a final open house to present an updated 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan at Block 34s Simmons Bank Pavilion. Mayor Will Joyce, City Manager Brady Moore and other City officials and stakeholders were on hand to answer questions from residents. Moore stood next to a color-coded land use development map, pointing out areas for development or growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comprehensive plan was developed into a 222-page document that included key areas such as land use and development; transportation and mobility; housing and neighborhoods; economic development and redevelopment; community character, arts and culture; and infrastructure, public facilities and services. 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan The 222-page 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan. If you dont know where youre headed, youre never necessarily going to get there, said Dawn Thomas, an urban planner and consultant from Freese and Nichols, Inc., who was hired by the City. (The comprehensive plan) is geared to help the City and support decision making relative to growth and development over the next 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dawn Thomas.JPG Dawn Thomas, an urban planner and consultant at Freese and Nichols, Inc., makes remarks at Thursday's 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan final open house. Inside the pavilion, guests could review the majority of the comprehensive plan on large poster boards and leave comments on sticky notes. This is the adoption phase of the plan, after which the completed draft plan will be presented to the Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee, the public, Stillwater's Planning Commission and City Council for consideration and adoption. The plan isnt set in stone, according to Thomas, who also collaborated with economic development company TXP, and real estate research and planning company, Community Development Strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like any policy that the City adopts, the legislative body has the ability to modify those polices based on budgetary constraints (or) other priorities, Thomas said. The City does a pretty good job every year of having a strategic plan that the Council can focus on and really identify how and where they need to allocate resources." Brady Moore.JPG City Manager Brady Moore discusses the land use map with a resident at Thursday's 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan final open house. Thomas said the comprehensive plan is a way for City officials to support their overall strategic plan with a data-driven planning process supported by the communitys goals and wishes for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project launched to the public in 2024, although planning began in late 2023. City Council, CPAC, the Stillwater Planning Commission, various stakeholders and the community contributed to the plan. Early on, City staff and councilors helped assemble the advisory committee to help represent Stillwater for the planning process. They were involved a little bit more heavily than the general public, but they brought a lot of ideas to the table and helped us refine information and make sure it matched the overall goals and objectives of the City of Stillwater, Thomas said. Stillwater resident.JPG Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman looks at the land use and development information at Thursday's 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan final open house. The committee put together multiple ways for the community to be involved, including hosting and gathering feedback from two open house meetings and a land use workshop, developing an online idea wall for residents to view and give feedback and conducting a survey, which garnered 600 responses. Thomas' team wanted residents to be the ones the project started and finished with, she said, and a final gut check on the information presented in the document. The land use workshop helped Thomas and her team determine the distribution of proposed future land uses. The team also conducted multiple stakeholder interviews to gather input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas said its important to note the plan isnt a new zoning map or regulatory document presenting new rules, but rather information, guidance and recommendations for City administrators, decision makers and property owners an overarching policy document for the City of Stillwater. The goal is to have the completed plan ready by the end of the year. Were going to take any input that we receive here this evening and discuss that with staff and incorporate that as appropriate and put the final package together to be presented to the planning commission, and then ultimately, to the City Council for final action, Thomas said. Stillwater resident Michael Holmes said it was his first time to attend an open house, but he came because he thought it was important for residents to give feedback on areas theyre excited about or concerned with in the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Holmes.JPG Stillwater resident Michael Holmes gives feedback on housing at Thursday's 2025-2045 Envision Stillwater Comprehensive Plan final open house. His main concerns were promoting a sense of community in different forms with more bicycle lanes and meeting spaces, as well as safety for pedestrians. He was also concerned about the City and developers collaborating on housing options across town. With Block 34, Stillwater has an opportunity to grow up and become a more vibrant (community) and (have) more opportunities for development, for economics, for our citizens, for community to come together, Holmes said. Now is the real critical time. A full draft of the comprehensive plan may be found at https://freese.mysocialpinpoint.com/envisionstillwater2045/home. LONDON, Ohio (WCMH) Scooters are being used to help assess the condition of every sidewalk in the city of London. Ive gone through the process of grading roads to where we know which roads are the worst, and we need to start working on them right now. So this is just like that, but for sidewalks, Mayor Patrick Closser said. The scooters are operated by employees from a company called CityLogix. They are mounted with cameras and record video as they ride on the sidewalks. Then they go over them again and take pictures of problem spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groveport man sentenced in rape or two minors That way not only do they have a spot on the map but they actually can hit that spot on the map, pull up a picture that shows, oh yeah, thats a two-foot uplift that we need to fix, said David Teetrs, a Senior Survey Team Leader with CityLogix. He said all the information is sent back to their office. Then a report is put together to let the city know where fixes should be made first and what areas are ok. Thats why we brought them out, because we want to get a real good map of whats going on. So then we can come up with a game plan on how to fix them, Closser said. Theyre able to GIS and map them faster and be able to do what they need to do in a much faster time than what they would have to do if they walked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closser said the city is paying CityLogix about $50,000 for all the work. The safety of our citizens is always the top priority, making sure we have safe access for everyone, especially those that are ADA, and we need to make these things compliant. I think its money well spent, he said. The CityLogix employees and their scooters are expected to be in town for a few weeks. Closser said he expects the city will get the report from the company in the winter, then make a plan for work in the spring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Some Clermont County Sherriff's Office deputies will now be authorized to arrest people on Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants. Sheriff Christopher Stratton signed a federal memorandum allowing specially trained deputies to "arrest and transport individuals on ICE warrants," the agency said in an Oct. 24 news release. "To date, we have successfully transferred 26 inmates to ICE and are currently housing four inmates who will soon be turned over to federal custody," the sheriff's office said in the release. More: Trans immigrant woman detained in Butler County Jail alleges abuse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 7 in 10 ICE detainees at Butler County Jail have no criminal convictions The change was announced the same day Congressman Dave Taylor visited the Clermont County Jail. The development mirrors the Butler County Sheriff's Offices' increasingly cooperative relationship with ICE. The federal government pays Butler County $68 per day per ICE detainee. That number will soon increase to $105 per day per ICE detainee. Butler County's continued involvement with ICE has caused legal controversy, prompting input from Ohio's Attorney General Dave Yost. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Clermont County sheriff allows some officers to make ICE arrests CLINTON - A trio of goats that has been on the run for several months was captured, according to the Clinton Police Department. Police said Friday that Animal Control Officer Ryan Sheehan, in coordination with the Durham Animal Response Team, Madison Animal Control and Westbrook/Essex/Deep River Regional Animal Control, safely trapped the animals and took them back to the local goat farm from which they came. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three female goats escaped their home in July. Since then, they roamed the area of Nod Road and occasionally were seen by drivers on Interstate-95. Residents grew fascinated with the goats, even documenting their adventures on their own Facebook page: "The Clinton Roaming Goats." Sheeham said earlier this month the goats came from a very large herd, were used for grazing and were not accustomed to people. "After the goats' initial escape, it became clear that a simple capture attempt would not be effective," the Clinton Police Department said. Officials developed a plan to lure the goats. They fed the goats at a specific location at consistent times to acclimate them to the area, and monitored the goats' behavior and health through trail cameras, police said. The temporary corral officials used to eventually capture the elusive goats. (Courtesy of the Clinton Police Department) Once the goats were used to the feeding schedule, the Durham Animal Response Team, or DART, and Clinton Animal Control put up a temporary corral at the feeding site, according to police. They gradually modified the corral over time and ultimately were able to capture the elusive goats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All three goats were trapped together, loaded into a livestock trailer and transported back to their home," the police department said. "The animals appeared to be in good health at the time of capture." This article originally published at 'Clinton Roaming Goats' captured, taken back home after months on the loose. CNN anchor Brianna Keilar grilled ex-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday after she insisted she was not worried about former President Joe Bidens cognitive state before he dropped out of the 2024 election. During Bidens final months in office, Jean-Pierre said that he was as sharp as ever and blamed his disastrous debate against Donald Trump on a cold. She has since left the Democratic Party to write a book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House. Politics: Jill Biden Opens Up About 'Hurtful' Attacks On Joe Biden's Cognition Keilar noted that another book, Jake Tappers Original Sin, has described Democratic officials actively limiting Bidens time in public. She said even actor George Clooney smelled trouble when Biden didnt recognize him at a 2024 fundraiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keilar asked Friday, Why didnt you have concerns? Why didnt you raise them? So, I did not have any concerns, Jean-Pierre replied. I saw him on a daily basis, Brianna. You know that. I saw him every day. I engaged with him every day. Now, did he show age? No one is denying that. Yes, he showed age. This is a president that was sharp. Jean-Pierre, who had maintained that Biden could finish a second term, doubled down Friday by arguing that he was on top of policy, touting his coalition-building skills to fight Russias war in Ukraine and early successes in his presidency. Thats not what Im asking about, Karine, said Keilar. Do you think he should be president right now? Do you think that he is capable, right now, of being president? Because that is what you were advocating for, someone who would be president in his current state until 2029. Jean-Pierre insisted that she had not seen anything that concerned me and reiterated that she saw a sharp Biden every single day. The former press secretary added that she couldnt speak to Tappers book, which she noted in her own book she has no plans to read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, why not? Keilar asked on Friday. If most people, a lot of people, if the leadership of their workplace imploded and someone wrote a book with 200 sources, many of them good, they would want to read it, they would want to reflect on that. Why not? Politics: Trump Reveals What Test He Had During Unexpected Walter Reed Visit No, because I saw it personally and I experienced it personally on an average, day to day, the former press secretary replied. And right now, Brianna, look where we are today. It is important to talk about where we are today. We are in an unprecedented situation. Jean-Pierre went on to condemn the Trump administration for launching mass deportations and having masked immigration agents snatch civilians off the street. She said shes already talked about her time with Biden and that we also have to look at this moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keilar pushed no further, agreeing that Trumps policies are indeed concerning, but concluded, We would be remiss if we didnt talk about how we get to this moment. That is certainly essential. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Coca-Cola issued a voluntary recall of several of its soda products distributed in Texas earlier this month. Although a spokesperson said the recall was contained and on a small scale, consumers are invited to dispose of the products if affected. Heres what you need to know. What Coca-Cola products were recalled? Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages initiated the recall on Oct. 3, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A notice was then posted on the agencys website on Oct. 20. The soda company recalled three of its products as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000042559 and FEB0226MAA Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058499 and FEB0226MAA Coca-Cola 12-ounce Can (24 pack) / Codes: 49000012781 and JUN2926MAA Coca-Cola 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058468 and JUN2926MAA Sprite 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058482 and JUN2926MAA Sprite 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000028928 and JUN2926MAA Sprite 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000028928 and JUN3026MAB The recall was small, localized and involved a very limited quantity of product, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola told Today. The company recalled 1,115 units of its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce Can, 2,322 units of Coca-Cola 12-ounce Can and 791 units of its Sprite 12-ounce Can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson added that the recalled products were distributed in parts of Texas, notably the McAllen/Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. What was the reason for Coca-Colas recall? The FDA cited the potential presence of foreign material (metal) in the product as a reason for the recall. Affected products were removed from store shelves out of an abundance of caution as of Oct. 10. Consumers are invited to dispose of the recalled products if they have purchased them. They may return it to the store where they originally bought the item for an exchange or a refund, the spokesperson said. They may also contact Coca-Colas Consumer Interaction Center at (800) 438-2653 with any questions or concerns. The post Coca-Cola Recall Sees Items Impacted Due To Potential Metal In Product: Heres What To Know appeared first on Blavity. A request for the county to grant a franchise for a construction-debris landfill on Colon Road drew criticism from most residents living nearby, while others hailed it as a future park when its lifespan is over. A public hearing on the request was held Monday by the Lee County Board of Commissioners. No action was taken, but the item will be back on the agenda, likely at the Nov. 3 meeting. WR Sanford LLC, doing business as Liberty Waste Solutions LLC, is seeking to locate the landfill on a 117-acre site with frontage of 1,700 feet on Colon Road and 2,700 feet on Amos Bridges Road, according to the application letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The landfill will not be handling household garbage or hazardous materials, but will take the construction debris bricks, wood and concrete that can be recycled, Liberty Waste Solutions CEO and part-owner Rick Prather told the commissioners. This is not a dump. This a state-of-the-art facility thats highly regulated by the state, he said. But community residents had a different take. About eight residents urged the board to deny the request. They cited such problems as a decrease in land values, concerns for the wildlife and increased traffic on Colon Road. Raleigh resident Tom Darden, whose family owned the former Cherokee Brick Co., said he thought there could be a better use for the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We own over 1,000 acres in the vicinity of the proposed site. We care what gets built here. We want to determine the best use for the county. Our options will be severely limited if the landfill is approved, he said. Other residents said the landfill would be detrimental and halt any growth in the area. Its just not the right location for a landfill, Jerry Pedley, an Amos Bridges Road resident, said. The proposed landfill is not affiliated with the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, according to CEO Jimmy Randolph. The proposed landfill introduced in September is not a SAGA project, he said. SAGA leadership doesnt believe its in the best interest of the county to grant approval for a CND landfill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The landfill has a lifespan of 15 to 18 years, Prather said, and can be converted into a park when it is no longer used. Liberty Waste has done so with its Asheboro operation. Bob Joyce, a Sanford resident who is active in economic development, said he supported the request. I believe there is another side to this coin, he said. Its not a municipal landfill and wont be used to dispose of business or household trash. The landfill will take up less than 55 acres of the total parcel. Another 42 acres will be dedicated to wildlife, Prather said. We think that the idea of a CND landfill site is consistent with Plan San-Lee and can create more recreation at no cost. As Lee County continues to grow, well need new parks and more space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And at the end of its life it can become a park with trails and play areas, Joyce said. Former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker of Sanford also endorsed the plan, pointing out that it will keep the site from other uses. If the request from Liberty is turned down by the board, (the property) will become available for other possible uses a junkyard, a chemical plant, even a slaughterhouse. This is a possibility, a real possibility, Wicker said. The landfill can be a win-win for Lee County, he said. This site could eventually be transformed into a beautiful park with hiking and bike trails to enjoy for generations to come and can become a thriving wildlife refuge, Wicker said, adding that Liberty Waste Solutions deeply desires to be part of our community, running a clean operation and become good neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years ago, Wicker said, county leaders made similar decisions with the development of Central Carolina Community College and a merger of the school systems. The leaders did what they thought was right and would be good and positive for the community, he said. Youre facing the same challenge today. Your support of this will benefit Lee County. Beverages have long been a part of Colorados identity, whether were talking about beer, tea or cocktails. That includes the states strong craft spirits scene, and Colorado has two businesses honored in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers Choice Awards for craft spirits, mixers and canned cocktails. Breckenridge Distillery ranked No. 7 among spirits tasting rooms nationally. And Montanya Distillers, a rum maker in Crested Butte, landed at No. 8 among craft rum distilleries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winners were named in 11 categories by 10BEST, which noted there are more than 3,000 active craft distillers around the country to choose from. Heres where readers love to sip in Colorado: Breckenridge Distillery ranks No. 7 for best spirits tasting room At both the highest distillery in the country (about 9,600 feet) and its Main Street Tasting Room, Breckenridge provides complimentary tastings of any two of its foundational spirits. (10BEST highlighted the espresso vodka and spiced rum.) Breckenridge also offers a variety of private tours, guided flight tastings and other experiences for a fee. Those allow patrons to try a much larger array of spirits or even make their own blends. Montanya Distillers ranked No. 8 for craft rum distilleries Montanya makes its small-batch rum from Louisiana sugarcane and mountain snowmelt. It crafts them in an alembic copper pot still and barrel ages them with no added sugar or molasses, according to 10BEST. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the varieties 10BEST noted are Montanyas Platino White Rum, which it said has notes of biscotti, cream soda, cardamom, coffee and vanilla. The distillery sells a version infused with pineapple and habaneros. How are USA TODAY 10BEST Readers Choice Awards decided? USA TODAY 10BEST says a panel of experts nominated craft spirit options in each award category, with the final nominees selected via editorial review by its editors. Once the nominees in an award category were announced, the public had four weeks to vote online for their favorites. People could vote for one nominee in each category each calendar day. Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Where to find top craft spirits in Colorado Niranjan Hiranandani, co-founder and Managing Director of the Hiranandani Group, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision during the launch of author Berjis Desai's new book, 'Modi's Mission', in Mumbai. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Hiranandani said PM Modi stands out as "one of the most powerful leaders in the world", highlighting his clarity of purpose and quick decision-making. He recalled his interactions with the Prime Minister during Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, saying, "He possesses two key qualities: a grand vision for the country and genuine care for India's people. Very few individuals reach this level of success. I had the opportunity to meet him when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He is a quick decision-maker, and every time I met him, I saw clarity in both his vision and mission." Hiranandani added that under PM Modi's leadership, India has seen remarkable progress across sectors such as defence, infrastructure, and affordable housing. The book, titled 'Modi's Mission', tracing the personal journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be launched on October 24. Author Berjis Desai, a Mumbai-based lawyer and writer, said that the book does not deal with PM Modi's politics or elections, but rather with him being an "instrument of change". Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya Devvrat will be present at the book's release. Berjis Desai said, "My book, 'Modi's Mission', is not another biography of the Prime Minister. Nor is it about politics or elections or any of his present-day political opponents. This work is more about PM Narendra Modi as an idea, a movement, an instrument of change. It is about the transformation he has brought about in the collective consciousness of Indians." He added that the book aims to "dispel" the narrative of the Western media and a section of the Indian elite against PM Modi. "We have not yet fully understood the sheer enormity of his lifework, touching every aspect of national life, over the last 24 years of his holding elective public office. More importantly, he has been an instrument of change who has transformed the collective consciousness of the nation. The constant undermining of his extraordinary achievements by the Western media, and the angst of a section of the Indian intellectual elite against him, needed to be dispelled," the author said. The book, published by Rupa Publications, follows the journey of PM Modi, from his formative years in Gujarat's Vadnagar to the Prime Minister's office in New Delhi. The book is not merely a biography but could be described as a "story of an idea", where author Berjis Desai discusses PM Modi's emergence as an instrument of national awakening despite insurmountable odds and innumerable challengers. In the book, Desai focuses on the experiences of PM Modi during his childhood and youth that have shaped the Prime Minister's socioeconomic philosophy and his outlook on governance. The author has attempted to depict the ways PM Modi has been able to raise India's collective consciousness while ensuring "transparent governance". Desai outlines in his book the methodical approach taken by PM Modi for undertaking momentous decisions, such as the abrogation of Article 370, among others. The book provides insight into the efforts undertaken by PM Modi over the years to strengthen India's position globally as a proud civilisation. Desai also discusses PM Modi's efforts to transform India into an efficient welfare state. Berjis Desai is a former journalist with a leading Gujarati daily. He retired as the Managing Partner of one of India's leading law firms. Berjis is the author of multiple books, including the critically acclaimed books on Parsi culture - 'Oh! Those Parsis' and 'The Bawaji'. In advance praise of the book, industrialist Anand Mahindra said, "Prime Minister Modi is one of the most closely watched leaders of the 21st century. This book explores how, anchored by an unmistakable love for our country, he has sought to lift its place in the world with relentless energy." (ANI) DENVER (KDVR) Colorados legislators are sharing firmer stances on U.S. beef after Colorado cattle producers spoke out against statements made by President Donald Trump, suggesting the U.S. should buy more beef from Argentina to help lower costs. We would buy some beef from Argentina, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One on Sunday. If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down. Colorado lawmakers push back, ranchers react to Trumps beef import proposal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado ranchers were quick to respond, voicing strong opposition and advocating for support of U.S. ranchers and farmers. On Friday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. House members also spoke out. If the President floods the market with Argentinian beef, he will crush hardworking Colorado farmers and ranchers, turning his back on the industry that helps drive our western economy and puts food on our tables, said Polis in a release. On the heels of a $20 billion bailout for Argentina during a government shutdown, when American families are facing hunger and skyrocketing health care costs, its even worse to intentionally harm American farmers. This thoughtless move would take business from American farmers and ranchers to prop up the presidents friend, and I like Javier Milei as much as the next guy and he has great hair, but helping him doesnt justify hurting ranchers. If the President moves forward, it will be a slap in the face to hardworking producers across the entire nation, said Polis. Why does beef cost so much? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the reason beef prices are high is because there is less beef in the U.S.: The national herd has reached a 75-year low as consumer demand has grown 9% over the past decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the agency noted that it takes time to increase the size of a herd, and shared a plan aimed at supporting that goal. At USDA we are protecting our beef industry and incentivizing new ranchers to take up the noble vocation of ranching, said USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins in a Wednesday release. Today, USDA will immediately expedite deregulatory reforms, boost processing capacity, including getting more locally raised beef into schools, and working across the government to fix longstanding common-sense barriers for ranchers like outdated grazing restrictions. States ask for clarity on use of contingency funds for November SNAP USDA also noted that since 2017, over 17% of U.S. family farms have been lost. The Colorado Cattlemens Association told FOX31 on Tuesday that cattle production is the states number one agricultural commodity. Ranchers raise over 2.7 million head of cattle in the state and in 2024, the state exported $1.3 billion in beef. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg also weighed in, saying that importing cheap Argentinian beef would undercut Colorado producers, among other impacts. Colorado producers are leading in stewardship and sustainability, and our high standards for animal husbandry and quality are what consumers truly want. Federal interference and the timing of announcements regarding imports only exacerbate the struggles of our domestic producers, impacting their ability to rebuild herds and receive fair prices for their cattle, Greenberg said in Poliss release. The federal government should focus more on expanding market opportunities for American beef, which is our focus here in Colorado. Bipartisan statement calls for Trump to reconsider Reports were shared on Friday that a White House staffer said Trump plans to quadruple the tariff-rate quota for imported beef from Argentina, an effort to lower food prices in the U.S., resulting in reactions from Congress members across the country. Colorados bipartisan House delegation, which includes Reps. Joe Neguse, Jeff Hurd, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jason Crow, Diana Degette, Gabe Evans and Brittany Pettersen all signed onto a statement issued in support of Colorados local ranchers and rural economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorados beef industry and the farmers, ranchers, and producers who have sustained it across generations is essential to the vitality of our states economy and our nations food security, the delegation said. US Fish and Wildlife Service: Colorado cannot source gray wolves from Canada While we understand the importance of fair, strong trade relationships and diverse markets, we urge the administration to reconsider the increase in imports of Argentine beef that could pose risk to the domestic cattle market and the countless individuals across our state whose livelihoods depend on it, the delegation continued. Together, we must advocate for Colorados cattle producers and consumers alike, prioritizing American beef and working to strengthen our agriculture industry for the future. The delegation pointed to a report from the Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting that showed that a reduction in beef exports could result in over 260 jobs lost and nearly $80 million in reduced economic output. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polis also noted that Colorado is fifth in the nation for beef exports and that beef is a top driver in the states agricultural economy. The U.S. exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products in 2024, Polis shared, with top export countries being Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan and China. Polis said that these countries are all facing on-again off off-again tariffs from Trump. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Next month, California will be voting in a special election on newly drawn district maps that, if approved, would give the Democrats five more U.S. House seats. Some Colorado politicians are floating the same tactic for Colorado. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor, is raising the conversation about redistricting Colorado. He said that the state should be able to respond if other states redraw their Congressional maps mid-decade, like Texas is doing now, calling for Coloradans to respond to extreme partisan gerrymanders in other states in a press release on Friday. US Fish and Wildlife Service: Colorado cannot source gray wolves from Canada Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about defending our democracy, Weiser said in a release. When other states break long-established norms and do mid-decade redistricting, Colorado cant stand idly by and just watch. Were not going to let those changing the rules to get an unfair advantage benefit from those efforts; Colorado must be ready to step up and do our part. Colorados districts are set by an independent redistricting commission once every decade, after the U.S. Census is conducted. But Weiser wants voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to redraw its maps mid-cycle, but only if other states go first. He urged Coloradans to contact their legislators to get involved by supporting pro-democracy coalitions, and joining efforts to push for a 2026 ballot measure. The plan would need 55% support of Colorado voters to succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weiser said he hates gerrymandering, but loves democracy more. When states like Texas and North Carolina redraw their maps to stack the deck in favor of Republicans, Colorado must be prepared to respond, Weiser stated. If we want to stop this dangerous power grab, we must remove the incentive for these tactics in the first placethat means being ready to act. The earliest Colorado voters could weigh in on the matter is in 2026, so no map changes would be implemented before the 2028 election, which is also the next presidential election cycle. This is a problem because if some people are norm breakers and some people are seeking to gain an unfair advantage and other states like Colorado, which has actually gotten blue over the last decade, follow the established norm, youre giving people this unfair advantage, Weiser said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another high-profile Democrat who is vying for the governors office is Sen. Michael Bennet. FOX31 asked him about his stance on redistricting Colorado to offset Republican efforts in other states. States ask for clarity on use of contingency funds for November SNAP All options should be on the table to defend our democracy, but changing the maps in 2028 is too late, Bennet told FOX31 in part. Every Democrat in Colorado needs to be focused on flipping the House of Representatives in 2026 so we can put a real check on Donald Trump. Other states that seem poised to redistrict or that have already begun redistricting efforts include Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A Florida man's new hobby in retirement has helped him reel in the hardware while tackling an invasive species in the region. Palm Beach resident Paul Carlson recently earned the title of "Lionfish King" in the 10th annual Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lionfish Challenge, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. Over the course of the summer May 24 to September 14 Carlson caught 1,542 lionfish over 73 dives. The annual event aims to address the invasive species presence in local waterways while providing a fun twist for divers. This year's event drew over 500 competitors, who removed 30,000 lionfish from the ocean over 1,104 dives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The diving community across our state plays a vital role in promoting conservation and raising awareness of this invasive species," said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. Lionfish are native to the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, though they have found their way into other regions like the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean since the 1980s. The venomous fish are dangerous to the ecosystems they invade because they have few natural predators, and their huge appetites prey on a variety of native species. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, lionfish may have found their way to other ecosystems after being housed as pets and escaping into the wild. However, they could have also migrated to foreign waters because of warming ocean temperatures caused by the rapid overheating of the planet. Despite their venom, lionfish are completely edible, with cooks able to clean and prepare them like many other fish species. Carlson enjoys having the sweet, savory fish for dinner after a long day on the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I like the taste of lionfish more than I like the taste of lobster," he said. "It's the best tasting fish in the ocean." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. LOUISVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) After the tragic death of a gubernatorial candidates family, their Central Illinois town is taking time to remember who they were and honor their legacy. Darren Baileys son Zachary Bailey, his wife Kelsey and two of their children, 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel, died in the crash in Montana on Wednesday. Their other son, 10-year-old Finn, was not on board. The national traffic safety board has started an investigation into what happened. We still have a long road ahead; State Police identify suspect in Effingham hit-and-run Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They lived in the Effingham area and people there say theyre still in shock. On Friday, Red Brush Christian Church hosted a vigil in their honor. Lead Minister Ben Farleigh said his kids went to school with the Baileys, and that he knew them well. Farleigh said they were filled with joy and he cant remember a time they didnt greet him with a smile. The pastor said his world was rocked hearing the news, and the surrounding area is still feeling it. But he said this small town is ready to rally around those who are hurting and make sure their memories are honored. Both the Bailey family and the Aldrich family, which would have been Kelseys parents, both are from Louisville, Farleigh said. And so, its hit our community in multiple ways. But all of those families are just salt of the earth people. They are, never no stranger, always friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farleigh said this is fall festival weekend for the village. Now, with the community wanting to do something for both families, they decided to host the vigil Friday night after the festivities. Farleigh says both families have leaned on their faith through this tough time and he wishes this event would be another way they could find hope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Law enforcement continues to investigate a murder-suicide in our area. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, we learned that this is connected to a third person who investigators found dead in a different county. >>ORIGINAL STORY: Apparent murder-suicide outside local municipal building under investigation >>PHOTOS: Large investigation underway outside local municipal building TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Center 7 spent all day Saturday working our sources to understand a murder-suicide investigation. As previously reported by News Center 7, a West Milton Police officer was on patrol just after 5 a.m. when they saw a car in the West Milton Municipal building parking lot on State Route 48. They found a woman dead in a cars trunk, and a man was dead next to the car. West Milton said that he shot himself. At the same time, in Greene County, sources told News Center 7 that Sugarcreek Township Police were investigating a case where they found a woman dead in a condominium. News Center 7 reported on Saturday that Sugarcreek Township Police and Ohio BCI agents responded to Honey Tree Place. They blocked that area off between Sugar Point Way and Sweet Maple Lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The condo was just up the street from the police department. A woman told Patterson that she heard a strange noise from her neighbors balcony window above her. It woke me up out of a dead sleep, an anonymous woman said. I heard these three loud noises, like somebody was banging on the window trying to get in. She got out of bed to see what was happening. He had placed a ladder on the HVAC unit to climb up to her balcony, the woman told Patterson. She did not see who was on that ladder. Patterson said he saw a broken second-floor window covered with plastic wrap where the ladder was. I thought he said, Let me in. But the next thing I know, I get up, I walk around, look out the windows, and I saw nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sugarcreek Township Police showed up a few minutes later The woman told Patterson that she did not know about her neighbor, except for her first name. She is an active duty Air Force officer, she said. The neighbor said investigators did not tell her anything about what happened inside the second-story condominium. I did see them remove her today at around four oclock in a body bag, the woman told Patterson. News Center 7 contacted the Sugarcreek Township Police Chief. He said that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) was in charge of the investigation at Sugarcreek Township. Sources told News Center 7 that investigators that this is connected to an apparent murder-suicide about 45 minutes away in West Milton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson said that BCI is also investigating this case. West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright told News Center 7 that police have security camera video from the citys municipal building. It showed that just after 4 a.m. on Saturday that a man pulled his car into the parking lot. He got out of the car, opened the trunk, and then shot himself. Chief Wright told News Center 7 that there was no sign that the woman had been shot. On Saturday night, Huber Heights Police told News Center 7 that at least one of the three dead people lived in the Carriage Trails subdivision in Huber Heights. It is currently unknown if anything happened in Huber Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson spoke with a West Milton woman who lived across the street from the crime scene. I figured like being over here would be a little bit safer, quieter, for sure. But, yeah, it doesnt feel good, said Leah Brady. She told Patterson that she and some others in West Milton have the same questions. Im not sure why they would come here, but at least, like, theres not a killer on the loose, said Brady. News Center 7 contacted the Ohio BCI on Saturday. A spokesperson said that Sugarcreek Township requested its assistance. Both West Milton and Huber Heights Police said there are no threats to the community. News Center 7 will continue to update this developing story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] While the public has recently been able to visit a new polar bear and two new zebras in residence at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, its now time to say goodbye to some smaller creatures. The four Mold-A-Rama machines that have cranked out colorful plastic sea lions, gorillas, lions and polar bears as souvenirs at Como for generations are packing up and moving south due to a change in their Illinois-based companys strategic plans. The public is encouraged to come out and make their final creations as soon as possible before the machines, which are situated around the zoo, are removed the first week in November (or while supplies last). Money collected from the molded souvenir vending machines help support Comos free admission. Nostalgic icons The vintage machines, which light up and make noise before churning out the warm molded plastic animals for $5 each, are nostalgic icons dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. However, these so-called plastic factories, which are rented, did leave for a generation or two before returning to Como in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mold-A-Ramas decision to move on surprised Katie Hill, the new president of Como Friends, the nonprofit organization that supports Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and oversees both the Mold-A-Rama machines and Comos gift shops. The company reached out on Oct. 9 to let us know that they would like to move the equipment out at months end, Hill said. They said it was strictly a business decision, to move them somewhere where theres a longer peak season, that it would be more lucrative on their end. A company representative contacted on Friday referred to Comos statement on the decision, which also mentioned that a new location would offer higher year-round attendance, but the representative declined to disclose where the machines were going, noting that this would be announced later on social media. Hill hopes maybe this isnt the final era for Mold-A-Ramas time at the St. Paul zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They came back to Como once, maybe they can again, she says. Good times and good memories After Como announced the upcoming departure this week, the public has been reacting to the news by sharing memories, thoughts and ideas on social media, with 729 comments on Comos Facebook page by Friday afternoon: Must have been 50 years ago, every time we went to Como I would beg Mom to get me one. I still remember how hot they would be dropping out of the mold. Id grab them anyway and juggle them around until I could hold them. Good times and good memories. As a kid I was amazed by this machine. I went on to school to be a mold/toolmaker. This might have been my influencer?? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smell of a warm wax figure is unforgettable. Ingrained in my brain, as part of my childhood. Is there a petition to keep em? Id sign it! Heck, Id go to school to figure out how to maintain & repair them! I have a one year old daughter and when we took her to the zoo for the first time, gathering all of the molds was part of our day. I grew up with them and now she will have one of the last sets. The announcement on Mold-A-Ramas Facebook page about the decision had the comments closed, but the Pioneer Press asked the company if they were surprised at the reaction elsewhere to the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not really surprised, a representative replied by email. People across the country all love the Mold-A-Rama machines and want them at their zoos and museums. Other current vending machine locations include the Field Museum in Chicago and the San Antonio Zoo in Texas (info at mold-a-rama.com). Thank you to Como Park Zoo, zoo attendees and Mold-A-Rama collectors for all the support through the years, the Mold-A-Rama representative said on Friday. On Friday at Como Zoo, the machines were still lighting up and the memories were still flowing, including those of Paul Kelley of Andover. He and his wife, Meg, brought their 3-year-old grandson, Nolan, to the zoo, but Kelley was suddenly transported back to his own childhood as he remembered the toys that the machines created, warm as cookies out of the oven and perfectly sized for a childs hands to hold and play with for hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We moved here from Wisconsin in 69 and lived in Roseville, so nearby, he said. The smell is what I remember. The feel of the plastic brings back great memories. And now weve got all four of them for our grandkids. Its sad, its very sad. There are still the machines at Como that make souvenir pennies, at least Yeah, I guess so, Kelley said, but its not the same. What now? While Como Friends would love to have the machines stay, not only for nostalgias sake but because the revenue is meaningful, what is plan B? Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an opportunity to look forward, to try something new, Hill says. What kind of modern and interactive souvenirs could align with Comos mission? Thats an open question for now. Ideally we will work with someone local and find or create something new that is more aligned with our conservation-focus moving forward, Hill said in an email late Friday. A fun new challenge that Im sure the local community will have great ideas about. Ive already received some calls Stay tuned, St. Paul. And in the meantime, Astra (the polar bear) and Khomas and Keanu (the zebras) are not going anywhere and can be visited from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week within Como Park in St. Paul at 1225 Estabrook Drive. ELKHART Concord Community Schools is among 24 school districts across the country that have been chosen to join a network designed to transform the American high school experience. The Carnegie Foundations national Future of High School Network is an initiative designed to transition high schools from a time-based system into one centered on student mastery, competency and real-world readiness. Brain science and research show that students learn skills at different times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traditionally, were all used to how you take English every year, math every year and science every year, said Kendra Divine, director of the Student Engagement Center for Concord Community Schools. Thats called the Carnegie unit. The idea that I sit in my class for an hour and I earn one credit for that hour at the end of a semester, thats pretty typical. Thats what we all grew up with. What were really looking at in Indiana is challenging why that framework exists. So its 2025 and were working off a framework thats outdated and antiquated based on how we want to respond to school. Carnegie is trying to change the model from a time-based, Carnegie unit model to a mastery, competency-based model where students move on when they have mastered a skill or subject, according to Jeremy Lugbill, CEO of Career Academy Network of Public Schools. Learning should be set up not just in the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. window when school is going on, but also outside the classroom setting, he said. The five Indiana schools represented in the Future of High School Network include Concord, Portage School of Leaders in South Bend, Eastern Hancock Schools in Charlottesville, Purdue Polytechnic High Schools in Indianapolis and Rural Alliance Zone in Randolph County. Portage hosted the first convening of Indiana collaboration on Sept. 11 and Concord will host a convening collaboration later in the school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participating in this national network of forward-thinking schools positions Indiana to reimagine what high school can and should be for students, Lugbill said. We are proud of our school partners and honored to host this convening, showcasing how young people can be empowered, inspired and prepared to thrive in the world ahead. Some of the priorities of the Future of High School Network are building a shared vision across communities, strengthening student voice, agency and relationships and reimagining the architecture of high school and the role of teachers. The priorities of the network are designed to address national challenges like chronic absenteeism, student disengagement, educator burnout and misalignment between traditional diplomas and the skills needed in an AI-driven economy. As the state redesigned how students graduate from high school, it kept in mind the idea that students need more flexibility and choice in their high school journey, Divine said. The Future of High School Network allows schools like Concord to communicate with other like-minded schools about how to implement the high school redesign. We felt empowered by the high school redesign from the state to pursue options like the Carnegie Network. And in this Carnegie Network, which were really proud that we got into, we can network with other schools who are also thinking about, How do we make school meaningful, keeping academically strong, but allowing us to reframe a high school experience for each high school student so they get the most out of it? Divine said. MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) The Democrats are sticking to their guns, saying they wont sign a budget deal until Republicans agree to continue Affordable Health Care Act tax credits. Understanding breast reconstruction surgery A lot of people in Connecticut just got their first insurance bill for next year. When calculated without tax credits, a lot of residents say theyre stunned. Friday morning, Connecticut Congress members John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes met at the Community Health Center in Meriden, telling the stories of some families they say may have to give up health care due to huge premium increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got a letter last week from Access Health, saying that our monthly premiums would be increasing by $1,000 a month, Kristin McShane from Norwich said. This is a 115% increase, and we will be paying $22,000 a year for health insurance. Thats more than my salary. News 8 has reached out to Connecticut Republicans for a response but have not yet heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A judge on Friday dismissed a former Scranton police officers appeal to get back his disability pension that was revoked because he was convicted of theft of $17,831 from bogus extra-duty shifts. The citys Police Pension Board a year ago revoked the disability pension of former officer Paul Helring pursuant to both the Pennsylvania Public Employee Forfeiture Act and a city of Scranton ordinance. The revocation came in response to Helring pleading guilty in January 2024 in federal court to one felony count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. He had been charged on Nov. 27, 2023, regarding the following: From approximately March 2021 to May 2022, while serving as the coordinator of the Scranton Police Departments extra duty overtime program, Helring fraudulently obtained pay for 526 extra duty patrol hours at lower-income housing projects, which he did not work, federal authorities had said. Helring inflated or fabricated hours he said he worked patrolling Skyview Apartments, Village Park Apartments, Midtown Apartments, Hilltop Manor and Valley View Terrace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helring was sentenced on June 4, 2024, to six months in jail and two years of supervised release. Former Scranton Police Officer Paul Helring Previously, the pension board had approved a disability pension for Helring on Aug. 17, 2022, and he retired effective that day, with 23 years and five months of service. At the time of his retirement, Helring had made $56,448 in contributions to the pension fund. As of Jan. 31, 2024, he had received pension payments totaling $61,832, constituting a return of his member contributions. Soon after the pension board revoked his pension based on his guilty plea, Helring sued in November 2024 to get the pension restored. This appeal lawsuit cited a board-appointed hearing officers recommendation against revoking the disability pension because elements of federal law on the matter were not identical to the state forfeiture law upon which the board relied. But the pension board did not follow that recommendation and revoked the pension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helrings appeal lawsuit also claimed the pension board violated his due process rights and that a 1936 city ordinance underlying pension revocation was unconstitutionally vague and also conflicted with the state Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act. The city also had joined the case on the side of the pension board in opposing a restoration of the pension. Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon heard arguments in the lawsuit in August. In a ruling Friday, Nealon affirmed the pension boards revocation of Helrings pension. Nealon determined that constitutionality was not at issue because the case was decided on nonconstitutional grounds, and the board did not violate Helrings due process rights. State law also makes a pension subject to revocation if a recipient pleads guilty to any criminal offense classified as a felony or punishable by a prison term of over five years, and Helrings federal felony was punishable by up to 10 years incarceration, the ruling said. In sum, Helring has not demonstrated that the board committed an error of law in revoking his pension on any of the various grounds raised, Nealons ruling said in dismissing the appeal. A meeting between the Kerala government and a high-level German business delegation has opened new possibilities for cooperation between the southern Indian state and Germany. The delegation, led by German Consul General Achim Burkart, described the relationship as a "win-win situation" for both sides. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Burkart said the visit aimed to deepen business and cultural ties. "We have brought in a group of nearly 30 German entrepreneurs and people who are in the business of trying to connect India, Kerala, to Germany and Germany to India. That is the main purpose," he said. The delegation's visit, he noted, was about exploring opportunities and witnessing the state's potential first-hand. "Seeing is believing," he added, emphasising that direct engagement helps strengthen bilateral understanding. "The more people we bring here, the more people we bring from Kerala to Germany, the better we get to know each other and the opportunities. It's not only that Keralites are going to Germany to work, but also Keralite and German companies producing and working here," he explained. He highlighted examples of German companies already investing in Kerala, such as DSpace, which has been expanding operations and generating local jobs. According to him, Germany finds Kerala attractive because of its skilled workforce and improving infrastructure. "Wages are lower than in Germany, but still the quality of the workforce is very high, so there's an advantage for both sides," Burkart said. The Consul General praised Kerala's ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Vande Bharat train, new highways, and the deep-sea port near Thiruvananthapuram. "Infrastructure is extremely important and the Kerala government has put a lot of money into that," he said. He also pointed to the state's strong educational institutions, which produce "industry-ready" graduates, as another reason for German interest. Describing Kerala as "beautiful and welcoming," Burkart added that its natural environment and cuisine made it a favourable destination for professionals and investors alike. He further noted that the Indo-German partnership is currently at "an all-time high," marked by regular visits between political leaders and growing economic collaboration. Referring to recent meetings between Indian ministers and German officials, Burkart said, "It's a constant influx and meeting between Indian decision makers and German decision makers, and by that the relations are getting deeper." Burkart also pointed out that India views Germany as a gateway to Europe. "Germany is at the heart of Europe, and if you are in Germany, you have the whole European market with 480 million consumers in front of you," he said. He concluded by noting that there is a strong personal and diplomatic rapport between the leaders of both nations. He hinted that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz might visit India later this year. (ANI) Earlier this month, Palm Beach County prosecutors announced that they would be seeking the death penalty against two men accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a 6-year-old girl, crimes they described as the most horrific imaginable and worthy of the most severe punishment. But the road to that punishment which could be one of the first death sentences for a non-homicide criminal case in the U.S. since the 1970s is uncertain and unprecedented. The girl was 7 when she told her babysitters that her father, Josue Mendez-Sales, and his roommate, Pablo Cobon-Mendez, had raped her every day, according to a probable cause affidavit. In interviews with West Palm Beach Police, the men admitted to assaulting her. They are now two of the first defendants facing capital punishment for child sex abuse in the U.S. following a series of laws recently passed in multiple states and led by Floridas 2023 death penalty statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their case and others like it could help usher in a dramatic expansion of the death penalty, raising questions about longstanding Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment, as well as the impact on the children themselves. Florida executes Plant Citys Deacon of Death for murders of 2 women Some legal experts say that it would be surprising to see the Supreme Court overturn its longstanding precedent against the death penalty for non-homicide crimes, but others believe that a Florida case just like the one in Palm Beach County could serve as the perfect challenge. Not only will this case be challenged constitutionally, it should be challenged, said Michelle Suskauer, a West Palm Beach defense attorney and former president of the Florida Bar. To test the law, as to whether its constitutional to potentially execute someone for a case that does not involve death. Death penalty movement gains momentum The precedent against applying the death penalty to child sex abuse dates back to a case out of Louisiana in the early 2000s. Patrick Kennedy had been convicted of violently raping his 8-year-old stepdaughter and sentenced to death under the states existing sexual battery law. He appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court in what would become the landmark case Kennedy v. Louisiana, arguing that his sentence was too harsh considering the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court narrowly sided with Kennedy, with five justices affirming and four dissenting. In the majority opinion, the justices wrote that the death penalty would be disproportionate to the crime, even for such a heinous act of child rape, and cautioned against interpreting the Eighth Amendment, which forbids cruel and unusual punishment, too broadly. They also stated that it is not at all evident that the child rape victims hurt is lessened by executing the perpetrator, reasoning backed by social workers and advocates who said that the death penalty could harm victims by forcing them to testify more extensively or make it more difficult for them to come forward, especially if the perpetrator is a family member. After the ruling, no state sought the death penalty in a case for 15 years. Then, in 2023, Florida lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to pass its death penalty statute. Other states have since followed. In 2024, Tennessee passed its own version, followed by Idaho, Oklahoma and Arkansas in 2025, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, which tracks the use of capital punishment across the U.S. In recent months, several attorneys general have signed a letter written by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, he said, on behalf of many red states asking U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to help overturn Kennedy v. Louisiana. Here in Florida, we disagree with this opinion and we hope that ultimately the Supreme Court will revisit it, Uthmeier said in announcing the letter on social media. We believe someone who rapes a child represents the epitome of moral depravity. That individual should face the strongest sentence, the strongest form of punishment. Young children deserve justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents of overturning the Supreme Court precedent point to the often serial nature of child sex abuse, the longterm trauma it causes, and the innocence and vulnerability of the victims compared to some homicides. A lot of times you have not-so-innocent victims in murders, Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, told the Sun Sentinel. Martin is a former prosecutor and the sponsor of the bill that became the 2023 Florida law. Kids under the age of 12 should never be victims. Its a combination of the most evil individual and the most innocent victim in all of these cases. Martin added that the law could deter sex criminals from acting and lead to harsher penalties in existing cases, even if the defendant is not sentenced to death. The law received bipartisan support. Former Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, a Democrat and sex abuse survivor, had worked with Martin to pass the bill, saying that there is no statute of limitations on victims suffering. Book declined to comment for this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a life sentence that is handed down to young children, she said in a speech at the time. Were talking about the youngest of the young in this bill. I was one of those kids It never goes away. Sometimes you close your eyes and you see it. I dont get a chance to make it stop. Advocates warn of further harm to children Others, including those who work with sex abuse victims, fear that a growing use of the death penalty could further traumatize victims or make it more difficult for them to report a vastly underreported crime; approximately 1 in 10 children come forward about their abuse, research shows. Nearly all sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone known to the victim, often a family member or someone who subjects the child to extensive grooming, making their feelings more complicated. When the general public thinks about sex offenders, they think about the kind of creepy person in the white van, said Elizabeth Jeglic, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who studies sexual abuse. For the person experiencing the victimization, this is potentially someone they care about in various capacities, or their family cares about. Survivors of sex abuse have varied feelings about what they would like to see happen to their abusers, which may change over time. Surprisingly, some studies show that survivors tend to have more positive feelings toward sex offenders in general, Jeglic said: While they obviously want the abuse to stop, and want the individual to be punished in some capacity, they also may have mixed feelings because of their relationship to the person. Abusers also often tell victims they could go to jail as a tactic to keep them from speaking out, something the death penalty could exacerbate. Those children may already fear that their families wont believe them or even become angry with them for speaking up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that enough to say dont seek it? I dont know, I dont think thats for us to say, said Justin Grosz, a co-founder of the Justice for Kids firm, which represents victims of child abuse. But I think that could add another wrinkle in the ability or comfortability of kids to speak up. Death penalty cases also tend to be long, drawn out, and the subject of widespread media attention, which could further harm children, even before any case reaches the Supreme Court, experts say. Grosz says he has seen the ways in which going through the court system already traumatizes victims. Ive watched kids who felt they wanted to testify against their abuser, got themselves ready to do it, and as soon as they finished testifying, whether deposition or trial, they backslide behaviorally, emotionally, start to feel bad about themselves, like is this all that Im about? he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a legal perspective, others fear that loosening death penalty laws would set Florida and the country down a dangerous path. Where will the line be drawn and what other charges will be included? Suskauer said. Will then we say well there should be the death penalty for child porn, there should be the death penalty for rape, there should be the death penalty for kidnapping? So where does the line get drawn? You keep moving the line, thats a scary situation. A political shift The newfound momentum, led by conservatives, comes amid a broader shift by both Florida and the Trump administration to expand the death penalty. Another recent Florida law removed the requirement that juries must be unanimous in recommending death sentences. Both Florida lawmakers and Trump have called for the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of capital crimes. Top officials in the DeSantis administration have also turned their attention to local cases. In August, Uthmeier, who has often criticized prosecutorial decisions made in Floridas bluer counties, retweeted a video about the Palm Beach County sex abuse case, which also described the defendants as undocumented. Neither the Palm Beach County State Attorneys Office nor West Palm Beach Police have explicitly identified the men as undocumented, though a West Palm Beach Police news release mentioned the involvement of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These allegations are beyond horrific, Uthmeier wrote. Anyone who can commit such heinous crimes must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Based on these reports, I expect the State Attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit to seek the death penalty. The State Attorneys Office filed its notice of intent to seek the death penalty in October, two months later. Spokespeople for the State Attorneys Office declined to respond to a list of questions from the South Florida Sun Sentinel about the reasons for seeking the death penalty and the constitutional issues surrounding the case. How could local cases play out? So far, Florida appears to be the only state actively trying death penalty cases for child sex abuse. Robin Maher, the executive director for the Death Penalty Information Center, told the Sun Sentinel that she was not aware of any cases outside of the state. Within Florida, only one other known active death penalty case exists outside of Palm Beach County. In June, prosecutors in Putnam County in Central Florida filed their intent to seek the death penalty against Dimeco Henderson, accused of sexually abusing two children over the course of three years. Meanwhile, in a now-closed case from 2023, Central Florida prosecutors had sought the death penalty against Joseph Andrew Giampa, who filmed himself sexually abusing a child, before reaching a plea agreement to a life sentence. The existing cases are likely to see constitutional challenges, legal experts say. Defense attorneys like those in Palm Beach County could file a motion seeking to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, Suskauer said, and its possible that such an argument could head up through the appellate courts and even reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether the Supreme Court would overturn longterm precedent is another question. Proponents of Floridas death penalty law think its possible. The U.S. Supreme Court leans more conservative than in years past. None of the judges who ruled in favor of Kennedy in 2008 remain, while three of the dissenters, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and John Roberts, are all still on the Supreme Court. Floridas statute was also designed to challenge the Supreme Court precedent, according to Martin. The law is substantially different from the law under which Kennedy was sentenced, something he thinks is sufficient to overturn the ruling. When the Supreme Court made its ruling at the time, they noted that Louisianas sexual battery statute did not include a required penalty phase like in murder cases, Martin said, where prosecutors argue that certain aggravating factors qualify the case for the death penalty while defense attorneys point to those that support a lighter punishment. But the 2023 Florida law added language specifically accounting for that penalty phase. Were the first state in entire country to do what Kennedy versus Louisiana recommended: put in a penalty phase where the jury has to determine whether theres aggravators and the defense has the opportunity to provide mitigating evidence, Martin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In filing their notice to seek the death penalty, Palm Beach County prosecutors cited two aggravators: that the victim of the capital felony was particularly vulnerable due to age or disability, or because the defendant stood in a position of familial or custodial authority over the victim and that the capital felony was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. The same office opted not to seek the death penalty in another recent sex abuse case out of Lake Worth Beach involving a Guatemalan national accused of sexually assaulting a girl in a van. Other death penalty experts said that upholding Floridas death penalty cases would be a staggering reversal for the Supreme Court. I think, generally speaking, it would be quite shocking to have the U.S. Supreme Court overturn a precedent like this, Maher said. It would signal a completely new expansion of the death penalty and a disrespect for its own precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She pointed out that, so far, the number of states enacting death penalty laws has not reached a national consensus, something the Supreme Court would take into account when deciding if a given punishment is cruel or unusual. In some states, proposed bills have failed. But perhaps the biggest factor preventing a reversal is that of the potential harm to victims. The decision in 2008 was a decision made by the Court premised upon the expertise of child advocates, Maher said. The majority of that court listened to the people who represent children who are sexually abused. And those advocates told the court, in no uncertain terms, that making these crimes death-eligible will harm children. A King County judge has said that Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank appears to have altered text messages he was asked to hand over to a public records officer in an effort to remove messages that could be perceived as offensive. Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan wrote in a court order dated Oct. 22 that altering a public record could be problematic and referred to a state law that states willfully or unlawfully altering such records is a felony. Court documents dont say what could have been offensive about the allegedly doctored text messages. In a phone call Friday afternoon, Swank told The News Tribune he had not seen Ryans court order but that he had turned over all of his communications to a public records officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whenever I got the order from the public records to release everything, I, to the best of my ability, copied with a screenshot of everything Im not an expert, and they dont have anybody to give me a hand with this screenshot of everything and sent it forward, Swank said. Ryan is overseeing a lawsuit Pierce County Prosecutor Mary Robnett brought against the private attorney attempting to represent Swank and his interests, Joan Mell. Robnett has alleged that Mell is invading her office by purporting to represent Swank in his official capacity and in June obtained a preliminary injunction barring her from doing so. Mell has argued that state law does not make the county prosecutor the sole legal representative of all county officials and that speaking on behalf of Swank and representing his interests is protected by the First Amendment and the Washington Constitution. A hearing on whether Robnetts lawsuit should be dismissed under a state law designed to protect free speech from being threatened by lawsuits is scheduled for Oct. 31. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank at a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Tacoma. Earlier this month, Mell was subpoenaed to submit all of her communications with Swank to the court, and she turned over 214 pages of emails and 15 pages of text messages. Ryan reviewed the messages to determine if any were afforded confidentiality protections such as attorney-client privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mell claimed that she believed all the emails and texts were privileged. Ryans Oct. 22 order from in-camera review found that almost none of the documents were covered by the privileges Mell had invoked. In sometimes lengthy footnotes, Ryan also identified a number of problems. Most notable was the revelation that Swank might have altered a public record. The finding comes from an email Swank sent a public records officer for the Sheriffs Office on Sept. 15, in which Swank asserted: ALL my records with Ms. Mell are either privileged or personal and are not subject to disclosure. Attached were numerous texts between Swank and Mell. It is noteworthy that Sheriff Swank did not provide all his text messages with Ms. Mell to the Public Records Officer, Ryan wrote in a footnote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comparing texts provided by Swank with texts provided by Mell, Ryan said, it appeared that Swank altered his text messages to take out texts that some might perceive to be offensive. King County Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan presides over a civil case where Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett is seeking to bar Joan Mell from acting as Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swanks attorney. Photographed on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. Swank said Friday that if something was missing he would go back through it again and resend his communications with Mell. I didnt omit anything on purpose, and I dont know of anything that was omitted, and I dont know which phone records or text messages Joan Mell sent in, Swank said. I have no communication with her about any of this stuff. Reached by phone, Mell was incensed that Ryan had used his order to comment on whether Swank had provided all of his text messages to a public records officer. She said Ryan had lost his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-camera review is supposed to be agnostic its like, disclose it or dont, period. Mell said. He is so in violation of sheriffs clients rights. Mell said being forced to turn over communications with a client was wrong for so many reasons. She said people in the community should be terrified. It goes against everything I believe to be correct about being an attorney and protecting the clients and counseling and guiding them and giving them a place safe and secure to vet their concerns and come up with reasonable options for addressing total abuse of rights and bullying and intimidation, Mell said. Production of the emails and texts comes after Mell tried and failed to obtain an emergency stay from the Washington State Supreme Court that would have put a hold on a previous order permitting Robnett to subpoena Mell to obtain the communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mell wanted the pause to remain in effect until the state Supreme Court made a ruling on her petition asking it to prevent Ryan from forcing her to disclose client communications. Denying the emergency stay Oct. 10, Supreme Court Commissioner Michael E. Johnson called Mells petition deeply flawed. Ryan has said whether Mell has the authority to form an attorney-client relationship with Swank is at the heart of Robnetts lawsuit. In his Oct. 22 order, he found that Swank and Mell had formed such a relationship on May 21, but he said nothing in the order should be construed as a finding on whether that relationship was appropriate. That is the essence of the case, Ryan wrote. Mell asked The News Tribune to listen to an expert who she said could explain how all of her communications with Swank were privileged and that Swanks rights had been violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expert is Leland Ripley, a longtime Washington lawyer who was chief disciplinary counsel for the Washington State Bar Association in the 1980s and 90s. He said Mell did have an attorney-client relationship with Swank, and all thats required for it to exist is for a non-lawyer to contact a lawyer seeking information about legal things. The Prosecutors Office seems to approach this whole issue with the idea that, well, he always has to have the prosecuting attorney giving him legal advice, and he cant from anybody else, Ripley said. I dont know of any authority that would support that argument. Joan Mell, right, looks toward the judge during a hearing for a civil case where Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett is seeking to bar Mell from acting as Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swanks attorney. Photographed on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. Asked about Ryans summation of the case being about whether Mell had the authority to form an attorney-client relationship with Swank, Ripley said he didnt know of anything that deprives any citizen, including the sheriff, from obtaining private legal advice. Ripley said theres a clear conflict because Swank doesnt trust Robnett and doesnt think hes getting valid advice. And trust, Ripley said, is the core of the attorney-client relationship. As for Ryans analysis of why each of Mells emails and texts with Swank arent privileged, Ripley said he hadnt seen the communications, so he couldnt comment. He did say that based on the order, Ryan wasnt using the most current Rules of Professional Conduct. Those rules describe when a lawyer shall not reveal information related to their representation of a client. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Some Memphis students are dealing with the violent death of a classmate this week. Counselors were at White Station High School on Friday for emotional support after a ninth grader was stabbed to death in his Nutbush home. The scene of a double homicide on Helsley Investigators say the teen had multiple wounds to his back, face, arms, and hand, and that his arm was partially severed. Its very shocking because that was a classmate, and it was, like, really sad, said a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses say Arsenio Davis, 36, shot and killed his mother, Betty Pratt, inside the home they shared on Helsley Road, on Wednesday morning. Arsenio Davis in court. WREG photo Davis 15-year-old nephew was also found dead on the kitchen floor. The teens father didnt want to talk on camera, but in a GoFundMe post, he said his son and his 73-year-old mother were both killed by his brother. He said his son was on the way to achieving his goals of graduating from high school and going to college, and said he will be forever broken. 1600 block of Helsley Road in Nutbush A neighbor on Helsley who wanted to remain anonymous said he saw lots of drug traffic at the home. He wasnt surprised to see police, but said he never expected that kind of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats all you have with you and then turn and do that to your own family, he said. Davis is charged with first-degree murder. He is being held on a $400,000 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on Monday. For more on the GoFundMe, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Newly released court documents outline shocking accounts of child cruelty to adopted children in a small desert town in eastern Kern County. The court documents contain redacted investigative reports of horrific details laid out by the children, and denials by the parents. Watch After Sunrise on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices North Edwards is a small desert town, 80 miles east of Bakersfield, 20 miles north of Mojave. Both 35-year-old Brittney and 38-year-old Matthew James were charged last Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each parent is charged with three counts of torture, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of false imprisonment, and three counts of child cruelty. The court documents say the youngest child a 9-year-old boy reported the abuse to his school. He told deputies both parents duct taped his mouth shut. The couple would hit him with shovels, boards, and made him lay on the ground while Matthew James allegedly dropped a 50-pound bag of concrete on him. The boy also described being hit with wires and belts and being punched and kicked. He detailed a disturbing story that took place Oct. 13. After sleeping bound in duct tape all night, his parents woke him, and made him run in place in the living room. The child says Matthew removed his belt and hit him on his back multiple times, and Brittney punched him in his private part. The couple covered his mouth in duct tape because he was crying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary hearing confirmed for Tuesday for couple charged in Genesis Matas death Investigators examined the boy and found multiple bruises and hemorrages 14 places with injuries. They also found duct tape residue on the boys wrists and ankles. The older siblings said Brittney and Matthew James forced the 9-year-old to urinate on himself. They detailed their own abuse as well. One child a girl said she was forced to stand outside overnight, while her parents stood watch to make sure she didnt lie down and sleep. The other child a boy said his parents made him work outside in 100-degree heat while being denied access to water. He said he got so thirsty he drank from a dog bowl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators interviewed Brittney and Matthew James. Brittney said she had no idea what the officers were talking about when they asked her about the allegations. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 17 News Alerts She said that the 9-year-old boy was a constant liar, he stole money and food from the house. She said she and Matthew joked about needing to tie his hands so he wouldnt steal. The investigator noted Brittney did not seem surprised or shocked by the allegations. In Matthews interview, he became extremely emotional. He denied restricting food and forcing the children to run for hours. He said he was not abusive and did not know why the 9-year-old would make the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew James is a teacher at Boron Junior/Senior High school. The Muroc Joint Unified school district released a statement saying they put Matthew James on administrative leave, and that the allegations do not reflect their values at any school. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. IOWA (KCAU) A federal appeals court upheld an A-Lower court ruling to place a preliminary injunction on an Iowa immigration law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said in its opinion that the injunction will remain on a law that makes illegal reentry a crime in Iowa. The case is being returned to the district court to evaluate some legal questions, along with who is enjoined from enforcing that law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story continues below The preliminary injunction was placed on Iowa Senate File 2340 in June 2024. The law is similar to the one that Texas adopted, which has also been blocked by the courts. ACLU of Iowa reacted to this news. In a sweeping victory for immigrant communities and the rule of law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit today upheld an injunction blocking Iowas SF 2340, ACLU of Iowa said. This law, Iowas worst-ever on immigration, would have made it a crime for certain immigrants to live in Iowa, even if they are now authorized to be in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full ruling can be found by clicking here or by viewing the document directly on our website below. Iowa Immigration LawDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. A cow grazes at Hedgeapple Farm in Frederick County, during a tour Thursday focused on the farm's ecological practices, including rotational grazing. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) As farmers say at the Hedgeapple cattle farm in Frederick County, their cows live a good life, with one bad day. All day, the cows graze on the Buckeystown farms grassy hills: Two herds with 45 pairs of heifers and steers, plus their calves. And even as autumn settles in and cold temperatures arrive, the cows still have months of grazing in front of them. Their pastures will stay grassy by design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The farm uses a practice called rotational grazing moving the herds from pasture to pasture, then allowing grazed areas to re-grow over a period of 30 days or more. The practice allows the farm to continue cattle grazing through January, said farm manager Chris Zook, saving them about $200 a day that would be needed to buy bales of hay to feed their hundreds of Black Angus and red/Akaushi Wagyu cattle. Take care of your grasses, and they will take care of you, Zook says. The practice was highlighted during a tour of the farm Thursday, one of several farm visits in the region led by the nonprofits Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Mobilize Frederick. The tour, focused on regenerative agriculture, attracted a combination of farmers, elected officials and environmentalists. Young trees line a pasture at Hedgeapple Farms in Frederick County. The plantings were one of several strategies pursued by the farm, which aims to be eco-friendly. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) Thats because in addition to the economic benefits cited by Zook, the practice has a host of ecological perks, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By allowing the grass to regrow, quadrant by quadrant, the farm anchors its soil in place, reducing the amount of runoff during rainstorms from its fields into the nearby Monocacy River, which flows into the Potomac, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. So the farm is just one of many cogs in the overall effort to reduce the flow of harmful pollutants including the nitrogen and phosphorus from manure into the nations largest estuary. Reducing agricultural pollution was one of the more stubborn pieces of the multistate plan to improve the bay by 2025, which fell short. The agreement is currently undergoing a reconstruction process that some have maligned as unambitious. Discussions are ongoing, and the leaders of the bay states are expected to sign off on a finalized agreement in December. Policymakers have found success in other areas, including updating sewage treatment plants and planting thousands of filtering oysters. But as the population of people and animals in the bays watershed expands, slowing pollution from city streets and farm fields has proven to be a challenge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though they may sound simple, regenerative practices like rotational grazing can actually require considerable extra labor and capital. For example, Hedgeapple Farms had to ensure that it could transport water to all of the pastures used for grazing, either using water lines or portable tanks. Hedgeapple largely funded the changes itself, but there are some funds that farmers can tap into, including from state and federal government sources, like the USDAs Natural Resource Conservation Service. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Farmers also have a host of other worries, including drought conditions and rising costs for fuel, equipment and animal feed. Many have side jobs that make additional work too cumbersome, Zook said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a big challenge is also spreading the word, said assistant farm manager Seth Young. A lot of people, theyre told about it. But they never actually show the results, Young said. Some farmers also struggle to adopt new practices because of an adherence to tradition. They farm just as their grandparents or great-grandparents did, said Mark Townsend, a farmer who also serves as treasurer for the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council. Maybe that means they follow an old adage: plant in the dust, and your bins will bust, which urged farmers to plant seeds during dry, dusty conditions. But conservationists urge farmers to plant cover crops during the off season. In Maryland, the Department of Agriculture provides compensatory payments to farmers to plant barley, rye and clover after they harvest their crops, to hold their fields in place during the off-season. It can be an intimidating change, Townsend said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To drive your planter through 8-foot tall rye? Its like, Oh my God. Its horrifying, Townsend said. Youre like: This is so against everything that Ive ever known. And so, theres a huge mental barrier, rightfully so. The farms commitment to sustainability runs deeper than just the rotational grazing. The farm also used grants from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant more than 2,400 trees around the pastures, which will also help to reduce runoff into the Monocacy. Gabriel Foley of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership speaks about the benefits of grasslands for threatened bird species during a tour of Hedgeapple Farms. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) Initially, Zook said he feared that the perimeter of trees would cut the amount of space in each pasture, but ultimately they did not. Now, hes more focused on the benefits, including the opportunities for cattle to seek shade during hot summer days. The farms practices are also a benefit to other living creatures, such as honeybees, said John Gardner, a local resident who cares for six hives on the property. Hedgeapple is a quality home for the bees, who frequently venture from their hive boxes to forage, because its fields have more plant diversity than other farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I tell people, when I see huge, golden, vast acres of corn, from the bees standpoint, Im looking at a desert, Gardner said. Corn is wind-pollinated, and doesnt need to attract pollinators. And pesticides and herbicides used on corn fields also endanger bees efforts to collect pollen, Gardner said. The gangly tall grasses on the fields at Hedgeapple also are an ideal habitat for grassland birds, which rely on pasture habitats but are threatened by urban sprawl and changing farming practices, said Gabriel Foley of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. The Partnership uses nesting boxes to attract both American kestrels and barn owls to these habitats, where they can feed on insects and small mammals, Foley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most popular tool to show off the value of regenerative practices like cover crops and reduced grazing is a rain simulator: essentially, a shower head pointed at a variety of soil samples to show the effects of plantings on runoff. Glass jars hang from each sample area, so viewers can see just how muddy the rainwater runoff becomes. Thursdays selections included tilled soil, soil that hadnt been tilled, allowing a small amount of vegetation to grow, and soil with cover crop planted. Amanda Grev of the University of Maryland Extension, shows how different soil management techniques affect runoff, using a rain simulator at Hedgeapple Farms. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters) But the winner was, perhaps unsurprisingly, the patch of dirt and long grasses dug up from a corner of Hedgeapple Farm that morning. The water in that jar was nearly clear. When the simulator runs, rain spews from the spigot, sending about an inch of rain onto the small plots in a matter of minutes. Its an outlandish but not impossible rate. Yet, it still shows the importance of snaring soils with a diverse array of plant life, Townsend said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you werent necessarily prepared to take in all that water at that one time, youre kind of left sitting irony intended high and dry, right? Townsend said. Youre not getting the water that you actually need into that soil, because you dont have the mechanisms by which to absorb it. Amanda Grev, a forage and pasture specialist at the University of Maryland Extension, said that the practices arent just meant to save the bay, but to save farmers money, including on fertilizer, that would otherwise wash away during intense storms. The goal of these practices is, in the long run, to save you money, right? Were not trying to spend thousands and thousands of dollars purely for the sake of being regenerative, Grev said. We may have a little bit of expense initially, but how much are we saving in terms of soil and nutrients? CHICAGO (WGN) Chicago police are investigating after three men were shot Saturday afternoon in the Little Village neighborhood. Police say the shooting happened at around 3 p.m. in the 3100 block of South St. Louis Avenue. The three men were in a parking lot when an unknown vehicle approached, and someone inside opened fire. A 35-year-old man was struck multiple times in the torso and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was originally listed in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 39-year-old man was shot in the leg and transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in fair condition. A 42-year-old man was also taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital after being shot in the back, arms and hip. He was reported to be in fair condition. There is no one yet in custody. The incident is still under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Top state officials called for reforms after a CT Insider investigation raised questions about the potential for sham marriages happening in Bridgeport and other towns across Connecticut. The investigation revealed scores of quick marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens who travel to Connecticut for the ceremonies from out of state, sometimes in groups. Gov. Ned Lamont told CT Insider he'd be in favor of tighter regulations "depending on what the rules are." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You've got to be careful about this," Lamont said. "Fraudulent marriages don't help anybody." Generally marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens are legitimate, but the pattern and volume of marriages examined by CT Insider has prompted officials to raise questions over whether at least some might be sham marriages - in which a couple does not intend to partake in a genuine relationship and marries solely for the purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit. Marriages between a U.S. citizen and an immigrant can be one potential pathway for the immigrant to obtain legal permanent residency or citizenship. In extreme cases, experts say, bad actors charge money to arrange these marriages for the sole purpose of helping someone obtain immigration benefits - a crime that sparks concerns about the potential for exploitation of both the citizens and the immigrants involved. Federal immigration officials have reached out to Bridgeport, New Haven and Trumbull concerning marriages in recent years, CT Insider found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And at least one marriage - performed in Bridgeport in 2021 - led to a conviction for immigration fraud. Attorney General William Tong called for investigation and prosecution of any potential wrongdoing. Tong himself does not have such criminal jurisdiction. "These reports raise very serious concerns regarding possible human trafficking, immigration fraud and abuse of public authority," he said in a statement of the CT Insider investigation. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, along with Sens. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, and Eric Berthel, R-Watertown, said the GOP plans to introduce "common sense legislation to address any loopholes in the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nearly a year ago, we Republicans noted how this raises a host of troubling red flags," the three senators said in a statement. "Are these sham marriages? Is marriage fraud occurring? Is the system being abused? This involves non-citizens and vulnerable young women. This also impacts Connecticut taxpayers." Sampson also discussed possible responses during an appearance on WICC's "Connecticut Today" program this month. "There are things that can be done," Sampson said. "Number one, you can create penalties for people that engage in this activity for fraudulent purposes. And the other thing that you can do, I think, is to empower local town governments to be able to set their own parameters to verify that what's going on is above board." He said town officials "feel like their hands are tied." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They don't want to get in trouble for discrimination or something like that," Sampson said. Some officials said one way to try to prevent sham marriages would be to give those on the front lines - namely justices of the peace, who are authorized under state law to officiate the ceremonies - more authority and responsibility to flag potentially concerning situations. Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas said justices of the peace lack oversight in Connecticut, which is "unacceptable." "I'll be working closely with legislators to reintroduce a proposal that would establish clear standards for conduct, require training and testing, and give our office the authority to investigate misconduct and take action when necessary, including suspension or removal," Thomas said in a statement after CT Insider published its investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices of the peace are volunteers appointed by Democratic and Republican town committees - and, in some instances, town clerks - on a four-year cycle. Their authority is limited to officiating marriages, witnessing oaths, taking depositions and performing other legal functions at their discretion. The Secretary of the State's Office issues a manual for justices of the peace but has said that neither it nor any other state agency regulates the officials. Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, D-Avon, co-chairs a committee in the General Assembly that drafted legislation last session to place more oversight on justices of the peace. DeGraw said her top concerns are the possibility of fraud and human trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In some ways, we ran out of time," Kavros DeGraw said about the recent bill, which didn't make it to Lamont's desk. The legislation would have prohibited justices of the peace from performing marriages they know or "should" know are fraudulent and created a working group to make recommendations about "reporting human trafficking, forced marriage and marriage fraud," among other issues. The bill would have also tasked the Office of the Secretary of State with investigating allegations of misconduct and allowed it to suspend or revoke a justice of the peace's appointment. But Kavros DeGraw, a justice of the peace herself, said there were concerns about potential changes to the way justices are initially appointed and the idea of possible training requirements for what is a volunteer position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're not trying to professionalize it to the point that it removes the ability for everyday people to do it," she said, but she supports giving more guidance to new justices. The House took no action on the bill until the last day of the legislative session in June, adopting an amendment that struck all the provisions except the one to establish a working group. The Senate didn't vote on the measure. Kavros DeGraw said it was frustrating that lawmakers couldn't "seem to get to the exact legislation we need." "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to try," she said, adding that she hopes to revisit the matter in 2026 but can't make guarantees because it will be a short, three-month session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a short session, which happens every other year, lawmakers are generally more limited in how they can propose legislation and how much time they have to consider it. At least some of the inquiries by federal immigration authorities to towns in Connecticut involved allegations of women who married more than one man, according to interviews with local officials and emails obtained by CT Insider. "Our records are showing 5 (different) marriages (involving the same woman) between CT, NJ and NY to date," an officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service wrote officials in New Haven in March. Replying to the officer, New Haven attorney Patricia King said city staff don't research the marital statuses of the people who apply for marriage licenses. There is no legal requirement for them to do so; officials rely on what couples attest to on forms they submit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In nearby Trumbull, Town Clerk Mary Markham told CT Insider that an investigator with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called within the past year looking for records related to a woman the investigator said may have married two different men on the same day, one in Trumbull and the other in Bridgeport. Kavros DeGraw said she wants to address the lack of a system for tracking marriages across Connecticut towns. "That's a problem," she said. "There's definitely wide agreement there." State Rep. Andre Baker, D-Bridgeport, backed the effort to reform the justice of the peace system last session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They really don't have any kind of proper training or anything like that," Baker said. "Or, if they're not operating properly, where are the repercussions? Where is the authority to say, Hey!' What's the punishment? There's nothing at all." He said that he'd also like to see Connecticut create parameters for how much justices of the peace can charge to marry couples and perhaps institute a 24-hour waiting period between when a license is issued and when the ceremony can take place, as New York requires. But Baker said he wonders why towns closer to the New York border don't appear to be experiencing the same flood of marriages Bridgeport has. "Why aren't (couples) going to Darien, Greenwich?" he asked. "Why are they coming all the way to Bridgeport to have this done?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CT Insider's investigation found no evidence suggesting any particular marriage in Bridgeport between a citizen and noncitizen was in fact a sham marriage or fraudulent, nor any evidence that any justice of the peace knew any marriage they officiated may have been a sham marriage or fraudulent, or otherwise engaged in wrongdoing. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, referred questions about potential reform legislation to Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, a co-chair of the Judiciary Committee. Stafstrom said if any justices of the peace are engaging in wrongdoing, there should be a way to investigate and remove them from their position. "But let's be clear what is really going on here," Stafstrom added. "We have a broken immigration system in this country, and Congress has been flat negligent in its responsibility to enact a sensible immigration policy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of that, he said, some immigrants "may be rushing into marriages with a partner sooner than they otherwise would under normal circumstances." "If folks are in a relationship and want to get married in order to avail themselves of immigration protections, by gosh they should be allowed to do that," Stafstrom said. "To make this out to be a Bridgeport-specific issue or a CT-specific issue I think does disservice to the broader issue. This is a symptom of a broken immigration system. It sounds like there are some who would like to treat the symptom, but that's not going to fix the cause." Federal law allows couples to consider immigration when they decide to get married. However, it's illegal to marry someone for the sole purpose of gaining immigration benefits. One Connecticut woman who got married in Bridgeport to an Indian immigrant living in Florida in 2021 testified at his trial earlier this year that she only met him once, on the day of their wedding, court records show. She didn't know about the wedding until she arrived in downtown Bridgeport, where she felt pressured to go through with it by a relative, she said. The woman said she was so distraught after the wedding that she threw the roughly $450 she was paid for the marriage back at her relative. Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone also told CT Insider that multiple women reported to officials that they were forced to marry men, prompting an investigation by local police. "We have reason to believe there was immigration fraud due to the factory line' marriages taking place," Ricciardone said. During this past legislative session, Sampson, the Republican state senator from Wolcott, proposed a bill to prohibit towns from holding back anyone from reporting suspicions about fraudulent marriages to USCIS or punishing any person who does so. State law limits when and how state and local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration officials. Some cities also have their own restrictions. In New Haven, an official retired last year after she faced a city-commissioned investigation that found she had flagged dozens of marriages for federal officials and required certain applicants for marriage licenses to present birth certificates. Sampson also proposed legislation to impose a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 on anyone "who participates in or performs a marriage while knowing such marriage is for purposes of evading any provision of United States immigration law." This article originally published at CT officials call for reform after CT Insider investigation into potential sham marriages. Bachupally (Telangana) [India], October 25: Oakridge International School, Bachupally, hosted a dynamic US University Fair today, bringing together representatives from some of the most prestigious American universities. The event offered students a valuable platform to interact directly with university officials, explore undergraduate programs, and gain insights into studying in the United States. The fair reinforced Oakridge Bachupally's commitment to preparing globally minded learners for higher education pathways across leading international destinations, particularly the US. The participating institutions included several members of the renowned Big 10 consortium, a group of leading US public and private universities known for their academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and global alumni networks. These universities are highly sought after by international students for their strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to innovation. Participating Universities Included: - Arizona State University - Tabita Chettri- Baylor University - Elizabeth Tanaka- Iowa State University - Urvi Joshi- Kansas State University - Andrea Munoz- Oklahoma State University - Danielle Wolfberg- Texas Tech University - Sipra Pati- University of Central Florida - Christopher Dahlstrand & Elizabeth Costello- University of Houston - Kara Gaffney- University of Kansas - Amina Abdulhai Khan The engagement fair forms part of Oakridge's global university connect series, which bridges students with top universities worldwide, offering early exposure to admission insights, scholarship opportunities, and global career options. The fair served as an important step in helping students make informed decisions about their higher education goals and global career aspirations. Oakridge Bachupally Honoured at Global Leaders Conference in Switzerland In a separate and equally proud moment, Oakridge International School, Bachupally, was recently recognized at the Nord Anglia Education Global Leaders Conference held in Villars, Switzerland this September. The school received the prestigious "Best CBSE Grade 10 Results 2024/25" award, celebrating its outstanding academic performance and commitment to excellence. This recognition underscores the school's strong academic foundation and consistent performance across national and international curricula, reflecting the dedication of its students and teachers alike This recognition places Oakridge Bachupally among the top-performing schools in the global Nord Anglia network, which includes 89 schools worldwide. The conference brought together school leaders to share best practices, celebrate achievements, and shape the future of education. Through such global engagements and academic achievements, Oakridge International School, Bachupally continues to strengthen its position as a top international school in Hyderabad, preparing students for success in top universities and beyond. Learn more about Oakridge Bachupally. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Yellow Jack. Saffron Scourge. When yellow fever shows up in the Americas, tens of thousands fall. It's a disease that once plagued coastal cities in the United States from New Orleans to Boston. New Haven citizenry created the first charted cemetery in the United States to bury yellow fever victims. It's still a danger in South America, as well as in a broad swath of the countries of central Africa where it originated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, new research, led by a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, used DNA analysis to show the mosquito that spread the disease Aedes aegypti came from Africa, brought here on slave ships 320 years ago. Those same ships carried slaves from Africa. Those slaves carried the virus that caused yellow fever. Both vectors and viruses rode the seas to infect new shores. Research has shown that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were the carriers for yellow fever. (Courtesy of Andrea Gloria-Soria) "It's detective work,'' said Andrea Gloria-Soria, an associate research scientist at the station's Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases in its Department of Entomology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do this work, Gloria-Soria worked with fellow researchers at Yale University, at Verily Life Sciences in Dallas, Texas, and others throughout the world to analyze the DNA of 1,206 mosquitoes gathered from 73 countries. They found a population of mosquitoes in Argentina linking native African mosquitoes and those that have evolved in the Western Hemisphere to become urban, human bloodsuckers. Science Magazine's Sept. 18 edition published their results. The yellow fever virus Orthoflavvirus flavia originated in Africa, probably in monkeys. For thousands of years, the Aedes aegypti mosquito passed the virus from monkey to monkey, then eventually to humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people infected with the virus have mild symptoms at worst. But a small percentage of those infected develop high fever, chills, muscle pain, nausea and voting. Of those, the virus can cause some to develop internal bleeding, organ failure and jaundice hence yellow fever. At that stage, 20-50% of patients die. The slave trade carried both infected slaves and mosquitoes to the New World. There Aedes aegypti evolved into a mosquito that could breed in the water available in urban settings pans, rain barrels, small ditches and one that fed almost exclusively on human blood. When trade ships from the West Indies visited colonial ports in North America, they carried both infected sailors and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In 1793, yellow fever killed 5,000 people in Philadelphia and forced the new American government to temporarily relocate to Trenton, New Jersey. The disease periodically decimated New Orleans throughout the 19th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Connecticut, trade ships bought yellow fever to New London, Norwich and New Haven in the 1790s and to Middletown in 1820. Grove Street Cemetery was established in the 1790s after too many people died of yellow fever and overwhelmed the New Haven Green, then the city's burial ground. (Courtesy of Jacob Jennings) After outbreaks in New Haven in 1794 and 1795, the bodies of yellow fever victims overfilled the city's burial place its Green. The Grove Street Cemetery the nation's first chartered cemetery, allowing families to buy plots opened in 1797 to remedy the overcrowding. The medical opinion then was that foul air miasmas, pestilential effluvia spread yellow fever. City officials burned barrels of tar and fired cannons to improve things, to absolutely no avail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Shepard, a research scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Stations entomology department said cold winters spared Connecticut and other New England states from worse outbreaks of yellow fever. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can't overwinter here. Eventually, doctors realized yellow fever wasn't communicable, moving from person to person. In 1881, Dr. Carlos Finlay of Cuba theorized mosquitoes spread the disease. The medical establishment discounted the idea. But in 1898, American soldiers sent to Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War were laid low from yellow fever far more often than from bullets. U.S. Army physician Maj. Walter Reed sent to Cuba confirmed Finlay's work that Aedes aegypti was the culprit. Mosquito control did what tar fires and cannon shots could not. Today, there is a vaccine for yellow fever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the mosquito that once spread it is gone in Connecticut. The Experiment Station's Shepard said Aedes aegypti mosquitoes don't shown up in the station's mosquito traps. But there is a new invader Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito that's spread from the South into the towns along Long Island Sound. Like Ades aegypti, it can transmit diseases among them dengue fever, Zika virus, chicungunya virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. With climate change, some of these warm climate diseases, like dengue and Zika, may move north. The Asian tiger mosquito is here to spread them. "It's certainly a concern,'' Shepard said. Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.com. This article originally published at How CT scientists tracked the mosquito that brought yellow fever to America 300 years ago. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Oregon city is being sued for not disclosing where its automated license plate readers are located. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed a lawsuit against Eugene on behalf of Eyes Off Eugene member Seth May who argued that officials decision to conceal the location of 57 Flock surveillance cameras erodes public trust. Man accused of breaking into homes, climbing into beds of Beaverton women as they slept Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents revealed that May filed a public records request for the information in mid-June, but the city denied it just a few weeks later claiming that the location of the cameras is exempt from the state law that grants residents the right to public records. The complaint claimed the plaintiff then filed an appeal with the Lane County District Attorneys Office, which struck down the appeal on the grounds that it did not appear that the public interest in disclosing the contents outweighs the purpose of the exemption. But the lawsuit, which is pushing for more transparency among the public, has noted federal agents have used data from Flock cameras for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement purposes. Mass surveillance through the use of technology like Flock cameras present a dangerous threat to every Oregonians privacy and rights to be free from invasive and unjustified government searches into our personal lives, ACLU of Oregon Legal Director Kelly Simon said in a statement. The concern is heightened by the extreme levels of federal aggression being currently directed at immigrants, transgender people, Black and Brown people, and people exercising their First Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in July, Sen. Ron Wyden announced the state and Flock had reached an agreement that established the tech company would protect Oregonians data from abusive access by out-of-state law enforcement agencies. Wyden cited anti-abortion investigations, along with ICE activity, as the prime concerns behind the agreement. Legal expert lays out what to expect when Blazers coach Chauncey Billupss case goes to trial That same month, Eugene residents created an online petition urging city officials to terminate their contract with Flock. City councilors have since voted to pause usage of the automated license plate readers. Although the change went into effect on Oct. 14, the city is still weighing its contract with the tech company. KOIN 6 has reached out to Eugene officials for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Oct. 24Deborah Kapiloff, policy adviser with Western Resource Advocates, believes data centers are an increasingly necessary part of people's daily lives. "Something like online banking, streaming Netflix, listening to music on Spotify, using Google Docs or Outlook for email, even scrolling on social media all of those functions are supported by data centers," Kapiloff said. But, as the data center craze makes its way to New Mexico, citizens and policymakers alike wonder how the facilities will impact the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Thursday's legislative Science, Technology and Telecommunications Committee in Las Cruces, Kapiloff told lawmakers various ways in which data center development could affect New Mexico, including possible impacts on electricity rates. Hyperscale data centers are extremely large and support mounds of data storage, cloud computing and artificial intelligence applications, Kapiloff said. These are the big-ticket items driving development, where states across the U.S. are competing to house such massive investments despite demanding energy needs. According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency, data centers accounted for 1.5% of the world's electricity consumption, of which the U.S. makes up the largest share. By 2030, the agency estimates data center electricity consumption will more than double to nearly 945 terawatt-hours slightly more than what Japan consumes annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kapiloff said data centers requiring large amounts of power can flood the grid with "phantom" loads, which complicates a utility's ability to forecast electricity demands and can lead to over-acquisition of resources or overspend of capital. According to a July study from Western Resource Advocates, where Kapiloff was a contributing author, annual electricity sales grew by 1% per year from 2010 to 2023. Now, utilities are predicting a 4.5% energy demand increase annually from 2025 to 2035. Further encouraging data centers to build out, Kapiloff said jurisdictions around the nation, including New Mexico, are offering incentives, tax exemptions or are decreasing property and sales tax rates. Project Jupiter, a proposed Dona Ana County data center campus, was recently named one of five sites integral to the $500 billion Stargate Project. In the months leading up to the September approval, county commissioners greenlit an unprecedented $165 billion in industrial revenue bonds to help build and finance it. While data center construction can bring significant temporary jobs, Kapiloff said, the facilities bring few permanent positions once operational. Sen. Jay Block, R-Rio Rancho, challenged this, claiming the Meta Platforms Inc. data center campus in Los Lunas has about 400 direct employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta saw its Los Lunas center come online in 2019 and has since grown to house multiple buildings, with a third expansion slated over the next few years. Block added that Meta's decision to locate there was also largely based on tax incentives offered by Valencia County. Kapiloff outlined recent legislation passed in the January session. This included House Bill 93, which provides new ways for data center customers to generate and sell power through behind-the-meter customer generation or the opportunity to sell excess energy back to a utility. Additionally, microgrids created under the bill are subject to New Mexico's zero-carbon generation requirement by 2045. Kapiloff recommended a variety of policies to help mitigate the data center development challenges, ranging from implementing clean energy tariffs to requiring water reports and creating large-use policies. Western Resource Advocates is neither "pro or con" data center, Kapiloff said, noting the presentation was merely meant to highlight environmental considerations and consumer protection. "It probably is not unpopular to say that residential electricity rates are a concern, and that cost allocation for customers is tricky with these data centers," she said. "Large customers, especially really well-capitalized companies like the Amazons and Metas of the world, should be paying their fair share for the services they're receiving from the electrical grid." Oct. 24MITCHELL The following cases were among those heard Tuesday, Oct. 21, during a circuit court session at the Davison County Public Safety Center, with Judge Chris Giles presiding: * Dennis Salzetti, 38, of Portland, Oregon, failed to appear in court last month. The court ordered the forfeiture of his $2,000 bond. * Garrison Lhotak, 28, of Mitchell, made his initial court appearance. His case was continued for two weeks while he works to retain an attorney. Lhotak faces a Class 5 felony charge for possession of meth and a Class 2 misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Dustin Rosandic, 39, of Sioux Falls, failed to appear in court for a bond forfeiture hearing. The court approved the forfeiture of his $2,500 bond after he failed to appear for his last scheduled court date in June. * Tyanna WittJohnson, 21, of Sioux Falls, appeared in court for a status hearing. She pleaded guilty last month to two Class 5 felonies for possession of meth and secondary escape and is also facing a probation violation she denied in August. Her cases were continued for four weeks while she addresses charges in another county, with the court noting this will be the final continuance granted. * Alexander Rosado, 44, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to simple assault against a law enforcement officer, a Class 6 felony. He was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and received credit for 10 days already served. He was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. * Cleo Gravatt, 46, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to two drug charges, a Class 5 felony for possession of meth and a Class 2 misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. A jury trial is scheduled for February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Virginia Abdo, 50, of Mitchell, failed to appear in court due to illness. Her case was continued for two weeks. She is facing a Class 5 felony for grand theft by exploitation of an elder or disabled person involving more than $2,500. * Davyen Garcia, 26, of Mitchell, withdrew his previous guilty plea to a Class 3 felony for distribution of child sexual abuse material and pleaded guilty to a Class 4 felony for possession of child sexual abuse material as part of a plea agreement. The court ordered a pre-sentencing investigation report, and he is scheduled to be sentenced in February. * Devin Burke, 31, of Sioux City, Iowa, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including second-degree eluding and simple assault against a law enforcement officer, both Class 6 felonies; obstructing police, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and careless driving and speeding, both Class 2 misdemeanors. A jury trial is set for February. * Tristan Stetina, 21, of Mankato, Minnesota, pleaded not guilty to third-offense or greater domestic abuse simple assault, a Class 6 felony, and interference with emergency communications, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A jury trial is scheduled for February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Brandon Kendall, 24, of Mitchell, admitted to a probation violation. He is serving probation for a Class 6 felony conviction for simple assault against a law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to two years in prison, all suspended. * Raeann Witt, 43, of Rapid City, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a Class 5 felony. Under a plea agreement, a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Witt was sentenced to five years in prison, all suspended, and ordered to serve two years of probation and pay a $750 fine. * Devin Oyan, 23, of Livermore, Iowa, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by an adult confined in jail, both Class 6 felonies. As part of a plea agreement, two Class 1 misdemeanor charges, domestic abuse simple assault and threatening a law enforcement officer, were dismissed, along with charges in a separate case. Those dismissed charges included two counts of aggravated assault against law enforcement, Class 2 felonies, two counts of obstructing police, Class 1 misdemeanors, and one count of disorderly conduct, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Oyan was sentenced to two years in prison, all suspended, and ordered to serve two years of probation. * Corey Bowers, 40, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, a Class 6 felony charge for second-degree eluding and a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for failure to maintain financial responsibility were dismissed. Bowers was sentenced to 80 days in jail, with credit for 20 days already served, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. He was also fined $200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Jade Abdo, 36, of Sioux Falls, had her case continued for four weeks while the court awaits the results of a competency and insanity evaluation. She is facing two Class 6 felonies for simple assault, third or greater offenses. * Courtney Kelleigh, 34, of Monticello, Florida, had her case continued for two weeks. She is being recharged by way of indictment and is facing multiple charges, including grand theft of a firearm, a Class 6 felony; possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated and impersonation to deceive law enforcement officers, both Class 1 misdemeanors; and intentional damage to property, a Class 2 misdemeanor. * Willie Sullivan, 41, of Loral, Mississippi, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including possession of meth, a Class 5 felony; driving under the influence, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and failure to maintain financial responsibility, all Class 2 misdemeanors. A jury trial is scheduled for February. * Madisen White, 28, of Plankinton, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including possession of meth, a Class 5 felony; possession of prescription, non-prescription, or controlled substances while in jail, a Class 4 felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor. A jury trial is scheduled for February. Oct. 25 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1854, known to history as the Charge of the Light Brigade, 670 British cavalrymen fighting in the Crimean War attacked a heavily fortified Russian position and were killed. In 1929, during the Teapot Dome scandal, Albert B. Fall, who served as U.S. President Warren Harding's interior secretary, was found guilty of accepting a bribe while in office. He was the first presidential Cabinet member convicted of a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1944, the Japanese military employed its first unit of Kamikaze pilots during the Battle of Leyte Gulf off the coast of the Philippines. In 1971, the United Nations admitted China as a member, ousting the Nationalist Chinese government of Taiwan. The delegation of China, the "Representatives of Chiang Kai-Shek," are pictured leaving the U.N. Assembly Hall on October 25, 1971, prior to the vote on a draft resolution to recognize the representatives of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations. File Photo courtesy of the UN In 1983, U.S. troops, supported by six Caribbean nations, invaded the tiny, leftist-ruled island of Grenada, rescuing 1,000 American students and restoring order to the country. The death toll in about two months of fighting exceeded 100. In 1993, Canadian voters rejected the Progressive Conservative Party of Prime Minister Kim Campbell and gave the Liberal Party, led by Jean Chretien of Quebec, a firm majority in Parliament. Albert B. Fall, former secretary of interior, is helped into his car as he leaves the District and Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on October 25, 1929. Fall was found guilty of accepting a bribe of $100,000 from E.L. Doheny as part of the Teapot Dome Scandal. File Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress File Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI In 1994, Susan Smith falsely reported her two young sons were missing after a carjacking. After several days of intense public and media scrutiny, the South Carolina woman admitted she drove her car with her children inside it into a lake, killing them. She was sentenced to life in prison for the murders. An explosion rocks the USS St. Louis after she was hit by a Kamikaze pilot off the coast of Samar Island, Philippines, on October 25, 1944. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2002, Democratic U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota and seven others were killed in the crash of a small plane about 180 miles northeast of Minneapolis. File Photo by Chris Corder/UPI In 2009, the World Health Organization reported a global death toll from the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, at 5,700. About 440,000 people were confirmed as having the disease. In 2010, more than 400 coastal residents in western Sumatra were killed and thousands left homeless by a tsunami triggered by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. About 750 miles away in central Java, the Mount Merapi volcano began a series of three eruptions that left a reported death toll of more than 300 with about 6,000 homeless. In 2022, Rishi Sunak officially became Britain's prime minister, its third in three months. He was the first person of color to serve in the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, House Republicans selected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana to become the next speaker of the House. In 2024, the four-member SpaceX Crew-8 aboard Crew Dragon Endeavour returned to Earth, completing a nearly eight-month mission in space. NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Grebenkin were expected to be aboard the International Space Station for only six months, but the return was repeatedly delayed. Mark your calendars. We're falling back in early November. Daylight saving time, which lasts from March until November, ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, when smart devices in your house will automatically switch their clocks back an hour and many people across the country will use the opportunity to get an extra hour of sleep. Each year, states participating in daylight saving time turn the clocks back on the first Sunday in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don't forget to change the time on the battery-powered clocks in your home, kitchen appliances or car clocks. When did daylight saving time start? What is DST for? The daylight saving time you've come to know today comes from the Uniform Time Act of 1966, signed into law by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. When originally enacted, DST was from the last Sunday of April to the last Sunday of October, according to the Congressional Research Service. Only in 2005 did this shift to the March-November timeframe, through the Energy Policy Act. Now the second Sunday in March marks the beginning of DST and the first Sunday of November denotes its end, to further the original goal of conserving energy around the country and making use of natural daylight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: When is early voting in 2025? Here's where to vote in Dutchess County Daylight saving time ends: Sunrise, sunset and amount of sunlight in the mid-Hudson Valley With the fall back, there will be less sunlight in the evening and more in the mornings. Focusing on Poughkeepsie and Middletown, according to timeanddate.com, you can expect sunrise to move on Nov. 2 from about 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and sunset moves from 5:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. In Poughkeepsie, on Nov. 2, sunrise will be at 6:29 a.m. and sunset will be at 4:48 p.m., giving residents 10 hours, 19 minutes and 10 seconds of daylight. In Middletown, on Nov. 2, sunrise will be at 6:30 a.m. and sunset will be at 4:51 p.m., giving residents 10 hours, 20 minutes and 7 seconds of daylight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the end of November for Poughkeepsie and Middletown, expect sunrise to be around 7 a.m. and sunset to be at approximately 4:30 p.m. When does daylight saving time start in 2026 The next time you will be changing your clocks after Nov. 2 will be when daylight saving time begins again in March 2026. You'll be losing an hour of sleep and moving the clocks an hour forward on Sunday, March 8. Which U.S. states do not observe daylight saving time? The only two states, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, that do not participate in daylight saving time are Hawaii and the majority of Arizona, except for the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Besides Arizona and Hawaii, five U.S. territories also do not participate in daylight saving time: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Will New York continue to participate in DST? There is pending legislation with the aim of establishing daylight saving time as the year-round standard time across the state, which is currently in committee. Nearly all states have considered or are considering legislation or resolutions surrounding daylight saving time. Nineteen states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions toward the goal of making daylight saving time year-round, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Uniform Time Act does allow for states to exempt themselves from participating in daylight saving time, but they cannot alter the length of DST or independently change time zones, according to the Congressional Research Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the contrary, if a state chooses to continue following DST, they have to follow the federally mandated dates. A 2023 version of the Sunshine Protection Act, to make daylight saving time permanent across the country, has been introduced in the House of Representatives, who in November 2024 motioned to discharge the committee, an attempt to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram. This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Daylight saving time is ending. When clocks change, what time sun sets WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is suing the federal government to try and end what he calls an illegal military occupation of the District. There are still nearly 2,500 National Guard troops in D.C. Schwalb is asking a federal judge to temporarily stop troop deployment as the lawsuit goes forward. Federal workers without paychecks; SNAP funding deadlines loom Department of Justice lawyers argue that this is a political stunt and that D.C. is safer, but lawyers for D.C. said irreparable harm is being done with troops on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today we made clear again in court that the military has no business doing civilian policing, Schwalb said. Its been more than two months since President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to D.C. Schwalb and his team told a federal judge Friday that their presence is inflicting real and ongoing harm. Its not making D.C. safer to have out-of-state guards who are not trained to do policing, who are not familiar with our communities, who are not trained to do the kind of key law enforcement work that our MPD [Metropolitan Police Department] does, he said. An attorney for the Department of Justice said that the guard is making D.C. safer. They claimed that Mayor Muriel Bowser is supportive because of her September executive order to coordinate communication with federal law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge pushed back, saying Bowser is not supportive of out-of-state guards. Samuel Dewey, an attorney with the Oversight Project, a conservative watchdog group that filed a brief in the case, argued D.C. doesnt have standing to sue because its not a state. The District is safer now, and the only people who say otherwise are politicians posturing or rude individuals engaging in ad hominem attacks, Dewey said. Marine Corps Marathon kicks off 50th anniversary Schwalb said its time for the National Guard to go home. We are going to continue to fight this fight. The hearing today is part of that fight of standing up for the law, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said she was taking the arguments under advisement on Friday, so she does not know when a ruling will be made. She granted an extension until Tuesday for the Department of Justice to file a response in the ongoing lawsuit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office has launched an investigation into a deadly crash between an e-bicyclist and a police officer. The officer, with the Atlantic Highlands Police Department, was driving along Route 36 in Middletown in a marked cruiser when the collision occurred on the afternoon of Oct. 10, according to a statement released Friday. Authorities said the officer slammed into a man on an e-bike around 1 p.m. on the state highway, near Orchard Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In wake of the crash, the cyclist was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died from his injuries nine days later, on Oct. 19. Few other details have been provided about the incident, including what caused the fatal crash. Neither the cyclist nor the officer involved have been identified. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time, the attorney general said. Under state law, the attorney generals office is required to investigate all police-involved fatalities The e-bike crash marked the latest in New Jersey. Last month, 13-year-old Nico Lombardi was killed while riding his e-bike in Scotch Plains when police said he collided with a landscaping truck. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud has raised almost $446,000 this election cycle, significantly more than his opponent Nagi Almudhegi, drawing support from a range of donors, campaign reports filed Friday, Oct. 24, showed. Hammoud received $445,874 in contributions during his campaign through Oct. 19 for another four-year term to lead Dearborn, $261,723 of that during the most recent time period, according to his candidate committee report filed with Wayne County. He has spent $364,516 this election cycle. His challenger, Almudhegi, an IT engineer, raised $103,330 this election cycle, about half of which, $50,526, was money from himself. Almudhegi, running in his first political race, has spent $77,449, with a current balance of $25,881. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, left, and Nagi Almudhegi. "Our fundraising shows the strong support we have across Dearborn," Hammoud told the Free Press in a statement. "This is a people-powered campaign driven by residents who believe in our shared vision for the citys future. Were proud to be the only campaign supported by the UAW (United Auto Workers), Dearborn Police and Fire, our teachers, and everyday locals who make this city what it is." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, more than $900,000 has been raised by candidates running for mayor and council in Dearborn, a significant amount revealing a high degree of interest in local elections in the city of 110,000 residents. Hammoud's committee currently has a balance of $144,921 and appeared to raise the most amount of money this year among mayoral candidates in Wayne County outside of Detroit. In contrast, Taylor Mayor Tim Wooley, running for reelection, raised only $32,564. Hammoud had raised a similar amount four years ago this month when first running for mayor, receiving almost $500,000 through Oct. 17, 2021, in his first run for mayor. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud greets supporters at an event kicking off his reelection campaign at Peace Park West in Dearborn, Michigan, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Almudhegi appeared to receive smaller donations compared with Hammoud, who was previously a state representative. "We have small donations, $100 here, $50," Almudhegi said. "I have a donation from a 90-year-old woman for $25 and believe it or not, this donation is the one that touches my heart the most, more so than even the $1,000 contributions. And because it's about the message. She believes in the message, and she believes about coming back to common sense and bringing back government of the people, for the people, by the people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Almudhegi's biggest contributors were Khalil Othman, a 2021 council candidate who gave $2,011, and Amarah Almudhegi, a truck driver who gave $1,926. Some of Hammoud's biggest support has come from unions and labor leaders: The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) gave the mayor $3,500; the political action fund of Henry Ford Community College Federation of Teachers AFT Local 1650 gave Hammoud $2,000; a UAW attorney also donated. Hammoud also received donations from a number of attorneys, doctors, pharmacists and small business owners, several of whom donated $2,450 each. Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Mariam Bazzi gave $1,000 and 19th District (in Dearborn) Court Judge Sam Salemy gave $300. Dearborn mayoral candidate Nagi Almudhegi, seen in dark jacket second from left, shakes hands with a supporter outside Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn on Sept. 20, 2025, after he delivered a speech announcing his vision for mayor. The engineer is on the November ballot along with his opponent, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud. Hammoud, the first Arab American mayor of Dearborn, received contributions from longtime Arab American and Muslim leaders from Michigan, including: $1,750 from Muzammil Ahmed, a Canton doctor who is secretary for the Michigan Muslim Community Council and has been on the board of CAIR Michigan and Emgage Michigan; $1,500 from Sufian Nabhan, executive director of the Islamic Center of Detroit; $250 from Warren David, president of Arab America and former president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; $500 from Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, a Dearborn-based newspaper; $150 from Kassem Allie, of the Islamic Center of America, a Dearborn mosque, and $300 from Eide Alawan, a Muslim and interfaith leader who is a Wayne County Jail assistant chaplain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Dearborn mailed 9,000 absentee ballots with an error, now sending corrected ballots More: 40 Dearborn residents ask city to lower volume on mosques' outdoor call to prayer Among those running for City Council, Council President Michael Sareini raised by far the most money, receiving almost $200,000 this election cycle. Sareini, running for another four-year term on the council, got $197,445 in contributions, spending $68,463. Councilman Mustapha Hammoud, running for reelection, raised the second highest amount among council candidates, receiving $57,547 in contributions, followed by Councilman Kamal Alsawafy, who got $51,822 in contributions. Some council candidates did not file campaign reports by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline: Sharon Dulmage, Othman Alaansi, Shadi Mawari, Devon O'Reilly and Ahmad Othman. In other cities with contested mayoral races, some candidates did not file reports by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline, including Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun, who also did not file a report after the August primary, and the two candidates running for mayor of Grosse Pointe, Christopher Boettcher and Sheila Tomkowiak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the race for mayor of Hamtramck, Adam Alharbi raised $20,671 and Councilman Muhith Mahmood raised $10,945. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud raises 446,000 in reelection bid PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 25: Hettich India announced the grand opening of Bengaluru's first Hettich Exclusive (HeX) store, further expanding its experiential presence and bringing immersive, hands-on, magical interior experiences to customers in the region. The new HeX store offers an integrated, solution-driven shopping experience, featuring curated walk-throughs of contemporary furniture equipped with premium German furniture fittings, architectural door hardware, furniture lights and built-in kitchen appliances. Customers can also take advantage of complementary Free Design Services, where expert designers help visualise and create personalised furniture concepts. Complementing the HeX store, Hettich's revamped Experience Centre in Bengaluru provides both customers and industry professionals with deeper inspiration and an opportunity to explore the brand's latest German-engineered innovations up close. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rahul Thakkar, Director - Sales, Hettich India, said: " Bengaluru is a vibrant city where we are witnessing a growing demand for premium, functional, and aesthetically designed furniture solutions. With the launch of our first HeX store and the revamp of our Experience Centre, we are expanding our experiential touchpoints, enabling customers to explore and experience our offerings firsthand. In a city that embodies a forward-looking spirit, Hettich brings the magic of German-engineered interior solutions." The Bengaluru HeX store is part of Hettich's strategic rollout plan to open 25 HeX stores across India this year, strengthening its experiential ecosystem alongside Experience Centres nationwide. Each solution from Hettich is designed to be smart, durable, and tailored for evolving lifestyles. Step into HeX Bengaluru at Nesture Studio, Ramky House, Ground Floor, Left Wing, Service Road Chelekare, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru -560043, Ph No. 9916558777 About Hettich: Hettich is a 137-year-old family-owned German lifestyle brand, being one of the world's largest manufacturers of Furniture Fittings with a global turnover exceeding 1.5 billion euros. In India, Hettich started operations at the dawn of the new millennium and within a short span of time gained an undisputed leadership position in the Indian furniture fittings and hardware industry. It is the recipient of 'Best Brands 2022, 2023 & 2024' by the Economic Times and the 'Most Trusted Brands of India 2023, 2024 & 2025' by Marksmen Daily recognitions for its unwavering customer trust and strong brand equity. They have also been certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for fostering an employee-centric culture. Hettich's product portfolio comprises a repertoire of Furniture Fittings & Door Hardware made with cutting-edge German quality complemented by Wire Products, Aluminum Profiles, Shelving Systems, Built-in Appliances and Furniture Lights, thereby providing holistic fitting solutions for all residential and commercial spaces. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) (Texas Scorecard) A Texas woman convicted of one of the most gruesome murders in recent memory is now appealing her death sentence, arguing that prosecutors improperly introduced humiliating and prejudicial evidence against her during her trial. Taylor Rene Parker, 32, was sentenced to death in 2022 for the murder of 21yearold Reagan Hancock and Hancocks unborn daughter, Braxlynn, on October 9, 2020, in New Boston. Parkers appeal was heard by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on September 17, 2025, where her attorney, Caitlin Halpern, argued that the States evidence was intended to manipulate the jury into trivializing Parkers life. The Murder Parker brutally attacked Hancock inside her homebeating, stabbing, and strangling her before using a scalpel to cut the unborn child from her womb. Hancocks three-year-old daughter was in the house at the time of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two women had first met in 2019, when Parkerwho worked as a freelance photographertook engagement and wedding photos for Hancock and her husband. For months, Parker had faked her own pregnancy to convince her boyfriend she was expecting and try to keep him from leaving her. After killing Hancock, she fled the scene with the infant in an attempt to pass the child off as her own. She was later stopped by a state trooper for speeding and erratic driving. The trooper found her covered in dried blood while holding the dead baby with the umbilical cord still attached. She was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital in Idabel, Oklahoma. Parker claimed she had given birth on the side of the road, but medical staff found no signs of recent childbirth. Under questioning, Parker admitted she had been in a physical altercation with Hancock and took the baby from her body. She was immediately arrested for abduction and murder. Prosecution Parker was charged with capital murder in connection with the deaths of both Hancock and her baby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State secured two indictmentsone for intentionally causing the death of Hancock in the course of kidnapping or attempting to kidnap Braxlynn, and another for intentionally causing the death of Braxlynn, an individual under 10 years of age. The State only proceeded with the first indictmentbelieving it offered the clearest path to a capital conviction. Parker did not dispute the murder charge, but sought to avoid a capital conviction by contesting whether the kidnapping or attempted kidnapping had occurred. In Texas, a person commits kidnapping when they intentionally or knowingly [abduct] another person. This raised debate over the very definition of personhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to various Texas statutes, person means an individual or a corporation. An individual is defined as a human being who has been born and is alive. A child has been born and is alive if the child had been completely expelled from its mother, and then had an independent existence; that is, that the child breathed, and its blood circulated independent of its mother. This forced the State to prove Braxlynn was alive when extracted from Hancocks body. Testimony from medical examiners who handled Braxlynns autopsy is seemingly contradictory, but the EMT claimed he had resuscitated the baby and gotten a pulse. The State also reasoned that Parker would not have taken the baby with her if she believed Braxlynn were already dead. The trial court agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because Parker is the only witness to know for sure whether Braxlynn was alive at the time of extraction, her motives when taking the baby became central to both the trial and appeal. Appeal To prove Parkers motive during her jury trial, the State provided extensive background evidence concerning her weight loss and prior extramarital affairs. Halpern claimed Parkers trial was tainted by numerous errors, most notably extraneous evidence admitted in the case. The admission of this evidence was therefore appealed to the Court of Criminal AppealsTexas highest criminal courtas prejudicial. Oral arguments were heard in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halpern cited the Supreme Courts January 2025 ruling in the Brenda Andrew case. Andrews death sentence was vacated and remanded to a lower court for review, because prosecutors allegedly trivialized her life in the eyes of the jurors by focusing on her sex life and physical appearance. In the Parker case, Halpern alleged that jurors heard from witness after witness that Parker had had weight loss surgery and that beforehand she had been very large. Extensive evidence was presented that Parker was fat and that her stretch marks were gross. After the surgery, Parker was reportedly always flirting, showing off her body, and going to work dressed like she was headed to the club. The jury heard about numerous extramarital affairs, including an instance in which her ex-husband caught her having sex in a car with another man. Halpern claimed that this constitutes inadmissible evidence based on gender and gender stereotypes that are no less insidious than evidence going to race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the Courts precedent at the punishment phase, Halpern noted that evidence must be relevant either to future dangerousness or to the sufficiency of mitigation. Evidence that her boyfriend thought she was overweight and gross and responded to her sexual messages with Ill pass had no relevance to either of those factors, said Halpern. State prosecuting attorney Jeff Shell disagreed, arguing, It is contextual evidence in the sense that it explains why [Parker] decides to begin at a certain weight. Shell then stepped back from the podium while patting his stomach and said, I am fat. Courtroom laughter ensued as one judge commented, Join the club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State reasoned that Parker embarked on this weight loss journey as a part of her obsession with impressing her boyfriendan obsession that eventually led to the murder of Hancock and the kidnapping and death of Braxlynn. Shell argued that this contextual evidence was used to inform motive rather than character. Judges seemed to agree with his reasoning throughout the hearing. Judge Lee Finley said the States theory was this woman did this horrible thing, cutting this child out, because she wanted to keep a man. And likewise, this woman was at one point fat, and then became not fat because she wanted to keep a man. How are those two things not related? Death Penalty Case Concerns Parkers appeal comes as Texas continues to reexamine trial practices in other death penalty casesmost recently Robert Roberson, whose execution was scheduled for October 16 but was delayed by the Court of Criminal Appeals over concerns of junk science evidence used at the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberson was convicted more than 20 years ago of murdering his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. After years of appeals, the Court decided this month to reject nearly all of Robersons latest claims but sent one issue back to the trial court in Anderson County for review. State prosecutors are hoping for a different result from Parkers appeala case that was described as particularly horrendous by Judge Scott Walker during oral arguments. Parker is currently housed at the Patrick L. ODaniel Unit in Gatesvillethe primary detention facility for female death row inmates in Texas. If you or anyone you know has information regarding court cases, please contact our tip line: scorecardtips@protonmail.com. Streetlights are coming to the pitch-dark corridors of Melrose Park, ending a long-running debate that started decades ago in the predominantly Black neighborhood in western Fort Lauderdale. Commissioners approved the plan Thursday night before a packed audience. The vote was set to take place two weeks ago, but was delayed after dozens of residents presented the picture of a divided neighborhood during the Oct. 7 meeting. Half the speakers wanted streetlights. The other half said they liked the neighborhood just the way it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newcomers to Melrose Park, annexed by Fort Lauderdale in 2002, were puzzled that there was ever a debate over something as important as streetlights. I was very surprised we dont have streetlights since we live in the 21st Century, Melrose Park resident Dmitri Kryjanovski told the commission Thursday night. At night you dont see anything. Its very dark. Its very dangerous to drive. If we dont get the lights, the next time we speak about this will probably be 100 years from now. Pamela Beasley-Pittman, the district commissioner for the neighborhood, argued the streetlights had been needed for years and it was high time to get the job done. From the dais, she pulled hundreds of signed petitions out of a bag and placed it on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is from neighbors who went out over the past seven days, she told the commission. Its not a survey. Its a petition. This is approximately 400 people who (want) lights. If nothing else, the neighbors have spoken. Under the plan, 555 LED light fixtures will be installed throughout the neighborhood. The city will pay $866,000 to have the lights installed and another $36,000 a month to Florida Power & Light for maintenance and other costs. It was unclear Friday when the installation of the streetlights would begin, but the entire project should be completed by the end of 2026, according to Belal Jaber, a spokesman for the city. The installation of the lights is still in the early stages, Jaber said. Since the item just passed at the commission meeting (Thursday) night, the city will now work with FPL to determine when to begin scheduling the installation. While I cant provide an exact timeframe for how long the lights will take to be installed, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the Melrose Park residents crowded into Thursday nights City Hall meeting said they were in favor of streetlights. Resident Joann Saunders told commissioners the neighborhood is so dark at night, that its hard for drivers to see people walking across the street. Theres a small group against it, but they dont speak for the whole neighborhood, Saunders said. We just want lights. We need lights. Donna Guthrie, president of the Melrose Park Civic Association, was out of town and could not make it to Thursday nights meeting. Two weeks ago, Guthrie told the commission there was no reason for Fort Lauderdale to spend so much money on lights the neighborhood does not want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After meeting with Beasley-Pittman and her staff in mid-October, Guthrie came up with a compromise. In an email sent to City Hall, she suggested the city install 150 streetlights at intersections and bus stops. This plan would reduce monthly costs to under $10,000, substantially lower than the $35,000 currently proposed, Guthrie wrote. Committing to $35,000 per month in payments to FPL without fully exploring alternative options could be considered fiscally irresponsible. Before the vote, Commissioner Steve Glassman mentioned the compromise proposed by Guthrie. Im very happy to see weve made a lot of progress from the last time we met, he said. The association went from not wanting any lights to 150 lights. Im having an issue with $36,000 a month (payments to FPL) in perpetuity. Im not convinced we need the 550. Lets see how 150 lights work. And if the people love it, we can add more lights. It makes sense to me to do this incrementally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beasley-Pittman countered that the neighborhood wants and needs all 555 streetlights. Im not suggesting 150, she said. The neighbors are ready to move forward. I support them. Lets do what we came to do. The commission vote was 4-1, with Glassman casting the lone no vote. After the vote, Mayor Dean Trantalis quipped: Let there be light. Following his cue, Beasley-Pittman repeated the phrase, saying, Yes, let there be light. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) took a dig at President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson after the Department of Defense accepted a private $130 million donation to help pay members of the military amid the long-running shutdown. Trump announced the donation on Thursday, saying it came from a friend of his who did not want to be named. The news and lack of transparency raised ethical questions on whether the donor could have interests that might be affected by the gift. A New York Times report on Saturday identified the donor as billionaire Timothy Mellon. News: Trump Slammed Mike Pence As A Wimp In Final Call Before Jan. 6 Insurrection In a Friday night appearance on CNNs The Source, Smith told host Kaitlan Collins he was not OK with the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a representative democracy, and we should work through that system of government. Once weve privatized it, that takes the power out of the hands of the people, Smith said. He added that he and his colleagues should negotiate and pass bills to pay the military, but they are unable to do so because House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wont bring the House back into session. Smith said whats really troubling about the shutdown is the flat refusal to negotiate. Ive used this line many times, but President Trump will negotiate with Hamas, but he wont negotiate with Democrats? he asked, an apparent reference to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brokered by the U.S. Rep. Adam Smith slammed Republicans' "refusal" to negotiate amid the long-running government shutdown. OLIVER CONTRERAS/AFP via Getty Images Johnson stated earlier this month that he did not support holding a standalone vote on military pay, saying doing so would be dithering on show votes. After backlash, he claimed he was open to such a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his Republican allies have blamed the government shutdown and its consequences on the Democrats. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell claimed earlier this week that Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops when they reached an impasse on the GOP spending bill that would strip healthcare from millions of Americans. The shutdown has entered its fourth week, with thousands of federal workers expected to be laid off from their jobs and millions of people expected to lose access to food benefits. Related... Read the original on HuffPost U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images The Trump Administration will monitor upcoming elections in New Jersey and California following requests from Republican officials in the states. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it will send observers to six counties in the November 4 elections to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity, said Attorney General Pam Bondi. We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve. The decision follows years of President Donald Trump spreading conspiracy theories about voter fraud, most notably that the 2020 election was stolen. Read more: Trump Has Vowed to Prosecute His Political Foes. Heres Who Could Be Next The announcement has triggered a backlash from leaders in the Democratic-led states, who accused the Trump Administration of attempting to interfere with the electoral process in key races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about the plans. What are the elections about? The elections in New Jersey and California are both attracting national attention and could impact the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans. California is voting on a proposition that would revise the states congressional districts to favor Democrats in response to Republican gerrymandering in other states. Over the summer, Texas Republicans voted to redraw the electoral map to create an additional five congressional seats for their party. If voters in California approve Proposition 50, the state would cancel out those seats with five new congressional seats that favor Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. The vote could therefore play a key role in deciding who controls the House after the midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Jersey, the race for governor features Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, competing to replace outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy in a closely-watched contest that has drawn significant spending. New Jersey has traditionally been a Democratic state, but Republicans have made strong showings there in recent years, and the governor's race is extremely close. What prompted the move? Monitoring elections is a longstanding and routine function of the DOJ, traditionally in places where voting rights or civil rights violations have been alleged. In 2024, the Biden Administration sent monitors to 86 jurisdictions, including all of the major swing states, to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws. However, Democrats have raised concerns about the focus on Democratic-run states since Trumps return to power, especially since his return was fueled in part by conspiracy theories about the last presidential election being stolen from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to monitor these two elections was prompted by requests from Republican officials in the two states. The New Jersey Republican Party chairman, Glenn Paulsen, complained that Democratic members of the Board of Elections in one county blocked the use of security cameras in a ballot storage area, and called on DOJ observers to "oversee the receipt and processing of vote-by-mail ballots" in Passaic County. A judge ordered a new election for a city council seat in the county in 2020 after the winner faced charges of voting fraud. Then the chairwoman of the California Republican Party, Corrin Rankin, said they had received reports of irregularities and formally requested that the DOJ send monitors to five counties. The DOJ said it will deploy monitors in six counties in total: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno in California, and Passaic in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monitoring effort is being managed by the DOJs Civil Rights Division. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, of the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement: Transparent election processes and election monitoring are critical tools for safeguarding our elections and ensuring public trust in the integrity of our elections. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment from TIME. What have Democrats said? Democrats in New Jersey and California have characterized the DoJs move as an attempt to suppress or interfere with the key votes in November. California Gov. Gavin Newsom went so far as to accuse the Trump Administration of a setup and rigging the election" in an interview with KQED. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are creating the pretext that after were successful with Prop. 50, after there is a Democratic governor in New Jersey and will be one in Virginia, unquestionably that they can suggest somehow these were fraudulent, these elections were rigged against them, Newsom said. This is a preview of 2026. Wake up, everybody. Newsom also suggested the presence of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might intimidate voters. Youre also going to see ICE deployed, he said. Youre going to see these masked men from Border Patrol also near voting booths and polling places. Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, said in a statement that "No amount of election interference by the California Republican Party is going to silence the voices of California voters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called the move "highly inappropriate" and said the DOJ "has not even attempted to identify a legitimate basis for its actions." A history of false claims Democratic fears about the DoJs election monitoring efforts are motivated at least in part by the Trump Administrations repeated false claims of election fraud. For years, Trump has made false claims of large-scale election fraud against his opponents before and after voting, with a particular focus on voting by mail, without providing any evidence. After losing the 2020 presidential election, Trump falsely claimed it was stolen from him, despite numerous investigations by his own DOJ, lawsuits and independent studies proving otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since returning to power, Trumps DOJ has sued six states for private voter data, which voting rights groups say is part of an effort to support unsubstantiated claims by Trump that millions of undocumented immigrants voted illegally for Democrats. Contact us at letters@time.com. AUSTIN (ABJ) Plans to demolish a portion of North Austins Arboretum Crossing shopping center are in the works to clear the way for redevelopment on part of the site. Stockdale Capitals plans are unclear, but they could be big. The 20-acre property falls within the boundaries of whats known as the North Burnet/Gateway area, where developers can build up to 491 feet, or about 45 stories. A site plan application for demolition of the retail property, which boasts tenants such as Dave & Busters and World Market, has been filed with the city of Austin. The Dave & Busters and World Market wont be demolished, however. World Market and other tenants at the site are exiting the property, according to previous reporting, but Dave & Busters wont be closing or relocating. Dave & Busters at Arboretum Crossing (Arnold Wells / ABJ photo) Read the full story at the Austin Business Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. AUSTIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) An 18-year-old died and two other teens were injured during a crash near Canadian Lakes early Saturday morning. The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. in the area of 8 Mile Road and 140th Avenue in Austin Township, according to the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office. An 18-year-old driver from Morely ran off the road and crashed into a tree, deputies said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriffs office siad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 17-year-old passenger from Morley was injured and taken to a Grand Rapids hospital with serious injuries. A 16-year-old passenger from Big Rapids was taken to a Big Rapids hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, deputies said. Its not clear what caused the driver to run off the road. *Editors Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the time of the crash. It happened at 3:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) A man charged with possession of sexually oriented material and voyeurism after a family staying in a Hocking Hills cabin discovered hidden camera in their bathroom has pleaded guilty. According to a Hocking County Sheriffs Office report, supported by three deputies who reported to the scene, a woman called the sheriffs office to report a hidden camera was found in the bathroom of a short-term rental cabin her family had rented in February 2024. Inside look at Ohio States new hospital tower Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search warrant was executed at the property on State Route 664 in Marion Township, north of Logan, where a camera was found in the drop-down ceiling of a bathroom. The camera, which reportedly had a green light lit when the victim found it, had an extension cord that was routed from the ceiling to a utility room and plugged in behind laundry facilities. The victim told deputies that she, her husband and their 4-year-old child all had used the bathroom before discovering the camera, which was mounted within the ceiling and secured by black electrical tape, the report stated. Deputies searched the rest of the property and only discovered Ring or Bing cameras outside of the residence for security measures, although the report noted the rear camera had views of a basement entrance and the hot tub. During the investigation, deputies spoke with property management, who informed them that Jason Yard, of Akron, was the owner of the rental. In addition, it was discovered that Yard was the owner of the following evidence found at the cabin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A partial backup/download of a Samsung phone on the MicroSD card belonging to Yard found inside the camera. Several recordings within the device of Yard adjusting the camera while installed in the bathroom ceiling. In addition, Amazon purchase records secured by the Hocking County Sheriffs indicate that Yard bought several hidden cameras, nanny cams, memory cards and adaptors between 2019 and 2023. Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriffs Department) Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriffs Department) Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriffs Department) In total, the sheriffs office estimate that 49 adults and 13 children were victims of the hidden camera, and approximately 170 digital files were submitted into evidence, including one which captured a couple having sexual intercourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, an indictment was filed against Yard of Akron, who was arrested in July and issued a $100,000 bond after pleading not guilty to six charges four felony counts of illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor and two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism. After a September motion for a continuance, Yard changed his plea on Thursday to no contest on the first count of the indictment, illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the agreement. What to know about freeway closures in Downtown Columbus this weekend Yard, who will have to register as a Tier I sex offender according to Ohio law, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 12 and faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. However, court records state that the prosecutions office and defense counsel agreed to a prison term of 4-6 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guilty plea of a felony sex offense also comes with a five-year mandatory post-release control period and a fine of up to $15,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) Three Holland businesses were broken into early Saturday morning, deputies said. Ottawa County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to reports that a burglar alarm had been tripped at Sweet Fire Tobacco on Butternut Drive near the intersection with James Street just after 3 a.m., according to a release. Soon after, deputies responded to a burglary at another business, Inline Vape, on West Shore Drive near Riley Street. They then arrived at the scene of a third burglary at the Pine Creek Mobile Mart, also located on Butternut Drive near Riley Street about one mile away from the first burglary scene, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies believe that the three burglaries are connected. All the businesses that were broken into are located within about 2.5 miles of each other. Several thousand dollars in merchandise was taken from the three businesses and the suspects did thousands more in property damage, according to a release. Deputies are still investigating and have not named any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office at 616.738.4000 or Silent Observer at 877.887.4536. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. VMPL Mysuru (Karnataka) [India], October 25: Novel Tissues Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as one of India's most trusted names in hygiene manufacturing, symbolizing quality, innovation, and care. From modest beginnings, the company has grown into a powerhouse with multiple state-of-the-art facilities across India and the Middle East, exporting products to Sweden, Malaysia, the UAE, and Thailand. The company's commitment goes beyond producing baby wipes and tissues -- it's rooted in the belief that hygiene is a fundamental right, not a privilege. By blending world-class quality with affordability, Novel Tissues has quietly reshaped India's hygiene landscape and set new standards for consumer care. In a fiercely competitive market marked by price wars and flashy advertising, Novel Tissues stands out through integrity, innovation, and a customer-first approach. Its rise is marked by milestones such as expansions in Mysuru and Gurugram, and the creation of a global-standard facility in Puducherry -- all reflecting a relentless drive to meet India's growing demand with unmatched excellence. The Visionary Behind the Brand At the heart of this success is A. B. Doddamani, a visionary leader who believes in building impact over applause. Born in the small town of Belgaum, Karnataka, Doddamani's journey began with values of discipline and humility instilled by his parents. Armed with a Master's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Mysore and honored with a doctorate by the Commonwealth University, he first launched a water-testing venture called Water Tec. This early experience instilled in him precision, patience, and responsibility -- qualities that later defined his leadership at Novel Tissues. Taking charge of Novel Tissues was not merely a business move for Doddamani -- it was a mission. He transformed a struggling enterprise into a symbol of Indian manufacturing excellence, driven by the belief that every family deserves reliable, affordable hygiene products. Innovation and Expansion: Building a Legacy of Care Under Doddamani's guidance, Novel Tissues has grown from a single unit to a multi-location leader. Between 2018 and 2021, the Mysuru units expanded to meet the rising demand for baby wipes, running 24/7 to serve millions across India. In 2022, the company launched a facility in Gurugram to strengthen distribution networks in North India. Shortly after, a new unit was established in Mumbai, enhancing Novel's reach in western India and enabling faster, more efficient delivery to one of the country's largest consumer markets. In 2023, Novel unveiled a cutting-edge 4.5 lakh sq ft personal-care manufacturing plant in Puducherry, built to global GMP standards. Looking beyond India's borders, 2025 marked Novel's entry into the Middle East with a world-class manufacturing unit in Jebel Ali, Dubai -- a landmark move that positioned the company as a global player. Breakthrough Innovation: REMOCON Among Novel's pioneering products is REMOCON, a radiological decontamination skin wipe developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This innovation serves a critical role in protecting first responders, defence personnel, and civilians from radioactive contamination during nuclear or radiological emergencies. Each wipe neutralizes harmful particles on the skin, offering an essential humanitarian tool at the intersection of public health and national safety. REMOCON symbolizes how Novel Tissues bridges everyday hygiene with life-saving innovation -- a testament to the company's mission of courageous care. Recognition and Reluctant Honors Although Doddamani has never sought the spotlight, his leadership has earned numerous accolades including: * Indira Gandhi Sadhbawana Award by the National Integration & Economic Council * Bharath Gaurav Award, presented by the Governor of Maharashtra * Best SME Award from the Karnataka Small & Medium Business Owners Association * Multiple Customer Satisfaction Awards (2015, 2018, 2021, 2023) * Featured in Forbes India among "Top Leaders: Torchbearers of Vocal for Local" * Nationwide recognition for advancing India's Made-in-India hygiene revolution These honors reflect his impact not just as an industrialist but as a builder of trust, infrastructure, and national pride in manufacturing. Continuing the Journey: Purpose-Driven Progress Today, Doddamani continues to steer Novel Tissues with the conviction that progress must be purposeful. The company is advancing deeper sustainability practices, expanding export networks, and embracing full automation and digital transformation. Customer-driven innovation remains central -- listening before leading, evolving continuously to meet the changing needs of families worldwide. For Doddamani, success is not a destination but a lifelong commitment to care. The Heartbeat of Novel Tissues Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Mysuru, Novel Tissues Pvt. Ltd. represents a benchmark in quality and compassion for hygiene manufacturing. With cutting-edge facilities in Mysuru, Gurugram, Mumbai, Puducherry, and Dubai, the company produces a wide range of trusted baby wipes, refreshing wipes, tissues, and cosmetic-hygiene products used by millions. Behind every product lies a deeper promise -- to protect, to care, and to uplift families across India and beyond. For A. B. Doddamani, this journey has never been about building just a brand -- it's about creating a legacy of care. Novel Tissues -- Where Care Becomes Courage, and Every Touch Tells a Story. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) DES MOINES, Iowa Next week, Perlla Deluca, the owner of Southeast Constructors in Des Moines, will head to DC as part of a group of 2,000 small business owners who will talk to lawmakers about ending the government shutdown. Southeast Constructors works on federal construction contracts which have been paused by the government shutdown. Deluca said that the shutdown, which is in week four and likely to continue for several more days, casts uncertainty over her businesses future. Rep. Miller-Meeks introduces bill to fund SNAP during shutdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened with the shutdown, a lot of our contracts are paused some are not paused but they are delayed. Delays on meetings, delays on payments, and it is affecting us not only financially, but also the uncertainty. Not knowing that wed let our guys go, do we keep our guys for the next project? Deluca said. Deluca said there are ripple effects if she needs to let any employees go. If I let two of my guys go, then those households dont have income, then how are they going to go eat at that place or how theyre going to buy supplies for their kids? If it doesnt get resolved, its going to have effects on the months to come, Deluca said. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Gov. Ron DeSantis has set a special election to fill a vacant state representative seat in Palm Beach County but he delayed acting for so long that 114,281 registered voters who live in the district wont be represented in Tallahassee during the 2026 legislative session. The special general election is set for March 24 11 days after the Legislatures scheduled March 13 adjournment. In an executive order he filed Friday afternoon with the Secretary of States Office, DeSantis also set the special primary for the District 87 seat for Jan. 13. The district is in the central part of the county along the Atlantic coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis set the special primary and general election dates 17 days after a lawsuit was filed seeking a court order compelling him to act. DeSantis sometimes acts quickly to set dates for special elections and sometimes waits weeks to set the dates. The governors office doesnt respond to questions about his rationale for timing of those elections, and his representatives havent responded to inquiries about the District 87 vacancy. Hes been sued in the past, and has responded by moving quickly to set election dates avoiding the prospect of a court ordering him to act. Thats what happened with the Palm Beach County special election he set on Friday. The lawsuit was announced by Democrat Emily Gregorys campaign, although the candidate didnt file it herself. The petitioner, similar to a plaintiff, is a supporter and resident of the district, Paula Mcclease. The attorney who signed it, Matthew A. Goldberger, is Gregorys campaign treasurer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were hopeful the election would be before the next legislative session. Were disappointed that there wont be representation for our district, Gregory said Saturday. I would like a voice in Tallahassee in the next session but thats out of our control. Republicans have a commanding majority over Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives, so the vacancy is unlikely to affect the outcome on major issues. Not having a representative means there wont be someone in the House advocating for funding projects in the district. DeSantis is responsible for the vacancy in the 87th state House district. He appointed then-state Rep. Mike Caruso, a Republican, to fill the vacant job of Palm Beach County circuit court clerk and comptroller. Caruso resigned from the District 87 seat when DeSantis appointed him to the new job on Aug. 18. DeSantis can fill many vacancies on his own, but he doesnt have the authority to pick replacements for members of Congress or state Legislature. But he is responsible for setting the dates of the special primaries and special general elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 21, Blaise Ingoglia resigned from the Florida Senate because DeSantis named him as the states new chief financial officer. On July 22, DeSantis set the dates for special primary and general elections to fill the resulting vacancy. Gregory called the quick action for one vacancy and the delay in another peculiar. But, she said, Were happy that there was an election called, and we are going to do everything we can to get in front of the voters and share our vision for Florida. Related Articles Another Democrat, Laura Ann Levites, has filed paperwork with the Division of Elections to run in the regular 2026 primary in District 87. Republicans Jon Maples and Gretchen L. Miller Feng have also filed to run in their partys primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically what happens in such situations is the candidates whod planned to run in the normal election cycle move up their timetables and run in the special election. Republican Tracy Caruso, wife of Mike Caruso, is still listed as an active candidate by the Division of Elections, but in September she said she would not run to succeed her husband. Also on Friday, DeSantis set the special primary and general election dates for a Hillsborough County vacancy created when the governor appointed then-state Sen. Jay Collins to fill the empty post of lieutenant governor. Palm Beach County will see a flurry of election activity from now through March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special general election is Dec. 9 to fill the vacancy left by the death of state Rep. Joe Casello. And most cities, towns and villages in Palm Beach County have their local elections on March 10. Key dates The state Division of Elections posted a calendar of election activities that stem from the governors actions. Primary: Deadline to register to vote, Dec. 15; Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot, Jan. 1; early voting, Jan. 3-10; primary day, Jan. 13. General election: Deadline to register to vote, Feb. 23; Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot, March 12; early voting, March 14-21, Election Day, March 24. Political writer Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon to announce that "dozens" of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers would be sent to the Twin Cities within the next two weeks. Speaking at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling on Friday afternoon, Noem provided an update on the "Trump administrations immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities," and praised the work of ICE agents under her direction. Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered outside to state their opposition to the department's controversial tactics, which have seen American citizens and legal permanent residents detained as part of the widespread immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The work that these individuals have done has been incredible. Under the Trump administration, the President has been focused on protecting American citizens and making America safe again," Noem said during the conference. "These individuals get up every single day and support their law enforcement officers who are out on the street enforcing the law." Izzy Canizares for Bring Me The News Noem's arrival in the Twin Cities comes at a time of heightened concern among local leaders that President Donald Trump would deploy the National Guard, as he has done and attempted to do in a number of Democrat-run cities since taking office in January. While Noem did not confirm whether the National Guard would be deployed, saying that "it's up to the President," she did say we could expect dozens of new federal officers to be sent to the Twin Cities as a result of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" that was passed in Congress, allocating 10,000 new ICE officers across the country. We have thousands more in the next week or two that will be deployed to field offices, and this office will be the beneficiary of that as well, Noem said. "Youll see dozens of new agents and federal officers here doing the work to get these criminals and terrorists off the streets." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the press conference room, the table was covered with a variety of drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine that were allegedly confiscated within recent months in the Twin Cities metro, as well as an extensive array of firearms from cases within the past year and a half. Izzy Canizares for Bring Me The News While they could not provide specifics about the cases the drugs and weapons came from, Acting Special Agent Sam Westbay said the illegal goods were seized during raids in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region. "[These drugs] have been taken off the streets at some point in time throughout the year here," Westbay said. "This is not something uncommon in this area to see this." Noem also highlighted the arrest of two men in Minnesota by ICE, one of whom was from Mexico and was arrested in 2004 for assault and homicide, with his most recent violent charge from 2015. The other from El Salvador was charged more recently for alleged human slavery and trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These individuals have been arrested because of these law enforcement officers in our community, and will be brought to justice and deported from our country, never to return," Noem said. Izzy Canizares Earlier this month, ICE agents made headlines in Minnesota after allegedly refusing to identify themselves either verbally or by showing ID while arresting a roofing crew in St. Paul's North End neighborhood, with similar instances being reported around the nation. When asked whether this was an issue being handled internally, Noem denied the claim, despite it contradicting statements given to local media by neighbors in the area, which in turn raised concerns from St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. "Our agents always follow exactly what the law is and what the regulations and the protocols are for every single operation that they're out on," Noem said to Bring Me The News. "They are always identifying themselves and making sure that people know who they are and why they're there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the press conference, Noem praised ICE officers multiple times, condemning those who would "demonize" them, and told the press: "If you get a chance today, thank someone who defends our laws." Despite less than 24 hours' notice, hundreds of Minnesotans showed up at Fort Snelling to protest Noem's presence, chanting "ICE is not welcome here." Izzy Canizares for Bring Me The News "Our community is furious; they're doing this without due process," protester Emily Vatres said. "They're destroying people's lives, kidnapping people and children, so people don't want this happening in our community." Minneapolis mayoral candidate Omar Fateh posted about Noem's visit on Facebook, posting: "We have a White House that has its sights set on Minneapolis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theyre doing it because we live out our values, we love and protect our neighbors, and we refuse to be silenced," Fateh said. "As Mayor, I'm ready to fight alongside you to make sure our local government is your first line of defense." While there is no confirmation that new ICE facilities will be opening, such as the Prairie Correction Facility in Appleton that DHS was reportedly eyeing, Noem did say they are "looking for more ICE opportunities," and specifically targeting smaller towns. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Am I going to die? the Ukrainian girl asks as she is carried out of a bombed-out nursery by rescuers. It is just one heart-stopping moment among many, in an appalling video which shows the aftermath of a Russian attack on a nursery in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. The footage, filmed on Ukrainian police officers body cams, shows them dashing past a pile of burning rubble in the street and down into the nursery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Come on! one officer calls out as he finds a little girl wearing a pink coat, before scooping her up in his arms. I want my mum, the child sobs in the video, and the rescuer responds: Well find her now. Another officer finds a little girl in pink pyjamas, and picks her up as well. Whats your name, sunshine? he asks the girl. Nicole, she sniffs. President Zelensky said the strikes spit in the face of all who want peace - Ukrainian Emergency Service Moments later, the same bodycam footage shows a Ukrainian father dashing up the entrance of the nursery. Thats my daughter, he says breathlessly, as the rescuers hand over Nicole. Similar scenes, of police officers racing into the gutted remains of the nursery, and then hauling children out into the street, are repeated again and again throughout the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those children can be heard screaming for their parents and sobbing with fear. Though none of them were physically injured, the sound is utterly chilling. Ukrainian officials say that Russia used drones to attack the nursery, in the Kholodnoyarkiy district of Kharkiv. A man was killed in the attack, and 48 children who were inside at the time were treated for distress but there were no more serious injuries. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said the attack was the latest example of Russia spitting in the face of those who believe that Russia can be trusted to sign a peace deal. In a further update on the childrens welfare, he added: They are receiving medical care. All children have been evacuated and are in shelters. According to preliminary information, many have an acute stress reaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of his strongest condemnations of a Russian attack in recent months, the Ukrainian leader added: There is and cannot be any justification for a drone strike on a kindergarten. Russia is becoming more impudent...bandits and terrorists can only be put in their place by force. The drone strike partially destroyed the nursery in Kholodnohirskyi district - Anadolu The footage also includes a moment of extraordinarily grim irony: one of the little Ukrainian girls being rescued in the video is speaking in Russian. Spasiba, she tells a police officer. Putin has long argued that one goal of his illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine is to defend the countrys Russian-speaking minorities in eastern regions such as Kharkiv. And yet it is his army which chose to subject Russian-speaking children to unimaginable terror, when it launched the drone strike this week in Kholodnoyarkiy. Russia has not yet issued any statements about the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The onslaught continued on Saturday, as Russia launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine that killed at least four people and wounded 16 others. Ukrainian rescuers at the nursery. The evacuated children are reportedly in acute shock - Sergey Kozlov/EPA/Shutterstock Two people were killed and nine were wounded in a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on Saturday morning, senior Kyiv city official Timur Tkachenko said. Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, wrote on Telegram as the attack unfolded. Last night, Russia attacked Ukraine again this time with dozens of attack drones and nine ballistic missiles, Mr Zelensky said of the nationwide attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the latest aggression underlined the ongoing need for Western-delivered Patriot air defence systems to protect our cities from this horror. America, Europe, and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives. Russias ballistic strikes must be met with a response from powerful nations in real cooperation to protect lives, he said. On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer hosted Mr Zelensky and other European leaders in London for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, where he vowed to ramp up support for Kyiv even further. Sir Keir told the Ukrainian leader: We stand with you stronger than ever, united behind Ukraine and united behind president Trump in calling for the fighting to stop now and for negotiations to begin from the current line of contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same meeting, Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato, hinted that Russias latest attacks on Ukraine point to a sense of desperation in the Kremlin. Hundreds of thousands of Russians are dying for Putins deluded aggression. Ukraine continues defending itself bravely and our support to them is working, he said. The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas. President [Donald] Trump said it very well they should stop where they are now. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Summer McKesson struggled to breathe for years. Doctors told her it was because her blood would not stop clotting and they couldnt figure out why. A single clot alone can be lethal; but the recurring and unexplained clots that formed in McKessons heart and lungs were a medical mystery. After multiple surgeries to remove clots and scar tissue, McKesson traveled to the Mayo Clinic, where she sat in a conference room while renowned physicians and specialists worked through her case on a whiteboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even they were baffled. To hear that even they had never seen it before, she told CNN through tears, I came back (home) just crushed at that point. Desperate for answers, McKesson said she turned to 23andMe, hoping the DNA analysis service, which claims to offer insights into its clients genetic health history, might unlock some clues to her condition. But her quest for answers would unearth a family secret and a doctors decades-old deception that has ensnared multiple families across the country. Ask your parents about Dr. Peete McKesson never questioned her genetics or considered 23andMe until a team of surgeons performed an urgent, open-heart procedure in 2022 to remove clots from her heart and lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she recovered, McKesson said her surgeon dropped another bomb. While operating, hed noticed the connective tissue that supports her organs was stretchy and unusually fragile. He told her the complication coupled with McKessons willowy build and Amazonian height could be a sign of an inherited disorder called Marfan syndrome. His suspicions were correct. A geneticist confirmed McKessons diagnosis, and said her clotting disorder was also genetic, which ushered in a host of lifelong health challenges. Her heart would now need to be constantly monitored, and she will eventually need at least one more major heart surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the diagnosis was puzzling for another reason: both of her conditions are genetic and, as far as she knew, no one else in her family had them. Summer McKesson recovering from surgery - Courtesy Summer McKesson Summer McKesson post surgery scar - Courtesy Summer McKesson McKesson, 43, said she didnt have a full picture of her familys health history because her father died when she was a teenager. So, she signed up for 23andMe, submitted a DNA sample, and waited. The results arrived in her inbox in October 2023. I was just sitting on my couch after work, and kind of quickly pulled up the results on my phone, McKesson recalled. At first, she said, she was curious to learn more about her familys ethnic background. Growing up, I always was like I dont look like any of yall. No one has my nose. Im a foot taller than everyone, she said, adding her family used to joke that she was adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there werent many surprises in her familys ancestry, McKesson said when she navigated to the family members section of the site, she drew up short: The test showed she had seven half-siblings. I just remember being shocked and my mind just swirling, she said. Im like, how is this possible? Did my dad have another family or something? Was she actually adopted? None of what she was learning made sense. She sent screenshots of the results to a trusted group of friends, and they discussed different theories. Then, later that night, she sent a message to her newly discovered half-siblings through the 23andMe website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humor has really gotten me through a lot of this, McKesson said, so she opted for a lighter tone in her first note. She sent the same message to each name listed on the site. And then, she waited. It would take more than a month for anyone to respond. I dont want to cause any conflict, one of them finally wrote, but if you want to dig into this, Id ask your parents if they went to see Dr. Peete. A doctors decades of deception In 1980, Laurie Kruppa and her husband, Doug, found themselves waiting for a fertility specialist named Dr. Charles Peete in a sterile exam room at Duke University Hospital. The couple wanted children, Laurie told CNN, but Doug had a vasectomy during a previous marriage, so her OB-GYN referred them to the physicians at Duke for fertility treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1980s and 90s would prove to be a time of innovation in the fields of genetics and assisted reproductive technology. In 1978, a woman gave birth to a baby named Louise in the United Kingdom through in vitro fertilization, or IVF, making her the first child to be born through the novel procedure. But the Kruppas opted to use intrauterine insemination, or IUI, a procedure that had been around in some form for centuries but had only recently become common thanks to advances in freezing and banking sperm. Duke University Hospital is seen February 19, 2003 in Durham, North Carolina. - Jon Gardiner/Getty Images During the procedure, a doctor places donor sperm directly into the patients uterus during ovulation, to increase the chances of conception. The Kruppas were instructed to bring $50 to each visit and, Laurie stressed, they were told the donor sperm would come from a resident in the universitys medical school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At each visit, Kruppa said she laid back on the table, placed her feet in the stirrups, and waited. And then, Peete would walk into the room. He seemed nice enough and concerned, but we didnt have a lot of interaction, Kruppa recalled decades later. I would wait 10 or 15 minutes, and then hed come back and insert the sperm. Kruppa said it took the couple seven attempts to conceive their eldest daughter. Two visits, less than a year later, to conceive their second daughter. And a single visit in 1984 to conceive their son. And for each child, Peete used his own sperm without her knowledge or consent. Revelations and revulsion It would be decades before the Kruppas would learn the truth about their childrens paternity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During those years, Kruppa said she and her husband had moved their family from North Carolina to Ohio and debated whether they should even tell their kids they were donor-conceived. We thought maybe the two girls were definitely related because they came 16 months apart. So, we just thought maybe it was a resident that was still there, Kruppa said. My son was born two and a half years later, so we thought it had to be somebody different. After years of keeping their secret, Kruppa said the rising popularity of consumer DNA products eventually forced their hand. They revealed the news to their children during a family vacation. Summer McKesson looks at the 23andme app at her home in Atlanta on September 26. - Austin Steele/CNN They all reacted very well, Kruppa said of her kids. Theyve never not thought that (Doug) was their dad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they also joined 23andMe and began doing their own research. Kruppa said her middle child was the first to discover their connection to Peete. Out of the blue, her daughter asked what hospital her parents used and if Kruppa remembered the name of her doctor. Then, the kids called another family meeting and revealed what Peete had done to their parents. Initially, Kruppa said, I was really glad they were all true siblings. It took her months to fully process what Peetes actions meant for her and over time, she became angry. When I started thinking, I got much more upset about the ethics of it, she said. Im pretty sure he was my fathers age This is like getting raped by your father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Kruppas children were grappling with the truth about their paternity, Jim Harris was in North Carolina exchanging emails with a newfound half-sibling on 23andMe. Less than a year after his father died from cancer, Harris said his mom called and insisted they meet to discuss something important. She drops this bomb that, my dad never wanted to tell me this, but they couldnt conceive at the time, and they went to a fertility clinic at Duke University. It was early 1977, he said, and they got a sperm donor. Coming so soon on the heels of his fathers death, Harris said the confession caused him to spiral. He was raised as an only child, but 23andMe revealed he had multiple half-siblings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Harris said his conversations with one sibling in particular stood out. Jim Harris discovered he has multiple half-siblings through the DNA testing site 23andMe. - CNN At first, the woman was confused about their shared genetics, then curious. Maybe she was also donor-conceived, and their parents had used the same donor, she suggested. But when Harris started researching the womans maiden name, he discovered her father was Dr. Peete. He sent her a message. To Harris, the conclusion was clear: His moms doctor had used his own sperm instead of a donors. It took Peetes daughter days to respond to the revelation, and when she did, she admitted to being stunned, shocked and completely baffled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt even cross my mind that my dad wouldve been the donor, because my dad was the most honorable human being, she wrote, being a part of whatever or however this happened just doesnt add up. But as they continued to exchange messages, she later noted how Jim looked a lot like her father. I think there is more to this story we may never really know, she said. The country doctor Dr. Charles Henry Peete Jr. died in 2013 at the age of 89. CNN reached out to his immediate family multiple times during the reporting of this story, but did not hear back. A public obituary posted online describes Peete as a compassionate country doctor, who discovered his passion for medicine by observing his father, the town physician. Peete graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1947 and, according to the obituary, he completed a residency in obstetrics, gynecology and endocrinology before accepting a position as an assistant professor and physician at Duke in 1956. Decades later, in the late 1970s, Peete would become one of Dr. Ken Fortiers attending physicians and his mentor during his gynecology and gynecological surgery residency at Duke. He was very calm and composed, Fortier recalled. He was superb technically as a surgeon. He made things look easy that others might struggle with. Dr. Charles Peete Jr. - Courtesy Jim Harris Peete, he said, was the type of person who was quietly there in the background, but theyre always there when you need (them). At the time, Fortier told CNN, it was widely known that residents and medical students especially those specializing in obstetrics and gynecology were often tapped to donate sperm. There wasnt anything taboo about it, he said. There were people in the department who specialized in infertility that tended to have a kind of cadre of donors, and they usually were the best people that were generally healthy. But when he learned, through CNN, that his mentor and colleague had fathered the children of some of his patients, Fortier searched for the right words. The idea the thought of using ones own sperm that surprised me, he said. When fertility treatment becomes fraud Among the earliest publicized cases of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in the United States was an act of whats come to be known as fertility fraud when a physician deliberately misrepresents the origin of donor sperm or eggs, oftentimes using his own sample instead to impregnate a patient. In 1909, a physician in Minnesota wrote a letter to the editor of a medical publication describing an artificial impregnation he said hed witnessed 25 years earlier in 1884 while attending medical school in Philadelphia. At the time the procedure was so novel, so peculiar in its human ethics, that the six young men of the senior class who (witnessed) the operation were pledged to absolute secrecy, author A.D. Hard wrote. A wealthy couple had visited the hospital to learn why they were struggling to conceive. Hard said the husband was deemed sterile and one of the medical students joked that the only way his wife could get pregnant was with a hired man. The woman was chloroformed and with a hard rubber syringe some fresh semen from the best-looking member of the class was deposited in the uterus, and the cervix slightly plugged with gauze, Hard wrote. The professor, he said, later confessed his actions to the womans husband. Strange as it may seem, the man was delighted with the idea, Hard wrote. Both the doctor and the professor agreed to never tell the mans wife, he said. Today, these actions and those of Dr. Peete would be deemed not only unethical, but an act of medical malpractice. Informed consent or the idea patients have the right to make independent and informed decisions about their own bodies and healthcare outcomes is a cornerstone of modern medicine. In using his own sperm without his patients knowledge, experts told CNN, Peete violated that central covenant. If he said, were using a residents sperm, and it was his own sperm, thats very problematic, said Dr. Robert Klitzman, director of Columbia Universitys Masters of Bioethics program and author of the book Designing Babies. The standard (of care) should be to tell people where the sperm is coming from, he said, Even back then. But Peete is far from the only doctor to have committed this type of deception. In 1992, Cecil Jacobson was convicted of 52 counts of fraud and perjury for inseminating his patients with his own sperm and was sent to prison. And the advent of consumer DNA products has led to numerous claims of fertility fraud over the years. For all its focus on creating life, the US fertility industry remains underregulated, Klitzman said. While many countries have pushed to limit or outright prohibit anonymous sperm donations, Klitzman noted the US does not have similar laws. There are many things that we look at now with an ethical understanding of the full harms, risks, benefits and think what were they thinking back then? Klitzman said. Peete forever changed my life That question haunts Peetes progeny. Did he use his own sperm because there was a shortage? Or was this ego? Some kind of God complex that drove him to essentially commit medical fraud? For McKesson, the rationale for Peetes actions is secondary to their repercussions. Learning the truth of her paternity has sparked something of an existential crisis, she said. Ultimately, the hardest thing to process once you started putting the pieces together was that I was a product of a crime, that I was the product of medical rape, she said. Both McKessons clotting disorder and Marfan syndrome are genetic, meaning one of her biological parents either passed on the traits, or its what scientists describe as a new mutation. Our DNA consists of billions of letters that combine to form a unique word: You. But sometimes, as the genetic code from each parent divides and replicates, changes are made. Scientists call these mutations. Summer McKesson poses at her home in Atlanta on September 26, 2025. - Austin Steele/CNN Most mutations have no meaning, Klitzman said, but occasionally one does and thats the so-called de novo, a new mutation. These mutations can be spontaneous, but the paternal age of a sperm donor can also be a factor. A study published earlier this month in Nature revealed genetic risks for children increase as fathers age. Peete would have been approaching 60 at the time McKesson was conceived. When she learned Peete was her biological father, McKesson said she reached out to his family for more information on his health but did not hear back. Ive never blamed his family for anything, I mean, they didnt ask for any of this either, McKesson said. But lets just say (Marfan syndrome) doesnt run in his family it could also come from the fact that he was older. Without further insights into her paternal health history, McKesson admitted she doesnt have a way to be sure. Ive just had to accept that this chapter is never going to be closed, she said. Its just forever changed my life. Still, McKesson said, because genetic impacts can span generations, shes been vocal about her conditions with her half-siblings, encouraging anyone she meets to get themselves and their children tested. At McKessons insistence, Harris, who is 67, was also tested for Marfan syndrome, but he was negative. Thus far, McKesson said Peete is believed to have fathered at least 12 children outside of his immediate family over more than 20 years. But, she added, that number is solely based on those who have submitted DNA samples to consumer DNA sites like 23andMe and Ancestry. And with 23andMe filing for bankruptcy earlier this year, her chances of finding any additional siblings may be dwindling. A matter of life and death Since learning the truth of what happened, both Kruppa and McKesson said they have separately been in contact with Duke University, where Peete was employed. In emails reviewed by CNN, the university appeared initially to be responsive. A lawyer was hired to contact Peetes previous clients and investigate his actions, and, at Kruppas instigation, the university now also offers an ethics course that addresses fertility fraud. A Duke Health facility is seen in Durham, North Carolina on September 14, 2019. - Kris Tripplaar/Sipa For a time, McKesson said, the university also appeared to be mediating conversations between Peetes victims and his immediate family. But when she continued to insist the Peete family provide more insight into the doctors genetic and medical history, they stopped responding. When reached for comment on this story, Duke Health officials said in a statement its program is built on a commitment to operating within the highest ethical and legal standards in the field. We have been made aware of unacceptable actions by an individual that occurred in our program in the early days of fertility care during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the statement said. The unacceptable actions could not happen today at Duke Health and should never have happened. CNN also reached out to the legal team that investigated Peetes actions but did not receive a response. In the US, 14 states have passed laws against so-called fertility fraud. North Carolina, where Dr. Peete was employed, does not yet have a statute against it. Both McKesson and Kruppa said they have separately considered lawsuits. But, given the lack of regulation over the US fertility industry, and the fact that Peete has died, they feel their options are limited. McKesson said its pretty impossible for the victims to have any sort of justice in this situation. Still, she told CNN, she was most disappointed by how both the Peete family and Duke University have responded to the situation especially considering that, at least in her case, it could be a matter of life and death. I felt like this was a chance for them to step up and be involved in doing the right thing, and theyve chosen not to, she said. The patients that were impacted and their families deserve to know that they may have had a crime committed against them and be acknowledged and to know their family medical history to the extent that thats possible. Half-siblings Summer McKesson and Jim Harris met in person for the first time on October 8. - CNN For a while, McKesson said, she would research her newfound siblings to see what traits they have in common. She has the same smile as one of Peetes daughters, she said. And both McKesson and Harris are slim and tall. But she said shes decided to speak out now because shes concerned other siblings might also unknowingly be living with a life-threatening genetic disorder. With treatment, a person diagnosed with Marfan syndrome can expect to live as long as someone without the disease. But left untreated, the average life expectancy is 45 years. My hope in sharing my story is that if I have any other half-siblings out there, that I could save their life by knowing my medical history, she said. Im trying to do the right thing. Contributors: Cynthia Salinas Cappellano, Meridith Edwards, and Ryan Young Summer McKesson is employed by a division of Warner Brothers Discovery, the parent company of CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Department of Justice has extradited a Guatemalan national to Laredo for charges from a tractor-trailer crash that killed more than 50 potential illegal aliens. Daniel Zavala Ramos, 41, was arrested in Guatemala and then surrendered to American authorities on October 21, according to a DOJ press release. He was set to face federal court in Laredo, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga, on October 23. Juntos protegemos nuestras fronteras del trafico de personas y el crimen transnacional! Daniel Zavala Ramos, el ultimo guatemalteco acusado por el incidente en 2021 que dejo numerosas victimas en Chiapas #MEX, fue extraditado para enfrentar la justicia estadounidense. Destacamos pic.twitter.com/WEYZliYOZU US Embassy Guatemala (@usembassyguate) October 23, 2025 Ramos, also known as Dany ZR, was allegedly involved in a human smuggling scheme that led to a deadly crash in Chiapas, Mexico, on December 9, 2021. A tractor-trailer was packed with more than 150 would-be illegal aliens when it crashed, ejecting them onto the road killing more than 50, and injuring more than 100 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was arrested in Boqueron, Guatemala, on August 7, per a U.S. extradition request, according to the release. He is charged with conspiracy to bring illegal aliens into the United States, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injuries, and resulting in death. If convicted, he could face up to life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Ramos allegedly worked a human smuggling ring with five others: 25-year-old Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 32-year-old Alberto Marcario Chitic, 33-year-old Jorge Agapito Ventura, 37-year-old Tomas Quino Canil, and 43-year-old Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala. Law enforcement arrested Ventura in Cleveland, Texas, on December 9, 2024 the three-year anniversary of the fatal crash, according to the release. The same day, authorities arrested the others in Guatemala. All six suspects are now in federal custody, awaiting trial for the same charges as Ramos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From October 2021 to February 2023, they reportedly worked with other smugglers to traffic illegal aliens from Guatemala, through Mexico, into America, according to the release. The men allegedly provided illegals with scripts and instructions on what to say if apprehended. Some of these migrants were reportedly killed or injured in the December 2021 crash. They allegedly recruited them, collected payment and arranged travel by foot, microbuses, cattle trucks and tractor-trailers, the release reads. In some instances, the scheme allegedly involved the smuggling of unaccompanied minors. Former President Joe Bidens administration had lost more than 233,000 unaccompanied minor migrants across the nation. As The Dallas Express reported, the Trump administration announced in September that they had rescued nearly 25,000 children. The recent extradition of Ramos was the result of coordination between the DOJ and Guatemalan authorities, according to the release. The extradition marks yet another significant step in the Justice Departments efforts to bring those responsible to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation was led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Counter Proliferation Investigations in Washington D.C., alongside HSI-Human Smuggling and offices in Guatemala, Mexico, Houston, and Laredo. Other agencies also helped, including Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protections National Targeting Center, DOJ-Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Texas, ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston, and the Liberty County Constable. A federal court sentenced two human smugglers in June for their roles in a similar deadly incident, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. In 2022, smugglers left dozens of illegal aliens in a sweltering San Antonio tractor-trailer, killing 53 people. The Department of Justice announced that it will monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions across California and New Jersey for the November 4 general election. Federal monitors will oversee locations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Kern, and Fresno counties in California, along with Passaic County in New Jersey. The deployment marks the latest federal effort to ensure election integrity and voter access ahead of next months contests. The monitoring program aims to verify compliance with federal voting rights laws while maintaining transparency at polling locations. Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a DOJ news release. We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Civil Rights Division will lead the monitoring effort under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. Personnel will coordinate with local U.S. Attorneys offices in both states. The Department of Justice will do everything necessary to protect the votes of eligible American citizens, ensuring our elections are safe and secure, Dhillon said. Transparent election processes and election monitoring are critical tools for safeguarding our elections and ensuring public trust in the integrity of our elections. Federal monitors will observe polling operations to ensure compliance with multiple voting rights statutes. These include the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, and the Help America Vote Act. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of Californias Central District emphasized the stakes involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our democracy depends on free and fair elections, Essayli said. We will work tirelessly to uphold and protect the integrity of the election process. The Justice Department regularly deploys staff to monitor elections nationwide. This years effort focuses on maintaining open communication between poll observers and election monitors. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, serving as Special Attorney for New Jerseys District, outlined the monitoring goals. Election protection means making sure every eligible voter can participate freely and every lawful vote is counted, Habba said. Our office is committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure transparency, security, and public confidence in the election process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil Rights Division personnel will field questions and complaints about potential voting rights violations through Election Day. Citizens can request monitoring in additional jurisdictions by contacting the Voting Section at VEM@usdoj.gov. Federal monitoring has become a standard practice in recent election cycles to address concerns about ballot access and security. Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 25: Mumbai Meteors stormed into the final of the RR Kabel Prime Volleyball League powered by Scapia with a commanding 15-8, 15-8, 16-14 win over the Goa Guardians at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, on Friday. Shubham Chaudhary was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance. Mumbai will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Bengaluru Torpedoes and Ahmedabad Defenders. Goa began with attacking intent, led by Nathaniel Dickinson's sharp spike and Rohit Yadav's powerful serve. However, their defence faltered against the relentless onslaught from Mumbai's Shubham Chaudhary and Amit Gulia. Dickinson's spike helped Goa secure a super point, but Mumbai's disciplined structure kept the Meteors ahead. Prince tried to counter-attack for Goa from the middle zone, yet Karthik's steady play maintained Mumbai's rhythm. Intelligent shot selection from Shubham helped minimise Mumbai's errors. Goa shuffled their formation, introducing setter Aravind to regain momentum. A thunderous super serve from L.M. Manoj gave the Guardians a brief spark, but Prince's overhit shot cost them a crucial super point, allowing Mumbai to clinch a two-set lead. Amit's explosive super serve extended Mumbai's control, piling further pressure on Goa. Petter Ostvik outplayed Prince in the third set, strengthening Mumbai's grip on the middle zone. Vikram's super point gave Goa fans a flicker of hope, but just as a comeback seemed possible, Karthik produced a decisive block on Chirag Yadav's spike, sealing Mumbai's victory and confirming their place in the final. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Its lights out at a food hall in Maryland, less than 18 months after it opened. Solaire Social, the first food hall in Downtown Silver Spring, brought together several food vendors in one place. Solaire Social opened in May 2024, and Friday marked its last day. Vendors say they feel blindsided by the news. At the moment, Fire Pit Brazilian Barbecue Owner Gui Gonzalez said, because of the short notice, I feel sad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its disheartening, Vegan Junk Food DMV Co-Owner Kianna Kareem said. Its sad. This is where we come every single day. This has become our family. Its terrible for us, Passport Eatz and Passport Juices Employee Nicolas Green said, and Im sure for everybody else. Prince Georges County Council considers ending pit bull ban Signs came down, and some of the last meals were cooked at Solaire Social on Friday. Seventeen months after opening, its closing time. Vendors say they had two days notice. I will always remember the time because, honestly, Ndidiamaka Agu, owner of Shuga & Ice, described, it was a shock. We got it Wednesday. I received the email at 9:09 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 48 [hours] to vacate is a little bit ridiculous, Green emphasized. Business owners are wondering why the decision to close was made. All of these brands are thriving, Kareeom said. Our sales are great, so what happened and why? It wasnt that long of a story, Gonzalez said, but it was a year-and-a-half that we spent depositing our energy, our effort, our love. Customers are confused as well. First of all, Gia Harewood said, Im shocked, Im heartbroken. Oh my gosh. Despite the closure, many vendors are choosing to remain positive. I believe that great things are coming, Gonzalez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not over, Agu said. If anything, this is the beginning of an entirely new chapter. DC News Now reached out to the company that manages Solaire Social to find out the reason for the closure, but has not heard back at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Fans of fountain drinks, brace yourselves your go-to pepper pour might taste different next week. On Monday, October 27, a Texas court order goes into effect that officially ends Dr Peppers long-running distribution agreement with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, which supplies Coke products to parts of California and Nevada. According to Bloomberg, the ruling gives Dr Peppers parent company, Keurig Dr Pepper, full control to bring its soda back under its own distribution system. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox That legal shift may sound technical, but heres the short version: in areas where Coke bottlers handled Dr Pepper, some Coke-affiliated fountains could lose access to Dr Pepper syrup on Monday. When that happens, restaurants and theaters often swap in Mr. Pibb, Coca-Colas intensely flavored, refreshing, spicy cherry alternative. Dr Pepper fans big change coming! Coca-Cola is officially ending its distribution deal with Keurig Dr Pepper meaning Dr Pepper will no longer be delivered by Coke bottlers starting October 27, 2025. Thats right in some areas, Mr Pibb could soon take Dr Peppers place. pic.twitter.com/YW0XX5b8A4 Chris Frezza (@ChrisFrez) October 25, 2025 The courtroom battle started in 2024, when Keurig Dr Pepper filed a lawsuit in Texas to confirm it could end its license deal with Reyes Coca-Cola. The bottler tried to block the move in a California court arguing franchise-law protection but the case was dismissed. This summer, a Texas judge ruled that Dr Pepper had the right not to renew the contract and set the October 27 termination date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Keurig Dr Pepper told The Dallas Morning News the company looks forward to bringing this distribution of the Dr Pepper trademark into Keurig Dr Peppers DSD system this fall. Reyes Coca-Cola, meanwhile, said in a statement to Just Drinksthat it was "disappointed in the courts ruling and respectfully disagree with the decision. We believe the facts and the law support a different outcome. At this time, we are carefully evaluating all of our options, including the possibility of an appeal. We remain committed to pursuing the best path forward and will continue to act in the best interests of our stakeholders. SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter For everyday soda fans, the effect depends on location. If youre in Reyes territory parts of California or Nevada your favorite fast-food spot or movie theater might pour Mr. Pibb instead of Dr Pepper starting Monday. Everywhere else, nothing changes; cans, bottles, and most fountains will stay stocked as usual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing also lines up with Coca-Colas relaunch of Mr. Pibb, which surfaced this month. The reboot (formerly known as Pibb Xtra) features a new look and a caffeine boost from 41 to 54 milligrams per 12 ounces, according to C-Store Dive positioning Coke with a stronger pepper-style option just as Dr Peppers distribution shifts. What the heck, Mr pibb got a new design pic.twitter.com/M4deSEGavI Toxna (@ToxnaTTV) October 24, 2025 Whether your favorite fountain keeps pouring Dr Pepper or switches to Mr. Pibb, one things for sure: the great pepper shake-up officially begins Monday. This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A year on from starting operations in Niagara County, the Dream It Do It program has already seen successes in terms of getting more students interested in manufacturing jobs. Originating in Chautauqua County in 2009, Dream It Do It expanded to Niagara and Erie counties in August 2024 with the ultimate goal of creating a pipeline of skilled workers to fill out the local workforce. Manufacturing really doesnt come up or bubble to the top one or two things you think about with Niagara County, said Peter Ahrens, executive director of the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, during a manufacturing month kickoff event Thursday. But Niagara County is mighty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manufacturing accounts for 14% of Niagara Countys workforce, with 275 different companies employing 8,566 residents in 2025. They have a combined payroll of nearly $425 million, while the goods made and shipped are worth $3.4 billion. But Don Jablonski, the director of Niagara County Employment and Training, said he would get phone calls every day from businesses saying they needed workers. He was one of several officials who worked to bring Dream It Do It to the county. We need people who have skills, Jablonski said, noting that businesses are willing to train new employees. We know that the pipeline is not infinite. We needed to start building a pipeline. So far, Dream It Do It has formed partnerships with or is in talks with seven county school districts. Those include Niagara Falls, Royalton-Hartland, Wilson, Newfane, Barker, North Tonawanda, and Lockport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From those districts, 1,507 students ages 13 and older are enrolled in the programs offered. They can take a trip to any of the manufacturers participating, take part in camps for applied learning and hear from industry speakers. There are also camps for school faculty to learn about these career opportunities so they can tell their students about them. Parents are being shown what these are all about. There were some hurdles understanding how to get into the schools right away, said Allison Sharpe, Dream It Do Its Director for Niagara County. Now that weve had the ball rolling, its been really successful already this school year. Even a simple program called Create Your Future held earlier in October is seeing more students participate, with 19 this year compared to six last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharpe said they are continuing to get more school districts involved and bringing manufacturers on board, letting students see what they can offer. SUNY Niagara is already hosting some of its events and they are looking to host more at BOCES schools. As we get out to more manufacturing companies, more manufacturers are interested in hosting students, said Stephanie Morris, director of Operations for Dream It Do It, because they see the impact that it has on even just the awareness of the careers that are available. Houston native Elizabeth Farfan-Santos recalls sitting with her son as Mexican American author Yuyi Morales did a read along of her New York Times Bestseller "Dreamers" at a Houston library - a story about a mother immigrating to the United States with her son in the 90s, navigating her new surroundings and finding a sense of welcoming and belonging inside of a library. "That's exactly what I want this store to be," Farfan-Santos said as she prepared for the Oct. 25 grand opening of Dreamers Books + Culture, named after one of her favorite books. "I want the store to be a place where people find belonging, understanding (and) can feel welcomed amongst all of the stories." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEW STORES: Toys'R'Us opening holiday shops in 3 Texas malls this season amid national expansion Starting off as a pop-up market a year ago, Farfan-Santos never though she would have her own physical bookstore, promoting Latine and Latin American books, authors and culture. Tucked in the back and on the second floor of Iron Works Marketplace off 711 Milby Street, Farfan-Santos' cozy bookstore greets incoming guests with its children's section on a balcony that overlooks the entire space. Upon entering the store, visitors are met with a mural on the left, which was painted by Brazilian artist Ibraim Nascimento, ex-husband of Farfan-Santos. The mural, which depicts a monarch butterfly hovering over a half-moon while other butterflies rise above cacti, takes inspiration from both Mexican and Brazilian culture - two countries where Farfan-Santos has lived. Owner Elizabeth Farfan-Santos is photographed inside her newly opened Dreamers Bookstore, a Latina-owned shop that began as a pop-up a year ago and now has a permanent space in Second Wards Ironworks in Houston, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raquel Natalicchio/Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chr) Literature plays huge part of our cultural tradition' The expansive book catalogue includes non-fiction and fiction. Readers will find a range of topics - from books detailing the lives of a Hispanic household to "Mexicans in space." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An author herself, having written "Undocumented Motherhood: Conversations on Love, Trauma, and Border Crossing," Farfan-Santos was always fascinated with Latine stories. She worked 10 years as an anthropology professor at University of Houston, focusing on Latine and Latin American cultures, she said. Newly opened Dreamers Bookstore, a Latina-owned shop that began as a pop-up a year ago, now has a permanent space in Second Wards Ironworks in Houston, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raquel Natalicchio/Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chr) Farfan-Santos spent a year holding pop-ups at coffee shops, grocery stores and parks. She was convinced that this space was needed in the city after speaking with customers at her pop-ups, she said. "Because I know that Latinos are readers and we're writers," she said. "This is a huge part of our cultural tradition." Community bookstores reflect the people' Owner Elizabeth Farfan-Santos is photographed inside her newly opened Dreamers Bookstore, a Latina-owned shop that began as a pop-up a year ago and now has a permanent space in Second Wards Ironworks in Houston, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raquel Natalicchio/Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chr) David Landry, co-owner of Class Bookstore, a Black-owned bookstore in Third Ward, described books as "windows and mirrors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have books that are windows, so that you can see other people's culture," Landry said. "And you have books that are mirrors, so that people, who want to see themselves, see themselves." Class Bookstore started just as Dreamers Books + Culture did - as an online store before doing pop-ups around the city. It eventually got its physical location off 3803 Sampson Street. The Landrys met Farfan-Santos after inviting her to be part of the Houston Bookstore Crawl, an event that promotes independent bookstores. FAT SQUIRREL: Texas Parks and Wildlife launches 'Fat Squirrel Week.' Here's how to vote for the chubbiest squirrel. Landry said it's important to have bookstores that "reflect the people of whatever community you have in a society." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Psychologically, the effect that it has on children, on young people, to be able to see themselves on the cover of a book is paramount," Landry said. "It's paramount to a child's enrichment, it's paramount to a child's self-esteem ... it's paramount, man." Children's books, many in spanish, are displayed at newly opened Dreamers Bookstore, a Latina-owned shop that began as a pop-up a year ago, now has a permanent space in Second Wards Ironworks in Houston, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Raquel Natalicchio/Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chr) Pop-ups to continue as bookstore becomes community pillar While Farfan-Santos still plans on doing pop-ups to promote the bookstore, she hopes to grow the store and be a pillar in the community. "If I've been able to make it this far, it's because people have supported the store, because people have been showing up," she said. The grand opening of the store is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. The bookstore will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. This article originally published at Dreamers Books + Culture brings welcoming space for Latin American stories to Houston. ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) A Maryville man is facing charges after he was accused of fleeing a crash in Alcoa before police say he caused a second crash on Williams Mill Road Friday evening that left another man dead. Alcoa Police said officers responded to the crash on Williams Mill Road at Oak Hill Drive around 7:51 p.m. When officers arrived, they found two vehicles, a black Honda Pilot and a white Ford van, on fire. Tennessee names Josh Elander as new baseball head coach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Honda was unresponsive. After first responders on the scene provided medical aid, the driver was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Alcoa Police identified the driver as Jesse Malone, 31, of Maryville. The driver of the Ford, Ronald Weaver, 33, of Maryville, initially refused medical treatment. Alcoa Police said the investigation into the crash determined that Weaver had been involved in a separate crash on Old Knoxville Highway at Pellissippi Parkway, where he allegedly sideswiped another vehicle before fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed. APD said while Weaver was fleeing, he turned onto Williams Mill Road. The department said while taking a blind curve, Weaver failed to maintain his lane of travel and crashed into the vehicle Malone was driving. Weaver was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a crash, two counts of reckless endangerment, driving while under the influence, vehicular homicide, and failing to maintain his lane of travel. While at the Blount County Intake Center, he was taken to UT Medical Center for a medical evaluation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Threat of furloughs, layoffs loom over federal workers in Oak Ridge The Alcoa Police Departments fatal crash investigation teams investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has additional information related to the crash is asked to call the Alcoa Police Department at 865-981-4111 and request to speak with Sergeant Smiley. The Alcoa Fire Department and American Medical Response also responded to the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. If you drive an electric vehicle, you've probably seen firsthand a growing problem with charging stations across the United States. EV refueling locations are regularly struck by vandalism, with the severing of charging cables making it impossible for a driver to charge their vehicle's battery. In Seattle, the issue is particularly pronounced. According to Geekwire, 100 EV charging cables have been stolen across the city from July 1, 2023, to the same date in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cable theft from public chargers has been an issue in this area for over a decade, but has reached epidemic proportions in the last couple of years," said president of the Seattle EV Association, Jay Donnaway. As electric vehicle sales rise 1.6 million were sold in the United States in 2023, up from 1 million the previous year so does the demand for charging infrastructure. While many owners can boost a battery at home using domestic charging technology, long journeys require access to publicly accessible spots. But whether it's to steal the copper within cables or to make a point about distaste for the rise of EVs, thefts are increasingly common. "It's a serious and frustrating problem around Seattle," said EV driver Elaine Wong, who told Geekwire that they hadn't been to an Electrify America station in the city that wasn't vandalized in recent months. "It's a vicious cycle," Wong added. "Once they have been fixed, a few days later they are cut again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the publication observed, such acts of criminality might be undermining efforts throughout Washington to avoid dirty fuelpowered cars. The state has set a goal to ensure all new purchases of cars and light-duty trucks are electric by 2035. While measures have been introduced to discourage the sale of EV charging cable copper wiring at scrap sites, it is difficult to police, with the source of the metal tough to determine once it has been stripped of its outer casing. But something needs to be done soon to encourage more people to ditch gas guzzlers and invest in electric vehicles. Even when accounting for the precious metals that need to be mined for battery technology, EVs are still far better for the planet throughout their life cycle than vehicles that run on fossil fuels. Unlike internal combustion engine cars, electric vehicles produce no tailpipe pollution. This toxic smog decreases air quality causing or exacerbating respiratory illnesses like asthma and increasing the risk of stroke and persists in the atmosphere, trapping heat that results in rising global temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those rising temperatures make extreme weather conditions, like droughts, flooding, and wildfires, stronger and longer lasting, putting people and homes at risk. In order to boost uptake, potential EV drivers need to see that one of the major barriers to purchase the availability of charging stations isn't a problem. With the Earth witnessing 13 consecutive months of respective monthly temperature records up to June 2024, that switch needs to happen sooner rather than later. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. LIMA The Black Swamp Area Council Dueling Pianos event is returning to Lima on Thursday, Nov. 13. This event will be an evening of music, food, and community support benefiting local scouting programs, with Main Street Dueling Pianos performing an all-request show with interactive comedy. It will be held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 750 W. Robb Ave, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person or $300 for a reserved table of eight, and dinner will be provided by Fat Kid BBQ. Tickets will be available by phone or in person at the Lima Scout Shop, 752 W. Robb Ave. Those who want more information can contact Brendan Erwin at Brendan.erwin@scouting.org or call (419) 227-2107. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Starting Saturday, San Diego County registered voters can head to polls to vote in-person in Californias special election. Among the matters on the ballot that are up for voters consideration is Proposition 50, which would allow redistricting in California as a counteraction to recent changes in Texas. Ever since California Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the ballot measure, the move has sparked a debate over redrawing congressional district lines in California and gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poway Councilmember Tony Blain charged with four felonies days before recall election Voters throughout the state will get to vote yes or no to Prop. 50 in the upcoming special election. Registered voters in Poways District 2 will also get to vote on whether to recall Poway City Councilmember Tony Blain who has been accused of misconduct. On Friday, just less than two weeks before the election, Blain has been charged with perjury, asking for a bribe, soliciting a bribe and destruction or removal of public papers along with misdemeanor petty theft. The San Diego County Registrar of Voters opened its doors for early voting the week of Oct. 6, giving registered voters the chance to complete their ballots in the comfort of their home and return it to an official ballot drop box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting Saturday, select vote centers around the county will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those who would rather vote in person. Starting next Saturday, Nov. 1, all vote centers will open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the final day of voting, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4., all vote centers, official ballot drop boxes and the Registrars office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information about how to vote in the special election and important dates can be found at sdvote.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. LONDON (AP) Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, who secured the backing of Ireland's left-leaning parties including Sinn Fein, has won the country's presidential election in a landslide victory against her center-right rival. Official results showed strong voter support for Connolly as president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland. She won 63% of first-preference votes once spoiled votes were excluded, compared to 29% of her rival Heather Humphreys, of the center-right party Fine Gael. Connolly, 68, said Saturday evening at Dublin Castle that she would champion diversity and be a voice for peace and one that builds on our policy of neutrality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor," she said. Humphreys conceded she had lost earlier Saturday before vote counting had finished. Connolly, a former barrister who has served as a lawmaker since 2016, has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza. She has also warned against the European Union's growing militarization" following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ireland has a tradition of military neutrality, but her critics have said she risks alienating the country's allies. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has been president since 2011, having served the maximum two seven-year terms. She will be Irelands 10th president and the third woman to hold the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The politician has garnered the backing of a range of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Fein, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats. Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Saturday congratulated Connolly on her very comprehensive election victory." He said he was looking forward to working with the new president as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage, and as we look forward to hosting the EU presidency in the second half of 2026." Irish presidents represent the country on the world stage, host visiting heads of state and play an important constitutional role, but they do not have executive powers such as shaping laws or policies. Nonetheless, parties on the left celebrated the results as a significant shift in Irish politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen a real appetite for the change that Catherine represents, said Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik. We believe this really does mean a new sort of politics is possible, that we can now realize the ambition that I talked about a year ago: The real prospect of a center-left-led government after the next general election. Connolly and Humphreys were the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Martins Fianna Fail party, quit the race three weeks before the election over a long-ago financial dispute. Martin, who heads Irelands government, had personally backed Gavin as a presidential candidate. Though Gavin had stopped campaigning, his name remained on the ballot paper because of his late withdrawal from the race. He won 7% of first preference votes. Others including musician Bob Geldof and the former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor had indicated they wished to run for president but failed to receive enough backing for a nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electoral commission said Saturday that there was a significantly higher than normal number of spoiled ballots, and that there will clearly be a need for deeper and further reflection about voter dissatisfaction. Simon Harris, the deputy premier, said the spoiled ballots showed the number of people in Ireland now who are clearly feeling disaffected or disconnected with politics." He said officials will be looking at the possibility of changing the threshold needed to secure a nomination in future presidential elections. About 46% of the 3.6 million eligible voters turned out to vote. There were nearly 214,000 invalid ballots nationwide, representing a tenfold increase on the last presidential election in 2018. New Jerseyans can now head to the polls to select their next governor as early in-person voting begins on Saturday. Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are locked in a competitive contest that has become the most expensive governors race in state history. Voters can go to their regular voting place on Election Day on Nov. 4. But they also have the option of early in-person voting at select locations from runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting locations open at 10 a.m. Saturday. (See details about how and where to vote below.) New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding off-year gubernatorial elections. With national attention and endorsements from both parties, the race is viewed as a preview of the countrys political mood ahead of the midterm elections. New Jerseys election comes as the number of Republican voter registrations has been growing in a historically blue state. Here are the details voters need to know before heading to the polls. Who can vote in the election? You have to be at least 18 years old to vote in the election. How do you vote? There are several ways to cast a ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING: You can vote early in person from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Designated early voting locations are located in each county and listed here. VOTE-BY-MAIL: Voting by mail started Sept. 20. Your ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on General Election Day on Nov. 4. It will be received by your countys Board of Elections on or before six days after Election Day. You can also return mail-in ballots to one of several drop boxes in your county. Find the locations here. Or you can deliver your mail-in ballot in person to your countys Board of Elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find those offices here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to vote by mail but havent applied for or received your ballot, contact your county clerk to request one. Contact information is here. IN-PERSON VOTING ON ELECTION DAY: Traditional in-person voting happens on Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 4. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you are allowed to vote. Your polling place is assigned based on your address. Click here and enter your address to find where you vote. Jelani Gibson Stories by Jelani Gibson Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Ministry of Mines has recognised two more institutes, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Hyderabad, besides seven institutes recognised earlier, as Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), as per a statement Saturday. This follows the approval granted by the Project Approval and Advisory Committee (PAAC) in its meeting held on October 24, 2025, under the co-chairmanship of Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology. Critical raw materials form the crucial supply chain for emerging sectors of clean energy and mobility transition, in addition to advanced technology and strategic sectors like electronics, defence, space, etc. To develop, demonstrate, and deploy technologies in an end-to-end systems approach, it is essential to conduct R&D to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), including TRL 7/8 for pilot plants and pre-commercial demonstrations. The CoEs will undertake innovative and transformational research to strengthen and advance the nation's science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals. Each CoE will operate as a consortium on a Hub and Spoke model to leverage R&D in critical minerals and pool the core competencies of each constituent under one umbrella. The CoE (Hub Institute) is mandated as per the CoE guidelines to bring in at least two industry partners and at least two R&D/ academic partners in the consortium. The nine recognised CoEs have together brought in around 90 industry and academic/R&D spokespeople. (ANI) EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermont State Police said Friday that one man had turned himself in after an investigation at U-32 Middle & High School. According to authorities, they received a report of unprofessional behavior involving a teacher at the school earlier this month. John A. Boyd (Courtesy: Vermont State Police) Police said that John A. Boyd, 56, of East Montpelier, was identified as having given marijuana to a student on the school grounds. Boyd is a special education teacher at U-32. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Substitute teacher in Barre found possessing cocaine He turned himself in on Friday, and was cited and released, on charges including contributing to juvenile delinquency and reckless endangement, as well as giving drugs to a minor on school grounds. Boyd is scheduled for arraignment next month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. TYLER, Texas (KETK) As the United States government shut down threatens SNAP food benefits, the East Texas Food Bank is preparing to step up for East Texans who rely on the programs assistance. East Texas Food Bank losing over $850,000 after Trump administration cuts According to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Novembers SNAP benefits wont be sent out if the government shut down continues on Monday. East Texas Food Bank CEO, David Emerson, explained that theyre already preparing to meet a greater demand for food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So were already buying more food in anticipation of this, Emerson said. So we always have truckloads coming in on a regular basis and just this week alone, just yesterday I ordered $200,000 more food, that were going to have to go out and purchase, that we werent planning on purchasing. Medicaid, WIC, TANF and CHIP benefits will reportedly be unaffected if the shutdown continues on Monday but the more than 41 million Americans who use SNAP will lose access to the program unless the government acts by Monday. East Texans can visit the East Texas Food Bank online to learn more about their services. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. LINDEN, Texas (KETK) The Linden Police Department arrested a man on Friday night after he allegedly shot a firearm and endangered multiple children. 17-year-old wanted after 3 killed in Nacogdoches near Fredonia Elementary Mugshot of Wrangler Price, courtesy of Linden Police Department. Linden PD officers were dispatched to an area near South Taylor Street at around 9 P.M. on Friday night after reports came in that shots were being fired. When officers arrived on scene, they began investigating a residence they had linked with the gunfire, according to Linden PD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cass County Sheriffs Office and the Texas Highway Patrol also responded to the scene and a search warrant was issued so they could search the residence. Linden PD said several firearms were found inside the home and seized. Wrangler Price was then identified as a suspect in the shooting and he was arrested for deadly conduct, two counts of endangering a child and seven counts of unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon. Price is currently being held in the Cass County Jail. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Ector County ISD schools are set to celebrate Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 27-31. A week of activities will begin with the districts kickoff ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 in the parking lot of the Administration Building, 802 N. Sam Houston. This kickoff will include remarks from ECISD leaders, Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, and performances from several student groups, a news release said. This years theme is Life is a puzzle, solve it drug free. Red Ribbon Week reflects ECISDs strong commitment to promoting drug-free lifestyles and preventing substance abuse in our community. With local leaders and students actively participating, the event underscores the importance of educating youth as a preventative measure and empowering them to make healthy choices. The communitys involvement and support demonstrate a united stand against substance abuse, making this a powerful moment to inspire a safer, drug-free future for our students, the release said. The post ECISD kicks off Red Ribbon Week celebration Monday appeared first on Odessa American. Whatever a medical patient's malady may be, doctors invariably offer a variety of treatments from psychotherapy to drugs to surgery. "Woke" medical principles deviate from this practice in seeking to ban certain treatments among them, "help(ing) minors deal with unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors or gender confusion," the Christian conservative legal organization Liberty Counsel stated in an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court heard arguments Oct. 7 in Chiles v. Salazar, regarding a 2019 Colorado law that restricts the speech of licensed counselors. In its amicus brief, Liberty Counsel called upon the high court to lift the restriction. "The First Amendment prohibits states from dictating which therapeutic approaches may be spoken," wrote Liberty Counsel. "Colorado's law restricts speech solely based on viewpoint. Such laws in the realm of counseling are unprecedented and go directly against the fundamental essence of counseling, namely that the client has the right of self-determination to choose the counseling objective." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiff, Kaley Chiles, is a Christian counselor who believes "young people should avoid drugs and surgeries if they are uncomfortable with their bodies," according to a sympathetic account by columnist Ingrid Jacques, published Oct. 7 in USA Today. Colorado's law "prohibits mental-health professionals from offering any kind of such therapy to anyone under the age of 18 who is struggling with gender identity and sexual orientation." In a perfect world, or at least in a sane world, the "Occam's Razor" principle would apply in such treatment decisions. "The principle gives precedence to simplicity: of two competing theories, the simpler explanation of an entity is to be preferred," according to Encyclopedia Britannica. It seems intuitively obvious that the simplest, and therefore the best, approach to many cases of gender dysphoria would be to avoid the complexities and lifelong effects of drugs and surgeries, and help the dysphoric patient become comfortable in his or her own skin. This certainly is not true in all cases, but the existence of exceptions to the rule hardly justifies banning the simplest approach. Connecticut is one of 24 states that have enacted bans similar to the one now before the Supreme Court, having done so in 2017. Meanwhile, 27 states have passed laws restricting access to "gender-affirming care" for children younger than 18; Connecticut is not among them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Clients will not get the help or support that they need and desire when counselors can only say what the government thinks is right for their clients," according to a statement by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal-advocacy group. "That means children in Colorado, and in other states with similar laws, can only receive a professional push toward experimental drugs and surgeries. That's not counseling it's coercion. "Instead of steering young, vulnerable kids down a path that leads to harmful, irreversible drugs and surgeries, children should have the opportunity to talk about their questions and get the emotional support they deserve and want." Counseling bans like the one now before the Supreme Court are contrary not only to ethical medical practice, but the principles of freedom of speech. Whatever the high court decides, states like Connecticut that have taken up the banner of restriction of speech, and government control of individual lives, should reconsider. This article originally published at Editorial: Connecticut limits therapists' speech. Israel is preparing for the possibility that Hamas will release the remains of two more hostages this evening; however, it is uncertain whether the remains will be returned. The Israeli government approved Cairos request to allow the entry of Egyptian equipment and personnel to assist as part of the efforts to locate and retrieve remains of slain hostages, an Israeli security official told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday evening. The team and equipment have entered the Gaza Strip. Israel was preparing for the possibility that Hamas would release the remains of two more hostages soon, Army Radio and N12 News reported earlier, each citing an Israeli source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, there were indications that Hamas was also preparing to return remains; however, the terror group did not. Hamas could return eight more hostages to Israel; however, there are another five whose whereabouts are unknown, a senior Israeli official told Ynet. There have not been any remains of hostages returned since Tuesday night. Hamas militants stand gaurd as bodies of hostages are transfered to the Red Cross (not pictured), October 15, 2025. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters) The official told Ynet that Hamas is playing games and stalling for time to extend the ceasefire, even without the second stage, which would require them to disarm. One security source was quoted by KAN on Friday evening as saying that no indication has been received from the Red Cross regarding an upcoming operation to return deceased hostages in the coming hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KAN also quoted an Israeli source saying that the return of hostage bodies may be postponed until Saturday. Meanwhile, on Saturday night, hundreds attended the weekly demonstration in Tel Aviv for the return of all the hostages, with the participation of families of hostages and survivors of captivity. Those present called on the public to come and support their struggle, under the slogan: The people of Israel will not leave anyone behind and will not accept a different reality. Former hostage Eitan Horn arrived at the rally for the first time, and together with the families called for continuing the public struggle to return all the abductees remaining in Hamas hands. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, We are in fateful days, testing days for the promise to return all our hostages. The success of the agreement will only be measured by the return of the last captive. The true picture of victory will be when they are all in the land of Israel this is our national and moral obligation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anat Angrest, mother of former hostage Matan, said her son feels a mission to return his friend Itay Chen, who is still in captivity. He feels an existential need to return him to the land of Israel, she said. It is an existential need for him and for the 13 families who are still waiting for their loved ones. Therefore, we are not stopping we will continue until everyone returns. On Thursday, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, and senior Intelligence Directorate officials told US Vice President JD Vance in a meeting at the Kirya military headquarters that Hamas has the ability to return at least 10 hostage remains of the 13 still held in captivity without external search assistance, KAN also reported. US Vice President JD Vance delivers a statement to the media alongside US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, near Kiryat Gat, on October 21, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Hamas using ceasefire to rebuild IDF intelligence has recognized that Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild and regain control of Gaza, the KAN report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the IDF killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist in the Nuseirat area in central Gaza, the military said Saturday night. The airstrike was led by the militarys Southern Command, which has also deployed troops in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the military added. The IDF said that the terrorist was planning to carry out an attack against Israeli forces. NEED TO KNOW An elderly couple in New Jersey had been feeding a stray cat for years before it attacked them on Oct. 21 The feral cat which tested positive for rabies after the attack in Blairstown Township was euthanized The mauling left behind an "absolutely shocking" amount of blood, the responding animal control officer said Police in a New Jersey community issued a rabies alert after a feral cat attacked an elderly couple who had been consistently feeding it. The Blairstown Township Police Department issued the alert on Facebook on Wednesday, Oct. 22, a day after the incident, which left behind what the responding animal control officer described as an "absolutely shocking amount of blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Oct. 21, a police officer responded to a report of a cat attacking an elderly couple, police said. Upon arrival, the officer attended to the couples wounds and requested the help of animal control officer Robbie, who later identified himself as Robert Lagonera. Lagonera captured the feral cat, who the couple had been feeding outside for the past several years, police said. The feline, who had signs of injury to its face from a wild animal, tested positive for rabies. The cat was euthanized, Lagonera said. Getty A cat (stock image) A cat (stock image) In the alert, police relayed a message from Lagonera, reminding residents to be mindful of feeding feral cats, and warning residents not to leave cat food outside unattended. In a Facebook PSA of his own, the animal control officer elaborated on the reminder and shared some gruesome details about the Oct. 21 attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amount of blood on their driveway was absolutely shocking knowing that it all came from a cat attack, wrote the officer. The cats wounds, meanwhile, included injuries to the head and nose, where its nasal cavity was literally exposed, the animal control officer said, and shared a snapshot of the tabby to demonstrate. He also noted that the feline displayed random extreme aggression and disorientation, both symptoms of the rabies virus. The virus is often transferred through raccoons, Lagonera said, who love to eat cat food. He then speculated that a raccoon transmitted rabies to the feral cat involved in the attack during a food fight. I understand we all have a wild cat issue in just about every town, wrote Lagonera. We also have a limited space shelter that also can not house ferals. On top of that we have a lot of people that feel bad for the cats and like to feed them. Theres no way Im ever going to get that curbed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, it is paramount to monitor the feeding of cats residents feed, and to never leave food out overnight. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Getty A rabies test (stock image) A rabies test (stock image) Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website states. It can be spread to people and pets through the bites and scratches of an infected animal. Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start. The first symptoms of the rabies virus most frequently found in the U.S. in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes are comparable to the flu, per the CDC. Then, within two weeks of initial symptoms, severe disease appears, causing anxiety, confusion, agitation, and hallucinations, along with what the CDC dubbed classic rabies symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These symptoms include being very thirsty but panicked by fluids, having lots of saliva, and aggressive behavior like thrashing and biting, per the CDC, which also notes, Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal. Read the original article on People Although the November election will not choose the President of the United States, it will determine important races and ballot measures nationwide. States like Texas, California, New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are holding important races on November 4, potentially giving a glimpse into Americans perspectives on the countrys direction since President Donald Trumps inauguration. In Texas, voters will decide on a list of constitutional amendments from judicial reform to education funding to capital gains tax to public safety. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott also called a special election in November to fill the seat of Democrat Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died suddenly in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the nation, voters will decide on other important measures including California gerrymandering, mail-in voting in Maine, the governors of New Jersey and Virginia, and the mayors of New York City and Minneapolis. In a year without widespread federal elections, voter turnout is typically much lower. But this year, the elections could provide a glimpse into the new public perception of Republicans and Democrats. Ahead of Halloween, Americans were most fearful of corrupt politicians, loved ones becoming ill, and economic collapse, according to The New York Post. As Emerson College Polling reported, most citizens felt the economy was the top issue, followed by threats to democracy, immigration, healthcare, crime, and housing. Texas Early voting began on October 20 and ends on October 31. Election day is November 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas voters will vote on 17 constitutional amendments in the upcoming election. They are as follows: Proposition 1 to create two dedicated state college funds for the Texas State Technical College System. Proposition 2 to ban the state legislature from passing a capital gains tax. Proposition 3 to allow denial of bail for certain violent offenders. Proposition 4 to divert up to $1 billion annually into a new Texas Water Fund for infrastructure projects. Proposition 5 to allow the state legislature to exempt retail animal feed from local property taxes. Proposition 6 to ban the state legislature from taxing securities transactions. Proposition 7 to allow homestead exemptions for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died of conditions related to service. Proposition 8 to ban the state legislature from taxing estate, inheritance, or gifts. Proposition 9 to allow the state legislature to exempt up to $250,000 in income-generating property from property taxes. Proposition 10 to allow the state legislature to give a temporary homestead exemption to those destroyed by fire. Proposition 11 to allow the state legislature to raise the school property tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners to $60,000. Proposition 12 to reform the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, increasing citizen representation on the board, transparency for misconduct, and enforcement. Proposition 13 to raise the school property tax exemption for homesteads to $140,000. Proposition 14 to create a state medical research institute, pledging $3 billion initially and $300 million annually. Proposition 15 to affirm parents are the primary decision-makers for their children. Proposition 16 to codify the requirement that only U.S. citizens can vote in elections. Proposition 17 to allow the state legislature to exempt property along the southern border from tax increases resulting from border security infrastructure. The Nation In California, voters will decide on Proposition 50, according to the State Court Report. This will determine whether the Democrat-controlled state legislature can implement a new district map, aside from that drawn by the independent redistricting commission, until 2030. If this passes, it will likely let Democrats counter Texas Republicans recent redistricting efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Maine, voters will decide whether to pass mail-in voting reforms such as requiring photo ID, ending ongoing absentee voting for the elderly and disabled, eliminating two days of absentee voting, and banning prepaid postage on return envelopes. In New Jersey, the state will decide whether to elect Republican Jack Ciattarelli or Democrat Mikie Sherrill as governor. According to The New York Times, Gov. Chris Christie has held office for 23 years, and the upcoming race is close, though Democrats hold an 850,000-voter edge over Republicans. In Virginia, voters will decide between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democrat state Rep. Abigail Spanberger. They will also decide on the attorney general, choosing between Republican Jason Miyares and Democrat Jay Jones, who was hit by a scandal, after leaked texts showed he wished for the murder of a political opponent and his children. In New York City, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani an open socialist is running against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor. While both are Democrats, the race draws a line between perceived establishment candidates like Cuomo and more radical candidates like Mandani, who advocates government-run grocery stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, in Minneapolis, socialist candidate Omar Fateh a first-generation Somali American is challenging Mayor Jacob Frey for office. Both are Democrats, but this race could show which faction has been gaining ground in the party. Although voter turnout may be lower than in federal elections, this election is likely to offer insights into the perspectives and positions of the American public. The Justice Department announced Friday that it will monitor polling sites in six jurisdictions Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Kern and Fresno counties in California, and Passaic County, New Jersey ahead of the Nov. 4 election, saying the move will ensure transparency and compliance with federal voting-rights laws. The departments Civil Rights Division will oversee the deployment after requests from state Republican parties that raised concerns about compliance with federal statutes. Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the DOJ release. We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve. DOJ officials framed the action as enforcement of federal civil-rights protections the Voting Rights Act and related laws and said Civil Rights personnel would be available to receive complaints and coordinate with U.S. Attorneys offices. But critics warned the optics risked chilling voters in heavily Democratic communities, especially given Californias ballot fight over a high-stakes redistricting measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local voting-rights groups described the monitors as unnecessary and come with historical baggage. The announcement came as national attention centers on how the federal government interacts with state-run elections; the practice of deploying federal observers dates to enforcement efforts after the 1965 Voting Rights Act but has historically focused on jurisdictions with documented patterns of discrimination. What is politically novel here is the deployment following party requests rather than as part of a court-ordered remedy. Whether the monitors will reassure voters or inflame partisan tensions depends on how visible and active they are on Election Day. For many observers, the key question is not only legal authority but political consequence: will federal oversight increase trust in election outcomes or deepen the suspicion that the ballot box itself is a battleground? The post Election integrity or intimidation? DOJ to send monitors to key states appeared first on Salon.com. VMPL Chopta (Uttarakhand) [India], October 25: In an inspiring demonstration of environmental responsibility and sustainable tourism, Go4Explore conducted a dedicated cleanliness drive during its official team offsite at the World's Highest Shiva Temple, Tungnath, located in the scenic Chopta Valley of Uttarakhand. The initiative is part of the company's ongoing efforts to promote eco-conscious travel and instill a sense of environmental stewardship among travelers and tourism stakeholders alike. Tungnath, perched at an altitude of 3,680 meters, is not only a revered pilgrimage site but also a magnet for adventure seekers and trekkers from across India and the world. With the increasing number of visitors, the delicate mountain ecosystem faces pressures that can compromise its natural beauty and sanctity. Aiming to preserve this pristine environment, Go4Explore's team actively engaged in collecting litter, clearing trekking paths, and raising awareness about sustainable travel practices. "This Diwali, we wanted to celebrate in a way that transcends the traditional festivities," said a spokesperson from Go4Explore. "Instead of just lighting lamps at home, we chose to light up hope for a cleaner, greener planet. Traveling responsibly is about enjoying nature's wonders without leaving behind a footprint of harm. Our cleanliness drive at Tungnath is a step towards that vision--a cleaner, more beautiful travel experience for everyone." The timing of the drive during the festive season added a symbolic layer of significance. As India celebrates Diwali, a festival of lights and new beginnings, Go4Explore's initiative encourages the public to consider a "Green Diwali"--one that celebrates environmental responsibility, ecological awareness, and community well-being. By participating in such initiatives, travelers and tourism businesses alike can ensure that natural landscapes remain unspoiled while fostering a culture of respect for the environment. The team's activities included careful waste collection along trekking routes, segregating recyclable materials, and promoting practices such as carrying reusable bottles and minimizing single-use plastics during travel. These efforts are aligned with the broader principles of sustainable tourism, which focus on preserving cultural heritage, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the overall experience for local communities and travelers. Go4Explore's cleanliness drive also highlights the growing movement in India towards responsible travel. With millions of domestic and international tourists visiting destinations like Chopta and Tungnath each year, the need for eco-conscious practices has never been more urgent. Through initiatives like these, the company sets an example for other travel organizations and individual explorers, demonstrating that even small actions can lead to meaningful change. "The idea is simple yet powerful: if every traveler and tourism operator takes a small step to protect the places they explore, we can collectively preserve the beauty of India's mountains, rivers, and forests," added the spokesperson. "At Go4Explore, we believe that travel is not just about adventure and sightseeing; it is about connecting with nature and giving back to it wherever possible." The company also shared tips and guidelines for travelers visiting Uttarakhand and other eco-sensitive regions. These include avoiding littering, respecting wildlife, using sustainable transport, and supporting local communities. By adopting such measures, tourists can contribute to the conservation of fragile ecosystems while enjoying unforgettable travel experiences. Go4Explore invites travelers, trekking groups, and tourism enthusiasts to join hands in future drives and eco-friendly initiatives, ensuring that Uttarakhand's pristine landscapes and spiritual sites remain a source of joy and inspiration for generations to come. This festive season, the message is clear: celebrate responsibly, explore sustainably, and let your actions light up the world--just like the lamps of Diwali. About Go4Explore: Go4Explore is a premier adventure and travel platform in India, dedicated to providing immersive and sustainable travel experiences. The company emphasizes responsible tourism, environmental conservation, and community engagement, ensuring that each journey leaves a positive impact on both travelers and the destinations they visit. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) ELLINGTON - A mishap during blasting operations on Route 140 Friday morning brought down a utility pole and temporarily closed the road, according to a post on the town's Facebook page. A video of the explosion that was posted on Facebook shows the blasting mishap and a large amount of debris flying into the roadway and knocking down the utility pole. The aftermath of the explosion left rubble strewn across Route 140 and crews scrambling to clear the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A portion of the state road between Hopkins and Teaberry Ridge roads were shut down as crews worked to install a new pole and relocate wires, according to the town. This article originally published at Ellington blasting mishap takes down pole, closes Route 140, officials say. Everything from carbon management and seismicity was covered at the Odessa College Energy Day 2025 Friday at the Wood Health Sciences Building. OC Geology Professor Joshua Hardt was the faculty lead coordinating the forum. This was the first time the college had hosted an event like it. I was approached by people from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory last year about a partnership where they were collecting seismic data from this area, and they wanted to distribute the information that they got from that data to the public, Hardt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were looking for someone who could be a partner to them for sharing that information, and I accepted. And here we are. This is our first ever event where we are trying to bring some of that initial information to the public, and as the years progress, we will be able to bring more specific information about the seismic activity here to them, the people here in the Permian Basin, he added. He said a lot of misinformation exists about the oilfield and how it influences seismic activity. We are trying to clear the air on some of that. Were trying to bring actual, legitimate information, actual science, to the public to answer their questions. Ive always found that having the right information tends to allay fears more than just meaningless assurances and so were bringing the actual science from the actual mouths of the actual experts here to the Permian Basin to answer those questions and make everyone understand exactly whats going on, Hardt said. He encouraged students to attend the forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve made this event to be friendly to both students and experts. Whether youre someone whos been in seismic science for 20 years, or if youre a high school student, you will be able to get something out of this event, Hardt said. Production Operations Manager Cameron McCartney talks to attendees of the Odessa College Energy Day Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, about what the company does in the Permian Basin. (Ruth Campbell|Odessa American) Senior Recruiter Petey Lozano and Production Operations Manager Cameron McCartney, both of Diamondback, spoke to a group of attendees about the company what they do and what they look for in the hiring process. Todays just kind of an overview of the Permian Basin and then an overview of Diamondback, McCartney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lozano then reviewed career opportunities at the company. One of their points was that they hire people from diverse backgrounds. McCartney said if the Permian Basin was its own country it would rank third in oil production. Diamondback has more than 8,000 producing oil and gas wells. But I think that shows, domestically, the Permian Basin is the largest in the United States, and its the cornerstone of American energy. If we were our own country, wed be number three in the world, which is great. Permian Basin production volumes account for nearly half of all our U.S. production, and its a significant portion of our natural gas output, which is really going to a lot of the power you see now, McCartney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an economic engine for the State of Texas. Almost $13 billion comes out of the Permian Basin in taxes, and thats directly from the Permian Basin in the form of severance taxes. Were paying university funds University of Texas, Texas A&M but that culminates to $13 billion in benefit to the State of Texas, he added. Diamondback Senior Recruiter Petey Lozano spoke to a group at the Odessa College Energy Day Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, about opportunities at the company. (Ruth Campbell|Odessa American) Lozano noted that if you are from the Permian Basin, you are likely connected to someone who works in the oilfield. Its a dominant force in our area here. Without the people, we couldnt get the job done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think workers that are out here in the backbone of the oil and gas industry, if you think about it, the oilfield, roughly, employs 645,000 individuals in Texas and just in and, of course, nationwide, thats 862,000, so if you think about it, almost three quarters of the people who work in oil and gas are in Texas, Lozano added. Diamondback covers the Permian Basin, everything from Big Spring to Coyanosa and everything in between. Lozano said almost 1,800 people work for the company. He added that Diamondback is not laying people off. Lozano said Diamondback is hiring. He added that they have 56 openings right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the company has finance, communications, community engagement, accountants, lease operators and other positions. He advised people just getting out of high school to work on their resumes in terms of punctuation and dont make them too long, interviewing skills, communication, working on technical skills and taking dual credit classes. Other advice was to have a clean driving record. The post Energy Day forum held on Friday appeared first on Odessa American. Thousands of British colonial troops who died in the Second World War are to be commemorated properly for the first time after an official report into how they were forgotten. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which was founded on the principle that the fallen should be treated equally whatever their rank, race or religion, has apologised after finding that was often not the case for African and Indian soldiers in the 1939-45 conflict, even though they were listed as British. It plans to find and restore abandoned burial sites, update memorials and contact the descendants of families who were never given details about the fate of their loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of non-white civilians who died as a result of enemy action will also be added to rolls of honour at Westminster Abbey recording the names of 69,000 men, women and children who died across the British Empire. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission plans to contact the descendants of families who were never given details about the fate of their loved ones - Niklas Halle'n/AFP But at least two million Indians who died of starvation and related illnesses in the Bengal famine in 1943 will not be included, as their deaths have been blamed on colonial administrators prioritising feeding the troops. The commission, which commemorates 1.7 million dead during two world wars, is funded by Britain, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa. It investigated Britains forgotten fallen from the conflict after producing a similar report in 2021 into the fate of Empire troops in the First World War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial report was prompted by a 2019 Channel 4 documentary presented by David Lammy, then an opposition backbencher and currently the Deputy Prime Minister, into the unequal treatment of African soldiers in the 1914-18 conflict. Staff at the commission said there had been widespread shock inside the organisation when the first report found that at least 116,000 and possibly up to 350,000 mostly African and Middle Eastern casualties from the First World War had not been commemorated by name or at all. West African troops in Burma during the Second World War Work on the Second World War dead was delayed by the Covid pandemic. Dr George Hay, official historian at the commission, said the mantle was now being taken up once more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know our work is not yet finished. This is a major endeavour that matters a great deal to the organisation and it is something that will be incorporated into our everyday work, he said. British troops cross the Chindwin River near Sittaung, Burma, before pushing east to link with the 36th Infantry Division, 17 November 1944 - piemags/Alamy Stock Photo In a letter responding to the Second World War report, four commissioners, including the Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat and Labours Chris Evans, said it was an uncomfortable truth that not all who died for the Allied cause were commemorated equally. It is in the spirit of openness and accountability that we write this letter, acknowledging both the realities of the past we should confront and the important work being carried out by the Commission to put it right, they said. The commission has found anomalies particularly in the campaigns against the Japanese in Burma and India, the Italians in East Africa the first Allied strategic victory in the campaign and Vichy French forces in Madagascar. An Indian Infantry Brigade holds an advanced post on the Eritrean frontier, with the Sudan Defence Force camel patrol conducting operations under their Commanding Officer. - piemags/ww2archive/ Alamy Stock Photo The graves of up to 7,500 African servicemen were abandoned in temporary or battlefield burial sites rather than being laid to rest in permanent cemeteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up to 12,000 Muslim Indian soldiers were left in battlefield graves due to a short-lived British Indian Army ruling similarly founded on perceptions of religious objections to exhumation, although the policy was later reversed. More than 32,000 Indian Army casualties were commemorated on paper scrolls instead of the usual stone or bronze. Unlike bereaved families in the wider Commonwealth, next of kin in India and African colonies were often not contacted, denying them the opportunity to confirm details of their loved ones, or submit personal inscriptions for their headstones. Members of the 4th Indian Division of the British Army in action in Tunisia in April 1943 Non-white civilian deaths were also often under-reported, particularly in areas under enemy occupation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioners said: It is perhaps not surprising that the investigation concluded that records of civilians who died as a result of enemy action across the British Empire are incomplete. This is most evident in the occupied nations or those which endured significant fighting. The commission rightfully apologies for its share of responsibility in the decisions which led to this happening after the Second World War, and for all those families who have felt let down because of those decisions. Medics treat casualties suffered by West African soldiers fighting for the British Army in Burma, in August 1944 In a small number of cases, staff have already traced surviving relatives in the course of earlier detective work. Patrick Abungu, heritage manager for the non-commemoration programme, leads a five-strong team in Nairobi covering East Africa and went to Kitui in eastern Kenya in 2022 to find the 97-year-old widow of Private Mutava Ingati, who is buried at the commissions cemetery in Calcutta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esther Mbulu Mutava spent only a month of married life with her husband before he went back off to war in 1943. The records show he died on Aug 1 1945 but how or where his death occurred is not explained. She had heard from a relative that her husband was dead but refused to believe it because she was never informed officially and spent 79 years waiting in vain for him to return. I always thought he would still come home, she said when she met Mr Abungu and his team. I see now for sure that he died and is buried. He is never coming back. I am now at peace. At her request, Mr Abungu arranged for an inscription Let the Lord keep his soul in peace to be added to his headstone in her native Kikamba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are bridging that gap and we are bringing closure where we can. We are telling the story that should have been told to the family, Mr Abungu said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. October is not only the month of Halloween, but it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Local gym, Erie Fitness Academy, combined the two at their biggest fundraiser of the year, Dawn of the Deadlift. Erie Downtown Partnership celebrates harvest season with free community dinner Its an annual event where gym members are challenged to max out a deadlift, raising money for a local breast cancer nonprofit organization, Linked by Pink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization provides emotional and financial support to women under 45 diagnosed with breast cancer. UPMC Hamot holds 19th annual Mammomarathon for Breast Cancer Awareness Month DJ Myers, president & co-owner of Erie Fitness Academy, said, Each person raises money for Linked by Pink, so the group as a collective just raises money for the fundraiser. We all dress up in costumes, obviously, this isnt my daily attire. We just have fun with it and max out and see what everyone can do. Proceeds from Dawn of the Deadlift will help them assist breast cancer patients with medical costs, travel costs and other necessary expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha believes that the latest sanctions imposed by the EU and the US are a real blow to Russia, although Moscow denies this. Source: Sybiha on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda Details: Sybiha believes that this week marked a new stage in the pressure to force Russia to make peace, given that the EU has agreed on a strong 19th sanctions package that hits Russian energy, the shadow fleet and ways of circumventing sanctions, and the Trump administration has also applied its first sanctions against Moscow, hitting energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's telling that the Russians immediately rushed to say that they don't care about the sanctions. Putin claims that everything is fine with the Russian economy. His propagandists are repeating their mantras that the sanctions have no effect. The more of this bravado there is, the more obvious it is that the opposite is true," he noted. Sybiha believes the first US sanctions against Russia of Trump's second term "draw an important strategic line" and warned that Russian leaders should abandon any hope of Western weakness or a chance to deceive the US. "Russia has actually been hoping all this year that Ukraine would lose the support of its partners or be forced to accept Russian conditions that were close to capitulation. None of this happened," Sybiha stated. Background: Following the announcement of the new US sanctions, Indian refineries reportedly began checking their suppliers, and some Chinese companies have paused purchases of Russian oil at least temporarily. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he will be seeking ways to bypass the sanctions in order to retain Russian energy supplies. Trump replied that he is aware his actions may not please everyone, but said "I am the only one that matters." Reuters reported that Trump has prepared further sanctions that could be imposed on key sectors of the Russian economy if Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin continues to stall on ending the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! LONDON (AP) When President Donald Trump took the stage in Egypt to hail the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, a row of world leaders stood behind him like extras in a political drama. It was a telling image. European governments have struggled to play a significant role in diplomacy over the Gaza war, while the America First leader has played a central one, pushing longtime allies in Europe toward the sidelines. Closer to home, they have labored with mixed results to shape Trumps response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's obstinate pursuit of the Ukraine war, a conflict with profound consequences for the continents future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is Europe able to influence Trump? I think the short answer is no, said Lindsay Newman, a geopolitical risk expert and columnist for GZERO Media. The policy and positioning of the U.S. government on Ukraine, on Israel, on its relationship with Europe is defined by the president and those around him. Largely the president. Newman said Trumps ambitious global agenda proves anyone wrong who thought America First means a narrow, isolationist foreign policy. He's remaking the world in his image, she said. Divisions and some progress over Ukraine European support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion has clashed with Trump's desire to end the conflict even if that means Kyiv giving up territory. The continent's leaders have had decidedly mixed results in trying to bolster the president's support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump this week did finally pull the trigger and sanctioned Russias oil and gas industry following bipartisan pressure in Washington and months of lobbying by Kyiv and its European allies. But he appeared more motivated by frustration with Putin unable to persuade the Russian leader to hold direct talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy than assuaging European countries, whom he has accused of undercutting their call for U.S. sanctions by continuing to purchase Russian oil. Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, an irritated Trump said on Wednesday. I just felt it was time. We waited a long time. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frustration with efforts to end the war Trump hasn't hidden his frustration at being unable to halt the 3 1/2-year-old war, something he boasted on the campaign trail he would get done on Day One of his return to office. He has berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, met Putin in Alaska and sent envoys to Moscow and Kyiv, but has failed to push the two sides to the negotiating table. Yet days after the Putin meeting, Trump hosted Zelenskyy and top European leaders at the White House and said the U.S. would be willing to support European efforts to police any peace deal in Ukraine. Trump has hinted at giving Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles to strike inside Russia, but also seemed to back Putins demand that Ukraine surrender all of its eastern Donbas region, including parts Russia doesn't occupy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president and his team have argued that the biggest conflict on European soil since World War II has minimal significance to the United States, and urged Europeans to take on greater responsibility for ending the conflict. European leaders welcomed this week's oil and gas sanctions, which French President Emmanuel Macron called a turning point. But Europe has its own divisions over Ukraine. The 27-nation European Union is struggling to finalize a plan to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a massive loan to Ukraine. Belgium, where much of the money is held, is seeking assurances other countries will share the burden of any Russian economic retaliation. Hungarys Moscow-friendly Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposes EU support for Kyiv. Despite that, Gregoire Roos, director of the Europe and Russia program at the international affairs think tank Chatham House, said there has been progress in forging a cohesive European position toward Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont see absolute unanimity, but on the other hand, I didnt see unity crumbling significantly, he said. And as far as Europe is concerned, this is already a victory. Trump focuses on the Middle East Europes influence on halting the Israel-Hamas war is even more tenuous. Europe has had no real impact, lets face it, Roos said, although Europe will be called on to give both money and expertise for Gaza's eventual reconstruction. The EU is the worlds biggest provider of aid to Palestinians, but has little leverage over Israel in part because European nations are divided over how to handle the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since forging the fragile ceasefire, which he hailed at an Oct. 13 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us, Trump and his team have heaped praise on Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. But hes been muted about Europes involvement. Trumps ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, even took to X to call a senior British government official delusional for suggesting the U.K. had played a critical role in helping bring about the Gaza deal. The U.S. administrations irritation has been fueled in part by Britain and France joining several other countries last month to recognize a Palestinian state. The ceasefire has at least temporarily turned down the volume on European criticism of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians often tinged with implicit criticism of the United States steadfast backing for Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonath Schanzer, a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, said the space created by the ceasefire could help put the U.S. and Europe on a better footing. The Trump ceasefire brought the blistering European criticism to a murmur, said Schanzer, executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank. This has enabled all parties to move ahead in a more constructive manner." Newman said Trump appears more interested in building relationships with countries across the Middle East than with Europe. There have been efforts to pivot away from the Middle East for successive U.S. administrations, she said. But its almost as though theres a pivot toward the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some good news for Europe Russias invasion of Ukraine and its increasing belligerence toward neighboring NATO countries have been a wake-up call for Europe, made more alarming by Trumps longstanding threats not to defend European NATO members unless they stump up more money for their own defense. That got the desired response of pushing many European countries to increase military spending. The worst European fears about Trumps second term have not yet come to pass. Trump has not withdrawn U.S. troops from Europe or pulled out of NATO. His global tariff blitz has not resulted in the threatened 100% import taxes on European goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britain, which left the EU in 2020, is being drawn politically, economically and militarily closer to its European neighbors, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become a key conduit between Washington and the continent. Kathleen Burk, emeritus professor of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London, said Trump respects unity and that if the Europeans hang together, they can hope to have some influence. Trump may have actually realized that its always better to have allies than enemies, she said. ___ Madhani reported from Washington. Oct. 24Nearly a million Washingtonians will lose access to food benefit programs, including food stamps, if the ongoing federal shutdown continues beyond next week. Karen A. Brantt is one of them. "I'm on disability. I have osteoporosis and all kinds of stuff, and I'm 75 years old," she said while leaving the Northwest Boulevard Safeway with her son and a bag of groceries Friday evening. "And I don't get enough from food stamps, but they help." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norah West, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, said Friday that more than 540,000 households in the state, representing nearly 930,000 people, would not receive benefits if Congress fails to reach a deal to reopen the government. "President Trump controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. It's clear where the responsibility lies to keep the government running," Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a statement Friday. "These political games are harming the most vulnerable Washingtonians. Trump and Congressional Republicans are to blame for this unnecessary crisis." Republicans like U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane stress that it is Democrats' no votes in the Senate that have stopped the government from reopening. "This is not a game," Baumgartner said earlier this week. "There are real people suffering from the shutdown, whether that's federal employees that are being furloughed or paychecks that are not going out to important functions like air traffic control or TSA." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously a medical clean room supervisor in Minnesota, Brantt had to resort to Social Security benefits earlier than most due to an injury preventing her from standing or sitting for too long. Consequentially, she receives less money than the average retiree. "I make sure all my bills are paid every month. That's first," Brantt said. "At the end of that, what I have leftover is what I can budget for food. I don't buy a lot of consumer products now because I have to spend more." Food stamps help Brantt to maintain more financial independence from her son, Eric Bowman, 55. Bowman, the manager of a garbage truck company in Minnesota, said that while he could "do OK" sending money to help his mom afford food, the stamps help to "keep everything kind of constant." He added, "It's also a pride issue too, on her end." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to West, recipients in Washington received more than $173 million in benefits in September. "Losing food assistance will have devastating impacts on the well-being of Washingtonians and hurt local economies across the state," West wrote in an email Friday. West said the state is seeking additional guidance from the federal government, including whether recipients would receive a prorated portion of their benefits if an agreement to reopen the government is reached midmonth. "We do not have funding at the state level to backfill this program, but we are actively looking for ways to feed hungry people in our state and mitigate some of the harms caused by the federal government shutdown," West said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AXIOS reported Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that it cannot use contingency funds to pay for food stamps if the shutdown extends into November, and that it won't reimburse states that pay instead. "Unlike other reimbursable programs, SNAP allotments are fully federally funded," the USDA wrote in a memo obtained by AXIOS. "There is no provision or allowance under current law for states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed." According to the memo, the contingency funds are reserved for natural disasters and other events that "can come on quickly and without notice." "For example, Hurricane Melissa is currently swirling in the Caribbean and could reach Florida," the memo states. "Having funds readily available allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mobilize quickly in the days and weeks following a disaster." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the memo, approximately 42 million people will not receive their monthly SNAP benefit on Nov. 1 if a deal is not reached. According to the USDA, approximately 1 in 8 residents receive an average of $187 through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The prospect of losing her food stamps has been "really getting to" Brantt. "All my friends are on disability. Everybody that's retired now is scared," she said. "But because they're going to go ahead and do a fancy-dancy addition to the White House, destroying history, then they're going to take our Medicare and food stamps? That's not right. It doesn't help the American people." Local food banks are concerned their capacity for food assistance may be strained as programs like SNAP and Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program no longer provide food. Second Harvest spokesperson Eric Williams said "concerns are heightened" for the beginning of November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "SNAP provides nine times as much food as does charitable giving. I can't fathom how much money it would take to backfill that assistance," he said. Bowman said more time is needed for people to build safety nets for themselves before food stamps funding is cut off. "Some people don't have the second chance, third chance people to help it's just them," he said. "And if they want to cut corners, then let's find out who the people that don't really need it are and get back that way, so that the people who actually do need it have it. But that's difficult as well too. "I'm all for it if my taxes go up to help my mom or anybody else manage, go for it. As long as it's not being abused." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who rely on the state's Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program are also at risk of losing access to services in mid- to late-November. The program provides food assistance and baby formula to mothers with young children under age 5. While the state has secured funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide food benefits for several weeks, local WIC workers will be temporarily laid off beginning Oct. 31. Melissa McDaniel, who oversees the Spokane WIC program as administered by the Spokane Regional Health District, said their five clinics will temporarily close at the end of next week. "From the moment you find out you're expecting, we provide extra support to keep your family healthy," McDaniel said. "We see so many families that rely on us to get formula to feed infants." Any food benefits in November will need to be distributed directly by the state Department of Health and will only be available to current recipients, she said. If funding is not restored, the impact to the 10,000 families that rely on WIC would be "devastating." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are so many people who have been touched by WIC in a family. Their sister has. Their mother has. The impact on this community is huge," McDaniel said. Twenty-nine WIC staff will be temporarily laid off in Spokane on Oct . 31. So far, the DOH has allocated $210,555 to Spokane Regional Health District to cover WIC staffing and administrative expenses for the month of October. The total cost of operations for Spokane's WIC program in October is approximately $271,000. The difference is being paid out of SRHD reserve funding. It is unclear if these funds can be reimbursed after the government reopens. PROTEC17 union representative Suzie Saunders, who represents SRHD employees, said the soon-to-be laid off WIC staff are more concerned for their clients than themselves. "I've sat with them as they cried and worried about infants not having access to formula and moms not being able to put food on the table for very small children in this community." The former president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce has resigned from his role on a Twin Cities school board following his indictment on embezzlement charges. In a memo to parents on Friday, Mounds View School District confirmed it had received notice from Jonathan Weinhagen that he is resigning from the school board effective immediately. Weinhagen, 42, of Shoreview, served on the school board since his election in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Board will discuss next steps to fill the remainder of the vacated term, which expires on January 3, 2028," the statement added. Weinhagen was indicted this week on federal charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, attempted bank fraud and making a false statement in a loan application. The charges relate to his time as the president of the Minneapolis chamber between 2016 and 2024. Jonathan Weinhagen for Mounds View School Board According to the indictment, Weinhagen stole more than $200,000 from the chamber through a made-up consulting company called Synergy Partners. Weinhagen would enter into false contracts with the company under his alias, "James Sullivan," the indictment states, and allegedly used a chamber credit card for personal expenses including a first-class flight and room in Hawaii for a family vacation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly stole $100,000 from the chamber through false contracts, and took out a line of credit in its name, transferring $125,000 to himself. In an attempt to cover up the fraud, Weinhagen allegedly sent emails pretending that Synergy Partners no longer existed and that James Sullivan had died, going as far as to create a fake obituary for Sullivan on Legacy.com, stating he had died from pancreatic cancer. The indictment also alleges that Weinhagen stole $30,000 that the chamber had donated to a Crime Stoppers reward fund for information leading to arrests in the shootings of three children in Minneapolis. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is calling for an independent investigation after a formal complaint that a police chief is allegedly living at the station during workdays -- and commuting to Idaho when he's off. That raises important issues of public safety and the proper use of tax dollars. When fire inspectors went through the Millbrae police station this week, they found more than they expected. You may have seen Eamonn Allen before. He was the spokesperson for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office until Christina Corpus made him Millbrae police chief; the city contracts with the sheriff's office for law enforcement services. Then, in June of last year, property records confirm that Allen bought a house outside Boise, Idaho. The chief's very long commute raises questions. TIMELINE: San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus investigation I-Team reporter Dan Noyes asked Allen outside a Board of Supervisors meeting, "Are you living in Idaho? Can a chief really perform for Millbrae if he's living in Idaho"? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite repeated attempts... "Are you living in Idaho?" Allen would not answer questions about his 646-mile drive to work or the 1.35-hour flight. Former SFPD Commander Richard Corriea told the I-Team, "Not able to return to work on short notice in the event of an emergency is ridiculous." Correia said any police chief needs to be able to respond quickly to a high-profile crime, earthquake, or some other disaster, and that there's no substitute for hands-on and eyes-on experience seven days a week. "You'd want a police chief that's a stakeholder in the community and able to experience the community at a granular level to really understand it and know what's going on, and also to be present on short notice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Allen became Millbrae police chief, photos obtained by the I-Team show the station has added two bedrooms - a single and a room with two mattresses. We asked for a tour of the public facility funded by your tax dollars. Dan Noyes: "Eamonn, I'm allowed to see what's in here. I can't see the mattresses that you have?" Eamonn Allen: "You can see right through the window there." Noyes: "Can you give me a tour?" Allen: "We're not doing tours right now, Dan, sorry." We wanted to check out a formal complaint from the Millbrae city manager to the county attorney that says Allen uses the police station "as bedroom facilities" since he "now resides in the Boise, Idaho area." In addition, Millbrae's Code of Ethics says, "No public employee shall use ... city owned property for personal need, convenience or profit." San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa is calling for an independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If someone is living out of county or out of state, they have to pay for their own lodging, meaning San Mateo County is not a Holiday Inn," Canepa said. He has no issue supplying beds for officers who work a night shift and may have court the next day, for example, but he sees a distinction. "We need to see was someone living in there permanently?" Canepa said. "These are taxpayer dollars and so we need to make sure that what's taking place in those facilities really is for the good of the taxpayer. That means people aren't living there." Outside the police station, Noyes said, "This is a city-owned building. Millbrae officials tell me Eamonn Allen didn't get permission before installing those mattresses, he didn't get a permit, and that he changed the locks on the building. That way, public works and building maintenance teams can't get access and one city official tells me that's 'an extreme health safety risk.'" A fire inspector came to the police station on Tuesday of this week but couldn't access that double bedroom because it was locked with an "in use" sign. He entered the other bedroom and noted a lack of fire-resistant walls or an emergency escape, what the chief building official calls "secondary egress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Secondary egress means having a window," Keyvan Irannejad said. "I'm sure you have it in your bedrooms, in your home, so in the case of emergency, you can exit through that window if the door is locked or blocked." The inspector posted this "notice of correction" on the police station entrance saying, "Please stop using rooms for sleeping" and indicating Chief Allen has to get permits, modify construction, and pass inspection if he wants sleeping quarters there. The inspector also took a picture of a shelf in the bedroom with what appears to be a half gallon of liquor. That would be a violation of both city and county policy. The I-Team also found six sergeants in the sheriff's office who live out of state - in Idaho, Nevada, Texas and Tennessee. Two of them work on the bomb squad where they made almost $600,000 in pay and benefits last year. They're supposed to respond to a bomb threat within one hour -- no way that's happening if they're in Tennessee. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced on Saturday that the upgraded Terminal 2 (T2) of Delhi Airport will become operational from the intervening night of October 25-26, 2025. The reopening of Terminal 2 coincides with the start of the winter schedule, the airport operator said in a statement. Terminal 2 was temporarily closed in April 2025 for a major upgrade. Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu inaugurated the future-ready Delhi Airport's Terminal 2 of at a ceremony, attended by the senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, CISF, and DIAL. "Under the globally acknowledged and nation-wide respected leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, we are developing and transforming our airports into world-class transit hubs at an unprecedented pace. Handling nearly 50 per cent of the Northern region's total passenger traffic and managing nearly 50,000 transfers every day, Delhi is emerging as a preferred transfer hub. And I believe this has been possible only because of DIAL's continuous push for upgrading the infrastructure and enhancing passenger throughput," the minister said. "Now the 40-year-old legacy Terminal 2 of Delhi has been reimagined and revitalized to serve the modern aspirations and growing demand. I would like to extend heartiest congratulations and deepest appreciation to DIAL and GMR for executing an efficient, smart, and passenger-centric modernization work for Terminal 2. Every traveller passing through here will experience the essence of a Connected, Competitive, and Caring India." The upgraded Terminal 2 -- transformed into a future-ready, passenger-centric terminal -- embodies DIAL's vision of building a seamless, technology-driven, and comfortable airport experience. The upgrade of the 40-year-old terminal has been undertaken to optimise flight operations across terminals and enhance passenger convenience, supporting the airport's growing traffic and expanding airline operations. The future-ready Terminal 2 integrates advanced systems and automation to deliver a smarter, faster, and more efficient passenger journey: The Self-Baggage Drop (SBD) facility -- introduced for the first time at T2 -- enables passengers to check in their bags independently, reducing queues and saving time. Six new Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) ensure quicker, safer aircraft handling with adjustable platforms for enhanced accessibility. Smart design features, such as swing doors on the boarding bridge that open and close like a regular hinged door (rather than sliding doors), and side-covering cushions (padded surfaces along the sides of the boarding bridge), improve safety and aesthetics. The refurbished terminal features a state-of-the-art Virtual Information Desk where travelers can access live flight information, navigate to boarding gates, explore airport outlets and services, chat with a virtual support assistant, and even generate Wi-Fi coupons -- all in one interactive platform. With T2 reopening, airline operations at IGI Airport will be optimally distributed across terminals: IndiGo will expand its operations across all three terminals. Terminal 1 will have existing domestic operations, Terminal 2 will operate flights numbered 6E 2000 - 6E 2999, and Terminal 3 will operate domestic flights 6E 5000 - 6E 5999 and all international departures, the airport said in its statement. Air India will shift around 60 domestic flights from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. Air India Express will operate all domestic flights from Terminal 1. SpiceJet and Akasa Air will continue operations from Terminal 1. Together, Air India and IndiGo will operate around 120 daily domestic flights from the upgraded T2. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) said: "The refurbished Terminal 2 represents a significant milestone in Delhi Airport's transformation journey. Designed as a future-ready, passenger-friendly terminal, T2 integrates modern technology, smart infrastructure, and improved accessibility to deliver a seamless travel experience. This reopening also allows for more balanced airline operations across terminals, further enhancing efficiency and convenience for millions of travellers. With these upgrades, we are confident that Delhi Airport will continue to set new benchmarks in operational excellence and passenger satisfaction." (ANI) HIGH POINT If the previous effort to expel a North Carolina representative serves as a guide, it could take some time to resolve the fate of Rep. Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, in the wake of charges alleging he had sex with a 15-year-old. When legislator Thomas Wright, a Democrat from Wilmington, was expelled in 2008, that followed a process that took around two years to complete. Wright was investigated for illegal use of campaign contributions and embezzlement. The investigation into Wrights misconduct began after a complaint to the N.C. State Board of Elections in 2006. The process finally ended in an overwhelming bipartisan vote among House members in March 2008 to expel him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The procedures involved a debate on the House floor that was structured like a court proceeding, with evidence presented by Wright and those trying to oust him. If Brockman doesnt resign and the proceedings against him rival the length of time to settle the Wright case, then he may remain in office through the 2026 candidate filing period, the March 3 Democratic primary and the Nov. 3 general election. House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, has said that a select committee is being set up to conduct an inquiry into the Brockman case and make a recommendation to the full House. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, said he would want to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not know how long the House will take to deal with this situation, but we need to do it in a timely fashion, Reives told The High Point Enterprise. This distracts from the important work we need to do and prevents High Point from having adequate representation in the process. Wake Forest University political science Professor John Dinan said House members probably will want to ensure that Brockman is given due process because of the seriousness of expelling an elected representative. Any effort by the House to expel Brockman would need to proceed in a way that gives adequate opportunity for legislators to consider the case before them, and this will take time to work through various issues, especially because expulsion has been used so rarely by the General Assembly, Dinan said. The House is currently scheduled to meet sparingly through the end of this year. Meanwhile, the candidate filing period is scheduled for Dec. 1-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, there would be an interest in getting resolution of the matter before the filing period in December, Dinan said. But at the same time, it is important that any expulsion proceedings afford adequate procedural protections and adequate deliberation, all of which takes time. Brockman has represented the 60th District for the past 11 years. The district covers most of High Point, and Brockman is the only High Point resident in the 170-member N.C. General Assembly. Brockman, 41, was charged by the State Bureau of Investigation on Oct. 8 with two counts of statutory rape of a 13-, 14- or 15-year-old by a defendant six or more years older than the victim and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. Whether Brockman were to be removed from office or resigned, executive committee members of the Guilford County Democratic Party in the 60th House District would select a candidate to serve out Brockmans unexpired term. The term would last through November 2026. For decades, scientists have questioned mosquitoes' ability to transmit Lyme disease. A recent study now appears to settle the debate once and for all. What's happening? Researchers from Florida International University have found evidence that proves that mosquitoes are not capable of contributing to the spread of Lyme disease. In fact, they say that ticks still remain the sole "competent vectors." In a study first published in the journal Parasites & Vectors, biologists took a closer look at transmission mechanisms behind the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the group of spirochete bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What they found revealed that mosquitoes were simply not able to efficiently acquire Borrelia from infected hosts. They also discovered that an enzyme in a mosquito's gut can actually destroy the bacteria, preventing it from being transmitted. "Our results show that mosquitoes do not have the biological capacity to efficiently acquire and maintain the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, and that they are unable to transmit them naturally or mechanically," said Fernando Noriega, professor emeritus of biological sciences at FIU and co-author of the study, in the school's summary of the findings. Why is determining the spread of Lyme disease important? According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are well over 200 species of mosquitoes that are found throughout the U.S. and its territories. However, only 12 species are known to be capable of carrying a number of potentially harmful viruses and parasites that could lead to the transmission of diseases like West Nile, dengue, and Zika. Much like mosquitoes, ticks are capable of carrying a wide range of harmful diseases that can cause severe health issues. This includes the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Ticks can pick up the Borrelia bacteria by feeding on an infected animal over an extended period of time. That bacteria can then find the perfect habitat inside the tick as the parasite works through its natural life cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unlike ticks, mosquitoes only need a few minutes to complete a blood meal," the study reads. "This short feeding period limits the time available for Borrelia spirochetes to transition from a non-infectious to a vertebrate-infective state." What's being done about preventing the spread of Lyme disease? Rising global temperatures have been linked to an increase in vector-borne diseases by expanding the geographical range of vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. Warmer temperatures create more suitable habitats and longer seasons for vectors to be active. This can result in a higher risk of disease transmission to humans. As noted by Noriega, determining how certain diseases are spread is an invaluable step in the process of controlling disease outbreaks. By understanding which carriers can be ruled out, health officials can develop more effective prevention and risk assessment strategies. "This study provides compelling evidence against Lyme disease transmission by mosquitoes and reinforces Ixodes ticks as the only competent vectors, which is critical for targeted public health interventions and accurate risk communication," added Noriega. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The government of Alberta, Canada, announced that reintroduction efforts to help northern leopard frog populations bounce back have been a success. The frog species was once incredibly common in Alberta, but since 2004, it has been labeled as a threatened species. Officials first noted the population decline of this species in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to it becoming a significant focus of conservation campaigns. According to CBC, reintroduction efforts were undertaken, with most of the efforts centered on releasing eggs in new locations to create new northern leopard frog populations and the translocation of current frog populations. Photo Credit: Facebook These reintroduction efforts were successful in a number of places, including Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Battle River, Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, and Grainger, with biologists confirming that self-sustaining populations of the northern leopard frog were present in these locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Species-at-risk wildlife biologist Brett Boukall explained, per CBC: "Translocating eggs proved to be quite successful in being able to establish new populations of northern leopard frogs at different reaches within their former range." These reintroduction efforts have gone on for several years, with 163,880 tadpoles translocated between 2007 and 2010 and 2013 and 2014. Due to the increased northern leopard frog populations, Alberta won't need to continue reintroduction efforts at this time. As CBC reported, Boukall also shared that "the growing sustainability we're seeing in northern leopard frogs and their distribution might allow us to start saying, well, our population is recovering." The increasing population of the northern leopard frog is good news for Alberta, as this species plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of wetland ecosystems and the food chain. These frogs serve as both prey and predators in wetlands, as they consume insects and small invertebrates while also acting as prey for snakes and birds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A balanced ecosystem will help protect food security in local communities. Additionally, because these frogs consume insects, people and food crops will be better protected from damage these insects might have caused, making the increased populations good news indeed. How often do you feel hopeful about the future of the planet when you read news stories or watch entertainment content? Often Sometimes Rarely Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. One of the world's most consumed fruits has been greatly affected by extreme weather conditions in Costa Rica, per a report by Fresh Plaza. What's happening? During the first half of 2025, banana exports out of Costa Rica fell 20.67% compared to the numbers for the same quarter in 2024. According to the National Banana Corporation (Corbana) and the Banaclima weather monitoring system, Costa Rica experienced 1,500 millimeters (59 inches) of rainfall at the end of 2024, which was then compounded by a rainy first quarter of 2025. This caused the soil to become oversaturated, creating the ideal environment for diseases, including black sigatoka, to damage the banana crops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to Fresh Plaza, Erick Bolanos, the technical assistance director for Corbana, said: "The impact of rains since the end of last year and the beginning of this one has caused a significant reduction in fruit production during the first half of the year." Why are reduced banana crops important? Bananas are one of the most eaten fruits in the world, and Costa Rica is the third-largest banana exporter, according to Yahoo. Their bananas are exported to over 45 countries, with the U.S. receiving one-third of the exports, and the overall export total reaching over $1 billion for this fruit in 2024. Banana production is an essential pillar of the Costa Rican economy, providing over 40,000 jobs directly and 100,000 jobs indirectly, specifically benefiting families in rural regions. If one of the major industries experienced a decline of over 20%, it would affect the farmers and agricultural employees the hardest. Additionally, when an export experiences a drastic shortage in a short period, it raises prices, leading to higher costs for the customer. There are already dozens of other food groups that have been greatly affected by extreme weather, leading to numerous challenges for everyone, from farmers facing financial difficulties to consumers paying higher prices. Some examples include blueberry crop losses in Massachusetts and tea shortages in Korea. What's being done about the reduction in banana crops? Corbana is assisting farmers by upping its efforts to improve phytosanitary measures, especially to fight against black sigatoka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The general manager of Corbana, Marcial Chaverri Rojas, told Fresh Plaza that its support will help "face the challenges of climate change with an approach based on science and technology. We are working on the development of new resistant varieties and training producers to mitigate the effects of adverse conditions." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Did CNN report the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has contacted Earth, as a viral social media post declared? No, that's not true: There's no such report on CNN.com. CNN has not used the chyron "IT'S GETTING SERIOUS" on any of its reports about 3I/ATLAS, which was first spotted in July 2025. The claim was made in an October 22, 2025 X post (archived here) where it was published on the WorldNews_X_ account with the CNN logo beside a chyron that read "IT'S GETTING SERIOUS". The caption across the image read: BREAKING: 3I/ATLAS Just Contacted Earth -- Scientists Terrified by the Message! Here's what the post looked like on X at the time this article was written: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at x.com/WorldNews. The post is completely fabricated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lead Stories searched for reports about communication from the comet, using Google site-specific search (archived here) and CNN's own website search function, and found no such reporting by CNN. Not even the CNN-style chyron is real. Lead Stories conducted a site-specific search of cnn.com for the phrase "It's Getting Serious" (archived here) and found the network had made no use of it, on any stories, since the interstellar comet became a news story in July of 2025. Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of Google search. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, says on its website that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will remain far away (archived here). Claim: A video authentically shows MSNBC TV host Rachel Maddow reacting emotionally to the demolition of the White House East Wing in October 2025. Rating: Rating: False On Oct. 24, 2025, Meta's social media platform Threads displayed a trending topic on its search page reading "Rachel Maddow reacts emotionally to White House renovation plans." IT featured a small image of the MSNBC TV host on her program, "The Rachel Maddow Show," appearing to become emotional about the demolition of the White House's East Wing, which occurred earlier in the week. (Threads) Once users clicked on the trending topic, the page displayed the same caption above several search results. The caption featured a small disclaimer reading, "What people are saying, summarized by AI." The search results included a video allegedly showing Maddow attempting to hold back tears about the renovations. (Threads) The post (archived) read, "When Rachel Maddow finds out her employer Comcast funded the destruction of the White House." The video also displayed a list of alleged donors to fund Trump's plans for a large ballroom, as well as a chyron reading, "Maddow Finds Out Comcast Destroyed White House." The purported chyron referenced Comcast's ownership of NBCUniversal, which owns MSNBC. Other users also shared the video on platforms including Facebook and LinkedIn (archived). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, Threads' reliance on AI to create its "trending now" list created a misleading caption. Maddow broadcasts "The Rachel Maddow Show" only on Monday evenings. During her most recent episode Oct. 20 at time of the trending topic, she only briefly mentioned the beginning of the East Wing demolition, and did not react to the renovations by holding back tears or crying. As for the video itself, an X user whose handle was visible in top-right corner of the clip altered and then posted (archived) the video of Maddow holding back tears, adding the same donors list reported by BBC, PBS and others, and also changing the chyron. Minutes after sharing the video, they specified in a reply (archived), in part, "This is a meme (obviously)." Before anyone attacks me like last year, this is a meme (obviously) ALX (@alx) October 24, 2025 This matter mixed Threads' misleading caption with a doctored video labeled a meme by its creator both combining to promote false information. Snopes contacted Meta by email to ask about the Threads "trending now" mistake and will update this article if we receive further information. Why Maddow truly became emotional The authentic video of Maddow holding back tears, excluding the doctored graphics, originated from a June 19, 2018, episode of her show. During the segment, she read from an article published by The Associated Press with the headline "At least 3 'tender age' shelters set up for child migrants." That story began, "Trump administration officials have been sending babies and other young children forcibly separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border to at least three 'tender age' shelters in South Texas, The Associated Press has learned." A community note displayed under the aforementioned Threads post (archived) read, "This clip is from 7 years ago and completely unrelated to the destruction of the White House." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For further reading, a previous article investigated another meme video created by the same X user, alleging the clip of Maddow showed her reaction to the prospect of tech billionaire Elon Musk possibly buying MSNBC. Sources: Burke, Garance, and Martha Mendoza. "At Least 3 'Tender Age' Shelters Set up for Child Migrants." The Associated Press, 20 Jun. 2018, https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-mi-state-wire-immigration-dc0c9a5134d14862ba7c7ad9a811160e. Debusmann Jr., Bernd. "Who Is Paying for Donald Trump's New White House Ballroom?" BBC, 23 Oct. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c891yxgj44ko. Jaffe, Alan. "Trump's White House Ballroom Sparks Questions About Funding and Ethics." FactCheck.org, 22 Oct. 2025, https://www.factcheck.org/2025/10/trumps-white-house-ballroom-sparks-questions-about-funding-and-ethics/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landers, Liz, and Joshua Barajas. "Who's Paying for Trump's $300 Million Ballroom?" PBS News, 23 Oct. 2025, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/whos-paying-for-trumps-300-million-ballroom. Liles, Jordan. "Video Shows Rachel Maddow Crying at Meme About Elon Musk Buying MSNBC?" Snopes, 25 Nov. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/rachel-maddow-crying-over-musk-buying-msnbc/. "NBCUniversal Transaction." Comcast.com, 18 Dec. 2017, https://corporate.comcast.com/policy/nbcuniversal-transaction. Superville, Darlene, and Jacquelyn Martin. "White House East Wing Demolished as Trump Moves Forward with Ballroom Construction, AP Photos Show." The Associated Press, 23 Oct. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-57512e0d91432f75529946fddfbfe2c5. Claim: In 2025, streaming service Spotify ran recruitment advertisements for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rating: Rating: True Context: A Spotify spokesperson confirmed that at least one ICE recruitment advertisement appeared on the platform, adding that the advertising "is part of a broad campaign the US government is running" across multiple platforms not just Spotify. The content does not violate Spotify's advertising policies, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2025, social media users resurfaced a rumor that music streaming service Spotify was allowing recruitment advertisements for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on its platform, sparking widespread demands by some users for people to cancel their subscriptions. Record labels and musicians were among those amplifying the claim. For example, on Oct. 16, Epitaph Records posted the following message on Facebook (archived): Epitaph joins others in the independent music community in calling on Spotify to remove ICE recruitment ads. Artists and fans deserve platforms that reflect the values of the culture they sustain. We call on Spotify to remove these ads immediately. In the caption of its post, Epitaph added: "Same goes for Meta, YouTube, Pandora, et al." https://www.facebook.com/epitaphrecords/posts/pfbid0F4FSS9N34oyjDTSzE8vjwTmueNimAR4QZkcBe2gvFWi3mcQkxAzdTJt8QQqTU2eyl Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar claims about Spotify running ICE recruitment ads circulated on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X. Multiple Snopes readers also searched our website to verify the claims. A Spotify spokesperson confirmed in an emailed statement to Snopes that at least one ICE recruitment advertisement appeared on the platform in 2025. Based on this confirmation, we've rated this claim as true. According to the spokesperson, the advertising "is part of a broad campaign the US government is running" across various platforms not just Spotify. The content complies with Spotify's advertising policies (archived), the spokesperson added. Meta, Pandora, YouTube, HBO Max and Hulu were allegedly among the other platforms that also ran ICE recruitment advertisements in 2025, social media posts claimed. Some Pandora users posted complaints about such ads on the streaming service's online community forum. An August 2025 article (archived) from British newspaper The Independent also reported that ICE was, at the time, planning to launch recruitment ads on Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube and other platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to the above companies for comment. A spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, directed us to ICE recruitment ads that were available to view in its Ads Transparency Center (archived). The earliest ads listed were from late August 2025, with the most recent at the time of publication dated Oct. 20, 2025. At the time of publication, Meta's Ad Library also displayed (archived) multiple ICE recruitment advertisements that had launched in August and September 2025. We contacted Meta for comment on how the ads aligned with its advertising policies and will update this story if we receive a response. The other companies had not responded to our requests for comment as of this writing. In our inquiry to Spotify, we asked the platform to confirm whether it was running ads for ICE and to provide additional context regarding its decision to accept such advertising. A spokesperson provided the following statement in response: This advertisement is part of a broad campaign the US government is running across television, streaming, and online channels. The content does not violate our advertising policies. However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs up or thumbs down to help manage their ads preferences. We also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, about the recruitment ads. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant DHS secretary, responded with a statement acknowledging the agency's "recruitment campaign": The ICE recruitment campaign is a resounding success with more than 150,000 applications rolling in from patriotic Americans answering the call to defend the Homeland by helping arrest and remove the worst of the worst from our country. Additionally, Spotify pointed us to The Trade Desk, a platform that helps advertisers place ads across websites and apps, which it said was responsible for delivering the ads in question. We've contacted The Trade Desk with questions about the advertisements and await a response. Users share purported ICE ads running on Spotify Spotify users made posts about the advertisements on the company's online public forum and on social media, with some posts including recordings that appeared to come directly from the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One TikTok user shared (archived) a recording of a purported ICE recruitment ad that appeared to originate from Spotify. The purported ad stated, "In too many cities, dangerous illegals walk free as police are forced to stand down. Join ICE and help us catch the worst of the worst, with bonuses up to $50,000 and generous benefits. Apply now." ICE recruiting ads in Google's Ad Transparency Center (archived) and Meta's Ad Library (archived) used identical language. Another purported ad (archived) with similar messaging that appeared to originate from Spotify also promoted bonuses of up to $50,000 and "generous benefits." In response to a question about ICE and Border Patrol recruitment ads posed on the streaming service's online community forum, one user also wrote, "Can confirm. Just heard it. 'Fulfill your mission to protect America. Join at Join.Ice.Gov.'" Sources: Tareen, Sophia. "Immigration Agents Use Increasingly Aggressive Tactics in Chicago, Alarming Activists and Residents." AP News, 5 Oct. 2025, apnews.com/article/chicago-immigration-federal-arrests-helicopter-trump-ice-8dbf688f78f3b6d1b8fdb989557b28c4. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Help Center." Adshelp.spotify.com, adshelp.spotify.com/HelpCenter/s/article/advertising-policies-US?language=en_US. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025. https://community.pandora.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/681767. "Ad Feedback - Political Ads." Pandora Community, community.pandora.com/t5/Subscriptions/Ad-Feedback-Political-Ads/td-p/70239/page/4. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025. Woodward, Alex. "ICE Wants to Target Gen Z in PR Blitz Including Ads on YouTube, HBO and X to Fill 14,000 Roles." The Independent, 6 Aug. 2025, www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ice-recruitment-gen-z-hiring-b2803112.html. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025. Was Fox News host Brett Baier correct when he declared Chicago has "the highest murder rate of all the big cities" during an interview with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker? Yes, if you compare US cities with official populations over 1 million. Pritzker asserted Chicago ranks below 30th, but did not provide a citation for that number. Lead Stories found that some murder rate comparisons include cities like Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Detroit, New Orleans and St. Louis, all of which have a higher murder rate than Chicago's, but fewer than 1 million residents. Baier's claim that Chicago was worst originated in a live interview that was quoted across social media, including an October 23, 2025 post on X (archived here) on the @greg_price11 account, with text that began "Baier: "Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities?". It continued: Pritzker: "We're not in the top 30." Here's what the post looked like on X at the time this fact check was written: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of X.com post at @greg_price11. The post includes a short excerpt from the Pritzker interview in which Baier and Pritzker argue over Chicago's murder rate and Fox producers display the map (above): Baier: Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities? Pritzker: Well, we are not in the top 30 in terms of our murder rate. Indeed, Our murder rate has been cut in half over the last four years and every year it's gone down by double digits and if you look at all of the violent crime over the last four years...they've all gone down Baier: Here's a map most populous US cities 17.47 per 100,000 population Chicago's number one over Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, and San Diego. Pritzker: What I'm explaining to you is Baier: Now, you're talking about violent crime. Pritzker: Look, you can pull statistics up; I can, too. Baier: No, no, these are murders Pritzker: I'm explaining to you that our murder rate has been cut in half and very importantly Brett, and you gotta hear this very importantly we've been doing the things that are necessary to bring crime down right we've invested in community violence interruption we've invested in police Neither Baier nor Pritzker cite the source of their statistics and the Fox map does not say where the designer got the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lead Stories found several rankings of the murder rates of U.S. cities, in which Chicago's rank depends on which cities you include. Also, the size of cities depends on methods of counting. The Atlanta Regional Commission, for example (archived here), pegs greater Atlanta's population at 5.28 million, while the official population of the city of Atlanta itself is just 542,000, and was not included in Fox's map, despite a worse murder rate than Chicago's. Rochester Institute of Technology A Rochester Institute of Technology study, "2024 Homicide Statistics for 24 U.S. Cities" (archived here) places Chicago 8th-worst, behind smaller cities like St. Louis, New Orleans, Detroit, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot, with highlighting added by Lead Stories, of chart in "2024 Homicide Statistics for 24 U.S. Cities" Using FBI data and other reports, the RIT researchers found that among cities larger than 1 million, Chicago's is the highest murder rate. USA Facts At USA Facts, a non-partisan government data publisher, murder rates are calculated based on the home county, since city borders may be less meaningful when urban growth fills in around the downtown. Using that approach, here's what USA Facts found: Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago and its metropolitan area, had 805 homicides in 2023 -- the most in the nation. The second highest was Los Angeles County, California, whose 88 cities, including Los Angeles, had 659 homicides. Los Angeles and Cook Counties are also the two most populated counties in the country. When adjusted for population, Cook County's 15.8 homicides per 100,000 people ranked 17th among 63 large-central metro US counties with reliable data, and Los Angeles County's 6.8 ranked 37th. Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of chart at https://usafacts.org/articles/which-cities-have-the-highest-murder-rates. FBI Crime Data Explorer The FBI Crime Data Explorer website is a public portal for the data passed to the FBI by cities across the country. Lead Stories downloaded the FBI's latest (2024) city-by-city comparison chart, stripped out smaller cities and came up with approximately the same ranking Fox News did, which shows Chicago with the worst murder rate of U.S. cities bigger than 1 million population. Lead Stories calculated the same rate per 100,000 that Baier cited to Pritzker: 17.47. Image source: Lead Stories data chart using data extracted from FBI CIUS Table 8. Advertisement Advertisement FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) Theres a reason why they call it fall, and it isnt just because of the leaves, but the pumpkins that fall from the sky too. Fairmont Catholics pumpkin drop has been a cherished tradition for years now, drawing students to learn more about science and engineering in a literal explosive way. This year, 7th and 8th graders of Fairmont catholic paired into groups to create the safest shell for their pumpkins out of materials like boxes, egg cartons, memory foam, and parachutes before they were chucked off of a fire truck ladder 100 feet in the air, with fellow students in the audience. The 100-foot fire truck ladder. (WBOY image) Sister Shalma Dsouza, seventh-grade instructor at Fairmont Catholic, told 12 News the importance of including fun curriculum like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone felt something that they can do, they can have ideas, and they learned a lot also on the scientific concepts that are behind the pumpkin drop, including they learned about air resistance, they learned about force, and gravity, and they also made a small project report on pumpkin drops, so it was great learning also, Sister Dsouza said. Out of the 8 groups that participated, only one pumpkin survived unharmed, but it wasnt pure luck; the winning group, Hocus Pocus, had some real theory behind the magic. Fairmont State opens new SOAR store on campus The Hocus Pocus group consisted of three seventh graders: Hadley Frisenda, Mia Gump, and Braeagh Decker. 12 New spoke with the group on their pumpkins protective design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wanted to put our pumpkin in two boxes. We started with a smaller box with hay, memory foam, and bubble wrap, and then we made a trampoline with half-blown-up balloons and memory foam under it, so if the balloons popped, it wouldnt actually hit the ground, and the memory foam would take the first impact, Frisenda said. The winning group, Hocus Pocus, left to right: Hadley Frisenda, Braeagh Decker, and Mia Gump. (WBOY image) The award for their hard work? Bragging rights, as the results of their two-week project was the only success of the bunch. 12 News also spoke with Gump and Decker on how it felt to win the contest. Pretty good! This is our first time, especially, so it makes all of us just feel really happy that we all actually got to win in our first experience, said Gump. We kind of manifested it though, because we did our theme was like Hocus Pocus, thats our teams name, so we named our pumpkin Binx, and in the movie, Binx cant die, so, Decker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hocus Pocus team plans to use the same blueprint for their pumpkin next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) As temperatures drop in Ohio and insects seek shelter from the cold, many residents end up hosting unwelcome house guests. Joe Boggs, an assistant professor with the Ohio State University Department of Entomology, said boxelder bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles and western conifer seed bugs are among fall home invaders. What theyre looking for is basically to get to a place in our homes where it is just warm, not frozen, and not too hot, Boggs told NBC4. That would be like, for example, in between the walls, or around window casings, or door jambs, sometimes in attics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boggs said when the pests end up inside a home, it is a total accident, which can result in them dying of starvation. The bugs feed heavily in the fall to build up fat for the winter. Their metabolism is tied directly to the temperature, so the colder it is, the slower they burn fat and the warmer it is, the faster they burn fat, according to Boggs. Theyre doomed if they [enter a home] because theres nothing for them to eat and our warm homes will cause their metabolism to go up and they burn through their fat reserves, Boggs said. Nevertheless, the insects often find their way indoors while searching for shelter from the cold, rain and snow. None of the aforementioned fall invaders are harmful to humans, but when eaten by pets, they may cause an upset stomach. They dont cause any harm, Boggs said. Theyre a nuisance. Theyre not going to come in and bite you. Thats not their M.O. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio residents can prevent the insects from entering their homes by caulking any gaps around windows, door jambs and door frames, according to Boggs. He also suggested replacing old door sweeps and ensuring any vents that lead outside are properly screened. Attic soffits can be another entry point, so Boggs recommended repairing any openings. What I always recommend is dont become overwhelmed, Boggs said. If you have an older home and youre consistently getting insect invasions, its best to just start on part of the home and get it sealed up, do what you can, and then move along. When already dealing with insects in the home, Boggs said residents can simply usher the pests out with a dustpan. People can also knock the insects into soda or water bottles to escort them outside, or fill those containers with soapy water to kill the pests, he said. He advised Ohioans against smashing Asian multicolored lady beetles and stink bugs, because they can secrete liquids that stain walls and fabric, and release an unpleasant odor. Using a household vacuum to suck up the insects can have a similar effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It becomes a bug blender, and that can cause that vacuum to take on an odor, so that every time you vacuum your house, itll stink, Boggs said. A person usually only does that once and its like, well, Ill never do that again. However, shop vacs can serve as an effective way to dispose of the insects, according to Boggs. He also said there are a number of do-it-yourself traps residents can make, including light traps, which involve using a light source placed over a shallow dish of soapy water that the pests fall into. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. VMPL New Delhi [India], October 25: The international Moscow Startup Summit has concluded in the Russian capital, becoming one of the year's most important global events in technology and innovation. The summit brought together leading international experts and representatives of tech companies from 40 countries. Among the key events in the business program were startup pitch sessions, exhibitions, and the demo day of the international accelerator Sber500. Over two days, the summit hosted more than 60 discussions and sessions focused on artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and technological entrepreneurship. Participants from China, India, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries discussed global economic challenges and strategies for adapting to a rapidly changing technological reality. The summit opened with a plenary conference featuring Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin and Sber CEO Herman Gref, who discussed human-centered technologies and the future of megacities, as well as how digital ecosystems are transforming modern life. International headliners included 2024 Nobel laureate in Economics Daron Acemoglu, three-time Academy Award winner Oliver Stone, and future-readiness expert Selina Neri. Their talks addressed key issues in global technological development -- from the future of AI and its social implications to new models of education and career growth in the digital era, and the role of creativity in entrepreneurship. A central part of the summit was a large-scale startup exhibition, featuring around 100 Russian and international projects. Notable examples included: - Gumich, which showcased its Gorodovoy robotic technology complex. - AI Deepfake, which developed tools to combat the spread of falsified digital content. - TUBOT, which presented in-pipeline robots for diagnostics, repair, and cleaning of pipelines. - Cyberly, which introduced an innovative VR-based therapy platform for preventing and treating anxiety disorders and phobias. - ONSINT, which developed a domestically produced industrial 3D printer with a high degree of localization. - ExoAtlet, which unveiled a medical exoskeleton for the rehabilitation of patients with lower-limb impairments. - Titan Power Solution, which presented a supercapacitor-based energy storage system -- a high-power, efficient device capable of regenerative charging. International guests showed strong interest in AI and machine learning solutions, green technologies, and urban digitalization. Among the showcased projects were Russian startups already scaling globally -- such as Virsine Innovations, which created a VR-based system for remote operation of industrial machinery, including cranes and mining excavators. Startups from Iran, the UAE, India, Pakistan, and other countries also took part. The summit became a key platform for strategic partnerships between Russian and international companies. One major announcement was the creation of Europe's largest testing ground for innovation in the construction sector, to be developed jointly by the Moscow Innovation Cluster and SberCity. The event also saw major investment deals in the tech sector. A consortium including KAMA FLOW (lead investor) and Osnova Capital announced a R1 billion investment in Piklema Group, which develops software solutions for the mining industry. Additionally, venture fund Friendly VC revealed plans to invest R50 million in SmartSee, the developer of iCrossWalk, a smart pedestrian crossing system. The Moscow Startup Summit concluded with the Startup Summit Awards, established by the Moscow Government and Sber to recognize outstanding achievements in technology and innovation. The awards ceremony became the culmination of the two-day event, highlighting the scale of Russia's innovation ecosystem. More than 1,700 applications were submitted from 79 regions of Russia, including 370 entries for the Best AI Solution category and over 160 projects competing for Best Urban Innovation. Winners were recognized across 17 categories in five main areas -- startups, venture investors, corporations, regions and universities, and media promoting technological entrepreneurship. The Moscow Startup Summit was organized by the Moscow Government and Sber, The event brought together over 5,000 participants, including representatives of venture funds, tech corporations, and research institutions. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Honoring local veterans at an annual event near Wilkes-Barre: Veterans, families, and neighbors came together on Saturday to recognize those who have worn the uniform. 28/22 News Brian Orbin was at the Friedman Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Kingston, where gratitude took center stage. To recognize all that have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces, retired Lieutenant Colonel and event organizer John Slick Baum stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This message set the tone for an event full of emotion, pride, and community. At the Friedman JCC, local leaders honored area veterans, celebrating their service while connecting them to resources and support. One of those veterans is Doris Keeler, a soft-spoken trailblazer whose service helped pave the way for women in the military. She served in the 1960s, working her way up from private to major while traveling the world, now reflecting upon her time in the service. Borough unveils some findings of financial mismanagement My tour of duty in Germany as a protocol officer, I met a lot of very distinguished people, Keeler told 28/22 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keeler says she never expected this kind of recognition, but its a moment that reminded her how far both she and the military have come. This is more than I expected when I walked through these doors today. But Im glad it happened, and if we could do anything to promote the military, I say go for it, Keeler continued. 28/22 Future Alert Meteorologist and Veteran Valerie Smock shared her own military experience with fellow vets. I want to say thank you, thank you to the men and women who bravely stood tall and proud having served in the United States Armed Forces, Smock said. Lawmakers say events like this are about more than awards; theyre about connection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having their stories heard, I know a lot of people dont like to talk about it, but they feel more comfortable when theyre with family. And family are other veterans, State Representative of Pennsylvanias 120th District Brenda Pugh said. State senators weigh in on state budget Pennsylvanias proud of its veterans and active service members, and we are proud of the mark that you have put on American history, Brigadier General Francis R. Montgomery explained. For Air Force veteran Baum, its a reminder that appreciation should last all year long. Its not just on one day a year that we celebrate them. Its that were thinking about them and were honoring their sacrifices that theyve made in the past, Baum added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A celebration of service and sacrifice, and a reminder that for those whove worn the uniform, their impact lives on long after theyve come home. Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Organizers say the goal is to make sure every veteran knows where to turn for support and that their service will never be forgotten. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. A family is searching for answers more than a month after their loved one was shot and killed downtown. Chicago police said Princeton Miller got into an argument with two men last month in West Loop and one of the suspects shot him. Miller was a DJ and model. His family is pleading for anyone with information to come forward. They spoke exclusively with ABC7 Chicago on Friday. The shooting happened while an area in West Loop was bustling with people. That's when Miller was out celebrating another year of life for his little brother, Robert Hunter, when his own life was taken after a sudden altercation ended in gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My brother would always joke and say, 'You're not ready for the world, baby bro,'" Hunter said. "Never was I ready for a world without him." Soon after a picture was taken of them, the unexpected loss followed. At night time, she cries for her daddy. 'I want my daddy. Why my daddy is not here? Why is he with God? "A night that was filled with joy just turned into tragedy," Hunter said. Hunter's birthday celebration ended in bloodshed after his older brother, Miller, was gunned down right in front of their cousin as Hunter waited for them at a nearby bar. It happened in the early morning hours of September 21 near Halsted and Lake in the West Loop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller's family says he was standing outside, waiting for an Uber ride, when he got into an argument with two men, he did not know, who were in a car. One of them then pulled out a gun. "Had it been the person he had the altercation with it may have been different, but the driver was not in danger of Princeton," his grandmother Odessa Johnson said. "He's the one that pulled the trigger. He endangered his passenger as well as shooting Princeton." SEE ALSO | Mother of woman among 4 killed after 18 shot in River North mass shooting speaks out: EXCLUSIVE "You didn't have to do that," his sister Paris'sa Boston said. "He was not an imminent threat to you, or anybody. And, you had no regard for life at that point." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the two drove off while the 38-year-old was shot in his chest and later died at the hospital. The victim leaves behind his 3-year-old daughter and two stepdaughters, wife, younger siblings, and parents, just as his passions for modeling and DJing were flourishing. His family home is now left hollow. "At night time, she cries for her daddy. 'I want my daddy. Why my daddy is not here? Why is he with God?,'" his widow Irma Miller said. A spokesperson for CPD confirmed to ABC7 Friday that two men were taken in for questioning but were later released without charges as the investigation continues. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A Norfolk man is speaking out after he said his 6-year-old autistic daughter was able to wander from Crossroads School earlier this week. The parent of the child said this situation happened on Tuesday morning. Wishing to go by Mr. Arrington, he said he got the call from Crossroads informing him that his child was missing around 12:30 p.m. Mid phone call, I jumped in my vehicle and God told me to turn down a side street. Going down the side street, I see my daughter being accompanied by a gentleman that I dont know, and one police officer, Arrington said. I had to process everything because it went from fear to anger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his daughter wandered a couple of blocks away to the front of a nearby business off East Little Creek Road. He said the business owner there pulled her from traffic and called 911. Norfolk Police confirmed officers responded to the area for a child protection call. To see my daughter with strangers, for one, just bothering. But I thank that guy, because [there are] some good people left in this world, Arrington said. Arrington also alleged the school staff had no idea she was missing until her classmates made them aware. Arrington believes she could have been gone for about an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added hes even more concerned because Norfolk Police reported a 16-year-old was almost abducted in the area around the school last week. NPD investigate attempted abduction of 16-year-old girl [When I went to the school], I got nothing but excuses, excuses and apologies, Arrington said. More apologies than excuses. How can you apologize for something that could have been detrimental? 10 On Your Side did reach out to Norfolk Public Schools about the incident and a spokesperson sent the following response: Norfolk Public Schools takes all school-related incidents very seriously. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. While we understand the concerns that have been raised, this situation involves personnel matters and student privacy, which we are not able to discuss publicly. Please be assured that NPS is committed to addressing all concerns appropriately and ensuring that every student is treated with respect, dignity, and care. Esther Zamora, Internal Communications & Social Media Coordinator Arrington said hes considering pulling his daughter out of the school after this situation. He wanted to raise awareness about what happened to hopefully spark change though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have staff by the exit doors. You dealing with kids. You want to keep them in school. Keep them in school. Thats the safest place for them to be. Up your staff, if youre understaffed, hire more. Do something, but let the parents know the truth, Arrington said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The signs sounded familiar to Jim Piazza. The anti-hazing activist says hes been certain for some time that the 19-year-old who was critically injured last week at a Rutgers University fraternity house was the victim of hazing. Piazza has been fighting the practice since 2017, when his son, Tim Piazza, died following a binge-drinking hazing ritual at Penn State. They know its wrong. They know its intentional, and they do it anyway, the Monmouth County resident told NJ Advance Media on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fraternity-led investigation found hazing was involved on Oct. 14 when a pledge from Matawan was shocked by an electrical wire, the Alpha Sigma Phi national organization announced Friday. The organization closed the Rutgers chapter, according to a spokesperson. Piazza called for the chapter to be terminated if hazing was involved. If there is hazing going on in a chapter, especially when it rises to the level of something dangerous, the national fraternities need to shut it down, he said. Timothy J. Piazzas Law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, requires New Jersey schools to adopt anti-hazing policies as well as penalties for violations of those policies. It was created after Tim Piazzas death once again cast a spotlight on the dangers of hazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Piazza said its now up to law enforcement and the district attorney to bring charges against fraternity brothers who might have been directly or indirectly involved in the alleged hazing. He believes the only way to reduce hazing on college campuses is if police prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law. Its unfortunate that these individuals would be brought up on felony hazing charges, but they shouldve thought about that before they engaged in the behaviors, Piazza said. He and his wife, Evelyn, have spoken at Rutgers several times in past few years and shared the story of losing their son, as well as their initiatives to prevent hazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Piazza said he was frustrated after he read accounts last week that claimed students were listening to music in the dark when the incident occurred. He emphasized that it clearly sounded like a case of hazing. Piazza said that it does not make sense to have that type of gathering under those circumstances, referring to the night of Oct. 14. Piazza said universities and national fraternities need to take a tougher stance against hazing and work together to prevent any additional injuries from occurring. Rutgers Hazing Investigation Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Friday that any potential increase in federal immigration activity in the city and the greater Bay Area has been called off. Lee made the announcement one day after federal agents arrived on Coast Guard Island in the Oakland Estuary, a move widely seen as the first step in a "surge" of enforcement sweeps involving immigration agents and the National Guard. LIVE UPDATES: Get the latest on federal agent operations, protests in the Bay Area "I spoke with Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, who confirmed through her communications with ICE that Border Patrol operations are cancelled for the greater Bay Area -- which includes Oakland -- at this time," Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alameda Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft said on Friday that officials there are keeping a close watch. "I know that we are monitoring the situation. I don't know how they got onto Coast Guard Island, but we will certainly monitor to the extent that they are leaving," said Alameda Mayor Marily Ezzy Ashcraft. Ashcraft says she talked to Governor Gavin Newsom's staff and says there are still concerns of federal agents being deployed outside of the 40-mile radius - Mayor Lee mentioned possibly to Napa. Some worry that President Donald Trump could change his mind about federal immigration enforcement in San Francisco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On this Friday, we asked San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie what happens if President Trump does an "about-face." RELATED: Newsom suggests Silicon Valley billionaires influenced Trump to back off federal operation in SF "I'm focused on what I can control. That is making sure we can tackle crime here and focus on our behavioral health crisis and making sure we tell the world San Francisco is on the rise and I think that message is getting out there," said Lurie. He says the city will keep a plan in place to deal with a federal immigration enforcement surge, in case President Trump changes his mind. Mayor Lurie also says he is coordinating with other Bay Area mayors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're all staying in close touch and keeping each other apprised of what's happening in their cities," said Lurie. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan shared this statement: "I'm in close communication with leaders across the Bay Area. While we appear to be safe from federal action for now, we're always preparing for every possible scenario." State Senator Scott Wiener spoke out on Friday about keeping federal immigration enforcement out of San Francisco. "I'm grateful that the mayor went to the mat to keep San Francisco safe," said Wiener. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live Federal agents returned to neighborhoods on the North Side on Saturday for "Operation Midway Blitz." An elementary school made last-minute changes to a celebration for residents as agents detained several people nearby on the Northwest Side, and tear gas appeared to be deployed. The family of Luis Villegas says he was working on a now-unfinished project before he was chased down and arrested by federal agents in front of a house in Old Irving Park. That's when neighbors came outside their homes in his defense before, witnesses say, tear gas was deployed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on Sunday, saying that an undocumented immigrant and two U.S. citizens were arrested during Saturday's operation in Old Irving Park. The concern impacted a Halloween tradition in the neighborhood for kids. We were supposed to be standing on this corner with hundreds of families just walking around, and we're just being terrorized by ICE A teenager pleaded with federal agents as his oldest brother was led away in handcuffs by immigration officers. "It takes a toll on me because I'm the one that's responsible for him, at the end of the day," Julian Villegas said. "He's working over here for me, and all this happening, putting him in danger is just... I feel guilty." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It happened Saturday morning while Luis Villegas, a 35-year-old father and construction worker with his brother's business, was working on this home near Kildare and Waveland. Neighbors were seen trying to assist as whistles are blaring. Villegas' family says he is an undocumented immigrant and has lived in the Chicago-area for most of his life after coming from Mexico with his family at 4 years old. Witnesses say a woman and man, seen in a video obtained by ABC7, were detained. ABC7 has blurred their faces since it's unclear if they face charges. "The man is my neighbor, who lives right here. He's 70-years-old or about," neighbor Brian Kolp said. "They essentially hauled him out the driver side of his car and threw him on the ground." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates During the confrontation, apparent tear gas was deployed, clouding the very street where kids, in their costumes, were supposed to march in a neighborhood Halloween parade. "We were supposed to be standing on this corner with hundreds of families just walking around, and we're just being terrorized by ICE," neighbor Anna Ware said. "Instead, we're keeping ourselves together, resisting with joy at Disney II [Magent School], doing a parade around the track." City leaders are condemning the federal actions that unfolded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lawyers are doing their job of holding these agents accountable, and working through the courts, using the legal process that we have to challenge what is happening," said Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Chicago Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights. DHS' statement Sunday said, "On October 25, 2025, Border Patrol conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who has previously been arrested for assault. During the operations Border Patrol agents were surrounded and boxed in by a group of agitators. Federal law enforcement issued multiple lawful commands and verbal warnings, all of which were ignored. During the operation, two U.S. citizens were arrested for assaulting and impeding a federal officer. To safely clear the area after multiple warnings and the crowd continuing to advance on them, Border Patrol had to deploy crowd control measures. Our officers are facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, abusers, and gang members. Secretary Noem's message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino has been ordered by a federal judge to appear in court on Tuesday. Protest held in Little Village People in the Little Village neighborhood marched on 26th Street Saturday to protest the immigration crackdown. Federal agents have often been seen in the neighborhood since operation midway blitz started. DHS comments on Friday's North Side operations The Department of Homeland Security is responding after tear gas was deployed Friday during an immigration operation on Chicago's North Side. It happened at Henderson and Lakewood. DHS says "agitators" swarmed federal agents and impeded operations, and when agents used crowd control measures, people threw objects at them. That's when tear gas was used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents detained at least one construction worker. ABC7 blurred that person's face in a video of their detainment because it's unclear if any charges were filed. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson issued a statement on Saturday, saying, "Border Patrol agents were swarmed by agitators during enforcement operations near Lakewood Avenue in Chicago. The agitators obstructed federal law enforcement and ignored multiple warnings to disperse and continued to impede operations, including trying to deflate a vehicles tire. Agents deployed crowd control measures to disperse the crowd and agitators began throwing objects at them. To protect themselves, the Border Patrol deployed additional to safely clear the area. Our officers are facing a surge in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem's message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. CBP and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Border Patrol agents repeated multiple warnings to back up and that chemical agents would be deployed if warnings were ignored. Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public." Oct. 24The U.S. Department of Justice wants to end the life of a 39-year-old accused of killing an elderly man outside a Santa Fe electronics store and stealing his vehicle last year. Prosecutors on Wednesday filed an intent to seek the death penalty in the case against Zachary Babitz in the August 2024 death of 83-year-old Gordon Wilson. Babitz, of Edgewood, is federally charged with carjacking resulting in death and using a firearm in a crime of violence and causing death, among other felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the second case in New Mexico in which the U.S. Attorney's Office has sought the death penalty since the Trump administration lifted the ban on federal executions in February. The last time federal prosecutors in the state sought the death penalty was in 2018. "Attorney General (Pam) Bondi has authorized and directed the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico to pursue capital punishment in this case," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico said in a news release sent Friday. Babitz's attorney did not respond to a call seeking comment, and the U.S. Attorney's Office did not respond to questions. The death of Wilson came amid an alleged crime spree by Babitz that included the robbery of an Albuquerque bank and an Arby's in Las Cruces. It was Las Cruces police who arrested Babitz days after Wilson's death and he was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Babitz is in federal custody. His alleged accomplice, Jessie Dominguez, is charged with aiding and abetting. On Aug. 6, 2024, Wilson pulled his Jeep Cherokee into the parking lot of a Best Buy store in Santa Fe, according to court records. Babitz approached Wilson and shot him during a scuffle. Police said Babitz drove off in Wilson's Jeep and officers found it abandoned outside an apartment in Albuquerque. Officers found Babitz's shoes and a bullet believed to have been left by him at the apartment, but he had fled. Days later, Babitz and Dominguez showed up to an Arby's in Las Cruces and held the cashier at gunpoint, according to police. The pair then carjacked a woman outside and crashed the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Cruces police arrested Babitz near the crash scene, and he was booked into the Dona Ana County jail. In January, Babitz filed a civil complaint in 1st Judicial District Court against the Keefe Commissary Network, which provides inmate commissary at the facility. In the complaint, Babitz and an inmate serving a life sentence alleged price gouging by the company. "For example, a Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, on average sold to non-incarcerated between 20-25 (cents), is priced at $1.25 at (the jail)," according to the complaint, which included screenshots of Ramen sold at Walmart. Babitz and the other plaintiff in the case asked a judge to order an injunction to order Keefe to "lower canteen prices to something comparable to prices offered to non-incarcerated." That case, like the one in which prosecutors seek the death penalty, has been moved to federal court. The government is shut down, and kids are paying the price. As the federal shutdown approaches 1 month, we can no longer hide the effects on childrens health. Suspending national funds has imperiled the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, embargoed support for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and endangered early childhood education by eroding the federal Head Start Program. For many low-income children, SNAP is not an obscure government program, but food on their tables. Nationally, roughly 14 million children (about 20%) live in food-insecure households. Almost 800,000 of those children live in Florida, which means up to 1 in 4 kids statewide, are hungry. For families who cannot afford food and medicine, SNAP is the difference between being fed and being treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the shutdown, childrens plates are empty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has told states to withhold SNAP funds as the federal government stalls. Six states have warned enrollees November SNAP benefits will be halted creating a hunger cliff set to begin in less than a week. All while grocery prices are rising. Pediatricians understand child hunger. Food insecurity is higher among US children than in the general population. We face it every day in clinics and emergency rooms. Child hunger is so common that we have been screening all families for food insecurity for more than a decade. Knowing whether a patients family is hungry is an actual vital sign in some clinics as important as heart rate and blood pressure. Childrens hospitals nationwide have food pantries, stocked by local charities supported by SNAP funds. To a hungry child, food is medicine. Higher rates of pediatric obesity and asthma, impaired growth and poorer cognitive development are long-term consequences of childhood food insecurity. Prolonged interruptions in nutrition programs impair learning and decrease school performance. For young children, the impact of destabilizing access to food now may not be felt for a decade. The shutdown has also frozen funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children a program that provides essential formula, baby food, and nutritional support for about 7 million mothers, infants, and toddlers. Since WIC operates on federal reimbursements, state agencies can only continue for a few days without getting federal dollars paid back. Propped up for now by emergency funds, WIC will soon turn away pregnant women, mothers and their newborns, or ration services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without the formula and breastfeeding counseling provided by WIC, many children will miss critical nutrition during a period of rapid brain growth. A developing newborns brain makes over 700 connections per second and doubles in size in the first year. Growth missed in that first year cannot be fully recovered. For infants and toddlers living on the economic margin, even a short disruption in WIC support will result in anemia and impart lasting consequences on growth and early development. WIC does not just serve low-income families. As a neonatologist, I often send formerly premature newborns home on specialized newborn formulas that promote growth without irritating their fragile, under-developed intestines. These pre-digested formulas can cost more than a thousand dollars per month financially unattainable for many middle-income families. For my patients families, WIC is vital to their premature newborns obtaining the medical nutrition they need to survive and grow. Pausing Head Start money creates exponential risk to childrens health and development. Head Start is not merely a preschool; it is a constellation of services developmental screenings, meals, dental and mental-health referrals, and childcare that allows parents to work. Because many Head Start grants operate on annual federal appropriations, an extended shutdown forces local programs to tap emergency reserves or close. Tens of thousands of children could lose access to classrooms, food and healthcare an outcome that will reverse early learning progress but also burden families with gaps in childcare that will spill over into lost wages and job loss for parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imperiling these essential child programs threatens childhood for millions of kids. Pediatricians see the fallout of the shutdown in real time. Steps to protect mandatory nutrition spending from short-term gaps must happen immediately. Lawmakers should adopt emergency measures to allow Head Start grants temporary flexibility so programs can continue to pay staff and serve children while accounting technicalities are resolved. These are not partisan wins or losses; they are the most basic functions of government ensuring children have food, early learning, and health supports. The clock is ticking. Shetal Shah, MD, FAAP, is past chair of the National Pediatric Policy Council. (FOX40.COM) Many eyes are on Sacramento State Friday as the Hornets take on the University of Montana Grizzlies and the community welcomes musical artist Quavo to perform on campus. The school is hosting these events with heightened security after things got out of control last Saturday. Performer Lil Yachty was forced to end his set early due to rowdy behavior from the crowd. FOX40 went to Hornet Stadium to talk with students about this big event. Im so excited, Im so excited, students said. Were so excited its our first time coming to a Sac game and we cant wait to see how everything goes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fans, students and alumni showed out in full force. Students said it was a fresh start from the crowd chaos from last Saturday. What started as a post-Hornet-win celebration featuring renowned artist Lil Yachty, took a dangerous turn. There were lost children, fights breaking out and people trampling protective fences. I was definitely thinking, like, I would stay out the way, and I did, because there were people, like, getting trampled, so I was like stand out the way I just seen it from afar, one student told FOX40. Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood confirmed the show ended early due to behavior from some community members. We were waiting for so long for like a little concert like that, another student said. And then like he played like three, four songs and he had to leave because of the commotion going on in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school headed into this next game with stronger safety measures increased security personnel and fans will be required to stay in their seats to watch Quavos performance. I feel safe. Hopefully safer now, students said with confidence. Others said they are still a bit hesitant, but told FOX40 that they trust people will play by the rules. I still am so a little bit nervous, one fourth-year student said. Well, like, I think its going to be better just because they learn from last week. Students added that theyre not letting last weeks mayhem impact their excitement and love for their school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im so proud to be a hornet, a third-year student said. While officials have not publicly reported any major incidents from Fridays game at this time, our crew was onsite all night and witnessed some people hopping fences and an ambulance and first responders on the property. Stick with FOX40 for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. India is developing advanced chipsets that will be able to run various high-tech applications, including CCTVs, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday, highlighting the country's rapid strides in indigenous capabilities. The government will invest more than Rs 200 crore to develop energy-efficient microprocessors for high-performance computing, including servers, the Union minister said. Semiconductor chips are at the heart of modern technology. They power essential systems in healthcare, transport, communication, defence, and space. As the world moves toward greater digitalisation and automation, semiconductors have become integral to economic security and strategic independence. In just four years, since the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in 2021, India has transformed its semiconductor journey from vision to reality. Under the mission, Rs 76,000 crore were allocated and nearly Rs 65,000 crore has already been committed. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has already begun work on the next phase of India's semiconductor programme, Semicon 2.0, and is currently holding internal discussions and with various line ministries to finalise its contours. Mobile phone components, railway anti-collision system Kavach, UPI, and, of late, the large-scale adoption of IT platform Zoho are examples of innovations that emanated from Indian soil. So far, over 12 lakh central government employees have been onboarded on Zoho's swadeshi digital suite (Writer, Show, Drive, etc.), Minister Vaishnaw said. With over 55 apps across nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Chennai, India, Zoho is a privately held, profitable company that employs more than 18,000 people worldwide, according to its website. Vaishnaw, who is Railways and Information and Broadcasting Minister, had recently urged people to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Swadeshi' by adopting indigenous products and services. PM Modi has been repeatedly laying thrust on self-reliance across various sectors. PM Modi has emphasised the importance of maintaining quality standards and nurturing a strong spirit of buying Made in India products. Minister Vaishnaw also said today that within two years, India will achieve complete domestic production of mobile phone components. India's electronics manufacturing sector has grown exponentially over the past decade, with total production increasing from Rs 2.4 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 9.8 lakh crore in 2024. Mobile manufacturing alone has reached Rs 4.4 lakh crore, with exports at Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024. As high as 98 per cent of the mobile phones used in India are now being manufactured in India with Smartphones becoming one of the top largest export items from India. In 2017, Apple started manufacturing iPhones in India. As part of its Atmanirbhar and Make in India plan, the government launched production incentive (PLI) schemes in varied sectors, including electronics, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports. (ANI) Oct. 24WASHINGTON FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance is available to members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and straight-line winds on June 21. President Donald Trump's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals and families of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs as well as funds to replace personal property, a release said. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is also eligible to receive federal funding on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and straight-line winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederic Kaehler has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, the release added. Tribal members who sustained losses on or near the designated area should first file a claim with their insurance provider and then apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362. Those who use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, should provide FEMA with the number for that service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA assistance is meant to return a home to a safe, sanitary and functional residence and cannot pay for all disaster losses. To meet the needs of disaster survivors more fully, FEMA partners with other governmental and non-governmental agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA may offer low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, business owners and private non-profits to help cover losses that are not fully compensated by insurance, FEMA grants or other resources. LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY) Festival International de Louisiane marks its 40th anniversary with the publication of a book this fall. The 200-page bilingual hardcover limited edition will debut at a press conference Oct. 31 and book launch event hosted by Cavalier House Books during Artwalk on Nov. 8 in downtown Lafayette. The book features stunning full color photography by many of Louisianas most celebrated photographers. Their work vividly captures some of the most memorable performances on city streets and Festival stages across four decades and offers a peek behind-the-scenes to acknowledge the work of the thousands of volunteers who make it all possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book launch will be a ticketed event that will include a short presentation by the books creative team on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. at Cavalier House Books, 302 A Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette. Two tickets are included with the purchase of each book. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Only limited edition commemorative copies signed by key contributors will be available at the launch; the price is $140. Tickets for the launch presentation only are $10 and seating is limited. Reservations, advance orders, tickets and additional information are available at cavalierhousebooks.com. Proceeds from the book will benefit Festival International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning Nov. 10, 2025, copies will be available the Festivals website with the hardcover edition price at $95. Follow the books narrative of its comprehensive telling of Festival International and its economic and cultural impact in Lafayette and Acadiana. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. A slice of the Caribbean with its resident alligator, Willie, and dining decks overlooking the river will slip away after this weekend. Sunday, Oct. 26 is the last day for owners Don and Joann Worner at Hucks Cove Grill on the Bayou in Gautier. They sold the restaurant to a local buyer who owns another restaurant on the Coast. Its the third waterfront restaurant to close or change hands in three months. Tiki Bar & Grill in Gautier and Flamingo Landing in Gulfport closed in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sad, is how they describe the end of the era that began on Oct. 19, 1999, when they purchased the restaurant on the West Pascagoula River. They recently totaled $10 million theyve invested in the business and community since then, the college kids and local staff members who worked there, the bands who entertained and the countless people they fed. Were kind of an icon in Gautier. Like a yacht club where everyone could belong, Don said. Times change, and its hard for a small restaurant to survive, he said, especially when the owners spend six months on weather watch. A touch of the Caribbean greets customers at Hucks Cove in Gautier, where porch swings and rocking chairs provide a fun place to sit while waiting for a table or after dinner. Its come time for us to retire, Don said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a younger persons business, Joann said. One more taste of paradise The restaurant still will be open Friday through Sunday for one last visit and a veterans poker run on Saturday. The restaurant is known for its burgers and seafood, and they added Coast favorites like fried green tomatoes, gumbo and fried dill pickles. The BaDaBing Burger at Hucks Cove restaurant in Gautier is among the favorites. We tried to have items none of the other restaurants served, Joann said, like being the first to put gator tail on the menu. Customers will have a couple more days of great weather for dining on the water, but the forecast for Sunday, their last day, is wet. Stormy weather kind of fits with the history of the place. The couple bought the waterfront restaurant from Beau Speed, a Gautier pharmacist who opened Hucks Cove in 1996, bringing a taste of his tropical Caribbean experiences to South Mississippi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building was just hit by Hurricane Georges before the sale went through, and was repaired. Weve always built back Don said, restoring the building, the docks and decks torn up by tropical storms and deluged by Hurricane Katrina. The water line of Katrina is marked above the window in the restaurant, amid the license plates, photos of celebrities who ate there and the wallpaper of memorabilia. The water line from Hurricane Katrina is marked on the walls of Hucks Cove in Gautier 20 years later. The Worners said most of the license plates are theirs. We traveled a lot, said Don. He was from Ocean Springs and when they were ready to settle back on the Coast, they were looking for a place that reminded the of the Bahamas, where they had spent a lot of time. Tucked away and friendly Customers can pull up in their boat or set their map to 3000 Oak St. to reach Hucks Cove. Or they can go with local directions to turn off Highway 90 by the bridge and hang a right just after the cemetery. Then its a weave past the separate restroom building like those in the Bahamas, into the entry with its porch swings and out beyond to the decks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People just seem to find the restaurant. We wanted to go somewhere on the water, said two customers from Cleveland, Ohio, who were having lunch on the deck with their dogs after visiting the alligator. Manatees also have been known to swim up to Hucks a time or two. Making one last toast to Hucks Cove in Gautier are Lisa Simpson and Jeffrey Saylors of Florida. I love this little place, said Lisa Simpson, who wants the new owners to keep the menu and the restaurant the same. She and Jeffrey Saylors visit whenever they come to Biloxi from Florida, and she always orders the same thing. Im not getting crawfish in West Palm Beach, she said. As the new owner takes on the care of the building and the history of Hucks Cove, the Worners no longer will have to watch for storms six months of the year. Were going to travel some more, Don said. Just enjoy life. Mud and sea grass from the barrier islands and Mississippi Sound covered almost every inch of Huck's Cove after Hurricane Katrina, and flooded the Gautier restaurant at 300 Oak Street with more than 12 feet of water. It was restored and back open again to survive more storms and COVID. Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has said that recent US and European Union sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector are very important, yet argued that allies must increase economic and political pressure to force Moscow to end its war against Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg citing Elina Valtonen, as reported by European Pravda Details: Valtonen said that the latest coordinated sanctions effort by Washington and Brussels has marked a significant step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We simply have to increase the pressure. Unfortunately, we seem to be unable to change Russia's imperialistic goals, but we should be able to change their calculus." More details: The foreign minister stressed that the war "costs [Russia] a lot of money" and that its real economy is struggling to withstand the strain. Background: The US imposed measures this week targeting two of Russia's largest oil companies. The sanctions involve freezing all US-based assets of Rosneft and Lukoil and prohibit all US companies from conducting any business with these Russian firms. The EU has also formally adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia by written procedure on 23 October. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that leaders of the Coalition of the Willing in London agreed on measures that will tighten pressure on Russia further. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest information. Russia launched an attack on Kyiv overnight on Oct. 25, once again targeting Ukraine's capital with ballistic missiles. Explosions were heard in Kyiv just before 4 a.m. local time, according to Kyiv Independent reporters on the ground. At least two people were killed and 12 injured in the attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the victims initially reported among the injured died in the hospital, Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, added. "No ammunition, no military production. Russian terrorists are hitting our civilian and residential infrastructure with ballistic missiles. All we see is pure terror," Tkachenko wrote on Telegram later in the day. The attack came just days after Russia's most recent large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Oct. 22. The missile and drone attack on energy infrastructure across Ukraine killed six people and injured at least 44. Russia has intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks ahead of winter, forcing Ukraine to introduce blackouts. Klitschko warned on Oct. 23 that Kyiv is preparing for what could be the most challenging winter since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia launched nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Russia's Rostov and Kursk oblasts overnight, along with 62 Shahed-type attack and decoy drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Air defenses intercepted 50 drones and four missiles, but 12 drones and five missiles struck four locations. Following the attack, Tkachenko reported that multiple fires had broken out at "several locations on the left bank of the city." The "left bank" refers to the part of Kyiv located east of the Dnipro River. According to the State Emergency Service, aviation, robotics, and unmanned systems are involved in extinguishing fires caused by the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires have been localized and are not spreading, the service added. Kyiv Mayor Klitschko said that firefighters have been deployed to the Darnytskyi and Desnianskyi districts of the city. Large fires have been reported at non-residential buildings in the Desnianskyi and Darnytskyi districts, while in the Dniprovskyi district, the strike damaged windows, vehicles, and left a crater in the yard of a residential building, local officials said. A kindergarten was also damaged in the Dniprovskyi district. Read also: Russia has upgraded its already devastating glide bombs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine expects to receive 150 Swedish Gripen fighter jets, the first of which are due to arrive next year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Quote: "Together with Sweden, Ukraine will significantly increase its combat aviation numbers. This is an ambitious task and it must be fulfilled. A historic step has been taken now an agreement with Sweden on Gripen fighter aircraft, and that's a good choice. We are counting on 150 such aircraft for Ukraine, and the first are expected to arrive next year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy said that Gripens form part of future security guarantees and described the agreement as the most substantial aviation deal that Ukraine has entered into. Background: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently announced the signing of a letter of intent with Zelenskyy on the sale of 100-150 Gripen E fighters to Ukraine. Kristersson believes it is possible to begin the supplies of Gripen aircraft to Ukraine within three years. Ukraine's Air Force noted that Swedish Gripens cost less than comparable aircraft, are cheaper to maintain and will integrate smoothly into Ukraine's aviation system. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A newly drawn congressional map in North Carolina meant to benefit Republicans is facing its first legal challenge as voters claim its racially discriminatory. When asked about potential litigation over the map earlier in the week, North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger said, Every map weve passed results in a lawsuit, so thats not a surprise. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: After shorter debate, GOP-drawn Congressional map passes in NC House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters in the 1st and 3rd districts, which were targeted in the redrawing, are challenging the new map as part of an already-pending lawsuit against the previous map from 2023. They accuse the map of discriminating against Black voters in those districts and takes away their chances of fair representation by rigging the system in a way that almost guarantees a Republican win. The Republicans in favor the map say they didnt consider race when making it. The redrawing of district one was done based on political calculation and a determination that the district could be redrawn for a Republican to have a better chance of winning, Berger said. In several committee meetings and debates over the map, Republican state Sen. Ralph Hise, who took credit for the map said, no racial data was used and he instead relied on political data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Dozens rally against GOP-backed NC congressional redrawing as debate held In response, Democratic Senate Leader Sydney Batch said said, Senator Hise can sit there and say all day long he didnt take any race into account, but when you look at the data, it makes it very clear he has taken northeastern North Carolina, which has always been a solid Black belt of voters who fought for their civil rights to be here and be elected by people they chose. Republicans are confident in the map. Itll be upheld in any court, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall said. We followed the law with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats say the court needs to step up and protect Black voters. This has negatively impacted Black voters, Batch said. For them to say anything other is a straight, bold-faced lie. Republicans in North Carolina have repeatedly said they made the map to protect President Donald Trumps agenda in Congress. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. GLANDORF Local campaigns are in full swing, leading up to the November 4 election, and in the Village of Glandorf, four incumbents are seeking re-election, with three new candidates running. Dale Warnecke, Zack Klausing, Kristen Gerding-Heffner, and Doug Trombley are all seeking re-election, with Tim Hansen, Bart Recker, and Charlie Schroeder seeking their first seats on the council. Zack Klausing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klausing has served on the council for eight years and is running on the platform of transparency and accountability. He believes in continuing to make needed improvements to the village, in a fiscally responsible way, and to grow the community in a way that wont burden future generations. I am running for re-election because I think our current administration has done a great job improving our community while maintaining its small-town values. I am raising my young family here and want it to be a great place for them to grow up. I have enjoyed serving the community and hope to continue doing so, Klausing said. He also stated that with honesty and integrity, he will work to improve the village and maintain the small community they are all proud of. Kristen Gerding-Heffner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerding-Heffner has been on the council for six years and believes that creating responsible growth within the village, supporting current businesses so they can thrive, enhancing community spaces like the beautiful parks and fostering a neighborly feeling are all important. On top of those goals, she also wants to be fiscally responsible, as she believes it is important to be accountable for the tax dollars spent to benefit the village residents the most. On the personal side, Gerding-Heffner is a business owner and a mother of three, so she wants to keep Glandorf a safe and thriving community. My message to the people of Glandorf is one of gratitude and service. I am humbled to be part of this community my entire life and the Village Council for the past six years. Glandorf is filled with hard-working individuals, strong locally owned businesses, and volunteers who give tirelessly to our community. I promise to continue to focus on what makes us unique and strong, she said. Dale Warnecke Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warnecke has served on the council for 12 years and has shown dedication, integrity, and genuine care for the people of the community. He also states that he is committed to his town and believes that no matter where people stand, they should always exercise their right to vote. Tim Hansen Hansen is running to be a councilman because he wants to help maintain Glandorfs culture as a safe residential community where its history is based on faith, morality, and community. He believes that all residents have a voice in the future of the village, and he will educate himself on the village infrastructure and any upgrades needed. I look forward to working with all the village council members and staff, and the entire community, to help with the future of our village, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hansen also stated that he has recently retired and has more time to dedicate to being a council member. He has also served his country and serves at his church, so he feels it is time to serve the community. Bart Recker Recker is committed to a platform grounded in factual, fair, impartial, and respectful discussion and decision-making. His main platform focuses on maintaining and promoting a safe and moral society that supports families, ensuring that our community remains a nurturing environment for all. Reckers decision to run stems from the support and compassion he has seen in the community. In 2021, into 2022, he was hospitalized for six months due to COVID-19, and the compassion that he saw has had a lasting impact on his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As someone who grew up in Glandorf and graduated from Ottawa-Glandorf in 1993, I have deep roots in the Glandorf community. I went on to earn my degree from the University of Toledo and became a Licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, he said. My goal is to serve Glandorf with integrity, transparency, and a genuine desire to listen and support the needs of our residents. Charlie Schroeder Schroeder is a former mayor of Glandorf and is running on the platform of promoting and developing Glandorfs US 224 business district, as well as controlling the cost of water and sanitary sewer by being proactive with preventive maintenance measures and fixing small leaks before they become big leaks. When he was mayor, the village adopted its first comprehensive plan, and he would like to see the village fulfill the wishes of residents who took part in the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glandorf is a great place to live. The residents need to know that I will govern as a council member to ensure Glandorf remains the village our residents are accustomed to, want, and deserve. To all the residents, my children, and grandchildren who live in this village, I will focus on keeping Glandorf great and making it greater, he said. Doug Trombley Trombley is running for his third term on the council, and over those three years, he has seen improvements such as storm sewer infiltration, improved infrastructure, and, with the help and dedication of many community members, park enhancements. Before being on the Village Council, Trombley was a member of the Board of Public Affairs, and in total has served the village for 12 years. The decision to run for the village council is my love for the community, the honor to serve others, and to continue to make a difference in our village, he said. Heavy rainfall could offer Houston nearly a month's worth of rain Saturday, but the beneficial soaking could come with flooding and severe thunderstorms. Here's everything to know about this weekend's wet forecast. WEATHER RADAR: A look at real-time rain hitting Texas and the Houston area. Saturday: Strong storms likely in multiple rounds Morning: Thunderstorms are expected to reach Southeast Texas before sunrise. This first push of heavy rain and strong thunderstorms is likely to arrive before 7 a.m. for areas north and west of Houston, including College Station, Huntsville and Conroe. The first round of storms and heavy rain should reach Houston by around 10 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement { "__type": "devHubFreeformEmbed", "__id": "Datawrapper", "__fallbackImage": "https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aR3vg/mobile.png", "__data": { "datawrapper_id": "aR3vg" } } Despite the early arrival time of storms, this initial round could pack damaging wind gusts of 60 mph. Thunderstorm lines can also occasionally spawn brief, usually weak, tornadoes. Heavy rainfall also could quickly overwhelm sun-baked soils, resulting in localized flooding even in areas not prone to flooding. Morning storms may bring an inch to 2 inches of rain across much of the area. Midday: After a stormy start to the day, widespread rainfall should become more hit-or-miss during the afternoon. It would be a good idea to keep an umbrella handy, as isolated to widely scattered downpours persist. Any storms through the early afternoon should have a lower likelihood of producing damaging winds or flooding. Totals through the afternoon should remain less then an inch in most areas. Evening: A second line of thunderstorms is expected to push through Southeast Texas Saturday evening. This line, associated with an approaching cold front, is likely to arrive in Houston after sunset. Much like the line of storms that blows through early in the day, this final round of storms could spur localized flooding and gusty storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The line of storms is expected to push offshore overnight Saturday into early Sunday. With it, the potential for flooding and severe weather also pushes out of our area. Rainfall totals across Southeast Texas from Saturday's rainfall are expected to be between 2 and 4 inches, though isolated higher totals remain possible. This image shows forecast rainfall totals through Sunday morning across Southeast Texas. Rainfall totals of 2 or 3 inches are possible, with localized amounts of 4 inches or more. (Weather Prediction Center / Pivotal Weather) If 2 inches or more of rainfall is recorded Saturday at Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston's official climate observation site, it would mark the first time the airport recorded that much rain since Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Sunday: Showers linger, no severe storms The passage of Saturday's cold front will clear out storms from Southeast Texas, but spotty showers are possible into early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leftover showers or rumbles of thunder should mainly be confined to near and south of Interstate 10. Despite the cold front's passage, temperatures on Sunday may edge higher by a degree or two than on Saturday. This is because the air mass behind Saturday's front has origins from the Pacific, which is running warmer than normal currently. Because of this, our air mass won't feel noticeably cooler as highs peak into the lower 80s. WHAT WILL WINTER BRING? : Find out how La Nina could influence Houston's weather patterns this winter. Beyond Sunday, warm and humid weather is likely to continue ahead of our next cold front Tuesday. The timing of next week's cold front is still uncertain, but it does look likely to pull daytime temperatures down into the 70s by Wednesday. The Halloween forecast looks on track to be seasonably cool to near normal, with afternoon highs in the lower to mid-70s and evening temperatures falling into the 60s. This article originally published at Flood and damaging wind threat expected in Houston on Saturday. Here's what to know.. The Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has further reinforced its financial performance by paying a high dividend. The financial year 2024-25 witnessed comprehensive growth across both HLL's manufacturing and service portfolios. Revenue from operations increased to Rs. 4,500 crore, reflecting a 20% growth over the previous year. The company's net worth rose significantly to Rs. 1,100 crore as on March 31, 2025, the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday. On a consolidated basis, including its subsidiaries -- HITES, GAPL, and Lifespring Hospitals -- the HLL Group recorded a total revenue of Rs. 4,900 crore, marking a 19% growth over the previous fiscal. Established on March 1, 1966, HLL Lifecare Limited has evolved from addressing India's population control challenges to becoming a multi-product, multi-service healthcare enterprise playing a pivotal role in the nation's health sector transformation. "Through initiatives such as AMRIT Pharmacies, the company continues to make essential medicines and surgical products affordable, thereby reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients across the country," the health ministry added, as per the ministry statement. The dividend cheque was presented to J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, by Dr. Anitha Thampi, Chairperson, HLL, in the presence of Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, among others. Minister J.P. Nadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of Medical Services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all. Commending HLL's performance, Minister J.P. Nadda stated that HLL, along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies, have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sector. He highlighted that over the last 10 years, more than 6.7 crore people have benefited from the affordable medicines offered by the Amrit Pharmacies, thereby saving more than Rs. 8000 Crores in out-of-pocket expenditure. (ANI) NEED TO KNOW An 8-year-old girl was badly injured in a dog attack outside her home in Hollywood, Fla., on Oct. 24 The child was hospitalized after suffering facial injuries during the incident The girl's mother claimed it wasn't the first time the dog, which belongs to a neighbor, had attacked An 8-year-old girl has been hospitalized following a dog attack in Florida. The child was attacked by the animal outside an apartment in Hollywood while she was returning home from school at around 2:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 24, CBS News Miami reported, citing Hollywood Fire Rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girls mother, Keyrelly Jean Castro, told the outlet that she had just picked up her daughter, who is autistic, from school, and as the child ran towards their apartment door, their neighbors dog approached and bit her. She was over there. And the dog attacked her," Jean Castro said, translated from Spanish, to CBS News Miami. The parent then recalled how she watched helplessly as her daughter was mauled by the dog, screaming "kill it" repeatedly during the incident. The 8-year-old suffered facial injuries in the attack. Hollywood Fire Rescue treated her at the scene before she was transported to a local hospital, CBS News Miami reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In photos obtained by the outlet, the girl could be seen in bloodied clothes with a bandage wrapped around her head while she was held by her mother, who was also covered in her daughter's blood. One eyewitness said they saw people rush over to help the girl after the attack. They recalled seeing that the good Samaritans wrapped [her] head in a towel. Hollywood Fire & Rescue /Facebook Hollywood Fire and Rescue Hollywood Fire and Rescue Jean Castro claimed that the dog that attacked her daughter had shown aggressive behavior before. She told CBS News Miami the canine allegedly tried to attack her and her eldest daughter in September. In a video from the time that she shared with outlet, the dog was captured chasing the pair as they moved furniture outside their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jean Castro claimed to CBS News Miami that the dog ran "from one side of the courtyard to the other while still on a leash. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The dog involved was taken away by police after the Oct. 24 incident, the local outlet reported. Hollywood Fire Rescue did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25. Read the original article on People TORRINGTON - A Florida man accused of scamming $27,400 from an elderly city woman posted a $250,000 bond Thursday night, a day after he was arraigned in state court on a charge of first-degree larceny. Police say Shawn Williams, 41, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., convinced a woman in her 70s to transfer funds from her bank account to his under the pretext that he was a bank representative and the move was necessary to protect her during a fraud investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Torrington police Lt. Ken Brouillard said Williams convinced the woman that his name was Isaac Harper and he represented Webster Bank's Fraud Prevention Department, and that she needed to transfer funds to another bank to keep it safe, the warrant for Williams arrest states. Her account, he told her, was compromised, according to the warrant. Torrington police said Williams told the woman to withdraw $15,000 from her account and to not disclose to Webster Bank employees that her account had been compromised. Williams told the woman that one of the bank employees was under investigation for "divulging personal banking information," the warrant states. A clerk grew suspicious about the withdrawal, but the woman told him she was buying a car, which "was the excuse the representative advised the victim to say," the warrant states. Williams instructed the woman on how to open a Chase Bank debit card account with her cellphone's digital wallet, according to the warrant, and the woman then made two deposit transactions. She was then instructed by Williams to make three more transactions using the Chase Bank card for a total amount of $27,400, the warrant states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't until Williams told the woman to destroy the ATM receipts that she grew suspicious, the warrant states, and she refused to destroy them. Torrington police received a fraud complaint March 6 and tracked down Williams through the Morgan Chase account he had set up for the woman to deposit money into, according to the warrant. Torrington police enlisted the assistance of Port St. Lucie police, who located Williams by phone. He declined to speak with them. Williams was charged with first-degree larceny and criminal impersonation. His case is pending. Police are advising the public to be wary of "cold calls" involving money transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the kind of situation you can avoid by asking questions in person," Brouillard said. This article originally published at Florida man accused of scamming $27K from a Torrington woman, police say. LAKE ELSINORE, CA It's that time of year again. Well, almost. Flu season generally begins sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Are you vaccinated? Along with influenza, other respiratory viruses like RSV and in more recent years, COVID-19 are common culprits for a runny nose during the winter months. The best way to maximize protection against them is to get the vaccines you're eligible for, Dr. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease specialist at University of California, Berkeley, told Patch this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With flu season looming, early signs overseas and lagging vaccination rates at home could determine how severe it gets in California. And according to Swartzberg, early signs from the Southern Hemisphere suggest the U.S. could be in for a tougher flu season. "We also have a hint from Malaysia and Japan, where they're having a very early influenza season," he said. "That hints that maybe we're going to be seeing a more aggressive influenza this year." Here at home, a lower uptake of the flu vaccine is sounding the alarm. Flu season typically kicks off right after Halloween and is almost certainly here around Thanksgiving before peaking around mid to late January up to mid-February, Swartzberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite that low uptake, early surveillance data from the Southern Hemisphere show that this seasons influenza vaccine provided moderate protection, lowering hospitalization risk by about 50 percent. Taking all of this into consideration, Swartzberg says now is the best time to get the jab. Now is the time to get vaccinated for COVID, and certainly, now is the time to get vaccinated for influenza. And if you got RSV vaccine previously, it's good for at least three years. 5 Places In Lake Elsinore That Offer RSV, Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines: Lake Elsinore Pediatrics - 425 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore | 951-981-3122 Lake Elsinore Family Care Center - 2499 E Lakeshore Dr | 951-471-4200 Mission Trail Clinica Medica Famili - 31946 Mission Trl, Lake Elsinore | 855-505-7467 VCC - Lake Elsinore Health Center - 31361 Riverside Dr, Lake Elsinore | 951-252-2720 LECMF - A Medical Corporation - 31739 Riverside Dr, Lake Elsinore | 951-245-0505 The following pharmacies also offer vaccine appointments. Search for your area below: Who should be getting vaccinated right now? Swartzberg emphasized that everyone over six months of age should get the influenza vaccine, calling it the foundation of protection against respiratory viruses this winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said adults over 65 and especially those 75 and older should also stay up to date on their COVID-19 boosters, ideally every six months, while younger adults with underlying health conditions may also benefit from twice-yearly doses. For RSV, he noted that vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older, and for younger adults with health risks. READ MORE: Signs Point To Vicious CA Flu Season: What To Know Flu Season Begins Soon: Where To Get Vaccinated In Lake Elsinore originally appeared on the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump amid their high-profile divorce. The Georgia Republican told CBS News that she is starting to feel very sorry for the 79-year-old, saying that his attacks on her reflect poorly on him. The great schism began when Greene, 50, broke with him on the cost-of-living crisis, which Trump insists is a hoax, and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. PERRY TOWNSHIP On Saturdays, Linda Hoersten checks to see which of her students are failing a class, then she makes a call home to notify parents. The Perry High School guidance counselors weekly calls home take away the excuse of I didnt know my kid was failing, said Hoersten, who shares her personal cell phone number with families so parents can stay in touch. A lot of people wouldnt do that, but if thats how I can get in touch with a family, then thats what Im going to do, Hoersten said, because not having a diploma only creates a future of challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its part of Hoerstens intensive approach to keeping students on track to graduate. The results indicate success: Perry graduates a higher percentage of its students within four years of entering high school than districts like Bath, Bluffton and Shawnee schools, despite having a higher share of economically disadvantaged students otherwise at risk of not completing high school, according to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce data. Perry graduated 97% of the class of 2024 on time, a 9.5 percentage-point improvement from 2020. The high schools four-year graduation rate even surpassed the state average, which hit 88% for the class of 2024, the most recent year for which graduation data is available from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rubric Perrys small size makes it possible for Hoersten to monitor her students closely, with only 249 students in grades 7-12. Were able to intervene early, Superintendent Kelly Schooler said. Hoersten follows a rubric to determine which students are at greatest risk of dropping out of high school. At the top of her list: Students who will turn 18 years old before graduation. Next, Hoersten looks for students who have repeated a grade or failed a class. Chronic absenteeism ranks high on Hoerstens list students who miss 10% of instructional days are at greater risk of repeating a class or falling behind their peers followed by behavioral issues such as excessive disciplinary referrals, suspensions and out-of-school placements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even non-participation in extracurriculars can be an indicator when other risk factors are present. Students who score 30 points or higher on Hoerstens rubric are given a success plan to get on track for graduation. We track them, and we track, and we track, and we track, Hoersten said. A schedule for success Graduates must pass the state English Language Arts II and Algebra I exams to earn a standard diploma, but Ohio offers four alternative pathways to graduation for students who fail either exam. Theres the career readiness pathway for students who demonstrate competency through a state-approvd pre-apprenticeship, industry credentials, vocational license or test scores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students can substitute a college math or English class for either exam, or submit an ACT or SAT score to replace either exam. Students can also demonstrate competency by enlisting in the military. Then there are the diploma seals: Students must earn two seals proving they demonstrate the academic, technical or professional skills needed to graduate. To keep students on track, Perry requires ELA and Algebra I during freshman year, which gives students extra time to repeat either class if they fail the state exam. Students then take American history and government requirements for a citizenship seal, one of the 12 seals students can earn toward their diploma their sophomore year, so students who attend Apollo Career Center their junior year wont have to worry about passing a state exam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoersten reviews the seals closely to find the best fit for each student. Students who volunteer or work part-time can earn a job readiness seal through OhioMeansJobs if they demonstrate skills such as punctuality or professionalism, an option Hoersten promotes regularly. Interventions Students who fail Algebra I, English or biology can take an intervention version of the class, which provides tailored instruction informed by each students performance in class and on the state test. Sixth period is a designated intervention class for all Perry students, who have an hour set aside each day for homework, one-on-one sessions with a teacher, study groups or supervised free time in the schools makerspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perry is investing in career technical programs such as agribusiness, with career exploration starting in seventh grade to get students thinking about their careers early. If a student remains off track for graduation by the end of the junior year, Hoersten arranges a meeting with the students parents to chart a plan for how the student can earn enough credits to graduate. She asks: Is there an industry credential the student can earn during senior year? Can the student take classes online? If a parent ignores Hoerstens messages, Hoersten uses the schools mass communication system to send daily reminders to the parent that the child is off track for graduation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personalized attention is crucial for a district where all but two students were classified as economically disadvantaged by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. One year, Hoersten worked with seven pregnant girls who needed extra assistance to graduate. We got a couple of them across the finish line because I told them, I need you to be a good mom, and to be a good mom you have got to have a high school diploma, Hoersten recalled. I dont want you to be stuck in a bad relationship because you have no other means to work and advance. We just want them to graduate. Every parent wants their kid to graduate. How can we help with that? My sister purchased a veteran's brick for our dad. I read (the Kelly AFB memorial) was going to be in a new location early in 2025. Can you tell me where that is? If not, did you find out any new information? - Hortensia Villarreal You might have read a previous column on the subject of the Kelly AFB veterans memorial (covered here Oct. 12, 2024) dedicated in 1992 just outside the main gate of the former military installation. The monument park included a rippling metal American flag sculpture set within a plaza built of commemorative bricks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bricks were inscribed with the names of individuals, families and organizations that were part of Kelly's history, dating back to World War I. Other historical markers and sculptures, such as a bust of namesake George E.M. Kelly, an early military pilot who died in a 1911 air crash at Fort Sam Houston, also became part of the memorial. Kelly was closed in 2001 and redeveloped into Port San Antonio, a trade gateway and technology campus where some reminders of the longtime air base have been preserved. READ MORE: Kelly Veterans Monument currently in storage; Port San Antonio designing new home for it The personalized bricks - removed during ongoing redevelopment - are among them, with work on a suitable historic site still proceeding. Inscribed bricks, part of fundraising efforts for the Kelly Veterans Monument, are stacked and transported to secure storage until the monument can be reassembled early next year at an accessible site of historic interest. (Port San Antonio) "The design for the planned relocation of the Kelly artifacts to the open space by the Bungalow Colony continues and has taken a bit longer than expected," said Paco Felici, Port San Antonio's chief communications officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first of the wood-frame houses or bungalows in what is now the Kelly Historic District were completed in 1920, according to "The Bungalow Colony of Kelly Air Force Base," by Robert S. Browning III, a former Kelly historian. What was left of the hastily built World War I-era quarters was inadequate. In 1919, the flying field's commander Col. Henry C. Pratt said, "I don't believe that accommodations are as bad at any field in the country," and his successor successfully requested funds for their replacements. Salvaged material from "dismantled wartime buildings" was used to construct the houses. "By the end of the decade," Browning says, "the 10 homes originally planned had grown to a sizable community of 12 individual family units," along with bachelor officers' quarters and a headquarters building. S.A. HISTORY: Historic wooden structure at Port San Antonio could be early flight control tower for Kelly AFB Before a 1980s renovation, there was talk of tearing down the "decaying" bungalow colony and replacing it with new homes. "In the end, though, their importance as part of the heritage of Kelly won out," Browning says. "The tree-shaded streets and white-sided homes are a viable link to the pioneer airmen (of) the early days of military aviation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another restoration of these former officers' residences is underway, in partnership with the city's Office of Historic Preservation. As shown in this 1924 photo, the Bungalow Colony was a small group of officers' quarters at Kelly Field, founded during World War I and closed in 2001 as Kelly AFB. The houses were built from salvaged lumber and are now part of the Kelly Historic District at Port San Antonio. (U.S. Air Force) The "Pretty Bungalow Colony at Kelly Field," as it was announced in the San Antonio Light, Jan. 1, 1922, was composed of officers' residences in the popular style of the time - one-story houses with a low-pitched roof and a veranda or porch. The news story referred to the first five such structures to be built, along with recreational facilities and outbuildings such as servants' quarters, garages and a central steam-heating plant. More houses would be constructed through 1927; they are "among the earliest remaining family officers' quarters still standing on any Air Force or air depot base in the continental United States," says a description from the Historic American Buildings Survey, a National Park Service study. The San Antonio Light, Jan. 1, 1922, describes the first five houses in the "bungalow colony" at Kelly Field (later AFB) as "attractive," cost-effective and "homelike." They housed the commander of the Air Service Depot and other officers, sharing a central heating plant but "built far enough apart to set them off to an advantage." (San Antonio Light) Of additional significance, this compound "was different from other neighborhoods for service members because it was not constructed according to quartermaster-generated, standardized plans," said Lauren Sage, spokeswoman for the city preservation office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S.A. HISTORY: Readers ask for help with orphan' pavers in downtown San Antonio "Instead, the builders of the bungalow colony made minor design changes between individual homes in rafter ends, porch supports, brackets, rakes and siding details without detracting from the visual unity of the neighborhood. "Most other groups of officers' quarters required rigid duplication. In the Bungalow Colony, however, additions blended easily into the core building, just as the addition of other bungalows through time blended into the colony as a whole," she said. The preservation office has been working on their restoration with Port San Antonio for a few years, Felici said. "Their team has used the large front bungalows as part of programs to train tradespeople to apply their craft to older homes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the salvaged materials have come to light during the deconstruction phase of the restoration project. S.A. HISTORY: Daughters of the Union seek to preserve marker as mystery surrounds another "There are stamps in the rafters and walls of many of these buildings that tell us where the lumber originated," Sage said, "including some from Hagerstown, Md., where airplane parts were packed and shipped to Kelly Field." The former residences under restoration are "a learning lab for students and apprentices enrolled in OHP's Living Heritage Trades Academy," she said. Participants in its short-term programs "receive hands-on training in the traditional (building) trades, including wood window repair, siding and skirting repair and more." Participants in the city's Living Heritage Trades Academy - a program of the Office of Historic Preservation - get hands-on training in wood window repair at Port San Antonio, where a restoration of 100-year-old former Kelly AFB officers' quarters is underway. ( Office of Historic Preservation) A back building at the location "has been used for storage of lumber, fixtures and other materials taken from older properties," Felici said, to be repurposed into upcoming projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bungalow project continues, "with plans to tackle a couple more in the year ahead." S.A. HISTORY: Mystery man in family photo might be former President Roosevelt The metal flag sculpture from the Kelly Veterans Monument is removed for storage in early 2020. This and other artifacts from the former monument park along General Hudnell Drive were put in storage to make room for redevelopment on the Port San Antonio campus. The port is readying a new home for the sculpture. (Port San Antonio) The personalized bricks and other artifacts from the monument park eventually will be replaced in an open space near the restored Bungalow Colony. At the southeast corner of General Hudnell and General McMullen drives, the area will afford ample parking and pedestrian access for those who wish to see the memorial items. "We should start seeing placement of the flag and other elements early in the new year," Felici said. "Meanwhile, they remain safely stored." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement historycolumn@yahoo.com | X (formerly Twitter): @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn This article originally published at Former Kelly memorial to be replaced near restored historic Bungalow Colony. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) J. William Bill Middendorf, a longtime Rhode Island resident and U.S. Navy veteran with an extensive political career, has died. Sen. Jack Reed announced that Middendorf passed away Friday at the age of 101. Middendorf lived in Little Compton for more than 70 years and had an extensive career that included serving as an engineering officer and navigator during World War II. Reed said Middendorf briefly worked as an investment banker, was appointed treasurer of the Republican National Committee and served ambassadorships in the Netherlands, the Organization of American States and the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middendorf also served as the 62nd secretary of the U.S. Navy. A portrait of John William Middendorf II the U.S Secretary of the Navy, Washington D.C., United States, 23rd July 1973. (Bettmann/Getty Images) Bill Middendorf was a true patriot, a strong leader, and an impactful Rhode Islander, Reed said. We are grateful for his distinguished service as a sailor, statesman and thoughtful diplomat. He understood the importance of international relations, alliances, and the power of American values, he continued. I didnt always see eye to eye with Bill on every issue, but I always respected his scholarly insight and integrity, and appreciated his passion, wit, and self-effacing humor. Rhode Island Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz also paid tribute to Middendorf, describing him as a Renaissance man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my last conversation with him, the ambassador was well into his nineties still sharp and fully engaged in the world around him, de la Cruz said. His energy and intellect were undiminished, a testament to his remarkable mind and enduring love of country. His legacy reminds us that service to ones country can take many forms through leadership, creativity and an unwavering commitment to principle, she added. A guided-missile destroyer thats in the process of being built will be named the USS J. William Middendorf in his honor. Middendorfs funeral services have not been announced yet. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Five people were taken to the hospital after a shooting near Howard University Friday night, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Officers responded to sounds of gunfire in the 600 block of Howard Place NW shortly before 8:30 p.m. Police found three men, one woman, and a 13-year-old boy who had non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS took them to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD said that although no victims were Howard University students, one of the victims attended Morgan State University. The schools football teams play each other on Saturday as part of Howards homecoming weekend. Officers explained that two people were taken into custody and that police recovered three weapons at the scene. One of the people taken into custody tried to run from officers, but police caught the person in a McDonalds parking lot. (Daniel Hamburg/DC News Now) As of Friday night, MPD had not identified either person taken into custody. A witness told DC News Now he was with his cousin when the shooting took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All we heard was yelling, he said. We cant do nothing in D.C. this happens every time theres a function in D.C., especially homecoming. D.C. [is] dangerous. Jaiden Ramirez said he was playing basketball when he saw three men running across the street, yelling at people. Then he heard several gunshots. We panicked, we ran inside, and then we came outside 30 minutes after. We were not trying to get shot, Ramirez described. In a statement shared with DC News Now, Howard Universitys Office of University Communications said the shooting was not affiliated with the school and that no Howard University students, faculty, or staff were involved, but that the incident appeared to stem from a confrontation between two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HUPD [Howard University Police Department] has implemented enhanced security measures throughout the weekend, including [an] increased presence of University security and personnel and local law enforcement agencies on and around campus to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all, the university said in the statement. The University appreciates the swift and coordinated response of MPD and HUPD officers, whose actions helped protect the safety of our community. Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Following the demise of advertising legend Piyush Pandey, on Saturday, paid a tribute to him with a special doodle. The post, shared on Amul's official Instagram handle, featured the line, "Inka sur sabse mila", with the caption, "Amul Topical: Tribute to one of India's advertising legends!" The doodle was a heartfelt nod to Pandey's contribution to Indian advertising and his connection to the iconic national integration song 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara', which he helped craft during his illustrious career. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQMjJt7jzZ6/?hl=en Known for its topical and witty tributes, Amul's gesture resonated with industry peers and fans alike, many of whom remembered Pandey as the creative genius who reshaped the country's advertising landscape. Advertising legend Piyush Pandey died on Friday morning due to pneumonia complications. After learning about his demise, many took to social media to express their condolences. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan remembered Pandey with a heartfelt message, writing, "Working and being around Piyush Pandey always felt effortless and fun. Was an honour being part of the pure magic he created. He carried his genius so lightly and revolutionised the ad industry in India. Rest in Peace my friend. Will miss you lots." In a post on X, Anand Mahindra mentioned how Piyush Pandey always captivated him with his "hearty laugh" and "irrepressible zest for life". "Yes, he was a man who left gigantic footprints on the ad industry... But what I will remember most is not the campaigns he crafted or the brands he built, but his hearty laugh and his irrepressible zest for life. He reminded us that even in the serious business of persuasion, joy and humanity must never be forgotten," he wrote. Pandey, 70, began his advertising journey in 1982 with Ogilvy & Mather India (now Ogilvy India), starting as a trainee account executive before transitioning to the creative side. With his talent, he literally changed the face of Indian advertising. He was the mastermind behind iconic ad campaigns like Asian Paints' "Har khushi mein rang laaye", Cadbury's "Kuch Khaas Hai", and Fevicol's iconic "Egg" film. In 2004, Piyush Pandey etched his name in history as the first Asian to serve as jury president at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. His trailblazing contributions were later recognised with the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Padma Shri, making him the first figure from Indian advertising to receive the national honour. (ANI) A fraternity at Rutgers University in New Brunswick has been closed after an investigation found hazing allegedly led to a 19-year-old student being critically injured during an incident last week. The national chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi made the announcement on Friday, saying they have closed the fraternity's chapter at Rutgers following their own investigation. They say all members of the chapter "directly or indirectly involved will be permanently expelled" after they found "hazing occurred." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will fully cooperate with both the University and the Prosecutor on their investigations," Alpha Sigma Phi International Fraternity's president and CEO said in a statement. " We hope that through the University conduct process and the criminal process, the maximum penalties will be imposed to send a strong message - hazing is illegal and will not be condoned or tolerated." Residents of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity are still packing up after the disturbing admission. The incident happened on the night of Wednesday, October 15. Officials with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office say police rushed to a home on College Avenue in New Brunswick a little after midnight for an unresponsive 19-year-old student. The student was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update on Friday, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said that the injured student is still in the hospital but is out of critical condition. A source close to the investigation told WABC-TV the student may have come into contact with a strong electric current while in the basement at Alpha Sigma Phi. Police believe the room was dark at the time. The house had been shuttered earlier this week, according to New Brunswick officials, after the building had been deemed unsafe and uninhabitable due to multiple violations. The last inspections took place in mid-September. Students say dangerous hazing incidents should not be part of modern college life. "Well, of course, I don't know too much on the situation, but I really think that hazing of any sort is really such a terrible thing," one person said. "And it's like when we're going to college, you try to experience these new things and get really involved in friendship and brotherhood." A Frederick man was arrested at his home Monday on multiple felony child pornography charges following an investigation that began with a tip to local police from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Ricardo Adoni Hernandez-Martinez, 31, of the 500 block of Logan Street, was charged with three counts of distribution of child pornography, six counts of possession of child pornography and eight counts related to the solicitation of child pornography. The Frederick County Public Defender's Office is listed as Hernandez-Martinez's legal representation in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. The office could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to charging documents signed by a detective with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Instagram notified the NCMEC in January of possible child sexual abuse material being shared by one of the platform's users. Instagram provided three suspected files, one of which the charging documents describe as a 61-second video of a "fully nude, prepubescent female, reasonably believed to be under the age of 16" being sexually abused by an adult female. Instagram also provided messages between the suspected account and another user who was requesting child sexual abuse material. Police connected the Instagram account with Hernandez-Martinez through the phone number and IP address associated with the account, according to the charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigating detective alleges "numerous selfies" associated with the suspected Instagram account and a related email account match with the picture on Hernandez-Martinez's Maryland provisional driver's license. After police connected Hernandez-Martinez with the suspected accounts, the investigating detective allegedly found multiple other files depicting child sexual abuse material uploaded to the Instagram account. Seven files are listed and described in the charging documents. The charging documents also describe Instagram message conversations from 2021 and 2022 in which the suspected account allegedly solicited pornographic images from multiple users who identified themselves as minor females, the youngest of whom identified as 12 years old. Hernandez-Martinez was being held without bail at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 20 in Frederick County District Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Frederick County Sheriff's Office press release, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was placed on Hernandez-Martinez following his arrest. "Once Hernandez-Martinez satisfies his local criminal charges, he will be released into ICE custody," the press release says. Police encouraged anyone with additional information about the case to contact Detective A. Read at 301-600-1046. Oct. 24FREEMAN, S.D. A Hutchinson County man has pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing child sexual abuse material, resolving part of a four-count case. Jason Kaufman, 51, of Freeman, had three other counts dismissed as part of a plea agreement. The court has ordered a pre-sentence investigation report, and sentencing is scheduled for November. The charges stem from an investigation that began in early December 2024. Originally, Kaufman faced four Class 2 felony counts, each punishable by up to 25 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner County authorities requested assistance from Hutchinson County sheriffs after concerns arose regarding the potential solicitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. Investigators allege Kaufman posed as a 19-year-old female from Minnesota on Snapchat to solicit illicit images from a 14-year-old boy in Turner County. After receiving the images, he reportedly revealed his true identity to the victim, who recognized him personally. Four images were allegedly sent to Kaufman. During the investigation, officials identified three Snapchat accounts linked to Kaufman. Records show that two of the accounts, including the one used to contact the minor, were registered with the same email address and shared the same IP address. On Jan. 10, 2025, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at Kaufman's residence in Freeman. After being read his Miranda rights, he reportedly admitted to operating both Snapchat accounts and requesting the images, expressing surprise that the victim complied. Following the plea agreement, only one count remains active, carrying a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine as the case moves toward sentencing in November. Filled with a class photo, their unofficial school mascot and some of the the students favorite things, a time capsule represents the class of 2025 at Fort Washington Elementary. It's a tribute to the past & a nod to the future. Current students and alumni came together to celebrate the school's 150th anniversary. "Our school begin with a simple, yet powerful purpose to provide a place where children could learn, dream and build a bright future," says principal Melanie Hashimoto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 1875, Fort Washington Elementary Union School District created a legacy. When the school first opened, about two dozen students walked or rode their horse to the one-room schoolhouse. "One of the things that we did that was really unique at Fort Washington over 50 years ago was we would march to class," says Dan Cobb. A century and a half later, the school relocated twice and is now on Millbrook and Teague Avenues, serving close to 600 students. "For me, Fort Washington is special because I get to learn every single day because that's a very good experience," says student president Kensington Vang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buried in the heart of campus, the time capsule will be a discovery for students in 25 years. The next generation will learn about those that came before them and continue their Patriot traditions. For news and weather updates, follow Brisa Colon on Facebook, X and Instagram. Right after setting her out-of-office email on October 1, one furloughed US Department of Agriculture worker filed for unemployment benefits to help her pay for food, rent and other necessities during the federal government shutdown. More than three weeks later, her application is still listed as pending forcing her to borrow from family and friends as the impasse continues with no end in sight. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance told her she may have to wait up to three months to receive her first payment, though she will receive a lump sum for all the missed weeks of claims. But that doesnt help me now, said the worker, who asked for anonymity for fear of retaliation. The rent is due on November 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA staffer is among the nearly 20,600 furloughed federal employees who have filed for unemployment benefits during the first three weeks of the shutdown, according to Andrew Stettner, director of economy and jobs at The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank. Initial jobless claims for federal workers have soared to their highest level since the record 35-day shutdown that ended in January 2019. That compares to 635 initial claims filed by federal workers for the week ending September 13, according to the most recent data published by the US Department of Labor before the impasse. Maryland and Texas have the highest number of initial claims, with more than 3,100 filings each, said Stettner, who analyzed unemployment data filed in 49 states and territories. More workers are expected to file for unemployment compensation in the coming weeks since many missed their first full paychecks on Friday and more will do so in coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in previous shutdowns, many are concerned that they may not receive back pay or have a job to go back to after the shutdown ends. The Trump administration has called into question a 2019 law that guarantees retroactive compensation for furloughed workers and has tried to lay off more than 4,000 workers during the impasse. (A federal judge recently paused the administrations efforts to downsize the federal workforce during the shutdown.) Still, only a small share of the estimated 670,000 furloughed federal employees have applied for jobless benefits. There are multiple reasons why most of them dont file claims, including the hassle in having their wages verified, the delay in getting payments and the fact that theyll have to repay the benefits once the shutdown ends and they receive their back pay. Plus, the benefits are only a fraction of what many federal workers receive in compensation. The maximum weekly payment in Washington, DC, is $444, $430 in Maryland and only $378 in Virginia, for instance. Extra steps needed The Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program is similar to traditional state jobless benefits, but it differs in significant ways that could delay getting money into the hands of furloughed staffers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State unemployment offices have the wage records of private-sector employers, but they dont have that information for the federal government. So, the states must contact the federal agencies to verify the employment and salary for each claimant. But many of the workers who would handle such requests have been furloughed themselves, said Stettner, who also served as a senior US Department of Labor official in the Biden administration. Federal workers should apply for unemployment benefits. They dont know how long the shutdown is going to be, he said, noting its akin to an interest-free loan. But its really, really hard. There are a lot of barriers. Some states are trying to smooth the process for furloughed workers. Washingtons Employment Security Department, which has had more than 1,800 federal employees file for benefits, held a webinar earlier this week that drew nearly 500 participants and is offering another one next week. Marylands Department of Labor has a webpage specifically for furloughed federal staffers and contractors. Utahs Department of Workforce Services posted an FAQ for affected federal employees on its site. Frustrating experiences Ben Emmel, a senior analyst at the Government Accountability Office, decided to file for unemployment benefits two weeks ago, but the Maryland resident was only able to submit his application on Friday because he had to resolve an identity verification issue first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of his colleagues around the country have also had problems filing claims, said Emmel, who is president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers Local 1921. Even when he gets the benefits, the weekly payment will only cover a trip or two to the grocery store for Emmel, who is married with four young children. Federal employees arent the only ones being hit hard by the shutdown. Many contractors who work for federal agencies have also been furloughed, although they dont have the same guarantee of getting their back pay that federal staffers do. Contractors can also run into issues filing for jobless benefits. Sharon, a contractor for the Drug Enforcement Administration, visited a Washington, DC, unemployment office after having difficulty applying online. After waiting in line, she still didnt get clear answers about her eligibility or next steps. Im super frustrated, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) skewered President Donald Trump for using ICE and Border Patrol agents to deport illegal immigrants, saying it has done nothing more than cause terror on the streets of major cities like Los Angeles. Newsom, during an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast with ex-NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on Saturday, was asked by Barnes how the nation can recover from Trumps illegal immigration crackdown. The governor said it is a sad time especially when, in his estimation, the Trump Administration is being racist in who it targets. We talk about authoritarianism, and people say, What do you feel here? For guys like me, maybe not yet, Newsom said. But for the black and brown community, are you kidding me? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illegal immigrants, Newsom claimed, are now afraid to walk their dogs and go to funerals, among other disruptions, because ICE agents are on patrol. ICE agents, Newsom added, are disappearing [people] on the basis of the color of their skin. Those agents, he continued, are haphazardly throwing American citizens, tourists, and some people here with documentation, some without into unmarked vans. Newsom also shared a story of a teenager who lives in Ventura County, California who was terrified to talk to the governor because both of his parents had disappeared; ICE arrested the parents, Newsom said, at the packing facility they worked at. Thats America in 2025 Donald Trump. Terror on the streets of America, Newsom said. Newsoms latest comments come after he has already been critical of Trump and his administration using ICE and Border Patrol agents, as well as National Guard troops, to go after illegal immigrants and criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor told the podcasters he was proud to sign a bill last month, banning law enforcement officials from wearing masks. Newsom also sued Trump earlier this month for sending hundreds of California National Guard troops to Oregon. His Saturday comments sounded similar to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D), who has said on multiple occasions this month that Trump is inciting citizens to violence against ICE. There were plenty of other issues Newsom criticized Trump for on Saturday, including his push to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from the federal government. Newsom said being anti-woke simply means being anti-Black in 2025. Watch above via All the Smoke. The post Gavin Newsom Blasts Trump for Causing Terror on the Street With ICE first appeared on Mediaite. California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) said that if you oppose woke policies like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs that means you are undoubtedly anti-Black, before trashing President Donald Trumps administration, saying it was looking to reverse American racial relations to a pre-1960s world. The prominent Democrat made those provocative claims on the All the Smoke podcast, hosted by ex-NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, on Saturday. All this anti-woke stuff is just anti-Black, period, full stop, Newsom told the pair early in the episode. All the CRT, ESG, DEI stuff, thats all it is. Its this great purge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond DEI, Newsom was referring to Critical Race Theory and Environmental, Social, and Governance Programs two issues the president has used executive orders to counteract since returning to the White House in January. Trump also issued several EOs to dismantle DEI within the federal government earlier this year. The Trump Administration, according to one of those EOs, said it was terminating to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA, and environmental justice offices and positions, earlier this year, as well as positions like Chief Diversity Officer within the federal government. Newsom said the Trump Administration is looking to move American back decades in terms of how it treats minorities. He pointed to the Supreme Court potentially changing a key section to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as one example Republicans are looking to undo 60 years of racial progress. Theyre literally putting America in reverse, quite literally, to a pre-1960s world, Newsom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added it is an unf**king believable moment where Republicans are re-writing history and censoring historical facts. Later in the episode, the ex-hoopers and Newsom talked about Trump using ICE and Border Patrol agents to deport illegal immigrants. Newsom blasted the president for it, saying he was causing terror on the streets of California, as well as other places like Chicago. While Barnes and Jackson were willing to have Newsom on, it looks like the governor is still waiting for an invite from Joe Rogan. Newsom dared Rogan to invite him onto his top-rated podcast earlier this month, after Rogan called Newsom a bulls**t artist. Watch above via All the Smoke. The post Gavin Newsom Rips Key Trump Vibe: Being Anti-Woke Is Just Anti-Black first appeared on Mediaite. Hossam al-Astal claimed that four militia groups fighting against Hamas were working as part of a coordinated effort on Project New Gaza. Israel has reportedly backed four different militia groups to fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Sky News claimed to have confirmed on Saturday, citing the leader of the newest group. Sharing footage of the newest of the four groups, Hossam al-Astal, the leader of one of the four groups, told Sky News that the four militias were part of a coordinated effort to remove Hamas from leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astal referred to the efforts as Project New Gaza, which he claimed militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab had also agreed to work on. Abu Shabab told Army Radio in June that his militia had received no weapons from the IDF and denied receiving any backing from Israel, but insisted that his group was open to working with the Jewish state. The 50-year-old, a former member of the Palestinian Authoritys security service, also claimed that Ashraf al-Mansi, leader of the Peoples Army Northern Forces, had agreed to work on Project New Gaza. Ghassan Duhine (center) with members of the anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia in the Gaza Strip, September 2025. (credit: Screenshot/Facebook/Ghassan Duhine) Soon we will achieve full control of the Gaza Strip, he told Sky News. We will gather under one umbrella. Receiving supplies from outside the Gaza Strip Sky News reported that Astals gang's headquarters were situated on the Yellow Line, only 700 meters from the nearest IDF outpost. Astal claimed that a coordinator for the IDF had reached an agreement with him to create a Green Zone, where no shelling or gunfire would take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reviewing footage of the militia in action, Sky News noted that a vehicle used by Astals militia had Hebrew writing on which appeared to have been scratched out. Our vehicles have been brought in from the outside, Astal confirmed, while claiming they had purchased a number of Hamas weapons on the black market. He added that he had also received logistical support and ammunition from outside the Palestinian enclave. He added that Western powers had also been lending indirect material support. Beyond fighting against Hamas, the militia provides a humanitarian role in Gaza. Astal said they supported 30 families with medical care and education, receiving items in weekly shipments that are otherwise difficult to locate in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We go to bring supplies from Kerem Shalom, he told the media site. And we can protect ourselves when we go there. We organize coordination when we go there, of course, with the military. Israel-enabled smuggling An anonymous senior fighter in the Abu Shabab militia also told Sky News that Israel had enabled the militia to smuggle in guns, cash and vehicles. The two other militias are alleged to have been allowed similar support. We are prepared to work with any authority that takes responsibility for the revival of Gaza, he told The Media Line last week, while stressing his desire to avoid a civil war. If Hamas hands over its weapons and asks us to surrender ours, we will comply. We welcome President Trumps plan to end the war and thank him for his efforts. In another video reviewed by Sky News, a car belonging to Shababs militia was seen loaded with supplies heading from the direction of an IDF base near the Israeli border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the al-Mansi militia denied having direct contact with the military, but said they had coordinated with the District Coordination Office, which is attached to both Israels military and the Palestinian Authority. At least two of the militia leaders were reported to have had a career with the PA. A first look at the actor in character as 'the Creature' has been revealed ahead of Guillermo del Toro's new Frankenstein global release on Netflix on November 7. According to People, actor Elordi plays the role of Mary Shelley's revived-from-the-dead monster to Oscar Isaac's Victor Frankenstein. The streaming giant Netflix shared the official character poster for Jacob Elordi's character for fans eagerly awaiting the film's global release on Netflix. Trailers and an official poster for the film had previously offered only glimpses of the dramatic transformation that renders Elordi unrecognisable. As per the poster, the Australian star appears to have pale, cadaverous skin, lacerations, and long, stringy hair. The streaming giant has also shared the first-look posters of Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, and Christoph Waltz from the film. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQMxfYYkS1T/? "You throw time away when you make a film like this," Elordi told Variety in August, about transforming into the famous character, a process that took 10 hours in the makeup trailer. "I didn't do breakfast, lunch or dinner, or think in terms of morning, afternoon, night. It was just one time," said Elordi as quoted by Variety. On days with an early call time, the Euphoria alum would arrive on set at 10 P.M. the night before to begin the process. Playing The Creature "changed me fundamentally -- changed the way that I approach performance and the way that I watch movies," Elordi said to Variety. Speaking with People at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, director del Toro said he was "never daunted" by Elordi's good looks when casting him. (ANI) Close to three decades ago Radio Hall of Famer Little Tommy Sablan had an idea to bring the magic of Christmas to a deserving family. What started as a few friends has now grown to become a tradition here in San Diego and one Little Tommy is happy to continue in 2025. I think weve helped hundreds and hundreds of families and its something wonderful and I love doing it, says Sablan. The event has grown to include dozens of individuals and Sablans friends to help bring the magic of Christmas to a family that needs the help. They all speak to the fact that San Diego may be a big city but still is very much a community. They dropped by Good Morning San Diego to share more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals can start nominating families on Nov. 1. The event will take place on Dec. 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WROC) Throughout much of Friday, prior to polling sites opening for early voting, an A.I. generated political ad circulated social media in support of current Town Supervisor Bill Smith who is seeking re-election. Many people in the Pittsford community have since expressed concern about its ethicality. The video depicts five people supporting Smiths stances on multiple issues including residential zoning and allowing cannabis dispensaries in the town. According to former Pittsford Town Board Member Kevin Beckford, the video was originally posted to YouTube by a group of voters who support Smiths campaign. He views the video as problematic and misleading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They [posted it] a few days before early voting to manipulate the outcome, Beckford said. To have them use an African American woman and an Asian Male, saying we should be fearful of democrats because if they get [elected], the way of life in Pittsford will change forever. Early voting starts October 25: Heres where to vote When it comes to the legality of creating content like this, Professor of History and Politics at Nazareth University Dr. Timothy Kneeland explained that it doesnt directly violate any state or federal laws, but theres still a lot of gray area when it comes to A.I. in politics. As long as [the creator] discloses that it is A.I. generated, you can produce this kind of content, Dr. Kneeland said. The FCC and FBC have not decided how to regulate A.I. nationally, so itll be up to the states to determine what kind of rules to lay down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Kneeland says ads like these are becoming more common across the nation and stressed the importance of being able to discern whats real and whats not. If people cant tell the difference, [experts] do think voters may become more suspicious of politics in general and become less engaged in politics, and that would be a tragedy for America, Dr. Kneeland said. The video has since been removed from YouTube. We reached out to Smiths official campaign for comment and are waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Good Morning America co-anchor George Stephanopoulos' wife, Ali Wentworth, condemned the White House East Wing demolition ahead of the construction of President Donald Trump's ballroom. On Friday, Oct. 24, the GMA spouse took to Instagram with a direct response to the controversial move. SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox "My mother worked in the White House. Specifically the East Wing. My husband worked in the White House. Many of our friends worked in the White House," Wentworth, 60, began her update. "Both Republican and democratic administrations. They were public servants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She then pointed out, "The East Wing has always been a symbol of decorum. Of civic belonging, cultural leadership and diplomacy'the peoples house.' It is the humanitarian sideWhite House tours, congressional picnics, state dinners where John Travolta danced with Princess Diana!" To conclude her post, Wentworth boldly declared, "The destruction of this protected historic landmark strips the government of its humanity and social conscience and seeks to erase all memory of tradition and empathy. Many Presidents, like Truman, have renovated the White House. But as my mother (who was the Social Secretary for Nancy Reagan) always told me 'there is a right way and a wrong way'!" Related: Donald Trumps Daughter Tiffany Shares First Video of Baby Alexander In the comments, many of Wentworth's followers supported her stance, with Law & Order Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay writing, "Elegantly said Ali and so heartbreaking." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Instagram user wrote, "There is indeed a right way in a wrong way and thank you for this post. It was a beautiful place and this is a glorious photo." Someone else echoed, "What he did to the East Wing is the physical representation of what hes done to our democracy. Heartbreaking. ." However, not everyone was on the same page. A different follower shared, "What a beautiful ballroom Trump will be building!!!! Love it!!!! Dems need to embrace the beauty." Another Instagram user commented, "Get with the program. This White House has been renovated so many times. Just because it's President Trump. Everybody has an issue with it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, someone else wrote, "Oh Gawd-get over it. Its going to be more beautiful than ever." Next: Todays Dylan Dreyer Marks End of Era for Kids With Emotional Post-Breakup Move This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Police in coastal Georgia have arrested a man who broke into a womans house and took his clothes off while she slept. Chatham County police say a woman reported that she woke up in her apartment and saw a naked man in her bedroom. When she screamed, police say the man ran off. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The suspect, later identified as 43-year-old Rashawn Jerrel Newton Sr. was captured on several surveillance cameras in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before identifying him, police shared photos of Newton on social media in the hopes that the public could identify him. TRENDING STORIES: A few days later, Newton was located and arrested. He was booked into the Chatham County Detention Center on charges of burglary, aggravated assault, attempted rape and peeping tom. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Germany's Economics Minister Katherina Reiche had to shelter in a bunker during the Russian air strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kiev overnight. It was a distressing experience for her, but unfortunately a sad part of everyday life for Ukrainians, she said at a press conference on Saturday. "That night showed me once again very clearly that Russia's attacks on the Ukrainian population are aimed at wearing them down," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two people were killed and 12 others injured in the attack. Reiche arrived in Ukraine on Friday with an economic delegation for a visit lasting several days. The attacks on the electricity and heating supply shortly before winter begins are a danger, she said in Kiev. She promised Ukraine help to rebuild its destroyed energy infrastructure, and said Germany will not abandon the Ukrainian people. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Russia had used nine ballistic missiles in addition to dozens of drones in the night-time attack. Since the beginning of the year, Russia has fired almost 770 ballistic missiles and more than 50 cruise missiles at his country. Protests against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent comments about urban migration are set to continue in some German cities over the weekend. Merz said last week that his government was correcting past failures in migration policy: "But we still have this problem in how our cities look, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations." In subsequent days, first his critics, then politicians within his governing coalition, and even his deputy as chancellor weighed in, warning against divisive language when it came to migration. Major refugee organization Pro Asyl slammed his comments as "inexcusable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday this week, Merz clarified that he was referring to migrants without residence permits and jobs who do not comply with German laws. Around 5,000 participants are expected to protest in several German cities on Saturday. In Hamburg, the protest will start at 1 pm (1100 GMT). In Magdeburg and Nuremberg, demonstrations involving hundreds of people are expected. There have already been several protests in recent days with thousands taking part. Brandon Gilles, a local agribusinessman and farmer, has been named the recipient of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award. Receiving the state award means Gilles will go on to compete in the National Farm Bureau competition at the Farm Bureau Federation convention in California in January. Gilles is regional vice president of crop insurance for Farm Credit Mid-America and is a fifth-generation farmer in western Daviess County. He is also very involved in agriculture and community issues through organizations such as the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Owensboro Community & Technical College Foundation Board, and the Daviess County Farm Bureau board of directors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilles, who graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, said his intention was to return to Daviess County and work as a farmer. He said one of his goals is to be an advocate and educator for farmers and agriculture. Working full time with Mid-America and farming with his family can be a lot of work, particularly during the busiest seasons for farmers, Gilles said. Its definitely something you have to enjoy doing, Gilles said Friday. Without the support of my family, friends and co-workers, it wouldnt be possible. Gilles has hosted farm tours along with other farmers and visits schools for special events geared toward farming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its always nice to have that (time) with the kids, Gilles said. I feel its one of the things Ive been able to do for farmers, he said. Thats something Farm Bureau does really well to allow farmers to have that voice locally and nationally. I try to be as involved as I can in Frankfort to advocate for farmers interests, Gilles said. I try to go to Frankfort a couple times a year. While his travels to Washington, D.C., are less frequent, Gilles said he has met with government officials there to make sure they are aware of farmers perspectives on issues. Gilles won the state competition through a presentation he gave about his work and advocacy in agriculture. The national competition will also involve Gilles giving a similar presentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel I get to showcase not just this community, but the state of Kentucky as well, he said. Of winning the state award, Gilles said, Its an honor. Its humbling to be (selected) because I know all the people who have won that award before me. Brandon Gilles of Daviess County has been named the winner of Kentucky Farm Bureaus (KFB) 2025 Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award. Each year, KFB honors individuals or couples under the age of 35 who make significant contributions to agriculture through leadership, advocacy and community involvement, even though most of their income is earned off the farm. The award recognizes those who positively represent Kentucky agriculture and the values of Farm Bureau through their professional and personal endeavors. Gilles, a fifth-generation farmer, serves as regional vice president of crop insurance for Farm Credit Mid-America and farms part time on his familys row crop and cattle operation. He is known for his leadership within the organization and community, currently serving as first vice president of the Daviess County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and county Young Farmer chair. He is also a recent graduate of the Kentucky Farm Bureau LEAD program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond his professional role, Gilles has hosted numerous farm tours to promote agricultural awareness, welcoming community members, students and national leaders to his familys operation. He has also been active in local farm-to-table initiatives, connecting producers and consumers to strengthen appreciation for Kentucky agriculture. In addition to his leadership in KFB, Gilles serves on the Owensboro Community and Technical College Foundation Board, the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Alumni Board. His involvement reflects a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship and advancing the agricultural industry. Agriculture is more than a profession its a legacy and a way of life that has shaped my values and work ethic, Gilles said. As this years winner, Gilles will receive a John Deere side-by-side from Farm Credit Mid-America and will represent Kentucky in the national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January 2026. Second place was awarded to Keeley Cooper of Madison County, who received $400 from KFB. Third place went to Kendall Bowman of Owen County, who received $300. A Gary woman is charged with abusing her 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son after the girl pretended to record a TikTok to document it, records show. Lakeisha Mosley, 34, was charged Wednesday with a dozen felonies, including battery resulting in bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age, intimidation and strangulation. She is in custody, held on a $15,000 cash bond. Her next hearing is Dec. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girl told Det. Olivia Vasquez that her mom threatened to kill them on Aug. 21 while driving home from her brothers Edgewater appointment if she said anything to the Indiana Department of Child Services. She said Mosley beat the kids, at times waving around a kitchen knife. In one incident in mid-August, after her brother, 8, wasnt putting his shoes on for church, Mosley strangled him and was squishing him until he turned red, the affidavit states. The girl recorded the incident while pretending she was making a TikTok video. She sent it to her father. The child detailed another incident where her mother whipped her with a belt on her birthday, then told her to deal with it, the affidavit states. Mosley also brought men home, and they walked around the children, including a younger brother, 3, nearly naked, charges allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy, 8, said Mosley was cuckoo, adding it was a good thing we know how to dodge. He showed Vasquez a scar on his finger from a kitchen knife from Mosley. The older childrens fathers backed up their account, sharing the video of Mosley choking the boy. The affidavit noted Mosley had an existing court order to not physically beat him. Mosley worked for the Gary Parks Department from October 2023 through November 2024, when she was terminated due to what she termed harassment and retaliation by her boss, according to Post-Tribune archives. mcolias@post-trib.com Aloke Kumar Chakraborty, Inspector General, BSF Tripura Frontier, called on Governor of Tripura, Indrasena Reddy Nallu, at Raj Bhavan, Agartala, on Friday. During the meeting, the Governor was apprised of the prevailing security and operational scenario along the Indo-Bangladesh border, and of the various measures being undertaken by the BSF to ensure effective border management. The Hon'ble Governor deeply appreciated the commitment of the BSF in safeguarding the international border and ensuring the safety and security of the people of Tripura. Earlier, Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu welcomed Goa Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju upon his arrival in Agartala on Wednesday evening. According to Rajbhawan, the visiting Goa Governor was received with traditional hospitality at the Raj Bhavan. The officials from the Governor's Secretariat and senior state government representatives were also present during the welcome ceremony. The Rajbhawan said that both governors are expected to discuss matters of mutual interest, including inter-state cooperation and cultural exchange, during the visit. Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the newly constructed party office in the 12-Takarjala Mandal in the state on Wednesday. During the event, 200 families comprising 690 people joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant boost to the party's grassroots strength in the region. Addressing the gathering, Saha said, "Under the guidance and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, we are tirelessly working for the overall development of our Janajati brothers and sisters." He also criticised certain individuals who, he said, are still engaged in divisive politics. "Unfortunately, a few people continue to play divisive politics and conspiracies in the style of the communists. I want to warn them that there is no benefit in trying to mislead the tribal community," the Chief Minister remarked. CM Saha reaffirmed that the people of Tripura believe in peace, development, and democracy. "The use of force will not be tolerated in any form in this state. If anyone tries to harm us, we will respond appropriately -- but through completely democratic means," he asserted. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents and BJP leaders, who expressed confidence that the new office would serve as a hub for strengthening the party's organisational activities in Takarjala and nearby areas. (ANI) GLENPOOL, Okla. (KFOR) The Glenpool Police Department says an overnight sting operation led to five people being arrested. According to police officials, the joint sting effort by the Oklahoma Attorney Generals office, GRDA, and the Catoosa Police Department was launched earlier in the week, netting five arrests. Authorities say all individuals arrested were a result of a sting at a Glenpool hotel and cite all but Raridon were arrested for soliciting prostitution. Raridon was arrested on a complaint of solicitation of a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OKC traffic advisories and ongoing highway construction projects Arrests are as follows: Rohan BhoJwanti Mathew Eddy David Raridon Christopher LeBleu Jeremy Fair Glenpool Police says none of the five men arrested were Glenpool residents. Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond shared on his X social media platform saying, My office helped coordinate a takedown of multiple individuals allegedly looking to exploit vulnerable people in Glenpool. Im thankful for the partnership of law enforcement agencies around our state to keep our citizens safe in their communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. NEW CASTLE The 29th annual Henry County Republican Club Student Speech Contest will take place Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Henry County Republican Headquarters, 1325 Broad St. (Ind. 38 downtown), New Castle. This years topic is: Are tariffs good, bad, or ugly for Indiana? The contest is open to any Henry County student in grades seven through 12, to include public, private, and home schools. Republican affiliation is not required. Democrats, Libertarians, independents, and others are welcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three out-of-county guest judges will judge the contest, in order to assure no conflicts of interest. The time limit is no more than five minutes per speech. There is no minimum time. Time signals will be provided. Cash prize awards are: $100 for the champion; $75 for the runner-up; $50 for third place. All competitors will also receive a free one-year associate (non-voting) membership in the Henry County Republican Club (a $10 value). If interested, pre-register your name, grade, and school no later than Nov. 5 by contacting Nate LaMar at natelamar@cs.com. The end is here for an iconic New England mountain tramway at least this version of it. The Cannon Mountain aerial tramway to the summit with 80-person cars affectionately nicknamed Ketchup and Mustard will make its final run on Sunday, Oct. 26. This iteration of the tram is actually its second generation. The first was built in 1938 and was the countrys first aerial tramway, according to Cannon. The current version was built in 1980 and has run for 45 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes aged gracefully, but like all legends, she deserves a dignified retirement, said Jace Wirth, general manager of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park, in July when the announcement was first made. Its time to begin writing the next chapter. That next chapter involves constructing a third generation tram in the coming years with $27.2 million approved by New Hampshires state Legislature. But in the mean time, guests to Cannon Mountain can still ride the tram one last time. Cannon is planning a festival on Sunday including food trucks, vendors, beer tastings and live music with opportunities to buy a limited-edition Tram II coin and other commemorative items. A full schedule and list of vendors is available here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 45 years Ketchup and Mustard have stood as the faithful companions to our powder days. They have witnessed the growth and change of the ski industry, watched families grow up together, and helped build a legendary community. Their final hour is as much about them as it is the people who call this place home. Tram III will have big shoes to fill, Cannon wrote. Tram tickets can be purchased in advance here. For those who want to ride on the final trip down the mountain, those tickets cannot be bought in advance. Instead golden tickets to ride the final run will be available at 4 p.m. in the Old Tram Slip at the Cannon summit. Those tickets will be given out to 60 people on a first come, first served basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golden tickets will have riders names and the date to commemorate that final ride. For more information, visit Cannon Mountains website. The latest from MassLive Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Google hosted a robotics event Friday for Lowcountry students allowing middle schoolers to gain hands on experience. Students from Palmetto Scholars Academy, Woodland Middle School and Charles B. DuBose Middle School gathered to build their own Claw Bots with help from Robotics Education & Competition Foundation instructors. via Google via Google Also, during the event, students learned the importance of STEM activities to ignite a lifelong passion for the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robotics and STEM events dont just teach students how to build machines, they teach them how to problem solve, collaborate and think critically, said Dr. Emily Duplantis, Assistant Director of CTE, Dorchester District Two Schools. These experiences prepare them for a future of innovation and success, and we appreciate Google bringing this wonderful event to Dorchester County. Google has maintained a presence in South Carolina for the past 15 years with data centers in both Berkeley and Dorchester counties. The major search engine also recently invested $9 billion in the state to support Cloud and AI infrastructure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. GOSHEN The city will negotiate with local developers to sell a downtown property for a 32-unit apartment building. The Goshen Redevelopment Commission voted to enter talks with Struxture Development LLC over plans for a 32-unit, three-story apartment building at 3rd and Jefferson streets. The same developers are working on plans for a townhome complex along the Millrace Canal. Theyre local so we see them around, said board member Brett Weddell. Ive had some concerns in the past with putting all our eggs in one basket, but I dont know that those were necessarily in town, local community members per se. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Struxture Developments $7.4 million proposal describes the apartments as urban living reimagined, with a focus on nature and community. The building would include 28 two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom apartments, with market-rate rents from $1,300 and $2,200 per month. We are creating a space that will combine the amenities of the city of Goshen with nature at its core, the proposal states. No other building is like this in the area. Proposed apartment features include open-layout designs with in-unit washers and dryers, smart home automation and large windows for natural light and a view to the central courtyard. The size of the land would limit parking to one space per resident. The proposal from Struxture Development was the only one the city received, according to Redevelopment Director Becky Hutsell. She said the city was asking $176,000 for the land but the company is offering $1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hutsell told the board to keep in mind that the land comes with a number of challenges. With stormwater and parking and clear view from intersections, theyre smack dab in the middle off of a very busy roadway. So I think theyre being creative in how the develop that, and yet continue to make it a place where people are going to want to live downtown, she said. Obviously we would always like more than $1, but it is a difficult site to develop. She also reminded the board that a 2022 study projected a need for 4,300 homes in Goshen by 2030, and that downtown options are limited. I think theres definitely first of all, theres nowhere to live downtown, said Casey Yerger with Struxture Development LLC. You could maybe live on top of the storefronts. Theres a few of those, but theres not very many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developers are asking the city to provide perimeter parking and sidewalks, to manage stormwater on the adjacent property to the west and provide a vapor mitigation system. They are also asking that the city extend utilities to the property line and support zoning plan amendments to allow for a three-story building with adjusted setbacks. Through the development agreement, they will be looking for the city to invest quite a bit. I just want to make sure thats clear, said board member Bradd Weddell. Its not like the redevelopments going to be off the hook. I mean, theres a lot of ask of what redevelopments going to be needing to invest here. Developers are also asking for the citys help in obtaining approval from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The site is under an environmental restrictive covenant regarding drinking water, according to Hutsell. She said the city is already in the process of acquiring the land to the north of the Hawks apartment in order to build storm water facilities and had already laid water pipes under the roadway. She said the parking along the exterior and the radon mitigation system, if needed, are the more significant requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think those are things that will have to be negotiated, she said. I dont know what those price tags are. Construction would start in fall 2027 and the building would be ready for occupancy by summer 2028, according to the proposal. Developers also submitted to the city an update on the townhome plan. The original proposal in 2023 called for an apartment complex with around 50 units, but that morphed into plans for 18 units spread among three townhouse buildings based on the infrastructure demands of an apartment building. The board had given an extended deadline of July 1, 2026, for completion of the first townhome building and 2029 for all three. But the project may not break ground until spring 2026, according to the update from Shane Dyer, an architect with Viewrail. (The Center Square) As the federal government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, federal agencies that process legal immigrant petition documents have been completely halted, leaving immigrant workers in limbo. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a fee funded agency that allows it to accept foreign worker visa applications during federal funding lapses. However, the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for certifying necessary documents that immigrants or employers use to obtain work visas or permanent resident status. Employers must file labor condition applications to hire workers on H-1B visas, promising that hiring the foreign worker will not negatively affect American workers' wages or conditions. These applications have to be approved by the Department of Labor before an H-1B petition can be filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Gorisch, founder and managing partner of Kendall Immigration Law, said the shutdown is delaying visa applications for her clients. Its becoming a problem with the government closure because there are some cases that can still go forward fine but anything that involves Department of Labor grounds to a halt, Gorisch told The Center Square. Non-citizens on work visas or seeking permanent legal status in the United States are also affected by the ongoing shutdown. The Program Electronic Review Management, or PERM, is a labor certification that allows employers to sponsor immigrant workers for green cards in the United States. PERM applications are different from H-1B visas because they provide permanent employment and residency in the United States. H-1B visas are available for three years but can be renewed once more for a total of six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PERM processes can take as much as two years to complete with the Department of Labor. Employers who go through the process will place the foreign worker in various categories of employment-based visas. The PERM process requires employers to go through a prevailing wage determination process that calculates how much an employee should be paid based on the market rate for a certain job. These calculations must be done by the employer and approved by the Department of Labor. It takes nine months to a year for them to come back and tell us what the wage is when we pretty much already know, Gorisch said. We do the same math, all of it. Once approved, the prevailing wage determination process is temporary and can expire after a certain period of time. The expiration date can come anywhere between nine months and a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorisch said she has been frustrated by the government shutdowns effect on her clients. She recounted a recent case where a client was promoted shortly after she submitted their original prevailing wage request, requiring Gorisch to submit yet another request while the government is shut down. I cant do anything because [the] Department of Labor is closed, Gorisch told The Center Square. With the government shutdown, the delays that are already so bad will just be much worse. Legal immigration advocates, like Gorisch, said the government shutdown is an opportunity to push for parts of the immigration process to be reformed. She said centralizing most immigration requirements in one department that is funded through appropriations has a negative effect on the immigration process as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would take [the Department of Labor] out entirely, Gorisch said. I dont think they do a good job of policing wages, I dont think they do a good job of ensuring that U.S. workers are protected. I think most of it is an expensive racket. She pointed to issues with the Department of Labors control over the H-2A agricultural worker visa program. The Department of Labor certifies wage rates for temporary immigrant agricultural workers based on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, which calculates wages based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Gorisch said this calculation often leads to wages that are too high, since agricultural employers are also required to house immigrant workers. Farms then tend to hire illegal immigrant workers so they are not required to pay high rates mandated by the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 42% of farmworkers in the United States do not have U.S. work authorization Thats why you have so many farms that run with illegal migrants, because they cant afford to do it legally, Gorisch said. The Trump administration recently proposed a rule that would change how wages are calculated for workers on H-2A visas. The rule would base wage calculations on state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The administration argues this change would help stabilize wage rates in the H-2A visa process and make them more realistic for different farms across the country, since it is based on local data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This continuity is essential for minimizing the likelihood of shortages, price volatility, and disruptions throughout the supply chain, which can affect customers and businesses alike, the department wrote in its rule. Even still, Gorisch said the trend of recent government shutdowns has complicated an already difficult immigration system. She said she wants to see more reform from the federal bureaucracy. There has got to be a better way to do this because DOL is just giant bureaucracy with lots of red tape and it's just a miserable system to deal with, Gorisch said. Usually when we're in the midst of a government shutdown, I'm in a good mood. Sure, recent shutdowns haven't accomplished much in terms of shrinking the cost or scope of the federal government in the long run, but it's nice to walk around feeling a little less governed than usual. But even that small pleasure has turned sour. Yes, fiscal restraint matters. It matters to this magazine, which has made cutting spending the subject of a greater percentage of our cover stories than perhaps any other publication. And it matters to me personally; I've spent the last 25 years writing about the need to take debt and spending seriously. The size of the state is inversely proportional to personal liberty in ways that are too often overlooked. But the intense acceleration of the quest to aggregate power in the White House is now unambiguously the more immediate threat to liberty. It's visible every day on my commute to work, as National Guardsmen linger in my D.C. Metro stop. It's visible in the September gathering of the nation's top military officials for something between a pep rally and a company retreat. It's visible everywhere Immigration and Customs Enforcement is staging raids and setting up warrantless checkpoints. It's visible in the administration's moves to take a stake in Intel and broker a TikTok sale. It's visible from space. (As I write this, Blue Origin is completing its 36th New Shepard flighta bright spot in a dark month.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cato Institute's Gene Healy wrote the bible on the imperial presidency, tracing how voters of all stripes invest outsized hopes in presidents and then act shocked when presidents behave like tyrants. The durable lesson: Don't confer powers on your team's guy that you wouldn't trust in the other team's hands. But it's hard to break the habit of agglomerating authority when your party is in charge. This problem is cross-partisan and is older than Donald Trumpor Joe Biden, or even Richard Nixon. After Watergate, the nation briefly remembered why limits are good. But it wasn't long before the White House started soaking up power again, and by the 2000s a cadre of executive-power enthusiasts, such as Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, started pushing hard to "restore" presidential prerogatives. The legal and scholarly scaffolding for today's power grabs was assembled well before the last few months. Meanwhile, the "national security" and "federal property protection" exceptions have become a tunnel wide enough to drive an armored personnel carrier through. In 2020, the Department of Homeland Security surged hundreds of federal officers into Portland, Oregon, with threadbare training for the job at hand; internal reviews later read like warnings from the future we're now experiencing. Surveillance of protesters and mission creep were inevitable; they were the most predictable features of an overgrown executive. But despite that mess, the boots just keep hitting the ground. Portland is once more bracing for a federalized deploymentthis time National Guard troopswith state and local officials fighting back on the grounds of both necessity and legality. Immigration enforcement shows how this logic lands in daily life. The federal government claims sweeping authority within a 100-mile border zone that covers where nearly two-thirds of Americans live. That zone has long been a gray area for warrantless stops and checkpoints, ripe for masked agents far from any actual border to nick away at ordinary civil liberties. Powers granted today will be used more aggressively tomorrow. And powers used in that 100-mile border zone will soon be used elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emergency is now the default. Most of the knobs and levers a modern president uses to bully companies, police speech, or move bodies around aren't new lawsthey're standby powers that switch on with a magic word: emergency. Congress littered the U.S. Code with these shortcuts; the Brennan Center for Justice has cataloged 137 statutory powers that spring to life the moment a president declares one. (Many never fully turn off.) As of mid-2025, there were roughly 50 simultaneous national emergencies still in force; they are renewed annually, spanning everything from sanctions to tariffs. That architecture lets the White House reach for trade controls, financial blockades, and tech blacklists without returning to Congress. If you like your powers separated, this is the opposite. I still want Congress to do its job on spending: legislate clearly, spend less, and claw back delegations it never should've handed over to the executive branch. The remedy isn't complicated, but it is hard to execute. Congress must take back its rightful powers, narrow emergency authorities, sunset delegations, and relearn the civic discipline of saying "no" to our own would-be redeemers, even when they're on our own team. Kudos to a few senators, Rand Paul (RKy.) among them, who in early October tried to take back the power to declare war after the Trump administration made several unauthorized strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug smugglers. (Alas, the vote failed 48 to 51.) I still like the idea of a shutdown from time to time, to slow the bureaucracy and remind people that daily life goes on without a fully operational government. But I won't trade constitutional constraints for the promise of a quick policy win administered from the Resolute Desk. The post The Government Shutdown Isn't Stopping Trump From Amassing 'Emergency' Powers appeared first on Reason.com. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) At age 72, Rosalba Casas finally celebrated her 15th birthday on Friday, donning a flowing pink dress and a tiara for the quinceanera she dreamed of as a teenager. This is the happiest day because Im celebrating my 15th birthday, Casas said, adding that she'd stayed up all night thinking about the big day. It was the first time she wore professional makeup or a formal gown, or rode in a limousine, where she joined 28 other older women chosen by the Suenos Hechos (Dreams Come True) Foundation for belated birthday celebrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quinceaneras are a time-honored tradition in Latin America, a often lavish celebration that marks a girl's passage into adulthood when she turns 15. But for the 29 women mostly grandmothers honored at this party, childhood hardships put any kind of celebration out of reach. They rode in a limousine through the streets of northwestern Bogota in to lively music, leaning out the car's open roof to wave excitedly at passersby who recorded them on their phones. I never rode in anything like that. Id only seen them in pictures, but I never imagined Id be in one, Casas said. I blew kisses to everyone, she added with a laugh. Deep inequality means many Colombians miss a rite of passage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casas said that on her 15th birthday, she didnt receive a single greeting. It was just another workday for her as a domestic employee in a wealthy Bogota home, where her mother also worked. Maria Isabel Carmona, 71, had a similar story. She recalled her 15th birthday party as a special breakfast of hot chocolate and fried eggs. My mother was very poor. There were a lot of us kids, and we lived in a small town. There was no way to celebrate, Carmona said while getting her makeup done at a beauty academy that donated its services to the belated quinceaneras. Even though its a very common tradition in Colombia, not all households can afford such a party in a country where the government estimates 31% of the population lives in poverty. The World Bank ranks the country as one of the most unequal in Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 29 women stepped out of the limousine onto a red carpet leading into a community hall, where uniformed police officers raised their sabers to form an honor guard for the quinceaneras. An emotional quinceanera song played in the background: So fast already 15 years, it cant be please, dont grow up anymore. The women then swapped their shoes for sneakers a bit more comfortable at their age and were invited to dance the waltz, first with police officers, then with their husbands, sons and grandsons. The project began with underprivileged girls Freddy Alfonso Paez, director of the Suenos Hechos Foundation and a retired police officer, founded the organization five years ago with his two brothers, though they had started offering 15th birthday parties to underprivileged girls a couple of years earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project expanded to older women when organizers thought of others like Paezs own mother who never had the traditional celebration in their youth. Paez said the group has held quinceanera parties for older women for the past five years, providing the celebrations to 128 so far. The Suenos Hechos Foundation holds the annual event with help from sponsors who donate the limousine, food and dresses. The police also lend support, with officers serving as escorts for the guests of honor. The 29 women at Fridays celebration, ages 60 to 85, were selected through an open call on social media. Many have different health conditions diabetes, heart issues, leg or hip pain but when the party begins, they forget all that and just enjoy themselves, Paez said. UNION COUNTY, Iowa A grass fire burned several acres of land slated as part of a conservation project outside of Creston on Friday afternoon. The Creston Fire Department says that shortly after 1:36 p.m. they were called to a grass fire happening on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, located southwest of Creston. Des Moines construction company headed to DC to meet lawmakers about shutdown One truck was dispatched to access the field, and an engine was sent to provide additional water support. Authorities say that the fire spread across approximately five acres before it was successfully contained about an hour later around 2:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire crews say the farmer had created a buffer strip along a harvested bean field adjacent to the land, however the fire had managed to reach some hay bales. Authorities say the farmer was able to move and separate the bales to minimize the damage. Authorities say the fire is believed to have started from a previous burn pile that rekindled due to winds, which then aided in quickly spreading the blaze. The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary project which encourages farmers and landowners to convert highly erodible and sensitive acreage to vegetative cover. Participants in CRP receive monthly payments and assistance to establish long-term care. The USDA says the program helps improve water quality, controls soil erosion, and enhances wildlife habitat in the long-term. Metro News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. In May, the Greenville City Council agreed to have the city contribute just over $8,000 to the Greenville Homeless Task Force to more adequately equip its Community Warming Center at Wesley United Methodist Church. This Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the warming center will have its official ribbon cutting ceremony and public tour of the facility. Greenville Homeless Task Force began its work on the project in January and February when nighttime temperatures plunged below 32 degrees several times. Initially, the task force set up a warming shelter at Hope For Yous distribution center in Floyd before Wesley United Churchs administrative board and the fire marshal gave them permission to move the operation to the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On nights when the shelter was open, the task force says it served an average of about 22 people. In April, Todd Raetz with the task force applied for funding from the city to purchase mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, blankets, pillowcases and storage bins. The council approved allocating $8,065 from the citys non-governmental fund, which is used to support agencies that provide valuable services to Greenville residents. Since moving to Wesley UMC, the shelter has had a pool of 55 volunteers and has been a collaboration between multiple other agencies, including Fishers of Men Street Ministry, Authentic Life Fellowship, United Way of Hunt County and Abbas House Ministries. As the fall season continues and winter approaches, the shelters team still plans to continue opening to serve those experiencing homelessness on nights when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or lower. Those who cannot attend the open house at the shelter this Tuesday can learn more about it and how to volunteer by emailing questions to CommunityWarmingCenterWesley@gmail.com. A brief exchange of fire took place between Delhi Police and wanted criminal Koku Pahadia in the Mehrauli area on Saturday morning, during which the accused sustained a gunshot injury. During the encounter, two police personnel were hit on their bulletproof jackets, while one constable sustained an injury on his arm. According to officials, the encounter occurred when a police team tried to intercept Koku Pahadia after receiving specific information about his movements. The accused opened fire on the team in an attempt to escape, prompting the police to retaliate. Pahadia was overpowered after being shot and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be stable. Senior officers confirmed that the accused has a criminal background and is wanted in multiple cases, including arms supply. Further investigation is underway. Earlier, in a major overnight operation, Delhi Police Crime Branch, in coordination with Bihar Police, shot dead four members of Bihar's notorious Ranjan Pathak gang during an encounter in Rohini in the early hours of Thursday. The encounter took place around 2:20 AM between Dr. Ambedkar Chowk and Pansali Chowk on Bahadur Shah Marg, Rohini. Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33), Aman Thakur (21), all natives of Sitamarhi, Bihar were shot dead in encounter. Police said all the four were wanted in several heinous cases in Bihar, including multiple murders and armed robberies. The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that the gang members were planning to carry out a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police laid a trap in the area, police said. When the police team tried to intercept the suspects, they opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, cops added. (ANI) Oct. 24MITCHELL Dakota Wesleyan University celebrated a century-long connection Thursday, Oct. 23, at its annual Legacy Banquet, honoring the Grinager family as the first recipients of the university's inaugural Legacy Family Award. The award, created as part of DWU's 140th anniversary, recognizes families whose generations of students, alumni, and supporters have maintained ongoing involvement with the university community. The Grinager story begins with Lars Jacob Grinager, who enrolled at DWU in the winter term of 1901. Lars later married Ethel Estella Kaye, a 1913 graduate, joining two families with early ties to the university. Their daughter, Esther Grinager Embrey, continued the tradition, graduating in 1937. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the 1970s, the family's presence at DWU grew even stronger. Five siblings Howard, Christine, John, Eric, and Donn all earned degrees and remained active in the university community. Many pursued seminary and pastoral work, including Howard, who graduated in 1970, served as a pastor in Mount Vernon and Plankinton for nine years, and later oversaw more than 40 churches as a district superintendent in Sioux Falls. Eric also became a pastor, and four of the five siblings attended seminary. Beyond their ministry, the siblings contributed through donations, advocacy, and participation in Methodist-affiliated service. Howard's daughter, Rebecca Grinager Trefz, earned her master's degree from DWU in 2023 and serves as a United Methodist pastor. Christine's daughters, Sarah Kaye Howard '00 and Emily Howard Instenes '02, along with Rebecca, represent the fourth generation of Grinagers connected to DWU. In total, university records show more than 25 members of the extended Grinager and Kaye families have attended or graduated from DWU since 1901, reflecting continuous engagement across more than a century. The family also established the Grinager Family Scholarship, providing financial support to students and promoting the university's mission of offering educational opportunities for future generations. "As I look back, my appreciation for DWU has only grown," the eldest sibling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalls watching the campus evolve during his student years from the construction of the Campus Center to the removal of older buildings like Science Hall and Graham Hall and remembers the lively debates over required chapel attendance that often sparked spirited discussion. "What's stayed the same is the caring spirit. People come to Wesleyan for an education, but they leave with something more a sense of service and a community that lasts," he added. DWU Vice President for Advancement Kitty Allen said the family's enduring involvement made them a natural choice for the Legacy Family Award. "Four generations, five siblings who all attended, a family scholarship, trusteeship, and longstanding connections to the Methodist tradition the Grinagers demonstrate the long-term involvement this award recognizes," Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howard traces the family's connection to DWU back to his grandparents. Lars, a Norwegian Lutheran who moved to South Dakota, met Ethel, the daughter of a Methodist minister, while working in her hometown. Despite an age difference, Lars waited for Ethel to finish college before they married, beginning a legacy closely tied to the university that has continued through successive generations. "Our family has always valued education and service," Howard said. "Wesleyan shaped that for each of us, and it's encouraging to see the next generation continue at the university." In addition to honoring the Grinagers, DWU recognized three distinguished alumni at the banquet for their achievements and ongoing contributions to the university community: Wyonne Kaemingk '76, '77; Rita Johnson '70; and Don Jorgensen '87. One week before 3.5 million Texans who rely on federally funded food stamps could lose their food assistance because of the ongoing government shutdown, H-E-B announced Friday a $6 million donation to fight food insecurity across the state. The San Antonio-based grocer will give $5 million to food banks across Texas and $1 million to Meals on Wheels Texas, which delivers food to homebound seniors. The announcement comes after Texas officials began notifying residents that their benefits from the Supplemental Food Assistance and Nutrition Program, or SNAP, will be cut off in November if the shutdown continues past Monday, the Texas Tribune reported. Roughly 1.7 million of the 3.5 million Texans who rely on SNAP each month are children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SNAP benefits are loaded onto Lone Star Cards each month for use at grocery stores. Depending on household size, payments typically range from $200 to $400, with an average of $379 as of August. READ MORE: 3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if shutdown continues H-E-B will distribute the $5 million to food banks in the Feeding Texas network - the state's association of food banks. "H-E-B's generous donation to Texas food banks couldn't have come at a more critical moment," said Celia Cole, the CEO of Feeding Texas. "Across the state, families are facing mounting challenges, and this support will make an immediate and meaningful difference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Meals on Wheels donation also comes after its San Antonio branch said it would cut services for 350 seniors because of reduced funding. The nonprofit saw a funding reduction from the state this year due to dried up pandemic-relief money from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. In Texas, 13.6% of seniors are at risk of hunger, according to Feeding Texas. This week, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q donated $192,000 to the San Antonio nonprofit so it can continue delivering meals to all its clients through January. This article originally published at H-E-B donates $6M to food banks, Meals on Wheels as Texans risk losing SNAP. In Texas, the emergence of a new H-E-B receives near the same level of excitement as a federal holiday. For those in San Antonio in particular, there will be plenty of reasons to celebrate in the coming months. Two new stores known for doing more are heading to the city and its surrounding area. Though they are both still considered works in progress, their emergence signals a continued expansion of the company's footprint. It comes after the Manor and UT San Antonio communities, which were buzzing with anticipation over the last year, received new markets. New H-E-B sets sights on San Antonio's Far Westside The locally-based grocer has plans for a $29 million location along the intersection of Culebra Road and Highway 211. A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filing says it will be 126,986 square feet, which is fairly larger than that of one off North Loop 1604. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will include an H-E-B fuel, carwash, curbside pick-up, and a beloved True Texas BBQ restaurant, according to the company's website. Why may the company have chosen this spot? The property is roughly two miles from Northside ISD's Harlan and Sotomayor High Schools, meaning there's steady traffic flow daily. It's also near growing subdivisions off FM 471, a location sought after for its greenery and relative distance from San Antonio's urban center. Folks in this area have a bit more patience to practice before H-E-B plants roots in the neighborhood. Construction started in August of last year, according to the TDLR filing, and was expected to be complete by early next month. However, a company spokesperson told MySA on Friday, October 24, that neither a rendering nor an opening date was readily available. All TDLR filings are subject to change without notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, residents can visit the company's location at Highway 211 and Potranco Road, which is nine miles north of the upcoming store. New H-E-B heads North of San Antonio Seventeen miles north of the Alamo City, the excitement continues. Just outside of Loop 1604 and East I-10, construction crews have begun working on a multimillion-dollar market in Schertz, a company spokesperson confirmed to MySA on Friday, October 24. "We should have more details to share in the coming months," the official said. "As for the completion date, there's nothing firm yet." Details of this grocery barreling into the area were first revealed in a TDLR report filed in February of this year. It outlined the blueprint to a 125,434 square foot store that will cost investors $21.2 million to build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's headed for a relatively undeveloped spot near Converse and Copperfield Elementary Schools, which are based within the Judson Independent School District. The town isn't completely without its share of happenings, though. Just fourteen minutes away from this property, a 72-acre mixed-use project is coming to life. It's set to host Portillo's, Dave's Hot Chicken, and CAVA. One H-E-B Plus currently exists at 17460 I-35 North, placing the new market closer to residents on the southern side of Schertz. An estimated completion date for the store is listed as November 30, 2026. This article originally published at H-E-B expansion to transform San Antonio's fastest-growing corridors. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, has endorsed Zohran Mamdani in the race for New York mayor after spending months distancing himself from the polarising candidate. Mr Jeffriess endorsement is a significant boost for the Democratic Socialist, who has been left out in the cold by some of the citys most senior Democrats amid concern over his progressive policies and far-Left comments. In June, Mr Mamdani, 34, swept to victory in a shock Democratic primary, which saw him trounce Andrew Cuomo, the establishment candidate and former state governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months, pollsters have put Mr Mamdani ahead of Mr Cuomo, his closest contender, who re-entered the race as an independent. But Mr Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, refrained from endorsing him. On Friday, however, Mr Jeffries threw his support behind the candidate, saying he had won a free and fair election in the primary and the party needed to unite against the existential threat posed by Donald Trump, the US president. Attempting to keep some distance between himself and Mr Mamdani, the Brooklyn Democrat, told The New York Times (NYT) the two men had areas of principled disagreement. But he added: Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election. Hakeem Jeffries says there are areas of principled disagreement between him and Mr Mamdani, but has still backed the 34-year-old - Bloomberg /Graeme Sloan Mr Mamdani responded: I welcome leader Jeffriess support and look forward to delivering a city government, and building a Democratic Party, relentlessly committed to our affordability agenda and to fighting Trumps authoritarianism. Our movement to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas grows stronger by the day. Mr Mamdani is a divisive character. He has been accused of being anti-Semitic for refusing to denounce the phrase globalise the intifada and for refusing to say Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other controversial comments include condemning the New York Police Department (NYPD) as racist in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The young politician later apologised for the comments about the NYPD and said he would discourage the use of the globalise the intifada. Sources told the NYT that Mr Jeffries had planned to endorse Mr Mamdani earlier, but the announcement had been delayed because of the government shutdown. His endorsement will come as a blow to Mr Cuomo, whose team had reportedly been making calls asking New York congressional delegates to try and convince Mr Jeffries not to back his opponent. Eric Adams, the sitting mayor, has endorsed Andrew Cuomo after spending months attacking him - Bloomberg/Michael Nagle Following Kamala Harriss 2024 election loss, younger, progressive Democrats have been mobilising to challenge incumbents they feel have failed to adequately fight back against the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is speculation that Mr Jeffriess endorsement comes before the House minority leader faces a potential Left-wing primary challenger who could be aligned with Mr Mamdani. Mr Jeffriess endorsement comes weeks after Kathy Hochul, the states Democrat governor, warmly endorsed Mr Mamdani. Neither Mr Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand, the states senators, has endorsed Mr Mamdani. On Thursday, Eric Adams, the sitting mayor, endorsed Mr Cuomo after spending months attacking him as a snake and a liar before he dropped out of the race. Mr Adams abandoned his campaign last month. Mr Trump had reportedly put pressure on the former Democrat to quit the race in an effort to clear the field for Mr Cuomo in an attempt to stop Mr Mamdani from winning. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Experts told the Telegraph that they believe that Hamas does not intend to disarm, leave Gaza, or not be a part of the Gaza Strip's future, as is dictated by the US-backed peace plan. Hamas is working to reassert itself as the dominant ruling force of the Gaza Strip despite the enactment of the US-backed deal, the Telegraph reported on Saturday. Every day they are making lots of progress, said Kobi Michael, the former head of the Palestinian desk at the Strategic Affairs Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has not changed its DNA; they do not intend to disarm themselves. They do not intend to leave the Gaza Strip and not be part of the day after. The example that the Telegraph gave of such progress was the storming of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programs offices by Hamas terrorists earlier this month. The report, citing several sources, stated that armed Hamas members flooded the independent groups offices to house their own families after they left the tunnels below Gaza. Hamas has also been amping up public executions and beatings and has targeted opposing clans in Gaza. Turkish charities operating in the southern Gaza Strip, October 23, 2025 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90) Hamas tries to dominate Gaza again The Palestinian terror group has also reportedly resumed recruiting, re-arming, and reorganizing, the report said, citing interviews with security experts on the ground and open source data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has asked civilians to inform them when they come across unexploded munitions across Gaza, which security analysts believe the terror group could use for future fighting. The BBC reported that Hamas has called up some 7,000 fighters to assert its control. Since the first day of the ceasefire, images and videos online have shown Hamass crackdown in Gaza. Earlier this month, videos circulated of Hamas terrorists rounding up members of the Doghmush clan and shooting them in public execution ceremonies. Hamas also claimed a "decisive victory" against the Abu Shabab militia earlier this month. The Radaa (deterrence) force, affiliated with Hamas's military wing, Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have carried out similar raids against Abu Shabab's militia several times in October, including on October 17, October 15, October 13, and October 2, according to previous SAFA reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all of these events have been independently corroborated; however, Reuters reported on clashes between Hamas-affiliated terrorists and those it has labelled as "collaborators" on October 13, noting that at least 32 Gazans had been killed by Hamas-affiliated terrorists at that time. The brutality prompted Palestinian Authority security forces spokesman Anwar Rajab to call Hamass actions ISIS-like. The report also stated that Hamas has reportedly gained more supplies, including SUV vehicles and weapons, from battles with Gazan clans. Though US President Donald Trump has threatened to obliterate Hamas, Israeli analysts say that the terror group does not believe his threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think they take it too seriously because they understand President Trump, Michael said. They see that he is mainly interested in the first phase, the end of the war, and he will leave the details of the second and third stages to the professionals, to the clerks. Michael added that he believes that Trump would want to de-escalate fighting in Gaza, but would be more relaxed about what disarming really looks like on the ground. He added that because Trump could be more interested in regional alliances in the Middle East, he will therefore force Israel to accept a reality where Hamas does not meaningfully disarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has achieved a degree of fear, a deterrence effect, Gazan political analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib told the Misgav Institute podcast. Theyre saying look, weve spent two years in tunnels. Weve spent two years fighting Israel, but we are still here. We are not going to disarm; were not going to accept an international stabilization force. You [the civilians] are our hostages now. Now that they have given up the living hostages, the only bargaining chips that Hamas has are its dominion and control over the two million Palestinians who still live in the Gaza Strip, he added. Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report. The long-suffering staff of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme thought they were finally safe. Having been bombed out of multiple facilities during two years of war, they were making the most of the newfound ceasefire to treat patients in their rented accommodation in Gaza City when armed men burst in. According to multiple sources, the gunmen were Hamas militants. Despite the clinic being a lifeline to hundreds, they violently evicted the staff and took over the premises, later moving in their own families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just two days earlier, the terror group had been hiding in tunnels for fear of Israeli airstrikes; still fighting, but on the ropes. But within hours of the IDF withdrawal step one of Donald Trumps peace plan the group was swarming back across the city and many other of the Strips key urban areas, as if the past two years had never happened. Hamas is reasserting itself in Gaza - Anadolu The attack on the mental health hub on Oct 13, condemned by the World Health Organisation, turned out to be an early stage of a ruthlessly efficient campaign of renewed domination. Reprisals, beatings, interrogations, disappearances and mass public executions became, almost overnight, the new reality for the exhausted population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brutality prompted a spokesman for the Palestinian security forces in Ramallah to liken the behaviour to Islamic State. At the same time, Hamas has been recruiting, re-arming and reorganising, as well as repairing its tunnel network, The Telegraphs analysis of open source data and interviews with security experts have found. In the past week, top Trump officials, including JD Vance, the US vice-president, have flown into Israel to express confidence in the deal. However, analysts fear that the reality on the ground is that the terror group is going nowhere. Kobi Michael, a former head of the Palestinian desk at Israels ministry of strategic affairs, said Hamas showed every sign of racing to redefine the reality on the ground in post-war Gaza so as to make them impossible to dislodge, whatever the Trump plan says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day they are making lots of progress, he said. Hamas has not changed its DNA; they do not intend to disarm themselves. They do not intend to leave the Gaza Strip and not be part of the day after. Taking on the clans, armed families who have grown stronger in recent months, thanks, in some cases, to Israeli support, was the first order of business. It was an aggressive assault on the Doghmush clan which does not accept Israeli help near Gaza City on the first weekend of the ceasefire, resulting in the mass shooting of captives in front of a large crowd, that so disgusted the outside world. But since then, less high-profile but equally violent battles have taken place against other families, such as Yasser Abu Shababs grouping in the south. Credit: X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unable now to rely on Israeli air cover, the clansmen have found themselves outgunned by committed Hamas fighters with seemingly limitless ammunition, plus the use of RPGs and small drones. Social media accounts affiliated to the terror group have drip-fed triumphant news of murdered opponents, often accompanied by graphic pictures and videos. Analysis of the posts also suggests that in the process of mauling its rivals, Hamas has acquired valuable new equipment, including SUV vehicles and weapons, some of which may have originally been supplied by Israel. Mr Trump has threatened to obliterate Hamas if, ultimately, it does not disarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trouble is, according to Professor Micheal, now at the Misgav Institute and the Institute for National Security Studies, the terror group does not believe him. I dont think they take it too seriously because they understand President Trump, he said. They see that he is mainly interested in the first phase, the end of the war, and he will leave the details of the second and third stages to the professionals, to the clerks. Put simply, Professor Michael, in a view widely shared in Israel, believes that Mr Trump wants a calm Gaza so he can get on with building his grand regional alliances, but will prove to be flexible about what that looks like on the ground. Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement at a world leaders summit on ending the Gaza war on October 13 He also points to the White Houses dramatic empowerment of Turkey and Qatar in the peace process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both are formal guardians of the plan, and both are sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood ideology upon which Hamas is founded. The Israeli fear is that, in cahoots with the militants on the ground, both nations will string out the negotiations while lobbying Mr Trump to accept a situation whereby Hamas does not meaningfully disarm and force Israel to accept it too. Quickly showing to the world that they are back in control, almost as if they are an inevitable fact of life, could be seen as a key part of this strategy, from Hamass point of view. Mr Trump has threatened to obliterate Hamas if it does not disarm - AFP Along those same lines of thinking, demonstrating rigid control of the population is another crucial step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, an influential Gazan political analyst and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said this week: Now that they have given up the living hostages, the only bargaining chips that Hamas has is its dominion and control over the two million Palestinians who still live in the Gaza strip. In the two weeks since the ceasefire came into effect, Hamas have reopened their interrogation centres in Gazas main hospitals a phenomenon The Telegraph documented during the war. Dozens have since been summoned for questioning, Gazans have claimed. Some have alleged that social media influencers and others who spoke out during the fighting, when Hamas was less able to mete out reprisals, have now gone silent or disappeared altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts such as Mr Alkhatib have pointed out that Hamas has conducted the crackdown under a general banner of security and restoring order. Dedicated channels on platforms such as Telegram display an almost daily feed of videos showing transgressors having their legs broken with iron poles or their knees smashed to pieces. Hamas-run al-Aqsa TVs Telegram publishes footage showing fighters executing eight men in the street - Al-Aqsa TV/AFP Mr Alkhatib told the Misgav Institute podcast: Hamas has achieved a degree of fear, a deterrence effect. Theyre saying look, weve spent two years in tunnels. Weve spent two years fighting Israel but we are still here. We are not going to disarm; were not going to accept an international stabilisation force. You [the civilians] are our hostages now. The negotiations on the future of Gaza, currently ongoing in Egypt, threaten to highlight the fault lines in todays Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the one hand, Turkey and Qatar could, as Professor Michael and others fear, push for something like the status quo, or at least the absorption of Hamas as a key player into the political makeup. Recent but unconfirmed reports suggest they have already succeeded in persuading Egypt, which is not friendly to the Muslim Brotherhood, to allow them to appoint half the technocrats on Gazas putative Board of Peace, a concession Israel will surely never allow. Gaza is in a dark cycle On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and others are more likely to push for a prominent role for the Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza. Some of the non-Hamas armed groups hanging on amid the crackdown have longstanding links to Fatah, the party that dominates the PA, and are desperate for a comeback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot will depend on the makeup and toughness of the proposed international stabilisation force. Israel has ruled out a role for Turkey, although the White House is pressuring Mr Netanyahu to be open-minded. Currently, Indonesia and Azerbaijan look the most likely nations to contribute troops. This has not inspired confidence that the force will have the teeth and aggression to force a proper disarmament. Israeli security experts look at the widely ridiculed UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, Unifil, which manifestly failed to stop the growth of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and others are more likely to push for a prominent role for the Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza - MAHMUD HAMS/AFP Hamas has recently put out social media posts asking civilians to inform them when they come across unexploded munitions of which there is a vast amount in the Strip leading to fears they will be repurposed for future fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Gazas civilians, most of whom are homeless, continue to live on the edge of survival in overcrowded refugee areas as winter approaches. One man, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals, said: There are tens of thousands of Gazans waiting to leave the hell of living in tents. Reconstruciton will not happen until Hamas agrees to the terms of the deal and yet we see Hamas policing the road, armed men everywhere. We didnt expect to see this upon the signing of the peace. Gaza is in a dark cycle. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former Vice President Kamala Harris hinted at a second bid for the White House nearly one year after her brutal election loss to President Donald Trump. In an interview with the BBC, Harris expressed confidence that the U.S. would finally have a woman in the Oval Office, telling Laura Kuenssberg her nieces would likely see one in their lifetime, for sure. The television journalist asked if that woman would be her, with Harris responding, Possibly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris has been on tour marketing her new memoir, 107 Days, in which she suggested her political career will continue after Trump handily defeated her in the 2024 presidential election. Harris was elevated to the Democratic nomination after her boss, former President Joe Biden, ended his reelection campaign. I am not done, Harris said in the interview. I have lived my entire career a life of service. Its in my bones. Harris declined to confirm a second run for the presidency. If she does enter the 2028 presidential election, shell likely face a crowded field of Democratic candidates, political analysts have said. When you look at the bookies odds, they put you as an outsider, even behind Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Kuenssberg said during the interview. I mean, isnt that underestimating you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris responded confidently. I think there are all kinds of polls that will tell you a variety of things, Harris said. Ive never listened to polls. If I listened to polls, I would not have run for my first office or my second office, and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here, in this interview. Trump was elected the countrys 47th president after Harriss hastily launched campaign followed Bidens departure late in the process. Trump returned to office in a stunning political comeback by winning each battleground state. His campaign included a stop in Wildwood, where the then-former president was cheered by thousands as he ramped up attacks on his political opponents with his New York City trial in the background. Harriss career is highlighted by her tenure as Californias attorney general, after which she became the states junior senator. Biden, who was considering a vice presidential candidate list that included four Black women, later named Harris as his running mate, making her the first woman to serve in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last years election was Harriss first attempt at the White House, running alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. She touted a range of policies, including hefty tax cuts for millions of Americans, while critical of Trumps first administration and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Eric Conklin Stories by Eric Conklin Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Former Vice President Harris signaled on Saturday that she is leaving the door open to launching a 2028 presidential bid which would mark her third attempt at securing the Oval Office. I am not done, Harris said in an interview with BBC, adding that she could possibly still be president one day. I have lived my entire career as a life of service and its in my bones, she told British journalist Laura Kuenssberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the strongest hint that Harris could make a comeback bid after losing to President Trump nearly a year ago, though the former Democratic nominee said she has yet to make up her mind. In an interview with MSNBC last month, the former vice president said she was not focused on 2028. Thats not my focus right now. Thats not my focus at all, it really isnt, Harris said, adding that she instead wanted to use her time to help vulnerable Democrats hold onto their seats during the midterm elections. The former vice president also reportedly weighed a bid for California governor. Harris announced in July that she would not seek to replace term limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.), who has also been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speculation around her next moves has only been exacerbated since last months release of her memoir 107 Days which detailed Harriss brief 2024 campaign after former President Biden withdrew from the race, and her subsequent media tour. In one excerpt, she suggested Bidens decision to run for reelection amounted to recklessness and that he got tired. She also outlines her thought process behind picking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to join the ticket as her running mate and includes analysis around her uphill battle against Trump after Biden stepped aside. The book has received mixed reviews from many seen as potential allies, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Many Democrats have aired frustration with Harris over some of the revelations in her memoir, arguing that it could cause division at the worst possible time for the party. While recent polling has shown support waning for the former vice president, Harris brushed off the concerns on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here, she told Kuenssberg. During her book tour, Harris also lashed out at the Trump administration. Earlier this month, she condemned many of the presidents executive actions since returning to the Oval Office and argued that Trump lacks guardrails. In the BBC interview, she elaborated on the comment, making reference to indictments of his perceived political rivals, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, former national security adviser John Bolton and former FBI Director James Comey. He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice and he has done exactly that, she said Saturday, while also pointing to the brief suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists, she continued later. His skin is so thin he couldnt endure criticism from a joke and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process. The full BBC interview is set to air Sunday at 5 p.m. EDT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HARTFORD - Officers seized two handguns, more than 1,400 sleeves of fentanyl and other drugs in a citywide enforcement initiative Wednesday, according to the Hartford Police Department. The operation targeted "known drug hot spots and areas with frequent citizen complaints," and resulted in the arrests of 11 individuals with four additional warrants served, the police department said in a Facebook post Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the initiative, police said officers with the Narcotics Unit seized two handguns with two magazines, as well as 1,443 sleeves of fentanyl, 93 grams of crack cocaine, 7 grams of powdered cocaine and more than $2,000 in cash. Police identified five of the people arrested. Information regarding all 11 people charged was not immediately available Friday night. Police arrested Jose Ortiz-Rosado, 50, of Hartford, and charged him with criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell and third-degree trespassing. Judicial records show he is being held on a $400,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Hartford on Nov. 20. Antonio Alvarez, 24, of Hartford, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit. He is being held on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 9, according to judicial records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaiah Culver, 25, of Hartford, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession with intent to sell, interfering with police and third-degree trespassing, judicial records show. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 30. Lizzimarie Oizzini Ortiz, 31, of Hartford, was charged with possession of narcotics and possession with intent to sell. Bond information was not immediately available for Oizzini Ortiz. Mark Rodriguez, 29, was charged with two counts of possession of narcotics, two counts of possession with intent to sell and one count of operating an unregistered motor vehicle. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 9, judicial records show. This article originally published at Hartford police arrest 11, seize guns, 1,400 sleeves of fentanyl in citywide raid. Harvard University has recorded a decline in the enrollment of Black, Latino and international freshman students. The news comes as the institution has been in a legal battle with the Trump administration regarding a research funding freeze and DEI policies. Enrollment of Black, Latino and international students has decreased while the number of Asian students has increased at Harvard Less than 12% of newly enrolled undergraduate students identify as Black as opposed to 14% in 2024, according to data released by the school on Thursday. The share of Hispanic and Latino students has decreased to 11% as opposed to 16% last year, while 15% of freshmen are international compared to 18% in 2024 and 16% the year prior. In contrast, the number of Asian students enrolled has increased from 37% in 2024 to 41% this year. The number of white freshmen enrolled in the class of 2029 was not disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Class of 2029 was drawn from big cities and small towns, suburbs and farms, and from nations around the world, and all students, no matter where theyre from, where they went to high school, or what their personal circumstances might be, were admitted to Harvard because they share the extraordinary potential to change the world, William Fitzsimmons, Harvards dean of admissions and financial aid, said in a statement. Amid several seismic shifts in higher education admissions over the past few years, as well as the effects of COVID, the Class of 2029 enters Harvard as worthy successors to the generations of students whove come before them. Why have student demographics changed this year at Harvard? There are several reasons that may explain these changes. First, 8% of students declined to disclose their race and ethnicity in their applications. Students were also allowed to select more than one race. Then, Harvard received fewer applications for the class of 2029 than usual, according to The Washington Post. Still, the university received nearly 48,000 applications and accepted 4% of them. Harvard said that four in five students who received acceptance letters agreed to attend. The class of 2029 is also the first class to be admitted after the institution reinstated requirements for applicants to submit standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard has been at the center of a legal battle with the Trump administration since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to strike down affirmative action in 2023. The university filed two lawsuits against the administration after it froze over $2 billion in federal research grants because of its alleged noncompliance with DEI policies and lack of crackdown on antisemitism during campus pro-Palestinian protests. In September, a federal district judge ruled that the Trump administration wasnt allowed to withhold funding. The administration said it would appeal the ruling, per The Washington Post. The Trump administration has also threatened to take away Harvards tax-exempt status and previously attempted to block the enrollment of international students. The post Harvard Reports Decline In Black, Latino And International Student Enrollment Amid Its Battle With Trump appeared first on Blavity. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has condemned the death of Dr Sampada Mundhe at Phaltan in Maharashtra and has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident. According to a statement issued by FAIMA, "India expresses deep anguish and grave concern over the tragic death of Dr. Sampada Mundhe, a young and dedicated government medical officer serving at Sub-District Hospital, Phaltan (District Satara, Maharashtra). Her untimely demise has deeply shaken the entire medical fraternity across the nation." FAIMA further mentioned in its report that "Dr. Mundhe was under severe mental distress linked to official and administrative pressures. Despite repeated attempts to draw attention to her situation and express the emotional and professional challenges she was facing, no meaningful action or relief was extended by the concerned authorities." "This heartbreaking incident reflects the immense psychological burden many doctors silently endure while performing their duties in stressful government setups. It also highlights the urgent need to establish systemic safeguards to prevent such tragedies in the future," the association said. FAIMA India has demanded, on behalf of doctors across the nation, an investigation into the matter, immediate support to the family of Dr Mundhe, and swift and exemplary action. The demands include "an immediate, fair, and time-bound investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dr. Mundhe's death; strict accountability of all individuals and administrative authorities whose negligence or inaction may have contributed to her distress; immediate support for Dr. Mundhe's family, including psychological, financial, and legal assistance; and the establishment of a robust grievance redressal and mental health support system for doctors and healthcare workers facing administrative or disciplinary harassment." "This incident is not an isolated tragedy, it is a grim reminder of the systemic apathy and lack of institutional empathy that many government doctors continue to face. FAIMA India stands in solidarity with Dr Sampada Mundhe's family, colleagues, and the entire medical community and calls upon the Government of Maharashtra, the Police Department, and the Health Administration to take swift and exemplary action. FAIMA India reiterates its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the dignity, mental health, and safety of every doctor serving this nation," the statement added. On Friday, a woman doctor died by suicide in Maharashtra's Satara, leaving a note written on her hand that named a police official and two others, officials said. Satara Superintendent of Police, Tushar Doshi, said that a case has been registered against the accused under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The Police Sub-Inspector named in the note has been suspended. Doshi further stated that the police teams are trying to locate the two accused, and a thorough probe will be conducted, and stringent action will be taken. "A woman doctor committed suicide. A note was found written on her palm naming two people, including a police official. A case has been registered against them under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused PSI has been suspended from duty. Our teams are trying to locate the two accused. A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken," the Satara SP told reporters. The victim's cousin alleged that the doctor faced political pressure to conduct a false post-mortem. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI. Another cousin demanded the strictest punishment for those involved. "The accused should get the strictest of punishment," he said. (ANI) BELINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY) October is Head Start Awareness Month and programs across the country are celebrating 60 years of dedication to children, including in Barbour County. The North Central West Virginia Community Action Head Start in Barbour County held an event on Friday to celebrate a milestone with its students. The event included a book walk, bowling, face painting and a visit from a member of the city council to read with the kids. Barbour County currently serves 76 kids in Head Start, and those with the program say they are excited to watch it grow and make an even greater impact for the next 60 years. (WBOY Image) West Virginia group recommends giving Ramen, other nonperishable foods for trick-or-treat amid SNAP delays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karen MacDonald, the family resource coordinator at North Central West Virginia Community Action Head Start, spoke with 12 News about the generational impact of Head Start. They feel like were a safe place and they bring their kids on back when they have kids. So, I hope that continues generation to generation and that we help people become more and more successful from preschool on up to adulthood, MacDonald said. Head Start programs are grant-based, meaning they have relied on various funding to provide services to families since the beginning. MacDonald says that families can start registering kid for the next school year as early as January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Healthful Harvest is set to return to Bear Mountain Elementary School in Arvin on Saturday. At the free event, Dignity Health Mercy and Memorial Hospitals, Kaiser Permanente, Kern Medical and Adventist Health will be collaborating to bring wellness resources, family activities, free health screenings and vaccinations to the school. The event is scheduled for Oct. 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at Bear Mountain Elementary School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. The Arizona Department of Agriculture has announced a $1.8 million pilot program to improve water efficiency in farmland by investing on soil health. Farmland owners and leasers, and irrigation districts can apply for funding to pay for novel technologies and regenerative agriculture practices for a two-year period. They must collect data and show results on how those actions resulted in water savings. The pilot program reflects a shift in U.S. agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soil health is critical for life in general and has been studied for centuries, but ever since synthetic fertilizers were introduced, after World War II, it was mostly overlooked by industrialized agriculture, said Sheldon Jones, deputy director with the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Some farmers embraced practices to ditch chemicals, promote no-till farming to reduce soil erosion, increase diversity, or maximize soil cover, but they were hardly on the mainstream. "We were farming adding fertilizer to it, using the soil as a medium to grow, instead of as a living organism, Jones added. In the last decades there has been some course correction at the institutional level. The last farm bill included many provisions for soil health, and almost every department at the U.S. Department of Agriculture had some role in promoting it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheldon, who helped launch the Soil Health Institute in June 2016, says its been a sea change. The grant program will fund projects that use practices or non-manufactured products that improve soil health and water efficiency on agricultural land. It requires applicants to perform soil tests, measure before-and-after outcomes and asks if and how they would maintain these practices or technologies after the two-year project. The fund can pay for personnel time, travel, equipment, supplies and consultant work. The agency expects to award several grants but has not yet established a money cap per applicant. The funding comes from $2 million the Arizona Legislature appropriated for the Agriculture and Water Innovation Fund earlier this year. Water overuse: Rural Arizona leaders want Hobbs to impose controls on groundwater overpumping What makes healthy desert soil? Soil is a natural mix of minerals, organic matter, air, water and billions of living organisms. Its health, like in humans, depends on a balance of things. The use of heavy machinery, chemicals and fertilizers, for example, can disrupt this balance, and make it harder for the soil to retain water, store carbon or maintain productivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is an abundance of soil health research, products and practices for wetter regions, there is still a lot of work missing to understand and promote soil health in arid lands. Building soil health looks different across the country. In general, Arizona doesnt have enough water (or precipitation) to grow crops in the offseason just to keep the soil covered, for example. The desert environment also makes it hard to maintain or increase organic matter in the soils, Jones said. Soil salinity is often the number one issue in Arizona soils, and an obstacle in water conservation, as farmers need to apply excess irrigation to avoid their crops being damaged. Some farmers have integrated minimal tilling to maintain soil structure and biology, or grow winter crops like barley, wheat or triticale to restore soil fertility, and there are ongoing efforts to understand desert soil health and support it with new practices and products like algae-based technologies, clay additives, or biochar. Program will require monitoring to measure progress Its still unclear whether and how research experts would be part of these efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry played a key role in getting lawmakers to fund the program, Jones said. The agency worked with the governors office and the Legislature to make sure the program was broadened to include a variety of technologies and practices. To measure the impact of soil health improvements, farmers would need to monitor land where that improvement has been made, as well as land, with the same properties, farmed without it, suggested Debankur Sanyal, soil health specialist with the University of Arizona. They would also need to set criteria on what to measure and how often, using sensors for soil moisture or metering water use. If you say you improved water retention or water storage, what would be the parameters? Sanyal asked. He is excited about the opportunity that the new funding could bring. He works with dozens of farmers and ranchers across the state, taking soil samples, setting experiments and doing outreach. Kelly Saxon (center) and Sebastian Grasser (left) harvest carrots on March 13, 2025, in a field at Agritopia Farm in Gilbert, Ariz. There are a lot of companies and products. Maybe growers can collaborate with these companies and may not need a university collaboration but I don't know how they would monitor, he said. There might be a bias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency will hold two virtual workshops for interested applicants on Oct. 28 and 31. Clara Migoya covers agriculture and water issues. Reach the reporter at clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona agency invests in soil health grants for farmer water savings A young woman cools down with cold water during the summer heat in this file photo. The 34 heat deaths in Maryland this summer was the second most since numbers became available in 2012. (Photo by SimpleImages/Getty Stock Images) Thirty-four people died from heat-related causes in Maryland during the late April to early October heat season this year, the second-highest number of heat-related deaths since records became publicly available in 2012. Since deaths hit 46 in 2012 when a July storm disrupted the power and air conditioning to many Maryland homes for days as a heat wave hit the number had never been above 30, and has been as low as five in a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 34 people who suffered heat-related deaths this summer, 24, or about 71%, were 65 or older, according to state data. Six people who died from heat-related causes were between ages 45-64, two were 18-44 and two were under age 18. Older adults often have chronic medical conditions, such as cardiovascular or respiratory, that can increase their susceptibility to excessive heat, according to a statement from the Maryland Department of Health. Despite that, 18- to 44-year-olds had the highest number of emergency department and urgent care visits this year, accounting for 688 of the total 1,672 this summer. Those 65 and older recorded 416 emergency room visits, followed by the 399 for the 44-65 age group, as of the Oct. 8 report. Emergency department visits were significantly higher than the 1,206 recorded last year. The number of calls for emergency medical service was also up sharply this year, from 1,502 in 2024 to 1,645 this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of heat-related emergency room visits spiked during a heat wave in late June that saw 379 emergency department or urgent care visits and 400 EMS calls, according to state data. Almost two-thirds of the deaths, 21 of them, occurred over a two-week period in June and July that saw extremely high temperatures and heat indices, according to the health departments statement. Daily heat indices during this time exceeded 100 degrees with some areas exceeding 110 degrees, the statement said. The region that includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties and Baltimore City had the most emergency department or urgent care visits this season. Their total of 688 surpasses other regions totals by at least 250 visits and past years totals by at least 200. Of the 34 deaths, half were reported to be indoors. Some of the indoor deaths were related to non-functioning or non-existent cooling systems, such as fans or air conditioning units. Other reports indicated hoarding or cluttered living conditions which can cause a decrease in air flow reducing the effectiveness of cooling systems, according to the health departments statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other eight and nine deaths were in vehicles and outdoors, respectively. Baltimore City and Baltimore County had the highest number of heat-related deaths this season, reaching eight and six, respectively. Montgomery and Prince Georges counties both had three heat-related deaths, and the 10 other counties that recorded heat-deaths had one or two each this heat season. The Baltimore City Health Department issued four extreme heat alerts during this heat season with one late July alert lasting almost a week after two extensions, according to department statements The press releases reference multiple instances of daily high temperatures that reach over 100 degrees, and dangerously high temperatures and high humidity. The sustained heat wave continues to pose a serious threat to public health, particularly for our most vulnerable residents, Mary Beth Haller, Baltimore Citys interim health commissioner, said in a July 30 press release concerning the second extension of an extreme heat alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery County issued two heat emergency alerts during this heat season, warning citizens of high feels-like temperatures and heat indexes. Extreme heat affects the bodys ability to regulate temperature, which can create dangerous conditions if appropriate safety measures are not taken, a July 24 Montgomery County press release said. Heat may affect air quality, especially in urban areas, and may have a stronger impact on the elderly, children and sick persons. The Maryland Department of Health recommends utilizing the Extreme Heat Resources page for future days of intense heat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE AUSTIN (KXAN) Texas grocer H-E-B announced Friday afternoon it would commit to donating $6 million to food insecurity relief in Central Texas. The announcement comes during the ongoing government shutdown, which has seen federal workers turn to nonprofit food pantries for help and could soon see a pause in SNAP benefits. How to find help, help others through November SNAP benefits pause Most of that donation, $5 million, will go into the Feeding Texas network. The remainder will be gifted to Meals on Wheels Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said in the announcement that the donation is happening at a critical moment, and called H-E-B a committed partner in the fight against hunger. Across the state, families are facing mounting challenges, and this support will make an immediate and meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful to H-E-B for standing with our communities and helping ensure that no Texan goes hungry, she said. Central Texas Food Bank is part of the Feeding Texas network. It saw a loss of $5.5 million in federal funds earlier this year. Meals on Wheels Texas also thanked H-E-B for the donation, and Board President Olivia Burdick said that it helps the organization continue its work in these challenging times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H-E-Bs generosity not only provides nourishing meals but also delivers hope, connection, and compassion to those who need it most. We are profoundly grateful for your partnership and for the meaningful difference you make every day in the lives of aging Texans, said Burdick in the release. According to H-E-B, the grocers Hunger Relief program donated 35 million pounds of food in 2024, and more than 1.5 billion pounds since 1982. It also said that H-E-B customers donated just under $1 million during the companys Help End Hunger donation campaign. At H-E-B, we are passionate about taking care of Texans, said Winell Herron, H-E-B senior vice president of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs. We are proud of our longstanding partnership with these incredible organizations that work year-round to support those in need. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A helicopter hoisted two people from a small plane Saturday that had crashed in a creek near a Salem County airport, according to officials. Emergency crews responded to the crash in Mannington Township after it was reported around 11:21 a.m., Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Christine Bills told NJ Advance Media. Delaware State Police responded with two helicopters and lifted both people from the partially submerged plane. One person was taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and the other did not require medical attention, Delaware State Police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane crashed near the Rainbows End Airport, a grassy airfield in a wooded area off Route 540. Stacey Pennington, Salem Countys public information officer, said its mostly used as a landing and takeoff spot for smaller planes. Photos shared by police show a rescuer being lowered from a helicopter above the crash site. In another, crews appear to be working in a marshy area, tending to part of the wreckage. The plane became partially submerged in Mannington Meadow, a shallow creek that flows into the Salem River, County Sheriff Chuck Miller told NJ Advance Media. Salem County, New Jersey, Plane Crash The injured person was flown to Christiana Hospital in New Castle, Delaware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not certain if it was the pilot, at this particular time, or the passenger was able to walk out of the scene, Miller said. He also did not have further information on the airplane. That airstrip is known for small aircrafts, such as Cessnas, etc., Miller said. The Coast Guard dispatched a team from Air Station Atlantic City to the wreckage and was later instructed to stand down after Delaware State Police reached the scene to assist, Bills said. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately return a request for comment. Eric Conklin Stories by Eric Conklin Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. DAVIDSON COUNTY When the skeletal remains of a husband and wife were unearthed in a patch of woods near Lexington more than 40 years ago, the grisly discovery solved a nearly 10-year-old mystery. Unfortunately, it also unearthed another mystery a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. The year was 1984, and Davidson County was buzzing with the news that a pair of skeletons had been dug up from a small, shallow grave in a wooded area near Lexington. When the news broke on Nov. 29, authorities stated the obvious foul play was suspected. They did not, however, identify the two individuals, other than to say they were a white male and female. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authorities knew whose skeletons they had dug up, though they just needed pathologists to confirm the identity. A few days later, when the remains were positively identified, area newspapers unraveled a tragically compelling backstory that sounded more like the plot of a movie than real life. The skeletons were those of Harry Edward Lee Huffman Jr., 31, formerly of Winston-Salem, and his wife, 17-year-old Robin Clodfelter Huffman, formerly of northern Davidson County. They had been missing and presumed dead since May 1975, but tips about where they were buried had never panned out. In 1975, Robin had dropped out of North Davidson High School but was taking criminal justice classes at Davidson County Community College. Lee, whose nickname was Huff, was 14 years older than Robin, but when he spotted the pretty teenager at a gathering of the Outlaws motorcycle gang of which they were both members he couldnt take his eyes off her. Once they began dating, they were inseparable, and they got married in April 1975. Robins mother, Frankee Lane who lived in Lexington but worked at Thayer-Coggin in High Point hadnt wanted her daughter to marry so young, but she couldnt deny how happy Robin seemed to be with Huff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lane last saw the couple on the afternoon of May 20, 1975, riding away from her home on Huffs motorcycle. After several days of not seeing or hearing from her daughter which Lane said was out of character she contacted the Davidson County Sheriffs Department to report Robin missing. Huff was nowhere to be found, either. When the sheriffs department couldnt find the couple, Lane hired a private detective, but he struck out, too. In desperation, Lane scoured the pages of Easyriders, a popular magazine for motorcycle enthusiasts. To her surprise, she came across a personal ad that read, Country, get in touch with Huff. Were both OK. Lane was hopeful. Could the ad be referring to Robin and Huff? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had to know, so she and her husband took off in a van trying to find Robin. According to a newspaper article, they logged some 55,000 miles, driving from state to state and hanging out with hippies in hopes of finding a lead. They even grew out their hair and dressed the part to fit in. I felt like maybe if (Robin) was alive and in trouble, I could find her, Lane explained. But they never found her and eventually came back home, believing Robin and Huff were dead. They were proven right in November 1984, when authorities told Lane about the two skeletons unearthed near Lexington. Even before they were positively identified, Lane knew it was Robin the womans skeleton was wearing a North Davidson class ring with Robins initials engraved inside the band. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huff and Robin had each been shot once in the back of the head, execution-style. Lane was devastated. Ive never believed in capital punishment, she told a newspaper reporter. All my life, Ive never believed in it. I believe in the Bible thou shalt not kill. But now, I may be for it. Davidson County Sheriff Paul Jaybird McCrary hinted at the time that the Outlaws motorcycle gang may have had something to do with Robin and Huffs deaths, making references to an internal disagreement between the couple and the gang. He said his department had several suspects, but he made no arrests. Four years later, McCrary reiterated in a newspaper article that he had several strong suspects, but he simply didnt have the evidence he needed to make an arrest. He refused to confirm whether the suspects were members of the Outlaws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been 41 years now since authorities discovered Robin and Huffs skeletons, and the mystery of who killed them remains just that an unsolved mystery. Meanwhile, the couples remains were buried again, this time at a church cemetery in Lexington. Lane, knowing how much her daughter and son-in-law loved each other, fittingly buried them in the same casket, according to a newspaper article. She and Huff was put in the ground together, Lane was quoted as saying, so they might as well still be together. Jtomlin@hpenews.com | 336-888-3579 A 19-year-old was killed in an Oct. 24 Clermont County crash that hospitalized two others, officials said. Natalie Gilreath, 19, of Cincinnati, was a passenger in a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado that veered off the road while traveling eastbound on state Route 749 at about 3:23 p.m. in the Ohio Township area, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The truck then hit two utility poles and came to a final rest off the roadway. Gilreath was pronounced dead at the scene, highway patrol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver and another passenger were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Highway patrol said Gilreath was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, and it is not known whether the other two occupants were wearing theirs. The crash remains under investigation. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Officials ID 19-year-old woman killed in Clermont County crash A report released last month is raising questions about whether hikers are bringing microplastics into remote areas of the Adirondack wilderness, prompting scientists to say more research is needed on the subject. The nonprofit Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, in partnership with Evergreen Business Analytics, collected water samples in July from two water bodies above 4,200 feet on Mount Marcy. Subsequent testing by Parverio, a lab in Rochester, found the average concentration of microplastics to be 16.54 particles per milliliter in Lake Tear of the Clouds, an increase from the 9.54 figure recorded two years prior by the groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major finding of the study was that water samples taken from Moss Pond in July of this year contained just .73 particles per milliliter, contrasting the results from the two ponds. The difference between ponds is that a popular hiking trail passes alongside Lake Tear of the Clouds. Moss Pond, located about a mile away, is off-trail and not frequently visited by hikers. The difference has led the researchers to surmise that hikers are the likely cause of the majority of the plastic pollution in Lake Tear of the Clouds. Tim Keyes, a data scientist and owner of Evergreen Business Analytics, said rain drains off the nearby trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's the low point of that entire area," he said. Microplastics from footwear, clothing and hiking gear could be making their way into the water. "This implies that hikers that pass through the area unwittingly contribute to the accumulation of (microplastics) in the ecosystem by virtue of what they leave behind from their consumer products, trekking footwear, clothing and gear, etc," states a report by the researchers. "It has already been established that polymers and additives in outdoor recreation clothing and footwear are a significant contributor to contaminants in high trafficked areas in the natural environment, and apparently Lake Tear of the Clouds, in the hiking thoroughfare to at least three Adirondack High Peaks is no different." More research is needed While several scientists interviewed by the Explorer said the hypothesis is plausible, they also emphasized that there needs to be more research done to better understand the types of plastics that were discovered and to validate the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tests done on these water samples were to determine the amount of plastic in the water, but analysis can be done to trace the plastic back to footwear, specific types of synthetic clothing or other sources. Microplastic pollution can also come from the atmosphere, can be carried by the wind or precipitation. "It's important to highlight that there is more research that needs to be done to ID the plastics and make sure they do get an accurate account of what the source may be," said microplastic researcher Sami Romanick, of the Washington, D.C. nonprofit Environmental Working Group. "But it is a strong hypothesis to believe it is coming from the human activity around the pond." Lake George Association Executive Director Brendan Wiltse has worked for several water-focused research organizations and is a former Mount Marcy summit steward. He said the finding is "intriguing," but said more sampling of that water body and others is needed. "More sampling would definitely be helpful to know exactly what the source is, and is that a pattern that's consistent across more water bodies than just those two that they looked at?" he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake Champlain Research Institute Water Resources Outreach Specialist Aude Lochet said because the Lake Tear of the Cloud results are "unusually high," she suggested having samples tested by another lab for verification purposes. "It would be great to have someone else do a different measurement to see if the data matches," she said. In a statement, the Adirondack Mountain Club said, "The research provides valuable data that warrants further investigation, either independently or in partnership with leading organizations such as the (state Department of Environmental Conservation) or (Adirondack Watershed Institute)." The state Department of Environmental Conservation wasn't involved in the study and didn't comment directly on it. However, the department released a statement saying the state "has led the way with new initiatives that seek to reduce problematic single-use plastics, such as plastic carryout bags, and expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging, and will continue working to address emerging issues related to sources of plastic pollution." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department, which has funded microplastic research through grants, "will also continue collaborating with researchers and other experts to develop strategies to address microplastics and other wastes in the environment," it said. As of now, the groups that conducted the research don't have plans to return to Mount Marcy, but Keyes indicated that he is considering more water sampling in the Central Adirondacks. Leave No Trace Since making their discovery, the researchers have sent their findings to hiking clubs throughout the Northeast, including the Adirondack 46ers and Adirondack Mountain Club. They are hoping to raise an understanding among outdoor users that they need to consider how their litter, clothing, footwear and gear contribute to polluting the natural environment. "This is still all about raising awareness and then considering ways in which we can make certain changes that would help minimize or contribute to the minimization of microplastic deposition in the environment," said Joe Dadey, executive director of Adirondack Hamlets to Huts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Adirondack Mountain Club and Dadey emphasized that this research further strengthens the need to practice Leave No Trace ethics in the backcountry. "As awareness grows around the spread of microplastics, opting for outdoor clothing made of wool or for technical gear proven to withstand rugged conditions is a sound choice," stated the Adirondack Mountain Club. "Staying dry and safe remains a top priority in the backcountry, especially for those new to the High Peaks, including younger adventurers. Trip decisions - such as checking weather conditions and bringing appropriate gear - should always be made with safety in mind." The research project included a Hamlets to Huts expedition from the High Peaks to New York City in 2023. Lake Tear of the Clouds is considered the origin of the Hudson River. This story originally appeared in the Adirondack Explorer, a nonprofit news organization covering people and policy inside the forest preserve. This article originally published at Are hikers unwittingly bringing microplastics into the Adirondack wilderness?. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital improved on Saturday morning but remained under the "poor" category, with Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) already in effect across Delhi-NCR. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 259 as of 8 am today. In south-west Delhi, the AQI in RK Puram remained at 265, while Patparganj recorded 263, both classified as "poor." However, Anand Vihar in east Delhi recorded an AQI of 412, placing it in the 'severe' category. Truck-mounted water sprinklers were deployed on Janpath Road to tackle the high levels of particulate matter, as air quality in several areas remained largely in the 'very poor' range. Other areas of concern included Bawana, where the AQI was recorded at 336, classified as 'very poor,' and ITO, which registered an AQI of 248. Dwarka recorded a comparatively lower AQI of 276, still within the 'poor' range, highlighting the uneven distribution of pollution across the capital. As Delhi continues to grapple with deteriorating air quality, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said that cloud seeding has become a necessity for the national capital and termed it a pioneering step in addressing the city's persistent environmental crisis. Speaking to ANI, Rekha Gupta said, "Cloud seeding is a necessity for Delhi and is the first experiment of its kind. We want to try it in Delhi to see if it can help us control this very serious environmental problem." She added, "So the blessings of the people of Delhi are with the government, and we feel that this will be a successful experiment and in future, we will be able to overcome these environmental problems." Meanwhile, on Friday, former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria cautioned residents about the serious health implications of rising pollution and urged preventive measures to minimise exposure. "The current high levels of air pollution, indicated by poor AQI, are leading to acute health effects, particularly among individuals with underlying heart or lung conditions, the elderly, and young children. These groups are experiencing increased chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, cough, and worsening of pre-existing conditions like asthma and COPD," Dr Guleria told ANI. He added, "Even healthy individuals are reporting symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, throat pain, chest tightness, and coughing. The inflammation and narrowing of airways caused by pollutants are contributing to these issues. Additionally, the use of crackers, despite permissions for 'green crackers,' has exacerbated air pollution." Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that there will be clouds over Delhi from October 28 to 30 and noted that the Delhi government is ready with physical trials and permissions to induce artificial rain on October 29. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and its National Capital Region (NCR) was falling under the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories in several areas even as Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect. (ANI) When Nancy Martinez was making her business plan for Nide Jardin, a home decor and plant boutique in downtown Aurora, she made Latinos her target market both because it is her culture and because they are a significant consumer base in this country. But this month, amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts pushed by the Trump administration, Martinez only saw about half the sales she normally does during the monthly downtown First Fridays event. She is now seeing less sales than when she just sold items at local markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thats what Martinez told U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, at a roundtable meeting with local Hispanic business owners held at the downtown branch of the Aurora Public Library on Friday. Those who attended the event spoke of challenges their businesses are facing because of recent immigration enforcement actions and asked elected officials for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security announced early last month that it had begun a surge of immigration law enforcement in Chicago called Operation Midway Blitz. Aurora has also been seeing an increase in federal immigration enforcement agents, who are frequently just called ICE after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Two weeks ago, several demonstrations were held in Aurora, including one at City Hall and another that Mayor John Laesch said he joined in, after federal agents were seen across the city. Hispanic business owners said at the meeting on Friday that they have been seeing less customers, slow business and employees who dont want to come in during the immigration crackdown. People are scared to leave their homes, the business owners said. When The Beacon-News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to ask about the effect heightened immigration enforcement efforts are having on local businesses, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that removing dangerous criminals from our streets makes it safer for everyone including business owners and their customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has insisted that immigration enforcement efforts are focused on immigrants who are in this country illegally and have a criminal background. And while the Chicago Tribune reported earlier this year that immigration arrests are up under President Donald Trump, including double the rate of those convicted of violent felonies and sex crimes, it also found that there has been nine times as many arrests of immigrants with no known criminal past. McLaughlin said in her statement that those who are not here illegally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear, plus that elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are driving an uptick in assaults on immigration enforcement agents. However, a recent ProPublica investigation found at least 170 U.S. citizens have been arrested by immigration agents during Trumps second term. In early March, The Beacon-News reported that immigrant-owned businesses in Aurora were seeing customers stay home amid fears of ICE arrests. Now, businesses owners are saying things are getting harder, with a few saying the pandemic might have been better than this. Gil Velazquez of Auroras Los Panchos and El Capitan restaurants said at the roundtable meeting on Friday that his business has been facing problems for about five months, but it has gotten worse ever since we started having all these agents in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It used to be that his restaurant was about half full during the week, Velazquez said, but now he only sees a couple of tables filled here and there. His restaurants customer base is about 80% Hispanic, he said. People are scared to come out, he said. I cant force people to come out. Aurora is more than 40% Hispanic, compared to 19% in Illinois and just under 30% in Chicago, census data has shown. Auroras population was just over 25% foreign-born from 2019-2023, compared to roughly 14% in Illinois and just over 20% in Chicago. Velazquez said his restaurants are far from the only businesses being impacted by the heightened immigration enforcement. Grocery stores that used to be packed, with no parking to be found, are now lucky to be half full, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the businesses hes talked to, he said, wont make it by the end of the year without help. Foster called whats happening nothing short of an assault on our families safety, peace of mind and their ability to do business. Its really as far from law and order as you can imagine, he said. Now is the time for business organizations, like the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber or Commerce, to stand up so individual members arent targeted, according to Foster. The Hispanic Chamber helped organize the roundtable meeting, which was also led by the groups President and CEO Karina Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia asked if Foster could help her organization in sending a letter to the Trump administration outlining their concerns, and Foster agreed. Others, including Velazquez, also asked Foster if the federal government could provide grants or interest-free loans like during the COVID-19 pandemic to help with the situation. Foster said that Democrats are a minority in Congress at the moment, but one of his staff members said theyd be reaching out to the Small Business Administration to see what kinds of opportunities are available and to the banking community to see how they plan to help small businesses. Those in attendance also talked about expanded work visas as a way to potentially help the issue, as they would help people stay in the country legally while bringing in revenue for the federal government. Foster suggested that, under the idea, the amount of visas could be a state decision. Plus, business owners discussed how displaying signs telling federal immigration enforcement agents they are not allowed in without a warrant and similar things made customers feel safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aurora Ald. Juany Garza, 2nd Ward, also attended the meeting. She said the city was working on potentially banning ICE agents from city property, including parks, as well as marketing efforts for small business. Martinez, of Nide Jardin, had another idea for how to help Hispanic businesses that are struggling: get people who arent threated by the uptick of immigration enforcement into these businesses and the neighborhoods they are located. We need our allies, or those that are saying that are allies, to come to our neighborhoods and buy from us, she said. rsmith@chicagotribune.com When Kathy Hochul took over as governor in 2021, she promised a more transparent, more responsive state government. In her first major speech as chief executive, she vowed to usher in a new era of transparency, including by facilitating an expedited process to more promptly fulfill public records requests under the states Freedom of Information Law. It was a niche topic for a debut speech, but important for government accountability: FOIL, which allows members of the public to request unpublished records from state and local government agencies, is one the main ways that journalists, advocates, and other watchdogs ensure that New York officials dont evade public scrutiny. Each state has a version of the law, but New York is among the slowest to fulfill requests. Four years later, Hochul has pursued some transparency initiatives, but still hasnt come through on her promise to expedite New Yorks notoriously slow FOIL system. This year, the state legislature tried to pick up the slack, passing a bill that would tighten the deadlines that agencies must meet in responding to FOIL requests but this month, Hochul vetoed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it stands, FOIL deadlines are mostly for show: Agencies must respond to requests within five business days, but can unilaterally extend the deadline to furnish records indefinitely. The bill, sponsored by Senator James Skoufis of Orange County, would have phased in a deadline for fulfilling most FOIL requests: By 2028, agencies would have had 60 days to hand over requested records. In a message accompanying her veto, Hochul said that the bill establishes arbitrary deadlines regardless of the complexity or length of any given request. In reality, it allowed for exceptions for large requests, but would have compelled agencies to justify delays to the state Committee on Open Government, which advises the government and public on how to follow state public records laws. The governor also pointed out that the bill didnt allocate additional funds for agencies FOIL offices. Watchdogs and employees in those offices have long complained about understaffing, but the issue can only be addressed through the governor-led state budget process. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment before publication. New Yorks FOIL system is one of the slowest in the country: The public records requesting service MuckRock ranks New York 47 among the 50 states in terms of response times, with requests through its website taking New York agencies an average of 147 days to fulfill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent reports from the watchdog organization Reinvent Albany show that response times vary widely by agency. The state Board of Elections, for example, took an average of four days to fulfill requests last year, while the New York City Mayors Office took an average of 283 days. New York City agencies are particularly slow: The Department of Correction, which runs the notorious Rikers Island jail complex, among other facilities, took an average of 485 days to fulfill requests filed via the citys online portal last year. New York Focus reporters can attest that many agencies treat the law as optional, delaying even simple requests by months or years, rendering them effectively inaccessible without a lawsuit. We asked the staff about some of their most frustrating FOIL experiences. Agency: New York Power Authority Days Open: 185 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requested Records: Contracts As New York Focuss climate reporter, Colin Kinniburgh investigates the complex web of agencies and authorities tasked with regulating the states power grid and planning the transition to renewable energy. A program launched in 2022 was meant to showcase how the state could use its massive buying power to spur the development of new, all-electric heating technology. As implementation has stalled, though, the state agency in charge has been less than eager to release the underlying contracts with the two companies it picked to pioneer the new tech. Contracts should be one of the simplest FOIL requests agencies can fulfill: Theyre relatively short documents filled with mostly boilerplate language. Yet Kinniburghs April request to the New York Power Authority for contracts with heat pump companies remains unfulfilled after six months. Agency: New York City Administration for Childrens Services Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days Open: 230 Requested Records: Emails With some exceptions, government officials emails and other electronic communications are public records. This spring, reporter Julia Rock requested correspondence between Hochuls office and the New York City Administration for Childrens Services related to the states Child Care Assistance Program. At the time, the program faced a significant funding shortfall that would force the city to remove thousands of families each month. Over seven months later, the request is still pending. Agency: New York State Department of Financial Services Days Open: 635 Requested Records: Staff resumes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a well-known revolving door between banks and the federal regulators that oversee them. In January 2024, editor-in-chief Akash Mehta wanted to examine whether a similar dynamic plays out in New York. He requested the resumes of personnel employed by the state Department of Financial Services in the previous three years. (He had previously submitted a broader request; it took the department four months to ask him to narrow it.) The department told him he could expect a response by late February. When the deadline rolled around, it was still working on the request and needed another month. The next month, it said the same. The department has now extended its deadline to respond to the request 22 times and counting. Agency: Yonkers Industrial Development Agency Days Open: 536 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requested Records: Emails In April, New York Focus reporter Chris Bragg wrote about the close relationship between Yonkers Mayor Mike Spanos administration and a lobbying firm owned by the mayors brother, Nick Spano. Much of the story remains untold. A nearly year-and-a-half-old FOIL request from Bragg seeking emails between officials in the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency which has approved tax benefits for Nick Spano clients and Nick Spanos lobbying firm or clients remains unfulfilled. An outside counsel for the Yonkers IDA said that the request generated 18,000 records, equating to approximately 40,000 pages and asked New York Focus to narrow its parameters. Yet the outside counsel, the law firm Harris Beach Murtha, has declined to provide any information about which search terms generated so many records. The IDA has also ignored New York Focuss request that it provide copies of already-reviewed records on a rolling basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FOIL response is itself an example of the blurry lines between the brothers work: In past state lobbying disclosure filings, a different attorney at Harris Beach Murtha was repeatedly listed as the contact person for Nick Spanos lobbying firm. Agency: New York City Office of the Mayor Days Open: 1,092 Requested Records: Emails In October 2022, senior reporter Sam Mellins requested messages between the offices of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and City Councilmember Julie Won, hoping to learn about negotiations over the controversial InnovationQNS housing development planned for Wons district. He received only copy-and-paste extension letters. In 2023, Mellins appealed the delay, but the mayors office offered no response which is against the law and continued sending extension letters. Three years and 17 extensions after its filing, the request remains outstanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agency: New York City Police Department Days Open: 1,266 Requested Records: Training materials In terms of opacity, Mayor Adams is outdone only by his favorite city agency. In May 2022, criminal justice reporter Chris Gelardi requested a variety of training materials from the New York City Police Department. The department fulfilled one of the requests, providing documents on how it trains officers to look out for a largely debunked medical syndrome. (New York Focuss reporting on the records prompted backlash from state legislators, who have since moved to ban similar training courses.) The NYPD apparently didnt want to fulfill the other requests, which sought its plainclothes police training course and training materials related to its notorious Strategic Response Group. They remain outstanding after three and a half years. As communities worldwide face the consequences of rising global temperatures, insurance claims for damage in supercharged storms are increasing. In an article, The New Republic reported on how underwriters in Florida were making a profit while denying customers' claims. What's happening? Suzi Bahan owned and operated a small tiki bar in a Fort Myers Beach town until Hurricane Ian blew through and reduced everything she had to shambles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Bahan described to The New Republic: "The day that I walked over that bridge and I saw what was left of my life, I literally hit my knees. It was life-altering." With two insurers, Bahan had hoped to recover. While the first paid her promptly, the second ultimately did not pay her, and she is appealing a lawsuit. Bahan isn't alone in these experiences. Many are struggling to get their insurance money in the face of disaster. A 2024 article from the Professional Law Group found that 26% to 50% of Florida insurance claims were denied in the wake of hurricanes throughout the 2023-2024 season. Some insurance companies are even sneakily increasing deductibles to balance the uptick in claims. And it isn't just for hurricanes. Californians also risk rising insurance rates in the face of increased wildfire risk. Why is property damage in an era of extreme weather concerning? Natural disasters existed even before humans were around to experience them. However, the heightened intensity of these weather patterns is likely due to the burning of dirty energy, scientists agree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we continue to burn dirty energy sources that trap heat in the atmosphere, global temperatures continue to rise. When the atmosphere is warmer, storms can pull more vapor from the oceans as they travel toward land. Stronger storms lead to more rainfall, more forceful winds, and increased flooding risks. This also extends in the other direction, as regions experience extreme drought and subsequent or related wildfires. In the face of these disasters, insurance companies are raising prices and refusing payouts. This leaves communities already vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather in even more precarious situations. What's being done about insurance in the face of extreme weather? According to American Progress, as insurance companies are not doing enough to cover property owners' costs, government programs are cropping up to step in. These include state government Fair Access to Insurance Requirements or federal programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Citizens' Climate Lobby acknowledges the issue of insurance but admits that the only real way to address the issue is to make changes to reduce the pollution that adds to the climate problem. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation hosted a kickoff on Tuesday for the 2025 11th Hour Ceremony and the Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade. The Veterans Day Parade is scheduled to take place at Fair Park on November 11th at 11 a.m., with the theme for this years parade being a 75th Anniversary of the Korean War. According to the website, the foundation selected this theme as a reminder of when American troops stood shoulder to shoulder with United Nations allies to defend liberty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Murray kicked off this event by welcoming everyone in attendance and paying his respect to those who have served in the U.S. Military. Its really above and beyond what they continue to do day in and day out, protecting us all from points all over the entire planet, all over the world. Many of them, unfortunately, never return home, but forever well keep them in our thoughts and prayers for all they do to keep us safe each and every day. Murray then welcomed Albert Zapata, chairman of the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation, to the stand, where he voiced his appreciation for the veterans and current members of the military who have helped maintain peace in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Zapata also said the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation is always looking for ways to improve recruiting numbers in the military, explaining that the goal is to bring in over 2,000 young ROTC cadets from our high schools in the area. Command Sergeant Major Lonnie Clark further specified these numbers. He said the goal is to recruit closer to 1,200 students from Dallas ISD this year, adding that America needs to stand for patriotism moving forward. Were proud of them. Its a chance for them to see a little bit about respect for America, a little bit about what it means to wear a uniform, and have people stand in front of you and show respect, and I know they leave there with a deeper meaning. Zapata proceeded to welcome the chairman of the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation Parade, Pat Teipel, to the front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teipel thanked all those in attendance and called the Veterans Day Parade a chance to say thank you to the 21,800,000 living veterans, to the 1,430,290 wartime wounded, and for the 1,190,000 wartime dead. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) said Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has effectively dissolved the House. The House remains out of session amid the ongoing shutdown that began on Oct. 1. Ahead of the shutdown, the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond that date, but the legislation stalled in the Senate, where it failed to notch the necessary 60-vote procedural threshold. Seven votes are needed from Democrats, who are demanding an extension of healthcare premium subsidies for Obamacare recipients. So far, congressional Republicans have not budged. Johnson said on Thursday that bringing the House back into session until an agreement is reached would be a waste of our time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Smith appeared on MSNBC, where Jason Johnson asked about the Trump administrations ongoing bombing of Venezuelan boats in international waters. Trump officials allege the boats were carrying drugs. The administration has provided no evidence to justify the bombings, which are legally suspect, according to experts. Once you start just randomly killing people from other countries and coming up with a crime to throw on them later, doesnt that destabilize our relationships with the rest of South America? Doesnt it make business more difficult? the host asked. What are some of the ripple effects of this current insane foreign policy by the administration? Smith used the question to pivot to House oversight, which is currently nonexistent, thanks to the speaker keeping the chamber out of session. It does all of those things, and it tells everyone in the world that this is perfectly ok, Smith said. You decide you want to kill somebody, go ahead and do it. And you dont have to justify it either. It makes us more vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmaker then accused the speaker of dissolving the House: We are losing our constitutional republic. And meanwhile, the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson has effectively dissolved the United States House of Representatives. I spoke with several Republicans, including Chairman Mike Rogers today to talk about, Ok, we need to have hearings on this. You know, the House Armed Services needs to exercise oversight. And there are many Republicans, including Mike Rogers, who agree with that. But were not in session. So we cant do it. So were gonna do it. So, the president just gets to do what he wants. I mean, look. The whole Nazi Germany analogies are always troubling, but, you know, that was one of the steps is the parliament or the Reichstag or whatever it was, was sort of pushed out of existence and didnt have any oversight. Watch above via MSNBC. The post House Democrat Declares, Mike Johnson Has Effectively Dissolved the United States House of Representatives first appeared on Mediaite. CAIRO (AP) Iranian-backed Houthi rebels intensified their crackdown against the United Nations in Yemen on Saturday, detaining two additional workers, U.N. officials said. Houthi security forces detained the two female workers of the World Food Program from their homes in the capital, Sanaa, the officials said. Their whereabouts remained unknown, they said. One of the two women was in critical condition after she gave premature birth and her baby died earlier this month, one of the officials said. The woman is a sister of another worker with the U.N. food agency who was briefly detained earlier this month, the official said. The woman's brother, who suffers from kidney failure, was released by the rebels due to his deteriorating health condition, the officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media. Saturdays detentions were the latest in a series of events now forcing the world body to reassess how it operates in the war-torn country. The Houthis detained two others and raided the homes of several U.N. staffers on Thursday and Friday. The Houthis have repeatedly raided U.N. offices and earlier this month they seized assets, including communications equipment. They detained over two dozen U.N. workers before allowing 12 international workers to leave Yemen on Wednesday, according to the U.N. At least 55 U.N. staff members are currently detained by the Houthis, as well as many workers with other non-government and civil society personnel from various diplomatic missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crackdown has forced the U.N. to suspend its operations in Saada province in northern Yemen following the detention of eight staffers in January. The U.N. also relocated its top humanitarian coordinator in Yemen from Sanaa to the coastal city of Aden, which serves as seat for the internationally recognized government. The rebels have repeatedly alleged without providing evidence that the detained U.N. staffers and those working with other international groups and foreign embassies were spies. The U.N. fiercely denied the accusations. HUDSON - Columbia Memorial Health could significantly cut the number of hospital beds at its main health care facility in Hudson if an application to the federal government is accepted. In an interview late Friday, Columbia Memorial CEO Dorothy Urschel said the hospital would no longer have an intensive care unit if its application to become a "critical care hospital" goes through. She also rebuffed rumors that the hospital would be closing and said there would be "no reduction in workforce," through employees might shift to other Columbia Memorial Health facilities or to other facilities in the Albany Med system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital currently has an operating certificate for 192 beds, Urschel said. If the application goes through, that number would go down to 25. However, Urschel said the actual number of patients at the hospital was far lower, between 30 and 55, and was falling due to population shifts in the county and residents seeking care elsewhere. She defined the move as "right-sizing the Hudson campus." This would still require some patient care to be shifted to other facilities. This included anyone seeking intensive care, Urschel said. Columbia Memorial already sends some critical cases to Albany Medical Center, the closest major hospital. But the number of critical cases transferred to Albany Med would rise if its application were approved, she added. She said the hospital was applying to become a critical care hospital because the facility would get better Medicare reimbursement rates, making it more "financially stable." "The hospital is not closing, and I think it's irresponsible that people are posting information that folks have not spoken to me about," Urschel said, adding, "We're committed to servicing the Hudson Valley, both Columbia and Greene counties." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Hudson mayoral candidate Joe Ferris and the Columbia County Democratic committee sent out news releases Friday afternoon saying there would be significant layoffs, though neither claimed the hospital would close. No notices of layoffs have been posted on the state Department of Labor's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification dashboard, which requires early notifications of mass layoffs. However, the dashboard would not include notices of layoffs if the company was unsure if the layoffs would occur. Urschel said employees could shift to other Columbia Memorial Health facilities - there are 38, according to Albany Med's website - or to Albany Med. The facilities include two rapid-care centers and the Greene Medical Arts Building, which is undergoing $25 million in renovations so it can offer outpatient surgery. Greg Speller, executive vice president of the Hudson Valley and Capital Region 1199SEIU, said the health care workers union was "deeply troubled" by news of the proposed changes at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will fight with everything we have to protect good jobs and essential healthcare services in Columbia and Greene Counties," Speller said in a statement. "Any plan that threatens hardworking 1199 members' livelihoods or local families' access to care is unacceptable - and we will not stand by while this community is put at risk." Workers at the hospital were told of the application during a meeting on Wednesday. The hospital is holding a town hall meeting next Wednesday at the hospital's support services building at 4 p.m., where "President and CEO Dorothy M. Urschel will provide updates about (Columbia Memorial Health) and health care delivery in Columbia and Greene counties," according to an announcement emailed Friday. Columbia Memorial Health has faced challenges in the recent past, including drawn-out negotiations for a new contract with the union representing many of its employees. After a year of working with no contract, employees received a significant pay bump in January. The hospital was also ordered to pay $1.5 million to the sons of Paul H. Arndt in a wrongful death case that concluded in February. This article originally published at Hudson's hospital may close ICU, cut number of beds. The team behind the Telegraphs award-winning podcast Ukraine: The Latest appeared on stage in front of 400 attendees at the Honourable Artillery Company in London for a live recording, marking over 1,300 days of their continued coverage of the war. Telegraph journalists and co-hosts of the podcast, Dominic Nicholls, Francis Dearnley and Adelie Pojzman-Pontay were joined by General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and one of the authors of Britains strategic defence review and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. Nicholls and Dearnley have reported on Russias illegal invasion every weekday since Feb 24, 2022 on the podcast created by the late David Knowles, who passed away suddenly last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dearnley opened the event by arguing: This war is what failed deterrence looks like. The team appeared on stage in front of 400 attendees at the Honourable Artillery Company in London - Julian Simmonds Despite Donald Trumps recent sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, after talks for a proposed meeting with Vladimir Putin collapsed, the panel underlined the damage that a lack of a clear US strategy has had. Dearnley said: Since Trumps election, we have seen a desperate scramble from European leaders to maintain Americas support. Yet, I would argue that the drip, drip, drip support from the US would never have been enough. This is Europes war. Lutsevych agreed, highlighting Ukraine and Europes shared world view and their joint belief in right and wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Barrons concurred, urging Europe to do more. He highlighted the combined strength of the continent, stating: Europe is twelve times the size of Russia, yet we feel hostage to them. This is the wrong attitude. Echoing Dearnleys earlier point, he stated that capitulation is: Further proof of the failure of deterrence. Orysia Lutsevych OBE (left) with Francis Dearnley (right) - Julian Simmonds With over 120 million downloads, Ukraine: The Latest has become the Telegraphs most popular podcast, and one of the most popular foreign affairs podcasts in the world. It has earned major accolades, including Podcast of the Year at the London Press Club awards, on the same day as the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the year, it won News Podcast of the Year at the 2025 Press Awards, where the judges called it a gripping testament to courageous and vitally important public interest journalism. Previously, it was awarded Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards 2024 and Podcast of the Year at the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards 2024. Using cutting-edge technology, the podcast is also translated into Ukrainian and Russian, cloning the voices of the hosts. A weekly newsletter is also available. Later in the evening, General Barrons warned: We need to remember that the missiles that fall on Kyiv every night could just as easily fall on London, it is just 90 minutes further for them. Keep that in mind Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (left), General Sir Richard Barrons (middle) and Dominic Nicholls (right) - Julian Simmonds Dearnley agreed, adding: Once Article 5 is in question, you could say that nobody is safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel agreed that the biggest developments in modern warfare are the expansion of artificial intelligence capabilities and fiber optic drones. Nicholls reminded the audience that: The technological advancements that we have today would have been unimaginable three and a half years ago. The podcast has become one of the most popular foreign affairs podcasts in the world - Julian Simmonds Following a lively audience Q&A, the hosts and panellists joined listeners and subscribers over a drink as they continued to share stories and analysis long into the evening. Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the video player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter here. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan has taken sharp aim at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing it of failing to give Muslims meaningful political representation in Bihar in the upcoming assembly elections. This comes after Mahagathbandhan announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Minister candidate and VIP supremo Mukesh Sahani as its Deputy Chief Minister candidate. In a post on X, Paswan referred to the 2005 Bihar assembly elections, saying his father and LJP founder, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, "sacrificed even his own party to make a Muslim Chief Minister," but RJD did not support the move. He alleged that RJD was not willing to support a Muslim CM then and is still not willing to give them a fair share in power. "In 2005, my leader, my father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan ji sacrificed even his own party to make a Muslim Chief Minister - yet even then, you did not support him. RJD was not ready for a Muslim Chief Minister even in 2005, and today in 2025, it is neither ready to give a Muslim Chief Minister nor a Deputy Chief Minister!" Paswan posted on X. He further questioned, "If you remain a bonded vote bank, how will you get respect and participation?" https://x.com/iChiragPaswan/status/1981899275857690710 Earlier, Paswan slammed the Mahagathbandhan over its leadership choices for the Bihar polls, accusing the alliance of treating Muslims merely as a vote bank. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chirag Paswan said, "This is the same RJD to whom my father in 2005 said that they should make a Muslim the Chief Minister. Why didn't they make a Muslim the CM? They say something else and do something else. For them, Muslims are just their vote bank. Muslims should understand this and the schemes provided by our government are aimed at providing benefits to all." On Thursday, the Mahagathbandhan cleared the air regarding its lead face in the alliance with the declaration of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial face. Vikassheel Insaan Party's Mukesh Sahani was declared as the alliance's Deputy CM nominee for the state polls. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI) Hundreds of people gathered in Cherokee County on Saturday morning for a 5K to raise money in memory of Laken Riley. Riley was murdered while out jogging on the University of Georgias campus last year. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan native in the country illegally, was convicted of her death. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2s Bryan Mims joined the 806 people who ran and walked at Hobgood Park during Channel 2 Action News Saturday AM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group raised more than $33,000 for the Laken Hope Foundation, which supports some of the causes that the beloved nursing student held dear. This is the second year and many told Mims they wouldnt miss it for the world, even if they didnt know her. RELATED STORIES: Laken actually went to my high school. She ran on my cross country team, 17-year-old Nathanael Sprivey said. I knew her sister and I always assumed her sister was a lot like her. They were always just so cheerful, always in a good mood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the 5K in general brings awareness and her legacy back to life, runner Nini Tran said. Last year, more than 700 runners came out and raised more than $30,000. They look forward to an even bigger turnout next year. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Minneapolis, hundreds gathered outside protesting her presence, saying: "ICE isn't welcome here." Despite less than 24 hours notice of Noem's visit to the Twin Cities, an increasingly large group of Minnesotans gathered outside the building in protest, with the first groups arriving at noon, with the crowd swelling to hundreds by 4 p.m. "We knew that there was going to be a lot of energy around it; these deployments of troops to cities are a really mobilizing issue for a lot of people," said Kalani Matus, protest speaker and member of the Climate Justice Committee. "And we wanted our chance to have this press conference, to counter the message, whatever it is Kristi Noem was going to say." Climate Justice Committee member, Kalani Matus, speaking at the podium during their noon press conference.Izzy Canizares for Bring Me The News Jess Sundin from the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice also spoke during the protest, condemning the recent ICE raids in Chicago, where not only undocumented immigrants were targeted, but multiple Black residents and children were as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "ICE is even teargassing Chicago cops. The more [President Donald] Trump and his thugs act outside of the law and terrorize our community, the more important it is for us to stand up and speak out against these actions," Sundin said. "Community members in cities across the country have been chasing ICE out of their neighborhoods, teachers have been giving safe passage for their students to and from school, and tow truck drivers have been towing away illegally parked ICE vehicles. For the hundreds of ways Trump is attacking us, there are thousands of ways we are standing up and fighting back." While protesters had their say outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, inside Noem provided an update on ICE operations in the Twin Cities, and said that "dozens" more ICE agents will begin working the region as a result of increased federal funding. We have thousands more in the next week or two that will be deployed to field offices, and this office will be the beneficiary of that as well, Noem said. "Youll see dozens of new agents and federal officers here doing the work to get these criminals and terrorists off the streets." Protesters dressed as Handmaid's from The Handmaid's TaleIzzy Canizares for Bring Me The News At 4 p.m., hundreds more protesters gathered outside the front of the building, demanding that ICE "go home," with other chants including "Chinga La Migra" and "Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even if someone is here and they're not documented, they still impact everyone around them, they're still a person, they're part of the community," protester Christine McLaughin said. "They're not only targeting undocumented immigrants. The Supreme Court has said that they can grab anyone who isn't speaking English or doesn't have light enough skin; they're abducting US citizens." Secretary Noem was asked at the end of the DHS press conference about the Oct. 18 raids in Wilder, Idaho, where multiple witnesses allege seeing children zip-tied by ICE agents. Noem denies these claims, saying "that never happened, that's a fake story, children have never been zip-tied." The Idaho Capital Sun reported earlier this week that the FBI had changed its statement denying that children were zip-tied during the operation, providing an updated comment claiming that no "young" children were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar reports of children being zip-tied by ICE agents have emerged in San Antonio in May and recently in Chicago, where it was reported that multiple children were seen by residents being taken out of an apartment building. "Just cause you say it's not true doesn't make it go away," protester Emily Vatres emotionally told Bring Me The News. "They're destroying our communities, and you can't just say it's not happening. People know what's happening." Multiple faith leaders were also present at the protest, including Pastor Brad Froslee, who serves at Michael's Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minnesota. "We have a number of congregation members who have been actively involved in immigration over the years. We have members who are really concerned, so I joined them here today," Froslee said. Froslee says faith leaders led a prayer vigil at 4:15 p.m., featuring songs led by the clergy, scripture readings, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I always think it's important, especially in public demonstrations, that there is a visible presence of clergy and moral leadership to remind elected officials and others in leadership that there is a power in love and a power in community," fellow clergy member Sophie Callahan said. While counter-protesters were seen at the protest, holding up a Trump flag next to the American flag, there were only four by the time it finished, and none interacted with the larger crowds. Izzy Canizares Another protest will be held at the State Capitol this Saturday at 1 p.m., led by the People's Action Coalition Against Trump (PACAT). This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Trump administration is seeking to keep damaging information in the Epstein files from reaching the public, according to former President Joe Bidens son, Hunter. During an interview this week on Substack with journalist Tommy Christopher, Biden said he had no insider information whatsoever to support his theory, but believed it was silly to think the administration wasnt running political cover of some kind. The simplest explanation in this instance seems to be, whether its about him or whether its people that he is protecting, is that theyre clearly not releasing what theyre not releasing to protect someone, Biden said when asked about the administrations reticence to release more materials related to the late sex criminal and former Trump friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of his supporters have gone from calling it the biggest cover-up in the history of the world to a Democratic hoax! he added elsewhere in the interview. President Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing associated with Epstein and has said the two former friends later ceased contact. Hunter Biden argues the Trump administration is declining to release more Epstein files to protect someone (Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan/YouTube) The saga around Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 awaiting a federal sex trafficking trial, has simmered throughout the Trump administration. On the campaign trail and then in the White House, Trump figures said repeatedly they would conduct major releases of Epstein-related files. In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi went so far as to say Epsteins alleged client list was sitting on my desk right now to review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the pace of information has angered both Republicans and Democratic critics of the administration alike, especially following a July memo from the FBI and Justice Department that concluded there was in fact no client list and further Epstein-related disclosures and investigations were not warranted. In response to a congressional investigation, the Justice Department has released some files, including mostly public information, and the Epstein estate turned over an unredacted version of the financiers infamous birthday book, which contains a sexually suggestive letter Trump allegedly sent him in 2003. (The president has claimed the letter is a fake.) The Trump administration has face widespread criticism for failing to match its past promises to release more files relating to the late sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein (Reuters) A bipartisan group of representatives in the House is attempting to force a vote on requiring further disclosures, but that effort has been paused by the ongoing government shutdown. Democrats in the House have accused the DOJ of continued disregard of subpoenas related to the probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of the slow pace of releases, critics have taken issue with other irregularities around the governments handling of the Epstein scandal, including Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwells unexpected transfer to a low-security Texas prison weeks after she was interviewed by a top DOJ official. Trump officials have defended their handling of the Epstein files. FBI Director Kash Patel last month testified that court orders and a past federal plea deal between prosecutors and Epstein were in part stopping officials from releasing more information. Im not going to break the law to satisfy your curiosity, Patel told lawmakers. Hunter Biden torched CNN anchor Jake Tapper over his bombshell book about the alleged mental decline of former President Joe Biden. Hunter Biden, the son of the former president, defended his father and criticized Tapper during an interview with Mediaite reporter Tommy Christophers Substack on Monday. Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson released Original Sin earlier this year, which reported that those surrounding the former president took part in a cover-up to mask alleged issues with his mental acuity during his last few years in office. Hunter Biden has been outspoken against Tapper and his book for months. He rehashed his grievances with Tappers reporting on Monday, saying in the interview that the longtime CNN anchor was irrelevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think that Jake is irrelevant. I really do, and I dont mean that in any other way than I think that he has spent far too long doing a What about it? journalism, both sides journalism, in a way that I think has been really detrimental. I know that he has some really, really, really personally, personal things to say about me. I dont know Jake well enough to make a judgment about him as a human being, the way that he makes a judgment about me as a human being, Hunter Biden said. And he says Im a scumbag... And you know what? You can read my book about all my scumbaggery. I wrote all about it. And addiction is a really, really, really ugly thing. Divorces are really, really, really ugly things, he continued. I dont live my life to impress Jake Tapper, but I just think its, really, really poor journalism, he added. Hunter Biden also suggested, without evidence, that Tapper used artificial intelligence to write his books, noting that Tapper just released another book titled Race Against Terror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Jakes got to cool it on the ChatGPT and maybe give it at least a four-month period of time before he gives us another book. But the fact of the matter is, is that when I say that he is irrelevant, I think that he is really relevant in a certain circle, and in an echo chamber, of which where he lives, in Washington, DC, Hunter Biden said. Tapper took a lot of heat for the book about Biden, with Democrats labeling it as a hit piece against the former president while Republicans criticize him for not reporting on the alleged cognitive decline at the time it was happening. He has also fiercely defended his work despite expressing some regret he did not cover it in real time. During an interview with conservative pundit Piers Morgan earlier this year, Tapper claimed that the cover-up of Bidens mental acuity may be worse than the Watergate scandal during former President Richard Nixons administration. The former Democratic president revealed earlier this year that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The cancer diagnosis has led to even more criticism of Tapper, who reportedly hired a crisis public relations firm to clean up the backlash over the book while his colleagues continued to promote it before and after its release. Stories by Lauren Sforza Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. IRONTON The Huntington Camerata (classical guitar + string quartet) will perform at First Presbyterian Church of Ironton at 3 p.m. Nov. 2. The ensemble features current and former Marshall University School of Music string faculty including Dr. Julio Alves, classical guitar; Dr. Alex Malaimare, violin; Kristen Alves, violin; Dr. Yoo Bin Lee, viola; and Dr. Solen Dikener, cello. Admission is $15 payable at the performance with cash, credit card (scan QR code), or check payable to the Ironton Council for the Arts. Season tickets for the remaining five performances will be available at the performance for $40, and admission is free for students and children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guitarist Julio Ribeiro Alves has been a Marshall University School of Music faculty member since 2006, where he oversees the guitar area teaching applied lessons, guitar literature, guitar pedagogy, guitar techniques, fretboard harmony, in addition to being musical director of the Marshall University Guitar Ensemble (MUGE). Dr. Alves earned bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Guitar Performance and Literature, has taught master classes, held residencies, and performed recitals in the U.S. and Italy, Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Dr. Alex Malaimare was born in Romania. He began winning first prizes in notable competitions at an early age in Romania and continues winning competitions in the United States, such as the Young Artist Competition of the Music Teachers National Association and the New York Artists International Competition. He received bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Violin Performance and his performance career is marked by appearances at prestigious venues with esteemed orchestras. Dr. Malaimare taught at several universities in the Midwest prior to accepting an appointment as an assistant professor of violin at Marshall. His musical interests range from entrepreneurship to the use of electronic instruments to outreach programs, recruiting visits to high schools and community engagement. Kristen Alves has bachelors and masters degrees in Violin Performance. She is currently Principal Second Violinist of the Huntington Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Ohio Valley Symphony Orchestra. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at Marshall Universitys School of Music, as a violin instructor at the University of Brasilia (Brazil), and earned first place in the National Audition for the Symphony Orchestra of the National Theatre Claudio Santoro. Since 2002, Alves has coordinated the strings program at Covenant School in Huntington and maintains a private violin studio. Dr. YooBin Lee has bachelors and doctoral degrees in Viola Performance and a masters degree in Chamber Music Performance. She has performed in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall and has performed with the Sarasota Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She has earned top honors in prestigious competitions including the New York Artists International Competition and The Korea Art Music Competition, among others. Her artistry thrives both on the stage and in the classroom, and she is passionate about contemporary music and inspires a love of music in her students. Dr. Lee joined the faculty at Marshall in 2025 as a Lecturer and previously taught at the State College of Florida, Knox College, Bowling Green State University, and Milliken University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Solen Dikener, a native of Turkey, has been teaching cello, double bass, chamber music, music appreciation, and critical thinking classes at Marshall since 2002. A winner of the Distinguished Artist and Scholar Award (2007) at Marshall, Dr. Dikener published an internationally renowned cello method book, Cello Warm-Up! that received critical acclaim from The Strad magazine. He regularly performs with the Capital Trio (based at SUNY Albany) and Millefiori Trio (based at Marshall University). A dedicated recording artist, Dr. Dikener published eight solo and chamber music albums and has performed in such prestigious universities as Harvard, Cambridge, Princeton and Williams College. The performance is sponsored by the Ironton Council for the Arts, which celebrates its 45th performance season. Editor's note: Follow Melissa's latest forecast and path track in USA TODAY's coverage on Saturday, Oct. 25. On the afternoon of Friday Oct. 24, Tropical Storm Melissa continues to spin in the central Caribbean Sea, where the island nation of Jamaica lies almost directly in the path of the burgeoning hurricane. While Hispaniola and Cuba are also in the line of fire, forecasters from the National Hurricane Center on Oct. 23 said that in the short term, Jamaica could see the worst of the storm's fury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Due to Melissas slow motion, the risk of a prolonged multi-day period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides, and coastal flooding continues to increase for Jamaica," the hurricane center said. "Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, since strong winds and flooding rains could begin in Jamaica by Friday (Oct. 24) or Saturday (Oct. 25)," the hurricane center warned. Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. One of five homes that collapsed within 45 minutes on Sept. 30, 2025, as rough seas from two hurricanes pounded away at beaches along portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks. An image of the winds over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen on earth.nullschool.net on the morning of Sept. 30, 2025, as hurricanes Imelda and Humberto spin away from the United States. Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirl in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 30, 2025 in this image from NOAA's GOES 19 satellite. Hurricane Gabrielle spins in the Atlantic east of Bermuda, while two other potential storms are seen in the tropical Atlantic on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. One is causing rain and storms over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the other is east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring all three. Tropical Storm Chantal over the U.S. East Coast on the morning of July 5, 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is seen via satellite on June 24, 2025. Barry made landfall on June 29, 2025, south of Tampico, Mexico as a tropical depression, after weakening from a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Chantal slammed North Carolina with heavy rain that caused extreme flooding to central parts of the state on Monday, July 7. Footage shared by Cassaundra Anderson, a Chapel Hill resident, shows rapidly rising floodwaters in her neighborhood, leaving cars partially submerged. The storm was dubbed a tropical depression upon landfall on Sunday, July 6, and further downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, July 7, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Dexter on satellite on Aug. 4, 2025. Surfers take advantage of the swells coming from Hurricane Erin into Wrightsville Beach around Crystal Pier on Aug. 19, 2025, in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Hurricane Erin crawls along the U.S. East Coast on the morning of Aug. 20, 2025. Hurricane Erin on a geocolor satellite image on August 16, 2025. Wave heights offshore could reach heights of 50 feet near the eye of Hurricane Erin as the storm passes the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 19-21. It's massive wind field is stirring up the ocean across an area hundreds of miles wide. An aerial view from a NOAA Aircraft along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Erin's high surf surrounds homes on the beach in Buxton. Tropical Storm Fernand 2025 full track. Hurricane Gabrielle is seen via NOAA satellite as it moves eastward in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. On Oct 28, 2025, a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured a vivid view of Hurricane Melissa's eye a few hours before landfall on Jamaica's southern coast. Dawn Jensen (from left) Leann Johnson, Denise Gjertson and Dean Gjertson traveled to Jamaica at the end of October and were stranded after Hurricane Melissa. They returned home Nov. 4. Flooded houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica, November 5, 2025. Hurricane Melissa's eye is captured by NOAA satellite as the sun rises, as the Category 5 storm, with peaked sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of more than 200 mph, approaches the island of Jamaica. Gloria Hutchins, 70, is assisted by a member of the army medical staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Darliston, Jamaica on Nov. 3, 2025. Dorothy Headley, 75, prepares a meal of cow liver over a wood fire as damaged property is seen in the background in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Watercress community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 31, 2025. A woman is evacuated from her home by emergency personnel after the Cauto River flooded due to Hurricane Melissa, in Rio Cauto, Granma Province, Cuba October 31, 2025. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. A damaged house is pictured after Hurricane Melissa slammed Boca de Dos Rios village, in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba, on Oct. 30, 2025. People walk through a flooded street following Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, 68km southwest of Port-au-Prince, on October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. A drone view shows an affected area after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Crane Road, Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. A NOAA satellite captures the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa at Jamaica's coast on Oct. 28, 2025. Storms of the 2025 hurricane season so far 1 of 30 Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. Models raise alarm about Jamaica forecast Andrew Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, said on X Oct. 23 that he's "becoming increasingly concerned for the possibility of a close pass or direct hit on Jamaica from Melissa. Overnight hurricane models have trended closer and all show impacts on the island." Indeed, according to the hurricane center, "a variety of model solutions show Melissa south of Jamaica, over Jamaica, or north of Jamaica." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy rain is expected across Jamaica, where "precipitation totals from multiple models suggest that storm totals exceeding 24 inches and localized amounts above 30 inches are quite possible," noted meteorologists Bob Henson and Jeff Masters in their blog Eye on the Storm. 3 days of hurricane conditions could lead to 'slow-motion disaster' The storm will strengthen and move slowly over the northern Caribbean for the next few days: Melissa is forecast to rapidly intensify to a major hurricane while slowly churning over the warm waters of the Caribbean. Because the storm is expected to move so slowly, some parts of Jamaica could experience hurricane conditions for 72 hours or longer," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva warned. Melissa is evolving into a slow-motion disaster. Millions of people are at risk of catastrophic impacts. We are increasingly concerned about the threat of a humanitarian disaster unfolding. The National Hurricane Center's forecast cone for Melissa on the morning of Friday, Oct. 24. Melissa could become a Category 5 hurricane Some forecast models show Melissa powering up to a Category 5 hurricane over the next few days, though the official forecast from the hurricane center has it "only" reaching Category 4 strength of 150 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa is likely going to move slowly over some of the warmest, deepest warm water in the Atlantic Basin, Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza said on his Substack The Eyewall. Hurricanes power up when they move over warm, deep ocean water of at least 80 degrees. "The exceptionally warm waters, reaching hundreds of feet deep, will act like jet fuel providing extra energy for Melissa," DaSilva said. "The warmest water in the Atlantic basin is in the central Caribbean, in the direct path of this storm. Rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane is not out of the question this weekend." Category 5 hurricanes have sustained wind speeds of at least 157 mph. How often do hurricanes hit Jamaica? Based on historical data, a hurricane hits Jamaica about once every 10-11 years, on average, according to the Jamaican government. A hurricane gets close (without a direct hit) about every 4 years or so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, many hurricanes have neared Jamaica, including Category 4 Hurricane Ivan (2004), Category 4 Hurricane Dean (2007), and a direct hit from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The rainfall forecast for Melissa shows heavy rain is likely across Jamaica, probably leading to flash floods and mudslides. The strongest recorded hurricane hit was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which made landfall as a high-end Category 3. Contributing: Julia Gomez and Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane forecasts warn Melissa could batter Jamaica in a 'disaster' The storm slowly crossing the Caribbean became Category 3 Hurricane Melissa late Saturday afternoon as parts of the Caribbean prepared for heavy rains, flooding and landslides if they werent already dealing with them. And, Melissas expected to get much stronger as it approaches Jamaica then Cuba. What you need to know about Hurricane Melissa as of 11 p.m. Saturday As of the 11 p.m. Saturday public advisory from the National Hurricane Center... Where Melissa is and where Melissas going: Melissas about 125 miles southeast of Jamaicas capital city, Kingston, and 280 miles west-southwest of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The storm is moving west at 3 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A slow westward motion is expected tonight through the end of the weekend, the hurricane center said. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica during the weekend and early next week, and it could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week. Melissas size and strength: Melissas bringing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, now a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricane force winds extend 25 miles from the storms center, and tropical storm force winds extend 160 miles. Continued rapid intensification is forecast during the next day or so, followed by fluctuations in intensity, the hurricane center said. Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica early next week. Watches and warnings: Jamaicas under a hurricane warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane watches are in effect for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba. Haitis southwest peninsula, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince, is under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning, meaning they can expect tropical storm conditions within the next 36 hours. On Saturday, the South and GrandAnse regions of Haiti were both upgraded to red alerts by the National Disaster Risk Management System. Haitians were warned that the intensification of Melissa had increased the risks of flash floods and landslides. Haitians were asked to remain home, or to move to higher ground if they lived in a flood-prone area. They were also warned to not cross rising water, by any means. Effects: Wind and rain are anticipated, but storm surge can do as much or more damage than both. Life-threatening storm surge is becoming more likely along the south coast of Jamaica later in the weekend or early next week, the hurricane center said. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above ground level, near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall. This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a potential for significant storm surge along the southeast coast of Cuba early next week. For those living near the sea, listen up. If Melissa strikes southern Jamaica as a major hurricane of category 3 to 5, the storm surge could be catastrophic. In this video, The Weather Channel (U.S.) explains why storm surge is one of the deadliest aspects of any hurricane. pic.twitter.com/jyzuXbQUm6 Weather Jamaica (@weatherjamaica) October 25, 2025 Being a slow-moving storm, Melissas expected to have a lot of time to dump a lot of rain on Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The hurricane center forecasts 15 to 30 inches, possibly even 40 inches, on parts of Jamaica and the southern Hispaniola island. Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are probable across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, the hurricane center said. For eastern Cuba, total rainfall of 6 to 12 inches, with local amounts to 18 inches, are expected into Wednesday resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Next advisory: There will be an intermediate advisory at 2 a.m. The next full advisory will be at 5 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Cancellations and closures begin at Jamaican airports ahead of Hurricane Melissa Haiti, Jamaica and Dominican Republic already feel the effects The storm has already killed at least three people in Haiti this week during landslides attributed to the heavy storms. Haitis Office of Civil Protection said flooding of the Saint Martin River caused by heavy rains also destroyed a bridge in Saint Suzanne in the northeast region of Haiti. Across Hispaniola, the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, residents are already seeing overnight flooding, downed trees and landslides in some areas. Given Melissas heavy rainfall, both countries are at an increased risk of experiencing catastrophic disasters even without a direct hit. Residents of Kingston, Jamaica, were already dealing with floodwaters on Friday, as concerns are growing that the impact could be the worst since Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island in 1988. Parts of Jamaica are still recovering from last years Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In anticipation, a team of linesmen from the United States, Canada and St Vincent arrived in the country this week to help restore power if needed. Also, countries such as The Bahamas have deployed flights to evacuate their students studying in Jamaica. Jamaicas director of emergency management, Richard Thompson, said the island has 881 shelters prepared for residents to seek refuge. In the Dominican Republic, 12 provinces are on red alert due to possible flooding of rivers, streams and ravines as well as flash floods and landslides. People should refrain from crossing rivers, streams, and ravines with high water volumes, the countrys disaster office warned. The office also said that five shelters have been activated: Two in the province of San Juan, one in San Cristobal, one in San Pedro de Macoris, and one in the National District. Water services for over 1 million users has also been affected, the office also noted. At least nine Dominicans have had to be rescued from floodwaters: one from the waters of the Ozama River in the municipality of Monte Plata. Eight others were rescued on Luperon Avenue in the capital Santo Domingo after being trapped in their vehicles due to urban flooding. Where is Melissa headed? Will it effect Florida? Melissas movement had been slowed down by a pocket of wind shear that helped to balance out the storm-fueling effects of the warmer-than-average waters it is crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But forecasters say the storm has started to recover from the shear and is becoming better structured. Because its moving slowly over very warm waters the warmest in the Atlantic conditions are ideal for rapid strengthening. By early next week, Melissa is projected to strengthen into a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Forecasters expect it to reach near-peak intensity as it makes landfall and moves across Jamaica on Monday and Tuesday. However, the exact path of the storms center remains uncertain. The hurricane centers official forecast extends only through Wednesday, but long-range computer models often referred to as spaghetti models continue to indicate that Melissa will curve northeastward after leaving Cuba and avoid Florida. NHC forecasters say that a trough in the southeastern U.S. will weaken Melissa and push it northeast. China ratifies Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration Xinhua) 09:07, October 25, 2025 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the 18th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Friday voted to designate Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. The state will hold commemorative activities in various forms on this day, according to the decision adopted at the five-day session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), which opened on Friday. Zhao Leji, chairman of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session's plenary meetings and meetings of the Council of Chairpersons during the first day of the session. In 1895, the Qing government, having been defeated in a war initiated by Japan against China, was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. In 1945, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan's restoration to the motherland. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of the War of Resistance and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan, according to the decision. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and a shared glory and national memory for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, it added. The decision was made in accordance with the Constitution, aiming to safeguard the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, to demonstrate the firm will to uphold the one-China principle and defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to strengthen the shared national memory of compatriots on both sides, it said. When explaining the draft decision to the NPC Standing Committee, Shen Chunyao, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, noted that on Oct. 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction. In recent years, NPC deputies, national political advisors and compatriots from Taiwan have repeatedly proposed the establishment of a commemoration day of Taiwan's restoration and holding commemorative events, Shen said. Establishing the commemoration day and holding commemorative activities at the national level will help honor the indisputable fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, consolidate the international community's commitment to the one-China principle, urge compatriots on both sides of the Strait to inherit and promote the spirit forged in the War of Resistance, and motivate all Chinese to strive together for national reunification and national rejuvenation, he said. OTHER LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS During the plenary meeting on Friday afternoon, legislators reviewed draft amendments to the Cybersecurity Law, the Environmental Protection Tax Law and the Organic Law of Villagers' Committees, as well as draft revisions to the Organic Law of Urban Residents' Committees and the Maritime Law. Drafts of the environmental code, a draft law on procuratorial public-interest litigation and another draft law on farmland protection and quality improvement were deliberated at the meeting. Legislators also reviewed criminal judicial assistance treaties with Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, among other bills. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the second plenary meeting of the 18th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the 52nd meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday participated in a cleanliness drive at Bhairav Ghat along the Yamuna riverbank, where he helped clean the area ahead of Chhath Puja. During the drive, Sachdeva hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of neglecting cleanliness and only engaging in politics. Sachdeva said, "The area had not been cleaned for the past five years, and the Aam Aadmi Party government had only engaged in politics. They only know how to make accusations." He also claimed that the BJP government under Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had ensured proper cleaning of the ghats. Earlier, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Friday inspected preparations at a ghat in Sonia Vihar ahead of Chhath Puja 2025 and said that a spectacular Chhath will be held in the National Capital this time. Mishra told ANI, "There are 17 big ghats on the Yamuna, one of which is the Sonia Vihar ghat. Arrangements for ghats are in place from Palla to Kalindi Kunj... The Chief Minister herself is leading these arrangements. This time, a spectacular Chhath will be organised in Delhi...," Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that Monday, October 27, will be a government holiday for Chhath Pooja, her office said in a release. CM Rekha Gupta stated that the holiday is being observed on Monday because the third day of this four-day festival is the most important. "On this day, devotees offer prayers to the setting Sun God at riversides or ponds at sunset. Preparations begin early in the morning, with families busy performing various rituals. Considering this, the government has declared 27 October a public holiday," as per the release. Chhath Puja is widely celebrated across the country, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The festival starts with Nahay-Khay on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, focusing on purification and preparation. This is followed by Kharna on Panchami Tithi, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and concludes with Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi. Chhath Puja, dedicated to the Sun God, is celebrated across various Indian states and internationally. This year, it spans from October 25 to 28. (ANI) IOWA (KCAU) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is committing an additional $5 million towards child care in the state. Iowas Department of Education said the funds will help further expand child care and preschool program partnerships. That would be through a second round of continuum of care grants. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those care grants are set to begin during the fall 2026-27 school year. The statewide voluntary preschool program will assist in making sure there are full days of care for 4-year-olds, along with strengthening school-aged readiness. The first round of grants resulted in 19 awards that were announced in July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The notification hits my inbox in the middle of the afternoon. There it is: an invite an opportunity to audition to record voiceovers for a new series of commercials. The budget is huge much higher than the average rate for radio or TV spots. This one job would be enough to cover my rent for four months, and I might be offered more gigs in the future. Is this a typo?!? I wonder. Also Read: I Screamed When I Saw What Was Parked In Our Driveway. Then I Learned My Husband Had Bought It. Then I notice the job listing, posted on one of the industrys most respected voiceover talent websites, is for a political spot. OK, no biggie, Ive auditioned on these before. Im no saint. As a voiceover pro, Ive read plenty of ad campaigns or political messages where I didnt fully believe in the message or product. After all, did the consumer really need that new age-defying face cream or that limited-time credit card offer? We were made for this moment. HuffPost will aggressively, fairly and honestly cover the Trump administration. But we need your help. Consider directly backing our work today. I open the audition script and literally gasp. Its a multispot campaign extolling the virtues of joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh hell, no. Also Read: I Spent 3 Years In Conversion Therapy. The Things I Experienced There Traumatized Me For Decades. I look closer. Its worse than I originally thought. These ads are designed to talk police officers into leaving their jobs to join ICE for way more money and way less supervision. The script has all the old chestnuts you might expect from this current administration: Now YOU can protect America. Help capture the worst of the worst. Drug traffickers. Gang members. Predators. Also Read: I Lived Abroad For 11 Years. This Is The Thing That Shocked Me Most When I Moved Back To The U.S. Hiring bonuses up to fifty thousand and generous benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But worst of all the most insidious thing is this: Attention Law Enforcement. You took an oath to protect and serve. To keep your family, your neighborhood safe. But in too many cities, dangerous illegals walk free as police are forced to stand down. I immediately understand the subtext of this language. As a cop, theres oversight body cameras rolling and rules that need to be followed. But this ad appears to be saying that if you join ICE, you can be the bully youve always wanted to be, and you wont have to answer for not adhering to the Constitution or any violence or inappropriate behavior that might occur while doing the job. There is no oversight. News: More Than 200 ICE Recruits Dismissed As Agency Recklessly Expands: Report Essentially, the government seems to be saying, Heres up to $50,000 just to sign up. Here are health benefits. Heres a gun. Heres a baton. Come be the kick-ass man or woman youve always wanted to be, with no police department protocol limiting you. Wear a mask! No badge! Open season! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im especially worried that this commercial is not so subtly targeting police officers who may already be bad actors or have issues with authority and following a chain of command. I find it ridiculous that they want people to hunt for so-called dangerous predators while a convicted felon and alleged predator rules the land and is protected by a Supreme Court that has given him the power to do virtually anything he wants. And they want them to do it while white-collar criminals fleece us, and imaginary criminals are sent to El Salvador to keep the for-profit-prison pipeline and its investors happy. Im shaken. The author at work in a voiceover studio Courtesy of Joe Guay I knew this was happening, but to see it here in front of me in black and white, wedged between audition opportunities for dog food or a meditation app and the gigantic rate theyre offering to entice voice talent to help them with their mission is downright demoralizing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course they have the money more money than Ive seen offered for an ad like this in years because the big, beautiful bill, signed into law earlier this year, created the funding for this moment. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the bill allocates more than $170 billion over four years for border and interior enforcement, with a goal of deporting 1 million immigrants per year the vast majority of whom are not criminals. These people are hardworking individuals who are paying taxes and contributing to making this country a better place. Also Read: Im A Doctor. The Things Im Now Being Trained To Do In Trumps America Are Terrifying. Somehow, the United States never has the money to pay our teachers more. We never have the money to fix our crumbling infrastructure or prop up our struggling communities. We never have the money to improve health outcomes or offer better sick leave or child care. But poof! Theres $170 billion available for ICE to round up criminals and pedophiles and to do it however they see fit, whether or not they violate the Constitution. Pardon me as I side-eye Washington D.C. and its collection of criminals all of whom Im sure will be overlooked by the administration because of their money and skin color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I shake my head. This is, sadly, the Trump administrations most recent appearance in my life. In March, I published a HuffPost Personal piece about losing a wonderful Canadian voiceover client after theyd had enough of the presidents well make Canada our 51st state comments. On principle, they decided to cut ties and cease sending any funds to American contractors, which resulted in a 25% hit to my income. Last month, I learned a website Ive provided articles to, NextAvenue.org, will be ramping down due to extreme layoffs after the Trump administrations major cuts to PBS, the websites main funding source. Thats another income stream gone. Two friends who produce specials for public television are also seeing funds dry up. And a senior-citizen friend of limited means is losing his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through Social Security because of potential cuts to Medicaid. Theres no money for initiatives that help people, but endless money for ICE. In a capitalistic society, we must weigh every opportunity that comes our way. We have to figure out how we pay our rent, buy our groceries and afford our health care. The money I could earn from this one job would make an enormous difference in my life this year. But Im going to say no thanks, Department of Homeland Security, I wont be auditioning on your script. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, someone will take the audition and book these voiceover spots. Someone will rake in these wild payments. They might agree with the message wholeheartedly, or they might simply need the unbelievable money to feed their family or pay off lingering student debt. These are the kinds of decisions we may all face more and more in the coming days. I never dreamed Congresss big, beautiful bill would touch my work life so quickly, yet here it is. My guard is up, and I remain vigilant, ready to call out ICE for what I see it as: a well-funded intimidation organization designed to stoke fear and silence dissent, which I believe mirrors Germanys Brownshirts and Mussolinis Blackshirts. After all, with no accountability, whats to stop these thugs from doing whatever they want to any of us? And whats to stop others from putting on a mask, buying ICE-logoed attire online and driving around to intimidate and kidnap people in the land of the free? The more you think about it, the more terrifying the entire operation becomes. As I sit here writing this, an ad pops up before a YouTube video on my television. Secretary Kristi Noems face and voice confront me in a message from Homeland Security with tough images and phrases like, if youre here illegally, youre next and if you register and leave now, you could be allowed to return legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im chilled to the core. Im also certain I made the right decision. Joe Guay is a voiceover actor and writer currently residing in California. His words have been featured here in HuffPost, Katie Couric Media, Next Avenue and YourTango. He provides Dispatches from the Guay Life on topics like mental health, growing up gay, nature as church, travel, showbiz and humor on Medium.com, and you can also find him on Substack. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Over the past month, the internet has been buzzing with a rumor that a popular vacation destination and bucket-list attraction for many may lose its "Wonder of the World" title. Its name roughly translating to "Old Mountain," Machu Picchu is instantly recognizable every travel influencer seems to have posed among its misty peaks and ancient walls, a traditional Andean poncho draped over their shoulders as they gaze at the extraordinary backdrop. But what's actually going on, and how serious is this issue? There's more to the rumor than you might have seen while scrolling TikTok. You've probably heard the phrase "Seven Wonders of the World" thrown around on your travels, but the original list dates back to a compilation by Greek writer Antipater of Sidon in the second century BCE. That list referred specifically to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World architectural feats like the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria in Egypt and the Colossus of Rhodes in Greece. All of these structures have since been destroyed by earthquakes or human attacks, except for the Great Pyramid, which has stood strong along the Nile River in Giza for over 4,000 years. In the centuries since, countless other "seven wonders" lists have emerged, including a "Seven Natural Wonders of the World" list created by CNN in 1997, featuring sites like Mount Everest and the Grand Canyon. Machu Picchu gained modern fame as a must-visit destination when it won a public vote to be included in the "New 7 Wonders of the World" list, which also features the Great Wall of China and the Colosseum. In September, however, the New7Wonders organization released a statement suggesting that Machu Picchu was in danger of losing its place on the list due to recent protests in the area and environmental problems tied to overtourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth How reputable is the New7Wonders organization? Aerial view of Machu Pichu with tourists gazing at the site - BETO SANTILLAN/Shutterstock The New7Wonders organization has long been controversial. Its founder, Bernard Weber, a Canadian-Swiss marketing professional, came up with the idea in the 1990s just as the internet was taking off to use online voting to select a new list of wonders and, ideally, motivate countries to protect them. Countries paid a $199 fee to enter a site in the competition. From there, the list was narrowed down to 21 contenders, and the final seven were chosen by public vote. But several nations, including the Maldives and Indonesia, later accused New7Wonders of requesting more in additional fees. Indonesia reported that New7Wonders had requested tens of millions of dollars for licensing fees and to host an official closing ceremony if the Komodo Islands were to win the competition. The organization denied those allegations, with spokesperson Eamonn Fitzgerald stating that any fees were for "running the campaign and maintaining a voting platform for a global competition" (via IOL). UNESCO warned, "the list of the seven new wonders will be the result of a 'private initiative' that cannot contribute in any significant or lasting way to the preservation of the elected sites" (Radio Free Europe). The real issues surrounding Machu Picchu Locals protesting next to a Peru Rail train - Adwo/Shutterstock Whether or not the New7Wonders statement was meant to push Peru toward stronger conservation efforts or for less altruistic reasons there's no question that Machu Picchu has faced growing political and environmental challenges. In September 2025, protests over what locals say was an unfair and opaque process for awarding a new tourist bus contract led to the evacuation of about 1,400 visitors and left 900 stranded in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes. Strikes disrupting access to Machu Picchu aren't new, either: early in 2024, demonstrations against a new electronic sales system that could limit local sellers' earnings blocked hundreds of tourists from reaching the site, and in 2022, political unrest following the Peruvian president's ousting led to a nationwide 30-day state of emergency and helicopter evacuations from the citadel for the "most vulnerable tourists" (via U.S. Embassy in Peru). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Peru's Minister of Culture countered the New7Wonders claim, pointing to Machu Picchu's ongoing recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Added to the list in 1983, it's not currently on UNESCO's list of "World Heritage in Danger." UNESCO describes that list as a way to spotlight sites facing "conditions which threaten the very characteristics for which a property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to encourage corrective action." Although Macchu Picchu has expanded its maximum number of daily tourists this year, in 2024, Peru introduced new timed-entry rules for certain trails to help manage visitor numbers and reduce overcrowding. In 2021, Machu Picchu was also declared the world's first carbon-neutral tourism site. Clearly, Peru continues to invest in preserving Machu Picchu as a global icon. But if you're hoping for a trip that feels a little more off the beaten path, consider visiting one of the many hidden gems close to Machu Picchu or try this less crowded alternative destination to Machu Picchu. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Explore. The United States Navy, arguably the most powerful sea-based military force to ever exist, owes a lot of its power to the large fleet of ships in its arsenal. As of January 2025, it was operating more than 296 warships under its flag, with many of them considered to be the best in the world in terms of capability, technology, and global reach. One of the ways in which the U.S. Navy has maintained its technological and qualitative edge over its main adversaries is by constantly inducting new vessels into the fleet, while phasing out older ones. Given that every ship that the U.S. Navy builds, upgrades, or retires is funded through congressional appropriations, details about the Navy's long-term vessel induction and decommissioning plans are a matter of public knowledge. Each year, the U.S. Navy retires several ships, and 2026 is no exception. One of the most important ships likely to be decommissioned in 2026 is the USS Nimitz. As the oldest American aircraft carrier still in service, it is among the best-known ships of its kind among the general populace. Also due for decommissioning in 2026 are two Los Angeles-class nuclear submarines, which were once among the most active components of the Navy's undersea fleet. Let's take a closer look at some of these soon to be retired U.S. Navy vessels. Read more: Every Japanese Aircraft Carrier Sunk In WWII U.S Navy ships confirmed for inactivation in 2026 The USNS John Ericsson on duty at the Philippine Sea - MC1 Toni Burton/US Navy Military Sealift Command The U.S. Navy's vessel decommissioning plans for 2026 have been detailed in the FY 2026 Inactivation Schedule released on September 12, 2025. Per this list, the ships slated to be inactivated include two Los Angeles-class attack submarines: the USS Newport News (SSN 750) and the USS Alexandria (SSN-757). These are the only two battle-focused vessels that find their way onto the list, in addition to six ships with other purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194) and USNS Pecos (T-AO-197), two Henry J. Kaiser-class oiler ships that store massive amounts of fuel to replenish other ships, will also be decommissioned. Additionally, the USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR-316), the USNS Watkins (T-AKR-315), and the USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR-313) will be retired. These are all Watson-class RORO ships, which are primarily designed to carry vehicles that can be rolled on and off (RORO). These large vessels form a crucial part of the U.S. Navy's logistics capability thanks to their capacity to carry up to 58 tanks, 48 tracked vehicles, and 900 trucks. The last vessel on the official inactivation schedule is the USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001). This is a small offshore petroleum distribution system vessel that is designed to deliver fuel from ship to shore. Its capabilities are especially useful in situations where traditional port infrastructure, like pipelines or jetties, is not available. Will the USS Nimitz be decommissioned in 2026? The USS Nimitz docked at a harbor. - Drial7m1/Getty Images Beginning as early as 2023, and continuing through most of 2024 and 2025, multiple media outlets reported that the U.S. Navy was beginning the process of decommissioning the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), one of America's largest aircraft carriers. The original plan called for it to be retired in 2025, but the date was postponed to May 2026. However, the USS Nimitz isn't on the newest inactivation schedule issued by the U.S. Navy. There is always a possibility that geopolitical events could delay the retirement of an aircraft carrier, which makes it hard to determine whether the May 2026 decommissioning process will go as planned. That said, despite the Nimitz not being listed in the Navy's formal FY 2026 inactivation memo, what we do know is that the ship's fate is sealed. In March 2025, the U.S. Navy confirmed that the USS Nimitz, along with its 3,000 crew members, would change homeports from Washington to Norfolk as part of what was then described as its final deployment. The aircraft carrier will then begin the long process of deactivation, a contract for which was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deactivation process involves defueling the ship's nuclear reactors and gradually stripping the vessel of its parts. Weapons and ammunition still on board the vessel will be removed and used by other ships. The nuclear reactors that powered the ship for 50 years will also need to be safely disposed of, and they are expected to be shipped to a facility owned by the Department of Energy. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. The training operation, led by the IDFs 91st Division and the National Ground Training Center, was the largest conducted since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War. The IDF completed an intensive five-day training intended to prepare for extreme defense scenarios along the northern border with Lebanon on Thursday, the military announced. The training operation, led by the IDFs 91st Division and the National Ground Training Center, was the largest and most comprehensive conducted since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War over two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDFs spokesperson's unit explained the focus of the training operation was to ensure a rapid response to emerging incidents- including mobilization of reserve troops and force buildup- and transition to offensive operations, incorporating lessons learned over the past two years of multi-frontal war. The IAF, Israeli Navy, Israeli Fire and Rescue Services, Magen David Adom, and Israeli Police collaborated with the IDF on the exercises in multiple locations. The IDF elaborated that "logistics, medical, and technology and maintenance units trained in scenarios involving the evacuation of injured troops under fire and providing logistical, maintenance, and technological support in emergencies." The IDFs exercise to enhance operational readiness along the Lebanon border, October 23, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT) Maariv reported on Thursday that the training simulated a potential October 7-like attack from Lebanon and included practising combating attempted takeovers of northern communities and IDF facilities along the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troops also trained to thwart attempts at kidnapping and smuggling hostages from Israeli territory into Lebanon. According to Maariv, IDF officials said that Hamass October 7 surprise attack forced a dramatic change in approach to securing the northern sector. Hezbollah threats along the northern border The exercises follow mounting concerns regarding the disarmament of the Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah, despite Lebanese military attempts to confiscate arms from the extremist group. In recent days, the IDF has carried out multiple strikes against Hezbollah targets, including Hezbollah training camps and missile manufacturing sites. On Friday, the IDF released an announcement that they had killed Hezbollahs Southern Front logistics commander, Abbas Hassan Karky. This followed a Wednesday strike on southern Lebanon that killed Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander Issa Ahmad Karbala. Avi Ashkenazi contributed to this report. Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni served in the Radwan Force Battalion as an anti-tank unit commander The IDF killed a Hezbollah Radwan Force anti-tank commander in the area of Jibchit in southern Lebanon north of the Litani River, the military said Saturday. Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni was involved in efforts to rebuild terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the IDF said. The killing of Fatouni came one day after the Israeli military said they had killed Abbas Hassan Karky, a logistics commander of the terrorist organization's Southern Front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, another Hezbollah operative was struck by the IDF for trying to restore the terror organization's military capabilities in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, also in the southern part of Lebanon. Training for possible future fights with Hezbollah The military previously announced on Thursday that it had completed an intensive five-day training period that is intended to prepare the country's northern border with Lebanon in the case of extreme defense scenarios, which include possible threats by Hezbollah. Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah block the streets with burning tires as they rally in cars and motorbikes to protest the government's endorsement of a plan to disarm it, in Beirut's southern suburbs early on August 8, 2025 (credit: IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP via Getty Images) The training operation was led by the military's 91st Division and the National Ground Training Center. The exercises follow mounting concerns regarding the disarmament of the Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah, despite Lebanese military attempts to confiscate arms from the extremist group. The Israeli military said a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist was planning an immediate attack on soldiers amid the US-brokered ceasefire. The IDF killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist in the Nuseirat area in central Gaza, the military said Saturday night. The airstrike was led by the military's Southern Command, which has also deployed troops in the area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the military added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said that the terrorist was planning to carry out an attack against Israeli forces. Hamas vs other terror groups' grip on Gaza A report from the Wall Street Journal earlier this month said that many terrorists are realigning themselves with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terror groups should Hamas loosen its grip on Gaza, according to the report. However, a report on Saturday from The Telegraph said that Hamas is working to reassert itself as the dominant ruling force of the Palestinian territory. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist during a hostage release ceremony in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed) Hamas has also been amping up public executions and beatings, and has targeted opposing clans in Gaza. The IDF previously stated that it will begin re-enforcing the Gaza ceasefire on Sunday, after Hamas had violated it by killing two soldiers. In response to Hamas's violation of the agreement, the IDF carried out a series of strikes against targets in southern Gaza. Sam Halpern and Goldie Katz contributed to this report. CHICAGO (WGN) Theres no denying it: the completion of construction on the Kennedy Expressway is making it easier for drivers to get around. But the three-year rehabilitation project came with added costs to taxpayers and lessons learned after multiple delays. After three grueling years of construction, drivers who rely on the Kennedy are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Coming out of the city at the end of the day has been the worst part. Its so much nicer now that everything is open again and moving, commuter Brian Dougherty said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The completion of the Kennedy Expressway Rehabilitation Project was celebrated Friday afternoon at an IDOT facility in Chicago. Outbound Kennedy lanes to fully reopen, IDOT says I am pleased to officially announce the completion of the Kennedy Expressway Project, said IDOT Secretary of Transportation Gia Biagi. Officially reaching that finish line, and reaching it a month early, well ahead of our Thanksgiving deadline that should be applauded. Governor JB Pritzker joined the celebration, thanking both the workers who finished the construction and the drivers who endured years of traffic headaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for your patience. Well have safer roads (and) faster commutes in the long run as a result of this, Pritzker said. These structures were over 60-years-old and hadnt been rebuilt for over 30 years. The rehabilitation project aimed to modernize the interstates inbound, outbound and reversible express lanes. It cost taxpayers around $170 million, which IDOT said went toward critical improvements. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines We fixed 24 exit and entrance ramps, 36 bridges, painted, energy-efficient LED lighting on the corridor, new signs and modernized message boards, Biagi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the project did not come without setbacks. Delays and cost overruns impacted the timeline and taxpayers. WGN Investigates previously reported that IDOT decisions contributed to delays, including reopening the reversible lanes before they were complete so elected officials could use them during the Democratic National Convention. A contractors memo from last year stated that the state ordered the removal of all equipment from those lanes, setting the project back more than 30 days. The contractor also said IDOT made demands beyond the initial project scope, adding 113 days of work and another $318,000 in costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contractor blames IDOT for 113-day Kennedy Construction delay In the end, most drivers WGN-TV spoke with were simply glad the work is done. Traffic definitely moves better now. It might take a little bit for traffic to get back to what it used to be, but I think its been better lately, commuter Matt Leissner said. Its much easier to be on time (and) be where youre supposed to be, so thats always nice. As for lessons learned, IDOT said one of the biggest complaints during the project involved ramp closures and how detoured traffic spilled onto neighborhood streets IDOT did remind the public that work is still being done on the Ohio and Ontario Streets feeder ramp. This is part of a separate project that will wrap up in summer 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org. A new class-action lawsuit, if successful, could require the California owner of former military munitions bunkers near Edgemont to pay more than $17 million to people who rent the so-called igloos for use as homes or shelters to protect them in the case of a global catastrophe. The lawsuit filed in Fall River County Circuit Court alleges on a basic level that Vivos xPoint Investment Group, the owner of the Vivos xPoint bunker complex, uses an illegal lease that is unenforceable and violates the rights of the bunker residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit is similar in its claims to an earlier case filed by an individual former resident of the Vivos complex that challenged the legality of the bunker lease. That claim was upheld by a circuit court judge but has been appealed by the complex owner and is awaiting a hearing before the South Dakota Supreme Court. The new lawsuit also alleges that the investment group made deceptive and misleading statements by promising to provide numerous amenities at the bunker complex, most of which have never been built. It seeks a return of all money paid to Vivos by more than 150 tenants. Where weapons once sat, people now live The Vivos xPoint community includes hundreds of above-ground, earth-covered concrete bunkers that were used by the U.S. military from 1942 to 1967 to store conventional and chemical munitions in a town once known as Igloo. A large portion of the former Black Hills Army Depot munitions facility was purchased and developed in 2016 by California businessman Robert Vicino. The 2,200-square-foot bunkers are now rented as residences, mostly to survivalists, or preppers, who want to live off the grid and be positioned to survive a global catastrophe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prior reporting by News Watch, the residential community located on windswept prairie land 8 miles south of Edgemont has been beset by conflicts between residents and employees, numerous lawsuits, several complaints to the state attorney generals office and a near-fatal shooting of a complex employee by a tenant in 2024. After a grand jury review, the tenant was not charged. News Watch interviewed more than a dozen people, reviewed hundreds of pages of court records, examined emails and internal Vivos communications, filed three open-records requests and visited the Vivos site to understand the unrest that exists within the community. Records in the South Dakota Secretary of States office show the investment group is licensed to Vicino. He is also the owner of a parent company called Vivos Group, which states on its Vivos Global Shelter Network website that it provides access to bunker complexes in South Dakota as well as at other sites in the U.S. and Europe.Vicino did not return a call from News Watch seeking comment, and his attorney, Eric Schlimgen of Spearfish, also did not return calls or an email seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a prior interview, Vicino told News Watch that those who complain at Vivos xPoint are bad apples and that most tenants are happy with their treatment. Lease signed by tenants at heart of lawsuits People who live in the bunkers or have them ready to occupy do not buy them outright. Instead, they pay an upfront fee of up to $55,000 and sign a 99-year lease that governs the landlord-tenant relationship. The 14-page lease and an accompanying long list of community rules became the subject of lawsuits after they were used as the basis to evict several bunker residents who then lost the right to occupy the bunkers despite paying the upfront fees and a monthly service fee. The lease requires tenants to use their own money to make the bunkers habitable, including installing basic utilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lease then allows Vivos to evict tenants while retaining the value of those improvements, said J. Scott James, a Custer attorney representing plaintiffs. Attorney J. Scott James in his Custer, S.D., office in 2024. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch/ South Dakota News Watch) James previously told News Watch that Vivos finds ways to evict tenants and then re-leases their bunkers with a requirement that new tenants still pay the upfront and monthly fees. James said the class-action lawsuit is a natural progression in the legal claims against Vivos xPoint, so far upheld in court, that now makes it possible for all bunker renters to seek financial remedies. The case was filed prior to the ruling by the Supreme Court on the first case because Scott said tenants told him that the complex ownership was offering or was about to offer tenants a new lease that would have reduced or eliminated their rights to sue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as in the case before the Supreme Court, the class-action lawsuit argues that the Vivos lease is illegal because it is illusory, a legal term that essentially means the complex ownership can change the contract at anytime without consideration or approval of the tenants. This image from October 2024 shows the inside of a Vivos xPoint bunker, located south of Edgemont, S.D., prior to any residential improvements being made. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch/ South Dakota News Watch) The unfettered ability of Vivos to unilaterally change material provisions of the lease, as well as the ability to evict (tenants) makes the lease illusory, unlawful and unenforceable, the lawsuit states. The case makes a further separate argument that the lease is invalid because it does not comply with a South Dakota law that requires landlords to provide basic utilities, services and upkeep. The existing lease, which requires tenants to install their own electricity, water, plumbing, sewer and communication services, would therefore be illegal under state law, James said. Amenities promised but not provided The new lawsuit also raises consumer protection arguments in that Vivos has failed to follow through on promises made to tenants before they signed the lease, James said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way Vivos marketed this development and these bunkers to these folks contained a lot of deceptive material, and so they were made a lot of promises, he said. People were given tours and told that theres a medical facility, and theres not a medical facility. They were told, Youre going to get a gymnasium and a laundry, and all this kind of stuff is going to happen.' James said none of those amenities have been provided, even several years after the promises were made. He added that trash pickup, security services and road maintenance have been spotty over the years. This sign just inside the entrance to the Vivos xPoint bunker complex, shown Oct. 4, 2024, near Igloo, S.D., indicates that most promised amenities have not been built and are still coming soon, several years after the project launched. (Photo: Bart Pfankuch/ South Dakota News Watch) The new lawsuit was filed Sept. 16 on behalf of six people who leased bunkers in the complex, including two who live there and four others who live elsewhere but lease a bunker to be ready if needed. If class-action status is granted, as many as 150 bunker lessees would quality for settlement money unless they specifically opt out, James said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that as word of a possible class-action case spread through the Vivos complex, he has already heard from more than 40 tenants interested in knowing more about it. Millions in remedies sought for tenants The lawsuit seeks a return of all money paid to Vivos by tenants, including the up-front lease fees ranging from $25,000 to $55,000 per tenant, the money tenants spent on improving the bunkers to make them habitable and the monthly common area amenity fees. It also calls for payment of attorney fees and possible punitive damages. After doing a rough calculation, James estimated Vivos could have to pay the tenants more than $17 million if the lawsuit is upheld, which would be in addition to any attorney fees or damages. If Vivos cannot pay, the lawsuit contends that the tenants would then be allowed to take ownership of the leased bunkers and land beneath them, James said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when theyre published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Three men were convicted for illegally taking BASE jumps at Yosemite National Park where the activity has been illegal since the mid-1980s. All three were fined and two were given jail time. We do not tolerate illegal activity in Yosemite National Park, said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Raymond McPadden, according to the National Park Service. Our law enforcement rangers remain efficient, effective and vigilant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These convictions demonstrate the professionalism and dedication of Yosemites protection team in upholding federal regulations and ensuring the safety of both visitors and first responders. Park rangers located Christopher I. Durell at Mirror Lake on July 15, 2024 after receiving a report of two people jumping from an area near North Dome. Durell admitted to BASE jumping from the Porcelain Wall, and later pleaded guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 16, 2025, Durell was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation, $600 in fines and 40 hours of community service with an organization supporting the National Park Service. He also forfeited his BASE canopy and wingsuit. Porcelain Wall at Yosemite National Park. Also on July 15, 2024, Joshua A. Iosue fled on foot but was later identified and cited on July 17, 2025. He pleaded guilty, and on October 7 he was sentenced to 2 days in jail, 24 months of unsupervised probation, and $2,510 in fines. He is banned from entering Yosemite National Park during his probation. David A. Nunn, a previous offender, jumped from El Capitan on July 21, 2020 and suffered severe equipment malfunction. He collided with the wall of El Capitan before crash-landing at the base. He was rescued by NPS personnel. Nunn, who was convicted of the same offense in 1998, pleaded guilty and on September 16 was sentenced to 2 days in jail, 12 months of unsupervised probation, $760 in fines, and restitution of $458.77 to cover the cost of the rescue. He was ordered to forfeit his parachute and harness, and was banned from Yosemite during probation. El Capitan at Yosemite National Park. Illegal BASE jumping has led to numerous injuries, fatalities and high-risk rescues over the years, endangering both jumpers and rescuers, the park service stated. The NPS is investigating three additional cases from 2025. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Illegal Yosemite BASE jumpers fined with two given jail time The streets of Odisha's Cuttack were illuminated with vibrant lights, music, and colour as devotees carried out Maa Kali immersions, marking the culmination of the Kalika Bhusani festival with grandeur and unity. The festival drew thousands of participants, showcasing devotion, tradition, and the city's famed communal harmony. Praising the spirit of togetherness that defines Cuttack, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous said, "This is the essence of Cuttack. From the beginning, there's been no religion, no caste, no discrimination. Whenever someone faces a problem, all the neighbours and well-wishers rush to help because we believe in a very close-knit community, living with each other, sharing joys and sorrows." "Today, we witnessed this beautiful scene in our city, where everyone came together with a single purpose: to ensure that the Kalika Bhusani festival is beautiful and everyone enjoys it... Happiness should be shared throughout the city... A lot of hard work has been put into creating this tradition. Our grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and all our ancestors, so we certainly have a big responsibility to ensure that the city's name is glorified and elevated even further... I congratulate everyone on the Bhusani festival of Maa Kali," she added. The annual Kalika Bhusani festival is among the most vibrant cultural events in Cuttack, symbolising unity and devotion as thousands gather to participate in the processions and immersion ceremonies. Meanwhile, ahead of Kali Puja immersion, the Odisha Police conducted a flag march in Cuttack on Thursday. Discussing the arrangements for the festival, DCP Rishikesh D Khilari said that all necessary measures have been taken to facilitate immersion during the Kali Puja, and a traffic advisory has been issued to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience. According to Khilari, approximately 50 platoons of force, along with an additional 400 officers, will be deployed. The DCP also urged the public not to believe or spread any rumours. "Tomorrow, the immersion for Kali Puja will be carried out...for which all arrangements have been made. Some special teams have also been formed...a traffic advisory has also been issued so that people do not face any inconvenience. Adequate security forces have been deployed... Approximately 50 platoons of force, along with an additional 400 officers, will be deployed. We request the people not to believe any kind of rumours..." Khilari told ANI. (ANI) State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, Ill., and the Regional Office of Education 47 will co-host an upcoming winter clothes drive for local students and families in need. The drive will run from Nov. 1-16. Accepted items include new gloves, hats, jackets, coats, scarves, snow pants, snow boots, and socks. Lets come together as a community to ensure everyone has warm clothing for the winter season, said Fritts. Every donation will make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors who need some extra help this year. Thank you to the Regional Office of Education, along with our 18 drop-off locations, for partnering with us to make this drive a reality. Donations can be made via an Amazon Wishlist, which can be accessed here, or at a drop box at any of the following locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dinges Fire Company Emersons Pub Extreme Image Salon Graves-Hume Public Library Lee County Farm Bureau Mendota City Hall Mendota Police Department Odell Public Library Olivers Corner Market Paw Paw Community Building Polo City Hall Rochelle City Hall Rochelle Municipal Utilities Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Sauk Valley Community College Representative Brad Fritts District Office Sterling Public Library Sterling Rock Falls Family YMCA The Flight Deck Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) The College of Education at Illinois State is expecting a whopping 1,600 students for the schools 7th annual Future Teacher Conference. The ISU teacher education program is considered the largest preparer of teachers in the nation. The conference is a career exploration opportunity for them to celebrate and explore their interest in teaching and other careers in education. The students attending the event represent 122 high schools throughout Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, at the ISU Bone Student Center. Students and chaperones will be welcomed by the College of Education dean and the chair of the Illinois Board of Education. The opening session features the 2025 Redbird Educator Teaching Award winner, who will share her path to her classroom at Buffalo Grove High School. The students will have an opportunity to explore the campus and see the Gamma Phi Circus perform throughout the day. All the workshops are designed by Illinois State faculty and experienced educators. Each is tailored to provide professional insight and strengthen the students commitment to pursuing a career in teaching. At the end of the conference, the College of Education will award three $1,500 scholarships to seniors who attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registration for the Future Teacher Conference is closed because they have already reached capacity, but more information by visiting the conference website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 25 that he does not plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin unless he sees a clear path to a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. "We're going to have to know that we're going to make a deal. I'm not going to be wasting my time," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I've always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing." Trump said he had expected peace in Ukraine to be easier to achieve than other diplomatic breakthroughs. "I thought this would have gone long before peace in the Middle East if you look at India and Pakistan, I could say almost any one of the deals that I've already done, I thought would have been more difficult than Russia and Ukraine. But it didn't work out that way. There's a lot of hatred between the two between Zelensky and Putin. There's tremendous hatred." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said a TrumpPutin summit remains "not completely off the table." "The President has also long expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin and, frankly, both sides of this war. Hes always said in order to negotiate a good peace deal, both sides need to be interested in a good peace deal," Leavitt said on Oct. 23. She added that Trump has seen "not enough interest and enough action" from Russia to move toward peace. "The President and the entire administration hopes that one day that could happen again, but we want to make sure that theres a tangible, positive outcome out of that meeting, and that its a good use of the Presidents time," she added. Leavitts comments came a day after Washington imposed its first sanctions on Moscow since Trump took office. On Oct. 22, the U.S. sanctioned Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as their subsidiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures aim to pressure the Kremlin into accepting a ceasefire. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," he said. Read also: Russia is preparing Ukrainian children from occupied territories to fight in its war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Catherine Connolly, an independent socialist, was elected Ireland's next president in a landslide on Saturday. Connolly, 68, won a record 63.4% valid votes in Friday's election with the official announcement the next day. Heather Humphreys of the government coalition party Fine Gael finished second with 29.5%. Jim Gavin of the largest government party, Fianna Fail, had only 7%. Her total shattered the record set in 1959 when Eamon de Valera won his first term as president with 56.3% support. The turnout was 46%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connolly, a member of the parliament since 2016 and former Galway mayor, secured 914,143 first preference votes, dominating in all of the 43 districts except Cavan-Monaghan counties, according to Ireland Votes. "Together we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity ... and the new people that have come to our country," she said. "I will be an inclusive president for all of you." Despite her conciliatory tone, she has been a critic of the United States, NATO and the European Union, decrying their militarization. She has opposed Irish neutrality and condemned Israel for its war in Gaza Connolly will become the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland, founded in 1949, and succeed fellow Galway socialist Michael D. Higgins, who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third seven-year term. Higgins is 86 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know Catherine will be a president for all of us," Humphreys, who spoke after Connally, said. "Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well, this is her evening." Connolly was backed by five left-wing parties. Disgruntled conservative literally left their mark on the election -- by vandalizing their ballots. There were 213,738 discarded ballots - about one of every eight cast. More than two-thirds of those ballots were for Catholic conservative Maria Steen, who narrowly failed to qualify for the ballot. Humphreys is a member of the Republic of Ireland's tiny Protestant minority. "My family and I were subject to some absolutely awful sectarian abuse," she said. "As a country, I thought we had moved on from that. If we're ever to have a united Ireland, we have to respect all traditions." A nonprofit that distributes diapers, infant formula and other items for babies and toddlers is preparing to give extra help to those in need in the wake of the government shutdown and the expected suspension of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, known as SNAP, on Nov. 1. Infant Crisis Services is the latest Oklahoma nonprofit stepping up to help low-income households in danger of being left without the critical safety net that SNAP represents. The agency provides a weeks worth of diapers, formula and food for children younger than age 4. The nonprofit also provides clothing, a bottle or sippy cup, wipes and other items based on availability at its headquarters at 4224 N Lincoln Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miki Farris, the organization's co-founder and executive director, said some community members may not know about the nonprofit and the resources it offers because they never needed them. An Infant Crisis Services BabyMobile is shown outside the nonprofit's headquarters at 4224 N Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. "If families with babies and toddlers have suddenly found themselves in unexpected circumstances, they should know that there is help to get life-sustaining necessities for their children," she said in a news release. The nonprofit is offering families extra visits above the regular four per year, both in-house and to its BabyMobile, for all children younger than 4 years old, through Dec. 23. The agency's leaders said this change applies to all clients, regardless of the number of times a family has visited the nonprofit in 2025. Families may choose from a variety of items at Infant Crisis Services, 4224 N Lincoln Blvd. Each baby or child will receive a free weeks worth of essential items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the agency's 2024-25 annual report, the agency had 23,607 client visits during its 2025 fiscal year from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. About 10,287 of these visits occurred on the agency's BabyMobile. During the same fiscal year, the nonprofit distributed more than 1.2 million diapers, along with 216,524 bottles worth of formula and 15,388 packs of shelf staple food. How to get help For more information about Infant Crisis Services, go to https://www.infantcrisis.org/. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Infant Crisis Services changes rules to help out during shutdown crisis An investigation is underway after Pittsburgh Police say an infants body was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Friday night. A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson says this investigation began after a woman from Ohio Township showed up at a Pittsburgh hospital after giving birth, but without a baby in her possession. When later questioned about the infants whereabouts, Ohio Township officers were led to a vehicle on Federal Street. Thats where they found the infants body, wrapped in clothing and placed in a plastic bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public safety spokesperson said at this point, the Pittsburgh Police Mobile Crime and Violent Crime Unit responded to Federal Street and a residence on the 100 block of Marshall Avenue. They say the woman is known to spend time at the Marshall Avenue residence, and detectives found evidence that a baby had likely been recently born there. The woman is currently being treated at the hospital and will be taken to police headquarters for questioning once medically cleared. The Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office is working to determine the cause and manner of the infants death. The investigation is ongoing. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The White House may be the most well-known home in Washington D.C., but just blocks away from the presidential mansion sits a lesser-known home with its own piece of U.S. history. The Octagon is an approximately 10,000-square-foot home designed by William Thornton, who served as the first architect of the U.S. Capitol. The building sits at the corner of New York Avenue NW and 18th Street NW in Washington, D.C., and was completed in 1801. Built as a second residence for Virginia's prominent Tayloe family who were friends of George Washington, the more than 200-year-old building gets its name from the shape of the main room at the main entrance. Amanda Ferrario is the manager of the house, which now doubles as a museum and event space. It's owned and maintained by the Architects Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which purchased the property in 1902. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Octagon name comes from this room that we're standing in," Ferrario told CBS News during a tour of the home. "In order to build a circular room, you make the structure out of an octagonal shape and then builds it in with various building materials to give this nice smooth circle," she added. Ferrario says the epicenter of the house was in the basement, where several enslaved people lived and worked mostly out of sight of the wealthy occupants. "(The basement) is the absolute epicenter of all of the activity," Ferrario said. "Not only for the enslaved who would live and work here, they were sleeping here. They were working here around the clock, but also in order to operate a house of this caliber," she added. The Octagon also served as a home for one of America's early first families. President James Madison and his wife, Dolley Madison, temporarily relocated to the home after the British burned down the White House in 1814. Ferrario says the rent for the temporary stay was about $6,000 for their 6-month stay. She also noted the specific reason why the British did not destroy the prominent home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But during this time, Mr. Tayloe was quite savvy, and invited a French ambassador to stay here. He knew that if there was a French flag flying, no one's going to touch this house," Ferrario said. "And it was spared, and rightfully so, because in preparation for the British coming. And Dolley Madison did send over a few of her items that meant a lot to her, so that they would be extra protected." President Madison used the residence to conduct official business including signing the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. He signed the document in the home's circular office, Ferrario told CBS News. Dolley Madison brought cherished items from the White House including curtains, silverware and her pet bird. The former first lady would go on to host what became known as "squeezes" in the first floor sitting room. The events were gatherings of Washington's elite at the time. Over the years, The Octagon was transformed for different uses, including a Catholic school for girls, a federal office building and later as tenement housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its storied past includes spooky and unexplained events reported by guests throughout the building's lifetime. Doors opening, lights flickering and security alarms going off without any explanation have been common occurrences in the building. "We have an ongoing, I guess it's kind of an ongoing joke with our security monitoring company, that if the security monitors go off on the second or third floor, everything is okay. It's just our friends playing." Ferrario also says Jackie Kennedy Onassis then known as Jackie Bouvier may have had her own chilling experience in the home when she was working for a local newspaper. "She wrote about a time when she came through to the Octagon and she was standing right where you're standing," Ferrario explained to CBS News. "And she felt the overwhelming presence and a smell of lilac, which is equated to Dolley (Madison). And what she said was, it was like a former first lady looking over the shoulder of a future first lady." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building is currently undergoing renovations to become a prominent and cohesive part of the new headquarters for the AIA later this year. The house will also play a part in America's 250th Independence celebration after receiving a National Park Service grant for restoration efforts. Jennifer Calvert Hall serves as the Executive Director of the Architects Foundation. She hopes future visitors gain a sense of reverence for the architecture of America's early history. "I want them to have this sense of that moment in time where our founding, sort of the people who founded the United States of America, were interested in very progressive ideas, and that those progressive ideas were reflected in its architecture. I want them to feel that," Calvert Hall said. Dr. Attia on how to make your final decade of life as enjoyable as possible Mentalist Oz Pearlman blows minds, from Joe Rogan to tech titans | 60 Minutes Hurricane Melissa expected to bring catastrophic weather to Jamaica Reddit has sued Perplexity and data scrapers, accusing them of illegally stealing its data. In the lawsuit, Reddit detailed a trap that it says Perplexity fell straight into. It was the digital equivalent of a "marked bill," Reddit said in its lawsuit. Employees at Reddit knew something was wrong. Perplexity the $20 billion artificial intelligence company that competes with OpenAI and Google had agreed to follow Reddit's instructions, blocking it from scraping content from the site, according to a lawsuit Reddit filed Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, the lawsuit said, Perplexity continued to cite Reddit in its AI-generated answers more than ever. The CEO of another AI company even speculated that Perplexity and Reddit secretly struck a content licensing deal. "The increase was so dramatic that an outside observer hypothesized that the increase was due to Perplexity entering a licensing deal with Reddit and thereby obtaining full access to Reddit's data," Reddit's lawsuit said. "In truth, there is no license between Perplexity and Reddit," the lawsuit said, adding that it was the result of "a scheme by Perplexity to obtain Reddit's data through the circumvention of the technological measures protecting Reddit data." So Reddit set a trap. The company created a test post that could only be crawled by Google's search engine, according to the lawsuit. While Google has a content-licensing deal with Reddit, Perplexity does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the digital equivalent of a "marked bill," Reddit's lawsuit said. According to the lawsuit, the only way Perplexity would be able to get the data in the test post is if it bypassed Reddit's guardrails using Google's search engine page results, or SERPS. If the content from the post was ingested by Perplexity through Google, Reddit would know, according to the lawsuit. A few hours after it set the trap, Reddit got its answer. "Within hours, queries to Perplexity's 'answer engine' produced the contents of that test post," the lawsuit says. "The only way that Perplexity could have obtained that Reddit content and then used it in its 'answer engine' is if it and/or its Co-Defendants scraped Google SERPs for that Reddit content and Perplexity then quickly incorporated that data." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reddit described the test in its lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, against Perplexity and three data-scraping companies: Oxylabs UAB, AWM Proxy, and SerpApi. Reddit alleged the data-scraping companies may have taken its posts without permission and sold them to Perplexity. Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer told Business Insider in response to the lawsuit that the company "will not tolerate threats against openness and the public interest." Perplexity said in a Reddit post after the lawsuit was filed that it "does not train AI models on content." A representative for SerpApi said the company plans to "vigorously defend ourselves in court, while Oxylabs' chief governance and strategy officer, Denas Grybauskas, said the company was "shocked and disappointed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Oxylabs has always been and will continue to be a pioneer and an industry leader in public data collection, and it will not hesitate to defend itself against these allegations," Grybauskas said. AWMProxy, identified in Reddit's lawsuit as a former Russian botnet, could not be reached for comment. Reddit's trap resembles one set up by internet infrastructure company Cloudflare. In an August blog post, the company said it set up web pages with code that instructed Perplexity not to crawl those sites' content. It found that Perplexity's crawlers went to those websites anyway. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince compared Perplexity to "North Korean hackers" for the behavior. Reddit cited the characterization in its lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some supposedly 'reputable' AI companies act more like North Korean hackers," Matthew Prince wrote on X in August. "Time to name, shame, and hard block them." Cloudflare did not respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider In October 2025, after a heist in broad daylight at the Louvre Museum in Paris left many people stunned, a photograph of a purported dapper detective on the case went viral. The image showed a man in a suit, coat and hat, holding an umbrella standing alongside a police officer outside the Louvre. One caption claimed this man was the detective working the case: Actual shot (not AI!) of a French detective working the case of the French Crown Jewels that were stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery. Somehow he looks like he's smoking even without a cigarette in his hand, but surely everything you know about life is screaming at you: this case is officially screwed! To solve it, we need an unshaven, overweight, washed-out detective who's in the middle of divorce. A functioning alcoholic who the rest of the department hates. Never gonna crack it with a detective who wears an actual fedora unironically. (X user @MsMelChen) The image was a real photograph, meaning it was not the product of artificial-intelligence software, but there was no evidence the man was a detective assigned to work the heist case at the Louvre. Rather, according to a New York Times interview with the photographer who took the image, he appeared to just be a passerby. In an interview with The Associated Press, 15-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux said that he was the individual in the photograph taken outside the Louvre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to the Paris police, the prosecutor's office and the photographer who captured the image to determine more about the man's identity. We will update this post as soon as we learn more. The original photograph was taken by Associated Press photographer Thibault Camus and had a caption reading, "Police officers block an access to the Louvre museum after a robbery Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in Paris." The caption did not confirm whether the man in question was included among those police officers. Camus told The New York Times he had no reason to believe the man was involved in the investigation, saying, "I don't know him I don't know if he is French. Maybe a tourist? Maybe he is English." (Associated Press) Another photograph Camus took at the same scene, with the same uniformed police officers, showed a woman walking over the spot where the man stood. Comparing these two photographs suggests that the man was simply another passerby Camus' camera captured walking past the officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigative team searching for the robbers behind the Louvre heist is very large. Laure Beccuau, a Paris prosecutor in the office leading the investigation, told The Associated Press that around 100 investigators were involved in the police hunt for the jewels and the culprits. Delvaux reportedly told The Associated Press that he had come to the Louvre that day with his mother and grandfather: "We wanted to go to the Louvre, but it was closed," he said. "We didn't know there was a heist." He added that he liked to dress in such a manner and was inspired by 20th-century historical figures and fictional detectives: "I like to be chic. I go to school like this." The heist occurred Oct. 19, when thieves broke into the Louvre and took jewelry that included tiaras, earrings and necklaces that experts said had "incalculable" value. The Louvre museum director told the French Senate that a diadem, one of the stolen items, was recovered but damaged. An AP report described the investigation as a race against time for both authorities and the perpetrators, who experts predicted would have a difficult time finding buyers for the items. Sources: Bennhold, Katrin. "The Louvre Heist." The New York Times, 21 Oct. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/world/louvre-jewelry-heist.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Finding the Jewels and the Brazen Thieves in the Louvre Heist Is Now a Race against Time." AP News, 21 Oct. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/france-louvre-jewels-crown-stolen-manhunt-d5bef57b372cfc9747a1709dbe22fe93. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. Haridasani Gupta, Alisha. "Is This Dapper Man Going to Crack the Louvre Heist Case?" The New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/style/louvre-heist-detective-photo.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. "Police Officers Block an Access to the Louvre Museum after a Robbery Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in Paris." Associated Press, 19 Oct. 2025, https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=5deddb8980d44c2b95b5ea619153eb94&mediatype=photo. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. "Police Officers Block an Access to the Louvre Museum after a Robbery Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 in Paris." Associated Press, 19 Oct. 2025, https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=b0d57841d71b4c71858e2527f4e4a562&mediatype=photo. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Six Key Takeaways from Louvre Director's Hearing." BBC, 22 Oct. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wl05nvqz8t. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025. Updates: Nov. 10, 2025: The article was updated with the reported identity of the individual in the photograph. The Satara police have arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case of a woman doctor in Phaltan taluka. Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi stated that Bankar will be produced in court today. Speaking to reporters, SP Doshi said, "Police arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case of a woman doctor in Phaltan taluka. He will be produced in court today. The other accused, Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne, is still absconding, and a search is underway to nab him." Earlier, speaking on the case, SP Doshi said, "A woman doctor committed suicide. A note was found written on her palm naming two people, including a police official. A case has been registered against them under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused PSI has been suspended from duty. Our teams are trying to locate the two accused. A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken." Officials said that the woman doctor died by suicide in Satara on Friday, leaving a note written on her hand that named a police official and two others. The victim's cousin alleged that the doctor had been facing political pressure related to her work. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI. Another cousin demanded strict punishment for those involved. "The accused should get the strictest of punishment," he said. In addition, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has condemned the death of Dr Sampada Mundhe at Phaltan in Maharashtra and has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident. According to a statement issued by FAIMA, "India expresses deep anguish and grave concern over the tragic death of Dr. Sampada Mundhe, a young and dedicated government medical officer serving at Sub-District Hospital, Phaltan (District Satara, Maharashtra). Her untimely demise has deeply shaken the entire medical fraternity across the nation." (ANI) Efforts to reinvigorate the Main Street corridor have led to the creation of a Sister City relationship between Niagara Falls and Beit Mery, Lebanon. The seeds for the new international relationship were planted in the early summer, when Mayor Robert Restaino says he met with a Lebanese businessman interested in the Falls. I had a visit from a family from (Washington) D.C. that had (other) family members (living) here in the Falls, the mayor said. They were here to look at some of our Main Street properties for possible development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of their conversation, Restaino said the developer told him there are a number of current Falls families that trace their roots back to Beit Mery. He suggested that it might be an opportunity to further grow a relationship between the two cities. He thought that maybe we could establish a Sister City relationship with Beit Mery, Restaino said. The mayor said city officials looked into the possibility, carefully weighing the potentially tricky geopolitical considerations of such a collaboration with a Middle Eastern municipality. On July 4, Restaino said he received a letter from the mayor of Beit Mery, Roy Abou Chedid. In the letter, Restaino said Chedid wrote about the potential of a sister city relationship with the Falls and suggested he could add a trip to the city to an October visit to the United States to visit family members living in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He thought that a relationship could benefit business, tourism and economic development opportunities in both cities, Restaino said. On Tuesday, Chedid and Beit Mery Vice Mayor Sami Moukheiber came to Falls City Hall and met with Restaino and other city officials. The mayors had met earlier, on Monday evening, at a private reception in the Falls home of a former Beit Mery family. After an exchange of gifts, both mayors signed proclamations declaring the new sister city relationship between the Falls and Beit Mery. The mayors also planted a Cedar Tree of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani) on the Falls City Hall front lawn. May the cedar we plant grow deep roots here, as our friendship does, Chedid said. May it offer shade to those who come after us and may it stand as a living testament that across oceans and histories, cities can choose to build together. Oct. 25Six candidates for Ironton City Council appeared before voters on Tuesday at a forum at Ohio University Southern, organized by the Ironton Rotary Club. Four seats are on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election. Incumbents Bob Cleary, Vice Mayor Craig Harvey and Nate Kline are seeking re-election, appearing on the ballot with challengers George McCalvin, Troy Scott and Sarah Simmons. The fourth ballot seat is currently held by Chris Perry, who is not seeking re-election. Moderated by Jon Ferguson, of the Ironton Rotary Club, five of the candidates took part in the question and answer session. Harvey gave an introduction, but left before questions, due to a scheduling conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First to speak was Cleary, a former mayor. He said in his time on council, he has seen Ironton go through "ups and down," including "economic shifts and infrastructure struggles." "We have made progress," he said. "But we have more work to do." Cleary cited his experience in city government, as well as being a business owner, as his strength. Harvey, who said he is seeking a fourth term on council, said the reason he runs is still the same as his initial motivation the father of four children, he grew up in Ironton and is a fourth-generation resident. "I want to make Ironton the best place for my kids and your kids," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kline has been on the council since 2019. He said the council has two responsibilities legislating and appropriating. "We have been very busy," he said of his time in office, citing $30 million put into infrastructure projects over the past eight years, including water and sewer projects, stormwater projects and street paving. He said he wants to focus on public safety, vacated properties and chronic nuisance properties going forward. McCalvin introduced himself as a 30-year resident of the city and a retired bricklayer. "I've done projects all over the world," he said, stating international work was a big part of the last 15 years of his career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I may not give the most political answers," he said. "But I will give you honest answers." McCalvin said his business work on keeping budgets and deadlines for projects gave him a unique skill set for the office. Scott said he is a five-year resident of the city, with a background in marketing and education. While he said he respects the incumbents on the ballot, he said "new perspectives and new voices are not a bad thing." Scott said his work with nonprofits would give him the skills to apply and obtain grant funding for city projects. Simmons said she worked for two decades, as an advertising representative and general manager of The Ironton Tribune, before moving to Ohio University Southern, where she currently works as community and external relations manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her time at The Tribune kept her in contact with local leaders, businesses and the public. She said she hopes to bring "a new approach" to council. She also cited that she has a teenage daughter. "I want to make Ironton a place she wants to stay after she graduates," Simmons said. The candidates each gave their views on a number of questions, from Ferguson, some of which he said came from the public. Ferguson asked what issue they felt needed the most attention. Scott said residents wanted a focus on upgrades to downtown. "A walkable downtown," he said. "The more festivals, parades and celebrations we have, the more it will improve." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simmons said vacant buildings downtown. "A lot of businesses are not able to be inhabited," she said, citing her own efforts to find office space there and the limited options. She said a possible solution could be a progressive vacancy rate, as has been tried in other communities. "The longer its vacant, the more you have to pay," she said, citing this could motivate owners to improve buildings to a usable state. Kline said the city has taken some action on this issue, creating a vacant property registry, $100,000 going to a demolition fund and passing legislation on nuisance properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he would like to see a focus on "first impressions," with work at the city's five major entrances. He suggested an "adopt an entrance" program, partnering with groups on beautification there. McCalvin said drug rehab facilities, of which he said Ironton has "too many." He said he met a man from Georgia who had been in one in Ironton. "He did his time there, they put out on the street and he had no place to go," McCalvin said. "We need to keep a better eye on drug rehab facilities and there needs to be transportation to get back to home to their residences with their families." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleary said one of his biggest focuses is "keeping a balanced budget." "We need to be careful about overspending," he said. "If anything doesn't go as projected, we have to be able to get in and do something different." Cleary said the budget is important as he always resists raising rates for resident, unless absolutely necessary. Ferguson asked the candidates about future concerns and what issues "kept them up at night." Simmons said "shrinking tax base." She said the city needs to "transition to different economies," and not just hoping for factories to move to down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're already preparing for a recreation economy," she said, citing the waterfront and the abundance of trials and other recreation opportunities in the area. On the future, Cleary said the city has received grants for projects, but should not limit plans solely to that. "We need to be self-sufficient," he said, citing a past where grants ran out and layoffs took place. "But I think we're in pretty decent shape right now." Kline said one issue that concerns him is an unfunded mandate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, involving sanitary and storm sewer separation, which he said will cost millions. Kline said leaders need to "be proactive" on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also cited a proposal before state government, which would eliminate property taxes, costing cities and village revenue. Kline said Ironton could lose $600,000 under such a scenario. Ferguson asked about different communities within Ironton and government can serve them best. McCalvin said, right now, there is a "big separation" between residents and city government and called for transparency. "What I would like to do, if it would be possible, I would like to take every citizen of Ironton, throw them in a great big old pot, put in some ice water, some Jell-O, put them in the refrigerator and then we would gel and come together," he said. "There's what we need. We need unity in this town, to where everybody is looking out for everybody. We need their voices to be heard by council." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott spoke of concerns he hears from residents when he out knocking on doors and talking to voters as part of the campaign. "I think it's just being involved as a city government," he said. "We have to understand the needs of residents in their day-to day lives. As for myself, I try to be involved in different groups." He cited his association with the newly-formed Kiwanis Club in the city. "As a whole, we need to be visible as a government, be in reach and talk to them on every issue," he said of interaction with constituents. You Might Like Letters to the Editor Letter to the editor: Ombudsmen can help with care concerns News Regulators halt precious metals scam that cheated seniors News Firefighters, police hold chili cookoff News Kathleen Barron ISLAND LAKE, Ill. An Island Lake man who used a file-sharing network to share child pornography was handed an eight-year prison sentence this week. Lawrence Root, a 51-year-old Island Lake resident, was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after entering a negotiated plea of guilty to a child pornography charge, McHenry County States Attorney Randi Freese announced Friday. According to Freese, an investigation into Roots actions began in March of this year after detectives from the Woodstock Police Department began a probe into the possible sharing of child sexual abuse material over a file-sharing network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation eventually led authorities to an IP address associated with an address in Island Lake that was found to be downloading and sharing files depicting child sexual abuse material. It was then determined that Root was the user associated with the IP address and account sharing the files. Lawrence Root, a 51-year-old Island Lake resident, was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after entering a negotiated plea of guilty to a child pornography charge, McHenry County States Attorney Randi Freese announced on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Authorities eventually arrested Root at his home on June 5. At that same time, detectives searched his home and seized two computers and other electronic devices. A search of the seized devices then revealed numerous files depicting child sexual abuse material. In addition to the evidence collected at his home, during the investigation, Root even admitted to being in possession of and sharing files that contained child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case exemplifies the advancements our law enforcement partners have made in their ability to detect and identify these specific internet criminals. Its not as easy to hide your identity on the dark web any longer. Freese said. Roots sentence was handed down by Judge Mark Gerhardt on Thursday. Upon release, Root will be placed on mandatory supervised release for a period of three years to natural life and he must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Defense Minister Israel Katz added that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demobilizing Gaza in accordance with Trump's ceasefire plan. More than 60% of Hamas tunnels were left undestroyed during the war, Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed to US Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Israel, according to a Friday N12 report. The remaining tunnels are located on both sides of the yellow line, the marking that signals the IDFs partial withdrawal following Israels ceasefire deal with Hamas. This means that tunnels still remain in the area where the IDF is currently operating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz said that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demilitarizing Gaza in accordance with the Trump plan." He added that we must return all the remaining hostages, eliminate all the tunnels, take the weapons from Hamas, and ensure that Hamas will not be a ruling factor in Gaza. The IDF reported six months ago in internal security discussions that the Israeli military had only destroyed about 25% of Hamass tunnels in the Gaza Strip, according to N12. A Palestinian worker takes a break inside a smuggling tunnel between Egypt and Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on December 31, 2009. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90) Hamas acquired weapons smuggled from Egypt The military also estimated that at the time, there were a significant number of smuggling tunnels crossing from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, causing concern of weapon distribution to Hamas. Israels refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, however, would not prevent smuggling, warned the security officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Senior INSS researcher Ofir Winter, part of Hamass military buildup before October 7 came from Egypt. Israel now faces the challenge of formulating new and reliable security arrangements for monitoring the Philadelphi corridor, he added. Israel has made attempts to bolster security cooperation with Egypt. On October 21, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Hassan Rashad, Egypts intelligence chief, for talks focused on Gaza and border security. Israeli settlers have attacked several Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank, as a wave of violence targeting residents harvesting their olive trees intensifies. At least three Palestinians were injured on Saturday after settlers attacked farmers in the village of Deir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported. Mujahid Tamimi, a local resident and activist, was quoted by Wafa as saying settlers assaulted the farmers near the villages western entrance, beating them with rifle butts and forcing them to leave their land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamimi added that Israeli forces later entered the village to provide protection for the settlers and detained 31-year-old resident Motasem Abdullah Tamimi. The attacks come as Palestinians across the West Bank have experienced a surge in Israeli military and settler violence in the shadow of Israels deadly war on the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023. Since then, Israeli settler and military attacks have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 10,000 others, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. But this years olive harvest season, which typically begins in early October, has brought a new, intensified wave of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Nour Odeh noted that the settler attacks usually happen in the company and protection of Israeli soldiers who sometimes participate in them. The settlers are armed, dangerous and many of them serve in the army and that is exactly why human rights organisations accuse the Israeli army of complicity, said Odeh, adding that the settlers are emboldened by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government. The attacks are intended to drive Palestinians out of their homes, to create an environment where staying in ones town is simply untenable and unsafe, she reported. Harvesting olive trees is a key economic activity for many Palestinians, and it holds significant cultural importance in Palestinian society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 80,000 to 100,000 families rely on olives and olive oil as their primary or secondary sources of income, according to United Nations figures. Since the start of this years season, the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported a total of 158 attacks against olive pickers. Seventeen were carried out by the Israeli army and 141 by settlers, who enjoy what human rights groups have described as total impunity for acts of violence against Palestinians. For the second consecutive week, Israeli forces have also prevented farmers from accessing their lands across the West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, settlers sprayed pepper gas at Palestinian farmers in Kafr Malek, east of Ramallah, injuring several people. In a separate incident in the village of Nahalin, near Bethlehem, a settler and three Israeli soldiers beat 65-year-old Ahmad Shakarna while he was harvesting olives with his family. In Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron, Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound bombs at farmers attempting to reach their lands in the al-Baqaa area, dispersing them. Meanwhile, in the villages of Aqraba and Qabalan south of Nablus, armed settlers, accompanied by attack dogs, beat farmers and confiscated their tools. Three Palestinians were injured in those attacks before being forced off their land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 250 settlements and settlement outposts considered illegal under international law across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. They have targeted Palestinian property more than 2,400 times in the last two years, displacing at least 3,055 people, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) On Nov. 6, visitors to event venue and Italian bistro Casa di Amici can attend the first ever SPAYghetti Dinner, an evening fundraiser for Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue in Kalamazoo. Everyone is welcome, come as you are, Abbey Thompson, founder and director of Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue, said. Were just really excited to celebrate. Grateful: Happy Cat Cafe celebrates 1,000th adoption Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests to SPAYghetti Dinner will receive a dinner and dessert from Casa di Amici as they peruse silent auction items in a fundraiser for Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescues medical care and support expenses. We have a litter robot that was donated, Thompson said. Different local places have been donating some gift cards. On Nov. 6, visitors to event venue and Italian bistro Casa di Amici can attend the first ever SPAYghetti Dinner, an evening fundraiser for Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue in Kalamazoo. (Courtesy Abbey Thompson) On Nov. 6, visitors to event venue and Italian bistro Casa di Amici can attend the first ever SPAYghetti Dinner, an evening fundraiser for Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue in Kalamazoo. (Courtesy Abbey Thompson) On Nov. 6, visitors to event venue and Italian bistro Casa di Amici can attend the first ever SPAYghetti Dinner, an evening fundraiser for Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue in Kalamazoo. (Courtesy Abbey Thompson) For $50, entry into SPAYghetti Dinner and its silent auction fundraiser comes included with a complimentary visit to the Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue. This is the first time weve ever done an event like this, Thompson said. Were very, very excited. Four ways to tell if your cat loves you based on science Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no adoptable cats will be present for the event, a cash bar and raffle will also be available for guests. Its going to be a super fun night just to celebrate all of the things weve been able to do, Thompson said. For more information on the fundraiser, visit the Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Citizens in the Ivory Coast vote on Saturday for their next president, with incumbent Alassane Ouattara, 83, running for a controversial fourth term. The West African economic powerhouse, which has a population of around 33 million, is experiencing severe political tensions. The opposition and civil society groups complain of restrictions on Ouattara's critics and a climate of fear. Four candidates are running against him. His two main opponents former President Laurent Gbagbo and internationally renowned banker Tidjane Thiam were not allowed to stand in the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observers expect Ouattara to win the 50% of the vote needed to secure victory in the first round. Ivory Coast is West Africa's second-largest economy after Nigeria, and is one of Europe and the US' most important partners in the geopolitically significant region. Youth unemployment and corruption are major campaign issues. In 2010 the country was plunged into a conflict which claimed at least 3,000 lives, after the presidential election between Gbagbo and Ouattara. The 2020 election was also accompanied by clashes, repression and acts of violence. According to official figures, 85 people died, while the opposition claimed there had been more than 200 deaths. Ivorians will head to the polls on Saturday, October 25, to vote in the presidential election amid widespread anger over incumbent President Alassane Ouattaras decision to run for a fourth consecutive term. Under the constitution, presidents may only serve a maximum of two terms; however, Ouattara argues major constitutional change which was implemented in 2016 reset his limit. Ivory Coast, the worlds largest cocoa and cashew nut producer, is a regional powerhouse and West Africas second-largest economy. Perched along the coast of the western Atlantic, between Ghana and Liberia, it boasts vast swaths of rainforest and pristine beaches. About one-quarter of the 32 million population is concentrated in the commercial hub of Abidjan, while the government has its headquarters in the inland capital city of Yamoussoukro. French is the official language in the former colony of France, while the main indigenous languages are Bete, Baoule, Dioula and Senufo. The nation has seen steady economic advancement under Ouattara, according to metrics from the World Bank, but citizens complain of the rising cost of living and what they say is the unequal playing field for political contenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivory Coast has historically experienced deadly pre- and post-electoral violence. Election violence escalated into the second Ivorian civil war in 2011, when more than 3,000 people were killed after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara. This time around, sporadic protests have already erupted in the weeks leading up to the election in response to a ban on key contenders from the polls, particularly Tidjane Thiam, the popular former head of Credit Suisse bank. The government has cracked down on these protests, issuing a ban on demonstrations and arresting at least 237 people from the Common Front political movement, which campaigns against the exclusion of political candidates. By Tuesday this week, 58 people had been sentenced to 36 months in prison for protesting. More than 44,000 police officers and military personnel have been deployed across the country to maintain calm at the polls, but analysts worry that election-day violence will be inevitable. Some 8.7 million registered citizens aged above 18 will be eligible to vote this time, but the country has a low average voter turnout. In the 2020 elections, only 53 percent turned up at the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winning candidate must take an absolute majority of the votes; a second round will take place if no one clears a majority in the first. Who has been barred from running for president? Tidjane Thiam The Constitutional Council shocked Ivorians in June when it upheld a lower court ruling that Tidjane Thiam, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI) and Ouattaras biggest challenger, would be barred as a result of his erstwhile dual nationality. The 63-year-old has widespread support from young people. He formerly worked in leading financial institutions, including Credit Suisse. Thiam, a cousin of the first Ivorian president from 1960 to 1993, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, was born in the Ivory Coast but also received French nationality in 1987. Although he renounced it in March, the court ruled this was too late. Supporters of the Coalition for a Peaceful Alternation hold a political banner depicting PDCI leader Tidjane Thiam during their first meeting in Abidjan on May 31, 2025 [Sia Kambou/AFP] Laurent Gbagbo Also barred is former president and arch Ouattara rival Laurent Gbagbo of the African Peoples Party of the Ivory Coast (PPA-CI), who was charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the 2011 election-related civil war, when he refused to step down for the declared winner, Ouattara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gbagbo, 80, was indicted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, but returned to the Ivory Coast in 2021 following a lengthy trial and his ultimate acquittal. He was still barred from standing as president because of a criminal conviction in an Ivorian court, also related to the war. Gbagbos close ally, Charles Ble Goude, who was also indicted and acquitted alongside him at the ICC, was excluded, as was Ouattaras former prime minister, Guillaume Soro, who was convicted by an Ivorian court in 2021 on allegations of plotting a coup two years before. Critics say the exclusion of key candidates, particularly Gbagbo and Thiam, has given Ouattara an unfair head start and essentially cleared the way for his fourth term. The exclusion of Gbagbo and Thiam has diminished political competition and will continue to drive political grievances that underpin civil unrest and political violence, including on the election day, Beverly Ochieng, a Senegal-based political analyst at consulting firm Control Risks, told Al Jazeera. President Alassane Ouattara waves to supporters as he arrives at a campaign rally at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, October 18, 2025 [Diomande Ble Blonde/AP Photo] Who is running? Alassane Dramane ADO Ouattara The incumbent, Ouattara, 83, has been in office since December 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is the leader of the ruling Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), and his government has been praised by observers for its efforts to restore unity following the bitter civil war, which was fuelled by ethnic tensions or Ivoirite claims that particular ethnic groups were more Ivorian than others. The controversial term pitted groups in the predominantly Muslim north against the mainly Christian south. During his presidency, Gbagbo and his supporters had aimed to discredit Ouattara by calling him non-Ivorian because of rumours he has roots in neighbouring Burkina Faso. Ouattara has a strong economic record, boosted by exports of cocoa and other agricultural products, as well as big infrastructure projects. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 8.2 percent on average each year in the first decade of Ouattaras administration, according to the World Bank, and has continued to grow steadily since then, even during the COVID-19 crisis. He was voted in as president for a second term in 2015 in a landslide victory. However, support for him has slipped since he decided to run again in 2020, as many Ivorians say it violated the two-term constitution limit. At the time, Ouattara initially said he would not run, but changed his mind after his partys candidate died during the pandemic. Backed by the Constitutional Council, Ouattaras supporters argue that the adoption of a new constitution in 2016, which removed age limits for presidential candidates and revised nationality requirements, automatically reset the clock on his terms. In effect, they argued, Ouattara was eligible for two more terms, starting with the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent protests broke out following the presidents decision to run in 2020, and opposition parties boycotted the election, handing Ouattara another landslide. At least 85 people died in pre- and post-election riots. There is widespread hostility across the Francophone West African countries towards their former coloniser, and the presidents decision to run for a fourth term has prompted protests in Abidjan, partly because of his perceived closeness to France. In January 2025, the Ivorian government shut down French military bases, which had been operating in the country for decades, a move analysts say was designed to appease the public. Still, Ouattara remains the clear favourite out of those who have been allowed to run, and he has promised to escalate infrastructure development and focus on education and health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analyst Ochieng noted that while the president retains support in the northern region, where he hails from, his party is also making inroads into the south, but is ultimately buoyed by state resources. With each electoral cycle, the playing field continues to be uneven due to strong institutional control and influence by the ruling camp over the political and security apparatus, she said. Presidential candidate Simone Gbagbo and her team attend a rally in Guiberoua, Ivory Coast, October 14, 2025 [Marine Jeannin/AP Photo] Simone Gbagbo The head of the Movement of Capable Generations party, formed in 2022, Simone Gbagbo, 73, was widely known as the Ivory Coasts Iron Lady during the turbulent administration of her then-husband, Laurent Gbagbo, who led the country during the first civil war between 2002 and 2007, and provoked a bloodbath in 2011 when he refused to concede to Ouattara. Simone Gbagbo was widely viewed as a major orchestrator behind her husbands decision. The couple were arrested together at their Abidjan residence in April 2011 in a raid by regional forces deployed to restore peace, leading to the end of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although both Laurent and Simone Gbagbo were indicted by the ICC for alleged war crimes related to the conflict, Ouattaras government did not extradite the former first lady. Instead, she went on trial in the country and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2015 for crimes against the state. In 2018, Ouattara granted her amnesty. The couple divorced in 2023 following Laurents return from his trial at The Hague. It is unclear why Simone has not been blocked from running for president despite her conviction. During her political rallies, she has stated that while Ouattaras government has led infrastructure projects, she will address ongoing gaps in healthcare and job opportunities. She has also spoken out against the use of force against protesters and alleged raids on the homes of some opposition leaders. Jean-Louis Billon Having resigned recently as trade minister, the 60-year-old is the candidate for the Democratic Congress (CODE), a new coalition of 18 parties and political movements. Billon has referred to himself as a right-leaning politician. The businessman and parliament member previously tried and failed to become a candidate for the opposition PDCI party after Thiam was barred from running. The PDCI has not presented another candidate, and many of its supporters say they have been left not knowing who to vote for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billon, who was a member of the cabinet until early this year, when he resigned to run for the elections, is promising generational change in leadership for Ivorians and has pledged to attract rapid private sector investment in the country. He is the son of Pierre Billon, founder of Ivory Coasts agroindustrial company SIFCA Group, credited as the largest private employer in the country with about 17,000 workers. Ahoua Don Mello A former ally of Gbagbo, the ex-president, and his spokesperson during the 2011 crisis, Mello, 67, is running as an independent candidate after Gbagbos PPA-CI kicked him out over his decision to participate in the elections at all. Mello, like other Gbagbo allies, has been subject to sanctions from the United States and the EU and was in self-exile from the Ivory Coast until 2021. Henriette Lagou Adjoua The 66-year-old leader of the centrist coalition, Group of Political Partners for Peace, is a campaigner for women in politics. She was briefly minister of social affairs between October and December 2000 under Gbagbo and was one of the first two women to ever run for the presidency during the 2015 elections. People walk near a campaign billboard of Ivory Coasts President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, October 12, 2025 [Luc Gnago/Reuters] What are the key issues in this election? Political freedom and election violence Opponents of Ouattara have strongly criticised the governments ban on key political candidates, the blocking of protests and the arrests of demonstrators, and accuse the current president of backsliding on democratic values. There are concerns that there will be violent clashes between demonstrators calling for a vote boycott and security officials during the voting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Ochieng, the analyst, noted that while violence may occur in the opposition strongholds of Abidjan and Yamoussoukro, it is unlikely it will spread across the country, as seen in the 2011 crisis, because of the heavy presence of government forces. Despite political misgivings about Ouattaras re-election bid, politicians do not want to appear as if they are encouraging acts of violence or vandalism that will likely lead to their prosecution, Ochieng said, adding that there have so far been no signs of any sort of systematic mobilisation which could disrupt the polls. Social inequality Critics of Ouattara say his progress on the economy has been largely buoyed by International Monetary Fund-backed loans and, importantly, has not been equally experienced, with development centred on urban areas. At present, the country owes more than $4bn to the IMF, and is one of the eight most indebted countries to the institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 39 percent of the population was living below the national poverty line in 2023, according to the World Bank. The household consumption of the richest 20 percent of the population is about six times what the poorest 20 percent consume, according to the World Bank. There is also sharp economic disparity between urban areas, where the poverty rate is an already very high 31 percent, and rural areas, where it is 54.6 percent. The quality and availability of crucial infrastructure such as water, schools and healthcare centres also differ sharply between the more deprived north and the wealthier south. Climate change is adding to inequality, with heatwaves disrupting cocoa production as well as the harvest of tomatoes, chillies and other food crops in poorer, rural areas. The country has been forced to rely on neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Niger for food imports. Armed groups in the region Ivory Coast is also vulnerable to spill-over violence from its Sahel neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, where armed groups such as Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the ISIL affiliate in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) have been conducting a violent rampage, attacking communities and military bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2016, three armed men attacked a hotel at the beach resort of Grand Bassam, killing 19 people. Two groups al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and al-Mourabitoun later claimed responsibility for the attack. It marked the first such attack on Ivorian soil. Again, in June 2020, armed men raided a military outpost in northern Kafolo, on the border with Burkina Faso, killing 14 soldiers and injuring others. This is a key issue in the campaign of Ouattara, who has pledged to ensure security. He has harped on the need for stability at a time of rising regional insecurity. His government, since 2022, has boosted the defence budget, increased troop deployments in the northern regions neighbouring the Sahel, and bought armoured tanks from countries like China. Editors Note: KOIN 6 News anchorman Jeff Gianola will retire around Thanksgiving 2025 after more than 40 years as a Portland journalist. In this series, Jeff looks back at some of the most memorable stories hes covered and shared. This story originally aired in 2004. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In 2004, Costco was celebrating 20 years in business. I reached out to Jim Sinegal, the man who invented Costco, who took me on a tour of a local Costco and explained his marketing strategy and why people flock to his stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour was incredible. KOIN 6 News anchor Jeff Gianola interviewed Costco inventor Jim Senegal in 2004 (KOIN, file) What I remember about the story is how down-to-Earth Jim Sinegal was. He loved walking around that store explaining how and why Costco does things a certain way. I also had to ask him about Costcos $1.50 hot dog. Watch the video for the full report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. In the wake of the Kurnool bus accident, the Transport Department has stepped up inspections. The RTO inspected private travel operators at the Poole Bomma Center in Nellore city. Vehicles found violating transport regulations are being thoroughly checked, and those without proper documents are being fined. Officials stated that vehicles lacking functional emergency exits are being penalised. Additionally, strict action will be taken against vehicles that have berths installed near the driver's seat or emergency exits in violation of regulations. Cases have already been registered against some vehicles. RTO officer Madani emphasised the department's commitment to enforcing safety norms strictly. "Our Deputy Transport Commissioner, Sri Chander, formed the teams and instructed us to thoroughly check who is violating the motor vehicle rules and regulations. Today, we are focusing on the emergency exit passages. We have booked 10 cases today against the vehicles violating the rules and have also seized the vehicles," Madani said. He added that they are thoroughly inspecting private travel buses following the Kurnool bus fire accident. Today in Nellore, three teams are specifically checking the buses' emergency exit doors, documents, and overall fitness. Stringent action will be taken against any violators. Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that all the states should work out safety measures in the wake of the Kurnool bus fire incident, in which as many as 19 people were killed. DK Shivakumar said, "It is a tragic incident. It is a lesson for all of us. A probe should be conducted into the incident. All the states should work out safety measures following this. We pray for the families of the deceased. 15 days ago, a Blue Line bus met with the same fate, but luckily, all escaped." Karnataka Minister MB Patil said that the cause of the accident should be identified. Speaking to reporters, Patil said, "We should identify the cause of the tragedy. I pray for strength for the families affected, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. Suitable compensation should also be provided to the families of those who lost their lives." Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep concern over the bus mishap near Kurnool in the early hours of Friday and directed the ministers and officials to "rush immediately to the spot" and "take up relief measures", the Chief Minister's office said in a press release. It may be noted that a private travel bus proceeding from Hyderabad to Bangalore met with an accident and caught fire near Chinnatekuru village of Kallur mandal in Kurnool district, resulting in the deaths of several persons and injuries to others. "The injured were rushed to Kurnool General Hospital". The Chief Minister, who is on a three-day UAE tour immediately after receiving information, conducted a teleconference with ministers and officials and asked them to rush immediately to the accident spot. He talked to Ministers, Chief Secretary, DGP and Kurnool district collector and asked them to take immediate measures to identify the bodies and to hand them over to their relatives. He ordered an inquiry into the incident, the release said. (ANI) JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (TRIBUNE) The Jefferson County Commission met Thursday, Oct. 23, in Judge Reginald J. Hambright Hobdys courtroom in Bessemer, approving a series of economic, transportation, and community funding measures. A recording of the meeting will be archived at JCCAL.org for public viewing. Commissioners voted to approve a 10-year statutory tax abatement for Absorb Tech, a 100-year-old industrial services company establishing its first Alabama location. The project includes construction of a 50,000-square-foot production and processing facility on a 7.5-acre site in the JeffMet McCalla Industrial Park. County officials said the development is expected to create approximately 36 jobs with an average hourly wage of $29.38. Senior citizens across Jefferson County will also see expanded transportation opportunities in the coming year. The Commission approved a $401,000 agreement with ClasTran to continue transportation services to and from area senior centers, including a bank of 50 group field trips that will be allocated through Jefferson County Senior Services. The agreement additionally allows ClasTran to use $300,137 of the allocation as a local non-federal match under the 5310 Rural Area Public Transportation program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leeds Chamber honors Mayor David Miller for 13 years of service Commissioners also approved a resolution authorizing the District Attorney for the Bessemer Division to complete and submit a grant application to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for funding through the Violence Against Women Act. The application will be submitted on behalf of the Jefferson County Commission. In other business, the Commission renewed its livestreaming agreement with Granicus for both Commission and Planning and Zoning meetings. The renewal will also support the addition of closed captioning to livestreams in the coming year. District fund grants were awarded in Districts 2 and 4. District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson allocated community grant funding to the following: $25,000 to Exposure Community Development Corporation for its musical programs honoring military veterans; $20,000 each to the Exeter-Fairfax Senior Center, Mt. Olive Senior and Community Center, Fairfield Senior Center, and Shepherd Center East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 4 Commissioner Joe Knight awarded $75,000 to Crime Stoppers, $150,000 to the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, $50,000 in support of the 2025 Birmingham Bowl, $200,000 to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority for CCTV network enhancements, and $25,000 to the National Veterans Day Foundation for the 2025 Veterans Day Parade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office was charged with two counts of assault following a multi-vehicle crash that occurred on Oct. 8, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The crash occurred when the JCSO-issued Chevrolet Tahoe patrol unit being driven by off-duty deputy Shamonte D. Lanfair, 34, of Birmingham, struck a Toyota Corolla. Following the initial impact, the Toyota Corolla struck a Toyota Camry. Lanfair, the driver of the Toyota Corolla and a 15-year-old passenger of the Toyota Corolla were injured and transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ALEA, Lanfair was charged with two counts of assault on Friday, Oct. 24. Lanfair was placed in the Jefferson County Jail Birmingham Division with a $30,000 bond. The crash occurred on Alabama 75 near the 4 mile marker in Jefferson County. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. NEW YORK (AP) House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, saying he respected the will of the primary voters and young people inspired by the Democratic socialist state lawmaker's candidacy. Jeffries, who represents Brooklyn, has for months declined to officially throw his support behind Mamdani, who upended the New York political establishment when he handed former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo a resounding and stunning defeat in the June primary. Cuomo is still running in the November general election, but as an independent. Republican Curtis Sliwa is also on the ballot, as is Mayor Eric Adams, though the embattled Democrat dropped out of the race last month and has endorsed Cuomo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While acknowledging he had areas of principled disagreement with his partys nominee for mayor, Jeffries said Democrats have a clear obligation to push back against Republican extremism, calling it a national nightmare, in a statement. Donald Trump must be given no space to haunt the people of New York City, said Jeffries, adding that communities he represents in Brooklyn are being devastated by this extreme version of the Republican Party. Jeffries' tactical decision to back Mamdani is a show of support for a unified Democratic ticket. However, it is also expected to draw criticism from the GOP. Republicans have repeatedly highlighted Mamdani's most controversial past comments and positions, casting him as dangerous, a communist, and an antisemite, and trying to tie him to other Democratic officials. President Donald Trump has called Mamdani a communist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffries credited Mamdani with focusing on the affordability crisis in his campaign and expressing a commitment to serving all New Yorkers, including the Jewish community that has faced a rise in antisemitic incidents. Last month, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani, saying the two diverged on some issues but came together on the importance of addressing the affordability crisis in the city and across the state. At the time, it was one of Mamdani's most significant endorsements in his bid for mayor. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) A New Jersey officer has been charged with misconduct after prosecutors say he didn't quickly respond to and properly investigate reports of a shooting that turned out to be a double murder, instead stopping at an ATM and pizzeria. Franklin Township Police Sergeant Kevin Bollaro was the on-duty officer on the evening of Aug. 1, when police received 911 calls reporting gunshots and screaming in Pittstown, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Manhattan in central New Jersey, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee Robeson's office. But rather than responding immediately, prosecutors say GPS data and surveillance video show Bollaro drove nearly two miles in the opposite direction of the callers location to a bank ATM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dispatchers relayed other calls from concerned neighbors as Bollaro proceeded towards their locations without activating his police vehicles emergency lights and sirens, they said. When he arrived at the location of the first caller, the officer told the dispatcher he didn't hear anything and said he would continue to the locations of the other callers. But Robesons office said GPS data shows he never visited those locations before he asked the dispatcher to clear him from the scene. They say Bollaro instead headed to Dukes Pizzeria in Pittstown, where he remained for nearly an hour. Witnesses later saw him park and enter another local restaurant, where he remained for roughly another hour, prosecutors said. Bollaro later submitted a report in which prosecutors say he made false statements about the extent of his investigation. They note that during the timeframe he claimed to be canvassing the area, the officer was already on route to the pizzeria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following day, Aug. 2, the bodies of Lauren Semanchik, 33, and Tyler Webb, 29, were found in a home roughly 600 feet (183 meters) away from the location of the first 911 caller. Prosecutors say the two had been shot to death by New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Ricardo Santos, who had later killed himself. Bollaro has been charged with official misconduct for knowingly refraining from performing his police duties, prosecutors said. He also faces a charge of tampering with public records for knowingly making false entries in his incident report. Bollaro is due to appear in court Nov. 5. His lawyer, Charles Sciarra, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday but, in a statement to the New York Post, called the charges unfortunate. He maintained nothing Kevin Bollaro did or did not do that day impacted or could have stopped the killings. The families of the two shooting victims, meanwhile, have said they are shocked at Sgt. Bollaros egregious conduct and believe it is the tip of the iceberg of the many failures by the local and state police in the killings, WABC-TV reports. One of the vehicles in Al-Mughayyir that was set on fire by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, October 25, 2025. (photo credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT, TELEGRAM) Two Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli settlers in the village of Al-Maniya, near Bethlehem. The IDF arrested one Israeli in the village of Mukhmas. There were numerous incidents in which homes and vehicles belonging to Palestinian West Bank residents were set on fire by Jewish West Bank residents between Friday and Saturday, Army Radio reported. Security sources have said that criminal incidents in the West Bank have increased in recent days. Israel's security establishment has also observed attacks by Jews in Palestinian areas in the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian village Al-Maniya, near Bethlehem, saw about 40 Israeli settlers enter the area, where they clashed with Palestinians, resulting in two Palestinians being wounded with stones that were thrown in their direction. The IDF arrived at the scene and calmed the situation. A number of settlers set fire to two vehicles and nearly set fire to a house in the Palestinian village of Surif, according to security sources. At the same time as the incident in Surif, incidents of settlers setting fire to the homes of Palestinian residents were reported in the village of Mukhmas, near Jerusalem. The IDF arrested one Israeli suspect in Mukhmas suspected of participating in the arson attacks. Police only arrived a few hours after the incident began in the village, and began investigating the incident. One of the vehicles in Al-Mughayyir that was set on fire by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, October 25, 2025. (credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT, TELEGRAM) According to the investigation, rioters at the village had forgotten one of their participants after fleeing the scene. The suspect hid and attempted to flee before being found and arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF responded to the incident in Surif, saying that as military forces arrived at the village, the suspects had fled the scene. One Palestinian was found slightly wounded upon their arrival, the military added. Another incident saw Jewish West Bank residents setting fire to three vehicles on Friday night in the village of Al-Mughayyir near Ramallah, according to Palestinian reports. Attacks come as new bill plans for Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank The reports on attacks come as the Knesset approved this week to advance a private members bill to apply Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, which passed 25-24. The bill proposes that the laws, judicial system, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel shall apply to all areas of settlement in Judea and Samaria. Keshet Neev contributed to this report. We recently wrote a post where doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers revealed shocking "dark secrets" about the medical field that more people should know . In the comments, more medical professionals shared secrets about what their jobs are actually like, and it'll leave you speechless. Here's what they had to say: 1. "The doctors I work with were told they aren't obligated to receive a lunch break, can't eat at the desk, and have to see 55 patients in a 12-hour period. We were forced to stay open during hurricanes and snowstorms that shut down the city, and weren't allowed to lock down when we had an active shooter in the area." "Also, none of the doctors I work with know the price of the medications they prescribe, and they are different depending on the pharmacy and the person's insurance. So, to say it's the doctor's fault for prescribing an expensive medication is deflection on the pharmacist's part." mushycrab83 Stockbusters / Getty Images 2. "Former nursing home administrator here. The corporate office started cutting our staffing budget. It began burning our staff out to the point that they wouldn't cover for each other if someone had to call in sick or an emergency. That led to the burnout of scheduling coordinators and directors of nursing. There is a whole dynamic of 'cause and effect' in nursing care." "Ultimately, I was the person responsible. When I saw I was fighting to make things work with my hands tied, I retired early. I'm not ashamed to say I couldn't hack it. The job was killing me and breaking my heart. God bless people who can provide these services with love and care." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement truthmatters Related: "It's Like A Freaking Hell Loop": People Are Revealing Normal '90s And '00s Things Are Considered A Luxury Now 3. "I'm a retired respiratory therapist on the trauma team in a teaching hospital. If you are at the bedside of a child who dies in a car wreck, you have no opportunity to process or mourn at all. The next instant, you must go on to another patient and present a sunny, encouraging persona: 'Hi, Mr. Smith. How is that asthma treatment coming along?' The cognitive dissonance is heartbreaking." Anonymous, 75, New Mexico 4. "Physician assistant here with 20+ years of experience. The general public we have to deal with these days is very entitled, abusive, and lazy. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a kid with a high fever whose parent hasn't given them anything all day for their fever. When you ask them why, they'll tell you, 'I don't have anything, and I want you to prescribe something my MediCAL will pay for.' People will also come out of their urgent care rooms every five minutes, asking, 'Do you know how much longer? Did you forget about me? I've been waiting hours.' (When it's only been 20 mins.) They don't realize that if I have to do a procedure, it delays me from seeing everyone else in a timely manner." "If a patient is having chest pain, and I have to send him to the ER via ambulance, he's my priority over everyone at that moment. They're also verbally abusive. I dealt with a set of parents last week who told me 'to do your job' when I was already administering the correct treatment for their kid! These same parents were also verbally abusive to my nurse that day. He walked out on them when he was trying to get a throat culture; they insisted on it and told him, 'You're just a nurse.' Many of these people have no idea how hard we work to make sure they get the care they need. They don't see that we go home very tired with aching backs and feet from working an over 12-hour shift." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous, 62, California Drs Producoes / Getty Images 5. "The productivity standards. I am a physical therapy assistant. We are expected to be 90% 'productive,' meaning treating patients (i.e., billable time). That does not count documentation, family consultations, nursing/staff consultations, calling doctors' offices, ordering devices for patients' needs, consulting with department head or fellow rehab members, planning daily schedules, helping patients to bathroom, clocking in/out, a bathroom break and two 15-minute breaks (Ha, ha, ha. No such thing!)." "And then if the census is low, you have to go home. Yeah, hired for 40 hours a week. But sent home at 20 because census is low, but you worked 10 hours off the clock to keep productivity at 90%, or you risk getting fired!" Anonymous 6. "We don't practice anymore. We give orders, but insurance can deny coverage if they don't agree. That's right your healthcare decisions are being made by some 20-something staring at an algorithm all day who has NO medical training. It happens every single day, and it's exhausting. My patients are angry at me all the time because I have to discharge them from therapy when they aren't well. Insurance companies don't give a damn because they don't have to face the patient and look them in the eye. Profit-based healthcare is one of the greatest evils in the world." "We are all paying crippling premiums for awful coverage while people in countries like France, Spain, England, and Cuba have excellent healthcare, and it's practically free, plentiful, and best of all, the goal is overall health, not 'how can we squeeze more money out of this patient?'" Anonymous Related: Older Adults Are Sharing How They Could Tell Someone Was Rich Back In The Day, And As A 30-Something, A Lot Of These Surprised Me 7. "Everyone in medicine, other than the administrators, is criminally underpaid. During my undergraduate studies, I earned about $20 an hour part-time working as an EMT in a 911 responding ambulance. There is a very high turnover rate in EMS, where people leave for nursing and other professions because of the low pay and harsh work. Now, I'm in medical school, and, in a few years, I'll be a resident. Residents are doctors. They have finished medical school and have an MD or a DO after their name. They are simply pursuing further training in a specific area of medicine. Yet, they can expect to make an hourly rate that is close to, or sometimes even below, minimum wage, while carrying hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loan debt." "Let me rephrase that: You are probably out-earning multiple doctors at your local teaching hospital. You are probably out-earning the EMTs and paramedics in your town. You are possibly out-earning the nurses at your local hospital, depending on where you live and work. You are definitely out-earning the CNAs and patient techs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous Boonchai Wedmakawand / Getty Images 8. "I'm a retired nurse. Patients and their family members don't know how often we nurses have to page doctors to get an order. Many of them are at holiday celebrations or ball games and don't want to return calls. We are just as exasperated as the patient/family member, but we can't do any better. I've actually had to go over the doctor's head to a supervisor to get an order, and sometimes the doctor gets fired from a case (not the norm, but). It's not our fault. We can't order the meds we know you need. We always do our best." "So many people have no idea the names of the meds they take, nor do they carry a list. I spent time, often after my shift, typing a list for the patient and their family to carry with them for the next admission including pertinent diagnoses and surgeries. This saves so much time and prevents a potential delay in treatment. Rarely did I receive a thank you, and they would not have the list on the next admission. Computers and the record system in pharmacies and other physicians have helped, but it's still not ideal." Anonymous, 72 9. "I was a professional home health provider for years. Every agency I have worked for required clients to have a DNR (do not resuscitate) form signed and put up in a visible location (usually the fridge) in their home before agreeing to send a home health worker there. In theory, it means that if a client stops breathing, no CPR is to be done. In reality, every agency employee is required to perform CPR on a client if they stop breathing." "The only real reason for the DNR requirement is to protect the agency legally if a client dies on their watch even when the client truly doesn't want resuscitation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous, 63, Arizona Related: People Are Reacting To Rising Grocery Prices Under The Trump Administration In The Pettiest Way Possible 10. "Hospitals require that surgeons and other specialists take calls for the hospital to 'have privileges' to perform surgeries in their facility. Frequently, the hospital doesn't pay the surgeon for taking calls at all, or pays so poorly that you couldn't get your local plumber to your house on a night or weekend for an emergency at anywhere near the same rate. Meanwhile, the hospital corporation is making billions of dollars. Every. Single. Year." "Please keep this in mind when you're unhappy that your surgery isn't at the hospital closest to you. Your surgeon is 'buying' that surgery time with their own time away from family on nights and weekends. I can't possibly do this at every hospital in town and therefore have to limit surgery to a few locations." Anonymous, 50, Utah Skaman306 / Getty Images 11. "LPN here, working in long-term. It's heartbreaking to see the lack of healthcare professionals. I don't blame them. They're having 2630 patients at a time, sometimes 5060 for overnight nurses; short on CNAs; short on medication, supplies, and equipment; beds and/or mattresses that don't work/inflate, so patients are literally lying on metal frames. And there are no breaks or lunch time." "Sometimes, my first gulp of water would be after a 12-hour shift! Staying late to complete chartingwhich the facilities have a problem with and delay pay for those extended work hours!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous, 45, Arizona 12. "Hospitals don't provide equitable care across sites in the same hospital system; I don't just mean concierge clinics. Some hospital-based primary care clinics provide vastly different services. One clinic may have a lot of medicaid patients and part-time doctors with low access, and the other clinic on the same campus serves all the VIP patients and are hospitalists so that they can round on their own patients." "Hospitals will say they treat patients fairly. It's not the case. Although both clinics should perform similarly, the VIP clinic is vastly different, and the VIP patients know this." Anonymous, 29, Massachusetts 13. "As a laboratory scientist, I want to share that breaks are most often a luxury, as well as any time to eat or get away to decompress, even for a few minutes. We are working short-staffed and are often asked to stay or come in early to support other shifts in addition to working our own. The really difficult part of work for us where I work is using laboratory software that is 20+ years old, doesn't interface well with the analyzers, and is cumbersome to use. Additionally, we are working with analyzers that are consistently malfunctioning or broken, and are expected to meet turnaround times anyway. We have also had to clean the lab, restrooms, and breakroom ourselves as our environmental services staff has been cut in half at least." "All of us (coctors, RNs, phlebotomists, and techs of all kinds) are literally killing ourselves to provide decent care with our hands tied behind our backs. When we break down the care we can afford for ourselves, it's substandard because the company insurance is expensive. Still, we come to work because we care about the suffering of others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous, 60, Colorado Zhudifeng / Getty Images Related: I Can't Help But Feel Bad For These 16 Poor Souls Who Had Bad Days At Work 14. "Administrative staff can seriously ruin staffing. Profits are paramount. All manner of corruption, bad research, bad medicine, bad policies, etc., have been perpetrated because money rules all, including falsifying charting to cover their administrative butts. People have NO IDEA how bad the charting issues have been and how much worse they've gotten for about 70 years, Im aware of. Folks don't understand that 'consumer/social engineering' affects everything." "Also, VA chronically markedly underpays staff nurses compared with their peers in a region. And, screwy stuff has gotten away with in those facilities, like a patient getting 'disappeared,' or a female patient who should have lived but was malpracticed and died miserably, while admins bragged how they helped her comfort by renting a costly special bed for the few months she kept breathing. And patients who are 'inconvenient' are juggled from pillar to post, moved from facility to facility, with wrong orders, etc. If it weren't for a family member or a staff member being astute, many more would die faster. Frail elders, those who are mentally/emotionally unstable, and children are especially highly vulnerable to big industry pressures. I've experienced, witnessed, and finally given up renewing my license (at 72), because of the astonishingly immoral stuff that passed as 'healthcare,' or just about anything else. I've become sardonic/jaded. However, as a freelance volunteer nurse advocate for the last 25 years, people have restored my faith that compassion is important; they still need help and can be very happy to have realistic help they can manage. I've still been able to save lives, guide and perhaps even better get to see improving long-term outcomes. It's been very fulfilling. And it rarely needs commercial medicine tactics. It bypasses insurance and billing. It has kept on a human-helping-human basis. It has helped empower those who feel helpless. Kinda like the old-time providers who did human house-calls. Real." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous, Washington And finally... 15. "RN here. My biggest secret? I don't love my career anymore. I love helping people, but the American healthcare system, namely, insurance companies, makes it next to impossible. I've worked in various fields and have seen insurance companies deny life-saving medications in all of them, senselessly. Literally, just yesterday, I had an insurance deny a patient's inhaler that she's had for over 10 years. She will die without it." "They decided they don't want to pay for it anymore, and we are the ones who have to break the news to the patient. I'll let you imagine how that feels." Anonymous, 36, Connecticut Juanmonino / Getty Images Wow. Fellow medical professionals, what are some "dark secrets" about your field that more people should know? Tell us in the comments. Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use the form below. Also in Work & Money: "He Was An Absolute Horror": People Who Went To School With The Rich And Famous Are Revealing What They're Actually Like In Real Life Also in Work & Money: 23 "Luxuries" That Are Totally Normal For Rich People But Entirely Bizarre To Everyone Else Also in Work & Money: "I Got The F*ck Out Of There": 17 Ex-Employees Share The Workplace Horror Stories That Made Them Quit On Their First Day Read it on BuzzFeed.com Despite a stop-work order imposed by the Trump Administration, offshore wind farm manufacturing company rsted has announced it will resume construction of its U.S.-based offshore wind farm, according to a press release. On Sept. 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted rsted a preliminary injunction to continue building the wind farm, according to Electrek. The rsted company website says the wind farm was and will continue to be constructed off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut. rsted will continue construction as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Electrek reported that the project, called Revolution Wind, was about 80% complete when the Trump Administration halted its progress. All turbine foundations and 45 of the 65 turbines are already installed. Revolution Wind is set to power 350,000 homes upon completion. According to the Conservation Law Foundation, New Englanders face some of the highest electricity prices in all of the United States. New England relies on liquefied natural gas for electricity, and as prices of fossil fuels rise, so do electricity bills. Revolution Wind is designed to lower prices for those affected in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another blog post, the Conservation Law Foundation said offshore wind is cheaper than natural gas and, because it is local, is price-stable. Global crises do not affect the cost of wind as they do the price of natural gas. Additionally, wind power is a clean energy source that releases no planet-heating emissions, which contaminate air and water. Air pollution from fossil fuels is linked to numerous health risks like stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to the World Health Organization. Revolution Wind created more than 2,000 direct jobs, according to rsted's website. These jobs, be they in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, or operations, benefit the economy and protect the livelihoods of workers. Liz Burdock, the CEO of Oceanic Network, said, per Electrek, "[The] decision allowing work to resume on Revolution Wind is welcome news for hundreds of skilled workers who can now return to their jobs while the legal process continues. This Made in America energy project is putting Americans to work building reliable, affordable power to communities across New England that desperately need it." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Due process rights were violated when federal officers detained the father of a girl who has cancer without a bond hearing pending deportation to Mexico, a federal judge in Chicago ruled. U.S. District of Northern Illinois Judge Jeremy Daniel on Friday ordered Ruben Torres Maldonado, 40, to be given a bond hearing no later than Oct. 31 while he faces deportation as his 16-year-old daughter undergoes cancer treatment, WBBM-TV reported. He remains in custody at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility pending the outcome of the bond hearing, which Daniel said should have been done already to uphold his right to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorneys sought an immediate release, but Daniel said the "appropriate remedy" to his detainment is to hold a bond hearing as soon as possible. "While sympathetic to the plight the petitioner's daughter faces due to her health concerns, the court must act within the constraints of the relevant statutes, rules and precedents," Daniel said. Daniel was appointed to the court by former President Joe Biden. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary. Tricia McLaughlin called the legal challenge a "desperate Hail Mary attempt to keep a criminal in our country," the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He "did not comply with instructions from the officers and attempted to flee in his vehicle and backed into a government vehicle," she explained. McLaughlin, in a prepared statement, said "U.S. Border Patrol conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation that resulted" in his arrest in Niles, Ill., on Oct. 18, according to WLS-TV. "He has a history of habitual driving offenses and has been charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license and speeding," she said. "He will remain in ICE custody pending removal." Moldonado, 40, has illegally resided in the United States since entering in 2003 and has lived in the greater Chicago area with his partner for the past 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has worked as a painter for the same company over the past 20 years. The Trump administration is calling for the immediate detention of all people when encountered and who are suspected of illegally entering or otherwise residing in the United States. The detention mandate is based on a federal law that Maldonado's legal team says only applies to "non-citizens who recently arrived at a border or port of entry." Daniel agreed that the law does not apply to Moldonado and ordered his bond hearing to ensure due process in his case. The Kerala Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday conducted a raid at the Bengaluru residence of Potti Unnikrishnan as part of the ongoing probe. Unnikrishnan, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, was taken to Bengaluru on Friday for evidence collection, has been remanded to police custody until October 30. The SIT is examining his involvement in the 2019 theft of the gold-plated panels from the Sabarimala temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) panels. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Ranni Court remanded former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Executive Officer Murari Babu to 14 days' custody in connection with the case. Babu, currently under suspension, was taken into custody from his residence in Perunna late Wednesday night by the SIT and produced before the court after questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, where his arrest was formally recorded. According to the SIT remand report, Murari Babu played a key role in falsifying documents that claimed the gold-plated panels from the Sabarimala temple were made of copper. He is the second accused in the 2019 theft of the gilded overlays of the temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) panels. The first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, was arrested earlier. The SIT suspects that Babu, who had served in senior positions within the Devaswom Board for several years, colluded with Potti by submitting a false report during the 2019 restoration process. The internal audit wing had earlier held him responsible for the discrepancy. The case gained renewed attention after Unnikrishnan Potti, in the run-up to the TDB-sponsored Global Ayyappa Sanghamam in September, claimed that four gold-plated panels he donated in 2019 were missing. The TDB Vigilance recovered the missing panels from Potti's sister's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, leading the Kerala High Court to order a detailed SIT probe into all TDB transactions involving him. Earlier, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, P.S. Prasanth, suspended Assistant Engineer K Sunil Kumar for his alleged involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Kumar has been named as an accused in the case. (ANI) The United States governments detention of Ruben Torres Maldonado, the 40-year-old Portage Park man detained by federal immigration agents while his 16-year-old daughter, Ofelia, is undergoing cancer treatment, is illegal and he must be given a bond hearing, federal judge Jeremy Daniel ruled on Friday. Lawyers for the family petitioned the court for Maldonado to be freed as his deportation case works its way through the system. In a short order late Friday, the judge ruled that Maldonado must be given a bond hearing on or before Halloween. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were pleased that the judge ruled in our favor in determining that ICE is illegally detaining Ruben. We will now turn the fight to immigration court so we can secure Rubens release on bond while he applies for permanent residence status, said Kalman Resnick, the attorney representing Maldonado. Ruben is a loving father and belongs with his family especially as his daughter, Ofelia, battles stage four metastatic cancer. The separation of this family is inhumane and profoundly unjust. We are hopeful he will be returning home pending an immigration bond hearing in the coming days. Maldonado was detained at a Home Depot in Niles while his daughter was on a temporary break from cancer treatment at Lurie Childrens Hospital. His attorneys argued that keeping him separated from his wife, daughter and four-year old son while his deportation case works its way through the system presented a severe hardship on his family. Torres and his wife Sandibell Hidalgo are parents of not only Ofelia, but also a 4-year-old son, Nathan. The father, a 40-year-old painter and home renovator, is the primary breadwinner in a household with carefully balanced child care responsibilities in their Portage Park bungalow. The mother often sleeps at the hospital while he takes care of their preschooler. Oct. 24Jurors on Friday acquitted two teenagers of first-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of a 17-year-old boy at a Downtown parking structure. But the jury found Ruben Valdez, 18, guilty of voluntary manslaughter and shooting at or from a vehicle for firing gunshots at the parking structure, fatally striking Mariano Salazar in the chest. Jurors acquitted Elliott Peralta, 19, Valdez's cousin, of all charges, including first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and conspiracy in Salazar's killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salazar was standing near an opening on the fourth level of a parking garage at Second and Gold SW when he was shot in the chest on June 30, 2024. He died at the scene. Prosecutors argued that Valdez fired gunshots from the passenger window of a car driven by Peralta at a group of young people looking down from an opening in the parking structure, killing Salazar. An attorney for both Valdez and Peralta told jurors that Valdez fired in self-defense as gunmen in the parking garage yelled taunts and pointed weapons at him, including guns with laser sights. The taunts included threats to Valdez's life, defense attorney Elizabeth Bunker said Monday in opening statements. Valdez and Peralta had been hanging out at a parking lot across the street from the parking structure, which Bunker called a "meet-up spot" for teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ruben (Valdez) had the right to defend himself and he had a right to defend his cousin, Elliott (Peralta)," Bunker told jurors. "You will learn that the fourth story (of the parking structure) was covered with men with firearms." Jurors reached the verdicts Friday following a weeklong trial in 2nd Judicial District Court before Judge Cindy Leos. Valdez could face up to 20 years in prison if he is sentenced as an adult, but Leos has the choice of sentencing him as juvenile, prosecutors said. A sentencing hearing had not been scheduled Friday. Evidence in the trial relied heavily on social media messages exchanged both before and after the killing, particularly those showing a long-running dispute between Valdez and another youth who was present in the parking structure at the time of the shooting. "This is a case where these young men were having issues and didn't like this other group," prosecutor Guinevere Ice said Monday in opening statements. "So the defendant, Ruben Valdez, made the decision to shoot up into that garage, knowing there were multiple other young people up there, and then Mariano Salazar lost his life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peralta faces unrelated charges for allegedly firing gunshots at vehicles parked outside an ex-girlfriend's home in Northeast Albuquerque on March 2, court records show. No trial date has been scheduled for those charges, which include two counts each of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property. The Justice Department announced Friday it will monitor polling sites in six counties in California and New Jersey ahead of November 4 elections, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in less than two weeks. The department said the move, which focuses on two Democratic-led states, will ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law. Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The practice of sending federal election monitors to local jurisdictions dates back decades, though President Donald Trump has tried to assert new authority over elections. Fridays move comes after the Republican parties of California and New Jersey both sent letters to the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division requesting monitors in certain counties and alleging election irregularities. Nearly five years after the 2020 election, the debunked conspiracy that Trump was robbed of the election due to massive voter fraud is still embraced by many in the Republican Party. Justice Department officials will now be sent to Passaic County in New Jersey and the following counties in California: Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Orange and Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN has reached out to these counties election departments for comment. Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan said in a statement, The presence of election observers is not unusual and is a standard practice across the country. Federal election monitors, like all election observers, are welcome to view election activities at designated locations to confirm transparency and integrity in the election process, Logan added. California has very clear laws and guidelines that support observation and prohibit election interference. Fresno County Clerk James Kus told CNN the Justice Department has not contacted him about the monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters welcomes all observers for our elections, Kus added. It is common for us to have local, state, federal, and sometimes international observers, watching how we administer elections that are accessible, accurate, secure, and transparent. Enedina Chhim, community outreach manager for the Orange County Registrar of Voters, told CNN that the department was notified by the US Attorneys Office for the Central District of California that two attorneys from that office will be observing elections in the county from November 4 to 7. Orange County elections are always transparent, Chhim added. Since the presidents return to office, the Trump administration has taken several steps to assert a larger federal role in elections ahead of next years midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department is demanding that states hand over information about their voters including sensitive personal data, such as partial Social Security numbers as they hunt for examples of fraud. Trump has also sought to require voters to show proof of citizenship to vote, attempting an end-run around states and Congress. He recently pledged to act unilaterally to impose voter identification requirements on states and to end most mail-in voting, which would upend a safe and reliable voting method used by millions of Americans. The president also signed an executive order earlier this year, seeking broad changes in how elections are run, although the Constitution primarily vests states with that power. Parts of the order have been blocked in court. CNNs Marshall Cohen and Fredreka Schouten contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The 28th annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon raised $190,015 for Dayton Childrens Hospital, supporting the Canine Co-Pilot facility dog program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Since its inception in 1997, the radiothon has raised over $6.33 million, demonstrating the communitys commitment to the health and well-being of children in the Miami Valley. As we celebrate the conclusion of this years annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon, we feel both proud and humbled to continue this longstanding initiative that benefits Dayton Childrens Hospital, said Darren Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Cox Media Group Ohio. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, the Miami Valley has stepped up for Dayton Childrens Hospital. K99.1FM listeners have gone above and beyond to continue to fund the Canine Co-Pilot program, bringing smiles and happiness to local kids! said Nancy Wilson, K99.1FM Program Director. We offer our sincere appreciation to our friends at K99.1FM, as well as the sponsors, dedicated listeners and our loyal donors for yet another incredible Radiothon, said Jena Pado, Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Dayton Childrens Hospital Foundation. The radiothon is a partnership between K99.1FM, Dayton Childrens Hospital, and Childrens Miracle Network. This years event was presented by Joseph Airport, Toyota Hyundai and Otterly Baths, with additional support from the Ohio Renaissance Festival and Yuletide Village at Renaissance Park, Roosters Foundation, Furst Florist, Xenia Harley Davidson, and Milanos Pizza Subs and Taps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds raised will help support the Canine Co-Pilot program, which is fully donor-supported and aims to assist in the healing process for children at the hospital. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Kamala Harris said she may run again for U.S. president in the 2028 election. The interview will be broadcast Sunday on the BBC and excerpts were released on Saturday. The former vice president told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that her grandnieces would "in their lifetime for" see a woman in the White House and "possibly" it could be her. "I am not done," Harris said. "I have lived my entire career as a life of service and it's in my bones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris, who turned 61 on Monday, said she hasn't made a decision yet, more than three years before the election. Harris lost to Donald Trump in the 2024 election after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, just than a month before the Democratic convention. Her book, 107 days, released Sept. 23, details the short length of her campaign. Harris dismissed polls that have her trailing in the Democratic nomination behind California Gov. Gavin Newsom. "If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office - and I certainly wouldn't be sitting here," said Harris, the former California senator, attorney general and state attorney who challenged Biden for the top spot on the ticket in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris again criticized her 2024 opponent, calling him a "tyrant." The White House responded to Harris's comments. "When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should've taken the hint --the American people don't care about her absurd lies," spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. "Or maybe she did take the hint and that's why she's continuing to air her grievances to foreign publications." Trump defeated Harris in the popular vote, 77.3 million to 75 million, and the Electoral College vote 312-226. She noted warnings about him while campaigning have come true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, "He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice - and he has done exactly that." And she noted changes to other agencies. "You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists ... His skin is so thin he couldn't endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process." Business leaders and institutions are wrong to bow to the president's demands, she said. "There are many... that have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation." In July, Harris said she won't run for California governor in 2026. "For now, my leadership - and public service - will not be in elected office," Harris said at the time. WASHINGTON (AP) Kamala Harris isnt ruling out another run for the White House. In an interview with the BBC posted Saturday, Harris said she expects a woman will be president in the coming years, and it could possibly be her. I am not done, she said. The former vice president said she hasnt decided whether to mount a 2028 presidential campaign. But she dismissed the suggestion that shed face long odds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have lived my entire career a life of service and its in my bones. And there are many ways to serve, she said. Ive never listened to polls. Shes recently given a series of interviews following the September release of her book, 107 Days. It looks back on her experience replacing then-President Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee after he dropped out of the race. She ultimately lost to Republican President Donald Trump. In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Harris, 61, also made clear that running again in 2028 is still on the table. She said she sees herself as a leader of the party, including in pushing back against Trump and preparing for the 2026 midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked in an Oct. 17 interview with AP whether she had plans for a 2028 bid, Harris said, I havent decided. Sincerely. I have not decided. I may or I may not. I have not decided. Asked specifically whether she still wanted to do the job itself, she used the past tense, saying, Its a job I wanted to do. But she noted that the only way to do it is to run and win. Meanwhile, political jockeying among Democrats for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out even earlier than usual. Several potential candidates are already taking steps to get to know voters in key states, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and California Rep. Ro Khanna. Upward of 30 high-profile Democrats could ultimately enter the primary. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Harris is 61, not 60. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City man has been arrested after a string of bank robberies in the Kansas City Metro earlier this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says. Kansas City man charged with murder after 2023 fentanyl overdoses The FBI said that Weston Womack was arrested on October 23 as a suspect in four bank robberies on October 22 and 23. Weston is accused of robbing a bank in KCMO and Gladstone, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Womack is accused of robbing a US Bank on Gregory Boulevard in the Armour Hills neighborhood, as well as a UMB Bank in the Country Club Plaza neighborhood on Wednesday. Two Kansas City banks robbed hours apart, suspect remains on the run Court records show that Womack continued to rob banks on Thursday following the two on Wednesday. Hes accused of robbing a Security Bank of Kansas City on Northeast Antioch Road in Gladstone and a UMB Bank on Grand Boulevard in KCMO on Thursday. A timeline of the four robberies can be found below. October 22 Robbery 1 The note Womack reportedly used to communicate with bank tellers. Court records show that on Oct. 22, around 2 p.m., Womack entered the US Bank on Gregory Boulevard and demanded money using a note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bank teller reported that they knew it was a robbery based on how the suspect was dressed. Womack was shown in surveillance images wearing all black with a mask, sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up. The US Bank reported a loss of $1,235, which is federally insured by the FDIC. October 22 Robbery 2 Around two hours later, Womack reportedly entered the UMB Bank on Main Street in KCMO. Surveillance image from a bank robbery at US Bank on Gregory Blvd. This time, Womack verbally demanded money and used a similar note. The UMB Bank reported an estimated loss of $1,761. Surveillance images from the second robbery showed the suspect wearing similar clothing to the first robbery. October 23- Robbery 3 Around 10:25 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, Womack reportedly robbed the Security Bank of Kansas City in Gladstone. An image of the vehicle investigators associated with the October 22 robberies just before the first robbery on October 23 Minutes before the robbery, a law enforcement license plate reader captured an image of a red Jeep that investigators associated with the October 22 robberies. The Jeep was less than a mile away from the Security Bank of Kansas City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that Womack approached a teller, once again using a note that possibly included the term, no tracker. The suspect was captured by surveillance images wearing a similar coat to the first two robberies. The Security Bank of Kansas City reported a loss of $141. October 23 Robbery 4 Later the same day, around 11 a.m. officers were sent to the UMB Bank on Grand Boulevard in KCMO on reports that a robbery suspect had fled in a maroon vehicle, consistent with the suspect vehicle above. Surveillance images of the robbery at UMB Bank on Grand Boulevard in KCMO. Womack once again used a note to communicate to tellers to give him bills from their drawers. The suspect was also once again wearing clothing similar to all three of the other robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UMB Bank reported a loss of $3,863. October 23- Arrest made Officers noticed the red Jeep on Thursday near 71 Highway and East 39th Street in KC around 11 a.m. KCPD Tactical Unit was called and tried to block the Jeep in at 39th Street and Paseo Blvd. when Womack slid to the passenger seat, got out of the car and ran on foot. Officers tackled him and took him into custody. Investigators found a large amount of bills inside the Jeep, as well as the clothing that was used during the robberies. This is a developing story; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. PITTSBURG, Kan. Kansas veterans and their families get a chance to learn more about the state and federal resources available to them. The Veteran Claims and Resource Fair is currently underway on the campus of Pittsburg State University, hosted by the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. More on PSU Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 20 vendors are present in the Student Rec Center, offering information on topics such as VA claims, healthcare, and Veteran Employment Services. Within the first hour of the event, 20 veterans had already walked in to find out more about those benefits. Benefits theyve earned as a result of serving their country. A lot of times were finding out there are a lot of veterans that may be less mobile or not informed as well, and out in rural areas, a little bit more rural areas, so were doing our very best to get around the state to sponsor resource clinics like this, said Bill Turner, Kansas Office of Veterans Services. The event continues tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to noon, and representatives say theyre happy to also assist veterans from Missouri. The final claim will be taken at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. More on PSU Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The VA says several services are not impacted by the government shutdown, including processing compensation, pensions, housing, and education. Things like career counseling and transition program assistance are affected. View more info on the VA contingency plan here, as well as more information about the Kansas Officer of Veterans Services, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday emphasised the importance of unity and discipline within the Mahayuti alliance, saying that internal disputes should not affect the coalition's strength. The Deputy Chief Minister said that several issues concerning Maharashtra were discussed during the meeting with PM Modi. "After meeting Modiji, I get inspiration; we are proud to be a part of the NDA. Modiji is not only the Prime Minister of the country, but also the head of the NDA family," he said, adding that memories of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray were also recalled during the discussion. He made the remarks after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to extend Diwali greetings. "Even if I come to Delhi, there is discussion; even if I go to my village, there is discussion. I am doing my job. I met Prime Minister Modiji with goodwill and wished him a happy Diwali," Shinde told reporters. Highlighting the coalition's commitment to development, Shinde said, "The Mahayuti and the NDA are together on the development agenda." Speaking on upcoming local government elections, he said the final decision on seat-sharing and strategy would be taken by senior leaders, calling these polls "grassroots-level elections." Commenting on the ongoing controversy between Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol, Shinde urged restraint within the alliance. "Such disputes should not become a stone of salt in the Mahayuti. Workers should preserve the Mahayuti; such statements should not harm the party," he said. Reiterating his call for unity, Shinde said there should be no differences within the alliance and stressed that maintaining discipline was essential for the Mahayuti's continued success in Maharashtra politics. (ANI) The minister called this order Israel's "central mission," placing it alongside the IDF's other obligations, such as the protection of soldiers and Israeli communities. Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday instructed the IDF to destroy all of Hamas's underground tunnels in the area the IDF withdrew to following the implementation of the US-backed Gaza Deal. The minister called this order Israel's "central mission," placing it alongside the IDF's other obligations, such as the protection of soldiers and Israeli communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is in parallel with the dialogue we are having with US representatives, from [US] Vice President Vance, the Secretaries of state and war, and through the US president's envoys to CENTCOM commanders," he added. Katz: More than 60% of tunnels in Gaza intact, warns Hamas not to go across Yellow Line Katz previously told Vance, while the vice president was in Israel, that more than 60% of Hamas tunnels are still intact as of the ceasefire's implementation, according to a Friday N12 report. He additionally told the US official that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demilitarizing Gaza in accordance with the Trump plan." Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, September 10, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Katz instructed the military on Monday to deliver a message to Hamas leaders in Gaza via the American monitoring mechanism following several instances of terrorists approaching Israeli forces across the Yellow Line. Every Hamas terrorist located beyond the Yellow Line in territory under Israeli control must evacuate immediately, he said. Due to inclement weather, the Keep Odessa Beautiful facility will be closed today, a news release said. The post Keep Odessa Beautiful closed due to inclement weather appeared first on Odessa American. Republican commentators around the country are looking to turn up the heat on members of the Indiana Senate when it comes to redistricting. President Donald Trump has been urging lawmakers in GOP states to redraw Congressional district lines in an effort to maintain a majority in Congress following the 2026 midterm elections. Traditionally, the presidents party loses seats in Congress during an off-year election. Trump is hoping that enough districts in Republican states can be redrawn to maintain a majority in the U.S. House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Thursday, the Republican majority in the Indiana Senate had not secured the necessary votes to redraw the states nine congressional districts. Operatives in the White House have reportedly contacted Indiana lawmakers in an effort to gain one or two seats in the state. There has also been a threat that Indiana could see a loss of federal funds if the redistricting doesnt take place this year. Gov. Mike Braun is supportive of the redistricting effort, which is opposed by former Gov. Mitch Daniels. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out this week and encouraged lawmakers to show a backbone and move forward with the redistricting effort. Beckwith is scheduled to be in Anderson on Tuesday for a GOP event. Its likely he will mention the redistricting discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Indiana senators have not indicated where they stand on the redistricting question. At least one former GOP lawmaker said any change in the redistricting schedule could backfire on Hoosier Republicans. Will independent voters join with Democrats to retain the two current Congressional seats in 2026 and maybe pick up another seat? Will there be a backlash among voters against state lawmakers who vote to redistrict this year? Traditionally Indiana redraws congressional district and state legislature boundaries every 10 years following the census. Currently, Republicans hold seven of the nine congressional seats. The lone Democratic representatives are in Marion County and in northwest Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unlikely that the Republicans will be able to pick up the seat in Marion County, and an effort in northwest Indiana will have an impact in the remainder of the state. Any redistricting would likely have Madison County located in two congressional districts. The western and northern part of the county would be moved into a district with Lafayette and Kokomo, while the eastern portion of the county will continue to be included in the district with Hamilton County. Before any of this plays out over the next two weeks, state Sen. Mike Gaskill, Rep. Kyle Pierce and Rep. Elizabeth Rowray should tell local residents what their vote will be on redistricting in 2025. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is joining fellow conservatives in the fight against birthright citizenship, the legal concept that affords citizenship to anyone born in the United States. Coleman joined an amicus brief filed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti Friday, which asked the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify that citizenship to everyone born in the United States is not guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The brief supported President Donald Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship, which has been tied up in the court case Trump v. CASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order in question states that a child born in the U.S. is not automatically a citizen if the mother was unlawfully present in the U.S. and the father was not a U.S. citizen or lawful resident at the time of birth. It also excludes from citizenship children born of a mother who was in the U.S. on a temporary visa and the father was not a U.S. citizen. For more than a century, courts have interpreted the 14th Amendment to confer citizenship to virtually everyone born on American soil. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside, the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, reads. Using historical evidence from the 1860s to the early 1900s, Skrmetti wrote in a press release accompanying the brief that courts have incorrectly interpreted the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that citizenship is guaranteed to everyone born in the United States doesnt square with the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment or the way many government officials and legal analysts understood the law when it was adopted after the Civil War, Skrmetti wrote. If you look at the law at the time, citizenship attached to kids whose parents were lawfully in the country. Each child born in this country is precious no matter their parents immigration status, but not every child is entitled to American citizenship. The brief also argued against birthright citizenship as a policy. Constitutionally conferring citizenship on the children of those who entered the country unlawfully rewards illegal behavior in a manner no drafter or ratifier of the Citizenship Clause endorsed, it reads. This is not Skrmettis first brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. His office recently won a U.S. Supreme Court case defending Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for minors, a case that had implications for Kentuckys own ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Coleman did not respond to a request for comment on the case. Almost all Republican attorneys general signed on to Skrmettis brief like Coleman did. Only three of the 28 states in the U.S. with GOP attorneys general New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia did not sign on. Ladies of Virtue, an award-winning leadership and mentorship program for young women and girls, has been serving the Chicagoland area for more than 14 years. Kenya Mercer and Dr. Anesu Williams joined WGN News on Saturday morning to discuss the organization and an upcoming event they are hosting. Visit the Ladies of Virtue website for more information on the organization. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) A massive methamphetamine drug haul worth approximately $63 million was seized in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Saturday, and six Iranian nationals were taken into custody by authorities. The Kenyan Navy intercepted the consignment some 630 kilometers (391 miles) off the coast of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean and escorted the vessel safely to port under armed guard. Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Amin Mohammed Ibrahim, said preliminary forensic tests confirmed the substance was crystal methamphetamine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenya is facing a growing synthetic drug crisis, particularly along the coastline, where hundreds of young people are struggling with meth and heroin addiction. Authorities have hailed the record interception of more than a ton (1,024 kilograms) of methamphetamine as a major breakthrough in Kenyas ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction. Last year, a smaller consignment of 1.15 kilograms (2.54 pounds) of methamphetamine was seized in the countrys main airport. Some Kenz Henz egg customers are demanding answers after the product they say they thought was coming from a local farm may have been coming from out-of-state. Judi Hurwitt said she's stocked her fridge with eggs from Kenz Henz for more than ten years. "We loved it," Hurwitt said. "It was a local business. A local farm no less where you could get a quality product." The Pearland Eats moderator said the local lust ended with an FDA recall this week. The agency said the company let them know about a potential Salmonella outbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not at its farm, but from eggs it said it got from Arkansas and distributed to Houston-area stores. Hurwitt was confused by the notice because Kenz Henz cartons and website said the eggs are pastured in Santa Fe. There's no out-of-state connection mentioned. "It says right here, Santa Fe, Texas," Hurwitt said. "That they would come from Santa Fe, Texas. I believed it." The FDA said Kenz Henz notice is tied to the Black Sheep Egg Company, which had a recall last month with possible Salmonella concerns. The Black Sheep Egg Company said the updated recall released this week was tied to a buyer in Texas, who repackaged its eggs. ABC13 reached out to the Black Sheep Egg Company and asked how long Kenz Henz has been a buyer. We didn't receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness News wanted to ask Kenz Henz about this and how much of the product comes from Arkansas, and also went to the farm in Santa Fe. The owner had no comment. He's quiet, but former Kenz Henz employee Matthew Currie spoke out on the company's social media page. He said he worked at Kenz Henz five years ago. During that time, Currie said they'd receive eggs from Arkansas. "An 18-wheeler would come a couple of times a month," Currie recalled. "We would unload them and then we would wash them and package them in Kenz Henz boxes." After reading the FDA notice, Hurwitt wants to see the Kenz Henz owner be more transparent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all, he's proud to showcase Santa Fe on its products, now she wants to know why he didn't mention an out-of-state connection. "You were worth sticking with through skyrocketing egg prices, but we aren't worth transparency," Hurwitt explained. Kenz Henz's website said it distributes to H-E-B and Kroger locations across the Houston area. Eyewitness News reached out to both. ABC13 didn't hear back from Kroger. An H-E-B spokesperson says all impacted eggs were pulled from store shelves. For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram. This story was originally published on mynorthwest.com. Health officials in King County are reporting a new uptick in mpox cases and urged residents to stay up to date on vaccinations. While the number of cases remains below the 2022 outbreak, recent data from the countys mpox dashboard show that the virus is still infecting local communities. During the 2022 outbreak, mpox cases in Washington were primarily found among men who have sex with men and people aged 25 to 44. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although anyone can contract mpox through intimate, skin-to-skin contact, public health experts said the current rise in cases is again concentrated among LGBTQIA+ communities. Waning immunity and low vaccinations drive mpox rise in King County Officials said several factors may be contributing to the recent increase. Immunity from prior infection or vaccination may have waned in some, and many people have resumed sexual behaviors that create more opportunities for transmission. In 2022, health officials estimated that approximately one in four people in King County considered at highest or elevated risk had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Completing the JYNNEOS vaccination series remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness. Health officials urged anyone with close contact to a possible case, as well as those in higher-risk communities, to get vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are also being reminded to stay alert for symptoms. Mpox often begins with fever, fatigue, or other flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash or lesions that may appear on the face, hands, genitals, or other parts of the body. Anyone who suspects exposure or infection should contact a healthcare provider promptly for testing and advice. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. This years Johnstown mayoral race pits an established political figure known for her activity in numerous civic organizations against an outsider who frequently challenges the system online, in public forums and through the courts. Democratic nominee the Rev. Sylvia King is in her second term on Johnstown City Council, currently serving as deputy mayor. She is pastor at Christ Centered Community Church and a community development officer at AmeriServ Financial Bank. Over the years, King has been involved with the NAACP Johnstown Branch, Vision Together 2025, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, United Neighborhoods, the Cambria County Library System, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and other groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John DeBartola, a Republican, is president of the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter, a leading figure in the Revitalize Johnstown movement and a social worker. He is well-known in governmental circles for speaking at public meetings and using Right-to-Know requests to gather and post information about the inner workings of agencies. DeBartola also challenges officials in court, including having an ongoing lawsuit against King, other council members and the city regarding a courtesy-of-the-floor incident. City Councilman Chuck Arnone, a Republican, is also running a write-in campaign. Heres a look at this years official candidates, listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rev. Sylvia King King has been on council for almost eight years, during which the board helped the city navigate through its state-mandated exit from Pennsylvanias Act 47 program for distressed municipalities, sold the sewer system and used the money to shore up its pension funds, and eliminated hundreds of blighted properties. I have a hopeful, optimistic vision for what Johnstown can become, King said in an email interview. All one needs to do is look at the progress that has already been made to know we are future focused. As a member of City Council, we have worked together as a team and accomplished a great deal. She added: These successes came through connection, communication, and collaboration not competition. When the city, neighborhood organizations, small businesses, nonprofits, and private industry work together, progress happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King acknowledged that theres still work to do in the areas of communication and trust and said she wants to encourage transparency with openness and clarity. Some residents still feel disconnected from city government, unsure of how decisions are made or how to get involved, King said. As Mayor, I want to create more open lines of communication through community forums, digital updates, and better access to council information. King pointed to challenges facing the city, including economic decline, population loss, and an aging housing infrastructure, calling them real issues that are not insurmountable. Our biggest challenge now is redefining who we are and what we believe is possible, King said. We need to shift from a mindset of survival to one of revival. That means attracting new investment, creating opportunities for our young people, and building partnerships that bring long-term economic growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must continue to fight poverty, improve public safety, and promote homeownership and neighborhood pride. The good news is, weve already proven we can overcome tough times together. The same unity that helped us recover from the flood of issues we faced in the past will help us build a stronger, more stable Johnstown for generations to come. King feels the city is in the midst of a revival, and revivals dont happen by accident. They happen through unity, faith, and hard work, King said. I would be honored to continue serving this city and its people, working every day to ensure that Johnstowns best days are not behind us they are right in front of us. John DeBartola Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBartola has made a call for change the focal point of his campaign. I view the problems in the city through the eyes of the public not as an entrenched city official, he wrote in an email. Its undeniable that Ive attended more city council and other government meetings and have a better understanding of government than my opponent, even though she is on the city council. He added that, in his opinion, city residents are tired of being forgotten about, as outsiders have taken control of the city, and residents need to be prioritized. Our city needs honest leadership and a fighter for the people. Ive proven to be that leader. DeBartola has run for office multiple times, including for mayor in 2021, when he lost by about 11% against Democrat Frank Janakovic, who did not seek re-election this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive learned that city residents are more fed up with the city than I realized, and they want a change not just new faces answering to the same millionaires they want to end the culture of corruption that has plagued our city, said DeBartola when asked what he has learned when talking to city residents over the past few months. This is more than my campaign; this is a movement. In recent years, the citys century-long population slide has continued, dropping from an official 20,978 in 2010 to a projected 17,853 in 2024, which has affected business development, the tax base and the ability to maintain infrastructure. We need to be actively recruiting employers, letting the world know Johnstown is open for business, DeBartola said. Too often, the city has allowed nonprofit organizations like Vision 2025 and JARI to take that role. If Im the Mayor, the city will be more active in working directly with potential businesses. We will push for state tax incentives to recruit businesses, and we will cut the red tape so these potential employers wont have to kiss the ring of the good ol boys in town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBartola described himself as a fighter for the community, putting residents first. Ive always been a fighter, fighting to get the use of my voice back, having been stricken as a mute at a young age, he said. Losing my voice and getting it back taught me to always stand up for what I believe in. In March 2023, DeBartola brought a civil suit against the City of Johnstown and the Johnstown Planning Commission, alleging the planning commission violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act by not adhering to its own, courtesy-of-the-floor time-limit rules. DeBartola was cut short during his time to speak at a planning commission meeting. He is also seeking punitive damages from all members of council, including King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive lost track of how much money they wasted fighting, upwards of $50,000, and all originally over an apology when they know they are wrong and have already said they were sorry, DeBartola said. It proves their arrogance and stupidity. King said she could not comment on ongoing litigation. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A project to expand pedestrian and bicycle access around Fountain City is about to begin. The city is set to break ground on the Adair Park/Sue Clancy Greenway Extension in Fountain City on Nov. 17. The half-mile greenway connects Adair Park and residents north of I-640/Broadway to areas south of Sharps Ridge. The new greenway aims to help residents and park visitors avoid heavy traffic in the area. Tennessee families prepare for possible SNAP benefit delays as shutdown persists Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The greenway extension will run adjacent to property owned by Knoxville Utilities Board and Lynnhurst Cemetery. The easements were negotiated by Legacy Parks Foundation; however, the city will maintain the greenway connector. For the initial work, the city has not hired an outside contractor; instead, it will be done by the City Public Service Department. Crew will begin work on the greenway by clearing the underbrush along Lynnhurst Creek to create a 10-foot-wide pathway. Crews will then build a packed dirt path, reinforced with small gravel. Plans to pave the connector are included in the Citys Five-Year Neighborhood Investment Plan, which may be funded by a Sales Tax Referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. Sheriffs office identifies couple found dead in East Hamblen County The project comes as the city has worked to improve pedestrian and bicycle access around Fountain City. Last year, a $3 million project to improve 3,800 linear feet of sidewalk on Old Broadway was completed. A future extension of the First Creek Greenway in front of the Broadway Shopping Center is also expected to begin construction next year. The city hopes this project will allow someone to travel to and from downtown to Fountain City on a bicycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, on October 31 by organising "Run for Unity" events across Uttar Pradesh. Sardar Patel was the architect of a united India. When the country was gaining independence, the British conspired to divide India into several parts. Their aim was to ensure that India would never be united. But with his remarkable vision and strong will, the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, strengthened national unity by merging 563 princely states into the Republic of India. He said that the united India that appears today, from north to south and east to west, is due to Sardar Patel. Therefore, to express gratitude to him, October 31 has been celebrated as National Unity Day every year for the last 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The above remarks were made by AK Sharma, Urban Development and Energy Minister of the Uttar Pradesh Government, during a conversation with reporters at the Circuit House today. Sharma, Urban Development Minister, said that the BJP and the central and state governments are working to realise Sardar Patel's dream of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat." He said that while the opposition is engaging in divisive politics, it is the BJP's responsibility to spread the message of unity and integrity to every village and every assembly constituency. Sharma said that a "Run for Unity" will be organised across the state on October 31. Following this, an 8- to 10-kilometre-long "Ekta Padyatra" will be organised in every assembly constituency from November 1-26. Retired army personnel, farmers, labourers, BJP affiliates, NSS, NCC, and Scout Guides will all be included. Chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram" will resonate throughout the march. There will be halts every two kilometres, where dialogue will be established with people from different communities, and a message of unity will be conveyed. State government minister Sharma stated that five representatives from each district will travel to Karamsad in Gujarat and join the march, which begins at the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Two Yuva Morcha officials from each district and three youth icons from the district will also participate. The third march will be a national padyatra, covering 150 kilometres from Karamsad, Sardar Patel's birthplace, to the Statue of Unity. Minister Sharma stated that Run for Unity events will be organised at the district level on October 31, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. The Run for Unity will begin at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Run for Unity will feature effective representation from all fronts, including party workers, public representatives, athletes, local citizens, youth, women, businessmen, teachers, advocates, farmers, labourers, and others. Tribute programs will be held at all booths on October 31, with a portrait of Sardar Patel displayed. The Urban Development Minister stated that programs will be organised in schools and parks on October 31. Essay competitions, speech contests, rangoli competitions, and painting competitions will be held on the Iron Man's great personality. Sharma stated that this program will not be a mere formality; instead, participation of every worker, along with the general public, will be ensured. Everyone from the booth level to the district officials will be activated. Prominently present on this occasion were BJP Media Incharge Navratan Rathi, BJP Metropolitan and District Incharge MLC Arun Pathak, BJP District President and MLC Hansraj Vishwakarma, Metropolitan President Pradeep Agrahari, MLA T. Ram, Co-Media Incharge Santosh Solapurkar, Campaign District Coordinator Surendra Patel, Metropolitan Coordinator Madhukar Chitransh, Jagdish Tripathi, etc. (ANI) MEMPHIS, Tenn. On Saturday, Oct. 25, Kroger and the Drug Enforcement Administration hosted DEAs National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Individuals could safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medications at participating local pharmacies. According to the Bartlett Police Department, more than 450 pounds of medicine were collected from the public at their location. WREG spoke with a Kroger representative in Germantown about the impact this event has on the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kroger has been doing this in partnership with different agencies, especially with the DEA, local police departments for many years, explained Communications Manager George Brown. We have taken back hundreds of thousands of pounds of medications. And what really happens is that means it keeps it out of the hands of people who shouldnt have those medications. For more than a decade, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped people across the United States rid their homes of unneeded or expired medications. The proper disposal of medications can save lives and contribute to keeping our environment and community safe and healthy. Were proud to play a part in making the safe choice the easy choice, said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day gives our communities a convenient space to dispose of unused or expired drugs, promoting safer environments at home and aligning with Kroger Healths vision to help people live healthier lives. Law enforcement officers will be on site to accept unwanted or expired pills, liquids, gels and patches outside stores (no medications will be accepted inside stores). Acceptance of liquids, gels and patches may vary by location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kroger Delta locations include: 7735 Farmington Road, Germantown, TN 38138 7615 Highway 70, Bartlett, TN 38133 2380 Mt. Pleasant, Hernando, MS 38632 799 Truse Parkway, Memphis, TN 38117 Click here to learn more and find a collection site near you. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has picked a 30-year fire department veteran as the new fire chief months after she ousted the previous chief over handling of the most destructive wildfire in the citys history. Bass announced Friday she was selecting deputy chief Jaime Moore to take the reins of the Los Angeles Fire Department after a nationwide search with more than 100 candidates. Moore will inherit a department that has faced scrutiny over its response to the Palisades Fire, which began during heavy winds Jan. 7, destroying or damaging nearly 8,000 homes, businesses and other structures and killing at least 12 people in the affluent LA neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass, a first-term Democrat seeking reelection, fired then-fire chief Kristin Crowley six weeks after the blaze amid a public rift over preparations for a potential blaze and finger-pointing between the chief and City Hall over responsibility for the devastation. Moore said he will work to implement strategic changes such as preparation for major disasters and world events, improving morale and culture, and ensuring the department has adequate staffing and resources. I'm proud to appoint an Angeleno to this role, and I know that he will work to improve the LAFD for everyone in this city, Bass said. The firefighters union quickly applauded Moore's appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his career with the LAFD, Chief Moore has shown strong leadership and a deep commitment to the department, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City wrote on X. His background and experience within the ranks has demonstrated that hes the right leader at the right time to move the LAFD forward. Moore currently oversees operations for the Valley Bureau, covering a northern swath of the city that includes 39 fire stations and over 980 sworn personnel, according to his fire department biography. He joined the LAFD in May 1995 and has worked in a multitude of areas within the department throughout the years. In 2018, he was promoted to assistant chief. He was born in Delhi, Louisiana, but has spent his entire life in Southern California. His mother was an immigrant from Guadalajara, Mexico, and he was raised speaking English and Spanish. He earned a bachelors degree in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a masters degree in public administration and emergency management from California State University, Long Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment comes at a critical political juncture for Bass, as she positions herself for a reelection run next year after a difficult first term. City Hall has struggled with a shortage of cash and a continuing homeless crisis with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, while continuing to rebuilt from the January fires. Crowley, the department's first female chief, was named chief in 2022 by Bass predecessor at a time when the department was in turmoil over allegations of rampant harassment, hazing and discrimination. She worked for the city fire department for more than 25 years and held nearly every role, including fire marshal, engineer and battalion chief. Fire officials, including Crowley, expressed concerns over budget cuts that left the department understaffed and fire trucks sitting idle in the maintenance yard because they didn't have mechanics to fix them. The firefighters union sharply criticized Bass decision, calling Crowley a scapegoat. Crowley filed a legal claim against the city in August accusing Bass of an orchestrated campaign of misinformation, defamation and retaliation after the wildfires. Federal investigators have determined that the Palisades Fire was ignited from a smaller fire that was set about a week earlier on New Years Day. A man accused of sparking the fire pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges. His attorney has blamed the LAFD for not fully extinguishing the initial fire, while fire officials have said such fires linger deep underground and are impossible to detect. An apparent murder-suicide is under investigation in West Milton, according to West Milton Police Chief Doyle Wright. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A West Milton police officer was on patrol when they saw a car parked in the West Milton Municipal building parking lot, at 701 State Route 48, just after 5 a.m. >>PHOTOS: Large investigation underway outside local municipal building TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trunk was open and a man was lying on the ground near the back of the car, Wright said. The man was pronounced dead on scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators found a woman dead inside the trunk of the car, Wright said. The department believes the man and woman are married; however, their identities werent immediately available. The West Milton Police Division and the Miami County Sheriffs Office are working together on this investigation, Wright said. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) responded to process the crime scene, a spokesperson with the Ohio Attorney Generals Office confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no direct threats to anyone in West Milton. This is an isolated incident that started outside our municipality and culminated here, Wright said. This incident remains under investigation. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Airbus is one of the most familiar names in aerospace design and manufacturing, with more than 12,000 aircraft, both commercial and freight, in service worldwide. The company was established in 1969, but it can trace its roots back to a 1967 agreement between France, Germany, and England that coordinated efforts to advance the field of aviation. The first Airbus model, the A300B1, took flight in 1972. Thirty-five years later, in 2007, the largest passenger aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380, entered service and several airlines still use it today. The A380 is the only commercial airplane with a full-length double-deck design. This allows carriers to devote one deck to premium seats and one deck to economy seats and still accommodate more than 400 economy passengers. When it's configured for only economy passengers, this massive jet can hold 853 people. One of its closest competitors, the Boeing 747-8, can't come close, with most configurations holding about 460 passengers. It's not only unique to fly on, the A380 is also hard to miss in the sky above you. Its distinctive shape and 262-foot wingspan, along with its four massive engines, make it a favorite for plane spotters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 23 Bizarre Vehicles That Celebrities Actually Owned A380s in the air today An Emirates Airbus A380 getting ready to land - Boarding1now/Getty Images Airbus ceased production of the A380 in 2021, but it's still used for long-haul flights all over the world. The airlines that operate the A380 are British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas, Etihad, Asiana, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, and Qatar Airways. Though it has a maximum capacity of more than 850 seats, many airlines have it configured for fewer. The three-class layout with about 500 seats is popular. Since 2007, the A380 has logged more than 800,000 flights, carrying more than 300 million passengers all over the world. Emirates has the largest fleet of A380s of any airline, which is not surprising when you consider the aircraft's range of about 8,000 nautical miles. Its flights between Dubai and London's Heathrow airport are the busiest routes consistently flying A380s. While some airlines reportedly had big plans for the A380 when they first took flight, envisioning the ultimate luxury, casinos, and even gyms, those visions never came to fruition. In 2020, Business Insider reported that some analysts see the A380 as Airbus's biggest mistake, designed for a non-existent market. While there are still thousands of A380s in the air, commercial aviation is gravitating toward smaller, more fuel-efficient planes that can still fly long distances with fewer passengers. The Airbus A350-1000, which Qantas selected to replace its fleet of A380s, seats up to 400 passengers and has a range of 9,000 nautical miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. ALBANY - When Elissa Halloran was 15 years old, she made her first venture to Lark Street to attend LarkFest, an outdoor music and arts festival that drew tens of thousands of people. "I lived in the country, so this was the big, big city," Halloran, of Melrose, said. "I just thought it was so cool." Years later, she opened her own business, Elissa Halloran Designs, at 229 Lark St. - something she never thought "would have ever happened in a million years." It's a small shop packed wall-to-wall with handmade jewelry, vintage items, collectibles and "a little bit of everything," said Halloran, whose shop is nearing 25 years in business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halloran's building, complete with brownstone stairs, dates back to the 19th century, as do many of the buildings on Lark Street. She doesn't see herself leaving Lark Street anytime soon. "It means everything," said Halloran, who also lives on Lark Street. "I don't think I could live anywhere else." Over the past few years, faced with dwindling foot traffic, concerns over public safety and a declining nightlife, paired with turnover within the organization tasked with promoting the street and planning events, Lark Street has grown quiet. Some legacy businesses, like Cafe Hollywood and El Loco Mexican Cafe, just around the corner from Lark on Madison Avenue, have closed their doors. Other newer businesses have also closed, such as NYX; A Scratch Baking Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the street has also welcomed some new businesses, like Blue Tulip Bicycle. Many local business owners and officials tasked with boosting Lark Street's vibrancy are hopeful that the health of the business district is now on an upswing. "What we want is more business here, like people bringing their bikes to the bike shop," said Chris Burke, the Lark Street Business Improvement District's newly elected board chairman. "It's sort of like this up and down, bumpy resurgence is happening." Founded in 1996, the Lark Street BID is a nonprofit that is responsible for street beautification, safety, special events and marketing of the corridor, to act as a counteracting force to the street's decline and support property owners, from businesses to residents. "When we talk about what we do, it's really services," Burke said. "It's really basic services to make sure the street is clean, safe and inviting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, the BID has faced criticism from business owners and residents for its approach to community engagement, with some claiming there has been a lack of communication, participation and collaboration. Now, Burke is confident the newly elected board of directors can lead what he and many others call "the heart of the city." New chapter amid ongoing challenges In August, the BID elected a new board of directors, with Halloran and Ward Six city councilman Richard Conti being the only returning members. "Communication, I think, is the key," Halloran said. "There's so many new people, and they really have a vision . I have faith." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its 11-person board - comprising city representatives, commercial owners, residential owners, commercial tenants and residential tenants - is now fully occupied, Conti said, compared to earlier in the year when there were four vacant seats. "The impact of COVID and the related shutdowns threw us off our stride," Conti said. "I am optimistic with the newly elected board and new leadership, we are in a strong position to move forward." Former El Loco restaurant owner Patrick Noonan served as chairman prior to Burke and was on and off the board for over 10 years. Noonan said once he stepped down this summer, momentum in rebuilding the board and filling empty seats grew, and "it organically evolved into a new board with its own energy." "My time was up," Noonan said, referring to his departure from the board. "I felt it was time. There's some great new energy coming in. I didn't have the time to devote to really bring about some real change that needs to happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noonan said he stepped down due to "a combination of factors," including the closure of El Loco and wanting to spend more time with his children. He noted the challenge of balancing running his business and the responsibilities of the BID, something that other board of directors members also struggled with. "It's a lot of work," Noonan said. "It's such an important organization that just needs a lot of resources to make it work and make it worthwhile for the businesses and the residents, and I think people have always underestimated what it takes to run the BID." Before the coronavirus pandemic, Burke said, large-scale events like LarkFest and Art on Lark would close down the street and draw large crowds. "It's difficult to do that now," he said. "What we would like to do is have smaller events, but more year-round. You want businesses to be active and going all year round, not just when the weather is nice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noonan thinks smaller, more frequent events can help "create some vibrancy" and drive regular traffic from community members. "Our whole business model for a long time was putting on events," Noonan said. "When COVID took out our ability to have events, not only did it take away our fundraisers, it took out the ability for people to come to the district and experience the culture. Money aside, that was a killer." Property owners in the Lark Street BID zone - which includes the area around Lark Street between Madison and Washington avenues, and extends from Delaware Avenue to Myrtle Avenue - pay a special tax to the city. For every $1,000 in assessed value, a property owner pays $1.84 toward funding the operations of the Lark Street BID, according to Conti. This means that for a person who owns a property assessed at $500,000, they would pay around $920 each year. Within the business district, there is a wide range of property sizes, with Price Chopper on Delaware Avenue being the largest and individual condos on State Street being among the smallest, according to Conti. The BID is tasked with creating a budget that is voted on by its board members, which typically adds up to around $92,000, Burke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can barely pull off anything for only $90,000 a year," Noonan said. "By the time you factor in one full-time person and (liability) insurance, that's $60,000-$70,000 right there." During his time on the board, Noonan said the biggest challenge was financing. "It always came down to money. There was never enough money," Noonan said. "During COVID and post-COVID, the things we used to get donated all of a sudden we got charged for. The things we used to be able to afford all of a sudden were tripled (in price). Our ability to fundraise got severely handcuffed as a nonprofit." Currently, the BID is focused on putting together a budget and operating plan, which it will present to its membership in November, Burke said. After that, they'll seek a new executive director to follow Ella Montelone, who left in spring 2024, Burke said. Montelone worked part time, and both Burke and Halloran spoke of the need for a full-time executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're putting all the pieces back together," Burke said. "We need to start building momentum." Noonan said Montelone worked part time, mostly due to the board's inability back then to find anyone to work full time. He noted the challenge of paying an executive director and having enough money to put on events. "Having Ella do part time would allow us to kind of get our head on straight post-COVID and then try and leave some room in the budget to try and find another person, but that just never panned out," Noonan said. Some business owners have cited a lack of communication from the BID and claimed to have not heard from the organization for years. Burke said additional issues have included meeting quorum in board meetings and active member involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No one should ever wonder what's going on here on Lark Street, and no one should ever wonder what we're doing," Burke said. "That's a change. They sort of went dark for a little while. We want to get that out there, and we want as many connections as we possibly can." Besides challenges on the BID, Lark Street itself faces some challenges, such as small spaces that are hard for retail and the city's booming warehouse district that can draw businesses and people away from Lark Street, Conti said. An uptick in violence and a decrease in the vitality of its nightlife have also caused challenges for the street. Lark Street isn't alone in a struggle to retain businesses and attract customers. Downtown Albany is facing a similar issue - for instance, Mexican restaurant Ama Cocina will close its doors for good on Oct. 25, citing a poor business climate. The restaurant closed for nearly three years during the pandemic. Georgette Steffens, executive director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, told the Times Union the downtown atmosphere changed post-pandemic and has "gotten quiet." With the goal of creating more foot traffic on Lark Street, Burke looks to take a more "collaborative approach" by partnering with more local organizations, contracting a street cleaning service with a regular presence and focusing on public safety and communication, such as through the BID's social media and holding regular meetings with the police department and the city of Albany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very critical that Lark Street remains vibrant," Burke said. "You don't ever want Lark Street to be dark. You want a nice balance, you want businesses to be successful, and you want it to be a place where people want to live. And if you're already here like me, you kind of want to protect that." Business owners 'cautiously optimistic' August Rosa, owner of Pint Sized, a bar located at 250 Lark St., sat on the BID's board this past year. In the spring, Rosa received pushback from the city over block parties he wanted to organize, with the city saying a partial road closure under Rosa's proposed circumstances "would endanger the public health and safety." "I've just been focusing on being positive and focusing on my own walls," Rosa said. "We're up 22% this year, so the potential is there in Albany . I'm cautiously optimistic." Jesse Sommer, owner of New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room, at 209 Lark St., called for the dissolution of the BID earlier this year. Now, Sommer says he "admires (the board's) insistence that saving the BID is the first step to saving Lark Street." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will wait, hopefully, cautiously and with bated breath to see if this new board really can revive the BID," Sommer said. "I was very vocal in calling for the dissolution of the BID, because I was paying (into) it as a homeowner on Lark Street." Sommer said he pays around $500 a year to the BID. He was part of a group of business owners who put on Lark Out Loud, a music festival that filled the parking lot behind the Lark Street Tavern in late September. Though it wasn't a BID event, Burke said it was an example of what Lark Street needs to see more of. "When we just decided as business owners we wanted to do something to enhance the street life, we just did it," Sommer said. "My complaint is that the BID for too long hasn't lived up to the requirements of the business owners on the street." On Oct. 31, the Lark Street Tavern will host a costume crawl in partnership with other local bars on the street and the Lark Street BID, said Chris Pratt, the owner of Lark Street Tavern. It will take place from 6 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. and feature themed drink specials and $300 cash prizes for the top costumes across four categories: scariest, funniest, most creative and best couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosa and other business owners - such as Jake Griffin-Diaz, co-owner of Jacob Alejandro, and Deana Datri, co-owner of Fresh n' Pressed - hope to collaborate with the BID. "We have been following the BID since our start in Albany and are excited about the fresh energy (coming) into the BID," Griffin-Diaz said. "Communities evolve and change over time, and it's always great to get new ideas and new people behind keeping our community safe and welcoming." Rosa, Sommer and Datri said the BID's proposed idea of hosting smaller, more frequent events would strengthen the street's atmosphere. Datri was a part of the group's previous board of directors and held the role for a few years, she said. "It was a lot of talking," Datri said. "Nothing was productive." Datri said she pays around $400 a year into the BID. She hopes the BID can coordinate more activities geared toward families, children, the older community and those who don't drink alcohol. Dan Atkins, owner of Oh Bar, served on the board prior to the coronavirus pandemic and supports the restructured BID. "It's great to see some new life back in the BID," Atkins said. "I believe it can be a great resource for the local businesses and, most importantly, an advocate for the street with the city." Sommer calls Lark Street "the beating heart of the Capital District." Sommer, and many other business owners - as well as those involved or previously involved with the BID - live on or around the street, some, like Noonan, for decades. "You can live, work, play, shop, do it all right here," Noonan said. "Then you have events to go inside of it, and it creates more of a destination. That would be something young people want and old people can enjoy, and everyone wins. Everyone's building is worth more, everyone's business is prospering. . It's the rising tide lifts all boats type of approach for the BID." This article originally published at Lark Street BID embarks on new chapter with fresh leadership. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Pasos longest-running juried art show will be back for another year for a weekend in November full of art, creativity and community. The Las Artistas Fine Arts and Craft Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16 at the Epic Railyard Event Center, 2201 E. Mills Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The show, now in its 55th year, will add a new twist mimosas served alongside masterpieces. When the show opens its doors on Saturday, Nov. 15, art lovers can now elevate their experience with the new Mimosas and Masterpieces VIP Experience, presented by Rejuvene MD. The VIP event gives guests early access to the show, an exclusive opportunity to meet the artists before the crowds, and a complimentary glass of bubbly to enjoy while browsing. Guests who purchase the $40 VIP experience will be welcomed into the show two hours early, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Theyll receive complimentary mimosas, first dibs on one-of-a-kind works and the artists who crafted them, and an official Las Artistas tote bag filled with gifts. This is a new to experience this one-of-a-kind event, Las Artistas President Laura Lupia said. For our serious shoppers who want to get an early look and secure their favorite piece, this VIP event will give you that opportunity along with a few surprises and complimentary mimosas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presented by the City of El Pasos Museum and Cultural Affairs Department, the Las Artistas Fine Arts and Crafts Show remains the regions premier showcase for fine art and crafts, organizers said in a news release. The event will feature more than 100 artists exhibiting and selling original works in painting, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture, and photography. This years show will also feature a gallery of student work produced during the Las Artistas Summer Camp collaboration with First Presbyterian School. Attendees can also enjoy food vendors, informational booths, and a silent auction featuring distinctive pieces donated by participating artists, with proceeds supporting arts programming in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regular hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. General admission is $10, and children are admitted free. Tickets are available by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada launched new immigration services. It will serve Las Vegas families by providing wrap-around services virtually for now. The organization said its responding to the high demand from families seeking citizenship support. Services include screening for naturalization, immigration & citizen case management, and consultations for all other immigration matters. Its Director of Social Services and Education, Tyson Knudsen, told 8 News Now that appointments are booked until November. It shows just how needed these resources are. He said they hope to offer face-to-face help in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we help those individuals get the paperwork that they need, so that they can work with legal status, Knudsen said. Its not something that not only helps them but helps their family, it helps society; the community, it helps businesses as well. Right now, appointments are only on Thursdays at CPLCs Las Vegas location. There, families or individuals will receive the services virtually. Knudsen said employees at their Arizona location who are DOJ-accredited will assist them. Knudsen said while there is a small fee for some of its services, consultations are free. He added they will also try to work with those who cant afford the service. If you are interested, you need to call CPLCs Las Vegas office at 702-207-1614 or come in person to schedule an appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Some 2,600 people took to the streets of Hamburg on Saturday - significantly fewer than expected - along with demonstrations in other German cities over the chancellor's recent comments about how migration is negatively affecting cities. Hamburg organizers had expected 5,000 participants, though the rainy autumn weather might have had an effect on the turnout. The 2,600 was a figure from the police, which said the protest was peaceful. In the eastern German city of Magdeburg, more than 300 people participated in a rally, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Bonn the words "Measures to beautify the cityscape" were smeared on the district office of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union party over night. The state security service is investigating. In Hildesheim in Lower Saxony, around 500 demonstrators protested, according to reports from police and organizers. Last week Merz said the federal government is correcting past failures in migration policy and making progress. "But we still have this problem in how our cities look, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been sporadic protests ever since Merz made the statement. He then doubled down on his comments, saying "Ask your daughters what I might have meant by that. I suspect you'll get a pretty clear and straight forward answer." Posters point to the "cityscape" In Hamburg, posters read: "We are the cityscape!," "Merz out of our cityscape, " "Stand together against racism and division" and "Friedrich, the problem is your racism!" In Hildesheim, the protest was called under the slogan: "What the Fritz??? We are the cityscape!" Fritz is a nickname for Friedrich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Wednesday, Merz clarified his remarks by saying that the problems were being caused by migrants who did not have permanent residence status, did not work and did not abide by the rules applicable in Germany. Immigrants upset "The recent remarks by Friedrich Merz, who spoke of a problem in the cityscape, have deeply affected many of us," said a representative of an Afghan women's association in Magdeburg. "Such words make people who have been part of this society for years feel that they are still seen as different or foreign." Migration, she said, is not understood as a natural part of Germany but as something disruptive. A representative of a Syrian-German cultural association stated that the chancellor's words could not simply be left unchallenged. "We say clearly and unequivocally: political measures can be debated, but declaring people a problem through language crosses a line, Mr Merz." He added that human dignity does not depend on residency status or an employment contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cologne-born rapper Eko Fresh, who is of Turkish decent, produced a song "Friedrich" which addresses the cityscape comments. "We are parked in the second row," he raps, describing the discrimination faced by people with migrant backgrounds. Poll shows support for Merz According to a poll, Merz's latest statement has received overwhelming support from the population. A survey commissioned by public broadcaster ZDF found that 63% of those questioned agreed with the CDU chairman that there are problems in cities with migrants who do not have permanent residence status, do not work and break the rules. The statement was considered unjustified by 29%. In a series of actions on Friday, the Trump administration significantly ratcheted up tensions with Latin America and signaled that it was set to dramatically expand its nascent military offensive against so-called Transnational Criminal Organizations in the region. The escalation began overnight, when the military targeted another boat in the Caribbean that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a Friday morning social media post, claimed was involved in drug smuggling and was carrying members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal enterprise. The strike, which killed six people, was the 10th known operation since Sept. 2, and the third this week, following two others in the eastern Pacific off the coast of South America. So far, at least 43 people that President Donald Trump labeled narco-terrorists have perished in these attacks. We take them out, Trump said on Fox News, and later joked about how people, most of them desperately poor, are now afraid to fish along certain coastlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without releasing credible evidence to back it up, Trump has claimed that the victims vessels were stacked up with bags of white powder thats mostly fentanyl and other drugs, too. He said they were smuggling a deadly weapon poisoning Americans on behalf of various terrorist organizations. The presidents use of terrorist is telling. The designation allows him to treat the victims as enemy combatants in a war that does not exist but that he increasingly seems to want to incite. The land is next, Trump said this week, and on Friday it appeared he could be correct. As news of the latest boat strike sunk in, the Pentagon announced that it was moving the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships to Latin America as part of an effort to degrade and dismantle drug and criminal enterprises. The Ford, the Washington Post reported, is the worlds largest aircraft carrier, typically carrying dozens of fighter jets, numerous helicopters and more than 4,000 sailors. The prospect of U.S. warships in the Caribbean is chilling, particularly when weighed against reports that the administration is considering intensifying efforts for regime change in Venezuela. (The countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, was indicted in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges in 2020.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump also has his eyes set elsewhere. On Friday afternoon, as the Ford prepared to set sail from Croatia, where it has been stationed, the administration also announced sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, as well as his family and associates. Petro recently criticized the Trump administrations action in the region, and on Oct. 19 credibly accused Trump of murder for a mid-September strike against a boat that the administration claimed was carrying drugs. Alejandro Carranza, said Petro, was a lifelong fisherman and was allegedly in Colombian waters at the time of the attack. After Petros initial accusation, instead of offering legal justification for the strike, Trump announced he was cutting off foreign aid to Colombia. Bragging about the killings, the president falsely claimed that every exploded shipping vessel saves 25,000 American lives. In the factual world, about 100,000 Americans die each year from drug overdoses, mostly by fentanyl, which does not come from Venezuela, Colombia or any South American country, but from China and Mexico. Most of the lethal fentanyl, according to the American Immigration Council, is smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens, over land. Still, the White House persists in arguing the strikes against vessels in the Caribbean are a matter of self-defense. To make that claim, Trump determined that drug cartels like Tren de Aragua are terrorists. But officials say Tren de Aragua is not operating in the shipping routes under attack, and that the route Trump and Hegseth are targeting carries cocaine and marijuana to Europe and Africa not the U.S. Despite the administrations contentions, Trumps military actions are clearly illegal. The White House has argued that the attacks fall under the law of armed conflict (LOAC), which limits methods of warfare and sets out legally required protections for noncombatants and civilians but only during conflict. The U.S., however, is in no such conflict; the country is not under attack, and Congress has not declared war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations is also factually suspect. Drug cartels exist for profit; all purveyors of illicit drugs are in the business to make money. In contrast, terrorists are, by definition, motivated by ideological goals often involving politics or religion not profit. (Even if they were terrorists, international law would only allow the executive branch to respond through legal methods like freezing assets, trials and imprisonment.) Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. According to the New York Times, legal experts on the use of armed force say Trumps campaign is illegal, pointing to the convention that the military is banned from targeting civilians who are not directly involved in hostilities. Key legal instruments prohibiting extrajudicial killings and murder include the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Statute of the International Criminal Court and customary international humanitarian law. The Trump administration has not publicly offered a legal theory that comports with any of these laws. Trump and Hegseths legal arguments have also been rejected by former lawyers in the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, who have condemned the attacks as unlawful under both domestic and international law. Nevertheless, Hegseth has stated enthusiastically that the military will continue these executions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Hegseth fired the Judge Advocates General whose job was to assess the legality of military actions. Even if it emerged he deliberately did so to engage in illegal conduct and later claim a mistake of law defense, such a maneuver wont save him. In its article U.S. Servicemembers Exposure to Criminal Liability for Lethal Strikes on Narcoterrorists, Just Security lays out the case under the Manual for Courts-Martial and Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, concluding of the Venezuela strikes that: Despite the clear absence of an imminent threat of death or serious injury or grave threat to life, the U.S. Coast Guard did not interdict the alleged criminal narcotrafficking in the way this conduct has been historically (and recently) approached. These suspected criminals were not arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced through a regular course of criminal procedure and neutral adjudication in a court. They were killed extrajudicially for conduct that could not be plausibly labeled a military attack, use of force, or even threat of imminent harm to anyone in the United States or any other nation, and despite the opportunity and ability to use less-than-lethal force to stop the boats. An extrajudicial killing, premeditated and without justification or excuse and without the legal authority tied to an armed conflict, is properly called murder. And murder is still a crime for those in uniform who executed the strike even if their targets are dangerous criminals, and even if service members were commanded to do so by their superiors, including the President of the United States. Under this analysis, every officer in the chain of command who directed downward the initial order from the President or Secretary of Defense would likely fall within the meaning of traditional accomplice liability, and could be charged for murder under Article 118. Even if a corrupt Supreme Court gave Trump criminal immunity for murder which, despite its ruling in Trump v. United States, remains an unsettled question someone should let Hegseth know that immunity does not extend to him, or to other service members piloting the drones or firing the missiles. These orders are obviously illegal, and they trigger service members obligations to refuse them. When this period of insanity ends, those who follow such orders could expect to follow Hegseth to court martial. In the meantime, the air strikes and killings will doubtless continue with even more escalations likely. The post In Latin America, Trump signals war in all but name appeared first on Salon.com. Mizoram Governor General (Retd.) VK Singh (PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC) arrived at Bagdogra Airport on Saturday for a two-day official visit to Sikkim. The Governor's tour, scheduled from October 25 to 26, 2025, is part of an official engagement during which he has been accorded State Guest status by the Government of Sikkim. On his arrival, General Singh was received by Assistant Protocol Officer Gopal Pathak from the Home Department, Government of Sikkim, along with officials from the Home Department, Bagdogra Airport, and TIC, Bagdogra. Meanwhile, in Mizoram, the state's largest and most influential voluntary organisation, the Young Mizo Association (YMA), commenced its 75th General Conference at Chengkawlawn Run, Sakawrdai, marking a significant milestone in the association's history. The event has drawn thousands of members from across the state, making it one of the biggest gatherings of the organisation to date. Founded on June 15, 1935, in Aizawl as the Young Lushai Association (YLA), later renamed the YMA in 1947, the organisation has been a cornerstone of Mizo society. It continues to play a vital role in preserving Mizo culture, promoting social welfare, and fostering community service. With nearly every Mizo youth aged 13 and above counted among its members, YMA is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organisations in Northeast India. The opening session, held on Tuesday evening, was chaired by CYMA Treasurer Pu Ronehthanga, with a devotional service led by Rev. Remlalpuia Renthlei, Pastor of Sakawrdai PCI Church. On the second evening, Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma graced the conference at Vantlang Inkhawm Sakawrdai as the chief guest. Extending warm greetings, he lauded the YMA for its unwavering role in promoting unity, discipline, and social harmony among the Mizo people. Recognising the organisation's immense contribution, the Chief Minister announced that the government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the construction of a YMA Centre at Thingsulthliah, envisioned as a hub for youth and community development. Highlighting joint efforts between the government and YMA in the fight against substance abuse, Pu Lalduhoma said that initiatives such as the Hulhhlia Short Stay Centre and Operation Jericho are key steps towards a drug-free Mizoram. (ANI) (Diana Ramirez/De Los; photos by Cristian Rojas, Ramon Hernandez.) There are around 68 million Latinos living in this country, nearly a twofold increase since 2000, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center . The country is very different than it was just 25 years ago. Latinos are now a much larger part of the story, said Mark Lopez, the director of Pews race and ethnicity research. The Latino story is not happening in isolation. They've been a part of it since the country's founding. There's always been a presence of Latinos in the country, and today, they're 1 in 5 [Americans]. Here are six key takeaways from the report. Population surges In 2000, there were around 35.3 million Latinos in the country. In 2024, that number nearly doubled to 68 million making Latinos one of the fastest growing racial and ethnic groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this time frame, the countrys population grew by 58.7 million people. Latinos made up more than half of this population growth (56%). Now, 1 in 5 Americans are Latino, with the expectation that the population will continue to increase. Over time, there's been a constant back and forth between whether births or immigration are behind this sizable growth. In the 80s and 90s, most of the population increase was because of immigration. But in 2000, births became the main contributing factor until 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, the country saw both legal and illegal migrations increase greatly. With Trumps current immigration policies and the ongoing ICE raids, Pew researchers expect that births will likely once again exceed the slowing number of incoming immigrants. Median age is 31 In terms of the median age of the largest racial or ethnic groups, U.S. Latinos are the youngest. As of 2024, the median age is around 31 years old. Comparatively, the median age among Black Americans is around 36. For Asian Americans, it's around 39, and for white Americans, it's closer to 43. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking specifically at U.S.-born Latinos, the median age is around 20. This means there is still a lot of growth expected as this group ages, starts families and enters the workforce. Majority are U.S. citizens As of 2024, 79% of all U.S. Latinos were U.S. citizens. The number increased by 8% from 2000. Of the 79%, two-thirds are citizens by birth, and 13% immigrants who became naturalized citizens. 40 million of Mexican origin Of the countrys entire Latino population, Mexicans and those of Mexican descent are the largest single group (57%). There are roughly 40 million people in the U.S. who are of Mexican origin. Mexican people also tend to populate Western metropolitan areas, like Los Angeles. In L.A., overall, 74% of people are Latino. But when venturing a bit outside city limits, there are enclaves like Riverside where 85% of residents are of Mexican origin. There are also sizable Mexican populations in Chicago and Dallas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Mexicans, the next largest group within the country's Latino population is Puerto Ricans. They make up around 6 million people on the U.S. mainland and 3.2 million on the island of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. California and Texas lead the way The Golden State is home to the largest Latino population in the country. In 2024, 16.1 million Latinos made up 41% of the states population. They are the largest ethnic group in the state. Around 12.6 million Latinos live in Texas, making the Lonestar State home to the second-largest Latino population in the country. Latinos became the states largest ethnic group in 2021, accounting for 40%. More English speakers and college students In 2024, 71% of Latinos age 5 and older spoke English proficiently. The number of Latino English speakers is up 59% from the year 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's also been a boom in Latinos 25 and older who have attended college and earned degrees, with 46% of people having some college experience and 21% with a bachelor's degree. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MAGA loyalist Laura Loomer is embroiled in yet another online spatthis time with far-right extremist Nick Fuentes, after he called her out for using antisemitic conspiracy tropes. On X, the pair went back and forth for hours on Friday, trading insults over who gets to claim credit for influencing the Republican partys lurch to the right. Just shut the f--- up. You are your own worst enemy and you should start to internalize that, Loomer told Fuentes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are resentful and jealous and nobody can take credit for my own tenacity and drive aside from myself. Nick, You told people to not vote for Trump, and then you complain nonstop that you have no influence. You used your group to run billboards against Trump during the 2024 election in swing states and you said we would be better off if Kamala were in office. What stories are https://t.co/sXmnBLyXcA pic.twitter.com/DSvDWyuZJP Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 24, 2025 Fuentes, 27, a far-right extremist and self-proclaimed incel, has hosted his live-streamed America First show since 2017, and has a growing influence among conservatives. He ignited the online argument by lamenting that Loomer, 32, has more influence within the Trump administration than other people whom the white nationalist considers to be authentic Americans. Why would you have access when all you do is attack President Trump? Loomer wrote in reply. She shared a video taken from Fuentes July show in which he derided Trump as a scam artist for failing to release the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody is reading any of that because you are a mentally ill lunatic and your opinion is irrelevant, Fuentes shot back. Laura Loomer on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. / Stephanie Keith / Getty Images Obviously not irrelevant since youre b---hing about my influence, Loomer responded, claiming that her well-known influence over Trump administration policy is the result of her hard work which others on the right resent. You, Tucker, Candace and MTG are all the same, Loomer claimed, while dragging fellow right-wing political commentators and politicians into the fray. Obviously not irrelevant since youre bitching about my influence. Mentally ill aka I work harder than you. You, Tucker, Candace and MTG are all the same. You are such a resentful person. You dont work. You just resent people who do put in the work. Cry more. Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 24, 2025 Loomer, a former Infowars employee, has been described as one of the most feared people in Washington thanks to her influence among MAGA Republicans and her long-term loyalty to Trump. Her opinions are thought to have caused the firings of 16 administration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, Loomer recently stated she would not be voting in 2026 following the confusion over the gifting of American military space to the Qatari military. Fuentes, for his part, has nearly 1 million followers on X and draws an estimated 500,000 to his broadcasts. He has been described as an antisemite and been linked to Neo-Nazis, but was invited to Mar-a-Lago for dinner with Trump in 2022. Despite their grievances, the pair appear in footage together, clinking glasses and toasting the hostile takeover of the Republican Party" at a function in 2022. Loomer later downplayed the interaction as a pleasantry. Heres Trump ally Laura Loomer with neo-N*zi Nick Fuentes toasting to The hostile takeover of the Republican Party.pic.twitter.com/cKgLKHkJ4K Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 13, 2024 Hes an ingrate, Loomer continued in the online clash. And then he accused me of being an Israeli spy and that crossed the line. I am 100% America First. The University of North Carolina School of Law held an unusual mock trial on Friday. Looming over the proceedings even more prominently than the judge running the show were three tall digital displays, sticking out with their glossy finishes amid the courtrooms sea of wood paneling. Each screen represented a different AI chatbot: OpenAIs ChatGPT, xAIs Grok, and Anthropics Claude. These AIs role? As the jurors who would determine the fate of a man charged with juvenile robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, thankfully, was fictional. But all three of the AI chatbots serving on the jury have been used by professional lawyers in real court cases often resulting in embarrassing blunders meaning that to some extent the technology is already affecting legal outcomes across the country. Organizers said that the stunt, called The Trial of Henry Justus, is meant to raise questions about AIs role in the justice system. This exercise highlights critical issues of accuracy, efficiency, bias, and legitimacy raised by such use, Joseph Kennedy, a UNC professor of law who designed the mock trial and served as judge, said in a statement before the event was held. AIs inroads into legal settings continues to be a contested subject as many lawyers leveraging AI tools are blasted for committing egregious errors with the tech. Typically, an AI goes wrong by citing either misquoted or fabricated caselaw, a symptom of the techs fundamental problem of hallucinating misinformation that it presents as fact, which the industry is still nowhere close to solving. Judges have handed out harsh punishments, including fines and sanctions, to attorneys who have turned in shoddy AI-sabotaged work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such embarrassing debacles notwithstanding, the fact remains that AI tools are already gaining popularity in legal fields, and with considerable enthusiasm. Nearly three quarters of legal professionals in a Reuters survey this year said that they believe AI is a force for good in their profession. Over half of them said their organizations were already seeing a return on investment from going in on AI. At the AI mock trial, the AI jurors were given a real-time transcript of the proceedings and then deliberated in front of the audience, according to Eric Muller, a UNC professor of law in jurisprudence and ethics who watched the trial. It did not make a great impression. Intense criticism came from members of a post-trial panel including a law professor and a philosopher with legal training, Muller wrote in a Bluesky post. I suspect most in the audience came away believing that trial-by-bot is not a good idea, he added in a followup thread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees pointed out how the bots couldnt see a witnesss body language, or draw from human experience. We might also add AIs well documented tendency to drastically misinterpret information because of simple typos and to exhibit racial bias, sometimes pretty egregiously. Grok, Elon Musks chatbot which served as one of the jurors, literally styled itself MechaHitler during a legendary meltdown that saw it spew racist rants and praise Nazis. Do you know anything about the role that AI is playing in the legal system? Send us a tip at tips@futurism.com. Clearly, theres room for improvement. But according to Muller, we should be extremely wary of the AI industrys instinct to repair. The bots were bad, but they are getting better. Every release is a beta for a better build, Muller wrote. Bots cant read body language? Well give them a video feed. Bots cant infuse their judgment with the wisdom of experience? Well give them backstories. Technology will recursively repair its way into every human space if we let it, Muller warned. Including the jury box. More on AI: Woman Wins Court Case by Using ChatGPT as a Lawyer A shooting at a large weekend party in southeastern North Carolina killed two people and critically wounded several others, a sheriff said Saturday. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins' office said in a news release on social media that 13 people were shot. He said early Saturday that homicide investigators and others were at the scene of the party in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border. "There is no current threat to the community as this appears to have been an isolated incident," the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident unfolded just before 3 a.m. local time on Saturday. More than 150 people fled the location before law enforcement officers arrived, Wilkins' office said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who was at the scene contact sheriff's investigators. More information about the shooting, including names of those who died or were injured, was not immediately released Saturday. No arrests had been announced. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time," Wilkins said. Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan 4 sisters diagnosed with rare brain condition: "Got to be kidding" White House takes questions about Trump's East Wing demolition for ballroom Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into Saturday killed at least four people and wounded 20, officials said, and prompted fresh pleas from Ukraine's president for additional Western air defense systems. In the capital, Kyiv, two people were killed and 13 were wounded in a ballistic missile attack in the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv's police said. A fire broke out in a non-residential building in one location, while debris from intercepted missiles fell in an open area at another site, damaging windows in nearby buildings, Ukraine's State Emergency Service wrote on the message app Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack," Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram during the onslaught. A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at a warehouse following a Russian attack, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. / Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed and seven wounded, acting regional Gov. Vladyslav Haivanenko said, adding that apartment buildings and private homes were damaged in the strikes. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones, of which four missiles and 50 drones were intercepted. In Russia, the Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that such attacks underline his country's need for additional U.S. Patriot defense systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems to be able to protect our cities from this horror. It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days," he wrote in English on X. "America, Europe and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives," he said. Ukraine has received at least seven Patriot systems since Russia's full-scale invasion began, according to U.S. and European defense sources, and Zelenskyy is hoping to purchase 25 more from the U.S. to fortify its air defenses, particularly in cities. Smoke bellows from a warehouse that caught fire following a Russian attack, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. / Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP Zelenskyy on Friday urged the United States to hit the entire Russian energy industry with sanctions and not just the two oil companies it targeted this week. He also reiterated his appeal for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy was in London for talks with two dozen European leaders who have pledged military help to shield his country from future Russian aggression if a ceasefire stops the more than three-year war. The meeting hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aimed to step up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding momentum to recent measures that have included a new round of new sanctions imposted by both the United States and European countries on Russia's vital oil and gas export earnings. The talks also addressed ways of helping protect Ukraine's power grid from Russia's almost daily drone and missile attacks as winter approaches, enhancing Ukrainian air defenses, and supplying Kyiv with longer-range missiles that can strike deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy has urged the U.S. to send Tomahawk missiles, an idea U.S. President Donald Trump has considered but not agreed to so far. Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said Friday he believes Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine were "quite close to a diplomatic solution" to end the three-year war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington for talks with U.S. officials, Dmitriev said a planned summit in Budapest between Mr. Trump and Putin had not been canceled but would likely occur later. Mr. Trump said last week his plan for a swift meeting with Putin was put on hold because he didn't want it to be a "waste of time." When asked by a reporter on Saturday what Russia has to do to reschedule his meeting with Putin, the president said, "I'm gonna have to know that we're going to make a deal. I'm not going to be wasting my time." "I've always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing. I thought this would've gone long before peace in the Middle East, we have Azerbaijan and Armenia. That was very tough," Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Asia. "In fact, Putin told me on the phone, he said, 'Boy, that was amazing, because everybody tried to get that done, and they couldn't.' I got it done." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made clear in public comments Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official confirmed Friday that Dmitriev, who announced his visit on X, will meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the private meeting. Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan 4 sisters diagnosed with rare brain condition: "Got to be kidding" Pentagon "crossed this Rubicon" by sending strike group to Latin America, military analyst says Oct. 25The Lee County Board has approved an ordinance regulating open burning in the county's unincorporated areas. The ordinance approved Thursday, Oct. 23, bans the burning of all materials, except landscape and agricultural waste, during periods of high fire risk, such as a red-flag warning. It was first introduced at the board's August meeting. Several revisions were made to it in September to make it less restrictive. Lee County Administrator Jeremy Englund told Shaw Local that the board received a lot of feedback from residents, which resulted in the changes made in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about open burning in unincorporated Lee County, according to the ordinance: * Before burning, notify the area's fire district, except for recreational and cooking fires or prescribed burns in accordance with the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act. * Open burns are allowed during any time of day or night. * All fires must be supervised by a person at least 18 years old; accompanied by appropriate fire-suppression equipment; and located a safe distance away from buildings, vehicles and flammable materials. * Reasonable precautions must be taken to minimize the effects of smoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Burning vegetation in the public right of way, including ditches, can only be done with the consent of that jurisdiction's road authority. * Violations would result in a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second, and up to $1,500 per violation for the third and any subsequent offenses. At the Aug. 21 board meeting, Lee County Sheriff Clay Whelan said the ordinance is intended to hold residents accountable for their burning, specifically when burns are conducted during a red-flag warning and result in an emergency response. Red-flag warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to indicate a high risk of wildfire due to conditions such as strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures. "We don't want to prohibit farmers from burning their fence lines," Whelan said. "We just want everybody to be responsible and act accordingly." Lego sets can be a lot of things. To some they are a tried and true childrens toy, bringing joy to the entire family. For others, they are carefully handled collectibles meant simply to sit pretty and decorate living spaces. For two pawnshop brokers in Puyallup, they proved to be a lucrative trade until law enforcement exposed their pilfered purchases. Anthony Wayne Neely, 59, and Brian Lauman, 56, were convicted of intentionally selling large amounts of stolen Lego sets through an online retailer out of South Hill Rare Coin LLC, in the 14000 block of Meridian East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neely, the companys owner, was sentenced Friday in Pierce County Superior Court. The span: 180 days of confinement and 184 days of suspension on Friday for two counts of attempted trafficking in stolen property in the first degree, as well as the crime of duty to record information. Neely was also fined $2,500 for each of the two trafficking charges, and $100,000 for failure to properly record information. After pleading guilty in September to the gross misdemeanor charge of attempted trafficking in stolen property in the second degree, Lauman, a former employee, received a suspended sentence of 364 days and the option to not serve any time given he stays out of trouble for a year. Their respective sentences followed a 2023 sting operation by the Puyallup Police Department after detectives were tipped off that individuals were stealing expensive Lego sets and selling them to the business. Court records describe the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of 9 months, officers conducted several undercover Lego sales with Neely and Lauman, piecing together their case brick by brick. In March 2023 an undercover Puyallup officer came to the shop with $120 worth of Lego sets and sold them to Lauman for $20. The employee did not take any identification from the officer during this interaction. The same officer returned in June 2023 with Lego sets covered in Spider Wrap anti-theft devices, which are cables attached to an alarm that sounds when cut or taken past sensors. Neely did not accept the items with the security measures but when asked said he could accept the items after the Spider Wrap was removed, case documents say. Neely denied this during his testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The undercover officer then went outside briefly to cut off the wrap and returned to the counter to sell the sets to Neely for $80. Following this, the officers saw one of the items he sold listed on an SHRC eBay account. The business is located about 1.5 miles between two different Target stores that allegedly had some of the highest rates of thefts in the Seattle area. According to case documents, Target Loss Prevention staffers also observed multiple people steal large amounts of high-theft items including Lego, trading cards, electronics and other goods, and then go directly to the pawnbroker. After executing a search warrant, law enforcement seized 37 Lego sets specifically identified as being from Target. After reviewing receipts and other business documents, they sorted out an inch high stack of incomplete receipts. They also found cut Spider Wrap in the lot adjacent to the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors argued South Hill Rare Coin should be fined $950,000, citing the high value of items purchased by the store, the recurrence of illegal sales, and that the owners deliberately ignored the risks to the vulnerable people committing these thefts to sell to them. The defense claimed the fines were out of the blue, arguing that the state did not document how much money Target lost, and although millions of dollars might have been traded in the business, it did not equal profit. Neely said his salary amounted to around $35,000 to $45,000 a year. Presiding Judge Shelly Moss said the count regarding failure to report information was more significant in her decision than the acceptance of stolen property, as correct record keeping procedures would have provided a greater incentive to ensure property was not stolen. One can only speculate that if receipts had been correctly filed out if we would even be here, she said before imposing the $100,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a tearful address to the courtroom Neely apologized for errors in judgment, saying his actions were never intentional. The Lego sets only comprised a small amount of his sales, he said, and if officers contacted him earlier he would have fully cooperated with their investigation. My record keeping was bad, and I got lazy, but there was never an intent to slow down law enforcement in their investigation, he said. Neely will continue to operate South Hill Rare Coin under limited working hours in accordance with his electronic home monitoring until his secondhand goods dealer license expires Dec. 15. New Yorks Attorney General has asked a judge to quash her indictment for mortgage fraud, claiming the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was appointed illegally. The move against Donald Trumps hand-picked prosecutor by Letitia James echoes a similar plea earlier this week, and also in federal court in Virginia, by former FBI chief James Comey. Pleading not guilty to the charges, Ms James accused the Trump administration of using the courts as a tool of revenge against his political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms James indictment followed the resignation of Erik Siebert, a US Attorney, last month after he defied the Department of Justice and refused to bring a prosecution against her. According to ABC News, he quit ahead of being sacked by Mr Trump for failing to find incriminating evidence against Ms James. Letitia James in court behind Donald Trump during his fraud trial last year - Getty Images In the wake of Mr Sieberts departure from his post at the Eastern District of Virginia, Mr Trump urged Pam Bondi, the US Attorney General, to move against his foes in a social media post that was reportedly meant to be a private message, demanding justice must be served now. Ms Halligan, who was a member of Mr Trumps personal legal team when he faced a blizzard of litigation before the election, is an insurance lawyer with little experience of criminal law beyond interning in Miami-Dade County public defenders office. The indictments of Ms James and Mr Comey came shortly after her appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms James aroused the presidents ire by successfully suing him and his business empire for civil fraud, securing half a billion dollars in damages although the penalty was struck out by another judge. Mr Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice, led the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, dismissed as the Russian hoax by Mr Trump. The pair, along with John Bolton, Mr Trumps former National Security adviser, are the first of the presidents political opponents to be brought before the courts in what some think is a retribution campaign. Mr Bolton, who became a fierce critic of Mr Trump after serving in his administration, has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts alleging he mishandled classified information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Trump adversaries are also reportedly in the Department of Justices sights at the behest of Mr Trump, including Adam Schiff, a California senator and member of the House committee which investigated the storming of the US Capitol after the 2020 election. Mr Schiff is being investigated for alleged mortgage fraud, an accusation he denies. The case against Ms James centres on her purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia. Prosecutors claim that she rented the property to tenants, rather than using it herself, which meant she was able to secure a cheaper loan. Adam Schiff is said to be in the sights of the Department of Justice - Bloomberg She has denied the allegations, saying the house was used by her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbe Lowell, Ms Jamess lawyer, said the grounds for challenging Ms Halligans appointment had already been set out by Mr Comeys legal team. Ms James left the court after a 35-minute hearing, after being released on unconditional bail. She was greeted by supporters outside the court, chanting We stand with Tish. Ms James told them: I have this belief in the justice system and the rule of law. She added: There is no fear. This is not about me. This is about all of us and a weaponised justice system. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. I registered as a Democrat when I was 18 years old because I wanted to join to a party that supported working families, civil rights and believed in the rule of law. I remain a Democrat for those same reasons today. I have many friends who belong to other parties or choose not to be enrolled in a party, but my values have always been clear. We do not always need to agree, but in public office, we need to be clear and honest. In this upcoming election, I am supporting our endorsed Democratic candidate for first selectman, Michael McCormack. I believe Mike is worthy of the office. When I was a member of the Connecticut State Police, I wanted to know that my team was reliable and trustworthy. What I do not like about "politics" is when people are not honest. We see that too often in Washington and now in Middlebury. Middlebury deserves better than the same old sneaky politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, a few Democrats in this local election are playing "hide and seek" with their support. Several members of the Middlebury Democratic Town Committee, some who are actually candidates for office, are not supporting their own candidate for First Selectman. They nominated Mike, put him on the ballot and now turn a blind eye to his campaign and they are supporting the unaffiliated candidate. They are Democrats for their own campaign purposes, but then they ignore the concept of a team. Middlebury residents deserve transparency from candidates who want to be trusted in public office. We should not elect people who say one thing but then do another! J. Paul Vance Middlebury The writer is a member of Middlebury's Board of Selectmen. This article originally published at Letter: Don't play hide and seek with the truth in Middlebury election. NILES, Ohio (WKBN) A Liberty Township trustee is in jail on a felony charge. Devon Stanley was arrested Friday evening by Niles Police and booked into the Trumbull County Jail on a second-degree felony charge of felonious assault. At this point, the circumstances surrounding his arrest are unknown. Stanley will likely be arraigned in Niles Municipal Court next week. In addition to serving as a trustee, Stanley serves as a prosecutor for Girard Municipal Court and Trumbull Countys Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. According to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), at the prayer meeting, the Chief Minister offered floral tributes and paid heartfelt homage to Late Vajubhai Dodiya. He remembered the valuable contributions made by the Late Vajubhai Dodiya in public life and towards society. CM also met the bereaved family members, offered his condolences, and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul. Notably, Late Vajubhai Parmabhai Dodiya passed away on Tuesday, 25th October 2025. He had previously served as the MLA of Viramgam and Sanand constituencies, and had also held responsibilities as the Director of A.D.C. Bank and GUJCOMASOL. The condolence meeting was attended by State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma, MLA of Viramgam Hardik Patel, along with MLAs from Ahmedabad city and district, leaders from political, social, and cooperative sectors, and a large number of local citizens. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel prayed for Amit Shah's long and healthy life on the occasion of the latter's 61st birthday. "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the people-friendly Member of Parliament from Gandhinagar, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, the honourable Amitbhai Shah," Patel posted on X. The Gujarat CM lauded Shah for his leadership, under which the country's internal security situation has become extremely strong. He also appreciated the efforts made by the Union Home Minister in combating Naxalism. "Under your steadfast leadership, the country's internal security situation has become extremely strong. Through your unwavering resolve, the nation has achieved unprecedented success in matters such as the eradication of Naxalism and freedom from corruption," Patel said. (ANI) For the first time, astronomers have seen life's building blocks in ice beyond the borders of our galaxy. Among a mix of complex organic molecules trapped in ice circling a newborn star in the Large Magellanic Cloud, researchers found ethanol, acetaldehyde, and methyl formate compounds that have never before been spotted in ice form outside the Milky Way. Moreover, another identified compound, acetic acid, has never before been conclusively identified in ice anywhere in space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discovery, led by astrophysicist Marta Sewio of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, suggests that the ingredients for the chemistry that gives birth to life are widespread and robust across the cosmos, and not limited to our own galaxy. Related: Key Ingredient For Life Discovered in The Last Place Astronomers Expected "With this discovery," Sewio says, "we've made significant advancements in understanding how complex chemistry emerges in the Universe and opening new possibilities for research into how life came to be." The location of the star ST6 within the Large Magellanic Cloud. The JWST image of ST6 is inset bottom right. ( NASA/ESA/CSA/JPL-Caltech/M. Sewio et al., 2025 Complex organic molecules (COMs) in an astrophysical context are molecules with at least six atoms, at least one of which is carbon. The category includes molecules such as ethanol (CHCHOH), methyl formate (HCOOCH), and acetaldehyde (CHCHO), as well as larger molecules such as iso-propyl cyanide ((CH 3 ) 2 CHCN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're important to scientists because they're the chemical precursors to the molecules that build life, such as amino acids, sugars, and nucleobases. Finding them in space, therefore, sheds light on the origins of prebiotic chemistry and where those precursor compounds were likely forged before Earth was even born. Scientists also want to know if there are differences in the distribution of molecules based on their location. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a very different environment from the Milky Way. It has about a third to a half of the heavy metal abundance; in astronomy terms, that means anything heavier than helium, so the LMC has less oxygen, carbon, and silicon, for example. It also has much less dust to block light, and relatively intense star formation that floods the galaxy with ultraviolet radiation. Naturally, this raises questions about how COMs form within the LMC. One such young star, called ST6, is situated about 160,000 light-years from Earth in a superbubble called N158 not far from the famous, star-forming Tarantula Nebula. Sewio and her colleagues turned JWST's golden compound eye to this star, soaking up the mid-infrared light from the icy material swirling around it to identify the chemistry taking place therein. Win a $10,000 Space Coast Adventure Holiday They then compared the spectra they obtained to a known "COM fingerprint" a database of the signatures of various COMs. These molecules absorb light at specific wavelengths, which produces shadowy lines on the spectrum that scientists can match to known molecules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the light collected by JWST from the icy dust around a star in another galaxy, the researchers made confident detections of methanol, acetaldehyde, ethanol, methyl formate, and acetic acid (CHCOOH). An illustration of some of the detected COMs in the ice coating on a grain of dust. ( NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Prior to this detection, acetic acid had only ever been found in space in vapor form. Discovering it in its frozen form backs up computer models and lab experiments that have suggested it participates in grain-surface reactions thought to build prebiotic compounds in space. In fact, the presence of all these molecules provides some pretty strong evidence that they are the products of grain-surface chemistry. This is where ice forms on dust grains in space, generating thin coatings that cover each tiny mote. Aided by radiation, grains within this ice can move around and react with each other, forming the COMs the team found. Here in the Milky Way, that would be interesting enough; but the results here suggest that even in metal-poor conditions lashed with radiation like the LMC, this process can still take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers plan to expand their work to more young stars in the LMC to determine whether similar chemistry takes place across the entire dwarf galaxy, or if ST6 is an outlier. "We currently only have one source in the Large Magellanic Cloud and only four sources with detection of these complex organic molecules in ices in the Milky Way," Sewio says. "We need larger samples from both to confirm our initial results that indicate differences in COM abundances between these two galaxies." The research has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Related News LIGONIER As one of the original Carnegie Libraries, the Ligonier Public Library received an unexpected windfall last week from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The library learned that it will be the recipient of a $10,000 gift in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Carnegie Libraries hold a special place in American history and in the hearts of generations of Americans, Library Director Angela Scott said. Today about 1,280 are still serving their communities. Were proud to be one of them. Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries in the United States between 1886 and 1917, it was noted in a press release from the Carnegie Foundation Corporation. As part of the Carnegie Libraries 250 special initiative, his philanthropic foundation reached out to each library and established that about 1,280 still operate and acknowledge their link to Carnegie, making them eligible for the celebratory gift. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corporation went on to note that recipients will receive a check in January 2026 and can use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further their mission and benefit their community. The gifts {span}anchor a $20 million special initiative created to celebrate next years 250th anniversary by supporting Americas civic institutions and organizations that foster civic participation and bring people together. Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as cradles of democracy that strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man, Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford, said. We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded. LIMA While Limas ServiceMaster by McCann has been under new leadership for the past year, its commitment to quality cleaning and restoration services has remained unchanged, according to new owner Brandon McCann. The cleaning service held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce on Friday to commemorate its new ownership, complete with congratulatory resolutions from Ohio Sen. Susan Manchester, R-Waynesfield, and the office of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. McCann, based in Defiance, assumed ownership of the business June 1, 2024 after the retirement of former owners Mike and Beth Kleman. He lauded the work his predecessors did in the past, both in offering professional cleaning and janitorial services and in fire and water damage restoration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest thing for me this last year was just bringing some renewed energy, getting some of the proper processes put into place and really just making sure theyre serving their customers in the manner they should be serviced to industry standards, he said. The Lima location has 135 employees currently on staff, including cleaning service workers, 45 restoration technicians and an office leadership team. They do a great job running their divisions and Im really proud of my team, McCann said. To learn more about ServiceMaster by McCann, call 800-466-5570 or go to bit.ly/4nkt4Qg. With the motto By Fire, By Sword and a baronetcy dating back more than 200 years, they are one of the most distinguished aristocratic dynasties in the country. But the Welby family have now been riven by a bitter dispute, pitching father against son over the right to farm thousands of acres of prime land. Charles Welby, 66, is suing his 97-year-old father, Sir Bruno Welby, the 7th Baronet of Denton Manor, in the dispute over a large chunk of the familys agricultural holdings in Lincolnshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In documents lodged with the High Court, he claims Sir Brunos company, D&S Farms which grows crops and raises cattle and buffalo has refused to vacate a significant section of the thousands of acres of farmland held in trust for him. Mr Welby, a father of three, served a notice to quit on D&S Farms in March last year, but the company which has assets of more than 4m responded with a counter-notice saying it has a protected tenancy. High Court to hear matter Both sides have now agreed the dispute should be heard by the High Court in London in the hope of resolving the differences. Mr Welby, who lives in historic Stroxton House, near Grantham, maintains he is the owner of around 854 acres in four farms in Harlaxton and Stroxton, and that he is entitled to possession of the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is now seeking a legal declaration that D&S Farms whose company secretary is his younger brother Dominic does not have security of tenure over the land, and that the agreement with D&S Farms should be set aside as being in breach of trust. He is also seeking possession of the land as well as damages. Beyond their agricultural holdings, the Welby family boasts an eclectic set of pursuits and interests. As well as being a gentleman farmer, Sir Bruno is a noted collector of antique porcelain. A single tea bowl from his extensive collection fetched nearly 10,000 at auction earlier this year, with the entire collection selling for more than 300,000, according to auctioneer Wooley & Wallis. Sir Bruno is a noted collector of antique porcelain In 2017, Charles Welbys daughter, the writer Venetia Welby, hosted a glittering party at the Groucho Club in Soho to celebrate the launch of her debut novel, Mother of Darkness. Guests at the event included Stanley Johnson, the father of Boris Johnson, Lady Violet Manners, Michael Portillo and Lord Magan. Timeline of events at centre of dispute Mr Welby will tell the court that prior to 1959, the Welby family owned 12,000 acres near Grantham, which was managed by Welby Estates, when his grandfather Sir Oliver Welby set up the Denton Trust for his sons, Sir Bruno and JPE Welby, and their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claims that in 1965, Welby Estates conveyed 3,483 acres to the Denton Trust and a year later, the trustees decided all the land should be held in trust for Charles Welby when he reached the age of 21. At that time, he was just 13. The legal documents state that two years later, the trustees irrevocably gave part of the land to Charles Welby. Sir Bruno agreed to farm around 1,000 acres in partnership with David and John Mitchell, sons of the recently deceased tenant of Denton Lodge Farm, in 1967. Charles Welby, who went to Eton before going to the Royal Agricultural College in the Cotswolds, and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said no written tenancies of his land were ever granted, and it was understood that the land would be returned to him on request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He maintains that since 1980, he has successfully asked for various parcels of land to be returned to him by D&S Farms, including parcels of land near his home at Stroxton House, eight acres of land now used as parkland and another 230 acres now used for grassland. Charles Welbys legal team says it will invite the court to infer that the partnership was a mechanism used by the Denton Trust and D&S Farms to avoid security of tenure. He claims that as a prospective tenant and a trustee of the Denton Trust, his father was in a position of conflict and failed to consider his sons prospects. Mr Welby also alleges that when the land was transferred to him in 2011, his father failed to ensure he had vacant possession and preferred his own interests, and the interests of D&S Farms, over his sons. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DENVER (KDVR) Coloradans wanting to properly dispose of their prescription medication taking up space have the opportunity to do it Saturday as its National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a nationwide initiative that aims to provide a safe and convenient way of disposing of expired, unwanted or unused prescription medication. Free on Your TV FOX31+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative was started in 2010 by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in order to allow people the opportunity to get rid of their medications to help prevent prescription drug misuse. DEA partners with nearly 4,000 law enforcement agencies across the country, including in Colorado, which provides thousands of collection sites to community members on Saturday. Colorado collection sites National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to the DEAs website, here are some of the listed law enforcement agencies taking part in the state with their collection sites: Aurora Police Department at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Location: 1635 Aurora Court Broomfield Police Department Location: 7 DesCombes Drive Commerce City Police Department at King Soopers Location: 15051 E. 104th Ave. Denver Police Department Location: 1311 W. 46th Ave. Englewood Police Department Location: 3615 South Elati St. Erie Police Department Location: 1000 Telleen Avenue Greely Police Department Location: 2875 W. 10th St. Greenwood Village Police Department Location: 6060 S. Quebec St. Jefferson County Sheriffs Office 2000 Jefferson County Parkway Lone Tree Police Department at HCA Healthone Sky Ridge Location: 10101 RidgeGate Parkway Thornton Police Departmen t at Thornton Fire Department Station 1 Location: 2300 Thornton Parkway Westminster Police Department Location: 9100 Yates Street Wheat Ridge Police Department at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital Location: 12911 W. 40th Ave. Windsor Police Department Location: 960 15th St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People can also go to the DEAs collection site locator and enter their zip code or county, city and state to view more locations. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The DEA said law enforcement can collect medication tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. However, some items cannot be accepted, such as syringes and illicit drugs. For more information, people can go to the DEAs website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LITCHFIELD The candidates for first selectperson recently debated the best approach to addressing affordable housing and public safety in town, among other issues. Democrat incumbent Denise Raap and Republican newcomer Bill Zampaglione also faced off on traffic cameras, communication and schools at the recent first selectperson debate. Zampaglione agreed affordable housing is needed in town, but raised concerns about "predatory" developers that could "bring what is subsidized housing under the guise of affordable housing" into Litchfield. Additionally, he noted the town could enact a four-year moratorium to "block any predatory developer from coming into town as long as we're proving that we're striving towards achieving the 10% goal for affordable housing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rapp said the town gave the Litchfield Housing Authority $105,000 to build eight affordable housing units that are now under the Planning & Zoning Commission's review. She said she is also working with the state to acquire the 19.3 acres on Torrington Road that was originally slated for the Litchfield Courthouse. "The state is now removing the easement that only allows it to be used as a courthouse," Raap said. "The state will give us the money if we dedicate a portion of that property to affordable housing." Raap, who began her career as first selectman in 2019, is running for her fourth term in office against Zampaglione. In terms of public safety, Raap said the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to move forward with a resident trooper program during her last two terms and added a third trooper in the last budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, the state of Connecticut has not been producing enough graduates in order to fulfill our request, so we are now again looking at the constable program," she said. "I do want to make sure the people in Litchfield feel safe, and if the people will support a budget that adds constables, I am for it." Zampaglione said he plans to bring back constables "to get things back to the way they used to be with community policing" after they were defunded a few years ago. "That was a huge issue in the country, and suddenly people have realized that experiment hasn't gone quite the way they hoped it will both locally, statewide and nationally," he said. Zampaglione said having "some police back on the street" would also help control traffic in Litchfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raap and Zampaglione disagreed over the use of speed cameras in Litchfield, with Zampaglione arguing the cameras would benefit the companies that provide the equipment "more than anyone" and would be counter to "a welcome wagon in Litchfield." Raap said she has had conversations with the officials in the town of Washington, which installed speed cameras in April, and would want to have cameras installed in school zones and on Routes 118 and 254 if cameras were approved in Litchfield. The candidates also discussed Region 20 schools, which includes Litchfield, Morris, Goshen and Warren. Raap emphasized the importance of keeping a strong relationship with the district's superintendent and chief financial officer to understand the district's issues and how the town can help, though she added, "Our hands are tied with the oversight of the budget in the schools." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zampaglione said the town should still have say in the school district. "I guess as the person with whom the buck stops, it's easy enough to say your hands are tied," Zampaglione argued. "And while the town and the first selectman may not be able to control the Region 20 board, it would certainly seem appropriate that they would sure have a whole lot to say as a town that pays 56% of the Region 20 school budget." This article originally published at Litchfield first selectperson candidates tackle affordable housing, public safety and traffic. Editors note: This article was updated after officials reported that a second incident occurred the following night on Oct. 25-26. Read the latest on Lithuanian airspace violations here. Lithuania has closed its last two operational border crossings with Belarus and the country's largest airport after another incident involving balloons launched from Belarusian territory, officials announced on Oct. 25. Air traffic at Vilnius Airport was halted until 2 a.m. local time amid the reported balloons, with officials announcing that the border will remain closed until the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident marks the second occurred within 24 hours that the country has shuttered flight operations and closed border crossings, after Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene announced an initial incident involving balloons on Oct. 24. Ruginiene said that a large group of "smuggling balloons" was launched from Belarus toward Lithuania, prompting the temporary suspension of operations at Vilnius and Kaunas airports. The move comes after a series of airspace violations involving balloons carrying contraband cigarettes. On Oct. 5 and 21, Lithuanian authorities were forced to close the airspace above Vilnius, leading to the cancellation of dozens of flights. "The State Border Guard Service has closed the Salcininkai and Medininkai border crossing points until noon tomorrow," Ruginiene wrote on Facebook following the Oct. 24 incident, citing national security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The services are acting in accordance with the decisions taken at this week's National Security Commission meeting. Next week, the commission will meet again to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken and determine what else can be done," she said. The latest incident marks the fourth such violation in a month. Belarus, ruled by dictator Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, remains one of Moscow's closest allies and has provided Russia with political, economic, and military support during its full-scale war in Ukraine. Lithuania shares a 680-kilometer (420-mile) border with the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure follows a surge in suspicious aerial incidents across Europe, fueling fears of hybrid operations linked to Russia. In early October, Munich International Airport faced two consecutive disruptions over suspected drone activity. Similar incidents briefly grounded flights in Oslo and Copenhagen, while in September, Polish forces shot down several Russian drones that violated its airspace. Days later, Romania reported that a Russian drone had crossed its border but chose not to engage. Read also: Russia has upgraded its already devastating glide bombs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A central Ohio baby who was born at just twenty-two weeks and two days is thriving after eight months in the hospital, and his story has made him a top contender for the Baby of the Year competition. Remy Garcia was only 1 pound, two ounces when he was born in January 2025. His mom, Charlotte Garcia, said her water broke when she was just seventeen weeks pregnant with Remy. Charlotte and her husband Oliver, said that for a few weeks, doctors told them they didnt believe Remy would make it with how early he was born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For about two weeks, we were prepared for the worst, said Oliver Garcia. Now, he weighs sixteen pounds and has been living happily at home since early September. Remy was at Nationwide Childrens Hospital for eight months as he got stronger. Fast-casual Mediterranean eatery to open at Easton Remy did have a brain bleed when he was born, and Charlotte said there are still some unknowns with having a baby born so young. He is at risk for mobility and developmental delays, but he is in occupational and physical therapy weekly, and doctors are happy with his progress. At this point, hes doing so well in therapies, and nobody is necessarily predicting that hell have those issues. But were just keeping a close eye and obviously with his weekly therapies and everything, trying to stay ahead of the curve, said Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he was released, the Garcias heard about the Baby of the Year competition. Its a fundraiser for Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that provides children in need with diapers, clothing, and other necessities. When people donate a dollar, they get a vote for the baby they want to win. People can also vote once for free each day. Remy is currently in first place in his group, and the winning baby gets a feature in Variety magazine and $25,000. Just with how sweet he is and you know, what a crazy year hes been through, I feel like he is a top contender to be Baby of the Year, said Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont get a lot of, like, even fussy from him. He will tell you how he feels about things. Hes very stern when he talks to you, but hes very sweet. He loves the attention he gets when hes home, said Oliver. Remy is still on oxygen and has a feeding tube, but the Garcias said he is doing extremely well. They are excited for more family time with Remy and his older sister. The Garcias found out Friday that Remy is a quarter-finalist for Baby of the Year, which means he was in the top one percent of all the babies in the competition. You can learn more about Remys story and vote for him here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. DANNEMORA Joseph F. Osier Jr., 12, died unexpectedly on June 7, 1936 in a Ticonderoga hospital. Afterward his despondent dog, Lindy, waited patiently for his young master to jump off the school bus. Not only did Junior get an obituary in the Chateaugay Record, so did his bereft English Springer Spaniel, who sensing Joseph would never return, sulked, refused food, howled dismally each time he heard the school bus, and finally died. That is among the fascinating tales Jack Bilow will spin today in his presentation, Genealogy Explorations of Old Newspapers, at the Northern New York American Canadian Genealogical Society Conference,10 a.m.-3 p.m., 40 Emmons St., Dannemora. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We try to hold them annually, but we didnt do it last year because of a few internal problems. But, we wanted to get back on track this year, NNYACGS President Pat Buckley said. Rest in Peace Bilows latest book is Rest in Peace The Chateaugay Record Obit Book Covering the towns of Chateaugay, Churubusco/Clinton, Burke, Ellenburg, Bellmont, NY & Hincinbrooke, QC With some obits from Malone, Constable, Altona & Mooers, NY 1881-1945. He dedicates the book to Abbie Ives (1900-1995), who opened the teen center in Chateaugay, and Beatrice Patnode (1936-2021), who ran the day-to-day operations of the Chateaugay Record until the presses stopped in 1995. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive done genealogy since I was 15 years old. Im no longer 15 of course. Im in my 70s. This book is a compilation of obituaries from the Chateaugay Record and also I used a couple of Plattsburgh papers to cover Ellenburg and Churubusco, the Plattsburgh resident said. The Chateaugay Record was a weekly published by Chas. A. Huntington from 1878 to the 1890s, according to nyshistoricnewpapers.org. Basically, there are 15,000 extracts from obituaries in it. It took me quite a while. I had started it about 30 years ago because I had some girls doing it for me. I had the cards sitting around my house and four or five years, I started picking them up and looking at them. They didnt complete about 5,000 of the obituaries. I had to add those to it. So, I spent hours and hours going through the newspapers again from 1881 to 1945, he said. Interesting data surfaced from his research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the best obituary newspaper in northern New York from 1900 to 1950. Im often fond of telling people if your dog died they would put an obituary for him. I actually did find one for a dog. I put it in the front part of my introduction. I did find two obituaries for horses, Bilow said. Old Creamer was owned by the Smith family, and 32-year-old Jack was owned by the Douglas family, distant relatives of Bilows. There was this woman (Marie LaFrance) who was murdered by this guy (Isaac White of Hogansburg). What happened was the judge in Franklin County was named Samuel Beman. He was a native of Chateaugay. What occurred there, he was a county judge in Franklin County. This was in 1897. He would get this smell. One day he spent the whole day there, and he followed the smell into the cellar and kicked off some covers to some old boxes and he comes upon a body. He looks at it, and he recognizes the dress. About a year before, they had had a trial. This girl had been murdered, so what they did is brought her in for evidence in the courtroom and when they got done with her, they brought her down in the cellar, left her there, and forget about it. Thats true, he said. There were actually two newspapers, Chateaugay Record and Chateaugay Journal, from 1897 to 1904. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, I have the extracts from the Chateau Journal in there, too, so thats an extra added thing if they werent in the Chateaugay Record. They got into a battle with a newspaper called the Malone Farmer. The said its an awful thing they put it in the paper, and theyre going back and forth with articles each week. Finally, they said we interviewed the judge. He was the one who told us the body was down in the cellar, he said. Other interesting historical facts include a Burke resident who was involved with the chain across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War, a corpse that sprang to life, and a serial killer with a list of aliases. To learn about them and more, go and hear Bilows talk today. Genealogical sleuths will find many clues in the voluminous book that list surnames from Abair to Zimitrovich. There is also data from the Malone Palladium 1850-1909, which was originally called the Frontier Palladium. He has written several books, and hes going to be speaking specifically about his Chateaugay Record obit book called Rest in Peace. I think that will be very interesting. Hes very knowledgeable about especially the Chateaugay area, Buckley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pathway to America250 with Geri Favreau (CCHA president) is the second morning presentation. Then, were going to have Geri Favreau outlining the events planned for 2026 including the grand finale planned for Oct. 11, 2026, Buckley said. At noon, conference attendees can partake of their bring-your-own bag lunch and tour the NNYACGS Library and take a guided tour of the Village of Dannemora Museum located next to the NNYACGS Library. The museum contains information and artifacts from the local history, history of Clinton Correctional Facility, and more. An afternoon presentation, Clinton County Revolutionary War Patriots with Diane Parmeter, introduces a record of Clinton Countys Revolutionary War Veterans, which was prepared and published by the Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The book lists the names, service records, and other (cemetery locations and spouses) information as available for 294 Revolutionary War Patriots who had lived in Clinton County. The book can be purchased for $15, and all proceeds will go toward the purchasing of Revolutionary War Patriot bronze DAR markers for soldiers grave sites, according to a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes going to have books there to be purchased. Shes going to sit up a table. The Clinton County Historical Society is going to be there will a table also. Helen Nerska will be there also. She is one of our members. We are going to be selling books, some of Clyde Rabideaus books. There will be some parish records. If we have to, we will print them right on the spot for people. The tour of the museum is well worth a stop. Larry and Colleen Seney are very knowledgeable there about the goings-on of Dannemora and the Saranac area, Buckley said. This conference is free and open to the public. People that live in the Village of Dannemora, there is no membership fee for them. We have very few members from the village. I dont know why. Theres no charge for them. That was part of our lease deal with the Village. We definitely could get more Dannemora people there. Were going to have coffee and doughnuts in the morning and get things started, he said. ASHTABULA People from Northeast Ohio traveled to Kent State University Ashtabula Friday for the first-ever Ashtabula County Sustainability Summit. The conference brought together speakers and organizations to speak on local and regional environmental issues, sustainable farming and green technology. Geneva Councilperson Jeff Griffiths was on the planning committee for the event. Weve been talking about it for a couple years, he said. Other communities have been doing these summits and gatherings for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planning for the conference drew in other local leaders in government, farming and business, Griffiths said. We hope to leave today with a set of priorities that can be turned into a sustainable action plan, he said. Griffiths said he and other planners want to have the conference again next year. The conference had presentations throughout the morning and afternoon. Ashtabula County OSU Extension Community Development Educator Julie Wayman presented at a panel on the power of local food systems. She started with the history of local food in the county, and how the local farming economy shifted away from mostly dairy farming to a more diverse range of crops and livestock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was increased attention in the county toward local food around a decade ago, Wayman said. It is unique to Ashtabula County that we maintain a local food guide, she said. This is updated annually. We have a list of all the farms, farmers markets and local farm-related retailers in one easy-to-use guide. Wayman highlighted examples of local food projects and education, and their effect on nearby communities. She said the creation of the Dorset Community Food Forest, a community orchard that led to people becoming more engaged with neighbors and township government. In the future, when the trees are big enough, people can go in and potentially forage and potentially harvest fresh fruit from [the orchard], she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County high school students attended the conference. Kids for Positive Change founder Camille Licate led the high schoolers in a wrap-up session, where they imagined sustainably-themed movies. Theyre creating movies based on real life or characters they are making up, anywhere from being in the rainforest where theres deforestation to here in Ashtabula County where farm communities are suffering from drought, she said. Students from A-Tech and Geneva, Lakeside and Edgewood high schools were asked to imagine what a more sustainable Ashtabula County would look like, she said. I was extremely impressed to hear so many high school students are engaged with whats happening, Licate said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she wants next years summit to be larger than Fridays event. Im hoping we have made so many good connections here, and that Im hoping we can keep that momentum moving throughout the year and get more people interested, Licate said. One thing I always say is one of the most powerful things you can do is share your knowledge. The summit drew many sponsors, including the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, which had a table at the summit. NOPEC Chief Business Development Officer Aaron Marcovy said the group work with almost all local governments in the county, and wanted to share its expertise with other like-minded people and organizations. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in "vote chori" (vote theft) and "horse-trading" to secure a fourth Rajya Sabha seat from the Union Territory. Addressing the media in Udhampur, Choudhary alleged that the BJP could not have won without offering "lollipops", a metaphor for financial or political inducements to MLAs to cross-vote. Choudhary highlighted the victory of three Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) candidates to the Rajya Sabha, asserting that they would represent the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament. "Our three MPs will raise the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and will also take forward our fight to restore statehood," he said. However, Choudhary described the BJP's win on the fourth seat as illegitimate. "The BJP tried its best to win all the Rajya Sabha seats through horse-trading, as we had predicted earlier. However, they could not succeed as they wished and managed to win only one seat," he stated. He further claimed that the BJP's victory was solely due to "vote chori and horse-trading", without which, he said, they would not have won the seat. The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that the party would conduct an internal probe to identify the MLAs who cross-voted for the BJP. "We will analyse this. There are traitors (Gaddars) everywhere, like Jaichand, who voted for the BJP. Otherwise, the National Conference would have won all four seats," Choudhary said. He added that efforts were underway to identify those who were given "lollipops" in exchange for their votes. Dismissing speculation of any understanding between the National Conference and the BJP, Choudhary said, "They are wrong, and I want to tell them that the National Conference will never make any deal with the BJP." The Deputy CM's remarks have heightened political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, with the issue of alleged cross-voting and "horse-trading" expected to dominate the political discourse in the coming days. (ANI) DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) The Ordinary People Society is looking to unify and heal Dothan from issues that have recently plagued the community through their first worship service. We are gonna have a peaceful panel right before the film we will address the gun violence we have a total new change in our commissioners, so we see hopes coming out district 1, 2 and 3 but really what are the issues, Rodreshia Russaw-Glasgow said. Russaw-Glasgow said there are also other issues like a rise in high school dropouts, homelessness, as well as businesses who are trying to get off the ground but may be lacking citys support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just want to tie all these things together and find solutions, She said. Shortly after the worship service, the Alabama Solution film will be shown its a recent documentary that has brought inhumane treatment of inmates in Alabama prisons to light. The ears are turned to Alabama now what are we going to do about the situation? She said. Chris England said it best yesterday we cant have our hands bloody in this its not about just the problem but what is the solution? Russaw-Glasgow said the event also gives those affected by the trauma of incarceration a shoulder to cry on with the documentary being a tough watch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are humans we just have to unify and love them and support them whether its incarceration, homelessness or LGBTQ we have to unify, She said. The event will take place at the civic center on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Oct. 24Public safety and homelessness remain the top issues facing the Spokane region, and residents show an overwhelming dissatisfaction with the local response to their concerns, according to the latest survey from Greater Spokane Incorporated. "The Pulse" poll shows in the latest results released Thursday: * About 62% of the poll's 600 respondents feel safe downtown. But 75% say they do not feel safe visiting the core of the city at night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * About 70% of survey takers said they lacked confidence in their local government to effectively address their concerns, still better than 80% in the last survey in April. * And respondents rated their quality of life in the greater Spokane area only a 3.3 on a scale of 10. That's lower than the 3.7 ranking a year ago. * The survey, however, also showed a willingness to pay more for infrastructure, including streets, parks, schools and public transit. The region's chamber of commerce and economic development advocacy group released the results of the survey conducted by California-based firm EMC Research. It was the third of what is intended to be a recurring nonpartisan resource for public and private leaders to gauge the region. Prior results were released in October 2024 and last April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Constituents and voters have been clear through the Pulse surveys from last year to now, over the three editions, that their priorities are not changing," said Mary Miller, director of public policy for Greater Spokane Inc. "... And I think that until we can make some progress and collaborate on those issues, then we'll continue to see the trends go the same way." The survey shows 92% of respondents say they would pay more to fix the infrastructure like potholes, parks and public safety. And 72% support spending more money on community infrastructure including schools, parks and transit. Miller said the coalition hopes the poll will provide local officials with clear data on their constituents' views, thoughts and fear as a basis for policy change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest results should help view trends over the past year, but as successive surveys come out, broader, longer-term trends should become more clear, she said. Miller said she was most struck by the consistency in the October survey, across both the various municipalities and the prior survey results. With some wiggle room depending on where they lived, age or political leaning, respondents stressed the importance of addressing homelessness, increasing public safety and good governance. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said she did not have the opportunity to review the details of the survey when reached for comment shortly after its release. It's not the city's typical source for feedback, she said, noting that the survey is conducted countywide and that the outreach City Hall already does includes working with the 29 neighborhood councils. While criticisms around the response to homelessness, drug use and mental health have tended to fall squarely on the city, other regional entities like Spokane County also share responsibility, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The city of Spokane is just one piece of this region, and one piece of the resources to solve the problems in the region," Brown said. Brown said she was encouraged to see more support for the region's elected leaders and their ability to address constituent concerns, which she credits to the many different efforts already underway. The worries about public safety and the downtown core have plagued the city since before Brown took office. It was part of the motivating factor behind running the tax proposal last fall that provided funding for the return of neighborhood resource officers, firefighting equipment and other community safety investments, she said. Brown also pointed to the city's investments in co-responder teams that partner mental health and social service experts with first responders and broader treatment services using funding from settlements with opioid distributors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investments in better treatment services for mental health and addiction, as well as law enforcement, continue to receive strong support among Inland Northwest residents, Miller said. Brown said she supports and is actively engaged with the Safe and Healthy Spokane task force, a regional collaboration between municipalities, elected officials and local business leaders to bring forward a 2026 public safety tax measure to improve regional homeless, addiction, mental health and detention facilities. "The focus on a broader definition of community safety, I think, really resonates with people," Brown said. The data does not tease out what some of the respondents were mulling as they responded. Miller said it can be hard to tie the change to specific policies because of the federal, state and local overlap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, more than 75% of those surveyed cited concerns about their personal finances, given the economic climate. That could be tied to a number of factors, including the policies laid out by the nation's highest branches of government, like the Trump administration's tariffs. "It's hard to gauge that, because there are so many things playing into folks' perception," Miller said. The complete survey results, including the prior two surveys, can be found on Greater Spokane Inc.'s website. While the numbers can be helpful to peruse, Miller said they should be used to drive policy discussions and changes. Downtown remains an attractive destination to live, work and recreate, Brown said. Since the pandemic, there have been more businesses opening in downtown than those closing each year except 2024. And this year is on track to also to see business growth downtown, according to the Downtown Spokane Partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the city's efforts continue, she encouraged Spokane residents to report any criminal behavior or concerning situations to the region's first responders. Spokane police receive more than 700 calls for service a day, encompassing a geographic area of 69 square miles, she said. "So our police force is very active," Brown said. "And they generally are activated by calls that people make." Brown said she looks forward to seeing downtown Spokane rebound. "I believe that we're moving in the right direction," she said, "and people are going to be very happy with some announcements over the next year about things that are going to be happening downtown, both events and new projects." Editor's note: This story was changed on Oct. 24, 2025. An earlier version of this article inaccurately characterized downtown business trends. New businesses have outpaced closures every year since the pandemic except 2024. Kansas Citians can now ride the streetcar all the way to UMKC. Once you celebrate the grand opening and take your first ride down Main Street, you can plan your commute. Here are details about the KC Streetcar Main Street extension schedule, to avoid showing up late for a shift or running behind for class. How long does it take to ride the KC Streetcar? The streetcar takes approximately 30 minutes to go from the River Market to UMKC, and vice versa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On average, the vehicle takes 1 minute and 42 seconds to get from one stop to another. Like before the extension, the vehicles arrive every 10-12 minutes and run until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. With eight stops over the 3.5 mile expansion, you can find the stop most convenient to you. The track goes on Main Street and passes by midtown, Westport, Southmoreland and the Plaza before ending at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. You can plan your trip using Google and Apple Maps or the free Transit app. Heres how long it takes to get from stop to stop, according to the Transit app on Friday afternoon. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and his wife, Katherine Carttar (right), watch their son, Bennett Carttar Lucas, look out the window during the inaugural ride of the KC Streetcar Main Street extension on Friday, October 24, 2025. The grand opening celebrated the addition of a Plaza stop and a stop at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Southbound Starts at River Market, 3rd and Grand 1 minute to: River Market West, 4th and Delaware 2 minutes to: North Loop, 7th and Main 2 minutes to: Library, 9th and Main 2 minutes to: Metro Center, 12th and Main 1 minute to: Power and Light, 14th and Main 1 minute to: Kauffman Center, 16th and Main 2 minutes to: Crossroads, 19th and Main 2 minutes to: Union Station, Pershing and Main 3 minutes to: WWI Museum and Memorial, 27th and Main 2 minutes to: Union Hill, 31st and Main 2 minutes to: Armour, Armour and Main 2 minutes to: Westport, 39th and Main 2 minutes to: Southmoreland, 43rd and Main 1 minute to: Art Museums, 45th and Main 2 minutes to: Plaza, Emanuel Cleaver II and Brookside Boulevard 2 minutes to: UMKC, 51st and Brookside Boulevard A grand opening poster was displayed on a new KC Streetcar stop at the Country Club Plaza during the launch of the three-and-a-half-mile extension on Friday, October 24, 2025. Northbound Starts at UMKC, 51st and Brookside Boulevard 2 minutes to: Plaza, Emanuel Cleaver II and Brookside Boulevard 2 minutes to: Art Museums, 45th and Main 1 minute to: Southmoreland, 43rd and Main 2 minutes to: Westport, 39th and Main 2 minutes to: Armour, Armour and Main 2 minutes to: Union Hill, 31st and Main 2 minutes to: WWI Museum and Memorial, 27th and Main 2 minutes to: Union Station, Pershing and Main 1 minute to: Crossroads, 19th and Main 2 minutes to: Kauffman Center, 16th and Main 1 minute to: Power and Light, 14th and Main 2 minutes to: Metro Center, 12th and Main 2 minutes to: Library, 9th and Main 1 minute to: North Loop, 7th and Main 2 minutes to: City Market, 5th and Main 3 minutes to: River Market, 3rd and Grand The KC streetcar does a test run on Main Street and Armour Road for the nearly finished Main Street extension headed towards UMKC, on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Kansas City. How often does the KC Streetcar run? The frequency of the streetcar depends on the time of day and day of the week. Monday-Thursday 5 to 6 a.m., every 30 minutes 6 to 10 p.m., every 10 minutes 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., every 10-12 minutes Friday 5 to 6 a.m., every 30 minutes 6 to 10 p.m., every 10 minutes 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., every 10-12 minutes Saturday 5 to 7 a.m., every 30 minutes 7 to 10 p.m., every 10 minutes 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., every 10-12 minutes Sunday LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A wanted Louisville man was arrested on Thursday in connection with a human trafficking investigation in Bullitt County. The Bullitt County Sheriffs Office said 46-year-old Gerald Hodges was arrested with the help of the Louisville Metro Police Department. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been charged with two counts of human trafficking, victim under 18, two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of third-degree sodomy, and trafficking in Marijuana. Hodges is in the Bullitt County Detention Center with a $100,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Five days after the spectacular break-in at the Louvre in Paris, part of the museum's valuable jewellery collection was transferred to the Banque de France for security reasons, local media reported on Friday. The pieces were transported under police escort to the nearby vaults of the French central bank, radio station RTL reported, citing corroborating sources. Broadcaster BFMTV also reported that the information had been confirmed. The Louvre was evacuated and shut down on Sunday morning after four masked thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery, home to France's remaining crown jewels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They broke into two display cases and made off with eight pieces of jewellery once owned by French queens and empresses, with an estimated value of 88 million ($102 million). The daring break-in also sparked a debate about security measures at the museum. It wasn't initially clear which exhibits were affected by the transfer. The crown jewels on display in the Apollo Gallery and other jewellery are said to have been moved. There is still no trace of the perpetrators or the stolen jewels. According to the RTL report, the jewels were deposited in a high-security vault 26 metres underground. Around 90% of France's gold reserves are also stored there. Such a transfer is considered extraordinary. Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, estimated to be worth over 600 million, have been kept in those vaults for several years. Days after the spectacular break-in at the Louvre in Paris, some of the museum's valuable jewellery has been taken to the Banque de France for security reasons. It is not yet clear which exhibits were transfered but the crown jewels on display in the Apollo Gallery and other jewellery are said to have been moved. The move comes after a bold theft last weekend when the Louvre was evacuated and shut down after four masked thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery, home to France's remaining crown jewels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They broke into two display cases and made off with eight pieces of jewellery once owned by French queens and empresses, with an estimated value of 88 million ($102 million). The daring break-in also sparked a debate about security measures at the museum. The items transported under police escort have been taken to the nearby vaults of the French central bank. The Louvre transferred some of its jewellery collection to the vaults of the Bank of France on Friday as a precaution, French radio network RTL reported. The items, which reportedly included the "Crown Jewels" exhibited in the Apollo Gallery, as well as other jewels from other areas in the museum, were discretely transferred under police escort, the radio network added. The bank's vault, which is located 27 metres below its head office in the heart of Paris, is home to 90% of France's gold reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, several thieves broke into the world-famous museum in broad daylight. They used a basket lift to access a balcony leading to the Apollo Gallery, forced open a window and broke display cases to steal the jewels, before escaping on two-wheelers. The robbery lasted between six to seven minutes. A Paris prosecutor estimates that the jewels stolen from the Louvre last week were worth 88 million euros, but that the monetary estimate doesnt include their historical value to France. The heist sparked public outrage and has been criticised as a "national humiliation" by several French lawmakers. It also raised questions over museum security, for which officials at the Louvre had previously warned that there was a lack of investment. However, in recent years, Europe has seen a noticeable surge in museum heists. In France alone, at least four museums have been robbed in the past few months. I have lived my entire career a life of service and its in my bones, Harris said. Former Vice President Kamala Harris isnt ruling out another run at president. In an interview with the BBC, Harris says her grandnieces will see a woman in the White House in their lifetime and suggests that woman may possibly be her. I am not done, Harris told Laura Kuenssberg about a possible third run for the White House. I have lived my entire career a life of service and its in my bones. There are many ways to serve, but I have not decided yet what I will do in the future beyond what Im doing right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris previously ran for president in 2019 during the 2020 presidential election cycle before suspending her campaign and becoming President Joe Bidens vice presidential nominee and Vice President. The BBC interview comes a month after Harriss New York Times-bestselling memoir, 107 Days, was released. It chronicles her attempt to defeat President Donald Trump in the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. When presented with a poll that put her behind Dwayne The Rock Johnson as a viable presidential candidate, Harris didnt budge. I think there are all kinds of polls that will tell you a variety of things, Harris said. Ive never listened to polls. If I listened to polls I wouldnt have run for my first office or my second office. And I certainly wouldnt be sitting here. Elsewhere in the interview, Harris commented on predictions she had made about Trump during her campaign regarding Trump weaponizing the Justice Department and running an authoritarian government, suggesting they had come true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice and he has done exactly that, Harris stated. You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists His skin is so thin he couldnt endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organisation in the process. Harris was referencing ABCs suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host joked about Republicans reaction to Charlie Kirks death. Kimmels removal, which Trump celebrated, came at the behest of the FCC, which threatened ABC broadcasters if Kimmel wasnt reprimanded for his comments. In her book tour, Harris offered candor about the current administration, remarking These motherfs are crazy during a stop in Los Angeles. Theres so much about this moment that is trying to make people feel like theyve lost their mind, she told the audience before delivering her now viral remark, while urging those in attendance and those watching to understand how the country arrived at Trump and the various organizations that helped propel Trump back to the White House. More must-reads: The events marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib commenced on Saturday, with Punjab Cabinet Ministers paying their respects at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in New Delhi. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President and Punjab Minister Aman Arora visited the historic Gurdwara to participate in the commemorations. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "On the occasion of Guru Sahib's 350th anniversary, the Punjab Government has organised a grand event. Four Nagar Kirtan processions will be held to spread the teachings of Guru Sahib. Sikh scholars from around the world have been invited to participate. Guru Sahib's message is a message of humanity." Earlier, addressing a high-level meeting held at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh said that Indian Railways is set to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in a respectful manner, a release said. The Ministry of Railways stated in a release that this initiative aims to raise awareness among the younger generation about the teachings and sacrifices of the revered Sikh Guru. According to the release, the discussion was held to display Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's Shlokas at all railway stations and on trains across India. It was also discussed that special commemorative trains would be operated from different locations during the Shatabdi period, and Punjabi signboards would be installed at all railway stations in Haryana, Patna, and Hazur Sahib. Ravneet Singh also stated that Indian Railways welcomes the valuable suggestions provided by leaders of various Sikh institutions for commemorating this historic event, as mentioned in the official statement by the Ministry of Railways. The statement mentioned that proposals, including the renaming of Delhi Railway Station as Guru Tegh Bahadur Railway Station, were also put forward. Chairman, Railway Board, Satish Kumar, assured all representatives that Indian Railways would give due consideration to the suggestions and take appropriate steps to ensure the success of the Shatabdi commemorations. Earlier, Haryana Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed a resolution and paid tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, whose 350th Martyrdom Day anniversary will be observed later this year. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during the ongoing monsoon session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Paying his respects, the Chief Minister said that this year marks the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru and 'Hind Ki Chaadar', Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. The House expressed deep reverence for the supreme sacrifice made by Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and solemnly resolved to commemorate this historic occasion in a dignified and befitting manner. Reading out the resolution, the Chief Minister recalled that in November 1675, at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib gave the supreme sacrifice of his life to defend the right to freedom of faith and conscience. His devotees - Bhai Mati Das, who was sawn alive; Bhai Sati Das, who was wrapped in cotton and burnt alive; and Bhai Dayala Ji, who was boiled alive in a cauldron of hot water-- also embraced martyrdom with unshakable faith. Their sacrifices are the eternal epitome of courage, righteousness, and steadfast devotion. (ANI) In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, The From front to back, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Royal Moroccan Navy FREMM multipurpose frigate Mohammed VI (701), and Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), steam in formation while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, on October 1, 2025. Credit - Alyssa JoyU.S. Navy via Getty Images Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused President Donald Trump of pushing for war against his country just a day after the Pentagon confirmed it had dispatched the worlds largest aircraft carrier to the region. In a national broadcast on Friday night, Maduro accused Trump of "fabricating a new eternal war" against Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we will avoid," said Maduro. "They are fabricating an extravagant narrative, a vulgar, criminal and totally fake one. Read more: Trumps Caribbean Bombing Campaign Brings War on Terror to the Americas Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Friday that the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, was being deployed to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland. Parnell said the deployment would bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deployment represents a significant escalation in the Trump Administrations military buildup in Latin America, which it claims is targeted at drug cartels. But it comes amid an increase in threats against opposing governments. During his first term in office, Trump tried unsuccessfully to push Maduro out of power. Since returning for a second term, he has denied that he is seeking regime changebut those denials are becoming less forceful. Trump has accused Maduro of being an illegitimate president after an election that most independent observers believe was stolen. He has also accused him, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua, and blamed him for the trafficking of fentanyl-laced drugs to the United States. In August, a reward for information leading to his arrest was raised to $50 million. The U.S. has been carrying out strikes against boats it claims are being driven by cartel members carrying drugs in the Caribbean since early September, and in recent days, Trump has threatened to extend the strikes inside Venezuela. At least 43 people have been killed in 10 strikes, according to the administration. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro points at a map of the Americas during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 15, 2025. Jesus VargasAP Analysts and legal experts have questioned the legality of the strikes, which have been carried out without Congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war, Trump said on Thursday when asked why he hadnt sought Congressional approval for the strikes. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? Were going to kill them, you know, theyre going to be like, dead. A day earlier, Trump had suggested that he might strike within Venezuela soon to target what his administration alleges are cocaine production facilities, according to CNN. But he added that he might seek Congressional approval for those strikes. "We're allowed to do that, and if we do [it] by land, we may go back to Congress," Trump told White House reporters on Wednesday. The Trump Administration has been building up military forces in the region for months now. The Pentagon deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico last month. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford will join eight warships and some 10,000 troops already in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Maduro responded directly to the revelation, calling the move a desperate attempt at regime change. In his televised address on Friday, Maduro denied that his country produced cocaine. "Venezuela is a country that does not produce cocaine leaves," he said. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford is the most advanced aircraft carrier ever built by the U.S. Navy. It typically carries dozens of fighter jets and some 4,000 personnel. The carrier was recently docked in Split, Croatia, meaning it could take several days to arrive off the coast of Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both of his presidential campaigns, Trump ran on a platform of ending what he described as endless wars, and has frequently described himself as the president of peace. Since returning for a second term, he launched widespread bombing raids against Irans nuclear program, again without seeking congressional approval. Trump has also lashed out in recent days at Colombia's leftist president, Gustavo Petro, saying he had better close up drug operations in the country or the United States will close them up for him, and it won't be done nicely. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Petro for providing benefits to narco-terrorist organizations. Contact us at letters@time.com. Controversial HBO comedian Bill Maher has questioned the wisdom of California Governor Gavin Newsoms newfound penchant for social media Trumpisms as a way of getting back at the MAGA administration. Hes been trolling Donald Trump, as Maher put it to his guest, Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, on Fridays broadcast of Real Time With Bill Maher. Hes been sort of taking Trumps methodology and throwing it right back at him, the host went on. I think it may have jumped the shark a little recently. Is that something you endorse? Is that an effective technique? Maher's not convinced Newsom's got it right with his MAGAesque trolling / Noam Galai / Getty Images Over the past several months, Newsom has increasingly taken to adopting the presidents social media mannerismsincluding ALL CAP posts, scathing nicknames, memes and signature sign-offs like Thank you for your attention to this matteras part of a wider apparent attempt to emulate the kind of brash virality that won Trump the election last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid backlash from the presidents supporters, and a mixed reception from his critics, the California governor has defended his new methods by arguing hes simply holding up a mirror to the MAGA administration. Newsom has increasingly parodied Trump with his social media output of late. / Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Im just following his example, Newsom previously told reporters. If you have issues with what Im putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what hes putting out as president. Newsom and Beshear, both two-term governors who continue to poll strongly in their respective states, are widely regarded as frontrunners for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2028 presidential elections. Speaking with Maher on Friday, Beshear seemed reluctant to bad-mouth his prospective opponent, telling the comedian he broadly backed Newsoms pushback against Trump, but also lamented feeling as though the current state of political discourse in the United States had led to Newsoms methods being warranted. Beshear says he wouldn't do it Newsom's say, but that in the end, he gets it. / Tom Williams / om Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Hes pushing back in his way, Beshear said. Its not my way. Its just not me. But I think everybody has to take their style and do whats best for their people. But I think he is standing up. I think hes pushing back and I think it takes all of us in our own ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beshear later expressed a note of cautious optimism, given his view of the MAGA administrations performance thus far, ahead of midterm elections next year. I think people dont like extremism and people feel the country may have swung too far one way and now is swinging too far the other way and its impacting their daily lives, he told Maher. But, even before we get to midterms, the Democrats are going to win the governorship of both New Jersey and Virginia. Were working really hard to make that happen. An altar to honor the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting was erected for an Oct. 29 vigil at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston. (Emma Davis/Maine Morning Star) Flags will be flying at half-staff across Maine Saturday in remembrance of the victims of the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston. Saturday marks two years since the states deadliest mass shooting at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille that killed 18 people and injured 13 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although nothing can lessen their loss, we grieve with the families of the victims and the survivors of the Lewiston tragedy so that no one feels alone, said Gov. Janet Mills. We open our hearts to those who were injured and to those who are still struggling with the aftermath of that night. And we offer unending gratitude to the people whose heroic actions saved lives and set us on the long and winding road to healing. There are several events planned in Lewiston to mark the anniversary. On Friday, community members gathered on Longley Bridge, where many held homemade signs on posters that said, We Remember. By leaning on our collective love for Lewiston, we will build a safer, more connected, and resilient future, said Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday afternoon, the Yes on Question 2 campaign, which is backing a statewide ballot initiative to adopt a red flag law, is hosting an interfaith event at 3 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lewiston. In addition to faith community leaders, Arthur Barnard, the father of Lewiston victim Artie Strout, and Joe Anderson, a doctor who worked in the emergency room the night of the shooting, will speak at the event. In early September, survivors and victims family members filed a lawsuit against the United States for negligence in failing to respond to warning signs and an explicit threat to commit a mass shooting. The lawsuit points to many of the findings of state and Army investigations, which concluded multi-agency failures related to the handling of perpetrator Robert Card IIs deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to the shooting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Outdoor Retailer, a major outdoor recreation industry trade show, is moving its annual expo to Minneapolis from Salt Lake City. The annual expo, scheduled for Aug. 19 to 21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, brings together outdoor industry businesses from across North America. Minnesota rose to the top of the list of potential homes for the trade show because of its strong retail industry, green spaces, and facilities. Emerald, Outdoor Retailer's parent company, plans to keep the event in the Twin Cities going forward, Minnesota Public Radio reports. Paddlers in Voyageurs National ParkTim Umphreys/Unsplash With the move, organizers plan to initiate changes to the event. Town Lift reports that Outdoor Retailer will make space for local and mission-driven nonprofits and add a new Leadership Village, co-led by endurance athlete Sunny Stroeer and industry veteran Paul Gagner. It'll also bring back the Outdoor Industry Innovation Awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outdoor Retailer had only returned to Salt Lake City in 2023. It had left the city in 2018 in protest of state politicians weakening protections on public lands, including the reduction of public land around Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Companies including Patagonia, REI, and The North Face protested the expo's return to Utah. Related: The Art Shanty Projects are returning to a frozen Minneapolis lake this January This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN Lifestyle section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. On a Friday visit to the Twin Cities touting recent activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took aim at state and local Democratic leaders for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Standing with immigration officials behind large bags of methamphetamine, cocaine, and dozens of firearms seized in what ICE said were recent enforcement actions in the Twin Cities, Noem told reporters gathered in the federal building at Fort Snelling that an ongoing immigration crackdown under Republican President Donald Trump is making Minnesota and the U.S. safer. Since January of this year, ICE has removed more than 4,300 people in the U.S. illegally in the state of Minnesota, according to ICE. Of that number, 3,316 had criminal histories and 98 were gang members, Noem claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, called on state leaders to help federal authorities enforce immigration laws and accused Gov. Tim Walz and Twin Cities leaders of shielding people present in the U.S. illegally. We dont decide which law gets enforced and which one doesnt. They are laws, they are on the books. They were put in place, voted on, and instituted. And therefore, we enforce them all. If members of Congress, senators, governors dont like the law, then they should go through the work of changing them. Some describe St. Paul and Minneapolis as sanctuary cities because they have local laws that limit cooperation between law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. Minnesota itself does not have a sanctuary policy barring cooperation with immigration authorities, something Walz told Republican members of Congress when he and other Democratic governors were summoned to testify on their states immigration policies in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans view Walz as uncooperative on immigration and have pointed to Attorney General Keith Ellisons opinion that Minnesota cant enforce immigration detainers if an individual can otherwise be released from custody. When the Trump Department of Justice sued Minnesota over sanctuary policies in September, its lawsuit mentioned the detainer policy and that Minnesota does not share drivers license data for use in immigration enforcement. I dont know how he sleeps at night, Noem said of Walz. I dont know how he goes to bed knowing that hes letting these people walk these streets and there can be more victims the next day. I hope that the next family who loses their child to the drugs that are on this table or illegal weapons that are on the streets doesnt have to put up with a governor like that. Besides an update on ICE activities in Minnesota since Trump took office in January, Noem did not share any substantial updates on immigration enforcement in Minnesota during her Friday appearance before the press at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears that this visit was perhaps more about pulling a political stunt than about solving a problem, Walzs office said in a statement. Asked by a reporter whether the Trump administration would send National Guard soldiers to Minnesota as he has to other states ostensibly for public safety reasons, Noem would not answer, saying the decision ultimately lies with the president. However, Noem said Minnesota could expect additional ICE agents to join existing efforts in the state as the Department of Homeland Security continues its push to hire 10,000 new officers nationwide doubling its workforce. During the news conference, a crowd of hundreds gathered outside the federal building to protest Noems visit and Trumps unprecedented immigration crackdown. Protesters chanted Say it loud, say it clear: Immigrants are welcome here and carried signs comparing ICE to secret police services like the Gestapo in Nazi Germany or the Soviet Unions KGB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both used Noems visit as an opportunity to reinforce to the public their commitment to protecting immigrant communities in their cities. Were aware ICE and federal agents are in the Twin Cities ahead of Kristi Noems speech today, Carter said in a statement on social media. Though were not aware of planned enforcement activity, I share your concerns (St. Paul Police Department) will not participate in immigration enforcement. Frey made his remarks in a video statement posted to the city of Minneapolis YouTube channel. In Minneapolis, we dont back down from our values, we stand with our immigrant neighbors, Frey said. In Minneapolis, we have your back. You will be protected and respected by our City employees, regardless of your immigration status. Related Articles Even with the election nearly two weeks away, Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdanis campaign has started lobbying City Council members on his proposal to launch a new agency that would take over certain responsibilities, such as mental health calls, from the NYPD, the Daily News has learned. Mamdanis campaign manager, Elle Bisgaard-Church, led a virtual briefing Thursday afternoon about the candidates proposal to establish the so-called Department of Community Safety. The call included a small group of supportive progressive Council members, including Tiffany Caban of Queens and Sandy Nurse of Brooklyn, according to sources familiar with the private call. Justin Sanchez, the Democratic candidate for a Bronx seat currently held by Councilman Rafael Salamanca, was also in attendance, as was a rep for Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler, sources confirmed. An Albany lawmaker, Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, attended as well, according to the sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unusual though not unheard of for mayoral candidates to begin substantive policy discussions with lawmakers before being elected. The fact that Mamdanis camp is hosting such a meeting points to his confidence as he polls as the heavy favorite to win the Nov. 4 mayoral election against independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani will need Council approval in order to launch his proposed Department of Community Safety, potentially even requiring a member of the chamber to introduce a bill to establish it. Thursdays call was, in part, focused on setting the foundation for co-governance with the Council so that a plan can be formulated for real implementation of the new agency, a Mamdani campaign source said. There was also a presentation about the agency itself featuring details about the role it would play in trying to combat gun violence, homelessness and the citys mental health crisis, the insider said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdanis campaign has previously said it envisions the civilian agency having a $1 billion annual budget and being responsible for responding to mental health calls that cops currently handle while also playing civilian functions in trying to fight the homelessness and gun violence crises. The thinking would be that such a division of labor would free up NYPD officers to deal with more serious violent crime, justifying Mamdanis proposal to keep police funding flat. Some critics of Mamdani have questioned the viability of the plan, arguing civilian employees wouldnt be able to absorb some of the functions currently handled by the police department. The Mamdani campaigns discussion with Council stakeholders also came on the heels of his announcement that he intends to ask Jessica Tisch, Mayor Adams NYPD commissioner, to stay on if hes elected. Adams is not seeking reelection as he dropped out of the race last month amid record low approval ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tisch has been criticized by some of Mamdanis left-wing allies for embracing public safety solutions seen as too aggressive. For instance, she has called for rolling back the Raise the Age law that prevents juveniles from being prosecuted as adults a suggestion Mamdani affirmed this week hes opposed to even as he says he wants Tisch to stay on as police commissioner. Tisch hasnt said whether shed accept Mamdanis offer to remain NYPD commissioner under his potential administration. Its also unclear how much appetite there could be in the Council next year to sign off on the creation of Mamdanis proposed new agency if hes elected. A number of Council members, including Speaker Adrienne Adams, are leaving office at the end of the year because of term limits. Its not yet clear who might replace Adams, but whoever does will have large sway over whether the chamber will prioritize helping Mamdani with launching the agency. One man was shot and critically wounded while another was slashed in the face in separate acts of violence in the citys subway system within three hours Saturday morning, police said. The attacks come as cops try to get a handle on an uptick in assaults on city subway lines. Police said a 27-year-old man was shot in the shoulder at the E. 170th St. No. 4 elevated train station as he took the steps to the mezzanine level at around 8:45 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told police the suspect opened the door to the mezzanine and almost hit the victim. As the two men argued, the suspect pulled a gun and fired, striking the victim in the left shoulder. EMS rushed him to Lincoln Hospital, where he was in critical condition Saturday. The gunman ran off and was still being sought. The victim was the third person shot in the subway system this year, according to NYPD statistics. This time last year, 11 people had been hit by gunfire while riding the rails, including a bloody incident in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx where one man was killed and five others were wounded in a gang-related shooting on a No. 4 train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three teenagers were arrested for taking part in the shooting, officials said. Less than three hours earlier on Saturday, a 37-year-old man was slashed in the face during a confrontation on a Manhattan-bound Q train rumbling into the Church Ave. subway stop in Flatbush. The victim was on the train at around 6:30 a.m. when another commuter confronted him, cops said. During the exchange, the latter pulled out a sharp object and slashed the victim in the face. Wounded and bleeding, the victim got off the train at Church Ave. and alerted police. EMS rushed him to Kings County Hospital, where he was treated for a minor wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attacker remained on the train, then got off at the next stop on Beverly Road, police said. It wasnt immediately made clear what led to the slashing. The suspect was described as a Black man wearing a navy blue jacket, black shorts and white sneakers. No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. On Oct. 17, Justice Jackson, an emotionally disturbed homeless man with an extensive criminal history was arrested for allegedly knifing a 51-year-old man in the back during an argument on a Manhattan rush-hour subway train. Jackson, 30, was apprehended the next day after he was identified as the assailant in the D train attack. Cops charged him with assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attacks on city subways have jumped by 2% this year and over 10% within the last month, according to recent NYPD statistics. In the last month, NYPD Transit cops have investigated 43 assaults in the subway system, four more than the same period last year. As of Oct. 19, cops were investigating 462 assaults in transit, nine more than last year. However, overall crime in transit was down by 3%, officials said. NEED TO KNOW Gerald McClellan was found dead when a relative came to visit him at an independent living facility in Arizona on Oct. 16 According to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, the 75-year-old likely died days before he was discovered Nobody should have to see that," McClellan's niece, Angela Boorn, told AZ Family. "It didnt even look like a person because he had been there for so long" A 75-year-old man is believed to have been dead for multiple days before a relative found him during a visit to the independent living facility in Arizona, where he stayed. Gerald McClellan was found unresponsive in his chair when his niece, Angela Boorn, came to visit him at LifeStream at Sun City on Oct. 16, according to local outlet AZ Family. Staff had allegedly failed to check on the man, whom she describes as her second father, in his studio apartment at the facility for multiple days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maricopa County Sheriffs deputies confirmed to Boorn that he likely died three to four days before 911 was eventually called. It looked like a skeleton in a chair," Boorn recalled of finding her uncle, per AZ Family. "The face, the eyes were hollowed out." Google Maps LifeStream at Sun City LifeStream at Sun City McClellan moved into LifeStream at Sun City in January after his wife died, Boorn told the outlet. I promised my aunt that I would take care of him when she passed away, she said. She had felt comfortable with her uncle moving into the facility after learning that there was a safety system in place to ensure that residents would be regularly checked on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was allegedly told that all residents must push a button to signal to staff they are alright every day by 10 a.m., otherwise a staff member was supposed to reach out and check on the residents, per AZ Family. When McClellan failed to push the button, the staff didnt check on him for four days, according to Boorn. He didnt push the button; they tried to call him, didnt get a hold of him and still did not go check on him, she said, per AZ Family. "I just remember running out of the room and running to the front desk and just asking her when was the last time you checked on him. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Getty Police car (stock image) Police car (stock image) Nobody should have to see that. It didnt even look like a person because he had been there for so long, added Boorn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement obtained by AZ Family, LifeStream at Sun City said they are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our residents. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to their family and loved ones during this difficult time. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we are not sharing further details at this time. "We extend our sincere gratitude to emergency responders for their compassion, professionalism, and support," they added. LifeStream at Sun City and MCSO did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further comment. Read the original article on People A man jailed since last August amid accusations he helped his girlfriend murder his 9-year-old daughter is now accusing his lawyer of failing to properly defend him. LoJuan Sessions wrote the judge in his case a letter this month, expressing concerns about the conduct of his court-appointed attorney, J. Edwin Mills. Sessions told the judge Mills blocked his calls from the jail. When they did meet, Mills did not know what Sessions was charged with and was unable to answer his questions. He said Mills appeared to be disoriented and had difficulty communicating logically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am so concerned about his state of mind and lack of interest, involvement and action in my case, Sessions wrote, explaining Mills also hadnt filed routine motions to help his defense until prodded by Sessions. While its not unheard of for a defendant to be unhappy with a lawyer appointed to their case, Mills has run into trouble before. In January, Mills was reprimanded by the Florida Supreme Court after three of his clients complained about his lack of organization and engagement in their cases. The Florida Bar also complained that Mills failed to properly respond to the letters they sent to him during their investigation. The justices, in conjunction with The Bar, ordered Mills to attend Ethics School and submit to analysis of his offices practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friday. Sessions faces life in prison if he is convicted. Sessions could appeal any conviction for lack of proper representation, which could cause the appeals court to order a second expensive trial if they agreed with his assessment. A trial date has not been scheduled for his case. Hes due back in court for a hearing on Tuesday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A large amount of drugs and guns were seized from the residence of a man who reportedly shot at a Metro Nashville Police Department detective on Friday afternoon on Skip Jack Drive. According to the MNPD, the detective, who serves on the departments TITANS Unit, was on his break and sitting in an unmarked police vehicle in a Skip Jack Drive Cul-de-sac when 52-year-old Otis Beach a previously convicted felon pulled up beside him in a Hyundai Genesis on Friday, Oct. 24. The detective was wearing plain clothes at the time of the incident. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Officials said Beach yelled at the detective and pointed a handgun in his direction. The detective then quickly drove off to get away from the Hyundai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beach reportedly fired three shots and hit the detectives vehicle, but the detective was not injured. Other detectives were in the area and quickly located Beach at his home in the 200 block of Centreboard Court. Beach was taken into custody, and detectives recovered a 9-millimeter handgun and a cartridge casing from inside the Hyundai he was driving, according to the MNPD. Police later located two more cartridge casings at the shooting scene, officials said. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee According to the MNPD, Beach told detectives he fired the shots but did not know the victim was law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a secondary search of Beachs residence, investigators found four handguns, 3.4 pounds of marijuana, 33.55 pounds of fentanyl, 4.73 pounds of cocaine, seven M30 pills, two kilo presses, multiple blenders, vacuum sealers, digital scales, and $51,563 cash. Authorities also seized five vehicles, two televisions, 340 pairs of luxury shoes, and luxury jewelry and watches. (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) Beach had multiple convictions for drug offenses and was on a 10-year suspended sentence for a felony firearm offense at the time of his arrest, officials said. According to law enforcement, Beach is being held in the Downtown Detention Center on a $300,000 bond for attempted criminal homicide and employing a firearm with the intent of committing a dangerous felony, but additional charges are pending amid this active investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) to collaborate on joint studies, research, and technical contributions in advanced telecom technologies and global standardisation activities. According to an official release from the Ministry of Communications, the partnership aims to develop India-specific standards and test frameworks, explore future network technologies such as 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and enhance India's participation in ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardisation Sector) Study Groups. The MoU was signed on October 24 by Amit Kumar Srivastava, DDG (Mobile Technologies), TEC, and Prof. Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, Director, IITH, in the presence of Syed Tausif Abbas, Sr DDG and Head (TEC), and Prof. Kiran Kumar Kuchi, IITH, at IIT Hyderabad. The partnership creates a formal framework for TEC to work closely with IIT Hyderabad on next-generation telecom and standardisation activities. The key areas of collaboration includes Mobile Communication Technologies: Study and technical contributions on Network Architecture, signalling and protocols for 4G, 5G, NB-IoT etc, Open RAN: Collaborative research in Open RAN and Network Disaggregation, focusing on open interfaces and orchestration, 6G: Exploring of architecture and enabling technologies for 6G with contributions in standardisation activities in 3GPP and related global forums. It includes Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Research and standardisation on NTN and HAPS, and the integration of Terrestrial Networks (TNs) with NTN; and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Joint work on SAR exposure, compliance framework, and health impact studies. This partnership aims to accelerate indigenous R&D and increase India's influence in global standardisation processes by strengthening India's contributions to global standardisation bodies such as ITU and 3GPP. This collaboration will further the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening indigenous research, design, and manufacturing in telecom--developing India-specific standards, test frameworks, and homegrown solutions that bolster national self-reliance, secure critical communications infrastructure, and reduce dependence on imports. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) is the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of the Government of India. TEC formulates technical standards, specifications, and conformity assessment requirements for telecom equipment and networks in India, ensuring interoperability, quality, and alignment with global best practices. TEC represents India in international fora such as the ITU-T, ITU-R and coordinates National Working Groups for global standardisation activities The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), established in 2008, is a premier institute of national importance with strong academic and research capabilities in advanced telecommunications, 5G/6G technologies, artificial intelligence applications in telecom, and emerging ICT domains. (ANI) NEED TO KNOW A man allegedly kidnapped four children in Illinois on Oct. 25 Suspect Austin Bell, 29, remains on the run Police said Bell is not the father of the children involved" Police in Illinois are searching for a man they allege kidnapped four children. The Riverdale Police Department (RPD) said in a news release on Saturday, Oct. 25, that officers were able to locate the four children, but they are still searching for the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Austin Bell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RPD said officers responded to a report of a "domestic-related kidnapping" on the 13600 block of Lowe Avenue in Riverdale at around 1:30 a.m. local time. According to an Amber Alert issued, Bell drove off in a 2010 Silver Acura with the four children identified as 10-year-old Nia Hill, 7-year-old Nolan Hill, 7-year-old Nova Hill and 7-year-old Noah Hill in the backseat. Illinois State Police Austin Bell. Austin Bell. Police said in the release that their initial investigation found that Bell was not the father of the children involved." Authorities added in the Amber Alert that he was last seen wearing a black varsity jacket with white stitching." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. llinois State Police A photo of the missing children via Illinois State Police. A photo of the missing children via Illinois State Police. Along with police, the childrens mother and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force conducted an extensive search in the hopes of finding the children shortly after they went missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Riverdale Police Department is using every available resource to locate these children and bring them home safely, Riverdale police Chief Mark Kozeluh said when the Amber Alert was first issued. We are working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as the community, to follow every lead and spare no effort. Our priority is the safe return of these children, and we are asking anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact us immediately, he added. In an update at around 7 a.m., the RPD said the children were recovered and were being medically evaluated as a precaution. They did not offer any additional information on how the kids were located or where they were found. Alamy A photo of an Illinois State Police Department car. A photo of an Illinois State Police Department car. Police also did not say whether the 2010 silver Acura that the children had allegedly been taken in was also located. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE reached out to the RPD for comment on this case but did not receive an immediate response on Oct. 25. Anyone with information tied to Bell's whereabouts is being asked to contact the Riverdale Police Department Detective Division at (708) 841-2203. Read the original article on People A Georgia man faces felony charges after deputies say he was caught driving a stolen Nassau County Sheriffs Office vehicle early Sunday morning. According to authorities, deputies spotted a Honda Pioneer utility vehicle headed south on US Highway 1 just after 3 a.m. on October 19. The UTV matched the description of one assigned to the Callahan Fair. Deputies pulled the driver over near Lem Turner Road and Hodges Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, identified as Christopher Deren Cook, 28, of Saint George, Georgia, was detained at the scene. Officers confirmed the UTV belonged to the Sheriffs Office. After being read his rights, Cook reportedly admitted to taking the vehicle. The UTV was returned safely to the fairgrounds. Officials said Cook was also wanted in Georgia for failing to register as a sexual offender. Cook was booked into the Nassau County Jail and faces a felony grand theft of a motor vehicle charge. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. HARTFORD - Officers arrested two men this week in separate vehicle thefts, according to the Hartford Police Department. Hartford police said Friday that Jason Bartlett of Lebanon was charged after he was seen driving a vehicle stolen out of Maine, while Gary Lariviere of Hartford was driving a stolen U-Haul truck. Police first arrested Bartlett on Oct. 19. Officers with the department's Street Crimes Unit saw the vehicle reported stolen out of Maine traveling on Woodland Street and covertly followed it to Sisson Avenue, where they stopped the vehicle, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police confirmed the vehicle, a 2004 Toyota Camry, was stolen from Lewiston, Maine, just days before and arrested Bartlett, 42. On Thursday at 12:50 p.m., members of the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Task Force were patrolling the downtown area when they spotted a stolen U-Haul truck near Allyn Street, police said. Detectives quickly converged on the vehicle and arrested the driver, Lariviere, 48, according to police. The truck, a 2017 Ford Econoline E150, had been reported stolen out of Hartford, police noted. Police charged Bartlett with theft of a motor vehicle and third-degree larceny. He was released on a promise to appear and is next scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Hartford on Nov. 5, judicial records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartford police charged Lariviere with theft of a motor vehicle and first-degree larceny. His bond and other information were not immediately available Friday night. This article originally published at Man arrested driving stolen car from Maine, another in stolen U-Haul, Hartford police say. A local man was arrested after police found a firearm and suspected narcotics inside a Darke County home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, officers with the Greenville Police Department executed a search warrant in the 500 block of Washington Ave, according to a press release. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrant was in reference to an investigation regarding a subject illegally owning a firearm, according to the department. During the investigation, police found a firearm and suspected narcotics. Alexander Bryant was arrested and charged with Having Weapons While Under Disability, which is a third-degree felony. Bryant was booked into the Darke County Jail. Chief Benge encourages citizens to call when they observe activity that appears to be suspicious, as it could lead to similar investigations to make our community safer, the department said in the release. The incident remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] GOSHEN A man whose served about a third of a 35-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder is seeking post-conviction relief. Counsel for Devarious Keith Cantrell, 35, met with Elkhart County Circuit Court Judge Michael Christofeno on Thursday. Cantrells current earliest possible release date as listed by the Indiana Incarcerated Database is May 2028, but Christofeno agreed on Thursday to hold an evidentiary hearing on Dec. 17 with defense attorney Kelley Schweinzger and Cantrell to make their case as to why the court should modify his sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cantrell was accused, alongside Jose Pena, now 55, of conspiracy to commit murder back in 2012. Police then said that Pena provided a gun to Cantrell in order for the then 22-year-old to shoot Bobby Berry, on Nov. 2, 2012. Pena was charged with the conspiracy as Class A felony and also admitted hed received money from a prostitute, a Class D felony charge, promoting prostitution. Pena was released from prison in spring 2025. But Cantrell has remained imprisoned, charged with conspiracy to commit murder, a Class A felony, and attempted murder, also a Class A felony. It was said that Cantrell shot Berry in the legs with a rifle in the 200 block of Indiana Avenue in Elkhart. Cantrell was sentenced to 35 years on Sept. 26, 2013. CAMERON M. BOND Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man found guilty of a Meijer Gas armed robbery and vehicle theft back in 2021 was sentenced by plea agreement in Elkhart County Circuit Court on Thursday. Cameron M. Bond, 20, of Lexington County, South Carolina, committed the crime on March 14, 2021, when he was 16 years old. The victim told police that he was pumping gas into a Suzuki Kizashi when he was approached by a man in a black hoodie who displayed a handgun and demanded his vehicle keys and phones from him and his passenger. They gave the items to the man, who left in the victims vehicle. Using surveillance footage, police identified the vehicle in which the man arrived at the gas station and identified the driver. They interview him and three other people, who told them that Bond had gotten out of the vehicle, pointed the gun but then they got scared and left the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They later met up with Bond in South Bend driving the victims vehicle, and said hed left it on Hope Street with the intention of selling it. Police found the vehicle where the witnesses said it would be and obtained a buccal swab from Bond confirming he was driving the vehicle. During his sentencing, Bonds mother, Dorinda, explained to the judge and courthouse that Bond, who was raised in the area, was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. She said the conditions had an impact on his ability to make good decisions leading up to the event and hes undergone therapy for much of his childhood. She asked the court to consider him a kid who made a bad choice, not understanding the seriousness of his actions. This was an impulse crime fueled by youthful recklessness rather than criminal intent, said Bonds attorney Eric Kinsman. Bond, for his part, said he takes full accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know what I did was wrong and I know that I scared people that didnt deserve it, Bond said. Bond said he hopes to finish his GED and wants to continue to raise his children, stay employed and be someone his family and community can be proud of in his new home in South Carolina. Bond was sentenced on Counts 1 and 2, armed robbery, both Level 3 felonies, to nine years enhanced by three years for a total of 12 years at the Indiana Department of Corrections. Pursuant to the plea agreement, seven years for each count will be suspended on probation. Probation will be transferred to Lexington County, South Carolina. Counts 1 and 2 will be served concurrently and the court will consider a sentence modification upon successful completion of Purposeful Incarceration. TONI A. ALLEN Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman was sentenced in Elkhart County Circuit Court on Thursday, charged with a string of burglaries in Elkhart. Toni A. Allen is one of two people accused in the Feb. 17 burglary of CTS, 1142 W. Beardsley Ave. At 7:07 a.m., police were called to the business, which had been the victim of multiple recent burglaries. While enroute, the officer attending the scene noticed a man and a woman within the fenced in area of the property running north. On Oak Street, he found two more people walking very fast heading north. The second two individuals were detained and handcuffed. The man was identified as Jonathan R. Nehring, 40, and the woman was Allen, 37. Nehring was reportedly wearing latex gloves and had a walkie-talkie in his pocket. Nehring allegedly admitted theyd taken items from the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the building, the officer noted multiple items had been stacked and staged including metal wire, copper pipes, and a bag containing a Craftsman reciprocal saw and batteries. On Thursday, Allen was sentenced on Count 1, burglary, a Level 5 felony, to five years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, with three years suspended on probation. Per the plea agreement, Count 2, possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, was dismissed. Allen is not currently eligible for Elkhart County Community Corrections, but Elkhart County Circuit Court Judge Michael Christofeno ordered her transported to Michigan to have cases there taken care of, with hopes that she would be eligible once she is returned to Indiana. Otherwise, she will be transported to the Indiana Department of Corrections after her Michigan cases are cleared up. MARCUS D.J. NEWTON An Elkhart man accused of breaking into a home and threatening the homeowner with a gun learned on Thursday that hed have an additional hearing in Elkhart County Circuit Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his status conference on Thursday, Marcus D.J. Newtons defense team asked for an additional trial status conference to be scheduled in the case. Police said Newton, 35, and his girlfriend had come to the home, on Cassopolis Street, earlier in the day to check on dogs theyd left at the home. The homeowner insisted the dogs be removed. Police said the homeowner reported that the girlfriend became irate and Newton burst through the front door and began pushing the homeowner and grabbing him by the throat, knocking him unconscious, a probable cause affidavit reads. The homeowner told police when he came to, a woman was screaming and he saw Newton climbing back into the house through the window with a gun that he was aiming at the homeowner, while making threats, the affidavit reads. Police arrived shortly thereafter and Newton had reportedly already left as law enforcement arrived around 5:46 p.m. A witness claimed that Newton retrieved the gun from his car before climbing into the window with it, the affidavit reads. Newton was charged with burglary, a Level 2 felony; pointing a firearm, a Level 6 felony; and strangulation, a Level 6 felony. Newtons newly scheduled additional trial status conference will be Nov. 6. His jury trial remains set for Nov. 17. FAYETTEVILLE A Fayette County man is being held on a $200,000 bond after being charged with first-degree arson and attempted murder following fire at a Scarbro home. Michael Eric Wood, 46, of Scarbro was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson after a fire was reported around 3:06 a.m. Thursday. The fire was at a Fourth Street residence in Scarbro, according to a criminal complaint filed by Detective Cpl. Brian K. Fernandez with the Fayette County Sheriffs Office. In the complaint, Fernandez said he was contacted by Cpl. Tyler McMillion with the sheriffs office who told him that Deputy Maria Whittington had been dispatched by the Fayette County Emergency 911 Center about the reported arson. McMillion stated there was a domestic incident at the home the prior evening and the suspect, Michael Eric Wood, had left prior to law enforcementa arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMillion advised that the victim had stated Michael Wood had tried coming through a window while she was in bed, according to the criminal complaint. A short time later she got up and discovered the kitchen was on fire, Fernandez said. The homes owner, a guest and a dog left the home and were not harmed. McMillion informed Fernandez that while driving to the scene, he saw a male individual matching Woods description and made contact, noting that Wood was smoking a cigarette and that his pants were wet and muddy. McMillion then detained wood, according to the complaint. Fernandez contacted Arson Investigator Nick Hall with the sheriffs office, who arrived at the scene shortly before him. Fernandez said that after arriving around 3:45 a.m., he saw heavy burn damage to the residences right side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPL Hall after accessing the scene advised me, he believed the fire to have started outside the residence and burned in, Fernandez said in his complaint. On Tuesday, the homes owner reported a domestic incident in which she said that her boyfriend, Wood, was intoxicated and had been physical with her and another subject in the home. She also reported that her boyfriend had brandished a knife on her. It was reported at 9:10 p.m. that the male subject had left the residence and they believed he had gone to the neighbors. This incident was cleared with a Misdemeanor Report, Fernandez said. Fernandez took photos of the home. I noted there was significant damage to the kitchen and heavy water leaking from the roof into the living room through light fixtures, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fernandez interviewed Wood after reading him his Miranda Rights and obtaining a signed waiver. Woods agreed to speak without an attorney present, according to the criminal complaint. Wood said that he did not set the fire and he had not been to the residence, Fernandez said. Wood also said he was going to walk to Raleigh County to stay with a friend, and that he had helped an unknown individual load some boxes into a truck and that this person lit a cigarette for him. (Wood) stated he did not even have a lighter, Fernandez said in the complaint. Wood was later arraigned before Magistrate Matthew Jeffries and remanded to the Southern Regional Jail in lieu of a $200,000 cash or surety bond, according to records at the Fayette County Magistrate Clerks Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Chapter 61-11-8 of the West Virginia Code, if an offense that was attempted is punishable with life imprisonment, it is a felony and punishable with three to 15 years in prison. In West Virginia, first-degree murder has a possible sentence of life in prison unless the jury recommends mercy. If mercy is recommended, parole is possible after serving 15 years, but it is not guaranteed. First-degree arson is a felony offense with a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison, according to the West Virginia Code. A person convicted of this offense must serve a minimum of two years on his or her sentence before being eligible for parole. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Safe Task Force says a man is now facing federal charges for a police chase where an officer was nearly run over and an eyewitness reacted to the pursuit. Luis Gonzalez, 28, is facing numerous charges including evading arrest and aggravated assault on a first responder. SCSO Officers say he ran from them two days in a row, in two different cars On the second day, Oct. 23, officers spotted Gonzalez in the Nutbush area in a different car with fraudulent drive-out tag and made a traffic stop. When officers approached the car, the vehicle fled the scene and officers began to chase him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say he tried to run over an officer to escape and hit another car. Gonzalez crashed and flipped the vehicle on Bayliss road on Thursday. Police say three people were in the car with him, including a five-year-old. Car overturned in Nutbush area Car flips after pursuit in Nutbush, two detained: MPD An eyewitness of the pursuit spoke with WREG anonymously, citing safety reasons as our crew was there for the aftermath of the flipped 2007 Toyota Yaris police say Gonzales was driving. It was like something out of a movie, like they came flying down Salem and he hit the bridge thing, like the little stump thing and went up in the air and flipped multiple times, the eyewitness said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nutbush resident, Sarah Pippen, whose brother saw the incident is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Gonzales would drive so recklessly in a neighborhood filled with children. That they were coming through a neighborhood with children that play and they have no concern about that at all and they dont have any concern for the baby in the car with him, Pippen said. I dont expect them to have any concern about our kids that are out here playing in the street. I think thats insane. The witness who spoke with WREG believes she saw the second man in the car take off running after the accident. That boy got out of there and hid behind and jumped up, he changed his shirt, he sprinted across the street this way and hid, the witness explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez told police he ran because his girlfriend is in the country illegally. However, his girlfriend told officers he fled because he had several outstanding warrants and said she pleaded with him to stop. Police also found 1.5 grams of fentanyl and 1.6 grams of methamphetamine inside Gonzalezs wallet when they searched him. Gonzalez is being held on a $75,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. ST. LOUIS A man faces felony charges after a toddler found an unsecured gun and accidentally shot himself Thursday in St. Louis Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office has charged Kalvin Fayne, 64, with endangering the welfare of a child and being a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the case. The shooting happened around 1:20 p.m. Thursday in the 5800 block of Selber Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims family alleges doctors failed to warn of CVPA shooters threats Investigators say, based on preliminary findings, an adult was cleaning out a closet when a three-year-old child found a gun and shot themselves in the side. According to a St. Louis police probable cause statement, the child found a carboard box on a bed containing the gun. Fayne admitted to leaving the room and placing two boxes on the bed, including one with a gun in it, per the probable cause statement. He also acknowledged to police that he was not to possess a firearm due to prior felony convictions. A warrant was requested for Faynes arrest on Friday and he has been ordered to no bond upon arrest, according to online Missouri court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. CHICAGO (WGN) A person of interest was taken into custody on Saturday after a man was critically injured in an early-morning shooting on the citys West Side. Chicago police said the incident unfolded just after 2:30 a.m. in the 4400 block of West 16th Street in North Lawndale. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Officers were first called to the scene following a report of a person shot in the area, and when they arrived, they found the victim, an adult male, inside a dark-colored sedan in the roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further investigation revealed the victim had suffered two gunshot wounds to his chest. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland While on the scene, officers took a person of interest into custody and recovered a weapon. It is currently unclear what led to the shooting and an investigation is underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. NEED TO KNOW Mario Alberto Rodriquez, 33, pleaded guilty in Potter County, Texas, to murder in the 2022 shooting death of his girlfriend Marisela Mendoza Police said Rodriquez shot Mendoza during an argument in the parking lot of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant before fleeing with two young girls, prompting an AMBER Alert Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show he also faced and later had dismissed child-neglect and domestic-abuse charges filed in Oklahoma in 2021 An Oklahoma man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for shooting his girlfriend to death during an argument outside a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Amarillo, Texas. Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show Mario Alberto Rodriquez, 33, pleaded guilty on Oct. 6 in Potter County to one count of murder in the 2022 killing of 23-year-old Marisela Mendoza. Judge Steven Denny imposed the 60-year sentence that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 8:30 p.m. on April 30, 2022, Rodriquez and Mendoza got into an argument in the parking lot of the restaurant before Rodriquez pulled out a gun and shot her, according to KVII, FOX Carolina and KFDA. She was taken to a hospital, where she died, the outlets reported. A diner inside the restaurant at the time, Cathlina King, said she was eating dinner with her children when the gunfire erupted. I came to eat at Texas Roadhouse with the kids and someone was just shot in the parking lot right outside the window where we are sitting It was scary at first because a bullet could have easily come through a window, King wrote in a post on Facebook, per KTXS 12. This isnt the Amarillo I moved to Maybe we all need to start carrying protection." Rodriquez then fled the scene in a gray Dodge Charger with two young girls, prompting an AMBER Alert that was canceled several hours later when he was arrested near Hereford, Texas, according to the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear whether the children in the vehicle were Rodriquezs. They were unharmed. Separate Oklahoma court records reviewed by PEOPLE show that Rodriquez was charged in 2021 with child neglect and domestic abuse assault and battery in the presence of a child. Both counts were dismissed with costs in 2025, according to the docket. Rodriquez's guilty plea resolved the Texas murder case ahead of a trial set for 2026, per court records. Read the original article on People Taking a leap, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) on October 24 2025, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education among school students and provide professional development opportunities for teachers. The MoU marks the first-ever collaboration between KVS and any IIT for STEM outreach and is a step towards formalising the ongoing collaboration between the two in various capacities. This includes encouraging students from KV schools in Delhi-NCR to participate in the Sci Tech Spins (STS) Lecture Series, organised by the Office of Academic Outreach & New Initiatives, IIT Delhi. STS completed eight sessions at IITD this year, engaging school students (classes 9 to 12) from various institutions across Delhi NCR, with a special focus on participants from Government schools, particularly from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs). Approximately 3000 students from KVs participated in this popular series in 2025. During the MoU signing, key dignitaries from IIT Delhi included Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director, and Professor Arvind K Nema, Deputy Director (Operations). Also present were Professor Dhanya, Dean (Academics); Professor Shilpi Sharma, Associate Dean Academics (Outreach & New Initiatives), Atul Vyas, Registrar; and dignitaries from KVS. There were discussions on several existing initiatives of IIT Delhi's Office of Academic Outreach & New Initiatives that align closely with the MoU's objectives. The ongoing programmes, especially Manasvi: STEM mentorship programme for high school girls, was highly appreciated by Smt. Prachi Pandey, IA & AS, Commissioner, KVS, and Joint Secretary, DoSE&L, Ministry of Education. She also stressed the need for skill enhancement and development programmes for teachers and students. There were deliberations on newer initiatives to be designed under the MoU. As part of the collaboration, KV students and teachers will participate in various STEM activities organised by the Office of Academic Outreach and New Initiatives at IIT Delhi. This will provide the students with exposure to scientific concepts in a fun and engaging manner, and allow them to see real-world applications of the concepts they read in textbooks. Additionally, faculty and students from IITD will conduct outreach sessions in KV schools, aiming to inspire young minds to pursue careers in STEM. The training will cover the use of emerging technological tools, advancements in STEM, and innovative teaching methodologies. These sessions will empower KV educators with innovative teaching methodologies and the latest advancements in STEM education to enhance classroom learning. The MoU also establishes a structured feedback mechanism to assess the impact of these programs. IIT Delhi will collect insights from students and teachers to refine and improve the program's structure, which emerges from IITD's constant striving for improvement. This partnership marks a crucial step in IIT Delhi's efforts to spark curiosity among learners at an early age and better equip them for STEM subjects. While working alongside KV teachers, this initiative aims to build upon their strong foundation, addressing emerging needs in modern teaching approaches to further enhance classroom learning. (ANI) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Following a week-long trial, the man accused in the deadly 2023 shooting of another man at a family cookout in Providence has been found guilty. Luis Sepulveda, 53, of New York, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder and multiple gun-related charges in the death of 44-year-old Angel Rodriguez. BACKGROUND: Suspect in deadly cookout shooting indicted on murder, gun charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded to a home on Manton Avenue late on the night of May 14, 2023, where they found Rodriguez on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later died. According to the R.I. Attorney Generals office, the two men had resolved an argument from earlier that day. However, during a Mothers Day party, a fight broke out in the garage. Sepulveda pulled a gun from his bag, fired two shots in the air, and then shot Rodriguez in the chest. Sepulveda fled in a gray minivan, prosecutors said, but was taken into custody after state police stopped him on I-95 South. Troopers reportedly found a gun in the drivers door, as well as five shell casings at the scene. He admitted to the shooting in his statement, and the Rhode Island Department of Health found evidence of his DNA on the gun, according to the A.G.s office. This case is a tragic example of what happens when firearms get into the hands of those who are ready and willing to use them, Attorney General Peter Neronha said. Behind every death caused by senseless gun violence, there is a family and a community that will never be the same. Angels life was taken too soon, and his loss will forever impact all those that cared for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Police ID man shot, killed at family cookout in Providence Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. (PUEBLO, Colo.) A man has been found guilty on drug distribution charges after more than 200 pounds of marijuana were found in his storage unit and his truck in December of 2023. According to the 10th Judicial District Attorneys (DA) Office, Rafael Mendez was found guilty of possession with intent to sell or distribute on Friday, Oct. 24. The investigation began in the fall of 2023 when tenants of the Osprey Storage Facility in Pueblo began complaining of a foul odor coming from a storage unit at the facility. The facilitys operators saw Mendez visiting the unit in a silver truck for short periods. Gate records showed Mendez accessed the unit 20 times between Nov. 3 and Dec. 20, 2023. A former law enforcement officer recognized the odor coming from the storage unit as marijuana and reported it to the Pueblo Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DAs Office said the Narcotics Division set up surveillance on the unit after learning the tenants were being evicted. Mendez arrived shortly after and was seen loading two boxes into his truck. Mendez ultimately agreed to a search of his storage unit, where officers found 69 pounds of marijuana in five boxes inside the unit, all packaged for distribution, the DAs Office said. A further search of Mendezs truck revealed another 164 pounds of marijuana, bringing the total to 233 pounds. Also in the truck were found an AR-15 rifle and over 500 rounds of ammunition. A Class 1 Drug Felony, of which Mendez was found guilty, is punishable by a mandatory sentence between 8 and 32 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, followed by 3 years of mandatory parole. Mendez will be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A man in his mid-twenties is suspected of stealing around 28 bottles of champagne and whisky from a German supermarket by covering them with bags of cat litter, police in Bendorf, south-east of Bonn, reported on Saturday. The theft, which occurred on Wednesday at around 5 pm (1500 GMT) was seen on video surveillance, the police reported. The video showed the perpetrator loading the bottles into shopping bags he had brought to the store. He then covered those bags with cat litter. The suspect managed to leave the store, a branch of giant mega market chain Kaufland, with the trolley via an unmanned checkout when no one was looking, they said. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man was transported to the hospital after a Friday shooting in Northwest D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said. According to police, officers received reports of a shooting at 7:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of 16th St NW, where a man was found shot. 2 girls shot in Southeast DC, police say Police said he was transported to the hospital, conscious and breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public is asked to avoid the area as police investigate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Officials have identified the man who died Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Interstate 264 in Norfolk. VSP: Man fatally struck on I-264 in Norfolk while fleeing ICE pursuit According to Virginia State Police, the incident happened just after 11 a.m. on I-264 eastbound near the Military Highway interchange. Troopers said a man exited his vehicle and tried to cross the interstate during a pursuit with ICE officers when he was struck by a 2002 Ford pickup truck and pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson identified the man as Jose Castro-Rivera of Honduras. The spokesperson called the incident tragic, adding it could have been prevented had Castro-Rivera complied with our officers. The spokesperson also said ICE officers had determined the people in the vehicle were in the United States illegally, which led to them detaining the occupants of the targeted vehicle. Community leaders close to Castro-Rivera tell 10 On Your Side he was 24-years-old. In a follow-up statement, ICE said Castro-Rivera resisted heavily and that the death of this illegal alien is a direct result of every politician, activist and reporter who continue to spread propaganda and misinformation about ICEs mission. The agency said the vehicle stop was part of a targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration attorney Andrew Reigel of Virginia Beach criticized that statement, saying it unfairly places blame on the victim. Theyre making the unfortunate deceased person the bad guy here, Reigel said. He was probably fearful for his life, and in that moment thought maybe this was a safer option, which should tell you quite a bit about the situation. Reigel said ICEs current enforcement practices differ from those under previous administrations. Previous administrations had focused on immigrants with criminal records, knowing resources are limited, he said. Now, just simply being here, paying taxes and working isnt enough. People are being detained and placed in facilities comparable to jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patricia Bracknell, founder and CEO of the Chamber for Hispanic Progress, said her organization is working directly with Castro-Riveras family to provide assistance. They have been very involved since this morning, Bracknell said. The Honduran consulate in Washington, D.C., has agreed to pay for his body to be sent back to Honduras and help the family through the paperwork process. Bracknell said local community members have also launched a fundraising effort to support the family. She added that while the group is not opposed to immigration enforcement, they are concerned about what they describe as aggressive and unjust tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing normal residents people who live in our communities and are working, being picked up and disappearing, Bracknell said. Theres no due process. What we are not supportive of are the tactics. Bracknell questioned whether racial profiling played a role in recent immigration stops. This particular case raises that question, she said. Theyre driving while Latino is racial profiling an issue now? Im a U.S. citizen, but I look Latina. Reigel said hes heard similar reports. What weve seen earlier this year is that ICE was targeting work trucks, anything that appeared to be a white work truck with Hispanic passengers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. MANCHESTER - A man was shot by a police officer early Saturday after fleeing a traffic stop and firing at pursuing officers on Interstate 84, according to police. The encounter occurred at approximately 1:42 a.m. when an officer pulled over a vehicle in the 300 block of Center Street, Manchester police Lt. Nick Reinert said in a news release. The driver initially stopped but then fled the scene and led officers toward the highway, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the vehicle approached the entrance of Interstate 84 west from West Middle Turnpike, officers deployed stop sticks, which punctured the vehicle's tires and slowed it down, police said. However, the driver continued west despite the damage, according to police. While on the highway, the driver began shooting at officers and a Manchester police officer returned fire, striking both the suspect and the vehicle, Reinert said. The vehicle came to a stop and officers administered first aid before the man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, police said. His condition is not known as of 10 a.m. Saturday. Under state law, the Office of the Inspector General was notified and will lead the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said they are assisting Manchester police. The state Department of Transportation is reporting Interstate 84 between the exits of 59 and 58 are closed because of a crash and police activity. The closure was reported just before 2 a.m. This article originally published at Manchester officer shot suspect after he fired at police during I-84 pursuit, officials say. Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar on Saturday held a review meeting on the preparations for Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the State. After the meeting, the CEO said that the voter mapping process in the State is progressing rapidly. "The voter mapping process in Jharkhand is progressing rapidly, with efforts focused on accurately linking existing voters to their previous records to resolve documentation issues. The mapping includes parental and progeny links, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate voter list," Ravi Kumar told ANI. "This process is being carried out using the BLO app, manual methods, and Excel sheets to ensure thoroughness. The Election Commission's instructions are being strictly followed, with an emphasis on completing the mapping before the nomination process begins... The mapping is largely complete, with the remaining categories expected to be finalised by Wednesday," he added. On Thursday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to finalise their preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter lists in their respective States and Union Territories, a press release by the ECI said. The ECI's two-day Conference of CEOs on SIR preparedness concluded at the India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. According to the press release, the Commission assessed the progress made on the directions previously issued to the CEOs to map the current electors with the electors as per the last SIR in their respective States and UTs. The ECI also interacted one-on-one with the CEOs of poll-bound States and UTs, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal. Queries raised by the CEOs were also clarified after the presentations by senior officers of the Commission on the SIR process. Queries raised by the CEOs were also clarified after the presentations by senior officers of the Commission on the SIR process. The conference was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the press release said. CEOs of the States and UTs from across the country attended the Conference. Queries raised by the CEOs were also clarified after the presentations by senior officers of the Commission on the SIR process. The conference was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the press release said.CEOs of the States and UTs from across the country attended the Conference. (ANI) MANSFIELD - The deputy fire chief credited with rescuing two people from a burning home at an alpaca farm Tuesday was released from the hospital, according to the fire department. Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Danielson stopped by the Mansfield Fire Department following his release from the hospital on Thursday and was greeted by his fellow firefighters, according to a Facebook post from the fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His strength, resilience, and dedication inspire us all. We look forward to his speedy recovery and return to the job," the fire department said. The fire on Tuesday killed 79-year-old Carol Dauphin due to injuries she sustained at a fire on Warrenville Road, town and fire officials said. One of four dogs that was in the house also died, according to a news release. Danielson rushed into the burning house without breathing apparatus and evacuated the three occupants, officials said. Dauphin was found unresponsive on the second floor, the release said. Dauphin was taken to Windham Hospital, where she died, officials said. One occupant was treated and released at the scene and the other was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, the release said. There was no damage to the nearby barn or any other animals, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danielson, who was treated for smoke inhalation, arrived at 6:25 p.m. and more firefighters arrived five minutes later to face heavy fire conditions, the release said. Due to limited nearby water supply, the local fire department requested mutual aid assistance from UConn, Willimantic, Willington, Columbia and Ashford fire departments. Willimantic, Coventry, Windham and Rockville paramedics helped with on-scene medical care and transport. The State Police Fire and Explosive Investigation Unit in coordination with the town fire marshal is investigating. This article originally published at Mansfield deputy fire chief released from hospital after rescuing 2 from fire. On the floor of their tiny makeshift home in a refugee camp in Bangladesh, her mother Fatima Begum feeds Sofiya by rubbing her gums with a food paste designed to treat severe malnutrition. These life-saving packets were provided by the US government, labeled with the logo of USAID a legacy of the now-defunct organization which was dismantled by the Trump administration in January. With US aid cuts of $8 billion annually, a gaping hole has been left in international aid. The impact is already being felt in the worlds largest refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, where UNICEF reports an alarming 11% rise in the number of children with acute malnutrition between January and September this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remaining USAID supplies are now running out, and Begum says their regular food donations are also decreasing. Before, they gave more food, but now they dont, Begum said. They dont give fruits like before. They dont give fish. Still, Im thankful for whatever they give. An ethnic Rohingya Muslim, Fatima Begum fled her home in western Myanmars Rakhine state in 2017, after the military carried out what the US and UN experts call a genocide. Now, she is crammed alongside 1.2 million Rohingya in sprawling refugee camps in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. Begum fled one type of hell, only to land in another now facing a daily battle to keep her baby alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sofiya is currently receiving 2.5 portions of the ready-to-use therapeutic food packets (RUTF) every day, with each one providing 500 calories from the mix of powdered milk, peanuts, vegetable oil and vitamins. Over the past few decades, this simple product has helped to bring millions of children back from the brink of starvation. As of July this year, UNICEF has had to cut the number of RUTF packets given per child in the camps, to try to stretch resources. Coxs Bazar is ground zero for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need, said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after he visited the camps in March, adding that people will suffer and even people will die. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly denied that US aid cutbacks caused any deaths, and has defended the move as a way to cut bureaucracy and prioritize our national interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a study published in The Lancet predicts the cuts will result in 14 million deaths over the next five years and an online impact tracking tool run by a Boston University professor estimates that there are already 88 deaths per hour. In a statement to CNN, a US State Department spokesperson said the US announced an additional $60mn in life-saving humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh in September, including emergency food assistance and RUTF packets. The Trump Administration is significantly enhancing the efficiency and strategic impact of foreign assistance programs and continues to deliver life-saving assistance around the world, including to vulnerable populations like the Rohingya refugees while remaining accountable to the American taxpayer, the spokesperson said. Funding cliff The children wasting away, day by day, dont have time to wait for funding gaps to be filled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a nutrition center in Camp 15 of Coxs Bazar run by Concern Worldwide, with programs from UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) babies are measured for malnutrition by wrapping a paper tape measure around their tiny arms. Chronic malnutrition or stunting has remained persistently high in the camps, at around 41%, UNICEF says. More and more children are being detected with the severest form of malnutrition, and they are at a risk of mortality because of that, said Deepika Sharma, the Chief of Nutrition and Child Development in Bangladesh for UNICEF. As international aid is pulled back from the US, along with reductions from other countries including the UK and France, aid agencies have slashed jobs globally to try to protect frontline operations including nearly 5,000 job losses at the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But life-saving projects are still being impacted, including medical services, food supplies, and vaccine programs. And the coming year looks worse with many aid agencies facing a funding cliff in 2026. People are suffering, said Shamsud Douza, the joint secretary of the Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Office in Coxs Bazar. Humanitarian aid decreased, funding is going down, some people are losing jobs, education programs, everything. In August, the Bangladeshi government organized a major conference to try to raise the funds for the Rohingya. And on September 30, the UN held a special conference on the situation in New York. Deepika Sharma - the chief of child nutrition and development at UNICEF in Bangladesh - says children will die if the flow of aid dries up. - Salman Saeed/CNN Refugees in the camps are living on $12 USD of food per person, per month. The World Food Programme said it has not made any ration cuts so far this year, but faces a $126 million funding gap in the next 12 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The needs of the Rohingya in Bangladesh are outpacing resources at an alarming rate, Julie Bishop, special envoy of the UN secretary-general on Myanmar, said in New York on September 30. Without new contributions, food assistance for the entire Rohingya community will come to a complete halt in two months. More than 150,000 new Rohingya refugees have arrived in the camps in the past two years, UNHCR says, straining the tight resources. They escaped intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army during the civil war with both sides linked to alleged atrocities against the Rohingya population. A lot of the new arrivals are already badly malnourished, as aid provision has largely been cut off for their homes in northern Rakhine where the military has been accused of using hunger as a weapon of war. Further south in Sittwe the capital of Rakhine hundreds of Rohingya have been living in refugee camps since 2012, after previous violent attacks on their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hla Tin, a 39-year-old Rohingya living in a Sittwe camp, told CNN that they havent received any aid in the camps since June suggesting that the situation there is even more dire than in Coxs Bazar. The humanitarian need inside Myanmar is only 12% funded, according to the UN. Hla Tin has five children, and the youngest two are both suffering from malnutrition. These days due to lack of nutritious food, both elderly people and children get sick more easily, Hla Tin said. Among 432 families in the camp, over 300 are not eating regular meals, and people are getting into debt taking loans to buy food, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to call on the international community and organizations to not turn a blind eye to us, but to help us, he said. Back in the bamboo and tarpaulin tents which blanket the hillsides of Coxs Bazar, refugee Mariam Khatun dresses her three small children and prepares a meal these daily tasks the only thing keeping her going since the death of her eldest daughter, Estafa. She was a bright student, so her family sent 7-year-old Estafa to private lessons to learn Arabic hoping that this would give her a chance to leave the camp one day and find a better future. But things started to change this year when budgets were slashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant afford to educate our children. Access to medicine has decreased compared to before, Khatun said. If there is no budget in the future we will suffer even more. In the camps, 48 health facilities, along with 11 primary health care centers, have been directly affected by the US government cuts, aid agencies say. We see long queues now in our hospitals, people waiting for treatments, said Hasina Rahman, the Bangladesh country director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Services have been restricted and are limited now in the camps, and that is creating a massive impact. Mariam Khatun's 7-year-old daughter died in February. She blames a lack of medical aid in the camps. - Salman Saeed/CNN In February, Khatun says Estafa became suddenly ill with stomach pains, so they took her to a camp hospital, and she was then transferred to a bigger facility where she received treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My child suffered and died in pain, Khatun said, as tears rolled down her face. The cause of death was aspiration pneumonia and encephalitis, according to a death certificate seen by CNN. The grieving mother blames a lack of medical care for her childs death although the medical team which treated her told CNN that there was no link between her death and the funding cuts. But tragedies like these also reflect the vulnerability of this refugee population with the overall reduction in support causing a cascade effect for those already living on a knife edge of survival. This is basically a catastrophe in the making, Rahman, from the IRC, added. Before, we used to get support from America, Mariam Khatun said. We want their help again. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Marine Corps is working on building out its logistics capabilities abroad, aiming to better resupply and sustain forces in the Pacific in the event of a major conflict. Thats according to the latest Marine Corps Force Design update, which outlined the services priorities as it marks the halfway point of a decade-long overhaul. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith released the Force Design 2030 update on Thursday, Oct. 23, calling the decade-long modernization of the force its strategic priority. We have strengthened formations, fielded new capabilities, and refined our concepts, but modernization remains a continuous campaign of learning and adaptation, Smith wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 24-page update compiles where the Marine Corps stands in 2025 with reorienting the forces for large-scale fighting across islands and archipelagos. Much of the update lays out what the Marine Corps has already accomplished, such as the fielding of reorganized forces, new weapons systems meant to take on enemy ships and what its doing to deal with threats such as drones. Top Stories This Week News Air Force announces all-hands room inspections for every barracks By Jeff Schogol News A top Marine combat instructor was killed in a traffic confrontation By Matt White News Army tightens standards for its basic training prep course By Jeff Schogol The Force Design 2030 was put out in 2020, as a way to reorient the Marine Corps towards fighting naval conflicts by the end of the decade. Then-Commandant Gen. David Berger said the plan was designing a force for naval expeditionary warfare in actively contested spaces. One major focus in the Marine Corps update is keeping stand-in forces well equipped and resupplied, even in contested environments, to ensure our units remain capable of deterring and defeating peer adversaries in the First Island Chain, referring to the network of islands and archipelagos in the western Pacific that include Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. The peer adversaries were not named, although Marine and other military leaders have long mentioned China as the main peer adversary in the Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some solutions to the logistics issue include a dozen expeditionary fabrication labs, which can manufacture pieces and parts for in-the-field repairs rather than wait for parts to be shipped out from domestic factories. Other high-tech options include newer uncrewed vehicles, such as the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel, to transport equipment and supplies with minimal risk to personnel. And then there are some low-tech plans, including one to simply set up more pre-placed stockpiles in the Indo-Pacific so that Marines can more easily access weapons and ammunition. These ideas are being done to support newer Marine forces such as Marine Littoral Regiments which are meant to operate in forward-deployed areas. A Marine collects items for camouflage during a missile defense exercise at Koror, Palau, Aug. 16, 2025. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Daniel Chavez-Flores The other major focus is on building out the Marine Corps firepower. The update noted that the corps has been able to field multiple offensive weapons including the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, that fires ship-killing missiles, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems or HIMARS. It also has started fielding air defense systems including the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, which are meant to counter drones and missiles. Last month, Marines brought the NMESIS and MADIS systems to Japan for a two-week exercise with the Japanese Self-Defense Force that focused on coastal island defense. This coming week III Marine Expeditionary Force is set to test HIMARS near Mount Fuji, according to III Marine Expeditionary Force. The evolution of the Marines Corps overhaul has evolved with newer shifts in warfare, such as the surge in drones in combat. The update acknowledged the rapid changes, while sticking with several key initiatives in the design and in Smiths own guidance from the fall of 2024. The Marines even get philosophical in their conclusion when noting that Force Design is not an endstate but a journey. TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) A Marlin Police officer has been arrested after becoming irate during an Interstate 35 traffic stop in Temple. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) tells FOX 44 News that a Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding at approximately 9:15 p.m. Thursday. During the traffic stop, the driver, identified as Bernard Ronald Ketter, became irate and was eventually arrested and booked into the Bell County Jail for Resisting Arrest/Search/Transport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ketter has been confirmed to be a police officer with the Marlin Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. EAST LYME, Conn. (WTNH) A Massachusetts man is facing charges after police said he used a sledgehammer to burglarize several businesses this past June in East Lyme. Police said Robert Bowers, 65, of Fitchburg, Mass., is the suspect allegedly responsible for the burglaries in Guilford, Milford, Madison, Vernon, and Manchester as well. Man arrested for allegedly firing gun at vehicle during road rage incident in Hartford Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the burglary happened on June 11 at The Shack on Flanders Road. A man had allegedly forced his way into the building and used a sledgehammer to break through the walls inside, accessing several businesses, police said. Bowers was charged with three counts of burglary and three counts of criminal mischief. He was held on a $100,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Texas was rocked by a line of severe thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. High winds, heavy rain, and lightning strikes have left more than one hundred thousand customers without power in the greater Houston area early Saturday morning. The National Weather Service recorded dangerously high winds overnight, including a 64 mph gust, across the region. Footage from the area shows downed trees and power lines, as well as flooded streets and parking lots. Portions of I-45 were underwater, creating delays north of downtown Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meteorologist Sara Tonks said, While there were no confirmed tornadoes in Texas overnight, there were five tornado-warned storms in southern Texas. The size of this massive thunderstorm system is hard to overstate. When viewed as upper-level water vapor imagery, the overall storm system stretches across all of Texas all the way to Nebraska with very moist air coming from the Gulf. In other parts of the state, the storm passed through the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Thursday night. Denton County Emergency Services responded to two storm-related house fires in the area. One family was displaced but no injuries were reported. Radar suggested a possible tornado near Fort Worth, where a large tree was blown down. Remarkably, the storm system was large enough to also produce a considerable hail storm on the other side of the state in Del Rio. Reports show that more than two inches of rain have fallen in that area. Oct. 24dbeard @dominionpost.com Massullo's Cleaners & Tailors is celebrating 100 years in business and on Friday was inducted into the WV Centurion Chamber of Commerce. Secretary of State Kris Warner came to Massullo's High Street location to preside over the ceremony. A longtime Morgantown resident and businessman before moving to Charleston, Warner said he and his family spent 30-plus years as customers. "They took great care of me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His five children served in the Civil Air Patrol and U.S. Air Force and brought their uniforms to Massullo's, he said. The staff always listened politely to their instructions, but they knew precisely where the badges and insignia belonged without being told. And they know how to measure and tailor the uniforms. "As a longtime customer of the Massullo family, it's a personal honor for me to be here today with all of you, " he said. He outlined the history of Massullo's. It began when Italian immigrant Domenico Massullo, along with his wife, Raphael, established Massullo's Tailoring on Pleasant Street in 1925. Current owner Linda Cerone Domenico's and Raphael's granddaughter is third generation. She co-owned the business with her husband, Tony Cerone, and brother, Carl Massullo Jr., and continued as sole owner after they passed away. "If it wasn't for my crew, I couldn't have done this myself, " she said, "When my brother and my husband passed away, this is what kept me going, because we wanted to do that 100th anniversary. I didn't think I was going to make it, but year after year came. And then this last year, it was so fast and it cropped up on us. But I finally did it. And I'm happy for the family." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The secretary of state's office began the Centurion program in 2019 to honor businesses that have been in continuous operation for 100 years or more. Warner said it's the only one of its kind in the nation. "West Virginia Centurions are businesses that have withstood the test of time, the test of tragedy and the numerous challenges that come with changes in government policies and advances in technology, " he said. "Businesses that have been around 100 years find a way not only to make it through those tough times but to excel and exceed, and that's exactly what Massullo's has done. West Virginia Centurions have withstood world wars, stock market crashes, the Great Depression, and several recessions, military conflicts, and even pandemics." Their business operations and their community contributions are part of the core of their communities, he said. For the celebration, Massullo's provided a variety of foods and goodies. And Cerone and Warner joined to cut a commemorative cake. Warner gave Massullo's two Centurion plaques, one for the High Street location and one for their Suncrest Towne Centre pickup and drop-off location. Artificial intelligence is evolving fast. Large language models such as ChatGPT and Gemini can write papers and code, make quirky art, and attempt deep research and complex problem-solving. Now, AI is venturing into a more personal role: therapist. With loneliness on the rise and many Americans struggling with mental health, entrepreneurs such as Danniel Cahn, co-founder and CEO of Slingshot AI, which created the AI therapy program Ash, argue that AI can help when traditional therapy is inaccessible.* "Hey, Ash, our conversation earlier was super helpful. The thought's still there, but it's not bothering me nearly as much as it was before," Cahn says into his phone in a video demonstrating the tool's therapeutic know-how.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm glad to hear," a calming female voice replies. "That's the power of cognitive diffusion. The thought didn't disappear, but you got a little distance from it. You're not your thoughts, you're the observer of them." A new startup called friend has recently shipped out its $129 wearable AI companions, currently only available on iPhones. The device resembles an AirTag on a necklace and monitors users' thoughts and feelings by listening to conversations and surroundings via its microphone, then texts responses like a real-world friend. Outside the tech world, many people are alarmed at the number of users who go to AI models for life advice. "To the AI, the patient typing into the box is always reasonable, always doing their best, and always deserving of a gold star," author Derek Thompson wrote in an August newsletter on AI therapists. "By contrast, a good therapist knows that their patients are sometimes unreasonable, occasionally not doing anything close to their best, and even deserving of a smack upside the head." The suggestion that AI models could serve a therapeutic role for some users has caused a legal backlash. In August, Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law banning AI models from being used in "therapeutic decision-making." While the law was ostensibly designed to protect patients from subpar treatment at the hands of inhuman AI models, Pritzker signaled that protecting therapists from competition was also a factor: "This will protect patients from unregulated and unqualified AI products, while also protecting the jobs of Illinois' thousands of qualified behavioral health providers," reads his press release announcing the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not clear how the new law will actually protect vulnerable people struggling with untreated mental health problems. While there's reason to be skeptical that AI mental health interventions are likely to work, no clear evidence indicates that they're dangerous enough to merit state bans. "While multiple officials in Illinois have exclaimed how the state's new restriction against AI therapy tools will protect public safety, none mentioned how many people there currently go untreated due to scarcity and cost," says Greg Beato, co-author of Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future. "This regulation clearly protects the mental health establishment. But whether it serves people stuck on long waiting lists or those who never even bother to seek treatment because of access and affordability issues is another question entirely." It is possible to be both skeptical of the supposed effectiveness of AI therapy and skeptical of sweeping state regulations. Americans are spending less and less time in physical contact with one another; it seems ill-considered that the solution could be more time spent in the digital world. Yet even traditional therapy is not always an unalloyed good. One Australian study that divided teenagers into two groupsenrolling them in a therapy group or a typical health classfound that the participants who received therapy ultimately reported worse mental health than those who didn't. Even if an AI program is designed to give good advice, to push users away from cognitive distortions and narcissistic thinking, it still lacks something a real therapist hasa human touch. When we're feeling lonely and upset, we want good advice, sure, but we also want someone who can really listen to ussomething an AI isn't able to do. Yet. *CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misidentified Daniel Cahn. The post Maybe AI Therapists Will Suck. That Doesn't Mean We Should Ban Them. appeared first on Reason.com. CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) As the government shutdown drags on, uneasiness is growing for those who get federal food assistance. The United States Department of Agriculture announced earlier this month that, should the shutdown continue, there would be insufficient funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, come Nov. 1. There are 42 million people nationwide who rely on SNAP to help pay for food. RELATED: Will SNAP benefits be paid in November? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 140,000 Rhode Island residents receive SNAP benefits, according to state leaders. In Central Falls, Mayor Maria Rivera told 12 News the lapse in funding would have a significant impact for a quarter of her residents. More than 5,000 people in Central Falls receive SNAP benefits, according to the city, which has about 22,000 residents. The mayor said if SNAP benefits dont go out next month, itll create a sudden food security crisis. People are already struggling with rent, and people are going to have to make a decision whether or not theyre going to pay rent or purchase food, Rivera said. Rivera said thousands of kids are among those who could be impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to think were going to have children that wont have food before they go to bed, she said. Its hard to think a lot of our kids are going to wake up and theyre not going to have breakfast in the morning. This week, the mayor met with leaders of local food pantries, schools and community organizations to prepare for the potential disruptions to SNAP and what they can do to help. Can you expand the services youre doing? Can you extend the hours? Rivera asked. Can we send children home with dinner when they come home from school? MORE: RI food bank asks for donations ahead of possible SNAP benefit cuts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kinds of meetings are happening in cities and towns across Rhode Island, as well as at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. We are going to do everything we can to bring food in, Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney said on 12 News at 4 Friday. Cherney said each month, SNAP beneficiaries in Rhode Island get a total of $29 million a number that she believes is insurmountable. Thats a million dollars a day that is going to help feed our hungry neighbors. Thats whats going away, Cherney said. Theres no way we can cover that gap, or cover that cost. Cherney is urging anyone who can to donate to their local food pantries or the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, whether that be financial or in-kind donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central Falls has also compiled a list of resources and information for residents who rely on SNAP. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Saturday and discussed the state's development and the recent flood situation affecting farmers. After meeting the Prime Minister, Shinde said the Prime Minister assured continued central support and reviewed progress on projects launched over the past three years. "It was a visit on the occasion of Diwali, and I'm thankful that he took time out for me. During the meeting, we discussed the development of Maharashtra. PM discussed the progress made over the past three years, including projects he had inaugurated. He was concerned about the flood situation affecting farmers in Maharashtra, with assurances of continued central government support...," he said. Shinde also expressed confidence in the NDA's prospects in Bihar, citing PM Modi's "tireless work" for the state's development and the public's trust in the alliance. "As far as Bihar is concerned, NDA will win, because Prime Minister Modi has worked tirelessly for the state's development. The central and state governments continue to work together, and the public trusts the NDA to deliver on that promise," the Shiv Sena chief said. The Maharashtra Deputy CM also posted on X about his visit to PM Modi. "Paid a courtesy visit to the residence of the country's popular Prime Minister, the honorable @narendramodi ji, in New Delhi today and extended Diwali and New Year greetings," he said. "Presented Honorable Modi ji with a shawl, a bouquet of flowers, and a statue of Sant Tukaram Maharaj. During this time, there was a positive discussion on various topics. All component parties in the NDA are parties united by ideology, and he expressed the expectation that this front should remain as strong as ever. Modi ji also extended Diwali greetings to me and my family," Eknath Shinde said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Bihar on October 30 to attend two programmes in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra, said BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal on Saturday. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi visited Samastipur and Begusarai and addressed two rallies in the poll-bound state. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has staked claims to all 243 seats in the state. The Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI) If you've heard the name "Howard Johnson's," you may associate it with roadside motels somewhere on the spectrum of "run-down" to "serviceable." But look back to the mid-20th century, and it was actually the world's largest restaurant chain and a pioneer for the now-ubiquitous franchise restaurant model. It started a century ago when Howard Deering Johnson opened an eponymous soda fountain in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1925, around the time some of the oldest soda fountains in the United States were founded. He found success selling ice cream, devising a particularly creamy recipe with more butterfat than was normal at the time, and drew crowds, leading him to open more businesses and to start selling food like hot dogs and sandwiches before opening a full-service restaurant within a few years. Cars were becoming ever more common, and Johnson was a forward thinker, deducing that there would be a market for roadside restaurants for drivers on longer journeys. So in the '30s, he started franchising, and it grew rapidly: Excluding a notable dip in business due to World War II rationing, HoJo's (as it was called) hit the big-time from the '50s to '70s, with many restaurants also adding on-site motels. It became an icon of American road trips, with neon signs and bright orange roofs that stood out from highways. While HoJo's did serve burgers and hot dogs (as well as Johnson's famed ice cream), it was much more a full-service restaurant than a fast food joint, with menu items including fried clams, potpies (pictured), spaghetti, and roast turkey. The chain even hired famed French chef Jacques Pepin for menu development in the '60s. Read more: The Best And Worst Of Fast Food Mac And Cheese Ranked What happened to Howard Johnson's? A neon-lit Howard Johnson's sign in New York's Times Square - Alex Lines/Wikimedia Commons Public Domain There wasn't one big misstep that caused the chain to decline, but rather, a series of problems from within and without. It faced competition from growing fast food chains like McDonald's and the original fast food restaurant, White Castle. These fledgling businesses developed factory-like models of food preparation that got customers in and out fast while keeping costs controlled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumer preferences also changed, with travelers more interested in faster food service. As Johnson predicted, highways were fueling the rise of fast food chains, but that didn't help HoJo's. In order to compete, Howard Johnson's looked for ways to lower food costs, but that resulted in a lower-quality product. On top of that, the chain generally got more lax enforcing important minimum business standards among its franchisees, resulting in cleanliness and maintenance issues that made the chain look shabby to some customers. This was particularly notable given the chain's serious emphasis on cleanliness and uniformity in earlier years. HoJo's was past its prime by the late '70s. Johnson's son Bud sold it to a British company, but the decline continued, and it was sold again to Marriott in the '80s. Marriott then sold off many restaurants and converted others to its own brand, Bob's Big Boy. A small number of restaurants staggered on until the 2010s, although the last surviving restaurant was arguably a HoJo's in name only, having retained the rights to the name through a legal technicality but retaining no official connection to its forebears. Meanwhile, Marriott eventually sold the motel side of the company off completely. Those motels, now owned by Wyndham, are now the only trace left of the original HoJo's and while the company floated plans for a revival a decade ago, it seems they may also be in decline too: A few dozen still exist, but with no new openings and sporadic closures, it's also fading from the American highway landscape. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Chowhound. The City of McKinney approved two ordinances this week restricting public camping and sleeping in an effort to address homelessness downtown raising questions about why Dallas has not adopted similar measures. The new rules make it unlawful to sleep, lie down, or sit on public sidewalks, streets, or medians, and bans camping in any publicly accessible space. Exceptions apply in limited circumstances. McKinney Mayor Bill Cox said the ordinances came in response to safety concerns from residents and business owners near the citys downtown square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Job one: keep our citizens safe. Job two: keep our businesses operating, Cox said, according to WFAA. The packed city council meeting featured emotional testimony from both supporters and opponents of the changes. Public Reaction Highlights Broader Divide This merely punishes people for existing while poor, one speaker said during public comment. Supporters argued that the ordinances would restore order to public areas. Sometimes tough love comes into play here, said one resident. Another added, This is just ridiculous in McKinney, expressing frustration over the lack of previous enforcement. William, who has been living outdoors near the public library, attended the meeting on his bike. We have all the resources very close to us, he said, crocheting small pumpkins to make extra money. A lot of these people lack community; they dont have any family or friends. Thats why I am here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William said he expected the ordinances to pass, but fears they will force people experiencing homelessness to hide. Its going to disturb me for a moment while I figure out the next step, he said. McKinney officials also announced a year-long study of homelessness called the Stronger Together initiative, which will partner with consultants and community stakeholders to develop long-term solutions. This is not just a McKinney issue, its nationwide, Cox said. Many Facebook users supported the new ordinances. One McKinney resident claims that the homeless are camping in the green belt of their subdivisions. Others worry for their safety and cite instances of homeless individuals following them into stores and banging on their car windows, while asking for money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Facebook users accused critics of virtue signaling, saying they support camping as long as the encampments stay away from their property. Others argued the citys approach criminalizes poverty. Criminalizing homelessness hasnt worked anywhere, one commenter wrote. Were lazy and were cruel, and this solution is easy. Critics Challenged on Personal Contributions to Homelessness To gain a clearer understanding of the oppositions viewpoint, The Dallas Express reached out to several individuals who criticized the ordinances. DX inquired about the amount of personal donations these commenters had made to assist people experiencing homelessness and whether they would permit homeless individuals to reside on their property. Ressa Clemons responded, Anyone can have compassion. I am a single woman, not a governing body. That is not my responsibility. Emily Bryant said, Im confused about how an individuals contribution to these causes is relevant to the citys decision to criminalize homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Ortiz stated, I am willing to donate some of our public property to helping to house the homeless. As you may know, I couldnt build a dwelling to house a family on a single-family lot. That would go against zoning ordinances. None of the individuals contacted indicated that they had personally donated to assist people experiencing homelessness, nor did any express a willingness to allow homeless individuals to live on their property. Most sidestepped the questions entirely. What about Dallas? With McKinney taking decisive action, questions remain about why Dallas leaders have not advanced similar ordinances to address encampments across the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn has repeatedly criticized Dallas approach to homelessness, saying residents are fed up of hearing homelessness is decreasing when they see it every single day, as The Dallas Express previously reported in June. She has urged stronger enforcement of current laws and greater accountability for the use of taxpayer money. Frustrations surrounding the citys approach to homelessness continue to mount: residents report litter, safety concerns, disorder from unregulated street feedings, and shifting encampments pressuring downtown hotspots. With Dallas lagging on voter-mandated safety reforms under Proposition U, the question looms larger: Will Dallas follow a path similar to McKinneys, seeking a balance between enforcement and empathy for a safer city? TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) If youre ready for a spooktacular night, McLane Childrens Medical Center in Temple will be hosting its first-ever Trunk or Treat! This event is open to the entire community! You can find out more in our interview above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met with ICE representatives on Oct. 17 to discuss improving collaboration and communication for enforcement operations. The meeting, which included ICE officials from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, aimed to establish a safer and more organized process for immigration enforcement in the county, McFadden said. I made it clear that I do not want to stop ICE from doing their job, but I do want them to do it safely, responsibly, and with proper coordination by notifying our agency ahead of time, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: Woman reunites with family after being released from ICE custody The meeting was prompted by recent incidents, McFadden said, including a shooting in Los Angeles involving a TikTok creator and a U.S. Marshal, and an incident in uptown Charlotte involving ICE agents near the courthouse. During the meeting, McFadden provided ICE with documentation outlining the process for ICE detainers, courthouse procedures, and contact numbers to facilitate better coordination. Following the meeting, ICE officials coordinated with the sheriffs office for an operation on Tuesday, where they planned to arrest two individuals. However, only one arrest was made as the other individual did not appear in court, officials said. WATCH: Woman reunites with family after being released from ICE custody South Korea is considering dishing out its highest civilian honour. Japan has a plan to park a line of oversized American pickup trucks outside the state guest house. And there is a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand to be signed. It can mean only one thing: Donald Trump is coming to town. The American president flew out of Washington on Friday night for a trip through south-east Asia sending host governments into a flap as they work out innovative ways to humour their highly unpredictable guest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakes could not be higher. Mr Trumps three-nation, one-week visit includes a summit with Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, where both sides will want to calm a trade and tariff war that has put the global economy on edge. There are plenty of real sticking points along the way, said Andrew Yeo, a Korea expert at the Brookings Institution, but there are things that Mr Trumps hosts can control. The Koreans are even floating the idea of giving Trump an award, the Mugunghwa Award, which is the highest award for service, just to again boost his ego that hes a peacemaker, he said. The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is the highest decoration awarded by the government of the Republic of Korea. It is reserved for presidents of South Korea and their spouses, and for foreign presidents who have made major contributions to the nations security and development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first stop is Malaysia. Air Force One will land in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday morning for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit will be held. Then he flies on to Japan to meet its new conservative prime minister and visit American troops stationed there. The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is South Koreas highest award for service And he arrives in South Korea on Wednesday, where leaders will be assembling for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, where he is expected to meet Xi. The schedule is a headache for Mr Trumps hosts. Insiders say the president hates the slow grind of the summit circuit, where he has to sit through hours of meetings. (In fact, he will leave South Korea before Apec properly begins.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He abandoned the G7 summit in Canada earlier this year without staying a night, and his first term was marked by cancelled press conferences and rapid exits from Nato and G7 gatherings. Second time around, hosts have leaned into his transactional approach. The tone was set with the first foreign trip of his second term, when he returned from the Middle East in May with hundreds of billions of dollars in investment commitments and arms deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Mr Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in May - Alex Brandon/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Japan has learnt the lesson. The government is trying to buy 100 Ford F-150 pickup trucks for road and dam inspections after Mr Trump complained Japan did not buy enough American cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some officials worry that American vehicles are too big for local roads, so a government order can sidestep public reservations. Ryosei Akazawa, the countrys top trade negotiator, said recently: The F-150 is one of Trumps favourites. If the trucks can be delivered in time, there is even a plan to line them up outside the Akasaka Palace state guest house, where Mr Trump is expected to stay. Mireya Solis, director of the Centre for Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, said it showed how Japan was intent on creating a positive atmosphere around its recent deal to invest $550bn in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if from his window he looks at American trucks lined up in the streets, hes going to be even happier, she said. Ford F-150 pickup trucks could be lined up outside Mr Trumps accommodation in Japan - Scott Olson/2018 Getty Images The first stop, Kuala Lumpur, brings an even more significant prize, with the next steps in a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand. Malaysia may have brokered the ceasefire, but the White House claims credit for ending five days of lethal border clashes in July. Mr Trump says it was his trade pressure that pushed the two sides to agree. Last week, Mohamad Hasan, Malaysias foreign minister, said: During the summit, we hope to see the signing of a declaration, known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord, between these two neighbours to ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regional experts say the declaration will effectively be a rubber stamping of the existing ceasefire agreement. That rubber stamping will come in the form of a presidential autograph signed by a Sharpie, plus a chance for Mr Trump to make another claim for the Nobel Peace Prize. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The NAB Show is known in large part as a bonanza for tech geeks and engineers, and its New York edition last week was no exception. But the broadcast industry lobbying group made a statement by foregrounding discussion of a central challenge for its members: regaining public trust in the era of AI and misinformation. Opinions flew among broadcast and digital execs, a union chief and seasoned journalists, and top station execs weighed First Amendment concerns in the wake of ABCs suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt moderated a marquee panel titled The Future of News: AI, New Revenues and Risks and the Policy Response. About 70% of newsrooms, he noted, have already implemented AI, raising serious concerns about copyright, consent, compensation and the credibility of the information being delivered. Prior to the panel, campaign strategy firm OnMessage unveiled new survey data from 1,000 likely voters nationwide, an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats, who were asked in mid-September about the rise of AI. The results showed strikingly bipartisan consensus around the technology, with 82% of respondents saying they are concerned or very concerned about the development. A few other pieces of data from the poll spoke more directly to the discussions playing out on NAB stages, OnMessage VP Tommy Binion said. One was the response to the prompt, How concerned are you about AI stealing or reproducing journalism and local news stories that are published online? The concerned or very concerned responses added up to 76% of respondents, a level that Binion called sky-high. He called the number great news in terms of politicians or regulators feeling they have strong popular support to rein in AI companies. He also flagged the degree to which respondents mistrust AI news (68%) and would support Congressional legislation restricting it (77%). Nick Radziul, EVP of major local station owner Hearst Television, said he was surprised by the polls findings about the lack of trust in AI as a source of information. The extent of such sentiment, he said, highlights the challenge of how to implement AI in his companys stations. For all of the perils of injecting it into the newsgathering process, AI tools have also come to be seen as useful and less-fraught ways to create efficiencies in editing, advertising and other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jon Schleuss, President of NewsGuild-CWA, said the unions members build trust with readers and viewers brick by brick, but the adoption of AI broadly will put that standing at risk given the garbage proliferating online. Theres a real tension here, LeGeyt said. The poll data surpassed my wildest expectations, he added. And were in the trust business. The issue is zeroing in on specific outcomes and not inviting in the flotsam and jetsam of the internet, said Brad Silver, VP and Global Head of Public Policy, AI, and IP, for Conde Nast parent Advance. AI search results, namely via Google Gemini, should be delivered with the right compensation to news organizations being scraped for it by the large-language models. (Deadline parent Penske Media is the plaintiff in a pending lawsuit against Google for its current search practices.) Licensing and dealmaking is possible, but we need incentives for AI companies to participate in a licensing scheme, Silver added. Leverage is in favor of the Big Tech companies, Radziul said. Policymakers need to step in, LeGeyt replied. Radziul agreed, saying the scale of the tech sector has made them anti-competitive gatekeepers for news content. If Congress doesnt step in, Im not sure there is another solution that comes in time to, frankly, save local news producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another NAB panel zoomed out to look at the trust factor more broadly and unlike with AI, there is a yawning partisan gap. Patrick Healy, an assistant managing editor at the New York Times who moderated the session, noted recent examples of pushback on the media by the Trump Administration. One was White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently firing back, Your mom when a reporter asked how Budapest was picked as the site of a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another was Trumps response in Texas that only a truly evil person would ask him, as one reporter did, about the U.S. response to flooding in the state. Healy asked panelists Brian Stelter of CNN, Sara Fischer of Axios and Oliver Darcy of Status how they think news organizations should build up resilience in the face of such attacks. There are many, many bad-faith actors trying to tear things down, Stelter said. Most of trust is gained or lost in a way that is outside of our individual control. But we each individually have a little bit of power and responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darcy, who was Stelters colleague at CNN before co-founding the independent news outlet Status, lamented the recent tendencies of many large news organizations. They are largely led by corporations and billionaires trying to cater coverage to people who have been trained in a lot of ways to hate them, meaning conservative viewers and readers. Youre seeing this at Paramount with CBS News, youre seeing this at the Los Angeles Times, perhaps at the Washington Post on the editorial side . Owners are thinking, How do we get the Republicans to like us? And the fact is, the Republicans, or a lot of them, are never going to like you guys. When networks and digital publishers are trying to win over that audience by softening coverage of Donald Trump, or softening coverage of Charlie Kirk because you are afraid of offending them, what actually happens is you lose trust among people who rely on the New York Times or the rest, Darcy said. CNN, he added, has lost ratings over the past year, in his opinion for the same reason. Healy noted that the Times gets plenty of criticism from the left. He cited a headline several weeks ago describing slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as charismatic. Many readers felt racist would have been a more apt word, he said. White House reporters for the Times during Trumps second term, Healy observed, have been pretty professional. When we ask questions and seek information, we get a responses. He contrasted the current state of play, despite all of the chaos surrounding it, with relations between Times staffers and the Biden Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealing with the previous White House was much more difficult, Healy said, marveling at the amount of pressure that the Times and others came under for our reporting about the fact that Joe Biden was asking the American people to re-elect him and make him the oldest president in the history of this country, and the reporting we did about his age and his cognitive abilities came in for a hell of fire. There was enormous pressure from Biden and the Democratic Party. The intensity of the squeeze on journalists has only increased, Healy added, and the stakes are likewise continuing to rise. We all know this: When you start caving and pre-emptively bending the knee out of fear, it just hardens the determination of authority to chip away further at your independence, he said. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. From Medicaid to SNAP, an estimated one in four Connecticut residents relies on the state Department of Social Services for essential programs. Yet, reaching the agency is often the first barrier residents face, impacting their access to benefits. In September, Connecticut residents spent more than 40 minutes waiting to reach a staff member at the department's call center, according to the most recent data available. Almost half of the callers hung up before connecting with anyone. The state's call center ranks near the bottom nationally, 41st for wait times and 34th for caller abandonment, according to a recent study by Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those long wait times, however, could get worse as new federal regulatory requirements for Medicaid and SNAP take effect, increasing demand for help, said 24 Connecticut-based disability organizations in a letter sent to lawmakers on Thursday. Advocates are urging legislators to tackle what they describe as chronic understaffing during the upcoming special legislative session set for November. In addition to the call centers, the advocates' letter also asks for special attention to the nearly 5,300 legally present Connecticut residents who will lose their health coverage at the end of the year due to new Medicaid regulations. "Given what is at stake in the way of denied health coverage or denied nutrition assistance for the most vulnerable individuals in our state, we urge you to include a new statutory mandate for timely response and call abandonment for the DSS call center, along with sufficient funding for staff to meet that mandate, as a basic element in your call for the special session to address HR1," states the letter. The call to action sent on Thursday to Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and Senate President Martin Looney follows up on a previous letter sent by the same 24 advocates in September. They explained that the call center, created more than 11 years ago, often experiences high staff turnover despite numerous efforts to fill vacant positions and reduce wait times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy director of communications at DSS, Christine Stuart, said the agency is working with partners at the Office of Policy and Management to identify and secure funds to hire more call center staff in response to the letters. The department recently announced plans to hire 30 employees for the call center, which would reduce wait time to 15 minutes. The agency is also introducing additional self-service options, such as a chatbot and a new interactive voice response system, in November. According to Stuart, these upgrades are expected to help address the ongoing wait-time issues. "We have been able to identify resources to fund additional help for our call centers and, as a result, further resources are not needed at this time," said Stuart in a statement to CT Insider. Yet, to the advocates, those 30-spots won't be enough to cover the incoming demand and break a familiar "cycle" the center has been stuck in since it's inception. Training new call center staff also takes time, the letter notes, typically around nine months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A fifteen minute average wait time likely translates into waits of 45 minutes or over an hour for many callers," the advocates' letter reads. "And 15 minute average waits translate into about of calls being abandoned with no assistance being provided, based on past experience with the call center." In addition to hiring more staff, the letter urges lawmakers to adopt performance standards requiring that a human answer 90% of calls within 60 seconds, and that call abandonment rates not exceed 5%. The letter states that the standard would mirror one that DSS imposes on its service contractors with call centers, such as Medicaid Administrative Services Organizations. Other solutions proposed by the advocates include introducing regular reporting on staffing levels, imposing monetary penalties for violations, and conducting a feasibility study on re-establishing direct, one-on-one case management between clients and their assigned DSS workers. This article originally published at New Medicaid and SNAP rules may worsen CT social services agency call delays, advocates warn. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Medicare open enrollment period is the time of year when everyone covered by it is encouraged to check if their plan still meets their needs and budget for 2026. The Illinois Department on Aging offers free help comparing health and drug plan options. The Senior Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, is the free statewide health insurance counseling service for those covered by Medicare and their caregivers. A notice from the IDoA says SHIP counselors are cautioning people this year to check their Medicare drug coverage. There are fewer plans to choose from for 2026, and some premiums have doubled in cost, but there are also four drug plans with $0 premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a list of SHIP offices around the state where people can call or visit to get help. People can also compare 2026 coverage options and shop for plans using Medicares Plan Finder or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE to talk with a customer support representative. There is also a lot of helpful information on the IDoA SHIP website. The open enrollment period ends on Dec. 7. For those who switch plans, coverage starts on Jan. 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Even when the Border Patrol agent raised his weapon, the Rev. Jorge Bautista didn't think anything would happen. There was no way the agent would shoot. Then something crashed into his face, just above his chin. Fumes from a pepper ball round filled the air, making him cough as his eyes burned and his vision blurred. Bautista, pastor at the College Heights United Church of Christ in San Mateo, rose Thursday before sunrise, donned his typical black slacks, shirt and blazer and drove to Coast Guard Island to join a prayer vigil in opposition to the immigration crackdown in San Francisco that President Donald Trump had announced the day before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our role was to bear witness and to give a message about why we're unhappy that ICE is here," he said. "We were hoping to just have a press conference and show solidarity." Bautista's encounter briefly made him the face of Thursday's protest, where demonstrators squared off against Border Patrol agents in a volatile encounter mirroring similar incidents across the country. Thursday's protest and vigil was hardly Bautista's first - he was arrested in 2016 while demonstrating against Border Patrol. "Our immigration system has been broken for way too long," he said. "And in my role as a pastor I have always felt that I've been summoned" to advocate for migrant justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he arrived at the intersection of Dennison Street and Embarcadero on Thursday morning, there were already scores of protesters alongside those who'd come for the vigil. Some blew bubbles, others sang songs. It felt like a similar vibe to what he'd seen from recent demonstrations in Portland. Less than 20 minutes after he arrived, however, a caravan carrying Border Patrol agents came tearing down Dennison, braking abruptly in front of protesters who'd blocked the entrance into Coast Guard Island. "This cannot be good," he thought. A few agents hopped out of the vans and started yelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You're not gonna do nothing to stop us," Bautista heard them yell. "We're gonna push through no matter what!" The vans' engines started revving, and the vehicles began pushing through the crowd. Bautista, who was standing at one corner at the intersection, began walking toward the vehicles. He wanted to see what was going on, and try to de-escalate the situation, he said. He saw the vans inch through the protesters, and then several armed agents pop out of the vehicles carrying intimidating-looking weapons. "This is not good for anyone right now," he thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bautista stood a few feet away from the agents, and tried to talk to them. "When I saw those weapons, I knew I needed to step in and I was just convinced that it would really bring a sense of neutrality for some reason," he said. "But that was very naive of me, right?" In his clerical garb, he hoped his presence would calm the federal agents down, he said, and get them to stop brandishing their weapons at the protesters. "We're here in peace," he recalled yelling. "And at that moment I saw one agent coming straight at me." Moments later, he was staring down the barrel of a gun, just a few feet away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I still was convinced there's no way he's gonna shoot his weapon at me," he thought. "No way, especially because he is so close to me." The antagonism felt "completely unnecessary," he said. A moment later, the federal agent fired. "He just shot straight at me," he said, gesturing at his chin. He fell to the ground, in shock. Had he been struck by a bullet? Some sort of metal canister? Were bones broken? He wasn't sure. "This fool really shot at me," he thought, as he struggled to breathe. He stumbled around blindly, unable to open his eyes, until other protesters pulled him out of the cloud of searing pepper gas and poured water on his face and eyes. The border patrol officer had shot him directly in the face with a pepper ball round, covering him with stinging chemicals that made it hard to breathe or see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he could open his eyes again, he found he was kneeling on the corner where he first started protesting. He couldn't stop the feelings of anger. "How is it possible that people who are protesting become so offensive to the government that they wanna cause harm to you?" he said. Remnants of a pepper round fired by CBP are seen on Rev. Jorge Bautista the day after he was shot in the chin during a protest against immigration raids outside Coast Guard Island. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle) Other protesters took him to Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, where emergency room doctors made him shower to get the pepper spray off his body and from potentially harming others in the medical facility. Bautista was not the only person injured Thursday - hours later, Coast Guard members shot at a U-Haul truck backing up to the entrance of the base, injuring the driver and a bystander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Friday, the threat of a Bay Area-wide immigration crackdown appeared to be over. Trump said he called off the federal deployment in San Francisco on Thursday. A day later, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said her administration was told the enforcement surge had been halted for the rest of the Bay Area. Bautista doesn't plan to stop protesting. "We're not afraid. They want us to be afraid and we're not afraid, and we're going to continue to show up," he said. "And we're going to continue to practice our rights to protest and to do our diligence and make sure that our communities are protected." This article originally published at Meet the Bay Area pastor shot in the face with pepper ball at Coast Guard Island protest. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Dona Ana Fire Rescue is in the process of hiring its next fire chief, and residents are invited to take part in the process through a series of virutal meetings featuring each of the finalists. During their respective session, each finalist will deliver a presentation not to exceed 45-minutes outlining their vision for the departments role in the community and their plans for community engagement and collaboration. Following the presentation, members of the public will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A session by submitting questions through the chat/comments section on the YouTube livestream. A moderator will read questions aloud as time permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an exciting time for Dona Ana Fire Rescue, Interim Fire Chief Andrew Bowen said. Hearing from the finalists offers our residents a glimpse into the future of the department. We look forward to welcoming a leader who will continue strengthening our commitment to serve the people of Dona Ana County. Here is the schedule of meetings, which start next week. Date: Monday, Oct. 27 Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Finalist: Matt Clark CLICK HERE TO JOIN SESSION Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28 Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Finalist: Yvonne Feijoo CLICK HERE TO JOIN SESSION Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29 Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finalist: Richard Chavarin CLICK HERE TO JOIN SESSION Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4 Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Finalist: Robert Seccuro CLICK HERE TO JOIN SESSION Community members are encouraged to join, listen and share their perspectives as the County moves forward in selecting its next fire chief. Dona Ana Fire Rescue serves nearly 3,800 square miles and provides fire suppression, emergency medical services and fire prevention across both career and volunteer stations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Operation Sindoor and slammed the Congress and RJD for remaining "silent" for the "greed of vote bank" during the UPA government when "Pakistan attacked every day." Addressing an election rally in Khagaria, Shah highlighted that PM Modi has made India safe with retaliation after terror attacks in Uri, Pulwama and Pahalgam. The BJP leader said, "PM Modi has made our country safe. During the UPA government, Pakistan attacked every day. Driven by the greed for vote bank, Sonia, Manmohan, and Lalu governments remained silent." "After Modi came to power, three attacks were carried out: Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam. Surgical strike and air strike were carried out, and after Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was launched. Modi has worked to secure India. He has worked to make India prosperous," he added. The Indian Army conducted Surgical Strikes in POK on September 29, 2016, after the Uri terror attack that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers while on February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force successfully executed the Balakot Airstrikes in Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu-Kashmir's Pahalgam, during which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the name of religion. He also slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', and said it was to "protect infiltrators". He also assured the public that the NDA government in Bihar would remove infiltrators from the state. "Recently, Rahul Baba came to protect infiltrators. Tell me, should the names of infiltrators be removed from the voter list or not? Form the NDA government again. I promise you that we will remove every single infiltrator from Bihar," Shah said. Alleging "vote theft", Congress organised the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from August 17 to September 1 in Bihar to target the NDA. Further, Amit Shah hailed the Prime Minister for economic growth, claiming that India will be the third-largest economy before 2027. The Union Minister said, "PM Modi has brought our country's economy from 11th place to fourth. We will move from fourth to third before 2027." The Congress has fielded Chandan Yadav from the Khagaria seat, replacing its incumbent MLA Chhtrapati Yadav, while the NDA has fielded JD(U)'s Bablu Mandal against the Mahagathbandhan candidate. The voting for the 243 seat-Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, while the results will be declared on November 14. The main contest is between the Nitish Kumar-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). (ANI) Oct. 24GRAND FORKS The governing board of the Northlands Rescue Mission has been tight-lipped about the firing of Executive Director Everett C. Jones Sr., but a member of a Grand Forks church said he received an email from the Mission's interim executive director outlining new allegations, including how Jones allegedly treated staff and made decisions without approval. Ben Williams, a member of Grace Baptist Church, said church members had been concerned about the Mission's direction throughout the last decade and were questioning whether to continue providing the organization with financial support. Earlier this year, they met with Jones. "We were all on board," Williams said was the gist of the conversation. "We loved the direction you were taking the Mission." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Jones was abruptly fired earlier this month. In the weeks since, many in the community have questioned why he was terminated so many that it prompted a community meeting, held Thursday evening, Oct. 23, at Valley Christian Church. The meeting drew approximately 50 attendees. Among those who spoke was Williams, who said he was concerned to learn of Jones' termination, which the Mission board said was due to the direction of the Mission not being in line with its core values and goals. Williams said he reached out to the board to ask what "core values" Jones had not aligned with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They did not answer my question. However, they did come back with three new allegations," Williams said. He claimed the message he received, sent by interim Executive Director Elaina Wickman, essentially claimed Jones treated staff and board members unprofessionally, presented inaccurate data and claims, and made decisions without board approval. "These actions put the Mission at risk, and despite multiple conversations and opportunities to improve, the issues persisted," the message read. Williams provided a copy of the message to the Grand Forks Herald. The Herald attempted to verify the message with Wickman before this report was published, but she could not be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones, during Thursday's meeting, said he didn't know what the message was referring to. He said it's all new information to him. "There are agendas, there are minutes, there is a paper trail for everything that I have done, everything that I have suggested," he said. Jones emphasized throughout the community meeting that he heard only positive feedback about his performance up until his termination which he maintains was led by two board members, one who he said took issue with a financial decision the board made at Jones' recommendation and had no prior written warnings, reprimands or other formal documentation about job performance issues. Anna Lee Eickenbrock, a board member at the time, voted in favor of Jones' termination but Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement told the Herald earlier this month that she only did so after hearing an allegation of substance use . She said after speaking with Jones about the allegation, she believes it was a false claim. She stepped down from the board a week after the termination. Eickenbrock came to the community meeting to publicly apologize to Jones. She previously told the Herald that Jones' claim that he received no prior formal reprimand or related documentation was true. Those in attendance included local pastors, Mission volunteers and former staff, and leaders from other area nonprofits including United Way, Love in Action and Homeless Helpers. Everyone was welcome to attend. Board members were encouraged to attend, but none did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire meeting was recorded and streamed live; it can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/live/IiPlnjpvGWk . The gathering was organized by Terry Fore-McMaines, who said she was one of a group of four who got together to discuss Jones' termination, a decision they felt was not right. She said she'd been "blown away" by Jones' charisma and all he had to offer the community. Crystal Barnett, Jones' fiancee, praised Jones' ability to quickly immerse himself into the community. "He didn't just do the job," she said. "He became a part of this community in six months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnett said she was ashamed of the board members, who she and others including Jones claim made a false allegation about Jones using substances in an effort to get him fired. "They can't even look the community in the eye and speak," she said, adding that the community deserves answers. Barnett told those in attendance that they have a voice, because the community has invested time, prayers, blood, sweat and tears into the Mission. She also said that though Jones has been contacted about other job opportunities, "his passion is Northlands Rescue Mission." Jones spoke at length during the meeting, first giving background on his life and experience with homelessness, before retelling his version of events leading up to his Oct. 2 termination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I need you to hear me when I say that knowing the processes, the policies and procedures is why we got here," he said. Jones said he has 20 years of experience in the human service field, and refers to the relevant bylaws when asking for things to be done a certain way, because those are the standards of an organization. He said he believes everyone came to the table with good intentions, and there was a time when board members were more involved with the organization. Jones said he didn't want to paint a picture of a "big, bad board." "What I personally believe is there's a lot of misinformation, and a lot of things that these board members don't know," he said. "And then it gets comfortable after a while." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many questions that came from meeting attendees were about the board, including: Who are they? How can they be contacted? How are they selected? What are their qualifications? Can they be forced to step down? Are board meetings or minutes public? Does anyone oversee them? Are they paid? Was it Jones' job to build a relationship with them? Which members made the allegation of substance use? Asked if Jones would return to his job if offered, his response was yes, but only if the entire board resigns. Another person asked if that seemed unrealistic, to ask the entire board to step down; Jones said he believes it's necessary. "If you're easily manipulated in that way, you shouldn't be on anybody's board," he said. "... Even if it's not me (as executive director), we need to make sure that this doesn't happen to anybody." Jones encouraged anyone who wants to keep up with his next steps which he indicated include legal action to email him at mrejones1977@gmail.com. As Hurricane Melissa slowly churns across the warm waters of the western Atlantic over the upcoming days, AccuWeather hurricane experts continue to sound the alarm bells that a very dangerous and deadly situation is unfolding across the Caribbean. Melissa turns deadly in Haiti, Dominican Republic As of Saturday afternoon, at least four fatalities have already been attributed to Melissa across Haiti and the Dominican Republic. With additional rain, wind and storm surge expected to be unleashed across the Caribbean as the storm gains strength, conditions are likely to deteriorate rapidly in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Into early this week, this storm is forecast to gradually track in a general northwest fashion across a portion of the Western Caribbean. By late Monday, Melissa's track will be influenced by the larger-scale pattern of the jet stream, allowing it to curve northward and shoot northeastward as the week goes on, making multiple landfalls as it travels across the northern Caribbean. Melissa strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane (maximum sustained winds of 157 mph or greater) early Monday morning prior to its approach along the southern coastline of Jamaica. What rapid intensification will mean for Jamaica As Melissa gradually tracked northward toward Jamaica, it crossed over some of the warmest waters in all of the Western Atlantic, which helped to fuel further intensification of the storm. Melissa rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in about 9 hours on Saturday. AccuWeather.com GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa is expected to make landfall as a powerful Category 5 hurricane at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, EDT, along the southern shore of Jamaica, about 60 miles west of Kingston. AccuWeather.com "Much of Kingston's critical infrastructure is located in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to storm surge. A key power plant, airport, shipping port, fuel terminal and water treatment plant all sit near the southern coast. A storm surge of 6-10 feet could seriously damage or destroy this infrastructure, worsening immediate impacts and complicating recovery efforts," stated AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. Near where the storm makes landfall in Jamaica, a storm surge of 10-15 feet can occur. Porter added that, "Airports will play a key role in disaster relief operations, given the international response that will likely be needed to deliver emergency supplies and assistance." Norman Manley International Airport, located in Kingston Harbor on the southeastern coast of Jamaica, is connected to the island by a narrow stretch of highway. This roadway is facing a rather high risk for damage given the current landfall location and projected intensification of the storm in the coming days. Melissa to carve a path through the northern Caribbean Across the western Caribbean, the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes is 5, the maximum value possible. This scale, developed by AccuWeather experts, takes into account the risk to lives, property and economic impacts from the storm, including flooding, rain, storm surge and high winds. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale only takes into account a storm's maximum winds. AccuWeather.com The current track of Melissa will also mean a second landfall in eastern Cuba, leading up to midweek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cities and communities along the southeastern tip of Cuba are urged to complete preparations as soon as possible as Melissa approaches with wind, rain and a dangerous storm surge along the coast. Rainfall totals are projected to range between 12-18 inches across this corridor of Cuba, which can result in devastating damage to infrastructure, road washouts and mudslides across the varied terrain. AccuWeather.com The intense and widespread rainfall will continue across the region for several days as the storm's position comes to a crawl in the western Caribbean. Duffus added that the prolonged nature of impacts can result in entire communities being cut off from aid and support for multiple days. Beyond the Caribbean: Where Melissa will travel AccuWeather.com Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it tracks through parts of the Bahamas this week. By this point, however, it should pick up some forward speed and be pulled out of the Caribbean and into the open waters of the Atlantic. Although later on down the road, Melissa is expected to come close enough to Bermuda to bring impacts as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The timing and strength of a dip in the jet stream over the eastern United States this week will help determine the path that Melissa takes through the northern Caribbean and into the southwestern Atlantic," DaSilva said. "At this time, the odds of 'direct' rain and wind impacts from Melissa reaching the U.S. East Coast are low." Farther out, there is a moderate risk of Melissa hooking westward toward Atlantic Canada. AccuWeather.com Once Melissa exits the Caribbean, the closer it could eventually move toward the East Coast of the U.S. and notable indirect impacts are anticipated with assistance of the jet stream and a non-tropical storm between the last days of October to the first days of November. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. LIMA Friday was a day of fellowship, fun, and celebration at the 27th annual Safe Community Awards luncheon. The awards were held at The Met restaurant on Main Street, and the room was filled with firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals. Mayor Sharetta Smith and the Chief of Police for Lima, Curtis Hile, were some notable people in attendance. Former Wapakoneta Fire Department Captain Jeff Orphal was the main speaker for the event. Orphal also works at Apollo Career Center as a fire and EMS instructor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The love and the passion I have for public safety is the same as all of you in here, because you wouldnt do what you do if you didnt have the love and the passion for it. I want to thank all the spouses who support you all for what you do, because for us in fire service and law enforcement, we have a lot of sleepless nights, said Orphal. Award Winners: Tyler Beemer of Allied Environment Services won the Occupational and Chemical Safety Award. Trooper Stephenie Powell of the Ohio State Highway Patrol won the Traffic Safety Award. Chad Massie of Rhodes State College won the Education and Training Safety Award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommie Harner of the West Ohio Food Bank won the Community Health and Safety Award. Bluffton EMS won the EMS Safety Award. Jacalyn Owens won the Employee Safety Award. Sean Oden of The Low Vision Coalition, in coordination with the City of Lima Department of Public Works, won the Engineering Safety Award. David McDaniel of Kruisin Driving School won the Youth Safety Award. Antwan Riley, Sr. of the Allen County RTA, won the Transportation Safety Award. Lieutenant David Coulter of the Lima Fire Department and Trooper Grant Baumle of the Ohio State Highway Patrol both won the Fire Safety Award. Brian Anderson of Mercy Health-St Ritas won the Lifetime Achievement Award. By the time the Thomas M. Hardt Tower opens in December on the campus of Mercy Hospital Southwest, it will have taken more than 10 years of work, investment totaling $350 million and the combined generosity of some 620 individual donors. The result is as impressive as those numbers suggest: a four-story marvel that's at once brightly spacious and filled with state-of-the-art medical equipment thoughtfully arranged for maximum efficiency, comfort and convenience. But on Friday afternoon, as hospital staff prepared for a sold-out, black-tie event celebrating the project's near-completion, the question arose as to what it will ultimately do for the local community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffry Armada, the hospital's chief operating officer, put it this way: "Time is tissue." He was referring to the fact that Bakersfield's full-service hospitals are all clustered near the city's center. That means what will soon be a full-service medical center near Stockdale Highway and Old River Road won't just look after the city's fast-growing southwest quadrant it'll also put urgent medical attention within closer reach for residents as far away as Wasco and Taft. Armada said the shorter travel time really does matter. "Anytime you need that care," he said, "it's nice to be closer to home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Simon Ratliff took that point a little further, noting that with the addition of three cardiac catheterization suites within the next year, Mercy Southwest will be Bakersfield's only full-service hospital west of Highway 99. "We want to make sure that we bring health care to the community where we need it," he said. Assuming it all passes licensing inspection next month, the community is set to receive a medical center offering considerably more than what's available there now. At 292,000 square feet, it'll be almost twice as big as the existing hospital, with expanded intensive care and neonatal intensive care units, six new operating rooms, enhanced imaging and greater neurosurgery capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A facility that big requires a large staff, and Mercy Southwest is in the process of hiring more than 240 new employees. Armada said 140 of them will be nursing positions. One way the hospital expects to bring so many aboard is its nurse residency program. Armada said cohorts of more than 40 nurses each are brought in four times per year. There's plenty to see inside the building, too. The new tower dazzles with expansive window views and a Wind Wolves Preserve decorative theme that presents different aspects on each floor in ascending order, water, environment, flora and landscape. The building's cohesion belies the tremendous community effort that went into gathering the money to pay for it all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President of Philanthropy Toni Harper traced the fundraising to 1988, when Bakersfield auto dealer and community leader Jim Burke started the Friends of Mercy Foundation. So many people followed in his footsteps, contributing sums large and small, that their names cover a wall on the tower's first floor. Harper shared the story of how, every year, one particular donor living in Shafter sends the hospital a $10 cashier's check that he faithfully picks up at a local market. "It's as impactful as a million-dollar donation," she said. The $300 million bulk of the price tag was covered by bonds sold by the organization's parent company, Common Spirit. Donors came up with $22.5 million, including about $640,000 from employees who contributed with payroll deductions amounting to as much as 1% of their wages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one contributed more than the local Karpe family, who in 1979 donated farmland the hospital later sold for $26 million. As Harper recalled, the Karpes bought the property off Bear Mountain Boulevard for $10 in 1940. "We have the deed," she added. In that way, the hospital belongs to the community, in a sense. The tower's namesake, Thomas M. Hardt, made a seven-figure donation partly because he remembers coming to the hospital when his brother was a patient there. "I think that, at the end of the day, it's hard to find a family that hasn't been touched by Mercy," she said. NEW HAVEN - A Meriden man was sentenced to 40 years in prison earlier this week in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Jyineez Cruz, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. Evidence introduced at his trial showed Brandon Ramos, also known as "Don L66t," shot Cruz three times during an argument in a parking lot in the early morning of Aug. 22, 2021, the DCJ said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury found Ramos, 27, guilty in July of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit in the August 2021 shooting, the DCJ said in a news release Friday. Judge Maureen M. Keegan imposed the sentence at state Superior Court in New Haven on Monday, according to the DCJ. Meriden police learned Ramos was hosting a birthday party at his recording studio in downtown Meriden when he engaged in an argument with Cruz in a parking lot on West Main Street, the DCJ said. "During the argument, Ramos walked to a nearby parked car to retrieve a .45-caliber handgun, and returned to the location of the argument and shot Cruz three times," the DCJ said. "Cruz was pronounced dead on scene." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DCJ noted Ramos did not have a permit to carry a pistol at the time of the incident. Police obtained a warrant for Ramos' arrest in September 2021, but he fled the state and was on the run shortly after the incident. Investigators worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to search for Ramos and eventually received information that he was in Florida. Ramos was apprehended in Florida in November 2021 and extradited to Connecticut the next month. Police initially charged Ramos with murder, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit. While Ramos was free on bond in June 2023, Southington police said Ramos threatened a patron at a local restaurant with a gun. Judicial records show he was convicted of first-degree threatening and sentenced in July 2025 to five years in prison. This article originally published at Meriden man sentenced to 40 years in fatal 2021 shooting of 20-year-old. Food bank officials said they intend to increase distribution sitesas they did during the COVID-19-pandemicin response to lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits expected on Nov. 1, 2025. (Courtesy The Food Depot) Federal and state officials said Friday they are working on a plan to shield 450,000 New Mexicans from pending lost federal food assistance benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture informed states earlier this month that due to the federal shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program had insufficient funding to run after this month, and ordered states not to submit SNAP recipient info to state vendors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) said an emergency food plan is emerging that tasks charitable organizations and schools with counteracting the expected loss of $90 million in SNAP benefits for 250,000 New Mexico households. As I understand it, its a combination of looking at opportunities to scale up food deliveries through school lunch and breakfast programs, as well as increasing the food supply through our food banks and food pantries, she said. She directed reporters at a virtual news conference Friday afternoon to contact state officials for more details. Late Friday, Jodi McGinnis Porter, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams deputy communications director, told Source New Mexico in an emailed statement that the state is closely evaluating the USDAs ever-changing guidance and exploring every available option to maintain food assistance for New Mexicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she did not provide full details of an emergency food plan, she offered a few more details about what will and wont happen Nov. 1. For example, she said recipients who have existing balances on their electronic benefit cards from previous months can still use their cards on Nov. 1 or after. But she said the state is limited in its ability to use its own funds to pay for November SNAP benefits. The $16.6 million lawmakers recently passed during the special legislative session to offset SNAP cuts cannot be used, she said, because most of the funding was appropriated for specific purposes rather than replacing federal SNAP benefits. The state is also expediting the delivery of $8 million to food banks the Legislature passed during the special session, she said, but that is only a fraction of the estimated $90 million the benefits are expected to cost, McGinnis Porter noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the states congressional delegation wrote to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins this week contending the agency could use contingency funds to make up the shortfall. The USDA in a memo on Friday discounted that idea and also said states would not be reimbursed if they funded the benefits themselves. Stansbury also said Friday that because the USDAs Oct. 10 order prohibited states from sending recipient information to vendors, many states have interpreted the order to mean they cant use state funds to refill the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards used by SNAP recipients. That means, supplemental SNAP funding New Mexico lawmakers passed earlier this month can flow to our food banks, but it will not be funding that can get loaded on to individual EBT cards, she said. To prepare for the loss of SNAP, New Mexico food banks say they are purchasing extra food and gearing up for additional food distributions that resemble those during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stansbury also compared the expected demand on food banks to what they saw in early 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do anticipate this is going to be very similar to the beginning of the pandemic, where you saw thousands of families having to line up at food banks and food pantries to get access to food, she said. It is a full scale crisis that the White House is manufacturing that is going to affect millions and millions of children. Along with members of New Mexicos congressional delegation, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Friday joined a group of 23 attorneys general denouncing the impending SNAP halt in a letter to USDA Secretary Rollins. The letter calls on the USDA to account for any contingency funds it has available, what plans it has for those funds and how states should regard the Oct. 10 letter ordering states not to submit SNAP recipient info to state vendors. The letter also says states have already taken steps to delay November benefits, which will significantly harm millions of people who depend on SNAP to put food on the table, including children, seniors, veterans, disabled persons, and other vulnerable individuals struggling to meet their basic food needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter also argues USDA has no legal basis to prohibit states from sending already-calculated November benefits to EBT vendors, and it says contingency funds remain available to keep benefits flowing. It is irresponsible to direct states to withhold this contingency funding, a decision which, if upheld, will devastate and cause irreparable harm to families, Torrez said in a statement. My office will do everything in its power to ensure these funds continue to be distributed and keep meals on the table for New Mexicans. Oct. 24SANTA FE New Mexico is moving ahead with a trailblazing universal child care initiative, but only after making changes to proposed rules in an attempt to address providers' concerns. A day after submitting them to the federal government, the state Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) on Friday published the final rules that will govern how the initiative announced by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will work, starting on Nov. 1. After child care center owners from around New Mexico expressed concerns about the rules' impact on their businesses during a public hearing this month, the ECECD increased the per-child reimbursement rates that providers will get over what had been initially proposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, a child care center with the state's highest accreditation level that opts into universal child care will receive $1,975 per month for each toddler enrolled on a full-time basis. That's up from $1,900 per toddler under the initial version of the proposed rules. In addition, the agency reduced minimum salary levels that early childhood center would have to pay their entry-level staffers from $18 per hour to $16 per hour in order to qualify for a higher reimbursement rate. In explaining the change, ECECD cited the 127 written comments and 55 oral comments that it received on the initial proposed rule changes. "Many providers expressed concerns that the enhanced rate, as initially proposed, might not sufficiently offset longer operating hours and wage requirements," the department's Deputy Secretary Kendal Chavez said in a Friday statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In response to this feedback, ECECD adjusted the final rule to increase the enhanced rate and reduce the minimum wage threshold, ensuring the program remains both sustainable for providers and beneficial for families," she added. The changes also came after several board members of the New Mexico Early Childhood Association met with the governor and top ECECD officials about concerns that included providers not being included in the initial drafting of the universal child care rules. One of those board members, Barbara Tedrow, the owner of a preschool and child care center in Farmington, said about 90% of the changes sought by the organization were made in the final rule. In addition to the revised wage rates and reimbursement levels, she also cited changes such as dropping a proposed requirement that private child care centers submit their personnel policies to the state for approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They really did listen to us," said Tedrow, referring to Lujan Grisham and top early childhood officials in her administration. "The secretary and the governor have vowed to keep communication open." But Tedrow said she's still not sure whether her preschool will opt into the universal child care initiative, citing financial uncertainty caused by tying employee pay rates to per-child state subsidies. New Mexico has received national attention for its first-of-its-kind universal child care plan, which will remove existing income limits for receiving state-subsidized child care. The governor said the plan could pave the way for an additional 12,000 children statewide to qualify for no-cost child care. But questions have also emerged about the logistics of such an initiative, including ECECD's stated need for 5,000 additional early childhood employees statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky acknowledged in a recent interview it will take time to meet the statewide demand for state-subsidized child care for working parents, but said many families would get immediate relief. Meanwhile, some lawmakers have expressed frustration about the Lujan Grisham administration moving forward with the universal child care initiative before securing state funding to pay for it. The initiative will cost at least an additional $120 million in state funds to operate for the coming budget year, a figure that could increase due to the changes made in the final rule. One of the changes allows children who are not United States citizens to also qualify for the program, but stipulates that any child without "federally eligible citizenship status" will be paid for solely with state funds. Given the initiative's elevated price tag, Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, said this week the governor's administration was trying to put legislators "in a box" by launching the program before the start of a 30-day legislative session in January. NEED TO KNOW Federal authorities are still searching for Tamera Williams in connection with the 2018 murder of David Carter Carter's dismembered remains were discovered along I-75 near Hancock, Ohio Williams, 46, was added to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2023 Federal authorities are still searching for a Michigan woman who is accused of fatally shooting her boyfriend in 2018 before dismembering his body and dumping his remains along a highway. Tamera Renee Williams, 46, was added to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is accused of killing her 39-year-old boyfriend, David Carter, dismembering him then discarding his body parts along I-75 near Hancock, Ohio in September 2018. A felony arrest warrant was issued three months later on charges of first-degree homicide, disinterring a dead body and tampering with evidence. Authorities were unable to locate Williams, who remains on the run as of 2025. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to her arrest. Netflix David Carter David Carter Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tamera Williams stands accused of a heinous, brutal crime," U.S. Marshals Director Ronald L. Davis, said in 2023. "Her apprehension is our highest priority, and the family of David Carter deserves justice. I strongly encourage anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to do the right thing and contact us so we can get her into custody as quickly and as safely as possible." United States Marshals Service U.S. Marshals Most Wanted U.S. Marshals Most Wanted Williams allegedly traveled to Brooklyn, New York after the killing, WXYZ reported. I just pray that whoever is helping her, turn her in, Carters father Elton told the outlet in 2023. Williams case was the focus of an episode on FOXs Americas Most Wanted, Investigation Discoverys In Pursuit with John Walsh and Netflixs Unsolved Mysteries" in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Williams is a trained phlebotomist who might be working in a medical clinic. Authorities said Williams was involved with the Order of the Eastern Star, a Freemason organization. She is described as 5-foot-5 with a large tattoo of roses on her left shoulder. Carters sister, Tasia Carter-Jackson, told WXYZ that her brother was very kind," adding that "he was an amazing dad, a business worker, hard worker." Anyone with information is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals 24-hour tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 or give information through the USMS Tips App. Read the original article on People The Delhi Government has given permission to reopen the Chhath Puja Ghat located under the pontoon bridge near the Yamuna Bank Metro Station. The permission was granted after the Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva spoke with officials at the request of many residents of East Delhi belonging to the Purvanchal community to reopen the Ghat, according to a BJP release. The representative of the Purvanchal community met the Delhi BJP President on Friday, and they informed him that in 2020, the Arvind Kejriwal government had closed the Chhath Puja Ghat. The members of Bihar Jagran Manch requested Virendra Sachdeva to help reopen this Chhath Ghat. The Delhi BJP President immediately spoke with local officials and obtained permission to reconstruct the ghat, said the release. This morning, Sachdeva visited the under-construction Chhath Ghat beneath the Yamuna Bank Metro Station, participated in the cleaning drive, and said that by building this ghat, the aspirations of the Bihar community living in nearby areas like Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar have been fulfilled. He added that while the Kejriwal government used to obstruct religious and cultural festivals, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is promoting celebrations filled with joy and enthusiasm among the people. Accompanying Sachdeva were NDMC member Dinesh Pratap Singh, MLA Abhay Verma, Shahdara District BJP President Deepak Gaba, Delhi BJP Purvanchal Morcha President Santosh Ojha, Councillor Sandeep Kapoor, and a large number of Bihar Jagran Manch members who participated in the cleanliness drive at the ghat. Meanwhile, Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday participated in a cleanliness drive at Bhairav Ghat along the Yamuna riverbank, where he helped clean the area ahead of Chhath Puja. During the drive, Sachdeva hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of neglecting cleanliness and only engaging in politics. Sachdeva said, "The area had not been cleaned for the past five years, and the Aam Aadmi Party government had only engaged in politics. They only know how to make accusations." He also claimed that the BJP government under Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had ensured proper cleaning of the ghats. Earlier, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Friday inspected preparations at a ghat in Sonia Vihar ahead of Chhath Puja 2025 and said that a spectacular Chhath will be held in the National Capital this time. (ANI) While proponents of the funding boost for Michigan roads say it will pave the way for a smoother ride, others see potholes in the plan and fear a bumpy journey ahead. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers came together to approve a plan that includes new revenue and cuts to pay for road repairs and transportation infrastructure. For Whitmer, reaching the deal marked a legacy-defining moment. "I ran for office in large part because I wanted to fix the damn roads," she said in an Oct. 3 statement in the wake of the plan's legislative approval. At a celebration in Macomb County's Clinton Township, a crowd wearing safety vests and hard hats surrounded Whitmer and held up signs that read, "BIG GRETCH KEEPS HER PROMISE, WE KEEP OUR JOBS." Gov. Gretchen Whitmer celebrates Michigan's new road funding plan in Macomb County's Clinton Township on Oct. 13, 2025. The roughly $2 billion the plan secures for roads, once fully implemented, is not as much money as either the governor or Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, initially sought. Still, they touted it as a marquee accomplishment that provides much-needed funding for local roads, which didn't benefit from Whitmer's 2020 bonding program for state highways and bridges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new road funding plan has prompted some concerns. Environmental advocates say it punishes those who drive electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids with new fee increases. Funding shifts to pay for roads have also sparked fears that local governments could confront tough budget decisions. While the plan promises zero school funding cuts, education advocates still see an impact. One legal battle has already emerged over a key new source of revenue for roads. A lawsuit challenges a new tax on cannabis, which the state's leading cannabis trade association has cast as an existential threat to the nascent industry. What will funding boost mean for road conditions? There remain unanswered questions about how exactly the new funding will impact road conditions, according to Lance Binoniemi, the vice president of government affairs for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, a statewide trade association that includes Michigan companies that construct roads and bridges. "It's going to definitely improve pavement conditions, we just don't know by how much yet," he said. Forthcoming projections should provide a clearer picture of how far the money will go, Binoniemi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Paul Dennis an infrastructure researcher at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan who has called on state leaders to "Fix the Damn Road Funding Formula" sees a missed opportunity to improve Michigan's road funding system in the new plan. Instead of heeding his recommendation to replace the law that funnels transportation dollars to road agencies, lawmakers set up a new fund to deliver more money to local roads that will essentially run in parallel to the old system. Dennis described the result as "convoluted." "More money will not hurt," he said. "But it's almost definitely not the most effective, most efficient way to spend the additional revenue," he added. Denise Donohue, CEO of the County Road Association of Michigan, countered that while Michigan's road funding formula may be old, lawmakers have updated it over time, and it works today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can talk about fixing the damn roads, but it always starts with fixing the road funding, and so I think we've made a huge step as a state towards that. It will still take a decade or two to get to where we need to be," she said. Where will new money come from? The road funding plan includes two new sources of revenue. A tax on cannabis businesses of 24% on the wholesale price will generate an estimated $420 million annually, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis, providing a boost for county and local road authorities. By a one-vote margin, the tax narrowly passed the Michigan Senate. In its lawsuit, a state cannabis association argues that because voters in the state legalized recreational cannabis via a 2018 ballot measure, the tax required a three-fourths vote in both chambers of the Michigan Legislature. A dispensary worker fills a cannabis order. Michigan's cannabis industry has taken its fight over a new tax to pay for roads to court. Drivers of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will also provide new revenue for roads, as an increase to the motor fuel tax triggers a hike to the fees they pay. Electric vehicles will see their vehicle registration surcharge increase by at least $100, while plug-in hybrids will see at least a $50 increase in 2026. Together, those will generate an estimated $11 million, with most of the funds supporting transportation, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, raised concerns about the new fees before voting against them on Oct. 3. "Do we want to build the vehicles of the future or tax the vehicles of the future?" he said. More: 3 auto supplier plants in Michigan to close, costing nearly 450 jobs Environmental advocates want to see lawmakers roll back the fees, which will constitute the highest electric vehicle fee in the United States, based on a recent review of fees across the country. Hall has suggested that electric vehicle drivers aren't paying their fair share to drive on Michigan roads. In contrast, a study from Ecology Center a Michigan-based environmental group found that they contribute more to road funding when comparing electric vehicle models to their gas counterparts. Slapping another fee on top of what drivers of electric vehicles are already paying seems "punitive," said Charles Griffith, director of the Ecology Center's Climate & Energy Program. A Ford 150-Lightning pickup truck sits on the customer acceptance line at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn. Under Michigan's new road funding plan, electric vehicle drivers will see a fee hike. Tax shift at the pump leaves lingering angst Starting in 2026, the motor fuel tax will increase by at least 20 cents and coincide with the elimination of the 6% sales tax on gas and diesel a current practice that makes Michigan a national outlier. The change will ensure that the taxes Michigan drivers pay at the pump will support the state's transportation system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Gov. Whitmer pardons Hmong refugee arrested by ICE facing deportation The School Aid Fund that supports K-12 education in Michigan and currently receives tax revenue generated from motor fuel sales will see those lost dollars at the pump replenished from the General Fund, the state's largest pot of discretionary funding. Concerns about the tax shift remain. "You're replacing a guaranteed source of funding," said Bob McCann, executive director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan. A future group of state lawmakers is not obligated to backfill the School Aid Fund, he noted. Two students at Richards Middle School in Fraser listen to their teacher during the first day of school. The new plan to pay for road repairs and transportation investments in Michigan has prompted concern about the impact on K-12 education funding. Local governments, which also benefit from the sales tax the road plan eliminates, won't see that revenue fully replaced after earlier plans to do so were walked back in the final deal. The plan will reduce revenue sharing to local governments by an estimated $92.8 million during the first full fiscal year with the new motor fuel tax, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Townships Association Director of Government Relations Judy Allen said she heard from one township that equated the revenue loss to three firefighters. Townships face the possibility of making cuts or asking voters to approve tax increases, she said. Unlike townships, cities will receive some road funding but also face potential revenue hits to their local communities under the plan, according to John LaMacchia II, state and federal affairs director for the Michigan Municipal League. Possible budget pinches don't just await the local level. The road funding plan also delivers a big hit to the General Fund. The road funding plan disentangles federal tax changes in President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act from the state corporate income tax, blunting the impact on state revenue. Some corporate income tax revenue collected by the state is then dedicated to road funding and transportation under the plan. Once fully phased in, those earmarks, along with the sales tax shift at the pump, will each reduce General Fund revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars. Funding boost for public transit Michigan drivers aren't the only ones expected to benefit from improvements to Michigan's transportation network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The road funding plan was a cause for celebration among public transit advocates. The Comprehensive Transportation Fund, which supports public transit, will see an estimated $65.6 million increase due to the tax shift at the pump in the next fiscal year the first full fiscal year when the tax change will be in effect, according to the House Fiscal Agency. The road funding plan also dedicates $35 million annually to the Comprehensive Transportation Fund through the fiscal year ending in 2030 and includes $65 million for investments in transit projects. That might not be enough money to build a new train line. But Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United, said it could help pilot other transportation projects and demonstrate interest in them that could generate further state investment. "So, it's a huge step in the right direction," she said. Under the new road funding plan, public transit will receive a boost. State Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, who co-chairs the Public Transit Caucus in the Michigan Legislature celebrated what he called an unprecedented investment. "This is the largest increase in public transit funding in Michigan's history as far as I'm aware," he said. "This is a truly transformational investment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the immediate wake of the new roads plan, its champions have celebrated the bipartisan support it received and the size of the funding boost, even if some describe it as a kind of initial breakthrough. Meanwhile, before the funding plan takes Michigan down a new road, its detractors are fighting to head in a different direction. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Michigan roads plan fuels celebration and criticism BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) On Friday evening, authorities said that a body found near an organic farm at Middlebury College was that of Lia Smith, the student from Woodside, California who was reported missing over the past weekend. According to the results of the autopsy, Smith died of suicide. State police find body during search for missing Middlebury College student Her body was reportedly found at The Knoll in Cornwall, to the west of Middlebury Colleges main campus, at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. This followed a full-scale search launched by Vermont State Police that morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local and state police had scheduled a press conference for 3:00 p.m. to provide updates on the search, which was suddenly cancelled. Vermont State Police and Middlebury Police thanked the numerous local state, and federal agencies that helped with the search for Smith, as well as Middlebury College staff and other volunteers. Readers are reminded that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone who needs confidential support. In Vermont, beginning last month, 911 calls can also connect to 988. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. It's hard to understate just how much the aircraft carrier has changed the face of naval warfare, as well as global geopolitical power itself since the beginning of the Second World War. Throughout the World War II, and during the 80 years that have followed it, the American aircraft carrier has evolved immensely, launching from its decks everything from prop-driven Wildcats and Corsairs to the latest F-35 C Lightning II fighters. While the heroic stories of the US Navy's World War II aircraft carriers are well known, and today's highly advanced nuclear carriers continue to project power and protect American interests worldwide, history has a tendency to overlook some of the earlier, but no less pivotal carriers that were developed and served in between World War II and the modern era. The Midway-Class carrier is a perfect example of this transitional era of aircraft carrier development. Initially designed for service in World War II, Midway Class ships underwent several major modernizations during the postwar years that kept the class in service all the way through Desert Storm in the early 1990s, long after newer ships had it made 'obsolete'. This impressive evolution and adaptability, along with a distinguished list of combat achievements, have made the Midway Class ships a vital part of US Naval history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 11 Of The Most Iconic Ground Attack Military Planes In History Taking the carrier into a new era USS Franklin D Roosevelt carrier in New York harbor - Keystone/Getty Images World War II was still raging when the Midway Class aircraft carrier was being developed, but the war officially came to a close just a week before the lead ship of the class, the USS Midway was commissioned on September 10, 1945. Taking its name from the decisive, war-changing Battle of Midway in the Pacific, in which the American aircraft carrier played the key role. The Midway Class carriers were a toughened, modernized upgrade over the Essex-Class carriers that served in the later years of World War II, with a stronger armored flight deck, and the ability to carry more aircraft being a key evolution from earlier carriers. A total of three Midway-Class carriers would be built during the second half of the 1940s, with the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and the USS Coral Sea rounding out the trio. Though the fighting of World War II was over, the late '40s and 1950s would be a pivotal time for naval aviation as the transition was made from prop-driven aircraft to jets. The large, armored decks of the Midway-Class were the perfect testbeds for early jet carrier operations. When it became clear that jets were the future, carrier design would be updated with angled decks, stronger catapults and arresting gear, and secure storage for jet fuel. But rather than replacing the WWII-era Midway-Class ships with newer carriers, the Navy decided to upgrade them, adding angled flight decks and enclosed hurricane bows. The legend of the Midway lives on USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California - Extreme-photographer/Getty Images The upgrades to the Midway-Class carriers kept them important part of the fleet even as the newer, so-called 'supercarriers' came into service. Midway-Class ships would serve in Vietnam, and in support of many conflicts that followed. The USS Coral Sea would earn the nickname 'Ageless Warrior' thanks to its long service and extensive upgrades that kept it in the fight alongside its younger counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time the first of Midway-Class carrier, the USS Roosevelt, was retired in 1977, nuclear-powered carriers were the new standard for the US Navy, leaving the conventionally powered ships as antiquated equipment. Even so, both the USS Coral Sea and USS Midway continued to serve through the 1980s, with the Midway getting one last major combat deployment in the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm before it was decommissioned in 1992. Both the USS Roosevelt and USS Coral Sea would end up being scrapped after their service, but the USS Midway would have a brighter future after its fighting days were over. In 2004, the Midway was relocated to San Diego where joined the list of several retired aircraft carriers used as museum ships across the United States. Since then, the USS Midway Museum has become a San Diego landmark and a popular destination for over one million visitors annually. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Migrants are travelling to Spain on tourist visas and abandoning their children as a gambit to claim asylum, Spanish police have said. Parents leave their children outside police stations and childrens homes, before flying home, so they can be taken into state care as refugees, police in the east coast province of Tarragona said. They aim to play the system and use the children to secure family reunification at a later date, the authorities warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they uncovered the sophisticated operation and have now arrested 30 people accused of abandoning their children. The total scale of the social security fraud could amount to 1.3m, a spokesman for national police in Spains Catalonia region, covering Tarragona, said. Police have now arrested 30 people accused of abandoning their children - ANTONIO SEMPERE/AFP Earlier this month, officials in the Balearic Islands, Spains tourist hub, said that they were seeing a new phenomenon of African parents flying to the holiday destination to dump their children. Privately, they said they were not ruling out the possibility that such parents could later ask their children to bring other family members to live with them in Europe once they turned 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the practice was previously thought to be made up of isolated incidents. Earlier this month, it was revealed by Carmen Reynes, Menorcas welfare minister, that two youngsters aged 11 and 16, from Morocco and Senegal respectively, had been abandoned at a bus station as their parents jetted home. In Ibiza, it was reported that two children from North Africa had been left behind on the island by their parents, who gave them instructions to head to a police station to claim refugee treatment. At the time, Ms Reynes warned that the trend could have a knock-on effect, with the potential for cases of abandonment to spiral. Officials said that they were seeing a new phenomenon of African parents flying to the Balearic Islands to dump their children - Paul Grover The Catalonia region police spokesman said: The National Police has detected a fraud involving a sophisticated modus operandi in the system of unaccompanied foreign minors in the province of Tarragona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme amounted to a systemic pattern of deliberate abandonment of children by their own parents in order to exploit the states welfare and guardianship resources, the police outlined. The spokesman said: The investigation, which began in November 2023, has uncovered how families bring their underage children to Spain on single or multiple-entry C-type tourist visas, obtained despite the strict financial solvency requirements. The spokesman said that as part of the scheme, minors are intentionally abandoned outside police stations, juvenile centres and other public institutions, instructed by their parents to declare themselves to be in a situation of neglect in order to gain admittance. The main objective is for public institutions to assume the costs of maintenance, education and health, while facilitating the path to future family reunification and the obtaining of residence permits for the minors, the spokesman said. Menorcas welfare minister warned that the trend could have a knock-on effect - ANTONIO SEMPERE/AFP Caring for children who have been dumped carries a cost of between 31-140 (27-122) per day from the state coffers, according to the force, which added that it undermines the child protection system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In view of this situation, the National Police has established direct bilateral cooperation with the directorate-general for prevention and protection of children and adolescents in the province of Tarragona, the spokesman said. The 30 suspects identified in the investigation were arrested on suspicion of child abandonment and aiding illegal immigration and fraud against the government. The spokesman said the investigation was ongoing and the costs incurred by the children were being calculated. Police in Tarragona said on Saturday that they were unable to offer any more information, including details on where the people arrested came from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Right-wing Popular Party responded by demanding a macro-audit of the system of care for unaccompanied minors across Catalonia. Earlier this month, officials in the Balearic Islands vented their anger over the abandonment of African youngsters, following record numbers of arrivals by boat from Algeria. b' 0608 Migrant crossings in Spain ' Carolina Escandell, the Ibizan welfare minister, described the practice as child abandonment and complained at the time that if they were Spanish, the parents would be reported. Ms Reynes of Menorca also expressed concern that as well as having to cope with migrants arriving by sea, this new phenomenon now has to be taken into account. It could have a knock-on effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Balearic government previously voted to crack down on benefits for asylum seekers amid complaints that the holiday hotspot was becoming a magnet for arrivals by sea. The Algeria-Balearics route is thought to be Europes most rapidly growing short sea crossing for people seeking asylum and has proved deadly for many. The authorities have been accused of stalling in their response to the crisis. Undocumented migrant arrivals to the Balearic Islands shot up by 84 per cent between Jan 1 and Sept 30 in 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. The vast majority made sea crossings. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. United States President Donald Trumps campaign against narcoterrorists has transformed the Caribbean into a new battlefield. Since August, Washington has deployed thousands of troops, warships and aircraft across the region, and reopened military bases in Puerto Rico and conducted drills, in what analysts describe as the largest US presence in Latin America in decades. In September, the US began a series of strikes on Venezuelan boats it claims were trafficking drugs to the US, with the latest attack on Friday killing six people on board. Last week, Trump announced that he had authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela and that he was even mulling a land attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, on Thursday, Trump denied that all this amounts to a declaration of war on Venezuela. Well, I dont think were going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war, he said. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? Were going to kill them, Trump said. How many Venezuelan boats has the US attacked? The US military has carried out at least ten deadly strikes on vessels off Venezuelas coast, and in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean since September 2, marking the most intense American military activity in Latin America since the US invasion of Panama in 1989. The operations, conducted under the authority of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), have killed at least 43 people, according to statements by Trump and senior defence officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The map below shows the approximate locations of at least six of these attacks, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). Most of these attacks occurred close to the Venezuelan coast and in international waters raising questions about the legality of the USs use of force, especially when no imminent threat was present. INTERACTIVE - US attacks on Venezuelan boats in the Carribean sea -OCTOBER 24, 2025 copy-1761342352 What is SOUTHCOM? US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), headquartered in Doral, Florida, is one of 11 unified combatant commands of the US Department of War (renamed by Trump from the Department of Defense). It oversees operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including the defence of the Panama Canal. The other 10 commands cover different regions or functions such as North America (NORTHCOM), Europe (EUCOM), Africa (AFRICOM), the Middle East (CENTCOM), and the Indo-Pacific (INDOPACOM), while others have global responsibilities like cyber operations (CYBERCOM), space (SPACECOM), nuclear deterrence (STRATCOM), strategic logistics (TRANSCOM) and Special Operations forces worldwide (SOCOM). While SOUTHCOMs current stated mission is to counter narcotics flows into the US, its growing presence near Venezuela has been interpreted as a sign of Trumps strategic interest in the region. What military assets have been deployed? The military buildup is considerable and includes ready-to-deploy expeditionary forces, US naval and air assets, and special operations units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Defence Editor, Alex Gatopoulos, said, Its already the biggest build-up of US military assets in the region for decades. The present force is oriented for land attack and not for counter-narcotics operations. INTERACTIVE - US ships in the Carribean sea -OCTOBER 23, 2025-1761237901 Expeditionary forces The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) forms the expeditionary core of the US presence in the Caribbean. This group of Navy ships carrying marines, vehicles and helicopters, named after the famous World War II battle of Iwo Jima, is designed to land on a shore quickly, often in emergencies or combat situations. Along with the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), the expeditionary force houses 4,500 sailors and marines, including 2,200 marines trained for amphibious assault and rapid reaction missions. The group has also conducted live-fire drills on board the Iwo Jima and amphibious landing rehearsals off St Croix, the largest of the US Virgin Islands and a key training site for US forces. Naval assets The fleet is also reinforced with several naval assets. Late on Friday, the US announced it will send an aircraft carrier strike group to Latin America, in a major escalation of its military presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the US military said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald Ford and five destroyers in its accompanying strike group to deploy to the region. As of September 25, SOUTHCOMs task force includes 10 major warships and several support vessels, exceeding the number normally assigned to the region. Among them are four surface combatants and one submarine capable of carrying Tomahawk long-range missiles. The destroyers, USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), USS Stockdale (DDG-106) and USS Gravely (DDG-107), are multi-role warships armed with Tomahawk land-attack missiles as well as advanced anti-air and anti-submarine systems. All three were reportedly deployed to the Red Sea in 2024 to counter Houthi attacks in the region. The US Navy warship USS Sampson (DDG 102) docks at the Amador International Cruise Terminal in Panama City on September 2, 2025. [Martin Bernetti/AFP] Alongside them, the USS Newport News (SSN-750), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, provides capabilities for strikes, antiship and antisubmarine operations, as well as intelligence, reconnaissance and special operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also several noncombatant support ships, as well as the US Coast Guard. Air assets The air component deployed under SOUTHCOM includes some of the most advanced aircraft in the US Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Gatopoulos states that, added to the various deployments have been the intimidation tactics of flying strategic bombers close to Venezuelan airspace The B-52 is designed to destroy land-based targets, from some distance away, usually using long-range cruise missiles. These heavy bombers can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,000 metres) and carry cruise missiles or nuclear-capable weapons. They also support naval operations by monitoring the ocean, targeting ships and laying mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The B-1 strategic bomber is designed to penetrate enemy airspace to deliver 37 tonnes of ordnance onto its target. Neither jet is in any way useful for stopping drug-smuggling. This plus President Trumps public announcement to the CIA to start operations within Venezuela tells me they have something very different in mind, namely to destabilise the Maduro government, says Gatopoulos. The latest development, the ordering of the Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean further cements this idea. The Carrier group is immensely powerful, bringing with it 75+ fighter jets, helicopters and early warning aircraft. The USS Ford will be accompanied by three missile destroyers, each capable of attacking targets deep within Venezuela a huge amount of firepower, he added. Two US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers flying with South Korean Air Force F-35A (L) and US Air Force F-16 fighter jets during a joint air drill on April 14, 2023, at an undisclosed location in South Korea [South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images] There are also at least 10 F-35 stealth fighters highly versatile jets which can strike, fight and gather intelligence while remaining hard to detect by radar. An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber flies with Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft in the US Southern Command area of responsibility on October 15, 2025 [US Air Force via AP] MQ-9 Reaper drones are remotely piloted aircraft used for surveillance and precision strikes, with a range of 1,851km (1,150 miles) and speeds up to 370km/h (230mph). They can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, allowing them to strike multiple targets in a single mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CH-53E Super Stallions are heavy-lift helicopters that move troops and equipment from ship to shore. They can carry 16 tonnes of cargo 80km (50 miles) before returning to base. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) unload equipment onto the beach as US Marine Corps V-22 Ospreys and CH-53 Super Stallions fly overhead during the Americas Marines 250 event at Camp Pendletons Red Beach on October 18, 2025, in Oceanside, California [Mario Tama/Getty Images via AFP] Other air assets include P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, AC-130J gunships, and various support and reconnaissance aircraft. Special forces and troops SOUTHCOMs special operations component consists of MH-60 Black Hawks and AH-MH-6 Little Bird helicopters for troop insertion and reconnaissance. The MC Ocean Trader, which is part of the deployment, acts as a mobile forward base for these units. Black Hawk helicopters fly in formation during a counter-landing live-fire exercise at a beach as part of US-Philippines joint military exercises on May 3, 2025 in Aparri, Cagayan province, the Philippines [Ezra Acayan/Getty Images] About 10,000 troops have also been sent to the US territory of Puerto Rico, while the White House has authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela. How has Venezuela responded? On September 4, two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets flew over the USS Jason Dunham in what was seen as a highly provocative act, according to Washington. In response, the US deployed 10 F-35B fighters and two MQ-9 Reapers to Puerto Rico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On September 17, Venezuela launched large-scale naval and air exercises, while President Nicolas Maduro ordered the mobilisation of the Bolivarian militia, a reserve force which is part of Venezuelas armed forces, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), and called for millions of volunteers to defend the countrys sovereignty. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela greets his supporters during a rally to commemorate Indigenous Resistance Day on October 12, 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela [Jesus Vargas/Getty Images] While President Trump insists that US operations in the Caribbean Sea are lawful counter-narcotics missions, Venezuelan officials regard them as an escalation in tensions and attacks on vessels as a violation of international law. It says there has been no evidence that targeted vessels have posed any imminent threat. This story was updated to correct location of the shooting. A former leader within the Milwaukee Latin Kings street gang who has been on the run for more than 20 years has been arrested in Mexico, the U.S. government said Oct. 24. Armando Barragan, 39, was indicted on racketeering and drug-related federal charges alongside 49 other members of the gang in 2005. Prosecutors said Barragan ordered the killing of Kevin Hirschfield at a gas station in Cudahy in 2003. Hirschfield had intervened in the beating of another man by Latin Kings and subsequently became a target of the gang, dying in a "barrage of bullets," according to a federal complaint filed in 2005. With Barragan as leader of the 19th Street Latin Kings, members followed his orders, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barragan was arrested Oct. 23 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, following a short foot pursuit, authorities said. His indictment, alongside the 49 other men, in 2005 followed a long-term investigation by the Milwaukee FBI field office. This shows the tenacity and commitment of our Violent Offender Task Force in searching for and finding violent fugitives to bring them to justice, Anna Ruzinski, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, said in a statement. Other Latin King members involved in the killing of Hirschfield, including one of the shooters, were sentenced to life in prison. Barragan does not have an attorney listed. From at least 1985 to 2005, the Latin Kings terrorized Milwaukee's south side through shootings, beatings, kidnappings, arson, drug dealing and other crimes, according to court documents. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Latin Kings, leader Wisconsin Most Wanted arrested in Mexico The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said the newly-released surveillance images of Melodee were taken on October 7, her last known sighting, and "believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance," as the child's mother "remains uncooperative" amid the search. Melodee Buzzard -- a 9-year-old girl from California who has been missing for over two weeks -- has reportedly been spotted in new security photos taken from what is believed to be her last official sighting, as authorities narrow down the timeline behind her bizarre disappearance. On Friday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office released surveillance images of Melodee -- who is being considered an "at-risk missing person" -- from the last time she was seen, along with an updated timeline and details. Uber Eats Dad Completing Deliveries Instead of Looking for 'Missing' Autistic Child: Police - Click image for related story According to the sheriff's office, the investigation started on October 14 after a "school administrator reported Melodees extended absence." Melodee had been reportedly homeschooled in recent years, and Melodee's mom, Ashlee, enrolled her daughter in the Lompoc Unified School District's "independent study program," per ABC News, citing a statement from the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In our independent study program, if a student fails to pick up assignments, the student is referred back to their school of residence, which then contacts the family to complete enrollment," the district said in a statement. "If attendance does not begin, the school follows mandatory truancy procedures -- including phone calls, letters, emails, and home visits. When a student or family cannot be reached after these efforts, the school requests a welfare check from law enforcement." According to authorities, after the school administration reported Melodee's absence, deputies went to the child's home in Lompoc, and "contacted" Melodee's mother, Ashlee, 35. "Melodee was not at the home, and no verifiable explanation for her whereabouts was provided," the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said. Detectives said the "critical timeline" has been narrowed now to between October 7 and October 10, with Melodee's last verified sighting being on October 7 when the child was captured on surveillance images taken at a car rental business. In the security photos, which can be seen at the top of this post, Melodee can be seen with her hair covered with a hood, with authorities saying they believe she is wearing a wig to cover her real hair, which is curly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Melodee is wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and what appears to be a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair," the sheriff's office said. "Investigators believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance. Detectives also note that Ashlee is known to wear wigs. FBI In addition to being the time Melodee was last seen, the photos are believed to be the first new shots of the child in two years. The previous most recent photo of Melodee -- which is featured on the FBI's missing person poster -- was reportedly taken two years ago, and can be seen, above. Although Melodee's last confirmed sighting was on October 7, officials said her mother, Ashlee, was seen returning to her home in Lompoc on October 10, driving a white Chevrolet Malibu, the car she had rented at the rental car business on October 7. The sheriff's office said Melodee and her mother went on a "three-day road trip went from Lompoc to the Nebraska area, with the return trip including the state of Kansas." However, per officials, Melodee was not seen in the vehicle with her mother when she returned to Lompoc. According to the FBI, the car is "no longer in Ashlee's possession." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Detectives are now focused on determining where Melodee was during those three days and where she may be now," the sheriff's office said. The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office previously said Ashlee "remains uncooperative and has not provided any information about Melodees current location or welfare." Melodee is described as "a 9-year-old female, approximately 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes" and is "considered at-risk due to her age and the length of her absence," according to officials. "Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said. "We remain determined to bring her home safely." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's office and the FBI are asking the public to come forward with any information regarding Melodee's whereabouts or condition. Those who have any information are being urged to call the Santa Barbara Sheriffs Criminal Investigations Division at (805) 681-4150, or reach out via the anonymous tip line by phone (805) 681-4171 or online at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/. In addition, people can contact the FBI's Toll-Free tipline 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. (FOX40.COM) Two Northern California hikers who were reported missing on Thursday after being hours overdue from their planned return were found by local law enforcement. Video Above: Why some national parks charge entrance fees Just before 9 p.m. on Thursday, the Placer County Sheriffs Office received a report that two men who had gone hiking were several hours overdue for their planned return. Dispatchers and deputies worked together to gather information from the family. According to PCSO, the hikers vehicle was located in a parking area near Royal Gorge. The Placer County Sheriffs Office found two hikers who were reported missing on Oct. 23, 2025. California wildlife officials kill 4 gray wolves over Sierra Valley livestock attacks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PCSO said it did an aerial search until around midnight, but could not find the hikers. At first light, the Search and Rescue team was deployed. Thanks to the detailed information provided by the family, and the coordination between dispatchers and deputies, teams were able to focus their efforts on a specific area, PCSO said. Around 9 a.m. on Friday, PCSO teams found the two men near Palisade Lake. They were very cold after spending the night outdoors, but were otherwise in good condition, according to PCSO. The hikers did several things right most importantly, they shared their plans with family members and provided an expected return time, PCSO said. That information was crucial in allowing a swift response. In search and rescue operations, every minute matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday expressed gratitude and praised the unity within the party and the support extended by the Congress and other allies after it secured three Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, expressed disappointment over missing out on a potential fourth seat to the BJP, attributing it to "some unfulfilled promises", a setback he described as part of the electoral process. Addressing the media, Abdullah said, "I am grateful that all MLAs of our party stayed united and our party achieved success... Other parties, including Congress, supported us... We could have won the 4th seat as well but due to some unfulfilled promises, it couldn't happen. We are disappointed with that but such things tend to happen during elections..." Farooq Abdullah also claimed that the BJP approached the NC asking not to contest the elections, but the party refused. "BJP came to us asking not to contest the elections, but we denied their proposal," he said. The ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won three out of four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo and Shammi Oberoi of the National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Sat Paul Sharma were elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Union Territory. All four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir have been vacant since February 2021, following the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Shamsher Singh, and Nazir Ahmed Laway. (ANI) NEED TO KNOW A body found in Vermont on Oct. 23 has officially been identified as missing Middlebury College student Lia Smith, 21 Smiths manner of death was released by the local medical examiners office Smith was reported missing on Sunday, Oct. 19, two days after she was last seen on the Middlebury campus Missing Middlebury College student Lia Smith has officially been confirmed dead. Smith, 21, was reported missing by her father on Sunday, Oct. 19, two days after she was last seen on campus. A body was discovered near the college by Vermont State Police on Thursday, Oct. 23, and an autopsy has now confirmed that it is that of Smith, per a press release from the Vermont Police Department (VPD) shared on Friday, Oct. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vermont Chief Medical Examiners Office determined that Smith died by suicide, per the release. PEOPLE reached out to both the VPD and the Medical Examiners Office for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25, but did not receive an immediate response. Middlebury College president Ian Baucom announced the news to the campus community in a statement on Facebook on Saturday, sharing that he had spoken to Smiths family and expressed his heartbreak to them. Middlebury Police Department Lia Smith Lia Smith As president, and far more as a fellow parent, I ache for them. This is a profound loss that nobody should have to endure, he continued. As we mourn, I want to express my deep appreciation for the efforts of our Student Affairs staff who have been offering such compassionate support to Lias family, friends and students across our community. We will continue to support them in every way possible," Baucom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that Smith, who was from Woodside, Calif., was a remarkable person. She was a diver on our Womens Swimming and Diving team, a member of our Chess and Japanese clubs, and an articulate advocate of transgender rights. Her academic interests were broad, and she was pursuing a double major in computer science and statistics. She was a gift to us, and we are so grateful that she was and will always remain a member of our Middlebury family, he added. Members of the Vermont State Police and Rescue Team found Smiths body in Cornwall, Vt., near the colleges organic farm, the Middlebury Police Department said in a statement. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Middlebury students had joined authorities in the search for Smith, per MyNBC5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're a really small community," senior Lucy Schembre told the local news outlet during the search efforts. "Even if you don't know someone personally, you definitely know somebody who knows them, and you've definitely seen them around. It's very jarring for somebody who's supposed to be here, to not be here." If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7. Read the original article on People The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is celebrating the launch of a new catalog that revisits a historic 1924 art exhibition organized by local women artists. A special event will take place on Wednesday, October 29, featuring a talk and book signing by Dr. P. Scott Brown, the author and guest curator of the catalog. The new book, The Armory South: The 1924 Jacksonville Womans Club Exhibition Rediscovered, explores how early visionaries helped bring modern art to Jacksonville and the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOCA Jacksonville, the oldest art museum in Northeast Florida, continues its mission to connect the community with contemporary art and local history. For details about the event and other museum programs, visit MocaJacksonville.unf.edu >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. As the presidents of China and the United States prepare to meet in South Korea next week, observers remain sceptical of breakthroughs but see potential for incremental steps towards mutual de-escalation of US-China tensions. Without confirming a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump, China's foreign ministry said on Friday that Xi Jinping would visit South Korea from October 30 to November 1 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Gyeongju. The White House, however, announced on Thursday that the two leaders would meet on the morning of October 30, following Trump's first post-re-election trip to Malaysia and Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Set against a backdrop of renewed tariff threats, rare earth export restrictions, and a widening array of unresolved disputes from technology sanctions to Taiwan, experts were divided on the prospects for the first Xi-Trump summit of the American leader's second term. While some anticipated limited concessions, such as a pause in tariff escalation, incremental agricultural purchases or adjustments to China's rare earth policies, others warned of deep structural impasses that had locked their strategic rivalry into a prolonged downward spiral of confrontation. Yun Sun, director of the China programme and co-director of the East Asia programme at the Stimson Centre in Washington, said the bilateral summit was a necessary step towards de-escalation and its outcome would be positive and modest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think there will be any major clashes in South Korea this time. The results may not be major or groundbreaking, but there will be some deliverables," she said. The already strained ties between the two countries have deteriorated even further in recent weeks, with Beijing's announcement of fresh restrictions on rare earth exports and suspension of US soybean purchases. Meanwhile, Trump has expanded controls on critical software technologies and threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese products from November 1. But, citing US-China trade negotiations starting in Malaysia on Friday, Sun said both sides were making last-ditch preparations for the leaders' meeting, reflecting not only their awareness of the stakes but also a shared willingness to step back. "Both sides may appear tough on the surface, but their actions and expectations are relatively moderate and constructive," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The recent escalation on both sides is actually a set-up for de-escalation. To borrow a term from nuclear diplomacy: you have to first give the other side a head start before both sides can retreat." According to Sun, Beijing has grown increasingly confident heading into the summit, believing it has the upper hand, especially with its leverage over rare earths. "China's confidence doesn't stem primarily from Trump, but from the tariff wars Washington launched since April," she said. "Beijing believes it can fight a trade war without necessarily losing and that it has the ability to choke the US supply chains through rare earth controls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As long as the US-China rivalry remains confined to trade, China can push back. "But the risk is that if the US expands the confrontation into non-trade areas, such as playing the Taiwan card, things could turn ugly, and that would spell serious trouble for bilateral ties." Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise the self-ruled island as an independent state. However, Washington is opposed to any attempt to seize Taiwan by force and is legally bound to supply the island with arms. Sun described the summit as "a first, positive step" towards easing bilateral tensions and averting overt confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a positive thing that they will finally meet. But this summit isn't paving the way for a future China visit by Trump. Everyone's still taking things one step at a time, and no one knows what surprises lie ahead," she said. Shen Dingli, a Shanghai-based professor of international affairs, was more optimistic, predicting mutual concessions and "significant results". He outlined a structured road map for potential progress in the coming months, beginning with Trump's potential announcement of a 90-day extension of trade negotiations and reciprocal pauses in punitive measures. During this period, China could temporarily suspend enforcement of its rare earth control rules, while the US could ease sanctions on Chinese firms and relax export restrictions on semiconductors and aviation components, he suggested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This mutual de-escalation could create space for tariff reductions and targeted cooperation on issues like fentanyl control and agricultural imports, Shen argued. "This is the best-case scenario I can hope for, though it's uncertain whether both leaders can achieve it," he said. "But I'm optimistic that both the Malaysia talks and the leaders' meeting in South Korea will be productive. "After this summit, I believe the Sino-US relationship may enter a phase of relative stability." In contrast, Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing, was more sceptical about the summit's potential to resolve the structural issues underlying bilateral tensions, despite its symbolic importance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A summit between the Chinese and US leaders won't change any major issues," he said. "China will continue to use its so-called 'rare earths trump card' against the US and its allies, while the US will maintain tighter controls on hi-tech exports to China. "At best, China and the US might reach limited agreements on minor issues. But we will see no significant or lasting easing of the fundamental challenges, whether it's export controls on rare earths and hi-tech goods, large-scale purchases of US products, the sharp confrontation over Taiwan, or tensions in the East and South China seas." Shi cautioned against overinterpreting the Xi-Trump meeting, noting that past summits had often led to temporary relief followed by disappointment and renewed tensions. "Since 2013, after all these summits, while there may have been brief periods of easing, Sino-US relations have quickly deteriorated," he said. "Moreover, such meetings tend to raise public expectations to unrealistic levels, only to be followed by disappointment, breeding even greater frustration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also warned that China's economic and fiscal constraints limited its ability to make sweeping concessions, and that any progress on Taiwan or broader strategic issues remained structurally out of reach. "China's tough stance is a necessary response to domestic politics and international pressures," Shi said. "But fundamentally, China's economy and fiscal situation are more strained than before, and its overall strength still lags behind the US. So while China may offer occasional tactical concessions, it cannot concede to the extent that would satisfy Trump, as its national interests and domestic politics simply don't allow it." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Oct. 25dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center is the first in the region to establish a single port robotic surgery flip room an arrangement to better serve patients and staff. The flip room is actually two adjacent operating rooms equipped with Intuitive Surgical's daVinci SP system, at the hospital, said Dr. Jaschar Shakuri-Rad, urologist, medical director of Robotic Surgery and Medical Specialties and Master Robotic Surgeon. Dr. Rad, as he's called, brought the flip room concept to Mon Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reasons are several, he said. One was his mounting patient backlog. This is actually a national problem, spurred by a growing shortage of urologists. Various medical publications report that 62 % of U.S. counties lack a practicing urologist. The existing workforce is aging out, with 40 % reaching retirement age in the next decade while the patient load is growing as the population ages, bringing age-related urologic diseases and conditions to the fore. Rad said West Virginia has a 50 % shortage of urologists, based on the most recent data. "You can't, obviously, create urologists in factories, " he said. "And so, instead, we do the next best thing. We treat more patients with the same number of urologists. And the flip room allows us to do that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrangement allows him to operate on five patients per day instead of just three. He explained how it works as he allowed us to witness a prostatectomy removal of a cancerous prostate in one of the rooms. He sat at one of two side-by-side stations working the robot while we sat at the other, witnessing the procedure in that station's monitor seeing the tiny space inside in HD Cinerama quality. We've reported before on the many advantages of single port robotic surgery: the ability to work more precisely and safely inside the tight spaces of the body, vastly reduced risk and faster recovery time among them. (Single port surgery features three tiny interchangeable tools plus a camera on a single robotic arm inserted into the patient and controlled at the station a few feet away.) He cauterized blood vessels that opened as he cut away tissue. He pointed out the reduced blood loss possible in single port robotic surgery: just 20 milliliters (4 teaspoons) in this case versus two liters in a conventional prostatectomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this case, after the prostate and a lymph node have been removed and the pathology report shows all the cancer has been excised, he can begin reconnecting the bladder to the urethra. He knows how long this final stage of the procedure will take. He tells anesthesia and the second team in the other room that he's about to finish. That team prepares the room, the other robot and the next patient for that procedure. "So as soon as I finish this, I can go talk to the family [of the current patient ] and walk back into the other room all ready to go. There's no missed time in between. ... We eliminate the turnover time by having the flip room." And while he's in the second room, the first room is getting cleaned up and prepped. So when he's done in the second room, the first room, with the patient on the table and that room's team back in place, is ready for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flip room arrangement not only allows him to perform more surgeries in a single day, he said, it benefits the staff. He spoke of a colleague in another state who has to schedule surgeries clear to midnight because his facility lacks the resources for a flip room setup with the accompanying toll on staff and doctor. With the flip room, Rad said, both teams can be out by 5 p.m. "The staff isn't burned out. The surgeons aren't burned out. The patients get good care." Two essentials for a successful flip room arrangement, he said, are available resources and supportive hospital leadership. "To be able to do this, you really have to have a good administration." Rad had both, he said. The Vandalia Health system had two single port robots, but the one in Charleston, wasn't getting used. So he asked the administration at Mon Medical about setting up the flip room to use both and relieve his mounting procedure backlog. The administration supported the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And more than 10 surgical staff members completed specialized training in the system configuration to prepare for the launch. It's not a new concept, he said. "But execution is difficult. You have to have all the right people at the table." David Goldberg, president and CEO of Mon Health and Davis Health Systems, and executive vice president of Vandalia Health, commented on the flip room system in a statement. "This commitment means our community will experience the benefits of robotic surgery with less waiting and greater confidence in the care they receive." Rad isn't the only doctor at Mon Medical to use flip rooms. Dr. William McBee, a gynecological oncologist, performs laparoscopic surgeries and has a pair of rooms, too. Flip rooms better serve the state's population, Rad said. They don't have to leave the state for procedures. "It's been pretty good so far. I've been pretty happy with it." State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville) this week called on the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that mid-sized rural hospitals such as Hunt Regional Healthcare are eligible for federal funding through the new Rural Health Transformation Program, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In the coming weeks, Texas will apply for funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program, Money said. After hearing from constituents and meeting with Hunt Regional CEO Lee Boles, Ive sent a letter to the Health and Human Services Commission urging them to include mid-sized rural hospitals like Hunt Regional in their plan for allocating these resources. In a letter addressed to THHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young, Money expressed concern that hospitals like Hunt Regional too large to qualify as small rural but too small to meet urban hospital definitions risk being excluded from the programs funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I intend to do all that I can to ensure hospitals like ours arent left out of being eligible to apply for funding simply because they do not fit narrow definitions of small or large facilities, Money said. Moneys letter highlighted Hunt Regionals critical role in providing health care across Hunt County and neighboring rural areas. Earlier this year, the hospital announced staff layoffs and the discontinuation of emergency services in Commerce and Quinlan due to unsustainable financial losses. We can no longer afford to cover these losses and still offer the breadth of inpatient and outpatient services at our hospital in Greenville, Hunt Regional officials said in a public statement cited by Money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Money warned that without broader eligibility definitions, facilities like Hunt Regional often referred to as rural hub hospitals may be unable to access the federal support necessary to maintain essential services. As the Commission prepares Texass application for the Rural Health Transformation Program, I respectfully urge you to ensure mid-sized rural hub hospitals are considered and eligible in the states plan, Money wrote in the letter to Young. He also called on HHSC to establish dedicated funding streams within the program for such hospitals. The Rural Health Transformation Program allocates $50 billion in federal funding to help states strengthen rural health care delivery systems. Money said Texas has a tremendous opportunity to create a more flexible and effective rural health infrastructure one that does not overlook institutions like Hunt Regional simply because they fall between existing policy definitions. NEED TO KNOW A serial killer named Il Mostro terrorized Florence, Italy, from the late 1960s through the 1980s Though multiple people have been suspected and even convicted of some of the killings, many believe the real murderer has never been caught Netflix's four-part miniseries The Monster of Florence revisits how Italian police first connected the series of murders The Monster of Florence was as terrifyingly real as it gets. For two decades, an unidentified serial killer terrorized young couples throughout small towns in Florence, Italy. However, it wasn't until 1982 14 years after the first murder that police realized a string of seemingly random unsolved double-homicides were connected, per Biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That turning point was when director and co-creator Stefano Sollima decided to begin his four-part limited series for Netflix. We decided to tell the story from the beginning, when investigators started connecting the dots and realized this might be the act of a serial killer, he told TIME in October 2025. "We wanted to tell the story of the Monster without taking a position. Instead of focusing on the investigation, we kept it in the background and decided to focus on the individual suspects who, in each episode or case, were considered by the investigators to be the culprits. The culprits in question were a group of Sardinian men known collectively as the "Sardinia trail. The theory began after bullets from the 1982 murders of Paolo Mainardi and Antonella Migliorini matched those from the 1968 killings of Barbara Locci and Antonio Lo Bianco. At the time, Locci's husband, Stefano Mele, was incarcerated for her murder. But because the killings continued while he was imprisoned, police believed the real Il Mostro (Italian for "the monster") was still on the loose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple men were suspected and even convicted in some of the 16 murders linked to the serial killer. But as Sollima noted to TIME, no perpetrator has been sentenced for all eight double homicides, and the initial suspects sent police in circles while the bodies kept piling up. Here's everything to know about what The Monster of Florence got right and which elements of the real case were fictionalized. Warning: The Monster of Florence spoilers ahead! Did police not discover a serial killer until after Migliorini and Mainardis murders? Emanuela Scarpa/Netflix 'The Monster of Florence'. 'The Monster of Florence'. Yes, Italian police did not investigate the possibility of a serial killer until Migliorini and Mainardis murders in June 1982. Like the other eight couples who were killed, they were found shot and stabbed in their cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the scene of the crime, investigators found Winchester series H bullets, which were used with a .22-caliber Beretta pistol, per TIME. They later received an anonymous tip that led them to link the gun to the 1968 murders of Locci and Lo Bianco, according to The Guardian. That discovery led police to connect those two cases to three other double-homicides from the past decade: Pasquale Gentilcore and Stefania Pettini, Giovanni Foggi and Carmela De Nuccio and Stefano Baldi and Susanna Cambi. Though police linked the .22 Beretta to all eight crime scenes, it was never found, per The Hollywood Reporter Roma. Were Lo Bianco and Locci Il Mostros first victims? Emanuela Scarpa/Netflix 'The Monster of Florence'. 'The Monster of Florence'. Yes, Lo Bianco and Locci found fatally shot inside a parked car in August 1968 are widely believed to be the first victims of Il Mostro. At the time of the killing, Locci's 6-year-old son was asleep in the backseat of the car. He survived the attack and reportedly ran to get help. However, not everyone considers Locci and Lo Bianco to be victims of Il Mostro. Michele Giuttari, a former lead investigator for the case, told The Guardian in October 2025 that the "Sardinia Trail" was a red herring and that the ballistics connection between the 1968 and 1974 murders had not been proven. Was Mele convicted of Lo Bianco and Loccis murders? Emanuela Scarpa/Netflix 'The Monster of Florence'. 'The Monster of Florence'. In the real-life case, Locci's husband was convicted of the double homicide in 1970 and sentenced to 45 years in prison, per Biography and Forbes. Mele had initially confessed to killing his wife and Lo Bianco, with whom she had been having an affair, according to TIME. However, he later retracted his statement and shifted the blame onto several Sardinian men who allegedly had romantic ties to Locci. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those men was Francesco Vinci, whom Locci also allegedly had an affair with. He was arrested along with his brother, Salvatore Vinci, Mele's brother, Giovanni Mele, and Mele's brother-in-law, Piero Mucciarini. Mele was freed when police linked Locci and Lo Bianco's murders to other killings that had happened when he was incarcerated. The same happened to all the Sardinian suspects, who were officially cleared in 1989. Did Salvatore Vinci kill his first wife? Emanuela Scarpa/Netflix 'The Monster of Florence'. 'The Monster of Florence'. When police focused on Salvatore Vinci as a suspect, it came to light that his late wife had died in the 1960s under suspicious circumstances in Sardinia, according to The Guardian and TIME. Police believed he was romantically involved not only with Locci but also with Mele. In 1985, he was tried and acquitted for the murder of his first wife. After that, he disappeared. The last Il Mostro murder when French couple Nadine Mauriot and Jean Michel Kraveichvili were shot while on a camping holiday happened that same year. Read the original article on People Its a gorgeous Saturday morning in downtown Sarasota, with a gentle breeze and the sun glistening off calm bay waters dotted with pleasure boats but down in the Caribbean, a storm that shares its name with a song deeply tied to our area is nearing hurricane strength as it crawls toward Jamaica like a monstrous, mega-ton toddler. The storm is forecast to rapidly intensify this weekend, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Melissa which will remind many of the Allman Brothers Band song of the same name, sung and written by former Sarasota-Manatee resident Gregg Allman, with a sweet guitar solo by another local legend, Dickey Betts was 160 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds of 70 mph and moving west-northwest at just 1 mph as of 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears Sarasota-Manatee has dodged a bullet, but we will continue to monitor the storm and any future developments because its easy to forget that the Florida-threatening Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. Here are the latest updates on Tropical Storm Melissa from the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Melissa located 926 miles southeast of Sarasota, Florida Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: 15.9N, 75W 926 miles southeast of Sarasota Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph Present movement: East-southeast at 1 mph Minimum central pressure: 1,001 millibars Latest advisory from National Hurricane Center on Tropical Storm Melissa At 8 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located by Air Force reconnaissance aircraft near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 75 West. Melissa is drifting toward the east-southeast near 1 mph. A slow drift toward the northeast and north is expected to begin later today and tonight. A westward drift is then forecast to begin on Saturday and continue through Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or just south of Jamaica early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by rapid intensification this weekend. Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane by Sunday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated by aircraft dropsonde data is 1,001 mb. The advisory warns of the following dangers: WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in Haiti on Saturday and Jamaica beginning late Saturday or Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Haiti later today and in Jamaica on Saturday. RAINFALL: Melissa is expected to bring 8 to 14 inches of rain to southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Sunday night, with locally higher amounts possible. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Sunday night; however, uncertainty in Melissa's track and forward speed reduces confidence in exact totals. Significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides are expected in the southern Dominican Republic and eastern Jamaica, with catastrophic flash flooding and landslides anticipated in southern Haiti. Across northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica, 3 to 5 inches of rain are expected through Sunday night. Flash and urban flooding will be possible through Sunday night. Flooding impacts may increase across western Jamaica next week. For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Melissa, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?rainqpf STORM SURGE: Minor coastal flooding is likely along the coast of Jamaica by Saturday in areas of onshore winds as tropical storm conditions begin to reach the area. However, there is a potential risk of a more significant storm surge, especially along the south coast of Jamaica, early next week. Due to Melissa's slow motion and large forecast uncertainty, it is still too soon to know exactly how high the storm surge could reach. SURF: Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next several days. Please consult products from your local weather office. Tropical Storm Melissa spaghetti models Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. Tropical Storm Melissa: See projected path, storm tracker Watches, warnings issued for Tropical Storm Melissa CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Watch is in effect for: Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince Jamaica A Tropical Storm Warning in effect for: Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince Jamaica A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. Interests elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba should monitor the progress of Melissa. A hurricane warning may be required for Jamaica later today. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. Watches and warnings issued for Florida NWS radar for Sarasota, Florida Helpful hurricane resources and links Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. Support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Melissa could become Cat 5 hurricane, possible Sarasota impacts An Israel-backed public relations campaign eyed more than 200 Texas churches to spread pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian messages among American Christians through personalized digital marketing at each place of worship. In an 86-page Foreign Agents Registration Act filing, California-based Show Faith by Works, LLC, outlined details of the campaign on behalf of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Federal law requires certain agents of foreign countries engaged in political activities to publicly disclose their relationships and activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Cautiously optimistic': Houston rabbis express hope as hostages freed "We will create a mobile museum to display at churches, Christian colleges, and Christian events," the filing states. "We will target and distribute pro-Israel information online and through targeted geofencing and digital online tools. We will have teams of people reaching out to churches and pastors and possibly even Christian social media influencers." A geofence is a virtual perimeter around a physical location, and advertisers can use location-based technology to target devices such as smartphones in that specific area. Some church leaders in Texas who learned of the marketing plan are raising privacy concerns about the practice of collecting data on worshippers without their knowledge. Chad Schnitger, who signed the disclosure, wrote in an email to the Houston Chronicle that project planners are focusing less on Texas in recent conversations because the group is predominantly made up of Southern California Christian leaders. The purpose of listing Texas churches in the filing was to identify regions that have the highest density of evangelical churches, and Texas was among the highest in the Southwest, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While we have a number of churches interested in hosting us in Texas, we want to focus on our region first and will look to the churches in Texas at a later time if possible," Schnitger wrote. Schnitger said geofencing is a useful but misunderstood marketing strategy, and the plan is now being revised to focus on traditional forms of digital marketing. He said their next federal filing will disclose those new details. The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles did not immediately respond to questions. The federal filing lists Arizona, Colorado, California and Nevada as the primary focus of the campaign, with Texas as a secondary location. The disclosure says an additional budget of $250,000 could go towards "additional pastoral resource packages to Texas," and that the state would be particularly good to target because of its strong presence of megachurches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ideally, the filing states, the campaign would positively influence Christians' views of Israel, encourage them to visit the country for tourism purposes, and "counter new and evolving pro-Palestinian messaging as the global narrative shifts." Concerns raised over geofencing The filing came before a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Israel and Hamas, as Israel's military response to the Oct. 7 attacks continued receiving worldwide condemnation. As of this month, Israel's two-year-long bombardment in Gaza killed 68,234 Palestinians, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, using data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Dozens of notable Houston churches are listed in the public-relations strategy to reach Christians in Texas. They include Lakewood Church, Houston's First Baptist Church and Champion Forest Baptist Church. The disclosure also mentions historic Black churches, including Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and the Church Without Walls. The Israeli-backed group floated a plan for three-to-five minute video messages and history lessons that include "messages for Black churches." John Litzler, director of public policy for Texas Baptists' Christian Life Commission, first learned about the campaign through social media and said he was immediately caught off guard. As he read the filing closely, he was surprised by how bluntly it stated the goal of creating a digital perimeter around Christian gathering places to find worshipers and distribute pro-Israel content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's why the Christian Life Commission is working to collect signatures from religious leaders for a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The letter calls on the Department of Justice to "prohibit agents of all foreign governments from using geolocation, geofencing, or similar tracking technologies to target individuals at houses of worship in the United States without their consent." "Places of worship have historically been protected spaces where Americans gather freely to practice their faith without government surveillance or foreign interference," the letter reads. "Allowing government-sanctioned foreign surveillance and influence operations within church sanctuaries fundamentally undermines this separation by entangling houses of worship with state-approved foreign political campaigns." It also asks the Department of Justice to create an opt-in requirement for foreign principals and their agents to use these technologies only at religious institutions that consent to it. Israel's PR campaign Show Faith by Works isn't the only American-based group providing public-relations services for Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brad Parscale, a former San Antonio digital expert and previous campaign manager for President Donald Trump, signed a separate Foreign Agents Registration Act filing last month between Clock Tower X LLC, registered in Ohio, and Havas Media Network in Germany. The German media group is also listed as a donor of $325,881.00 in the Show Faith by Works disclosure. The filing Parscale signed tasks Clock Tower X with providing "strategic communications, planning, and media services in support of Havas' engagement by the state of Israel to develop and execute a nationwide campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism." It says at least 80% of content should be tailored to Gen Z audiences in platforms including TikTok and Instagram. The statement of work also calls for an integration of narrative messaging into Salem Media Network properties, which Parscale was named chief strategy officer for in January. Schnitger said his group's public relations operation is still in the early stages, but a mobile museum vehicle has been purchased and "teams of pastors" are reviewing planning documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very excited to show the Christian Church these resources and the mobile museum exhibit," he said via email. "We're a few weeks away from showing the world a lot more." This article originally published at More than 200 Texas churches highlighted in pro-Israel public relations campaign. Pregnancy centers in the U.S. that discourage women from getting abortions have been adding more medical services and could be poised to expand further. The expansion ranging from testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections to even providing primary medical care has been unfolding for years. It gained steam after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago, clearing the way for states to ban abortion. The push could get more momentum with Planned Parenthood closing some clinics and considering shuttering others following changes to Medicaid. Planned Parenthood is not just the nation's largest abortion provider, but also offers cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and other reproductive health services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We ultimately want to replace Planned Parenthood with the services we offer, said Heather Lawless, founder and director of Reliance Center in Lewiston, Idaho. She said about 40% of patients at the anti-abortion center are there for reasons unrelated to pregnancy, including some who use the nurse practitioner as a primary caregiver. The changes have frustrated abortion-rights groups, who, in addition to opposing the centers' anti-abortion messaging, say they lack accountability; refuse to provide birth control; and most offer only limited ultrasounds that cannot be used for diagnosing fetal anomalies because the people conducting them don't have that training. A growing number also offer unproven abortion-pill reversal treatments. Because most of the centers don't accept insurance, the federal law restricting release of medical information doesn't apply to them, though some say they follow it anyway. They also don't have to follow standards required by Medicaid or private insurers, though those offering certain services generally must have medical directors who comply with state licensing requirements. There are really bedrock questions, said Jennifer McKenna, a senior adviser for Reproductive Health and Freedom Watch, a project funded by liberal policy organizations that researches the pregnancy centers, about whether this industry has the clinical infrastructure to provide the medical services its currently advertising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Post-Roe world opened new opportunities Perhaps best known as crisis pregnancy centers, these mostly privately funded and religiously affiliated centers were expanding services such as diaper banks ahead of the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling. As abortion bans kicked in, the centers expanded medical, educational and other programs, said Moira Gaul, a scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of SBA Pro-Life America. They are prepared to serve their communities for the long-term, she said in a statement. In Sacramento, California, for instance, Alternatives Pregnancy Center in the last two years has added family practice doctors, a radiologist and a specialist in high-risk pregnancies, along with nurses and medical assistants. Alternatives an affiliate of Heartbeat International, one of the largest associations of pregnancy centers in the U.S is some patients' only health provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When The Associated Press asked to interview a patient who had received only non-pregnancy services, the clinic provided Jessica Rose, a 31-year-old woman who took the rare step of detransitioning after spending seven years living as a man, during which she received hormone therapy and a double mastectomy. For the last two years, shes received all medical care at Alternatives, which has an OB-GYN who specializes in hormone therapy. Few, if any, pregnancy centers advertise that they provide help with detransitioning. Alternatives has treated four similar patients over the past year, though that's not its main mission, director Heidi Matzke said. APC provided me a space that aligned with my beliefs as well as seeing me as a woman, Rose said. She said other clinics "were trying to make me think that detransitioning wasnt what I wanted to do. Pregnancy centers expand as health clinics decline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 2024, more than 2,600 anti-abortion pregnancy centers operated in the U.S., up 87 from 2023, according to the Crisis Pregnancy Center Map, a project led by University of Georgia public health researchers who are concerned about aspects of the centers. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 765 clinics offered abortions last year, down more than 40 from 2023. Over the years, pregnancy centers have received a boost in taxpayer funds. Nearly 20 states, largely Republican-led, now funnel millions of public dollars to these organizations. Texas alone sent $70 million to pregnancy centers this fiscal year, while Florida dedicated more than $29 million for its Pregnancy Support Services Program This boost in resources is unfolding as Republicans have barred Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds under the tax and spending law President Donald Trump signed in July. While federal law already blocked the use of taxpayer funds for most abortions, Medicaid reimbursements for other health services were a big part of Planned Parenthood's revenue. Planned Parenthood said its affiliates could be forced to close up to 200 clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some already had closed or reorganized. They have cut abortion in Wisconsin and eliminated Medicaid services in Arizona. An independent group of clinics in Maine stopped primary care for the same reason. The uncertainty is compounded by pending Medicaid changes expected to result in more uninsured Americans. Some abortion-rights advocates worry that will mean more health care deserts where the pregnancy centers are the only option for more women. Kaitlyn Joshua, a founder of abortion-rights group Abortion in America, lives in Louisiana, where Planned Parenthood closed its clinics in September. She's concerned that women seeking health services at pregnancy centers as a result of those closures wont get what they need. Those centers should be regulated. They should be providing information which is accurate, she said, rather than just getting a sermon that they didnt ask for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Glessner, founder and president of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, a network of 1,800 centers, said the centers do have government oversight through their medical directors. Their criticism, he said, comes from a political agenda. In recent years, five Democratic state attorneys general have issued warnings that the centers, which advertise to people seeking abortions, don't provide them and don't refer patients to clinics that do. And the Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether a state investigation of an organization that runs centers in New Jersey stifles its free speech. Pregnancy centers don't offer exactly the same services as Planned Parenthood Choices Medical Services in Joplin, Missouri, where the Planned Parenthood clinic closed last year, moved from focusing solely on discouraging abortion to a broader sexual health mission about 20 years ago when it began offering STI treatment, said its executive director, Karolyn Schrage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center, funded by donors, works with law enforcement in places where authorities may find pregnant adults, according to Arkansas State Police and Schrage. She estimates that more than two-thirds of its work isn't related to pregnancy. Hayley Kelly first encountered Choices volunteers in 2019 at a regular weekly dinner they brought to dancers at the strip club where she worked. Over the years, she went to the center for STI testing. Then in 2023, when she was uninsured and struggling with drugs, she wanted to confirm a pregnancy. She anticipated the staff wouldnt like that she was leaning toward an abortion, but she says they just answered questions. She ended up having that baby and, later, another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its amazing place, Kelly said. I tell everybody I know, You can go there. The center, like others, does not provide contraceptives standard offerings at sexual health clinics that experts say are best practices for public health. Our focus is on sexual risk elimination," Schrage said, not just reduction. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the five-day India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 and deliver the keynote address at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, on October 27. According to an official website of IMW, t The inaugural session will be attended by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Chief Ministers of key coastal states, including Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat), Pramod Sawant (Goa), and Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha). India Maritime Week 2025 will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, highlighting opportunities in ports, shipping, logistics, and maritime technology. The event aims to strengthen India's position as a global maritime hub and promote collaboration, innovation, and policy dialogue across the sector. Ahead of the IMW 2025, Mormugao Port Authority Chairperson N Vinodkumar, addressing a press conference in Panaji on October 15, said that MPA will be signing 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 3000 cr at the India Maritime Week. With participation expected from over 100 countries and more than one lakh delegates and over 500 exhibitors, India Maritime Week 2025 is set to be a global catalyst for investment, innovation, and policy advancement, he said. "IMW 2025 is expected to reinforce India's position as a key player in the global maritime ecosystem while supporting national priorities under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047," Vinodkumar said, and added that the event will have over 250 global speakers attending various Country Sessions, State Sessions, and Conferences, Investors' Roundtables and so on. "The event is expected to create over Rs 10 lakh crore investment opportunities. Mormugao Port Authority will be signing 24 MoUs worth Rs 3000 cr at the event which will include renovation of some berths and solar projects at the Port. Besides, Goa will hold a State Session at the event on the 27th projecting the maritime prospects of the State," he said. Stating that India is poised to become a superpower in the maritime sector by 2047, the Chairman said that Mormugao Port would also witness several developments in the coming years. "As part of the overall development of the maritime sector in the country, Mormugao Port is expected to host container vessels in a month or two. The feeder vessels will be arriving from Mumbai and will be connected to Mundra Port in Gujarat. The MPA is already a green port as we are producing 3 MW power through our in-house solar power plant which is taking care 100 per cent of our consumption. However, we are going ahead with another project of solar plant to produce 2 MW of power as we will be requiring more power once the new cruise terminal is functional," he said. (ANI) WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke the probation sentence of a defendant who pleaded guilty to the theft of a painted horse dedicated to the memory of a murdered middle school student and her wounded friend. RELATED: Father calls theft of Lauren Landovazo memorial statue disturbing, heartbreaking The Forever painted horse base after it was taken in 2020 (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL) Brayden Riley Seward, 27, of Wichita Falls, was one of four defendants indicted for theft of property valued over $2,500 and under $30,000 stemming from the theft of the Forever painted horse from the front lawn of McNiel Middle School in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seward pleaded guilty to the charge on March 22, 2022, in the 78th District Court, with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding. A 24-month state jail sentence was deferred for a 5-year sentence to community supervision, and Seward was assessed a $3,500 fine. Motion alleges multiple probation violations On Sept. 18, 2025, roughly three and a half years after Seward entered his plea, he was booked into the Wichita County Jail, where he remains as of the publication of this story. A records check showed that one day before Sewards arrest, prosecutors with the Wichita County District Attorneys Office filed a motion to revoke Sewards probation sentence, alleging multiple violations of the conditions of his probation. The Forever painted horse in front of McNiel Middle School in 2017 (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL) According to the prosecutions motion, Seward is accused of consuming alcohol, a violation of the terms of his sentence. The state alleged that in November 2024, a urine test of Seward returned a positive result for the presence of alcohol. The motion also alleged that Seward admitted to consuming alcohol in July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents also showed that Seward allegedly failed to make any payments toward his $3,500 restitution fee. The state also alleged that an additional $500 in various court fees has yet to be paid by Seward. RELATED: Local, state leaders demand answers over stolen Forever memorial Seward is also accused in the motion of failing to complete his required community service hours and is in arrears by over 107 hours. The motion to revoke is set to be heard on the morning of Oct. 31, 2025, in the 78th District Court. History of Forever painted horse theft case The Forever painted horse was installed on the front lawn of McNiel Middle School in 2017, memorializing the death of Lauren Landovazo, a 13-year-old student who was shot and killed while walking home from school in September 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sculpture was also erected in honor of Makayla Smith, Landovazos friend, who was walking home with her that day. Smith was injured during the shooting but survived. The painted sculpture stood in front of the school until October 2020, when it was discovered to have been sawed or pulled away from its base. A Crime Stoppers tip led authorities to discover the stolen horse inside a barn in Clay County. RELATED: Forever horse thief fails second chance, back behind bars Suspects in the Forever horse theft (Mugshots provided courtesy of the Montague County Jail and the Wichita County Jail) Seward was one of four suspects ultimately charged with theft of the statue, along with Zachary Kaiser, Tyler Durand, and Dakota James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four defendants were ultimately sentenced to probation at the request of Landovazos parents, Vern and Bianka Landovazo. If the states motion to revoke Sewards probation sentence is granted, he would become the third suspect to violate their probation sentence. Kaiser and James also violated the terms of their sentences and were subsequently sentenced to 2 years in a state jail facility. In 2021, the Forever painted horse was replaced at McNiel Middle School. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. The Howard County Police Department is investigating the death of a motorcyclist early Saturday. The fatal single-vehicle collision occurred about 5:30 a.m. when the driver of a 2012 Honda CBR600RR motorcycle was ejected from the bike while traveling west on Route 216 past Crest Road in Laurel, police said in a news release. Police said the motorcycle left the roadway for an unknown reason. The driver, an adult man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Route 216 westbound was closed for about three and a half hours Saturday morning. The investigation is ongoing, police said. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. The man accused of sexually assaulting more than 60 men in the South Bay is expected in court Monday to face charges. Thirty-five-year-old Franklin Enrique Sarceno Orla has been brought back to Santa Clara County after investigators say he fled to Guatemala. The Mountain View Police Department said multiple victims accuse Orla of drugging them. Crimes date back to 2018. RELATED: Mountain View sexual assault suspect believed to have HIV: report; victims advised to get tested The victims say they would share drinks with the suspect, mysteriously pass out, and wake up injured at his home. Some had specific memories of being assaulted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they have evidence that Orla also took video recordings of many of his unconscious victims. ABC7 News spoke with Captain Scott Nelson with the Mountain View Police Department. "Really just a sense of doing justice for the victims - they're really - you know, without the victims having the courage to come forward in this case he could've continued to do what he was doing," Nelson said. We spoke with legal analyst Steven Clark. "The big question is, how did this serial sexual predator go undetected for so long? How do we have so many victims in this case," Clark said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, prosecutors are charging Orla with sexually assaulting at least 19 local men. "The fact that he's HIV positive, could add enhancements to the actual crimes he committed if his victims then became HIV positive. That would be considered great bodily injury," Clark said. Orla will be arraigned Monday on 43 felony sexual assault charges. RESOURCES: Get help with sexual assault, rape, and abuse If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live PSAKI: Okay, okay. In any other political era, this is something I would roll my eyes at. I mean, something Id say, lets not spend too much time on it. And I honestly, I sincerely hope that one day we get back to that world. I think we all do. But since we are living in this era, in this completely messed up moment in time, I think its important that you hear this from one of the architects of Donald Trumps MAGA movement, his former campaign manager and adviser, Steve Bannon. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) STEVE BANNON, FORMER TRUMP ADVISER: Hes going to get a third term. So, Trump 28, Trump is going to be president in 28. And people just sort of get accommodated with that. INTERVIEWER: So, what about the 22nd Amendment? BANNON: Theres many different alternatives. At the appropriate time well lay out what the plan is. But theres a plan. And President Trump will be the president in 28. (END VIDEO CLIP) PSAKI: Okay. Lets start just with all the caveats. I mean, Steve Bannon says things like that to get attention. He relishes the attention. He spends hours on television or kind of on his own streaming service every day. He loves the pot-stirring. But this isnt really about Steve Bannon. Its actually about his former boss, Donald Trump, and how far he is willing to go when his supporters and former advisers and anyone who is in his ear eggs him on like that. I mean, lets be perfectly clear here as that question during that interview alluded to, the Constitution explicitly bars Donald Trump from serving a third term as president. But that has not stopped him from openly musing about it, hasnt stopped him from falsely claiming there are legitimate ways to do it, and it hasnt stopped him from promoting Trump 2028 merchandise. And not even just to his supporters. I mean, hes definitely doing it to them. Remember when Trump 2028 hatched? Just kind of randomly appeared in the Oval Office during his meeting with Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, of all people. I mean, that happened. And maybe you think all of that is just trolling. Maybe some of it is just Trump trying to get a rise out of his critics. After all, its not what he says that matters, right? Its what he actually does. But when you look at what Donald Trump is actually doing when it comes to our elections, the prospect of him trying to defy the Constitution to remain in office doesnt seem so hard to believe. And Im not just talking about his last failed attempt to illegally stay in power on January 6th. Im talking about things he is doing and his administration is doing right now. I mean, today, the Justice Department announced that it plans to send election monitors to about a half dozen counties in California and New Jersey to monitor polling sites during their upcoming elections, happening just 11 days from now. And some of those counties just happen to be where key congressional races will take place a year from now, which is definitely not a coincidence. We should see all of this as a trial run, and Im going to speak with a top election lawyer who also lives in California, about this later in the show. But election monitoring is something past administrations have done, usually not an off year elections. But lets also just put this in a bit of context. Trumps allies are trying to overturn a key section of the Voting Rights Act. Trump is sending military into the streets of American cities, in part to intimidate people from participating in the Democratic process. They have been pressuring, as we all know, weve been covering this a lot. Republican leaders in red states across the country to redo their congressional maps, to steal back seats. And now, Trump wants to put his hand-picked lackeys in charge of monitoring elections. Thats not to mention that the Trump officials who have been tapped for this election monitoring operation are these two ladies, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trumps head of the civil rights division, Harmeet Dhillon, both of whom are election deniers, of course. You cant really look at a single thing theyre doing and think the goal of that policy is to win popular support. So, when the presidents top allies start encouraging him to ignore the Constitution, to hold on to power, when the president is clearly gearing up to suppress the vote in any way that he can, we kind of have to pay attention. But this country is still a democracy! Elections do still matter! Its going to require clear and decisive victory at the ballot box to prove Americans will not be intimidated by these tactics. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Multnomah County Public Health Director Kirsten Aird signed a letter on Monday, joining a coalition of public health leaders supporting vaccines amid political noise. Aird signed the letter with 23 other members of the Big Cities Health Coalition a group of Americas largest metropolitan health departments working together to address health issues for the communities they serve. In their letter, the public health officials explained, As leaders of the nations largest local health departments, collectively serving nearly 50 million people across Americas cities, we are committed to providing our communities with every opportunity to support and improve health. We are united behind a simple message: Get vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Measles found in Marion County wastewater Vaccines have eradicated devastating diseases and saved millions of lives. They keep classrooms safe and schools open. They allow children to spend time with friends and enjoy their favorite activities. They help parents and caregivers work to support their families, the letter continues. The public health leaders went on to voice their concerns over federal health officials spreading false claims about vaccine safety. Despite this extraordinary success, vaccination rates are declining in many parts of the United States, and deadly outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio are becoming more frequent. We are deeply troubled by the repeated false claims about vaccines from too many federal officials, which have contributed directly to these trends. We are equally concerned about recent changes to the recommended childhood and adult immunization schedules that unnecessarily limit access to vaccines. It is imperative that federal health leaders follow the lead of pediatricians and medical researchers and support vaccination to protect our children, families, and communities, BCHC wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Takes a toll on everybody: 2 coffee house workers snatched by ICE despite permits to work in US, owner says Nothing matters more to us than protecting the health of those we serve. With respiratory virus season rapidly approaching, we strongly encourage all Americans to tune out the political noise about vaccines. Instead, talk with your doctor and other trusted health care providers or public health officials about which vaccines are right for you and your loved ones. Doing so can save many lives including your own, the letter concludes. The letters signatories include public health leaders representing Dallas County Health and Human Services, Metro Nashville Health Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Health, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, the chief health strategist of Louisville and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The letter comes as the vaccine advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking into the timing of vaccine schedules after voting to delay the measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox vaccines, as reported by The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest The move comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remade the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The panel now includes members with anti-vaccine views, the Associated Press reports, noting ACIP helps the CDC determine who should get vaccinated and when. The recommendations impact whether insurance companies cover vaccinations and where shots are available, such as pharmacies. According to The Hill, HHS Secretary Kennedy has blasted what he characterizes as an overabundance of childhood vaccinations, often throwing out figures of up to 92 vaccines from infancy to adolescence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon City man arrested after girlfriends remains found in Mt. Hood National Forest While the true number of vaccinations is hazy, The Hill reports that, depending on a childs health, they are unlikely to receive 90 vaccines. Pia Pannaraj, a professor of pediatrics and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases, told ABC News last month that her estimate is around 33 vaccines on a standard schedule between birth and 18 years of age, The Hill reports. According to the outlet, some pediatricians have been alarmed by Secretary Kennedys new panel, with the American Academy of Pediatrics recently announcing it would continue publishing its own vaccine schedule for children but will do so independently of the ACIP, calling it no longer a credible process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa Authorities say multiple people were arrested on various drug charges following the execution of multiple search warrants as part of an ongoing drug investigation. According to the Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office, following a lengthy investigation four search warrants were executed in Howard County and one search warrant was executed in Winneshiek County on Thursday. The WCSO says that based on the findings from those search warrants three people were arrested on various drug charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office arrested and charged 43-year-old Storm Bailey with: Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent (Methamphetamine) Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent (Marijuana) According to a criminal complaint, a search warrant executed of Baileys residence revealed drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain sight. 37-year-old Michelle Clark is being charged by the Howard County Sheriffs Office with: Possession with intent to deliver more than 5 grams of Methamphetamine Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp More than 7 Grams Possession of Controlled Substance, 2nd Offense Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another criminal complaint states that at the time of their arrest, Clark was found outside of a local convenience store and later found to have drugs and drug paraphernalia on their person. The Howard County Sheriffs Office has also charged 41-year-old Michael Koch with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Authorities stated in a criminal complaint that when approached by officers, Koch made attempted to conceal drug paraphernalia, which later tested positive for methamphetamine. Authorities say the case remains under investigation and additional charges and arrests are pending. The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Howard County Sheriffs Office, Cresco Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol and Winneshiek County Attorneys Office. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Oct. 24The mural that had enlivened the pedestrian tunnel by Glacier High School was painted over Thursday, signaling the end of a lengthy and bitter battle with graffiti artists. "After years of struggling against persistent vandalism by area youth including racist slurs and personal attacks targeting apparent students the damage has simply become too much to maintain," said officials with the Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana board in an Oct. 23 statement. The mural was painted by the KALICO Art Center through the Rails to Trails Tunnel Vision Project in 2021. It was one of eight murals to go up along the Rails to Trails path and funded entirely through donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the tunnel that runs underneath the U.S. 93 Bypass by Glacier High School has been defaced repeatedly over the years, prompting concerned community members to offer cash rewards for information on the vandals and more recently push school officials to find ways to quell the rampant graffiti. Security cameras meant to deter vandals were installed in the tunnel over the summer after securing a permit from the Montana Department of Transportation, according to Glacier High School Principal Brad Holloway. "We want to be a good community partner," Holloway said. "It is a space that the kids use and we want to make it a safe environment for not only the students but community members too." Students pass through the tunnel during lunch to get to Frugals and other businesses in the area. Because the tunnel sits off campus, the school collaborates with law enforcement to address vandalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Glacier High School Honor Society, which participates in various volunteer service projects, finished painting over the artwork on Thursday, Holloway said. The blank wall will make it easier to cover any future graffiti. The two murals at either tunnel opening will remain untouched, though, according to Rails to Trails. The purpose of the murals was to combat graffiti. While it has mostly worked at the tunnel at Valley View Drive near Lone Pine State Park, vandalism at the tunnel by Glacier High School "has been relentless and damaging, both to the art and to individuals in the community," according to Rick Hull with Rails to Trails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The graffiti escalated from crude images and profanity to "racist, homophobic and sexually explicit messages targeting apparent high school girls by name," according to Rails to Trails. Over $10,000 worth of artwork in the tunnel was lost, according to the group. "Volunteers had hoped that applying a $4,250 anti-graffiti sealant would preserve the murals, but the 210-foot tunnel's size and the frequency of attacks made upkeep impossible," officials said. Attempts to scrub off the graffiti damaged the sealant and the art. "This project began with the hope that a vibrant mural would replace hate with creativity. Instead, the tunnel has become a place where harmful language has grown," said KALICO Art Center Chair Alisha Shilling in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Councilors Sandy Carlson and Kari Gabriel, who represent the ward where the tunnel is located, did not respond to requests for comment before press time. Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected]. Vandalism inside a tunnel along a multiuse trail in north Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider Students exit a tunnel along a multiuse trail in North Kalispell on Thursday, Jan. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider The Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has published a blistering editorial claiming that Americas Founding Fathers would be confounded by President Donald Trumps decision to pardon a cryptocurrency kingpin. It sure looks like a conflict of interest, the WSJ wrote about the bombshell pardon Trump granted crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao on Thursday. A reasonable person would look at this and easily conclude that presidential leniency can be bought, the paper wrote in a scathing rebuke of Trumps decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhao, or CZ, is the founder of Binance, the worlds largest crypto exchange. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws, and Binance paid $4 billion to settle. CZ was personally fined $50 million and handed a four-month sentence, which he completed in September. President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden administration in their war on cryptocurrency, a White House statement said. The war on crypto is over. Founder of Binance Changpeng CZ Zhao was fined $50 million and received a four-month jail sentence, which he completed in September. / Antonio Masiello/Getty The WSJs editorial highlights the link between CZ and the Trump family. Zhaos company accepted a $2 billion transaction from an Emirati investment fund earlier this year in a cryptocurrency developed by the Trump family-owned World Liberty Financialgiving the coin legitimacy and the company significant revenue. Readers can decide if they think the pardon had nothing to do with the investment, the WSJ wrote, noting that Zhao applied for a pardon just days after facilitating the transaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people, Trump claimed. A lot of people say that he wasnt guilty of anything. Changpeng Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison in April 2024. / Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images Zhao himself, in his plea deal, told the Justice Department that he turned a blind eye as terrorists, cybercriminals, and foreign adversaries used his platform to launder cash. At least $890 million was transacted through Binance between the U.S. and Iran. Even billionaire Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist and co-founder of the data-mining firm Palantir, said the pardon was a black mark on Trumps record. POTUS has been terribly advised on this; it makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area, Lonsdale wrote on X. I love President Trump; this is possibly the greatest admin of my lifetime - except for these pardons. If Im calling balls and strikes, these are hit-by-pitches!! POTUS has been terribly advised on this; it makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area. https://t.co/FPiNYJepGu Joe Lonsdale (@JTLonsdale) October 23, 2025 Founding Fathers James Madison and Alexander Hamilton constructed the presidential pardon, the WSJ argues, because they anticipated at least a modicum of presidential restraint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paper claims the pardon has the same stench as Bill Clintons outgoing pardoning of fugitive financier Marc Rich. Trump is currently in the middle of a $10 billion legal dispute with The Wall Street Journal, which is owned by the 94-year-old Australian media baron. The WSJs editorials have been increasingly critical of the president in recent months. A Southern California mother rented a car this month and drove her 9-year-old daughter halfway to Nebraska. Three days later she returned home alone, and has since refused to answer questions about the girl's whereabouts. Now, Ashlee Buzzard's road trip has become the central focus of the FBI's and Santa Barbara County Sheriff Office's search for her missing daughter, Melodee. Authorities believe Buzzard left the Lompoc area with her daughter on Oct. 7, drove to Nebraska and returned to her Vandenberg Village home on Oct. 10, passing through Kansas along the way. The three-day journey would have crossed around 3,000 miles and required around 48 hours of driving, according to Google Maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the Sheriff's Office released new surveillance camera photos of Melodee that were captured at a California car rental business on Oct. 7. "In the photo, Melodee is wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and what appears to be a wig that is darker and straighter than her natural hair," the office said. "Investigators believe the wig may have been used to alter her appearance." Authorities say Buzzard, who was also known to wear wigs, rented a white Chevrolet Malibu with the license plate 9MNG101. Anyone who may have seen her or her daughter during their trip is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said in a statement. "We remain determined to bring her home safely." Melodee was discovered missing on Oct. 14 after the Lompoc Unified School District contacted the Sheriff's Office to report the girl's prolonged absence from her independent study program. Detectives visited her home that day, but Melodee was nowhere to be seen and Buzzard refused to cooperate with their investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office. Read more: Where is Melodee Buzzard? Missing California girl may have been taken to Nebraska by mom, authorities say Buzzard has not responded to The Times' requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, the Sheriff's Office was unable to confirm any sightings of Melodee within the past year. The FBI joined the investigation on Oct. 18 and two days later the Sheriff's Office confirmed that Melodee was seen as recently as Oct. 7. She is described as 4'6" tall, weighing about 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Relatives on Melodee's father's side claim that Buzzard has refused to let them visit the girl. Melodee's father, Rubiell Meza, died in a 2016 motorcycle accident shortly after she was born. "She hasnt let us see her for a few years," Melodee's aunt Bridgett Truitt told local news station KEYT. "And all of us have tried. But we never stopped thinking about her or loving her or praying for her." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meza's family is holding a vigil for Melodee outside of her Vandenberg Village home on Friday evening to pray for her safe return. Votive candles and posters of Melodee have been set up on the street over the last week. I am horrified for my little niece, I cant imagine what shes gone through, Melodee's aunt Vicky Shade told The Times. This does not sound good. I just want to know if shes OK. We need to find her. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriffs Office at (805) 681-4150. Tips can also be left anonymously at (805) 681-4171 or at SBSheriff.org. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday emphasised the need for central and state governments to work together to ensure farmers receive the full benefits of government schemes. He also held a meeting with farmers. Speaking to the reporters, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "I have come to serve the farmers. In the federal structure, there should not be just accusations and counter-accusations, but we should work together. The Government of India has purchased as much paddy as it has ever purchased before. To give farmers the right price, we have increased the MSP for paddy... Today, I am very pleased to have met the farmers of Tamil Nadu... I request the state government that the central and state governments should work together to properly implement these schemes on the ground so that farmers get the full benefit..." Earlier on October 11, Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government ensured that the surge in global fertiliser prices did not impact Indian farmers. "A bag of urea continues to be available at just Rs 266, and DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) at Rs 1,350, due to massive government subsidies," he said at an event held at Pusa, Delhi, where PM Modi unveiled a series of transformative initiatives for India's agriculture and allied sectors. The Union Minister also noted that the reduction in GST on agricultural machinery has made modern equipment more affordable for farmers across the nation. Chouhan highlighted that the Central government has significantly increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for major crops: by Rs 160 per quintal for wheat, Rs 200 or more for gram, Rs 300 for lentil, Rs 250 for mustard, and Rs 600 for sunflower. The Union Agriculture Minister also stated that under the 'PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi', Rs 3.90 lakh crore have been directly transferred into farmers' bank accounts. Through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, loans worth over Rs 10 lakh crore were disbursed in FY 2024-25, alongside interest subsidies of Rs 1.62 lakh crore. The 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' provided compensation exceeding Rs 1.83 lakh crore to insured farmers. (ANI) The Naperville City Council directed staff this week to review the citys Special Events and Community Arts program after Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom raised questions about the criteria used to decide funding. Known as SECA, the program provides financial help to organizations that hold social and artistic events in Naperville. Started in 2004, the money for the grants comes from a 1% tax collected on the sale of food and beverages. Funding requests are evaluated by a city commission, which recommends how the available money should be distributed. The city council makes the final approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since before I was on council, Ive always been a little skeptical of the idea of tax dollars being collected by a government and then being distributed to nonprofits, but I voted for the allocations the last two years, McBroom said at Tuesdays council meeting. His concerns grew, however, after he started questioning whether some SECA recipients were engaging in political advocacy and whether that should not be part of the standards used when evaluating if a group should be given city funding. Currently, SECA rules do not list an nonprofits political advocacy or statements as a consideration factor. The last time the ordinance was reviewed was in 2017, according to City Manager Doug Krieger. I think its time that we have a public discussion, McBroom said. I would hope that part of that would be some standards, conduct possible for applicants and then maybe really zero in on what the intention is and kind of safeguard the future and protect the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His concerns were first raised last month when he saw a social media post made by LGBTQ+-focused Naper Pride in the wake of political advocate Charlie Kirks assassination. McBroom deemed the post political and said the organization needed to apologize or he would not vote for it to receive future SECA funding. Since then, he has raised numerous concerns regarding the SECA program on his social media, ranging from criticism for specific recipients to broader concerns about whether the program is supporting organizations engaged in political advocacy. Notably, he accused the Alliance for Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs, known as ALMAS, of discouraging people from attending the Naperville Sister Cities Hispanic Heritage Festival after a letter to the editor written by ALMAS was published in the Naperville Sun. Political advocacy is an important right. But should Naperville taxpayers be funding advocacy on federal issues through SECA? Or should SECA remain focused on cultural and community enrichment? McBroom wrote in a Sept. 25 Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALMAS later clarified their statement at an Oct. 7 council meeting, noting that the letter was published after the festival took place and that they do not use SECA funds to engage in action related to federal issues. McBroom responded to their council comments with a social media post, calling ALMAS claims disingenuous and saying his intention was to question whether SECA funding should support organizations engaged in political or advocacy-based messaging. Council members were receptive to taking a look at the SECA program, voting 8-1 for staff to conduct a review of the program and include a timeline on it has evolved over the years. When you have an ordinance that goes back over 20 years and its developed its own life over multiple councils who have been in place since then, I think its appropriate and timely that this council take a look at and see if we are giving the SECA commission the right instruction, Mayor Scott Wehrli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wehrli said he was particularly interested in finding ways to make the process easier for SECA commissioners, who are tasked with reading dozens of applications and determining how thousands of dollars should be distributed. Councilman Benny White also highlighted the positive contributions the SECA program has made to Naperville. White cited to the murals erected near Rothermel Family Skate Facility by local nonprofit Maxs Mission as an example of the positive contributions, which McBroom also acknowledged. Maxs Mission is a nonprofit started by a Naperville family that provides support, education and resources to those who have been affected by suicide loss, according to their website. That would not have happened without the help of SECA, said White, who was supportive of reviewing SECA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been at events where Ive seen things politicized, White said. So if we want to look at certain things, Im fine with that, but as we do it lets make sure that were focusing on those organizations, not necessarily what individuals are saying. City staff will return to the council with a report a future date. Council members will then decide if they want to hold a workshop to more formally discuss the program. cstein@chicagotribune.com (The Center Square) President Donald Trump is ordering an aircraft carrier strike group head to the Caribbean to assist with drug interdiction at sea. This is after he first ordered three military strikes in September on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean, and again several more this month. Trump said he did so in an attempt to thwart cartel and foreign terrorist organizations from smuggling fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the U.S. to stop the drug war once and for all. The Trump administration designated the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua as a FTO in February and has also levied sanctions against Venezuela and Colombia, where cartels and FTOs have long orchestrated global drug and human smuggling operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By early October, Trump told Congress the U.S. was engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels in the Caribbean. On Friday, he said he planned to provide more information to Congress about using the U.S. military to target drug cartel operations, The Center Square reported. While critics argue the president is escalating conflict in the Caribbean, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard have been interdicting cartel and FTO drug and human smuggling, including in the Caribbean, for years. In addition to targeting cartel operatives, theyve also been arresting illegal foreign nationals from countries of foreign concern like Russia. In the first three months of the Trump administration, USCG crews hit a milestone of interdicting more than 80,000 pounds of illicit drugs being smuggled by drug cartels attempting to reach the U.S. Their efforts were part of a U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) directive that deployed two U.S. Navy warships to the southwest border in direct support of Coast Guard interdiction efforts, The Center Square reported. Last month, federal agents made history by seizing the largest volume of precursors used to produce methamphetamine after interdicting two shipments from two ships on the high seas. DHS Homeland Security Investigations international agents in Guatemala, Panama and Mexico worked closely with foreign law enforcement partners to consolidate shipments in Panama and divert them to the Port of Houston, The Center Square reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their efforts through HSI Operation Hydra are continuing to target drug trafficking by hitting the supply line of chemical precursors used to manufacture fentanyl and methamphetamine being shipped from China to cartel operatives. Nearly 700,000 pounds of precursor chemicals were seized from two ships in this operation the largest volume seized in U.S. history. By comparison, in fiscal 2024, CPB agents seized nearly 174,000 pounds of methamphetamine at the southwest border alone, according to CBP data. Supporters of Trumps actions argue military action will better support CBP Marine and Air Operations (AMO) officers and USCG crew who have been combatting drug and smuggling operations at sea with limited resources near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the border crisis escalated during the Biden administration, CBP AMO and Border Patrol officers working out of the CBP Ramey Sector and USCG crew made record apprehensions. In the first 10 months of the Trump administration, they continue to arrest drug and human smugglers and seize illicit drugs and contraband. One week after Trump was sworn into office, AMO and USCG interdicted a vessel attempting to smuggle nearly 300 pounds of cocaine around the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Not soon after, AMO seized nearly 800 pounds of cocaine near Dorado, Puerto Rico. They also seized an additional 335 pounds of cocaine north of Luquillo a few months later with the assistance of Coast Guard aircraft based in Miami. By June, seizure volumes increased, including more than 500 pounds of cocaine after AMO detected a vessel three nautical miles from Rincon. In a major nighttime interdiction operation, AMO seized 1,155 pounds of cocaine (22 bales) south of Cabo Rojo and also arrested foreign nationals. In an international operation working with British, Dutch and French law enforcement, AMO officers seized even more: 3,175 pounds of cocaine near Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands. Fifteen men from a range of countries were arrested, CBP said. Not soon after, another 170 pounds of cocaine was seized near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico, and more illegal foreign nationals were arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By July, seizure volumes continued to increase at sea and on land. In one operation, AMO officers apprehended Venezuelans and seized more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine near Maunabo, Puerto Rico. In another, they seized nearly 600 pounds of cocaine roughly five miles west of Cabo Rojo. In another, they seized a record nearly 4,000 pounds of cocaine near Cabo Rojo. Border Patrol and USCG also continue to apprehend foreign nationals from countries of foreign concern. Earlier this year, they arrested Russian nationals in an alleged smuggling attempt roughly five nautical miles west of Aguadilla. They also interdicted another smuggling attempt off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico, apprehending Uzbekistan nationals. More recently, they interdicted a vessel near the shoreline of Combate in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and arrested more than a dozen from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. "There are only 2 million people like me in the world who can see both sides. We both have the same goal: No more terrorism." "The best thing that can happen to the Palestinians and Palestine is the defeat of Hamas. The best thing that can happen to the Israelis is the defeat of Hamas," said Israeli-Palestinian influencer Nuseir Yassin, known better by his social media name, Nas Daily, in an interview with Al Arabiya on Thursday. "The same thing is the best thing that can happen to both Israelis and Palestinians," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm one of the lucky ones. I understand Israel better than anyone else because I'm Israeli," Yassin added, "I also understand Palestinians better than anybody else because I am Palestinian." "There are only 2 million people like me in the world who can see both sides. This is a very rare moment. We both have the same goal: No more terrorism, and we're getting closer to it than ever before." Nas Daily's Israeli-Palestinian background Yassin was born in Israel to a Muslim family and now lives in New York. He spoke at The Jerusalem Post Annual New York Conference in May. A week prior, he became the youngest person to ever receive an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Nuseir Yassin, also known as Nas Daily, confronting pro-Palestine protesters at an event in Japan (credit: SCREENSHOT/X) Last year, Yassin faced criticism during a pro-Palestinian protest in Japan, where he was accused of whitewashing Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. Joanie Margulies and Mathilda Heller contributed to this report. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A Nashville man died after a crash involving two vehicles Friday afternoon in Old Hickory. The crash was reported at 1:15 p.m. Friday on Old Hickory Boulevard near Southfork Boulevard. The Metro Nashville Police Department said Bart Burton, 67, was driving a Toyota Camry north on Old Hickory Boulevard when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. The Camry reportedly sideswiped a pickup truck before passing through the intersection, striking a curb and overturning. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Burton was pronounced dead at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. The pickup truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MNPD said none of the drivers involved showed signs of impairment. Witnesses told authorities the Camry was driving at high speeds before the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Tennessee residents are inching closer to a delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits starting Nov. 1. Food banks are scrambling to prepare, and many are asking for donations. A Nashville woman has created a resource explaining what you should and shouldnt donate and what resources are available. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hai Anh Dinh started a community supper club called the Collective Affair back in 2018. The supper club is a dinner where Dinh partners with different charities and nonprofit organizations, and all proceeds go towards helping the charities cause. I believe theres a seat at the table for everyone, Dinh said. And it was a way to be able to connect and share a meal with our neighbors while giving back to our community. Dinh saw several conversations and posts surrounding SNAP benefits and how its affecting the community. Many of whom are at risk for losing those benefits. Dinh decided to share the community organizations she partners with across social media so people could find access to resources and support food banks that need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think everyone is aware of how many resources are in our community or in Middle Tennessee, Dinh said. I just shared it, collaborated and tagged all these programs, food centers, meal programs, food banks and shared it. Dinh hopes these resources continue to be passed along and shared with their neighbors. Across Nashville, people are looking to help provide resources. She hopes her list answers the question: How can I get involved? Food banks need various resources. Their top needs right now are food, nonperishable food items, corn based products, peanut butter, pastas, canned milk and vegetables. With the loss of this aid, she said more neighbors and community residents are going to be affected. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com With grants being cut, you have to imagine the burden these food banks and distribution centers are facing, Dinh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dinh said as beneficial as it is to have resources, she hopes more people volunteer to show up to meal programs and help. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The nations witch capital, Salem, Massachusetts, is rallying to keep Halloween celebrations going for an expected one million visitors in light of the government shutdown. Salem is the historic site of the infamous witch trials of the late 1600s that saw 19 people hanged, one man pressed to death, and at least five others sent to perish in jail. The recent government shutdown forced the closure of a Salem National Park Service Visitor Center and its bathrooms, reported CNNs Fredricka Whitfield, and thats when city leaders rallied to reopen the visitor center, with the community covering the costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitfield spoke with Annie Harris, CEO of Essex heritage, a nonprofit that promotes local history and helps staff the visitor center. She described the spooky season as huge for the city of 43,000 people. The visitor center is fully open, and the bathrooms are working, and we have maps and information, and volunteers and our staff that are there really helping the visitors. But behind the scenes, its a big difference for us., Harris said. She added, Weve had to pull in our staff, a partner of ours, Eastern National, who, they run the bookstore there. Theyve had to bring in a lot of staff. The Park Service, we actually pay for another Park Service ranger to help us there, as well. So, its behind the scenes where were kind of really working hard and were only going to keep the visitor center open for October. We sort of exhaust our resources after that costs about almost $19,000 to keep the visitor center open for the month of October. Whitfield asked where that money came from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Park Service said that we could reopen the visitor center, they said, though, youre going to have to cover the costs. The utility costs and the custodial costs and the park ranger. And thats about almost $19,000, Harris said. So, I reached out to the mayor and I said, you know, I think we can keep the visitor center open, but this is very expensive. But he really geared up his staff. They went out, they put a call out to the business community, and we had a tremendous response. In fact, we raised the money in 48 hours. Watch above via CNN. The post Nations Witch Capital Rallies In Face of Government Shutdown During Spooky Season first appeared on Mediaite. The Trump administration has conducted 40 removal flights to the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, deporting nearly 8,000 Venezuelan nationals since March, according to senior Department of Homeland Security officials who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity. The flights began after Venezuela agreed in March to resume repatriation flights, and have continued amid heightened U.S.-Venezuelan tensions in recent weeks. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported approximately 140 individuals back to Venezuela in its latest removal flight on October 15. Last Wednesday's flight included at least seven individuals with criminal histories, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang and sexual predators, according to DHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those deported include Jefferson Bracho Haddad, an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member that a DHS spokesperson tells CBS News had six criminal arrests, including for larceny and drug possession. The agency spokesperson added that the flight also returned Angelo Dennis-Jesus Ainaga-Jaspe, convicted of multiple weapons offenses, plus Diego Alejandro Mavarez Arocha, convicted of sexual assault. DHS has repeatedly spotlighted removals of individuals with criminal histories as part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to deport undocumented migrants the government determines pose threats to public safety. "These individuals, including confirmed Tren de Aragua gang members, sexual predators, and violent offenders, should have never been in our country in the first place," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement provided to CBS News, adding that an estimated 2 million undocumented immigrants have left the U.S. since January. McLaughlin did not specify how many of those individuals were believed to have departed the U.S. voluntarily, versus those who have been deported. The vast majority would have needed to leave without making contact with DHS to reach that total. According to internal government figures previously obtained by CBS News, over the first six months of President Trump's second term, the administration deported nearly 150,000 people and recorded 13,000 who self-deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to senior DHS officials, the deportations to Venezuela have occurred alongside the intensified U.S. campaign against drug trafficking and transnational crime in South America. The Trump administration has carried out at least 10 known strikes on suspected narcotics vessels over the past two months, including two this week off Colombia's Pacific coast. The most recent strike, conducted overnight, targeted a vessel allegedly operated by Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang in the Caribbean Sea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it was "a lethal kinetic strike" in international waters, marking the first night strike of the campaign. "Six male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike all six terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed," Hegseth said. Trump administration officials say the combination of targeted strikes and deportation flights reflect a multi-pronged strategy to disrupt the Tren de Aragua gang and other organized criminal networks, which have been linked to drug trafficking and violent crime throughout the Americas. The U.S.-Venezuela repatriation deal, which allows the flights to Caracas, has faced scrutiny from human rights organizations, though Trump administration officials point to the diplomatic deal as an important tool in reducing the influence of transnational criminal gangs within the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the U.S. military is sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the waters off Latin America, part of a buildup of U.S. forces in the region. The military maneuvers have drawn the Venezuelan government's ire. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered new military exercises last week, and he said he's prepared to declare a state of emergency earlier this month, accusing the U.S. of "aggression." Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan Dozens charged in connection with illegal betting cases, FBI and DOJ announces White House takes questions about Trump's East Wing demolition for ballroom WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) Its construction thats meant to shore up a dilapidated three-block stretch of one of the citys busiest roadways, but because the project has now taken half a dozen years and is still not complete after the contractor stopped work a year ago, residents protested on Friday. Amid chants of Finish the job! Finish the job! and while carrying a variety of protest signs, dozens of residents of three large apartment complexes on upper Riverside Drive came out to a late morning demonstration in front of their buildings. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arthur McLean was one of the protesters. He said, in an interview right after the demonstration, that the road and sidewalk construction thats blocking access to his building on Riverside Drive West near 158th Street is a major inconvenience for seniors like him. Im 91 years old, he said. Before construction, he could walk out of the front door of his building in order to access the roadway. Now, he said, I have to go up several flights to the back of the building in order to get a taxi or Access-a-ride. He walked past a maze of construction barricades, fencing, traffic cones, and makeshift ramps to get from his building to the protest a block away and back. He said that hundreds of families like his in five large apartment buildings next to the construction have also had to negotiate the construction zone since it was first set up in 2019. Many of the families that are affected showed up for the protest to make their voices heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them was Jack Cole, 87, who said that he learned firsthand that the obstacles that make up the dormant construction site are a significant health hazard. I had a heart attack in January, he said. It was snowing like crazy, [and] the ambulance had to park a block north of our building in order to eventually reach him. Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Heres how His neighbor, Darly Corniel, also had to deal with those kinds of conditions when her mother had a stroke last year, she said, adding that for the last six years, any kind of picking up or dropping off at the buildings next to the construction zone is extremely difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She showed PIX11 News the route in her building thats now required in order to access streets outside of the construction area. People have to walk an extra block, as well as three flights of stairs. How long do you think it takes to do that? Corniel asked. Minutes, she said. Those are minutes that people dont have. The construction project replaces steel and concrete on a nearly 100-year-old section of upper Riverside Drive. The contractor is the Judlau / OHLA corporation. Its finished about three-quarters of the project, but said in a statement that because the city has sidewalk sheds over some of the site, there is nothing Judlau can do until the City provides site access. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For its part, the citys Department of Transportation says its working to address challenges with its contractor on this project. It also said that it monitors the site daily and has a community liaison to interact with neighbors to address any questions from residents. Both sides are now in court, and residents made clear at Fridays protest that their only question is how soon the project can be completed. The protests organizer, Councilmember Shaun Abreu, said in an interview that its up to the city to take action right away. Either with a settlement, he said, or that Judlau gets removed from this project so that our neighbors arent held hostage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Happy Saturday! Heres another edition of my weekend column for WPRI.com as always, send your takes, tips and trial balloons to tnesi@wpri.com and follow me on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes 1. The westbound Washington Bridge has been closed for 22 months, and the political fallout appears nowhere near over. On Tuesday, a Providence Journal story by Jim Hummel revealed a key finding by engineers that the bridges broken rods had likely been corroding for at least 15 years was left out of the forensic audit that leaked last month. Two days later, General Assembly leaders showed how much more seriously they are taking next months third oversight hearing on the bridge versus the first two: theyve hired former U.S. Attorney Zach Cunha, at $600 an hour, to help them prep and even ask some of the questions, which will be answered under oath. Its hard to miss the political subtext; this is happening at the same time that Speaker Shekarchis allies are trying to nudge Governor McKee out of next years gubernatorial race. For McKee, who currently has the lowest job approval rating of any governor in the country, just about any bridge news cycle is damaging. Yet the administrations own efforts to spin the situation can backfire, too, as Ed Fitzpatrick showed in a Globe story about criticism of the new signage around the bridge. A green RhodeWorks sign now suggests the project is on time and on budget despite the completion timeline slipping from August 2026 to November 2028 and the price tag soaring from $368 million to $572 million. RIDOTs defense rests on a technicality: the earlier estimates were for the failed initial procurement process, which drew no bids, not the current one. The green sign also shows a price tag of only $427.9 million RIDOT tells me they arent putting up signs disclosing the $98 million budget to demolish the old bridge or the $46 million budget for emergency costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. The housing crisis is shaping up to be another key issue in the gubernatorial primary. As mentioned in this column last week, the new HousingWorks RI Fact Book shows no municipality in Rhode Island is currently affordable for the typical renter or homebuyer, despite a 15% increase in building permits last year. Governor McKee was out front on the issue this week, announcing plans to start spending the first tranche of the $120 million housing bond that voters approved last November. At a news conference, he cited signs of progress. This is happening all around the state right now, McKee said. Were going to ribbon-cuttings, were going to groundbreakings. But appearing on Wednesdays 12 News at 4, his Democratic primary rival Helena Foulkes questioned why it had taken nearly a year to announce plans for the bond money. We need a much more nimble government, she said. I think if this were your own family member and your family member was looking for a house, you wouldnt be waiting a year to figure out what to do. Youd be moving fast. Foulkess criticism doubles as a critique of her other potential opponent, Speaker Shekarchi, who is even more closely associated with the housing issue than McKee. Joining McKee at the news conference, Shekarchi looked for a middle ground. This is a very small victory lap, he said. Theres a lot more work to do, and were committed to getting it done. 3. With Peter Neronha term-limited, the attorney generals race was always going to be a marquee contest as Rhode Islands only open statewide seat in 2026. But its become an even more interesting contest with state Rep. Bob Craven out of the mix so soon. Kim Ahern became the Democratic primarys newest entrant this week, stepping down as Cannabis Control Commission chair to launch her campaign. Our fundamental rights are under attack, and we need an attorney general who will fight back, she said in a statement. Two Democrats are already campaigning: newcomer Keith Hoffmann, who is backed by Neronha, and state Rep. Jason Knight. Another likely Democratic candidate is state Rep. Joe Solomon Jr. of Warwick, who told me Thursday he thinks the AGs office needs a leader who understands that Rhode Islanders value pragmatic, bipartisan leadership. And the Republicans 2022 nominee for AG, West Greenwich Town Councilor Chas Calenda, just reactivated his Board of Elections account so he can start fundraising. I dont feel the need to rush the decision, Calenda told me Friday. Ive been encouraged by the donations and pledges to help the campaign thus far so I would say right now Im definitely leaning towards jumping in. The emerging field has a striking age dynamic: Hoffmann (38), Ahern (41), Solomon (42) and Calenda (44) are all young enough to be Rhode Islands first Millennial AG though Calenda might count as an Xennial while Knight (55) represents the Gen X generation. With the 69-year-old Cravens exit, there is no Baby Boomer in the race for now. 4. The federal government shutdown now looks certain to extend into a fourth week, with precious few signs a deal is on the horizon. Top Republicans wont budge on extending Obamacare subsidies Democrats stated price for reopening and Democrats seem equally dug in. That includes Rhode Islands congressional delegation, which continues reinforcing the party message through news conferences and social media. Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse, like most of their caucus colleagues, have voted repeatedly to block Republican bills that would reopen the government (but in favor of Democratic alternatives). Congressman Amo and Congressman Magaziner have had nothing to vote on, since the House has been out for over a month now. (The four announced this week they will forego their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown, as other lawmakers are also doing.) The shutdown is poised to become a much bigger crisis if SNAP benefits dont get paid on Nov. 1 as scheduled, though Reed and Whitehouse signed a letter Friday arguing the USDA still has $6 billion in contingency funds available to cover payments. Youre talking 143,000 people wholl be struggling to put food on their table as soon as next Saturday, R.I. Community Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney said on Fridays 12 News at 4. And then on top of all of this, she added, you have the federal workers who as of next Friday will be going for one month without a paycheck. 5. Eye on Congress Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse are seeking applications by Nov. 3 as they look for someone to recommend as Rhode Islands next U.S. attorney Whitehouse made news for his warnings about permitting reform and the highway bill Congressman Magaziner clashed with the NRCC over his vote against the defense policy bill Congressman Amo was spotted giving Capitol tours as the shutdown paused regular ones Congressman Auchincloss continued his media blitz, taping interviews with podcasters Derek Thompson and Ruy Teixeira Amo and Auchincloss both received the Rising Star Award at Mondays New England Council centennial gala in Boston (alongside New Hampshire Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander) Congressman Keating led a bipartisan resolution that targets Russia for allegedly abducting over 19,000 Ukrainian children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6. Bank of America is now trying to salvage the Roger Williams/Fatima hospitals deal. 7. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is all settled in at her new home in Dartmouth, making her the first statewide official in modern history to reside in Bristol County. How long has it been since that happened? The most recent example anyone could offer came from WBSMs Chris McCarthy: Tauntons Marcus Morton, who served as governor before the Civil War. (Yes, Morton Hospital is named for him.) Campbell and I sat down in New Bedford this week to discuss what shes learned from her relocation, why shes running for reelection and whether she might someday seek the seat currently held by Congressman Keating. (Spoiler: she didnt say no.) My story about Campbell is here, and you can watch our full interview on this weekends Newsmakers. 8. More Massachusetts: Congressman Seth Moulton made his first campaign swing through Bristol County on Friday as he ramps up his Democratic primary challenge against Senator Markey. I interviewed Moulton in Fall River, where he reiterated that while he thinks Markey is a genuinely nice man, the state needs a senator who isnt about to mark his 80th birthday and a half-century in Congress. One issue for Moulton will he be able to get his name on next Septembers primary ballot? Massachusetts candidates have to run a gauntlet to do that, by electing enough supporters at hundreds of caucus meetings to ensure they get at least 15% support at the state convention. Look, hes probably going to try to stop us, Moulton told me. Theres nothing thats more undemocratic than just keeping people off the ballot. And weve already heard that hes going to try to do that. I think we ought to have a much more open system in Massachusetts that doesnt require jumping through all these hoops just to give voters a choice in the primary. You can see more from the interview on 12 News this Monday and an upcoming edition of Newsmakers. 9. People in the news thinking of former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan and his family as he recovers from Mondays shocking stabbing Governor McKee is in California for an economic development trip, which includes meetings with executives from Angem and Anduril local No Kings organizers said more than 30,000 people attended last Saturdays State House rally; GOP Chair Joe Powers labeled the events a distraction Gina Raimondo gave some newsy remarks at Harvard an influential group whose members include Jim Langevin warned about federal cuts to cybersecurity Lt. Gov. Sabina Matoss reelection bid got an early endorsement from the Latino Victory Fund Democrat Amy Joseph Santiago, an outreach worker at Better Lives Rhode Island, will run for state Rep. David Moraless District 7 seat now that he is running for mayor Democrat Michael English announced a run for Providence mayor Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley and Secretary-Treasurer Karen Hazard were unanimously reelected Matt Corridoni is the new communications director for Majority Democrats, a center-left group led by Jake Auchincloss, Corridonis former boss veteran construction exec Bo Koloski has been named to lead O&G Industries Rhode Island office Bishop Lewandowski will celebrate 205 milestone wedding anniversaries at the Cathedral on Sunday, including a Rhode Island couple married 74 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10. Believe it or not, one week from today November will be upon us. So make it a point to hop in the car tonight and check out some of the best local Halloween light displays, as compiled here by Kim Kalunian. 11. Weekend reads Ellen Liberman on the sluggish progress addressing Rhode Islands housing crisis Kathy Gregg on Rhode Islands new state-sponsored retirement plan Alexander Castro on documentarian Ken Burns visit to Rhode Island Michael Cavna on Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown as a visual masterpiece. 12. Fire up 12+ on your smart TV or set your DVRs: This week on Newsmakers AG Campbell. Watch Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and 10 a.m. on Fox Providence, or listen on the radio Sunday at 6 p.m. on WPRO. You can also subscribe to Newsmakers as a podcast via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you back here next Saturday morning. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prefer your Newsmakers on the go? Subscribe to our podcast! Apple | Spotify Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup An earlier version of this article misstated Rep. Knights age. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday termed the suicide of a woman doctor in Satara as a "very unfortunate incident" and said he has asked the Superintendent of Police to take strict action against the accused including a police official who has been absconding. Shinde was in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It is a very unfortunate incident. I have spoken to the local SP. The accused is a police official. FIR has been lodged in the incident. I have asked the SP to take stringent action against the accused in this case," Shinde said, while talking to the media. Meanwhile, Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi stated that the police have arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case of a woman doctor. Doshi said that Bankar will be produced in court today. Speaking to reporters, SP Doshi said, "Police arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case of a woman doctor in Phaltan taluka. He will be produced in court today. The other accused, Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne, is still absconding, and a search is underway to nab him." Earlier, speaking on the case, SP Doshi said, "A woman doctor committed suicide. A note was found written on her palm naming two people, including a police official. A case has been registered against them under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused PSI has been suspended from duty. Our teams are trying to locate the two accused. A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken." Officials said that the woman doctor died by suicide in Satara on Friday, leaving a note written on her hand that named a police official and two others. The victim's cousin alleged that the doctor had been facing political pressure related to her work. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI. Another cousin demanded strict punishment for those involved. "The accused should get the strictest of punishment," he said. In addition, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has condemned the death of Dr Sampada Mundhe at Phaltan in Maharashtra and has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident. (ANI) The New Jersey school board whose vice president is embroiled in a vile group texting scandal that allegedly targeted a MAGA-loving mom member has postponed its next meeting over safety concerns. Marlboro Board of Education President Brian Cohen moved to delay the groups next scheduled meeting, which had been set for Nov. 11, citing unspecified safety and security issues. Other members of the school board objected to the postponement, The Post has learned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents, meanwhile, plan to peacefully protest, and have been organizing on social media. Marlboro Board of Education member Danielle Bellomo was allegedly the target of threats. LP Media The decision comes little more than a week after the boards last meeting a raucous, six-hour affair where parent after parent demanded two members, including Vice President Chad Hyett, resign for their alleged involvement in a hateful group chat about fellow board member Danielle Bellomo. The chat, labeled ThisBitchNeedstoDie, included a misogynistic text message about Bellomo from board candidate Scott Semaya, who quickly dropped out of the race when the message became public. Bellomo, a mother of three, said shes been dealing with threats for months. Danielle Bellomo/ Facebook Bellomo must be cold her nips could cut glass right n read one text, allegedly captured in a photo of Semayas screen as he typed an o. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitesh Gandhi, the husband of a sitting board member Aditi Gandhi, also allegedly took part in the chat. The boorish messages garnered nationwide attention after being exposed by The Post, even outraging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx) who called it wrong and evil in a post on X. A close up of the group chat title, which was snapped when someone photographed a participants phone as they typed. Obtained by the NY Post Lenny Thor, from left, Chad Hyett and Mitesh Gandhi all allegedly participated in the group chat. Chad Michael Hyett/Facebook Scott Semaya was running for the Board of Education when someone revealed the group chat by photographing his cell phone. He then dropped out of the race. Scott Semaya/ Facebook One parent suggested on Facebook that the decision to nix the meeting was made because the board President, Vice President and District Superintendent are ashamed of something or afraid of legitimate community concerns. This is getting worse and worse, offered another parent. Marlboro Police said Friday they are still investigating the alleged threats against Bellomo. In Chinas largest province, Qinghai, theres something a little out of place. A set of modern-looking, metallic pipes protrudes from a mountainside, accompanied by a monument dedicated to the extraterrestrials who supposedly placed them there. Hardly. But what kind of natural phenomenon are these strange Baigong Pipes? Ad usual with anything both intriguing and difficult to explain, the internet is awash with AI pictures of the Baigong Pipes, blurry photos from the 1990s, and inconsistent stories and "facts." Some sources claim that the pipes were discovered by a local journalist, while others report that a group of American scientists found them while searching for dinosaur bones. A few sources state that the pipes are in a pyramid-like structure, while others say they are in a cave. Real images of the pipes are hard to verify. Characteristics So, what do we know? The Baigong Pipes are located approximately 40 kilomters from the nearest town -- Delingha City -- in Qinghai. This is part of the wider Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It's a remote area with no residents or modern industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese news outlet Xinhuanet described the unusual pipes in an article from June 2002: This cave is about 6m in depth. Inside, there is a half pipe about 40cm in diameter, tilting from the top to the inner end of the cave. Another pipe of the same diameter goes into the earth with only its top visible above the ground. Above the cave are a dozen pipes of various diameters that run into the mountain. All the pipes are red-brownish, the same color as that of the surrounding rocks. One version of the pipes' discovery story involves a Chinese author named Bai Yu, who found them while exploring the caves at Mount Baigong in 1996. He believed that one of the caves looked like humans had carved it out. Upon entering its triangular archway, he found rusty-looking pipes sticking out from the floor and the walls. Outside the cave was a salt lake, which also had these pipes sticking out from the sand on the shore. Supposed photo of one of the Pipes. Photo: Atlas Obscura Bai Yu sent physical samples of the pipes to Chinas Ministry of Metallurgical Industry (which no longer exists) for analysis. What they found was extraordinary; The pipes were 92% calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, and ferric oxide, while the remaining 8% was inconclusive or unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later on, the Beijing Institute of Geology determined the possible age of the pipes using thermo-luminescence dating. This method can determine the age of crystalline minerals by exposing them to sunlight or heat. They found that the sample was approximately 150,000 years old. Because the pipes were high in iron and other metals, and human activity in the area dates back only 30,000 years, some people have suggested that the pipes could be of extraterrestrial origin. The government hurriedly turned the Baigong Pipes into a tourist attraction. If youre driving along the highway, youll find an alien monument pointing the way. Search for the truth Follow-up investigations by Chinese researchers aimed to debunk the ET theory. There had to be a natural explanation. One natural theory involves tectonic activity. The Qinghai Province sits on the Tibetan Plateau, a vast region with a tumultuous geological history where the Indo-Australian Plate and Eurasian Plates collide. This created the mountain ranges we know today, as well as deep chasms that trapped iron-rich magma. When solidified, the magma can appear like rusty iron tubes. A variant of this theory suggests not volcanism but flooding. Because the Tibetan Plateau possesses high concentrations of iron and iron oxides in the soil, the iron may mix with other substances to create a thick "pipe" in cracks in the ground. Fossilized plants? A Chinese news outlet called the Xinmin Weekly published an updated story on the Baigong Pipes in 2003. They quoted scientists who confirmed the presence of plant material in the pipes. When cut open, the pipes exhibited features resembling tree rings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This suggests the pipes were simply petrified trees. These form when sediment or volcanic ash buries a tree, cutting off the trees oxygen and slowing decay. Over millions of years, groundwater enriched by minerals such as silica, calcite, or pyrite seeps through the woods pores. As the organic material slowly decomposes, these minerals creep in to replace the woods cells. Eventually, the minerals turn to stone. These pipes also occur in North America. Photo: Xa Luan Another theory is that the pipes are sediment that has turned into rock in a process called diagenesis. Diagenesis occurs when layers of sediment build up, squeezing out water, and the weight of the material above compacts it. At the same time, cementation occurs when minerals like silica, calcite, or iron oxides dissolve in groundwater and bind the sediment particles together. The result is iron-rich rocks resembling iron pipes. A winner So which theory is most likely to be correct? We may finally have an answer, thanks to a study conducted by the American researchers Joann Mossa and B. A. Schumacher. They studied similar pipes found in southern Louisiana. "We studied the morphology, mineralogy, and physical and chemical properties of the cylinders...The cylinders are inferred to be tap-root casts of fossil trees in which sediments replaced wood, and pedagogic and diagenetic processes caused the external form of the tree root to be preserved while the internal structure was lost," Mossa and Schumacher concluded. When we first learn to drive, we're taught how to position the mirrors properly, use the turn signals, and yes, obey the posted speed limit. Somewhere along the line, many drivers forget some of these lessons. It's hard to say exactly how many tickets are issued every year in the United States because local reporting rules vary, but it's safe to say that millions of Americans are cited every year for driving too fast. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Drunk driving caused the deaths of an additional 12,429 people, and more than 3,000 people were killed as a result of distracted driving. There are a variety of reasons why people break the law while driving. They could be late or simply distracted by the latest podcast. Other people are fueled by anger or aggression or are seeking a thrill. If you're on a busy road, you may mistakenly believe that keeping up with traffic is a justifiable excuse for speeding. Drivers from every demographic break the law, but younger drivers and men are more likely to engage in unsafe driving habits, according to the NHTSA. There are a few tricks that people use to get out of traffic tickets being friendly or bringing up a prestigious job or place in the local community but drivers must always comply with an officer's signal to pull over, and they should never attempt to cross a state line in a bid to avoid a ticket. Read more: 21 Popular Oil Filter Brands, Ranked A multi-state incident A car being pulled over by police at dusk - Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock Speeding into another state to avoid a ticket may sound like something from a movie, but the New York State Police encountered just that situation in October 2025. A state trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle for following another vehicle too closely and then running a stop sign. Instead of stopping, the driver sped off and crossed the state line into Pennsylvania. If this was a movie, you may expect to hear that the driver managed to evade the police. Instead, the New York State Police received assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, and the driver was identified and charged with unlawful fleeing of a police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you find yourself getting pulled over for a traffic citation, there are far better ways to handle it than running away. You can choose to either pay the fine or take up the matter in traffic court. If you don't pay the fine or show up for a court date, the consequences could be severe and include suspension of your license and a warrant for your arrest. Drivers should also remember that if you get pulled over in another state, that doesn't mean you're off the hook in your own state. Almost every state is part of something called the Driver License Compact. Under this agreement, states share information about traffic violations with a driver's home state, which will then impose the same penalties that you would have received had the incident occurred at home. The safest way to drive is by following all traffic laws even the weird ones. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. There was a large turnout for the No Kings rally in Wisconsins capitol. There are those in GOP circles who have dubbed it the Hate America tour, but all Ive seen are a large number of older people and younger voters who are concerned with whats occurred over the last 10 months and whats yet to come. In Wisconsin, the effect of the tariffs is becoming clearly visible with prices going up on pretty much everything. Our soybean sales are dead for the foreseeable future since China switched to South America markets, and now the taxpayer is once again on the line to cover a percentage of the losses. Disabled, special education and public schools have all seen their funding gutted, and electric bills are up and will increase further due to green energy projects being eliminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So people like America, just not the administrations current policies. Unfortunately, in Wisconsin your local Republican congress people have abdicated their responsibility to their constituents and followed blindly along with the aforementioned policies. But you have a better alternative than protesting, in just a year from now you can vote for people that will represent your needs. Paul Mickey, Madison Opinion: AI-generated videos depict MLK in unflattering ways. Be prepared to turn off. 'No Kings' party was rejected by the people in 2024 election The No Kings rally is blatant misinformation (No Kings drew 7M, organizers say, Oct. 20). This nation was founded as a constitutional representative republic, not a democracy. There was a presidential election in 2024, and the No Kings party was rejected by the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A democracy is at risk for mob rule, example being the No Kings rally. Miles Dake, Waukesha 'No Kings' demonstrators are grandparents, parents, neighbors The Trump administration has it wrong. The No Kings protesters are not terrorists. We are not violent. We are not pro-Hamas. We are not the radical left. We are not paid protesters. We are not out-of-state agitators. We do not hate our country. We are grandparents, parents, children. We are your neighbors. We are anti-authoritarianism. We are anti-fascism. We are peaceful, pro-civil rights and pro-due process. We are against United States military troops marching in the streets of American cities. We love America and the democracy it stands for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of criticizing us and spewing false claims, President Donald Trump and his authoritarian regime should take note and listen to us, the voting citizens of the US. Marcy Hotz, Dousman Letters: Developer's plan would fit better in Lake Geneva, not Bay View My mom voted Democrat for decades; she is not a terrorist What in God's name is wrong with the people in the Trump administration? Their official spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, said Democratic Party constituents are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals. My mom, who voted Democratic for decades, is not a terrorist, an illegal alien nor a violent criminal. Statements like Leavitt's take political exaggeration and hyperbole way outside the realm of acceptable discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration's efforts to convince people that membership in the Democratic Party should be made illegal is part of a dystopian nightmare. How are they so blind as to fail to see how those efforts will backfire on them, and on all of us? My mom is not a terrorist, and I will fight efforts to paint her as such. David Taffet, Mequon Letters: Fencing results in zero Hoan Bridge suicides in 2024, and none in 2025 Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'No Kings' demonstrators are not terrorists or criminals | Letters Council's smokeless tobacco ban goes too far Banning smoking in a stadium is one thing. Secondhand smoke, the odors and the risk of fire are only some of the issues. But banning smokeless tobacco? Ostensibly for youth health considerations? That's a stretch indeed. If the Detroit City Council were truly interested in banning food in the interest of health, they'd ban sugary soft drinks, maybe even French fries. It's been nearly 30 years since I partook of nicotine in any form. I smoked cigarettes and occasional used small amounts of chewing tobacco indoors. If I hadn't been able to use chewing tobacco to relieve my cravings, I probably would have snuck into a staircase or outside to smoke. That's going to be the result of this nanny ban by the city council. And really, don't you have better things to do? Thomas E. Page Detroit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: No Kings costumes that marked the day in metro Detroit: Unicorns, bees and frogs I'll defend No Kings protesters' rights, but I don't think they have a point As to the No Kings protests, lets get to the really, important questions: Who won the trophies for best costume and cleverest sign, both local and national divisions? Just kidding. I have several friends whom I respect and admire deeply who attended No Kings protests on Oct. 19. I admire their diligence and heart for speaking up and demonstrating for what they believe in. That said, most protestors are advocating for a specific thing to happen. What are the protestors hoping will happen as a result of the demonstrations? I understand that the protestors are not happy with Donald Trump as president. However, as real and strong as that sentiment is today, that sentiment only holds weight and relevance on the second Tuesday in November, every four years. After-the-fact protests do not count for more than a free and democratic presidential election. Additionally, a duly elected president has no reason to resign or change policies solely because those people who did not like him or his agenda the last three election cycles still feel the same way now. What confuses me is the protestors' desperate need for the rest of us to know their raging feelings about Trump. President Trump is doing exactly what Candidate Trump said he was going to do if elected, the very platform that got him elected for another term. Unless Trump commits a truly impeachable offense, he is our president for the next three years and change. As Barack Obama once stated, "Go out there and win an election." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given those parameters and limitations, the No Kings protests really become nothing more than a self-indulgent group therapy session held in public. (Hi. My name is Paul and I hate the Orange Man. Hi Paul!") Those demonstrators have every right to hold such therapy sessions, as long as they do not celebrate or promote violence (my opinion) and do not disrupt the important and relevant everyday activities going on around them. More power to them. I will not always agree with what you say, but I will always defend your right to say it. Brian L. Ross Flint No Kings not a 'frat party' I would like to respond to the No Kings Rally opinion ("July No Kings protest was too much like a frat party. Count me out," Oct. 18 ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I applaud you for planning on spending your day contacting your elected representatives. I have previously done the same (many times) without any feedback. May your efforts be fruitful. I would like to ask you to reconsider joining peaceful protest movements in the future. I dont see them as frat parties, but as an opportunity to express hope in these difficult times. I am filled with joy to know that I am not alone and among friends and strangers. The opposition wants us to be afraid. The more of us showing up in force, peaceful and happy to be able to protest is a positive tool against such evil. Judy Winkler South Lyon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get our sharpest, most relevant takes delivered straight to your inbox each week subscribe to the free Freep Opinion newsletter. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pros and cons of No Kings protests, smokeless tobacco ban | Letters Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said Russia is in talks with members of Donald Trumps administration team and stressed that any diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine must address Moscows interests. "We'll be meeting with some members of the Trump administration team. I think it's very important we have dialogue because President Trump already has done a lot to solve lots of the world conflicts, Dmitriev told Fox News on Oct. 25. Moscow's envoy, who heads of Russias Direct Investment Fund and has been a key figure in the Kremlins backchannel outreach to Washington, also dismissed the impact of new U.S. sanctions, arguing that "no pressure works on Russia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 22, Trump announced his administrations first sanctions against Moscow since taking office, targeting Russias two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with their subsidiaries. The sanctions freeze all U.S.-based assets of the companies and open the door to secondary penalties on foreign institutions that conduct transactions with entities on the blacklist. "Frankly, we do not believe that these sanctions will have significant impact on the Russian economy because oil prices in the world will rise and Russia will sell just fewer gallons of oil at a higher price," Dmitriev said. "For sure, a conflict in Ukraine will have a diplomatic solution. So we'll have a discussion how to move forward, how to make sure that Russian interests are taken into account, because only by taking Russian interests into account can the solution be found." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He praised Trump for "avoiding escalation to World War III" and claimed that he "achieved the first ceasefire on heat and energy infrastructure that we've had." He also said Trump "really understood Russian position." Dmitriev contrasted Trumps approach with former President Joe Bidens, saying, "Biden tried to unsuccessfully defeat Russia strategically. His approach of sanction didnt work Last year, Russian economy grew four percent, whereas European and U.K. economy grew less than one percent." Dmitriev also repeated Kremlin talking points about Ukraines neutrality and said that control over what he described as "territories with Russian population" must be resolved: "So really not that many issues on the table. And basically, by understanding how they can be resolved in a diplomatic manner, the solution can be found pretty shortly." Read also: Pure terror 2 killed, 12 injured in Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Rubio told the families, according to N12, that the US is examining different avenues for how to increase direct and indirect pressure on Hamas to ensure their loved ones are returned. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the families of slain Israeli-American hostages Itay Chen and Omer Neutra on Saturday before departing for Qatar, along with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the officials said on social media. "We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas," Rubio said. "We will not rest until their - and all - remains are returned." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio told the families, according to N12, that the US is examining different avenues for how to increase direct and indirect pressure on Hamas to ensure their loved ones are returned. Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a US-brokered Gaza deal, in Khan Younis, October 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed) Who were Itay Chen and Omer Neutra? Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, said that "there is an understanding that Hamas is dragging its feet in implementing the return of all the hostages, but the US and Israel are coordinated in continuing to apply pressure, with the understanding that this is the window of opportunity to bring everyone back, according to Ynet. Itay Chen, 19, was serving in the IDF on October 7 when Hamas terrorists attacked his tank on the Gaza border. He was taken to the Strip with Matan Angrest, the remains of Capt. Daniel Peretz, and Sgt. Timer Leibovitz. He was initially thought to have been alive, but his family later learned that he had been killed on October 7, 2023. His father, Ruby Chen, has been a loud campaigner for the return of all the hostages, speaking at Hostage Square and around the world, including at the UN Security Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chen was born in the US but grew up in Netanya. Capt. Omer Neutra, 21, was also killed on October 7. He was a lone soldier from New York and served as a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade. He had deferred his enrollment at Binghamton University to join the IDF with Garin Tzabar. He was abducted with members of his tank crew, including tank gunner Nimrod Cohen, who was released after more than 736 days of captivity. Thirteen hostages remain in Gaza, and Israeli security officials estimate that the location of four or five of them remains unknown. Rubio meets with Netanyahu, visits US base in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel Rubio landed in Israel on Thursday, just as US Vice President JD Vance departed, and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, he visited the US headquarters established in Kiryat Gat to monitor post-war Gaza. "To get through all of the things we are trying to achieve, it's not gonna be a linear journey. There's gonna be ups and downs and twists and turns. But I think we have a lot of reason for healthy optimism about the progress being made," he stated. "A lot of good progress is being made on a number of different fronts," Rubio added. Rubio said that the future of governance in Gaza still needs to be worked out among Israel and partner nations, but could not include Hamas, adding that any potential role for the Palestinian Authority has yet to be determined. He added that UNRWA cannot have a role in the Gaza Strip and called it a "subsidiary of Hamas." Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Saturday visited the ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The visit symbolised the unity and integrated progress of India's agriculture sector under the theme "One Agriculture - One Nation - One Team." At Vellore, Shivraj Singh interacted with farmers and rural community members, and discussed with them the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), National Pulses Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), Cluster Frontline Demonstration on Pulses (CFLD on Pulses), Fermented Organic Manure (FOM/LFOM), and other initiatives linked to KVKs. During his visit, the Union Minister interacted with progressive farmers, women self-help groups (SHG), and rural youth, while also reviewing the region's agricultural achievements. He appreciated the innovative technology developed by KVK Vellore, such as the Wild Boar Repellent, which has provided farmers with a practical solution for crop protection against wild boars. Under the Seed Hub and Pulses Mission, high-yielding varieties (VBN-8, VBN-10, VBN-11) have been successfully disseminated. The Union Minister viewed exhibitions of agricultural innovations and value-added products. Chouhan sought feedback from farmers on schemes related to agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, and guided them on best practices. During the 'Chaupal' dialogue, he gathered ground-level feedback on various schemes and interacted with farmers from neighboring districts as well. In the first 'Chaupal', Chouhan conversed with farmers from Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts associated with PM-DDKY. These districts are part of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. He stated that under this scheme, 36 schemes of 11 central ministries are being integrated to deliver comprehensive benefits to farmers. He reviewed the progress of scheme convergence with heads of the four participating KVKs. Farmers expressed their satisfaction with natural farming, Mundu chili cultivation, pulses and oilseeds CFLDs, and other projects. In the second 'Chaupal', Shivraj Singh laid special emphasis on natural farming and the National Pulses Mission, stating that this unique initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make the country self-reliant in pulses production. He mentioned that states such as Tamil Nadu will greatly benefit from this mission through improved varieties, advanced technology, and assured marketing. He also appreciated the advanced pulses varieties developed by the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban, under TNAU. The Union Minister patiently heard farmers' grievances and assured that concrete steps will be taken to address pest and disease issues affecting coconut crops. He added that to mitigate the impact of price decline due to glut in mango production, efforts will be made to establish value-addition and processing units. He also assured that all eligible farmers in Tamil Nadu will be linked to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to ensure maximum outreach and benefit. In his address, Shivraj Singh expressed deep admiration for the hard-working farmers of Tamil Nadu, their culture, and values. He assured that he would visit Tamil Nadu again to interact directly with farmers on natural farming and related initiatives. The event was attended by senior officials, including the Director of Tamil Nadu's Agriculture, Horticulture & Farmers Welfare Department; Vice Chancellor of TNAU R. Tamizhvendan; Director of ICAR-ATARI Hyderabad Shaik N. Meera; Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Initha; State Horticulture Commissioner Kumaravel Pandian, senior officers from TNAU and TANUVAS, and representatives from ICAR, agriculture, horticulture, livestock, and allied sectors. Hundreds of farmers participated in the programme, showcasing enthusiasm for agricultural development efforts at both central and state levels. 'Drone Didis' and 'Lakhpati Didis' associated with self-help groups also joined the interaction. (ANI) There's a change coming to crypto crime, and North Korea's state-backed hackers are in the vanguard. There's no longer any need for dozens of expensively educated programmers to analyze blockchain code and smart contracts for vulnerabilities, it's now possible to set AI to the task, according to Kostas Kryptos Chalkias, co-founder and chief cryptographer of Mysten Labs. Large language models represent a greater threat to the industry than quantum computing, which potentially would work so fast that the encryption algorithms used become obsolete. Pyongyangs cyber units, responsible for stealing an estimated $2 billion in crypto already this year, have begun integrating large language models into nearly every stage of their attacks: reconnaissance, phishing, code analysis and laundering the proceeds, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI is the best tool Ive ever had as a white-hat hacker, Chalkias said in an interview with CoinDesk. And you can imagine what happens when its in the wrong hands. AI-driven theft at record scale The Lazarus Group, the country's most notorious hacking unit, has already set records in 2025. Investigators say the $1.5 billion Bybit breach in February, attributed by the FBI to North Korean operatives, was the largest crypto hack in history. Whats new this year, Chalkias said, is automation. Using AI models similar to ChatGPT and Claude, attackers can now analyze open-source codebases across multiple blockchains, flag likely vulnerabilities and mirror successful exploits from one ecosystem to another. AI can combine data from previous hacks and immediately spot the same weakness elsewhere, he explained. A human cant manually scan thousands of smart contracts, but an AI can do it in minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That ability turns a small cell of state hackers into something resembling a digital industrial complex. You can scale your attack surface with a single prompt, Chalkias said. Thats what makes it dangerous. Security researchers at Microsoft and Mandiant have worked together on the trend, documenting a rise in AI-assisted phishing, deepfake impersonations and synthetic job applications used by North Korean operatives posing as Western software developers. The regimes AI toolkit now spans the entire intrusion chain from social engineering, code analysis and cross-chain exploitation to laundering, which uses pattern-recognition algorithms to track liquidity paths through mixers and OTC brokers, automating obfuscation. Quantum: Still distant, but looming For years, the industrys doomsday scenario centered on quantum computing: Machines powerful enough to crack bitcoins SHA-56 encryption and unlock millions of dormant coins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chalkias, who holds a doctorate in identity-based cryptography and has spent more than a decade researching post-quantum algorithms, remains calm. Theres no evidence today that any computer, even a classified one, can break modern cryptography, he said. Were at least 10 years away from that. He credits organizations like the U.S.' National Security Agency and Enisa, the European Union's agency for cybersecurity, for pushing early adoption of quantum-safe standards, and frames those efforts as preventive rather than reactive. Mysten Labs, developer of the Sui blockchain, is already building migration tools that will let users shift funds into quantum-resistant accounts when the time comes. Chalkias worries that AI might bring that date closer by helping physicists design new materials or error-correction methods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The combination of AI and quantum is what freaks me out, he said. We might have created a new species, and we cant predict its pace. The bigger and faster threat While quantum threats remain theoretical, AI is currently breaking things at a rate of knots. DeFi platforms are particularly exposed, Chalkias said, because open-source code allows AI models, friendly or hostile, to comb through every line of logic. AI makes it trivial to find mirrored bugs across protocols, he said. If one oracle fails, dozens may share the same flaw. He predicts that regulators will soon require continuous, AI-aware auditing for exchanges and smart-contract platforms, essentially a standing red-team that reruns vulnerability scans every time a major AI model is updated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each new version of GPT or Claude finds different weaknesses, he said. If youre not testing against them, youre already behind. Still, AI is a double-edged sword and can be used defensively as well as in attack. That means embedding AI-based security into wallets, custodians, and exchanges, and re-auditing smart contracts continuously. It also means preparing for the long-term quantum transition now, before regulation forces it. Unless we build anti-AI defenses into everything we do, he warned, well always be one step behind. North Koreas Next Move Beyond pure hacking, North Korea has begun experimenting with AI-generated propaganda and disinformation, according to Western intelligence agencies. But Chalkias said he believes the countrys most potent near-term weapon remains AI-enhanced social engineering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether North Korea could ever build the first quantum computer, he laughed. No, he said. The real race is between the U.S. and China. North Korea will overuse AI for phishing, deepfakes and deception. Thats where their strength lies. Even without quantum capability, AI lets hackers simulate legitimate users, mimic transactions, and launder funds with unprecedented subtlety. They dont need quantum to break crypto, Chalkias said. They just need AI to make the attack invisible. A Norwegian Cruise Line ship rescued more than 60 people in the Ionian Sea. The cruise lines Norwegian Epic vessel responded to a search and rescue operation in coordination with Greek authorities on Oct. 22 and brought 63 individuals to safety, according to the company. The individuals were brought on board and tended to by the ships crew who provided a medical evaluation, food and other items for their comfort, Norwegian told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. Following a mandatory directive from the Rescue Coordination Centre, the ship proceeded to Kalamata, Greece where the rescued individuals were turned over to the Greek authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cruise line did not specify who the people rescued were. Greek authorities did not immediately respond to USA TODAYs request for comment. The ship departed on Oct. 21 from Civitavecchia, Italy, for a cruise with scheduled stops in Greece, Malta, Italy and France, according to CruiseMapper. The vessel has since resumed its itinerary. We appreciate our guests' patience and understanding during this unexpected interruption to their journey, Norwegian added. The news comes after a Holland America Line ship rescued two people from a sailing vessel in distress in August during a cruise from Boston to Quebec City, Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Norwegian Cruise Line ship rescues 63 people in the Ionian Sea The number of deportations from Germany has risen significantly this year, according to government figures released on Saturday. From January to September, 17,651 people were deported, compared to 14,706 in the same period last year, an increase of around one fifth. The figures are included in a federal government's response to a request from The Left party in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of those affected were deported to Turkey (1,614) and Georgia (1,379). Almost one in five of those deported (3,095) were children or young people. Clara Bunger, interior policy expert for The Left party, sharply criticized the rise. "When it comes to driving up the number of deportations, the authorities hardly know any taboos anymore," she told the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper. "Mass deportations to a country like Turkey, which oppresses left-wingers, Kurds and opposition figures? Apparently no problem under the current political circumstances in Germany," she said. Registered nurses will hold a one-day strike Thursday, Oct. 30, at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. About 3,100 nurses represented by California Nurses Association have been in contract talks with Tenet Healthcare Corp. for nine months. The union said there has been little or no movement on key issues on the bargaining table. The scheduled strike includes nurses at the two hospitals in Stanislaus County, as well as nursing staff at Doctors Hospital Manteca and three Tenet-owned hospitals in other parts of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nurses association originally voted to authorize a hospital strike in early September. The union gave 10 days advance notice of the labor action set for next week so the company could make alternative arrangements for patient care at affected facilities. Its clear to the nurses that Tenet is prioritizing profits over patients, Joeton Labos, a Bay Area intensive care nurse, said in a union news release. We continue to lose experienced nurses to other area hospitals, which jeopardizes our ability to provide safe patient care. Doctors Medical Center and Emanuel are part of the Central Valley Doctors Health System, which issued a statement that the hospitals will provide quality patient care during the strike called by the labor union. In the statement, the hospital owner expressed disappointment the union members decided to strike. The company has been negotiating in good faith to reach a new contract, the statement said, adding the nurses union didnt accept Tenets proposal to resolve the issues through mediation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than engage in productive mediation and negotiations, the union provided us with its intent to strike, the statement said. We stand ready to resume good faith negotiations at the strikes conclusion. The previous labor contract with the registered nurses ended June 30. Aside from wage increases, the union news release said other issues in the negotiations include guaranteed meal and rest break coverage, better recruitment and retention of experienced nurses, teams to assist with lifting patients, and safe staffing practices. Organized union actions also rattled Kaiser Permanente hospitals this month. About 31,000 nurses and other healthcare workers at Kaiser facilities in California, Oregon and Hawaii were on strike for five days before labor negotiations resumed Monday. Tenet Healthcare, based in Dallas, is a diversified healthcare services company that operates medical centers, specialty hospitals and outpatient facilities. Its network includes United Surgical Partners International, which operates more than 500 ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals across the country. San Antonio's flood watch continues. Following overnight showers from scattered storms that brought one to two inches of rainfall in the area, the National Weather Service has extended their flood watch warning here and for portions of the Hill Country, I-35 corridor, and coastal plains until 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. Another round of storms are expected to develop for locations mainly along and east of highway 281 from this afternoon into early evening. Locally heavy rain and severe storms could be possible with this round as well. A Flood Watch remains for portions of area until 9 PM. #txwx pic.twitter.com/EA1OGx4jdJ - NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) October 25, 2025 This morning's ongoing showers and storms around San Antonio are expected to weaken and move east in a few hours, according to the weather agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later this afternoon though, through the evening hours, a re-development of rainfall is expected to hit portions of the northeast Hill Country, I-35 corridor (which is mainly north of San Antonio), and portions of the Coastal Plains.The scattered thunderstorms could result in additional severe weather, with a level 2 of 5 risk. Threats include damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado. The NWS warns residents that there is a risk for severe storms and pockets of heavy rainfall this afternoon and early evening. So, be mindful when leaving your homes. Continue to monitor the forecast for updates and stay weather aware. Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. "Additional pockets of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts will be possible, which could lead to isolated flash flooding," the weather agency warns. "Stay Weather aware! Turn around, don't drown!" San Antonio neighbor cancels homecoming parade Due to today's severe weather, one of San Antonio's closest neighbors had to cancel one of their homecoming celebrations. According to a post on their Facebook page, students at Lytle High School will have to participate in their annual homecoming parade on a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Due to the more than two inches of rain we've already received - and with conditions not expected to clear out until parade setup time - we must cancel today's Lytle Pirate Homecoming Parade," the post reads. "We know how much our community looks forward to celebrating our students and showing Pirate pride, but everyone's safety must come first. We appreciate your understanding and continued support for our Lytle Pirates!" However, all indoor activities scheduled for later in the day are still on the board, the school says. This article originally published at NWS: Flood watch extended for San Antonio, much of Hill Country. A Manhattan bar bizarrely stole its employees identity, then saddled her with $2.5 million in tax liabilities by misrepresenting the worker as an owner or officer of the company, a lawsuit claims. Aleksandra Putnam worked as a payroll processor and operations manager, between 2016 and 2023, for Elizabeth Slavutsky and Armando Soto a married couple who own and operate Blue Dog Cookhouse and Bar at Two Worldwide Plaza in Hells Kitchen. Aleksandra Putnam is relying on loans from friends to cover her bills. Leonardo Munoz She even helped the pair expand its operations into Florida, moving to the Sunshine State in 2021 to oversee the opening of a Blue Dog location in Boca Raton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this summer, Putnam began receiving notices, claiming she owed taxes on Blue Dogs behalf. When she reached out to Slavutsky, the restaurateur claimed it was a mistake, according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. Yet Putnams bank accounts were frozen soon after and tax records reported her owing $2.5 million in arrears. The Blue Dog Cookhouse and Bar first opened in 2006. Helayne Seidman I cant sleep normally, and I have a lot of health issues caused by all of this, Putnam, who lives on the Upper West Side, told The Post, adding shes been unable to pay for her elderly mothers care in Macedonia as her accounts remain frozen. Putnam has even resorted to asking friends for financial support, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit alleges the couple knew what they were doing, and have done nothing to remedy the situation. Putnam (pictured with attorney James DeCristofaro) has developed health issues because of the situation. Leonardo Munoz Aleksandra needs her life back, said her attorney, James DeCristofaro. Putnam is urging the courts to unblock her accounts, order the New York tax department to return the money they took, and produce a formal declaration that its her ex-employers who owe the $2.5 million in back taxes. Putnams bank balance is in the red by more than a million, according to court records. Obtained by the New York Post The state says Putnam is responsible for more than $2 million in taxes for Blue Dog. Obtained by the New York Post Both Blue Dog establishments remain open. The defamation and fraud suit also seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages. Defendants knowingly made false representations, including statements to financial institutions, enforcement officers, and agencies, asserting that plaintiff was responsible for Blue Dogs debts, the suit reads. The restaurant did not respond to emails seeking comment. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Just 183 votes marked the difference in Republican Chris Obenshains 2023 victory over Democrat Lily Franklin for the 41st district seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. It was an incredibly close race last time, said Del. Obenshain. There wasnt as much focus on it last time. Theres a lot more focus this time. And obviously, Im fighting hard to defend the seat. Part of the reason theres so much intrigue this time around is that the matchup is the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin is once again challenging Obenshain for the seat, saying she decided to throw her hat back in the ring after seeing the impact Hurricane Helene had on Southwest Virginia in the fall of 2024, and what she says was a lack of action from Virginias elected officials to provide relief to the area. That is the work that youre supposed to be doing for constituents, said Franklin. I appreciate that they were out there visiting folks, but we need to make sure that were getting funding, and the state really didnt issue any type of strong funding until June of the following year. And those people were left behind. They were displaced from their homes. In 2023, the two candidates combined to spend more than $1.5 million on their campaigns, with Franklin pacing the race with more than $961,000 invested, while Obenshain put down more than $593,000. This year, both candidates have upped the ante, with the understanding that the states eyes are on this race, which could flip in either partys direction if the 2023 results are any indication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Franklin has spent more than $1.3 million on the 2025 race, while Obenshain has more than doubled his 2023 investment at more than $1.1 million spent. Franklin is hopeful that an increase in spending will help her chances, but said that an earlier campaign start and more exposure for the race will likely make a bigger difference. I think one of the biggest things since I ran last time, when it came so close, is that theres been more investment in this region by my party, said Franklin. Ive been building connections across the state of Virginia. I worked with Abigail Spanberger. I was the first race she actually invested in, and weve been partners in making sure that she sees Southwest Virginia. Obenshain is more than ready to defend his seat, though, and says he feels his record speaks for itself. Photos courtesy of Chris Obenshain for Delegate website and Lily Franklin for Delegate Website I told folks two years ago when I ran for the House of Delegates that I was going to be a voice for them in Richmond, said Obenshain, who grew up in Southwest Roanoke County and now lives with his family in Blacksburg. That I was going to use my experience to bring legislation that makes their life better, that puts money back in their pocket, that tries to reduce costs, tries to protect their families, and make their communities safer. That Id support law enforcement. Ive done all those things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement History would back Obenshains case, as the district, which covers Montgomery County and part of Roanoke County, has traditionally leaned Republican in a deep red region of the state. But Franklin carried Democrats to the brink of flipping the seat in 2023 and said that if her campaign gets over the top this November, it could signal a broader resurgence for her party ahead of the 2026 midterms. I think that were going to send a large message across the nation if we win this seat, said Franklin, a fifth-generation Southwest Virginian and Northside High School graduate. One, we are going to pick back up the rural population, which Democrats have lost in a lot of places. And were also going to be picking up the college students that maybe fell off in 2024. The economy is near the top of each candidates list of priorities in 2025, starting with bringing more jobs to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obenshain is proud of the work the region has done in adding employment opportunities across a variety of sectors over the past two years and hopes to continue that work if re-elected. One thing Ive focused on over the last two years is continuing to grow our economy here in Southwest Virginia and grow it in a diverse way, said Obenshain. We want to have different types of businesses, different types of jobs that are available to folks. Franklin is focused on strengthening other aspects of the community, such as healthcare access and public schools, to make jobs more attractive to potential employees considering moving to the region. We also need to make sure that this is a community that employers want to come to, said Franklin. Making sure our schools are strong, that we have hospitals, that we dont have rural health care gaps, that we have those tools and resources that bring people to this region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both candidates also say theyre committed to lowering the cost of living. For Franklin, that starts with more affordable housing. The biggest thing I hear knocking on doors is they want somebody thats going to lower costs, said Franklin. Some of the most immediate actions we can take is lowering the cost of housing here in the region. Pointing to the recent Virginia tax rebate and Appalachian Power Companys decision earlier this week to reduce the fuel charge on peoples bills, Obenshain says his record shows a concentrated effort to lower his constituents bills. Were working to put some of that money back in peoples pockets, said Obenshain. To reduce costs, reduce taxes, and let people really be able to afford the things they need to afford and make the decisions that are best for their family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowering energy rates is high on Obenshains goals for a prospective second term, as he vows to continue fighting back against the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which aims to transition the state to 100% reliance on renewable energy by 2050. One thing the two candidates can agree on is an openness to bipartisan collaboration in a period of American politics marked by deep divisions along party lines. Both Obenshain and Franklin say they are deeply committed to representing the interests of Southwest Virginians over one party or the other. Ive introduced legislation to reduce the cost of childcare, said Obenshain. That affects everybody. Democrat, Republican, independent alike. Ive introduced legislation to provide more services to children with disabilities. That affects every family equally. It doesnt discriminate by party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its bipartisan or through my party, Im going to be fighting for this region, said Franklin. You will not elect somebody whos going to fight harder for Southwest Virginia than myself. Early voting runs through Saturday, November 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. (NewsNation) The nearly half-ton charred object that crashed in Australia earlier this month is likely debris from a Chinese rocket that fell back to Earth, experts say. Officials from the Western Australia Police Force said miners in the Pilbara region reported discovering the blackened, smoldering mass Oct. 18 near a remote access road. The suspected space debris has been described in media reports as being 5 feet wide, weighing 660 pounds and comprised of carbon fiber. Government officials ruled out commercial aircraft. In the following days, a variety of aerospace experts ventured to guess that the object was part of a man-made spacecraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latest mystery surrounding 31/Atlas comet: Presence of metal alloy This smoldering mass was reported Oct. 18 in Western Australia. (Western Australia Police Force) Marco Langbroek, an aerospace engineering analyst in the Netherlands, said the object appeared to be the type of composite overwrapped pressure vessel that holds high-pressure gases and liquids within rockets. He said COPVs typically can survive reentry into the atmosphere. Langbroek and others speculated the debris came from the upper stage of a solid-fueled Chinese Jielong 3 rocket, which typically are more than 100 feet tall. Firm answers may never materialize, observers say, because of the secrecy surrounding Chinas space program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that strict action will be taken against those who are guilty in the suicide of a woman doctor at the Sub-District Hospital in Satara. The Chief Minister, however, added that politicising "such a sensitive issue is very insensitive." "This is a very serious issue. A young doctor wrote her suicide note on her hand before committing suicide. It is very unfortunate, and the government, immediately taking action, has suspended the concerned police officials, and arrests are also being made," Fadnavis told reporters. "No one will be spared. Strict action will be taken... Politicising such a sensitive issue is very insensitive," he added. Meanwhile, the Satara police have arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case. Speaking to reporters, Satara Superintendent of Police (SP) Tushar Doshi said, "Police arrested Prashant Bankar, one of the two accused in the suicide case of a woman doctor in Phaltan taluka. He will be produced in court today. The other accused, Police Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne, is still absconding, and a search is underway to nab him." Earlier, speaking on the case, SP Doshi said, "A woman doctor committed suicide. A note was found written on her palm naming two people, including a police official. A case has been registered against them under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. The accused PSI has been suspended from duty. Our teams are trying to locate the two accused. A thorough probe and stringent action will be taken." Officials said that the woman doctor died by suicide in Satara on Friday, leaving a note written on her hand that named a police official and two others. The victim's cousin alleged that the doctor had been facing political pressure related to her work. "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice," the cousin told ANI. Another cousin demanded strict punishment for those involved. "The accused should get the strictest of punishment," he said. In addition, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has condemned the death of Dr Sampada Mundhe at Phaltan in Maharashtra and has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident. (ANI) A Raleigh firefighter has been released from the hospital and is at home recovering after being hit by a vehicle while off-duty. The Raleigh Police Department says it's working to catch the person responsible. Police are releasing images the vehicle believed to have hit off-duty Raleigh Firefighter Michael Rhodes. Police say the driver kept going. Law enforcement is looking for a 2015 to 2017 Chrysler 200. The dark-colored 4-door sedan has damage to the passenger side, including a missing passenger-side view mirror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Rhodes was working his second job with a tree-cutting service along Skycrest Drive. Rhodes was directing traffic as a crew was removing tree limbs. Police says the driver drove passed stopped vehicles and struck the victim, before continuing east towards North New Hope Road. The Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association says of Rhodes on its Facebook page, "Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, which according to those around him likely saved his life." ABC11 is learning Rhodes' father also is Raleigh firefighter and we're being told first responders from the department stayed by Rhodes' bedside round-the-clock until he was released. The association is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest. SEE ALSO: New details revealed in Fayetteville crash that killed 3 E.E. Smith football players: Court docs EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall made a surprising and personal announcement in September: her own blood contains toxic chemicals known as PFAS, reported Phys.org. PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," are being found in more and more people across Europe and the world. Now, even this top EU official leading the fight against pollution says she is directly affected. "It shows that I'm not free from PFAS," Roswall said, as reported by Phys.org. "Some of the PFAS in my blood are toxic for reproductive health." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her test result is a wake-up call for all of us. What's happening? In July, Roswall joined other EU ministers in undergoing a voluntary blood test to check for PFAS. They're synthetic chemicals found in items like nonstick pans and stain-proof carpets. These chemicals are known for being extremely long-lasting in the environment and the human body. The results? Roswall tested positive for six out of 13 types of PFAS, including three known to be harmful to reproductive health. Some levels in her blood were above what experts consider safe. "Citizens are increasingly exposed to PFAS in their blood," she said, as reported by Phys.org. "I myself am no exception." Why is this concerning? PFAS are linked to a long list of health issues. These include liver damage, high cholesterol, low birth weight, reduced immune response, and several types of cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the worst part? Even low levels of these chemicals, over time, can cause harm. Taking action right now is crucial. Fighting plastic pollution is about our environment, our health, our families, and our future. And this action is led by and for people affected by plastic pollution (which is to say, all of us). What's being done about PFAS? Phys.org reported that Roswall said her test result has "strengthened [her] resolve" to act. The European Commission is planning to ban PFAS in consumer products by 2026, with some exceptions like medical tools. Work is also underway to update EU laws on how dangerous chemicals are made and used. But progress has been slow, and delays have pushed back needed reforms. Environmental groups are urging the EU not to stall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Roswall's openness and determination offer hope. Her personal story puts real people at the center of this issue. It has the power to help push the EU closer to a healthier, safer future for all. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. As ski towns around the world face an existential threat from warming temperatures, many of them are banding together to combat carbon pollution. What's happening? According to Ski Magazine, the non-profit Mountain Towns 2030 is having its annual summit in Breckenridge, Colorado, to discuss how to achieve a lofty goal: net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Why are emissions important to mountain towns? While our warming planet impacts everyone, mountain towns and ski towns like Breckenridge and Park City, Utah, are among the most at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mountain communities are on the front lines of climate change," said Chris Steinkamp, MT2030's executive director, according to Ski Magazine. "Record-setting heat, warmer and wetter winters, and mega-droughts fueling devastating wildfires have made climate impacts an ever-present and visible threat. "These changes pose a direct risk to the future of mountain and ski resort communities as we know them," Steinkamp continued. "As four-season destinations, our livelihoods, mountain culture, and local economies are increasingly vulnerable. Every business from small local shops to major ski resorts faces an economic imperative to act." Ski towns rely heavily on consistent, predictable weather patterns to function. Because they're beholden to snow for their business, rising temperatures and less precipitation spell big trouble for the industry. While extreme weather has always existed, the consensus of climate experts is that the human-induced climate crisis is supercharging these events, like snow droughts. What's being done about the risks around our warming planet? These ski towns aren't taking their lumps from our shifting weather patterns lying down. Park City and others have set goals of net-zero emissions by 2030, and MT2030 holds summits like the one in Breckenridge to help towns plan and prepare ways to achieve that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Park City had just set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030," Steinkamp said, per Ski Magazine. "And while having Park City set this historic goal was a critical first step, they recognized that real impact would only come if other mountain towns could do the same. By leveraging all of the data and insights that Park City had, they could help other communities set the same goal, but quicker." The towns have the backing of several large resort companies in their efforts, and MT2030 has helped to get legislation passed in a variety of municipalities to push toward their goals. "Climate change shouldn't be a red-versus-blue issue, and we are working hard to make this conversation bipartisan by focusing on common ground and solutions that build climate resilient and economically vibrant communities for everyone," Steinkamp said, according to Ski Magazine. "We're not pointing fingers anywhere, but we are advocating for clean-energy solutions like solar, wind, and geothermal," he added. "Our approach focuses on achievable, systemic solutions that deliver the greatest impact on reducing emissions while leveraging the economic benefits of clean energy." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. New York State enacted a statewide burn ban from Oct. 2 to 16 in response to high levels of drought upstate. According to Syracuse.com, Rochester only saw 3.81 inches of rain between July and September. That's even worse than the drought of 1887. On Oct. 2, the U.S. Drought Monitor's weekly report "placed the Rochester area in the severe drought category. That's the third of five levels of drought," per Syracuse.com. What's happening? Rochester isn't the only upstate area facing a drought. Buffalo is also in the fourth drought category, the driest the city has seen since 1935. The snow melt and rainfall are 10 inches below normal levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the upstate cities are under a drought warning. Why are Upstate New York droughts concerning? According to the drought monitor, "In a severe drought, groundwater level declines, irrigation ponds dry up, trees are stressed and more susceptible to insect pests, and fire danger increases," Syracuse.com reported. While droughts and other extreme weather events like hurricanes were always going to happen, rising temperatures have intensified them. Additionally, researchers in Madagascar now have enough data that shows the rising temperatures were directly linked to the drought conditions in the country in 2024. They looked at data for several years, including back to the 1980s. What's being done about droughts? Dirty energy sources are causing the polluting gases that are warming the planet, so the best way to protect against droughts and other extreme weather events intensifying is to lessen society's reliance on these dirty energy sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to do that is to install solar panels, and comparing quotes with EnergySage's free online marketplace is a great starting point. It can even help you save up to $10,000 on installation. Not only can solar panels cut down on the toxic gases, but they can even help you save about $3,000 per year on your energy bills. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Hurricane watches remain in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti and portions of Jamaica as dangerous Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to strengthen into the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic Hurricane Season this year. Melissa has already proven to be deadly. Haiti's civil protection agency says three people have already been killed in the country, per the New York Times. Two deaths were the result of a landslide in Port-au-Prince, while the third was caused by a falling tree on the country's south coast in the town of Marigot. More devastation to the region could be coming with the forecast for the near-stationary storm to move slowly closer to Haiti and Jamaica over the next few days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Due to Melissa's slow motion, the risk of a prolonged multi-day period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides, and storm surge continues to increase for Jamaica," warns a National Hurricane Center (NHC) statement. The NHC's key message for Haiti is just as dire. "Heavy rainfall will result in catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across southwestern Haiti by this weekend into early next week," added the NHC statement. "Extensive damage to roads and buildings is expected, potentially isolating communities for an extended period of time." Melissa is forecast to be a prolific rainmaker, dumping between 10 and 20 inches of rain across portions of southwestern Haiti and eastern Jamaica through Monday, with even locally higher amounts possible. The torrential rain will lead to life-threatening flash flooding as well as numerous landslides. Tropical Storm Melissa was located around 215 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 250 miles southwest of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, moving east/southeast at just two miles per hour early Friday. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa is expected to take a slow turn toward the northeast and then the north. That should be followed by a westward turn on Saturday, with that same motion continuing through Monday. The forecast track takes the center of Melissa to near or just south of Jamaica early next week, but NHC meteorologists caution that the timing and track of Melissa still remain uncertain. Friday's NHC forecast discussion for Melissa states that conditions over the next 24 hours still appear favorable for the tropical cyclone to undergo rapid intensification. Some computer models suggest it could reach Category 4 strength or higher, depending on when the rapid intensification begins. Scientists say our overheating planet is supercharging tropical cyclones. There were 177 landfalling Atlantic tropical cyclones that rapidly intensified, increasing their maximum sustained winds by at least 35 miles per hour in a 24-hour period, from 1980 to 2023, according to non-profit Climate Central. Nearly a fourth of the storms underwent extreme rapid intensification: a jump in maximum sustained winds of at least 58 miles per hour in a 24-hour period. Do you feel safe drinking the tap water where you live? Always Most of the time Not usually Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Warming oceans are fueling stronger tropical cyclones the most costly weather disasters in the U.S.," said Climate Central researchers. "Recent research suggests that warmer sea surface temperatures may contribute to an increased fraction of tropical cyclones that undergo rapid intensification." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three out of the four hurricanes that have formed during this year's Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Erin, Hurricane Gabrielle, and Hurricane Humberto, all experienced rapid intensification. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. With increasing information on the problems with single-use plastics, governments around the world are making moves to limit the use of the polluting material. According to Page One, the mayor of Baguio, Philippines, has reinforced a previous ban on single-use plastics in government facilities. "This action aims to protect our environment and health, conserve resources, reduce plastic pollution, and set a positive example for our economy," Mayor Benjamin Magalong said, per Page One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magalong stated that the intent of the ban is not only to keep these items from the buildings, but also to create an example for citizens and hopefully other cities to follow. Bans on plastic are growing popular across the world. California is set to ban plastic bags by 2026, and Oregon and Illinois have similar proposals in the works. Meanwhile, government buildings in Quezon City, Philippines, have an identical ban to those in Baguio. The issues surrounding single-use plastic are increasingly clear. While more obvious ones include its tendency to end up in oceans, harming sea life, and polluting waterways, newer research shows how plastic harms human bodies. Studies have revealed that plastic can interact with the body's natural functions to create health problems such as infertility and cancer. Even more recently, a study published in Nature Medicine showed the link between plastic found in the brain and cognitive issues such as dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the items mentioned in the ban include disposable cutlery, to-go boxes, and plastic cups. The city highlights some great alternatives, such as switching to reusable water bottles, or more biodegradable packaging options. Though not all of us have the ability to enact immediate legislative change, reducing your personal use of plastics and instead turning toward greener, cleaner options, helps you take part in the possibility of a plastic-free future. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Bradford pear trees are beautiful and popular among homeowners because of their fluffy blooms and vibrant red color. However, they are also an invasive species that is harming local ecosystems in Indiana and elsewhere. What's happening? As the Indy Star reported, Bradford pear trees are ruining natural landscapes due to their cross-pollination and seed dispersal. The trees are taking over areas that were once home to native grasses and flowers around Indianapolis. Biologists and horticulturists are asking people to cut down their Bradford pear trees to prevent this invasive species from running rampant in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To be frank, if we continue to adorn our landscapes with invasive plants from other countries (in essence, celebrating the natural beauty of other countries instead of our own), then we are negatively impacting this country," Dawn Slack from the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasive Species Management told the Indy Star. Why is controlling invasive species important? When invasive species are allowed to spread, they outcompete native plants and reduce the natural food supply for nearby animals and insects. Invasive species contribute to the decline and extinction of native populations that are essential to the global food chain. In this way, they disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems and can even impact human health by spreading disease. Economically, invasive plants impose a financial burden, causing billions of dollars in damage each year by disrupting utilities, harming crops, and threatening livestock. What's being done to limit the spread of invasive species? In Indiana, programs are in place to combat invasive species and reduce their presence in local communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Hamilton County, Indiana, residents can remove invasive plant species and qualify to receive free native trees to replace them. Also, the city of Carmel, Indiana, has removed dozens of invasive pear trees as part of a long-term plan to phase them out of local ecosystems. Elsewhere, scientists have been working on sustainable solutions to controlling invasive species to preserve forests, cities, and rural areas. You can do your part to raise awareness about critical climate issues, like invasive plants, by learning which plants are invasive where you live and advocating for removal programs. You can also set a positive example for your friends and neighbors by rewilding your yard and restoring native plant and animal habitats where you live. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. New York City may soon turn its sweltering summer streets into cooler, safer spaces. A new bill has proposed a $5.5 million "cool pavement" pilot program. This program could transform how the city manages heat, water, and even neighborhood health, according to the New York Post. The proposal, introduced by Brooklyn Councilmember Sandy Nurse, calls for a two-year pilot program that would install reflective cool pavement. At least one neighborhood in each of the city's five boroughs would receive this pavement by 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project would focus on areas with the hottest summer surface temperatures and the lowest median incomes. These neighborhoods often bear the brunt of rising urban heat. "Cool pavement offers additional benefits, including decreased stormwater runoff, improved water quality, enhanced street safety, and better nighttime visibility depending on the treatment," Nurse told PIX 11 News. She added that the lighter-colored surfaces can make the city feel up to eight degrees cooler in the summer. Traditional asphalt absorbs and radiates heat. But the proposed cool pavements utilize reflective coatings and lighter materials that bounce sunlight away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this can reduce local air temperatures and lessen heat-related risks. It can even extend the life of roads by limiting heat damage. The city's Department of Transportation would lead the project in partnership with the Department of Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. The DOT will submit a report on the results to the mayor and City Council within six months. If successful, the program could lead the way toward cooler, more resilient neighborhoods. This kind of innovation is crucial as cities look for creative ways to adapt to rising global temperatures. Similar initiatives are already underway in Los Angeles and Phoenix, where cool pavements have been shown to lower surface temperatures by up to 10 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative could make the Big Apple a model for other major cities searching for practical ways to cool down urban spaces. Smart city infrastructure can help protect public health and make our neighborhoods more livable. This change is vital for communities to adapt to the challenges of rising temperatures. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. LIMA As the final weeks of the November election season come to a close, some candidates are already working to position themselves well for next years election. One candidate who is working to introduce herself more broadly to the state is Ohio Sen. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, a Summit County legislator hoping to succeed the states term-limited treasurer, Robert Sprague. Roegners campaign brought her to Allen County on Friday morning as she is working her way through western Ohio. People in northeast Ohio know me, she said. Over the years, Ive represented five different counties out there: Wayne, Stark, Summit, Portage and Geauga. I want to get to know people more on this western side of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roegner, 56, spent eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives before transitioning to the Senate, where she is completing her second four-year term next year. When it comes to being a Republican in a largely Democratic part of the state, even describing herself as a strong Christian conservative, Roegner points to her work on what she called common sense issues as a key to her longevity and success. Something Im very well known for in the Statehouse is my leadership on occupational licensure, she said, having worked to help Ohio enter into multi-state licensure compacts for a variety of healthcare occupations. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, people appreciate those very real things that help people. Her educational background includes a mechanical engineering degree from Tufts University and later a finance degree from the Wharton School of Business. With her term in the Senate drawing to a close and her three daughters now grown, Roegner is ready to serve in a statewide office, she said, with her education in finance along with her legislative experience make her an ideal candidate for state treasurer. Robert Sprague has done an outstanding job, and quite frankly, with Josh Mandel before him, I love what he did with putting the state checkbook online, she said. So Id like to maintain everything theyve done well, but in terms of what I would do differently, a couple of things come to mind. One is the unclaimed funds that are currenly housed in the Department of Commerce. They should be in the treasurers office. So Im working with some of my colleagues in Columbus to see if we can get those unwanted funds, which are $4.8 billion, sent over to the treasurers office. When Im treasurer, I will be very proactive in terms of trying to get people reunited with their unclaimed funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roegner also hopes to expand that transparency with the Ohio checkbook to municpal and school district funds, putting those numbers online for public access, as well. She also promotes increased financial literacy education and a robust onboarding process available for incoming county treasurers to help them in their work. Roegner is currently running for the Republican nomination against former state lawmakers Niraj Antani and Jay Edwards and Lake County Treasurer Mike Zuren. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that the Delhi government will launch its first official logo on the city's establishment day, 1 November 2025, highlighting the capital's heritage, development, and citizen-centric governance. In a post on X, Rekha Gupta wrote, "On the occasion of Delhi's establishment day on 1 November 2025, the Delhi government will launch its first official logo. This logo will reflect Delhi's modern, transparent, and citizen-welfare-oriented service culture. It will beautifully showcase the harmony of the capital's traditions, heritage, and development." https://x.com/gupta_rekha/status/1982102033055506831 The Chief Minister said the government is introducing an official logo to give the national capital a distinct identity, reflecting its democratic values, technological progress, and citizen participation. "Until now, Delhi has not had an official logo, whereas most states in the country have their own emblem that represents their unique identity. Our government began work in this direction as soon as it came to power, so that Delhi, too, could have an identity befitting its dignity. The objective of this initiative is to establish Delhi as a strong brand that conveys the message of democratic values, technological progress, and citizen participation," the post read. A day earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that Monday, October 27, will be a government holiday for Chhath Pooja, her office said in a release. CM Rekha Gupta stated that the holiday is being observed on Monday because the third day of this four-day festival is the most important. "On this day, devotees offer prayers to the setting Sun God at riversides or ponds at sunset. Preparations begin early in the morning, with families busy performing various rituals. Considering this, the government has declared 27 October a public holiday," as per the release. Extending her greetings to devotees, the Chief Minister said that Chhath is a festival dedicated to nature, where people worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. She added that the festival is also a symbol of faith, devotion, and cleanliness, sending a message of environmental protection through the worship of nature, water, and the Sun. (ANI) An Oklahoma City woman has been accused of voting twice in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. The state's multicounty grand jury indicted Victoria Vincenza Dill, 31, on Oct. 9 on a felony charge of voting illegally. The maximum punishment for the offense is five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. The indictment was made public Oct. 23 in Payne County District Court. Her defense attorney, Pearce Pittman, declined comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma State Election Board discovered Dill voted in person in Oklahoma County and submitted an absentee ballot in Payne County on the same day, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a news release. Dill, a Democrat, registered to vote in Oklahoma County two weeks before the general election, records show. She had registered to vote in Payne County before the 2020 general election. More: Walters-backed social studies standards will likely be changed, says Oklahoma schools chief "Every illegal vote cancels out a legitimate voter's voice and undermines public confidence in our elections," Drummond said. "My office will continue to investigate voter fraud and hold accountable those who violate Oklahoma's election laws." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criminal prosecutions for illegal voting are rare in Oklahoma, according to a database created by the Heritage Foundation, an influential conservative think tank. In 2021, the daughter of former state Rep. Jim Glover was charged in Comanche County District Court over the 2020 general election. She was accused in the misdemeanor case of submitting an absentee ballot in her father's name days after he died. The daughter was put on probation for 60 days after pleading no contest, a weekly newspaper, the Southwest Ledger, reported. She paid $466.50 in court costs and a $10 fine. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma woman accused in indictment of voting twice in 2024 general election JAY, Okla. Two Delaware County Sheriffs employees were fired for the alleged sexual assault of an inmate and for trying to cover it up. The now former Jailer Rebecca Chalakee, 31, was charged on Friday in Delaware County District Court in Jay with sexual battery, a felony, and former Interim Jail Administrator Joseph Quigley, 27, was charged with abuse by caretaker and filing a false or forged instrument, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of making a false statement during an investigation. Sexual acts or sexual contact between any staff person and an inmate, even if the inmate consents, initiates, or pursues, are always prohibited and always illegal, according to Oklahoma law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware Public Information Officer Cpt. Josh Bynum said both former employees were fired from the sheriffs office before being arrested on Friday and are scheduled for arraignment on Monday in Delaware County District Court. Although this is early in the investigation, Sheriff Ray Thomas ordered the release of this information about the arrests to underscore his commitment to transparency and accountability to the community his office serves, Bynum said. Delaware County Sheriffs Office finds human remains Former Deputy Charged with Drug Trafficking, Weapons Human Remains found in Delaware County Identified Due to the early stages of the investigation, Bynum said no other details would be released on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chalakee is free on $50,000 bail, and Quigley is free on $21,000 bail. This is a developing story, and we will bring you more on Monday after the pairs initial appearance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. One person has been killed and at least 10 injured in a nighttime Russian missile strike on the city of Kyiv. Source: Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram; Kyiv Police Quote: "One person was killed in the Russian attack last night. As of 09:00, 10 Kyiv residents have suffered injuries of varying severity." Details: The police specified that the body of a man had been recovered from under the rubble in the Desnianskyi district. Among the injured is a police officer. Multi-storey residential buildings, a kindergarten, shops and cars were damaged in the attack. Background: The nighttime Russian attack on 25 October caused damage in the Darnytskyi, Desnianskyi and Dniprovskyi districts of the capital. Several locations were engulfed in large-scale fires, including non-residential buildings. A kindergarten in the Dniprovskyi district was damaged, and windows were shattered and cars destroyed in residential areas. As of this morning, at least nine people were reported injured, three of whom were hospitalised. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Two people were taken by ambulance to the hospital after a sedan crashed into a building on the Northside of Syracuse, Syracuse Police confirmed. Syracuse Police, Syracuse Fire, and AMR Ambulance were sent to the 800 block of Park Street just before 3:50 a.m. on October 25 for a report of a motor vehicle crash with a structure involved. It was a white sedan that crashed into the house on Park Street. The gas meter was struck by the sedan, and National Grid was called, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, one person in the sedan was extricated by AMR and Syracuse Fire. Eight people who live in the building are being helped by the Red Cross. NewsChannel 9 has reached out to the Syracuse Police Department for more information on the crash and on the condition of the person taken to the hospital. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. The former operator of Oklahoma's state park restaurants is being taken to court over a tax bill allegedly owed by his other business. The Oklahoma Tax Commission filed an injunction request against La Ratatouille, which does business as Falcone's Italian Restaurant, alleging the business hasn't filed returns and owes thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes. The court papers, filed Oct. 14, also name James Wilson, who was also the operator of six Lookout Kitchen restaurants at Oklahoma State Parks before they closed in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission has asked the Oklahoma County District Court to block Falcone's from operating until payment is guaranteed. The restaurant's website lists locations in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Ft. Sill and Tinker Air Force Base. It also has a mobile food truck. The judge hasn't set a hearing in the case, and Wilson hasn't yet responded in court. When reached by The Oklahoman on Oct. 24, however, Wilson chalked it up to a misunderstanding. "This has already been discussed, and we paid what was owed with the (Oklahoma) Tax Commission," Wilson said. "It was a missed filing from 2017 under a license we no longer have or use." According to documents filed in court by OTC, La Ratatouille is required to have a valid mixed beverage tax permit but currently doesn't. It's also required to file monthly reports and pay its mixed beverage taxes, which OTC claims hasn't been done. OTC also claims La Ratatouille hasn't filed its quarterly employee withholding returns or made payments to the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only tax filing period mentioned in court records is from April 2024; Wilson said that the missed 2017 filing was lumped in with that filing period when it was discovered. In total, the state says the company owes more than $14,700. Wilson said neither he nor his attorney were notified of the court filing. "We happened to stumble upon it last week and got it taken care of," he said. Wilson was already operating Falcone's before pitching his idea to run six restaurants inside Oklahoma's state parks. The Lookout Kitchen restaurants were operated by Wilson until September when the state announced all were being closed. The restaurants had already closed once in 2025 due to what the Oklahoma Department of Tourism described as "repeated failures to make outstanding payments and fulfill other contractual obligations to the state" totaling more than $250,000. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC pizzeria owes thousands of dollars in taxes, state contends Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the latest Trump envoy visiting Israel in a bid to keep the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan intact despite the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government which include, in Rubios words, threatening the peace deal by allowing preliminary approval of a bill to annex the West Bank. Following his trip to Israel last week, President Donald Trump has sent several senior officials to Jerusalem, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance and, most recently, Rubio. Its been almost two weeks since the deal to end the war in Gaza went into effect, with little clarity about its 20 points and an even smaller chance of implementing most of them. One part of the Trump plan, however, is unambiguous and should never have been up for negotiation in the first place: the commitment to protect civilians, in particular by facilitating humanitarian aid and allowing Palestinians to travel into and out of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The text of Trumps peace plan, which is the basis for the Oct. 10 ceasefire, reads more like one of his stream-of-consciousness social media posts than a binding agreement. It recognizes Palestinian statehood aspirations but establishes a neocolonial international board, chaired by Trump, to rule Palestinians in Gaza. It requires Hamas to disarm, even though Trump said it didn't "bother him much" that the group used violence to "take out a couple of gangs that were very bad" in Gaza. And its call for an international stabilization force, which Vance and Rubio were supposed to be brokering this week, seems destined to fail because, to start, theres no clarity about the role of Hamas or any other Palestinian actor; sporadic hostilities continue; and third-party countries dont want to be seen as occupying Gaza or fighting Hamas on Israels behalf. Rubio reiterated the pledge to set up an international force during a visit Friday to a U.S.-led command center in southern Israel but did not provide details. Other provisions have been partially implemented: Hamas has released the 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 15 others; Israel has released 1,968 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and repatriated the remains of 195 Palestinians; and Israeli troops withdrew to the so-called yellow line, reducing direct Israeli control to about half of Gazas territory. But the ceasefire plan also included commitments that should never have been part of political negotiations and have still not been met, like an Israeli promise to allow 600 trucks of desperately needed supplies into Gaza daily and an Israeli agreement to reopen Gazas Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt. More aid has entered Gaza since the ceasefire, but nutritious food, medical supplies and shelter materials remain catastrophically scarce, including in Gaza City, where experts declared a famine in August. International humanitarian law requires Israel to facilitate the rapid supply of international aid, as well as to actually pay for and provide essential supplies, as part of its obligations as an occupying power. The Israeli military has instead used starvation as a weapon of war, blocking food, medicine and other necessities from entering Gaza even as it has razed croplands, prohibited fishing and destroyed civilian infrastructure like reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants and hospitals. All of this has created conditions calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, which is part of the legal definition of genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government bears legal, moral and political responsibility for these crimes, because each year it supplies the Israeli military with billions of dollars of sophisticated weapons that have been used to block food supplies, unlawfully displace more than 90% of Gazas population and kill civilians unlawfully. At any moment in the past two years, the Biden and Trump administrations could have ended these abuses by suspending military aid and issuing targeted sanctions. But they chose not to. Thus Israel has continued to weaponize aid, with U.S. backing, contributing to the death of what experts believe to be thousands of people from malnutrition, infectious disease and lack of medical care. Thats in addition to more than 68,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, killed in attacks since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters killed and kidnapped hundreds of civilians in Israel in attacks that constituted crimes against humanity. Trumps ceasefire plan promised to immediately restore full aid to Gaza and finally allow travel. But since the ceasefire began, Israel has twice suspended humanitarian aid, alleging violations by Hamas, and it has repeatedly delayed the opening of the Rafah Crossing. Humanitarian aid, the right to health and the right to freedom of movement are legal obligations that the Israeli government owes Palestinians in Gaza, regardless of what Hamas does or doesnt do. In the same way, the release of civilian hostages by Palestinian armed groups was an absolute obligation that should never have been negotiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are tentative signs that the Trump administration is finally demanding relief for civilians in Gaza. After the Israeli government last Sunday alleged ceasefire violations and announced that it would obstruct humanitarian aid, the U.S. reportedly pressured Israel to quickly reverse course, and aid was restored. The ceasefire plan includes a rare U.S. acknowledgement that Palestinians in Gaza have suffered terribly, and its declaration that Palestinians in Gaza have a right to remain in Gaza supersedes, at least for now, Trumps earlier call to "level out" Gaza and transfer its population to other countries. The U.S. should never have allowed Israeli authorities to starve and forcibly displace civilians in Gaza, nearly half of whom are children. These visits from Rubio, Vance and others should be an opportunity to clarify that whatever else the U.S. ceasefire plan for Gaza means, it can and should mean an end to using human beings as bargaining chips. We shall see if that pans out. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Gregory Davis is really sorry for the disruption. For a Harvard resident dean, one would think that he was referencing a malfunctioning fire alarm, not years of racist, hateful messages. It is akin to Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger (D) referring to the poor choice of words of her endorsed candidate for attorney general, Jay Jones, when he said that he wanted to kill his political opponents and their children. These figures reflect the cynical calculation that apologies are just background music in an age of rage heard but not really registered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis personifies the unblinking hypocrisy of Harvard. For several months, Harvard faculty have been portraying themselves as victims of political intolerance after the Trump administration sought to force the university to restore intellectual diversity in its departments. The same faculty that spent years purging conservatives and dissenters from their school hyperventilated at the notion that anyone else should object to ideological conformity. For the record, I opposed measures directed at Harvard as inimical to free speech and academic freedom. Harvard has long been an example of the destruction of higher education in America and the lowering of academic standards to achieve far-left policies. However, Harvard is hardly worthy of sympathy, but it is not worth sacrificing the core principles of free speech to go after it. Years ago, Harvard faculty and students cancelled House Dean Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., a Harvard Law professor, because he dared to represent someone they disliked. Sullivan was fired after he offered legal advice to disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana yielded to the mob and declared that Sullivan had to go because the situation is untenable. So far, there is nothing untenable about House Dean Davis, who has encouraged hatred toward police, spewed racist viewpoints, and shrugged off the possible deaths of conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After President Trump contracted COVID-19 in 2020, Davis reportedly wrote, F that guy and added, I dont at all blame people wishing Trump ill. He later reposted the gif from Rocky IV where Ivan Drago says, If he dies, he dies. Critics have unearthed a long string of such unhinged, violent and hateful postings by Davis. He has responded with an effective shrug, insisting that his comments were made on social media prior to my start in the Resident Dean role. Some have challenged that claim as a lie, insisting that his call for people to hate police came when he was the Interim Resident Dean of Dunster House. Even if these statements were made entirely before Harvard selected him, they would still be damning. This was not a case where a faculty member or a house dean revealed himself as an extremist after tenure or appointment. Davis never hid his radicalism. Indeed, for Harvard, it might have been part of his attraction. Not long before his appointment, Davis suggested that Whiteness is a self-destructive ideology that annihilates everyone around it. By design. As a professor of critical race theory at UCLA and gender identity law at Southwestern Law School, Davis has helped fuel race-based anger against conservatives and police. He has written that everyone should ask your cop friends to quit since theyre racist and evil. In another post, he explained how Rioting and looting are parts of democracy just like voting and marching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis encouraged students who are Black or otherwise of color, queer, neurodivergent (ADHD), first-generation, a public high school graduate, from a low-income background, or from urban areas to reach out to him for advice. Like many radicals exposed for hateful comments, Davis deleted his postings and offered a perfunctory apology. It is the type of check-the-box apology that is now so common. Liberals like Zohran Mamdani spent years denouncing the law enforcement and calling for defunding of police, only to offer the same shrugged apologies when he ran for mayor. None of their radical supporters believes the apology any more than their critics. The key is that it was made, and the media can now move on without causing real damage. Davis describes himself on the school website as a Black, queer, neurodivergent (ADHD), first-generation, public school graduate from Detroit. He encourages students, therefore, to feel comfortable showing off [their] whole self with [him]. That hardly seems an inviting prospect if you are one of those evil people who want to go into law enforcement or one of those whose deaths appear to be of little concern to him. Still, Davis has little to fear. He hates the right groups. His rage is not dangerous but righteous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all, he did not offer representation to any unpopular defendant. At Harvard, that would be untenable. Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of the bestselling book The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As the national spotlight continues to shine on Des Moines Public Schools and the curious case of Ian Roberts, lingering in the shadows is a deeper problem: K-12 educations troubling love affair with race essentialism and advancing far-left ideologies. Regardless of whether the boards motivation in hiring Roberts was related to race, what is clear is that he and the district were big advocates of pushing a diversity, equity and inclusion agenda. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common theme that has permeated board rooms, conference rooms, and hiring committees from coast to coast. For years, school districts have scrambled to implement a wide range of left-wing social justice policies and procedures, particularly when it comes to hiring and retention practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiding behind the best practices claim that student learning is optimal from teachers who share the same skin color and lived experiences, districts have established goals and crafted methods to screen, hire, and retain faculty and staff based on identity and adherence to ideologies such as DEI and antiracism. In the case of Des Moines Public Schools, the districts affirmative action plan established recruitment goals, including an increase in the number of teachers of color in kindergarten by 8 percent and the number of teachers of color in second grade by 5 percent. The district also created what it called a Blue Contract, which gives new teachers the opportunity to earn a masters in Culturally Responsive Leadership free of charge through Drake University. The program focuses on building a strong foundation in equity and cultural proficiency. But its not only Des Moines Public Schools that is implementing these programs. Many districts across Iowa feature affirmative action plans which include race and sex-based hiring goals, require racial representation on hiring committees, and race-based teacher training programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, Waterloo Community School Districts plan features Teach Waterloo, a program in conjunction with the University of Northern Iowa that provides financial resources and resilience support for Waterloo staff of color seeking a teaching certification. Unfortunately, these practices are not limited to just a handful of districts in Iowa but have become standard in one form or another in states across the union. For example, Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky states in its racial equity policy that the district will attract, recruit, hire, and retain staff and leadership that more closely reflect the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the student body of the district. The districts Affirming Racial Equity Tool (now pulled offline) defined diverse as pertaining to any and all cultures that are NOT heterosexual, male-centered, white, Western, and/or Christian. Meanwhile, Californias La Honda-Pescadero Unified School Districts equity policy states that it is imperative that the district workforce represent the diversity of our students and families and set a goal of increasing the diversity of the workforce in at least 75 percent of new hires. A 2021 district hiring practices guide adds that the first round of applicants should be screened using redacted statements of contributions to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some districts post on their front-facing websites the intent to hire based on race or screen applicants for their commitment to far-left ideologies. For example, University Place School District in Washington declares that when administration is unable to hire educators of color to open positions, the district still plans to emphasize cultural responsiveness and competence in the people we hire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Brighton Central Schools in New York posted that job applicants were required to submit a Diversity Statement that shows their past and current efforts, as well as, future plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the district. Not only do these plans focus on hiring, but they often include retention efforts as well. For example, Bellingham Public Schools in Washington state released an affirmative action report that prioritizes retaining staff of color to meet diversity goals through various efforts such as identity-based affinity groups and negotiating with the teachers union to protect staff of color from reductions in force. These policies and practices not only raise concerns about legality but also prioritize characteristics that have no real bearing on the effectiveness and ability of educators to teach students to read or do math. Education leaders and K-12 administrators should not have the liberty to violate moral and legal standards to advance far-left anti-meritocratic ideologies. The fallout continues in Des Moines thanks to its surprising choice of superintendent. But there needs to be a broader focus from parents, state officials, and the federal government on exposing questionable, unethical, and possibly illegal hiring and retention practices implemented by districts. The Roberts saga should be the first of many investigations into a deeply corrupted education system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhyen Staley is the director of research for Defending Education. He has 15 years of experience as a public and private school teacher and coach at the middle, high school and college level. He is also the father of two school aged children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On Oct. 18, millions of Americans gathered for No Kings II peaceful rallies intended to demonstrate dissatisfaction with the road our nation is traveling. There were 500,000 in Boston; 200,000 in Los Angeles; 100,000 in San Francisco and Chicago. But those are hellhole cities, right? The tally was 25,000 in Houston, 20,000 in Tampa Bay, Florida, 18,000 in Burlington, Vermont, 11,000 in Dallas in the pouring rain. Another 10,000 in Salt Lake City and in San Antonio, Texas; 4,500 in Nashville and Provo. Nationwide estimates range from 5 million-7 million participants. Western North Carolina was well-represented. In Black Mountain, 2,400 people gathered in the town square. In Hendersonville, estimates range from 2,500-3,000 (Hendersonville Police) to 4,000-6,500 (crowd photo analysis.) In Sylva, 1,300-1,500. In Rutherford County, 525 people. In Burnsville, 710 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was among the estimated 6,000-12,000 people who turned out in Ashevilles Pack Square. I did not make a final decision to go until the last minute, since a recent knee replacement complicated things. But I arranged for a dropoff and a pickup, because I wanted to be there, to see it for myself. At the beginning, organizers emphasized the importance of keeping the peace, and identified peacekeepers who could be contacted if there were any problems. The rally in Asheville was peaceful, joyous, family-oriented. It reminded me of a cross between a farmers market and a Halloween street fair with all the costumes and clever signs. I saw frogs, dinosaurs, lobsters and clowns. There were little girls dressed as monarch butterflies (the only monarchs allowed) and fairies. Local musicians and performers took the stage as the setting sun colored the western sky. Children raced back and forth, playing tag and chasing bubbles. Dogs greeted one another as dogs do. After a peaceful march through downtown, the assembly ended with a candlelight vigil of cellphone flashlights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the big day, Republicans characterized the upcoming rallies as Hate America rallies. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) deployed the Texas National Guard, claiming the protests were antifa-linked. White House press secretary described the Democratic constituency as Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana called them hate America rallies and said its all the pro-Hamas wing and, you know, the antifa people. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said they would feature the most unhinged in the Democratic party. (CNN) It was a strange strategy. Maybe they were confused. Maybe they were thinking of the ugliness of January 6, 2021, when people Donald Trump describes as patriots broke into the Capitol. Five people died during and immediately after, including a rioter who was shot by the Capitol Police, and a police officer who died of a stroke a day after being assaulted by rioters and collapsing at the Capitol. Many people were injured, including 174 police officers. Four officers who responded to the attack died by suicide within seven months. More than 1200 people were charged, including 213 who pleaded to felonies that include assaults on federal officers, obstructing law enforcement and seditious conspiracy. Damages of $2.8 million were paid for by taxpayers. All of those folks have been pardoned now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that No Kings Day is over, I called my Republican Congressman, Chuck Edwards, to see if hed attended any of the rallies. I thought maybe the thousands of his neighbors gathering in front of the old Henderson County Courthouse in Hendersonville (his home town) had attracted his curiosity or attention. Especially because hes been spending his time working in the district, instead of in Washington, because of the government shutdown. His aide said Edwards hadnt mentioned it, and had no comment, as far as he knew. Others had more to say. After the events, the Austin Police Department posted on X: Thank you to everyone who participated in the No Kings March today.Were grateful to our community and event organizers for coming together to make sure voices were heard safely and respectfully. Great job ATX! Democrats praised the demonstrations as democracy in action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump called the protests very small, very ineffective and the people were whacked out. When you look at those people, those are not representative of the people of our country." Later he posted an AI video depicting him flying a jet, dumping excrement on demonstrators in Times Square. Ted Cruz characterized the demonstrators as a bunch of old white people. People like me. Know what old white people do? They vote. Opinion: Washington, DC, is being destroyed by president who's whitewashing history Opinion: Surviving the tragedies of Helene is feeling with guilt and gratitude CS Chima is a retired health care administrator and writer who lives in Asheville. Cinda Chima This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Republicans misrepresented No Kings rallies as 'Hate America' Stephen Miller said that Governor J.B. Pritzker could be arrested for engaging in a criminal conspiracy. When asked by Fox host Will Cain on Friday under what authority a governor could potentially be arrested, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff said that the Department of Justice has made clear that if officials cross that line into obstruction, into criminal conspiracy against the United States or against ICE officers, then they will face justice. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House and Governor Pritzkers office for comment. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is a staunch ally of President Donald Trump. / JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images Millers statement comes after President Donald Trump claimed that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Pritzker should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 23, the Illinois governor signed an executive order establishing the Illinois Accountability Commission, which will track abuses and hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents accountable following the Department of Homeland Securitys launch of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. If you engage in a criminal conspiracy to obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws or to unlawfully order your own police officers or your own officials to try to interfere with ICE officers or even to arrest ICE officers, youre engaged in criminal activity, Miller said on Friday, noting that he is addressing any state and local official, not just Pritzker. Since the September launch of the operation in Chicago, ICE officers have fatally shot a man who resisted arrest, and protests have erupted across the sanctuary city. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issued a temporary restraining order barring federal agents from arresting or threatening to arrest journalists without probable cause during a Chicago-area protest and later required any federal agents working under Operation Midway Blitz to wear body cameras after the initial order was violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has wanted to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, arguing in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court that federal agents efforts are met with prolonged, coordinated, violent resistance that threatens their lives and safety and systematically interferes with their ability to enforce federal law, after court rulings blocked him from doing so. Gov. Pritzker signed an executive order establishing the Illinois Accountability Commission. / Daniel Boczarski / Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for No Kings Miller has been a loyal ally to the president, even defending the presidents bulldozing of the East Wing to build a ballroom, describing it as the president celebrating beauty again and beautification again. Pritzker has previously noted that Miller has the power of the presidency because the president isnt reining him in and criticized him, saying that he will be held accountable for clearly ordering people to break the law, which prompted Miller to call the 60-year-old governor a moron who hates America. As Trumps top domestic policy adviser, Miller has been described as an architect of the presidents immigration policy. Trumps biographer Michael Wolff, meanwhile, described Miller as the most incredible suck-up in an interview with the Daily Beast podcast Inside Trumps Head. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced that Monday, October 27, will be a public holiday on account of the Chhath festival, CMO said in a statement. After Diwali, the Delhi government aims to celebrate Chhath Puja with "grandeur" and "divinity," as more than 1,000 ghats have been set up for the four-day festival, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. Sharing an X post, Sirsa said, "This year, Chhath Puja in Delhi will be celebrated with the same grandeur and divinity as Diwali. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta ji, the entire Delhi is prepared to celebrate this great festival with faith, devotion, and splendour. More than 1000 ghats have been set up in Delhi, where a beautiful confluence of devotion and convenience will be witnessed, and grand cultural programs will also be organised." Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has permitted the reopening of the Chhath Puja Ghat located under the pontoon bridge near the Yamuna Bank Metro Station. The permission was granted after the Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva spoke with officials at the request of many residents of East Delhi belonging to the Purvanchal community to reopen the Ghat, according to a press release by the BJP. The representative of the Purvanchal community met the Delhi BJP President on Friday, and they informed him that in 2020, the Arvind Kejriwal government had closed the Chhath Puja Ghat. The members of Bihar Jagran Manch requested Virendra Sachdeva to help reopen this Chhath Ghat. The Delhi BJP President immediately spoke with local officials and obtained permission to reconstruct the ghat, said the release. The four-day Chhath Mahaparv, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, began today with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khay. This year, the festival will be celebrated from October 25 to 28, with rituals including Nahay-Khay on Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, Kharna on Panchami, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and the concluding Usha Arghya on Saptami. (ANI) Editors Note: This story shares details of child sex abuse that may be disturbing for readers. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) More than 60 victims of Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, otherwise known as Dr. Cold Fingers, have come forward alleging sexual abuse during their incarceration at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. On Friday, another complaint was added to the list. A new lawsuit was filed in federal court against the Oregon Youth Authority on Friday over its failure to protect incarcerated minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the news first broke in March, at least 62 men have come forward alleging the former doctor sexually abused them while they were incarcerated at the MacLaren. In the most recent filing, the formerly incarcerated man is suing OYA and David Molstadt, who served as treatment manager at the time of the victims incarceration. He said that the sexual abuse first began in 2010 when he was 17 years old, and was transferred to MacLaren for medical treatment. As KOIN 6 News has previously reported, Dr. Edwards died in February. He was a physician at MacLarens medical clinic for 40 years, where he earned the nickname Dr. Cold Fingers for fondling incarcerated youth with ungloved hands. In the latest complaint, the victim alleges that during a follow-up appointment after an emergency appendectomy, Dr. Edwards asked the patient to remove all of his clothing and stand before him. The doctor then allegedly fondled the patients genitals for approximately 10 minutes, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edwards also allegedly complimented the patients genitals and told him his previous doctor did a good job on his circumcision, according to court records. Between this visit and his transfer to another facility in February 2016, the patient was forced to see Dr. Edwards approximately 11 times. He said that each visit was similar to the first visit, regardless of the nature of the ailment or medical request. In the documents, the former patient said he tried to report what happened to correctional facility staff but was accused of lying or exaggerating. The alleged conduct is abhorrent, and the accusations do not reflect what thousands of trusted adults do each day to help OYA youth become crime-free adults, OYA Communications Director Will Howell said in an email. Oregonians can count on OYA to act swiftly and decisively when individuals undermine our work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Saturday, Oct. 25, is National Drug Take Back Day, and OSF HealthCare is partnering with the Peoria Police Department to host a drug take-back event. The drug takeback event is a national day where the Drug Enforcement Administration, really looks to law enforcement and health care organizations like ourselves to partner and collect all unused medications to remove them responsibly and safely from our communities, said Sandy Salverson, senior vice president of pharmacy services for OSF Health Care. Any unused, unwanted or expired medication can be brought to the OSF Center for Health on Route 91 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSF will conveniently and responsibly dispose of the medication to keep the community and environment safe. If medications end up in the wrong hands, it could have tragic consequences for them, according to the DEA. From a safety standpoint, we already know that there is an opioid crisis, theres a lot of drug addiction in all of our communities. Theres nobody immune to it. Prescription drugs actually contribute to that. This is an effort to really clean that up, Salverson said. The second piece has to do with the environment. We really dont want to dispose was up drugs in our water systems, in the sewer systems, because that is also not a great way from an environmental standpoint. We collect them together so that we can appropriately dispose of them and not continue to pollute our communities. This event is not to catch people with medication that are not prescribed to them, but more to do the right thing, contribute to the community and help the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a no-judgment event; its anonymous. It doesnt matter the way you bring it. People sometimes bring garbage bags, grocery bags and medication in their original bottles. The most important thing is just to bring them back so that we can dispose of them appropriately, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Mackenzie Ziegler uploaded a mirror selfie in a bold black top on Instagram. She chose a simple base for her pictures and stylized her look via accessories. Her hair was set in a neat modern hairstyle. She captioned the picture saying, close friends posts of the year (pt 1). Mackenzie Ziegler stuns in a daring [] The post Mackenzie Zieglers Mirror Selfie in Bold Top Will Make You Look Twice appeared first on Mandatory. The Alamo Trust has announced its newest president and CEO following the resignation of Kate Rogers. According to a news release by the governing body, effective immediately, the organization's board of directors named former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade as its new chief executive. "The Board's unanimous vote in naming Hope as our next leader is no surprise," Alamo Trust Inc. Board Chair Welcome Wilson Jr. said in a statement, per KSAT. "She is a steady hand, knows what needs to be done, and has the confidence of our benefactors, donors, and local and state leadership involved in the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrade is the co-founder and partner of GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises and a lifelong advocate for San Antonio and its business community. Her move to become the Alamo Trust's new CEO comes after Rogers abruptly resigned from the position on Friday, October 24, amid political backlash this month from a now-deleted social media post honoring "Indigenous Peoples" and "their history at the Alamo." San Antonio, Texas - May 20, 2022: Exterior of the Alamo at dusk (Melissa Kopka/Getty Images) Following the post, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick soon called for her resignation over views she expressed in a recently resurfaced doctoral dissertation from way back in 2023, suggesting that she disagrees with Republican leaders. The post also received criticism from Texas Land Commissioner Don Buckingham, who stated, "woke has no place at the Alamo." Rogers herself was mixed on her resignation, saying, "It became clear through recent events, it was time to move on," according to News 4 San Antonio. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones called her resignation a "huge loss for the state," while Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai criticized the move as "gross political interference." Neither the Alamo Trust or Patrick have yet to release comments on the resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from her tenure as Texas secretary of state from 2008 to 2012, Andrade has served in several roles around the Alamo City and the state. She'll now step down from those voluntary roles in order to lead the Alamo Trust and its staff of more than 200 people, the news release added. This article originally published at Ousted Alamo Trust CEO replaced with former Texas secretary of state. Oct. 25BISMARCK The North Dakota Wildlife Federation is planning to expand its reach in the eastern part of the state by hiring an Eastern North Dakota Conservation Specialist. Here's how the NDWF describes the new position in its job posting: "The Eastern North Dakota Conservation Specialist will implement outreach and communications activities to support NDWF's statewide operations, including priority conservation habitat work, membership and affiliate club development, and in collaboration with other staff, develop outreach materials, procure and manage content for the organization's social media and website, and plan and implement outreach events. The position will also provide support for NDWF's outreach and conservation campaign activities, including NWF's Certified Wildlife Habitat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the NDWF, interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, along with a resume and three references, to John Bradley, executive director of the North Dakota Wildlife Federation, at jbradley.nwf@gmail.com . The NDWF will begin reviewing applications Dec. 1 and continue until the position is filled. ST. PAUL People sometimes report seeing elk in a wider geographical area outside of far northwestern Minnesota. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says deer hunters need to make sure they can distinguish between the two species in the field. The DNR website mndnr.gov/hunting/deer-elk-id.html has drawings and traits listed to help hunters distinguish elk from white-tailed deer. Additionally, people are encouraged to report elk sightings in Minnesota using the online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement elk sighting reporting tool at mndnr.gov/elk/elk-sightings.html. ST. PAUL Minnesota deer hunters can use an online field log, available at mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/hunter-field-log.html, to report wildlife they see while hunting. The Minnesota DNR uses the information to supplement its model-generated population estimates, which are important tools for managing wildlife. Using a mobile device or desktop computer, deer hunters can enter information on the DNR website about wildlife they see while in the field, including deer, turkeys, bears, fishers and other species. Hunters are encouraged to fill out a field log after each hunt, regardless of what species they have seen. The field log will remain open through the end of 2025. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) More than 1,000 students across 19 high schools in San Diego County participated in a state-wide walkout on Friday, urging lawmakers to pass climate related legislation. Demonstrations, partnered with the Make Polluters Pay campaign, were organized by local youth activist groups such as Youth v. Oil and SanDiego350. Students walked out to bring awareness to Assembly Bill 1243, the 2025 Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act. Youth showed up today because we are terrified for our futures but not willing to stand on the sidelines, 15-year-old student and lead organizer Taarika Sethee said. We are taking things into our own hands to demand that polluters pay for the damage they cause not taxpayers our families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state legislation requires fossil fuel refiners and extractors to pay into a superfund, calculated by their climate impact. These funds would then be used to mitigate disaster relief. Students rallying for the legislation said that rather than fossil fuel companies, their generation are the ones currently paying the price for climate related disasters. Eastlake High School students sign their names on a sign that reads Dear Assemblymember please vote in support of the Make Polluters Pay Act. (SanDiego350 Climate Action / Photographer: McGarrah Wilson) University City High School walkout to pass climate related legislation. (SanDiego350 Climate Action/ Lyric Cabral | Survival Media Agency sma@survivalmediaagency.com) University City High School walkout to pass climate related legislation. (SanDiego350 Climate Action/ Lyric Cabral | Survival Media Agency sma@survivalmediaagency.com) My future is on the line, Pacific Beach Middle School 7th grade student Megan Nguyen said. Fossil fuel companies have misled the public, and fought regulation, and continue to make massive profits from furthering the climate crisis. Who will pay for the climate disasters theyre causing? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students werent alone in their walkouts, Chula Vista Sustainability Commission Chair Dr. Christos Korgan joined Otay Ranch High School students in demonstration. Otay Ranch students are showing what civic engagement looks likeorganized, informed, and focused on solutions, Korgan said in a statement. Our citys progress on climate depends on partnerships with young people who are ready to lead now, not later. Eastlake High School walkout to pass climate related legislation. (SanDiego350 Climate Action / Photographer: McGarrah Wilson) Eastlake High School walkout to pass climate related legislation. (SanDiego350 Climate Action / Photographer: McGarrah Wilson) Bonita Vista High School walkout to pass climate related legislation. (SanDiego350 Climate Action / Photographer: Ashley Mayorga) According to SanDiego350, the full list of walkouts at San Diego County schools include: Bonita Vista High School Cal State San Marcos Canyon Crest Academy Eastlake High School Grauer School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilltop High School La Jolla High School Mission Bay High School Mt. Carmel High School Otay Ranch High School Pacific Beach Middle School Point Loma High School The Preuss School San Diego High School SD School of Creative and Performing Arts Southwest High School Sweetwater High School UCSD University City High School Californians are already reeling from wildfires, floods, and extreme heat, Eastlake High School Student Diego Sandoval said. Were taking to the streets to demand passage of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act to send a clear message that we wont let Big Oil continue to destroy our futures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Crews with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) are restoring power between Sedro-Woolley and Burlington after a car crash may have disabled multiple transformers At around 9 a.m. on Saturday, more than 10,000 customers were without power in Skagit County. As of 12:00 p.m., the number of affected customers is down to around 3,500, according to the PSE Outage Map. A weather system moving through the Pacific Northwest caused the most rainfall in nearly two years in some areas, creating dangerous driving conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is power out in your area? View the resources below to view or report an outage or to see when your estimated restore time is. A mission to mark unnamed graves in Mecklenburg County has led to the placement of over 180 flags at burial sites along Ridge Road and Morehead Road. The effort aims to preserve the legacy of what is identified as an African American burial site, where the Siloam Presbyterian Church once stood before it burned down in 1958. With all the new development and things that have been built around it, we just want to make sure that our ancestors and everybody here is not forgotten, said Denise Turner, a relative of someone buried at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental scientists identified the graves at the site, families told Channel 9. Family members said they are working towards having the cemetery recognized as a historical landmark. This designation would help protect the site from future development and ensure that the history of those buried there is acknowledged. WATCH: Roots for Rivers program seeks volunteers to maintain creekside trees Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday participated in a kirtan Darbar organised by the Punjab government as a part of a series of events to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. Addressing the gathering during the Kirtan Darbar organised here at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Kejriwal said that the Punjab government is fortunate to have got the opportunity to organise a series of commemorative events dedicated to the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. He said that these events, being organised by the Punjab government, began today on the occasion of Guru sahib's 350th Martyrdom Anniversary. Arvind Kejriwal said that the Mughals had planned to forcibly convert Hindus to Islam, after which the Pandits of Kashmir, seeking protection for their faith, came to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur for help. The National Convener of AAP said that despite several offers from the Mughal emperor, Guru Ji refused to bow before tyranny and chose the path of martyrdom to defend freedom of religion. He said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was martyred in Delhi in 1675 and is remembered across the world as the first martyr who sacrificed his life for the protection of human rights. Kejriwal said that the pages of world history are filled with events of austerity, restraint, bravery, sacrifice, and service, yet the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for religious freedom and human dignity opened a new chapter unparalleled in human history. The AAP Chief said that instead of bowing before Mughal power, Guru ji shook the very roots of tyranny with his unmatched sacrifice. He said that before his martyrdom, Guru Ji's grandfather, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, had also endured severe torture from rulers, offering his life with the divine acceptance. Arvind Kejriwal said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's sacrifice in protecting faith and righteousness transformed the course of India's history. Kejriwal said that the martyrdoms of great souls give new direction and turn the tide of time, shaping the unique identity of a community. Likewise, he said that through his supreme sacrifice, Guru Sahib sent a clear message to the rulers that religion cannot be imposed upon anyone by force. Arvind Kejriwal said that Guru Sahib's martyrdom instilled in Sikhs a new spirit of fearlessness, courage, self-respect, and the resolve to become protectors of the oppressed and defenders of humanity. He said that above all, Guru Sahib taught the entire humanity to live life with self-dignity. He said that before the martyrdom of Guru Ji at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, and his devoted disciplesBhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala Ji were executed with unimaginable cruelty. Kejriwal said that on this occasion, everyone also remembers Baba Jiwan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) with reverence, the faithful Sikh who, despite the Mughal regime's brutal control, carried Guru Sahib's severed head from Delhi's Chandni Chowk to Shri Kiratpur Sahib. Paying homage to Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Ji, Arvind Kejriwal said that he risked his life to rescue Guru Sahib's body and cremated it in his own house, at the site where Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib now stands. He said that Sikh history is replete with examples of martyrdom as it holds the highest place in the Sikh faith, adding that the Sikh martyrs never bowed to tyranny or oppression; they laid down their lives but did not give up their principles. Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mann said that the sacrifices of these martyrs were not for personal gain but for the welfare of all and for truth and justice. He said that 24 years after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's martyrdom, in 1699, the Khalsa was created on the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the tenth Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, sacrificed his entire family for the honour of the faith, an unparalleled example in world history. The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have inherited their spirit of resistance against oppression, tyranny and injustice from Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He said that the spirit of sacrifice runs in our blood, and Punjabis take pride in their glorious heritage. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the purpose of commemorating this great occasion is to spread the philosophy of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, throughout the world so that the ideals of peace, harmony, and secularism for which Guru ji sacrificed himself may be preserved. The Chief Minister said that to commemorate Guru Sahib's martyrdom day, the Punjab Government is organising events across various states. He said that events begin today at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, and a grand Kirtan Darbar is being organised at Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from November 1 to November 18, light-and-sound shows will take place across all districts of Punjab, showcasing the life and philosophy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Chief Minister said that Kirtan darbars will be organised in towns and cities sanctified by Guru sahib's visits, and on November 18, a Kirtan Darbar will be held in Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), followed by a Nagar Kirtan on November 19 in which hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits will participate. He said that on November 20, three Nagar Kirtans will be organised from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Faridkot, and Gurdaspur, adding that all four Nagar Kirtans will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that from November 23 to 25, large-scale events will take place at Sri Anandpur Sahib. (ANI) Finally, some ruff justice. A notorious pair of NYC pit bull mixes must be surrendered to the city, evaluated and possibly euthanized after they attacked three small dogs in two separate incidents killing one, a Manhattan judge ruled this week. If owner Joseph Columbus fails to turn over Rambo and Zooey who mauled a chihuahua named Penny in May on the Upper West Side and attacked two Shih Tzu mixes, killing one, in January in Central Park law enforcement can seize the animals, Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond decided Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus, 40, of the Upper West Side, must also pay for evaluations and training for Rambo and Zooey once theyre in permanent city custody and reimburse Lauren Block, the owner of Shih Tzus Grover and Chuckie, nearly $22,000 in veterinary bills, court papers show. Joseph Columbus has been ordered to surrender his pups who were accused of a third incident in March, court records show. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post The court reserves its right to make a finding for humane euthanasia, based upon the evaluations performed by ACC and/or [the city Health Department], according to the decision. Columbus has allegedly been evading authorities for months, and ducked out of his kids school graduation in June to avoid arrest, a city sheriffs deputy claimed. In June, Columbus failed to bring Zooey and the 100-pound Rambo to cops, and then refused to open his door or answer the phone when police showed up later to take them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack on Penny, a 16-pound Chihuahua mix and service pooch, came about five months after the savage beasts attacked Grover and Chuckie leaving the 17-year-old, 12-pound, blind Grover so seriously injured he had to be euthanized, court records showed. Columbus was ordered to keep the dogs leashed and muzzled after the January attack but allegedly failed to do so, according to the judge. Penny the Chihuahua was mercilessly attacked in May as she walked on the Upper West Side. Gabriella Bass This week, justice prevailed, said attorney Mollie Swears, who represents Block, and Pennys owners Devon Allen and Lauren Claus. Columbus could not be reached. His attorney, who previously accused the victims of lying that the dogs had bitten a person as well, told The Post Columbus only owns Rambo and gave him up when was sued by the victims in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the very first day that he appeared, he told the court he did not have the dogs. As far as I know, he still doesnt, insisted lawyer Ikiesha Al-Shabazz, claiming both she and Columbus were threatened and hit with racial slurs as the case made headlines. The attack on Penny was allegedly unprovoked, her owners said. WCBS-TV Hes currently facing eviction from his grandmothers Columbus Avenue apartment where court records show Rambo and Zooey were accused in March of another incident. Dogs owned and controlled by Joseph Columbus bit a dog owned by the tenants in PHA creating an unsafe environment and in which those tenants vacated, the landlord wrote in court papers. The dogs also caused extreme damage, chewing through kitchen cabinets, walls, floors and baseboards. The smell of urine in the unit was very evident, the landlord claimed. The eviction proceeding is ongoing. A lawyer for the landlord did not respond to a message. Candidates running for Klein ISD's board of trustees have collectively spent more than $5,000 in their bid to get elected, according to campaign finance reports. Up until early October, candidates in the north Harris County school district, enrolling about 52,000 students, spent money from political contributions and personal funds on campaign advertising such as website management and yard signs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two candidates, Justin "Bumpy" Wooldridge and Jack Velasquez, have largely been funded by a political action committee - an organization that pools contributions from donors to fund campaigns - called Stronger Klein, Stronger Future. READ MORE: Houston voters will elect trustees in nearly 40 races on Nov. 4. Here's the education races to watch. Each of the two candidates have received about $1,700 worth of non-monetary contributions from the PAC for billboard advertising, yard signs and business cards, according to campaign finance reports. It's unclear what political interests the PAC represents. The committee did not reply to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Wooldridge and Velasquez have previously expressed dissatisfaction with the district's current board on social media and in surveys. They have both advocated for more transparency surrounding board decisions and the budget. When Wooldridge ran for board last year, he criticized the board's handling of grievance processes. He is now running against current Board President Rob Ellis, who was first elected back in 2019. Ellis has self-funded his entire campaign, spending around $1,136 on yard signs. WHO'S RUNNING: Texas Voter Guide 2025 For Position 3, Velasquez is running runs against Dustin Creager. According to a campaign finance report for Aug. 20 to Oct. 4, Creager received $250 in donations but hasn't spent any money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Cathy Arellano, who is running unopposed for Position 6, has received $635 in donations and has spent most of that on her campaign. Early voting is underway through Oct. 31. Residents can also vote Nov. 4 and can find their sample ballot on the Harris County Clerk's website to determine which trustee election, if any, that they are eligible to vote in. This article originally published at PAC backs two Klein ISD board candidates as campaign spending tops $5,000. Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan have met in Istanbul for talks on how to ensure a recent ceasefire deal between the two countries holds, with the Pakistani defence minister warning of open war should the efforts fail. The discussions, which began on Saturday and are expected to continue on Sunday, come just days after a truce was brokered in Doha by Qatar and Turkiye to end deadly clashes between the neighbours. The cross-border violence killed dozens of people and injured hundreds more. We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said from the eastern Pakistani city of Sialkot on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I saw that they want peace, he added. Reporting from Istanbul, Al Jazeeras Sinem Koseoglu said the technical-level talks in Turkiye are expected to pave the way for a permanent solution between the two neighbours. While Afghanistans Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib is leading his countrys delegation in Turkiye, Pakistan has not given details about its representatives. On Friday, a spokesperson for Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the negotiations must address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harbouring what it calls terrorist groups, including the Pakistani Taliban (TPP). Kabul denies the allegation and has blamed Islamabad for violating its sovereignty through military strikes. Key crossings between the countries remain shut following the recent fighting, with Afghanistans Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimating that traders are losing millions of dollars each day that the closure persists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibraheem Bahiss, an International Crisis Group analyst in Afghanistan, told the AFP news agency that a key topic of discussion during the Istanbul talks would be intelligence-sharing on armed groups. For example, Pakistan would give coordinates of where they suspect TTP fighters or commanders are, and instead of carrying out strikes, Afghanistan would be expected to carry out action against them, he said. Meanwhile, the ceasefire that was announced in Doha last Sunday continues to hold. There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack emanating from Afghan soil in the last two to three days, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said. So, the Doha talks and outcome were fruitful. We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul. Pictured alongside Western tourists, the Mail tracked down the 154 terrorists released to Egypt at the Marriotts five-star Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel in Cairo. More than 150 terrorists released in the October 10 ceasefire have been staying in luxury five-star hotels in Cairo alongside unsuspecting tourists, according to a report by a British outlet on Saturday. The Daily Mail tracked down the 154 terrorists released to Egypt at the Marriotts five-star Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journalists from the Mail were able to book rooms at the hotel without any warning of there being ISIS and Hamas members there, the newspaper reported while sharing photos of the terrorists alongside Western tourists in swimwear. The Mail reported that many glared toward Western women in their bikinis enjoying their vacation. The hotel, with rooms that start at approximately NIS 800 a night, has a number of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, restaurants, outdoor pool, and a hair salon. Families wait for their relatives on the day Palestinian prisoners are released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, October 13, 2025. (credit: AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS) Threat to the West Some of the terrorists are reportedly looking to settle down in Turkey, Qatar, and Tunisia, which security experts warned could be a threat to global security. Prof. Anthony Glees, emeritus professor at the University of Buckingham, told the Mail that these people are our sworn enemies. They will cut off the heads of British soldiers and kill left, right, and center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must not let them collect together. There can be no hiding place for these people. Otherwise, you are setting up a terrorist army in exile it will be Hezbollah 2.0. The Mail also quoted former Israeli intelligence officer Guy C. that there are no restrictions on their movements in these countries... They can walk freely, travel to Europe even the UK receive donations from naive supporters, and gain backing from protesters who already sympathize with them. The first thing these terrorists will do when they reach Turkey or Qatar is contact their associates in Gaza and the West Bank to send money and re-establish their networks. They will quickly regroup and form new terror cells. Who are the terrorists living in Cairo's luxury? The terrorists were often seen withdrawing large quantities of cash, which is thought to have been delivered to the released prisoners as part of the Palestinian Authoritys pay-for-slay policy, which rewards terrorists with up to 33,000 (NIS 145,000) a year. Some, according to Palestinian Media Watch, had saved the sums until their bank balance reached six figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the occupants of the hotel is reportedly 57-year-old Mahmoud Issa, who founded the Special Unit 101 of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, a unit that specializes in abduction. A key ally of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas had been upset that he was not freed in the 2011 deal alongside him. He was first imprisoned in 1993. ISIS terrorist Izz a-Din al-Hamamrah, 47, who recruited suicide bombers and planned hijackings; bus bomb mastermind Samir Abu Nima, 64; ambusher Muhammad Zawahra, 52; kidnapper Ismail Hamdan, 57; and murderer Yousuf Dawud, 39, are also reportedly among those staying at the hotel. Prime Ministers Office spokesperson David Mencer told the Mail that Israel freed them not to reward evil but because it values human life above all. A bitter price, but one our people have paid across the ages to reclaim kin from the hands of Jew-haters, he said. Akram Abu Bakr, a terrorist who played a role in multiple shooting and bombing attacks, reportedly celebrated his wedding at the venue last week. Despite the current ceasefire, several people have been injured, some seriously, following incidents in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported on Saturday. One person was seriously injured by Israeli shelling north-west of the southern city of Rafah, sources at the nearby Nasser Hospital reported. The area is under Israeli military control. When asked, the Israeli army said it was investigating the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian Red Crescent said two people were also injured in an Israeli air strike on a vehicle in the town of Bani Suhailam near Khan Younis. An Israeli military spokesman said he was aware of the report but could not confirm such an incident in the area. The Hamas-controlled health authority said 93 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10. Many of the deaths occurred about a week ago. The Israeli army confirmed that two soldiers were killed in attacks in the south of the Gaza Strip last Sunday. Israel then carried out the heaviest air strikes since the start of the ceasefire. According to hospital reports, 44 Palestinians were killed. Since then, the situation has calmed down considerably. However, there are still isolated incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli army said it has fired on individuals who entered and approached soldiers beyond the so-called yellow line. The Israeli military has withdrawn to behind this line as part of the ceasefire agreement and controls the territory there. The information provided by both sides cannot currently be independently verified. NEED TO KNOW Parents garnered backlash after sharing a video that appeared to depict them giving their 1-year-old baby a tattoo The clip was an entry in a giveaway hosted by streamer Mellstroy, who later condemned involving "young children" in the contest The parents have since spoken out about the video, claiming it is fake Two parents have been accused of tattooing their baby's arm and sharing the disturbing video of the process online for a contest. But they say it was all a hoax. The Russian parents created and shared a video that depicted them tattooing their screaming 1-year-old child to win an apartment in an online giveaway contest hosted by Belarusian streamer Mellstroy, according to The Sun. (The British outlet did not identify the parents or share the video due to its distressing nature.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a contest advertising an online casino, the streamer said he would give away apartments valued at over $60,000 to individuals who shared the most outrageous videos on TikTok, The Sun previously reported. In the video, the mom allegedly stated that the parents intention was to win an apartment. Weve decided to take part in this competition," she said, per The Sun. "We didnt know how to surprise you, Mellstroy, so weve decided to get a tattoo for our one-year-old child. "Weve been living in rented accommodation for three years now and cant afford to buy a flat, she continued. Were up to our ears in debt. Wed love to win this competition. Getty Stock image of a tattoo gun Stock image of a tattoo gun The video then allegedly showed the parents using a tattoo gun on the crying childs arm, appearing to tattoo the phrase Mellstroy.Game. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day after sharing the clip, which sparked online outrage and caught the attention of government officials, the parents spoke out and claimed the entire thing was a hoax, according to The Sun. The parents said they used a pen to ink the phrase on the infants arm, and the baby only screamed and cried in the clip because he was tired, per the outlet. We didnt tattoo the child. We pretended to do it, the mother told Russian newspaper Izvestia, according to The Sun. I didnt think people would believe it, because it was a one-year-old, not 18 or 20, she continued, clarifying, per the outlet, "The inscription was written with a black gel pen. We didnt use a tattoo machine, and we removed the needles from the cartridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Izvestia also reported that the parents continue to insist that the video was a stunt and they did not hurt their baby. Authorities are now conducting an investigation into the parents, the outlet said. According to the newspaper, Irina Volk, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, issued the following statement: Employees of the juvenile affairs unit plan to check the housing and living conditions of the family and put it on the preventive register. PEOPLE reached out to Mellstroy and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25, but did not receive an immediate response. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Mellstroy has since stated publicly that any videos involving children will not be counted as submissions in his contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to ask you not to use young children in the challenge, as it looks ridiculous, to say the least, and is absolutely morally wrong, he said in a statement, according to The Sun. Beyond the alleged tattooed baby, the Belarusian streamers latest contest has reportedly inspired lots of other disturbing and outrageous content. People have filmed themselves shaving their heads, damaging property, ripping up passports and setting themselves on fire, The Sun reported, citing Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League. Read the original article on People SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) On Sunday, a dedication ceremony will be held at a community park in Clairemont in honor of San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar, who died in the line of duty in August of last year. On Aug. 26, 2024, Machitar, 30, was killed in a crash following a high-speed pursuit of a suspect who had been driving down Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. The crash happened just after 11:30 p.m. in the area of 5200 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. The pursuit suspect was also killed in the crash, while Machitars partner, Officer Zach Martinez, 27, was critically injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funeral procession to be held for fallen La Mesa police officer At 10 a.m. on Sunday, family, friends and the community will gather at North Clairemont Community Park, located at 4421 Bannock Ave., which will be renamed to Officer Austin Machitar Memorial Park. Guests who are expected to attend the ceremony include Machitars family, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Chief of Police Scott Wahl and other elected officials and law enforcement personnel. Martinez, Machitars partner who was in the vehicle with him the night of the crash, will also be in attendance. The North Clairemont Community Park was chosen to be named after Machitar because of its proximity to where he served and the deep ties he had to the Clairemont neighborhood, the city said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Payne County commissioner is raising new concerns over the massive amount of water a planned Google data center complex in Stillwater could use. At a recent legislative interim study on the impact of data centers, Payne County Commissioner Rhonda Markum warned state lawmakers that the regions water supply might not be able to meet the projects long-term demand. I am really concerned about the water usage, Markum said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first phase of the complex, now under construction, will bring two data centers. They would use approximately 2.7 million gallons of water a day, Markum said. Plans call for four additional data centers at the site, for a total of six. With all six of those, if they get those built out, youre looking at 8.1 million gallons of water a day, Markum said. That was a very huge concern to me. A ruptured pipe in a dorm on OSUs campus leads to multiple issues Stillwaters water supply comes from Kaw Lake, with the city allowed to draw up to 50 million gallons of water per day. If the data centers eventually use 8.1 million gallons, that would be just under 20 percent of the citys daily supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those concerns are part of the reason Markum was the only local official to vote against a 25-year tax incentive agreement between the data centers developers and the local governments with taxing authority over the siteincluding the city, local school district, and vo-tech district. Google didnt get any incentives from the county, Markum said. Most of this was done with the city. Stillwater City Manager Brady Moore said the city has more than enough water capacity to support the project. Stillwater is blessed that we have 50 million gallons per day water rights off of Kaw Lake, Moore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the city currently uses far less than that. Our community only draws, on average, about 7 million gallons per day off of those 50 MGD water rights, Moore said. We have a peak demand that weve hit twice of 14 MGD. That would mean, even with the data centers, Stillwater would still have nearly 35 million gallons to spare on an average dayand around 28 million on a peak day. Thats based on todays population, but leaders with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board project that statewide water usage will rise by 18 percent over the next 50 years. House Democratic Leader suspends a representative amid ongoing investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there are other communities that get off of Kaw Lake as well, Markum said. And Im concerned a lot of the concerns were with the drought that weve had in the past. Weve had a few years of drought back-to-back. City officials said as part of the tax agreement, the data centers owners must help fund water system capacity upgrades before building additional phases. They have to make those financial investments into our water treatment plant, and that has an overflow benefit to our community, Moore said. Still, Markum said she worries this project may set a precedent for future developments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I started doing some research on the data centers, she said. I found out that they use a lot of electricity and a lot of water, and without water we cant live. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Hours after Donald Trump issued a chilling threat to keep killing enemies without legal authority, the president made good on his pledge by ordering his 10th strike on an alleged drug boat. Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the U.S. had blown up a vessel suspected of carrying drugs in international waters, killing six people and bringing the death toll of its narco-terrorism campaign to at least 43. Overnight, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel was known by our pic.twitter.com/lVlw0FLBv4 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 24, 2025 Overnight, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean Sea, Hegseth wrote on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Six male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international watersand was the first strike at night. All six terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike. Donald Trump's administration has targeted at least 10 drug boats since September 2. / Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images The strike is the 10th to take place since September 2, when the first operation killed 11 people, who Trump also claimed were from the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua. This was followed by several other strikes, including two carried in the Pacific earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the administration has never provided evidence to back up its claims about who or what is on board, sparking growing concerns, both internationally and within Republican ranks. We cant just kill indiscriminately because we are not at war. Its summary execution! said Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, one of the few Republicans willing to speak out against Trump. Rand Paul says the strikes are summary executions. / Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images However, Trump doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters that he would keep ordering the strikes even if he had no legal authority. I dont think we will necessarily ask for a Declaration of War, he said, referencing the Act that Presidents must request from Congress, which has the authority under the Constitution to declare war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we will just kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? Were going to kill them. Theyre going to be, like, dead. The presidents bone-chilling warning come after he and his allies lobbied aggressively for a Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, it was awarded this year to Venezuelan activist Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader of the country he is targeting along with its leader, Nicholas Maduro. As a consolation prize of sorts, Trump received the Architect of Peace Award from the Richard Nixon Foundation on Tuesday during a private ceremony at the White House. But as he seeks to resolve wars elsewhere, Trump quietly decided earlier this month that the U.S. is now in an armed conflict with drug cartels that he views as terrorists, paving the way for more lethal military strikes in international waters. Donald Trump shared a video on Oct. 14, 2025, of of a strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela. / @realDonaldTrump/TruthSocial He also warned that the U.S. could even begin land strikes, bragging that the militarys water strikes had been so successful that there were barely any boats left to target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid growing concern, Sen. Tim Kaine has led a bipartisan effort in conjunction with Democrat Senator Adam Schiff and GOP Senator Rand Paul to force the Senate to vote on a resolution that would stop Trump from unilaterally declaring war on Venezuela. The pace of the announcements, the authorization of covert activities and the military planning makes me think theres some chance this could be imminent, Kaine said last week. Colombian President Gustavo Petro's government called Donald Trump's attacks akin to murder. / Franklin Jacome/Getty Images Some global leaders, such as Colombian President Gustav Petro, have even called for a criminal investigation by the United Nations, likening Trumps actions to murder. Tensions escalated last week when Petro claimed that one man who was killed in a boat strike that took place in mid-September was lifelong fisherman Alejandro Carranza, whose boat had experienced damage and was adrift. Trump responded online by declaring Petro, who rose to prominence as a Colombian Senator by exposing links between right-wing paramilitary groups involved in drug trafficking and corrupt politicians, was an illegal drug leader. A private electric bus travelling from Miyapur to Guntur overturned on the Outer Ring Road under Abdullahpurmet police station limits in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district, leaving seven passengers injured, Traffic Inspector Vanasthalipuram said. According to a traffic police official, 17 passengers were travelling in the bus. The seven injured people were shifted to the hospital for further treatment. Traffic Inspector Vanasthalipuram said, "Today, around 2:30 pm, we received information that a private travel bus overturned. We reached the spot and found that about 17 passengers were travelling, and 7 were injured. They were shifted to the hospital for further treatment." "The incident occurred due to the driver's negligence during the turn, resulting in the bus overturning. The driver and others are safe, but some sustained injuries. We're investigating the matter," the official said. In a separate incident in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, a Bengaluru-bound bus from Hyderabad caught fire in Chinnatekur near the Kurnool district on National Highway (NH) 44 in the early hours of Friday. Kurnool District Collector (DC) A Siri said that a total of 11 bodies have been identified, while the remaining nine bodies are yet to be accounted for. She said that the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday between 3:00 AM and 3:10 AM. The Telangana government announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased in the Kurnool bus fire accident, and Rs 2 lakh each to those injured. Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud announced that the ex-gratia will be given to the affected families on the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. "Upon the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the Telangana government will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakhs to those injured in the Kurnool bus accident," Goud said in a statement. (ANI) KANSAS CITY, Mo. A pedestrian in Kansas City, Missouri was critically hurt after being hit by a vehicle Saturday afternoon, the Kansas City Police Department shared. According to KCPD, at around 12:45 p.m., the pedestrian was crossing Main Street at Westport Road from the west side when they were hit by a GMC pickup truck. The truck was making a right-hand turn onto Main Street from Westport Road. Kansas City man charged for mid-week metro bank robberies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCPD also shared that the pedestrian was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with a red traffic control signal. The pedestrian was thrown to the concrete after being hit. They were taken to a hospital with critical injuries, and remains in critical condition, KCPD says. The driver of the pickup remained on the scene and was uninjured in the crash. Following the crash, the KC Streetcar was suspended for around an hour and a half while Main Street was closed. The street and streetcar have both reopened since. This is a developing story; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A pedestrian was hit and killed by a train overnight Friday into Saturday, Memphis Police said. The pedestrian was hit between American Way and Lamar, police said. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene. Police said they are investigating, but provided no further information. Memphis Murder Map 2025 Police also responded to a shooting in the same area that left a man critically injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded to the 2700 block of Marlene Street at 11:30 p.m. Friday night. They found one male victim. Police are investigating, but had no suspect information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The Trump administration has accepted a $130 million donation from an anonymous source in order to pay military service members during the ongoing government shutdown. President Donald Trump announced the donation on Thursday, saying that a friend of his had made the donation. The president did not identify the donor, saying he doesnt really want the recognition. The Defense Department confirmed the donation to the Daily Beast, with chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell explaining, The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members salaries and benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that the donation was accepted under the Pentagons general gift acceptance authority, and added, We are grateful for this donors assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops. Hegseth and Trump have made the unusual move of accepting a private donation earmarked to cover troop pay during the government shutdown. / JIM WATSON / JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images Democrats were quick to criticize the payment, which is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the salaries of 1.3 million active service members, working out to roughly $100 per person. Democratic Senator Chris Coons, top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations panel, expressed concerns about using anything other than public funds to pay service members. Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers, he said in a statement. Delaware Senator Chris Coons expressed concerns about accepting anonymous donations to pay troops. / Samuel Corum/Getty The donation isnt the only unorthodox source of income for the military during the ongoing shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that his government had initiated a deal to ensure U.S. troops stationed in Germany remain paid during the shutdown. The federal government will initiate an unscheduled expenditure to ensure that October salaries are paid on time, a government spokesperson said. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced his government would ensure U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany were paid during the shutdown. / Ansgar Haase/picture alliance via Getty Images Republicans have been quick to blame the Democrats for both the lack of pay for active duty troops and the shutdown more broadly, despite House Republicans blocking a Democrat-backed bill to ensure service members were paid during the shutdown earlier this month. In a Truth Social post published on Oct. 11, the president ordered Hegseth to use all available funds to ensure soldiers would be paid by Oct. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chuck Schumer recently said, Every day gets better during their Radical Left Shutdown. I DISAGREE! If nothing is done, because of Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats, our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th, Trump wrote. The Trump administration has been quick to blame Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for the shutdown and resulting lack of troop pay. / Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images That is why I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th. We have identified funds to do this, and Secretary Hegseth will use them to PAY OUR TROOPS. While the shutdown was officially caused by Republicans and Democrats in Congress failing to agree on the federal budget, at least one Democrat suspects there is something more sinister at play. California congressman Ro Khanna told The Daily Beast Podcast that he believes the shutdown is because Republicans are avoiding the question of releasing the Epstein files. Every time [Republicans] take these extraordinary measures, like shutting down the Congressnot even having votes out of fear of releasing these filesit adds to the skepticism and anger of the American public who think that theres something rotten there, Khanna said. DENVER (KDVR) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. Based on photos shared by DFD, the crash appears to have occcurred at a residence across the street from a Walgreens pharmacy. Photos: Florida dad, son rescued after snow strands vehicle on Engineer Pass summit The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) The Denver Fire Department said early Saturday that it was working to stabalize a residence near Tower Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard that was damaged after a vehicle drove into it. (Credit DFD) No injuries were reported in the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Colorados mountains are continuing the trend of not being kind to out-of-state motorists attempting to traverse the high country. You may remember the Kia Telluride, driven by a South Carolina man, that closed Black Bear Pass for over 24 hours earlier this month before the stuck vehicle could be removed safely. Black Bear Pass reopens over 24 hours after South Carolina driver ignores warnings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday night, a father and son duo from Florida also got stuck in the high country. Hinsdale County Search and Rescue shared on Facebook that just before 7 p.m. on Thursday, the volunteer group was called to assist the neighboring counties of San Juan and Ouray for a motorist rescue on Engineer Pass. The area was getting overnight snow; the FOX31 Pinpoint Weather Team expected the area to get between 1 to 2 inches overnight Thursday into Friday. Its also not an easy route to navigate: Engineer Pass, which summits Engineer Mountain in southwestern Colorado, is part of Colorados Alpine Loop. The loop is designed for 44 high-clearance vehicles or UTVs. To the Florida duos credit, they were driving a Jeep with a fair amount of ground clearance. However, Hinsdale County Search and Rescue noted that the motorists got stranded in about two feet of snow at about 4 p.m. as weather conditions worsened. Hinsdale County Search and Rescue shared photos of a recovery mission on Thursday for a Jeep that got stuck in a couple feet of snow. (Courtesy Hinsdale County Search and Rescue) Hinsdale County Search and Rescue shared photos of a recovery mission on Thursday for a Jeep that got stuck in a couple feet of snow. (Courtesy Hinsdale County Search and Rescue) Hinsdale County Search and Rescue shared photos of a recovery mission on Thursday for a Jeep that got stuck in a couple feet of snow. (Courtesy Hinsdale County Search and Rescue) The Jeep was stuck in about two feet of snow, and photos shared by the search and rescue team highlighted the areas remoteness, cold weather and windy conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside Magazine, a publication that covers outdoor adventuring, gear reviews and more, shared a list of basic equipment overlanders should carry while on the trail, especially during the winter. The list includes a recovery board, a tree saver for a winch, hitch receiver recovery points and more items to safely recover a vehicle. The Colorado Department of Transportation also advocates for drivers heading up into the mountains during the winter to carry essential items, like water, a snow scraper, blanket or sleeping bag, non-perishable food and jumper cables. More information on that can be found here. Colorados search and rescue groups are staffed by volunteers and Hinsdale Countys group is operated through the county sheriffs office. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man was arrested Thursday after pretending to be an officer. The Oconee County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a suspicious person on Bella Vista Lane where they discovered 42-year-old Jason Dwayne Whitlock on scene. Whitlock said he was there to repossess a vehicle, however deputies noted that standard repossession procedures werent followed dispatch had not been informed. Deputies said they had also noticed Whitlocks vehicle suspiciously resembled a police vehicle a white Ford Explorer with bars inside, a pit bar on the front, a spotlight, and a large, black dog inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man and woman were also on scene and reported to deputies that Whitlock had told them that two other units were on the way and that he was going to arrest them for a stolen tag. Whitlocks drivers licenses was also discovered to be suspended, according to deputies. Whitlock was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and driving under suspension. He was released on a bond of $3,147.50. The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said a real officer should always identify themselves and their agency affiliation, will wear an official uniform that contains their name tag, official Sheriffs Official badge, and an official Sheriffs Office insignia patch on the upper half of both arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers who observe an unmarked vehicle with blue lights, attempting to pull you over, can contact the sheriffs office at 864-638-4111. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. According to Phoenix police, officers arrested 22-year-old Francisco Torres on charges of aggravated assault after a search warrant execution in early September led to an officer-involved shooting. Sgt. Jen Zak, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department, said Torres was released from a hospital and booked into the Maricopa County Jail nearly two months after the shooting, which occurred near 17th Avenue and Tonto Street. At the apartment complex, Phoenix's Special Assignments Unit shouted their presence to those inside before breaking a unit's window and using a battering ram to open a door, as seen in body camera footage shared by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's when the team were met with gunfire from inside, prompting one officer to return fire, Zak said. "I'm shot," an officer is heard saying in the body camera footage. That officer was later identified as Michael Paulson, who was later taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life threatening, according to Zak. Another police officer was hurt but was later released from a hospital. Two other men were also detained at the scene, according to Zak. Top stories: Atop Humphreys Peak, hikers 'weren't gonna die,' lightning-struck man says Torres was booked into MCSO custody for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zak said the handgun believed to be used by Torres was located inside the apartment. The officer who shot Torres is assigned to the SWAT unit and has over 17 years of service with the Phoenix Police Department, according to Zak. The Arizona Department of Public Safety's major incident team investigated the shooting and will send their findings to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review. Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man charged in connection to shootout with Phoenix SWAT team Authorities in Switzerland have arrested the husband of a former finalist for Miss Switzerland, alleging that he strangled her to death before dismembering her and blending her body parts. Kristina Joksimovic was killed during the February of 2024, according to the BBC. Police referred to the 38-year-old beauty queen by her initials in court documents, A 20-year-old man is in custody after allegedly calling 911 and saying he killed his mother after a domestic dispute, officials said. Sebastian Van Stockum, 20, of New Canaan, has been charged with murder and is being held on a $2 million bond, according to police. On Friday around 10:36 p.m., New Canaan police were dispatched to the area of South Avenue and Gerdes Road for a report of a man yelling from the woods. While officers were responding, New Canaan police dispatch received a 911 call from a man at a Gerdes Road residence who said that he killed his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said they immediately developed probable cause and identified the suspect as Van Stockum. Police said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until next of kin are notified. Police are calling this an isolated incident and said there is no danger to public safety. No further information has been released. The incident remains under investigation and Connecticut State Police are assisting, officials said. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com Police are looking to speak to a person of interest in connection with a shooting in Cambridge near Harvard University on Friday. Detectives released photos on Facebook and said the person is not currently wanted. On Friday morning, gunshots were fired in Cambridge in the area of Sherman and Stearns streets around 10:58 a.m., Cambridge officials said. The shooting prompted a shelter-in-place order at Harvard University. Cambridge police informed the school that officers were responding to a report of a male on a bicycle who opened fire on someone walking along Sherman Street near Radcliffe Quad, according to Harvard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person police are looking to speak to was caught on camera wearing a red top and black pants. Investigators recovered ballistic evidence in the area of Danehy Park, noting that there were no known victims in the shooting. One resident of the Sherman Street neighborhood told Boston 25 News that he heard about eight gunshots ring out. They were particularly loud. They were loud and very repetitive, Pablo Rivero recalled. Available evidence suggests that this was an isolated incident with those directly involved, there is no ongoing public safety risk to the broader community, police said. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact CPD Detectives at (617) 349-3121. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Patiala House Court has dismissed an appeal filed by advocate Mehmood Pracha challenging the 2019 Ayodhya verdict, calling the case "wholly frivolous, luxurious and an abuse of the process of law." The court also imposed an additional cost of Rs 5 lakh, over and above the Rs 1 lakh already levied by the trial court, directing Pracha to deposit a total of Rs 6 lakh with the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA), New Delhi, within 30 days. The judgment was pronounced by District Judge Dharmender Rana and upheld the trial court's order that had dismissed Pracha's suit seeking a declaration and mandatory injunction against the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute. In his suit, Pracha claimed that former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who was one of the five judges on the Supreme Court bench that decided the Ayodhya case, had in a public speech last year at Kanesar, Pune, "admitted that the Ayodhya judgment was delivered in accordance with a solution provided to him by Bhagwan Shri Ram Lala Virajmaan" -- the deity who was one of the plaintiffs in the title dispute. Relying on this alleged statement, Pracha argued that the Supreme Court judgment dated November 9, 2019, in M. Siddiq (D) through LRs vs Mahant Suresh Das & Ors, stood "vitiated by fraud" and was "null and void". He sought a fresh adjudication of the Ayodhya case and a declaration that the previous verdict had been rendered unlawfully. The trial court dismissed Pracha's suit in April 2025, holding that he lacked locus standi and that his case disclosed no cause of action. The court also imposed a cost of 1 lakh, describing the litigation as a misuse of judicial resources. Pracha challenged this order, contending that as a member of the Muslim community--whose rights were directly affected by the Ayodhya verdict--he was an "aggrieved person" entitled to approach the court. He argued that judges are not above the law, and that the trial court erred in holding that the suit was barred by constitutional principles. He further submitted that the court "miscarried itself" by not considering the fraud allegations on merits and by imposing a cost beyond the statutory limit under Section 35(A) of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC). Rejecting all arguments, District Judge Dharmender Rana observed that Pracha had challenged the Ayodhya verdict "on absolutely frivolous grounds without even going through the judgment." The court found that the appellant had "misunderstood the distinction between the Supreme God and the juristic personality litigating before the Court," noting that the former CJI's remarks, when read in context, did not amount to any admission of wrongdoing. Quoting the Ayodhya judgment itself, the court explained that the "conferral of legal personality on a Hindu idol is not the conferral of legal personality on divinity itself," and that Pracha's claim was based on a "fundamental confusion between faith and law." Judge Rana added that the insistence on impleading a former Chief Justice of India "soon after his retirement speaks volumes against the appellant's oblique intent." The court noted that instead of assisting the judicial process, the appellant had "opted to augment the problem." In a strongly worded order, Judge Rana observed that "a luxurious and frivolous litigation is a direct onslaught upon the fundamental rights of sincere litigants patiently waiting in queue for redressal." The court remarked that judicial time is a "precious entity" that must not be squandered by "unscrupulous litigants." Citing Supreme Court precedents such as Bar Council of Maharashtra vs M.V. Dabholkar (1976), Ram Rameshwari Devi vs Nirmala Devi (2011), and Dnyandeo Sabaji Naik vs Pradnya Prakash (2017), the court emphasized that members of the Bar have a moral and professional duty to uphold the sanctity of the judicial process and refrain from filing baseless or politically motivated cases. Judge Rana further held that while Section 35(A) of the CPC provides for a limit of Rs 3,000 on costs, higher courts have repeatedly upheld the imposition of exemplary and deterrent costs in frivolous matters to safeguard the integrity of the judicial system. "The menace of luxurious and frivolous litigation which tends to impede the unsullied flow of justice needs to be dealt with an iron hand," the court said, adding that the cost of Rs 1 lakh imposed by the trial court was insufficient to achieve the intended deterrent effect. Accordingly, the court dismissed the appeal and imposed an additional cost of 5 lakh, directing Pracha to deposit the total Rs 6 lakh (Rs 1 lakh imposed by the trial court and Rs 5 lakh by the appellate court) with the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) within 30 days. In case of default, the DLSA Secretary was authorized to initiate recovery proceedings. Judge Rana concluded with an observation, "the situation becomes distressful when the protector himself turns predator. The appellant herein, despite being a fairly senior counsel, has opted to choose the wrong color of jersey. Instead of participating in the solution, he has opted to augment the problem." (ANI) EDITORS NOTE This story has been updated to reflect more accurate information released by police regarding the child involved in the Southeast D.C. shooting. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating after a man was found shot inside a Northwest apartment building early Saturday morning. Police responded to the shooting inside an apartment building in the 3200 block of Hiatt Place just minutes before 2 a.m. on Oct. 25. At the scene, officers found a man who was semi-conscious and barely breathing with gunshot wounds, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics rushed the man to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Due to the severity of the mans injuries, homicide detectives have since taken over the investigation, MPD noted. Investigators were looking for two male suspects in connection with the shooting. One of the suspects appeared to be about 30 years old, wearing a ski mask, while the other was spotted heading west on Park Road, Northwest, wearing a black Moose Knuckle jacket. Suspect sought in murder of congressional intern wanted in second deadly shooting; DC police announce $75K reward for information The shooting follows several others that took place across the District from Friday night to Saturday morning, including a shooting near Howard University that left five people hurt, a shooting that injured two girls in Southeast, a shooting that hurt a teen boy in Northeast, a shooting that hospitalized a man in Northwest and a double shooting on Benning Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers were also investigating after a 6-year-old was injured in a Friday night shooting in Southeast, police noted. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the departments TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A Scranton man threatened to kill a police officer arresting him after a marijuana purchase, according to a criminal complaint. At about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sgt. Jason Gula, patrolling near Wintermantle Avenue in East Mountain, spotted Jamil Harding in the front passenger side of a blue Jeep Cherokee. According to the complaint: Gula then saw Harding, 31, on the porch of an East Mountain Road residence where he suspected marijuana was being sold by an individual with a firearm. A short time later, Harding entered the residence, remaining only a few minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As officers watched, Harding, of 635 Elm St., seemed to initially head to the vehicle, but then began walking west on East Mountain Road, wearing a mask. Officers monitored Harding as he walked north on Meadow Avenue to an area near the liquor store there. He then turned around and walked south on Meadow Avenue toward River Street. Because Harding was suspected of purchasing marijuana at a residence where it was suspected there was a firearm, officers believed Hardings behavior was consistent with possession or distribution of narcotics. Police approached Harding in the parking lot of Gerritys supermarket on Meadow Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gula told Harding he had been following him and asked him to provide identification, but Harding refused. Harding then stated, Ive been waiting for something like this to happen to me. When asked what he meant, Harding threatened to shoot Gula. Harding is charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and making terroristic threats. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 before District Judge Sean McGraw. Police released images of two of four suspects accused of carjacking a man for his Rolls-Royce in Astoria, Queens, on Friday morning. According to investigators, the 34-year-old victim pulled over along 31st Street and 35th Avenue at 5:20 a.m. to close his trunk. Four men exited a grey Dodge Durango SUV and approached the man. Police say they displayed a firearm and told the victim to hand over his stuff and drop his keys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two suspects jumped into the Rolls-Royce, while the other two jumped back into the Durango, all fleeing from the scene. The carjackers also fled with the victim's registered firearm, cellphone, watch, and a jacket. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Officials confirm an 8-year-old child is missing after getting off at a bus stop after school on Friday afternoon. His name is Traymel Paxton, and he was last seen wearing black sweats, an oversized orange shirt, and a grey backpack. He was last seen at NE 28th and Lindsey Street around 4 p.m. Police are currently investigating the scene. This is a developing story. UPDATE: 3:18 AM OKCPD PIO confirmed the 8-year-old child has been found safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (The Center Square) - One year out, Nevadas pocketbook-focused 2026 gubernatorial election is neck and neck between two established and popular candidates. Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford slightly trailed Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in a recent poll that highlighted the divided state of Nevada politics and gave insight where the election could be won and lost. Both campaigns are doing exactly what they should be doing right now, said Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Noble Predictive Insights, which conducted the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford, attacking Lombardo on the pocketbook issues cost of living, housing, affordability and then you have Lombardo talking about everything but that," Noble told The Center Square. The survey, conducted Oct. 7-13, asked 766 registered voters and found 40% in favor of Lombardo, 37% backing Ford and 23% nearly a quarter still undecided between the two frontrunners. Noble Predictive Insights said the poll had a 3.54% margin of error. The pollsters also found that voters slightly favored the Democratic Party over the Republican Party, but that Lombardo was able to more than make up the difference with his own popularity. It's a perennial battleground state, so it's not uncommon that you're going to have these very competitive races, said Noble. You're typically not going to win by a mile unless you've done some incredible things, and so I think this is kind of par for the course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2022 Nevada gubernatorial election saw then-Clark County Sheriff Lombardo edge out Democratic incumbent Steve Sisolak by about 15,000 votes, in an election with over 1 million total votes. Today, Nevadans face their share of economic challenges. Grocery store prices are among the highest in the country, according to a LendingTree study. And a Redfin report noted housing prices in the Las Vegas area have skyrocketed to an all-time high in recent years. Nevadans are looking for tangible solutions to everyday challenges, Noble noted. The candidate who connects on affordability will likely carry the momentum into 2026. The demographic group most likely to swing with this topic are Hispanic and Latino voters in the Silver State, Noble said. They're usually a lower turnout group. To get them to turn out and vote his way on the pocketbook, I think there's a big opportunity there for Ford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford, who has so far focused his campaign on the economic woes under Lombardo, according to Noble, has an early lead with Latino voters. While Lombardo has strongholds in the suburbs, among independents and Clark County, Ford vastly outstripped the incumbent by 23 points among Latino voters in the poll. Neither Ford nor Lombardos campaign office responded to The Center Square's request for comment. Nevadas gubernatorial general election takes place Nov. 3, 2026. The primary election will take place June 9, 2026, and will include Republican candidate Matthew Winterhawk and Democratic candidate Alexis Hill, a Washoe County commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats currently have majorities in both houses of the Legislature, but lack enough seats to override vetoes by Republican Gov. Lombardo. If Democrats keep control of the Legislature, a win by Democratic Attorney General Ford likely would make it easier for them to pass bills. Lombardo looks to be the first Nevada governor to possibly win a reelection campaign since Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval in 2014. (The Center Square) Almost half of young adult voters are not confident the 2026 elections will be conducted fairly, according to a new poll. The Center Squares Voters Voice Poll found that 49% of adults ages 18-29 either have not very much confidence or no confidence at all that the 2026 midterm elections will be conducted fairly. About 36% of adults 18-29 expressed not very much confidence in the fairness of the 2026 elections and 14% said they had no confidence at all, or 50% when combined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center Squares Voters Voice Poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, surveyed 2,565 American voters between Oct. 2-6 on issues ranging from the economy, immigration and election integrity. The poll revealed stark contrasts between voters in various age groups and confidence in the fairness of midterm elections. About 60% of voters ages 30-44 said they either had a great deal of confidence or some confidence in the fairness of the 2026 midterm elections. About 57% of voters ages 45-64 and 63% of voters ages 65 and up said the same. Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive Insights, said younger voters exposure to social media cynicism may contribute to less faith in election administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The generational divide is striking, Noble said. Older voters came of age in a more institutional America faith in systems like elections and media runs deeper. Younger voters, especially under 30, grew up with social media cynicism and constant narratives of dysfunction. There were also striking differences across partisan lines when voters were asked about the fairness of 2026 election results. About 72% of Republican voters are somewhat confident or have a great deal of confidence about the fairness of the 2026 elections. About 47% of Democrats expressed the same levels of confidence. Noble attributes this shift in partisan trust for election fairness to the 2024 general election wins for Republicans across the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also some differences between racial groups in trust of the 2026 midterms fairness. Hispanic and Latino respondents expressed a similar level of distrust for election fairness as young adults. Only about 45% of Hispanic or Latino respondents expressed at least some level of confidence for the 2026 midterm elections. About 46% of Black respondents said the same compared to 64% of white respondents who had at least some confidence in the elections fairness. Historical barriers to access, unequal voting experiences, and recent policy battles surrounding voter ID and redistricting all contribute to lower confidence among Black and Hispanic voters compared to whites, Noble said. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Poor Richards Restaurant, located at 324 1/2 North Tejon, is offering free meals and drinks to all federal employees and their families who have been impacted by the federal government shutdown, starting Friday, October 24, through the end of the shutdown. According to a press release from Poor Richards Downtown, federal employees and their families, who have been furloughed, dismissed, or are working without pay, can present their government ID at the Poor Richards Restaurant register, and once per week, their meal and drinks will be on the house. We just want to help our dedicated, local federal employees when they and their families need it most, stated co-owners Richard Skorman and Patricia Seator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poor Richards is urging other businesses to follow suit, so that everyone can do what they can during the shutdown. Those who want to help Poor Richards offset the cost of providing meals to federal employees and their families can donate online, to one of the restaurants contribution boxes, or add a donation to the bill of an order at any of the Poor Richards businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Portland woman made her first appearance before a federal judge today after allegedly assaulting a federal officer this week. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were conducting an arrest near the intersection of East Burnside Street and Southeast 143rd Avenue on Thursday morning when 40-year-old Temika Gardner attempted to physically intervene, officials say. The arrestee attempted to escape but was recovered. As officers were escorting the person back, Gardner placed her hands on the agents multiple times, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She struck one officer in the face and removed his face covering. Gardner also allegedly swung at another officer at least twice and knocked his sunglasses to the ground. She removed the face mask of other officer, and struck another in the left side of his jaw. In court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News, Gardner was holding up her phone and recording during the encounter. One officer tried to spray her with Oc pepper spray during the struggle, but missed her eyes. She also accused one of the officers of having a fake badge. Following her first appearance in federal court, a U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered her release pending further court proceedings. Her arraignment is set for Nov. 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leader Shammi Oberoi on Saturday expressed happiness after the party secured three out of four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Oberoi, who has been elected to Rajya Sabha, added that National Conference leaders will raise key public issues. "We are happy... We tried that we win the 4th seat as well but it could not happen... We will go to Delhi, meet our two Lok Sabha MPs and represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir... We will raise the issues decided in the upcoming party meeting," Oberoi told reporters. A day earlier, National Conference (NC) candidate Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo expressed gratitude to his party and supporters following his win in the Rajya Sabha seat from Jammu and Kashmir. "I want to thank god and my party for this victory... I cannot even begin to explain how happy people are... We won the first three seats, but unfortunately, some votes were rejected, which is why we lost the fourth seat," Kichloo said. National Conference won three out of four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. BJP won one seat. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday noted that there was "no cross-voting" from any of their four legislators and questioned where the four extra votes of the BJP candidate Satpaul Sharma came from. "All of @JKNC_votes remained intact across the four elections, as witnessed by our election agent who saw each polling slip. There was no cross voting from any of our MLAs so the questions arise - where did the 4 extra votes of the BJP come from? Who were the MLAs who deliberately invalidated their votes by marking a wrong preference number while voting? Do they have the guts to put their hands up and own up to helping the BJP after promising us their votes? What pressure or inducement helped them make this choice? Let's see if any of the BJP's secret team own up to selling their souls!," CM Abdullah said on social media. (ANI) POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego County District Attorneys office has filed five charges, including four felonies, against embattled Poway City Councilmember Tony Blain. The criminal charges come less than two weeks before voters in Blains district vote in his recall election which is part of larger political saga thats been going on for nearly a year. Surprised and not surprised. Surprised at the timing, but not at all surprised by the charges. These are very serious felonies, said Poway Mayor Steve Vaus when describing his reaction to learning about the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the DAs office charged Blain with perjury, asking for a bribe, soliciting a bribe and destruction or removal of public papers along with misdemeanor petty theft. The charges cover incidents from September 2024 through July 2025. Prosecutors said Blain swore to the Fair Political Practices Commission that he was a sitting councilmember before being elected. Ethics attorney Bob Ottilie called the charge a big deal during an interview with FOX 5/KUSI. You hardly ever see perjury charged. From a legal perspective and the importance we attach to legal-type documents I think thats a huge charge and it reflects very poorly on his character, Ottilie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint also alleges that Blain asked for a bribe and offered and agreed to a bribe when he agreed to vote in favor of appointing councilmember Peter De Hoff as deputy mayor in exchange for De Hoffs vote in favor of a special election to fill a council seat vacancy. I think the two bribery charges would be the most serious and they would be the ones that he would get the longest sentence on if hes sentenced to jail or prison, Ottilie said. The charging document also said Blain knowingly destroyed communications relating to city business that were subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Blain also faces one misdemeanor count for allegedly stealing campaign signs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may be in a case like this that they would offer him a deal that would avoid prison time if he resigned. His problem from a leverage standpoint is my bet is hes going to be recalled, Ottilie said. Blain faces up to four years for the perjury and bribery charges, up to three years for destroying public records and six months for the misdemeanor. This is tough for the city of Poway, but weve got a great team, and we continue to get the peoples work done, Vaus said. This all comes as District 2 voters gear up for a special election on Nov. 4. John Mullin, who has been leading the recall effort against Blain, said the indictment validates their efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He missed the deadline to answer our notice of intent to recall and then he missed the deadline to file a statement within the ballot, so in each case when hes had a chance to defend himself, hes dropped that ball, said Mullin, who is the co-chair of the Recall Tony Blain Committee. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Blain and his attorney for comment but have not heard back. Meanwhile, the district attorneys office said Blains arraignment has been scheduled for Nov. 3, which is a day before the special recall election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Becoming Deputy Leader of the Labour Party at the moment is a bit like being appointed Second Officer of the Titanic just as the hull snapped in two. Nonetheless, two candidates emerged to fill the void left by Angela Rayners taxman travails. For five weeks, Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell the current Education Secretary and the recently-sacked Leader of the House of Commons have toured the country, battling to cure the insomnia and win the votes of Labour members. Today, as widely expected, Powell has emerged victorious in the battle of the Fabian bobs. When Powell was first elected to Parliament in the Manchester Central by-election of 2012, the turnout was only 18.2 per cent the lowest in a Parliamentary by-election since the Second World War. Proving that Powell can plum depths of apathy even greater than that, this time she won on a turnout of only 16.6 per cent, of 87, 407 votes to 73, 536, or 54.3 per cent to 45.7 per cent. This was tighter than several polls during the campaign had predicted another triumph for our consistently inaccurate yet ludicrously well-renumerated polling industry. Keep those turds polished, lads! For those of us not sadomasochistic enough to be Labour members, supporters, or hangers-on, what does Powells win mean? Most obviously, it is a blow to Keir Starmer. Phillipson was the Cabinet candidate, whereas Powell was the standard-bearer for the Labour legions with a grudge against his government, from King-Across-The-Irwell Andy Burnham, to frustrated eco-fanatic Ed Miliband, to backbenchers aggrieved to find themselves on track for unemployment, to the members disappointed to discover socialism in action means austerity, incompetence, unpopularity, and Digital ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not being in the Cabinet means Powell will not be bound by collective responsibility, free to criticise the Governments direction as Phillipson responsible for its ongoing campaign against rigour, quality, and choice in education could not. Nonetheless, Powell did at least project a semblance of loyalty to the Prime Minister who had so recently handed her a P45. As Keir said at conference, she intoned, we are in the fight of our lives. Division and hate are on the rise, and it falls to Labour to stand firm against itWe have to offer hope, the big change the country is crying out for. The trouble for Powell is that the biggest change that the country is demanding is an end to this hopeless government. As this weeks by-election in Caerphilly proved, the momentum, across Britain, is with any party that is seen as a rejection of Labour, from Reform on the Right to the Greens, Plaid Cymru, SNP, and Your Party on the Left. Powell hopes to win the latter back by pushing to drop the two-child benefit limit. But one suspects that will be too little, too late for those already disillusioned by Labours lack of radicalism. The horse has bolted as swiftly as that Epping migrant. Nor is Powell likely to win back any voters lost to Nigel Farage, having criticised the Government for trying to out-Reform Reform. She has said that Labour need to tell a real story about what we actually think is wrong with this country which is not, she helpfully, points out, all the fault of immigrants. On that Powell is certainly right, but immigration remains the number one issue for a most voters. Babbling about Farage and his ilk and blaming trickle down economics for Britains problems is hardly like to show them that Labour understands their concerns especially when she so recently dismissed concerns about the rape gangs scandal as little more than a dog whistle. to the outrage of survivors. Still, as Starmer stepped up to say he was delighted to be working with Lucy whyd you sack her then, Keir? he can take heart at one aspect of Powells victory. Angela Rayner, for all her inability to understand the ins and outs of stamp duty, has a little charisma about her. By contrast, Powell is a vacuum as stolid as the EdStone she signed off on when vice-chairing Labours 2015 election campaign. This contest was a referendum on Starmer, not on Powells merits. She doesnt pose a threat to him, even if stands for all the reasons why his party is running out of patience with his leadership. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. President Donald Trumps approval ratings have slightly dipped in most polls as the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week, tensions escalated abroad and controversy swirled within the country. With no resolution in sight, the shutdown now the second-longest in U.S. history continued to impact millions of Americans. The White House warned that millions of low-income families could lose their Women, Infants, and Children benefits by early November if the shutdown persists and the program doesn't receive additional funding. In foreign affairs, Trump halted all trade negotiations with Canada as an objection to an advertisement that aired in Ontario featuring remarks from the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in an Oct. 24 statement the commercial will continue to air during the first games of the World Series and then pause on Monday, Oct. 27 "so that trade talks can resume," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South America, the Pentagon confirmed the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the region in response to rising tensions with Venezuela. The White House cited alleged drug trafficking as justification for the move. In recent months, the Trump administration has destroyed at least 10 suspected drug boats off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. The U.S. military has killed at least 43 people during the strikes, based on military accounts. Back home, Trumps decision to demolish the White House East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom has sparked backlash from preservationists and architectural experts. Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert also mocked the lavish renovation on his show, saying it was "very upsetting to look at" and that the East Wing looked like a rotisserie chicken your dog got into" after the demolition. Meanwhile, the administration has continued its crackdown on immigration, with National Guard troops remaining in Chicago amid ongoing protests over immigration enforcement. Federal immigration officials have followed people in their cars, rappelled from helicopters in an apartment building raid, and clashed with protesters at a facility in the suburbs. A separate protest in San Francisco turned violent when a demonstrator and a bystander were shot near a Coast Guard facility, prompting calls for an investigation. Here's what to know about Trump's approval rating, including how they are decided and how Trump's ratings compare with his first term and past presidents. What is Donald Trump's approval rating? Here are the latest approval ratings released about Trump's administration: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How does Trump's approval rating compare with his 1st term? Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%. How does Trump's approval rating compare with past presidents? Joe Biden - 40% Donald Trump (first term) - 34% Barack Obama - 59% George W. Bush - 34% Bill Clinton - 66% George H.W. Bush - 56% Ronald Reagan - 63% Jimmy Carter - 34% Gerald Ford - 53% Richard Nixon - 24% Are presidential approval ratings accurate? Data agency Gallup notes that these approval ratings are a "simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A presidents approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the presidents performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections. According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office. While these ratings are easy to understand, Quorum says some analysts believe they are not as useful as they once were due to extreme partisanship and the polarized political climate. Presidential approval ratings have always been partisan, with members of the presidents party offering more positive assessments than those in the opposing party, according to the Pew Research Center. But the differences between Republicans and Democrats on views of the president have grown substantially in recent decades. USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump's approval rating: See the latest polls Prince Andrew is reportedly negotiating with King Charles to leave Royal Lodge amid backlash over his rent-free lease and renewed scrutiny of his finances. His 75-year agreement allows him to live rent-free except for a symbolic "peppercorn" payment. Meanwhile, court documents revealed he received 60,500 [$80,500] from businessman Adrian Gleave, linked to a collapsed firm accused of pension mis-selling. Though not accused of wrongdoing, the revelations have intensified questions about Prince Andrew's financial dealings and his future residence within the royal estate. Prince Andrew's Royal Lodge Lease Under Scrutiny Amid New Discoveries James Whatling / MEGA Andrew is reportedly "in talks" with his brother, King Charles, about moving out of his residence at Royal Lodge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is due to the growing backlash over his rent-free arrangement, continued public disapproval linked to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, and the upcoming release of Virginia Giuffre's memoir, in which she details her alleged abuse. The 30-room mansion has drawn renewed attention following reports that the duke's long-term lease allows him to occupy the property under exceptionally favourable terms. According to the Daily Mail, court documents revealed that he paid 1 million [$1.3 million] for the 75-year lease in 2003, followed by 7.5 million [$9.9 million] in refurbishments completed two years later. The Former Duke Is Required To Pay An Annual Rent Of 'One Peppercorn' MEGA The agreement reportedly requires Andrew to pay an annual rent of "one peppercorn," only if requested, and includes a clause entitling him to approximately 558,000 [$743,000] should he surrender the lease early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrangement came under further scrutiny this week after it was revealed that key rent details were redacted from the version of the lease submitted to the Land Registry more than two decades ago. Although The Times reported that withholding this information was legally permitted, the omission has raised concerns about transparency. The Public Accounts Committee has since announced plans to request explanations from both the Crown Estate and the Treasury. King Charles Urges Prince Andrew To Leave Royal Lodge Amid Growing Family Tensions MEGA Sources close to the royal household say the Palace is urging Andrew to vacate the property. However, his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have reportedly been assured that their own homes at St James's Palace and Kensington Palace will not be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possible relocation options being discussed include one of the king's private residences, such as Sandringham in Norfolk or Balmoral in Aberdeenshire. Still, Andrew reportedly prefers to remain close to his daughters in London or Windsor and is resisting relocation to more remote royal properties. Tensions escalated earlier this week when broadcast crews assembled outside Royal Lodge amid speculation of a major development, only for the Palace to delay any formal announcement. Friends of the former duke suggested to The Telegraph that he suspects the king's motivation is to repurpose the property for Queen Camilla in the future, an allegation Buckingham Palace has firmly denied. Prince Andrew Linked To Payments from Businessman Involved In Pension Scandal, Court Documents Reveal MEGA For now, Andrew continues to reside at Royal Lodge with his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, despite growing scrutiny over his financial affairs and links to late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His recent decision to stop using his title of Duke of York and his remaining honours was seen as an effort to ease tensions within the monarchy, yet his lifestyle and income sources continue to draw public attention. Fresh scrutiny has now emerged after court documents linked the former duke to a British businessman involved in a pension mis-selling scandal. Court documents show that Andrew received 60,500 [$80,500] from Adrian Gleave in December 2019, just weeks after his damaging BBC Newsnight interview about the Epstein scandal, which prompted his retreat from public life. The transactions were uncovered during a High Court case filed by Turkish businesswoman Nebahat Isbilen, who alleged that her financial adviser had misappropriated funds intended for Andrew and Ferguson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to BBC News, the payments were channelled through Alphabet Capital Limited, a company owned by Gleave. Questions Arise Over Timing Of Payments To Prince Andrew Following Businessman's Exit From Collapsed Firm Tim Merry/Express Syndication / MEGA An agreed statement submitted to the court and signed by representatives of Andrew, Ferguson, Gleave, and Alphabet confirmed that the businessman's firm had "previously made, and might in the future make, substantial payments" to the disgraced duke. The timing of these payments has raised questions, as they occurred only months after Gleave departed from SVS Securities. This wealth management firm collapsed in 2019 after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ordered it to cease operations. The FCA found that SVS had engaged in pension mis-selling, investing clients' retirement funds in risky bonds without proper disclosure, primarily to generate high commissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those investments later defaulted, leaving pensioners facing significant losses. Investigators also revealed that SVS imposed excessive withdrawal fees to further inflate profits before its collapse. Although no wrongdoing has been alleged against Andrew in relation to the SVS case, the disclosures have deepened scrutiny over his financial dealings and the individuals with whom he maintains business connections. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A firefighter for Prince Georges County was arrested and charged with allegedly distributing child pornography. The Prince Georges County Police Department said on Friday that 35-year-old Joshua Edmund Murphy was arrested and charged with multiple counts of possessing and distributing child pornography. DC Attorney General sues to end National Guard presence in the District Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murply is currently employed as a firefighter with the Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department. The investigation is still ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. In the lead-up to the 2024 US presidential election, a pro-Democrat campaign group released an advert voiced by Julia Roberts. In the one place where women still have the right to choose, you can do the right thing, it said, which of course meant voting for Kamala Harris, a barely sentient candidate with bad ideas, just because she was a woman. The subtext was that oppressed female voters could only give voice to their inevitably Left-wing opinions in the privacy of the polling booth. At the time, some wondered if the advert was a joke. But these people exist the ones who believe that anybody who votes differently or thinks differently to them must be dumb, racist, misogynistic, evil or abused. Sometimes, they hold the most influential jobs in the country. This week, former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki appeared on a podcast to discuss US Vice President JD Vance, and in doing so, revealed just how deep this condescension runs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife, Psaki mused, in that smug, brunch-with-the-girls tone peculiar to the hosts of The View. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times... Well save you. What Psaki seemed not to know or worse, not to care about is that Usha Vance is not some docile appalachian Stepford wife cowering behind a wood-burning stove. Shes a Yale-educated lawyer who clerked for both Chief Justice John Roberts on the US Supreme Court and Brett Kavanaugh. She has three children, a formidable CV and a life that suggests she could probably argue most people in Washington DC into intellectual submission before breakfast with her beautiful family. She could certainly outwit the quivering, bumbling, pathetic excuse of a press secretary that was Jen Psaki. To assume that Usha Vance has been brainwashed, bullied or captured by her husbands politics is more than insulting, its revealing. It tells us that Psaki, and the many who nodded along to her blink if you need help joke, apparently cannot conceive of an intelligent, successful woman choosing conservatism freely. The liberal imagination has its limits, and one of them is the idea of female agency existing outside progressive orthodoxy. This is what makes Psakis comment so much worse than a cheap laugh line. Its a confession not about Usha Vance, but about the patronising world-view of a certain class of feminist who cannot imagine disagreement without dysfunction. If youre a conservative woman, they assume you must be brainwashed. If youre married to a conservative man, you must be terrified. Credit: X / @TheChiefNerd Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also a less serious point to the Psaki controversy: the desperation for attention among the former Biden alumni now hustling for relevance after they were exposed as complicit in what should be considered one of the biggest cover-ups in American history Bidens cognitive decline. Psaki, with her MSNBC gig and podcast appearances, seems locked in a competition with Karine Jean-Pierre, another former Biden press secretary who is also now on the self-promotion circuit. This begs the question: who can be the most victimised by their own mediocrity? Jean-Pierres new book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, appears to be a case study in self-pity disguised as progress. In it, she laments that she was criticised as too wooden and lacking policy depth, which, she explains, must have been because no one has ever looked like me that has been at that podium. She insists that as a black woman, things are just different. She writes that the Democratic Party ultimately failed black women, who she seems to treat not as individuals with agency, but as a monolithic voting bloc to be flattered, guilted and seen. Thats the thread connecting Psaki and Jean-Pierre. This instinct to infantilise women by insisting that the world is rigged against them and that their only protection is allegiance to the Left. Someone like Usha Vance shatters that illusion simply by existing. Shes not a victim, not a symbol, not a sob story. Shes a wife, a mother and a lawyer, in that order, perhaps, and she seems perfectly fine without Psakis rescue mission. And as for Jean-Pierre: she seems to genuinely believe she will go down in history as one of the most maligned press secretaries because of the colour of her skin, not because she was catastrophically bad at her job. Which was admittedly a hard one, because of the fact that her boss had one foot in the grave. She was expected to tell the truth to the American people, and instead, she treated them like children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These women Psaki, Jean-Pierre, Julia Roberts, even talk endlessly about female empowerment, but their politics rely on the assumption that women are fragile, foolish and easily led. Its not conservatism that infantilises women. Its progressivism that does, and then sells infantilisation as liberation, and labels you as evil or terrified if you dont play pretend. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Theres a new production studio in town that its founder said will provide local artists a space not previously available to scale up their work. The vision that we have is for them to have a space where they can create high-end productions, upgrade their value and upgrade the value of their productions, said Ricardo Marquez, founder and CEO of Studio 4 Productions. Ricardo Marquez Founder of Studio 4 Productions Studio 4 Productions is a new 12,000-square-foot production studio in South-Central El Paso, located at 2004 Bassett Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marquez described it as a multi-booth creative space built for photographers, creators, marketing agencies, and businesses. Courtesy of Studio 4 Productions The space currently features an infinity wall or a cyclorama a seamless curved background used in video and photography that helps create the illusion of endless space. Marquez said it is the largest infinity wall in the city. The studio is also equipped with four moving walls, or walls mounted on casters, that allow creators to block and design a production set that can be used for photoshoots or to film a movie scene. Marquez, who has a background in marketing, said he has worked extensively with local photographers and videographers. He said there are already production studios around town, but that the space they equip is limited, thereby limiting the size of productions and how fast they can be completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said thats how and why he came up with the idea of creating Studio 4 to fill that need for larger-scale productions. The space is big enough so they can set up multiple sets, Marquez said. Lets say that they set up something on the infinity wall, well after they finish, it will take time to remove everything. Instead, you can already have another set by the movable walls and move on to the second part of the production. They can even have three sets at the same time, and for big producers, I think thats very helpful because everythings about time. Marquez said they will also be renting the space out for large-scale events or celebrations. Beyond that however, Marquez said he also wants the studio to help El Paso continue to draw large-scale productions from the Hollywood film industry, such as One Battle After Another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film, starring Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn, had a large portion of the films scenes shot in El Paso. This spurred some local officials and film industry advocates to urge for local governments to adopt a film incentive that can be competitive with New Mexicos, where the film industry has thrived in recent years. Hollywood filmmakers love El Paso, but theres more to do to get them here We want to promote that El Paso has this power, the capacity and local talent for high-end productions. This is a project that is being created for El Pasos film scene, photography and all that comes with it, Marquez said. With that incentive, we can bring more big productions like movies or short films. And of course, we can generate more jobs for the local talent. You can learn more about the studio by visiting their Instagram page at: @studio4_ep Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. When it came time to recruit candidates for next years midterms, some Democrats had a goal of finding political newcomers who dont talk like Beltway insiders and are ready to fight back against the Trump administration. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine, a gruff veteran turned oysterman, seemed to fit the bill: marrying left-leaning policies with the blunt talk of the blue-collar men Democrats have been hoping to win back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some in the party fell in love. Others thought that two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who jumped in the race in mid-October, might be a less risky choice. Their point was underscored this month when an avalanche of opposition research on Platner began making headlines. The information was largely drawn from his Reddit account, where he posted under the name P-Hustle. The posts had something in there to offend everyone, including Platner referring to himself as a communist, calling cops bastards, making insensitive remarks about sexual assault and arguing that Black customers dont tip. Then came the centerpiece: the revelation that Platner had a tattoo that resembled a symbol associated with Nazis. (Hes since had it covered up and has said that he did not realize the supposed Nazi connection when he got it.) The controversy has forced Democrats to wrestle with thorny questions about where to draw the line on offensive conduct and who gets to set such boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones knows a thing or two about a campaign hitting trouble. When he ran for Senate in 2016, his general election opponent, Roy Moore, was accused of sexual misconduct by several women, one of whom told the Washington Post that she was 14 at the time that a 32-year-old Moore sexually touched her. (Moore denied the accusation.) The accusations helped sink Moore's campaign. Jones told me that the Democratic Party is at a crossroads and has to figure out the balance. Things like overt racism, overt misogyny are bright lines, [but] its hard to draw a fine line, especially these days, because frankly I think the needle has moved a little bit to where people are more tolerant of so many things. He said he would lean toward the party being a bit more understanding than it has been in past election cycles. We need to be a little bit more forgiving if somebody has truly convinced you that I was in a bad place or whatever, he said. It wasnt too long ago that just one or two of those social media posts would have been enough to sink a Democratic primary campaign. But the fact that the party is even wrestling with forgiving Platner is proof of how much has changed. The biggest evolution seems to be tied to how Republicans have operated for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Republicans spoke out against Donald Trump in 2016 after the Access: Hollywood tape leaked, but he won anyway. As president, Trump then stood by problematic nominees such as Moore and Herschel Walker. More recently, Vice President JD Vance defended Republican operatives who had compared Black people to monkeys and fantasized about gas chambers in leaked texts. No Democrat Ive talked with wants to go that far. But they are having a more fulsome conversation about where to draw the line than they would have had in the past. The Democratic Party, sometimes we want to grow our candidates in the lab and check all the right boxes and not make any mistakes or, you know, do anything fed up or be interesting throughout their lives and then win. Donald Trump was a big wake up call for me, former Obama aide and current Crooked Media host Tommy Vietor told me. Another factor is the age of social media. Any candidate who doesnt qualify for AARP probably posted something embarrassing or regrettable on a social media network at some point, especially if they werent the kind of person who grows up wanting to be president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Republicans are mostly doubling down on their remarks or denying having made them, Democrats are looking for a show of contrition. If a candidates apology seems sincere, the offense was long ago and its out of line with their recent behavior and views, they may get a pass. At the end of the day, it wont be up to Beltway insiders anyway. The party can try to force out a primary candidate with a problematic history, but if small donors keep showing up and voters choose the candidate anyway, theres not much the party can do about it. In Maine, the voters seem nonplussed so far about Platners past. In University of New Hampshire polling conducted before and after the various news about Platner broke, 58% of those who responded still chose him, compared to 24% for Mills. The next test for the party will come when the candidate isnt someone like Platner. Many Black Democrats have said they want to see the same willingness to forgive when the candidate with the troubling remarks isnt a white man. But thats a conversation for another day. For more thought-provoking insights from Eugene Daniels, watch The Weekend every Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 10 a.m. ET on MSNBC. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A tanker truck carrying propane overturned early Saturday morning in Boyle Heights, shutting down portions of the southbound 5 Freeway near the transition to the 60 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The rollover was first reported around 4:59 a.m. near Boyle Avenue, where the tanker came to rest on its side, blocking multiple lanes and damaging a concrete barrier. There is no active leak from the trucks propane tank, Los Angeles firefighters confirmed. Hazmat crews remain on scene as a precaution while contractors work to safely upright the tank and clear debris. Crews are seen attempting to remove a big rig that rolled over on the freeway in Boyle Heights. October 2025. (KTLA) One Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter was being evaluated for a minor injury, and officials say the truck driver was not seriously hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A SigAlert was issued due to the extended cleanup and is currently expected to last until at least 9:15 a.m., though officials say that timeline may change. 2 dead, 2 hurt in brutal Santa Monica hit-and-run Traffic impacts include: All lanes closed on the southbound 5 transition to the eastbound 60 Southbound 5 connectors remain blocked near the incident Hard closures affecting the SB 101 to EB 60 transition, with traffic diverted to SB 5 The 7th Street offramp from the SB 101 also closed due to barrier damage Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes, including the 10 Freeway. Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. According to a release, the accused Lakhvinder Kumar is wanted by Haryana Police in multiple criminal cases relating to extortion, intimidation, illegal possession and use of a firearm and attempt to murder. The subject Lakhvinder Kumar is a gangster associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier, CBI got the Red Notice published against Lakhvinder Kumar through INTERPOL on October 26, 2024 on the request of Haryana Police. The subject Lakhvinder Kumar was deported from the USA and arrived in India on October 25. He was taken into custody by a team of Haryana Police at Delhi Airport. Red Notices published by INTERPOL are circulated to all Law Enforcement Agencies globally for tracking of the wanted fugitives. CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels. More than 130 wanted criminals have been brought back in the last few years through coordination via INTERPOL channels. (ANI) The Florida Legislature is taking aim at property taxes with an eye toward reducing or eliminating some of them altogether. The eight bills under discussion all seek to slash property taxes in slightly different ways but they all exempt the portion of the property tax that goes to K-12 school funding. They also specifically ban local governments from cutting law enforcement spending even though state law already bars cities and counties from cutting police funding without state approval. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has repeatedly called for the abolishment of property taxes altogether, at least for those with homestead exemptions, complained that the multiple bills are just political theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its a political game, not a serious attempt to get it done for the people," he posted to X on Oct. 22. Critics have pointed out that reductions in property tax would force cuts in valuable community services. The move would also be another way to further erode the authority and power of local governments, or home rule, which has been a recurrent theme in many of the measures from DeSantis and Florida's Republican legislators. During his time in office DeSantis has overseen limitations on local emergency powers, prohibitions against investing taxpayer funds using environmental, social and governance guidelines, elimination of local government's ability to challenge land-use or zoning decisions, and more. In September, 23 cities and two counties sued to overturn a new law that prohibits local governments from enacting stricter planning requirements. What are property taxes? Property taxes are fees you pay based on your property's assessed value, which is a percentage of what your property is worth. The more your property is worth, the higher your property tax bill will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike income tax, which goes to the federal and state government, property taxes go to your city's or county's or school district's general fund and cover a large amount of the community's budget, often most of it. If you have a mortgage, your property taxes are generally included in your payments. If not, you will be billed by the county every year if you have not opted for quarterly payments. What do my property taxes pay for in Florida? Property taxes go toward essential local services that don't pay for themselves or have offsetting revenues, such as: Police and fire departments 911 dispatchers Emergency management Road maintenance Schools Parks and recreation Libraries Public health services Local government How are property taxes calculated in Florida? Your property tax is calculated with a three-step process: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county property appraises determines an assessment value of your home The millage rate is applied Any eligible exemptions are subtracted The result is what you pay. Due to differences in rates and eligible exemptions, everyone's property taxes may be different, even on the same street. What is the millage rate? Annual tax rates, called millage rates, are set by the local taxing authorities who will be getting a portion of the revenue. A millage rate is the amount of tax per every $1,000 of the assessed value of your home. A millage rate of 10 would mean the property owner would pay $10 in tax for every $1,000 of their taxable property value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assessed value of your home, determined by the county property appraiser, is generally lower than the market value. What property tax exemptions are available? Florida has a variety of property tax exemptions available, most notably the homestead exemption which decreases the property's taxable value by as much as $50,000. If you receive a homestead exemption, you are also qualified for the Save Our Homes assessment limitation, which by state law caps the amount your property taxes can rise per year to no more than 3% regardless of any changes in property values. Save Our Homes was approved by Florida voters in 1992 to protect residents, especially those on fixed incomes, from being taxed out of their homes as property values rose. There are several other exemptions available for active duty military or veterans, people 65 and older, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Property taxes due? Florida's Save Our Homes saves homeowners thousands. Here's how it works Who gets money from property taxes? Different property taxes are set by a variety of local agencies including: Your county government Your city government, if you live in an incorporated area Your local school district Your local water management district Other special districts Tax rates are determined based on budgetary projections and must undergo public hearings and state oversight. Taxes also may be raised to cover local government funding shortfalls or to help pay for projects. Homeowners receive a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice from their county every year, alerting them to how millage rates were calculated and what their proposed rates will be the next year. What happens if Florida reduces or eliminates property taxes? You get to keep more of your money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, your community and your standard of living may suffer when local governments are forced to cut back. The Florida Policy Institute, an Orlando-based organization, analyzed preliminary data from the Department of Revenue and estimated that dropping the property taxes on homesteaded properties would result in counties and school districts losing about $7.8 billion each and cities having to replace some $3 billion. The Tallahassee-based Florida TaxWatch made a similar projection based on last years local taxes. How does Florida's property tax rate compare to the US? Florida's effective tax rate in 2024 was 0.91%, according to Business Insider, which was under the national average of 1.02%. The highest rate was 2.23%, in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 80% of Florida's counties have kept their millage rates the same or even lowered them since 2019, according to the Florida Association of Counties advocacy group, based on Florida Department of Revenue data. What property tax bills are the Florida House debating? Eight bills have been filed in the House to reduce or eliminate property taxes so far: HB 215: Would require property tax rate proposals to win a two-thirds vote HB 201: Would eliminate all property taxes aside from school district levies for anyone with homestead exemptions and prevent local governments from reducing funding for law enforcement to make up the loss, starting Jan. 1, 2027. HB 203: Similar to HB 201, but would phase out non-school property taxes for homestead properties over 10 years by increasing the assessed property value exemption by $100,000 each year HB 205: Would eliminate non-school property taxes for residents with a homestead exemption if they are over 65 HB 207: Would increase the current homestead exemption for non-school taxes to 25% of the assessed value of the home HB 209: Would increase homestead exemption by $100,000 for homesteaders who also have property insurance HB 211: Would eliminate the $500,000 cap on transferring the homestead exemption from one property to another HB 213: Would lower the 3% cap on the annual growth in assessed value for homestead properties and 10% cap on non-homestead properties to 3% over three years for homestead properties and 15% over three years for non-homestead properties What happens if the property tax bills are approved? Proposed property tax changes must be approved by Florida voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, each one would need to get 60% of the votes in both the state House and Senate to get on the ballot., Then, 60% of the voters would need to approve in in the statewide election. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida House debates reducing property taxes. What do they pay for? A new police substation will open in downtown Dayton next year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The city and Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will partner to bring a temporary Central Business District substation at Third and Main streets. Its expected to open in March 2026. People who use the bus hub told News Center 7s Malik Patterson they love the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good, maybe itll cut down on the ruckus down here, Millicent Morris said. Morris was born and raised in Dayton and lives downtown. TRENDING STORIES: She said she doesnt like to come to the bus stop unless she has to. Over the last year, Morris said she has seen people fight in the area. I really cant defend myself. So if the cops down here cut that down, I will be forever grateful, she said. For years, Dayton Public Schools high school students have used RTA buses and the hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, police said a shooting killed 18-year-old Dunbar student Alfred Hale near the hub. This week, Hales family filed a lawsuit against RTA. They said RTA ignored years of problems and violence around Wright Stop Plaza. While we all grieve the loss of a young adult life and sympathize to the utmost with his familys loss, the tragic event took place after Mr. Hale had left RTAs property, RTA CEO Robert Ruzinsky said. Ruzinsky also spoke on the new partnership with the police. RTA has a strong history of partnering with others on various community projects and initiatives ... and this project will enhance an already growing and developing downtown, he said. Dayton police are working on a more permanent substation near the Oregon District between E 4th and St. Clair streets. That is scheduled to open in 2029. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Twp., is the State Representative for the Ohio House 73rd District. In the grand theater of American politics, the "No Kings" protests that swept media stations last weekend stand out not for their revolutionary passion but for their sheer opulence. People gathered in cities across the country, waving signs and chanting slogans against perceived authoritarianism in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organized by groups like No Kings Movement, these demonstrations were billed as a defense of democracy, with crowds decrying everything from presidential policies to the drift toward what they call tyranny. But let's pause and reflect: these protests weren't acts of desperate rebellion; they were luxuries fit for kings. There are threats, but not from king Consider the comfort that surrounded these gatherings. Protesters marched freely, unafraid of violence or reprisal. Prominent Democrats joined crowds without risk, knowing their involvement carried political reward, not danger. That sense of safety stands in stark contrast to the threats faced by conservatives and Republicans this year. Take Florida Rep. Kat Cammack, who evacuated her offices in June after receiving dozens of credible death threats targeting her, her unborn child, her family, and her staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or consider U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson's warnings about the escalating threats to lawmakers, some of which are right here in Ohio. This reflects a climate where dissenting voices, particularly those on the right, face real danger. The contrast becomes even starker when we recall public events. Conservatives facing threats of violence At the rally last year in Butler, Pennsylvania, attendees found themselves literally in the line of fire during an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. More recently, the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk sparked a wave of reprisal threats and arrests, underscoring the ongoing dangers conservatives face for speaking out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even events hosted by conservative organizations now unfold under heavy security. Yet, the "No Kings" crowds roamed the streets carefree. No stabbings, no gunfire, just the freedom to vent political outrage in comfort and safety. If that's not royal treatment, what is? More: Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter accused of 'terroristic' threat to Democratic leader Jeffries That same privilege extends to Washingtons political gamesmanship. The ongoing government shutdown, now fast approaching 30 days, didnt arise from fiscal discipline but from Senate Democrats refusal to pass a clean funding bill. They are shouting no king while Americans suffer Theyve tied government operations to a demand for expanded taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants, tucked behind the Affordable Care Acts tax credits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philip Derrow: Republicans are correct to fight against excessive Obamacare subsidy Their obstruction has real consequences. Veterans health payments are stalled. Border patrol agents and service members are living paycheck to paycheck. SNAP benefits for families in need could run out by November 1. Yet leaders like Chuck Schumer still posture from their podiums, shouting no kings while holding Americas workers, heroes, and families hostage to their political theater. The irony is rich: those decrying monarchy are the ones exercising the power to rule. Lets be clear, there were no kings in America before October 18, and there are none after. Our republic rests on law, not royal command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closest weve come to a true kingly moment was Election Day 2024, when the people themselves spoke. That message was clear. Voters rejected open borders and endless giveaways, calling for a government that prioritizes its citizens over outsiders. The voters want to put America first. Yet that mandate now sits stalled in the halls of Congress, blocked by a shutdown driven by priorities that put noncitizens first. Holding the livelihoods of those who protect and serve hostage to politics is not leadership; its dysfunction. America needs a reset Protestors listen to speakers during the No Kings Protest outside of the Ohio Statehouse. Still, theres an opportunity amid the dysfunction. As Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has argued, this shutdown can be more than a stalemate; it can be a reset. Its a chance to strip out waste, reform bloated agencies, and restore accountability to government. Why fund overseas programs like locust reduction in Africa when our own borders are unsecured and veterans wait for care? This isnt chaos; its correction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The No Kings protests, then, raise a deeper question: whos really acting like royalty here? The protesters marching safely under police protection, demanding more spending for outsiders, while ordinary Americans feel the pain of their policies? Or the citizens and lawmakers fighting to keep faith with the voters who demanded change? America isnt a kingdom. Its a republic built on equality under law, not privilege under protest. If were serious about no kings, lets start by dethroning the entitlement in Washington and returning power where it belongs to the people. Jeff LaRe represents the central Ohio-area District 77 in the Ohio House of Representatives, which includes most of Fairfield County. Jeff LaRe, R-Violet Twp., is the State Representative for the Ohio House 73rd District. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: America doesn't have a king. The people spoke and want this | Opinion JOHNSTOWN, Pa. A soft opening for Jimmy Ts Firehouse Pub at 526 Main St. in downtown Johnstown is scheduled for Nov. 7, with a full-service launch of the new business Nov. 8. Mark Critz, executive director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, said the opening of the new restaurant would be followed in the spring with the opening of a grocery store at 507 Main St. The planned store would fill a need for downtown residents that has existed since the closure of Ideal Market on Walnut Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grocery vendor Terra Vista has invested half a million dollars in the process to open the store, and an additional $600,000 has been contributed through Johnstown-area nonprofits and government grants. The JRA has taken the lead on attracting that funding stack, Critz said. And with the citys Central Park renovation ahead of schedule for its anticipated completion in the fall of 2026, Critz said, downtown is quickly transforming. For me at least, when I was thinking about Jimmy Ts Firehouse Pub opening up, I wondered how many restaurants we have downtown, said Critz, who started his role as JRA executive director in July. And Ive counted 21 restaurants, he said. I was surprised here I was working downtown since July and not aware of all of them. That gave me optimism. There is excitement and things happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimmy Ts restaurant has been developed to serve fresh food and employ local Johnstowners, and is inspired by the camaraderie and culinary skill of New York City firefighters, to which restaurant owner Chris Ciulla can attest. The reason I opened Jimmy Ts is my father served 35 years with the FDNY, and I wanted to create a restaurant to honor him and his service and all the years I spent in the firehouse growing up, he said. At the fire department, so many of the guys had the same name that they had to be known by their first name and middle initial, he said. His father was known as Jimmy T. The firehouse in New York City all those guys were great cooks, so it was about great food, camaraderie and hard work, he said. I wanted to reflect that in the brand. Together we can is our bar slogan. I wanted to bring that to the community of Johnstown, and bring them some of the flavors from the firehouse I had growing up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant is planned to offer traditional bar fare, as well as fine dining options, he said. Along with beverages offered under a full alcohol license, the pub will offer commercial and craft beer. Ciulla is president of WeCulture Brands, a restaurant management and real estate company that also has a restaurant in Florida. I look for restaurants that are ready-built, and towns where they are investing in their community, he said. He found that in Johnstown. The property at 526 Main St. has been renovated after years of vacancy. It was most recently the Hey Day Diner, which closed a decade ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hazak LLC, a real estate holding company, purchased the property in 2019, and despite delays that Hazak partner Mike Malcanus has said started with the COVID-19 pandemic, the company continued its renovation of the building. That construction was recently completed to welcome a tenant, which was found in Ciulla. And I met the City Council and several people during my visit in April, Ciulla said. As I met the City Council, and a lot of the city officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce, I realized that Johnstown is really committed to the success and growth of Johnstown. I want to be in towns where my business can contribute to the overall success and where we can be part of that community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Manager Shayla Kanuch is a Johnstowner born and raised, he said. She will manage the restaurant. Kanuch was voted Favorite Local Bartender in the 2025 Best of Johnstown awards by readers of Johnstown Magazine. We are employing a lot of local people and making sure we are giving back to the local community that way, Ciulla said. We are also going to support a lot of local charities as they are identified to us. With the current restaurant I own in Florida, we are on course to donate $20,000 to charity this year. Linda Znachko carried the small white casket adorned with a large pink bow to the front of Mt. Vernon Chapel and placed it on a table beneath a cross and stained-glass windows. A procession of mourners followed, arranging pink flowers and a small white headstone that read, Baby Haven," around the box. More: IMPD investigates the death of newborn found at Brookside Park on Labor Day In life, they did not know baby girl inside. Still, they gathered as a community to honor her and give dignity to the infant. Found deceased and abandoned in Brookside Park nearly two months ago, the baby girl was claimed by Znachkos ministry, He Knows Your Name, which seeks to rewrite the story of babies born and abandoned in death. He Knows Your Name founder Linda Znachko and Marion County Coroner Alfie McGinty are seen here at Baby Haven's gravesite service on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Washington Park East Cemetery. He Knows Your Name, its partners and supporters arranged for her to have a funeral and a graveside burial. They also gave her a name Haven Grace Hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were all so sad this happened, Znachko said. I believe that theres legacy on this babys life if we choose to see it that way. The baby's name means safe sanctuary, she explained. It's an ode to Indiana's Safe Haven Law, which permits mothers and fathers to anonymously surrender their babies with emergency responders without fear of prosecution. Baby Haven's remains were discovered on Sept. 1 in Brookside Park near two safe haven sites. In a press release issued after the funeral, He Knows Your Name said Baby Haven was the first baby found abandoned and deceased in Indiana in 10 years. Her funeral took place during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Katelyne Sanchez's kids found Baby Haven in the park after she sent them out to play. They came home sooner than expected. "They were kind of all just yelling that they found a baby," she said. Her 12-year-old showed her where Baby Haven lay. Mourners lay flowers on top of a small headstone made for Baby Haven whose remains were found in Brookside Park on Labor Day Weekend. "My first thought was anger because I don't know the situation," she said. "I thought it was just somebody who didn't care." Sanchez attended the funeral on Saturday. She said it brought her closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The baby deserved this from the get-go a proper funeral, a proper burial," she said. So far, nothing is known about Baby Haven's origins. Marion County Coroner Alfie McGinty, who also attended the public funeral and has worked closed with Znachko and He Knows Your Name for years, said the investigation into Baby Havens manner and cause of death is ongoing. McGinty said Baby Haven appears to have experienced a little less than 30 weeks of gestation. We dont think that she was born alive," she said. "Were waiting for additional test results to confirm that." A public funeral was held for Baby Haven on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Washington Park East Cemetery. Baby Haven who was found deceased and abandon Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis Brookside Park. For now, she stressed the importance of the coroner's office partnership with He Knows Your Name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What people don't often think about is that a death certificate has to have a name," she said after Baby Haven was laid to rest. "Having this baby have a name on the death certificate, it really means a lot, rather than having the death certificate saying Baby Doe or Baby Girl Doe. She has a real name now. That is diginity and respect in death." Znachko said Baby Haven's experience highlights the need for more awareness about Indiana's Safe Haven Law. She's turning to the General Assembly in hopes of getting passed government-sponsored education about the law in schools. "A mother in crisis in our state fell through the cracks," she said. "I never want that to happen again." Znachko founded He Knows Your Name ministries in 2009. Since then, the ministry has laid to rest 61 babies. She said the ministry and its partners plan to kick off the 2026 Legislative Session with an anniversary celebration of the law on Nov. 18 at the Indiana State House. The law turns 25 this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to talk about all the beautiful enhances the law has gone through over 25 years to improve it, which has been great but they're not good enough," Znachko said. "There's more to do and Baby Haven just shines the light on the fact that there's more to do." He Knows Your Name founder Linda Znachko carries a casket with Baby Haven's remains into Mount Carmel Chapel at Washington Park East Cemetery. The ministry will kick off the legislative session with a call to action and take steps to promote the law. Znachko said education needs to be provided in middle and high school health classes to educate teens about the Safe Haven Law. "Somewhere along the line every student I believe is going to encounter a friend, a cousin, a girlfriend, a sister, a roommate, somebody that has a crisis pregnancy of an unwanted pregnancy," she said. "We need to equip young people with resources so that they know the laws." She said the government has done a good job enhancing the law but it hasn't done enough to educate the community through the media. Znachko said she's encountered people who don't know what the law is or are unaware that the law was changed to give parents 60 days to surrender rather than 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've got to educate people and we've got to educate young people," she said. "We've got to get the next generation involved in the movement to save lives because I'm embarrassed that the Indiana infant mortality rate is so high when Safe Haven Baby Box Ministry has come out of Indiana. He Knows Your Name Has Come out of Indiana." Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris and on Bluesky at@allymburris.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brookside Park baby girl funeral two months after she was found (PUEBLO, Colo.) In the wake of recent comments made by Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham concerning the citys fiscal health and budget, a group of Puebloans held a press conference on Friday, Oct. 24 calling out fiscal mismanagement at City Hall. On Monday, Oct. 20, Mayor Graham accused City Council of stifling the community of Pueblo by voting against several infrastructure projects in the city. She alleged that City Council voted down a roofing project after a six-week delay, costing taxpayers thousands in repairs. Mayor Graham also spoke about alleged ethics complaints against City Council, including one that was recently dismissed. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Its time to wake up, its time to pay attention, what is going on in City Hall, Pueblo Mayor calls for action Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, concerned citizens addressed growing concerns over Pueblos financial transparency and how the current administration handles taxpayer funds. The press conference also focused on budget comparisons, long term financial health, and recent business developments. I think everyone can agree that the city needs economic growth, said George Koncilja of the Historic Preservation Commission. Well the best way to scare an employee or a family from relocating to Pueblo would be to make us look like a circus. And thats exactly what the Mayor has done, including the 23-minute press conference that was given on Monday. It made us look weak. Advocates for the 2C Campaign want to return to a city manager form of government, eliminating the strong mayor system, to ensure fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. SCRANTON Tenor Health Foundation signed an agreement to acquire Commonwealth Healths hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, as well as associated clinics and outpatient centers. The acquisition includes Regional Hospital of Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and contingent on the nonprofit Tenor finalizing its funding, according to a statement from Commonwealth Health. Once funding is secured, the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are delighted to announce the execution of the definitive agreement to bring the three Commonwealth Health hospitals into the Tenor Health Foundation family, Radha A. Savitala, Tenors chief executive officer, said in a statement. This acquisition exemplifies our organizations commitment to preserve valuable healthcare resources specifically in the most vulnerable communities. We are grateful to community leaders for engaging with us as well as the medical staff and hospital staff who continue to provide the much-needed services for these hospitals. We look forward to continuing to engage with all key stakeholders to ensure a seamless acquisition and transition. The announcement came late Friday after two elected officials indicated the agreement was at hand, with one official saying the agreement was signed and another saying it was very, very close. Earlier in the day, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., said the deal could be finalized Friday, followed by a 30-day process to complete the sale of the three hospitals. Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said after that she heard Tenor and CHS had signed a purchase agreement for the three hospitals. Cognetti is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Bresnahan for the 8th Congressional District seat in next years midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Friday after the agreement was announced, the congressman said he was encouraged by this positive step toward ensuring the continuity of care for our community. These hospitals are essential to Scranton and the broader region, not only as providers of critical health services, but as major employers and anchors of our local economy, he said. Cognetti said the goal as always been to keep the doors of Regional and Moses Taylor Hospitals open, and to keep staff employed. After months of conversations with Tenor, and with Gov. Shapiros administration, state representatives, and community foundation leaders, I am cautiously optimistic that this sale means we will continue to have quality healthcare right here in Scranton, Cognetti said. We will do what we can to support Tenor as they seek the licenses and the financing they need to maintain and improve these hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenor signed a letter of intent to acquire the hospitals in August after their sale to another nonprofit fell through last year. WoodBridge Healthcare had announced plans to purchase the hospitals in July 2024, but the deal fell apart in November when WoodBridge failed to secure bond financing to complete the acquisition. The potential sale to WoodBridge, and its collapse, prompted fears that the financially challenged Scranton hospitals could close absent acquisition by another buyer, creating a void in the regions health care landscape that other providers would struggle to fill. Those fears motivated a multifront effort to save Regional and Moses Taylor, with officials at all levels of government working to facilitate a new sale, and a collection of foundations and nonprofits providing millions of dollars in temporary stopgap support to keep services running and staff paid at the Scranton facilities in the intervening time. Grateful for support Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bresnahan spoke during a roundtable with Maternal and Family Health Services employees and board members at the organizations Family Health Services Circle of Care center in South Scranton. Bresnahan was at the nonprofits facility to discuss funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. He asked Maternal and Family Health Services officials about their relationship with local hospitals during the roundtable. MFHS President and CEO Maria Montoro Edwards responded the organization was very worried about Moses Taylor, where she said most babies in the area are born. We are very worried about (the hospitals) closing because it would be a very difficult time for patients to get somewhere else, she said. Edwards said many clients are choosing to deliver outside of the system where they receive prenatal care. Thirteen of their clients have delivered outside of the Commonwealth Health system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she is grateful for the foundations that have been financially supporting the hospitals. The foundations and nonprofits that have provided millions in temporary financial support since the spring to help ensure operations continue at Regional and Moses Taylor include the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the AllOne Foundation, the Luzerne Foundation, the Moses Taylor Foundation and the NEPA Health Care Foundation, as well as the Wright Center, Allied Services and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Concerns about WIC During his visit, Bresnahan emphasized his support for WIC, which provides nutrition assistance to women who are pregnant and women and children under the age of 5. Officials gave the congressman a tour of the facility. He said he is concerned about federal funding for the program collapsing amid the government shutdown, which is in its fourth week. The program, which helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples like fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk and infant formula, was at risk of running out of money this month because of the government shutdown, which occurred right before it was slated to receive its annual appropriation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National WIC Association is calling for an additional $300 million in funding for the program, warning that millions of families could lose access to WIC benefits as early as Nov. 1. Edwards said the organization is concerned about the federal government continuing to fund the program. We are very concerned because thats about half of our budget and it is the most vulnerable of the people we serve, she said. Edwards was encouraged by Bresnahans visit Friday. I feel like he does believe this is a very pivotal issue and that it should be bipartisan and that hes really willing to take this conversation to Washington and work toward getting a solution, she said. Staff Writer Jeff Horvath contributed to this story. Kremlin special envoy and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev has said that Russia, the United States and Ukraine are "close" to a diplomatic solution that could end the Russian-Ukrainian war. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Upon arriving in Washington for talks with US officials, Dmitriev said that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Putin had not been cancelled, as the US president had written, and that they would likely meet later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that Russia, the US and Ukraine were "close to a diplomatic solution" that would end the Russian-Ukrainian war. Quote: "I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution." Details: He called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that the negotiations could concern the front line a "big move". Quote: "It's a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that it's about battle lines. You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 22 October, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, calling on Moscow to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A solution to the war in Ukraine can be found "pretty quickly" if three issues that are important to Russia are taken into account, according to Kirill Dmitriev, a Kremlin special envoy and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, who is currently on a visit to the United States. Source: Dmitriev on Fox News and CNN Details: Dmitriev said on Fox News that "the US, Ukraine and Russia understand what the solution can be, and we hope that it is achieved within a reasonable time frame". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presenter asked what the solution to the war in Ukraine could be. Quote: "First of all, I'm focused quite a bit on the economy and investments and overall relationship with the US and making sure the dialogue happens, but I think there are just several elements. One of those is security guarantees to Ukraine, and Russia said yes, Russia is open to security guarantees to Ukraine. There is definitely a territory issue, where there is a Russian population, a Russian population that was attacked by Ukrainian forces even before the conflict had started [an old narrative invented by the Kremlin to justify its aggression against Ukraine ed.]. And then, there is the whole issue of the neutrality of Ukraine, which is important for the security of Russia. So really, not that many issues are on the table, and basically, by understanding how they can be resolved in a diplomatic manner, the solution can be found pretty shortly, actually." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Dmitriev also praised US President Donald Trump, noting the progress made in resolving the war during his presidency. "First of all, President Trump avoided escalation into World War III. Secondly, he achieved the first ceasefire on the heat and energy infrastructure that we have had. And thirdly, he really understood the Russian position," the Kremlin envoy said. Speaking on CNN, Dmitriev said a meeting between Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will take place, but probably later. "I think the meeting has been postponed it needs to be well prepared by our diplomats," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 24 October, Dmitriev arrived in the United States for "official" talks after sanctions were imposed on the Russian oil sector and the Trump-Putin summit in Hungary was cancelled. Dmitriev claimed that Russia, the US and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution that would end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Qatari leaders are expected to discuss the ceasefire and peace force in Gaza with US President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a refueling stop in Doha. US President Donald Trump said that Qatar would send peacekeeping troops to Gaza if needed while sitting next to the prime minister and emir of Qatar during a Saturday meeting. This should be an enduring peace, Trump told reporters when asked about the situation in Gaza. He added that efforts to stabilize Gaza were advancing, and he praised the Gulf nation as a great ally and key player in regional stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that "what we've done is incredible - peace in the Middle East." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US officials are getting input on a possible UN resolution or international agreement to authorize a multinational force in Gaza and will discuss the issue in Qatar. "Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level, whether it be monetary or personnel or both, are going to need that (a UN resolution or international agreement) because their domestic laws require it," Rubio told reporters traveling on his plane between Israel and Qatar en route to Asia. "So we have a whole team working on that outline of it." US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Over the last two weeks, the stream of high-level US visitors has been extraordinary, says the writer. (credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard) Trump met with Qatar's Emir and prime minister on Air Force One during a refuel stop in Qatar en route to Malaysia for a regional summit. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leaders met aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al Udeid Air Base. Will Turkey contribute to Gaza peacekeeping force? This comes after US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel to oversee the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire. Qatar, which was heavily involved in the negotiations on the deal, is expected to contribute military personnel to oversee the ceasefire. Hamas stated that its leadership met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Director of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza. Turkey has recently been mentioned as one of the nations that could take part in the peace force to police Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated his opposition to Ankara having any role in post-war Gaza. Rubio stated that the Gaza international peace force would have to be comprised of countries that Israel approves. However, Vance said on Tuesday there would be a "constructive role" for Turkey to play as the truce moved towards the next stage. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday slammed the Rashtriya Janata Dal for its law-and-order record during the party's tenure in power in Bihar. He said that when the party was in power, elections in the state required six phases, but now they require only two phases, reflecting better law and order under the NDA government. "During Lalu-Rabri's era, law and order in Bihar had deteriorated to the point that elections required six phases. Under Nitish Kumar and PM Modi, this was reduced to two phases. If the NDA government is formed again, future elections will be held in a single phase," Amit Shah said in an election rally in Nalanda. He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government at the Centre has restored Nalanda University, honouring Nalanda's heritage. "This land of Nalanda has been witness to our rich history... It was here that Kumar Gupta founded the renowned Nalanda University, which was destroyed and set ablaze by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century, nearly 800 years later. When this occurred, smoke from burning books was blown out of its library for six months," he said. "But PM Modi has restored Nalanda University, honouring Nalanda's heritage. People of Bihar, people of Nalanda, this is the NDA government. Now, even if 100 Bakhtiyar Khiljis came, no one would be able to touch Nalanda University," he added. Earlier in the day, addressing an election rally in Khagaria in the State, Shah highlighted that PM Modi has made India safe with retaliation after terror attacks in Uri, Pulwama and Pahalgam. The BJP leader said, "PM Modi has made our country safe. During the UPA government, Pakistan attacked every day. Driven by the greed for vote bank, Sonia, Manmohan, and Lalu governments remained silent." "After Modi ji came to power, three attacks were carried out: Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam. Surgical strike and air strike were carried out, and after Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was launched. Modi ji has worked to secure India. He has worked to make India prosperous," he added. The Indian Army conducted Surgical Strikes in POK on September 29, 2016, after the Uri terror attack that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers while on February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force successfully executed the Balakot Airstrikes in Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu-Kashmir's Pahalgam, during which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the name of religion. The voting for the 243 seat-Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, while the results will be declared on November 14. The main contest is between the Nitish Kumar-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). (ANI) According to Urichs attorneys, their client has not received investigation materials and evidence prior to his hearing, two fundamental rights in the Israeli legal system. Yonatan Urichs legal defense team claimed on Tuesday that the State Attorney's Office violated their client's fundamental rights to receive investigation materials and evidence prior to his hearing in the so-called "Qatargate" case. According to Urichs attorneys, Amit Hadad and Noa Milstein, the State Attorney's Office is creating serious difficulties by refusing to hand over documents, testimonies, and visual material from the investigation, and has not yet handed over a substantive indictment, in a manner that they claim prevents proper preparation for the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also claimed that their request to hold the hearing before State Attorney Amit Isman, who is responsible for making the final decision in the case, was denied. The hearing process is a fundamental right of a suspect to make his voice heard, to present his claims, and to refute the suspicions against him already at this stage, the lawyers wrote. Urich, a communications advisor who worked closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was investigated last year as part of a case that allegedly involved the leaking of classified documents. His attorneys added that they hope the prosecution will approach the hearing process with an open heart and a willingness to hear Urichs arguments. Yonatan Urich, adviser of Leader of the Opposition and head of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu seen before a press conference of Leader of the Opposition and head of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 3, 2022. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90) The prosecutor's office argued that "all of Urich's requests have been granted, and yet for three months he has avoided scheduling a hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These claims by Jonathan Urich form the basis of his petition to the High Court, and as stated in our detailed response to the High Court, their entire purpose is to delay the criminal proceedings and postpone the final decision on whether to prosecute him," said the response. Qatargate prosecution is rushing to file an indictment Over the summer, the Attorney-General announced her intention to indict Urich, subject to a hearing, on suspicion of security offenses. In recent months, officials in the legal system have criticized the length of the investigation and the lack of clarity surrounding the grounds for suspicion. The President of the Magistrate's Court, Judge Menachem Mizrahi, recently ruled that the prosecution is rushing to file an indictment in a case in which it is not at all clear what the offense under investigation is. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Cumberland County Prison inmate pleaded for help as his cellmate beat him to death Wednesday, charging documents said. Dangelo Nowlin, 33, of Yuba City, California, was charged by Middlesex Township Police with criminal homicide. Now, investigators are looking to answer how an inmate could have killed his cellmate, who authorities said was sleeping in the top bunk when the attack started. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts What I do know is that he was at some point arrested for defiant trespass at the truck stop, was brought to the prison, said Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack. I dont know their entire process on how they classify their inmates. But at some point in time, he was assigned to the particular cell that the victim was in, and then thats when this incident occurred. The victim: 41-year-old Erick Gainer, who was in for a DUI charge carrying a maximum of six months in prison. He was pronounced dead after an emergency surgery due to his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCormack said he expects changes to be made at the prison. AG: Ex-Olympic boxer convicted of murdering daughter in Pennsylvania, dumping body We are very proud, here in Cumberland County, with the way that our prison is run, and I think our prison has a very good reputation across the state as a well-run prison, McCormack said. So, I expect that theyre going to be looking into their policies and procedures and see what happened and put a critical eye to what happened that day. Nowlin is being held in the prison without bail. his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Oct. 25BETHEL Several days after the catastrophic Western Alaska storm forced hundreds of people to evacuate to shelters, another major airlift effort remains ongoing: rescuing dogs left behind in villages ravaged by the storm. Earlier this month, the remnants of Typhoon Halong tore through villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, bringing powerful winds and record tidal flooding that damaged or wrecked homes and vital community infrastructure. As scores of residents began to seek shelter outside their villages in cities like Anchorage or other communities in the region, many were forced to leave behind their canine companions some leashed to buildings, some left to wander outside and others shut inside damaged homes that had drifted among the rising flood waters. With few exceptions, dogs weren't allowed on evacuation flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesslyn Elliott, executive director of Bethel Friends of Canines, began hearing from pet owners worried about their animals. The nonprofit organization rushed to hatch a rescue operation that has grown to involve nearly two dozen volunteers, chartered flights and other pet welfare groups. Days after the storm, an elderly man called to ask about his dog, Elliott said. "It broke me," she said, and it prompted her and Susan Shaffer Sookram, a veterinarian who works with the rescue organization, to charter a flight and launch an effort they had never attempted before. "There was nobody doing anything," Elliott said. "Somebody's got to do it. Why can't we do it?" Since the group rescued its first batch of canine companions last Wednesday, it had rescued about 170 as of Thursday evening, Elliott and Shaffer Sookram said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coordination across the pet community The effort has prompted several Southcentral Alaska rescue groups and municipal animal control agencies to offer connections with foster households and open shelter space in Anchorage and the Mat-Su. Most dogs have been flown to Anchorage, where the city's Animal Care and Control agency has started coordinating sheltering and reunification efforts, said Joel Jorgensen, the agency's community outreach manager. The agency has also opened up a temporary shelter where any additional dogs flown from Bethel will be sent before going elsewhere. So far, the city animal control office has taken in about 30 dogs, according to Jorgensen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anchorage Animal Care and Control will work to develop a database of all rescued pets flown into the area and provide a phone number that owners looking for their dogs can call, he said. That, Jorgensen said, will make the reunification process easier. "The big thing we've learned is having that centralized location off the bat would be helpful," he said. The way shelters, volunteers and donors have raced to offer help has been "absolutely incredible," Jorgensen said. "Everyone in the pet community pretty much came together," he said. On Thursday, volunteers and a pilot captured two dogs from Kwigillingok and brought them to the shelter to receive care and a health checkup before being shipped to an Anchorage shelter until their owners can be located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, rescuers say they have focused on transporting dogs from Kwigillingok and Kipnuk the two most damaged villages. The workers expect another wave of animals in need of help could soon be identified from other storm-battered villages, including Nightmute and Tuntutuliak. Elliott said she remains concerned that the small Bethel operation could be overwhelmed. She said the shelter's expanded emergency capacity is about 50. They haven't reached that number yet, but they've been close. "What we take in, we need to be able to take care of," she said. A frantic process On a normal week, Elliott said Bethel Friends of Canines takes in about 10 or 15 dogs to put up for adoption or place in foster homes. The organization also provides basic veterinary care and spay and neuter services in villages throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shelter also operates the city's pound. Bethel Friends of Canines' first charter flight returned to Bethel with 15 dogs. Help, including donations that have helped offset the cost of chartered flights, poured in after that. Several pilots have lent a hand and donated flight time. Volunteers have pitched in to help the organization's two paid staff members. "This is all a big learning curve," Elliott said. "We are kind of winging it, trying to put the pieces together as we're doing this." The untested process, Shaffer Sookram said, hopefully results in state officials discussing potential standardized procedures or policies for future incidents that require mass pet evacuations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, she said, rules would be helpful for issues like how long unclaimed pets rescued from disaster areas should be held in shelters before being made available for adoption. "Who knows if this is like, our new norm," said Melissa Tefft, a volunteer. "So we need to be ready for it." 'Wonderful animals' The evacuation missions continue. Tefft said she and a pilot from Fox Air wrangled 16 loose dogs in Kwigillingok in about four hours on Oct. 18. One dog was left in a kennel by the runway. Another was left tied to a pole by the school and was tugged into a kennel by its rope because it was too frightened to be handled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The teachers were instrumental in getting them tied up to the school so that a plane could come out in a timely manner and pick them up and keeping identification with them so that they could be reunited," she said. Some of the dogs have stayed in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta to be fostered or taken in by family and friends of their owners. A pregnant dog taken in by former Iditarod champion Peter Kaiser gave birth to eight puppies once in the musher's care, Kaiser said. Owners of about 70% to 80% of the rescued dogs have contacted the rescuers to begin discussions about reuniting with the pets, or holding them in shelters or placing them with a foster until they're able to resume caring for them, rescuers said. Many of the owners have learned through social media that their four-legged companions had been picked up and were being cared for. Health concerns for the animals so far have included dehydration and contact with pollution, like some longhaired dogs coming in covered in diesel fuel, Shaffer Sookram said. But the vast majority are simply good boys and girls. "We used a muzzle on exactly one dog," Shaffer Sookram said. "They're just wonderful animals." There has been a "flattening of the earth" by new radar and missile technology, a Royal Air Force official said. The long-running assumption that ultralow flying would prevent detection is "obsolete," he said. Conflicts like the Ukraine war show that deep strike is harder and more critical than ever. New radar and missile technology have resulted in a "flattening of the earth" that puts even extremely low-flying aircraft at much higher risk, a Royal Air Force officer said this week. Air Vice-Marshal James Beck, the RAF's director of capabilities and programs, said that when he was flying the Tornado multirole combat aircraft in the early 2000s, it was still an "underlying assumption that ultra low flying would allow a formation the ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory without being detected by their integrated air missile defense systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assumption was that the hostile radars could not see through the ground, and this "underpinned our tactical thinking for many decades," he said, addressing the UK's Royal United Services Institute on Monday. Terrain-masking was long a credible tactic, with fighters flying low and fast beneath the radar horizon and using the earth's curvature and ground clutter to evade line-of-sight radars. The approach made sense against legacy radars and surface-to-air missile systems. Advancements, however, are making low-level penetration insufficient on its own. New radar and missile developments have made the classic approach "obsolete," Beck said, characterizing the shift in technology as tantamount to a "flattening of the earth." He pointed to advances in radar technology, like the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which has electronically steered beams to detect targets and allows crews to track multiple targets. Beck also highlighted the challenge of newer Over-the-Horizon (OTH) radars that can do just what the name implies and see beyond the curve of the earth. And then there are also the "all-pervasive abilities" of airborne surveillance aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detection ranges have jumped from hundreds of nautical miles to thousands, he said, adding that the ranges of both surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles are also growing rapidly. Gen. James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe, said previously that his "number one priority throughout NATO on the air side, is the counter-A2AD missions so counter anti-access, area-denial missions." The threats in this space are expanding. Beck said these developments will soon make it far more difficult for air forces to enter an enemy's battlespace. Militaries use what's known as anti-access, area-denial strategies layers of radars, missiles, and sensors to keep adversaries out. Those restricted zones are already vast "measured in countries," Beck said and could expand dramatically. Within the next decade, he predicted, "they will likely be measured in continents." A big challenge The flattening of the modern battlespace, Beck warned, will make it increasingly difficult for aircraft to penetrate deep into enemy territory without being detected or engaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's a problem. Seizing control of the air and penetrating deep to knock out command nodes, logistics hubs, and missile sites far behind the front line are critical to victory. The war in Ukraine, a grinding attritional fight chewing up equipment and troops, "continues to show us what happens if we fail to master control of the air from the outset," Beck said. "Indeed, the longer the conflict reigns, this lesson becomes ever more compelling." Ukraine and Russia's heavy air defenses have prevented either side from taking control in the air. DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images Neither Ukraine nor Russia has been able to seize control of the air as they are stymied by strong air defense networks that threaten anything flying. There have been numerous videos of Ukrainian combat aircraft flying low, hugging the earth and only popping up to launch munitions, but we're not seeing penetration flights into enemy-controlled airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides are, however, lobbing drones and missiles deep behind the lines, highlighting the importance of maintaining robust air and missile defense systems, especially given adversary capabilities have, as Beck said, "advanced dramatically." "The pace of change continues to accelerate, with an increasing range of state and non-state actors posing new challenges," he said. Demands of future war Taking advantage of new technologies to keep ahead of the curve will be key as the battlespace shifts. "As a first step," Beck shared, the UK "will prioritize upgrading our existing command and control capabilities to maximize the effectiveness of current systems and lay the foundation for future enhancements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the UK would also capitalize on advances in sensor technology, including surface, airborne, and space-based sensors, "to extend detection and tracking ranges, increasing opportunities to engage and defeat threats through a system of layered defenses." The aim is also to extend the range of both active and passive defensive systems, he said. Particularly important work when it comes to being able to penetrate heavily defended airspace is the development of sixth-generation aircraft, like the US Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance program's F-47 or the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) that the UK, Italy, and Japan are working on. Beck said that right now fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter are the bare minimum for getting the edge in a modern air war. Sixth-gen fighters will need to bring advanced stealth, among other capabilities. Without that full-spectrum stealth, aircraft "will be unable to enter an opponent's A2AD bubble to a level that it would be able to deliver meaningful effect," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said sixth-generation aircraft will need to carry out the deep strikes that are becoming increasingly difficult and detect, select, and prosecute targets that are operating in or on the far side of an opponent's integrated air missile defense system. The UK's air staff chief, Beck said, "has made it very clear that control of the air is the thing that we must master above all else." Read the original article on Business Insider A 10-month investigation of a drug-trafficking network that shipped large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Reading through the mail culminated this week with raids on a dozen locations including a Penn Street tattoo parlor and nearly 20 arrests, authorities announced Friday. The investigation, dubbed Operation Postal Storm, was launched in January by the Berks County Drug Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said. Investigators discovered that multiple kilograms of cocaine as many as 3 kilos per week were arriving in Reading via the U.S. Postal Service in priority flat-rate parcels. The shipments were double-wrapped to evade detection by narcotics-detection K-9s and concealed beneath childrens toys and other innocuous items, Lt. Nelson Ortiz of the county detectives narcotics unit said during a press conference at the county services center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he displayed photos of the seized drugs and weapons, Ortiz pointed out a parcel wrapped in Happy Birthday paper. This has been a common method of transport, Adams said, noting that previous investigations have also identified cocaine shipments originating in Puerto Rico. Lt. Nelson Ortiz of the Berks County Detectives narcotics section explains the methodology of the alleged drug dealers during a press conference on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at the Berks County Services Center. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) The drugs, he said, are manufactured elsewhere in the Caribbean, but cartels use Puerto Rico a U.S. territory as a convenient point for shipping to the mainland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not our first parcel investigation, and it wont be our last, probably, Adams said. Maybe it will, but right now were not stopping and were going to continue to work with our federal counterparts and our state police, and were hoping that we do put an end to this. Investigators determined that the parcels sent to Reading originated from Mayaguez, a city on Puerto Ricos western coast. Thats where Jonathan Pagan-Vega, 42, the alleged leader of the trafficking ring, resides, authorities said. He was taken into custody in a raid on his home and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, Adams said. Also arrested were three men identified as the organizations local leaders: Kelvin Rodriguez-Diaz, 37, of the 500 block of Linden Street, Reading; Edwin Martinez-Rodriguez, 33, of the 2200 block of Penn Avenue, West Lawn; and Osvaldo Reyes-Jimenez, 30, of the 1300 block of North 12th Street, Reading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are being held in Berks County Prison in lieu of $1 million, $2 million, and $250,000 bail, respectively, awaiting hearings on charges of leading a corrupt organization, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possessing and intending to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy. Several others were charged with participating in a corrupt organization as employees. Their charges are less severe than those faced by the alleged leaders, authorities said. Adams said members of the organization also were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine. Troopers and county detectives worked with federal partners, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to dismantle the network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We utilized a variety of investigative techniques, including undercover drug purchases, intensive surveillance and court-authorized wiretaps, Adams said. As a result, we obtained sealed search warrants from the Berks County Court of Common Pleas and a federal district magistrate. Starting Monday, coordinated raids were conducted by members of the Berks County Drug Task Force, state police, Reading police, the Berks sheriffs office and federal partner agencies. Twelve firearms were seized, many of them from Way of Life Tattoo Studio, 1008 Penn St. They will be analyzed in the Berks ballistic lab to determine whether they were used in shootings or other crimes, Adams said. Twelve firearms were seized during a drug investigation, many of them from Way of Life Tattoo Studio, 1008 Penn St., officials said. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing investigation, he added. We expect to learn much more as it continues. Adams praised the interagency cooperation, flanked by representatives from each participating agency during the press conference. Based on information gathered during the investigation, Adams said, federal efforts to intercept drug shipments at sea appear to be making a difference. He pledged to continue to work with state and federal agencies in Berks and beyond to help end the crime. Defendants were transported to the sheriffs central processing center, where they were processed and arraigned via video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information to help investigators is encouraged to contact the Berks County detectives at 6104787171. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Alert Berks County by calling 8773739913; downloading the ALERTBERKS mobile app; or sending a text message with ALERTBERKS and the tip to 847411. Defendants in case Operation Postal Storm defendants, their charges, and the bail following arraignment in Reading Central Court this week:: These defendants were charged with participating in a corrupt organization as an employee, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possessing and intending to deliver controlled substances, and conspiracy: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reading Nelson R. Leon, Sr. 56, 800 block of North 11th Street, $250,000. Johnny Lopez-Suarez, 39, 700 block of North 13th Street, $100,000 Santos Torres-Rodriguez, 49, 300 block of Lackawanna Street, $300,000 Victor Sanchez Sr., 48, 300 block of North Fourth Street, $50,000 Henry Massa-Olmeda, 45, 200 block of Elm Street, $200,000 Fernando Corona, 42, 700 block of North 12th Street, $50,000 ElsewhereYessimalie Torres, 39, 4300 block of 12th Avenue, Muhlenberg Township, $5,000 Chistopher Gottschall, 50, 2200 block of Fairview Street, Spring Township, $100,000 These defendants, all of Reading, are charged with dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possessing and intending to deliver controlled substances, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Serrano, 36, 300 block of Lackawanna Street, $20,000 Andrew Pendergrass Sr., 55, 500 block of Elm Street, $50,000 Andrew Pendergrass Jr., 300 block fo Elm Street, $50,000 These defendants are charged with criminal use of a communication facility and possessing a controlled substance: Jason Greth, 29, 1100 block of Gregg Avenue, Reading, $20,000 Melissa Batterson, 46, 3000 block of Leisczs Bridge Road, Muhlenberg Township Two weeks ago, a US-brokered ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza with Donald Trump declaring peace in the Middle East. A fortnight on and the armistice, though fragile, remains in place. Senior Trump administration officials have been keen to eulogise the merits of the presidents gilded Pax Americana, while rushing to Israel this week to ensure it holds. But as Hamas, Israel and the United States work through the finer details of the agreement, the futures of millions of people still remain unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the immediate future, the priority will be to bring aid into Gaza, as well as the basic infrastructure needed for power, the desalination of water, and the running of public services. Only then can the wider challenge of rebuilding begin in earnest. The task is enormous, with an estimated 10 per cent of the population having been either killed or injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry, and some 90 per cent of homes estimated to have been damaged or destroyed. But as he left Israel on Thursday this week, US Vice President JD Vance was optimistic about the timeline. Palestinians could begin again in a Hamas-free zone within a matter of months, he said, and claimed Rafah could be rebuilt in two to three years. There is a long road ahead to rebuilding Gaza after two years of bitter conflict (AP) Who will rebuild Gaza? Gazas economy is in ruins. Its government until now responsible for some 30,000 civil servants is due to disarm and release its grip on power under a proposal set out by Trump and partially agreed by Hamas. Efforts to rebuild will require years, if not decades, of steady support from external stakeholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas is ultimately expected to make way for the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities. The plan makes reference to qualified Palestinians and international experts, but detail is light on who they might be. In time, the hope is that a reformed Palestinian Authority will be able to effectively take back control of Gaza though this remains controversial among Palestinians and Israeli politicians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Vance this week Israel would not agree to the PAs involvement unless it undergoes fundamental reforms. In the interim, a committee would be overseen by an international Board of Peace tasked with creating modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment. This drone photo shows the scale of the damage in Gaza City (AP) Trumps 20-point plan to end the war and reorganise the governance of Gaza is light on detail. But it does provide some clues in the shape of a Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energise Gaza with help from a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. The thoughtful investment proposals of well-meaning international groups will be factored in for consideration, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reference to modern miracle states gives some indication of who the key stakeholders may be. Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador and UN coordinator, told The Independent that the obvious donor candidates would be the oil-rich Gulf States: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. The US will also want a stake in this and will no doubt contribute, he said. Plus, I imagine, the UK, Canada and Australia. Others, like Egypt, Jordan and Indonesia, may have some role in training for Palestinians or supplying personnel for the International Stabilization Force (ISF). The UN estimates it could cost $70bn (52bn) to rebuild Gaza (AP) What are the priorities? More than 70 per cent of Gazas water and sanitation centres have been damaged or destroyed according to Unicef, and just 1.5 per cent of Gazas agricultural land was still accessible and undamaged as of August this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told The Independent that there had been a slight improvement in the flow of goods into Gaza over the last two weeks. More general supplies, like fruits, vegetables and cooking gas, are now available in local markets and the prices have decreased significantly. But most remain unaffordable for people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and savings due to the war. There are also bureaucratic issues. While Rafah remains shut, aid groups report trouble re-registering to be able to move through the accepted channels. Supplies like desalination units, latrines and solar panels may be considered dual use and blocked from entering, groups said. When these issues are resolved, the task will be to find funding to rebuild vital infrastructure. Palestinians collect water from a truck amid the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City (AP) Gazas water and sanitation systems have collapsed. Power plants have been destroyed, and arable land has been razed by bombing, shelling and heavy vehicle activity over the last two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, during an earlier ceasefire, Human Rights Watch warned that without immediate action, Palestinians would continue to be killed by disease, dehydration and malnutrition. They noted that the main water-utility warehouse in Gaza, housing millions of pounds worth of spare parts, was destroyed in strikes. That month, a comprehensive assessment by the World Bank, European Union and the UN put the figure of reconstruction over the next decade at $53.2bn (40bn). At the time, the report said, the health sector would require $6.9bn, agriculture and food systems would cost $4.2bn each, and education had some $3.8bn in recovery needs. Transport would cost $2.9bn and the restoration of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) sector would cost $2.7bn. Since then, the estimated cost of reconstruction has swollen to around $70bn (52bn), according to a UN Development Programme official. Jaco Cilliers, the official, said that the US as well as Arab and European states were willing to help contribute to the costs. Thousands of Palestinians are returning home to find nothing but rubble (AP) How far along is the plan? Trumps comments at the start of the year, suggesting that the US could take over and own Gaza, fashioning it into a gaudy Riviera of the Middle East, sparked outrage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president walked back his comments after the ceasefire took effect when he said: I dont know about the Riviera for a while, because you take a look at what you have. You have to get people taken care of first. Nothing has been ruled out. But Trump does appear more concerned about rebuilding Gaza in a way that is palatable to those with a stake in its success. Former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair was pegged for a role on a Board of Peace overseeing a transitional government. But Trump said last week that while he personally likes Blair, he wants to find out that hes an acceptable choice to everybody before making any hard commitments. The board is expected to be clarified in November, when Egypt hosts an international conference for Gazas rebuilding in Cairo. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has urged Egyptians to play a role in the rebuild, calling on the prime minister to work with the civil service to create a way to pool national donations. It will likely take years, if not decades, for Gaza to be rebuilt (AFP/Getty) Egypts foreign minister Badr Abdelatty told CNN that attending stakeholders would include the US, the UN, the World Bank, the EU, Germany, France, Gulf Cooperation Councils, all Gulf countries, Japan and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are concrete ideas for the second phase, some of them developed by Tony Blair over the last couple of years, explained Fitton-Brown. It could work, but Hamas may sabotage. The real challenge is for the US to persuade Qatar and Turkey to keep pressure on Hamas to comply. There has been concern about the appointment of Blair over his role in the Iraq War, and the colonial image of Western leaders stepping back into the administration of the southern Levant. Having seemingly learned from Iraq, Trumps proposal does include the International Stabilization Force to train and support vetted police officers in Gaza, allowing Hamas, in theory, to step back without leaving a power vacuum that could allow militant groups to take over. Details on the size, remit and origin of the ISF remain vague. The wider plan remains vague, though Trump seems to acknowledge this, suggesting the phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other and that steps can be taken out of order in a positive way. A record number of Americans are predicted to get on board in 2026 for a cruise vacation with Floridas big three ports forecast to be the top embarkation points, according to a report from AAA. The travel company projects 21.7 million Americans will book a sailing next year, a 4.5% increase from 2025s numbers that have already seen 20.7 million travelers from the U.S. Cruising is surging, with travelers booking more voyages and exploring new destinations in record numbers, said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a first, Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is coming to Florida to sail The projection would mark the fourth year in a row of records set, which dipped from 2020-2022 because of fallout from the COVID pandemic. PortMiami is projected to lead the way again with its share of the traffic, responsible for 10.2% of all American cruise embarkations and debarkations. Port Canaveral, which held the title of worlds busiest cruise port for one year based on 2022s traffic after the pandemic reopening, but has since fallen back to No. 2, should grab 8.8% of the traffic, while No. 3 Port Everglades should get 5.6%. Port Canaveral could once again challenge Miamis top numbers, as the Orlando-area port also gets daily passenger movements from ships that call on the port as a destination when they sail from elsewhere, such as New York. Daily passenger movements count for when people get on as well as get off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Port rankings for the full calendar year are usually released by late February by the Florida Ports Council. Worlds largest cruise ship docks at Florida port, will embark on trips soon Port Canaverals fiscal 2026 budget, which is for October 2025-September 2026, is already projecting more than 9 million passenger movements, building on fiscal 2025s record of more than 8.6 million from 1,038 cruise calls. The demand amid the industrys pandemic rebound since 2021 has meant cruise lines have had welcome takers for their new hardware with Florida getting the lions share of cruise ship debuts. Royal Caribbean has brought to the state the three largest cruise ships in the world with Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas as well as the last of its Quantum Plus class, Odyssey of the Seas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disney Cruise Line has debuted from Port Canaveral two of its new Wish class ships, Wish and Treasure, with a third, Disney Destiny, set to arrive next month to Port Everglades. Carnival has brought two of its three Excel class ships to the state, with Mardi Gras debut from Port Canaveral in 2021 followed by Carnival Celebration from Miami in 2022. Norwegian has debuted two Prima class ships (Prima and Viva) and one Prima-plus class ship (Aqua) with Norwegian Luna coming in 2026. And MSC Cruises had brought its largest ship MSC World America to Miami along with other new ships MSC Seashore and Seascape. Celebrity is set to debut its sixth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel, next month from Port Everglades with four of the five others having also arrived since 2021 to the Fort Lauderdale port. Princess Cruises also headed to Port Everglades, having sailed out its last two Royal-class ships, and is about to bring its second Sphere class ship next month with the arrival of Star Princess following sister ship Sun Princess debut in 2024. Virgin Voyages rolled out three of its fleet of four ships since 2021, including the new Brilliant Lady this month, and Holland America had the last of its Pinnacle class debut with the ms Rotterdam. New ships have also made their way to the state from Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Explora Journeys, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AAA states older adults remain the majority among those who cruise, with 65% aged 55 and older, 27% from 35-54 and 7% between 18-34. More than half travel as couples, with 20% also bringing children. Only 7% travel solo. The Caribbean remains the most popular offering with 72% of U.S. cruise passengers. Alaska comes in next with 7% and 5% head to the Mediterranean. AAA travel agents state that nine out of 10 of their customers who have cruised rate the experience as either good or very good, and 91% have cruised more than once. The projections from AAA are based on scheduled cruise itineraries paired with a database from Tourism Economics focused on the cruise industry as well as economic forecasts from Oxford Economics. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) With the first week of the fall veto session wrapped up, Illinois lawmakers did not pass the energy bill or find funding for the Chicago transit bill. The October veto session is set for lawmakers to pass proposals that have been vetoed by the Governor. However, since Gov. J.B. Pritzker has rarely used his veto powers during his administration, much of the session is now spent trying to get bills passed that failed to move in the Spring. In this On the Record, Host Cameron Maine talks with our state house bureau chief about what lawmakers might achieve in the remainder of the fall veto session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) According to the Central and Northern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross, Volunteers responded immediately to two people injured in a fire on Ossont Road in Lowville, Lewis County, on Friday afternoon. The Red Cross provided financial assistance to two adults, which can be used for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing. Volunteers also offered emotional support and health services. One resident is eligible for Veterans services. Two pets were lost in the fire, and a third is missing. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. Former MLC and Telangana Jagruti President K Kavitha began her 'Jagruti Janam Bata' (padyatra) from Nizamabad to meet the farmers and understand the challenges they face. She is also expected to meet intellectuals in every district. K Kavitha was warmly welcomed by the locals, who also participated in large numbers in the tour. The tour will take place in all 33 districts and 119 constituencies across the state. "We have started the Telangana-wide tour starting from Nizamabad. Here, we hope to reach out to farmers who are suffering due to the government's neglect and understand their issues. We will also meet intellectuals from Telangana to understand where Nizamabad's progress has stalled and how to move it forward. We will continue to meet people from all constituencies of Nizamabad. My tour will touch all 33 districts and all 119 constituencies across Telangana..." she told ANI. Meanwhile, K Kavitha also paid tributes at the Martyrs' Memorial in Gun Park, Hyderabad. As per the party's official statement, K Kavitha called out the government, stating that they have failed the families of the martyrs. "Many became martyrs during the Telangana movement. It is through their sacrifices that we achieved Telangana... We should also consider the current situation of the activists who fought relentlessly during the movement... We ourselves stated in the Assembly that 1,200 people became martyrs for Telangana. However, we have not given them the respect they deserve, nor have we provided adequate respect to their families.... We promised Rs. 10 lakh and a job for every family, but provided this only to 580 families... justice is still pending for thousands of others... Although I was not a minister during the ten years of BRS governance, I continued as an MP and MLC. At that time, I urged in internal forums to provide financial support to the martyrs' families in some form... I should have fought harder for you..." she stated. She further said that this is the core reason for the Janam Bata program. She will meet the intellectuals in every district to figure out where the development has stalled. (ANI) VIRGINA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Regent University School of Law has reached a 97.06% first-time bar passage rate on the July 2025 Virginia Bar Exam, according to a press release. The percentage is behind the University of Virginias as the Commonwealths second-highest score, and exceeds law schools average pass rate of 89% in the state. These results reflect the diligence of our graduates and the steadfast investment of our faculty in preparing students not only for professional excellence but for lives of service to God and neighbor, said S. Ernie Walton, Regent University School of Laws Interim Dean. We praise God for this extraordinary outcome and for the opportunity to see our alumni answer His calling on their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, you can visit Regent University School of Laws website here. Download the WAVY News App to keep up with the latest news, weather and sports from WAVY-TV 10. Available in both the Apple and Google Play stores. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. A new day of action organized by numerous religious organizations and denominations is inspiring faith communities to help the planet. According to Inside Climate News, several nonprofits and congregations are rethinking how they power their establishments. To spread the word, groups like Solar Faithful and Michigan Interfaith Power & Light promoted Sun Day. Inspired by Earth Day, Sun Day, which took place Sept. 21, is devoted to educating people on climate issues, energy alternatives such as solar power, and other environmental issues and solutions. This year's first Sun Day was a success, and hopefully, it will be the first of many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sun Day aims to change religious Americans' views on and responses to critical climate issues. "Sun Day represents an opportunity for faith communities to stand up and make it clear that people are concerned," said Rev. Fletcher Harper, the founder of GreenFaith. The goal is to educate people and show them that there is a path toward a cooler, cleaner future. "We need a higher power. We need people to have faith and hope that we can win so that they would be willing to get out there and really fight," actress Antonique Smith, a Sun Day spokesperson and co-founder of Climate Revival, remarked. Sun Day is also about busting myths. Although many people think solar power is too expensive, it can actually help people save money on energy bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Interfaith Power & Light helped the New Mount Hermon Church make eco-friendly upgrades, including solar panels. According to ICN, this has reduced the church's monthly energy bills by 30%. Solar panels have also made the church a haven for the community during power outages and extreme weather events. Environmentalist Bill McKibben said about solar power, per ICN: "It's one of the most obvious, straightforward, and commonsense sources. It's not the Whole Foods but the Costco of energy." Costco is well-known for its excellent deals and savings. Solar Faithful board member Steve Mulder described religious communities as a "sleeping giant" in the world of clean energy, and the organizers of Sun Day want to wake that giant. This year, countless faith communities participated, from Chicago's Unitarian Church of Evanston to Baltimore's Jewish community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not just solar panels. Heat pumps, efficient water appliances, LED lights, and proper insulation are more upgrades that places of worship can adopt. Every penny they save on utilities can go toward supporting and enriching their communities. "If faith communities came together, we could really see impacts in our world," Rev. Jay Horton observed. Horton sees more people of faith recognizing the impact they could have. He noted that many are starting to realize that "if we want to change this, we've got to do it ourselves." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A Remembrance Sunday parade that has taken place every year since the First World War has been cancelled amid claims of health and safety issues. Veterans and the local community in Upton, on the Wirral, Merseyside, have been left outraged after the event, held to commemorate soldiers from the town who died in the First and Second World Wars, was scaled back to just a wreath-laying. The local British Legion branch said they had appealed to the local council for help on paying public liability insurance, and asked the police to assist with road closures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they claimed the council cited the car-ramming attack on Liverpool FCs Premier League victory parade on May 26 as a reason to be cautious. And Merseyside Police told them that the police were not responsible for traffic management or the escort of parades. Parade out of our hands The Legion branch, which has only four active members, claimed a Wirral council official wrote in a letter: If we sound a bit pedantic on this, just following incidents like the one at the Liverpool parade, we need to keep everyone safe. If the police were still in attendance, they have the powers to do a rolling road block and, of course, can arrest anyone who is causing trouble, but local authorities do not have any of these powers, so we have to mitigate against anything happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendy Meade, the branch secretary, told their supporters that delivery of the parade was out of our hands. David Burgess-Joyce, a Reform UK election candidate and former chief officer of Merseyside Police Special Constabulary, said: We cannot stand by and allow bureaucracy and disinterest to cancel this most important national day, be it at the Whitehall cenotaph in London or the smallest local British Legion. If it stops now, it will stop again in the future. We must remember those who made our country safe. One local said: Upton has held a Remembrance Day parade since the end of the First Wold War without any problem, while another said: We should all turn up and do this march. This is absolutely heartbreaking and disgusting, and most of all disrespectful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon Weston, the Welsh Guardsman badly burned in the sinking of the Sir Galahad during the Falklands War, said the decision to scale back the parade was very odd. Mr Weston, a prominent commentator on veterans issues and involved with the Royal British Legion in Devon, added: If they are making it based on Liverpool, thats just wrong. They are two different areas. I dont think Liverpool has any bearing on it all. We cant cancel everything for fear that someone might do something. We would just be cowering in our homes. Council worked with organisers Chief Insp Rob Budden, of Merseyside Police, said that the police had supported traffic management at previous parades, despite national policy for the policing of pre-planned events stating that the organiser, and not the police, was responsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, they said they are now forced to move in line with this guidance, as the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing stressed that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency. A spokesman for Wirral council said: After the council was made aware that the police would no longer be facilitating road closures or providing police escorts for Remembrance events as in previous years, the council has worked with organisers across the borough to enable them to still take place. The spokesman said the council offered to waive road closure fees for the Upton service, one of eight that take place in Wirral, however it required confirmation that organisers had in place risk assessment and public liability insurance, as the council cannot fund insurance for a non-council event. The spokesman added: Wirral council remains committed to supporting community-led events and regrets that the Upton parade could not proceed this year. We are confident that, had the necessary information been provided, we would have been able to assist in facilitating a safe and respectful event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: The Royal British Legion is grateful for all the support received from local authorities and police forces to ensure Remembrance parades can take place, which mean so much to the Armed Forces community. Parades are happening across the Wirral, but due to administrative reasons, this was not possible this year in Upton, so locals are being encouraged to attend others nearby. Hopefully, this will be resolved so it can go ahead next year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Louisiana Senate voted along party lines to move state election dates in 2026 back by about a month. (Photo by Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner) The Louisiana Senate voted along political party lines Saturday to push back 2026 election dates in an effort to leave as much time as possible to redraw Louisianas congressional map. Republicans expect to craft political districts more to their liking if they receive a favorable ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court later this year. The GOP Senate majority, made up entirely of white senators, outvoted the Democrats, all but one of whom are Black, 27-9, on Senate Bill 1. The legislation moves the political candidate qualifying period and two spring election dates for congressional primary contests back by approximately one month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections scheduled for April 18 and May 30 would move to May 16 and June 27 respectively. The delayed election timeline will create more opportunity for the Republican-controlled legislature to draw new U.S. House districts where Black voters, who overwhelmingly vote for Democrats, have less influence over who gets elected. Louisianas current congressional map, passed in early 2024, is made up of six House seats, including two districts with a majority Black electorate. Those two seats are held by Black Democrats, Troy Carter of New Orleans and Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge. Should the Supreme Court allow it, state lawmakers will likely approve a new congressional map that includes one or zero majority-Black districts, even though the states population is approximately one-third Black. Such a map would make it harder for Black officials and Democrats to be elected to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are hopeful the Supreme Court will hand down a ruling in the Callais v. Louisiana case that not only allows them to draw new maps but on an expedited schedule. While Supreme Court decisions typically come out in late spring or early summer, Louisiana Republican officials want justices to issue a ruling in this case by the end of December. The accelerated timeline would allow state lawmakers to draw new U.S. House seats in time for the next congressional election in November. If the decision comes out later, lawmakers would likely have to wait another two years the length of a term in the U.S. House to use new political districts. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Supreme Court will not necessarily rule by the end of the year, however. Even if it does, Louisiana would not be obligated to change its political map in time for the November election contests. Previously, when the Supreme Court has struck down election maps as unconstitutional, it has not required that new maps be drawn and used if the election process is already underway or about to start. The court has permitted even required states to wait to use their newly compliant maps in the next cycle, which would be 2028 for Louisianas U.S. House seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But President Donald Trump has urged Republican officials in states across the country to redraw their congressional districts to favor the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. More Republican districts would increase the chances the U.S. House would remain under Republican control and aligned with Trump. In Louisiana, GOP lawmakers have tried to downplay arguments from Democrats that their efforts to push back the election dates are related to Trumps push to have more Republican seats. Republicans have said the moving of the election dates is simply allowing more time to get clarity from the Supreme Court over redistricting requirements. We could draw a 6-0 map. We could draw a 5-1 map [that removes a majority-Black district]. Thats not what were here doing, said Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, a white Republican from Port Allen and sponsor of the legislation, ahead of the Senate floor vote Saturday. Democrats countered that the election dates were being moved for no other reason than to accommodate the Republicans desires to pass a map with fewer majority-Black districts. Remember when President Trump so boldly stated to the state legislatures to go and get me more Republican congressional districts? Sen. Katrina Jackson, a Black Democrat from Monroe, said Saturday. Were not here for drawing districts, but it seems like were here in the hopes that the Supreme Court will rule a certain way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving election dates will affect more than just next years congressional races. Municipal elections and ballot initiatives that were supposed to be voted on at the same time as the congressional primaries will also be pushed back in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling. Depending on what the Supreme Court decides, its possible some municipalities could also redraw their political districts ahead of elections to provide Black voters with less influence at the local level too, Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, who is the head of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said in an interview this week. Lawmakers also had to write an exception into Senate Bill 1 that allows for local ballot measures concerning bonds, debt and taxes to move forward on the newly proposed election dates in May and June. On Saturday, the Senate also voted to push back the election dates of five proposed constitutional amendments from April 18 to May 16 through Senate Bill 2. These amendments include those that affect public school teacher compensation, the mandatory retirement age for state judges and a reworking of state civil service. Democrats argued that these adjustments are evidence the legislature is acting too swiftly to change election dates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish that this debate was as simple as what some people are trying to fashion saying this is about moving dates, Sen. Sam Jenkins, a Black Democrat from Shreveport, told his colleagues. Its really not that simple. Republicans said the changes they are to making are not consequential. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Republicans are grappling with public polls showing the public places more blame on them, rather than the Democrats, for the shutdown, even as they argue they have the moral high ground in the shutdown fight. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Republicans stress that they put no partisan poison pills in a GOP-crafted, House-passed stopgap to fund the government through Nov. 21. Democrats in the Senate have repeatedly blocked that bill as they demand that Republicans first negotiate with them on health care issues, particularly on enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring at the end of the year. Johnson this week pointed to news coverage about the government shutdown while arguing Democrats are more to blame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Republicans were responsible for this shutdown, that would lead the news in every mainstream media outlet every single night, it would be top fold of every newspaper, on the front page every single day, Johnson said in a Wednesday press conference, asserting that the press was trying to give cover to the Democrats whove caused this. The American people are not stupid, and were in here every day appealing to their common sense and relating the facts, Johnson said. Yet poll after poll finds that slightly more Americans think Republicans are to blame for the shutdown than those who think Democrats are at fault. An Oct. 15-20 Reuters/Ipsos poll found 50 percent of adults blaming Republicans in Congress for the shutdown, and 43 percent blaming Democrats in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Oct. 16-20 Quinnipiac poll found 45 percent of registered voters said congressional Republicans were more to blame for the shutdown, compared with 39 percent who said congressional Democrats were more to blame. And an Oct. 17-20 Economist/YouGov poll found 31 percent of adults put the blame on Democrats and 39 percent blame Republicans. That poll also found 45 percent of respondents saying that Democrats should hold out for changes in health care funding before agreeing to end the shutdown, compared with 32 percent who said they should not. That public sentiment has only encouraged Democrats to dig in on the stalemate. The reality is they control the House, the Senate, and the presidency. Theyve taken this my way or the highway approach since the very beginning of Donald Trump coming back into office, and of course its understandable that they are bearing the brunt of responsibility. And theyve been unwilling to negotiate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on MSNBC when talking about the public polling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the face of public polling, Republicans insist they are the more reasonable party by putting forward a clean continuing resolution (CR). I think when you when you look at whos reasonable, its Republicans, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) said Friday when asked about that public sentiment. A clean CR is what weve done, is what happened, I think, 13 times during the Biden administration. Yet hard-line moves from Republican leaders in the shutdown fight have stoked controversy. Johnson has kept the House out of session during the shutdown, arguing the chamber has already done its job. He has repeatedly rebuffed suggestions that the House could be doing other work, saying that appropriators are still working to prepare regular funding bills even though the House is not in session. Democrats, meanwhile, accuse Republicans of being on vacation during the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Speaker has refused to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) while the House is out of session during the shutdown, leading to accusations that he is doing so to block a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to release files about the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which Johnson has denied. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) filed a lawsuit over Grijalvas swearing-in this week. Smith, who presided over a pro forma session of the House on Friday, noted that leaders have the flexibility to call members back. He did not suggest that he saw any reason for GOP leaders to shift their tactics. I dont see any sign that we need to change what has been on the calendar, Smith said. Even though voters in polls are putting more blame on Republicans than Democrats for the shutdown, President Trumps approval rating isnt taking a hit as the funding lapse is in its fourth week. In fact, his poll numbers have gone up a bit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decision Desk HQs polling average shows that Trumps approval rating was 44 percent on Sept. 30 before rising to 46.2 percent on Oct. 23. Trump has been largely disengaged from the shutdown fight, as major international matters have been his focus in October. He oversaw an Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal, hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House, talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and will spend the next week on a major trip to Asia. The president has declined requests from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jeffries to meet to talk about their health care demands as the shutdown drags on. I will only meet if they let the country open, Trump told reporters this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Amelia Earhart was a superstar long before the term was ever coined. The famed aviator set multiple flying records, serving as a model of independence for girls and women in a male-dominated world. She was a 1930s-era influencer, starring in radio spots, endorsing products and hobnobbing with the worlds elite. She drew crowds wherever she went, including several times in Baltimore, even flying First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to Baltimore one night in 1933. So when Earhart and the plane she was trying to fly around the world vanished in the South Pacific 88 years ago, the event sparked a global frenzy. The madness hasnt stopped yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A team of 14 explorers will depart for Nikumaroro, a remote speck of an island halfway between Australia and Hawaii, on Nov. 4, in search of the downed aircraft. It will hardly be the first such venture the U.S. Navy conducted a 17-day search in 1937, and dozens have led expeditions since and most in the famously quarrelsome world of Earhart enthusiasts expect this one to come up empty. The leader of the venture, archeologist Richard Pettigrew, acknowledges the doubters. But his analysis of the long Earhart saga convinces him that he and his team from Purdue University are about to solve what some have called the greatest aviation mystery of the 20th century. Whatever the outcome, Pettigrew said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun, he cant miss this opportunity to test his theory: that Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, died as castaways on this tiny atoll 400 miles from their intended destination and that the shiny object visible in a newly reexamined satellite photo is Earharts Lockheed Electra 10-E. We have a lot of evidence to go on, and I believe the chances are 9 out of 10 that its Amelias plane, but we wont know until we go in there and take a look at it, he said. A rapid climb, a sudden fall A great deal is known about Amelia Earhart, which should surprise no one, given her celebrity during her lifetime and the books, articles, documentaries and podcasts that have chronicled her exploits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was born in 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, and grew up an adventure-seeking child. She caught the aviation bug in her early 20s, juggled jobs to pay for flying lessons, and advanced quickly enough to set a world record for altitude reached by a female pilot (14,000 feet) at age 25. She would become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in 1928, the first to do it solo four years later, and with no little urging from her husband, publisher-promoter George Putnam, undertook the first around-the-world flight by a female pilot in 1937. It was on the last leg of her intended 29,000-mile journey that Earhart and her flight companion, navigator Fred Noonan, failed to reach their destination on July 2, a fleck of land less than a mile square in size known as Howland Island. At about 9 a.m., they lost radio contact with the USS Itasca, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter moored nearby and assigned to bring her in. They were never seen again. What exactly happened is still a matter of fierce debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainstream historians embrace the simplest explanation: that the plane, which was likely carrying enough fuel to reach Howland, hit empty even as Earhart sought to spot Howland and find the right frequency to hear the Itasca. They believe the plane crashed and sank in 18,000 feet of shark-infested waters. Dorothy Cochrane, the retired curator for aviation for the Smithsonian Institutions National Air and Space Museum in Washington and Chantilly, Va., said most known facts support the hypothesis including that Earhart was flying into the sun that morning and had never bothered to learn Morse Code, a communications method that would have established a link to the Itasca. Laurie Gwen Shapiro, a documentary filmmaker and journalist, spent five years researching Earharts life for her latest book, The Aviator and the Showman, and also believes her plane rests at the bottom of the Pacific. For all her importance and flying achievements, Shapiro said, Earharts sense of adventure sometimes eclipsed her skills and preparedness. They ran out of fuel and crashed, she said in an interview with the Sun. It was a tragedy waiting to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For others, the matter is not so cut-and-dried. Competing myths Researchers have sidelined a theory some accepted for years: that the pair somehow flew 700 miles to the northwest, crashed in the Marshall Islands, and was captured and executed by Japanese troops. Or that Earhart, who was friends with President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, was conducting a U.S. spying mission. Or that she survived and lived a long life under an alias. Pettigrew has a different contrarian view. As director of the Archeological Legacy Institute, a research and media nonprofit based in Oregon, he has spent decades tracking the work of one of the most prolific and, some would say, most controversial of all Earhart aficionados, an amateur aviation historian named Ric Gillespie. As head of the International Group for Aviation Recovery (TIGHAR), a nonprofit he founded in 1985, Gillespie has led 12 expeditions to Nikumaroro, written two books on Earhart, and become as sure of the Nikumaroro Hypothesis as institutional historians are of theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believes Earhart and Noonan overshot Howland that morning, continued flying about 400 miles to the southeast, conducted an emergency landing on Nikumaroro (then known as Gardner Island), and lived as castaways for at least a week before succumbing to the elements. Beyond that, hes convinced the plane was swept to sea and chewed to pieces in violent surf. Gillespie, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, an hour northeast of Baltimore, points to the more than 130 people who reported hearing distress calls from Earhart on short-wave radio in the days following her disappearance. (He says he and his team have verified 57.) His team has discovered artifacts on Nikamaroro they believe belonged to Earhart a pocketknife, a cosmetics jar, even skeletal remains they say match her known measurements. (Each claim sparked media firestorms and garnered donations to his operation). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If hes right, the Electra had to have had enough fuel to travel 400 miles further than most believe. As many have pointed out, crewmen on the Itasca heard a brief radio snippet of Earhart saying (we) cannot see you, but gas is running low just as the plane appeared to be approaching Howland. (Coast Guard radio transcripts support the point.) Gillespie said its now understood that Lockheed designers advised the crew ahead of time to conserve fuel throughout the flight by adjusting the planes manifold pressure (the relative mix of fuel and gas) as needed, and, assuming they did, they could have had four hours worth left. Thats another myth, that she was out of fuel, he said. She had plenty of fuel. Next myth! From Trump to Taraia President Donald Trump ordered his administration to declassify all government records related to Earhart last month, but the move did little to settle the debate. The FBIs files were already available online, and so was a trove of information at the National Archives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those records dont confirm what years of Gillespies teams evidence had already convinced Pettigrew that the Nikumaroro Hypothesis is plausible. Unlike Gillespie, he believes remnants of the Electra survived. In 2020, when an Earhart enthusiast from California reexamined an Apple Maps photo of Nikumararo and spotted what seemed to be an elongated object below the surface of the lagoon in the islands center, Pettigrew decided to act. Satellite photos taken between 2009 and 2024 showed that the suspected plane now known as the Taraia Object first became visible in March 2015, shortly after a historic cyclone is known to have swamped the area. Pettigrew believes the storm swept it to that spot and cleared away enough sediment to bring it into view. He reached out to Purdue, where Earhart had taught aeronautics and counseled female students in the 1930s. The schools research nonprofit, the Purdue Research Foundation, had financed much of her 1937 attempt, and the same group agreed to join the university home to the worlds largest collection of Earhart papers, artifacts and memorabilia and Pettigrews team to finance the $900,000 expedition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expedition members plan to depart Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 for Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. Leaving Majuro on Nov. 4, they will sail the 1,200 miles in six days to Nikumaroro, a densely vegetated island in the Republic of Kiribati. Theyre to spend five days on the atoll using remote sensing technology at the site, get a photographic record, and dredge for a clearer view. If its the Electra, theyll return another time for a full-scale excavation. For his part, Gillespie says the object is just a fallen pandanus tree. Smithsonians Cochrane believes the Electra never came to the area. Filmmaker Shapiro questions the whole premise of the expedition. Im telling you now theres no plane in that lagoon, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Pettigrew, he knows nothing is certain, but his research tells him theyre about to end the mystery that has intrigued the world since before World War II and that even if hes wrong, its worth the effort. With the information we have in front of us right now, we have to go there and look, he said. I know that without any doubt. _____ Researchers have found a troubling link between tourism and the survival of Earth's largest lizard, according to Tempo. What's happening? Komodo National Park in Indonesia home to the world's biggest lizard, the Komodo dragon is at risk from the same visitors who hope to see one of these incredible creatures. Tourism brings money and attention to the facility, but it's also quietly hurting the Komodo dragons' health and home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo, a wildlife observer and veterinary professor at Gadjah Mada University, has found that close contact with humans can spread diseases to the reptiles. "Parasitic diseases, worm infestations, and infections from humans can also affect the Komodo population," he explained, as reported by Tempo. It's not just illness that is causing harm either. Resort construction, plastic waste, and the buzz of tourist boats are all straining the fragile island ecosystem. "Excessive natural exploitation for tourism has downstream effects," Nurcahyo said. "If we want the Komodo to stay healthy, its environment must also be preserved." Why is the Komodo population important? There are an estimated 3,000 Komodo dragons left living on just a few scattered islands in Indonesia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As people continue to encroach on their traditional habitats, it gets even more difficult for these lizards to live in the wild. Even small changes to their conditions such as dirty water or damaged nesting spots can quickly throw everything off. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "If its numbers keep falling, the Komodo may end up like the dinosaurs, merely recorded in history books," Nurcahyo warned. If that happens, it's not just about losing a prehistoric creature. These lizards keep smaller animals in check, maintaining the delicate balance of the region. Without them, the entire local ecosystem can be compromised, including the food chain. What's being done about it? To slow the damage, Indonesia has limited visitor numbers, increased park fees, and tightened rules to protect Komodo habitats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation groups are studying the spread of disease between humans and wildlife. At the same time, local rangers patrol nesting sites to stop poaching. Visitors can help by opting for smaller, eco-certified tours, maintaining a respectful distance. Supporting local guides over large operators that overcrowd the islands can be effective as well. The Komodo's story isn't unique. Bali's reefs, Thailand's elephants it's the same issue again and again: too many people, not enough space. But things can shift. Travelers can leave lighter footprints. And Komodo protection efforts are about more than saving one species they're about preserving the wilderness for all of us. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Melting ice sheets are nothing new, with society warned about the dangers of this for years. However, one Medium writer has sounded the alarm over what's happening at both ends of the Earth and why you should be paying attention now more than ever. What's happening? "For decades, satellites have tracked the rhythmic pulse of sea ice expanding and shrinking each year, a predictable planetary heartbeat," said researcher Ricky Lanusse. "But that pulse has turned erratic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ice that has melted hasn't reformed, and Lanusse said, "It may never come back." This year saw "the second-lowest summer extent in history," according to Lanusse, which ties with 2022 and 2024. This means that the Antarctic had the second-lowest amount of ice during the summer, and the amount of ice that was missing was larger than the size of Pakistan. Lanusse cited U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center data, which showed that on September 17, 2025, the ice hit its winter maximum six days earlier than usual. It was also below its historic average by 900,000 square kilometers. The only part of Antarctica that didn't have below-average ice was the Ross Sea. For the Arctic, Lanusse pointed to figures published in the journal Environmental Sea Letters, which noted summer sea ice has decreased 50% since the 1970s, when researchers first started tracking satellites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 10,000 cubic kilometers of ice are gone. The Arctic's worst year was in 2012, and while it may seem like the ice melt has stabilized, the lowest sea ice extents have all happened over the past 19 years. Scientists were actually expecting this slowdown, as indicated in a paper published in Geophysical Research Letters in 2015, but they all agree the ice will continue to vanish. Lanusse said, "We say 'the system is broken,' but it's not. It's reacting exactly as physics dictates." Why are melting ice sheets concerning? As ice sheets continue to melt, the seas will continue to rise. Sea levels saw record highs in 2023, reaching 4 inches higher than it was 30 years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the planet continues to warm, more ice will melt, and sea levels will continue to rise. Warming temperatures also intensify extreme weather events such as hurricanes. Those storms can bring higher tides due to the higher sea levels. All of this puts coastal communities in danger, risking homes, businesses, and lives. What can be done about melting ice sheets? The best way to combat ice sheets melting is to lessen society's reliance on dirty energy sources, such as oil and gas, which produce polluting gases that warm the planet. That can mean switching to cheaper and cleaner solutions, such as solar power and electric vehicles. It's also vital to explore critical climate issues, such as melting ice sheets, to better understand what is happening to the planet. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Researchers found a concerning amount of microplastics in the deep ocean, according to the Stanford Report. What's happening? Ecologists at Stanford University are studying how microplastics are distributed and where they come to rest. Microplastics are tiny pieces of debris broken off from larger pieces of plastic. They are typically smaller than 5 mm, allowing them to easily enter our oceans, soil, and bodies. The research team has been collecting data from Monterey Bay, which is renowned for its rich biodiversity. They obtained samples from coastal waters, beaches, wildlife, and rivers in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers determined that few microplastics remain at the ocean's surface. Instead, they sit in the deep water columns: some of which are up to a kilometer below the surface. "The biggest surprise for me has been the abundance," bioengineering professor Manu Prakash told the Stanford Report. "Every single drop I look at every sample from an aquatic environment has microplastic in it. The colors pop out under a scope unlike anything else," Prakash said. Why are microplastics concerning? Microplastics are detrimental to both the environment and human health. One study found that this debris is present in 80% of human blood samples. Since plastic can get lodged in carotid arteries, its presence in our bodies can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because microplastic are so prevalent in the ocean, many sea creatures ingest them. This form of pollution can infiltrate the organs of aquatic wildlife. As a result, microplastics are present in much of our seafood. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This is not just an environmental health issue," Matthew Savoca, researcher at the Hopkins Marine Station, told the Stanford Report. "It's not just a wildlife health issue. It is most certainly a human health issue." What's being done about microplastics? Researchers continue to monitor the distribution of microplastics. Their work helps us better understand how microplastics end up in local ecosystems, affecting wildlife and humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals can do their part by using less plastic. Limiting plastic use ensures that fewer pieces of new plastic enter our landfills and break down into harmful microplastic particles. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. From the endless projections within Times Square to the once-quiet streets of Portland, residents are voicing concerns about a growing issue: the rise of energy-wasting, light-polluting advertisement billboards that are beginning to dominate urban skylines. A recent post to the subreddit r/askportland captured the frustration. "Does anyone know anything about these new video ads being on the side of the buildings?" asked the OP. They featured a picture of the bright billboard against the city's skyline. Photo Credit: Reddit "Is downtown turning into Times Square now?" they asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their question has reignited a larger conversation about "ad creep," which is the steady infiltration of advertising into every corner of public life. With this phenomenon heightened by new forms of media, seldom can a resident now go a day without seeing advertisements compelling them to consume. As advertisements have grown, endless consumption that boosts pollution has come with them, according to Earth.org. David Park, an associate professor at Florida International University, explained that "much of production in capitalism has little to do with the satisfaction of genuine human needs and more to do with the profit motive that drives extraction of raw materials to produce a never-ending supply of goods." The problem does not stop at consumerism. These massive digital billboards consume enormous amounts of energy themselves, contributing to both light and energy pollution. A 2022 study cited by Positive News found that each large digital screen uses the energy equivalent of 11 U.K. households annually. Pollution from advertisements has grown so large that it has been dubbed "advertised emissions," which has contributed to an 11% rise in polluting emissions in the U.K. alone between 2019 and 2022, the equivalent of adding "an extra 28% to the carbon footprint of every U.K. citizen annually." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These findings are so worrying that swaths of organizations across the world are urging for ad-free cities. They maintain that without the energy consumption and consumer waste that comes from advertisements, opportunities for community togetherness, creative expression, and even rewilding areas can be gained. Beyond just community groups, some cities have enacted regulations against advertisements. Amsterdam, Santa Monica, and Paris are just some of the cities listening to the demands of residents who find the advertisements difficult to their livelihood. Do you worry about companies having too much of your personal data? Absolutely Sometimes Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Redditors are keen to see the advert in Portland disappear. "Whatever it is, I hate it," wrote one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another stated, "It's wild how this is okay, but streetlights and reflective paint are not after 4 PM or on dark rainy nights in the winter." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday accused previous governments of not doing any work for the Muslim community in the state, using them as a vote bank. He said the initiatives his government has taken since coming to power include a massive increase in the Minority Welfare Department's budget. https://x.com/NitishKumar/status/1982054610756940050 In a post on X, Nitish Kumar wrote, "Before the year 2005, there was no work for the people of the Muslim community in the state. Prior to that, those who were in power in Bihar used the Muslim community only as a vote bank. Communal clashes used to occur frequently in different parts of the state. Since November 24, 2005, when our government was formed, continuous efforts have been made for the Muslim community. As you all know, in the year 2025-26, the budget of the Minority Welfare Department was increased by 306 times, to 1080.47 crore rupees. To prevent communal incidents in the state, the fencing of sensitive cemeteries began in 2006. So far, more than 8,000 cemeteries have been fenced. In consultation with the Muslim community, 1,273 additional cemeteries have been identified for fencing, of which 746 have been completed, and the work on the remaining ones will be finished soon." Kumar said that when opposition parties were in power, communal riots, including the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, were mishandled, with victims left without support. He claimed that his government has since ensured strict action against culprits, provided compensation, and extended pensions to affected families, adding that Hindu-Muslim conflicts in the state have now largely ceased. "When the opposition parties were in power, communal riots took place in Bhagalpur in 1989. The government failed to stop the riots, and the previous governments did nothing for the victims of communal riots. When we got the opportunity to serve, the Bhagalpur communal riots were investigated, strict action was taken against the culprits, and compensation was provided to the victims. Additionally, assistance in the form of pensions is being given to families affected by the riots. Earlier, there used to be so many Hindu-Muslim conflicts, but now there are no such disputes," the post read. The chief minister urged the community to remember the work done by his government, which he said ensures full rights and fair representation for Muslims across all fields. "Now, during the Bihar Assembly elections, some people are once again trying to portray themselves as well-wishers of the Muslim community. This is all deception. Various temptations and tactics are being used solely to secure the votes of the Muslim community, while no efforts are being made to give them any significant representation. In our government, people from the Muslim community are receiving their full rights today. Without any discrimination, they are getting proper representation in every field, whereas previous governments used the Muslim community only for votes and gave them no share in power. I humbly request that you not fall into any confusion. Remember the work our government has done for you and decide whom to vote for based on that," the post read. (ANI) Last call never really changes. A well-known song will start playing over the loudspeakers, and someone will inevitably yell, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." Everyone clears out, but chances are they'll all head to the same place. That's because night owls have a late-night craving, one that will only be satisfied with a handful of crunchy tacos or an iconic Gordita. So, they head to Taco Bell, because that's where people go when they want affordable and quick late-night eats. Taco Bell isn't just for post-party carb loading. It's one of America's most popular fast food restaurants. The chain did more than $17 million in total system sales in 2024. Meals like the Breakfast Crunchwraps and the whole new Chicken Cantina menu keep customers coming in at all hours, but there's something special about Taco Bell after dark. It's been a longtime leader in the late-night game, especially since it launched its 2006 "Fourthmeal" advertising campaign. Taco Bell's customer flow actually gets busier at night, making that late-night menu a big contributor to the restaurant's bottom line. Read more: 8 Taco Bell Items Their Own Employees Won't Eat How Taco Bell continues to dominate the late-night fast-food game Taco Bell exterior and drive-thru at night - Juanmonino/Getty Images That late-night "Fourthmeal" Taco Bell advertising campaign worked very well. Fans found a specific fondness for late-night guilty pleasures like the Cheesy Gordita Crunch, Spicy Potato Taco, Double Beef Burrito, Chalupas, and the Luxe Box. Taco Bell positioned itself as an easy stop. It's a reliable and consistent option always available in a pinch and specifically appeals to customers ages 20-35. Innovations have also helped continue the buzz around the chain, like their Decades Y2K Menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategy worked so well that Taco Bell is almost too well known as a late-night fast-food stop, at least from a business standpoint. The restaurant has broadened its advertising horizons to include menu items during the rest of the day as well. Newer ad campaigns remind customers Taco Bell is for any time of day, not just for post-dark snacks. Marketing is now focused on highlighting the chain's breakfast menu and positioning the restaurant as a great spot for an afternoon or pre-dinner snack. Taco Bell has become known as the place to go for post-game eats and after-party grinds, but it will always be there for a pick-me-up on that grueling late-night commute. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Newly retired NYPD Chief of Department John Chell will rake in $295,000 a year from a disability pension stemming from an incident in which he hurt his foot during a migrant operation on Randalls Island in July 2024, the Daily News has learned. Chell, who retired Oct. 8, will receive a monthly taxpayer-funded payment of $24,659.97, said New York City Police Pension Fund General Counsel Vincent Diaz late Friday afternoon in an email. That sum works out to $295,919.64 per year, almost entirely tax free, for the rest of his life. Diaz also confirmed prior reporting by The News that the pension board approved Chells application for a disability pension, but Diaz did not specify the injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the complex pension fund rules, cops can retire with an ordinary pension, which pays 50% of their salary, mostly tax free, or an accident disability pension, which pays 75% of their salary, almost tax free, for the duration of their lives. The standard to qualify for a disability is whether the officer can still perform all the physical duties required of an officer. Much about the decision-making process remains cloaked behind confidentiality rules. Late Friday, Chell told The News he was injured after stepping into a hole covered with grass on Randalls Island during a July 28, 2024 police operation that followed two shootings linked to a migrant encampment there and a rash of stolen mopeds, scooters and e-bikes. As a result of the accident, he said he wears a brace on his right ankle and that he had been on restricted duty, though still sometimes went out in the field given his responsibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system is the system. I didnt make up the system. I got hurt the MRI doesnt lie, Chell said. I stepped right in a hole. There was no way to see it. If youve ever done that, you know how that can feel. The doctors considered me unable to perform. I was being guided by the doctors, he added. Chell noted that he purposely didnt advertise he was on restricted duty. I had to limit myself but sometimes I went out anyway because of the position (chief of department) that I had. But that was a liability to me and everyone around me, he said. Two City Council members immediately criticized the size of the prominent, if controversial, chiefs pension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an absurd waste of taxpayer dollars, said City Councilman Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn). Chief Chell has engaged in combative, harmful and unethical behavior for years. There should be an immediate review into the appropriateness of this pension. Councilwoman Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn) added that Chell as a civil servant is entitled to his pension, but she criticized the former chiefs sharp-elbowed manner. He was blasted in a city oversight report, in one example, for using social media to attack elected officials and reporters who had questioned his NYPD policies. I dont agree with his leadership style or generally anything he has done, Nurse said. I think he has stepped out of line and there are other investigations that could of been handled differently, but thats the cost of allowing people to fail upward. Chell, a staunch ally of Adams who has also been a supporter of President Trump, joined the NYPD on Feb. 28, 1994, and rose to the agencys highest uniformed post on Jan. 1, with his promotion ceremony taking place on New Years Eve in Times Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch promoted Chell to the top uniformed spot after Jeffrey Maddrey quit as chief of department in December 2024 while under investigation for a range of misconduct, including exchanging overtime pay for sex with a subordinate. The NYPD, Adams and the offices of the presidents of various NYPD unions either could not be immediately reached or declined comment. The pension fund attorney did not reply to a follow-up question seeking information on the basis for the pension. Just 28 other retired NYPD cops are earning more annually in their pensions than Chell will earn, according to the seethroughny website. Despite his apparent injury, since retiring Chell has posted photos on social media of himself traveling across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Great day at the Star- 1 Cowboy Way. Had to pump up the Boys for those Broncos, Chell wrote in an X post on Thursday, along with photos of himself hanging out with players on the Dallas Cowboys team at their training facility in Texas. He also added hashtags to the post reading, #retirement #makingmoney. Its unclear if Chell plans to pick up a private-sector job. It has long been rumored hes considering a job in right-wing media, and since his retirement he has posted videos of himself commenting on current events, like the citys upcoming mayoral election. Chell was replaced by Chief Michael LiPetri, who was named acting chief of department on Oct. 8. When I moved to Tallahassee, in the fall of 1990, one of my first jobs was to work at the Florida Department of Health in the Maternal Health Division. My assignment was to work with the late Dr. Carol Graham, a brilliant and eloquent woman who became a dear friend, on a new project called Healthy Start. It was my first association with the sphere of public health, and I was moved by the passion of the people with whom I worked. From the epidemiologists to the community educators to the program designers, everyone was devoted to the health and well-being of the population they served. Tom Bishop is a Rotary Bell Ringer as he helps raise money in support of the Salvation Army. I saw more of the same devotion when I was privileged to serve on an Elder Affairs Initiative for Dementia Care and Cure. I happened to know, from the time he was but a toddler in a church I served, one of the persons responsible for collecting and managing data for the program, and you would think he was the Department of Elder Affairs Secretary for all the energy and compassion Evan Barksdale put into his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, I attended the graduation ceremony for my beloved friend, Carol Grahams daughter, Erin Sley, who earned her PhD in Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. With the same passion and brilliance as her beloved mother, Erin is a strong advocate for public health. The Surgeon General of the United States at the time, Dr. Vivek Murthy, was the commencement speaker for Erins graduation in May 2024 at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Murthys words to us that day were masterfully rich as he reminded the students and those of us celebrating with them: Love is the worlds oldest medicine. It is what I wish for you all more than anything else in the world. Your ability to give and receive love that is your greatest gift and your greatest power. His last prescription to us as Surgeon General, when his term ended in January of 2025, was to come together and commit to each other, to choose community and be community builders in our own neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, family, and friend circles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public health is all about community. Rotarians work to end polio It is something that I believe many of us take for granted. We think of health as personal rather than communal, but it is certainly both. And no one knows that better than Rotarians, especially during this week when, on Oct. 24, World Polio Day was observed around the globe. Though the observance day was established in 2012 by Rotarians on the birthdate of Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed a polio vaccine that was declared safe and effective in 1955, Rotary International began its fight against polio with a multi-year project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines in 1979. To date, Rotarians have collected more than $2.6 billion dollars and given countless volunteer hours to the effort to eradicate polio. Along with five other prominent partners, they immunize over 400 million children annually against the highly contagious virus that impacts mostly children under the age of 5 with paralysis and or death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate is a humanitarian imperative. See, endpolio.org. International efforts Three-year-old Dixie Lee Heckel receives a polio shot in 1957 at the Leon County Health Unit. The polio vaccine was perfected in 1955 and led to the near-eradication of the disease. Rotarians understand that health is broader than any individual, and the health of the community impacts us all. So did Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, who contracted polio as an adult at age 39. His determination and discipline to fight the diseases progression was remarkable, and while he did find ways to live better with the disease, he was not able to reverse the paralysis that he developed because of the incurable disease. As seems consistent with his leadership of our nation, he was faithful to tending to those with the greatest need and fewest resources, including the children who had contracted polio. He made it a priority throughout his political career to assist those who were suffering from polio by raising awareness and funds for treatment and research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 the global report on polio showed two countries where polio is still endemic, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, places where Rotary International is targeting its efforts. In April 21-18, 2025, 10 Rotary members from France and Belgium participated in a large-scale polio immunization campaign in Pakistan. Marie-Laurence Lejeune, a member of the Rotary Club of Hazebrouck Merville, whose father suffered from polio while living in Africa, explains that these vaccinations represent more than a humanitarian project, it's a project for humanity. Immunizations and prevention According to a recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics, immunization programs are considered one of the most important public health achievements in the world. Together with clean water and improved access to health care, immunizations have contributed in a definitive and relevant way to the increase in life expectancy in most countries, including the United States where life expectancy increased from 1900 to 1999 by 30 years. I think of Veveks last prescription to us all as Surgeon General. He encouraged us to choose community and be community builders. One of the ways we do that is by seeing that our own health and wellbeing is related to the health and wellbeing of others. We are an intricate web and finding a way to care not only about our rights, but the rights of others, is critical to the health and wellbeing of us all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am also reminded of a dear man in my home church, Alvin Watson. His wife was our minister of Education and he, a prominent businessman. I remember learning that Mr. Watson had contracted polio as a child. Like FDR he was determined to live his life to its fullest despite the challenges, maneuvering his crutches as if they were a part of him, in the halls, down the steps, and on the grounds of our church. Joy was his most prominent asset. I can still see the twinkle in his eye and hear his laughter. Mr. Watson helped normalize his disability and encourage sensitivity in our church family to care about others as we witnessed his courage and strength. It is my prayer that we all will find ways to see the intricate connection we have with each other in the choices that we make. The Rev. Candace McKibben The Rev. Candace McKibben is an ordained minister and pastor of Tallahassee Fellowship. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Public health is about community on World Polio Day, every day RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Sergeant Mike Logue, who courageously battled cancer following his retirement in 2023. Sergeant Logue faithfully served the citizens of Augusta-Richmond County for nearly 40 years with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Sergeant Logue began his distinguished career with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office on June 15, 1984, and was promoted to Sergeant on August 12, 1990. Throughout his career, he was known for his leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public service. In April 2014, Sergeant Logue was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during a call for service in which he courageously confronted an armed suspect who had just shot a deputy. His quick thinking and decisive response under life-threatening conditions prevented further harm and exemplified the courage and dedication expected of law enforcement professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sergeant Logue served this community with heart, courage, and humility, said Sheriff Gino Brantley. He led by example and demonstrated the highest ideals of this profession. We are grateful for his decades of service and the lasting impact he made on the Richmond County Sheriffs Office and our community. Many in the community will remember Sergeant Logues friendly smile and warm greetings while working special duty assignments throughout Augusta-Richmond County, including his frequent post at Windsor Jewelers. Beyond his dedication to duty, he was admired for his kindness and respect toward others. Sergeant Logues daughter, Jennifer, continues his legacy of service through her work with Richmond County 911 Dispatch, supporting deputies and first responders every day. His passing comes as the Sheriffs Office also remembered Deputy J.D. Paugh, who gave his life in the line of duty 14 years ago. These moments serve as a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily and the enduring bonds of service that unite them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Richmond County Sheriffs Office extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sergeant Logue. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. The estranged wife of suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez is once again behind bars this time at the Lake County Jail. Robin Severance-Lopez was arrested again this week, accused of providing false or misleading information during her bond proceedings back in July. She was transferred to Lake County on Friday and is expected to appear before a judge Saturday morning. Sources tell Channel 9 the new charge stems from testimony she gave during her previous bond hearing about whether she could afford to keep her GPS ankle monitor. That hearing came after she was first arrested in June, just days after Lopez himself was taken into custody. At the time, Severance-Lopez was charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and released on a $400,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be a serious problem for her, said WFTV Legal Analyst Bill Sheaffer. By way of either evidence or affidavit, what the underlying charges that led to this arrest and revocation of bond will reveal is whether she was truthful or not. Both Severance-Lopez and her estranged husband are accused of being part of an alleged illegal gambling ring that led to at least five arrests across Central Florida. Sheaffer told Channel 9 its unlikely Severance-Lopez will be released again. It is more probable than not that shes going to remain in jail and the judge is going to revoke the bond, he said. Severance-Lopez is set to appear in court Saturday at 8 a.m., where the judge will decide whether shell be granted bond. Prosecutors have already filed a motion to revoke it if the judge decides to release her. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The leaders discussed the return of the remaining hostages and plans for Hamas disarmament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on the phone after Rubio concluded his visit to Israel on Saturday evening. The pair discussed the Gaza ceasefire and how to demilitarize Hamas. The leaders also discussed the return of the remaining hostages. Earlier on Saturday, Hamas gave indications that it could return the bodies of two slain hostages. However, the Gaza terror group promised the same thing on Friday and did not do so. Palestinians seek aid supplies from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in the central Gaza Strip, August 4, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER) US to speak with Doha on input for UN resolution on Gaza peace force Rubio said earlier on Saturday that the US is getting input on a possible UN resolution or international agreement to authorize a multinational force in Gaza and will discuss the issue in Qatar on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level, whether it be monetary or personnel or both, are going to need that (a UN resolution or international agreement) because their domestic laws require it," Rubio told reporters traveling on his plane between Israel and Qatar en route to Asia. "So we have a whole team working on that outline of it." During Netanyahu and Rubio's meeting on Thursday, the pair discussed how to advance the US-backed Gaza deal. "Now we face days of destiny. We want to advance peace, we still have security challenges, but I think that we can work together, and by working together, both address the challenges and seize the opportunities, and plenty of both," Netanyahu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have more work ahead of us, but we feel very positive about it. We've been making good progress," Rubio said. "No one is under any illusions. We've already done the impossible once. And we intend to keep doing that. And we can." The goal is to ensure that the approach remains peaceful and supports Gazas long road to recovery, while addressing Israels concerns and those of other countries in the region. US Secretary of State Marco Rubios visit to Israel, coming right after US Vice President JD Vances visit, illustrates how the US is investing heavily in peace in Gaza. The White House wants the ceasefire to last. Rubio visited the new US Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which the US has established alongside the IDF and other partners at a site in Kiryat Gat. This important initiative began on October 17, just days after the ceasefire started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance was the first high-profile official to visit the site, along with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Bringing together stakeholders who share the goal of successful stabilization in Gaza is essential for a peaceful transition, US Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), said last week. Over the next two weeks, US personnel will integrate representatives from partner nations, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and the private sector as they arrive to the coordination center. Rubios visit now shows how an all hands on deck approach is taking shape. The goal is to ensure that Hamas is sidelined in Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands, following their meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, October 23, 2025. (credit: FADEL SENNA/Pool via REUTERS) Another apparent objective is to change how aid is delivered in the future so that groups like UNRWA play a smaller role. Ynet noted last week that at the newly established US-led command center in Kiryat Gat, multinational troops representing a wide array of countries - including the United States, France, Britain, Spain, Australia, Greece and Cyprus - gathered Friday, alongside senior officials from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Denmark, and the US ambassador to Yemen. US Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank leading hundreds of personnel at site US Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank is leading the several hundred personnel at the site, with a British officer serving as his deputy. Rubio examined the operations there. The goal is stability in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commands large operations hangar features screens showing live news feeds and aid convoys, and is equipped with synthetic turf to improve acoustics. One displayed report highlighted a United Arab Emirates convoy entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing, while another flagged shortages of vegetables, fruit and cheese in the enclave, Ynet noted. The US is also expanding the State Departments role in the initiative. According to the US Department of State on October 24, US Ambassador Steven Fagin will serve as the civilian lead of the Civil-Military Coordination Center, which is supporting the implementation of the Presidents 20 Point Peace Plan for Gaza. The statement about Fagins appointment notes that he is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. He has served as US Ambassador to Yemen since 2022 and previously was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Baghdad (202021), Principal Officer at the US Consulate General in Erbil (201820), Director of the State Departments Office of Iranian Affairs (201518), and Director of the Regional Affairs Office in the Departments South and Central Asia Bureau (201315), the State Department said. Bringing together a career foreign service officer who has been an ambassador and also led a consulate in the key Kurdistan Region of Iraq, along with US military personnel, illustrates how the US is coordinating at the highest levels with experienced officials to make things work in Gaza. Rubios visit, therefore, helped cement the next stage of what may happen in Gaza. The goal is to ensure that the approach remains peaceful and supports Gazas long road to recovery, while addressing Israels concerns and those of other countries in the region. Russian forces attacked a coal mine in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast while 496 people were underground, Ukrainian energy company DTEK reported on Oct. 25. The strike marked the seventh attack by Russia on DTEK coal enterprises over the past two months as Moscow intensifies its campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. "Engineering teams are working to minimize damage in order to restore operations as soon as possible," the company said in a statement following the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All mine workers were brought to the surface safely, and none were injured, the company added. DTEK is the largest private energy company in Ukraine. Its facilities have been targeted in multiple Russian strikes, forcing production halts and disrupting residential heating supply. A similar attack on Oct. 19 also targeted a coal mine in the region, trapping 192 employees underground. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is located in central-eastern Ukraine. The region's administrative center is the city of Dnipro, one of Ukraine's largest industrial and cultural hubs. Russia has ramped up strikes against Ukraine's energy system heading into the colder season, hitting critical infrastructure and leaving hundreds of thousands of households without power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainians are bracing for another winter of blackouts as Russia aims to impose what President Volodymyr Zelensky described as an "energy disaster" across the country. Read also: Russia has upgraded its already devastating glide bombs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha attended the Karyakarta Conference organised by the Mandwai Mandal on Saturday. On this occasion, Dr. Saha welcomed 339 voters from 109 families into the BJP. During the conference, he remarked that politics cannot be done by the force of muscle and communal provocation. He stated that the current government is trying to work for the welfare of the people in the janajati areas, and the Bharatiya Janata Party is working to free the state from the politics of fear. Attempts to silence people's voices by the force of muscle will not be tolerated under any circumstances. While addressing the conference, the Chief Minister said, "I always feel that no one can be braver than the Janajatis. The Janajatis are much braver. But this courage does not mean hitting someone on the head with a stick. Courage means speaking with confidence about one's expertise in any matter and demonstrating leadership qualities, which are present among the Janajatis. For many years, a politics of fear was in place in the state. It needs to be freed from it. The Bharatiya Janata Party is working to free the state from the politics of fear. Wherever the communists have ruled, scenes of murder, terrorism, and arson have been seen." He said, "After Narendra Modi took charge as the Prime Minister in 2014, the terminology of politics in the entire country has changed. Now he has established India as a strong nation. We are also trying to work in the direction the Prime Minister has outlined. But an attempt is being made to create an atmosphere of anarchy in Tripura. We have the right to do politics anywhere. Now there is no monarchy; now there is democracy. In a democracy, anyone can go anywhere. How long will it last with just physical force and communal tickling? In a case of Takarjala, a 75-year-old woman was stabbed in the leg. Under what circumstances can this be accepted? What kind of politics is this?". The Chief Minister said that the CPI(M) has ruled in Tripura, West Bengal, and Kerala and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP government was established in Tripura in 2018 after overthrowing the communists. "In that case, why should we be afraid of others? Where we could erase the communists If any party tries to suppress the voice of the people by force, then it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The government will take all necessary action. I have repeatedly said that if politics can be done like politics, it is good. In this, we will coexist. But if it is seen that pressure is being brought on us by adopting various tactics in the name of politics, the government is being tarnished, the party is being tarnished, then we will not tolerate that under any circumstances," he said. He added that the current government is trying to work for the welfare of the people in the Janajati areas. "We want to reach out to the people through our work. I am very happy that the presence of Janajati mothers and sisters has been increasing in the last few days wherever I have been. They understand. Therefore, mothers and sisters have to play a special role in strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party," he added. The conference was attended by BJP State President Rajib Bhattacharya, former MP Rebati Tripura, BJP State General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, Sadar Rural District President Gauranga Bhowmik, Mandwai Mandal President Abhijit Debbarma, and other top party leaders. (ANI) Russia has launched yet another attack on a Dnipropetrovsk Oblast coal mine belonging to DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine. Source: DTEK Details: A total of 496 miners were underground at the time of the attack. All have been brought to the surface and none has been injured. This has been the seventh large-scale attack on DTEK's coal facilities over the past two months. Background: On 19 October, Russian forces struck Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, hitting a coal mine belonging to DTEK. Earlier on 25 October, Russian forces struck an energy facility in the Chuhuiv district of Kharkiv Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia and Ukraine, with U.S. mediation, are close to reaching a diplomatic settlement to end Moscow's war, Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's senior economic negotiator, claimed on Oct. 24. The claim contradicts Moscow's actual negotiating stance, as Russia continues to reject any compromise and insists on its maximalist demands, including Ukraine's surrender of the entire Donetsk Oblast as a precondition for peace. "I believe Russia and the U.S. and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution (to Moscow's war)," Dmitriev told CNN, offering no details about potential terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev arrived in the U.S. just days after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed his first sanctions on Russia, citing Moscow's lack of progress in ending its war against Ukraine. Russia's rigid negotiating position led to the cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's planned summit with Trump in Budapest, with Trump saying he did not want "a wasted meeting." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Oct. 20 that Russia's stance on ending hostilities along the current front lines, which Washington and Ukraine support, "has not changed." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Oct. 21 that Moscow would not end hostilities without a "comprehensive peace agreement," arguing that halting the war now would mean "forgetting the root causes of this conflict." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev's claim also comes as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure daily. Overnight on Oct. 25, Russia launched a ballistic missile barrage against Kyiv, killing at least two people and injuring 12. President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said Russia's attacks on civilian energy infrastructure are driving Ukraine "toward a humanitarian disaster." Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia aims to collapse the national power grid ahead of winter and the heating season. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's Direct Investment Fund, has long been involved in the Kremlin's backchannel outreach to Washington. He visited the U.S. in April and joined talks in Alaska in August. During his current trip, he is expected to meet Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Oct. 25 to discuss U.S.-Russia relations, according to Axios. Read also: Russia has upgraded its already devastating glide bombs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight left four people dead and several others injured, days after President Trump issued sanctions on Russian oil companies as peace talks in the region have largely been stagnant. In Kyiv, two people were killed and at least 13 wounded from a ballistic missile strike early Saturday, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyivs military administration, said in a post on the social media site X. A kindergarten building was also struck in the Dnipro district, where people were injured by glass and debris, Tkachenko added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dnipropetrovsk region also saw two deaths with seven people injured, and the strikes damaged apartment buildings and private homes, acting regional Gov. Vladyslav Haivanenko said. The Russian military launched nine missiles and 62 drones, Ukraines air force observed. Four missiles and 50 drones were intercepted, according to officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave his condolences to the families of those who were killed and injured in the attacks. He then called on the U.S., Europe and the G7 nations to further help Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems to be able to protect our cities from this horror, Zelensky said in a statement. It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No country should be left alone in the face of such evil, he wrote. We must continue our cooperation. Everything is doable. Our partners have the necessary systems and they can already help defend Ukraine. The call for additional Patriot air defense systems comes after peace talks between the two countries, facilitated by the U.S., have stalled and days after Zelensky announced Monday that Ukraine and the U.S. were finalizing a deal to secure more defense systems. Germany sent two Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine earlier this year, the first shipment under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List as part of the U.S.-led deal with NATO. In total, Ukraine has received at least seven Patriot systems since the war in Eastern Europe began in February 2022. During a visit to the White House with President Trump last week, Zelensky spoke with leaders of several American energy and military companies in hopes of garnering support in bolstering Ukraines power grid and arming itself against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv has not received long-range missiles from the U.S., something that Trump emphasized was not easy to give. Zelensky argued Tuesday that not being given the missiles thwarted Russias incentive to engage in diplomacy. This came after a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that was to be held in Budapest, Hungary was called off. The front line can spark diplomacy. Instead, Russia continues to do everything to weasel out of diplomacy, and as soon as the issue of long-range capabilities for us for Ukraine became less immediate, Russias interest in diplomacy faded almost automatically, the Ukrainian leader said during a video address on Tuesday. He added, This signals that this very issue the issue of our deep strike capabilities may hold the indispensable key to peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, after an August summit with Putin in Alaska failed to move the needle closer to a ceasefire, has aired his frustration with the Kremlins war. The Treasury Department on Wednesday slapped two of Russias largest oil companies Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Co. (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil) with sanctions. Its a very big day in terms of what were doing, the president said at the time. These are tremendous sanctions. Theyre big, these are against their two big oil companies and we hope they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russia has lost 910 soldiers killed and wounded over the past day alone, bringing its total number of personnel losses to 1,135,990. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 25 October 2025 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: approximately 1,135,990 (+910) military personnel 11,287 (+4) tanks 23,459 (+1) armoured combat vehicles 33,987 (+15) artillery systems 1,526 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems 1,230 (+0) air defence systems 428 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft 346 (+0) helicopters 74,185 (+359) operational-tactical UAVs 3,880 (+0) cruise missiles 28 (+0) ships/boats 1 (+0) submarine 65,436 (+80) vehicles and fuel tankers 3,981 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment. The information is being confirmed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Balashovskaia power substation in Russia's Volgograd Oblast has come under attack, disrupting electricity supplies to Russian military infrastructure. Source: Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Details: The substation supplies electricity to Russia's military facilities, including the Volgograd military district and defence ministry infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Balashovskaia 500 kV substation in Volgograd Oblast has been attacked. This is a key facility of Russia's Southern energy system, which powers the Volgograd military district, defence ministry facilities and transport energy hubs on the Saratov-Voronezh axis." More details: Russia has already lost another substation of the same type Veshkaima which has further strained energy supplies to its forces in the region. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! At least eight civilians were killed and 67 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on Oct. 25. The strikes, which targeted multiple regions, underscored Russia's ongoing strategy of hitting civilian areas and infrastructure to pressure Ukraine while dismissing calls for a ceasefire. Russia launched nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Rostov and Kursk oblasts overnight, along with 62 Shahed-type attack and decoy drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air defenses destroyed 50 drones and four missiles, but 12 drones and five missiles hit four locations. Kherson Oblast suffered the heaviest toll, facing glide bomb, artillery, and drone attacks . Three people were killed and 29 were injured, including three children, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. The attacks also damaged 29 apartment buildings. A Russian ballistic attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killed two people and injured 12 more, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported. Russian attacks in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed two people and injured seven more, Governor Serhii Lysak said. The attack damaged apartment buildings and houses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Donetsk Oblast, Russia killed one person and injured five more, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. At least 13 people were injured in Russian attacks in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. The attacks also targeted the region's energy infrastructure, leaving some 25,000 people without power, he added. A 63-year-old man was also injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy sector in recent months, just as a cold snap drives up demand and puts additional strain on the country's power infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that Russia's tactics are not only killing people but also terrorizing civilians by weaponizing cold weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russia claims Ukraine peace deal close as it rejects ceasefire and escalates attacks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Kyiv on the night of 24-25 October, damaging a kindergarten in the Dniprovskyi district and injuring at least eight people. Source: Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "A kindergarten in the Dniprovskyi district was damaged in the attack." Details: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv at 03:51 due to the threat of a ballistic missile strike. A series of powerful explosions was heard in the capital just minutes later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight people had been confirmed injured by the morning. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said large-scale fires had broken out in non-residential buildings in the Desnianskyi and Darnytskyi districts following the attack. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Russian ballistic missiles rained down on several parts of Kyiv early Saturday morning and killed at least four while wounding 13 more as the war in Ukraine continues. The missiles struck the Dniprovsky, Desnyansky and Darnytsky districts of Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Saturday. "Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack," Klitschko said on social media, as reported by The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air raid sirens sounded warnings at 3:51 a.m. local time, which were followed by the sounds of several explosions across Kyiv. The missile barrage caused a non-residential building to catch fire, and debris from missiles that were intercepted damaged nearby buildings as it fell into open spaces. At least four were killed and 13 were injured during the Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine early Saturday morning. Photo via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs/UPI The missile attack also damaged a kindergarten that is in the Dnipro district, according to the Kyiv Post. Local emergency crews battled fires in several locations. Russia launched nine ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones against Kyiv, and Ukrainian air defenses downed four missiles and 50 drones during the deadly Saturday morning aerial assault. Photo via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs/UPI At least two were killed and seven were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region, including one first-responder, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two others died in the attacks on Kyiv. Russian forces also attacked the outer parts of Kharkiv for about an hour shortly after midnight, with about 15 explosions being reported in the city's suburbs. The attack occurred after the Ukrainian Air Force warned of Russian drone activity near Kharkiv. The Ukrainian Air Force reported Russia used nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones during the early morning aerial assault. Air defenses destroyed four missiles and 50 drones. Russia also reported Ukraine struck a dam in the Belgorod region several times, which raises the risk of flooding in Shebekino and Bezlyudovka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local officials issued evacuation warnings to protect residents against flooding. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported air defenses downed 121 Ukrainian drones during the overnight hours from Friday into Saturday. The United States and the European Union earlier this week announced sanctions on Russian energy, including oil and natural gas, to deprive Moscow of the funds needed to continue the war. The war in Ukraine began when Russia invaded its neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for Patriot missile systems, which are capable of intercepting Russian missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems - to be able to protect our cities from this horror," Zelensky posted on X. "It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days. No country should be left alone in the face of such evil. We must continue our cooperation. Everything is doable. Our partners have the necessary systems and they can already help defend Ukraine." Trump in July approved a request to send Patriots to Ukraine. Ukraine is looking to acquire 25 more Patriots in a long-term arrangement with the United States, Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv on Monday. Zelensky also recently sought long-range U.S. Tomahawk missiles to counter Russia's airstrikes, but President Donald Trump denied the request. Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Friday said that dialogue was continuing between Moscow and Washington despite the latest US sanctions against Russia and President Donald Trump's cancellation of an upcoming meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. "Arrived in the U.S. to continue the U.S.Russia dialogue visit planned a while ago based on an invitation from the U.S. side," Dmitriev said on social media platform X. "Such dialogue is vital for the world and must continue with the full understanding of Russia's position and respect for its national interests." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to US media reports, Dmitriev is expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Saturday. Trump recently spoke out in favour of freezing the current front lines as part of any effort to end the conflict between Russia and neighbouring Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a corresponding statement. When asked why Putin had not agreed to freeze the lines of conflict, Dmitriev told US broadcaster CNN: "Well, I think Russia really wants not just a ceasefire, but the final solution to the conflict." A few days ago, the US government imposed new sanctions against Russia for the first time in his second term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explicitly cited "President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war" as he announced the measures. Shortly after the sanctions were announced, Trump said that he had called off the previously planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, postponing it indefinitely. Dmitriev now emphasised on CNN that the meeting would take place, albeit probably later. Putin had previously said that Trump was most likely talking about postponing the meeting. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi hailed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling him the most capable CM at present, and expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the approaching Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. "The people of Bihar know very well what his (Tejashwi Yadav's) parents (Rabri Devi-Lalu Prasad Yadav) did during their rule before 2005...Therefore, the people of Bihar have made up their minds. On November 14, the NDA government will be formed...At present, there is no chief minister more capable than Nitish Kumar..." he said. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday accused previous governments of not doing any work for the Muslim community in the state, using them as a vote bank. He said the initiatives his government has taken since coming to power include a massive increase in the Minority Welfare Department's budget. In a post on X, Nitish Kumar wrote, "Before the year 2005, there was no work for the people of the Muslim community in the state. Prior to that, those who were in power in Bihar used the Muslim community only as a vote bank. Communal clashes used to occur frequently in different parts of the state. Since November 24, 2005, when our government was formed, continuous efforts have been made for the Muslim community. As you all know, in the year 2025-26, the budget of the Minority Welfare Department was increased by 306 times, to 1080.47 crore rupees. To prevent communal incidents in the state, the fencing of sensitive cemeteries began in 2006. So far, more than 8,000 cemeteries have been fenced. In consultation with the Muslim community, 1,273 additional cemeteries have been identified for fencing, of which 746 have been completed, and the work on the remaining ones will be finished soon." The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, while the results will be declared on November 14. The main contest is between the Nitish Kumar-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). (ANI) The president of Finland has warned Europe to keep engaging with Donald Trump or risk Russia swaying him again, The Telegraph can disclose. In what was described as a crucial intervention at a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Alexander Stubb told Ukraines allies that the US president was currently satisfied with Europes role in his efforts to end the war. Diplomatic sources said Mr Stubb, who is emerging as Mr Trumps closest European ally, claimed that the Russians were circling around the US president and his entourage in the hope of convincing him to back Vladimir Putins plans to end the conflict in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer, flanked by Volodymyr Zelensky and Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general, hosted the coalition meeting in London on Friday - Henry Nicholls/WPA Pool/Getty Images On Saturday, Mr Trump said that he would not schedule any talks with Putin unless it was clear that the Russian leader was serious about making a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to have to know that were going to make a deal. Im not going to be wasting my time, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he headed to Asia. Ive always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing, the US leader said. I thought this would have gotten done before peace in the Middle East. Mr Stubbs warning came as Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents US envoy, arrived in Washington on a hastily arranged visit to counter the White Houses new sanctions on Russian oil giants. According to a European official, Mr Stubb told allies: Trumps entourage confirms that he is now satisfied with the impact of sanctions, Ukraine, and Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But beware: Steve Witkoffs [the US special envoy] counterpart is currently moving around Washington. It is therefore still necessary to work on the entourage and the president himself. Keep talking to them so that the enemy isnt the only one, a second source said, summing up Mr Stubbs advice. Alexander Stubb is emerging as Donald Trumps closest European ally - Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine and its European allies have invested time and effort in attempting to keep Mr Trump on their side amid fears he could one day side with Putin in the negotiations to end the war. The Russian president has been attempting to urge his US counterpart to convince Kyiv to give up large swathes of land as the price for any ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But European leaders in attendance at the Coalition meeting, hosted by Sir Keir Starmer on Friday afternoon, believe that Mr Trump is supportive of their plan to end the fighting on the current front lines before any negotiations over land swaps can happen. The US president reportedly scrapped planned peace talks with Putin in Budapest after the Russian refused to compromise on his demand that Ukraine should cede its eastern Donetsk region prior to any talks. This threw into doubt hopes that more than three years of fighting between Kyiv and Moscow would soon come to an end, with Europe shifting its focus to sustaining Ukraines defence. Sir Keir set out a five-point strategy for keeping Ukraine in the fight, by doing more to take Russian oil and gas off the international markets, use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines defence, strengthen air defence support, and ramp up military pressure on Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came as Rachel Reeves suggested that lobbying by the UK had been critical in persuading Mr Trump to sanction two major Russian oil firms. The Chancellor said she had urged Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, to show a united front by following Britains lead in targeting Rosneft and Lukoil. She also hinted that ministers will carry on pressing the White House to go further on sanctions rather than softening its stance in the face of Russian lobbying. Writing for The Telegraph, she said: President Trumps sanctions, alongside UK action, will make it significantly harder for Russia to find buyers for this oil and will substantially undermine their ability to finance their illegal war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need a united front from our global partners to continue to tighten the screws on Putin. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to lead the charge as we shift gears towards a more secure, more peaceful future. Ms Reeves said the UK was exploring every lever we can pull to turn up the pressure on the Kremlin, including using seized Russian assets to fund Ukraines war effort. Alexander Stubb sat alongside Volodymyr Zelensky as European leaders met Donald Trump at the White House in August - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images A source told The Telegraph that the use of seized Russian Central Bank assets was the main topic of discussion between the Coalition. They appeared to secure a breakthrough in European Union plans for a 140bn reparations loan to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the plan, Ukraine would receive money to buy weapons for the next three years and would only have to repay the debt once Russia agrees to compensation for its war. If Moscow refuses to hand over money to Kyiv, the assets will remain frozen in Europe. The scheme had been blocked by Belgium, which holds two-thirds of the frozen Russian assets worldwide, at a separate meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday. During the Coalitions talks, Belgium remained silent when a deadline was set for the scheme to be finalised in December, a Western official said. The appeals for this appeared to work, and it prevailed that the reparations loan must be finalised in December. The Commission confirmed that it will submit legislative proposals, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A European diplomat said Ursula von der Leyen, the Commissions president, had earlier this week communicated to EU leaders that the draft legal texts are almost ready to be presented. As negotiations go on to end the conflict in Ukraine, Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities continue - Yan Dobronosov/Reuters Ukrainian artillery fire a rocket launcher towards Russian troops near the front line in Donetsk on Thursday - Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters But as the work by Europeans continues, Mr Dmitriev told CNN that Russia, Ukraine and the US were closing in on a diplomatic pact to end the war. Its a big move by President Zelensky to already acknowledge that its about battle lines, he said. You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out. Moscows forces currently occupy around 20 per cent of Ukraines territory, which will de facto fall under the Kremlins sphere of influence under any ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky insists he will not recognise any Russian control over Ukrainian land, but acknowledges his armed forces do not have the military means to liberate it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Some members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education are questioning the credibility of the school accreditation process during the tenure of former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. On Thursday, Oct. 23, the board bypassed an opportunity to issue accreditation warnings to 14 school districts placed on that list by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which Walters ran until he resigned Sept. 30. The board also has yet to vote on accreditation status for all but one school district in Oklahoma for the 2025-26 school year, something that before Walters became superintendent in 2023 usually happened in July or August every year. Its unclear when such a vote might happen. Without that vote, schools maintain the level of accreditation they previously had. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Becky Carson said during Thursdays meeting that she couldn't vote to issue the accreditation warnings "because of information that we are aware of," without citing specifics. This has nothing to do with individuals within this department. It has nothing to do with individuals, hard-working individuals that are there now, or that have left, she said. It just has to do with the leadership that was there and possibly tainted that issue. Board member Chris Van Denhende said accreditation issues could cut both ways, in that some districts might not have received warnings that should have, in addition to districts receiving warnings they should not have. And so, I almost want to push the reset button on this process, and I do not know how to do that, and I do not know that we can do that today, Van Denhende said, addressing new Superintendent Lindel Fields, who was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Oct. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools are accredited every year based on examination of their finances, operations, governance and academic performance, among other factors. The Oklahoma State Department of Education has multiple levels of accreditation accreditation with no deficiencies, accreditation with deficiencies, accreditation with warning, probation and nonaccredited. Schools on probation could be taken over by the state or potentially closed. Nonaccredited schools no longer are recognized by the state. Walters often used the threat of lowering accreditation levels as a cudgel against school administrators who pushed back against his initiatives. As recently as September, he suggested schools that didnt obey his mandates to provide free school lunches to all students or establish chapters of the politically conservative Turning Point USA organization in each school could have their accreditation lowered. Walters efforts to tie culture-war issues to accreditation sometimes drew legal action. When he threatened to lower the Edmond Public Schools districts accreditation because it hadnt removed books he found offensive from high school libraries, the district sued, saying the local school board, not the state agency, had the right to determine what was available in school libraries. The Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed with the district. Online news outlet Oklahoma Voice has reported that Kourtney Heard, a former Oklahoma State Department of Education employee during Walters administration, wrote in her resignation letter that the agency committed manipulation of school accreditation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Denhende said he would like the board to get a better understanding of how the accreditation process works, and what it means for schools to have deficiencies. Oklahoma State Board of Education member Chris Van Denhende suggests a reset on the Oklahoma State Department of Education's school accreditation process. I think we need to return some credibility to this process, he said. After some discussion, Carson suggested the 14 districts recommended to be designated as accredited with warning instead remain at the same accreditation level as they were for the 2024-25 school year. Those 14 districts were Bokoshe, Chelsea, Fletcher, Grandview, Gypsy, McAlester, Optima, Peavine, Straight, Vinita and Wagoner public schools; as well as Cherokee Immersion, KIPP Tulsa and LeMonde International public charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board's decision not to act on those warnings means only one district in Oklahoma out of more than 500 has received an accreditation vote for the 2025-26 school year. During a special meeting on Oct. 9, the board voted to place Western Heights Public Schools in southwest Oklahoma City on accreditation with warning, a step up for that district. It had been on probation for nearly four years and had been taken over by the state for a few months during that time. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters threatened Oklahoma schools' accreditation. Board wants reset CHICAGO (WGN) With Halloween just around the corner, Chicago officials are reminding both children and adults to celebrate safely, whether theyre out trick-or-treating or heading to parties across the city. For kids, safety starts before leaving the house. Costumes should fit properly and include reflective materials or glow sticks so drivers can see children after dark. The Chicago Police Department recommends trick-or-treating in well-lit areas, sticking to familiar neighborhoods and avoiding alleys or vacant lots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are encouraged to accompany younger kids, check all candy before its eaten and remind children to never enter a strangers home. Older kids should travel in groups and keep a phone on them in case they get separated. The city also urges drivers to slow down in residential areas, especially between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. when most trick-or-treating occurs. For adults celebrating Halloween at local bars or events, officials advise planning a safe ride home before heading out. Use rideshare services, designate a sober driver or take public transportation. Police also advise staying aware of your surroundings, keeping drinks in sight and avoiding walking alone at night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) Salvation Army food pantries across the Denver metro area are nearly empty due to a recent surge in people needing help. We started seeing it about two weeks ago. This week has been at its height and if trends continue, it seems itll just get worse, Lt. Carl Esquivel said. States ask for clarity on use of contingency funds for November SNAP Salvation Armys Aurora Corps typically plans on feeding 71 families per day. On Thursday, however, it handed out 138 boxes of food. The center had to turn people away once the supplies were depleted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartbreaking. Our staff had to do it yesterday as a matter of fact and its heartbreaking because theres little kids ages two, three, four years old and were having to say, Im sorry but we dont have enough food to supply to you this week, Esquivel said. According to Esquivel, demand for food, rental and utility assistance has doubled in the last two weeks. We could look at the shutdown, we could look at SNAP benefits. We could look at all this. I think its a plethora of situations that are coming now, head-on and impacting our families in this community, Esquivel said. According to the Salvation Army Intermountain Division, the food banks at its centers in Denver and Centennial are facing similar situations. In Denver, the Salvation Army would consider 60 families at its food pantry as a busy day. On Thursday, more than 90 families lined up for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We asked people why they were visiting our food pantry and many talked about not receiving (SNAP) benefits and need to be prepared, Major Michael OBrien said. At the Centennial location, food pantry attendance doubled from 50 families to more than 100 this week. State of Colorado funds services as frustration over federal shutdown grows Its different every week, but the need is very large for families right now, Capt. Poasa Vesikula said. According to Esquivel, 40% of the people visiting the Aurora food pantry right now are using the service for the very first time. The center in Aurora only has enough food to feed eight families when it opens Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is totally out of the norm for us, Esquivel said. It does keep me up at night. I dont know whats gonna happen next week or next month. The Salvation Army is asking the community to donate canned goods and dry foods. Its wish-list includes items like soup, corn, beans, tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, rice and cereal. It can also collect fresh produce and meat in limited quantities. Monetary donations can also be made to benefit each individual location in Aurora, Denver and Centennial. Aurora Corps Address: 802 Quari Ct., Aurora, 80011 Website: https://aurora.salvationarmy.org/ To make a monetary donation: AuroraRedKettle.org Food donations may be dropped off 9 a.m. 3 p.m., Monday Thursday. The food pantry is open 10 a.m. noon and 1 p.m., Monday Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver Citadel Corps Address: 4505 W. Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO 80219 Website: https://denvercitadel.salvationarmy.org/ To make a monetary donation: DenverCitadelRedKettle.org Food donations may be dropped off 9 a.m. 3 p.m., Monday Friday. The food pantry is open 9 a.m. 3 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Friday. Centennial Corps Address: 3900 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial, CO 80122 Website: https://centennial.salvationarmy.org/centennial_corps/ To make a monetary donation: CentennialRedKettle.org Food donations may be dropped off 9 a.m. 4 p.m., Monday and Wednesday The food pantry is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday Other ways to donate to the Salvation Army can be found online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Salvation Army is inviting community members, families and workplace teams to take part in its annual Red Kettle Campaign, which runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, excluding Sundays. The organizations familiar red kettles and ringing bells are a holiday tradition across the country raising funds to support people and families in need. In Greenville, The Salvation Army Service Center is encouraging groups to unite for a common cause by signing up as volunteer bell ringers. Participants can make the experience fun and meaningful in several ways by ringing in pairs, turning it into a team-building activity or inviting family members to join in as part of a new holiday tradition. The campaign also suggests that businesses consider offering employees time during the workday to volunteer or replacing a traditional holiday party with a day of bell ringing followed by a group dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funds collected through the Red Kettle Campaign support local programs that provide food, shelter and assistance to vulnerable members of the community. Those interested in volunteering can register online at RegisterToRing.com or contact Lucille Burnside at The Salvation Army Greenville Service Center at (903) 455-1875. The center is located at 4912 Lee St. in Greenville. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Salvation Army of Johnson City and others in the Tri-Cities will continue their white flag program in the winter season. A white flag will be flown outside of Salvation Army shelters when temperatures drop to 35 degrees. In the Tri-Cities, shelters can be found in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol. To find a nearby shelter, click here. When the white flag is out, the Salvation Army of Johnson City will provide an overnight stay for up to 25 guests, but those needing a longer stay can sign up for a program. The long-term shelter provides 48 total beds; 15 will be for veterans, with the remaining 33 for emergency shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Salvation Army Major Jamie Spalding of the Bristol Salvation Army explained the meaning behind the white flag. The white flag is a metaphor meaning that the rules and regulations we typically abide by are relaxed and our community is free to come in and be safe from the weather, Spalding said. We will do our best to house as many people from the elements as we can. Major R.C. Duskin with the Johnson City Salvation Army said if someone is looking for a longer stay instead of the white flag, they can reach out and go through the interview process. We are more than just a bed, and we want to be able to provide folks that help and that hand up to be able to transition them from homelessness into permanent housing, said Duskin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The director of social services for the Salvation Army, Andrew Brady, said the community can also lend a helping hand during the cold season. For many in the community that are in need, they have not yet transitioned over to more weather wear for the cold temperatures. So any donations of long-sleeved shirts or flannels or jackets is very much appreciated, said Brady. Brady also said the Salvation Army has community partners that will help if overflow with sheltering were to occur. In relation to emergency shelter and the veterans programs that we have, once we do reach capacity, our case managers will still meet with the people who come to try to receive those services, said Brady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the Johnson City Salvation Army shelter, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Salvation Army is offering help and hope to Central Illinois families for the upcoming holiday season. For those who could benefit from assistance, the Salvation Army is offering sign-ups for toys and food boxes, spokesperson Kathy Anderson said. They will also give away winter coats, hats and gloves as available. In-person sign-ups for food and toy assistance will take place in Peoria and Pekin starting in November. Those signing up will need to bring a Photo ID and a piece of mail with their current address on it. For toys, they will also need to bring verification of their childs date of birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson said this will take place on the following dates and locations: PEORIA From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center on 2903 W. Nebraska Ave. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11, 18 and 25 at the Salvation Army Family Service Center at 417 NE Adams St. PEKIN From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 6, and Monday, Nov. 10, through Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Pekin Salvation Armys 360 Life Center at 243 Derby St. While they are available, winter coats will be distributed each day during the sign-ups. An online option will also be available for people who cannot make any of the in-person dates. For those who want both toys and food boxes, from Nov. 4 to Dec. 5, visit www.saangeltree.org to register. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those signing up for food boxes only, call 309-655-1306 or send an email to peoriavolunteers@usc.salvationarmy.org. Applicants will need the name of the person who needs a food box, a working email address and a cell phone number. A confirmation email or text with the date and location to pick up the food box will be sent in December. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. San Diego commits $75M to tackle mental health worker gap SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego County is investing $75 million to address a growing shortage of mental health workers, a shortage that has left some residents waiting months to receive care. For recent graduates like David Valencia, the challenges of entering the mental health field begin long before they start working with clients. Valencia, who recently earned his degree in marriage and family therapy from San Diego State University, said he nearly dropped out because of the financial strain. One of the first things I remember in orientation was they told us, dont schedule out a vacation, Valencia said. It was so demanding it took me away from family, from friends and I quit my job to stay in the program. The programs workload made it nearly impossible for him to work, forcing him to take on debt while completing unpaid training hours required for graduation. I wasnt paid a penny for my work as a therapist-in-training, he said. It almost caused me to give up. That struggle isnt unique. County officials say the cost and unpaid nature of clinical training are among the biggest barriers to growing the mental health workforce. Many students are required to take out large loans and complete unpaid internships, said Andy Hall, who helps lead the countys new Elevate initiative. Some just cant make it all work and they drop out. Thats one less professional providing services to children in San Diego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys $75 million Elevate program aims to change that. The initiative will provide zero-interest loans, paid internships and peer training for those pursuing mental health careers. Officials say the funding was secured in 2023, with program design completed last year. The rollout begins this year, offering resources to help students stay in school and enter the field faster. Thats exactly what Elevate is answering, Valencia said. I just wish it existed when I was in the program. County leaders hope the investment will fill thousands of open positions and strengthen San Diegos mental health system for years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A San Diego man is recovering from serious injuries after he was shot by a stranger earlier this month while visiting a scenic overlook on Palomar Mountain. Joseph Valentino said the gunman appeared to target him because of his race. Sheriffs investigators are still searching for the shooter. Valentino said the attack happened around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 along Highway 76. He told deputies he was sitting in his car enjoying the view when someone tapped on his rear window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I looked over my left shoulder and saw the silhouette of somebody holding a rifle at my head and wearing a hoodie, he said. Valentino said the gunman asked if he was Mexican before firing. I raised my hands and asked him not to shoot, he said. He asked me if I was Mexican. I responded yes. At that point, I saw him zero in on my head, and instinctively turned to the right. I heard the shot it missed my face and caught my arm. The impact of the bullet sent him over the center console, and he said he could feel blood running down his face. Despite his injuries, Valentino said he managed to start his car and drive away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hit the gas my car took off and I heard a second shot. That second shot hit my rear passenger tire, he said. Valentino was able to drive to a nearby home and call for help. Deputies and paramedics arrived about an hour later, and he was taken to Palomar Medical Center. Doctors were able to save his arm, which was severely damaged by the bullet. Valentino said a sheriffs detective told him investigators are also looking into another shooting reported in the same area. Theres a deranged coward up there running around with a rifle attacking defenseless people, Valentino said. I would avoid the mountain at night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Diego County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers. A fundraiser has been created to help pay for his medical expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. After days of heated controversy surrounding the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust (SHNT) Jain Boarding House land deal in Pune, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol on Saturday visited the disputed site at Model Colony, Shivajinagar. Mohol's name had surfaced in the alleged irregularities linked to the sale of the charitable property to Gokhale Builders, prompting criticism from opposition parties and community leaders. Responding to the allegations, Mohol reiterated that he had no role in the transaction and assured that a "solution will be found soon." The dispute stems from the sale of land that houses a Jain hostel and temple, both originally established for charitable purposes. Members of the Jain community, alumni of the boarding house, and local politicians have questioned the legality and morality of the deal, alleging that selling the property for commercial development violates the trust's founding objectives. Reports suggest that while the land is valued at over 1,000 crore, it was sold for around 311 crore, raising further concerns. The Maharashtra Charity Commissioner on October 22 ordered a status quo on the transaction following complaints that the sale was executed below market value and without full transparency. Speaking to reporters after meeting the trustees, Mohol said, "I assure everyone that we will find a solution soon. The community has faith in my non-involvement. As a public representative, I will take an unbiased stand and ensure a fair outcome." Refuting allegations of conflict of interest, Mohol clarified that his partnership with Gokhale Builders ended last year, well before the current deal was executed. "If I had done something wrong, I would not have come here today. I came because I have nothing to hide," he said. Mohol also hit out at his political opponents, claiming they were using the issue for personal gain. "Many people tried to cook their own political bread by dragging my name into this," he remarked. Meanwhile, former MLA and Shivsena leader Ravindra Dhangekar took to X alleging that Mohol's visit followed a "stern warning" from senior leaders. "When the fence itself eats the farm, who will provide justice?" he questioned, accusing Mohol of benefiting from the deal through his past links with the builder. Mohol dismissed these claims, asserting that his recent meeting with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai was unrelated to the controversy. "The Jain Boarding House issue was not discussed," he said. Some community members also raised slogans and created chaos in front of Murlidhar Mohol during his visit to boarding and demanded to cancel the sale deed of the development plan. (ANI) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Whether youre a newcomer to the Volunteer State or just visiting, pronouncing certain streets, cities and counties across Tennessee can be quite confusing. From Milan (MY-lin) to Ooltewah (oo-ta-wah), guessing how to pronounce things in Tennessee might not be the best idea, so News 2 has compiled a cheat sheet and audio that will help you sound just like a native. Beersheba Springs Located in Grundy County is the tiny town of Beersheba Springs. Residents pronounce it as BURSH-uh-ba Springs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee state symbols: How many do you know? Castalian Springs Locals often pronounce this unincorporated community in Sumner County as kuh-sta-lee-uhn Springs. Celina Founded in the 19th century and seated in Clay County, locals pronounce this city as suh-LY-nuh. Demonbreun Street Nestled between residential high-rises lies one roadway that Nashvillians claim to be the most mispronounced in the Music City area. Demonbreun Street is pronounced by locals as Dee-MUN-bree-yun Street. Oftentimes, tourists (and Siri) are heard pronouncing it as Demon-broo-en, which according to native Nashvillians, is incorrect. Giles County The G is pronounced as a J when saying the name of this Middle Tennessee county: Juh-iles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement | Check out more lists and rankings from across Tennessee Lafayette Street Lafayette Street is usually pronounced by many Nashvillians as Luh-FAY-it, instead of the French pronunciation Lah-fah-yet. Lebanon Home of the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair is Lebanon, Tennessee, or according to locals: Leb-NUN. Maury County Not to be confused with the hit tabloid show hosted by Maury Povich, Tennesseans pronounce the county as MURR-ee. Milan The city in Gibson County shares a spelling, but not the same pronunciation as the fashion capital in Italy. In fact, Tennesseans pronounce the city as MY-lin. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Ooltewah Located just outside of Chattanooga, the spelling of this city is much different than how its pronounced by locals: oo-ta-wah. Rhea County The Tennessee county rhymes with pay, and is pronounced as RAY County. Santa Fe Unlike the New Mexico capital, Santa Fe, Tennessee, is pronounced to rhyme with see: SAN-tuh FEE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. An overhead view of the abandoned Yellow Pine Pit at the Stibnite Mine, which Perpetua Resources plans to resume mining in. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun) As the regulatory conservation associate for the Idaho Conservation League, I have reviewed hundreds of pollution control permits for industrial facilities across Idaho. These permits allow facilities like factories and mines to conduct operations while being protective of public health, clean water and clean air. In particular, I have closely followed and pushed back against the development of Perpetua Resources Stibnite Gold Project. I was encouraged by my colleague Dr. Ian von Linderns informative and expert-based commentary regarding the troubling health effects this mega-mine presents. I was surprised to see former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, join the debate and directly address Dr. von Linderns comments in a rebuttal commentary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While engaging in tit for tat op-ed commentary might normally be unproductive, I feel its important to address the hypocrisy of his conclusion that Idaho families deserve decisions grounded in science, transparency and truth, as his opinion is neither scientific, transparent nor truthful. Mr. Wheelers science comments echo Perpetuas testimony before the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. I heard these same arguments as both Dr. von Lindern and I testified during the same administrative hearing process Mr. Wheeler references. While I am unsure how much Mr. Wheeler familiarized himself with the complex air quality science of the issue, I am sure Idaho families should not trust Mr. Wheelers opinion on this matter. Mr. Wheelers claims are startling coming from an EPA director who consistently undermined science and transparency. As the Union of Concerned Scientists outlined back in 2019, during his time as EPA director, Mr. Wheeler sidelined and ignored scientists, proposed restricting scientific data, recommended unsafe levels of drinking water contaminants, and rolled back environmental protections. His rebuttal commentary is simply a continuation of uninformed and misleading attacks on science and the health of Americans in the interest of industry. Within his commentary, Mr. Wheeler touts his former work as the head of the EPA in protecting Americans from toxic exposures but fails to mention his current connection to Perpetua Resources. In 2024 Mr. Wheeler joined the west coast law firm, Holland and Hart as an expert in regulatory affairs. Holland and Hart currently represents Perpetua Resources and their proposed mine in no less than four environmental permit appeals including three brought by ICL and our partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One involves a Clean Water Act permit under Idaho DEQ administrative appeal (Agency case number. 0102-24-02), one involves the U.S. Forest Services Record of Decision in federal court (see case number 1:25-cv-00086-AKB), one involves the same air permit referenced in Mr. Wheelers and Dr. von Linderns commentary that is now being appealed within state court (see case number CV01-25-13306). The fourth major litigation is an appeal of the same U.S. Forest Service Record of Decision by the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho in federal court (see case number 3:25-cv-00498-AKB). With four active legal cases, its fair to question if Mr. Wheeler is acting on behalf of the public, Holland and Hart or Perpetua Resources. While Perpetua Resources has recently announced it has started on initial construction of its mine, its important to note that the above permit appeals present serious unsettled questions regarding the environmental impact of the mine. Until these appeals are concluded, the outcome of the mine is far from certain. As Dr. von Lindern and I both testified during the administrative hearing process, the special concessions that Idaho DEQ granted to Perpetua have never been provided to any other Idaho air quality permit. They create a precedent that represents legitimate threats to air quality and human health for all Idahoans moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no dispute that Idaho DEQs Stibnite Project Specific Adjustment factor increases cancer risk to any children exposed to arsenic from operations at the Stibnite Gold Project, the question is whether that insult will average out over the remainder of the childs life. Whether Idaho DEQ violated state rules in issuing Perpetua Resources this air pollution permit will now be determined in state court, a venue where personal interest and hypocrisy can be shed from truth. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX These days, orbital real estate is growing increasingly cluttered with all manner of communication, observation, research, and navigation satellites. Its a market worth $286 billion in 2022, projected to grow precipitously in the coming years as mass production takes off. One bold new startup is looking to cash in on the frenzy with a particularly bizarre approach: a massive array of space mirrors meant to reflect the Suns light down to paying subscribers. Called Reflect Orbital, the venture started taking reservations for spots of light back in August, showcasing its service with numerous mockup videos. In one clip, Reflect cofounder and former SpaceX intern Ben Nowack is shown messing around with the companys app on his phone. He scrolls across an overhead map of terrain, bringing a simulated spot of light over to the location hes supposedly standing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suddenly, the immediate area is flooded with bright light from a shining beam in the night sky likely an outdoor production light a bizarre novelty that surely wont get old after the first five minutes. New things to play with on the website! pic.twitter.com/NJcOjFSblf Ben Nowack (@bennbuilds) August 22, 2024 The company has yet to launch any of the 4,000 satellite mirrors it sold in its far-out pitch. However, the startup recently applied for a license with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a 60-by-60 foot demo craft in April of 2026, Space.com reported this week. Thats after winning a $1.25 million contract from the US Air Force, of all places, on top of a $20 million Series A funding round to build out its sunlight on demand service, which Reflect says will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. While the pricing scheme is unknown, the company is targeting an extensive group of deep-pocketed customers, billing its service as a solution for national defense, civil infrastructure, industrial agriculture, and leading brands who want to bring a novel touch to their promotions. So far, the company says its fielded over 260,000 applications from 157 countries to reserve satellite-reflected sunlight. Astronomers, however, arent so gung-ho about the idea of a massive space mirror blinding the Earth with Sunlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reflectors will be directing their light [even after they pass their target] because obviously they cant shut that off, John Berentine, an astronomer at the Silverado Hills Observatory told Space.com. The beam reflected by these satellites is very intense, four times brighter than the full moon, and they will be flying multiple satellites in a formation. That will have an effect on wildlife in the directly illuminated area, but also, through atmospheric scattering, on the surrounding areas as well. The central goal of this project is to light up the sky and extend daylight and obviously, from an astronomical perspective, thats pretty catastrophic, Robert Massey, deputy executive director at the Royal Astronomical Society of the UK told the publication. Massey added that its not just a few crotchety scolds worried about Reflects effect on the planet, but that the whole astronomical community was seriously concerned about the development. A Reflect spokesperson told Space.com not to worry, because each reflection is highly localized to a 5-kilometer [3.1 mile] area for a finite period of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2026 demonstration, observers at designated test sites will see the reflection as a bright moving star, they wrote. The illuminated area on the ground will be a soft, moonlike glow. The startup adds that its orbital mirror array will be established in Sun-synchronous orbit, essentially circling the planet longitudinally from pole to pole. Since any spacecraft launched by this American startup will inevitably orbit the entire globe, it raises a thorny question: who should have the right to deploy a giant space mirror over the rest of the planet? More on satellites: SpaceXs Classified Military Satellites Emitting Mysterious Signal The Scranton Police Department received unanimous support for its first-ever accreditation at the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission meeting in Camp Hill on Thursday. The department began its accreditation process in 2022, which included an initial application, a self-assessment phase to compare how an agencys current policies comply with the programs 140 standards and a formal assessment that included an on-site review of agency files and compliance with the PLEA standards. Potential benefits of the accreditation include reduction in the cost of liability insurance expenditures, reduction in the number of lawsuits, an increase in employee confidence and a sense of increased accountability, the department said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accreditation program is voluntary, but it ensures consistency throughout all police operations. Additionally, by achieving accredited status, the department may automatically meet grant requirements for programs that support police departments, the release stated. This milestone achievement reflects the professionalism and dedication of the Scranton Police Department, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said. I want to personally thank Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll and every officer and civilian employee for their continued hard work and commitment when it comes to keeping our city safe. This prestigious recognition affirms that our policies and practices meet the highest standards in Pennsylvania law enforcement. We couldnt be prouder of the efforts that went into making this accreditation possible. Today marks a historic moment for the officers of the Scranton Police Department, Carroll said. Accreditation ensures that we operate fairly and consistently and allows us to hold ourselves to a higher standard. The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association introduced the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation process for police departments in 2001. A study conducted in the late 1990s determined that many Pennsylvania police departments either did not have valid policy manuals or that existing policies differed too greatly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PLEA process is designed to ensure that participating agencies and their policies reflect modern and progressive 21st-century policing practices that promote community trust and accountability. One of just just 200 agencies accredited, third in county Following Thursdays accreditation announcements, Scranton became just the third in Lackawanna County following the Throop Police Department and the University of Scranton Police Department to earn accreditation. As of 2020, there were an estimated 1,072 municipal police departments in Pennsylvania. According to the PCPA website, www.pachiefs.org, 189 agencies currently maintain accredited status, ranging in size from as few as two officers to departments including the Philadelphia Police Department, with over 5,100 officers, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with more than 4,800 officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reaccreditation cycles occur every three years, and departments that clear their accreditation through five consecutive cycles gain premiere status. Not a rubber stamp Some havent maintained it. It shows its not a rubber stamp, PCPA Accreditation Manager James Adams said. You dont get accreditation for life. It is an ongoing process. Adams said the accreditation provides parameters for police officers as they do their jobs. Not only do departments need to put appropriate policies in place, they need to show examples of the implementation of those policies annually. The policy covers everything from safety practices to disciplinary procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data shows that accredited departments have fewer vehicle accident claims, fewer job injury claims and a reduction in abuse of sick leave. Its about morale, Adams said. Guys are singing from the same page. As far as air shows go, the Sea and Sky Air Show in Jacksonville Beach holds a special place in the hearts of locals alike. Its a totally different perspective than having a kind of a land-based one because it is out over the ocean, open sea, open sky, you get a, its just a different perspective on the whole thing, Jacksonville Beach local James Carmichael said Saturday morning. The takeoff for this years event, however, wasnt without some turbulence, as the Blue Angels were not a part of the show amid the ongoing government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the absence of the elite naval air unit left some disappointed, many still looked to the skies with excitement, putting five civilian pilot crews in the spotlight for the first time. Ill be sad that theyre not flying, Jacksonville Beach local Julie Healy said Saturday on day one of the event. But I saw some planes practicing yesterday, and theyre pretty awesome, I thought. So I still think it will be a good show. Weve seen the blue angels, Carmichael said about him and his friend. It is a disappointment, but you just deal with it and go on. For military service members and northeast Florida veterans, angels in the sky or not, the event also serves as an opportunity to honor our nations military service members, their abilities in the cockpit, and their places in our hearts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have [Naval Station] Mayport close and [NAS] Jax base very close, Duval Navy veteran David Hixon pointed out. Theres a lot of veterans here who have served, and theyre happy that these things are done for our community. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. CHICAGO (WGN) Police are seeking help from the public in the ongoing search for a woman who officers say has been missing since mid-July. According to Chicago police, 57-year-old Sharon Davis has been missing since Tuesday, July 15. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officers say Davis was last known to reside in the 2000 block of West 53rd Place, in the Back of the Yards on the citys Southwest Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis, who stands 5-foot-2 and weighs around 170 pounds, has strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes. Photo provided by Chicago police shows 57-year-old Sharon Davis, who has been missing since Tuesday, July 15. Officers provided details on the missing womans disappearance on Thursday, but did not say where she was last seen or what she was last spotted wearing. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A photo provided by Chicago police shows Davis with blonde braids, though it is unclear if she had that hairstyle at the time she went missing. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 57-year-old Sharon Davis is asked to contact the CPD Area Four SVU at 312-747-8255 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. This story has been updated to include additional information. A large structure fire at the American House independent and assisted living facility in Southgate late Friday, Oct. 24, has left seniors displaced from their home, according to police. Southgate Police officers were dispatched to 16333 Allen Road at approximately 10:06 p.m. where they saw heavy flames and smoke coming from the building and began evacuating residents, according to a news release from the department Oct. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All residents have been safely accounted for as of Saturday afternoon. There were a total of 87 residents and staff inside the building at the time of the fire, according to Southgate Police. There were two injuries, one civilian and one firefighter. Both are receiving appropriate medical care, according to police. One cat has been reported deceased. Emergency personnel saved three dogs. After the fire, several residents were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment while others were transported to the Southgate Senior Center, 14700 Reaume Parkway, according to Southgate police. As of Saturday, Oct. 25, afternoon, 17 individuals are in need of temporary placement, police said. Assist to Local Police and Fire: 10/24 at 10:20 p.m. Location: 16333 Allen Rd. Southgate Synopsis: The Detroit Regional Communication Center was notified by Southgate Police that there was a structure fire at a senior living facility located at 16333 Allen Rd. Metro South pic.twitter.com/yn98nHHaUQ MSP Second District (@mspmetrodet) October 25, 2025 Most residents have been reunited with their families and others remain at the Southgate Senior Center as recovery efforts continue, according to Southgate Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shanna Caughill of Taylor has a great aunt and uncle who live at American House. She found out about the fire as her mother-in-law was scrolling Facebook on Friday evening and saw a post about it on the Downriver and Friends group. Caughill called family members who were able to coordinate picking the couple up from the scene of the fire. Because of the post, our family knew immediately," Caughill said. Many of the residents have lost their belongings. "Its just devastating, Caughill said. My great aunt and uncle are in their 90s and have lost everything. My aunt is full of worry about it, but we have told (them) we will replace it, but we cant replace them and we are so thankful they are safe and here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caughill said her family will take care of her aunt and uncle but there may be other affected residents in need of support. Facebook posts have been circulating about collecting donations for the affected seniors. As of Saturday afternoon, the senior center is requesting no additional donations, according to Southgate Police. "They have already received an abundance of community support and resources," according to the news release. Michigan State Police troopers, along with officers and firefighters from other Downriver departments, also responded to the scene to help with evacuation, putting out the fire and transporting residents off the scene, according to a post from MSP Second District on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southgate Fire Department and assisting agencies will continue working to secure the building and begin a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, according to the news release on Saturday afternoon. Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Southgate fire at American House leaves seniors displaced The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global terror funding watchdog, has warned Pakistan that its removal from the 'greylist' in October 2022 doesn't make it immune to money laundering and terrorist financing. FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo emphasised that countries, including Pakistan, must continue implementing measures to prevent and deter crimes. "Any country that is on the grey list but also exists on the grey list is not bulletproof for actions of criminals, either money launderers or terrorists. So we do invite all jurisdictions, including those who have been delisted, to continue their good work to prevent and deter crimes," said FATF president Elisa de Anda Madrazo during a press conference in France. Pakistan was removed from the FATF 'greylist' in October 2022 and has been under follow-up to ensure it is implementing anti-terror financing measures. However, Pakistan is not a member of the FATF, so the Asia Pacific Group (APG) has been conducting the follow-up. The list contains various countries and jurisdictions that have been placed under increased monitoring due to significant strategic deficiencies in countering terror financing and money laundering, the FATF president said. The comments by the FATF president come amid reports of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) using digital wallets to fund terror camps, masking financial flows. Notably, India's National Risk Assessment 2022 identifies Pakistan as a high-risk terror financing source. Earlier, a report titled 'Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks', provided in-depth insights into terrorist financing methods and emerging risks, including the increasing involvement of state-sponsored terrorism. A study in which India contributed highlighted the concerns for the South Asian region arising from the state-owned National Development Complex in Pakistan. The report said that Pakistan remains a high-risk jurisdiction in the region for proliferation financing. Calling for various countries, including Pakistan, to continue implementing measures against terror financing, Madrazo underlined FATF's commitment to stop such actions across the globe. "Now, as it relates to terrorist attacks, in any place or jurisdiction, the FATF remains committed to continuing to strengthen our standards and the implementation through our assessment and our process to make sure we can benefit the people by having less terrorist financing," she said. Pakistan is under APG (Asia Pacific Group) monitoring, ensuring implementation of anti-terror financing measures. FATF concluded its fourth plenary meeting in Paris, France, under the Mexican presidency of Elisa de Anda Madrazo, highlighting a strong commitment to focus efforts on depriving criminals around the world of their ill-got gains. According to an official statement from the FATF, delegates from the Task Force's Global Network of more than 200 jurisdictions and observers participated in three days of discussions to address key issues in the fight against illicit finance. The Plenary adopted reports of the first two FATF assessments under the new round of mutual evaluations. Belgium and Malaysia are the first FATF members to be assessed under the new, more time-bound and risk-based assessments, which place greater emphasis on countries' results in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. The Plenary has also removed Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, following the completion of their Action Plans. (ANI) A convicted foreign paedophile who abused his own granddaughter has been allowed to fight to stay in Britain on the grounds that he has the right to a family life. He attacked his granddaughter just days after returning to the UK from a prison sentence abroad for other sexual offences. The Italian national, known only as VDS, first came to this country more than 50 years ago. He had two British children with his first wife, and after his first marriage ended in divorce he remarried in Oct 1993. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He served a prison sentence in Spain for the sexual assault of an 11-year-old child on Gran Canaria in 2016. Having been released in Jan 2023, VDS was expelled from Spain and returned to Italy. While there, he made an application for leave to enter and remain in the UK under the Governments EU Settlement Scheme. Despite his history he was allowed to return and secure indefinite leave to remain under post-Brexit rules. Within 11 days, he lured his 20-year-old granddaughter under false pretences, groped her, tried to kiss her and offered her money. You pose a high risk of reoffending He was jailed for 12 months earlier this year and was told by a judge: You are a serial, predatory sex offender who has shown a blatant disregard for the laws of the UK and the impact of your offending on your victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your victims would doubtless have been traumatised by the events and may suffer long-term psychological harm. Sexual offences are among the very worst kind of offences and the public rightly expects to be protected from those who perpetrate such appalling crimes. Your most recent offence of sexual assault against your own granddaughter demonstrates a pattern of predatory sexual offending, seeking vulnerable victims and forcing himself upon them. It is also extremely concerning that this offence was committed less than two weeks after you came back to the United Kingdom after serving just under three years in Spain for sexual activity with a child under 16 years of age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is therefore considered you pose a high risk of reoffending. After his latest conviction, the Home Office ordered his deportation. But VDS launched a legal challenge, claiming that because he was an EU citizen and his past offences dated from before Brexit, he should be protected under EU free-movement law, which requires deportation to be proportionate. While one element of his appeal has failed, he has been given the go ahead to fight his case under under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees a right to family life. It is one of a string of claims which has played a part in both the Conservative Party and Reform UK calling for Britain to withdraw from the human rights convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges initially sided with him but the Home Office then launched an appeal. And last week, the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber partially threw out his argument. Judges ruled that the Home Office had based the deportation decision entirely on the 2023 British offence, which took place long after Brexit, meaning that the UKs tougher domestic deportation regime applies. In a sharply worded judgment, the tribunal said that simply mentioning his Spanish conviction did not make it part of the legal grounds for deportation. The judge, however, ordered that the second part of his case on his right to family life should be reheard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing on his human-rights claim is expected later this year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Britain must look at sharing nuclear weapons with Germany to counter the critical threat posed by Russia, defence chiefs have said. Senior leaders, including a former chief of defence staff and Nato secretary general, have urged the UK to open up talks with Berlin over a fresh defence pact. Germany is already in strategic discussions with Paris over how the French could provide potential protection in the form of its own nuclear deterrent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has hinted he would be keen to discuss a similar arrangement with Sir Keir Starmer. Sources insisted such talks between the UK and Germany had not yet taken place. However, senior defence officials have voiced their support for such a pact, with Lord Robertson, a former Nato secretary general, saying: I welcome it. Its right and proper and should have happened a long time ago. The Labour peer, who served as defence secretary under Sir Tony Blair and was Natos chief during the 2003 Iraq war, said there were mounting fears over the nuclear sabre-rattling by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Russia continues to deploy nuclear rhetoric, its going to force some decisions to be made inside Europe as a whole, he warned. There are some concerns about Britain sharing nuclear weapons, as the process could be held up by who would ultimately have authority to pull the trigger - Sean Gallup/Getty Images There are also growing concerns about whether America could one day abandon European defence, which it has been an intrinsic part of since the end of the Second World War. This week, Donald Trump, the US president, followed Europes lead by imposing new sanctions on two of Russias biggest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil. The move was branded an act of war by Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia. Britains nuclear arsenal of Trident missiles is operated by the Royal Navy from its fleet of four Vanguard stealth submarines, with one of the 3bn boats always on patrol at any time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapons have been declared to Nato as part of a long-standing agreement dating back to the 1960s, meaning they can already be deployed in defence of the alliance. Germany is already in strategic discussions with Paris over how the French could provide potential protection in the form of its own nuclear deterrent - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Earlier this year, Sir Keir announced the UK would enhance its defences by purchasing 12 F-35A stealth jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which would be based in Britain. However, Field Marshal Lord Houghton, who served as chief of defence staff between 2013 and 2016, said worries over whether America would cut its military support for Europe, as it turns its gaze towards China, should open up the debate on a continental nuclear deterrent. The in-filling of a European option, other than that of Frances, has to be something that is on our minds, he told The Telegraph. But is this a good thing or is it madness? My personal jury is out on it. Field Marshal Lord Houghton, who served as chief of defence staff between 2013 and 2016, has called for debate on a continental nuclear deterrent - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph However, General Sir Richard Barrons had reservations about Britain sharing nuclear weapons, insisting such a plan would never work, as it would become bogged down by who would ultimately have authority to pull the trigger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From someone firing the first missiles to humankind being extinguished and the world taking 24,000 years to recover is about 90 minutes, he added. With hypersonic missiles, that time will just get shorter and shorter. Trying to get 30 nations to come to a consensus, against the clock, while your opponent in Russia is just one man, is not feasible. On Thursday, Britain marked the first anniversary of the Trinity House agreement with Germany. The deal will see German P8 submarine-hunting planes being based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, flying operations to track Vladimir Putins underwater fleet in the North Atlantic, as well as the development of long-range deep-strike missiles and enhanced cyber systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the agreement, discussions over nuclear capabilities will also take place. However, a defence source said this was a long way from sharing nuclear weapons. France and the UK are the only two countries in Europe which have nuclear weapons. France has almost 300 nuclear warheads, while the UK has about 250. The 2025 Northwood Declaration set out plans to deepen Britains nuclear co-operation with France. Although both countries are independent, they co-ordinate their weapons to defend Nato. However, only Sir Keir can authorise the deployment of the UKs nuclear arsenal. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: Since 1962, the UK has declared our nuclear deterrent to the defence of our Nato allies. We will continue to do so, safeguarding European and Nato security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call by senior leaders comes as Russia is said to be amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato. In an interview with The Telegraph this week, Tore Sandvik, Norways defence minister, said Oslo had detected increased weapons development on Russias Kola peninsula, where its prized Northern Fleet and parts of its nuclear stockpile are based. He also said that Putin was trying to gain full naval control over the Arctic region so that he could block Nato allies access to two key shipping routes that would help resupply Western forces in wartime. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) As illegal dumping continues in outlying areas of El Paso County, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office says it is working to address the issue. Sheriff Oscar Ugarte says his office regularly receives calls from residents who report vehicles driving into desert areas to unload trash. We do get a lot of community members calling. Theres a truck entering the desert but by the time the unit gets there, that individuals gone, Ugarte said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says the issue is more common in unincorporated areas of the County, including Montana Vista and desert stretches near Horizon. To address the issue, the Sheriffs Office has launched plainclothes operations, placing deputies in unmarked vehicles in known dumping areas, in an effort to catch offenders in the act. Ugarte said the operations have led to arrests but staffing limitations make it difficult to keep deputies stationed in desert areas for extended periods. While deputies work on enforcement, community cleanup organizations say they continue to find trash in these desert areas. Rick Flores, executive director of Desert Rescue 915, says these sites contain everything from household items to construction materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You name it, its out there furniture, mattresses, bathtubs, toilets, construction material. Its all out there. Tires is one of our biggest issues. Thousands of tires out there, Flores said. Desert Rescue 915 hosts cleanup events in both El Paso County and nearby parts of New Mexico, saying dumping is a regional problem. I think we all bear responsibility, and we need to do a better job of cleaning up our city and keeping it clean, Flores added. The group is partnering with Mango Cannabis for a cleanup effort on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Santa Teresa, in an area they say has also been affected by illegal dumping. Maverick, head of operations for Mango Cannabis, says he has seen trash dumped frequently in the desert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I go off-roading there pretty much every weekend and its really bad, he said. We thought this was a good way we could give back to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illegal dumping can lead to fines or jail time depending on the amount of debris involved. Ugarte is encouraging residents to use designated city dump sites to dispose of trash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Last December, drone sightings were reported in Franklin County, Vermont, following clouds of unidentified drones spotted over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. However, if you see a drone hovering over your backyard in Vermont, you aren't allowed to shoot it down. Thats because its illegal under federal law. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), shooting down a drone could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about current federal and state rules surrounding drones in Vermont. What is a drone? The FAA refers to drones as "small unmanned aircraft systems," or UAS. Drones are used for a variety of reasons, including by news agencies, law enforcement or individuals. More than 822,000 drones were registered by the FAA in the U.S. as of July 2025, according to its website. How can you use drones in Vermont? In Vermont, drones are often used in law enforcement capacity, like conducting search and rescue operations. The use of drones in this capacity is regulated by Vermont state law. The law prohibits police from using drones to gather data on private citizens, including if they are peacefully protesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It says that law enforcement agencies may use drones only "for a purpose other than the investigation, detection, or prosecution of crime," which includes search and rescue operations, aerial photography for the assessment of accidents, forest fires and other storms or if the police has obtained a warrant. The law also prohibits using facial recognition or any other biometric matching technology that a drone may collect. A couple of drone pilots operate their drones from Birch Drive in Brewster. Police and fire were dispatched for a report of a missing person. Officials could be seen searching in the wooded areas off Headwaters Drive and the Punkhorn in Harwich. Photo taken Sept. 14, 2025 What is the process for lawfully operating a drone? Generally, anyone flying a drone must register it with the FAA. Registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three years. In order to register, applicants must be: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 13 years old A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident Typically, drone operators must have their registration certificate on hand when they fly. If they don't, they could be subject to criminal penalties. What are the rules for flying a drone? According to the FAA, the general "rules of the sky" for drones include: Always avoid manned aircraft. Never operate in a careless or reckless manner. Keep your drone within sight. If you use First Person View or similar technology, you must have a visual observer always keep your drone within unaided sight (for example, no binoculars). You cannot be a pilot or visual observer for more than one drone operation at a time. Do not fly a drone over people unless they are directly participating in the operation. Do not operate your drone from a moving aircraft. Do not operate your drone from a moving vehicle unless you are flying your drone over a sparsely populated area and it does not involve the transportation of property for compensation or hire. Fly during daylight (or twilight if your drone has anti-collision lighting) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also specific requirements for recreational flyers versus certified remote pilots. Recreational flyers who use a drone for personal enjoyment or educational purposes must: Keep the drone within visual line of sight Not interfere with other aircraft Pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test Carry proof of registration Not fly their drone in a way that "endangers the safety of the national airspace system" A drone hovers nearby as Taylor Ellis walks along the Anawan Cliffs shoreline in Narragansett in March 2023. There are specific requirements the FAA has when it comes to drones flying over people: operators cannot fly in a "careless or reckless manner" that could harm life or property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certified drone pilots, who fly for commercial, government or other reasons, should become familiar with the rules under Part 107, be at least 16 years old and become an FAA-certified drone pilot by passing a knowledge test and registering the drone. The default rule set for drones weighing below 55 pounds is Part 107, the agency says. For more information, go to www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators. Operators who "endanger other aircraft or people on the ground can face fines that exceed $30,000" and the agency can suspend or revoke their pilot certificate, according to the FAA. Is it legal to shoot down a drone in Vermont? Shooting down a hovering drone is illegal in Vermont and nationwide, the FAA says. The FAA advises residents to call local law enforcement if a drone is unsafely flying over their property. The FAA doesn't regulate drones when it comes to privacy. Where are drones permitted to fly in Vermont? Drones can fly in "controlled and uncontrolled airspace," according to the FAA, but there are rules and restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under federal law, drone operators should avoid flying: In and around stadiums that seat 30,000 or more people around the time of sporting events. Drones are barred starting one hour before to one hour after the scheduled event. Near airports Facilities, such as military bases, natural landmarks and nuclear power plants, that have national security sensitivities Near a wildfire or hurricane The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation also prohibits drones from state parks and forest facilities without the written approval of the Commissioner, except in an emergency. This includes launching or landing drones from these areas. One resource to use when determining where you can fly a drone in Vermont is the FAA's B4UFLY mobile app or desktop site. B4UFLY provides an up-to-date map showing controlled airspace, restricted areas and temporary flight restrictions. Operators should also watch for "No Drone Zone" signs to determine if they can take off or land their drone in that area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the FAA's rules around drones, go to www.faa.gov/uas. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Drone flying over your Vermont home? What you need to know MAXTON, N.C. (AP) Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in southeastern North Carolina early Saturday killed two people one of them 16 years old and wounded several others, a sheriff said. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins' office said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles (150 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border. Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from pre-teenagers to about 50. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gunfire between those two started, Wilkins told WBTW-TV. The sheriff's office later Saturday identified the other fatal shooting victim as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton. The office said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheriff's news release said. Others were treated and released. No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheriff said his office had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His office said that there was no current threat to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkins said his office believes multiple people fired shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said. Sheriffs deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the partys location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said. This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured, Wilkins said in the release. What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party." Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his office said. More than 150 people fled the location before law enforcement officers arrived, Wilkins office said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheriffs investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkins said law enforcement wasnt initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported. ___ This story corrects the age of the adult killed in the shooting as 49, not 47. The mastermind of President Donald Trumps effort to downsize the federal workforce, Russ Vought, promised to use the government shutdown to advance his goal of shuttering the bureaucracy. Presented with a layoff plan that would have moved in that direction, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services scaled it way back, POLITICO has learned. It was another example, like several during the layoffs led by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency this spring, in which Trumps agency heads have pushed back successfully against top-down cuts they viewed as reckless. POLITICO obtained an HHS document from late September, the shutdowns eve, that said the department wanted to cut nearly 8,000 jobs, based on guidance from Voughts budget office. On Oct. 10, HHS only went ahead with 1,760. In the two weeks since, the number has dwindled to 954, as the department has rescinded nearly half of the total, blaming a coding error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disorganized handling of the layoffs is reminiscent of Musks DOGE effort, in which employees were rehired after being fired, sometimes on court orders, sometimes because agency officials objected. In each case, the layoffs rattled agency managers and traumatized employees, as Vought wanted, but havent gone nearly as far in downsizing the government as forecast. While the nearly 8,000-person layoff plan this month was largely scuttled by top agency officials who intervened before the cuts could be made, the whiplash manner in which it was proposed and then scaled back shows that the administration is still following the DOGE playbook. These appear to be leftovers from DOGE. I dont know anyone including in the White House who supports such cuts, a senior administration official told POLITICO in explaining the pullback from the promised mass layoffs. The official, granted anonymity to discuss confidential matters, pointed to the involvement of a staffer who was part of the DOGE effort in producing the administration document. That document came to its initial tally of 7,885 layoffs at HHS by adding employees who would be furloughed during the shutdown, as well as workers in divisions that would be shuttered if Congress passed Trumps fiscal 2026 budget proposal. Trump's May budget plan called for a 25 percent cut to HHS, but lawmakers have rejected it in the appropriations bills now in process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard told POLITICO in a statement that HHS made its layoff list "based upon positions designated as non-essential prior to the Democrat-led government shutdown." She added: "Due to a recent court order, HHS is not currently taking actions to implement or administer the reduction-in-force notices." According to the document reviewed by POLITICO, the National Institutes of Health was to take the hardest hit among HHS agencies, 4,545 layoffs, or roughly a quarter of its workforce. It ended up firing no one. A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the firing of 362 of the 954 HHS employees who did receive the October layoff notices. More will be shielded after additional federal employee unions joined the lawsuit on Wednesday. In congressional testimony earlier this year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he had downsized his departments staff to 62,000 from 82,000 when he took office. Hes nowhere close. An HHS contingency plan produced in advance of the shutdown said the department still employed 79,717. Employees who took a Sept. 30 buyout offer from Musk would bring that lower, though the number who did is unknown because the White House has not released agency-by-agency totals and has stopped publishing agency employment updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear who within the Trump administration came up with the initial plan for the shutdown layoffs. Hilliard did not respond to POLITICO's question about who within HHS was responsible. Thomas Nagy, the HHS deputy assistant secretary for human resources, has been the one updating the judge, Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, about the layoffs. The experience of the fired 954, whose last work day is scheduled for early December, mirrors the chaos of DOGE's spring layoffs, in which employees were left wondering whether they still had jobs amidst lawsuits and officials were forced to backtrack and rehire fired workers. In one such instance, Kennedy told a House panel in June that he had appealed directly to Vought to make sure Head Start funding was protected after the early education and health care program was left out of the president's budget proposal. In another case, HHS fired and then rehired an award-winning Parkinsons researcher. Kennedy also told senators that he brought back hundreds of staffers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. That came after West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and others protested. Now many HHS employees are having deja vu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation is reminiscent of the experience some former employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development had during the Trump administration dismantling of the foreign aid agency early this year. Some furloughed employees at HHS, for example, didnt have access to their work emails to receive notices informing them they were laid off this month. There were individuals who didn't even know if they were in RIF status until they got the hard copy packet in the mail two days ago, a laid-off employee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, using the acronym for "reduction-in-force." A similar situation played out at HHS Office of Population Affairs, where nearly all of the roughly 50 employees were laid off two weeks ago, according to one person with knowledge of the situation speaking anonymously for fear of retribution. The office, which is congressionally mandated, manages hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for family planning and teen pregnancy prevention programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three fired employees from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration granted anonymity to provide details about the firings without fear of retribution said that many of the roughly 170 employees cut from the agency earlier this month are getting physical copies of their termination notices mailed to them because theyre shut out of their email accounts. DOGE never really left, it just looks different now, one of the SAMHSA employees said. Amanda Friedman and Sophie Gardner contributed reporting. Tim Rohn is a global reporter at Axel Springer and head of investigations for WELT, POLITICO Germany and Business Insider Germany. Nearly a half-million Arizona households will go without government food assistance if the federal government shutdown drags into November, Arizona officials said. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps, is the latest government program to be hit by the shutdown, which stretched to 24 days on Oct. 24. The funding freeze could impact some 855,000 low-income Arizonans who rely on monthly federal assistance to buy food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate lawmakers remained at an impasse in the federal funding battle. Democrats are pushing to extend expiring health insurance subsidies, while Republicans are seeking to fund the government at current levels and revisit the health care issue at another time, if at all. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program, said that funding will not be available for November benefits. State agencies distribute the funds. Approved participants of the SNAP program will be unable to collect November benefits until federal funding is released to states, Arizona Department of Economic Security spokesperson Brett Bezio said. What is SNAP? SNAP, also called food stamps, is a federal program that provides low-income families with monthly benefits to afford healthy food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to buy food each month, according to the USDA. According to the USDA, people who are eligible for SNAP include those who work for low wages, work part time, are unemployed, are homeless, receive welfare or other public assistance payments, or are elderly or disabled and have a low income. The nations first food stamp program was established in the 1930s, after the Great Depression left many without money to buy food. Decades later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Food Stamp Act of 1964 into law. How many people receive SNAP benefits in Arizona? Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans use SNAP benefits each month. The funds are distributed by the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, more than 433,000 Arizona households received SNAP benefits, Bezio said. That amounted to 855,000 individuals, including 347,000 children, who received assistance. DES will continue to accept and process applications for SNAP during the shutdown, Bezio noted. How much do SNAP benefits cost? Federal SNAP spending was $99.8 billion in 2024, according to the USDA. The Arizona Department of Economic Security distributed $155.5 million in SNAP resources to Grand Canyon State residents in September, Bezio said. The agency publishes a monthly bulletin on the funds it distributes. On average, Arizona households using SNAP benefits received $359 to purchase groceries last month. That amounted to $182 per person, according to DES. Can the USDA freeze SNAP funds? The USDA warned in an Oct. 10 letter that there will not be enough funding to pay for SNAP benefits in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly two weeks later, the federal agency said things had reached an inflection point in the shutdown fight. "We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Continue to hold out for healthcare for illegals or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments," the USDA said in a politically charged statement to USA TODAY. However, Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes challenged the Trump administrations move. Mayes joined other Democratic attorneys general from around the country to press Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in an Oct. 24 letter questioning the necessity and lawfulness of her agency's directive to freeze SNAP funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They pointed to a $6 billion fund that Congress has appropriated to the USDA for emergency situations and said the federal government should use that money to keep providing SNAP benefits. Working families, seniors, veterans, and children across Arizona depend on SNAP to survive," Mayes said in a written statement. Any suspension or delay in benefits due to the federal governments failure to act would be a direct assault on the health and well-being of millions of Americans. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank, also argued that the federal government is obligated to release the SNAP funds. The administration is legally required to use contingency reserves billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown to fund November benefits, said Sharon Parrott, the center's president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephanie Murray covers national politics and the Trump administration for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her via email at stephanie.murray@gannett.com and on social media @stephanie_murr. A helping hand: The Dragon Bravo Fire, then a shutdown. How a Grand Canyon group is helping the needy This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: SNAP benefits paused for November amid government shutdown SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Police Department hosted a crucial event to encourage residents to dispose of unused medications safely. In recognition of National Drug Take Back Day, community members in Sioux City had a valuable opportunity to safeguard themselves and others by disposing of unused prescription medications. In Sioux City, folks could drop off their unused medications at either Hy-Vee on Hamilton Boulevard or Drilling Pharmacy on Morningside Avenue. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always want to make sure that were taking unused medications, getting them out of the medicine cabinets and preventing them from entering, getting on the streets and being used illegally, said Sgt. Anthony Vondrak, with the Sioux City Police Department. We dont want any misuse or accidental use of the wrong medication. Vondrak also said that if you missed the chance to discard any unused medication, you can easily go to the Sioux City Police Department at any time of the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Sioux Falls Police are asking for help in solving a recent burglary. Austin Hoffman announces SD Attorney General candidacy Sioux Falls Police Spokesman Sgt. Aaron Benson said the incident happened on October 13 at a business near West Russell Street and North Louise Avenue. An unknown subject forced their way into the business and once inside, stole several televisions and a large quantity of meat. The value of the stolen items and damage done to the property is approximately $3,000, Benson said at a police briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information, you can submit a tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 605-367-7007 or downloading the P3 Tips app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, called upon Pakistan to end the "grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it", particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. "We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistan's military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources," Ambassador Harish said, while addressing the United Nations Security Council during the open debate organised on the 80th UN Day on Friday (local time). Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an "integral and inalienable part of India," the Ambassador said that while the people in the region exercise their fundamental rights, such concepts are "alien" to Pakistan. "Let me emphasise that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with India's time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework. We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan," he said. Harish emphasised India's commitment to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, seeing the world as one family, and advocating for justice, dignity, and prosperity for all. "This is not only an outlook that anchors our worldview, but also the reason why India has consistently advocated for justice, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for all societies and peoples. It is also the reason why India places its faith in multilateralism, international partnerships and cooperation," he said. While addressing the UNSC Open Debate, the Indian Ambassador highlighted the UN's contributions since World War 2, while acknowledging questions about its relevance, legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy. "The theme of this debate gains great salience at a time when the world's largest multilateral organisation - the United Nations - faces questions related to relevance, legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy," Ambassador Harish said. The ambassador further highlighted how the organisation worked for decolonisation, and became a "beacon of hope for international peace and security." "This organisation was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War as a beacon of hope for international peace and security. It advanced decolonisation; it has been instrumental in the emergence of new nation-states in the Global South; it drew up ambitious markers for economic growth, social development, and prosperity; it focused our minds on global challenges such as pandemics, countering terrorism and climate change," he added. October 24 marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, which included the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. (ANI) Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand, died at the age of 93 in a Bangkok hospital late on Friday, the Royal Household announced. The court announced a royal funeral with the highest honours and declared a year of mourning. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Cabinet met on Saturday morning to discuss details of the funeral arrangements, the various ceremonies and the burial. It was later announced that the people would be asked to wear black or "neutral colours" for 90 days. Concerts and other events may also be cancelled, but no specific details were given at this stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Her eternal grace and devotion to the Thai nation will be remembered with deepest reverence," the Thai government said. Sirikit was married to king Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016 after seven decades on the throne, and is the mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, their only son. She had suffered from numerous ailments and rarely appeared in public in recent years. Sirikit is revered as the nation's mother figure and her birthday on August 12 is celebrated as Thailand's Mother's Day. In her youth, Sirikit was renowned for her beauty, which captivated the world as it did her husband, Bhumibol, who went on to become Thailand's most powerful man over the last century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her formative years, she regularly featured on the daily royal news television programme where her endeavours and projects were showcased from her work on the environment, to helping rural villagers, and her special interest in Thai silk. Bhumibol and Sirikit were among the most important figures in international aristocracy. Photographs of the diplomat's daughter often graced magazine covers around the world, and fashion magazines celebrated her as a style icon. Vanity Fair once praised her as "Asia's Jackie Kennedy," while Paris Match called her the most beautiful queen ever. In the 1950s and 1960s, Thailand's queen was considered the epitome of Asian grace and elegance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, public appearances had been rare for Sirikit since suffering from a stroke in 2012. She was seen at Bhumibol's elaborate funeral in 2017, looking frail as she waved at fellow mourners along the procession route. Sirikit was born in Bangkok with the royal title of "mom rajawongse," roughly equivalent to the honourable or her excellency, on August 12, 1932, the same year Thailand replaced its absolute monarchy with a constitutional one. CENTENNIAL, Colo. (KDVR) On Sunday, two people were hit and killed by a car while walking through a Centennial intersection. The sister of one of the victims is working now to get her body returned home, out of the country. Susan Azandar Gaymes, 41, was hit and killed here near the intersection of Old Smoky Hill and South Waco Street around 10 p.m. Sunday. A resident of Trinidad in the Caribbean, her sister, Monet Gaymes-Jeffers, is now concerned about how shes going to raise the money to bring her back home. Suspect faces 8 charges, including DUI, in 4-car crash that killed 1, injured 2 others Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost a week after the crash, Gaymes-Jeffers says its still hard to believe. At times, I just hope that she would just answer her phone, she said. Her sister Susan was one of six siblings, tragically not the first in the family to be lost to a crash. Their brother was killed more than a decade ago. In the same kind of situation where he was hit by a car, Gaymes-Jeffers said. She says Susan was visiting Colorado, seeing the grandmother of one of her four children, all between the ages of 20 and one. Monet says theyre losing a funny, happy sister and mother. She had a big heart and she loved her kids, Gaymes-Jeffers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, she wants to bring Susan home, hoping to bury her back in Trinidad, where her family lives. Driver facing charge after crash involving 2 semi trucks sparked fire It would just give them closure, especially my mother, Gaymes-Jeffers said. The cost is likely to be thousands of dollars, and Gaymes-Jeffers is unable to cover that on her own. She has a GoFundMe started that she hopes will help her bring that closure to the whole family. I just want to get her back there so she can have her final resting place, Gaymes-Jeffers said. You can visit that GoFundMe page by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Tahnee Francis of Naija Wife Kitchen was set to post about the restock of SNAP-eligible ready-made meals she sells at Oklahoma City's The Market at Eastpoint when she heard the news that SNAP benefits are likely to expire on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. "That just feels bad, that feels wrong to post about, 'I've just restocked with the SNAP meals,' and people are about to lose them," Francis said. With those benefits set to expire for more than 684,600 Oklahomans according to Oklahoma Human Services and 1 in 5 Oklahomans, including 1 in 4 Oklahoma children, are facing hunger local businesses like Francis' are stepping in to curb the effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of posting about a restock, Francis turned back to the attitude she took when furloughs and layoffs at OKC's Paycom first happened, and instead took to social media to begin offering free meals to those in need. "When I found out about this, I'm like, 'Okay y'all, I'm still here. I'm willing to feed,'" Francis said. "I wasn't expecting it to blow up like this." Tahnee Francis of Naija Wife Kitchen, served chili during the 2025 Carne Diem Chili Cook-Off on Park Ave in downtown Oklahoma City, Oct. 24, 2025. Oklahoma Smoke BBQ in Moore has taken a similar approach, creating what they call the "Oklahoma Line," an opportunity for neighbors to give back to one another by purchasing an extra meal for someone in need. A post on their social media explains the effort is "because no Oklahoman should ever go hungry," and goes on to say "If youre hungry, take a receipt and enjoy a meal no questions, no judgment." Hearing of each other's desire to help, Naija Wife and Oklahoma Smoke have banded together with The Fried Taco, Club House Market and Oklahoma Citizens for Education to host an event on Nov. 1 benefitting those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis said Oklahoma Citizens for Education will be working to coordinate and streamline meal deliveries to the elderly and disabled while Oklahoma Smoke, The Fried Taco and Naija Wife will be on site, potentially along with others to provide hot meals. "It's overwhelmingly good and then I feel terrible at the same time with everything that's happening to see how so many are affected. But it makes me happy to know that Oklahoma is taking care of each other," Francis said. "It's not just my group that's doing this. It's so many of the communities. I think we're going to be okay. I think we'll be all right. So it warms my heart to know that we got us." What other metro area food businesses are helping SNAP recipients and those affected by the shutdown? In addition to the help being offered by Naija Wife and Oklahoma Smoke's event, there are several additional restaurants and businesses offering help in their local neighborhoods. Crockstar HQ , 12301 S. Western in OKC, is offering pre-packaged bags of groceries to families who show their EBT cards starting Tuesday, Nov. 4, any time during regular hours. They will continue the promotion as long as they have supplies. 405 Pizza Co. at 815 E. Main St. in Yukon, is also paying it forward through customer donations. Those wanting to help can donate pies at a discounted rate just $8.99 for a large to help those in need. Recently, the store received a $500 donation, which it matched and has already provided more than 100 hungry families with pizzas. The Del Rancho at 462 W. State Highway 152 in Mustang is also offering hamburgers or cheeseburgers and fries and kids meals other than corn dogs (which are currently recalled), to customers in need. Corey B. Cookin' in NE OKC will soon be offering meal kits to SNAP recipients. Corey B' Cookin' , 2741 NE 23rd St., will be giving away meals that include seasoned meat, bags of rice, potatoes and produce to those who show their SNAP cards beginning Nov. 1. Local private chef Naje Iman Aliece Cunningham, owner of Iman's Kitchen & Sweets, is offering the opportunity for families and people in need to receive free and discounted meals. Cunningham has several options available and is taking donations to help extend her ability to give to more people. More information is available by contacting Cunningham at 405-802-9076 or imanskitchens22@gmail.com. Whisk Takers Micro Bakery, a local home bakery in Yukon, is also offering fresh baked goods to those in need. What additional food resources are available in and across OKC? In addition to the businesses stepping up to help those in need, people struggling with hunger or food insecurity can look to other resources for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NE OKC Community & Cultural Center , 3815 N. Kelley Ave., works to provide a free meal, in addition to other programming to residents on the city's Northeast side from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. The center operates based on donations and volunteer availability, so it is best to call 405-534-9824 to verify hours. In OKC's Paseo neighborhood, Flora Bodega , 3020 N Walker Ave., Suite B., operates a "Freedge," a free pine pantry and fridge stocked regularly with donations of produce, and other food items, hygiene products and more. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma operates alongside its partner network which includes nearly 1,300 sites across central and western Oklahoma. Those in need can visit rfbo.org/get-help to find Regional Food Bank partners open and available in their area for assistance. Rose State College provides a food pantry on campus for current Rose State College students, faculty, and staff members with a RSC ID. Those facing food insecurity can recieve food assistance up to twice per month and is open for shopping from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. For those needing help meeting the needs of their furry family members, OKC Animal Welfare operates a pet food pantry, however the shelter recently announced it is in desperate need of donations due to increased demand. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Businesses across OKC metro band together against hunger The deaths of two Isle Royale campers a father and son in June have been ruled a murder-suicide. The father, 60-year-old John Baird, was the president of the insurance company Admitted Carriers. His son, 30-year-old Bradley Baird, was a self-employed writer. The two lived outside of Detroit, Michigan. They were found dead June 8 at the South Lake Desor Campground on Isle Royale. John Baird's death was ruled a homicide, with his death certificate noting multiple stab wounds by his son, according to media reports. Bradley Baird's death certificate says he died by suicide with multiple self-inflicted sharp injuries and stab wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than two days before their deaths, the police received a call reporting threats of murder and suicide at the campsite, raising questions about how the earlier call was handled. According to audio of the police call obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune, a hiker called the police on June 7, about 40 hours before rangers were notified of the father and son's deaths. At the time, the caller reported a person screaming and saying "Go ahead and kill yourself, I'm going to kill myself, I'm going to murder us all." According to the Star Tribune, park service officials did not answer questions about whether law enforcement responded to the call prior to the father and son's deaths being reported June 8. Michigan's Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. It is only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Isle Royale father-son deaths ruled murder-suicide FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Families who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in South Carolina could face a disruption in November if the federal government does not reach a funding agreement. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) is urging residents to prepare and explore community resources that may help bridge the gap. The Department of Social Services here in South Carolina is trying to be proactive, said Connelly-Anne Ragley, DSS chief external affairs officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, DSS loaded $103.8 million onto SNAP cards statewide. But because the funding comes entirely from the federal government, DSS officials say the shutdown in Washington could halt food assistance next month. Trump administration uses shutdown to push Education Department elimination Unless something changes, and the government is funded and reopens, there will be no food assistance for the month of November in South Carolina, Ragley said. To help families prepare, DSS has created a food access map to locate nearby resources. The Fort Mill Care Center is a resource we found using this map. Here, eligible residents can select groceries to supplement their benefits. You must live in the 29708 or 29715 zip code. Fort Mill Care Centers Christine Heffernan. We do not receive any type of government funding, Fort Mill Care Center President Christine Heffernan said. Everything that you see around me is literally supplied by the goodness of our own community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center is already preparing for its busiest season, serving more than 4,000 individuals and 1,500 families so far this year. We try to welcome them in and give them hope, Heffernan said. A lot of times people just need help. She added that the gratitude from those served is overwhelming. Now that theyre coming in, choosing their own food, theyre just so thankful to have us. The Fort Mill Care Center also connects families with other community resources. DSS encourages residents to use its food access map and reach out to local organizations for support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio (WJW) When South Euclid voters head to the polls Nov. 4, theyll decide on five proposed amendments to the city charter including one that could reopen the door to traffic cameras. City Council President Justin Tisdale said the measure, listed as Issue 39: Removal of Traffic Camera Provision, would remove the citys current ban on traffic photo-enforcement devices unless a law enforcement officer is present to issue the ticket directly. Ohios Nov. 4 general election: Dozens of new taxes, increases on ballots in Northeast Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That ban dates to 2011, when voters passed Issue 97, which prohibited the use of unmanned traffic cameras in the city. Nothing can be done, no one can vote on it because that language is in there, Tisdale said. So, if one day we wanted to implement it in school zones, we wouldnt be able to do that because its completely banned. Election Day is tomorrow: What to know Every 10 years, a group of residents is elected to review South Euclids charter and recommend potential updates. Tisdale said this amendment wouldnt immediately bring cameras back but would simply lift the restriction so the city could consider the technology in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent had any discussions on costs, he said. This is just to lift the ban so if we would ever need it in the future, it would be available to us. And we would obviously do the studies and let residents vote on it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) Members of the South Hadley Police Department and firefighters from Fire Districts 1 and 2 paid a special visit this week to 7-year-old Hunter Wood. Westfield artist wins in Illustrators of the Future contest Police said they were honored to meet one of the coolest, toughest kids around. Wood is a local boy battling a rare and aggressive brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Courtesy of the South Hadley Police Department Courtesy of the South Hadley Police Department On Friday morning, officers and firefighters stopped by Hunters home to wish him a happy birthday, bringing along police cruisers and fire trucks for him to check out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had the best time hanging out with Hunter, showing him our cars, and talking about how much cooler it is to be a police officer than a firefighter (no offense, FD1 and FD2), the department wrote. Hunter certainly agreed with us. DIPG primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 9, and Hunter, who hopes to become a police officer when he grows up, has shown remarkable strength throughout his journey. Happy 7th birthday, Hunter, the department wrote. We hope you enjoy all the fun activities you have planned today, and for this weekend. To learn more about Hunters journey, visit his Facebook page. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) Police are reminding residents to be mindful of hunting season and to report any suspicious activity on trails after vandalism was recently reported in the Black Stevens Conservation Area. Springfield Police: Stun gun used during assault on officer in stolen ATV incident According to the South Hadley Police Department, a School Resource Officer was notified about vandalism that occurred behind the high school, where a trail camera mounted on the trails for a college project was tampered with, and all of its data was deleted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the person involved has been identified, but it is not yet known if the victim will pursue charges. The department used the incident to remind residents that hunting season has begun, and that items such as trail cameras, tree stands, and other hunting equipment may appear in areas where hunting is permitted. Authorities urged residents not to tamper with such items and to report anything suspicious by contacting the South Hadley Police Department at 413-538-8231 or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that despite Moscow's attempts to downplay the impact of Western sanctions, the reality on the ground tells a different story. In a post on X, Zelenskyy stated, "Russia can signal to the world all it wants that sanctions supposedly don't affect its economy, but everyone can see the truth - gas station lines inside Russia, bankrupt regions, federal budget deficit. Sanctions remain one of the most painful blows for Putin." His comments underline the strain that continued economic pressure is placing on Russia as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1981793225942737120 Building on this, Zelenskyy on Friday urged the United States to broaden sanctions on Russian oil, pushing for measures to extend beyond two companies to the entire sector. He also pressed for long-range missiles to strengthen Ukraine's ability to strike back at Russian forces. The Ukrainian president made these remarks during his visit to London, where he met with more than two dozen European leaders. Hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the meeting aimed to reinforce international support for Ukraine and explore strategies to deter future Russian aggression, particularly in the context of a potential ceasefire that could halt the ongoing three-year conflict. The discussions in London also focused on intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, complementing recent sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States that target Russia's critical oil and gas export earnings. Leaders also addressed ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defence systems and protect its power grid from nearly daily Russian drone and missile attacks as winter approaches. At a news conference at the UK Foreign Office, Zelenskyy hailed Washington's recent sanctions as "a big step" and emphasized, "We have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies." He further highlighted Ukraine's independent measures, saying, "Besides, we are carrying out our own campaign of pressure with drones and missiles specifically targeting the Russian oil sector." Zelenskyy has specifically called on the United States to provide Tomahawk missiles, a proposal that President Donald Trump has considered but not yet approved, reflecting Kyiv's ongoing efforts to secure advanced weaponry to counter Moscow. Despite mounting international pressure, Putin has repeatedly refused negotiations with Zelenskyy, insisting that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is justified. Western nations have noted Moscow's skill in exploiting loopholes to evade sanctions, complicating efforts to weaken its war capabilities. Highlighting Putin's intransigence, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters, "He's rejected the opportunity for talks once again, instead making ludicrous demands for Ukrainian land, which he could not and has not taken by force. Of course, that is a complete non-starter." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte added that while Putin's objectives remain unchanged, he "is running out of money, troops and ideas." The London meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" saw Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof attend in person, with roughly 20 other leaders joining via video link, demonstrating broad international backing for Ukraine amid Russia's continued aggression. (ANI) On Saturday, a huge chunk of what is almost certainly space junk was found lying in the middle of a desert road in Western Australia, according to the Australian Space Agency. Its exact origins arent clear yet, but it appears to be a jettisoned rocket part. The debris is likely a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a space launch vehicle, the space agency said in a statement. According to reporting from Sky News, the charred debris was discovered by mine workers on a remote access road. Parts of it were still burning, with smoke rising into the air, photos provided by the Western Australia Police Force show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its size and weight havent been shared yet, but the police said that initial assessments suggest its made of carbon fiber and consistent with previously identified space debris, such as composite-overwrapped pressure vessels or rocket tanks. Experts speculate that it may have come from the upper stage of a Chinese Jielong rocket. The last launch was late September, so this has been barreling around the Earth and quite suddenly has got pulled back to the atmosphere, Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist at Flinders University, told ABC Radio Perth. A month ago, similar pieces were discovered in Argentina, Gorman added. These pieces were coming from the Jielong rocket body. The [rockets] trajectory covers Australia and they are very, very similar pieces a month ago and now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of where exactly it came from, its evidence of a universal problem in an accelerating space industry: pollution. Rocket launches are more frequent than ever, and Elon Musk has thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit. Therere so many of these expendable satellites, in fact, that theres now at least one of them falling to Earth every single day. Its rare for such large chunks of space debris to land on Earth, because theyre supposed to completely burn up in the atmosphere before they can ever touch the ground. But rare doesnt mean never, and a spate of these objects crashing all around the world has some experts fearing that were vastly underestimating the threat they may pose. Last year, a piece of space debris from the International Space Station crashed through the roof of a familys home in Florida. The 1.6-pound metal object came from a cargo pellet stuffed with discarded batteries that the ISS had jettisoned three years earlier. Months later, a nearly one-hundred pound chunk of a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule landed in a Canadian mans farm which wasnt the first time that a piece of the same family of spacecraft rudely interrupted an agricultural estate. Two years before that incident, a ten-foot shard that came from the trunk section of a Dragon capsule smashed into a sheep farm in Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still dont have a full grasp on how these objects are surviving re-entry. Modern spacecraft are made of composites, which are much lighter than the metal materials that dominated construction in the Space Age, but their newness means how they fare during reentry to the atmosphere remains underexplored. More on space: Chinese Rocket Falls to Earth, Explodes in Epic Fireball Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger is closing out her Virginia gubernatorial campaign with a Saturday advertisement that highlights her career of public service. Service is a tradition in Virginia that runs in the family, the Democratic candidate says in her final ad. I followed my parents into public service. My mom was a nurse, my dad worked in federal law enforcement, and I did too going after drug rings and child abusers, and then at CIA, terrorists, she adds in the voiceover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spanberger has maintained a solid lead over Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who trailed the former House Democrat by 7 percentage points in a recent poll. The survey from Virginia Commonwealth University found that voters top three issues are the cost of living, immigration and womens reproductive rights. The topic of abortion rights was a flashpoint throughout the race. Spanberger in a campaign ad highlighted previous comments made by Earle-Sears where she equated abortion with murder, while the lieutenant governor struck back during an early October debate, suggesting her opponent supported allowing babies to be aborted on the table after birth. Former President Obama recently endorsed Spanberger, while President Trump has said Earle-Sears should win but has not officially endorsed her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Saturdays ad, Spanberger closes by saying shes ready to serve again and continue her familys tradition of service in the Old Dominion State. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NEED TO KNOW A California woman who was injured after falling on a public sidewalk was awarded $7.5 million in a case settled on Oct. 14 Justine Gurrola, a special education teacher, fell on an uneven section of pathway while walking in the City of Whittier in 2018 Gurrolas attorney said she suffered multiple broken bones and a mild traumatic brain injury due to the incident, which he had argued was caused by the citys negligence A California woman has been awarded $7.5 million seven years after she fell on a public sidewalk. Justine Gurrola, a special education teacher, was walking in Whittier, a city in Los Angeles County, in February 2018 when she allegedly tripped on an uneven sidewalk and fell forward, according to a legal complaint obtained by PEOPLE that was filed by Gurrola in the Superior Court of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city settled with Gurrola on Tuesday, Oct. 14, per Whittier Daily News. In a statement to PEOPLE, Gurrolas trial attorney, Nick Rowley, said that Gurrola broke her wrist, elbow and nose when she fell, as well as injured her knees, neck and back. He added that she suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and has been living in chronic pain since the incident. Rowley said Gurrolas trial lasted five weeks, and that the jury returned a unanimous verdict against the City [of Whittier] assigning 100% fault against the city. We settled the damages portion of the case for $7.5 million, which is the largest sidewalk defect trip-and-fall settlement in California State history, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate statement to Whittier Daily News, Rowley claimed that the city had ignored complaints about upraised sidewalks caused by tree roots for years, and stated the city had not implemented adequate inspection protocols. Public safety isnt just police and firefighters; its ensuring public right-of-ways are maintained to prevent injury or worse. Waiting until people are seriously hurt or killed before fixing long-standing dangerous conditions is wrong, he told the outlet. PEOPLE reached out to the City of Whittier and the State of California for comment on Thursday, Oct. 23, but did not receive immediate responses. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While speaking to NBC 4, Gurrola said that for her, the lawsuit wasnt just about money, but about preventing what happened to her from happening to someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whittier is known for its trees. We have beautiful trees. [...] But, unfortunately, sometimes that can be unsafe, she said, adding, "The things I loved to do I could no longer [do]. It made me really sad. She added, "I think the biggest thing is that other people won't suffer from this [now]." Read the original article on People (The Center Square) The Spokane City Council released a draft proposal on Friday that could amend the mayors camping ban as soon as Monday so that police can enforce the law at their own discretion. Police Chief Kevin Hall recently described Mayor Lisa Browns policy as unenforceable after officers hadnt issued any citations or service referrals for months. The administration designed it with help from the council majority to emphasize referrals to housing services, but ultimately failed to achieve its goals. The officials passed Browns camping ban on June 30 after the Washington Supreme Court invalidated another one in April, which nearly 75% of voters approved in 2023. The justices said the council could reinstate it themselves, but the progressive majority refused to support the conservatives in doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, both sides of the dais plan to offer a compromise following calls from the community to act fast. I dont comment on saying how Im going to vote in general, Councilmember Zack Zappone told The Center Square during an interview on Friday. But Im sponsoring this and supportive of where its at. The council will officially propose the amendments as an emergency ordinance at a special committee meeting on Monday. Zappone said he hopes to put it up for a vote during their legislative session that night, subverting the typical process, which can take weeks to months before something becomes law. Browns version allowed individuals to avoid citations if they accepted services or at least complied by moving down the street. Hall said that was the primary issue and that the Spokane Police Department couldnt even track who they were contacting over the last few months because of how it was written. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The draft obtained by The Center Square on Friday does away with that language and grants SPD the discretion to issue citations without offering services, even if the person walks away. Officers are still supposed to offer service referrals, but its up to them to issue citations if the council passes the law. What we are seeing on the streets is unacceptable, Councilmember Michael Cathcart wrote Friday in a statement. Im grateful that my council colleagues are embracing a number of the recommendations that I and others have advocated for. This approach reflects a shared commitment to accountability. Notably, the amendments allow officers to initiate proactive contacts and enforcement and expand the obstruction language to specifically include ingress and egress points on private property. SPD would also be able to track whether officers are repeatedly encountering the same people or high utilizers. According to a letter obtained by The Center Square that Brown and Hall sent to the council, the mayor has "significant concerns." She said the administration offered an alternate version that council staff replaced with their own draft on Friday afternoon; however, she did offer support for "many revisions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zappone said there are a few areas he would like clarity on before voting Monday, but offered support without explicitly saying how he would decide. Council President Betsy Wilkerson declined to state her position on Friday when asked by The Center Square and said that she would like to wait until Monday. The Center Square called other council members for comment, but didnt receive a response before publishing. Brown and much of the council majority are currently facing an ethics investigation over how they passed her version in June, with a report on that probe due by Monday, ahead of a potential vote. I personally would like a vote Monday at committee, Zappone said, and then we vote on it that night. A woman on Reddit sparked a wave of outrage and sympathy after revealing that her mom regularly claims theyre broke, while secretly sending thousands of dollars to a megachurch. My mom says we dont have enough money, but I catch her giving thousands of dollars monthly to a megachurch, the person wrote on r/mildlyinfuriating earlier this year. The post, which included a photo of a $600 online donation receipt to Bill Winston Ministries, drew over 142,000 upvotes and more than 7,600 comments. Streets will soon be flooded with ghouls, goblins and ghosts as Pierce County gears up for the spookiest holiday of the year. The News Tribune has gathered a list of events in the Tacoma area, but what about East Pierce County? If youre looking for Halloween plans, here are some fun events planned for Puyallup, Sumner, Edgewood, Orting, Milton, Buckley, Eatonville, Wilkeson and Elbe. Puyallup The Puyallup Main Street Association is hosting its annual Boo-Allup event from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 in downtown Puyallup. Local businesses will give out candy to costumed children, and there will be other Halloween festivities in Pioneer Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington State Horror Con is happening at the Washington State Fair Event Center from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26. Hours are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 26. Tickets range between $35 and $55. Guests will get the chance to meet over 60 celebrity guests from horrors greatest hits, including Linda Blair from The Exorcist, the actors who voiced Jack Skellington, the original Ghostface, Michael Myers, Leatherface, and Jason Voorhees. Learn more at thefair.com/events/washington-state-horror-con. Meeker Mansion is hosting a haunted house on Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Nov. 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be hot cider and sweet treats. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. You can buy tickets online at meekermansion.org. The Dance Academy of Puyallup will host a Halloween Harvest Party at 11206 62nd Ave. E. on Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be a haunted house, bounce house, slides, games and movies. Prices vary and guests can buy their tickets at thedanceacademywa.com. Sumner The city will be hosting its Sumner Street of Treats event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Main Street will shut down, allowing trick-or-treaters to roam downtown Sumner for candy from local businesses. Learn more at sumnermainstreet.com/events/sumner-street-of-treats-2025. Edgewood The Mountain View Community Center at 3607 122nd Ave. E. is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Edgewood Light Show is running every night through Oct. 31 at 11500 34th St. E. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Its a drive-up-and-watch light show along a residential street, and guests are urged to keep their radios down, stay in their cars, and be careful not to block the road. Residents can learn more at facebook.com/EdgewoodLightShow. Orting The Orting Police Department is hosting a halloween party at OPDs offices at 104 Bridge St. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Admission is free and the party will include trick or treating, games and a haunted hallway. Milton The city is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m at Milton City Hall at 1000 Laurel St. Admission is free and the event will include trick-or-treating, costumes and sweet treats. The Mill Steakhouse + Spirits at 900 Meridian Ave. E. is hosting its Halloween Hoedown event on Oct. 30. Guests can grab their cowboy hats and expect killer country tunes, a costume showdown, and a night full of mischief. The cover charge is $5. Buckley The Buckley Chamber of Commerce is throwing a Halloween party on Oct. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. along Main Street. Main Street will be closed off, and local businesses will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fright Factory at 2000 Collins Road is a haunted house that is open every evening through Nov. 1, except for Oct. 27. Hours vary each night, and admission is $20 with a $1 discount if you show up with a canned food donation. Learn more at their website, frightfactory.net. The Haunted Woods at Maris Farms at 24919 Sumner Buckley Highway E. is open Oct. 24, 25 and 26. The website does not list the hours, saying they vary each day, but says residents can learn more when they buy tickets online. Tickets start at $35. Learn more at marisfarms.com. Eatonville Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is hosting its Hoot N Howl Event on Oct. 24 and 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy animal paths decorated with spooky lights, seven trick-or-treat stations, and fun games like skeeball, plinko, and bag tosses in the picnic pavilion, the website says. There will also be beavers, wolves and barn owls. The park is located at 11610 Trek Drive E. Wilkeson The Simple Goodness Soda Shop is hosting a Wilkeson Spookeasy event on Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Set in the Prohibition era, guests will raid historic Wilkeson in search for illegal hooch. Pick and Shovel, the Carlson Block, the Simple Goodness Sisters Soda Shop and Wilkeson Eagles Aerie 1409 will each be offering a drink special. Tickets are $12.51 per person and can be purchased on eventbrite.com. Elbe The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad is offering Family Halloween Trains, where residents can travel to Mineral, WA. Once there, guests can trick-or-treat in the log camp, go on hay rides or pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The train departs from Elbe at 54124 Mountain Highway E. at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, 25 and 26. Tickets are $38 for adults and $17 for children 2 to 17. Kids under 2 years old get in for free. You can learn more at mtrainierrailroad.com. ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) The City of St. Pete Beach is warning residents of a scheme targeting zoning or planning applicants for money. The most recent instance involved a business owner who had asked the city for a permit to put a balcony on their restaurant. They reported the email. Florida SNAP recipients will not get benefits for November, pending federal funds Channel 8 spoke to another business owner who says scams are becoming more commonplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We get cold calls all day long, we get text messages and emails, said John Brooks Murray, owner of Baywaters Apartments. Everyone knows each other, so we watch out for each other, Murray said. He said they try as hard as they can to stay on top of it by staying connected, but he was unaware of another scheme posing as the city to target homeowners and business owners trying to expand or build on their property. To the extent that we see this remaining an ongoing issue, well continue to monitor and inform the public through our different communication channels, said Marc Portugal with the City of St. Pete Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials said the imposters were able to track down people who recently submitted zoning or planning permits, and they sent them messages asking for hundreds or thousands of dollars for an approval fee. It doesnt surprise me that the scammers are latching onto this, Murray said. I mean they look for vulnerable areas and they take advantage of people who are desperate. There are a lot of desperate people out here on the barrier islands. The people who received them had a feeling something was up and reported it, but city leaders are warning the public because many of the emails appeared to have legitimate and specific information related to these peoples properties. So to them it seemed like a realistic amount of money, Portugal said. If people are concerned about the legitimacy of a communication from the city they should definitely call planning and zoning department and find out whether or not the request is legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. ST. PETERSBURG In Caravaggios Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi opened Saturday at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg and will continue through March 22. Featuring some 40 masterpieces from one of the worlds most revered private collections of 17th-century painting, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity for American audiences to experience the revolutionary genius of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and the international artists he inspired. At the exhibitions heart is Caravaggios electrifying masterpiece, Boy Bitten by a Lizard (c. 1597), a cornerstone of the Fondazione Roberto Longhi collection. The painting freezes a fleeting moment of shock and pain, blending a lush still-life with piercing psychological insight. Its intense realism, dramatic light (chiaroscuro) and theatric power shattered artistic conventions. This will be the first time in more than a decade that the Longhi version of the iconic painting will be on view in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond Caravaggio, the exhibition charts his seismic impact on European art. Visitors can explore stunning works by his closest followers the Caravaggisti who adopted his bold techniques to create their own powerful art. These works include: Valentin de Boulognes The Denial of Saint Peter (c. 161517): An emotionally charged, large-scale masterpiece that showcases the artists sophisticated use of shadow and narrative tension. Jusepe de Riberas series of Apostles (c. 1612): Works painted with haunting realism and dramatic light that convey deep spiritual intensity, underscoring Riberas pivotal role in spreading tenebrism throughout Spain and Naples. Carlo Saracenis Judith with the Head of Holofernes (c. 1618): A dramatic and gripping tableau that exemplifies the artists masterful blend of Venetian colorism and Caravaggesque lighting. Matthias Stomers The Annunciation of Samsons Birth (c. 163032) and The Healing of Tobit (c. 16401649): Paintings whose cinematic scale and radiant compositions underscore the Dutch artists place among the greatest interpreters of sacred drama in Caravaggios wake. All works in the exhibition come from the collection of Roberto Longhi (18901970), the legendary Italian art historian and connoisseur. His pioneering scholarship in the 20th century restored Caravaggio to his rightful place in the art historical canon. Longhis discerning eye not only rediscovered lost masterpieces but also assembled one of the most significant and personal collections of Baroque painting ever formed. Much of this collection has never before traveled to the United States. Caravaggio changed painting forever, and his influence echoes through the centuries, said Stanton Thomas, William and Hazel Hough chief curator. This exhibition is an extraordinary opportunity to experience that revolution firsthand, from a masterwork by Caravaggio himself to the daring interpretations of those he inspired. To host the Longhi collection here at the MFA is a profound privilege for our museum and our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To complement In Caravaggios Light, the museum will concurrently present Baroque Continuum: Caravaggio and the Caravaggisti Over Time. This focused exhibition traces the enduring reach of Caravaggios innovations across four centuries, from the Baroque period through to the present day. Featuring works in painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture, Baroque Continuum reveals how artists across Europe and the Americas have drawn on Caravaggios dramatic realism, theatrical staging and emotional intensity to explore psychological states and human experience in ever-evolving ways. Artists featured in Baroque Continuum include Thomas Anshutz, Gertrude Kasebier, Edward Steichen, Dianora Nicolini, Reza Aramesh and others. The exhibition design across both shows will immerse visitors in the world of Baroque. The galleries will be transformed with sumptuous damask wall coverings and theatrical lighting to evoke the dramatic, opulent environment for which these paintings were created. The museum will present a robust slate of programs alongside In Caravaggios Light and Baroque Continuum. Highlights include scholar talks and tours with leading experts from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi and a one-night-only immersive opera by Nathan Felix. The full list of programs can be found online at mfastpete.org/exhibition/in-caravaggios-light/. The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, at 255 Beach Drive NE, has an encyclopedic collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries, with almost 5,000 years of civilization represented in thousands of objects extending from antiquity to the present. The collection includes works by Georgia OKeeffe, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Rodin, Kehinde Wiley, Jacob Lawrence and many others, as well as ancient Greek and Roman, Asian, African, Art of the Americas and Native American art. For information and tickets, visit mfastpete.org. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has declared a state of emergency due to the government shutdown. The declaration document states that the federal shutdown is the longest shutdown in terms of duration in U.S. history, impacting employment, funding, and services to the Tribe and its members. With the government shutdown, services such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) are at risk of being delayed or unavailable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmers beef with imports from Argentina According to the document, this will leave the most vulnerable Tribal members without essential resources for food and heat for the approaching winter months. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe SNAP program currently has 2,319 recipients, the WIC program has 203 monthly participants, and the LIHEAP program has 902 participants. Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Steven Sitting Bear declared the State of Emergency to address the funding crisis of these programs on October 24. The emergency declaration will remain in effect until the crisis is resolved. Congress, your citizens need you to come together. Our tribal nations need you to fulfill your promises and obligations written in treaties and trust agreements. The consequences of your divisive political rhetoric are putting unneeded stress on your countrymen and women. This shutdown hurts our people first. We demand that you get back to work and reopen the federal government before anymore damage is done. Sitting Bear said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson participated in a virtual meeting hosted by UK PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on the peace negotiations for Ukraine. He also shared the news that Sweden is potentially exporting 100-150 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. Sharing the details in a post on X, the Swedish PM said, "I just took part in a digital meeting hosted by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron with the Coalition of the Willing - the group of countries most actively supporting Ukraine against Russia's aggression. Sweden is one of the leading providers of support to Ukraine in the entire world and plays an important role in this coalition of donor nations. The focus of the meeting was on the prospects for peace negotiations, continued support for Ukraine, and the need to increase pressure where it belongs - on Putin." On the potential export deal of Gripen fighter jets, he highlighted that the jets would not only be crucial for the security of Ukraine but also for Sweden and Europe. "I also had the opportunity to share Wednesday's news about a potential major export deal from Sweden to Ukraine involving as many as 100-150 Gripen fighter jets. This is crucial not only for Ukraine, but also for Swedish and European security." https://x.com/SwedishPM/status/1981765961326661771 Euro News had reported on Wednesday that on the eve of the EU summit, Ukraine and Sweden signed a deal Wednesday for up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets for Kyiv over the next decade, with the first deliveries expected in 2026. A letter of intent was signed between Sweden and Ukraine for a potential deal to supply up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets to Kiev. Gripen fighter jets are supersonic, lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft. Their capabilities range from air defence to ground attacks to long-range strikes. These are designed to be quickly refuelled in tough, cold conditions. The jet is produced by the Swedish aerospace company Saab, the New York Times reported. The UK PM's Office shared on Friday that PM Keir Starmer and French President Macron co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, attended by President Zelenskyy. The statement from the UK PMO expressed how the countries were united in their support for Ukraine, and fully supported President Trump's comments that the current line of contact must be the starting point for any talks. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principle that borders must not be changed by force and "confirmed that plans are in place to deploy a Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, with a view to help secure Ukraine's skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine's armed forces." (ANI) Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircrew, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 62 evacuated residents from western Alaska, Oct. 17, 2025. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Pena) The State of Alaska has begun distributing disaster relief payments, totaling over $217,000 as of Friday, to residents of western Alaska impacted by storm damage from ex-Typhoon Halong. The state has received more than 940 applications for state individual assistance, according to a statement from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Applications are open on the states website, through Dec. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many storm evacuees left or lost identification or essential documents, the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Health have booths at emergency evacuation shelters in Anchorage to assist with replacements. The Association of Village Council Presidents is offering tribal IDs in the shelters. State caseworkers and a Yupik speaking public notary are helping with documentation, the state update said. Residents must prove they are from the designated disaster area, and provide proof of identification and a mailing address where checks can be mailed. As of Thursday night, there were 302 evacuees staying in emergency shelters in Anchorage, with 178 at the Egan Center and 124 at the Alaska Airlines Center. The states assistance program provides financial assistance for storm damage to homes, vehicles, essential personal property and medical, dental or funeral needs directly related to the disaster. Applicants will be eligible for $21,250 in home repairs and another $21,250 for other needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states individual assistance program also includes a housing assistance program that provides renters with up to three months and homeowners with 18 months of financial assistance, according to the states website. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Friday that he amended the states disaster declaration to waive state fees associated with replacing documents, including licenses and registrations. It also waives late fees for state-administered loan and payment programs. Federal disaster assistance approved On Wednesday, the Trump administration authorized a federal disaster declaration for the Western Alaska storm. The president said that he has authorized an immediate $25 million in federal aid for the state to cover costs as the recovery effort is underway. Eric Phillip, the boardwalk foreman for Kongiganak, Alaska, surveys infrastructure damage caused by Typhoon Halong, Oct. 18, 2025. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon) Trump also approved the states request for federal assistance, including federal individual assistance, public assistance and the hazard mitigation grant program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents can apply on the Federal Emergency Management Agencys website at DisasterAssistance.gov or on the FEMA app. Applicants must file a claim and are required to go through a FEMA inspection to qualify. Federal disaster assistance provides up to $42,500 for home repairs and up to $42,500 for other items. The U.S. Small Business Administration is also offering low interest loans to small businesses, non-profits and individuals impacted by the storm, to help pay for losses not covered by insurance. Applications can be submitted on their federal website. Financial donations pour in for Western Alaska communities Individual and business donations have come pouring in for the families and communities devastated by ex-Typhoon Halong, including food, supplies, and financial assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has a list of resources and links to assistance on its website. The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund has raised $2.5 million to date, said Ashley Ellingson, director of communications with the Alaska Community Foundation, with mostly corporate donors pledging an additional $1.5 million more. She said an advisory committee of regional and state leaders meets at least weekly to consider requests and how to best allocate funding. The Alaska Community Foundation has already distributed roughly $575,000 to five organizations: the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Maniilaq Association, the tribal councils of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok the communities hardest-hit by the storm and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Ellingson said that is to ensure funding goes to immediate needs. Local organizations can distribute to individuals and families affected the most, she said. Correction: The application for state disaster assistance is open until Dec. 9, 2025. The State Emergency Service's aircraft, robotics and unmanned systems were called in to help extinguish fires in Kyiv following an attack by Russia. Source: Pavlo Petrov, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv, in a comment to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Quote: "As of now, there are no complications. The only thing that is difficult is the area of the fires. The area of the fires is large, but we have all the necessary equipment and personnel to extinguish the fires as quickly as possible." Details: He added that pyrotechnics experts had inspected the sites of the strikes for explosive objects. Meanwhile, rescue workers warn that dangerous debris may remain at the locations, so all safety rules must be followed. As of now, the fires have been contained and are not spreading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: As a result of the nighttime missile attack on the capital on 25 October, one person was killed and at least 10 people were injured in Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! BOSTON (WWLP) Senators approved their version of the fiscal year 2025 closeout bill, overriding some of the governors vetoes to send money back to schools and nursing homes. Casino mitigation funds effort fails This spending bill also contained policy initiatives, like one that gives communities who will soon be facing health insurance deficits some flexibility in how they pay the money back. This crisis has created a financial shock unlike anything many of these communities have seen in decades, explained Ludlow Senator Jake Oliveira. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This policy is for municipalities that receive coverage from the Hampden County Group Insurance Trust, in particular. Another western Massachusetts policy measure, appropriating casino mitigation funds for Springfield, failed to pass as part of the budget. Springfield is not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment. We are asking for the commonwealth to honor its commitments, said Springfield Senator Adam Gomez on the Senate floor. Besides working on the supplemental budget, local lawmakers testified in committee hearings for bills they are sponsoring. Spencer Republican Peter Durant is pushing for a policy that would disallow public buildings from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must ensure that future government responses never again prevent people from living, working, worshipping, and taking part in their own communities, said Durant. This policy faced pushback from other lawmakers and advocates who argue the governments ability to impose vaccine regulations only benefits public safety. Looking forward, lawmakers are beginning to turn their attention towards the upcoming 2026 state election. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Buprenorphine tablets, which are used to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) The South Dakota Department of Social Services plans to revamp its opioid treatment and prevention grants, with a three-tiered system including transformative grants up to $2 million. Department officials announced the new grant structure using opioid settlement funds at Tuesdays Board of Social Services meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just trying to put some of the same window dressing on some of the same old methodologies isnt what were after, Secretary Matt Althoff said. Were looking for true innovation, a true effort to earnestly fill the gaps that exist today. South Dakota is projected to receive just under $99 million in settlement funds by 2038, based on the departments settlement dashboard. The money comes from a series of nationwide settlements with the makers and sellers of the opioid painkillers that contributed to a spike in drug addiction and overdoses. The majority of that funding will be distributed and spent by the state, while 30% will be used by local governments. The state has received about $23 million in its share of the funds so far, with about $11.7 million uncommitted. The department plans to reserve about $12 million in a trust fund to sustain the states opioid abatement plan, in case federal funding for other substance use-related grants ends. That equates to about 25% of each disbursement received over the life of the settlement. Screenshot of the South Dakota Department of Social Services National Opioid Settlement Funds dashboard. (Photo courtesy of South Dakota Department of Social Services) Most spent funds have gone toward the community grant program, with the state using part of its share to give additional money to local entities and organizations, followed by the prescription drug monitoring program, naloxone distribution (naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose) and overdose follow-up programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brenna Koedam, behavior health division chief, said there is an increased number of referrals for opioid use and other substance use disorder treatment services, increased understanding in how to handle substance use among providers, reduced burnout among first responders and law enforcement, and reduced stigma surrounding opioid use disorder in the last few years. She did not explain to the board how most of those achievements were calculated or measured, though she attributed them to programming assisted by the settlement fund. Opioid related deaths in South Dakota decreased to 39 in 2024, compared to 2023s peak of 47. According to the states Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology data, 844 South Dakotans visited emergency departments for suspected drug overdoses opioid and other in the first six months of this year. Thats down by one visit compared to the same timeframe in 2024 and up by 44 compared to 2023. Attorney General Marty Jackley criticized the department in August for not spending the opioid settlement funds as quickly as he wanted, and not sending enough of the money to the city governments of Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Althoff said at the Tuesday meeting, and in response to Jackleys comments in August, that the department needed to spend COVID-19 relief funds that were expiring before they spent more settlement dollars. South Dakota Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff speaks at a public hearing regarding cuts to TANF benefits at the Sioux Falls One Stop on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Koedam announced Tuesday that the department will restructure its community grants into three tiers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small grants of up to $5,000 for immediate or short-term projects, offered on an ongoing basis and focused on prevention, such as funding a speaker on opioid use and risks at a school district. Mid-size grants of up to $50,000, offered twice a year, intended for projects that can be completed in a year. Transformative grants of up to $2 million intended for regional innovation, which could include workforce development to attract more workers to the behavioral health field, based on a letter of interest from potential grant recipients. Althoff said South Dakotas substance use problems extend beyond opioids, citing meth and alcohol as other examples. The opioid dollars will not necessarily be able to just solve the opioid problem, Althoff said. Were trying to be very creative about how we do this in ways that even if opioid isnt the first level of addiction, it might be even tertiary involvement its all bridged and interrelated. Koedam added that the department signed contracts with Colorado-based Steadman Group and the University of South Dakota totaling just under $325,000 to conduct a statewide opioid needs assessment, which will identify gaps in South Dakotas treatment and prevention infrastructure. The needs assessment is expected to be completed by spring 2026. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ISLAMABAD (AP) State-run Pakistan International Airlines resumed flights to the United Kingdom on Saturday for the first time in five years following the lifting of a ban imposed over a fake pilot license scandal. The airline faced a ban from both the UK and the European Union in June 2020 after a deadly crash in Karachi that killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licenses. The European ban was lifted in November 2024 after extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to restore suspended routes in January of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return following months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system. The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony held at Islamabad International Airport. Asif said in a televised address that the flights were essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send were the backbone of Pakistans economy. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty," he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistans High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations. This milestone will bring major economic benefits; generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. Self-checkout has continued to grow in grocery stores across the United States, with companies using the system to create shorter wait times and relieve staff stress. However, Massachusetts legislators want to limit the number of self-checkout stations in grocery stores across the state to address some growing concerns. Democratic state Senator Paul Feeney is sponsoring the bill, titled "An Act Regulating Self-Checkouts in Grocery Establishments." If it passes, the 2,445 grocery stores in Massachusetts would be limited to eight self-service checkout stations per location there has to be at least one manual checkout station for every two self-checkout stations, or stores will face a fine: a retail clerk's full day of pay and benefits. This bill arrived after many retailers started reducing self-checkout stations on their own due to increased theft and longer wait times. "We've gotten a lot of momentum behind it," said Feeney. "We see this as a common-sense piece of legislation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Old Tech Products Worth Thousands That May Be Hiding In Your Attic Why does Massachusetts want to cut down on self-checkout? elderly couple uses self-checkout - Zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images According to Feeney, customers and employees alike are "growing frustrated" with self-checkout at grocery stores. When it comes to customers, it seems that elderly shoppers are not enjoying self-checkout since they are unable to figure out how to use some of the machines. Without anyone around to talk to, these older shoppers are growing frustrated with the experience. About 19% of Massachusetts residents are considered elderly, which is a good chunk of customers growing confused. And when it comes to employees, self-checkout can sometimes cause longer lines to form or even take jobs away from humans. Feeney said that this bill will hopefully stop "solid middle-class working-class jobs" from going to robots. However, not everyone is convinced that self-checkout should be regulated. "It is not the responsibility of the state to determine how, when, and where a business deploys its staff," said the Massachusetts Food Association, which feels that customers enjoy the convenience of self-checkout and should have the choice to use it if they wish. Feeney countered that the country is at a "crossroads" as self-driving cars take over the road and AI runs the workplace. "We think it's smart as policymakers to just kind of slow that down." Meanwhile, we even have self-flying helicopters now. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was accused of misleading House Homeland Security Committee members when she said she was departing a Thursday hearing early to attend another meeting that was actually canceled. Its an assertion denied by Noems office, which said she only found out her meeting was canceled after she left the witness table. Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller declined to rule out U.S. soldiers in Venezuela as President Donald Trump ramps up hostilities in the region. Trump has ordered several bombings on Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing dozens of people. Trump has alleged the boats were full of narcoterrorists trafficking drugs. The administration has provided no evidence to justify the bombings, which are legally suspect, according to experts. On Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth deployed an aircraft carrier to the South American coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller took questions outside the White House on Friday, where a reporter asked about Trumps suggestion that the U.S. may bomb inside Venezuela. Can you speak to that? she said. And given that Venezuela is not a cocaine-abusing country, can you explain what the plans are there? So obviously, I would not now or ever get into any detailed discussion to address any of the things mentioned in your question in any way, he said. But I do want to address the broader issue of narcotics and the war on cartels and foreign terrorist organizations. So Venezuela, of course, is a central hub for narcotics trafficking across the Western Hemisphere. Also, weapons trafficking, also human trafficking as well. He went on to call drug cartels the ISIS of the Western Hemisphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, another reporter asked about the potential for U.S. soldiers on the ground in Venezuela. Would you consider, would the administration consider putting U.S. Troops on the ground in any capacity inside Venezuela? the reporter inquired. Well, I would refer to what Secretary Hegseth said yesterday in terms of how the Department of War is viewing the issue of the strategies that are being used to fight these terrorists in the Western Hemisphere, Miller replied. And Ill just continue to reiterate what I said before. I know that you want more detailed answers than I can provide. But these are terrorists and theyre going to be killed. Hegseth has routinely celebrated the strikes on each Venezuelan boat, but appears not to have addressed whether the U.S. would consider deploying ground troops to the country. Watch above via C-SPAN. The post Stephen Miller Dodges Question on Whether Trump Will Send Troops to Venezuela first appeared on Mediaite. Hello, its the weekend. This is The Weekender Steve Bannon, the MAGA broadcaster and once-and-future adviser to President Donald Trump, just gave an interview to The Economist where he openly discussed a potential plan for a third term. Well, hes going to get a third term. So, Trump 28, Bannon said. Trump is going to be president in 28 and people just ought to get accommodated with that. This isnt the first time Bannon has mused about Trump serving for 12 years or more. Other high-level Trump allies have also hinted at the possibility and, as weve already told you in this very newsletter, the official campaign store even has TRUMP 2028 merch ready to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many observers have dismissed all of this out of hand given that the 22nd Amendment seemingly serves as a hard line enforcing the two term limit. There are, however, actual legal experts who think there could be loopholes to this including a technique essentially pioneered by Russias Vladimir Putin, where the president joins a ticket as the vice president with the tacit understanding their running mate would move aside or serve as a mere figurehead. Another potential avenue experts have raised involves challenging whether the 22nd Amendment means solely two terms or actually only two consecutive terms. Most experts argue these various end runs violate the clear intent of the constitutional amendment. However, if weve learned anything about Trump and the Supreme Court that he has increasingly made over, its that they are willing to push legal boundaries to serve his interests. In this interview, Bannon didnt say which route Trumps allies are focused on, but he insisted that there is a plan in place. Theres many different alternatives. At the appropriate time, well lay out what the plan is, but theres a plan and President Trump will be the president in 28, Bannon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon also cast the effort to erode one of the core traditional curbs on presidential power in positively Biblical terms. President Trump will be the president of the United States and the country needs him to be president of the United States, he said. We have to finish what we started and the way we finish it through Trump Hes a vehicle of divine providence. Hes an instrument. Hes very imperfect. Hes not churchy, not particularly religious. but hes an instrument of divine will. Bannon also offered a distinctly dictatorial vision for the endpoint of what he termed the Age of Trump. He said it would include Trump allies taking control of both the institutions and the political process en route to establishing an entrepreneurial capitalism paradise. We have to seize the institutions, seize them and then purge them, Bannon said. Its not the DOGE crap, this is serious people like Russ Vought and others that have spent years thinking this whole plan through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite all of this talk of defying term limits, taking total power, and enacting dramatic purges, Bannon insisted the whole thing somehow isnt blatant authoritarianism. President Trump is nothing but a series of negotiations, Bannon said, adding, Hes having tradeoffs all the time. The refusal to fully call this what it is and the obvious questionably legal nature of all this might make it tempting to dismiss. However, Trump allies continue to send loud and clear signals that this is something they are considering. And, hasnt the president broken so many other aspects of our traditional government? Why doubt he would try to destroy term limits when Trump has literally demolished the White House? In the end, Bannon said one thing we can probably all agree on: Trumps authoritarian ambitions are clear, the only question is whether the population will let him achieve them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only way President Trump wins in 2028 and continues to stay in office is by the will of the American people, Bannon said. Hunter Walker Heres what else TPM has on tap Even a handful of Republicans think its not the best look for Trump to be demanding a $230 million settlement from the Justice Department that he, essentially, runs out of the White House. National Democrats released the findings of a poll of Maryland voters this week, in an attempt to gently nudge state Democrats in the direction of redrawing some congressional district lines before the midterms to help offset the impact of Trumps power grab. The good, the bad and the ugly: For TPMs 25th anniversary, join us on a journey through 25 years of digital media history. House Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-LA) strategy keeping the House out of session to compel Democrats to fold doesnt seem to be working. Lets dig in. Even Some Senate GOPers Think Its a Bad Look By now, youve likely heard the news that President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him $230 million in damages for what he claims are wrongful prosecutions damages. His former personal lawyer, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, is the person poised to sign off on the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, this is a total shitshow and a completely unprecedented action by the lawless president, who is running the Justice Department out of the White House. House Democrats have already launched an investigation into Trumps discussions with the DOJ about the settlement. Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Robert Garcia (D-CA), the top Dems on the House Judiciary and House Oversight Committees, respectively, called Trumps actions a blatantly illegal and unconstitutional effort to steal $230 million from the American people. But the move is so befuddling and ill-timed, it even has some members of the Senate Republican conference uncomfortable. Senate Judiciary Committee senior member Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) took issue with Blanches role in the whole ordeal. He shouldnt decide, because hes his former lawyer, Graham told The Hill this week. Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) took issue with the timing of Trumps request, telling reporters this week that the optics were bad during a shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the very least, its horrible timing, given that were in a shutdown, he said. I got a lot of optics concerns, and I just dont know if theres precedent for it. There doesnt seem to be. Another Republican acknowledged that it might just add fuel to the fire for people who are already protesting against Trumps lawless presidency. The man, woman on the street, they know Donald Trump, they elected Donald Trump. Nothing about this, I dont think, is either surprising or concerning to them, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said. That doesnt mean it isnt a good talking point for the No Kings crowd. Nicole LaFond 25 Years of Digital Media As you may have heard, TPM is turning 25 this year. But we know our story is far from the only one worth telling in the past 25 years of digital media. So we went out to a group of writers we admire 25 of them, naturally to weigh in on a moment or idea thats shaped our strange and ever-changing online journalism ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were rolling out this series, Pivots, Trolls and Blog Rolls, for the next few weeks on this lovely landing page that our design team put together. Already, you can read pieces like Elizabeth Spiers requiem for the early blogging years, Dave Dayens excellent takedown of D.C. access journalism, and our own Josh Marshall on the original sin of treating digital journalism like a tech business. We hope you like it. Allegra Kirkland Poll Finds Maryland Voters Support Dem Redistricting to Level Playing Field Congressional Democrats are pushing the message to Democratic members of Marylands state legislature that redistricting that favors Democrats is needed to offset the impact of gerrymandering in Republican-led states, and to level the playing field. New polling by Change Research, first reported by Politico, has found that the majority of Maryland Democratic voters surveyed view redistricting efforts as necessary to counter the Trump administrations pressure campaign on red states to change their congressional maps ahead of the midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mid-cycle redistricting push by the Trump administration is part of an effort to ensure Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House. So far, states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have all approved revised congressional maps that will likely flip Democratic seats. The polling for this research was conducted online from October 8 to 10 of this year, surveying 909 likely Maryland voters. According to the research, 85 percent of Democrats, 65 percent of Independents, and 23 percent of Republicans, responded that they believe that redistricting is necessary both to provide a check on Trump and to undo some of the substantive damage being done by the Republican Congress. The poll also found that, after reading the arguments for redistricting on both sides, 69 percent of Democratic voters would be more likely to vote for a candidate who is supportive of redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one of several ways national Democrats are nudging the Democrats in Marylands state legislature to embrace redistricting. Earlier this month, per reporting from NBC, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) met with Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to discuss possible redistricting plans in the state. And on Wednesday, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), described redistricting, in a post on X, as a a political and ethical imperative to fight back across America, from coast to coast, from California to the Free State. Similar Democrat-led redistricting counter-efforts are currently underway in California, where voters will vote on a measure next month to approve new congressional maps. And in Virginia, Democratic lawmakers have launched a campaign to redraw their congressional maps. Khaya Himmelman Johnson Wont Bring House Back Next Week Its day 25 of the government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said this week he wont bring the House back in session to vote on a bill that would help pay air traffic controllers and other essential workers during the government shutdown. The Speaker claimed the measure would be spiked in the Senate, adding that bringing back the House would take the pressure off Chuck Schumer to get his job done and open the government again. For the sixth week in a row, the House is expected to be out of session next week. Tuesday will be the first paycheck air traffic controllers will miss due to the shutdown, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. And hundreds of thousands of other federal workers officially missed their paychecks on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separate party-line bills to pay some exempted federal workers during the shutdown failed in the Senate on Thursday. The issue may come up again next week as senators involved may try to combine their bills and come up with a bipartisan measure. Meanwhile President Donald Trump doesnt seem to be planning to negotiate with Democrats to reopen the government any time soon. He left for an extended Asia trip on Friday. Senate Republicans have also shown no signs of negotiating with Dems, who are asking for an extension of the ACA subsidies in exchange for their votes. Emine Yucel CLARKSBURG, W.Va. Here are some of the top stories this week on the WBOY 12News Facebook page. West Virginia, working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has arrested 60 people over the past month as it cracks down on illegal immigration. A truck driver pleaded guilty in a fatal collision that happened along I-68 over Cheat Lake. The West Virginia Public Service Commission has set a date for a public hearing as Hope Gas seeks to increase its rates by more than 40%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Philippi announced that it plans to increase its sewer rates by 79% so it can afford a necessary line replacement. A Monongalia County restaurant is offering 50 meals per day to help people who are affected by the government shutdown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Exiled leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman will soon return to Bangladesh from London after 17 years to participate in the next general election to be held in February 2026, said Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, one of the party's senior leaders. "Yes, we have heard that he himself declared that he (Tarique Rahman) will be coming soon, and the preparation is going on", said Hossain, one of the members of the Standing Committee, the party's highest body. "We all waiting to see the election schedule to be declared by the Election Commission so that he can come and participate in the election. We hope, Tarique Rahman will be coming to Bangladesh soon", he added. Replying to a question whether Rahman will be coming after declaring the schedule of the election or before, Hossain said, "That can be any time. We can't give you a particular time schedule. Tarique Rahman is preparing. He can come any time when he finds a suitable situation in Bangladesh for his return". After the interim government of Bangladesh suspended the activities of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, the country's Election Commission also suspended the party's registration as a political party. As a result, it seems that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the next general election. In the changing reality, BNP is the largest party in Bangladesh, and unless something dramatic happens, BNP will win the next election. As the leader of BNP, Tarique Rahman is expected to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and ailing former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was sentenced in numerous cases in absentia, was cleared of all charges after Hasina was ousted. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in a student-led uprising in Bangladesh in July-August 2024. An interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Yunus travelled to London and met with Tarique Rahman, announcing elections in February. When asked if participatory and inclusive elections are possible without the Awami League, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, "I believe the election will be inclusive. The government cannot invite anybody outsider to come and participate election. Inclusive election means the election will be participated by the political parties present in Bangladesh. I believe all the political parties present in Bangladesh now involved in politics will participate in the election. So that it will be an inclusive election", Hossain said. When asked what the relationship with India would be like if BNP comes to power, Hossain said. "We had been in power before during Ziaur Rahman's time, Begum Khaleda Zia's time. We had good relation. We have a policy that we will have a friendly relation with every country of the world. But we will not be dictated by anybody. We will be friendly with everybody". (ANI) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Lovely weather is expected to continue into Saturday, with changes on the way for the extended forecast. Friday brought another mainly sunny day, with a chilly morning giving way to a seasonably warm afternoon. Saturday features more of the same, with the exception of increasing clouds during the latter half of the day. The next weather-maker will bring changes by Sunday, carrying into the new week. A storm system currently located over the Great Plains will track eastward over this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement \Rain chances begin to increase Sunday, with a 30% chance of showers for the second half of the day. Scattered showers and a few storms are expected at times Monday. Severe storms are not anticipated as the best instability and wind energy will line up farther west across the Deep South. Rain chances linger through midweek until a strong cold front makes it through the area ahead of Halloween. Melissa remains a tropical storm, but it has shown huge improvements in organization to close Friday. The system is expected to rapidly intensify this weekend, with the National Hurricane Center forecasting a strong category 4 hurricane as it closes in on Jamaica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forecast track has it impacting the island nation, before pulling away by midweek. Significant rainfall leading to flooding is expected for Jamaica, Cuba and the island of Hispaniola. The Southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos will get brushed next week before it heads out to sea. Cold fronts making it through our area coupled with a weak Bermuda High will keep Melissa away from the Southeast US. High waves and hazardous beach conditions will become an issue by the end of next week. There are no tropical threats to the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. A Fernandina Beach High School student was arrested after displaying a gun to another student in the schools restroom, says the Fernandina Beach Police Department. According to the Fernandina Beach Police Department, police received a tip and a video of the student showing a gun to another student on Thursday night. Law enforcement and school administrators identified the student, contacted the students family, and the student was arrested shortly afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department says the situation has been fully resolved and there are no threats to Fernandina Beach High School. They also said there will be an increase in police presence on campus for cautionary reasons. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEED TO KNOW Ohio high school senior Isaac Brocco Rivera was fatally shot inside a car parked at Lakeview Park in Lorain on Oct. 18 The Lorain Police Department said through its investigation they discovered that a juvenile family member ... was handling a firearm inside the parked car when the gun went off The firearm was accidentally discharged, fatally striking Mr. Brocco Rivera while both were seated in the car, police said Police in Ohio are sharing more details into the death of an 18-year-old high school senior, who was shot and killed before homecoming. The 18-year-old who was identified by his school as Lorain Success Academy senior Isaac Brocco Rivera was found fatally shot at Lakeview Park in Lorain on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to WOIO-TV, WJW-TV and WKYC-TV, which cited the Lorain Police Department (LPD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were dispatched to the area at around 6:44 p.m. following a report of shooting, per WOIO-TV. They found an unresponsive Rivera with a gunshot wound to his head inside a car parked, per the outlet. He was in the drivers seat of his vehicle which was a gold jeep, said LPD Captain Jacob Morris at the time, per WOIO-TV. He added that there had been teenagers taking pictures at the park for a homecoming dance, but it was unclear if anyone witnessed anything. Officers initiated life-saving measures and the teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. GoFundMe Isaac Brocco Rivera Isaac Brocco Rivera Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Police recovered a handgun from Lakeview Park on the evening of the incident; however, LPD said they believed that gun was not the one used in the shooting, per WJW-TV. They later recovered another handgun from a separate location, which they believed was the weapon that killed Rivera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through exhaustive investigative efforts, detectives have learned that a juvenile family member who was present with Mr. Brocco Rivera was handling a firearm inside the vehicle, said Morris. The firearm was accidentally discharged, fatally striking Mr. Brocco Rivera while both were seated in the car, Morris added. The LPD said that they were working closely together with county prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges should be brought forward, per WJW-TV. Lorain City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham shared the news of Brocco Riveras death on Facebook on Oct. 19, writing, It is with a heavy heart that we share that we tragically lost one of our high school students this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that they have engaged their crisis team and would have supports available to students and staff. He concluded his statement, writing, Hold your loved ones a little closer and a little tighter, and have a blessed evening. In a GoFundMe, Brocco Riveras family remembered the high school senior as a cherished son, brother, and friend who brought so much love and light into our lives, adding, He left for his senior homecoming and never made it home. Read the original article on People School (in)Security is our biweekly briefing on the latest school safety news, vetted by Mark Keierleber. Subscribe here. The robots have taken over. New research suggests that a majority of students use chatbots like ChatGPT for just about everything at school. To write essays. To solve complicated math problems. To find love. Wait, what? Nearly a fifth of students said they or a friend have used artificial intelligence chatbots to form romantic relationships, according to a new survey by the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology. Some 42% said they or someone they know used the chatbots for mental health support, as an escape from real life or as a friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighty-six percent of students say theyve used artificial intelligence chatbots in the past academic year half to help with schoolwork. The tech-enabled convenience, researchers conclude, doesnt come without significant risks for young people. Namely, as AI proliferates in schools with help from the federal government and a zealous tech industry on a promise to improve student outcomes, they warn that young people could grow socially and emotionally disconnected from the humans in their lives. Click here to read the CDT report In the news The latest in Trumps immigration crackdown: The survey featured above, which quizzed students, teachers and parents, also offers startling findings on immigration enforcement in schools: While more than a quarter of educators said their school collects information about whether a student is undocumented, 17% said their district shares records including grades and disciplinary information with immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last school year, 13% of teachers said a staff member at their school reported a student or parent to immigration enforcement of their own accord. | Center for Democracy & Technology People hold signs as New York City officials speak at a press conference calling for the release of high school student Mamadou Mouctar Diallo outside of the Tweed Courthouse on Aug. 14 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Call for answers: In the wake of immigration enforcement thats ensnared children, New York congressional Democrats are demanding the feds release information about the welfare of students held in detention, my colleague Jo Napolitano reports. | The 74 A 13-year-old boy from Brazil, who has lived in a Boston suburb since 2021 with a pending asylum application, was scooped up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after local police arrested him on a credible tip accusing him of making a violent threat against a classmate at school. The boys mother said her son wound up in a Virginia detention facility and was desperate, saying ICE had taken him. | CNN Chicago teenagers are among a group of activists patrolling the citys neighborhoods to monitor ICEs deployment to the city and help migrants avoid arrest. | NPR Immigration agents detained a Chicago Public Schools vendor employee outside a school, prompting educators to move physical education classes indoors out of an abundance of caution. | Chicago Sun-Times A Des Moines, Iowa, high schooler was detained by ICE during a routine immigration check-in, placed in a Louisiana detention center and deported to Central America fewer than two weeks later. | Des Moines Register A 15-year-old boy with disabilities who was handcuffed outside a Los Angeles high school after immigration agents mistook him for a suspect is among more than 170 U.S. citizens, including nearly 20 children, who have been detained during the first nine months of the presidents immigration push. | PBS Trigger warning: After a Washington state teenager hanged himself on camera, the 13-year-old boys parents set out to find out what motivated their child to livestream his suicide on Instagram while online users watched. Evidence pointed to a sadistic online group that relies on torment, blackmail and coercion to weed out teens they deem weak. | The Washington Post Civil rights advocates in New York are sounding the alarm over a Long Island school districts new AI-powered surveillance system, which includes round-the-clock audio monitoring with in-classroom microphones. | StateScoop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge has ordered the Department of Defense to restock hundreds of books after a lawsuit alleged students were banned from checking out texts related to race and gender from school libraries on military bases in violation of the First Amendment. | Military.com More than 600 armed volunteers in Utah have been approved to patrol campuses across the state to comply with a new law requiring armed security. Called school guardians, the volunteers are existing school employees who agree to be trained by local law enforcement and carry guns on campus. | KUER Sign-up for the School (in)Security newsletter. Get the most critical news and information about students' rights, safety and well-being delivered straight to your inbox. No Jackass: Instagram announced new PG-13 content features that restrict teenagers from viewing posts that contain sex, drugs and risky stunts. | The Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Tuscaloosa, Alabama, school resource officer restrained and handcuffed a county commissioner after a spat at an elementary school awards program. | Tuscaloosa News The number of guns found at Minnesota schools has increased nearly threefold in the last several years, new state data show. | Axios More than half of Floridas school districts received bomb threats on a single evening last week. The threats werent credible, officials said, and appeared to be part of a hoax intended to solicit money. | News 6 ICYMI @The74 RAPID Survey Project, Stanford Center on Early Childhood Survey: Nearly Half of Families with Young Kids Struggling to Meet Basic Needs Education Department Leans on Right-Wing Allies to Push Civil Rights Probes OPINION: To Combat Polarization and Political Violence, Lets Connect Students Nationwide Emotional Support TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A USA Today study found one of two PFAS chemicals measured at the University of South Floridas Central Plant is more than six times than the enforceable limit given by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Central Plant houses the department responsible for all of the universitys utility systems, including water. DeSantis likely to sign bill allowing Ivermectin over the counter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA describes PFAS as forever chemicals, which are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. According to the agency, the enforceable limit for two types of PFAS PFOA and PFOS is four parts per trillion. The one measured at the universitys Central Plant was PFOS, according to the study. A look at Hillsborough County Here is a look into the PFAS levels, according to the report: City of Tampa Water Department: PFOS was measured 1.4 times over the limit at David L. Tippin WTF. Testing detected eight chemicals at two locations. The highest single measurement of PFOS was 1.7 times over the limit. Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department (HCPUD) Northwest Utilities: Testing detected two chemicals at one location. Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department (HCPUD) South-Central The highest single measurement was 1.4 times over the limit. Testing detected six chemicals at two locations. The highest single measurement was 1.4 times over the limit. Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department (HCPUD) Pebble Creek Subdivision Testing detected eight chemicals at one location. The highest single measurement of PFOS was 1.8 times over the limit. City of Temple Terrace Utility Testing detected six chemicals at two locations. The highest single measurement was 4.9 times over the limit. Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department (HCPUD) Seaboard Utilities PFOS was measured 1.2 times over the limit at Consecutive Connection Testing detected eight chemicals at one location. The highest single measurement was 1.8 times over the limit. Florida Governmental Utility Authority MacDill PFOS was measured 1.4 times over the limit at Consecutive Connection Testing detected six chemicals at one location. The highest single measurement was 1.4 times over the limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USF Associate Professor Marie Bourgeois told 8 On Your Side the finding isnt one to cause worry but rather provides more of a reason to keep studying the issue. I dont think were at a point where we have to be worried, but I do think were at a point where we need to be really pushing for more research, Bourgeois said. Bourgeois said PFAS are used in many every day industrial products and uses. I guess the easiest example for most people is Teflon. Its the thing that makes it so that half of your dinner doesnt stick to your frying pan, which was always kind of a nice thing. But one of the more common uses is aqueous firefighting foam. And so, its in turnout gear that firefighters wear, Bourgeois explained. I cant think of an industrial application where it might not be useful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bourgeois added the standards for PFAS continue to shift as researchers learn more. Enforceable levels move up and down. The thing about enforceable levels is we were on track to enforce levels for PFAS in a regulatory setting, but were starting to pull back from that, Bourgeois said. According to Bourgeois, animal studies have shown PFAS can affect the immune system and make vaccines less effective, but more work is needed to fully understand the impact on people. When you do an in vitro study or when you do a study thats on animals, you still have to sort of extrapolate to get that to humans. And its not a perfect jump from animals to people, Bourgeois said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the universitys factbook for the year 2023-2024, more than 47,000 students attend USFs main campus. Some students who spoke with News Channel 8 on the matter said they are now worried about the water accessible to students on campus. I pretty much use it everywhere at my work, in my dorm but now its making me feel worried; but Im sure the university must be doing something regarding it, said freshman computer science major Manan Patel. 8 On Your Side reached out to the university on the matter and was given this statement: The health and safety of the USF community is our highest priority. Most of the water that supplies USFs Tampa campus comes from five on-campus groundwater wells. USF routinely monitors the drinking water according to federal and state regulations and it remains safe for regular use and consumption. PFAS compounds are a complex and evolving topic that USF is closely looking into proactively. Currently there are no federal or state drinking water standards in effect for PFAS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is actively studying PFAS to determine if additional national drinking water standards should be established. As part of this effort, USF participates in the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 program, which includes additional testing for 29 PFAS compounds. This nationwide testing helps the EPA gather data to determine whether future regulations are needed to protect public health. Additionally, USF has chosen to proactively engage independent experts to continue to ensure the university has the latest information and federal guidance on PFAS and any other water quality regulatory issues, which further supports USFs commitment to providing safe drinking water. USF regularly shares water quality reports with members of the university community to keep them informed. More information can be found here . Ryan Hughes, Manager of Media Relations, University of South Florida Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A person was rescued from the Pacific Ocean near the Oceanside Pier Friday night, but was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being in distress in the water for nearly an hour. Several water rescue crews including the U.S. Coast Guard, lifeguards and the Oceanside Fire Department responded around 4:20 p.m. Friday to the beach close to 600 The Strand near the Oceanside Pier in downtown Oceanside for reports of a swimmer that did not return to shore, the Oceanside Police Department reported. Initial reports from police Friday night were a surfer was reported to be in distress without their board. Lifeguards deployed several resources, including a rescue watercraft and lifeguard boat, while the San Diego County Sheriffs ASTREA helicopter assisted from the air. Oceanside Police report the ASTREA helicopter found the missing swimmer just south of the Oceanside Pier and lifeguards and fire crews were able to get them to shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceanside Police confirmed the swimmer was rescued around 5:15 p.m., nearly an hour after they were first reported missing by family members on the beach. Police said first responders gave the swimmer life support on the scene, including CPR, before transporting them to a hospital in critical condition. SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky was overhead several rescue crews that were stationed at the pier. Rescue crews stationed at Oceanside Pier during water rescue (SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky) Oceanside Fire and Lifeguards are taking the opportunity to remind the public to always swim near staffed lifeguard towers, as ocean conditions can be unpredictable and hazardous for swimmers of all experience levels. Check back for updates on this developing story Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. After Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Heather Gay announced Bravos upcoming series, Surviving Mormonism, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started a trend on X of what surviving church is like for them. The trailer was released on Tuesday and shows the series is focused on allegations of abuse within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Productions like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Surviving Mormonism, highlight mostly negative aspects of the faith, leaving the impression for some that religious bigotry is involved in the framing of the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the church who disagree with that framing decided to respond in a light-hearted way by showing how they survive positive aspects of the faith. Others have taken a more serious-minded approach to critiquing Bravos new show. One X user said, Id love a bit more journalistic integrity from Bravo that would isolate these incidences instead of painting an entire group of people a certain way because of a handful of bad apples. Another wrote, Surviving Mormonism may be a truthful title if the church was corrupt and destructive. But it is not. Some bad (even awful) experiences of people in relation to a couple of members of that church does not allow them to say that they survived the church, in any honest or genuine way. What does surviving Mormonism look like to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? The memes about surviving church life began as a trickle and turned into a fire hose on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared Bell, who lives in Utah County, posted a photo from his doorbell of a man in his congregation holding a plate of cookies on his porch. He captioned his post, Surviving Mormonism, but its just my minister bringing me cookies and checking up on how my family is doing. Surviving Mormonism but its just my minister bringing me cookies and checking up on how my family is doing. pic.twitter.com/E6cNiNU6Tw Jared Bell (@jaredadairbell) October 23, 2025 Bell told the Deseret News, I wanted to capture what it really means to be surviving Mormonism ya know? Having to deal with lovely people all the time? Its tough. Them always being concerned about me and praying for my family and I? People that feel a desire to serve their neighbors. Can you imagine? He added jokingly, We really have to claw our way out of the loving, sharing and inviting nature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Surviving Mormonism and its just me having to retrieve the cart. https://t.co/kL8yc2F4Bi pic.twitter.com/X6YMOFeqt0 Dark Adam (@JAEbberts) October 22, 2025 Thomas Stevenson, a member of the church and an editor at The Post Millennial based in Washington, D.C., posted on Thursday, Just out here surviving Mormonism on a Link scooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevenson told the Deseret News that Bravos new miniseries looks like another weak attack on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But seeing members respond the way they did lightheartedly, expressing their faith with some humor shows what the church is really like," he said. Just out here surviving Mormonism on a Link scooter https://t.co/HapVfe9pLb pic.twitter.com/vpvKe8QUmI Thomas Stevenson (@RealTStevenson) October 23, 2025 Other posts showed humorous elements of church culture, like young men impressing girls at church by putting away as many folding chairs as possible or playing Latter-day Saint Jon Schmidts Waterfall on public pianos at Brigham Young University. Surviving Mormonism, but its just me carrying a bunch of chairs to impress girls at my ward. pic.twitter.com/jVM1bC4gOp Brother Cheerio (@ElGranCheerio) October 23, 2025 Abel Chirino, with the X username ElGranCheerio, told the Deseret News, Its absurd to suggest Mormonism is something one must survive. I survive because of the gospel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gospel and by extension, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the greatest force for good in my life," he said, adding that it pains him to see media companies and critics exploit vulnerable, emotionally hurt individuals to attack the Church. But the way members of the church have reacted to the miniseries shows they are normal, happy people who simply want to follow Christ. Surviving Mormonism but its just hearing a guy play Waterfall in the Wilk for the 10th time that week pic.twitter.com/bFljT7g5gm The Deseret Stone (@DeseretStone) October 24, 2025 And as Halloween approaches, many congregations are gathering for chili cook-offs and trunk-or-treats. Sang Kim posted a photo of himself at church on Thursday, balancing a muffin tin filled with 12 different chilies and a plate of cornbread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He captioned it, Surviving Mormonism, but its me trying to make room in my stomach to honor every contestant at our wards annual chili cook-off. Surviving Mormonism, but its me trying make room in my stomach to honor every contestant at our wards annual chile cook off pic.twitter.com/ZdhmReRLRl Sang Kim (@5lbtrout) October 24, 2025 One user commented on Kims post, The worth of bowls is great in the eyes of God. Another said, This should be surviving the next morning. Latter-day Saints receive national attention Members of the church have been the center of national attention online and in the news, following a shooting at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sept. 28. Latter-day Saints have raised almost $400,000 for the wife and child of the deceased shooter in a GiveSendGo. Oct. 24Susie Ferrara, manager of the SRS Cold War Historic Preservation Program, described the history of the Savannah River Plant, and the contributions made by women there, at the Aiken Standard's Women Today luncheon on Oct. 23. Her presentation, titled "Cold War Women and South Carolina's Best Kept Secret: Preserving the Legacy" detailed the earliest days of the Savannah River Plant from the initial announcement of its location through its construction and operation, and how DuPont employees shaped the culture of Aiken and surrounding communities during the Cold War. As Cold War Historic Preservation Program manager for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions at the Savannah River Site, Ferrara and her team are responsible for the preservation, management and treatment of historic properties, equipment, archival records and documents within the SRS Cold War Historic District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not an historian," said Ferrara, who works with a team of preservationists, historians and curators. "I promote what they do." The team works in a 27,000-square-foot facility initially constructed as a warehouse, curating a collection of Cold War artifacts to preserve decades of culture, accomplishments and history associated with life at the Savannah River Plant, now known as the Savannah River Site. The items in the collection are from 1950 to 1989, and focus on historical figures, historic events, the history of technology on and off site, and the social history of the men and women who worked there. Women worked in all levels of the organization, Ferrara said, including telephone operators, canteen workers and medical staff, but also as production operators and scientists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferrara listed a number of women who were trailblazers at Savannah River Plant. Elizabeth Baumann was one of the first professional women hired at SRP, working at Savannah River Laboratory for 35 years beginning in 1955. Dr. Mary Helen Deane was SRP's first female doctor, practicing there from 1953 until her retirement in 1960. She conducted pre-employment and annual physicals, and provided consultations and first aid to female employees. Rosa Burnette was hired in 1972, eventually becoming one of DuPont's first female production operators at SRP. Dr. Ruth Patrick did the initial environmental assessments of the property where the Savannah River Site would be built. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken is named in her honor, and promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for teachers and students in area schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Susan Wood was director of the Savannah River National Laboratory and is a past president of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness. Dr. Carol Jantzen played a pivotal role in designing the glass chemistry used in the Defense Waste Processing Facility, which converts high-level radioactive waste into a solid glass suitable for long term storage and disposal. Ferrara also provided an update on activities planned for the 75th anniversary of SRS. The SRS Museum, at 224 Laurens St. S.W., is installing an exhibit commemorating the site's 75 anniversary, displaying a special collection in their ongoing interpretation and presentation of artifacts and stories documenting the history and legacy of the Savannah River Plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferrara wants the children of the DuPont employees who built and operated the Savannah River Plant to know that their parent's memorabilia has historical value. "Don't throw it out," she said. "We'll take it." Police have arrested a suspect who reportedly shot a person around midday Saturday at the Austin Central Library downtown, authorities said. One victim was taken to a local hospital and is in serious but stable condition, officials said at a news conference. The first calls to police came in at 12:06 p.m., Assistant Chief Lee Rogers said. The suspect fled the library before emergency responders arrived but was arrested in South Austin more than an hour later. FINAL UPDATE: The suspect was taken into custody at 1:26 p.m in South Austin. This was NOT an active shooter incident, but rather an isolated incident with one suspect and one victim. The victim remains at the hospital in serious but stable condition. Thank you to our community https://t.co/eKcQx8FgaI Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) October 25, 2025 Currently, I dont know any information about that suspect, Rogers said. All I do know is that this appears to be an isolated incident not an active-shooter situation, but an isolated incident involving one shooter and one victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Austin Police Department described the suspect as a thin Black man wearing a gray hoodie, green shorts, black pants, black shoes and carrying two black bags. The shooting prompted a large police and emergency response and briefly shut down a stretch of West Cesar Chavez Street in front of the library. "Thank you to our community members who called in tips to lead to the quick apprehension of the suspect, and to our public safety partners who assisted at the scene," police said on X. Sharing the details in a post on X, the MND said, "9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1981888447271891190 Earlier in a post on X on Friday, it shared that 4 PLAN vessels were operating around Taiwan. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. On Thursday, MND detected three sorties of Chinese military aircraft and four Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters. Of the three, one sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. The fresh incursions mark yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. The frequent incursions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain. Meanwhile, China's swift growth and diversification of its nuclear capabilities have led to concerns that Beijing might engage in "nuclear blackmail" or even nuclear conflict with Western countries if they intervene in a Taiwan dispute, reminiscent of the warnings from the Kremlin during its incursion into Ukraine, as reported by Central News Agency (CNA).During the military parade on September 3 in Tiananmen Square, China showcased three missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads: the JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, and the DF-61 surface-to-surface intercontinental missile. This threatening exhibition of what analysts characterise as a potential Chinese "nuclear triad", the capacity to launch nuclear weapons via air, land, and sea, has heightened alarms among democratic nations. Previously, China did not possess the capability to conduct airborne nuclear strikes, according to CNA's report. (ANI) DENVER (KDVR) Investigators say a 32-year-old man may have been intoxicated on Oct. 17 when he hit three other vehicles, killing one person and injuring two others and himself. Cesar Hernandez-Sanchez, 32, was arrested and now faces 15 charges in connection with a crash on Highway 58 just after 7 p.m. on Oct. 17. Lockdown, secure status lifted at Sheridan schools after no weapon found The Wheat Ridge Police Department says that preliminary information on the crash shows the car was headed west when it crossed over the dirt median and entered the eastbound lanes, hitting three cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roadway was closed for hours as police investigated and cleared the wreckage. One person was killed, and two others sustained serious bodily injury but are expected to be OK. Hernandez-Sanchez was also seriously injured in the incident and was released from the hospital on Thursday, Oct. 23. After he was discharged, he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail. Suspect in ICE custody after I-225 shooting incident: Aurora police The First Judicial District Attorneys Office charged Hernandez-Sanchez with two counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of vehicular assault, and one count each of: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driving under the influence Driving a vehicle without a valid drivers license Reckless driving Hernandez-Sanchez is also facing seven traffic citations, which are: Drove vehicle the wrong way on a one-way roadway Failed to drive in a single lane Improper driving on a divided highway Drove on highway without headlights Failed to display lights with low visibility Displayed expired temporary permit over 60 days expired The police department said that its partners at Victim Outreach Incorporated have been in touch with the victims family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) An 18-year-old wanted for the shooting death of a congressional intern in June is now being sought in connection with a second deadly shooting that took place just days after, D.C. police announced Friday. Naqwan Antonio Lucas is wanted for first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Tarpinian-Jachym, a University of Massachusetts-Amherst student interning on the hill, was walking near the Mount Vernon Square Metro Station on the night of June 30 when he was shot, alongside two other people. He died at the hospital the next day. As a result, authorities arrested two other teen suspects, both 17, last month, charging them with first-degree murder while armed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressional intern killed in triple shooting in Mt. Vernon Square However, as police have continued to search for Lucas, detectives identified him as a suspect in a separate shooting that took place on the Fourth of July, killing 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, of Southeast. Photos of 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas. Courtesy: Metropolitan Police Department Officers found Kelley suffering from a gunshot wound at a home in the 1700 block of Benning Road, Northeast at around 5:20 p.m. on July 4, after responding to a call for trouble at the residence. The teen girl was pronounced dead at the scene. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Community holds vigil after two kids killed in DC in past few days A D.C. Superior Court Grand Jury indicted Lucas for first-degree murder while armed (premeditated) for Kelleys death. As both homicide investigations continue, officials urge anyone with information regarding Lucas whereabouts to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50511. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Metropolitan Police Department, in partnership with the FBIs Washington Field Office and the United States Marshals Service, is offering a reward of up to $75,000 for information that leads to Lucas arrest. Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. UNIONTOWN, Ala. (WHNT) According to District Attorney Robert H. Turner, Jr., 4th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, two people were arrested in Huntsville in connection with the murder of a Uniontown man. Turner says Martrell Carlisle and Jayelynn Cole were the two people caught in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Shermain Cain that happened on Oct. 12. Both were caught in Huntsville on Friday. Turner says they are being held at the Madison County Jail waiting to be transferred to Perry County, where they will both face two counts of Capital Murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Uniontown Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the United States Marshals Service worked together to bring the suspects into custody. Turner expressed deep gratitude to all law enforcement officers involved in the investigation and arrests. I want to commend the Uniontown Police Department, ALEA, and the U.S. Marshals for their tireless efforts and swift coordination in apprehending these suspects, Turner said. This was a senseless act of gun violence that took yet another young life in our community. The last murder was one too many. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY) In the span of four minutes, news 10 caught three separate explosions on camera at the former S.J. Montgomery Elementary school. Nearby residents, like Stephen Bordelon, said the booms began without warning shaking homes and setting off car alarms. We fully support all law enforcement officers. Bordelon said. We support their training. Like I said, Ive been here 20 years, so I fully support them training and school environments as well. But since Wednesday, the sheriffs office has been training across the street from us with no notice of explosives training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Bordelon said the unexpected blasts frightened pets and startled drivers passing by. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Our dogs are not happy right now. Bordelon said. If they didnt have PTSD before, they do now. You know, just like the the city always tells us. And like, my wife says, well, youre not allowed to shoot fireworks in the neighborhoods because of the animals and people with PTSD. It sure would have been nice to have a little notice about explosions in the neighborhood. The sheriffs office confirmed its SWAT team was undergoing explosive breaching training inside the abandoned school. Staff Sergeant Chris Cormier said the course was led by a nationally recognized company and the building was chosen because of its tough structure and its already been set for demolition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going over different scenarios like if a an active shooter would take place in a school or a hospital. Sgt. Cormier said. You know, those structures and doors are different and our swat team needs to be familiar and ready for any type of circumstances that may or may not occur in Lafayette Parish for the betterment of of our citizens. After neighborhood complaints, Sgt. Cormier said the sheriffs office terminated the training early. But hours after that interview News 10s cameras recorded multiple more explosions coming from the same site. We dont want t-o bother anyone any more than what we already have. Weve heard their complaints and we are terminating the training in the area. Sgt. Cormier said Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. LIMA The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District will offer Turkey Time at the McElroy Environmental Education Center, 2355 Ada Road, Lima, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Children ages 3 to 5, along with an adult companion, are invited to come learn about the wild turkeys that live in Ohio. Stories, songs and crafts will be a part of the program, which will also include a hike in the woods. Register preschoolers by Nov. 5 online at www.jampd.com or by calling the park office at 419-221-1232. Its a crisp night in the rugged mountains above Los Angeles following the first rains of fall. This is the night of the lustful tarantula and its filled with peril. Every year, male tarantulas strike out from their burrows in search of a lover. Finding one can be fatal, whether shes in the mood or not. Females are known to snack on their suitors. If the female is not receptive, you better run, said Rodrigo Monjaraz Ruedas, assistant curator of entomology for the Natural History Museum of L.A. County. Even if the female is receptive and they mate after they mate, the male needs to be really fast and sneaky because otherwise the female can also eat the male as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, October is typically a prime mating month for the bulky, hirsute spiders. Natural cues are key, with autumns initial precipitation generally triggering the march. Experts suspect males are following pheromones to hunkered-down females. While the arachnids inhabit areas such as the Angeles National Forest and Santa Monica Mountains year-round, mating season when the males are on the move offers the best opportunity to spot one. It runs from about July through November, and nighttime just after a rain is an ideal time to scout for the eight-legged critters. All is fair in love and war A tarantula love act begins with a courtship ritual. That might entail the male tapping on the ground or the females web and if shes receptive shell respond in kind. Because of the risk involved, male tarantulas use hook-like structures on their first pair of legs to hold the female during coitus, according to Monjaraz Ruedas. Another set of appendages, called pedipalps, are used to transfer sperm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A single act can produce hundreds of baby tarantulas adorably called spiderlings though many dont survive in the wild. Meet your local spiders There are 10 species of tarantulas roaming the Golden State, including at least two that can be found in L.A. County. The countys most common variety is the California ebony tarantula, or Aphonopelma eutylenum, which can range from light beige to their namesake color. The females leg span can reach up to five inches. Read more: You aren't cursed (probably). Spiders really are more active in L.A. right now Theres also the desert-dwelling Aphonopelma iodius, often found in the Mojave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California is home to more than 1,300 species of spiders, and about 40% of all of the nations spiders live in the state. As Monjaraz Ruedas put it, "that's a lot of species." What about those fangs? Flip around a tarantula so its belly up and youll be met with sizable fangs. Like almost all spiders, tarantulas have venom. They use it to eat. However, it doesnt pose a threat to humans, according to Monjaraz Ruedas, who likened it to the strength of bee venom. Typically, a spooked tarantula will try to run and hide, said Lisa Gonzalez, program manager of invertebrate living collections at the county Natural History Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're really not very bitey animals, she said. And I can say this with confidence because I've been working with spiders since I was a little girl. But there is another defense mechanism. A spider can flick off irritating hairs from the backside of its abdomen, which feel like fiberglass or minute cactus spines. A tarantula at the museum named Taco, recently brought out for educational purposes, initiated the behavior after gamely posing for the cameras for a while. In contrast, some parts of the tarantula feel almost like sable fur. "Theyre soft like kitties," Gonzalez said. Pitfalls of city living A male tarantula crosses a gravel road late in the evening on the Southern Plains Land Trust Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve near Lamar, Colo. (Helen H. Richardson /MediaNews Group / The Denver Post via Getty Images) Urbanization poses dangers for local tarantulas during mating season, according to Monjaraz Ruedas. On their quest to find mates, males can drown in backyard pools or get flattened on busy roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But in general mountains represent good habitat for them," he said, "so they can survive really well in those areas." Hankering to see the real deal? Tarantulas can be spotted in the wild or, for now, at the Natural History Museum. Through November, the museum features an open-air spider pavilion, a ticketed exhibit that allows visitors to walk amid hundreds of spiders known as orb weavers and their intricate webs. There are also enclosed habitats with species including tarantulas. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. At the end of the academic year, TCU will close its Department of Women and Gender Studies and the Department of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. Courses from these departments that remain intact will fall under the Department of English umbrella going forward. Given the Trump administrations opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in academic institutions, the move could lead some to believe politics contributed to TCUs decision. However, a source close to the university cautioned against drawing that conclusion, saying university decisions are not influenced by external pressure. Its a common practice to evaluate department structures to ensure alignment with student and academic need, in addition to the effective use of faculty and administrative resources, a statement from TCU read. Our university is growing, which means that we need more faculty and staff in areas of strong academic demand, not less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At schools nationwide, departments, offices and courses built around race and gender have faced increased attacks under President Trumps administration. In April, TCU eliminated its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and removed pages referencing DEI and LGBTQ services from its website. The university didnt comment on the reasons for closing the office, but TCU does still maintain its Center for Connected Culture. The centers website says, TCU fosters a community of growth where all Horned Frogs feel included and supported. In order to curb what he has deemed radicalism in higher education, President Trump has cut federal funding to universities across the country, and he recently asked nine colleges to sign his Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the compact, the universities would receive preference for federal funding if they meet certain criteria, including eliminating enrollment considerations based on gender, ethnicity and race. Another requirement is eliminating institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle and even spark violence against conservative ideas. Seven of the nine schools that were offered the compact MIT, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California, the University of Virginia, Dartmouth College and the University of Arizona declined to sign it. Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas in Austin have not announced a final decision. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A teenager was arrested by Shreveport police for allegedly starting the fatal fire on Milton Street that claimed two childrens lives. Information released by Shreveport police states that detectives determined that a 15-year-old boy who was living in the home is responsible for setting it on fire on October 13. Family members turned the teenager over to his probation officer just hours after the tragedy. The juvenile was already wanted for prior criminal offenses. Shreveport police arrested the teen for second-degree murder after two children died in the fire. The children attended Turner Elementary School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Caddo Parish School Board acknowledged their tragic passing during its recent meeting. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux also urged community support for the families experiencing this sudden loss. SPD extended its deepest condolences to the victims families by saying it hopes this arrest brings some measure of peace and closure. This was a heartbreaking case. Two innocent lives were lost, and our detectives refused to rest until answers were found. Were thankful for the Fire Departments partnership and the technological advancements that helped bring this investigation to a close, said Chief Wayne Smith. Investigators also credited advanced technology and teamwork for helping bring this case to a close. The department said the newly implemented Axon camera system provided critical footage that helped detectives piece together what happened, while the dedicated team at The Gingerbread House Childrens Advocacy Center worked tirelessly to gather information and evidence from family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) A teenage boy was arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in the Hutchison area, the Fairfax County Police Department announced Saturday. Police said felony petitions have been obtained for charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting from a vehicle. According to police, on Oct. 15 at 9:31 p.m., a community member alerted police to an unconscious man lying on the ground in the 13000 block of Parcher Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers arrived to find a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body and pronounced him dead at the scene. Fairfax County police recruit charged with DWI in Fauquier County Police transported the teen, whose identity has not been released, to the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center. The incident remains under investigation, and police said it does not appear to be a random act. Anyone with information is asked to call (703) 246-7800, option 2, or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Solvers by calling (866) 411-8477. Police said anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Former Queen Sirikit had been ill with a blood infection. The PRD said, "Despite the medical team's best efforts, her condition gradually worsened until Friday, October 24, 2025, at 9:21 PM, when she passed away peacefully at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, at the age of 93." https://x.com/prdthailand/status/1981847378828353985 Sirikit Kitiyakara was born on August 12, 1932. Her birthday is celebrated as Mother's Day in Thailand and is a national holiday. Married to King Bhumibol at the age of 18, who was later crowned as Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty, she was widely believed to be the world's longest-serving queen consort. King Bhumibol was the world's longest serving head of state who passed away in 2016 and was succeeded by the couple's son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the New York Times reported. It further noted that the Queen had rarely appeared in public since she had a debilitating stroke in 2012. She worked to support Buddhist groups and organisations in southern Thailand, promoted Thai handicrafts and had established the Support Foundation to help rural women produce and market their products, such as woven goods. Queen Sirikit also visited hundreds of development projects fostered by her husband. Known for her elegance and sense of fashion, she topped the International Best-Dressed List -- a prestigious annual ranking of the world's most stylish figures -- four times in the 1960s, the New York Times reported. It further noted that although Thailand's constitutional monarchy has no direct political power, it wields enormous influence. Queen Sirikit is survived by her three daughters, a son and sister Busba Kitiyakara Sathanapong. (ANI) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A teenager is facing a gun charge after a shooting left one person injured near Portlands Centennial High School Wednesday afternoon. Around 3:39 p.m. October 22, Portland police responded to a shooting by Southeast 174th Avenue and Southeast Haig Street. On the scene, officers found a 19-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his torso who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS: Maine Coon cats rescued from neglect up for adoption at Oregon Humane Society Investigators later identified the suspect as a 16-year-old male from Portland. The teen was arrested Thursday, and authorities seized a handgun as evidence. Authorities seized a handgun and arrested a 16-year-old boy from Portland following a shooting near Centennial High School that left a 19-year-old injured on Oct. 22, 2025 (Courtesy Portland Police Bureau). The teen was booked into the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention facility for unlawful use of a firearm charges, PPB said, noting no other suspects are being sought. Alaska Airlines adds direct flights to 4 new destinations from Portland Police said the shooting remains under investigation and PPB is working with the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office to consider additional charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear what led up to the shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a Northeast D.C. shooting that left a teenage boy hurt on Friday. In a post to the X platform at 6:37 p.m., police said officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of 50th Street NE. 2 girls shot in Southeast DC, police say There, a 15-year-old boy was found, conscious and breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) A 48-year-old Temple man, identified as Michael Bishoff, was shot and killed by police after a confrontation Thursday night near the 1200 block of West Avenue G. Police said the incident began around 9:51 p.m. when an officer noticed a man walking on private property and called for backup. Two officers arrived and tried to speak with Bishoff, but he ran west down an alley toward 25th Street. During the chase, officers followed him toward nearby railroad tracks. One officer reportedly warned him not to reach into his pocket before another said he believed the man had a knife. Officers drew their weapons and ordered him to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, Bishoff reportedly shouted threats toward one of the officers, saying he intended to kill him. The officer replied that he didnt want to hurt him and was only trying to talk. Bishoff refused commands to drop what he was holding and continued advancing, saying he would not stop or go to jail. Officers repeatedly asked him to drop the object and stop moving toward them. When Bishoff continued to close the distance while threatening to kill them, both officers fired their service weapons. The object in his hand, initially thought to be a knife, was later determined to be two mechanical pencils. Officers immediately began CPR and other life-saving efforts until paramedics arrived. Bishoff was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, which is standard procedure when a death results from a police use of force. Both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined Iowa and 23 other states in filing a brief with the Supreme Court of the United States, urging the Court to reconsider how the Constitution defines birthright citizenship. In a 30-page amicus brief, the coalition argues that the 14th Amendments Citizenship Clause which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens has been interpreted too broadly. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The states contend that automatic citizenship should apply only to children whose parents are lawfully present and owe allegiance to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that citizenship is guaranteed to everyone born in the United States doesnt square with the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment or the way many government officials and legal analysts understood the law when it was adopted after the Civil War, Skrmetti said in a statement. The filing draws on historical sources from the Reconstruction era through the early 1900s, suggesting that lawmakers at the time tied citizenship to parental domicile and legal status. It also challenges the long-standing interpretation of United States v. Wong Kim Ark, an 1898 Supreme Court decision involving a man born in San Francisco to Chinese parents residing in the U.S. That ruling has served as the foundation for modern birthright citizenship. I have not seen a case of that before Wong Kim Ark or after in which a person had been denied citizenship based on the fact that their parents did not have a legal presence or as Skrmetti or others are arguing that they were not intending to be permanent residence and therefore lacked allegiance to the United States, Jim Holton, a lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University, said. Tennessee is joined by states including Florida, Georgia, Texas and Missouri, to name some. They argue the Supreme Court should clarify who qualifies for automatic citizenship under the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court in deciding that case very firmly stated that his own parentage did not matter that all that mattered was that Wong Kim Ark was born in the United States, and he owed his allegiance to the United States from the very beginning, Holton said. I think its very remarkable because at that point, Chinese immigrants were not allowed to become citizens, all Asian immigrants were not allowed to become citizens. Its unclear how this would play out if overturned. Some questions have arisen about whether the government would have to verify parental status for every birth or potentially create a class of people born in the U.S. without any citizenship anywhere. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com That is a fear that somebody could be stateless or a second-class citizen, which this country has traditionally, something which this country never had to encounter, said Bill Gerstein, an immigration attorney at Gerstein & Gerstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skrmetti is expected to discuss Tennessees role in the filing in the coming days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. As early voting is under way, experts are raising concerns that a Texas constitutional amendment that would change bail laws could increase the strain on an overcrowded Harris County Jail and backlogged felony court system, while crime victim advocates argue it's a necessary law change to ensure public safety. Proposition 3 would expand the power of district court judges to deny bail for people accused of certain violent or sexual crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, 75% of proposed constitutional amendments have been passed by voters since 1876, according to Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy research organization. Texans have previously voted on five constitutional amendments related to denying bail, each of which was approved with at least 79% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. Only capital murder defendants and people accused of certain repeat felonies or bail violations can be denied bail under the state constitution. Proposition 3 would expand judges' power to deny bail, after a hearing, to people charged with murder, capital murder, some forms of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child and human trafficking. Judges must also provide a written order containing findings and a statement explaining their decision. RELATED: New bail law could 'wreak havoc' on Harris County courts Gov. Greg Abbott made bail reform a top priority in the most recent legislative session, often using Houston crimes as justification for stricter laws. After lawmakers passed four new pieces of legislation targeting bail laws, Abbott signed the package into law at the Crime Stoppers of Houston headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Joint Resolution 5, the bill that created the proposition, received bipartisan support from a majority of state lawmakers. Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston and the author of SJR 5, said it was a common-sense law that would save lives. "Now more than ever, it is clear that our local officials making bail determinations day in and day out need this discretionary tool to protect the people of Texas," Huffman said during a February Senate Session. Andy Kahan, director of victim services for Crime Stoppers of Houston, said Proposition 3 is not a mandate, but instead gives judges discretion when it comes to bail decisions. The murder case of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was a situation in which a judge was constitutionally required to set bail, Kahan said. The two men charged in Nungaray's death have been in the Harris County Jail for 15 months on $10 million bail each. "The public was visibly, highly upset that the judge granted a bond, albeit a high bond," he said. "We kept telling people, Guess what? The judge had no choice.'" Andy Kahan, Crime Stoppers director of victim services and advocacy, left, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare and University of Houston Police Chief Ceaser Moore, right, are shown during a media conference at Crime Stoppers of Houston, 3001 Main St., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Houston. They provided an update on the search for the University of Houston sexual assault suspect Eric Brown. (Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer) Crime Stoppers has documented that more than 200 Harris County residents have been murdered since 2019 by individuals who were released on either multiple felony or personal recognizance bonds, according to Kahan. Many Harris County judges are often constitutionally required to set bail for repeat offenders, even when they don't want to - something Proposition 3 would change, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Judges will have) discretion when prosecutors prove a person charged with this particular violent offense is a threat to public safety," he said. "There are so many safeguards built into this amendment, which is why it's not going to be a panacea, or people being locked up for trivial reasons." Proposition could worsen pretrial bottleneck, overcrowded jail Harris County is facing an overcrowded jail and a backlog of felony cases, issues that experts say could be exacerbated under Proposition 3. The jail population has decreased by 11% since February, according to county data, a development that can in part be attributed to recent efforts by the Harris County District Attorney's Office to reduce a backlog of felony cases by sending more defendants to trial or diversion programs. By the end of the month, the district attorney's office in on track to surpass last year's total number of trials. However, if more defendants are denied bail under Proposition 3, it could slow the county's felony court system, said Sandra Thompson, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center and former director of the center's Criminal Justice Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think one concern that this proposal raises is this idea of having hearings to deny people bail, which is going to take more time for the attorneys as well as for the courts, and can contribute to more backlog," she said. When trials are delayed, it can infringe on defendants' constitutional right to a speedy trial, Thompson said. "When cases languish, it causes a witness's memory to fade, a witness can die, and it just makes everything harder," she said. "The judicial efficiency and court backlogs are a very serious concern for public safety and for the individuals affected." Kahan said he doesn't believe the amendment will slow the court system or have much of an effect on the jail population. It's unclear the number of defendants who would be ineligible for bail under the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Only select individuals meet the criteria and are charged with violent offenses," he said. But, if Harris County's work to decrease the jail population was undone under Proposition 3, it could create additional costs for the county and worsen conditions inside the facility, said Howard Henderson, a criminal justice professor at Texas Southern University and founding director of the Center for Justice Research. It would also disproportionately affect indigent defendants and people of color, Henderson said. "The Harris County Jail is more than likely going to see an increase in the number of individuals they house, which means they're going to need additional resources," he said. The county spent $54 million last year to outsource the housing of roughly 1,300 inmates due to overcrowding. With the decrease in the jail population, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said he hopes to end a contract with a private jail in Mississippi by Thanksgiving, saving the county roughly $4 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questions remain regarding how the law would be implemented if Proposition 3 passes, Thompson said. Nevertheless, the law demonstrates a shift away from the belief that denying a defendant bail is an extreme step that threatens their civil liberties, she said. "If people aren't happy with what judges are doing, we have a system of elections," she said. "If the focus is Harris County, the people in Harris County are electing their judges, so presumably they can do something about it if they're not happy with their judges. It sort of calls into question why we need a statewide measure if, ostensibly, the concern is in one county where the people are electing those judges?" This article originally published at As Texans vote on Prop. 3, some experts warn of added strain on Harris County jail and courts. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) A Texas most wanted fugitive was finally captured in Wichita Falls. According to the Texas DPS, Tyler Lee Palmer, 29, was captured and arrested on October 23, 2025, after DPS special agents used investigative information to track him to a hotel in Wichita Falls. Palmer is a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive. In 2021, Palmer was sentenced to five years of probation after being convicted of four counts of Aggravated Assault Causes Serious Bodily Injury and was sentenced to three years of probation in 2022 for Possession of Controlled Substances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant for Palmers arrest was issued in May 2025 in Wichita County for violating his probation. Palmers capture and arrest were not because of a tip received through the Texas Crime Stoppers, so no reward was given out. You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Texas authorities captured three of the states most wanted fugitives across three cities within eight days, marking a significant law enforcement sweep in October. Ryan Lewis, Tommie Kelly, and Tyler Palmer were arrested in Milano, Houston, and Wichita Falls between October 15 and 23. All three men faced serious charges ranging from child sexual assault to probation violations. Ryan Cade Lewis, 26, was apprehended in a Milano parking lot on October 15. Texas Department of Public Safety agents from Bryan worked with the Milam County Sheriffs Office to locate him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis had been wanted since April 2025 on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was previously convicted in 2022 of two counts of firearm theft in Freestone County. Tommie Delamont Kelly, 34, surrendered at a Houston car wash on October 22. DPS agents, Highway Patrol troopers, and personnel from the Attorney Generals Office coordinated his arrest. Kelly failed to comply with sex offender registration requirements after his 2011 conviction. He had served 11 years for the aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Tyler Lee Palmer, 29, was captured at a Wichita Falls motel on October 23. DPS Special Agents tracked him down using investigative information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palmer violated probation on multiple violent felony convictions from 2021 and 2022. His original charges included four counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. No Crime Stoppers rewards will be paid for these arrests. The program typically offers cash for tips leading to captures of Texas 10 Most Wanted. So far in 2025, authorities have arrested 58 Most Wanted individuals. This includes 23 sex offenders and 13 criminal illegal immigrants, with $41,000 paid in rewards. The Texas Crime Stoppers program, funded by the Governors Public Safety Office, accepts anonymous tips. Citizens can report information by phone (1-800-252-TIPS), web, or Facebook submissions. Authorities warn the public not to approach these fugitives directly. They are considered armed and dangerous. Subscribe to The Yall a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state. Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. McALLEN Mexico failed to deliver millions of gallons of water to South Texas farmers, in defiance of a 1944 treaty. Now, members of Texas congressional delegation are calling on the Trump administration to make Mexicos failure a part of upcoming trade negotiations including new sanctions if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley are facing another year of insufficient water for their crops as the deadline for Mexico to deliver water to the U.S. under the treaty arrived on Friday, turning the countrys water deficit into a debt. After months of lawmakers pressuring Mexico into making good on its obligations, they now see the upcoming review of the U.S. trade agreement with Mexico as an opportunity to compel the states southern neighbor to comply. The 1944 treaty requires Mexico to deliver 1,750,000 acre-feet of water to the U.S. from six tributaries in Mexico every five years, or 350,000 acre-feet per year. In exchange, the U.S. gives Mexico 1,500,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River every year. However, Mexico ended the five-year cycle Friday with a debt of 925,000 acre-feet, according to preliminary numbers from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. An amendment to the treaty allows the debt to roll into the next five-year cycle under times of extraordinary drought. It is not the first time Mexico has had to play catch-up. TCEQ continues to work closely with our federal partners, including the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to have reliability and consistency under the treaty, the state agency said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmers and ranchers have been strained by the lack of water, and have limited how much they plant. The situation has been exacerbated by drought that has impacted farmers on both sides of the Rio Grande. Mexican officials have cited the drought as the reason for its inability to make good on its water obligations. The Texas delegation has tried to find ways to pressure Mexico to deliver more water. In April, the U.S. and Mexico signed an agreement by which Mexico committed to deliver between 324,000 420,000 acre-feet by the end of October. As of Oct. 11, they had delivered just 281,436 acre-feet. The International Boundary and Water Commission, the federal agency that oversees the treaty, was not able to provide updated information because of the government shutdown. In a statement late Friday, Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mexico had complied with the April agreement, confirming that the final volume of water delivered by the end of the cycle fell within the agreed-upon range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to find solutions to facilitate the management and distribution of this vital resource; and move forward in a coordinated manner with the United States for the well-being of residents on both sides of the border, the ministry stated. Impact on farmers Sonny Hinojosa, a water advocate for Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2, an entity that provides water to farmers, said the water Mexico delivered as part of the April agreement provided some relief, farmers still only have about 50% of what they need in a year, which is about a million acre-feet. Next spring, we may not have sufficient water to grow all our crops, Hinojosa said. Hurricane season came and went, we got no relief, so well be facing a fourth year of water shortage. Because of the limited ability to grow crops, farmers arent able to sell as much as they did in years prior. To address the cut to their income, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg, led an effort to provide $280 million in grant funding to South Texas farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The larger farming ecosystem in the Valley is suffering, said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of Texas International Produce Association. The impacts extend to other businesses like trucking companies, seed and chemical companies, and insurance companies, as well as workers who harvest the crops, Galeazzi said. You have this big ecosystem of other adjacent businesses who also arent getting business because the farmers arent, Galeazzi said. Fruits and vegetable growers are also likely to lose customers like grocery stores. Once lost, he said, it will be difficult to convince those customers to come back after they found growers who were more reliable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citrus industry faces the greatest risk from water shortages. Farmers worry theyre headed toward a similar collapse that shuttered the Valleys sugar industry. The last sugar mill in 2024. Investors hope to revive the sugar mill and the Texas sugarcane industry along with it, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced last month. Dale Murden, president of Texas Citrus Mutual a trade association representing the interests of citrus growers said the water treaty deadline is more than just a date for the farmers who rely on that water. Its a test of whether we value the livelihoods of thousands of Texans who help feed our country, Murden said in a statement. We need the U.S. State Department to hold Mexico accountable and ensure deliveries are made on time and in full. Trade negotiations Mexico must face consequences, De La Cruz said. The congresswoman wants to include enforcement of the water treaty into the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade deal between the three North American countries, which is up for review next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De La Cruz said she has met with the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Secretary of State Marco Rubios team, and with the U.S. trade representatives who will be negotiating the terms of the agreement. Our crisis in deep South Texas affects the entire United States, she said, suggesting the U.S. cannot rely on other countries to feed it. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo who represents the western Rio Grande Valley, agreed that the U.S. government must enforce the stipulations in the water treaty. Mexico has failed to make good on its obligations for decades, he said. Weve seen that over the years where they get behind, they pay, and then they start their clock again, Cuellar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. should consider withholding water in retaliation, he said. We said weve got to cut funding for Mexico, but they didnt even blink, Cuellar said. So its gotta be something more direct with water, something that will get Mexicos attention. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was among the lawmakers pushing to withhold funds from Mexico, a measure included in a bill that ultimately did not pass. He said hes open to using any tool the U.S. has to force Mexico to comply, although doesnt think the water treaty has to be included in the language of USMCA. Weve seen President Trump use trade as leverage to accomplish other goals, Cornyn said. It doesnt have to be included in the USMCA per se, but it can be discussed jointly or in connection with that to accomplish the goal of getting release of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn, who chairs the subcommittee on international trade, customs, and global competitiveness, said including water treaty compliance into trade talks was inevitable. I intend to do everything I can to insist upon it, he said. Other solutions Lawmakers agree that solutions must go beyond the enforcement of the current treaty. Cornyn said the current treaty needs to be renegotiated to ensure there are periodic, annual releases of water. We cant just wait for a five-year period of time and then have Mexico finally release the water at the end of that five-year period. Meanwhile, all the crops and the livestock have shriveled up and died, Cornyn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuellar noted that even if Mexico were to deliver all the water currently owed, hydrology data released by the IBWC, shows that the international reservoirs that store water for the region have received significantly less water over the years from U.S. tributaries. Even if we got Mexico to put all the water back, it would not be enough, he said, adding that leaders needed to also focus on conservation efforts and looking for other sources of water aside from the river to ensure there is sufficient water as the population continues to grow. Weve got to look at secondary sources of water, because we cant keep going this way, its short-sighted, Cuellar said. We need to do it on the enforcement, but thats only part of the issue. Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Texas Citrus Mutual has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Texas Game Wardens honored several personnel for their bravery and selflessness in the line of duty. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which oversees the agency, held an awards ceremony in Austin to honor wardens service, the agency announced in a press release. Officials presented multiple wardens with the Directors Medal of Valor, the Directors Medal of Merit, and the Directors Citation for their work responding to the deadly July floods in Central Texas. They also presented the Directors Life-Saving Award to nine wardens and one mechanic and recognized multiple promotions. Directors Medal of Valor The Directors Medal of Valor is the highest honor the TPWD can bestow, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This prestigious award recognizes employees who distinguish themselves through acts of extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of life-threatening danger, the release reads. Recipients have demonstrated voluntary acts of bravery or self-sacrifice so exceptionally that they clearly set themselves apart. Sgt. Brent Biggs Texas Game Warden, Aviation . He served as the tactical flight officer aboard a helicopter in treacherous, life-threatening conditions, with Pilot Lt. Robert Mitchell and Helicopter Rescue Tech. Game Warden Jacob Crumpton, he helped rescue people from the raging Guadalupe River. From Kerrville, Biggs helped with evacuation and recovery efforts over the next days, including in the flood-stricken Camp Mystic. Mitchell Rescue Pilot . He flew through dangerous conditions, showing exceptional skill and composure during search and rescue operations along the Guadalupe. He helped rescue several victims in the early hours of the floods, including at Camp Mystic. Crumpton Concho County Game Warden, Search and Rescue. Helicopter Rescue Technician . Risking his own life and safety, he was lowered into fast-moving floodwaters to save victims. His courage and commitment to the safety of others was instrumental in saving multiple lives. Crumpton continued to serve after the initial threat, helping evacuation and recovery. John Compton Menard County Game Warden, Search and Rescue . He launched a rescue boat into the debris-filled Guadalupe with other wardens, pulling victims from trees and helping helicopter extractions. Compton continued to assist through the following days. Ray Milloway Lampasas County Game Warden, Search and Rescue . He also risked his life, launching rescue boats into the Guadalupe to save trapped flood victims. He directly participated in extracting victims from life-threatening situations. Milloway worked tirelessly during the early hours and continued to assist. Michael Serbanic McLennan County Game Warden, Search and Rescue . He assisted boat operations on the Guadalupe, rescuing victims from trees and assisting with helicopter rescues. His determined response, despite the dangerous conditions, contributed directly to the survival of multiple individuals. Serbanic continued to help rescue efforts in Kerr County and beyond. Richard Whitt Mills County Game Warden, Search and Rescue. He also helped with boat rescues on the Guadalupe. Whitts determination to protect others was obvious as he and his team worked countless hours. Directors Medal of Merit The Directors Medal of Merit is for employees who have shown exceptional service beyond the normal course of duty, according to the release. This recognizes actions beyond normal expectations or requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asst. Cmdr. Brandon Rose Texas Game Warden, Aviation . He showed exemplary service and skill as the pilot of a helicopter that brought personnel and supplies to Camp Mystic, evacuated victims, and supported ground operations. Lt. Tyler Stoikes Texas Game Warden, Aviation . He was aboard the same helicopter, offering technical skill and steady presence under pressure to help ensure operations went smoothly. Sgt. Doug White Texas Game Warden, Aviation. Tactical Flight Officer. He also helped rescue efforts aboard the helicopter, providing support during supply and personnel deliveries to Camp Mystic. Dustyn Jansky Guadalupe County Game Warden, Unmanned Aircraft and Rural Operations . A helicopter dropped him into Camp Mystic, where he helped direct communications, evacuations, and landings in extreme conditions. He played a critical role in coordinating emergency response. Cooper Wolken Maverick County Game Warden, Rural Operations. A helicopter also dropped him into the camp, where he helped coordinate communications, evacuations, and landings. He continued to help in the days ahead. Directors Citation The Directors Citation honors personnel whose dedication, judgment, and perseverance have brought distinguished service, according to the release. Dustin Barrett Kerr County Game Warden . He was invaluable in rescue and recovery operations through the entire flood response, offering his knowledge of the county to establish the Incident Command Post and guide local operations. He worked alongside Game Warden Emily Slubar to coordinate resources, reduce delays, and improve communication. Slubar Guadalupe County Game Warden . She established an incident command post and directed resources to critical rescue areas, coordinating with state agencies like the Texas Department of Public Safety. Ryan Cobb Kenedy County Game Warden, Unmanned Aircraft . He quickly deployed a live digital map to track search-and-rescue efforts, enhancing the safety and efficiency of emergency operations and enabling analysis afterward. Dennis Gazaway Uvalde County Game Warden . He applied his training to coordinate personnel, equipment, and resources, establishing protocols that laid the groundwork for the mission. He also coordinated with the Kerr County Sheriffs Office. Maj. Luis Sosa Senior Staff. He supervised the incident command, directing the response plan and ensuring effective communication. He showed steadfast leadership, professionalism and commitment. Directors Life Saving Award This award goes to employees who directly helped save a human life through exceptional action, courage, and judgment, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis Brock, Conner Sumbera Houston County Game Wardens . The wardens responded to a distress call from three stranded hunters in the Big Slough Wilderness Area in the Davy Crockett National Forest early on February 17. They found one hunter with hypothermia and hiked another mile to reach the other two. One was safe, but the other was stuck across a flooded creek. Sumbera swam through the water to reach him, and they successfully saved the hunters. Serbanic, Michael Ferguson Falls County Game Warden . Ferguson and Serbanic rescued a man trapped in an underwater vehicle during severe flooding in Riesel on May 6. They entered chest-deep water, broke a window, and saved the victim before the vehicle was swept away. Orion Macias Nueces County Game Warden, Cory Schlapia Boat Mechanic, Sgt. Michael Gonzalez, Sgt. Travis Haug . The men were on a game warden patrol vessel for the opening of snapper season, 40 miles off the coast, when they responded to a life-threatening emergency on a nearby vessel. They saved the patient and coordinated a Coast Guard helicopter rescue. Joseph Sellers Tarrant County Game Warden . He was patrolling Eagle Mountain Lake on August 3 when he learned a boater had fallen between a dock and a boat and was struggling to stay afloat. He jumped in the water and helped bring the man back to the dock. Keegan Moore Runnels County Game Warden. While traveling through Coleman County, he saw a major accident between a vehicle and construction equipment. He saw the driver, with a major arm wound, and stopped the bleeding. A paramedic confirmed that this saved the drivers life. Also during the ceremony, the Texas Game Wardens announced the Prosecutor of the Year the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, according to the press release. The agency called the office a steadfast partner under the leadership of District Attorney Brett Ligion, First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley, and Chief Prosecutor Michael Ghutzman. Officials applauded the prosecutors office for pursuing wildlife crime charges and for consistent training and collaboration. The prosecutors office specifically initiated charges in the Ghost Deer Investigation, a statewide case that has secured 62 convictions for deer breeding and drug trafficking. The Texas Game Wardens have been proactive in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this summer, investigating several drownings on Lake Lewisville, as The Dallas Express reported. The agency also helped investigate an incident on Lake Grapevine, where an illegal alien from Venezuela struck and killed a young woman with a jet ski. Former officer in the USA's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Kiriakou, in a stunning revelation, disclosed that America had refrained from eliminating Abdul Qadeer Khan, the architect of Pakistan's atomic bomb and a prolific proliferator of nuclear technology, after 'direct intervention' by the Saudi government. In an interview with ANI, Kiriakou, who spent 15 years in the CIA as an analyst and later in counterterrorism operations, said that the US had precise operational details of Khan, including his daily routine and residence. However, the agency was instructed not to act, following diplomatic pressure from Riyadh. "A colleague of mine was dealing with A Q Khan," Kiriakou said. "If we had taken the Israeli approach, we would have just killed him. He was easy enough to find. We knew where he lived. We knew how he spent his day. But he also had the support of the Saudi government. And the Saudis came to us and said, 'Please leave him alone. Please. We like A Q Khan. We're working with A.Q. Khan. We're close to the Pakistanis...They named Faisalabad after King Faisal. Just leave him alone," the former CIA officer said. According to Kiriakou, this diplomatic pressure resulted in what he called a major US policy failure, a "mistake" by Washington. "This was a mistake that the US government made, not confronting A Q Khan head-on," he said. Kiriakou added that during his later work with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he discovered that multiple CIA and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials confirmed that the White House had issued instructions not to target Khan. "And it had to be because the Saudis were demanding it, insisting on it," he added. Kiriakou went further, suggesting that the Saudis' protection of Khan may have been linked to their own nuclear ambitions. "We often wondered if it was because the Saudis were also building a nuclear capability. I think that's something we should probably be thinking about," he remarked. Khan, born in undivided India in Bhopal in 1936, immigrated with his family to Pakistan in 1952 after the partition in 1947. He died in Islamabad in 2021 at the age of 85. Khan was one of the most notorious nuclear smugglers in the world as he smuggled technology to rogue states like North Korea, Iran and Libya. He is called the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, making his country the world's first "Islamic nuclear power". Commenting on the recently signed Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, Kiriakou suggested that Riyadh may now be "calling in its investment." He laughed off the pact's significance, saying that Pakistanis form the backbone of the Saudi military. "Almost the entire Saudi military is Pakistani. No Saudi is going to join the military unless they're going to make him a general. There are no privates or corporals who are Saudi. They're all Pakistani. It's the Pakistanis that protect Saudi Arabia on the ground," he noted. Earlier in September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement", pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both. On the question of whether a Saudi "nuclear umbrella" was realistic, Kiriakou was dismissive. "I don't think it is realistic," he said. But he agreed that the partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh, spanning decades, has strategic depth that extends beyond conventional defence. Reflecting on Washington's broader foreign policy approach, Kiriakou offered a blunt assessment of its ties with Saudi Arabia despite the 9/11 attacks carried out largely by Saudi nationals. "We like to try to convince the world that we are a shining beacon of hope for democracy, human rights, and equality. And it's just simply not true," he said. "Our foreign relations are based on our national needs at any given moment. We don't do things because they're the right thing to do. We do them because they happen to be good for us that day, which is why we get into bed with so many dictators around the world," he added. (ANI) (The Center Square) Medical group Do No Harm filed a federal civil rights complaint against a Texas healthcare system for using racially discriminatory criteria when selecting its vendors, some stipulations being that a vendor must be minority- or woman-owned. Do No Harms medical director Kurt Miceli told The Center Square: By using racially discriminatory criteria to select vendors, JPS Health Network is depriving well-deserving businesses of a fair opportunity to contract with the health system. Such unjust criteria damage the integrity of the medical field and promote a culture of mediocrity in this critical industry, Miceli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miceli said that merit and expertise should be prioritized at every level of healthcare whether it's doctors, fellowships, students, or vendors. JPS Health Network also known as The Tarrant County Hospital District possesses a 582-bed hospital, more than 25 community-based clinics, and a team of over 7,200 professionals, according to its website. A Do No Harm press release stated that JPS Health Network solicits proposals from vendors offering consulting services. To satisfy the criteria, JPS vendors must be a minority, woman, or veteran-owned business enterprise (MWVBE) or demonstrate efforts to subcontract with such businesses, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once selected, JPS continues to assess the vendors minority participation and may exclude the vendor from future contract opportunities if it fails to meet the criteria at any point, according to the release. Do No Harm said that since JPS is federally funded, its vendor criteria is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibit racial discrimination by healthcare providers receiving federal funds. When reached, JPS told The Center Square: JPS Health Network is aware of the referenced complaint, and we are continuing to review the matter. As the allegations are unverified, we will not comment on the specifics other than to say, we believe our policies to be consistent and aligned with those of Tarrant County which encourages participation by small and historically underutilized businesses, JPS said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil rights complaint was filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights. When reached for comment, HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard told The Center Square HHS cannot comment on potential or ongoing investigations. Do No Harms Miceli told The Center Square that rooting out identity politics from any system, including healthcare, requires focusing on merit, evidence-based practices, and equal treatment under the law. Medical institutions that promote harmful ideologies in medicine must be systematically exposed, Miceli said. As seen in recent months, medical systems will correct course in response to public pressure. Sometimes, more assertive actions are needed to eliminate identity politics such as lawsuits, complaints, and investigations, Miceli said. Do No Harm remains committed to prioritizing patients over politics, Miceli told The Center Square. The familiar phrase "they're coming for your guns" may no longer be hyperbole if the U.S. Supreme Court has anything to say about it. On Monday, the Supreme Court said it would consider whether regular marijuana users can legally own firearms. This comes after the White House asked justices to re-examine a case against a Texas man, Ali Danial Hemani, who was charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot smoker. SCOTUS typically hears arguments in the fall season and aims to issue decisions by late June or early July, though exact timing is rarely predictable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the Republican administration supports broad Second Amendment rights, its lawyers are defending the ban. Appellate judges have said the law applies to people accused of being high and armed at the same time. The law in question is focused on: 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), which prohibits firearm possession by any person who is "an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance." The dispute isn't about a new gun-control law but about how existing federal rules collide with changing attitudes toward marijuana. The justices' decision could test the limits of how the Second Amendment applies to people who use substances that are still illegal under federal law. Court records show investigators found a Glock 9 mm pistol, about 60 grams of marijuana, and 4.7 grams of cocaine in Hemani's home. Still, much of the legal focus centers on his marijuana use. His attorneys argued that the broadly worded federal statute puts millions of Americans at risk of technical violations. "The issue here is whether the federal government can prosecute people for owning firearms while being a user or addicted to a controlled substance," Seth Chandler, attorney and professor at the University of Houston Law Center, explained. "So, it doesn't make any difference whether Texas permits you to own a firearm. The federal government is coming in and saying, 'We don't care that Texas thinks it's fine that you own a firearm. We, the federal government, do not think it's fine that you own a firearm and are therefore going to criminally prosecute you because you are a user of or are addicted to marijuana.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Texans' attitudes toward cannabis may have changed, per a recent UH Hobby School Survey, Chandler argues that whether it is fair to go after marijuana users is beside the point. "Congress has singled out use of controlled substances as a basis for restricting people's ability to own firearms, and there are a lot of people who think that that is not a very precise measure as to who should be prohibited from owning a firearm," he added. "You may think the law is stupid, but the fact that the law is stupid doesn't mean that it's unconstitutional." Other legal experts, like criminal defense attorney Maverick Ray admit that Texas' murky marijuana might make it hard to enforce. And the ongoing dispute between Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over THC restrictions hasn't helped. "We can't even enforce the prosecution of suspected illegal marijuana possessionsimple possession," he noted. "We haven't developed scientific testing to properly differentiate THCA, which has been legalized here in Texas and across the United States, versus actual illegal marijuana." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ray pointed out as well that targeting marijuana as a "controlled substance" seems like an easy target when there are arguably other substances that should be examined. "It's a little absurd," Ray said. "Common sense tells you there's a whole lot of other substances, even legal ones that cause one's mind to be more violent, to be more out of control that you wouldn't want possessing a firearm. Take, for instance, alcohol. Alcohol is going to go completely unscathed from this whole challenge, because the federal law specifically says alcohol is legal. So since alcohol is not classified as a controlled substance for this statute's purposes, it basically allows you to get as wasted as you want and have a firearm." Whichever way the pendulum swings, the Supreme Court's ruling could nonetheless have far-reaching consequences for gun owners nationwide, especially in states where marijuana is legal but still banned federally. A decision is expected sometime next year. More News Politics | Latina Democrat enters 2026 Texas governor battle Gulf Coast | Strange boxes found on Texas beaches carry a toxic secret History | How a 1973 homicide led Houston to a notorious serial killer Money | Here's how much you need to live comfortably in Houston For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here. This article originally published at Texas man's pot-and-gun case tests federal cannabis law. Queen Sirikit, the glamorous mother of Thailands King Vajiralongkorn, died on Friday night aged 93. Her late husband King Bhumibol Adulyadej was Thailands longest-serving monarch and much revered across the southeast Asian country. He was succeeded by the couples oldest son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, after his death in 2016. But Queen Sirikit was popular in her own right and a key maternal figure, with Mothers Day celebrated as a national holiday on her birthday, August 12. It is also common to see her portrait hanging in homes, offices and public spaces nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a statement from the Thai Royal Household Bureau, the Queen died peacefully at 9.21pm local time (3.21pm BST) on Friday night after complications of blood sepsis. She had been hospitalised since 2019, but rarely had been seen in public for more than a decade, having suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L), next to Queen Sirikit (C) and Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (R) during his 80th birthday celebrations at the Grand Palace in Bangkok in 2007 - AFP The royal family and household will now observe a year-long mourning period, while prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has adjusted his trip to the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. The cabinet is set to meet on Saturday to discuss plans for a royal funeral. Queen Sirikit, who was herself born into royalty as the daughter of a prince, brought glamour and elegance to Thailands monarchy after marrying King Bhumibol in 1950. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair had been secretly engaged in July 1949, before a public announcement on her 17th birthday party in London. Queen Sirikit with her children Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in 1955 - AFP They had met two years earlier, when she was a teenager studying music and languages in Paris, where her father was the Thai ambassador. In a rare interview with the BBC, she later quipped that it had been hate at first sight. He said he would arrive at four oclock in the afternoon. He arrived at seven oclock, kept me standing there, practising curtsy and curtsy, she said in the documentary. But soon, she added, it was love. In the early stages of their marriage, the King and Queen were active on the international stage meeting Queen Elizabeth II, Dwight Eisenhower and even Elvis Presley as they travelled across the United States, Europe and Asia. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II and Philip upon their arrival in London in 1960 - AFP Queen Sirikit was always stylish, topping the prestigious International Best-Dressed List four times in the 1960s. Many of her eye-catching outfits were made from Thai silk, and credited with helping to revitalise the countrys silk industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by the early 1970s, the couple who had three daughters and a son shifted their focus to domestic issues, including rural poverty, opium addiction and a communist insurgency. While she relished fashion, Queen Sirikit also won hearts with her charity work and visits to remote villages and hill tribes. She promoted Thai handicrafts and was also dubbed the Green Queen by some for her work in wildlife and forest preservation. Thailands monarchy has no direct political power, yet it remains hugely influential in political life. And while criticism of the royal family is banned under the stringent lese-majeste laws still in place, some in Bangkok have gossiped about actions deemed political. Queen Sirikit and Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow in 2007 - AFP Queen Sirikit used her birthday address in 1998 to urge Thais to unite behind the then prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, which dealt a blow to a plan for the opposition to hold a no-confidence debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, she was associated with the royalist Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a political movement whose protests brought down governments led by or allied to Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire populist. In 2008, she attended the funeral of a PAD protester killed in clashes with police. But across Thailand, the Queen will be remembered for her charitable work, glamour and dedication. She was long an advocate for the monarchy not as a ceremonial institution, but for having a vital role in the country. There are some in the universities who think the monarchy is obsolete. But I think Thailand needs an understanding monarch, she told the BBC. At the call, The king is coming, thousands will gather. The mere word king has something magic in it. It is wonderful. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BANGKOK (AP) Thailands Queen Mother Sirikit, who supervised royal projects to help the rural poor, preserve traditional craft-making and protect the environment, died on Friday. She was 93. The Royal Household Bureau said she died in a hospital in Bangkok, adding that she began suffering from a blood infection on Oct. 17 and despite her medical teams efforts, her condition did not improve. She suffered a stroke in 2012 and was afterwards largely absent from public life due to declining health. Her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in October 2016. The bureau's statement said King Maha Vajiralongkorn had directed that she be given a funeral with the highest honors, and that he had instructed members of the royal family and royal servants to observe mourning for one year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mourners gathered outside Chulalongkorn Hospital on Saturday morning after hearing the news. It is yet again another great loss for the whole nation. I heard about it at 4 a.m. I felt like fainting. The whole world seemed like it had stopped," said 67-year-old Maneerat Laowalert. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Saturday that Sirikit's passing was a great loss for the country. He said the national flag will fly half-staff at all government agencies for 30 days, and civil servants will observe mourning for one year. Although overshadowed by her late husband and her son, the current king, Sirikit was beloved and influential in her own right. Her portrait was displayed in homes, offices and public spaces across Thailand and her Aug. 12 birthday was celebrated as Mothers Day. Her activities ranged from helping Cambodian refugees to saving some of the country's once-lush forests from destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Thai monarchy traditionally has avoided playing an open role in politics, but in recent decades of political upheaval, marked by two military takeovers and several rounds of bloody street protests, speculation grew about Sirikits views and her behind the scenes influence. When she publicly attended the 2008 funeral of a protester killed during a clash with police, many saw it as her taking a side in the political schism. Sirikit met the king while living in Europe Sirikit Kitiyakara was born into a rich, aristocratic family in Bangkok on Aug. 12, 1932, the year absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional system. Both of her parents were related to earlier kings of the current Chakri dynasty. She attended schools in wartime Bangkok, the target of Allied air raids, and after World War II moved with her diplomat father to France where he served as ambassador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 16, she met Thailands newly crowned king in Paris, where she was studying music and languages. Their friendship blossomed after Bhumibol suffered a near-fatal car accident and she moved to Switzerland, where he was studying, to help care for him. The king courted her with poetry and composed a waltz titled, "I Dream of You." The pair married in 1950, and at a coronation ceremony later the same year both vowed to "reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese (Thai) people." The couple had four children: current King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn and Chulabhorn. During their early married life, the Thai royals crisscrossed the world as goodwill ambassadors and forged personal ties with world leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A turn to Thailand's rural areas But by the early 1970s, the king and queen turned most of their energies to Thailand's domestic problems, including rural poverty, opium addiction in hill tribes and a communist insurgency. The queen, an impeccable dresser and avid shopper, also relished climbing hills and visiting simple villages where older women would call her "daughter." Thousands raised their problems to her, ranging from marital squabbles to serious diseases, and the queen and her assistants took up many personally. While some in Bangkok gossiped about her involvement in palace intrigues and her lavish lifestyle, her popularity in the countryside endured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Misunderstandings arise between people in rural areas and the rich, so-called civilized people in Bangkok. People in rural Thailand say they are neglected, and we try to fill that gap by staying with them in remote areas," she said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1979. Royal development projects were set up across Thailand, some of them initiated and directly supervised by the queen. In 1976, the queen launched a foundation to promote Thai traditional handcrafts. The SUPPORT foundation has trained thousands of villagers in crafts including silk-weaving, jewelry-making, painting and ceramics. She also set up wildlife breeding centers, "open zoos," and hatcheries to save endangered sea turtles. Her Forest Loves Water and Little House in the Forest projects sought to demonstrate the economic gains of preserving forest cover and water sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While royalty elsewhere had only ceremonial or symbolic roles, Queen Sirikit believed the monarchy was a vital institution in Thailand. "There are some in the universities who think the monarchy is obsolete. But I think Thailand needs an understanding monarch," she said in the 1979 interview. "At the call, The king is coming, thousands will gather. The mere word king has something magic in it. It is wonderful." ___ Associated Press journalist David Rising in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia contributed to this report. Denis D. Gray served as longtime Bangkok bureau chief before his retirement. NEED TO KNOW Priscilla Timmons suffered a life-threatening medical emergency involving multiple blood clots, cardiac arrests and multi-organ failure She finally awakened from her medically induced coma thanks in part to a therapy dog Scrunchie, who nuzzled her hand Timmons returned to the hospital this week to thank her caregivers, and Scrunchie, for their help Scrunchie the golden retriever proved to be a Florida womans own Princess Charming after helping her wake her up from a medically induced coma. On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Scrunchie and fellow therapy dog Honey Crisp were on paw at a press conference held at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines celebrating the remarkable recovery of Priscilla Timmons, 39. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timmons, who posted a video of the press conference on her Facebook, told reporters that she sent her mother a text message from her bathroom asking for help right before she fainted on March 13 after suffering a massive pulmonary embolism that triggered three cardiac arrests and multi-organ failure. Memorial Hospital West Priscilla Timmons with Honey Crisp on the left and Scrunchie on the right Priscilla Timmons with Honey Crisp on the left and Scrunchie on the right According to her GoFundMe page, after the third cardiac arrest doctors spoke to family members and sadly reported she had a 10% chance of survival. Dr. Daniel Mayer, Memorial Healthcare System's chief of critical care, confirmed during the press conference that things, indeed, looked bleak and he and a colleague had to deliver the bad news to her family. "In the ICU, she deteriorated and went into cardiac arrest, Mayer continued. Thanks to our ICU team and their refusal to give up despite no cardiac contractility for 40 minutes, we achieved (resumption of cardiac activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that was just the beginning. Timmons endured a grueling 21 days in the hospital as she fought back against organs shutting down and mobility issues. Eventually, she was placed in a medically induced coma. Memorial Hospital West Priscilla Timmons with her stuffed dog Priscilla Timmons with her stuffed dog As for how she came out of it? Well, that's where Scrunchie comes in. The dog's handler put a treat near the woman's hand, which was flat against the hospital bed. As Scrunchie nosed around for the treat he touched her hand and began nuzzling. Prior to that moment, although Timmons said that she was aware of voices around her, she couldn't move or open her eyes. "I was like, oh my gosh, I'm in a coma. And then I realized, wow, people can actually hear when you're in a coma," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, she remembered being told she had a very special visitor and that ended up being a huge turning point. I then felt her paw, and that's when I was able to move my fingers and lift my hand off of the bed and into the air, Timmons told reporters. As a huge dog lover, this gave me all the motivation to reach out to her as much as possible. Finally awake, she got to see the rest of her family and loved ones. She added she later met fellow therapy dog Honey Crisp, who also visited during her stay. They were both so adorable, she said. Thank goodness for therapy dogs because they are such angels. Memorial Hospital West Priscilla Timmons in red dress center at press conference. Priscilla Timmons in red dress center at press conference. After she was released, Timmons slowly recovered but returned to the ER a couple of months ago after feeling uneasy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mind was playing tricks on me. I preferred to be on the safe side, she said. I was informed my lungs were a hundred percent clearas if nothing ever happened to me, which gave me all the piece of mind I needed. Vowing she will not let this miracle go to waste, Timmons, who also runs an Etsy site, started an Instagram account, Faith Flows Strong, dedicated to raising awareness of blood clots. In my eyes, faith and medicine go hand in hand, Timmons added. There's the science aspect which consists of studies and medicine to treat us when we get sick. Then there's the faith aspect which helps give you hope to lean on. God told me to fight so I did with all my heart. Read the original article on People This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. Denise Rosales has never been arrested. She's never been handcuffed. She's never spent a night behind bars, never stood before a judge to profess her innocence. And yet, if you perform a background check, a criminal database maintained by the FBI will say that she was "arrested or received" into custody and charged with three crimes in January 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While deployed in Kuwait, Rosales, a member of the Texas Army National Guard, threw a birthday party for her husband. Some of the guests allegedly brought alcohol, according to the Army, "in a nation where such substances are illegal." She was investigated and fingerprinted by an Army investigator, but received nothing more than an administrative reprimand. Still, more than four years later, the Texas mother of two is fighting to clear her name. She's been forced out of her full-time position with the National Guard on a multiagency counterdrug task force, lost job opportunities, and even denied the chance to chaperone her kids on school field trips. Rosales' saga is the result of a perplexing record-keeping process the military justice system calls "titling"-and it's one that's left potentially thousands of veterans saddled with false criminal histories, according to a lawsuit against the Army and Department of Defense. The term sounds nonthreatening enough. But in the military, "titling" isn't about taking ownership of a car or property. It's what happens when a service member's name is simply listed as the "subject" in a military criminal investigative report. "Titling does not mean an individual has been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime," a legal assistance document on the Army's website explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But here's the problem: Every branch of the military shares titling records in criminal databases with more than two dozen agencies, including the FBI, even if the case was dropped. The fallout can be devastating because the records are retrievable for decades. Veterans can be passed over for promotions, rejected on apartment applications, and denied firearms clearance, advocates say. With the stain on their record, some struggle to get a job for years. "Who will take my word over the plain text of the FBI's criminal history?" Rosales, 39, asks in an affidavit in her lawsuit. She feels betrayed, thinking back to the day when a military recruiter came to her school when she was 17. "I was told the military would guide me in the right direction and have my back," Rosales told The War Horse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Army refusing to budge, Rosales' case has become a showdown over the military's system of titling. Veterans and civil liberties advocates are calling for reforms while victims' groups stress the need for the military to alert civilian law enforcement and employers of the danger among their ranks. But during a hearing in the ongoing lawsuit, a judge posed a fundamental question about the service members and veterans like Rosales being wrongfully tagged by the military justice system that even the government's attorney was unable to answer: Why "is this that big a deal to the Army?" How big a problem is titling? It's hard to know how many people have been caught up in the quagmire, because there is no requirement to notify service members they've been titled, and many don't find out for years until it turns up, for example, when someone tries to buy a gun, travel abroad, or apply for a job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The War Horse has filed Freedom of Information Act requests for records from the Department of Defense and National Archives, which houses military criminal files, to reveal how many people have been titled but not court-martialed, but the agencies are not responding to requests during the government shutdown. Frank Rosenblatt, a former Army prosecutor and an associate professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, estimated the number is at least 10,000 service members and veterans. The problem is, our military justice system doesn't "always easily translate over into civilian terms," said Rosenblatt, who has represented titled veterans. In the military, titling only requires the existence of "credible information" that a crime was committed. "Legally, this is a very low standard, far below the standard required at trial by a court of law," according to Fort Leonard Wood's Army legal assistance office. Titling worksheet (Courtesy) "In the vast majority of cases, these [investigators] are young soldiers who don't have any significant level of criminal justice experience, but are somehow vested with tremendous authority to make determinations that follow people for the rest of their lives," said Doug O'Connell, an Austin, Texas-based attorney who is representing Rosales. Copy of DOD (Courtesy) And the Department of Defense spells out the other huge hurdle for wrongfully titled service members: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once the subject of a criminal investigation is indexed in" the database known as the Defense Central Index of Investigations, the information remains "even if they are found not guilty"-unless DOD law enforcement officials agree to expunge the record. But that's a whole separate headache. To appeal, victims of titling are forced-sometimes long after they leave the military-to prove the crime didn't happen, said O'Connell, a former Special Forces colonel in the Army who now specializes in defending military service members. "They've created a system where you're guilty until proven innocent," he said. "If the [Army Criminal Investigation Division] agent believes something, then you're going to have this criminal history created, and it's up to you to now prove that it didn't happen." An overcorrection? The Army's Criminal Investigation Division did not respond to multiple interview requests from The War Horse over more than a month of reporting. The United States Attorney's Office, which represents the Army and DOD in Rosales' lawsuit, declined to comment on the case, citing active litigation. The FBI, whose lawyer argued is "simply a clearinghouse" of titling information, was dismissed from the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even Rosales's legal team acknowledges the logic behind the military sharing criminal records: If someone commits a crime during their military service, civilian law enforcement should be able to know. "I want my government to keep me safe from people who they know have a propensity for illegality or criminality or violence," said William Thomas, one of Rosales' attorneys and a former Army field artillery officer. To understand why titling creates chaos in the lives of so many veterans, go back to the pews of a white church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Devin Kelley, an Air Force veteran with two domestic assault convictions, opened fire in November 2017 during morning services at the small community church, killing 26 people, several of them children. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in the state's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But why had Kelley been allowed to purchase his semiautomatic rifle, along with the two handguns found in his vehicle, from licensed vendors, given his criminal background? His convictions during his military service hadn't been entered into the national criminal background system. The Department of Defense has long required that criminal history, including fingerprints, be shared with the FBI when a service member is investigated for an offense. But, as it turns out, the military wasn't very diligent about doing it. After the Texas church shootings, a Pentagon review found that one in four fingerprint cards were not submitted to the FBI, and a 1997 report by the DOD inspector general found that in the Army, fingerprint cards weren't submitted to the FBI in more than 80% of cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public demanded accountability. Victims' families sued the federal government, arguing the Air Force had been negligent in its failure to share Kelley's criminal background, and in 2023, the Department of Justice announced it had reached a tentative settlement of $144.5 million. In response, the military overcorrected, O'Connell said. After the shootings, the titling problem bloomed into a widespread issue, likely affecting thousands more veterans. The military doesn't want anyone "to slip through the cracks," Rosenblatt said. In the face of potential lawsuits, there's a strong incentive to share information about veterans' backgrounds, but "they don't have strong incentives for people's privacy and due process." Discovering his own violent arrest record The crimes were shocking: Murder. Negligent homicide. Attempted aggravated sexual contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took former Green Beret James Morris four years to get these false charges cleared from his record. After a fellow soldier was killed during a 2017 hazing incident, one of the assailants claimed Morris had given permission for the attack. Even though Morris hadn't been present for the assault and was never taken into custody or charged, he was fingerprinted and titled during the investigation. Little did he know that left him with a violent arrest record. He only discovered it in 2021 when he tried to renew his concealed carry license. While the offenses remained on his record, Morris lost his security clearance and was wary of applying for jobs. But one of the worst parts was losing pride in his service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They took away from me more than just my career-that's 18 years, 10 months of memories that I can't grapple with properly," said Morris, who now works as a contract training analyst at Fort Gordon in Georgia. Jamie Morris, pictured in 2003 with, left to right, his daughters, Avery and Kaylee, and wife, Kim, said he can no longer look back on his military career with pride. (Courtesy of Jamie Morris) For many veterans and service members like Rosales, the ordeal continues-undoing titling is extremely difficult, advocates say. In more than a hundred appeal cases he's filed, O'Connell said he's only been successful once. Rosales first discovered she had an arrest record when she returned from Kuwait and tried to return to her National Guard-sponsored position as a drug analyst for a counterdrug task force. She sought to have her records corrected in November 2021, but the Army denied her request and appeal over the next two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an "untitling" petition is denied, the next step is to appeal to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. People have had more success in expunging their records there, O'Connell said, but the process is lengthy, due to a growing backlog of cases. It can take years to get cleared. "It's hard to prove your innocence," said Liz Ullman, who launched the advocacy group Defend Our Protectors after nearly a thousand service members were caught up in a recruiting scandal. "Which is why you're not supposed to have to." "I want my children to be proud of their mother" The fallout from Rosales' titling record was swift and substantial. She lost her National Guard job as a criminal analyst in a federal counterdrug task force, which she'd held for 12 years, and cut short her eligibility for retirement benefits, including a pension. In an affidavit, she said she was "reluctant to apply for other Guard employment to save myself from the embarrassment of bringing up my false criminal history." When her security clearance comes up for renewal, she expects it will be revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She sold her home and relocated her family closer to the Mexican border when a commander gave her a chance-despite her record-to work as a first sergeant for Operation Lone Star, a border security initiative launched in 2021 by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The false charges continued to come up, blocking her access to certain buildings, she said. What's even more humiliating is that she's been unable to attend her kids' school field trips, which require background checks. "I want my children to be proud of their mother," she said in the affidavit, "and not ask why I cannot attend a school event." Still, her case drags on. While a judge in September rejected her legal team's petition to approve the suit as a class action case, the lawyers are still hopeful that a win in Rosales' case could help other wrongfully titled veterans. The Army's refusal to correct her records hasn't just befuddled her advocates-even the judge presiding in her lawsuit has expressed similar confusion. "I don't understand why they just don't remove it" Back in May 2021, an Army JAG officer confirmed in an email to one of Rosales' lawyers that she had not been arrested for the incident in Kuwait. Despite the acknowledgement, the Army Criminal Investigation Division denied her request and a subsequent appeal to have her records corrected. An email from an Army lawyer referring to Rosales' case. (Courtesy) Three years later, with her case in U.S. District court, lawyers for both Rosales and the Army were still quibbling before a judge over whether Rosales had been arrested. The Army's lawyer, Matthew Mueller, acknowledged that although Rosales was read her rights, gave a statement, and was fingerprinted and photographed, she was never detained in jail or handcuffed. By 37 pages into the hearing transcript, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra seemed exasperated. "What is a little aggravating is we don't really have an explanation from the Army as to why they haven't changed her record," he said at the May 2024 court hearing. "Apparently, she wasn't charged. I mean, I don't understand why they don't just remove it." In an order two weeks later, Ezra doubled down on his point: "Defendants provided no explanation as to why they would not change her record," he wrote. "One could only speculate as to why the Army would defend a record that is not accurate of the events that took place." Now, with both sides awaiting the judge's decision on whether the case should move to trial, frustration is mounting for Rosales and her legal team. "Do I really have to stand in front of a federal judge, a lifetime appointee, a third co-equal branch of government, and say, Judge, I just want the Army to stop lying about my client?'" asked Thomas, one of her attorneys. "Is that really how far I have to go?" Reforming a "giant organizational defect" The solution to this issue seems simple enough, advocates say: The titling process needs reform. Derrick Miller, the director of the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus, which advocates for wrongly accused veterans, has lobbied for a legislative amendment that would require that titling records be deleted after 10 years if the service member will not be charged or court-martialed over the allegation. These reforms would ensure due process and prevent an accusation from having the same consequences as a conviction, Miller said. U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican and former Navy SEAL, introduced the amendment in August. "Far too often, the reputation of our brave service members is unfairly tarnished due to titling," Crane told The War Horse, calling the amendment a "sensible approach to protecting the livelihoods of our courageous veterans." Reforming the titling system is common sense, experts say. The military's system of titling is a "giant organizational defect," said Robert Bracknell, a retired Marine armor officer and an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School. There's little incentive for the military to change the titling process, Rosenblatt added. "This isn't a politically powerful block of the military," he said, referring to those who've been unfairly titled. "It's often people who are on the outs with their command, and they end up being investigated." The issue needs a champion, Bracknell said. Rosales could be that champion. But her team wonders why she needs to be. "Why are they fighting so hard to preserve something so wrong?" O'Connell asks. "As a guy who spent 30 years in the Army, I'm completely disgusted." This article originally published at They've never been arrested. Why does the FBI list thousands of service members as potential criminals?. US President Donald Trump on Friday expressed optimism ahead of his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating that the talks would cover a wide range of topics. "...We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think we'll have a good meeting," Trump said, highlighting the broad scope of the discussions. He specifically mentioned Taiwan, noting, "I will be talking about Taiwan. I won't go there, but I will be talking about it. A Lot of respect for Taiwan...," signalling that the issue will feature in the Asia trip talks. Trump also expressed hope that China could "help us out" in Washington's dealings with Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he embarked on his trip, he said, "We want China to help us out on Russia." He added, "We'll have a good meeting. I'm pretty sure we're going to have a great meeting, maybe a great meeting," underscoring his confidence in the outcome. He further highlighted the human cost of the conflict, saying, "One of the things we'll talk about is the Russia, Ukraine, they're killing 7,000 people a week, soldiers, mostly soldiers, and we'll certainly be talking about that," referring to the ongoing violence in Eastern Europe. Trump's remarks came after his response on October 24 to Russian President Vladimir Putin's criticism of US sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil. When asked about Putin's comments, Trump told the press, "I am glad he feels that way. I'll let you know about it in six months from now. Let's see how it all works out." Putin had described the sanctions as an "unfriendly move" that would not significantly impact Russia's economy, saying, "This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia. But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure." He also noted that Moscow and Washington "have many areas in which they could cooperate" if both sides moved away from pressure tactics and engaged in "serious conversations about the long term." The comments come amid rising oil prices, fueled by trader concerns over potential supply squeezes. Putin also addressed the cancellation of the anticipated summit with Trump, stating that "dialogue is always better than confrontation," while Trump had said on Wednesday that the planned meeting was off because it "just didn't feel right" and would not achieve the desired outcome. "We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but we'll do it in the future," he explained. The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, freezing their US-based assets and prohibiting American citizens and entities from doing business with them. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the sanctions were "appropriate and necessary" and reflected frustration over the slow progress on a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. She added, "The president wants to make sure that a meeting between himself and President Putin will be a good use of his time. He wants to see action, not just talk. He is extremely motivated by the success of his Middle East peace deal to get things done. And he wants this war to end." (ANI) Three California state prison inmates serving life sentences are being investigated in connection with the death of another inmate during an attack in the Salinas Valley State Prison Thursday morning, prison officials said. The department said Todd S. Morgan, 57, died after he was allegedly attacked at about 9:52 a.m. by three inmates with improvised weapons in the yard, identified as Todd J. Givens, Robert England and Ray N. Waldron. Guards ordered the men to stop and quickly responded to the incident in the Soledad (Monterey County) prison. By the time officers reached Morgan, the attackers had stopped and staff began life-saving measures. Morgan was pronounced dead by prison medical personnel at about 10:04 a.m. Officials said no other inmates or staff were injured in the incident. The three inmates allegedly involved in the attack were moved to high-security facilities, and movement in the affected area of the prison has been limited as the investigation continues. The prison's Investigative Services Unit, the Monterey County District Attorney's Office, and the Monterey County Coroner are conducting a joint investigation. Morgan had been incarcerated since 2002 after being sentenced in Santa Clara County to life with the possibility of parole for a series of felony convictions, including burglary, robbery, and firearm-related charges under the state's "three-strikes" law. Givens, 56, has been on death row since 2004, while England, 61, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in 1993. Waldron, 51, has been serving a life sentence since 2024. This article originally published at Three convicted murderers suspected of killing another inmate in Monterey County prison. Three people were killed in northern Germany on Saturday when a car plunged into a canal after colliding head on with another vehicle following a risky overtaking manoeuvre, police said. Two others were seriously or critically injured in the accident near Braunschweig, police dpa. The three people killed were occupants of a car that had previously overtaken several cars on the right at excessive speed before colliding with another vehicle and plunging into the Mittelland Canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two occupants of the vehicle that the speeding car had collided with were injured, one of them seriously and the other critically. Police said that all told five vehicles were involved in the pile-up. A section of the road had to be closed following the accident. Rescue services, the fire brigade and a rescue helicopter were deployed. Initial images from the scene of the accident show a completely destroyed black car. The roof of the car is largely torn off. Emergency services secured the scene of the accident and were also deployed with a boat on the Mittelland Canal. Three people were killed in northern Germany on Saturday when a car plunged into a canal after colliding head-on with another vehicle following a risky overtaking manoeuvre, police said. Two others were seriously or critically injured in the accident, which occurred near Braunschweig, police told dpa. The three people killed were in a car that had overtaken several vehicles on the right at high speed before crashing into oncoming traffic and plunging into the Mittelland Canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The car hit a crash barrier, collided head-on with a black vehicle, broke through a bridge railing and fell into the canal. The three occupants died at the scene, police said, while the two people in the black car were seriously and critically injured. One of them was flown to hospital by helicopter. Police said a total of five vehicles were involved in the crash, though they did not release any personal details of those affected. Rescue services, the fire brigade and a rescue helicopter were deployed and a section of the road was closed after the accident. Images from the scene showed a completely destroyed black car with its roof largely torn off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency services secured the scene of the accident and were also deployed with a boat on the Mittelland Canal. Police later said the driver had fled a traffic stop shortly before the crash. Officers had signalled the vehicle to pull over, but the driver failed to comply and sped out of sight. It was initially unclear whether police pursued the car. Late Saturday evening, the car was recovered from the Mittelland Canal, where shipping traffic had been temporarily suspended. A special ship was brought in from Hanover for the salvage operation. A longtime commissioner and three other town residents are vying to fill two seats on Thurmont's Board of Commissioners. Commissioners Bill Blakeslee and Wayne Hooper's terms conclude at the end of this month. Hooper has served as a commissioner for more than three decades and is seeking reelection. Blakeslee said his farewell to the board and community earlier this week at his final town meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other commissioner nominees are town Planning Commission Chair Meredith Wivell, Planning Commission member Christopher Stouter and town resident Ethan Beard. The towns election will be on Tuesday at the Guardian Hose Company Activities Building at 123 E. Main St. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. They mayoral seat is also up for election. Commissioner Martin Burns, who previously served as mayor, is challenging 12-year incumbent John Kinnaird. Voters can also write on their ballots other candidates for office who were not officially nominated. Wayne Hooper Hooper, a member of the Maryland Municipal League Hall of Fame, said he feels he can still make a difference in the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioner said many people asked him to run for reelection. "I want to be involved, and people know that they can talk to me and get answers," Hooper, 69, said in an interview. "They want to have somebody there that they know they can trust and talk to." If reelected, Hooper said he wants to be more fiscally conservative and ensure Thurmont is an affordable place to live. As federal funding cuts loom across the nation, Hooper said, the town should be more frugal due to the possibility of receiving fewer grants. With over 30 years of experience on the board, Hooper said he brings a deep knowledge of the town's history and its operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In regards to the potential annexation of the Simmers property that would be voted on by the incoming board, Hooper said he supports the proposed agreement because it is the "best scenario." Hooper is now retired after working at St. Joseph's Provincial House for 34 years. He said he is a life member of the fire company. Ethan Beard Lifelong Thurmont resident Beard said in an interview the town deserves honest and accountable leadership. The 36-year-old political newcomer looks to prioritize listening sessions with constituents and providing timely, respectful responses to resident concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My commitment is to listen to every voice, work transparently and make decisions that truly reflect the needs and values of our community," Beard said. If elected, he said he wants to ensure tax dollars are spent appropriately. He also said he wants to set rules and consequences for town officials to keep the government "fair and responsible." Even thought this is his first run for office, Beard said his lifelong residency and his work in appliance repair engaging with the community make him knowledgeable about the town. Beard has also closely followed town meetings and is aware of significant issues, including the Simmers annexation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he has questions about issues like school capacity and ambulance services that need to be addressed before he can decide his vote on the annexation resolution. The town Planning and Zoning Commission recommended in August the board approve the annexation petition. Beard said he has volunteered at Halloween in the Park for multiple years and attended various town events. Christopher Stouter Stouter, 40, previously ran for commissioner in 2021 and 2023, but was not elected. Stouter is running for office in the hopes of serving the community, he said in an interview. He looks to "bring respect back to the board," including how the board treats residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stouter also wants to prioritize growth in affordable housing while keeping the town small and avoiding sprawl. On the planning commission, Stouter voted in August to recommend that the board approve the Simmers annexation with conditions based on the necessary planning requirements. Conditions included exploring sidewalk connections and considering traffic impacts. If elected, Stouter said, he would support the annexation resolution because the proposed 61-home development fits in with other developments in the area. He has worked in engineering for nearly 15 years and is currently a supervisor for a global team at Flowserve in Taneytown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've just always stood out as a leader and been able to take a group and push them forward, and be able to hear the people's needs and be able to act upon those needs," Stouter said. Stouter is the adjutant for Thurmont's Sons of AMVETS chapter, he said. He has also volunteered at the Thurmont Firemen's Carnival since he was 14 years old. Meredith Wivell In her first political campaign, Wivell looks to promote government transparency and support residents and small businesses by addressing affordability concerns. Wivell was not available to conduct a phone interview on Thursday and responded to questions by email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many community members have told Wivell a change is needed on the board, she said. Wivell is the only woman in this race. "I believe having more diverse opinions on the Board, to include a strong female voice, would stand to benefit the community," Wivell wrote. Wivell is chair of the Planning Commission and also voted to recommend the annexation agreement with conditions. But she still has some concerns about the development, such as how surrounding roads will be impacted. "I do not think the concept plan is the best plan, but nonetheless, the negotiation decisions were made and to reach the resolution that will end this nightmare for those who need to move on with their lives, the compromise that was offered should be accepted with the caveat that the plan is improved with many of the things discussed [at the public hearing on Tuesday]," Wivell wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her experience on the Planning Commission has allowed her to meet the community and better understand the town's code and master plan. Wivell has worked in public safety for more than 20 years and is currently a false alarm reduction coordinator for the Frederick Police Department. Editor's note: The Frederick News-Post profiled mayoral candidates Martin Burns and John Kinnaird on Wednesday. There were two questions lingering over conversations among people at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair: Where was the stand of the Russian publisher Eksmo located, and why were they even allowed to be there nearly four years into Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine? I will never forget the look of horror and disgust of one exiled Russian author, who is fiercely pro-Ukrainian and quietly attended many of Ukraine's events at the book fair with a visible awe at this year's event program, when he learned that Eksmo had been allowed to return. In case you're unfamiliar, Eksmo is not just another publishing house it is one of Russia's largest and most influential literary institutions, the local equivalent of Penguin Random House in scale and impact. For decades, they've shaped what millions of Russians read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But here's the uncomfortable truth: to keep operating in today's Russia, Eksmo has had to become a part of the system. And that means their catalog includes a fair share of state-aligned, openly anti-Ukrainian titles. In other words, it's part of the Kremlin's propaganda machine. Each year, the Frankfurt Book Fair serves as a global meeting point for the publishing industry, bringing together not just book lovers but publishers, authors, translators, and agents from around the world. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, the celebration of diverse cultures, and the negotiation of translation and publishing rights that allow literary voices to cross borders. Participating countries typically host their own national stands, showcasing their literary landscapes and cultural identities within the fair's international framework. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, its official presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair has vanished there's no large-scale Russia stand showcasing its publishers. And yet, a small handful of Russian publishers like Eksmo have somehow quietly maintained their presence on the fairgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems the old assumption still lingers that art can somehow exist apart from politics, even in wartime. Sometimes that might be true. But in many cases, pretending there's a clean line between the two only serves those who benefit from blurring it. Deep down, the organizers of the book fair must have known this, given the fact that Eksmo's stand was so well hidden. Also, it goes without saying, the very existence of a Russia stand, even if there wasn't a war, would be paradoxical and strange. How can Russian publishers come together to celebrate their literature when the overwhelming majority of their most talented living authors are in exile for criticizing the Kremlin, and selling their books within Russia will only bring trouble? For example, books by Russian authors like Boris Akunin have even been removed from bookstores in Russia because he has been labeled a "terrorist and extremist" and criminal proceedings have even been opened against him in absentia for "justifying terrorism" and "spreading false information" about the Russian military. Burnt books from the Kharkiv printing house Factor-Druk, destroyed by Russian shelling on May 23, are exhibited at the Books damaged by Russia stand during the 12th International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 30, 2024. (Yurii Stefanyak / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) Literature that challenges our view of the world and defies existing structures of power that is, true literature simply cannot exist in today's Russia. Think of that next time you reflect on your defense of "the great Russian novel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'd rather not dwell too much on the strange spectacle that is contemporary Russian culture, though. This year was my first-ever visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair, and I'm proud to share that I was there at the invitation of Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Ukrainian Institute, and the Goethe-Institut Ukraine, who kindly asked me to moderate three panel discussions on Ukrainian wartime nonfiction, on discovering Ukrainian literature through translation, as well as a more existential panel exploring the idea that, in the end, everything is translation. There were countless people behind the planning of this year's program of events, and they clearly made an effort to showcase Ukrainian literature and culture from every possible angle. I can't speak for previous years, but every Ukrainian I met agreed: Ukraine's presence in Frankfurt this year was extraordinary, part of a program that continues to outshine itself year after year. Since the EuroMaidan Revolution of 2014, Ukraine has been steadily reasserting itself on the global cultural stage, carving out a space that exists entirely beyond Russia's long imperial shadow. Events like the Frankfurt Book Fair are just a reminder of how far Ukraine has come since then. Ukraine's place at the fair was far more than a showcase of recently-published books it was a proud declaration of the country's cultural identity and resilience amid the full-scale war. It was also a reminder of everything and everyone Ukraine has lost since that fight against Russian aggression began. There was a display with the names of cultural figures killed by Russia, with a caption that read: "When they ask me what war is, I'll answer without hesitation it's names." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one of the organizers of the display showed me, even during the festival, post-it notes were quietly added as the names of more fallen were announced, a somber testament to the daily horror that persists. That's why I thought long and hard about one part of the brief conversation I had with that fiercely pro-Ukrainian Russian author after my first day of the festival. He had attended my event on "everything is translation" in which I mentioned in passing the work of Valerian Pidmohylnyi, a Ukrainian writer active during the 1930s who was killed by the Soviets. Speaking to me after the event, his only critique of my moderation was that, in making such references, I hadn't fully conveyed the horror to the audience. Pidmohylnyi wasn't merely killed he was brutally executed, along with hundreds of other Ukrainian intellectuals, by the Soviet terror apparatus. The author observed that too few had spoken out to support Ukraine when it mattered after 2014, too few had named things as they truly are and now a madman in the Kremlin is rallying his nation of 143.5 million to bring the entire world to the precipice of global catastrophe. The author, telling me this, had once visited Sandarmokh himself, the forest near the Finnish border in northern Russia where Pidmohylnyi and countless others met their deaths. I listened in quiet horror as he described the unnerving realization of how many skeletons of innocent people lie beneath his country's soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, when I moderated an event on Ukrainian literature in translation with two authors currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I made a deliberate effort to speak without restraint about what is truly at stake for Ukraine and Ukrainian culture. Our conversation illuminated a literary tradition that refuses erasure one that endures, resists, and insists on being heard. Amid the daily escalation of the full-scale war, one can only hope that Europe finally grasps the gravity of what is at stake. But if military warnings fail to resonate, perhaps the cultural sphere can succeed where politics falter by refusing to lend its platforms to propaganda, and instead amplifying the voices of those who write, fight, and live for freedom. Read also: 10 books to better understand Ukraine on its Independence Day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A dangerous combination of wet roads and bald tires led to more than 86 traffic crashes across King, Pierce, and Thurston counties by early Friday evening. The soggy conditions, typical for Western Washington, are exposing a critical safety issue: drivers operating vehicles with worn-out tires that cant maintain traction on slick pavement. At the Used Tires Outlet in Tacoma, manager Linda Frias sees firsthand how drivers push their tires past safe limits. She warns that severely worn tires pose an immediate danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wire is gonna start coming out and then if youre trying to brake your car, its gonna start to slip, said Frias, describing what happens when tire tread wears down completely. Frias demonstrated how improper tire alignment causes uneven wear patterns, accelerating the deterioration and increasing the risk of exposed wire mesh breaking through the rubbera serious safety hazard that dramatically reduces a vehicles ability to grip wet roads. If youre driving the freeway with this [bald] tire right now, theres a chance that your car is just gonna slip. Its not safe for you to have tires like this, she explained. The Washington State Patrol has been responding to crashes throughout the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Interstate 5 near the Tacoma Dome, where theres lotta curvature we experienced a lot of standing water in the dips of the road so if I get a driver, see that theyre more than welcome to call in so we can try to head out there and see how we can get rid of that as fast as possible, said Trooper Daniel Southard. He urges drivers to steer clear of standing water to avoid hydroplaning. You want them to not break and not accelerate and then just ride it out. Keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel at the 10 and two or nine and three position and then just get through it as safely as you can, said Trooper Southard. The Washington State Patrol continues to monitor hazardous areas and respond to incidents across the region. Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 25, according to the Tribunes archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 79 degrees (1963) Low temperature: 14 degrees (1887) Precipitation: 1.94 inches (1883) Snowfall: 0.3 inches (1962) 1848: Pioneer became the first locomotive to operate in Chicago. It pulled a train on its inaugural run from a railway station near Canal and Kinzie streets on the Galena and Union Railroad that stretched as far as Des Plaines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago, the sin city 1910: The Chicago Vice Commission was created to take up the big problem of raising the moral conditions of the city, the Tribune reported. 1940: Col. Benjamin O. Davis Sr., a native of North Chicago, became the first Black general in any branch of the U.S. military when he was promoted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to brigadier general of the Army. In 1942, Davis joined then-Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in Britain as an adviser on race. Eisenhower later accepted Davis recommendation that racially integrated platoons be created in the European theater. Most of the remaining racial barriers were dropped in 1948, the year Davis retired from the Army, the Tribune reported when Davis died in 1970 at age 93. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis son Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was a pioneering military officer who was the leader of the fabled Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and the first African American to become a general in the Air Force. Both men are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Will Halloween ever really end? How the Tribune reviewed each horror flick in the series. 1978: Halloween set in the fictional Haddonfield, Illinois, and starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis premiered. Tribunes famed movie critic Gene Siskel loved it after he seeing it at the Chicago International Film Festival. He called it one of the scariest films I have ever seen and ranked it eighth on his list of favorite motion pictures for 1978. The Library of Congress inducted Halloween into the National Film Registry in 2006 for its technical innovations including the extensive use of Panaglide from the almost silent, staring, slow-moving killers originally known as The Shape perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1973: I called Mr. Holland right after our last game Monday and told him that a change of uniforms would probably do me a lot of good, Chicago Cubs pitcher Ferguson Fergie Jenkins told reporters in early October. The future Hall of Famer got his wish he was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for third baseman Bill Madlock and utility player Vic Harris. Jenkins had a career-high 25 wins during the 1974 season with the Rangers. 1995: A bus loaded with high school students was hit by an express commuter train at a crossing in Fox River Grove, tearing the bus body from the chassis and killing seven aboard the bus. No one on the train was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bus had been stopped by a red traffic signal at U.S. Highway 14 (Northwest Highway) immediately after crossing the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The rear of the vehicle hung out over the tracks and was hit by the morning commuter train, which was traveling at a high speed. A preliminary NTSB investigation indicated a flaw in the electronic components intended to override the highway traffic signals when a train approached. Want more vintage Chicago? Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com NEED TO KNOW A tourist is dead after falling from the Pantheon in Rome and into a ditch on Oct. 24 The tourist has been identified as Morimasa Hibino, 69, of Japan Police are currently investigating the fatal incident A man suffered a fatal fall at an ancient Roman site popular among tourists. Morimasa Hibino, a 69-year-old from Japan, died after falling from the Pantheon in Rome and into a ditch on Friday, Oct. 24, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica and CNN, which cited local police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hibino, who was identified by the Japanese embassy, was discovered in a ditch near the ancient site in central Rome, according to CNN. A priest spotted the man lying in the area, located approximately 23 feet below street level, and subsequently contacted authorities in the area, the outlet and La Repubblica reported. Authorities had to break down a gate in order to access the ditch and retrieve Hibinos body, according to CNN. Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty The Pantheon in Rome The Pantheon in Rome Police are currently investigating Hibinos death, according to the outlets. A spokesperson for Rome police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man's daughter said he fell after suffering a sudden illness that made him feel dizzy, CNN reported, citing local media coverage. Early police investigation paints a similar picture, according to La Repubblica. Hibino was sitting on a parapet when he lost his balance and fell, face-first into the ditch, the Italian newspaper reported, citing initial police findings. Surveillance footage from cameras near the scene captured the incident, according to the newspaper. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty The Pantheon in Rome The Pantheon in Rome No foul play is suspected, a police spokesperson told CNN. According to the outlet, incidents in the area are not entirely uncommon, and police often patrol to make sure pedestrians do not breach the wall protecting the perimeter of the ancient monument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pantheon is one of Italy's most popular attractions, with millions of tourists estimated to visit the monument each year, according to the BBC. It was closed at the time of the fatal incident, per CNN. Read the original article on People A Japanese tourist died after falling off a perimeter wall surrounding the ancient Pantheon in central Rome late Friday night, local police told CNN. The man, named as 69-year-old Morimasa Hibino by the Japanese embassy, was spotted in the ditch next to the monument about seven meters (23 feet) below the street level by a priest who alerted authorities. Ancient Rome sits around 23 feet below the current street level, which means many ancient monuments like the Pantheon appear sunken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man is thought to have fallen while sitting on the perimeter wall after suffering a sudden illness that made him dizzy, according to his daughter who was traveling with him, local media reported. An investigation has been opened into the fatal incident, but no foul play is suspected, a Rome police spokesperson told CNN. Police had to break down a gate leading to the ditch to reach the man and recover his body. The Pantheon, which is also a Catholic Church, was closed at the time of the incident. Police say there have been a handful of incidents over the years involving people jumping into the ditch where the man was found, which is open at street level. Police often patrol the area to ensure no one breaches the perimeter wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, a 55-year-old Spanish tourist also died after she fell from a high wall adjacent to the Spanish Steps, another popular tourist site in Rome. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US President Donald Trump on Friday departed for his Asia trip, where he will visit Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. The three-nation tour will begin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Trump is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit before proceeding to Japan and South Korea. At the conclusion of the tour, he is set to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House said. White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that Trump will meet Xi on the morning of October 30 in South Korea before returning to Washington. Trump is expected to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday (October 26) morning. Malaysia is currently chairing the annual meetings of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners. He will attend the ASEAN Summit on October 26-27, marking his first participation since skipping the summits in 2018, 2019, and 2020. During his time in Kuala Lumpur, Trump will hold an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday afternoon. He is also slated to participate in a signing ceremony with the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, whose countries engaged in a brief border conflict in July that left dozens dead and displaced many people. Later, he will join a working dinner with US-ASEAN leaders. The White House highlighted that the trip will cover trade talks, peace dialogues, and discussions on US-China tensions. After Malaysia, Trump will travel to Japan to meet the new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where they will discuss trade agreements and security cooperation. Following Japan, Trump will visit South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju. He will meet President Lee Jae Myung and address business leaders, reinforcing US engagement with the region. The crucial bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping will focus on trade tensions, rare earth exports, and fentanyl cooperation. Through these engagements, Trump aims to negotiate favourable trade agreements, reduce tariffs, and boost US exports, with his return to Asia potentially redefining regional trade and diplomacy. (ANI) Tova Ben-Dov 521 (photo credit: Courtesy) Ben-Dov was recognized as a leading figure in the Zionist and social movements in Israel and worldwide, a respected leader, and dedicated member of WIZO for sixty years. Tova Ben-Dov, the sixth president and Honorary Life President of the Womens International Zionist Organization (WIZO), passed away at 88, the organization announced in a statement on Friday. Ben-Dov served as President of World WIZO from 2012 to 2016. She also held positions as Vice President of the World Jewish Congress, member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, and member of the International Council of Women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her presidency at WIZO, she significantly expanded international relations and strengthened its ties with WIZO federations around the world, according to WIZO. A leading figure in the Zionist and social movements in Israel and worldwide, Ben-Dov dedicated her life to the betterment of Israeli society, advancing the welfare of women, children, youth, and communities in Israel and abroad, said WIZO of Ben-Dov. Within WIZO, she held numerous leadership positions, including Chairperson of the World WIZO Executive (2004-2012), Chairperson of the Department of Property, Buildings and Development, World WIZO Treasurer, and Deputy Chairperson of the Fundraising Division. WIZO's Margaret Thatcher Open House in Sderot (credit: WIZO) During her time as Chairperson of the Executive, WIZO received the Israel Prize in 2008 for its contribution to advancing the status of women and promoting gender equality, according to the organizations statement. Supporting the Sderot community Among Ben-Dovs notable accomplishments within the organization were the establishment of the Margaret Thatcher Open House in Sderot - a unique center providing professional treatment, therapy and support programs to thousands of children and families each year in this deeply traumatized city, according to WIZOs website. Alongside this project, Ben-Dov created the first fortified daycare centers in the city, which serve 200 children and employ 50 teachers and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben-Dovs volunteer work began as a young mother at the WIZO branch in Herzliya, where she rehabilitated soldiers wounded in the Yom Kippur War who were housed at Beit Heuss, a rehabilitation center established by WIZO, said WIZOs statement. She became a respected leader, nationally and internationally, leading programs to advance and empower women in diverse communities, establishing womens counselling stations and WIZO centers throughout Israel, and making a significant contribution to shaping WIZOs identity as a global social movement. In 2011, Ben-Dov was awarded the Yakir Tel Aviv (Worthy Citizen of Tel Aviv) award in recognition of her dedication, loyalty, and service to the welfare and honor of the city, according to WIZO, and in 2016, she was awarded the recognition of Honorary Fellow of the World Zionist Congress. Ben-Dov 'bridged generations' Chairperson of the World WIZO Anita Friedman paid tribute to Ben-Dov, and expressed, With deep sorrow and eternal gratitude, we bid farewell to Tova Ben-Dov - a courageous and inspiring leader who was the beating heart of WIZO. For 60 years, Tova devoted her heart and soul to WIZO, a lifetime of love, leadership, and giving to women, children, and families in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tova bridged generations and continents, guided by deep faith in the righteousness of her path and a profound love for people. She believed in the power of women to change reality, and thanks to her vision, WIZO became a unifying and empowering international movement. Her path, spirit, and legacy will continue to guide us in everything we do. President of the World WIZO Anat Vidor also honored Ben-Dovs legacy, recognizing her as a true Zionist leader, a woman who led with both grace and grit. She lived and breathed WIZO, embodying its spirit in every action and word. For Tova, WIZO was not just an organization but a calling, carried in her very DNA. Today, not only her family mourns her, but thousands of WIZO women around the world who saw in her a mother, a mentor, and a leader. As WIZOs eighth President, I have the privilege to continue the path she paved - with love, conviction, and the same unbreakable Zionist spirit that defined her life, said Vidor. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A city-wide town hall meeting has been planned for next week in Youngstown. Its scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Ford Recital Hall at the Deyor Performing Arts Center downtown. The topic will be how Youngstowns $82 million share of American Rescue Plan money was spent. The meeting will be hosted by 1st Ward Councilman Julius Oliver. Itll target basically each ward and whats been done with that money in each ward the $2 million that each councilperson got. Not only that, but itll also go over the overall spending of the $82 million, how much weve already put out and whats left to be put out, Oliver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan is to have town hall meetings every two months at different locations to discuss various topics. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A long-lost great white shark tag has revealed one shark's stunning journey from South Africa to Southeast Asia, giving new insight into the apex predator's migratory behavior. In 2012, researchers with the marine conservation organization OCEARCH tagged a young female great white shark named Alisha off the coast of South Africa. The goal was to study her movements within the southern African region. But over the next four years, Alisha and her satellite tag would go on an unexpected journey. Alisha resurfaced in Indonesia in 2016, some 23,000 miles from where she was originally tagged. Her journey is the first confirmed link between great white shark populations in South Africa and Southeast Asia, according to a Mongabay report. Before Alisha's data surfaced, scientists assumed that South African great white sharks were completely isolated from shark populations in Asian and Australian waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, however, scientists didn't know what became of Alisha. Her tag stopped transmitting, suggesting she had either died or the tag had been damaged. It wasn't until 2024 that her tag was finally returned to scientists by an Indonesian fisherman, providing "rare evidence of transoceanic connectivity," according to a Mongabay report. Alisha's journey unfortunately ended when she became entangled in the fisherman's longline gear in November 2016. Mistaking her for a mako shark, the fisherman kept the tag hidden for nearly a decade, fearing repercussions for the bycatch. It was only after the Indonesian non-profit Project Hiu, which works with local shark fishers, offered a reward for returning research equipment that the tag finally made its way back to scientists in 2024. In June, Alisha's journey and its scientific significance was recorded in a peer-reviewed study, becoming the first documented movement of a great white shark between South Africa and Southeast Asia. "You've never really seen a shark displaced so far," Dylan Irion, the paper's lead author and co-founder of diving and research organization Cape RADD, told Mongabay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irion added that Alisha's journey was remarkable not only for its distance, but also because she passed through vastly different habitats from the cold-temperate waters off South Africa to the warm tropical waters in Indonesia. The study notes that sightings of great white sharks in Southeast Asia particularly in Indonesia have been extremely rare. Yet, Alisha's misidentification as a longfin mako by the local fisherman suggests that other white sharks may have been similarly overlooked. Great white sharks are considered a vulnerable species with decreasing populations by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A lack of data, however, makes estimating great white populations nearly impossible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the biggest threats to great white sharks worldwide are bycatch, overfishing, and habitat impacts. In South Africa, shark-control programs and longline fishing continue to kill dozens of white sharks annually. In Indonesia, shark fishing is a vital source of income, with fishers selling both fins and meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sharks generally take a long time to reach maturity," Irion told Mongabay. "If females are not surviving, then their lifetime reproductive output is low. Couple that with a low population, and it doesn't take much to severely limit the potential for population growth." Alisha's story is more than a remarkable account of one shark's globe-trotting journey. It highlights the urgent need for international conservation work and a shared responsibility toward wildlife protection, especially for sharks facing so many avoidable threats. Irion told Mongabay, "The reason for publishing [the study] is to show how important it is to work across borders and collaborate internationally, as well as to build relationships with the local communities to find new ways of coexisting." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Tractor Supply will distribute more than $1 million to local police, fire and veteran organizations across the country on Nov. 1 as part of its newly declared National Hometown Heroes Day. The company plans have its 2,300-plus stores nationwide donate $500 each to local first responder and veteran groups. In New Jersey, where the company operates 33 stores, 49 organizations will receive donations totaling $16,500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hometown Heroes program reflects our deep gratitude for those who servemilitary members, veterans, and first responders, Hal Lawton, president and CEO of Tractor Supply said in a statement. These Heroes embody courage and commitment, and were proud to honor them year-round. With National Hometown Heroes Day, were taking that recognition further by uniting communities across the country to celebrate their service and sacrifice. Each store selected its community partner based on local needs to ensure support directly benefits those who serve their neighbors, company officials said. Tractor Supply locations in New Jersey include: Blairstown Bordentown Bridgeton Buena Vista Deptford Egg Harbor Flanders Hammonton Hillsborough Little Egg Harbor Logan Township Middletown Monroe Newton Old Bridge Pennsville Phillipsburg Pilesgrove Ringoes Rio Grande Rockaway Sicklerville Southampton Sussex Tinton Falls Toms River Upper Freehold Vineland West Milford Waretown Warren Washington West Berlin Stories by N.J. News Report Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Dallas residents are speaking out against the high number of Halloween decoration thefts occurring during the holiday season. Multiple Dallas residents have posted on the Ring Neighborhood app to report that people are stealing decorations from front lawns and porches, and many are asking for help from their neighbors. One neighbor posted on the application to state that multiple decorations were stolen from their front lawn overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guy on a bike stole our Halloween decorations. These three dolls are one of a kind, not store bought. Please let us know if you see them anywhere. Thanks, stated the post. Unfortunately, no real solutions were available. That sucks. A guy on a bike stole one of our decorations too, stated one neighbor. Another neighbor posted a video of an incident in which a man wearing a grey hoodie and shorts can be seen approaching the front porch before taking the decorations, with the neighbor writing that he took a Mummy and Frankenstein who talked and moved. Despite posting to ask for help, many residents in the area were unable to offer any solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is such a shame. I am so sorry! But please know porch theft is a very real thing in Dallas. We now enjoy our seasonal decorations inside, wrote one neighbor. This is Dallas. The police are a joke and anything of value left outside is gone, stated another resident. Comments about the lack of help from the Dallas Police Department have been a consistent theme in recent months, with many residents lamenting the absence of officers in both vehicular and porch theft cases, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The lack of consistent assistance from Dallas Police comes despite city voters passing Proposition U in 2024, which requires the city to maintain a certain number of sworn police officers and provides a benefit package that ranks among the top in the area. However, the City of Dallas has seemingly failed to meet the requirements outlined in this proposition, with budget proposals calling for fewer required officers and a compensation package that does not meet the requirements, as previously reported by DX. Students from Trinity High Schools Traveling Classroom class were on their last full day in France on Oct. 19 when they had a close encounter with an international jewel robbery. The students were at the Louvre Museum in Paris when a group of thieves, using a basket lift and power tools, cut their way through a window, gaining access to the Apollo Gallery. In just a few minutes, the thieves broke into two display cases in the gallery and stole jewelry belonging to two queens and two empresses. Although the students were concerned and were locked inside the Louvre for a time, the experience didnt spoil the trip, and the group was able to make the most of the rest of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trinity High School Principal Emily Hernandez said the schools Traveling Classroom takes an international trip every two years. This class is set up to help them deepen their faith and their understanding of the world, Hernandez said. The students must apply for the class, fundraise, and pay for their own trip. In the past, classes have gone to Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, and Puerto Rico. Hernandez said the class had already been to England and Normandy and had traveled through France prior to their visit to the Louvre. The class and chaperones, a group of 23 people, were in line when the museum opened at 9 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 9:15, we were taking pictures in front of the Mona Lisa, Hernandez said. The group was walking up the steps to the Apollo Gallery when the robbery began, Hernandez said. I was like 20 steps from the Apollo Gallery while teacher Deanna Wathen was nearly to the gallery doors, Hernandez said. We were about to go through the doors when everyone started rushing out with panicked looks on their faces. We didnt know what was going on, she said. The adult chaperones led the group back down the steps and had the students pair up, Hernandez said. The group then went back to the main entrance but had to remain in the museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had some (students) that were scared and we had some that remained more calm, but all of them did a great job of following our instructions, Hernandez said. Museum security was at the main doors, and they were joined by law enforcement and military personnel. Multiple police officers and military were there, so we assured our students that the right people were there, Hernandez said. After leaving the museum, the group considered cutting the rest of the day short but decided to continue with their plan, which included Mass at Notre Dame, a visit to other notable sites, and a tour of Paris by boat that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went to Mass, and thats what everybody needed, Hernandez said. By the end of the evening, we went to dinner and went on a boat tour and saw the Eiffel Tower lighted up. Im thankful we proceeded with our day, Hernandez said. The incident did not spoil the trip, and Hernandez said the class will take more international tours in the future. We were on the trip for 230-240 hours, and (the incident) was just an hour and a half of it, Hernandez said. The rest of it was fabulous. A fresh wave of violence has once again targeted Pakistan's fragile education system. Unidentified assailants on Friday blew up an under-construction girls' primary school in Gara Budha village of Tank district, near Dera Ismail Khan, sparking fear and outrage among residents, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, the explosion occurred when unidentified attackers planted explosives along the school's boundary wall and under several classrooms. The blast, which tore through the structure in the early morning, caused extensive damage to the building that was nearing completion. Police said the site was later inspected by the bomb disposal unit, which gathered evidence and assessed the scale of destruction. The motive and perpetrators behind the bombing remain unclear. However, the attack has generated deep concern in the community, with parents and activists condemning the assault on girls' education. They have demanded that the provincial authorities not only rebuild the school immediately but also ensure adequate security for educational institutions in the region. Residents warned that if the attackers were not arrested soon, they would stage demonstrations to demand justice. "This is not just an attack on a school; it's an attack on the future of our daughters," said a local elder, echoing the community's frustration. The recurring destruction of educational facilities in Pakistan's northwestern areas reflects the state's persistent failure to safeguard learning spaces, especially for young girls. In a separate development, four employees of a mobile phone company who were kidnapped earlier this week were safely recovered on Friday. The workers were abducted from the Garah Bakhtiyar area while transporting telecom equipment, as highlighted by Dawn. Police officials said the abductees were later released unconditionally by the kidnappers in Garah Mastan village, apparently fearing the ongoing crackdown. A case has been registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) against the unidentified culprits, as reported by Dawn. (ANI) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals paused any National Guard troops coming to Portland until 5 p.m. on Oct. 28. The court says the decision was made to allow the completion of pending en banc proceedings. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut held a meeting Friday morning to discuss whether Oregons temporary restraining order blocking out-of-state troops should stay in place. After winning their appeal to federalize the Oregon National Guard in a 2-1 decision, the Trump administration filed a motion to remove the order, claiming its logic is based on the same basis as the temporary restraining order (TRO) that had been appealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing both sides arguments, Judge Immergut said she will have a decision by Monday. This decision gives the court time to fully consider the serious constitutional questions at stake, said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. It also ensures there wont be a federal deployment while that process plays outan important step in protecting Oregonians rights and keeping our communities safe. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Tropical Storm Melissa rapidly intensified Saturday, Oct. 25, and is now major Category 3 hurricane as it moves toward potential landfall in Jamaica, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. At 11 p.m., Hurricane Melissa was 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and moving west at 3 mph. Rapid intensification is predicted to continue over the next day or so and Melissa is expected to become a monster Category 5 hurricane by Monday, according to the NHC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track Hurricane Melissa Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location A majority of models show Hurricane Melissa near or over Jamaica during the weekend and early next week, and it could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week. A hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica, a hurricane watch for southwestern Haiti and portions of Cuba, which is also under a tropical storm warning. The hurricane center urges residents in Jamaica to seek shelter. Melissa is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica into Wednesday, with 40 inches possible locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are expected for Jamaica, the southern portions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic as well as Cuba. Life-threatening storm surge is becoming more likely along the south coast of Jamaica later this weekend or early next week. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet, near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall, NHC forecasters said. Extensive infrastructural damage and potentially prolonged isolation of communities in Haiti are likely. Residents in eastern Cuba, southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands should monitor Melissa closely, the hurricane center warns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Melissa may become a monster hurricane, it poses "little to no risk to Florida or the continental U.S.," said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, who works with the USA TODAY Network. Here's what you should know. Where is Hurricane Melissa now? Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Hurricane Melissa summary, as of 11 p.m., Oct. 25: Location : 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica; 250 miles southwest of Port Au Prince, Haiti; 758 miles south of West Palm Beach, Florida Maximum sustained winds: 110 mph Movement : west at 3 mph Pressure: 967 mb Hurricane Melissa: What you need to know At 11 p.m., the center of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.4 North, longitude 75.9 West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa is moving toward the west at nearly 3 mph. A slow westward motion is expected tonight through the end of the weekend. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Monday and Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica during the weekend and early next week, and it could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week. Reports from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph with higher gusts. Melissa is a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue rapid intensification is forecast during the next day or so, followed by fluctuations in intensity. Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica early next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles. The minimum central pressure reported by the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 967 mb. What is rapid intensification? Rapid intensification occurs when wind speeds increase by at least 35 mph in 24 hours. Hurricane Melissa spaghetti models, projected path Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track Hurricane Melissa See map of hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings issued for Florida As of Oct. 25, no watches or warnings associated with Hurricane Melissa have been issued for Florida or the U.S. Hurricane watch issued for Jamaica, portion of Haiti A hurricane warning is in effect for: Jamaica A hurricane watch is in effect for: Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin. A tropical storm warning is in effect for: Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. Storm tracker: How strong is Hurricane Melissa and where is it going? Hurricane Melissa has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Melissa is moving toward the west-northwest at 3 mph. A slow westward motion is expected tonight through the end of the weekend. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Monday and Tuesday. Is Hurricane Melissa coming to Florida? Most current models show Hurricane Melissa being picked up and being shoved to the northeast into the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing and strength of a dip in the jet stream over the eastern United States next week will help determine the path that Melissa takes through the northern Caribbean and into the southwestern Atlantic," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "At this time, the odds of 'direct' rain and wind impacts from Melissa reaching the U.S. East Coast are low. WeatherTiger: Melissa a monster in the making with Florida dodging the bullet Melissa poses "little to no risk to Florida or the continental U.S.," said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, who works with the USA TODAY Network. "Odds of any outer bands of Melissa even minimally scraping southeast Florida on its way out (into the Atlantic) are around 5%." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasters encourage residents to monitor the tropics and to always be prepared. Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Hurricane Melissa Jamaica: Seek shelter now. A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides. Extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and isolation of communities are expected. Life-threatening storm surge is likely along portions of the southern coast early next week. Haiti: Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected across southwestern Haiti into early next week, likely causing extensive infrastructural damage and isolation of communities. Strong winds could last for a day or more over the Tiburon peninsula. Dominican Republic: Heavy rainfall through the middle of next week could produce catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides in southern portions of the country. Eastern Cuba, Southeast Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos: Monitor Melissa closely. There is an increasing risk of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall by the middle of next week. In eastern Cuba, the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides is increasing. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for portions of eastern Cuba. Current forecast: Where is Hurricane Melissa going and how strong could it get? As of 11 a.m.: 115 mph, Category 3 hurricane 12 hours: 125 mph 24 hours: 145 mph, Category 4 hurricane 36 hours: 155 mph, 48 hours: 160 mph, Category 5 hurricane 60 hours: 140 mph, Category 4 hurricane, inland Jamaica 72 hours: 120 mph, over water 96 hours: 105 mph 120 hours: 85 mph A Category 5 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 157 mph. What impact could Hurricane Melissa have and what areas could be affected? Wind : Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica by early Sunday morning, with hurricane conditions expected by later on Sunday or on Monday. Tropical storm conditions are expected and hurricane conditions are possible within the watch and warning area in Haiti through Sunday. Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area in eastern Cuba on Tuesday into Wednesday. Rainfall : Melissa is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica into Wednesday, with local maxima of 40 inches possible. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Wednesday; uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals. Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are probable across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica. For eastern Cuba, total rainfall of 6 to 12 inches, with local amounts to 18 inches, are expected into Wednesday resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Wednesday; uncertainty at that time range precludes exact storm totals. Storm surge: Life-threatening storm surge is becoming more likely along the south coast of Jamaica later in the weekend or early next week. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above ground level, near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall. This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. There is a potential for significant storm surge along the southeast coast of Cuba early next week. Surf: Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next several days. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story has been updated to include new information. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane Melissa intensifying. Path, forecast, location. FL impacts? KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane late Saturday, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica. Melissa became a hurricane on Saturday and then intensified rapidly into a major storm. U.S. forecasters have issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica and say Melissa could further strengthen into a Category 4 storm. Life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica into early next week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa was centered about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica late Saturday night, and about 280 miles (455 kilometers) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) and was moving west at 3 mph (6 kph), the hurricane center said. The slow-moving storm was expected to drop torrential rain, up to 25 inches (64 centimeters), on Jamaica, according to the hurricane center. Up to 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain could pound the Tiburon peninsula in southwestern Haiti. The Cuban government on Saturday afternoon issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and Holguin. Storm's slow progress Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The erratic and slow-moving storm has killed at least three people in Haiti and a fourth person in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing. Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire, Jamie Rhome, the centers deputy director, said earlier on Saturday. He said the storm will continue to move slowly for up to four days. Melissa is forecast to hit eastern Cuba early Wednesday, where up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) could fall in some areas. Authorities in Jamaica said on Saturday that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will be closed at 8 p.m. local time. It did not say whether it will close the Sangster airport in Montego Bay, on the western side of the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 650 shelters were activated in Jamaica. Officials said warehouses across the island were well-stocked and thousands of food packages prepositioned for quick distribution if needed. I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously, said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Take all measures to protect yourself. River levels rise Haitian authorities said three people had died as a consequence of the hurricane and another five were injured due to a collapsed wall. There were also reports of rising river levels, flooding and a bridge destroyed due to breached riverbanks in Sainte-Suzanne, in the northeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way its moving, said Ronald Delice, a Haitian department director of civil protection, as local authorities organized lines to distribute food kits. Many residents are still reluctant to leave their homes. The storm has damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and knocked out water supply systems, affecting more than half a million customers. It also downed trees and traffic lights, unleashed a couple of small landslides and left more than two dozen communities isolated by floodwaters. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology said Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms. ____ Associated Press writer Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributed to this report. Tropical Storm Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane, the United States-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) says, as people across several Caribbean countries braced for heavy rainfall and dangerous flooding. Hurricane Melissa was located about 380km (235 miles) southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour, the NHC said in its latest advisory on Saturday afternoon. A hurricane warning was in place for Jamaica as the NHC said life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides were expected in portions of southern Hispaniola island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic and Jamaica into early next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centre of Melissa was expected to move near or over Jamaica during the weekend and early next week, the NHC said, adding that it could be near or over eastern Cuba by the middle of next week. A hurricane watch was also in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti, from Port-au-Prince to the border with the Dominican Republic, according to the NHC advisory. A man rides a motorcycle on a flooded street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025 [Eddy Vittini/Reuters] Already, three people have died in Haiti, including two killed in a landslide in the capital Port-au-Prince and another struck by a falling tree in Marigot, officials said. A fourth person was killed in the Dominican Republic, where another remains missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamaicas Meteorological Service principal director Evan Thompson told The Gleaner that residents should brace for a double effect as the hurricanes eye passes over the island, with the strongest winds hitting from opposite directions on either side of the centre. The forecast marks a significant shift from earlier in the week, when landfall was considered only a slim chance. Authorities have readied more than 650 emergency shelters across Jamaica and said airports will close once a hurricane warning is declared. Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned the public to treat the approaching storm as a serious threat. Take all measures to protect yourself, he said. The storm has already wrought havoc in the Dominican Republic, where nearly 200 homes have been damaged and more than half a million people left without water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Los Rios neighbourhood of the capital, Santo Domingo, families were forced to flee rising floodwaters on Thursday evening after surrounding streams burst their banks, according to the Listin Diario daily newspaper. More than two dozen Dominican communities remain cut off by floodwaters, prompting mandatory evacuations and nationwide school closures. The situation is particularly dire for thousands displaced by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, now living in makeshift shelters with scant protection. Im dealing with two storms: the gangs and the weather, Nephtali Johnson Pierre told The Associated Press news agency. Melissa is also forecast to strike eastern Cuba as a major hurricane on Wednesday. I am a DOT Safety and Compliant consultant, with 23 years of industry experience. Ive seen the issues with the current CDL system and believe there are solutions that can significantly improve safety and eliminate fraud. Tab Caticha How to Overturn the CDL System: A Comprehensive Reform Proposal The Commercial Drivers License (CDL) system, along with USDOT numbers, is plagued by inefficiencies, fraud vulnerabilities, and inconsistent oversight across states. These shortcomings undermine transportation safety and regulatory compliance, creating opportunities for exploitation. A bold overhaul is needed, centered on federalizing CDL issuance, strengthening security measures, and streamlining regulatory processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is a detailed plan to reform the system, ensuring greater safety, accountability, and efficiency: Centralizing CDL Issuance Under USDOT The foundation of this reform is transferring CDL issuance from individual states to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). This would establish a single, standardized Federal CDL, replacing the patchwork of state-issued licenses. Key features include: Unified Federal CDL : USDOT would exclusively issue Federal CDLs, while states retain authority to issue regular drivers licenses and Intrastate Only CDLs for drivers aged 1820. Elimination of the K Restriction : Removing the K restriction, which limits certain CDL holders to intrastate driving, would simplify identification of driver privileges for industry professionals and law enforcement. Standardized Training and Testing: All CDL holders would undergo identical training and testing nationwide, ensuring consistency and reducing disparities in driver qualifications. Benefits of Federal CDL Issuance: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simplified Relocation : Drivers moving between states would only need to update their address, not obtain a new CDL. Efficient Suspension Tracking : A centralized database would enable immediate identification of suspended drivers across all states. Fraud Reduction : Uniform processes would minimize opportunities for fraudulent CDL acquisition. Dual Functionality : A Federal CDL would also serve as a standard drivers license, reducing the need for multiple credentials. Streamlined DMV Visits: Drivers would only visit state DMVs for specialized licenses (e.g., motorcycle or boating licenses). Strengthening Security with TWIC Card Integration To enhance security and prevent fraud, every Federal CDL would be paired with a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card, administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This integration would include: Comprehensive Background Checks : TWIC cards would verify a drivers identity, legal status, and background, preventing illegal aliens from obtaining CDLs. Biometric Data : TWIC cards would incorporate biometric identifiers to prevent individuals from obtaining multiple USDOT numbers or CDLs under different identities. Real ID Compliance: All Federal CDLs would meet Real ID standards, ensuring rigorous verification of residency and identity. Standardized Testing and Issuance Procedures To ensure consistency and security, CDL testing and issuance would occur exclusively at federal facilities: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal Testing Locations : CDL tests would take place at federal buildings, administered by federal employees. Tests would be conducted in English to confirm language proficiency, a critical safety factor for navigating federal regulations and road signs. Secure Testing Environment : Entry to testing facilities would require identification, reducing fraud opportunities. One-Stop Issuance: Federal buildings would serve as hubs for issuing both CDLs and TWIC cards, streamlining the process. Alternatively, the two credentials could be combined into a single document. Reforming Company Ownership Regulations Fraudulent chameleon companiesbusinesses that evade regulations by frequently changing names or locationspose a significant challenge. To address this: TWIC Requirements for Owners : Company officials applying for a USDOT number would provide their TWIC Card SSN, linking their identity to the application. Address Restrictions : Each physical address would be limited to one company registration, with verification to ensure the location is commercial, not residential. Virtual addresses like P.O. boxes or mailing centers would be prohibited. 21-Day Verification Period : A mandatory waiting period would allow USDOT to verify application details before granting authority. Insurance Oversight: Alternatively, insurance companies could be barred from issuing policies to multiple companies at the same residential address, with an industry database ensuring compliance. Federalizing Apportioned License Plates To curb chameleon companies, USDOT would take over the issuance of apportioned license plates: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centralized Plate Issuance : Federal oversight would prevent companies from switching vehicles between entities to evade detection. State Flexibility : States could continue issuing Intrastate Only license plates for local operations. Enhanced Accountability: Centralized plate issuance would make it harder for companies to relocate across state lines to avoid scrutiny. Streamlining IFTA Tax Compliance The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) system is prone to evasion. To improve compliance: IRS Oversight : IFTA tax collection would be redirected to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which would redistribute funds to states. Reduced Evasion: Centralizing tax collection would make it harder for companies and owner-operators to avoid IFTA taxes by relocating across state lines. Funding the Overhaul Implementing these changes requires funding, which can be sourced efficiently: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reallocating MCSAP Funds : The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) budget would be redirected to cover federal CDL issuance and plate administration, as states would have fewer responsibilities. Cost Efficiency: The federal government already issues license plates for its agencies, so expanding to apportioned plates would incur minimal additional costs. A Path to a Safer, More Efficient System The current CDL systems state-based approach is outdated, vulnerable to fraud, and inefficient. By federalizing CDL issuance, integrating TWIC cards, standardizing testing, regulating company ownership, and centralizing apportioned plates and IFTA taxes, this proposal tackles systemic flaws head-on. These reforms would enhance transportation safety, reduce fraud, and create a streamlined, equitable system for drivers, companies, and regulators. The transportation industry deserves a modernized frameworkcentralized USDOT oversight is the key to achieving it. The post The trucking industry needs CDL reform appeared first on FreightWaves. The Trump administration is proposing to auction offshore oil drilling leases across new portions of the U.S. coast as soon as 2026, according to internal Department of Interior draft documents viewed by CBS News. New leases would include waters off New England, the Carolinas and California. Offshore oil leases are common along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, as well as parts of Alaska, but there are currently no active oil leases on the Atlantic coast, and California has not had a new oil lease since 1984. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as the Department of Interior formally announced plans this week to reopen 1.56 million aces in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas leasing, reversing a Biden administration decision to limit oil drilling in the Arctic. That decision drew a strong rebuke from Democrats, including Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, who accused the administration of rewarding the fossil fuel industry for its support of the president. "This decision is not about energy dominanceit's about donor dominance," Markey said in a statement. "The Trump administration must immediately reverse its shortsighted decision. The Arctic Refuge is not for sale." The Department of Interior is assessing new oil leases as part of the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which issues oil leases in five-year increments. The Biden administration set the previous plan and had the fewest leases on record, with only three. Offshore oil platform in California's Santa Barbara Channel. / Credit: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Documents reviewed by CBS News included assessments of whether state governments favored offshore drilling, and indicated that the states opposed it. The documents also included potential dates for leasing each tract of seafloor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the plan is approved by the Interior secretary and moves forward, California could see lease sales as soon as 2027 and the Beaufort Sea in Alaska, which includes the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, could see lease sales as early as 2026. Under the terms of the lease, a company would then have five to 10 years, depending on the water depth in the area, to explore and develop oil and gas production. The Trump administration opened a public comment period in April for a new five-year gas leasing policy. Lawmakers from both parties voiced concerns about offshore drilling, including members of Congress and state governors, and the process drew more than 34,000 comments. Governors Josh Stein (D, North Carolina) and Henry McMaster (R, South Carolina), issued a joint statement opposing the idea, saying there has been broad bipartisan consensus against offshore drilling because of, "the risks that these activities pose to the economy and environment of our states." In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in June, McMaster wrote, "Every coastal municipality in South Carolina has passed a resolution opposing oil and gas exploration activities offshore. I stand firmly with them. We simply cannot afford to accept the risk of the adverse environmental impact attendant to offshore drilling." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News reached out to McMaster for comment, but his office did not respond. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican who is running for governor of South Carolina, issued a similar letter to Burgum, writing, "In South Carolina, there is widespread bipartisan agreement in opposing offshore drilling off the coast of our state." The Trump administration tried to open new offshore oil leases during his first term, but backtracked when Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina lawmakers from both parties criticized the effort. The Trump administration instituted bans on offshore drilling in waters surrounding those states shortly before the 2020 election. The current iteration of the plan does not include offshore oil leases off Florida's coast, but it is unclear whether those bans will continue off the Carolinas. CBS News reached out to the White House and Department of Interior for more information about the plans. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing policy discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration issued a record low number of offshore oil leases, and withdrew 625 million acres along the Pacific, Atlantic and Alaska coasts from offshore oil development. The Trump administration rescinded those Biden withdrawals, and a federal court in Louisiana ruled this month that the Biden withdrawals were illegal. Offshore oil leases have been unpopular for decades. Congress had a moratorium preventing drilling on both coasts and the eastern Gulf from 1981 to 2008, and President George H.W. Bush issued an executive order preventing offshore drilling which stood until 2008, when his son lifted the order. The Obama administration had once considered opening the Atlantic coast to offshore oil leases but changed its stance following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf. The Department of Interior is expected to publish its first proposal on the subject in the coming weeks. There will be two additional comment periods before a final plan is proposed and implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan 4 sisters diagnosed with rare brain condition: "Got to be kidding" Pentagon "crossed this Rubicon" by sending strike group to Latin America, military analyst says President Donald Trumps first visit to Asia since returning to power will include a high-stakes sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a series of new trade agreements as well as a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, the White House said Friday. Deputy Press Secretary told reporters that Trumps trip to Asia he was scheduled to leave shortly before 11 p.m. ET Friday will allow him to deliver for the American people in one of the most economically vibrant regions of the world by signing a series of economic agreements with Asian leaders. Kelly said the agreements would further reshape the global economic order and secure more investments that will create high paying jobs and advance the reindustrialization of America, and will include forward looking and tough trade deals that will benefit American workers, exporters, farmers, small businesses and digital innovators as well as critical mineral agreements that will rapidly unlock the region's resources to create reliable industrial supply chains to support a resilient and prosperous world economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps first stop is in Malaysia, where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is hosting the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders summit. According to Kelly, he will use the occasion to preside over the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which she said would save more lives, reduce more conflict and advance security across a free and open Indo-Pacific. Additionally, Trump will attend a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Ibrahim and a US-ASEAN working dinner with leaders that night. Trump and Xi are set to meet in South Korea next week (Getty) He will then fly to Japan, where he will meet with the countrys newly-installed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, as well as Emperor Naruhito. Hell also be joined by dozens of corporate leaders on the visit, and will meet with forward-deployed American troops before flying to South Korea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, Trump is scheduled to speak to a group of business leaders upon arrival before a bilateral program hosted by South Korean president Lee Jae Myung, who will then host Trump as the guest of honor for an exclusive and intimate heads of state dinner along with key regional leaders. The next day in Busan, South Korea, Trump will meet with Xi for the first time since he was sworn in for his second term in January before returning to Washington. The meeting between Trump and Xi comes after months of tensions amid the escalating trade war the president started shortly after taking office. Trump first announced his intention to meet with the Chinese leader last month after what he called a very productive phone call focusing largely on his administrations agreement to put TikToks American operations in the hands of an American ownership group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Trump has escalated his war of words with Beijing by accusing China of leveraging its soybean purchase power for negotiations and declares soybeans to be a major topic of discussion when he meets Xi. He has also hit out at Xis government for recent announcements of restrictions on export of rare earth materials and threatened to increase the tax rate Americans pay for Chinese imports to a whopping 157 percent, though he later conceded that such a high tariff is not sustainable. A senior administration official who briefed reporters on plans for the trip said Trumps intent for his sit-down with Xi is to discuss the trade, the economic relationship between the United States and China rather than other matters such as Americas policy towards Taiwan, particularly given recent actions by Beijing which the official described as threats to global economic stability. When pressed specifically on whether Trump would engage with Xi on Taiwan, the official replied: There's no intent from the US side to discuss other issues, though he later stressed that he was sure Trump would be prepared to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Trumps often-bellicose rhetoric towards Beijing when it comes to trade policy, the president claimed on Monday that he commands great respect from Beijing and that he will reach a fantastic deal with Xi when the two leaders meet. Trump met with Xi on multiple occasions during his first four years in office, and he has often expressed admiration for the Chinese leader. Another regional leader he has had kind words for in the past is Kim Jong-Un, the North Korean dictator with whom he met for two summits during his first term plus an impromptu June 2019 meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone that saw the American president actually cross into South Korea for a few moments. But even though Trump has expressed a desire to rekindle his relationship with Kim since returning to office, a senior White House official said a meeting with the North Korean dictator is not on the schedule for this trip. With additional reporting by wire agencies A key Trump ally says a federal grand jury has been empaneled in Florida that will begin meeting in January to investigate what he calls a decade-long conspiracy against President Donald Trump. In a series of interviews with conservative podcasters over the last week, conservative attorney Mike Davis -- a close friend and informal adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi and other top Trump administration officials -- has claimed that the grand jury will consider whether to bring criminal charges against top Democratic figures that Davis claims have colluded over the last decade to impede Trump, beginning with the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election through the criminal cases against the president. Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty - PHOTO: Tom-Homan-CPAC-2025 "I've been publicly calling for this for three years. I'm going to make damn sure that these lawfare Democrats go to prison during the four years of President Trump's second term," Davis told conservative commentator Benny Johnson on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for former special counsel Jack Smith dispute 'inaccurate' claims he tapped senators' phones While Davis does not hold a government position, court documents confirm that a federal judge last month ordered a grand jury to be empaneled in Fort Pierce, Florida, beginning in January at the request of the Trump administration. A representative of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the purpose of the grand jury. A conservative lawyer who helped shepherd Trump's nominees through the Supreme Court confirmation process, Davis now runs the Article III Project, an organization that describes itself as devoted to helping "fight leftist lawfare to defend the rule of law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has recently called for the prosecution of some of the same officials accused by Davis of using lawfare to target him. "They cheated and rigged the 2020 Presidential Election," Trump wrote on social media Saturday. "These Radical Left Lunatics should be prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior!" Trump has not yet commented on Davis' remarks on the conservative podcasts. In an interview on "The Charlie Kirk Show," Davis said his "buddy" Jason Quinones -- the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida -- moved to empanel the grand jury after Davis "pushed very hard" to investigate what he says is a conspiracy against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis has suggested that top officials, including former Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, FBI Director Chris Wray and Special Counsel Jack Smith should be compelled to testify before the grand jury to answer questions about what Davis says is the politicized use of the legal system. Quinones and representatives from the Southern District of Florida did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images - PHOTO: Attorney General Pam Bondi Announces Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia Guilty Plea Davis has argued that the former Biden administration officials and others violated a section of federal law, known as 18 U.S.C. 241, by conspiring to interfere with federally protected rights. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan calls on Jack Smith to testify over Trump investigations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Created in response to a surge in violence during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, the law has historically been used to protect the civil rights of Black Americans, though prosecutors have expanded it to apply to broader election-related and police-misconduct offenses. Notably, Trump was accused of violating the statute after he allegedly sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election, though the case was dismissed after he won the 2024 election. Davis claims that a wide array of actions -- including the FBI's investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection -- were coordinated efforts by Democrats to impede and ultimately imprison Trump. Davis also argues the criminal and civil cases against Trump, purported issues with Trump's Secret Service protection ahead of two assassination attempts last year and the efforts to remove Trump from the ballot in 2024 could also be violations of federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They took the country to the break. They tried to bankrupt Trump for non-fraud. They tried to throw him in prison four times for non-crimes. They tried to take him off the ballot in Colorado and made it elsewhere unconstitutionally. They tried to take off his head when Joe Biden underfunded Trump's Secret Service protection, said he was the biggest threat to democracy and to put a bull's eye on Trump," Davis said on Friday on the Johnson podcast. With some Republican senators now raising concerns over the scope of the federal investigation of the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election -- including the subpoenaing of phone records of multiple senators -- Davis has argued he has enough support to carry out a sweeping investigation. Joe Raedle/Getty Images - PHOTO: Federal Judge Sets Mid August Trial Date For Former President Trump's Classified Documents Case "There's now a special grand jury that Jason [Quinones] just motioned the court and the Southern District of Florida to open in Fort Pierce. That's going to be empaneled in January. I think that sounds like a great place to open up this grand jury on Crossfire Hurricane and against these lawfare Democrats," Davis said Friday. The setting for the grand jury in Fort Pierce's federal courthouse is a familiar one for Trump and his allies -- it's the same courthouse where he attended multiple hearings in his criminal case for allegedly retaining classified documents and obstructing justice. Davis claims the classified documents case, which was dismissed by a federal judge before the 2024 election, is part of the conspiracy against Trump as well. "As I promised and as I will deliver, justice is definitely coming," Davis said Friday on Johnson's podcast. United States President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Malaysia for the first leg of a five-day trip that spans Japan and South Korea, his first to a region reeling from his aggressive trade tariffs since taking office in January. Top economic officials from the US and China kick-started talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, in a bid to chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods and Beijing expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. The talks aim to pave the way for a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which could bring some deals on tariffs, technology controls and Chinese purchases of US soya beans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will meet with Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Air Force One during a refuel stop in Qatar en-route to Malaysia, a White House official said on Saturday, with the fragile Gaza ceasefire at the fore. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been in Israel, will join Trump in Qatar, the official said Trump will arrive on Sunday morning in Kuala Lumpur for his longest trip abroad since returning to the White House in January. As he left the White House on Friday evening, Trump expressed confidence that he would have a good meeting with the Chinese leader. We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us, he told reporters. Trump-Xi meeting On Thursday, Trump will meet Xi for the first time since his return to office in South Koreas Busan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to a total of some 155 percent from November 1 if a deal is not found. That would almost certainly provoke a reaction from Beijing and end a truce that paused tit-for-tat hikes. Beyond trade, the two leaders are expected to discuss Taiwan, a long-running point of contention, and Russia, a Chinese ally now subject to expanded US sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Trump also said he will likely raise the issue of releasing Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Lai is serving a prison sentence in Hong Kong under Beijing-imposed national security laws. Its on my list. Im going to ask Well see what happens, Trump told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of Trumps visit for the APEC summit, thousands of South Korean protesters are holding a rally in downtown Seoul, condemning his tariff policies and pressure on South Korea to invest in the US. ASEAN summit After skipping ASEAN summits in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Trump, whose disdain for multilateralism is well-documented, will attend the gathering of Southeast Asian nations for the second time. Several other high-profile leaders from non-ASEAN countries will also be present in Malaysia, including Japans new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This years ASEAN summit comes as Malaysia and the US have been working to address a deadly border conflict that fully erupted between Thailand and Cambodia in July before a ceasefire calmed hostilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Trump is scheduled to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been central in guiding and hosting Thai-Cambodian talks, and they may oversee the signing of a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia. The Thai Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, travelled to Malaysia on Saturday to sign a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and hold talks with Trump. The deal would formalise an agreement that ended the worst fighting in years between the two countries, though it falls short of a comprehensive peace deal. Trump threatened earlier this year to withhold trade deals with the countries if they didnt stop fighting, and his administration has since been working with Malaysia on an expanded ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president credited Anwar with working to resolve the conflict. I told the leader of Malaysia, who is a very good man, I think I owe you a trip, Trump told reporters on board Air Force One. Separately, Malaysias Foreign Minister, Mohammed Hasan, said on Saturday that ASEAN is considering sending election observers to Myanmar, where polls are expected to be held later this year under the countrys military government. On Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said governments attending the regional summits in Malaysia should reject the Myanmar militarys plans to hold elections in December 2025, in a letter to all countries sending delegates. The US leader on Sunday may also have a significant meeting with Lula, who wants to see the US cut a 40 percent tariff on Brazilian imports. The US administration has justified the tariffs by citing Brazils criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula on Friday criticised the US campaign of military strikes off the South American coast in the name of fighting drug trafficking and said he planned to raise concerns with Trump in Malaysia. The White House has not yet publicly confirmed whether a meeting is taking place. President Trump late Friday suggested that former Special Counsel Jack Smith, former Attorney General Merrick Garland and other Biden administration officials should be prosecuted over their involvement in the investigation into the presidents alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In a Truth Social post published just prior to departing for his Asia trip, Trump also named former FBI Director Christopher Wray and former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. All four officials are frequent targets of the presidents ire. Just in: Documents show conclusively that Christopher Wray, Deranged Jack Smith, Merrick Garland, Lisa Monaco, and other crooked lowlifes from the failed Biden Administration, signed off on Operation Arctic Frost, Trump wrote. They spied on Senators and Congressmen/women, and even taped their calls. They cheated and rigged the 2020 Presidential Election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, These Radical Left Lunatics should be prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior! Its unclear what documents the president is referring to. The Hill reached out to the White House for comment. Earlier in October, the Senate Judiciary Committee released an unclassified document showing the FBI analyzed the phone records of nine Republican members of Congress in 2023 during the Biden administrations investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Among those targeted were Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and Josh Hawley (Mo.). The preliminary toll analysis conducted by an unnamed special agent was part of the bureaus Arctic Frost investigation, opened in April 2022 by Timothy Thibault, the former assistant special agent in charge of the FBIs Washington field office. The investigation preceded Smiths later efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has frequently railed against Smith. Prior to Election Day in 2024, he said the former prosecutor should be thrown out of the country. Last week, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) another Republican whose phone records were analyzed in 2023 and other GOP lawmakers requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate Smith. The former special counsel later asked that he be allowed to appear publicly after House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded his testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has opened up about his years of service in Pakistan, sharing insights into the CIA's operations, its collaboration with Pakistan's intelligence agency, and the challenges of counterterrorism work. He also revealed how American defense contractor funds and cash rewards enriched some ISI officers, shedding light on the complex and often transactional US-Pakistan relationship. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he said, "May I add one thing? I feel that Pakistani groups with an eye towards India benefited because of those American defense contractor monies. Their defense parts were all turned towards India. And I'll add something, we paid tens of millions of dollars in cash as rewards to the Pakistani intelligence service. And God knows what they did with that money." Kiriakou, who spent 15 years in the CIA, half in analysis and the rest in counterterrorism operations, served as the chief of CIA counterterrorism operations in Pakistan in 2002, immediately after the 9/11 attacks. "My job was to locate al-Qaeda fighters and leaders and to snatch them. Wait a minute. Well, I was based in Islamabad, but I worked all over the country, Peshawar all the way to Karachi. I spent a great deal of time in Lahore and Faisalabad, Quetta, which was a rough place to live and work," he said. During this period, Kiriakou tracked and captured high-value targets, including Abu Zubaydah. "We believed wrongly at the time that Abu Zubaydah was the number three in al-Qaeda. He was not the number three. He had never joined al-Qaeda. He was working in support of al-Qaeda, certainly. He had founded the House of Martyrs, the al-Qaeda safe house in Peshawar. He had founded and staffed al-Qaeda's two training camps in southern Afghanistan, one in Kandahar, one in Helmand," he said. Highlighting the complexities of working with Pakistan's intelligence agency, Kiriakou noted, "We didn't fully trust the Pakistani ISI at the time, so we never told them who the target was. Okay, we never said it's Abu Zubaydah, Zain al-Abidin Muhammad Hussein. I won't take umbrage to that, that's fine, because we were afraid that word would leak out and it would get back to al-Qaeda. And so we just called him a big fish, which became Mr. Fish." He explained that the CIA worked with two distinct lines within the ISI. "There really were two parallel ISIs. There was the ISI that I was working with, and these guys were heroes. They were all trained at Sandhurst in the UK. They had taken classes in the US sponsored by the FBI. Their English was as good as mine, great guys who were willing to put their lives on the line in the name of counterterrorism. But then there was another ISI made up of people with long beards, who gave you a dirty look when you were walking the halls there. These were the members of ISI who had created these Kashmiri terrorist groups, Jaish-e-Mohammed or other groups that were blowing up Shia Muslim mosques and were attacking Americans." On the US strategy after 9/11, Kiriakou said, "The United States was reactive at the time rather than proactive. You remember, we waited for more than a month before we started bombing Afghanistan. Yes, we were trying to be deliberate. We were trying to not let emotion cloud our judgment. And we waited a month until we had proper buildup in the region, and then we began attacking known al-Qaeda sites." Recalling Operation Parakram and the potential war between India and Pakistan in 2002, he said, "Family members had been evacuated from Islamabad. So everybody who was working in Islamabad was working alone, right? There were no family members there. It's 12 o'clock, and I said, they've been evacuated. And she said, why? I said, because India and Pakistan are going to go to war with each other, like at any minute now." Kiriakou also revealed the first direct link between Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and al-Qaeda. "A couple of months later, in March 2002, we raided a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba safe house in Lahore. Okay, and in that house, we captured three Lashkar-e-Tayyiba fighters who had with them a copy of the al-Qaeda training manual. And it was the first time, analytically, that we were able to connect Lashkar-e-Tayyiba with al-Qaeda." He described the US-Pakistan strategic relationship as transactional. "The relationship is bigger than India-Pakistan, at least temporarily. The relationship, we needed the Pakistanis actually more than they needed us at that point. We were happy to throw money at them. That's what they responded to. But we really needed them to let us base our drones in Balochistan, for example. We needed a presence in Peshawar. We needed a presence in Quetta. We needed a presence in Karachi and Lahore. We needed for them to say yes to everything that we wanted to do." Recalling his whistleblowing on CIA torture, Kiriakou said, "I just assumed somebody else would blow the whistle, and so I remained silent. And then I resigned from the CIA in 2004. My resignation was effective in 2005, and still nobody would blow the whistle. And so finally, in 2007, a reporter called me and I decided I was going to do it. I was just going to tell the truth. And so that's what I did." Reflecting on the prosecution he faced under the Obama administration, he said, "They knew I hadn't committed espionage, and so the espionage charges were dropped eventually. They waited until I went bankrupt and then they dropped the charges. But what they did is they tapped my phones and they went through my emails, three years' worth of emails, and they were able to find one single email where I confirmed the surname of a former colleague, and they said, aha, that's a crime. And so that's the crime that I pleaded guilty to. They offered me 30 months in prison; I would serve 23." On life after prison, Kiriakou said, "I still have friends inside the CIA, and we've talked about that. The truth is most of my detractors are either dead or retired, because we're talking about, you know, my actions were 20 years ago. So they're mostly dead or retired. And now that they're retired, nobody pays any attention to what they say. The position inside the CIA has changed about me. A friend of mine told me just a few weeks ago that she was participating in a security briefing, and they showed a slide with my picture and it said, 'The insider threat.' And she said everybody started booing. And the instructor said, wait, why? Why is everybody booing? And she said, he's not a threat, he's the whistleblower, we should aspire to be like him. And she said in the next running of the briefing that they had taken the slide out. I won. It took 20 years, yeah, but I won." (ANI) President Trump late Friday pushed for several Biden-era Justice Department officials to be prosecuted over an FBI investigation into the fallout of the 2020 election. In a Truth Social post, Mr. Trump accused four high-ranking officials former Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, special counsel Jack Smith and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco of signing off on an FBI probe in which investigators allegedly looked at nine Republican lawmakers' phone records. "These Radical Left Lunatics should be prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior!" the president wrote. He did not specify what crimes he believes they committed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message marks the latest instance of Mr. Trump urging the prosecution of people he has singled out as political foes. Last month, he pushed Attorney General Pam Bondi to look into former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff. Since then, Comey and James have been criminally indicted. The GOP-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee revealed earlier this month that the FBI obtained phone data for about eight GOP senators and one GOP representative in 2023 as part of Arctic Frost, an investigation into Mr. Trump and his allies' attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Earlier this week, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who chairs the judiciary panel, released documents that appeared to indicate Wray, Garland and Monaco approved the opening of the Arctic Frost probe in the spring of 2022. Later that year, Garland appointed Smith to independently oversee the criminal investigations into Mr. Trump. In Friday's post, Mr. Trump alleged the four former officials "spied on Senators and Congressmen/women, and even taped their calls" though the Judiciary Committee said in a statement earlier this month the records obtained by the FBI didn't include the content of calls. Instead, the data covered who the lawmakers called and when, and the length of their calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also claimed without evidence they "cheated and rigged the 2020 Presidential Election." CBS News has reached out to representatives for Smith, Garland and Monaco for comment. Grassley excoriated the FBI over its handling of Arctic Frost earlier this month, calling the revelations about lawmakers' phone records "disturbing and outrageous" and part of a pattern of "weaponization" that was "arguably worse than Watergate." Smith's attorneys called his actions "entirely lawful, proper and consistent with established Department of Justice policy" in a letter to Grassley earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The phone records that were scrutinized by the FBI covered several days both before and after Jan. 6, 2021, when Mr. Trump pressed lawmakers to vote against certifying former President Joe Biden's election win. The gambit was unsuccessful as Congress ended up voting to certify, but the process was interrupted by rioting at the Capitol. Mr. Trump was charged by Smith's team in August 2023 for conspiring to overturn the results, but the case was abandoned after Mr. Trump's win the following year because of a Justice Department legal opinion that states sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution. Smith's investigation delved into phone calls between lawmakers and the president on the evening of Jan. 6, which Smith alleged were part of a last-ditch attempt to talk congressional Republicans into blocking Biden's victory. The 2023 indictment against Mr. Trump lists several attempts by him and his alleged co-conspirators to reach lawmakers by phone. It argued the president "attempted to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them, based on knowingly false claims of election fraud, to delay the certification." Last year, a final report penned by Smith also pointed to phone calls placed by Mr. Trump and members of his circle. It cited toll records from two unindicted co-conspirators who are unnamed, one of them widely believed to be Rudy Giuliani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump has lashed out at the federal officials who investigated him in the past. His legal team has asked the Justice Department to pay him about $230 million to settle federal damage claims over two investigations into him, CBS News confirmed this week. Those claims focus on the Trump-Russia probe from his first term and the criminal case against Mr. Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents, which was pursued by Smith. And a federal watchdog office launched an investigation into Smith for alleged illegal political activity earlier this year. Smith's attorneys called the claims "imaginary and unfounded." Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan 4 sisters diagnosed with rare brain condition: "Got to be kidding" Pentagon "crossed this Rubicon" by sending strike group to Latin America, military analyst says President Trump on Friday blasted New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Mikie Sherill (D) for being fake and corrupt during a telephone rally in support of GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli, as early voting was set to begin Saturday. Mikie, as they call her the only thing shes got is an unusual name, other than that shes terrible, Trump said, according to Politico. Mikie Sherrill looks [like] such an innocent name, but her energy policies would send your prices soaring and make New Jersey even more expensive than it already is, he added later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said if the Democratic lawmaker is elected governor, New Jersey will go in a death spiral. Trump praised Ciattarelli on his policy proposal to lower energy costs and referred to him as a great candidate. Jack is going to be great and hes going to cut your energy bills in half, and shes going to double your energy bills so New Jersey, just on energy bills alone on energy alone, I think Jack should win, Trump said, per The Associated Press. After he returns from his trip to Asia, the president said he will be out campaigning for Jack. Trump endorsed Ciattarelli in May. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also announced Friday that it will send monitors to voting centers in New Jersey and California during the off-year elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherill leads Ciattarelli by five points, according to a Rutgers University-Eagleton poll released Thursday. She leads with support from 50 percent of likely voters, with Ciattarelli at 45 percent. Another 3 percent told pollsters that they do not support either candidate or plan to vote for someone else. Just 2 percent said they were unsure. The survey also found Trump to be playing a significant role in the election, with 52 percent of voters calling him a major factor. About 34 percent said hes not a factor at all, according to the results. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin (D) acknowledged earlier this month that New Jersey is the best place, probably, for Donald Trump to actually stop the Democratic momentum. I dont care if we overperform or underperform, Martin told Politico Playbook. What I care about is making sure we win. At the end of the day, we know that the Republicans are feeling very bullish about their chances in New Jersey for a whole host of reasons, right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to Ciattarellis loss to term limited Gov. Phil Murphy by 3 points in 2021. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump singled out a handful of former Justice Department officials on Friday night, saying they should be prosecuted for their roles in investigating him. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: Just in: Documents show conclusively that Christopher Wray, Deranged Jack Smith, Merrick Garland, Lisa Monaco, and other crooked lowlifes from the failed Biden Administration, signed off on Operation Arctic Frost. They spied on Senators and Congressmen/women, and even taped their calls. They cheated and rigged the 2020 Presidential Election. These Radical Left Lunatics should be prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior! The president did not specify which documents he was talking about, but Arctic Frost refers to Smiths investigation into Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election, as well as his role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee released an FBI document claiming that Smith spied on eight Republican senators as part of Smiths Arctic Frost investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, Smith simply obtained metadata. The FBI in 2023 sought and obtained data about the senators phone use from January 4 through January 7, 2021, the committee said. That data shows when and to whom a call is made, as well as the duration and general location data of the call. The data does not include the content of the call. As former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin noted at the time, the information was already publicly available, and Smiths actions were to be expected, given that Trump had been communicating with Republican elected officials about possibly overturning the election. Its not even news, Toobin said. Jack Smith cites these conversations in his report. So this is not like he was trying to keep this a secret. And remember what Smith was investigating. He was investigating Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the election through the use of fake electors in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was appointed as Special Counsel in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland after Trump announced his third run for president. The following year, Smith obtained indictments against Trump for the election scheme, as well as Trumps retention of government documents after leaving office. Lisa Monaco, whom Trump referenced, was Deputy Attorney General during Smiths investigation. Christopher Wray was the FBI director at the time. Trump appointed him to the position in 2017. Trump previously called for the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). In separate and unrelated cases, Comey and James were indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia for lying under oath and bank fraud, respectively. The indictments came after Trump ousted his handpicked U.S. Attorney, Erik Siebert, after Siebert indicated he could not muster viable cases against the two. The post Trump Demands Prosecution of Merrick Garland, Jack Smith, and Other Crooked Lowlifes for their Highly Unethical Behavior! first appeared on Mediaite. After two world wars nearly destroyed the planet, at mid-century America decided to step up and apply its ingenuity to the Eastern Hemispheres many unstable dynamics. Europe needed settling down, then Asia, and then, later, the Middle East and Africa. An objective view of history says that, despite our many mistakes, weve left each region far more stable and globally connected not to mention wealthier than we found them. Now, through the radical presidency of Donald Trump, we are seeking to load-shed those distant responsibilities and refocus on our own hemisphere. If Iraq was George W. Bushs "Big Bang" theory of regional transformation, then Venezuela has become Trumps test of hemispheric re-engineering. His administration has cast President Nicolas Maduros regime as the antichrist a cauldron of corruption, narcotics, and Chinese meddling that demands and justifies a belligerent approach. To topple it, Trump vows, would be to reset the strategic physics of the Americas: a splendid little war for the digital age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As unlikely as it might seem, it is a history-resuming America's first grand strategy, part of a throughline a connecting ideological vein that runs from Founding Father James Monroe to William McKinley and then through Theodore Roosevelt to Trump. We are witnessing the latest iteration of an enduring American impulse: to redraw the map of the hemisphere as the world system begins to fold back upon itself. When Monroe issued his famous doctrine in 1823, it wasnt the chest-thumping declaration of hegemonic destiny that later generations made it out to be. The Monroe Doctrine was, at root, a nervously defensive posture a hemispheric firewall against a reassertion of European imperial power in the post-Napoleonic world. The U.S. was barely a functioning state itself, and its military reach extended no further than its continental borders. The Doctrines function was more psychological bluff than strategic threat: an assertion of autonomy in a world still ruled by far more powerful empires. Monroe was drawing a line around a hemisphere not promising dominance, merely exclusion. Yet doctrines are like software written for one age, they evolve and get constantly updated for another. What began as a static line of containment would, within decades, morph into an operational architecture of regional control. Expansion followed the rails of industrialization, and industrialization required order, access and secure markets. The U.S. may have rejected Old World imperialism, but it busied itself in inventing a New World variant. McKinley, more than any president before him, gave that software a hard power upgrade. As America industrialized in the late 19th century, the Monroe Doctrines rhetorical simplicity became an enabling license for hemispheric integration under U.S. management. McKinley made explicit what Monroe had merely implied: that the hemisphere was not just a defensive shell but the economic flywheel for Americas industrial revolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under McKinley, tariffs, territory, and communications technology (ring a bell?) were fused into a single national mission. Protectionism wasnt a dirty word. Economic nationalism fueled industrial growth, while overseas wars the "splendid little war" of 1898 chief among them served both moral and mechanical functions: cleansing the neighborhood of old empires (Spain) while testing Americas new capacity for global projection. Cuba was the firewall; the Philippines were the graduation test. In those twin theaters, the United States simultaneously secured its hemisphere and previewed its emergence as a planetary actor. McKinleys mercantile patriotism his oxymoronic blend of tariff walls and territorial aspiration resonates uncannily in Trumps own rhetoric today. The Trump Wall of steel and tariffs may have been marketed as an opioid of the masses, but its underlying purpose to manufacture a protective perimeter while refocusing America inward delivers the same sermon as McKinleys tariff gospel. Both men saw protectionism not as retreat but readiness: a way to make America the secure base from which expansion could again proceed. That is the part of Trumpism that much of MAGA simply does not understand and thus fearfully misinterprets. If McKinley gave the Monroe Doctrine its mercantile teeth, Theodore Roosevelt gave it muscle and motion. His 1904 corollary transformed Monroes keep-out signage into a managerial doctrine of preemption as in, well fix it before outsiders intervene. Roosevelt wasnt guarding a fortress; he was building a system. He used hard power (creation of the Panama Canal), soft power (the Nobel-winning peace negotiated between Japan and Russia at Portsmouth), and symbolic power (gunboat diplomacy) to organize a hemisphere for the industrial century. The Roosevelt Corollary was both moral and mechanical: interventionism as hemispheric housekeeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again, notice the obvious throughlines to Trump: rhetorically reclaiming the Canal, seeking a Nobel for settling Russia-vs-Ukraine, literally gun-boating Venezuela. TR embodied Americas transition from reactive to proactive. He saw disorder not as an excuse for withdrawal, but as a call to organize a worldview that resonates deeply with Trumps messianic self-conception as disruptor, fixer and builder all rolled into one. Roosevelts expansive energy linked industrialization to order-making; Trumps, in turn, connects digital-age reindustrialization with hemispheric control. The medium changes, but the organizing instinct endures. Trump, now in his second term, consciously revives this lineage Monroes sphere, McKinleys tariff fortress, Roosevelts managerial empire but repackages it for the 2020s. He no longer describes the Western Hemisphere as a neighborhood to protect, but as a domain to dominate. Monroes shield becomes Trumps sword. This up-tempo Monroeism isnt about resisting foreign interference; its about expelling foreign presence outright. The target isnt Europe this time, but China, whom Trump puts on notice by implicitly stating that Here in the Western Hemisphere, we are committed to maintaining our independence from the encroachment of expansionist foreign powers. That framing harkens back to Monroe himself, but with 21st-century tools: economic sanctions, tariff blackmail, naval shows of force and strategic investments designed to suffocate Chinese alignments in Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that sense, Trumps Doctrine 2.0 mirrors McKinleys operating logic: consolidate regional control to serve industrial revitalization. Energy dominance replaces steam-powered industry; reshored supply chains replace imperial trade routes. The hemisphere becomes both resource base and security zone a closed system powering an open-ended nationalism. Trumps goals are not purely economic. He is Shelleys Ozymandias personified, seeking monumentalization or visible proof of dominion. The Eastern Hemisphere, in his view, offers headaches and headlines. The Western offers trophies: infrastructure projects, resource corridors even territorial acquisitions. The talk of annexing Greenland and militarizing the Panama Canal dismissed by many as bluster fits this pattern. McKinley thought in railroads and tariffs; Trump thinks in spaceports and pipelines. Both methods achieve the same end: self-actualizing national ambition. The symbolism also matters. To Trump, the Western Hemisphere represents heritage the space of American myth, or manifest destiny reborn. He relishes the historical echo: annexations and canal zones as hallmarks of American greatness. It is no wonder, then, that he revived Mount McKinley as a name, reasserting 19th-century confidence as a 21st-century brand. Florida Mans hemispheric vision even has a headquarters: Miami. In the Trumpian worldview aided and abetted by his Cuban American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Miami isnt just an American city but the geopolitical capital of the Americas. From its towers of exile politics and crypto-wealth emerges what could be called the Rubio Doctrine: a fusion of Cold War anti-communism, migrant capitalism and regional dealmaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miami connects the hemispheric network Trump aches to command linking Cuban dissidents, Venezuelan opposition leaders, Colombian investors and regional security hawks into a single operating grid that displaces Chinas Belt and Road scheme. In true Trumpian fashion, its a system built less on law than on leverage, less on institutions than on influence. Each transactional move a trade deal here, an arms sale there serves as both means and message: the return of hemispheric hierarchy. Monroe would recognize the fear; McKinley would recognize the pattern; Roosevelt would approve the ambition. Trumps test case, Venezuela is a gambit that is as theatrical as it is strategic. Supporting opposition leader Maria Corina Machado Venezuelas own Nobel laureate allows Trump to root his interventionism in moral terms, even as it doubles as economic realignment (and triples as self-promotion for the 2026 Nobel). In this narrative, Venezuela isnt just a rogue state; its the obstacle to an integrated Americas-First order. United hemispheric markets, linked by AI-driven supply chains, and governed by U.S. security guarantees thats Trumps 21st-century version of McKinleys tariff empire. And the symbolism doesnt end there. Trump, ever attuned to spectacle, has openly mused about adding new stars to Old Glory. Absurd? Not at all, because, as history shows, American grand strategy often begins with metaphors that become maps. The key difference between Roosevelts century and Trumps lies in vectoring intent: Roosevelt sought integration into the emerging East-West world system, whereas Trump seeks re-centering around an America-centered North-South world system, or one defined by superpowers vertical spheres of influence. Globalization, as implied by his calculus, dispersed power horizontally a thousand supply chains radiating outward. Hemispheric consolidation, by contrast, is vertically efficient: energy in Texas, lithium in Bolivia, agriculture in Argentina, manufacturing in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grand strategic logic in turning away from East-West global integration to focusing on North-South hemispheric integration is entirely sound: East-West globalization has peaked, reaching its natural apogee. Now, three great production hubs/demand centers dominate the global economy: North America, Europe, and East Asia. Each now faces more latitudinal issues than longitudinal ones. Climate change ravages the Global South and empowers the Global North, triggering pole-ward mass migrations. Demographic collapse in the North further attracts these mass migrations. Enter Trump, to single out mass migration as the great national security threat of our age (Your countries are going to hell) and the resumption of our Unions natural grand strategy is complete. This realignment expresses what I dubbed in my 2023 book, Americas New Map, as an Americas-First doctrine a pivot based not on nostalgia but on emerging structural realities. Demographics point northward, climate hardens southward, and global trade re-regionalizes vertically. The path of least resistance now runs from Alaska to Patagonia, not across oceans but within a hemisphere of shared civilization and converging markets. Trump, instinctively if not intellectually, channels that logic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What unites Monroe, McKinley, and Trump is that recurring American order-building instinct first territorial, then industrial, now digital. Monroe drew the perimeter. McKinley filled it. Roosevelt made it move. A century later, Trump reclaims it, portraying the Western Hemisphere as Americas natural sphere of destiny after decades of distracted globalism. In an age of disarray, Trump markets retrenchment as resurgence the multistate Union of integration reborn as an empire of self-sufficiency. That is the paradox at the heart of Trumps grand strategy: nostalgic and revolutionary, insular and imperial, defensive and expansive. Like the man himself, its everything everywhere all at once. President Donald Trump has indicated his openness to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming trip to Asia. Trump, while on board Air Force One, expressed his willingness to meet Kim at the DMZ during his visit to South Korea. Id be open to it, 100%. I got along very well with him, Kim Jong Un, Trump stated. Departing for Asia on Friday, Trump responded to a question about recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power. I think they are sort of a nuclear power, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, I know how many weapons they have. I know everything about them and I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, Trump said and as quoted by Fox News. Also Read: North Korean IT Agents Have Allegedly Funneled $1 Billion Into Kims Nuclear Program South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young encouraged Trump and Kim to make a bold decision, as reported by Reuters. A White House official highlighted that Trump had met the North Korean leader during his first term and remained open to further discussions with Kim, although no such meeting is currently planned for this trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The week-long tour includes visits to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The White House also announced that Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. This potential meeting between Trump and Kim could mark a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and North Korea. The willingness of Trump to recognize North Korea as a sort of a nuclear power may also indicate a shift in U.S. policy towards the Asian nation. These developments could have far-reaching implications for the geopolitical landscape in the region. Read Next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Scratched Made In South Korea Sticker Off Elton John CD Before Giving It To Kim Jong Un Shutterstock/Rawpixel.com Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Trump Expresses Readiness To Meet With North Korea's Kim: 'I Got Along Very Well With Him' originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Farmer Caleb Ragland is a supporter of President Donald Trump, but he warned on NewsNation on Friday that thousands of farms will go under if the presidents trade war continues. Ragland is a soybean farmer in Kentucky and he has been hit hard financially this year, mainly due to China being the biggest buyer of soybeans. Tariffs have halted the market. He explained: Its tough when you lose 25% of your market suddenly. And thats the reality of the trade board and the retaliatory tariffs that have came from China against our soybeans. Soybeans are Americas largest agriculture export. We do a great job producing them and the world uses a lot of soy. China is the largest user. They use 61% of all soy consumed around the world. And here in this marketing year, the soybeans are being harvested. We have not sold a single bean to China, and normally they would be purchasing robustly right now, right in the middle of our harvest season. Ragland praised some Trump policies, but argued there needs to be a balance on trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps done some good things with some tax policy, with regulatory policy on some issues. Hes also doing some things for biofuels to make them be. Used more here in this country and thats a good thing for us long term. But we also need trade as well. Its a balance and we need to get this figured out, he said. Ragland blasted Trumps $20 billion bailout to Argentina and his suggestion the United States should buy beef from the country. He predicted suicides and more across the country if tariffs continue. He said: I think were at a crossroads that if we dont get some things moving soon and get some serious trade taking place, were going to need a financial bridge or the reality will be the increases in bankruptcies, the loss of many thousands of family farms. It will even be worse with people committing suicide, choosing to end it all. And its terrible, the things that will result. We are on the verge of a farm crisis due to the rising cost of our production and the declining cost for our products, including our soybeans. And we got to find a new balance. Watch above via NewsNation. The post Trump Fan Gutted By Tariffs Says He Sees Bankruptcies and Suicides If Trade War Continues first appeared on Mediaite. President Trump on Saturday placed preliminary blame on Hamas should its ceasefire with Israel fail, but called the current deal in place an enduring peace. I think it will hold, Trump told reporters after meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during a refueling stop in Doha aboard Air Force One while en route to Malaysia. Well, if it doesnt hold, that would be Hamas, Trump continued. Hamas will be not hard to take care of very quickly. I hope it holds for Hamas too because they gave us their word on something so I think its going to hold and if it doesnt then theyll have a very big problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later added in a post on Truth Social that militant group is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly, or the other Countries involved in this GREAT PEACE will take action. Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not, he wrote. Perhaps it has to do with their disarming, but when I said, Both sides would be treated fairly, that only applies if they comply with their obligations. Lets see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely. The president praised the Qataris for their role in providing peacekeeping troops as part of the International Stabilization Force intended to take over security control of Gaza from Hamas. Any peacekeeping troops would go into Gaza at the time they need to. By the way, Israel will go in there very easily, Trump said. You know that, right? Right there you have a country. But you have the Arab countries. Everybody. Muslim, Arab everybody on board. Its been really an amazing thing. Its a great success. Its going to be a long lasting. Hopefully everlasting peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously said on Monday that if Hamas violates the ceasefire, the response will happen very quickly and pretty violently, unfortunately, we are going to eradicate Hamas. Hamas has not fully committed to disarming and releasing control of Gaza. Releasing control would then, as part of the stabilization plan, allow a technocratic government to be formed to carry out governance in Gaza. Vice President Vance, while in Israel on Tuesday to inaugurate the U.S.-led Civilian-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) that is overseeing the ceasefire, reiterated the administrations demands from the U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Hamas has to comply with the deal, and if Hamas doesnt comply with the deal, very bad things are going to happen, Vance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, there is no deadline for Hamas to relinquish power over the Gaza Strip. Updated at 4:23 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) President Donald Trump headed for Asia for the first time this term, a trip where he is expected to work on investment deals and peace efforts before meeting face-to-face with Chinese President Xi Jinping to try to de-escalate a trade war. I think we have a really good chance of making a very comprehensive deal, Trump told reporters traveling with him on Air Force One. He said he plans to discuss fentanyl trafficking with Xi, as well as China's lack of soybean purchases from the United States. "I want our farmers to be taken care of. And he wants things also, Trump said. The Republican president is using the trip to try to advance his diplomatic bona fides after recently brokering a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a refueling stop in Qatar on his long-haul flight to Malaysia, Trump met briefly aboard his plane with the ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Trump said they talked about progress on security arrangements in Gaza. Its working very well. Its all smooth. The U.S. doesnt have to get much involved," he said. Trump was set to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday morning on a trip that comes as the U.S. government shutdown drags on. Many federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck this week, there are flight disruptions as already-squeezed air traffic controllers work without pay, and states are confronting the possibility that federal food aid could dry up. As Republicans reject Democratic demands for health care funds, theres no sign of a break in the impasse, but Trump seems to be continuing on with business as usual, including his foreign trip. "America is shut down and the President is skipping town, said U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Trumps first stop is at a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur. Trump attended the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit only once during his first term, but this year it comes as Malaysia and the U.S. have been working to address a skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, he scheduled a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, followed by a joint signing ceremony with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. Trump threatened earlier this year to withhold trade deals with the countries if they didnt stop fighting, and his administration has since been working with Malaysia to nail down an expanded ceasefire. The president credited Ibrahim with working to resolve the conflict. I told the leader of Malaysia, who is a very good man, I think I owe you a trip," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. Trump on Sunday may also have a significant meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants to see the U.S. cut a 40% tariff on Brazilian imports. The U.S. administration has justified the tariffs by citing Brazils criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro a Trump ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond trade, Lula on Friday also criticized the U.S. campaign of military strikes off the South American coast in the name of fighting drug trafficking. He said he planned to raise concerns with Trump at a meeting on Sunday in Malaysia. The White House has not yet publicly confirmed the meeting is set to take place. After Malaysia, Trump has stops in Japan and South Korea From there, Trump heads to Japan and South Korea, where hes expected to make progress on talks for at least $900 billion in investments for U.S. factories and other projects that those countries committed to in return for easing Trumps planned tariff rates down to 15% from 25%. The trip to Tokyo comes a week after Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Trump is set to meet with Takaichi, who is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump was close to Abe, who was assassinated after leaving office. Trump spoke to Takaichi during his flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there, Trump is expected to be hosted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and meet with U.S. troops who are stationed in Japan, according to a senior U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity about the planned trip. In South Korea, Trump is expected to hold a highly anticipated meeting with China's Xi on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. While the APEC summit is set to be held in Gyeongju, the Trump-Xi meeting is expected to take place in the city of Busan, according to the U.S. official. The meeting follows months of volatile moves in a trade war between China and the U.S. that have rattled the global economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was infuriated earlier this month after Beijing imposed new export controls on rare earths used in technology and threatened to hike retaliatory tariffs to sky-high levels. Trump told reporters on Friday that he might ask Xi about freeing Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy newspaper founder, saying "itll be on my list." The only meeting that could possibly eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Speculation has been rife since South Koreas Unification Minister Chung Dong-young told lawmakers this month it was possible that Trump could again meet with Kim in the Demilitarized Zone, as he did in 2019. But such a meeting is not on the president's schedule for this trip, according to the U.S. official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump suggested on Friday that it was hard to reach the North Korean leader. They have a lot of nuclear weapons, but not a lot of telephone service," he said. __ Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. Oct. 25 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump, during his long flight from Washington to three Asian nations over six days, said he hopes to work out a trade deal with China and assistance in getting Russia to end the war with Ukraine. Trump left the U.S. amid a government shutdown, East Wing demolition for a ballroom and illegal immigration crackdown in U.S. cities. Air Force One departed late Friday from Washington and made a refueling stop in Doha, Qatar, where he met with Qatar's emir and prime minister aboard the plane, and was joined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who has been in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After nearly 24 hours of travel, he reached Malaysia on Sunday morning local time with two refueling stops. Visits are also set for Japan and South Korea. In Kuala Lampur, Trump was greeted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with red carpet, I.S. and Malaysian flags, honor guard and dancers. He danced to the beat. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Friday night to Asia. Photo by Francis Chung/UPI "The first message is Trump the peacemaker. The second is Trump the moneymaker," Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told NNBC News. "And then, of course, with the meeting with China, I think what everybody's expecting is that there's probably not going to be a big trade deal, but there will be an effort to de-escalate or put a pause on the situation." On Thursday, Trump plans to meet with China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want China to help us out on Russia," he said. "We'll have a good meeting. I'm pretty sure we're going to have a great meeting, maybe a great meeting." The war has been waged since Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2023. "One of the things we'll talk about is the Russia-Ukraine," Trump said. "They're killing 7,000 people a week, soldiers, mostly soldiers, and we'll certainly be talking about that." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is continuing to call on the United States to send Patriot missile defense systems. Russia struck Ukraine overnight with a missile and drone attack, killing at least two people and wounding 12 in the capital of Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also will discuss trade issues, including a threatened 130% tariff on imports from China, with 100% starting Nov. 1 after 10% in February and 20% in March. China has threatened a 100% reciprocal duty. He had threatened to cancel his meeting with Xi. Trump is not happy with China's expanded export controls on rare earth minerals and other related technologies Aboard the plane, Trump said he would subsidize U.S. farmers if he did not reach a deal with China. "I'm not sure that either side is fully prepared to climb down from the positions that they've staked out," Ryan Hass, director of the China Center at Brookings, a liberal-leaning think tank in Washington, told NPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will first meet Sunday with the prime minister of Malaysia, which is hosting this year's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Then he is scheduled for a working dinner with leaders from the association. On Tuesday, Trump is due to meet Sanae Takaichi, who was elected Japanese prime minister this week. She might want to revisit the U.S.-Japan trade deal in July, which includes a15% duty on Japanese imports. In April, Trump threatened a 25% rate. The previous rate was less than 2%, according to World Bank data. On Wednesday, he will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Busan, and then speak at a luncheon for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and participate in a US-APEC leaders working dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee took office in June. The tariffs on imports from South Korea, announced in July, is 15% with higher duties for specific products, including 50% on steel, like for other nations. Trump also said there is a possibility he will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "I don't know. We let him know. He knows that I'm going there," Trump said Friday night before the trip. Trump met with Kim three times during his first presidency: Singapore in June 2018, Hanoi in February 2019 and the Demilitarized Zone in June 2019 when he briefly stepped acorss the border into North Korea. He was the first U.S. president to go there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said Trump will participate a signing ceremony for a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. Trump has claimed credit for helping to resolve the conflict. "It's not the U.S. president coming to Asia to meet the multilateral schedule; it's the U.S. president coming to Asia and then bending the multilateral schedule around his schedule," Cha said. "Everybody still wants to cut a deal with the U.S. president. They all want tariff relief, and they will try to make a deal to achieve that." Trmp has posted on Truth Social about his upcoming trip. The newsfeed included endorsements of about two dozen candidates for the U.S. House. India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met Jim Taiclet, CEO of Lockheed Martin, and held discussions on the industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Washington DC, with a special focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. Sharing the details in a post on X, Ambassador Kwatra said, "Met Jim Taiclet, CEO, @LockheedMartin. A very productive conversation on the India-US industrial cooperation, especially under the rubric of our Atmanirbhar Bharat goals where U.S. defense companies have a key role to play." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1981953729738797521 US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is a global security and aerospace company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The official website of Lockheed Martin noted that with a presence in India for over 30 years, Lockheed Martin opened an India subsidiary in New Delhi in 2008 and has supported and aligned itself with various initiatives of the Government of India, like Make in India, Startup India and Skill India. Some notable partnerships between India and Lockheed Martin include the C-130J Super Hercules. The official website of Lockheed Martin said that the Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 12 C-130Js. The IAF's C-130J fleet represents the first major military contract between the U.S. and India in more than 40 years. The MH-60 Romeo partnership between the Indian Navy and Lockheed Martin is significant in anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. The website also highlighted Sikorsky - a Lockheed Martin company - that relies on a joint venture company called Tata Sikorsky Aerospace Ltd. (TSAL), in Hyderabad, India, as the manufacturing base for its global supply of cabin aerostructures for the S-92 helicopter. Last year, CEO Jim Taiclet held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and agreed to strengthen the defence and industrial ties between the two nations. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also present at the meeting. (ANI) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Sunday in his first stop on a three-country Asia tour that is expected to culminate in a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as tensions between the worlds two biggest economies tick higher. The first message is Trump the peacemaker. The second is Trump the moneymaker, said Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And then, of course, with the meeting with China, I think what everybodys expecting is that theres probably not going to be a big trade deal, but there will be an effort to de-escalate or put a pause on the situation. Trade is expected to dominate the week. Aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he would subsidize U.S. farmers if he did not reach a deal with China, and that he planned to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war with Xi, saying hed like to see China help us out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also suggested he was angling for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, even as the White House has said that no meeting is planned. You know, they dont have a lot of telephone service, Trump said, before urging reporters to put out the word. In Kuala Lumpur, Trump is scheduled to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before attending a working dinner with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Malaysia, this years ASEAN chair, has set inclusivity and sustainability as the summit theme. During his first term, Trump attended the annual ASEAN summit only once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said Trump will also join a signing ceremony for a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, whose deadly border conflict he has claimed credit for helping to resolve. Sandwiched between the summit in Kuala Lumpur and South Koreas Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, Trump will pay an official visit to Japan, his fourth, for talks with the new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, and an audience with Japanese Emperor Naruhito. Trump will also meet with business executives and visit American troops while in Japan, which hosts more U.S. service members than any other country in the world. Takaichi is a conservative protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom Trump forged a close personal relationship during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, she pledged to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by March, two years ahead of schedule. The new target is likely to draw praise from Trump, who has pressed for allies to spend more. Trump is concluding his trip in South Korea, where he is slated on Wednesday to address business leaders at the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and attend a leaders dinner. While in South Korea, Trump is also set to meet with Xi, the White House said, though China has not yet confirmed the session. Topping the agenda at every stop is trade, with negotiators still ironing out the details of pacts with South Korea and Japan and taking steps toward agreements with China and Malaysia. U.S. and Chinese delegations were meeting in Malaysia over the weekend to find a way forward after Trump threatened new tariffs of 100% on Chinese goods and other trade limits starting Nov. 1 in response to Chinas expanded export controls on rare earth minerals and related technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not the U.S. president coming to Asia to meet the multilateral schedule; its the U.S. president coming to Asia and then bending the multilateral schedule around his schedule, Cha said, noting that Trump is skipping the U.S.-ASEAN leaders meeting, the East Asia Summit and formal APEC sessions. Even so, Cha said, regional leaders are eager to engage. Everybody still wants to cut a deal with the U.S. president, he said. They all want tariff relief, and they will try to make a deal to achieve that. During the meeting with Xi, Trump said he plans to raise the issue of fentanyl, accusing China of failing to curb the flow of precursor chemicals, and a senior administration official said Chinas purchases of Russian oil will also be on the table. Trump said he also expects to discuss Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us, Trump said Friday, adding that he expects a good meeting even as he has intermittently threatened to call it off over trade frictions, including Chinas halt to purchases of U.S. soybeans. Both leaders want the optics and tactical aspect of this meeting to go well, a person familiar with the meeting planning said. But analysts urged caution about what a leader-level encounter can deliver. During Trumps first term, high-level exchanges with China did not prevent him from later taking a harder line, said Sun Chenghao, a fellow at Tsinghua Universitys Center for International Security and Strategy. So the symbolic value of summit diplomacy should not be overstated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, a senior administration official pushed back on speculation that Trump could reprise his 2019 encounter with North Koreas Kim, when he made a surprise visit to the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas in an effort to revive nuclear talks that had collapsed. Trump said before leaving Washington on Friday that he would like to meet with Kim, but was unsure whether it would happen on this trip. Kim says he will negotiate only if the U.S. recognizes North Korea as a nuclear power, and he has only further strengthened his weapons programs since Trumps first term. I think they are sort of a nuclear power, Trump said as he began his journey to Asia on Friday, perhaps paving the way for a possible meeting. Theyve got a lot of nuclear weapons, Ill say that. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com US president Donald Trump has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his whirlwind Asia tour. Mr Trump embarked on a five-day tour of Asia on Friday night, his first of the term, with stops in Malaysia and Japan, before concluding the trip in South Korea for a face-to-face meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping aimed at de-escalating the trade war. The only meeting that could eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Mr Kim. I would. If you want to put out the word, Im open to it, Mr Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had a great relationship with him," the US president added. If realised, the meeting would mark the two world leaders first summit since their last at the Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019. The two leaders met three times during Mr Trumps first presidency. Although there has been no confirmation about a possible meeting, speculation has been rife since South Korea's unification minister Chung Dong Young told lawmakers this month it was possible that Mr Trump could again meet with Mr Kim in the Demilitarised Zone. The new liberal South Korean government has repeatedly urged Mr Trump to take the lead in reopening dialogue with Mr Kim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to restore diplomacy with Mr Kim as he boasted of his relationship with the North Korean leader and called him a smart guy. The North Korean leader said last month that he was open to talks with the US president, but only if Washington dropped its demand for the denuclearisation of the reclusive East Asian state. Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un at their last meeting in 2019 (Getty) Personally, I still have fond memories of US president [Donald] Trump, Mr Kim said, publicly naming the US president for the first time since he was elected to the Oval Office in January. If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearising us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States, Mr Kim added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since his earlier diplomacy with Mr Trump fell apart due to disputes over US-led sanctions on North Korea, Mr Kim has accelerated the expansion of an arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike the US and its allies. He has also strengthened his diplomatic footprint by aligning with Russia over its war in Ukraine and tightening relations with China. North Korea has been under UN sanctions and arms embargoes since its first nuclear test in 2006. With an enlarged nuclear arsenal, stronger diplomatic backing from Russia and China and the weakening enforcement of sanctions, Mr Kim has greater leverage and clearly wants the US to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power, a status needed to call for the lifting of UN sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that would run counter to the US and its allies long-held position that sanctions would stay in place unless North Korea fully abandons its nuclear program. Koh Yu Hwan, a former president of South Koreas Institute of National Unification, told the AP that any meeting between the two leaders at the APEC meeting is unlikely to produce meaningful results. To get Mr Kim back to talks, Mr Trump would have to bring something enticing him to the table this time around, he added. Even if they dont meet this month, there are still chances for both leaders to resume diplomacy later. Todd Lyons, President Donald Trumps acting director of ICE, lambasted Democrats like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) for comparing ICE agents to Adolf Hitlers stormtroopers in Nazi Germany, saying it was disgusting and put federal agents at greater risk of being attacked. Lyons rebuked Pritzker and other Dems during an interview with Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday in America on Fox News. We need to stop all the rhetoric, Lyons said. ICE is doing a law enforcement mission, thats what were sworn to do and thats what were signed up to do. We dont want to be doxxed, we dont want our families threatened, we dont want assassination attempts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then pointed to the deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas last month, where the anti-ICE shooter killed two detainees. Lyons said he cannot believe that so soon after that attack, where the shooter was found to be using an app to track ICE agents, prominent Dems like former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) are promoting websites and apps to unmask federal agents. They want to demonize us, call us Nazis, call us Gestapos, Lyons said. But yet, all across the country, were arresting public safety threats, foreign terrorist organizations. Yet they want to demonize us at every turn. McEnany added she was sickened by Lightfoots push to obtain identifiable characteristics on ICE agents, including their height, hair color, and weight, saying it sounded like a hit list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons appearance on Fox News comes after Pritzker compared the Trump Administration using ICE and Border Patrol agents to arrest illegal immigrants to Hitler rounding up Jews and other minorities in Nazi Germany earlier this week. This is how authoritarian regimes do it. They create these kind of fake ideas that theres an enemy out there and it could be sitting next to you at one of these tables. So just somebody sitting at your table that you dont like might be one of those enemies, Pritzker said on Tuesday. So lets round them up, lets make sure they are the subjects of the laws that were passing, because we dont like who they are. That is what authoritarian regimes do. McEnany also played Lyons a clip from Pritzkers interview with Bret Baier on Thursday, in which Prtizker said ICE agents were literally racial profiling. Lyons told McEnany that is false, as well as the claim that ICE is carrying out raids on a whim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They talk about raids in Chicago. We dont do raids its targeted enforcement operations. Oh yes, governor, we had criminal warrants, yet, youre still putting targets on the brave men and women of ICE. Watch above via Fox News. The post Trump ICE Chief On Fox: Dems Demonize Agents As Nazis and Gestapo first appeared on Mediaite. US President Donald Trump has reiterated that he will only meet Russian President Vladimir Putin if he knows there is a Ukraine deal. Asked what Russia will have to do for him to reschedule his planned meeting with Putin, Trump told journalists on Air Force One on Saturday: "I am going to have to know that we're going to make a deal. I'm not going to be wasting my time." A few days ago, Trump cancelled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest that had previously been promised in the near future - and postponed it indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His administration also imposed new sanctions against Russia for the first time in Trump's second term. As justification, it explicitly referred to Putin's unwillingness to end the war of aggression against Ukraine. Trump also reiterated that he was disappointed and had believed in peace in the region at a much earlier stage than in the Middle East. President Donald Trump, who isnt shy about letting the media know when hes displeased with their reporting, actually praised the press corps aboard Air Force One Saturday during his day-long trip to Asia. Trump took a moment on Saturday to meet with the press following a brief photo op with the Emir of Qatar, as well as the Qatari Prime Minister, during a refueling stop in the Middle Eastern nation. I only come back to tell you that you were so well behaved, Trump gushed to reporters who were accompanying him to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. I couldnt believe it. You were so respectful and well behaved. I appreciate it, okay? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump then heaped praise on the Emir, who came aboard to exchange pleasantries. Trump gushed about the leader during his chat with reporters. Hes a great guy, actually. Hes a great leader, Trump told the press. They helped us a lot and it was really nice that he came. We were just refueling and he came and said hello. It was very, very nice. Great, great man actually. Great gentleman too. Trumps trip is expected to culminate with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. One reporter asked Trump if he would discuss Chinas purchasing of Russian oil with the Chinese leader as Trump continues to try to negotiate an end to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe. I may be discussing it, but, you know, Chinas I dont know. You probably saw today, Chinas cutting back very substantially on the purchase of Russia oil, and Indias cutting back completely. And weve done sanctions, Trump said. He then thanked the media again. Thank you very much, everybody. By the way very, very respectful. I appreciate it. Watch above via CNN. The post Trump Praises Reporters For Being So Well Behaved During Air Force One Photo Op first appeared on Mediaite. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he plans to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario. The ad used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, angering Trump who said he would end trade talks with Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would pull the ad after the weekend, and it ran Friday and Saturday during the first two games of the World Series. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform as he flew aboard Air Force One to Malaysia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. It was unclear what legal authority Trump would use to impose the additional import taxes. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on when the 10% hike would come into effect, and whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for trade issues with the U.S., tried to draw a distinction by pointing out in a statement that the responsibility for negotiations rests with Canadas federal government, not provincial leaders. Progress is best achieved through direct engagement with the U.S. administration, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada's economy has been hit hard by Trump's tariffs, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to work with Trump to lower them. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion U.S.) worth of goods and services cross the border daily. Spokespersons for Carney and Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Many Canadian products have been hit with a 35% tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50%. Energy products have a lower rate of 10%, while the vast majority of goods are covered by the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement, and are exempt from tariffs. That trade agreement is slated for review. Trump negotiated the deal in his first term, but has since soured on it. Trump and Carney will both attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. But Trump told reporters traveling with him that he had no intention of meeting Carney there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the ad misrepresented the position of Reagan, a two-term president and a beloved figure in the Republican Party. But Reagan was wary of tariffs and used much of the 1987 address featured in Ontario's ad spelling out the case against tariffs. Trump has complained the ad was aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments scheduled for next month that could decide whether Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Lower courts had ruled he had exceeded his authority. ___ Associated Press writers Rob Gillies in Toronto and Josh Boak in Tokyo contributed to this report. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he plans to hike tariffs on President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he plans to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario. The ad used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, angering Trump who said he would end trade talks with Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would pull the ad after the weekend, and it ran Friday night during the first game of the World Series. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform as he flew aboard Air Force One to Malaysia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. It was not immediately clear when the 10% hike would come into effect, nor whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Canadas economy has been hit hard by Trumps tariffs, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to work with Trump to lower them. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and nearly $3.6 billion Canadian ($2.7 billion U.S.) worth of goods and services cross the border daily. Many Canadian products have been hit with a 35% tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50%. Energy products have a lower rate of 10%, while other goods covered by the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement are exempt. That trade agreement is slated for review. Trump negotiated the deal in his first term, but has since soured on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Carney will both attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. But Trump told reporters traveling with him that he had no intention of meeting Carney there. Trump said the ad misrepresented the position of Reagan, a two-term president and a beloved figure in the Republican Party. But Reagan was wary of tariffs and used much of the 1987 address featured in Ontarios ad spelling out the case against tariffs. Trump has complained the ad was aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments scheduled for next month that could decide whether Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred southeast of the Nemuro Peninsula at a depth of approximately 40 kilometres. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and authorities confirmed that there was no risk of a tsunami. Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that the earthquake, which struck at 01:40, registered an intensity of slightly below 5 on Japan's seven-level seismic scale in some parts of the northern island. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued an emergency warning following the tremor, forecasting possible shaking of up to 5 on the Japanese scale. (ANI/WAM) President Donald Trump wants a new armada of warships called the Golden Fleet to combat the threat from China, according to a report. While the president is in the midst of a drastic demolition of the White Houses historic East Wing, he has also turned his attention to replacing the current mix of U.S. Navy warships, the Wall Street Journal reports. Navy and senior Trump officials are reported to be in discussions for an ambitious new fleet that could ward off potential future threats from China. The reported plans come as the president is anticipated to take part in a high-stakes sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days in his first visit to Asia since returning to power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warships in the so-called Golden Fleet would be fitted with powerful long-range missiles amid concerns that China is building and modernizing its own battleships at a rapid pace, officials told the WSJ. This battleship of tomorrow is going to be this thing that carries really long-range missiles, Bryan Clark, a retired Navy officer and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who is involved in the discussions, told the outlet. President Donald Trump wants a new fleet of warships called the Golden Fleet to combat the threat from China, according to a report (Getty Images) The Pentagon and the White House are also reportedly in early discussions about plans to build a new 15,000 to 20,000-ton ship that would be heavily armored, potentially with hypersonic missiles, according to the outlet. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly hinted there would be a future announcement about the plans in a statement to the outlet. Stay tuned! she said, after touting Trumps efforts to bolster Americas maritime dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has long complained about the aesthetic of the Navys warships. Navy officials and senior Trump officials are reported to be in discussions for an ambitious new fleet that could ward off potential future threats from China (Getty Images) His former secretary during the first Trump administration, Mark Esper, recalled telling the president that warships are built to fight and win, not win beauty contests, he wrote in his memoir. At a summit last month in Virginia where top American military leaders were summoned from their posts around the world, the president admitted he was not a fan of some of the Navys warships. They say, Oh, it's stealth. I said, That's not stealth. An ugly ship is not necessary in order to say you're stealth, Trump complained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navy Secretary John Phelan revealed in February that Trump is so fixated on the issue that he was often texting him in the middle of the night to complain before Phelan was even confirmed by the Senate. President Trump has texted me numerous times very late at night, sometimes after one in the morning [about] rusty ships or ships in the yard, asking me what Im doing about it, Phelan said during his confirmation hearing. Warships in the so-called Golden Fleet would be fitted with powerful long-range missiles (Getty Images) Retired naval officer Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the administration should focus on fixing the current backlog of ship maintenance before launching a new fleet. The presidents aesthetic eye is not the proper paradigm to evaluate tactical ship requirements, Montgomery told the WSJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans follow a directive earlier this year from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ordering that the ship bearing the name of gay rights icon and Navy veteran Harvey Milk be renamed. The Office of the Secretary of the Navy issued a memo in June revealing the plans to change the name of the replenishment oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk, which was christened in 2021. Instances of renaming Navy ships are rare, and the process is taboo according to Navy traditions. President Donald Trump falsely accused an anti-tariff ad of being AI or something just days after he posted an infamous AI-generated video of himself bombarding No Kings protesters with poop from a fighter jet. Trump has been complaining bitterly about a Canadian TV ad he says is trying to illegally influence the U.S. Supreme Court on an upcoming tariff case, even announcing ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. The ad features remarks by Reagan criticizing tariffs, and while the Ronald Reagan Foundation also complained the remarks were out of context, the omitted portion doesnt seem to affect the meaning of the package drastically. The audio is real, taken from a 1987 radio address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump spoke to reporters briefly on the South Lawn of the White House as he departed for a trip to Maylasia on Friday night, during which he was repeatedly asked about the ad: REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I dont know. They cheated on a commercial. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs, and they said he didnt. And I guess it was AI or something. They cheated badly. Canada got caught cheating on a commercial, can you believe it? REPORTER: Ontario says theyre pulling that Reagan tariff ad this Monday for his airing it during his first two World Series games. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, you know, its a crooked ad. I heard hes airing it. Canada, thats why I pulled everything. Canada, they wrote, they did a crooked ad. They know Ronald Reagan loves the tariffs. What they did is really dishonest. And I heard they were pulling the ad. I didnt know they were putting it on a little bit more. They could have pulled it tonight. REPORTER: Theyre going to pull it Monday. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, thats dirty play, but I can play dirtier than they can, you know? Really very dishonest. Watch above via C-SPAN. The post Trump Rages Over Ad He Falsely Claims Was AI Or Something In Rant To Reporters Days After His AI Poop Video first appeared on Mediaite. Donald Trump has reportedly picked a name for the new ballroom that will replace the East Wing of the White House, and its a true measure of his humility. Katherine Faulders, ABCs managing editor in Washington, posted on social media Friday that Trump will likely name the new $300 million ballroom after himself, and cited senior administration officials as her source. Already, officials are referring to it as The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom and that name will likely stick, she added. President Trump will likely name the new $300 million ballroom after himself, I'm told by senior admin officials. Already, officials are referring to it as "The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom" and that name will likely stick. Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) October 24, 2025 Trumps ballroom project has come under fire for starting to build during a government shutdown, and for not submitting plans to the agency that oversees the construction of federal buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, White House spokesman Davis Ingle told HuffPost: Any announcement made on the name of the ballroom will come directly from President Trump himself, and not through anonymous and unnamed sources. Considering that, back in 2019, Trump criticized George Washington for not naming Mount Vernon after himself, many people didnt seem shocked he would choose to make the ballroom a personal tribute. Least shocking news in human history https://t.co/pC5G43dXr2 Andrew Egger (@EggerDC) October 24, 2025 I am shocked. Shocked I tell you. https://t.co/gFx1NoI9QU Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 24, 2025 During a 2019 visit to Mount Vernon, Trump said: If (Washington) was smart, he would've put his name on it. You've got to put your name on stuff, or no one remembers you. Trump will be remembered, bitterly. Much of the world will cheer when he makes headlines for a final time. MikeBates (@MikeBates) October 24, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people thought another person near and dear to Trump would be a better name on the ballroom. It will be known as the Epstein ballroom until it is rubble. There should be nothing that celebrates the most corrupt administration in American history. https://t.co/nP83cLT0QO Timothy Bellman (@Timothy_Bellman) October 24, 2025 Nobody on the planet will call it that, because everyone knows it's real name.#TheEpsteinBallroompic.twitter.com/GXjxZDHNO6 Jeffrey (@LiftForever67) October 24, 2025 It is still Twitter here and this boondoggle is still named THE EPSTEIN BALLROOM. https://t.co/IoBNVRQQjL Kevin R. Tipple (@kevinrtipple) October 24, 2025 Not the Ghilsaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein protectors ballroom? Lib Dunk (@libdunkmedia) October 24, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others speculated on what might happen to the ballroom after Trump leaves office. If a possible Democratic president really wants to mess with him, they could change the name to Obama Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) October 24, 2025 Then that 100 percent eventually gets blown to smithereens. He knew nobody else would honor him. So the bastard tore down the East Wing to build a monument to himself. But as fast as theyre moving, you know theyre cutting corners. Itll probably blow over in a stiff breeze. https://t.co/2wM74zduKq Glenn Craven (@GlennCraven) October 24, 2025 It'll stick until Jan 20 2028, along with the Gulf of Mexico and Dept of Defense... Bravo6 (@53LunaticFringe) October 24, 2025 That Ballroom will be dismantled in 2028 and its parts sold to pay toward our astronomical debt. The East Wing and Rose Garden will be rebuilt. Most Americans want to be rid of the Stench of Trump and wont want to have to look at it. Whats his approval rating 39%? pic.twitter.com/U9EPjFkiLk Maureen Antonio (@santamonicamoe) October 24, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Update: Oct. 25, 2:50 p.m. Trump told reporters Friday night that the reported naming plan was fake news. I dont have any plan to call it after myself, that was fake news, he said. Probably gonna call it the Presidential Ballroom or something like that. We havent really thought about a name yet. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Qatari officials are preparing peacekeeping troops for Gaza if needed to help maintain a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, President Donald Trump said during a refueling stop. Air Force One stopped in Qatar on Saturday evening to refuel while the president is flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, amid a Southeast Asia trip that includes a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani joined Trump on Air Force One for a short meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced Qatar likely will be among the nations providing troops to maintain peace in Gaza while seated between the Emir and the prime minister, The Jerusalem Post reported. Emir Al Thani told Trump he wanted to visit him at the refueling stop when he learned of the brief refueling stop by Air Force One. "The Emir is one of the great rulers of the world," the president responded, adding that the "prime minister has been my friend." He said they were instrumental in accomplishing the "incredible" feat of bringing about "peace in the Middle East." .@POTUS welcomes the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar aboard Air Force One while refueling at Al-Udeid Air Base: "The Emir is one of the great rulers of the world... and the Prime Minister has been my friend... What we've done is incredible-peace in the Middle East." pic.twitter.com/B4VOxW7Dgs Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 25, 2025 Also traveling to Southeast Asia on a separate flight is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who made a stop in Qatar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there, he and other U.S. officials on Sunday will discuss a potential United Nations resolution or an international agreement to authorize the use of a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza, according to The Times of Israel. "Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level, whether it be monetary or personnel or both, are going to need that because their domestic laws require it," Rubio said of a resolution or an international agreement. He said a team is working to outline a possible resolution or agreement. Rubio also spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to discuss continuing efforts to end all conflict in Gaza, State Department principal deputy spokesman Tommy Piggot said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During the call, Sec. Rubio and Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Israel," Piggot added. Rubio is also bound for Busan, South Korea, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is scheduled from Monday through Nov.1. President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough. The anti-tariff ad was funded by Ontarios provincial government and quoted the conservative icon, who appeared to warn in the video that tariffs hurt every American. Trump appeared to take great offense to the ad and announced Thursday he was suspending trade talks with Canada as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that he would pull the ad to allow trade talks to resume following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, Ford said the ad would continue running through the weekend, including during the first World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which has irked the president. President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough (AP) Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagans Speech on Tariffs, Trump complained on Truth Social Saturday afternoon from Air Force One while en route to Malaysia. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said. Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear when the hike would come into effect or whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Earlier this year, Trump raised the import tax on Canada to 35 percent. The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs. The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library) The Reagan Presidential Foundation has also condemned the ad, calling it unauthorized and a misrepresentation of Reagan's views. The foundation indicated it is pursuing legal options over the use of the audio. Ford said the campaigns goal was to spark dialogue about the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels, Ford said in a statement Friday. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. I can play dirtier than they can, Trump told reporters Friday. Many Canadian products have already been hit with a 35 percent tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50 percent. Energy products have a lower rate of 10 percent. Donald Trump departed the White House on Friday night as he set off for Asia, in what will be his first trip to the continent this term. He will be stopping in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The US president is expected to work on investment deals and peace efforts before meeting face-to-face with Chinese President Xi Jinping to try to deescalate a trade war. We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us," Trump told reporters as he left the White House. "I think well have a good meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps first stop is at a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur. He attended the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit only once during his first term, but this year it comes as Malaysia and the US have been working to address a skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia. On Sunday, hes also scheduled to have a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, followed by a joint signing ceremony with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. Trump threatened earlier this year to withhold trade deals with the countries if they didnt stop fighting, and his administration has since been working with Malaysia to nail down an expanded ceasefire. The president credited Ibrahim with working to resolve the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told the leader of Malaysia, who is a very good man, I think I owe you a trip," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. Related The US leader on Sunday may also have a significant meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants to see the US cut a 40% tariff on Brazilian imports. The US administration has justified the tariffs by citing Brazils criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro a Trump ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond trade, Lula on Friday also criticized the US campaign of military strikes off the South American coast in the name of fighting drug trafficking. He said he planned to raise concerns with Trump at a meeting on Sunday in Malaysia. The White House has not yet publicly confirmed the meeting is set to take place. After Malaysia, Trump has stops in Japan and South Korea From there, Trump heads to Japan and South Korea, where hes expected to make progress on talks for at least $900 billion ( 776 billion) in investments for US factories and other projects that those countries committed to in return for easing Trumps planned tariff rates down to 15% from 25%. The trip to Tokyo comes a week after Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Trump is set to meet with Takaichi, who is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump was close to Abe, who was assassinated after leaving office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Takaichi's relationship with Abe was a good sign and I look forward to meeting her. While there, Trump is expected to be hosted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and meet with US troops who are stationed in Japan, according to a senior US official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity about the planned trip. In South Korea, Trump is expected to hold a highly anticipated meeting with China's Xi on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping. - Andy Wong/Copyright 2017 The AP. All rights reserved. While the APEC summit is set to be held in Gyeongju, the Trump-Xi meeting is expected to take place in the city of Busan, according to the U.S. official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting follows months of volatile moves in a trade war between China and the US that have rattled the global economy. Trump was infuriated earlier this month after Beijing imposed new export controls on rare earths used in technology and threatened to hike retaliatory tariffs to sky-high levels. He has said he wants China to buy US soybeans. However, earlier this week, Trump was optimistic, predicting he would reach a fantastic deal with Xi. Trump also said he might ask Xi about freeing Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy newspaper founder, saying "itll be on my list." The only meeting that could possibly eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Speculation has been rife since South Koreas Unification Minister Chung Dong-young told lawmakers this month it was possible that Trump could again meet with Kim in the Demilitarized Zone, as he did in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But such a meeting is not on the president's schedule for this trip, according to the US official. Trump suggested it was hard to reach the North Korean leader. They have a lot of nuclear weapons, but not a lot of telephone service," he said. President Donald Trump criticized a controversial Canadian anti-tariff advertisement late Friday, calling it crooked and dishonest and suggesting that its excerpts from former President Ronald Reagans speech may have been generated using artificial intelligence. The advertisement, sponsored by Ontarios provincial government, uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs. In response, Trump announced Thursday that he was ending all trade negotiations with Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada lied, Trump told reporters Friday as he prepared to depart for an Asia trip. They made up a fake statement by President Reagan. Reagan was a big supporter of tariffs when needed. We need tariffs for national security, and they totally turned it around because theyre getting hurt by tariffs, and were gaining by tariffs. Trump continued, Reagan liked tariffs and when necessary, he would use tariffs, Its made us a very rich country. Its also made us, when it was used against us, not good for us. But weve used them very successfully. Trump canceled all trade negotiations with Canada on Thursday after learning about an anti-tariff ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan that he claims may have be AI genterated (Getty Images) The Reagan Presidential Foundation also condemned the ad, calling it unauthorized and a misrepresentation of Reagan's views. The foundation indicated it is pursuing legal options over the use of the audio. Trump echoed these concerns, accusing Canada of trying to influence an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision on his sweeping tariff agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Trump raised the import tax on Canada to 35 percent. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that he would pull the ad to allow trade talks to resume, following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, Ford said the ad would continue running through the weekend, including during the first World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which Trump called fraud and dirty playing. I can play dirtier than they can, Trump told reporters Friday. Ford said the campaigns goal was to spark dialogue about the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels, Ford said in a statement Friday. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. President Donald Trump will increase tariffs on Canada by 10 percent, he announced Saturday in a post on Truth Social, as the fallout continues over a C$75 million Ontario ad campaign using quotes from former President Ronald Reagan to slam his tariffs. Trump on Thursday halted trade negotiations with Americas northern neighbor in response to the ad, which he said misrepresented Reagans view on tariffs, a linchpin of Trumps economic policy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans to pull the ad at the end of the weekend, but the president on Saturday fumed that it had aired during Game 1 of the World Series. Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didnt! Trump wrote Saturday. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has fixated on the Reagan-centered ad campaign in training his ire on Canada. But National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has maintained that it isnt the only reason for the presidents sudden cold shoulder. The fact is that the negotiations with the Canadians have not been very collegial, Hassett told Fox News on Friday. Theyve not been going well. I think the president is very frustrated. Mark Carney, who has endeavored to establish a much warmer relationship with the White House than the one between Trump and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is seeking to calm tensions. Carney had encouraged the Ontario premier to pull the ad in an effort to restart trade talks, and signaled a willingness in remarks Friday to pick up where the two sides had left off. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada remains standing by to build on progress made in "constructive discussions" to date. "We will remain focused on achieving results that benefit workers and families in both the United States and Canada," he said in a statement on Saturday evening. "That progress is best achieved through direct engagement with the U.S. administration which is the responsibility of the federal government." Chief Justice of India BR Gavai held a meeting with the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during his official visit to Bhutan on Saturday. CJI Gavai also held a meeting with Bhutan's Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay on Friday. During these meetings, the CJI discussed avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two countries' judiciaries and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening India-Bhutan relations. He further expressed the Indian judiciary's readiness to support the Bhutanese judiciary in areas such as technology integration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. CJI Gavai also had an extensive interaction with the students and faculty of the JSW School of Law on Saturday. The event was graced by Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck and Chief Justice of Bhutan, Justice Norbu Tshering. Addressing the students, Chief Justice Gavai emphasised the values of compassion, wisdom, and ethical responsibility within legal education. In furtherance of the enduring ties between India and Bhutan, the CJI announced that two positions of Law Clerks at the Supreme Court of India shall be offered annually to law graduates from Bhutan as part of an ongoing initiative to strengthen academic engagement and professional collaboration between the judiciaries of the two nations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Bhutan share unique and exemplary bilateral relations, which are based on mutual trust, goodwill and understanding. Formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968. The basic framework of India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was renewed in February 2007. Earlier in June, India and Bhutan held the Development Cooperation Talks with Secretary (West) in the MEA, Tanmaya Lal, leading the Indian delegation, and Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden led the Bhutanese delegation. "India and Bhutan share an exemplary partnership characterised by trust, goodwill, mutual understanding at all levels, and strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people ties," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The Development Cooperation Talks are an important bilateral mechanism for reviewing the full spectrum of India-Bhutan's development partnership. According to MEA, the Government of India (GoI) has committed support of INR/Nu. 10,000 Crore (100 billion) for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2024-2029), which would cover Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects, High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), support for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and budgetary support in the form of a Programme Grant. During the Talks, the two sides discussed various components of the support and reviewed the progress in the implementation of the projects approved in previous rounds. (ANI) Ano Abdoka, a Christian Iraqi politician who has played a key role in Kurdistan Region politics, said he hoped Savaya would work toward protecting the rights of Iraqs diverse communities." US President Donald Trump has appointed businessman Mark Savaya as the new US Special Envoy to Iraq. Savaya is of Iraqi descent, Rudaw media in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq reported. He grew up in Michigan. Essam Satam is Savaya's uncle who sponsored him when he was around 16 years old to migrate to the US together with his family, fleeing violence, Rudaw noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savaya wrote on social media, I am deeply humbled, honored and grateful to President Donald J. Trump for appointing me as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq. I am committed to strengthening the USIraq partnership under President Trumps leadership and guidance. The Rudaw report noted that he is a Chaldean Christian and the founder of Leaf and Bud, a company specializing in the cultivation of marijuana for medical and recreational use. "I got to know Mark better last year, during Donald Trump campaign 2024. And we worked together. We attended many functions and rallies together. He was very supportive of Donald Trump. He spent quite a bit of his financial, as well as time to make sure Donald Trump will win," Sam Yono, an American-Chaldean politician based in Michigan, told Rudaw. L to R: Newly appointed US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump. (credit: Screenshot/Facebook/Section 27A of the Copyright Act) His appointment has been welcomed in Iraq. The President of the autonomous Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, wrote, I welcome President Donald J. Trumps appointment of Mr. Mark Savaya as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq. This decision underscores the strategic importance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in advancing our shared interests and regional stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another person expressed hope that Savaya would work to strengthen relations with Iraq. A third person said he hoped Savaya would work to ensure that Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution was fulfilled and to improve relations with the Kurdistan Region. Article 140 addresses issues related to regions disputed between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad. 'Honored that one of our own has been appointed' Ano Abdoka, a Christian Iraqi politician who has played a key role in Kurdistan Region politics, wrote, As a Christian from Kurdistan and Iraq, from Beth Nahrin, and as a proud Chaldean, I am deeply honored that today one of our own, Mr. Mark Savaya, has been appointed as the Special Envoy of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq. He noted that Savaya hails from a distinguished Chaldean Telkifi family of the historic Nineveh Plains, a cradle of ancient Christian civilization. He is not only a successful businessman, but also a steadfast and early supporter of President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdoka continued, On behalf of myself and the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, we extend our full support to Mr. Savaya as he undertakes this vital responsibility. We stand ready to work closely with him to strengthen the bonds between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, in the spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He said he hoped Savaya would work toward protecting the rights of Iraqs diverse communities; including Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syriacs, Armenians, Ezidies, Kakaye, Jews, Turkmen, and others, whose presence and contributions form the rich mosaic of our homeland. Abdoka also noted that there are illegal armed militias in the Nineveh Plains, an area where Christians live. Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that Mr. Savaya will play a pivotal role in advancing a vision to Make Iraq Great Again (MIGA) - by helping to restore true constitutional governance and to build relations on the basis of the full and impartial implementation of the Iraqi Constitution, without selectivity or political manipulation, ensuring that all its articles are respected equally for the benefit of all citizens. Savayas appointment comes as the US has called on Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed militias. Iraq is also set to hold elections in November. In addition, Baghdad and Erbil have been working on budget issues and oil exports, but disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad remain unresolved. United States President Donald Trump has thanked Qatar for its efforts in securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza as Israeli forces continued attacks on the Palestinian territory, killing at least one person and wounding four others. Trump made the comments on Saturday as he welcomed Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on board Air Force One on Saturday, as the US presidents plane stopped to refuel in the Gulf country on its way to a summit in Malaysia. Weve done a lot together, especially in the last year, Trump said alongside the Qatari leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve done is incredible peace to the Middle East and they were a very big factor in it, so I just want to thank you. For his part, the Qatari Emir, in a post on X, said he was pleased to meet Trump and that their meeting was a good opportunity to discuss peace plans in the Middle East, follow up on efforts to solidify the agreement to end the war in Gaza, and explore prospects for strategic cooperation between our two friendly nations. The meeting comes after several senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visited Israel this week to ensure the US ally abides by the deal, and to discuss the details of phase two of the Washington-led plan. Experts say several elements of the agreement, including Washingtons demand that Hamas disarm and the prospect of deploying an international security force to Gaza, remain unclear. Trump, speaking to reporters following his meeting with the Qatari emir, said that the truce will continue to hold, and if not, Hamas will not be hard to take care of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be very quickly. But I hope it holds for Hamas, too, because they gave us their word on something, he said. Trump also suggested that Qatari troops and those of other countries may be part of the so-called international stabilisation force for Gaza. We have 59 countries. We have a lot of countries that are signed on, he said. This should be an enduring peace. The security force for Gaza could be in place pretty quickly, he added. They are actually picking leaders right now. The Qatari government, in a readout of the talks on Air Force One, shared by the Qatar News Agency, said the leaders discussed a range of issues, including efforts related to supporting peace in the region, consolidating the agreement to end the war in Gaza, and ensuring the parties implementation of all its provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from the Qatari capital, Doha, said the meeting comes amid pressure from Israel and the US on Hamas to release the bodies of all the remaining Israelis taken captive during the attacks of October 7, 2023. That has been a point of contention, [with] Israel saying that Hamas has not in the past four days returned any of those bodies, she said. Hamas, for its part, has said it needs more time to access areas that have been out of reach as a result of the war and the heavy bombardment that has come down on the Strip. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to carry out deadly strikes across Gaza and restrict deliveries of humanitarian aid to Palestinians across the territory, putting further strain on the shaky ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli forces killed at least one person and wounded four others in an attack on a vehicle in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, with the Israeli military claiming it was targeting a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad who had been planning to attack Israeli troops. Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, described the attack as a breach of an already fragile ceasefire. This is not the first time we are seeing a violation of the ceasefire. Over the past two weeks, there has been 88 violations involving the killing of displaced families trying to get back to their homes behind what the Israeli military describes as the yellow line an imaginary line that seeks to redraw the map of Gaza and which eats up the majority of the territorys agricultural land, Mahmoud said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the Israeli violations, US officials have sought to project a positive message, telling reporters this week that the deal was progressing well despite more work needing to be done. Speaking to reporters separately on Saturday, Rubio said that American officials would get input on a possible United Nations resolution or international agreement to authorise the multinational force in Gaza. The US state secretary added that he would discuss the issue in Qatar on Sunday. Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level whether it be monetary or personnel or both are going to need that [a UN resolution or international agreement], because their domestic laws require it, Rubio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we have a whole team working on that outline of it. According to Al Jazeeras Jabbari in Doha, the message from the Trump administration on Saturday was that Qatar has a key role to play as the negotiations progress. The United States president has highlighted that, without their mediating efforts, this ceasefire would not have been possible in the first place, she said. And of course, moving forward, in order to advance from one stage to the next, it has to be with the input and consultation of the Qataris. Looming over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of cable networks CNN and HBO, are the preferences of President Donald Trump particularly his attraction to media companies that serve his personal and political goals. Paramount Skydance, the media conglomerate owned by Trump-friendly billionaire David Ellison, reportedly has had its sights set on Warner Bros. Discovery since the Trump administration approved Paramounts merger with Skydance over the summer a move that has led to concerns about a potential MAGA-fication of CBS News. Trump has praised Ellison and his father, Larry an uberwealthy member of the rich cadre of men Trump has tapped to oversee a takeover of TikTok in the U.S. as supporters and friends, and the president has claimed CBS will be better off in the younger Ellisons hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, a whisper campaign reportedly has emerged involving allies of the Ellison and Trump camps, the purpose of which is to nudge Warner Bros. Discovery into Paramount Skydances ownership. CNNs Brian Stelter reported Thursday on an effort by Ellisons allies who are privately arguing that he is the only buyer who would pass muster with Trump administration regulators. Conservative columnist and Fox News contributor Charles Gasparino reported in the New York Post on Thursday that, from the Trump side, the administration favors Paramount Skydance to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and a number of rival bidders are likely to face stiff hurdles from US regulators in the blockbuster auction. Gasparino quoted a senior Trump administration official as saying: Who owns Warner Bros. Discovery is very important to the administration, a senior Trump administration official told On The Money. The Warner board needs to think very seriously not just on the price competition but which player in the suitor pool has been successful getting a deal done. And that points to the Ellisons, the senior administration official added. MSNBC has not independently confirmed that reporting, but the prospect of Paramounts acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is raising alarm bells among Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts explained the risks of such consolidation in a short video, saying it reeks of political influence and could lead to price hikes: Trump, his administration and the broader MAGA movement appear to be in hot pursuit of the goal that Hungarys authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, prescribed for conservatives when he told them in 2022 that the key to political control is control of the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appears to have taken the advice to heart. He has declared that broadcast networks that air criticisms of him should have their licenses revoked for airing content he doesnt like. He has filed punitive lawsuits against outlets in an apparent attempt to dissuade them from running negative coverage. And his Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, issued a thinly veiled public threat urging TV station owners to take action on [Jimmy] Kimmel after the late-night TV host criticized Republicans responses to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trumps assault on the independent press has looked every bit as illiberal as Orbans. The prospect of one of Trumps self-described friends vacuuming up yet another major media company, as would be the case if Paramount Skydance acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, would do little to quell comparisons to Orbans Hungary. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Trump headed for Asia for the first time this term, a trip on which he's expected to work on investment deals and peace efforts before meeting face-to-face with Chinese President Xi Jinping to try to de-escalate a trade war. "We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us," Mr. Trump told reporters Friday night as he left the White House. "I think we'll have a good meeting." A Treasury spokesperson said that US-China trade talks reconvened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at around 9:15 a.m. local time on Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president had a long-haul flight where he arrived in Malaysia on Sunday morning, the first stop of a three-country visit. Aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Mr. Trump told reporters he may be discussing its purchases of Russian oil with Xi. He said China is substantially cutting back on its future purchases after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Moscow's two biggest oil companies. Chinese national oil companies will, at least in the short term, refrain from buying Russian oil, Reuters reported last week. When asked when he hopes to accomplish from the meeting with China, the president said, "I think a complete deal." "I want our farmers to be taken care of, and he wants things also. We're going to be talking about fentanyl," Mr. Trump said Saturday. "I think we have a really good chance of making a very comprehensive deal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a refueling stop in Qatar, Mr. Trump met with the country's emir and prime minister Saturday aboard Air Force One. The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said that as soon as he heard the president was coming to Qatar, he wanted to have a conversation. Mr. Trump thanked the emir and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for bringing "peace to the Middle East," after they served as intermediaries during the Israel-Hamas peace deal, calling them a "great ally." His trip comes as the U.S. government shutdown drags on. Many federal workers are set to miss their first full paycheck this week, there are flight disruptions as already-squeezed air traffic controllers work without pay, and states are confronting the possibility that federal food aid could dry up. As Republicans reject Democratic demands to extend health care tax credits, there's no sign of a break in the impasse. But Mr.Trump himself appears to be maintaining a business-as-usual approach, including by embarking on this latest foreign trip. "America is shut down and the President is skipping town," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump's first stop is at a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur. Trump attended the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit only once during his first term, but this year it comes as Malaysia and the U.S. have been working to address a skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia. On Sunday, he's scheduled to have a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, followed by a joint signing ceremony with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. "I am on my way to Malaysia, where I will sign the great Peace Deal, which I proudly brokered between Cambodia and Thailand," Mr. Trump said Saturday in a Truth Social post. He also sent condolences to the people of Thailand following the death of Queen Mother Sirikit. "I will be seeing their wonderful Prime Minister when we land. In order to accommodate everyone for this major event, we will be signing the Peace Deal immediately upon arrival," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump threatened earlier this year to withhold trade deals with the countries if they didn't stop fighting, and his administration has since been working with Malaysia to nail down an expanded ceasefire. From there, Mr. Trump heads to Japan and South Korea, where he's expected to make progress on talks for at least $900 billion in investments for U.S. factories and other projects that those countries committed to in return for easing Trump's planned tariff rates down to 15% from 25%. The trip to Tokyo comes a week after Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Trump is set to meet with Takaichi, who is a protege of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Mr. Trump was close to Abe, who was assassinated after leaving office. Mr. Trump said Takaichi's relationship with Abe was "a good sign" and "I look forward to meeting her." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there, Mr. Trump is expected to be hosted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and meet with U.S. troops who are stationed in Japan, according to a senior U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity about the planned trip. In South Korea, Mr. Trump is expected to hold a highly anticipated meeting with China's Xi on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. While the APEC summit is set to be held in Gyeongju, the Trump-Xi meeting is expected to take place in the city of Busan, according to the U.S. official. The meeting follows months of volatile moves in a trade war between China and the U.S. that have rattled the global economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Attia on how to make your final decade of life as enjoyable as possible June Lockhart, beloved for "Lassie," "Lost in Space," dies at 100 Gavin Newsom on opposing Donald Trump: "He's a wrecking ball" Democrats have successfully framed what is now the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history around the issue of health care. Some three weeks in, it remains solid ground for the party, and it seems unlikely that they will budge. Especially when considering another important reason why this will likely become the longest government shutdown ever and stretch on with no end in sight: President Donald Trump has usurped Congress power to appropriate and direct government spending and refuses to give it back. In doing so, Trump has broken any semblance of trust that Democrats may have that his end of any deal they strike will be honored after a bill is passed. Politics: Complete Bats**t Insanity: Critics Torch Trump Over Bonkers Medical Rant Since taking office, Trump has unilaterally impounded funds appropriated by Congress, frozen funds for scientific research, canceled grants for infrastructure largely in Democratic-run states, fired tens of thousands of government workers, shuttered whole agencies and attempted to shutter others. And hes ramped up these practices, which range from provocative to outright illegal, during the shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most ominously, Trump redirected funds within the Department of Defense from research and development to pay the salary of troops who would otherwise not be paid during the shutdown. This money was appropriated by Congress for one purpose and is now, at Trumps unilateral direction, being used for another. That is neither legal, nor constitutional. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President Trump has done the most broad set of illegal budget actions of any president in U.S. history, said Bobby Kogan, a former Office of Management and Budget official under President Joe Biden who is now the senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal nonprofit. This is his most illegal budgetary action by a mile by a parsec. These actions, many of which are illegal and unconstitutionally usurp Congress power of the purse, show why its near impossible for Democrats to make a deal. Whats the point of making a deal when Trump will either refuse to spend money that Democrats want spent or decide to spend that money on something else entirely? The normal process for funding the government involves deal-making as members and parties haggle to get their priorities funded. If that breaks down, then what is Congress for, anyway? President Donald Trump and OMB Director Russell Vought (center) have engaged in "the most broad set of illegal budget actions of any president in U.S. history," Bobby Kogan said. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images Congress is the sole body empowered by the Constitution to appropriate money to be spent by the government. The president can neither spend money that hasnt been appropriated by Congress, nor refuse to spend money that Congress has appropriated except in very limited circumstances. The Constitutions grant of this power to Congress is backed by laws including the Impoundment Control Act, which limits how the president may refuse to spend money, the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits the executive branch from spending money that hasnt been appropriated by Congress and the Purpose Statute, which limits agencies to only spend money on objects for which the appropriations were made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes now breaking both ends of spending by not spending money that he doesnt feel like spending and spending money he doesnt have to spend, Kogan said. It kind of renders all appropriations optional. How are you supposed to make a deal in that context? Politics: Trump Wants DOJ To Look Into His Go-To Gripe With 'Gusto' Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) put it more bluntly. We have a trust issue, he previously told HuffPost. The usurpation of Congress spending power by taking money from one account to spend on another is just the latest in his egregious push for unitary power. During his first term, Trump was impeached after he withheld funds from Ukraine, a violation of the Impoundment Control Act, in pursuit of dirt on his 2020 rival Joe Biden. When he ran for reelection in 2024, he campaigned on the promise of challenging the constitutionality of the Impoundment Control Act in court. Within days of taking office, Trumps OMB impounded billions of dollars in funds. Already, the Trump administration has committed seven violations of the act, according to decisions by the Government Accountability Office. While the total amount of impounded funds wont be known until later in 2025, the GAO is currently investigating no less than 46 cases of impoundment by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMB director Russ Vought, whom Trump refers to as the reaper and Darth Vader, is the brains and the face of Trumps seizure of the power of the purse. Vought has promised to use every tool available to restrain spending and shrink the government, including those that are illegal or unconstitutional, as he believes it is necessary to throw off the precedents and legal paradigms that have wrongly developed over the last 200 years, in order to stop countrys descent into a complete Marxist takeover of the country. Politics: Meet Donald Trumps Government Shutdown Hatchet Man Trump and Vought have since claimed to use the shutdown to exact pain on their political foes. Theyve canceled billions in grants to Democratic-leaning states and fired thousands from Democrat agencies. Theyve engaged in mass layoffs, although their court filings belie their claims that this is related to the shutdown. And theyve cast doubt on the future reliability of any deal Democrats may strike to fund the government by stating they would cut funds as they saw fit through rescission legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) didnt help either when he said on Oct. 10 that, A rescissions package is part of our process. The decision to use an R&D budget to cover troop pay compounds this problem even further: It shows that the administration is willing to go even further in its law-breaking than its efforts to challenge the Impoundment Control Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now they appear ready to set aside the Antideficiency Act, said Cerin Lindgrensavage, counsel for Protect Democracy, a pro-democracy nonprofit. To the extent that they were already line-crossing, that is another line that I dont think I expected them to cross so blatantly. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) says that House Republicans would consider cutting appropriated funds through a rescission package, further undermining any trust Democrats may have in striking a budget deal. Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images The problem Trump and Vought have created goes beyond deal-making. The appropriations process is not only a means to fund the government, it is also an important constitutional mechanism for one branch to check another. If Congress does not approve of a presidents policies or how they are administering the government, they can change how they fund it or put additional limitations or strings on what the president may do with the money Congress allocates. But when the president unilaterally refuses to spend money appropriated by Congress or spends money not appropriated by Congress, as Trump is doing, Congress whole purpose and the constitutional design of the entire government is undermined. Even some Republicans acknowledge the problems that Trump is creating for Congress by usurping the power of the purse. Politics: 4 Reasons This Government Shutdown Is Different If youre a Democrat even just like a mainstream Democrat your predisposition might be to help negotiate with Republicans on a funding mechanism, Rep. Steve Womack, an Arkansas Republican on the Appropriations Committee, said to Politico. Why would you do that if you know that whatever you negotiate is going to be subject to the knife pulled out by Russ Vought? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Democrats] concern right now, and its a legitimate concern, is that, how can we agree to any deal when our OMB director will just impound the funds and say were not going to spend them there? Rep. Mike Simpson, a Republican appropriator from Idaho, told Bloomberg Government. If youre a Democrat, youre looking at it, and youre saying, Why am I going to try to be helpful, if Mr. Vought and OMB is just going to do a backdoor move and rescind what weve been working on? Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters on Oct. 14. Once upon a time, Congress maintained a sense of institutional identity whereby its members, no matter the party, protected its constitutional grants of power from intrusion by the president. At times, Congress chose to cede power or created new power-sharing arrangements with the president, but this was done in service of maintaining congressional power amid changing circumstances. That all appears to be going out the window as the Republican Party embraces a strongman theory of the presidency. Politics: 'One Of The Grossest Things I've Seen': Marjorie Taylor Greene's Trump Hits Keep Coming Congressional Democrats did place some restraints on Trumps abuse of appropriations into their continuing resolution to fund the government. These include limiting the fast-track process for rescission legislation, ending pocket rescissions and extending the availability of funds frozen by Trumps OMB. Now, this has no chance of becoming law, as Republicans are lockstep with Trump, who would also veto such legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is when, if ever, Congress regains a sense of self-respect and defends its turf as it has done in past confrontations with the executive. Whats it going to take for Congress to get to the point where its institutionally ready to explore ways to hold the administration accountable for not following the laws, Lindgrensavage said. And thats still what we have not yet seen. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost US President Donald Trump has said that during his upcoming meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, he plans to raise the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine and ways to resolve it. Source: Trump during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia Quote: "One of the things we will talk about is Russia and Ukraine." Details: He said that the Chinese leader is also interested in ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump stressed that the US has imposed extensive sanctions against Russia and would like Beijing to help increase international pressure on Moscow. Trump also stressed that he has a lot to talk about with President Xi, and Xi has a lot to talk about with him. The US president believes "it's going to turn out to be a very good meeting." Background: The US president previously said he intends to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to persuade him to stop buying oil from Russia. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next Wednesday 30 October. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! In September, the Trump administration told The New York Times that it had destroyed millions of dollars worth of contraceptive medication and devices that were being stored in Belgium. But a later on-the-ground report revealed that wasnt the case and that all those contraceptives were still in a warehouse and that the U.S. government was still refusing to distribute them or give them away. As things stand, $9.7 million in contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices and hormonal implants purchased by the U.S. government before Trump dismantled U.S. foreign aid programs earlier this year remains in limbo. These supplies were originally intended for distribution in low-income countries, but the administration says it no longer views contraception as lifesaving treatment, and will no longer fund birth control products for other nations. This was all part of the Trump administrations larger effort to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, which it has described as wasteful and unnecessary. Since July, nonprofit agencies, such as the British organization MSI Reproductive Choices, have repeatedly offered to distribute the products at no cost to U.S. taxpayer. (Incinerating all that material, on the other hand, is expected to cost more than $160,000). Many of the products remain viable through at least 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant buy the commodities, but we can arrange to cover the cost of the distribution, Sarah Shaw, associate director of advocacy at MSI Reproductive Choices, told Salon. Those would include any repackaging costs, shipping and any import duties that would be incurred in transporting them to another country. That offer was made to Chemonics, a private entity that operates the supply-chain management project for USAID and uses the Belgian warehouse as a regional distribution hub. Chemonics told Salon the company would not comment on specific activities or decisions made on active U.S. government-funded programs, but said it would work closely with our U.S. government clients to procure and deliver lifesaving health commodities around the world and continue to support the U.S. governments global health supply chain priorities. Florinda Baleci, a Belgian government spokesperson on trade and development issues, told Salon that her country has explored all possible avenues to prevent the destruction of these contraceptives, including relocation and transfer options to Belgian authorities or international organizations. While the contraceptives have not yet been destroyed, Baleci said that some have been transferred from the original warehouse in Geel, Belgium, to a different warehouse in another village, apparently owned by the private companies Van Moer Logistics and Kuehne & Nagel. Baleci said four containers remain in Geel. It is possible that some products may no longer be usable due to the conditions of transport, but this has not been established with certainty, Baleci added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Demeyer, a spokesman at the Flemish Ministry for the Environment and Agriculture, told Salon by email that as of Oct. 10, 2025, the contraceptives are still in storage and have not yet been destroyed. Furthermore, he added, an incineration ban in effect in Flanders means that incineration plants cannot accept these goods. The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment. A study published in July by The Lancet estimated that the USAID funding cuts could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. USAID funding is most likely to reduce mortality related to HIV/AIDS and malaria, according to the study. According to an independent researchers estimate of the death toll caused by the Trump administrations funding cuts, terminations and near-total elimination of USAID, the result is about 88 deaths worldwide every hour of every day. Shaw, of MSI Reproductive Choices, said it was too soon to know the impact of USAID cuts on reproductive health, as it could take years to collect that data. But she had a few ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to see an increase in unmet need for contraception, an increase in unintended pregnancies and, as a consequence of that, increases in maternal deaths, Shaw said. She added that increases in unsafe abortion, were also likely, but its too early for that to show up in the data. According to a recent survey conducted by Shaws agency with their partners, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa, 86 percent of programs surveyed said they have seen significant impacts as a result of USAID cuts, and specifically impacts on public health and access to contraception. This isnt the first time a Trump administration has cut USAID funding in a manner that affected global reproductive health. After Donald Trump first took office in 2017, he reinstated the global gag rule, which decreed that global NGOs receiving U.S. funding were banned from providing or offering information about abortion. Later in his first term, Trump expanded the rule to apply to all U.S. global health assistance, and the funding affected by the policy increased from $600 million to about $12 billion. Ripple effects of that policy were felt around the world: Clinics for teenagers in Ethiopia previously supported by U.S. funding were shut down, and an effort to include HIV testing in family planning in Kenya fell apart. In 2021, Joe Bidens administration rescinded the rule. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. This time around, Shaw said, the Trump cuts are more significant and the immediate effects more extreme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the entire family planning budget that has gone, she said. We have never seen anything like this. Under previous gag rules imposed by Republican presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, she said, Youd finish out your contract, and then youre not eligible for renewal. This time around, affected organizations had to shut down their operations immediately. This is why there were so many commodities stuck in the supply chain, Shaw added, because they were never able to work through to the end of their journey. Caitlin Horrigan, senior director of global advocacy at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told Salon that the Trump administrations attacks on reproductive health care across the world have been relentless, chaotic and cruel. Destroying contraception has devastating and long-lasting impacts for women and communities around the world, Horrigan said. Without access to family planning, rates of unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality and mother-to-child transmission of HIV will increase; the Trump administrations actions will cost lives and deny women and girls around the world services that help them stay in school, pursue economic opportunities and climb out of poverty. The post Trump wants to torch contraception for poor women. So far, Belgium says no appeared first on Salon.com. In Chicago, federal agents rappelled from Black Hawk helicopters onto an apartment building. In Portland, Oregon, masked officers clashed with protesters wearing inflatable animal costumes. In the nation's capital, police set up checkpoints and troops patrolled the streets. Since early June, President Donald Trump has surged federal resources into a growing number of Democratic-led cities as part of a widening crackdown on illegal immigration and violent crime. The deployments have sparked intense backlash, a dizzying number of legal battles and upended daily life in communities flooded with federal agents and National Guard troops. The Trump administration says the added resources are needed to service the presidents mass deportation campaign and clamp down on violence in liberal cities. Critics, including state and local officials, say the deployments are an illegal show of force and a power grab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, federal operations have taken different forms, shaped by levels of cooperation between federal and local officials, protests over heightened immigration enforcement and the scale of the operations themselves. In several cities, immigration raids touched off a wave of demonstrations, prompting Trump to call up National Guard troops. In others, federal agents worked closely with local police to target crime more broadly, setting up roving patrols and checkpoints. One major commonality: The cities all experienced a surge in immigration enforcement. Reporters across the USA TODAY Network spoke with experts, residents, officials and local advocates to capture the impact of federal intervention in U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Memphis, Portland and Chicago a short list that seems likely to grow as the president eyes deployments to other cities. A Metropolitan Police officer inspects a car at a checkpoint on New York Avenue after President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to Washington and ordered an increase in the presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention in Washington DC on Aug. 20, 2025. Many residents and local officials said the cities didn't need intervention, especially a deployment of troops. Some living in crime-stricken areas said while they generally support the idea of more law enforcement in their communities, they want the operations to target violent crimes not immigration violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts, meanwhile, said targeted police work is the most effective way to lower crime and worry that the federal government's flood-the-zone tactics, both in immigration enforcement and general crimefighting, could erode public trust in police. Aggressive enforcement needs to be reserved for the most aggressive criminals, said Thomas Abt, director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction. He added that broad, heavy-handed policing has limited benefits and a lot of collateral consequences. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson hailed the president's efforts and said local leaders across the country should take inspiration and "clean up their city." "Making America Safe Again especially crime-ridden cities was a key campaign promise from the President that the American people elected him to fulfill," Jackson said in a statement. Chicago: Intensifying ICE raids and widespread protests The nations third-largest city has become the latest flashpoint in the battle between local officials and the Trump administration over the president's deportation campaign and federal deployments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Trump launched Operation Midway Blitz, an initiative he said was needed to catch "the worst of the worst" criminal immigrants. Research has shown that, on average, immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. Further, immigration violations, such as living in the country without proper documentation, are civil, not criminal, under U.S. law. Expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids triggered protests in downtown Chicago and the city's surrounding suburbs. As tensions boiled, clashes broke out and federal agents used pepper balls and tear gas, hitting journalists, a pastor and officers with the Chicago Police Department, according to reports and a lawsuit. A pastor reads the Bible during a standoff with police officers outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov.1, 2025. Law enforcement officers operate during a protest near the Broadview ICE facility, following U.S. President Donald Trump's order to increase the federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 1, 2025. Protesters stand outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 1, 2025. A protester records a Cook County Sheriff's police officer outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 1, 2025. Flowers lay near the feet of Illinois State Police officers outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov. 1, 2025. Police confront demonstrators during.a protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 11, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Demonstrators in costume protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 12, 2025. Demonstrators with opposing viewpoint argue outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 12, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Community members attend a religious service in a designated "Free Speech Zone" outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on Oct. 12, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrations have been taking place outside of the facility for several weeks as the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz has been underway, arresting and detaining immigrants in the Chicago area. Demonstrators stand outside a cordoned-off area during a standoff with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal officers in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, October 4, 2025. Police clash with demonstrators during a protest outside an immigrant processing and detention center on October 3, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. A protester washes chemical irritant from his eyes after federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls outside of the ICE processing facility on Sept. 26, 2025, in Broadview, Illinois. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence in Chicago to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, Ill., Sept. 26, 2025. A protester runs as pepper balls are fired by federal agents outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, Sept. 26, 2025. Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE processing facility, Sept. 26, 2025. U.S. Border Patrol agents and police keep watch as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. People protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A police officer holds a demonstrator as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A man is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Oct. 3, 2025. A demonstrator is detained as people protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, on Oct. 3, 2025. Military veterans hold a press conference to express support for a 70-year-old Air Force veteran who was shoved to the ground before being taken into custody for standing in a roadway while protesting last week outside of an immigrant processing and detention center on Oct. 2, 2025 in Broadview, Ill.. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. Supporters of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), waving U.S. flags, argue with an anti-ICE protester about immigrant detention outside the Broadview ICE facility, amid heightened federal security following President Donald Trump's order to expand federal presence and intensify immigration enforcement in Chicago through the Department of Homeland Security, in Broadview, Ill., on Oct. 2, 2025. Activists protest outside of an immigrant processing and detention center on Oct. 2, 2025 in Broadview, Ill. A federal law enforcement agents confronts demonstrators from the turret of an armored vehicle during a protest outside an immigrant processing and detention center on October 3, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The site has been the target of frequent protests as federal law enforcement agents continue Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an operation designed to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants living in the area. Chicago protests push back against increased federal immigration raids 1 of 28 A pastor reads the Bible during a standoff with police officers outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Nov.1, 2025. The president called for the arrests of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for failing to protect ICE agents. Residents and local advocates have accused ICE of employing reckless and brutal tactics during the blitz. Some incidents that have raised alarm: Immigration agents fatally shot a Mexican immigrant accused of resisting arrest; a Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a U.S. citizen on the citys South Side; and, reportedly, a school had to hold recess indoors after federal authorities deployed a chemical agent nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most controversial raid came on Sept. 30, when federal agents descended from Black Hawk helicopters and ransacked a South Side apartment building in an aggressive search of apartments inhabited by Venezuelan migrants. Debris and personal belongings sit on the floor of an empty apartment in a complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Broken exterior windows of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Debris and personal items belonging to Venezuelan immigrants sit in the hallway of an apartment complex, where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Debris and personal belongings sit on the floor of an empty apartment in a complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Workers remove debris from units of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. The exterior of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Laundry room of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. A worker throws an item out of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. The broken exterior windows of an apartment complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. See aftermath from large-scale ICE raid in Chicago apartment building 1 of 9 Debris and personal belongings sit on the floor of an empty apartment in a complex where 37 people were detained during a large-scale ICE raid on Sept. 30, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Oct. 2, 2025. Two of 37 people arrested were confirmed gang members, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Dozens of U.S. citizens were pulled from their beds and temporarily zip-tied during the operation, which Pritzker wants investigated by state agencies. More: 800 arrests amid Chicago immigration 'blitz' of helicopters and midnight raids DHS officials say aggressive tactics are necessary to catch criminals, and accused protesters of attacking agents and "rioting." Over 1,500 immigrants have been arrested in connection with the blitz, the agency said. USA TODAY has not been able to verify the number of detentions or the criminal background of those in custody. Texas National Guard troops walk through the Joliet Army Reserve Training Center, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Elwood, Illinois, Oct. 7, 2025. Two hundred Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, a Pentagon official said Tuesday, ahead of a planned deployment in Chicago that is strongly opposed by local Democratic officials. The troops were sent as part of a mission to protect "federal functions, personnel, and property," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Guardsmen have been mobilized for "an initial period of 60 days." The planned deployment of troops from Texas has infuriated Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who said they "should stay the hell out of Illinois." Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 07, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. The Trump administration has been threatening for more than a month to send the guard to Illinois to address Chicago's crime problem and to support ICE and CBP during Operation Midway Blitz. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been outspoken in his opposition to the move, accusing the president of using the guardsmen as political pawns. A woman protests the arrival of Texas Army National Guard troops across the street from the Army Reserve Training Center in Elmwood, Illinois, after being deployed as part of the federal response to ongoing immigration enforcement operations, on Oct. 7, 2025. Members of the Texas National Guard are seen at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Temporary housing units are set up as members of the Texas National Guard arrive at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct.7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. T Members of the Texas National Guard arrive at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Temporary housing units are set up as members of the Texas National Guard arrive at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard carry rifles and riot shields at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard are seen at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. A Texas Army National Guard troops stands guard at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elmwood, Illinois, after being deployed as part of the federal response to ongoing immigration enforcement operations. Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. National Guard members arrive in Illinois despite governor, Chicago mayor objections 1 of 12 Texas National Guard troops walk through the Joliet Army Reserve Training Center, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Elwood, Illinois, Oct. 7, 2025. Two hundred Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, a Pentagon official said Tuesday, ahead of a planned deployment in Chicago that is strongly opposed by local Democratic officials. The troops were sent as part of a mission to protect "federal functions, personnel, and property," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Guardsmen have been mobilized for "an initial period of 60 days." The planned deployment of troops from Texas has infuriated Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who said they "should stay the hell out of Illinois." Chicagoans said the federal intervention has made their neighborhoods virtually unrecognizable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We went from being this community that walks our kids to school or goes out to parks. Now the streets are empty," said Corina Pedraza, a longtime South Sider. Local alderwoman Julia Ramirez told USA TODAY that people "can't live their lives the way they did before." "Agents have created a war zone in our community," she said. Portland, Oregon: Tensions flare at ICE facility War ravaged, burning to the ground and hell are words Trump has used to describe the liberal stronghold of Portland in recent weeks characterizations vehemently disputed by local residents and officials. The back-and-forth comes as the president seeks to deploy troops to the city over the objections of local and state officials. A federal judge in Oregon initially blocked the deployments, but an appeals court on Oct. 20 ruled in Trumps favor, lifting one of the orders preventing the president from calling up 200 Oregon guardsmen to Portland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials say soldiers are necessary to protect federal personnel and an ICE facility in South Portland, where demonstrators have protested on a nightly basis. President Donald Trump said he is sending troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, in the latest deployment of forces to a U.S. city. The move follows weeks of protests outside ICE's field office in South Portland opposing Trump's mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. U.S. Border Patrol Agents detain a demonstrator during a protest outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A man waves an American flag as law enforcement officers guard the entrance to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A person holds a sign as federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, U.S., October 3, 2025. Demonstrators argue outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A protester uses a megaphone as federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A sniper stands on the roof as federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Portland Police Bureau officers detain a right-wing counter-protester outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Observers sit on the roof as federal law enforcement officers confront protesters outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Counter-protesters chant "USA" outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Counter-protesters pose with a banner outside Oregon's Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Demonstrators seen as federal agents, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Border Patrol, hold back protesters outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on October 3, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The facility has become a focal point of nightly protests against the Trump administration and his announcement that he will be sending National Guard troops into Portland. A federal judge is currently hearing Oregons case against sending troops into the city, and a decision is expected on Saturday. Federal agents, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Border Patrol, hold back protesters outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on October 03, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The facility has become a focal point of nightly protests against the Trump administration and his announcement that he will be sending National Guard troops into Portland. A federal judge is currently hearing Oregons case against sending troops into the city, and a decision is expected on Saturday. Protesters, both supportive of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility and those against it, meet outside of the ICE facility in downtown Portland on October 3, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The facility has become a focal point of nightly protests against the Trump administration and his announcement that he will be sending National Guard troops into Portland. A federal judge is currently hearing Oregons case against sending troops into the city, and a decision is expected on Saturday. Federal agents, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Border Patrol, hold back protesters outside a downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on October 3, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The facility has become a focal point of nightly protests against the Trump administration and his announcement that he will be sending National Guard troops into Portland. A federal judge is currently hearing Oregons case against sending troops into the city, and a decision is expected on Saturday. A protester wearing an inflatable Cookie Monster costume from the television show Sesame Street attends a protest outside the ICE headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A protester wearing a chicken costume sits outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. A protestor holds a sign at a rally at Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, as protestors anticipate a ruling by Federal District Court Judge Karin Immergut regarding President Donald Trump's plan to deploy National Guard members in Portland, in Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. See the protests outside of an ICE facility in Portland 1 of 21 President Donald Trump said he is sending troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, in the latest deployment of forces to a U.S. city. The move follows weeks of protests outside ICE's field office in South Portland opposing Trump's mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. U.S. Border Patrol Agents detain a demonstrator during a protest outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, October 3, 2025. Outside the facility earlier this month, USA TODAY reporters saw demonstrators peacefully protesting. There were people in puffy animal costumes dancing on the sidewalk and waving signs as motorists drove by, honking in support. Other forms of resistance have had a distinctly Portland vibe, such as an emergency naked bike ride in mid-October. More: With dancing frogs and naked bikers, Portland resists Trump's National Guard troops City residents said Trumps characterization of Portland as a city under siege is false and misleading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It offends me so deeply that we have a president that is willing and able to spread such misinformation without hitting the streets and coming out here, said Tiana Stewart, 37, a bartender. But he knows that the people who are watching are going to buy into it. Its ludicrous to me. Protesters dressed as frogs have become a symbol of the movement outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. The frog costumes began to multiply after a federal agent sprayed the air vent of a protesters frog costume during a protest in early October. Federal officers move toward protesters outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. The Keep Portland Weird mural is painted on a wall behind Dantes nightclub on West Burnside Street on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. Federal officers watch protesters outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. A memorial is set up outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. Federal officers watch protesters dressed in inflatable animal suits outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Protesters dressed in inflatable animal costumes line the sidewalks outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Portland Police patrols an area near Northwest Third Avenue and Couch Street where people experiencing homelessness gather on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility is seen boarded up in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Fences are spray painted with anti-ICE messages outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Protesters wave at passing cars as they rally along the sidewalks outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Protesters dressed as frogs have become a symbol of the movement outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. The frog costumes began to multiply after a federal agent sprayed the air vent of a protesters frog costume during a protest in early October. People walk along the paths at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. Manager of Oregrown Rae Clouser, 27, weighs cannabis in the shop in Northeast Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. People cross the street in front of the Never Look Away mural which celebrates eight pioneers in the LGBTQ+ community on Oct. 13, 2025, in Portland. Curtis Best, 70, sits with his dog, Instant Karma, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. A person experiencing homelessness camps along a street in downtown Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. People peruse the bookshelves of Powells Books in the Pearl District of downtown Portland on Oct. 13, 2025. Anjali Kumaran enjoys a drink at Prost! on North Mississippi Avenue where bartender Keith ODell works on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. People eat lunch at a food cart pod on North Mississippi Avenue on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. A view of the city of Portland from Pittock Mansion on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. See how Portland keeps it 'weird' as ICE patrols streets 1 of 21 Protesters dressed as frogs have become a symbol of the movement outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 13, 2025 in Portland. The frog costumes began to multiply after a federal agent sprayed the air vent of a protesters frog costume during a protest in early October. Portland is not without its problems. Homeless camps are visible in parts of the city and drug use, especially the surge of fentanyl, is a serious concern that prompted officials to declare a 90-day state of emergency last year. But residents said they dont think the presidents crackdown is meant to address those issues. Obviously, this is all a scam, said Curtis Best, 70, a retired molecular biologist. I really believe its a way to militarize police and make problems in these cities I think he just wants revenge on us. I think he just doesn't like Democrat cities, Democrat states, or its people. Memphis: A crime-stricken city flooded with feds. Is it helping? Unlike other cities where Trump deployed National Guard troops, Memphis sits in a state led by a Republican governor who has welcomed the presidents wishes to mobilize military forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Trump created a crime-fighting task force involving over a dozen federal agencies and the state's National Guard a move he said was requested by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. A week after troops were seen patrolling downtown Memphis on Oct. 10, a group of Democratic officials filed a lawsuit against Lee, claiming the deployment violated the state constitution. A judge has since denied the plaintiffs request to pause the deployment. National Guard troops walk along the sidewalk next to the Mississippi River as the Hernando de Soto Bridge is seen behind them in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops are seen walking across Bass Pro Drive near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops look at the statue of Elvis Presley inside the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. A National Guard trooper walks away from looking at the statue of Elvis Presley inside the Tennessee Welcome Center as tourists take photos of it in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. Tourists and National Guard troops talk to each other outside of the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops are seen walking across Bass Pro Drive near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops gather in a parking lot on Bass Pro Drive near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. Tourists and National Guard troops walk past each other next to the statue of B.B. King inside the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. Tourists and National Guard troops walk past each other next to the statue of B.B. King inside the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops and Memphis Police Department officers gather in a parking lot on Bass Pro Drive near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops and a Memphis Police Department officer walk through a parking lot on Bass Pro Drive near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops and a Memphis Police Department officer look out on the Mississippi River near the Tennessee Welcome Center in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops talk to each other inside the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops and a Memphis Police Department officer talk to each other with their recently purchased Diet Cokes in hand inside the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. National Guard troops join Memphis Safe Task Force, begin patrols in city 1 of 14 National Guard troops walk along the sidewalk next to the Mississippi River as the Hernando de Soto Bridge is seen behind them in Downtown Memphis on October 10, 2025. In 2024, Memphis had the highest rate of murder and other violent crimes of any large American city, according to a USA TODAY analysis of FBI data from 30 cities with more than 500,000 residents. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said he's working to steer the task force to focus on violent offenders, rather than immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The busier we can keep them with (the Memphis Police Department), the less time they will have to focus on immigration," he said at a town hall on Oct. 20. Officials have given conflicting portrayals of the task force's work so far. The White House says the task force has yielded 1,300 arrests related to outstanding warrants, drugs and firearms. But a county mayor and local advocates say a large portion of the arrests were for immigration offenses, not violent crime. Mauricio Calvo, president and CEO of advocacy organization Latino Memphis, said some people have shut themselves in their homes because of the heightened immigration enforcement and concerns over racial profiling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People dont want to send the kids to school, people dont want to work, he said. Were in crisis mode." Washington, DC: Mixed feelings on Trump's crime crackdown Trump declared a crime emergency in the nations capital on Aug. 11, using its status as a federal district to take control of the citys police department and send in thousands of federal agents and National Guard troops. For weeks, federal agents and local police set up checkpoints across the city, spurring protests. Immigration raids expanded, instilling fear as officers arrested workers and delivery drivers. Several of the citys small homeless campsites were broken down, leading some of the homeless to enter shelters temporarily. Meanwhile, National Guard troops patrolled monuments and Metro stations, some with assault rifles. They removed graffiti, picked up trash and shoveled mulch. An internal budget viewed by USA TODAY estimated the guard deployment could cost taxpayers more than $200 million. A soldier in the National Guard cleared leaves with a leaf-blower on Aug. 28 at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C. Members of the Louisiana National Guard patrol the perimeter of Union Station in Washington, DC, as President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops and federal takeover of Metro Police Department continues on Aug. 26, 2025. Members of the National Guard stand outside Union Station on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal officers and the National Guard to the District and also placed the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. District of Columbia National Guard members positioned along with United States Capitol Police at Union Station in Washington, DC on Thursday, August 14, 2025. A person yells in protest at members of the National Guard as they stand outside Union Station on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. A cyclist passes a National Guard vehicle near the Lincoln Memorial on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard members patrol Washington, DC, on Aug. 14, 2025. National Guard troops patrol the National Mall on Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. U.S. Army National Guard Humvees park near the Washington Monument after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rule Act to assist with crime prevention in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., August 12, 2025. Members of the Washington DC National Guard pose for photos with a tourist near the Washington Monument on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. National Guard troops are deployed to the Washington Monument as part of President Trump's mobilization of law enforcement on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. National Guard troops walk along the National Mall on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers carrying boxers of MREOs (Meals Read to Eat) at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arriving at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arriving at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as itOs reached a 30-year low. Trump in a social media post on Aug. 10 said that the homeless in D.C. "have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," but he did not elaborate on how that will be accomplished. Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard walk out of the D.C. Armory building on August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as its reached a 30-year low. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive on Aug. 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard walk out of the D.C. Armory building on August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as its reached a 30-year low. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. A District of Columbia National Guard soldier arrives at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. The scene in Washington, DC, as National Guard troops deploy on the streets 1 of 22 A soldier in the National Guard cleared leaves with a leaf-blower on Aug. 28 at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C. After 30 days, the federal takeover of the police department ended and Trump declared the operation a success, touting a drop in reported crimes and anecdotes of people going out to dinner where they didnt go out for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data, though, was murky. While local police data shows a short-term dip in some reported crimes after the crackdown began especially incidents involving firearms crime had already been trending downward in recent years. Experts who viewed the data said its too soon to know if the crackdown had any significant or long-term impact on violent crime. Across the city, residents were conflicted about the federal operation. For 20 years, Charles Wilson has lived in Anacostia, a neighborhood with one of the highest rates of murder and violent crime in Washington. He said while he has not seen a surge of federal agents in his neighborhood, hes noticed fewer people loitering and he doesnt hear as many random gunshots. Charles Wilson of Washington, DC, shows where a running gun battle took place before President Donald Trump's August 2025 takeover of policing in the city. Wilson said he's seen zero extra police or federal agents in his Anacostia neighborhood since Trump's vow to stop violent crime in the nation's capital. Theres definitely been a shift, and things feel a little calmer and a little safer, he told USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Wilson also said the assertive immigration enforcement in Washington, some of which has gone viral online, "doesn't sit well" with him or his neighbors. "It seems un-American and mean-spirited," he said. Los Angeles: Raids, protests, state of emergency Los Angeles has remained one of the central targets of Trumps sweeping illegal immigration campaign and was the first American city where he deployed National Guard troops in his second term in office. Following ICE raids at a Home Depot and a clothing manufacturer in June, thousands of people took to the streets to protest. While demonstrations were contained to a few downtown blocks, they erupted into violence, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police, and reports of looting and property damage. Trump ordered 4,000 California National Guard troops and at least 500 Marines to protect federal personnel and property in the city. The move was challenged in court, and a California judge said the deployment was illegal but did not order the remaining soldiers to leave. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in September that the deployment had already cost taxpayers nearly $120 million. ICE agents kept up their high pace of arrests, and in October, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency. Local officials said the federal agency "created a climate of fear, leading to widespread disruption in daily life and adverse impacts to our regional economy." Ongoing immigration raids and operations across Los Angeles County which is home to over 3 million people born outside the United States have led to a decline in workplace attendance and strained critical services such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, according to the board of supervisors. More: Los Angeles County declares state of emergency to combat federal immigration raids Lupe Lopez, 69, whose family owns nine Arteagas Food Center supermarkets, told USA TODAY shes seen a big drop in foot traffic at her familys shop in the Hispanic neighborhood of East San Jose. The reason: Young people are buying in bulk because their parents are afraid of being outside, where they might be picked up by immigration agents. "A lot more people are either staying closer to home or not coming out at all, she said. Christopher Cann, Michael Loria, Suzette Hackney and Terry Collins report for USA TODAY. Jack Armstrong reports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Lucas Finton, Memphis Commercial Appeal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Trump's federal crackdown looks like in 5 US cities Armed assailants attacked a construction company's camp in Balochistan's Khuzdar district in Pakistan, abducting 18 labourers and torching several vehicles and pieces of heavy machinery, The Express Tribune reported on Saturday. According to The Express Tribune, the incident that took place late Thursday was the second large-scale abduction of workers in Balochistan within 24 hours and has intensified security concerns across the province. Officials said the assault occurred in Kaleri, about 80 kilometres from Khuzdar, in the Nall tehsil. Dozens of gunmen, reportedly carrying heavy weapons, first blocked the main road to stop traffic before raiding the camp and crushing the plant of a private construction firm engaged in building a key road connecting Khuzdar to Basima in Washuk district, a major component of the province's ongoing development projects, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to Levis Force, Pakistan's local paramilitary force, official Ali Akbar, the attackers set fire to the company's vehicles and construction equipment. "At least eight vehicles, including heavy machinery and transport trucks, were badly damaged in the fire," Akbar said, as quoted by The Express Tribune. He further added that the armed men later forced the labourers into their vehicles and fled towards the nearby mountains. As per The Express Tribune, most of the abducted workers are from Sindh province and had travelled to Balochistan for employment opportunities. The company's manager, Zulfiqar Ahmed, confirmed that 20 workers were initially kidnapped, though two were later released, leaving 18 still missing. "Efforts are underway for their recovery," he said, noting that the incident has disrupted operations and instilled fear among employees. Following reports of the attack, security forces launched a joint operation. Personnel from Pakistan's Levis Force, Frontier Corps (FC), and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) reached the site, secured the area, and began investigations. Officials said a search operation, assisted by local tribal elders, has also been initiated to trace the kidnapped workers, but no progress has been made so far. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. However, the region has been a stronghold of Baloch separatist organisations that have previously targeted construction companies, infrastructure projects, and non-local labourers, as reported by The Express Tribune. These groups oppose state-led development efforts, viewing them as external interference in the province. This marks the second major incident of worker abduction within 24 hours. Earlier on Thursday morning, unidentified gunmen kidnapped nine construction workers from Dasht in the Mastung district, who remain missing, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI) Fall is here, which means the end of this year's daylight saving time is coming up. In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025. The controversial practice of "springing forward" and "falling back" has been observed in most states for decades. Under the current daylight saving period, most Americans lose an hour of sleep on the second Sunday of March and gain an hour on the first Sunday of November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the end of daylight saving time in 2025. In 2025, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 2. When does daylight saving time end in 2025? In 2025, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 2. Do clocks go backward or forward in November? In the fall, participating states turn clocks backward one hour on the first Sunday of November. When does daylight saving time begin in 2026? Dayling saving time begins March 8 in 2026. We gain an hour in November to accommodate for more daylight in the mornings. Why do we gain an hour in November? We gain an hour in November to accommodate for more daylight in the mornings. When we "spring forward" in March, it's to add more daylight in the summer evenings. When did daylight saving time start in the U.S.? Why was it created? Daylight saving time was introduced in the United States in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, which was meant to lower fuel costs during the First World War. The law also established a standard time and allowed the federal government to create five time zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government stopped observing daylight saving time after World War I ended but reimplemented it during World War II. Congress decided to make daylight saving time permanent for two years from 1973 to 1975, extending the hours of daily sunlight year-round to conserve energy during the oil embargo crisis. However, the law was repealed in 1974 for being unpopular and ineffective. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, standardizing the length of daylight saving time. The dates we use to observe daylight saving time today starting on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November were established in 2005 when Congress amended the act. According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime. Which states don't have daylight saving time? Hawaii and parts of Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation which spans Arizona, Utah and New Mexico does observe the time change, making it the lone participant in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands do not observe daylight saving time. Is it daylight savings time or daylight saving time? While it's common to hear "daylight savings" with an "s," the correct term is "daylight saving time," since the practice saves daylight. Is daylight saving time ending permanently? Not yet. According to The Arizona Republic, there have been discussions about abolishing the semiannual time changes, and President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and others support it. But any permanent change would require congressional approval. While several states have passed bills to establish year-round daylight saving time, any changes require federal action. Until the Uniform Time Act is repealed or a new federal bill is passed, the time changes will still occur in 2025 and 2026. Is Ohio considering getting rid of daylight saving time? No state can adopt permanent daylight saving time unless the U.S. Congress passes a law to authorize it first, USA TODAY reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Ohio's House State and Local Government Committee passed House Concurrent Resolution 7 in October 2023, urging Congress to enact the Sunshine Uniformity Act. This act would make daylight saving time permanent and end the bi-annual tradition of changing the clocks. The bill was adopted by the House and referred to a Senate committee in December 2023. What states are considering getting rid of daylight saving time? Ohio is one of at least 31 states considering legislation related to daylight saving time as of 2025. Here are the states that are considering getting rid of switching time. Alaska Arkansas California Connecticut Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Massachussetts Missouri Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Virginia Washington Contributing: Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When does time change in Ohio? When is daylight saving time over? TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) The White House has selected a Tuscaloosa florist to serve as a volunteer Christmas decorator this year. When the White House called, we jumped for joy and screamed our heads off as soon as that happened, Tammy West said. West started Glow Floral Event Design five years ago. I started my business during COVID, West said. The country shut down and I thought oh gosh, what will I do next? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What West did next was clear out a bedroom in her home to make room for flowers, vases, ribbon and everything in between. As other businesses struggled to survive, Wests thrived and over the years, it grew into something she never imagined. Tailgaters arrive at Legion Field ahead of Magic City Classic We appreciate the support our community has given us, and Im so humbled completely humbled by this entire experience, West said. Weddings, parties and homecoming bouquets are just a few of the projects West has worked on. The local florist has also put her touch on University of Alabama events and Sorority Row. On Nov. 23, West and her assistant will head to Washington, D.C., where theyll help decorate the White House for Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would love to meet President Trump and Melania, West said. Were going to bring a little Roll Tide to the White House because I do know the president is supportive of Alabama and the Crimson Tide, so I will be wearing so Alabama if I can. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. The new Kan 11 documentary series follows the experiences of several families who lost close relatives in the massacre and who have no easy path forward. The first episode starts just after October As the fragile ceasefire continues, those displaced from their homes on both sides of the border are trying to figure out where to go, and a Kan 11 documentary series, Kfar Aza 95% Heaven by Karin Kainer, focuses on the experiences of residents of a single kibbutz in the Gaza border region. The series is available at kan.org.il The name Kibbutz Kfar Aza is now synonymous with the horrors of the October 7 massacre by Hamas and the failure of the Israeli government to act promptly and decisively to save its residents: Out of the approximately 800 people who were there that day, 64 were murdered and 18 were kidnapped. Three days passed before the kibbutz was completely cleared of terrorists by the army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The series follows the experiences of several families who lost close relatives in the massacre and who have no easy path forward. The first episode starts just after October 7, as families look through the wreckage of their loved ones apartments, searching for photos and objects left intact that are not covered in too much blood to pick up and, in a daze, take part in tours of the area to show what happened. One family who plays a major part in the series are the Epsteins, who lost their son, Netta, killed when he jumped on a grenade to save his fiancee. We see his mother, Ayelet Shahar Epstein, as she tries to cope in the weeks following his death, having to tell work acquaintances what has happened in telephone calls and trying her best to get through each day. She and her husband, Uri, recall growing up on the kibbutz, and home movies from the 1970s are shown, in which children run freely, and it looks closer to 100% heaven. But once Hamas took over in Gaza, missile attacks became increasingly frequent and the kibbutz clinic doled out medications, even to children, to help them deal with anxiety. Its chilling to see footage of how they coped with the missile attacks over the years, but many clung to the feeling that the community life of the kibbutz was worth that 5% hell they endured. Community of Kibbutz Kfar Aza commemorates their members who were killed, taken hostage and who died in captivity, following the deadly October 7 (credit: REUTERS/HANNAH MCKAY) For most, that feeling shifted after October 7. As the kibbutz struggled to decide whether and where to move as a group some residents went their own way. Ayelet felt she could never return and wanted to live as far away as possible, while her husband, the kibbutzs business manager, felt compelled to help rebuild it and, eventually, was elected head of the Shaar Negev council. Yonatan Shamriz, the brother of hostage Alon Shamriz, who was mistakenly killed by the IDF after escaping his captors in December 2023, turned to activism and helped organize the commemoration ceremony that was run independently of the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, no matter what path the residents take, the kibbutz still holds a place in their hearts and minds, and Kfar Aza is presented as a microcosm of a society that has lost faith in its countrys leadership, but that still insists on clinging to life. Rom-com territory If you want to escape into rom-com territory, but not go too far, youll be glad to hear that Nobody Wants This, the hugely popular Netflix series about the interfaith romance between a newly single rabbi, Noah (Adam Brody, who will probably have to live with the nickname Hot Rabbi for the rest of his career), and gentile podcaster, Joanne (Kristen Bell, who gives a very appealing performance), has just released its second season. One of the new showrunners, Jenni Konner, said in a recent interview, I didnt want to change the show at all. I loved it. I was just like, More of the same! and she kept her word. Season two is very similar to season one, which ended with the characters in a clinch. The new season is about how they navigate their romance, with the religious divide providing the inevitable stumbling block. Still, its nice to see them enjoy their relationship and Tovah Feldshuh is back as Noahs bossy mom, along with the rest of the supporting cast who get a lot of screentime. In 2024, almost everybody seemed to want this series, and those who binged it wont be disappointed with season two. Game of Thrones and more For those who miss Game of Thrones and want to travel back in time, Hot (starting October 30) and Yes (where it just began running) are offering the new British series, King & Conqueror, which opens with William of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who played Jaime Lannister on GoT ) and Harold of Wessex (James Norton, who is also in the new Netflix series, House of Guinness) facing off at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and then goes back in time a few years to find out how they got there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a way, it can be seen as a super-prequel to The Crown, since the fight between these two one-time allies determined the future of Britains monarchy, and Luther Ford, who played Prince Harry, has a small role here. If your grasp of that historical period is murky and even in England, some critics noted how little many people seem to know of the period portrayed dont worry, because the dialogue, especially in the first two episodes, provides an enormous amount of exposition. Another reason not to worry is that even without the historical background, you can just see it as a series about royal intrigues and battles, and there are plenty. In most episodes, someone gets stabbed every few minutes, and the only thing you can count on is that William and Harold will make it to 1066. Coster-Waldau is especially good as the determined William the Conqueror. Classic Leonardo DiCaprio While we're looking to England, Netflix has just added one of the most entertaining filmed versions of the Shakespeare classic, Romeo and Juliet. However, the 1996 version, Romeo + Juliet, which made Leonard DiCaprio and Claire Danes into big stars, is a wild updating of the classic, which will not please purists. It got a lot of bad reviews, but it holds up well, especially the sexy performances by its two leads, and it put director Baz Luhrmann on the map. It immediately telegraphs that its not the play you learned in school, as a TV set is shown with the announcer reporting on the deaths of star-crossed lovers. The rest of the film is set in what is described as a suburb of Verona, but which looks like the South Beach neighborhood of Miami and which was mostly filmed in Mexico. Yes, Danes and DiCaprio mumbled and mangled much of the dialogue, but the visuals are spectacular, especially the ball where they meet and the balcony scene. Two horses collided on the training track at Belmont Park during training hours Saturday morning and died from their injuries, Daily Racing Form reports. The horses involved were Silent Scheme, a 2-year-old Charlatan gelding trained by Mark Hennig, and More for Sure (IRE), a 3-year-old Cracksman filly trained and co-owned by Tony Dutrow. Witnesses told the Form that Silent Scheme unseated his exercise rider and began running the wrong way on the track at a high rated of speed when he collided with More for Sure near the sixteenth pole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silent Scheme died instantly upon breaking his neck, Hennig said. More for Sure sustained a broken shoulder and was euthanized on track, according to Dutrow. Both trainers said the exercise riders were OK. The New York Racing Association plans to investigate incident. More for Sure, produced by the Iffraaj mare Cascella, had not raced since winning a maiden turf race June 5 at Saratoga. Its so sad, so tragic, it got to the bottom of me, Dutrow told the Form. Im trying to get through it. Recently gelded Silent Scheme, who was a $375,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, was winless in his first two starts for Lee R. Lewis and Lexi J. Lewis. He was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds from the Warrior's Reward mare Message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These accidents are really tough on everybody, Hennig said. We all know they can happen. At the end of the day just thankful the riders are OK. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Russian forces conducted large-scale missile and drone strikes on settlements in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 24-25 October, killing two people and injuring seven. Source: Vladyslav Haivanenko, acting head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; State Emergency Service Quote: "The enemy struck the Synelnykove district with missiles and UAVs. The Petropavlivka, Malomykhailivka and Pokrovske hromadas came under fire. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people were killed and seven injured. Fires broke out. A high-rise building and houses, an outbuilding, a shop and a car were damaged." Firefighters extinguishing fire Photo: Vladyslav Haivanenko Details: The State Emergency Service added that a firefighter had been killed in a double-tap strike carried out by the Russians. Damaged building Photo: Vladyslav Haivanenko In addition, the Verbky hromada in the Pavlohrad district was attacked by Russian drones, resulting in damage to infrastructure. Russian forces also attacked Nikopol with kamikaze drones and artillery throughout the night. "A garage and a car caught fire. Two houses and a gas pipeline were damaged as a result of the artillery strike on the city that occurred yesterday evening," Haivanenko added. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two men were arrested on warrants for deceptive business practices, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Police say Juan Quiroz was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 19, and Pedro Eliel Rodriguez was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 21, for a warrant on deceptive business practices. Juan Quiroz. Pedro Eliel Rodriguez. Quiroz was arrested just after 3 a.m. that Sunday after officers conducted a welfare check on a vehicle parked after hours at a public park located at 14565 Claret Cup in Horizon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers identified Quiroz, and records revealed that he had an active felony warrant for deceptive business practices with a previous conviction, which was issued by the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Rodriguez was arrested just before 12 p.m. that Tuesday, at the Ysleta Port of Entry, after officers were notified of a wanted subject trying to enter the U.S. from Juarez. Officers met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents who had identified Rodriguez, and a records check confirmed that he had an active warrant out of Horizon City for deceptive business practices. Rodriguez and Quiros were taken into custody, and both were booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez was booked under a $10,000 bond, and Quiroz was booked under a $2,500 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Two people were shot and wounded at a Halloween house party in unincorporated Del Aire near El Segundo, a Sheriff's Department spokesperson said Saturday. Sheriff's deputies responded around 10 p.m. Friday to a shooting at a home in the 5300 block of El Segundo Boulevard, just west of the 405 Freeway, Sheriff's Lt. Jose Lopez said. Both victims were taken to a hospital, where they were being treated for their injuries, he said. Investigators did not release information on a possible suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff's Department gang detectives are expected to handle the investigation. Officers from the Hawthorne Police Department also responded to Friday's party shooting, Lopez said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TYLER, Texas (KETK) The fist phase of Tylers three-year Downtown Improvement Project is underway but since construction started, businesses on the downtown square are reporting a drop in visitors. Downtown Tyler roads to close for improvement project A lot of people complain about it, not finding any parking, weve definitely been slower, Crema manager Madeline Jones said. Inside the Plaza Tower, Crema Coffee Company said the main issue customers are having with the construction is finding a spot to park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They didnt really know where to park their car, parking all the way down the street in that parking garage, Jones said. The City of Tyler is encouraging everyone to not let the construction keep them away from visiting downtown. Now is crucial to come and show support monetarily to your local businesses that depend on us to thrive and survive, City of Tyler employee Lindsey Froneberger said. The city points to public parking options like inside the Fair Plaza parking garage, the new Smith County garage and the Plaza Tower parking lot. Tyler sets scene for Downtown Improvement Project groundbreaking Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can actually enter that parking lot and then get your ticket validated if you come into one of the retail tenants on the plaza tower, Froneberger said. She also recommended trying the citys public transit service for low-cost transportation. The city of Tyler has this great new program called micro transit, its like a city Uber, Froneberger said. For restaurants, the city is also making menus and a list of eating options available on the citys website, in hopes of keeping open signs on, while construction prepares a new and better downtown for everyone. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The dining room for Newman Hall on the University of Illinois campus received a red placard during a recent health inspection, meaning it is now closed. However, the establishment has announced alternate meal options for its residents as they look to fix the health concerns. On Oct. 20, Newman Hall by Upper Crust was reinspected and received a red placard for not correcting serious, repeated health violations found in its last inspection. The dining room previously received a yellow placard when an inspection on Oct. 1 discovered 10 or more priority items or priority foundation item violations. NANO Nuclear, U of I one step closer to operating reactor on campus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the reinspection on Monday, the following issues were found: An employee was handling cookies but resumed food preparation before washing hands and putting on new gloves Not holding foods at cold enough temperatures Multiple ham and turkey sandwiches and salads stored inside a cooler between 43F to 44F Improper date marking Multiple pans of Hawaiian chicken were labeled with a prep/discard date of 11/8 even though it was prepared on 10/9 A large container of hummus was labeled with a discard/prep date of 11/8 Upon finding these violations, the food service was closed, their health permit was suspended, and a reinspection request form was left with the person in charge. As a result of the closure, Newman Hall has administered alternative options while the issues are being resolved at the full, on-site meal service. Jennifer LaMontagne, Newmans marketing and communications director, said while the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department continues their review of Upper Crust, they are working to provide residents with replacement meal services in a couple different ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, all Newman residents will have access to meal tickets for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in University Housing Dining Facilities. These tickets are freely available for all residents to pick up as needed. Second, they are providing prepackaged meals sourced through local catering companies and restaurants. LaMontagne said a variety of options have been sourced, including several local food trucks that will be serving lunch and dinner to residents on Saturday. Couple decides to tie the knot in Urbana hospital amid medical concerns We are grateful to our Housing partners for access to their facilities for our residents, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said it is the Newman Centers top priority to ensure dining at the hall is fully restored as quickly, safely and effectively as possible to the quality that its residents deserve and expect. There is nothing that we value more than the care of our residents and the trust that they place in us, LaMontagne said. It is incredibly distressing to us, but more importantly, to our residents that Upper Crust was not able to live up to the standards that we expect and that our students deserve in their dining. LaMontagne acknowledges that none of these alternate options are a replacement for a full on-site meal service for their residents. As a result, they have also issued a two-week meal plan credit to all residents, in addition to reimbursement for meal expenses they have incurred. We know that CUPHD shares our goal of returning safe operations at Newman Hall that provide a high-quality level of care and service, LaMontagne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CUPHD has scheduled a compliance hearing with Upper Crust for Monday, Oct. 27. Regular operations will be able to be restored at Newman Hall once Upper Crust completes a compliance review and inspection up to the standards the CUPHD upholds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. The United States has fallen near the bottom of the 2025 Global Peace Index, ranking 128th out of 163 nations, according to a new report from the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The annual index, now in its 19th edition, evaluates countries based on their levels of societal safety, security, ongoing conflict, and militarization. The ranking places the U.S. behind countries including South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. The report which covers 99.7% of the worlds population uses 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to assess each country across three domains: Societal Safety and Security, Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and Militarization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years findings suggest that the world has grown less stable overall. The IEP reported that global peacefulness declined by 0.36% in 2025, marking the 13th deterioration in the past 17 years. In total, 87 countries became less peaceful, while 74 improved. The decline comes amid intensifying geopolitical tensions, a rise in militarization, and the highest number of active conflicts since the end of World War II. Researchers documented 59 state-based conflicts, three more than last year, and noted that 17 countries recorded more than 1,000 conflict-related deaths over the past year. The report also found that conflicts today are more internationalized and less likely to end through traditional means. Only 9% of modern conflicts concluded in a decisive victory during the 2010s, down from 49% in the 1970s, while those resolved through peace agreements fell from 23% to just 4% over the same period. 112 more women file lawsuit accusing former Cedars-Sinai OB-GYN of sexual abuse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of regional trends, Western and Central Europe remains the worlds most peaceful region and home to eight of the ten highest-ranked countries, though its peacefulness has declined for four consecutive years. The Middle East and North Africa continues to be the least peaceful region, while South Asia saw the steepest regional decline in 2025. South America, meanwhile, was the only region to record an overall improvement. At the top of the index, Iceland retained its position as the most peaceful country for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Ireland, New Zealand, Austria and Switzerland. At the bottom, Russia ranked as the least peaceful country, followed by Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen. The IEP noted that the world has grown 5.4% less peaceful since the index was first published in 2008. The organization attributes much of the deterioration to the reversal of a nearly two-decade decline in militarization, with 106 countries becoming more militarized in the past two years alone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Taipei [Taiwan], October 25 (ANI) In response to growing concerns over Chinese infiltration, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan have introduced significant amendments to the National Security Act and related legislation to fortify the island's defences and safeguard its democratic institutions, as reported by The Taipei Times. According to The Taipei Times, members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) submitted draft revisions to Paragraph 1, Article 13 of the act, designed to strengthen the loyalty and accountability of military officers, educators, and government officials. The proposed amendment calls for immediate security protocols to close existing legislative gaps that could expose Taiwan to national security risks posed by Chinese influence operations. Under the proposed revisions, if individuals in sensitive positions, including civil servants or personnel managing classified data, are found to have violated or assisted others in violating Articles 2 or 3 of the act, their departments must report the case and suspend them while investigations are conducted. In urgent or serious situations, agencies would be required to act within three days, ensuring a rapid response to potential espionage threats. DPP lawmaker Chuang explained that while current legislation penalises actions that directly endanger national security, there is a lack of preventive provisions for behaviour that may lead to future harm. The new draft seeks to address this shortfall by allowing early intervention, including suspension from duty, to mitigate potential damage. The bill has passed its first reading and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee for further deliberation, as cited by The Taipei Times. In a parallel move, opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislators Wu Tsung-hsien, Huang Chien-hao and others proposed amendments to the Classified National Security Information Protection Act. The revisions increase penalties for leaking sensitive information to China, Hong Kong, or Macau, raising the maximum prison sentence to 12 years. Wu cautioned that while the law must deter espionage from China, it should also ensure fairness, urging the creation of a cross-party oversight mechanism to prevent politically motivated enforcement, as reported by The Taipei Times. (ANI) U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks spoke at her annual tailgate fundraiser in Iowa City Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) IOWA CITY U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, speaking to supporters at a fundraiser Friday, claimed credit for her involvement in the firing of an Oskaloosa teacher over remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Miller-Meeks, speaking at her fifth annual tailgate fundraiser, said theres a lot at stake in the upcoming election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To show voters why they should support her, she brought up her involvement in a case where an Oskaloosa school teacher was fired after making a controversial social media post in response to Kirks assassination. When the post was brought to her attention, Miller-Meeks said she contacted the principal and superintendent of the school district and told them to investigate the situation. People need to know that we are working for them, that we are looking out for them, and that we are protecting children, Miller-Meeks said. That teacher was fired after an investigation, after the board met, they had due process, they were terminated. Thats what your congresswoman, whos working for you, does. Our state Legislature decided to have a Center for Intellectual Freedom here at the University of Iowa campus. Your congresswoman made a suggestion that they name that Center of Intellectual Freedom after Charlie Kirk. So it matters whos in this office, it matters who has this seat. You are not leverage As the federal government shutdown hit day 24, the Iowa Republican also blamed Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the impasse and said Iowans need to elect Republicans to Congress again in 2026. While the U.S. House passed a short-term federal funding bill in September, Senate Democrats have blocked such a measure from passing unless Republicans agree to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller-Meeks told supporters about things she doesnt like, such as the Chinese Communist Party buying up Iowa farmland and California telling us how to raise hogs in Iowa. She said she also does not like Democrats making demands through a shutdown after they lost control in the 2024 election. I dont like Democrats shutting down the government over something that they could not get done when they had the House, the Senate and the White House, and now they expect us to do their job for them, Miller-Meeks said. They expect us to extend something that they couldnt do themselves. Miller-Meeks referenced a comment made by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, a Massachusetts Democrat, who said Thursday there will be negative impacts from the shutdown. Clark said in an interview with Fox News the shutdown was the only leverage available for Democrats to get Republicans to negotiate. I mean, shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer, Clark said in the interview. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller-Meeks said as she meets with Iowans across the state and in D.C., she wants to tell voters, you are not leverage. Thats disgusting and revolting, she said. So were going to work hard to open this government. Were going to work hard to have people have their needs met. And we are not going to do the Democrats dirty work for them. Miller-Meeks has also taken other steps criticizing Democrats on the impacts of the shutdown, like leading a letter Monday from the all-GOP Iowa U.S. House delegation to Schumer calling for an end to the shutdown, and introducing legislation earlier Friday to allow the U.S. secretary of Agriculture to access emergency funds to maintain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operations during the shutdown. U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks joined the stage with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota at her fifth annual tailgate fundraiser in Iowa City Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota joined Miller-Meeks at the fundraiser Friday, as did fellow Iowa Republicans including U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, running for U.S. Senate in 2026, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra who has an exploratory committee for Iowa governor, state House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann and Attorney General Brenna Bird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emmer told the crowd Democrats were disingenuous by framing the shutdown as being about health care, claiming the minority party wants to provide health care for undocumented immigrants and would remove funding included in the big, beautiful budget reconciliation law for rural health care providers. Its not above health care, Emmer said. How do we know? Because they filed a counter-proposal in the Senate. You know what? It says, they want us to spend $1.5 trillion more, and they want to put illegals on taxpayer-funded health care, while at the same time gutting the $50 billion fund that we all created in the bill that we passed in July for rural health care. This aint about health care. Democrats have proposed reversing some cuts made for lawfully present immigrants available through federal health care programs. The minority partys funding proposal would not change federal law that prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded health coverage. The race for Iowas 1st Congressional District is expected to be one of the most contentious matches in the 2026 election season, with Cook Political Report rating the district as a toss-up. The race for Iowas 3rd District represented by Republican Rep. Zach Nunn is also predicted to be competitive in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller-Meeks won her initial election to Congress in the 2020 by a margin of six votes. She won reelection in 2022 and 2024 against Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, who is running for the seat again in the upcoming election. Miller-Meeks margin of victory in 2024 was by 798 votes after Bohannan requested a recount. Alongside Bohannan, there are two other Democrats running to become the 1st District party nominee: Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care employee, and Taylor Wettach, a former attorney. Miller-Meeks also faces a primary challenge from David Pautsch, who also ran against her in 2024. Though Republicans have seen major victories in recent election cycles, the GOP speakers called for Iowa Republican voters at the fundraiser to stay engaged heading into the 2026 election season. Emmer called Miller-Meeks the key for Republicans victory across the country in 2026. Mariannette Miller-Meeks winning means were winning everything that youre fighting for in Iowa, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ukraines drones are setting new standards for self-piloting on the battlefield. Full autonomy, however, remains well out of reach and is likely to stay there. The broader vision of drones operating fully independently of pilots remains something of a holy grail for drone developers, even as it may seem a dystopian nightmare to many human rights activists and luminaries, including the pope himself. Ukrainian developers hope that progressively delegating more tasks to drones and software can free up pilots and their attention spans, which, in turn, can compensate for the lack of manpower relative to Russia, which is typically pegged at a ratio of about 3-to-1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artificial intelligence (AI) is often mentioned alongside autonomy to the point that in Ukrainian weapons circles, the terms are often used interchangeably. But AI technologies and their underlying neural networks remain far from capable of making choices on the Ukrainian battlefield. Were not going along the route of that full autonomy, Andriy Chulyk, a co-founder of Sine Engineering, which makes drone guidance modules and software, told the Kyiv Independent. Tesla, for example, having enormous, colossal resources, has been working on self-driving for ten years and unfortunately they still havent made a product that a person can be sure of. Beyond the moral hazards of giving any computer a license to kill, drones face a major barrier in terms of what they can carry. When it comes to consumer-facing AI applications like ChatGPT, cloud computing hides AIs insatiable appetite for computing power in distant data centers. In contrast, drone autonomy is most useful precisely in situations where data connections with operators and, by extension, potential cloud linkage die. Delegating life-or-death decision-making to the kind of computer a 10-inch drone can carry remains a distant prospect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (AI) is in use virtually everywhere, but you have to take into account that it can make mistakes, as Ukraines Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told RBC-Ukraine in August. Virtually all of our technological weapons have elements of artificial intelligence. The main role of AI in the nearest future on the real battlefield will be just a kind of supportive function rather than replacing humans, Kate Bondar, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Kyiv Independent. Smarter Shahed-type drone interceptors One of the most promising of these applications is in interceptor drones, which aim to strike down fast-moving Russian Shahed-type drones as they criss-cross Ukraine. Given Ukraines size and the speed of newer jet-powered Shaheds, interceptors need to be ready across a vast territory, while taking as few operators as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's just execution, where AI can be way, way more efficient than a human, because the Russians are installing these avoidance systems, and they're starting to maneuver, and it's in the air, so it will be easier for software to react on that, to adjust the flight of the interceptor, rather than relying on connection, latency, and taking into account all the factors that operator cannot feel, like wind gusts, et cetera, et cetera. People cover a Russian Shahed-type drone shot down by Ukrainian air defense in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on April 30, 2025. (Ivan Samoilov / AFP via Getty Images) Interceptors still rely on FPV technology, Yaroslav Azhnyuk, founder and CEO of two companies, the Fourth Law and Odd Systems, told the Kyiv Independent. Odd Systems started off as a mass FPV producer, though its currently testing anti-Shahed-type drone interceptors. The Fourth Law, meanwhile, produces small and cheap roughly $70 AI vision modules for FPVs. The difference between most Ukrainian interceptors and, say, Merops produced by Eric Schmidts company, is that Ukrainian solutions currently lack the AI part of it. Supercharged FPVs When it comes to FPVs, AI is fairly standard issue, largely in the form of last-mile targeting, which allows a pilot to select whatever object on the screen they want the drone to head towards maybe a soldier, maybe a bunker, maybe an S-300 while they still have a video linkage. The drone will retain and zoom towards the visual target its pilot clicked on even after the connection to the pilot falters due to electronic interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last-mile targeting in Ukraines FPV drones was a big step in circumventing Russian radio-frequency jammers, but it has remained the province of fairly simple machine vision software for over a year. Last-mile targeting also requires a pilot to select and lock on a target in a way similar to the predictive focus tracking found on any decent DSLR camera for years. In other words, its not exactly a technological revolution. Azhnyuk has not given up on full autonomy as a way of multiplying Ukrainian FPV forces by a factor of 100. But for the time being, the Fourth Laws impact has been primarily in streamlining the necessary neural networks to, for example, hold last-mile targeting even on Russian vehicles driving through shadows or soldiers hiding in tree cover. He touts preliminary results of one brigade using his products, which he said have boosted the rate at which drones hit their end targets from 20% to 80%. Among the biggest changes in his AI is the ability to recognize a target as it passes through shadows or treelines, rather than locking on to a set of pixels that such distortions to the visual field camouflage. Speaking with the Kyiv Independent, Azhnyuk says that full autonomy in one-off demos would already be feasible, but massive deployment is a whole different challenge, one thats nowhere in sight. Striking deep Among the most obvious use cases for autonomy in drones is missions that go far beyond the distance at which a drone can maintain radio contact with its operator particularly with cheaper kamikaze drones on which its not worth mounting, for example, a Starlink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deep strikes, however, are an illustrative example, as there is no chance Ukraine will let its deep-strike drones do their own target selection any time soon. They spend too much time flying over Russian cities and civilians to be left up to their own devices or target selection. A recent partnership between US-originated Shield AI and Ukrainian Iron Belly is illustrative of the future. In a training field in Western Ukraine, a V-BAT a million-dollar reconnaissance drone with a sticker loitering time of 13 hours takes off in the direction of a practice target, in this case a civilian car. Two V-BAT drones in a field in an undisclosed location in an undated photo. (Shield AI / Militarnyi The V-BAT returns with a trail of images taken along the way, and pictures of the target itself from every angle. It passes these along to the D4, a cheap kamikaze drone that uses onboard AI software and its own camera to track those images back to the target in question Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A light rain picks up shortly after the D4 launches, blurring its camera and sending it off course for some 20 minutes. The operators, however, let it ride out the weather without touching its controls. It eventually self-corrects, making some demonstrative swoops of victory over the target car when it arrives. Such deployment of AI would effectively extend the range of last-mile targeting to a hundred kilometers or more. It remains, however, in the testing phases. Does not compute The U.S.-made V-BAT is armed with top-of-the-line camera equipment that rarely makes it to Ukraine, largely due to the cost.. Part of the issue, Bondar says, is that while Ukrainian drones have accumulated enormous visual data since February 2022, the origin of that data is mostly analog, cheap cameras. Yes, it will be able to distinguish between a tank and a human. It will identify that it's a tank or it's a vehicle or that its a human. But not more than that. So the problem of, for example, distinguishing between a Russian and Ukrainian soldier, or even a soldier and a civilian, has not been solved, said Bondar. V-BAT drones in an undisclosed location in an undated photo. (Shield AI / Militarnyi The software powering much of Ukraines visual AI is heavy on open sourcing. While free software like YOLOv8 (You Only Look Once) is economical, its unlikely to be the best in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondar, for one, is suspicious that much of the AI talk in Ukrainian drones is driven by marketing. Wars also a business. You have to sell something, you have to be competitive, and to be competitive you have to have an advantage. To have AI-enabled software, or some cool AI system, that's something that sounds really cool and sexy, Bondar said. Read also: Inside Putins youth militarization machine, where Russia trains Ukrainian kids for war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Tomahawk missiles were never truly on the table. | Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images It wasnt as calamitous as his first Oval Office encounter in February, said The Guardian, but Volodymyr Zelenskyys latest visit to the White House last Friday did not go well. Ukraines president had hoped that Donald Trump, who has taken a tougher line against Russia in recent weeks, might agree to sell Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles. But Trump, who had shared a two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin the previous day at the Russian leaders request, not only ruled that option out but lectured Zelenskyy on the need to make territorial concessions. He apparently tossed aside maps of Ukraine during the ill-tempered meeting, warning Zelensky to accept Putins terms or be destroyed by Russia. Reality check Trumps harsh tone should concentrate the minds of European leaders as they explore the idea of using frozen Russian assets to secure a 122 billion loan to Kyiv. Its now clear that the US cant be relied on. This makes Europes support for Ukraine more important than ever. Trumps rejection of Ukraines request for Tomahawks has been presented as a concession to Moscow, said Jennifer Kavanagh on UnHerd, but thats unfair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact is, these missiles were never truly on the table. Kyiv isnt equipped to launch them, and the Pentagon cant really spare any and Trump may be right in any case to argue that they wouldnt shift the wars trajectory decisively. The recent diplomatic scramble has delivered a reality check to Kyiv, but also to Moscow: Trump later pushed for a ceasefire along current lines, seemingly rebuffing Putins demand that Ukraine cede the rest of the Donbas. Rattling Russias cage By dispelling some false hopes, Trump may have improved the chances of the two sides resigning themselves to an imperfect armistice. The mere possibility that Trump might send Tomahawks to Ukraine certainly prompted anxiety in Moscow, said The Washington Post. But once he withdrew the threat, the Kremlin soon lost interest in diplomacy. A planned meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest was shelved on Tuesday, after Russia rejected the idea of a ceasefire along current battle lines. Russia once again harked back to the root causes of the conflict, which is really just code for its desire to snuff out Ukrainian sovereignty. The lesson of this episode is that pressure works on Russia. Trump should put Tomahawks back on the table, as well as German long-range Taurus missiles. At some point this war will end in a deal, most likely one involving some territory for Russia and robust security guarantees for Ukraine. Rattling Russias cage some more might bring Putin to his senses. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiha has said that sufficient long-range missile capability would allow Ukraine to deprive Russia of the means to carry out its terror campaign. Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Over recent days, Russia has been carrying out large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In particular, on the night of 24-25 October, a missile strike on the capital killed one person; at least 10 Kyiv residents were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha said no one in the world wants this war dragged on, except Russia. He stressed that giving Ukraine the ability to strike deep into Russian territory would enable it to destroy Russia's means of terror right at the places of their production and launch. Quote: "Absurdly, this country currently presides over the UN Security Council in October 2025, although its very presence at the UNSC is illegal. Russian terror can and should be stopped. Through collective action. Stronger sanctions pressure. Stronger energy support and defense capabilities for Ukraine." Background: Matthew Whitaker, US ambassador to NATO, has recently said that providing Ukraine with long-range missiles such as Tomahawk could put many Russian energy facilities at risk and force Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to negotiate. At a meeting with EU leaders, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine expects to receive long-range missile systems from European states. CNN has reported earlier that Trump made it clear during the meeting that he was not currently considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian territory have focused on crippling the Kremlin's oil revenues and undermining its military production, according to Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Source: Budanov in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio Quote: "Deep strikes are focused in two directions: first, to significantly paralyse the extraction and refining of Russian oil, which is the main source of revenue for the Russian budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second line of action, of course, is targeting and striking Russia's defence industrial base and the companies that produce weapons and equipment for the Russian military." Details: Budanov said that these strikes are already showing results, pointing to data on Russian exports of hydrocarbons and petroleum products. Quote: "We have almost pushed them out of the petrol export sector." More details: Budanov explained that Russia's air defence systems are concentrated along the border, on occupied Ukrainian territory and around Moscow and St Petersburg. Quote: "Once our drones pass through the outer belt of defences, the rest of their flight path across Russia always goes without problems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: Budanov acknowledged that the effects of strikes on Russia's defence industrial base are "less tangible". Quote: "The consequences of these strikes are harder to measure, as Ukraine is disrupting the pace of Russian military production." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian air defence forces have destroyed or jammed 54 aerial assets during a large-scale Russian attack on the night of 24-25 October. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: The Russians launched a large-scale combined strike on Ukraine, using nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 62 Shahed, Gerbera and other types of drones. The attack began at 19:00 on 24 October. The aerial assets were launched from Russia's Rostov and Kursk oblasts as well as temporarily occupied Crimea. Around 40 of the drones were Shaheds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces repelled the attack. As of 09:00: four ballistic missiles were destroyed or jammed 50 drones were destroyed in Ukraine's north, south and east. The outcome recorded: five ballistic missile hits 12 drone strikes across 11 settlements fall of debris in at least four locations The Air Force emphasised that the attack is ongoing, with Russian drones still in Ukraine's airspace, and urged civilians to observe safety measures and stay in shelters until the all-clear is given. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian artillerymen from the 28th Mechanised Brigade have captured their first prisoner: a man who was supposed to lead Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups into the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. Source: 28th Mechanised Brigade; the brigade in a video on YouTube Quote: "Our artillerymen have done something you would never expect from their work taken a prisoner. For the first time. We can't say for sure, but this may be the first such case you've seen in this war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prisoner is no ordinary conscript. This is Oleg, an enemy saboteur who was supposed to lead Russian groups into the city itself. He was supposed to prepare the ground for an invasion from within. It didn't work out. He was captured and with that, the occupiers' plans to build up their forces in Kostiantynivka were thwarted. In an irony of fate, the artillery, which usually strikes from a distance, worked from close range this time." Details: In the footage, Ukrainian soldiers recount how they went to retrieve a drone and spotted a man in a Russian uniform about a kilometre away. He didn't see them at first. The Russian pretended to be an Azov fighter, but when told to say "Palianytsia", he revealed his Russian accent. ["Palianytsia", a type of bread, is a Ukrainian word that Russians find difficult to pronounce properly. Since the full-scale Russian invasion started, Ukrainians have used the word as a means to identify Russian military or saboteurs ed.] After he pointed his rifle at a Ukrainian soldier, another Ukrainian shot him in the leg and captured him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later he was given food and medical assistance and told that he would be swapped. The fighters said that the Russian's name was Oleg, he came from the Russian city of Penza, and he had been fighting for over three years. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! An electrical substation in Russia's Volgograd Oblast is in flames following a reported Ukrainian drone strike, regional Governor Andrey Bocharov said on Oct. 25. The Balashovskaya substation in the region's Novonikolayevka district caught fire after it was hit by drone debris following a "massive attack" on the region, Bocharov claimed. Bocharov said that firefighters extinguished the blaze following the attack. The extent of the damage caused was not immediately clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not verify claims made by Russian officials. The attack marks the second time in recent days that Ukrainian drones have struck an electrical substation in the region. Overnight on Oct. 16, the Balashovskaya substation was similarly attacked leaving several communities in the region without power. The Balashovskaya substation is a 500-kv electrical substation owned by a subsidiary of Rosseti, Russia's largest power transmission company. Ukraine has intensified longe-range strikes against Russian oil, gas, and energy infrastructure, a key source of Moscow's revenues helping to fuel its all-out invasion of Ukraine. In late September, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a strike on critical infrastructure as well as "significant power outages" after Ukrainian HIMARS rockets allegedly struck a thermal power plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia regularly launches mass aerial attacks at Ukrainian cities and has battered the country's power grid every fall and winter of the full-scale war. Read also: Kyiv faces most difficult heating season of full-scale war amid escalating Russian attacks, Klitschko says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The village of Sukhetske in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast has been liberated by units from the 82nd Bukovyna Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of Ukraine. Source: Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Command Details: Ukrainian troops engaged more than 60 Russian soldiers during the assault operation. Forty-four Russians have been killed, eight wounded and nine have surrendered. Quote: "Our paratroopers have once again proved that the Air Assault Forces stand for resilience, strength and clear-headed precision in the fiercest areas of the front line. Every metre of liberated land is a step towards victory a step paid for with the courage and blood of Ukraine's finest sons." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! HANOI (Reuters) -A landmark U.N. cybercrime treaty, aimed at tackling offences that cost the global economy trillions of dollars annually, is set to be signed in Vietnam's capital Hanoi by around 60 countries over the weekend. The convention, which will take effect after it is ratified by 40 nations, is expected to streamline international cooperation against cybercrime, but has been criticised by activists and tech companies over concerns of possible human rights abuses. "Cyberspace has become fertile ground for criminals...every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods, and drain billions of dollars from our economies," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The U.N. Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime." The convention targets a broad spectrum of offences from phishing and ransomware to online trafficking and hate speech, the U.N. has said, citing estimates that cybercrime costs the global economy trillions of dollars each year. Vietnam President Luong Cuong said the signing of the convention "not only marks the birth of a global legal instrument, but also affirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where countries overcome differences and are willing to shoulder responsibilities together for the common interests of peace, security, stability and development." Critics have warned its vague definition of crime could enable abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cybersecurity Tech Accord, which includes Meta and Microsoft, has dubbed the pact a "surveillance treaty," saying it may facilitate data sharing among governments and criminalise ethical hackers who test systems for vulnerabilities. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which led the treaty negotiations, said the agreement includes provisions to protect human rights and promotes legitimate research activities. The European Union, the United States and Canada sent diplomats and officials to sign the treaty in Hanoi. Vietnam's role as host has also stirred controversy. The U.S. State Department recently flagged "significant human rights issues" in the country, including online censorship. Human Rights Watch says at least 40 people have been arrested this year, including for expressing dissent online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam views the treaty as an opportunity to enhance its global standing and cyber defences amid rising attacks on critical infrastructure. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) China on Saturday strongly opposed a US Trade Representative (USTR) probe into its compliance with the Phase One trade agreement, accusing Washington of escalating economic pressures and spreading false narratives that undermine bilateral ties. "China firmly opposes the US's false accusations and related review measures," said Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the US, in a post on X. The embassy's sharp rebuke came hours after USTR announced the initiation of a Section 301 investigation to scrutinise whether Beijing has fully honoured its commitments under the Economic and Trade Agreement signed during US President Donald Trump's first term. "China as a major country that takes its responsibilities seriously, China has scrupulously fulfilled its obligations in the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement by protecting intellectual property, increasing imports, and providing greater market access, which has created a favorable business environment geared to investors of all countries, including US companies, for them to share the benefits of China's economic development," the spokesperson asserted. According to the Office of the USTR, the Phase One deal, effective since 2020, required China to undertake structural reforms in areas like intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, and financial services, while committing to boost purchases of US goods and services to address the trade deficit. USTR Jamieson Greer, in announcing the probe, highlighted concerns over non-tariff barriers, market access, and purchase shortfalls despite repeated US engagements. "President Trump made history in his first term when he stood up for the American worker and brokered the Phase One Agreement, establishing a more fair and reciprocal trade relationship with China," Greer said. "The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration's resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people," he added. The investigation, authorised under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, will assess any burdens on US commerce from alleged non-implementation and potential responses, including tariffs or other remedies. USTR has invited public comments, with submissions due by December 1, 2025, and a hearing scheduled for December 16, 2025. In its response, China countered that the US has "systematically escalated economic and other forms of pressure against China" since the deal's signing, citing export controls, investment restrictions, and "false narratives" on human rights, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and the COVID-19 pandemic. "These actions have done serious damage to China-US ties as well as economic and trade relations and disrupted normal trade and investment activities and significantly undermined the conditions necessary for the implementation of the Agreement," the spokesperson said. Beijing urged Washington to "promptly correct its wrong practices" and adhere to the recent phone conversations between Presidents Xi Jinping and Trump. It called for using the bilateral consultation mechanism to address concerns through "dialogues and based on mutual respect and equal-footed consultation", aiming for "stable, sound and sustainable development of the China-U.S. economic and trade relationship". The move by the US comes moments before top economic officials from both nations are set to talk in Kuala Lumpur to prevent an escalation of their trade war. The discussions aim to ensure that a meeting occurs next week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "These talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods," The Sun reported. (ANI) An unhoused man was booked into jail on felony charges after authorities said he broke into an animal shelter seeking shelter of his own. Maricopa County sheriffs deputies responded to a county animal shelter near 27th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road near Phoenix around 7:20 a.m. Oct. 24 after shelter security reported a broken window and a blood trail inside the building, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez. Investigators believe a river rock found near the shattered glass was used to break the window, Enriquez added. While deputies searched the shelter, a man fell through the ceiling and was immediately detained, Enriquez said. The man, who was not identified, told authorities he was unhoused and had entered the facility seeking shelter. No animals or staff members were harmed during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enriquez said the man would be booked into jail on felony charges. Growing crisis: Why homelessness may be a bigger challenge now than in days of 'The Zone' This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix animal shelter broken into Real-life struggles are being felt by millions of Americans due to the government shutdown as it passes the three-week mark. That includes in San Jose, where an unhoused resident is trying to shine a light on the issues he and others are facing. The shutdown decision, or lack thereof, comes from lawmakers in Washington, D.C. But it's felt by Raymond Delgado on the streets of San Jose. "The shutdown has been the straw that has broken the camel's back," Delgado said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado has been trying to survive while unhoused for 10 years now, and he says the shutdown has made a tough situation even worse. MORE: Pentagon to use $130M donation from anonymous Trump 'friend' to pay military members He's a proud Army veteran and says the services usually provided to him by the VA and government are harder to access as the shutdown continues. "I don't have my food stamps," Delgado said. "I'm wondering if I'll ever get my social security. Can't get my confirmation on the eligibility for the VA. I can't get confirmation for anything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Veteran Affairs has created a contingency plan to continue and try to support all veterans who need it. While some resources have been temporarily cut, homelessness services are continuing, according to a VA spokesperson. Delgado says some of what's still being offered to him does not necessarily work for him, and he's hoping an agreement can bring everything he needs back online. MORE: Here's who's getting paid and who isn't during the federal government shutdown "I may not wake up one day. I have congestive heart failure," Delgado said. "I'm working with half a heart. I'm not even supposed to be out here. The elements and me, and the great outdoors are not getting along right now. I'm supposed to be indoors and, as a veteran, we should be." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado recognizes that he is not the only person negatively impacted by the government shutdown. He fought for his country. Now, he's calling on his country to fight for him and many others who are suffering. "Trump knows this, the Democrats know this, the Republicans know this, everybody knows this," Delgado said. "But they want to play games, and they're playing with my life. They're playing with their lives. I can die tomorrow, so what? No one cares or will remember my name, but you 've got people with kids out here, people with families, elderly senior citizens -- what are they going to eat? Where are they going to go? What are they going to do?" These are questions that Delgado says we all deserve answers to, as Washington continues its standstill. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Just days after hundreds of teachers protested a bonus that fell short of expectations, the Union Countys leaders of the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners are exchanging words. The Sick Out that was held Wednesday with educators staying home and/or going to picketing at the district headquarters came after a $1,000 stipend was allotted for the current school year after one for $2,000 was approved with by the school board in May. RELATED: Union County school leaders move forward with teacher pay boost, but fall short of original goal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For their overall budget, they requested a $14.6 million increase from the Board of County Commissioners, but say that only $8.8 million was approved. The school boards chairman, the Rev. Jimmy Bention, expressed his disappointment in the commissioners communication in a letter to county chair Melissa Merrell Friday night. The BOE has consistently demonstrated a willingness to engage in open dialogue regarding any concerns raised by the BOCC, he wrote. The absence of communication from you, in your capacity as Chair of the BOCC, to me as Chairman of the BOE regarding this matter is deeply concerning and does not reflect the collaborative spirit we strive to maintain. Furthermore, your continued public statements on this matter are troubling and appear to be intentionally disruptive to the relationship between the boards. Your public position has also caused substantial interruption to the operations of Union County Public Schools. The BOE Finance Committee unanimously recommended support Oct. 21 for a $1,000 annual stipend increase for county commissioner approval at their Nov. 6 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials said the delay stems from many factors, including the lack of a state budget, and the county coming up short on the school boards request. North Carolina GOPs proposed map seeks to thwart Democratic incumbents reelection A few hours later, Chairwoman Merrell issued her response, toutin a significant increase in school funding: I am equally disappointed by the Union County Board of Education, and I am responding to their letter to provide clarity and accurate information. This year, the Board of County Commissioners significantly increased funding to Union County Public Schools approving nearly $9 million more than last year, for a total of $160 million. From our earliest budget discussions in April, the County was transparent that the districts full request would require a tax rate increase. During a public hearing in June, Board of Education members and UCPS senior staff publicly confirmed that the $8.8M in additional funds would be sufficient to provide a $1,000 increase to the teacher supplement and provide funding for other projects, as requested. It is also important to note that, under North Carolina law, County Commissioners have no authority to direct how the Board of Education allocates the County funding it receives. As the former Chair of the Board of Education, I fully support our teachers and am still shocked that the $1,000 supplement increase has not yet been provided. This increase would bring the total county supplement to $7,341 and move our teacher supplement from #37 to approximately #18 in the state. I am hopeful that the Board of Education will approve the teacher supplement increase at its November meeting and make it retroactive to July. Union County Public Schools regularly ranks among the top five districts in the state, with some of the states top high schools in the western part of the county. The school board is not backing down from the $14.6 million figure, however. The BOE emphasizes, however, that this does not diminish the validity or urgency of our original request, said Bention. The BOE continues to call on the BOCC to provide the full $14.6 million necessary to implement the $2,000 supplement increase and to meet the operational priorities outlined in our May submission. Accordingly, the BOE respectfully requests that this funding proposal be placed on an upcoming BOCC meeting agenda for formal consideration. Our educators and staff deserve the compensation and support required to sustain excellence in Union County Public Schools. We look forward to your timely response and to working together to ensure that Union County continues to provide the highest quality education for its students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. What Were Tracking Additional rainfall today Cooler weather stays Unsettled pattern continues Rain chances continue through today with occasional showers throughout the day, so dont forget the rain gear! The better chances for widespread rain activity look to be south of I-70 with more scattered activity closer to the Nebraska border. Temperatures will top out in the mid-50s with easterly winds around 10 mph. Well stay mostly cloudy, and overnight lows this weekend will remain mild, only dropping into the mid-40s thanks to the clouds and lingering showers. Many areas have already received at least half an inch of rainfall and are expected to add to those totals throughout the day. Sunday looks to be the drier day of the weekend. Temperatures will once again reach the mid-50s under mostly cloudy skies, making for a cool, fall-like feel to the air. A few showers return to start the workweek as another frontal system moves through. Highs will climb into the upper 50s to lower 60s before drying out by Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSNT Storm Track Meteorologist Evan Biedron Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) The second biggest pride festival in the state took over the streets of Urbana Saturday, with people celebrating the 15-year-anniversary of the organization behind it. Uniting Prides mission is to make sure all LGBTQIA+ people in the region can live happy, healthy and vibrant lives. Organizers said that the festival is a way to bring the community together and celebrate love and joy. U of Is Newman Hall offering alternate meal options after receiving red placard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, there was a parade, nearly 200 booths, music and food trucks downtown. Not only is it just super fun and everyone can be themselves; they feel safe, they feel loved, said Adelaide Aime, Uniting Prides treasurer. But it also is a way for people to hear about, and have a path to, our other services. Some of those other services included support groups, a food pantry and a clothing swap. To learn more about Uniting Prides resources, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Tactical missiles are relied upon by military forces around the world, and the U.S. Army's Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) passed a series of important tests in late September 2025. Four of the Lockheed Martin-built ground-to-ground missiles were launched at targets 200km (124 miles) away on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and a post on the U.S. Army website states that the missiles "met all objectives for range, trajectory, accuracy, and height of burst." The PrSM is slated to replace the Army MGM-140 Tactical Missile System (ATACMS); both can be launched from truck-based HIMARS (HIgh-Mobility Artillery Rocket System) or tracked M270 missile launchers. Test versions of the PrSM were launched from a HIMARS in December 2024 and an M270A2 in April 2025. PrSM missiles are housed in launcher pods that carry two missiles each a HIMARS launcher carries one pod and the M270 can pack two. The older ATACMS launchers could only hold one missile in each pod, but HIMARS' ability to carry twice the firepower with PrSM is only one advantage to the upgrade. Read more: 11 Of The Most Iconic Ground Attack Military Planes In History Increased missile range keeps soldiers safe PrSM missile being launched into clear sky - Lockheed Martin The PrSM promises to be effective and accurate over a much longer distance than its predecessor, which makes the recent tests important. Early ATACMS systems were good at up to 100km (62 miles), but current ones have a range of around 300km (186.4 miles). PrSM missiles could someday accurately strike targets as far away as 400 km (about 248.5 miles); they're the latest in a line of long-range missiles that began with the Cold War-era Lance system. HIMARS launchers can hold six highly accurate Guided multiple Launch Rockets or one long-range tactical missile, and PrSM allows HIMARS crews to fire from positions further away from enemies than they could with the outgoing ATACMS system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's an immediate way to reduce risk of personnel and equipment loss, and greater range means better accuracy at shorter distances. Lockheed Martin reached out to Northrop Grumman to build rocket motors for PrSM missiles, and the new propulsion system was tested in early 2022. At the time, Northrop Grumman VP of missile products Rebecca Torzone made the claim that "Our new motor delivers enhanced performance that translates to increased weapon load out and standoff for our warfighters" Another of the PrSM's important features will help meet those same two goals. The PrSM can be a drone slinger Raytheon Coyote drone on display table in launcher - Raytheon Drones are increasingly becoming more important to military forces around the world, prompting an array of anti-drone tactics. Ukraine's civil air patrol is using WWII-era prop planes to take out Russian drones, and Germany is counting on the Skyranger ground-to-air turret. The U.S. military has relied on drones heavily in recent conflicts, and the PrSM will help boost its offensive and defensive drone capabilities. The PrSM is currently capable of launching anti-drone weaponry and could be adapted to launch attack drones like the Raytheon Coyote pictured above. These craft could be loaded with Northrop Grumman's Hatchet bombs, which weigh about 6 pounds and have GPS targeting capabilities. These highly maneuverable weapons also have adaptive fusing to optimize detonation timing, and they'll allow forces to attack with smaller drones while boosting the firepower of larger ones. Launching drones with the new PrSM HIMARS missile launchers is a two-layered strategy to keep soldiers and pilots out of harm's way while enhancing their ability to reach far-away targets. Northrop Grumman also says it will continue to develop the Hatchet's targeting system, which is already accurate to under 2m (about 6 feet 7 inches). If these weapons can be reliably delivered to targets a couple hundred miles away, the U.S. military could have a distinct edge on the modern battlefield. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. By Xinghui Kok KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Top economic officials from the U.S. and China kickstarted talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for China's vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent actions, which also include an expanded U.S. export blacklist that covers thousands more Chinese firms, have disrupted a delicate trade truce crafted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng over four previous meetings since May. China's top trade negotiator Li Chenggang is also participating in the talks. A Reuters witness saw Li arriving alongside He at Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118 tower, the second-tallest building in the world, where the venue for the talks is located. The Malaysian government and the U.S. and Chinese sides have provided few details about the meeting or any plans to brief the media about outcomes. The three officials will try to pave the way for Trump and Xi to meet next Thursday at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, a high-stakes conversation that could revolve around some interim relief on tariffs, technology controls and Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes before the talks started, Trump said that he would like to discuss farmers when he sits down with Xi during his Asian trip and will bring up Taiwan, though he does not have plans to go there yet. He also said he will likely raise the issue of releasing jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose case has become the most high-profile example of China's crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Asian financial hub. "We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think we'll have a good meeting," Trump said as he departed the White House. Josh Lipsky, international economics chair at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Bessent, Greer and He must first find a way to mitigate their dispute over U.S. technology export curbs and China's rare earths controls, which Washington wants to reverse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not sure the Chinese can agree to that. It's the primary leverage that they have," Lipsky said. Some of those announcements may fall to Trump, who is due to arrive in the Malaysian capital on Sunday. "We won't know if Beijing has successfully counterbalanced the U.S.'s export controls with restrictions of their own or if they've induced a continuation of an escalatory spiral until Trump and Xi meet," said Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "If they make a deal, their gambit will have paid off. If there's no deal, then everyone will need to prepare for things to get much nastier." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RARE EARTHS STRANGLEHOLD The world's two largest economies are seeking to avoid a return of their tariff escalation to triple-digit levels on both sides that exploded in April when Trump imposed broad global levies. China also responded to Trump's tariffs by cutting off rare earths supplies to U.S. buyers. Bessent and Greer's first meeting with He in Geneva in May led to a 90-day truce, which brought down tariffs sharply to about 55% on the U.S. side and 30% on the Chinese side and restarted the flow of magnets. It was extended in subsequent talks in London and Stockholm and was due to expire on November 10. But the delicate truce frayed at the end of September, when the U.S. Commerce Department vastly expanded a U.S. export blacklist to automatically include firms more than 50% owned by companies already on the list, banning U.S. exports to thousands more Chinese firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China struck back with the new global rare earth export controls on October 10, aiming to prevent their use in military systems by requiring export licenses for products using Chinese rare earths or rare earth refining, extraction or processing technology developed by Chinese firms. Bessent and Greer blasted China's move as a "global supply chain power grab" and vowed the U.S. and its allies would not accept the restrictions. Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering a plan to up the ante with curbs on a dizzying array of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines, according to sources familiar with the deliberations. The Trump administration added to the tension on Friday by announcing a new tariff probe into China's "apparent failure" to meet the terms of the 2020 U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement that halted their trade war during Trump's first term. The move could create an additional legal authority for Trump to further increase tariffs on Chinese imports. China committed to major increases in purchases of U.S. farm products, manufactured goods, energy and services in the 2020 deal, but the targets were never met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That also could lead the U.S. side to press Beijing to resume buying American soybeans after China bought none in September, heaping economic pain on farmers, a key Trump political constituency. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok Rozanna Latiff and Danial Azahar in Kuala Lumpur and David Lawder and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Writing by David Lawder and Brenda Goh; Editing by Tom Hogue) By Xinghui Kok KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Top economic officials from the U.S. and China kickstarted talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for China's vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent actions, which also include an expanded U.S. export blacklist that covers thousands more Chinese firms, have disrupted a delicate trade truce crafted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng over four previous meetings since May. China's top trade negotiator Li Chenggang is also participating in the talks. A Reuters witness saw Li arriving alongside He at Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118 tower, the second-tallest building in the world, where the venue for the talks is located. The Malaysian government and the U.S. and Chinese sides have provided few details about the meeting or any plans to brief the media about outcomes. TALKING POINTS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three officials will try to pave the way for Trump and Xi to meet next Thursday at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, a high-stakes conversation that could revolve around some interim relief on tariffs, technology controls and Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans. Minutes before the talks started, Trump left Washington for his tour of Asia and laid out several talking points for the meeting with Xi. He said farmers, hit by a Chinese freeze on U.S. soybean purchases, and the democratic island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, would be on the list of topics discussed. Trump added he does not have any plans to visit Taiwan. He also flagged the release of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose case has become the most high-profile example of China's crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Asian financial hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think we'll have a good meeting," Trump said. Trump left Washington on Friday night for a five-day trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, his first to the region and longest journey abroad since taking office in January. Aboard Air Force One, he told reporters that he would also like China to help Washington in its dealings with Russia. DELICATE BALANCE Josh Lipsky, international economics chair at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Bessent, Greer and He must first find a way to mitigate their dispute over U.S. technology export curbs and China's rare earths controls, which Washington wants to reverse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not sure the Chinese can agree to that. It's the primary leverage that they have," Lipsky said. Some of those announcements may fall to Trump, who is due to arrive in the Malaysian capital on Sunday. "We won't know if Beijing has successfully counterbalanced the U.S.'s export controls with restrictions of their own or if they've induced a continuation of an escalatory spiral until Trump and Xi meet," said Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they make a deal, their gambit will have paid off. If there's no deal, then everyone will need to prepare for things to get much nastier." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RARE EARTHS STRANGLEHOLD The world's two largest economies are seeking to avoid a return of their tariff escalation to triple-digit levels on both sides. Bessent and Greer's first meeting with He in Geneva in May led to a 90-day truce, which brought down tariffs sharply to about 55% on the U.S. side and 30% on the Chinese side and restarted the flow of magnets. It was extended in subsequent talks in London and Stockholm and was due to expire on November 10. But the delicate truce frayed at the end of September, when the U.S. Commerce Department vastly expanded an export blacklist to automatically include firms more than 50% owned by companies already on the list, banning U.S. exports to thousands more Chinese firms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China struck back with the new global rare earth export controls on October 10, aiming to prevent their use in military systems. Bessent and Greer blasted China's move as a "global supply chain power grab" and vowed the U.S. and its allies would not accept the restrictions. Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering a plan to up the ante with curbs on a dizzying array of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines, according to sources familiar with the deliberations. The Trump administration added to the tension on Friday by announcing a new tariff probe into China's "apparent failure" to meet the terms of the 2020 U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement that halted their trade war during Trump's first term. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok Rozanna Latiff and Danial Azahar in Kuala Lumpur and David Lawder, Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland in Washington; Writing by David Lawder and Brenda Goh; Editing by Tom Hogue) Early voting in New York City's mayoral race began on Saturday, with voters across the city starting to cast their ballots ahead of the November 4 general election, the New York Post reported. The contest will determine whether the city, often called the "capital of capitalism", will be led by a socialist for the first time in history. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a Queens Assemblyman and self-described socialist, is the front-runner to succeed Mayor Eric Adams. If elected, Mamdani would oversee New York City's USD 115 billion budget and a workforce of nearly 300,000, as reported by the New York Post. Mamdani's lead is bolstered by the presence of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, both of whom are expected to divide support among moderate and conservative voters. Mayor Adams, a centrist Democrat, suspended his struggling re-election campaign last month following a federal probe, although he was cleared of corruption allegations, the New York Post reported. Despite withdrawing, Adams remains on the ballot as an independent, alongside lawyer Jim Walden. New York City's 5.1 million registered voters can participate in early voting through November 2 at designated polling locations. As per the New York Post, polling hours vary, with most sites open from 9 am to 5 pm (local time), except October 28 and October 29 (10 am to 8 pm) and October 31 (8 am to 4 pm). The mayoral campaign has focused on key issues, including crime, homelessness, affordability, and policies regarding Israel and US President Donald Trump. The New York Post, citing a recent survey conducted by Victory Insights, said Mamdani is in a commanding lead over Cuomo, securing 46.7 per cent compared to Cuomo's 28.6 per cent, while Sliwa trails at 16.2 per cent. The poll also revealed that 26.5 per cent of respondents are considering leaving the city if Mamdani, aged 34, wins, potentially becoming the youngest mayor in New York City in over a century. Earlier on Friday, US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Mamdani for New York City mayor. The endorsement comes after months of internal party discussions and just ahead of the start of early voting today. In a statement, Jeffries noted that Mamdani, along with Mark Levine and Jumaane Williams, secured the Democratic nominations for Mayor, Comptroller, and Public Advocate through a "free and fair election" and confirmed his support for Mamdani and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the upcoming election. "Zohran Mamdani has relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a Mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy. Together, along with Mark Levine and Jumaane Williams, they won the nominations for Mayor, Comptroller and Public Advocate in a free and fair election. In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election," Jeffries said in his statement. (ANI) By Xinghui Kok KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Top economic officials from the U.S. and China ended their first day of talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, with a Treasury spokesperson describing them as "very constructive". The world's two largest economies are looking to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade curbs starting on November 1, in retaliation for China's vastly expanded export controls on rare earth magnets and minerals. The recent actions, which also include an expanded U.S. export blacklist that covers thousands more Chinese firms, have disrupted a delicate trade truce crafted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng over four previous meetings since May. He smiled and waved to reporters but did not comment as the Chinese delegation left the venue for the talks, Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118 tower, the second-tallest building in the world. China's top trade negotiator Li Chenggang is also participating in the talks. A Reuters witness saw Li arriving alongside He earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the talks, a Treasury spokesperson said: "They have been very constructive, and we expect them to resume in the morning". The Malaysian government and the U.S. and Chinese sides have provided few details about the meeting or any plans to brief the media about outcomes. TALKING POINTS The three officials will try to pave the way for Trump and Xi to meet next Thursday at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, a high-stakes conversation that could revolve around some interim relief on tariffs, technology controls and Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans. Minutes before the talks started, Trump left Washington for his tour of Asia and laid out several talking points for the meeting with Xi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said farmers, hit by a Chinese freeze on U.S. soybean purchases, and the democratic island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, would be on the list of topics discussed. Trump added he does not have any plans to visit Taiwan. He also flagged the release of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose case has become the most high-profile example of China's crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Asian financial hub. "We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think we'll have a good meeting," Trump said. Trump left Washington on Friday night for a five-day trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, his first to the region and longest journey abroad since taking office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aboard Air Force One, he told reporters that he would also like China to help Washington in its dealings with Russia. DELICATE BALANCE Josh Lipsky, international economics chair at the Atlantic Council in Washington, said Bessent, Greer and He must first find a way to mitigate their dispute over U.S. technology export curbs and China's rare earths controls, which Washington wants to reverse. "I'm not sure the Chinese can agree to that. It's the primary leverage that they have," Lipsky said. Some of those announcements may fall to Trump, who is due to arrive in the Malaysian capital on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We won't know if Beijing has successfully counterbalanced the U.S.'s export controls with restrictions of their own or if they've induced a continuation of an escalatory spiral until Trump and Xi meet," said Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they make a deal, their gambit will have paid off. If there's no deal, then everyone will need to prepare for things to get much nastier." RARE EARTHS STRANGLEHOLD The world's two largest economies are seeking to avoid a return of their tariff escalation to triple-digit levels on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bessent and Greer's first meeting with He in Geneva in May led to a 90-day truce, which brought down tariffs sharply to about 55% on the U.S. side and 30% on the Chinese side and restarted the flow of magnets. It was extended in subsequent talks in London and Stockholm and was due to expire on November 10. But the delicate truce frayed at the end of September, when the U.S. Commerce Department vastly expanded an export blacklist to automatically include firms more than 50% owned by companies already on the list, banning U.S. exports to thousands more Chinese firms. China struck back with the new global rare earth export controls on October 10, aiming to prevent their use in military systems. Bessent and Greer blasted China's move as a "global supply chain power grab" and vowed the U.S. and its allies would not accept the restrictions. Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering a plan to up the ante with curbs on a dizzying array of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration added to the tension on Friday by announcing a new tariff probe into China's "apparent failure" to meet the terms of the 2020 U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement that halted their trade war during Trump's first term. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok Rozanna Latiff and Danial Azahar in Kuala Lumpur and David Lawder, Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland in Washington; Writing by David Lawder and Brenda Goh; Editing by Tom Hogue) DENVER (KDVR) Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a letter this month from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, informing the state agency that it could not source gray wolves for reintroduction to Colorado outside of the Rocky Mountain region. In 2023, the state sourced gray wolves from Oregon that were released into the state. But in January, CPW released 15 Canadian gray wolves into the state, sourced from British Columbia. Colorados gray wolves near three neighboring states borders: CPW Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter sent by USFWS Director Brian Nesvik cautions the state agency from trying to source wolves outside of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, as well as portions of Oregon, Washington and Utah. We have reason to believe that CPW may be seeking to capture, transport, and/or release one or more wolves from areas outside of the specified NRM Areas outlined in the 10(j) rule, Nesvik wrote. To the extent that these reports are true, such actions are violative of the 10(j) rule. If CPW is currently engaged in such activities, CPW must cease and desist any and all efforts related to the capture, transport and/or release of gray wolves not obtained from to the NRM Areas. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist checks on a gray wolf inside a crate after the wolf was unloaded from a transport plane, January 2025. Five wolves arrived from British Columbia, Canada during this same transport. A gray wolf waits in a holding pen in British Columbia, Canada, before its transport to Colorado in January 2025. CPWs Wildlife Research Scientist and Wolf Conservation Program Manager help to lift a captured wolf from a helicopter in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. Staff unloads a gray wolf from a helicopter in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. A wildlife capture crew carries a gray wolf to a transport helicopter in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. A wildlife capture crew collars a gray wolf on a frozen lake in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. The collared wolf was released to assist biologists and pilots in locating its pack for possible future captures. Gray wolves run across snow-covered terrain during capture operations in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. A capture helicopter prepares for takeoff in British Columbia, Canada, in January 2025. Gray wolf sits in a temporary pen awaiting transport to Colorado during capture operations in British Columbia in January 2025. (Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife) USFWS is involved in the reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado because it is a federally listed species. In its letter to Colorado sent on Oct. 10, the agency described the 10(j) rule as a conservation tool, allowing USFWS to designate a population as experimental if it will be released into a suitable natural habitat outside of its current range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the experimental population designation, the specified population is treated as threatened under the (Endangered Species Act), regardless of the species designation elsewhere in its range, USFWS explains online. Montrose County commissioners to consider ordinance that would ban wolf reintroduction CPW told FOX31 it is still evaluating its options and the USFWS letter. CPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a recently signed contract with British Columbias Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. This MOU and contract allow CPW to translocate 10-15 wolves this winter in partnership with British Columbia. This MOU, as well as last years partnership, were based on consultations with USFWS and were signed before the letter from USFWS was received, the state agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPW added that, with respect to its possibly sourcing wolves from western Canada, gray wolves in the delisted population in the Northern Rocky Mountains are not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and so the provisions do not apply to these unlisted populations. CPW shoots Copper Creek wolf depredating in Rio Blanco County, but no carcass found Gov. Jared Poliss office said that the state and CPW are committed to continuing the reintroduction of gray wolves as outlined in the plan adopted by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. The Governors Office and CPW are in touch with the Department of Interior about the letter and CPW continues to evaluate all options to support this years gray wolf releases in alignment with the approved Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and the 10j, the Governors Office told FOX31 in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time CPW released gray wolves into Colorado was in January of this year. The first time CPW released wolves into Colorado was in December 2023. Its unclear when or where CPW intends to release more gray wolves this upcoming winter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, billed by the US Navy as the most capable, adaptable, and lethal combat platform in the world, is being sent to the Caribbean as the Trump administration ramps up military pressure on Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking. Heres a look at the Ford and the military assets it will bring to US operations in the region. With a displacement of more than 100,000 tons and a length of 1,100 feet (334 meters), the Ford is the largest warship the US has ever put to sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioned in 2017, its the first of its class, the successor to the Navys 10 Nimitz-class carriers, the oldest of which will be retired next year. It carries a crew of almost 4,600, including its air wing. Thats about 20% less personnel than the Nimitz class, which the Navy says is possible because of more efficient systems on the Ford. Those efficiencies are what make the Ford the most advanced carrier in the world and result from its two nuclear reactors, whose exact specs are classified but that put out three times the electrical power of those on the Nimitz-class ships, according to the Navy. That extra power enables the Ford to operate the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). Using magnets instead of steam to power the ships catapults gives the Ford the ability to launch aircraft faster and with heavier weapons and more fuel, increasing the range and lethality of its fighter jets. The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest aircraft carrier of the US Navy, is seen off Croatia on October 21, 2025. - Nikola Vilic/CROPIX/SIPA The same science applies to its 11 Advanced Weapons Elevators, which use electromagnetic motors rather than hydraulics, meaning it can move munitions more quickly from magazines to the flight deck and loaded onto aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship also boasts the Navys Advanced Arresting Gear, the system which essentially grabs the tailhook of aircraft with wires when they touch down on its flight deck. The Navy says the digitally controlled system allows for increased sortie rates and lower energy consumption. The Fords flight deck is about four feet wider than the Nimitz class, and its island the portion of the ship rising above the flight deck is smaller and set farther back, giving more space for easier handling of aircraft movements. The sharp teeth of the Ford are the F/A-18 fighter jets in carries. The twin-engine Boeing aircraft can carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-ship missiles as well as laser-guided bombs. They have a maximum combat range of 1,250 miles (2,011 kilometers), according to the Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ford also carries electronic-jamming aircraft, airborne early warning and control planes, cargo and passenger planes and helicopters. But the Ford doesnt carry the Navys newest stealth fighter jet, the F-35C. Modifications needed to support the fifth-generation aircraft are not expected to be made until a yet-to-be-determined future maintenance period. Getting the Ford into fighting shape was a struggle for the Navy. Though it was commissioned in 2017, it didnt make its first deployment until 2022 as the service struggled to work out kinks in its advanced systems. The ship made its first combat deployment in 2023, an eight-month cruise that saw it spend time in the eastern Mediterranean after the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A recent spate of waterfront home collapses along North Carolina's coast has sparked an urgent debate among officials for future mitigation strategies. What's happening? 13News Now reported that eight waterfront homes collapsed in Buxton and another in Rodanthe in just one week. Both settlements are on Hatteras Island, a long, low-lying barrier island that has experienced significant coastal erosion. It's hardly a new phenomenon; a dozen other homes have been lost since 2020, per the newscast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As rising sea levels and extreme weather events continue to threaten the island, tough questions are being raised. Under the current legal framework, it's often too expensive for homeowners to relocate or remove their at-risk property. This has prompted Washington legislators to consider a bill that would allow action before a waterfront collapses. The bill's sponsor, North Carolina Rep. Greg Murphy, explained to 13News Now: "[If] the home is going to fall into the ocean, and it's impending, it should be taken down before the environmental hazard occurs. We're trying to get people to act proactively." Why is the collapse of waterfront property concerning? Every home that collapses results in significant expense and environmental damage caused by the debris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eight collapsed homes in Buxton have reportedly caused $2.7 million in property damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program doesn't cover the costs of removal or payout until the home is destroyed, as the news report detailed. The crisis is in part a consequence of planet-heating pollution driven by human activity. A warmer atmosphere accelerates sea ice loss and sea level rise. While no isolated event is attributable to warming temperatures alone, warmer seas are the ideal breeding ground for more severe hurricanes. What's being done about North Carolina's eroding coastline? It remains to be seen whether the proposed legislation will even make it out of committee. Another possible solution is to bolster the coastline through beach nourishment, which involves adding tons of sediment to the shoreline. However, that is only a temporary solution for an exorbitant cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per CBS News, taxpayers have ploughed over $10 billion into 2,500 beach nourishment programs in the last century, the majority of which were repeats. Spending millions to save a handful of homes is difficult to justify, and that's before considering the other possible downsides, which are habitat destruction and damage to water quality. There are some promising technological developments to combat coastal erosion, but this is a long-term problem that requires greater awareness of the issues and commitment from elected leaders to curb harmful emissions. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has prepared new sanctions against Russia, Reuters reported on Oct. 25, citing an unnamed U.S. official and another person familiar with the matter. The sanctions could reportedly be imposed if Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no interest in meaningful negotiations and continues to delay ending Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump announced his administration's first sanctions against Moscow since taking office on Oct. 22, targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and their subsidiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures freeze all U.S.-based assets of those companies and pave the way for secondary sanctions against foreign institutions that handle transactions with those on the blacklist. Some of the additional sanctions prepared by the U.S. are directed against Russia's banking sector and the infrastructure used to supply oil to the market, according to the Reuters sources. Ukrainian officials also reportedly proposed new sanctions to Washington last week. Among the specific proposals were measures to cut off all Russian banks from the U.S. dollar system. Two sources told Reuters that U.S. officials have informed Europe that they support the EU's plan to use Russian frozen assets to buy American weapons for Kyiv, as requested by Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has reportedly held preliminary discussions on the use of Russian assets located in the U.S. The EU froze about $300 billion of Russia's central bank's foreign reserves in February 2022 as part of its third sanctions package, prohibiting all transactions related to their management. Belgium, where the majority of frozen funds is parked, put the brakes on swift progress on the use of frozen Russian assets, warning that its demands related to legal worries would first need to be met. WTF is wrong with Russia? Wear our new T-shirt to let other people know you want answers. shop now The move signals a tougher U.S. stance after Putin's negotiating position led to the cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, with Trump saying he did not want "a wasted meeting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier reiterated that Russia's stance on ending hostilities along the current front lines, which Washington and Ukraine support, "has not changed." Following Trump's sanctions, India's biggest refineries are expected to reduce purchases from Rosneft and Lukoil to virtually zero, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed executives at Indian oil companies. Chinese state-owned oil companies have also suspended purchases of seaborne Russian crude following the sanctions, amid fears of potential secondary sanctions, according to Reuters. Experts earlier told the Kyiv Independent that the sanctions might squeeze Russia's oil sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trumps Russia sanctions a shock to Moscow, may deal serious blow to oil giants, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The US Secretary of State has said the UN agency for Palestinians UNRWA is not going to play any role in delivering aid to Gaza under Donald Trumps ceasefire plan, accusing it of being a subsidiary of Hamas. Marco Rubio said a conglomerate of up to a dozen groups would be involved in aid efforts in Gaza, including from the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations. The United Nations is here, they're on the ground, we're willing to work with them if they can make it work, said Rubio during a press conference at the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat. But not UNRWA. UNRWA became a subsidiary of Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week the International Court of Justice said that Israel must allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territory. It said that there was no evidence UNRWA has breached impartiality rules, as claimed by Israel. Marco Rubio insisted the ceasefire was working during a visit to Israel on Friday (AP) UNRWA has not directly responded to Rubios remarks but posted multiple statements on social media on Friday highlighting the role it has played. The International Court of Justice recognised that no organisation can replace UNRWAs role in supporting the people of Gaza, one post read. UNRWAs presence remains vital to meeting urgent humanitarian needs across the occupied Palestinian territory. Israel has not allowed UNRWA to bring in its supplies since March. But the agency continues to operate in Gaza, running health centres, mobile medical teams, sanitation services and school classes for children. It says it has 6,000 trucks of supplies waiting to get in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his tour of the centre overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, Rubio touched upon the possibility of the ceasefire breaking down, while declining to say whether Israel would need US permission to reopen fighting against Hamas. He emphasised that the US ceasefire plan is broadly supported in the region, and said that it was the only plan on the table at present. Were all committed to making this plan work, he said. There is no Plan B. This is the best plan. Its the only plan. Its the only one that we think can succeed. Humanitarian aid agencies have been calling for more aid to reach Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect (AP) He stressed that the administration still sees that the plan is on the way to success, despite recent strains surrounding the release of hostage remains, the provision of aid into Gaza and Israeli air strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio was the latest in a series of top US officials to visit the center for civilian and military coordination. Vice President JD Vance was there earlier this week where he announced its opening, and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, were also in Israel. I think we have a lot to be proud of in the first 10 days, 11 days, 12 days of implementation, where we have faced real challenges along the way, said Rubio. The United States is now seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf Arab nations, to create an international stabilisation force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force. Rubio said US officials were working on possible language to secure a United Nations mandate or other international authorisation for the force in Gaza because several potential participants would require one before they can take part. Rubio, centre, visited the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel on Friday (AP) He said many countries had expressed interest, and decisions need to be made about the rules of engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said such countries need to know what they're signing up for, including "what is their mandate, what is their command, under what authority are they going to be operating, who's going to be in charge of it, what is their job?" He also said Israel needs to be comfortable with the countries that are participating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in a memo Friday that its contingency fund cannot legally be used to provide food assistance benefits for more than 42 million Americans in November, as the government shutdown continues. While the USDA cited legal limitations, critics, including the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, assert that the administration is legally obligated to use the reserves. They argue that the decision is a "policy choice," pointing to the administration's decision to shift funds to other programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). At risk going into November are approximately 42 million low-income individuals nationwide. Within Native communities, as many as 500,000 tribal citizens could lose access to food assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SNAP currently has about $6 billion available in the contingency fundwell below the approximately $9 billion required to sustain the program for a full monthleaving November benefits at risk. Friday's statement marks a reversal from the departments earlier position. A now-deleted version of the USDAs Sept. 30 shutdown plan had indicated the agency would rely on its multi-year contingency fund to continue issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown. With Congress still deadlocked over a stopgap spending measure, the government entered a shutdown on Oct. 1 without new funding for SNAP. According to Axios, states will not be reimbursed if they attempt to use their own funds to keep benefits flowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo also claims the contingency fund is intended for natural disasters and comparable emergencies, not to cover gaps caused by a lapse in congressional appropriations. However, the USDAs own Sept. 30 contingency plan contradicts that position, explicitly indicating that SNAPs contingency funds could be used to sustain benefits during a shutdown. Congressional intent is evident that SNAPs operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown, according to the plan. These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year. Related: As the Federal Government Shutdown Continues, the Food Stamp Program Is Running Out of Funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: States are scrambling to implement changes, and the federal shutdown is further threatening benefits About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Paducah, Kentucky, is getting a clean energy boost with its first solar facility. AES Corporation and Community Energy are investing $130 million into this groundbreaking project. The state's solar industry is promising a stronger economy and transition to renewable power. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported on the new McCracken solar facility and its scope. It will be a "60-megawatt" solar farm, featuring "156,000 solar panels" on "615 acres." Once operational in 2028, it will power about "10,000 homes" each year. Paducah's entry into large-scale solar energy production is forward-thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power generated is being sold by Big Rivers Electric Corp. to integrate renewable energy into the local grid. This crucial move will diversify communities' energy sources nationwide. The solar facility benefits the McCracken County community in many ways and is projected to bring in "an estimated $7 million in tax revenue for the county and the state." AES is investing in education and nonprofits, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Landowners can also increase their income while keeping their property in family ownership. Paducah Mayor George Bray stated the project will bring "new jobs, economic growth, and a commitment to renewable energy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The solar farm will help reduce our reliance on dirty energy sources. These dirty fuels, like coal and gas, pollute our air and contribute to the planet overheating. Solar's clean electricity from the sun offers a safer future for residents. Residents will have improved air quality and a healthier environment. Other communities across America are following the solar farm trend. The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to build a "large-scale solar field on a closed coal ash site." The utility company echoes AES's turning former waste areas into clean energy producers. McCracken County has a decommissioning plan where the property will return to pre-project conditions. Decommissioning ensures long-term environmental stewardship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installing solar panels can bring your cost of energy down to at or near $0. EnergySage provides free quotes from vetted local installers to save you up to $10,000 on solar. Going solar also makes using electric appliances like heat pumps even cheaper to run. Mitsubishi can help you find the right affordable heat pump. Johanna Kraus-Darden, development director for AES, looks forward to establishing the solar project: "AES [collaborating] with Greater Paducah Economic Development on [this project is exciting]. This innovative solar facility [is committed to creating] safe, reliable, and sustainable energy [with] meaningful economic opportunities for McCracken County." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. According to Al Jazeera, three fatalities were reported in Haiti, two from a landslide in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and another after being struck by a falling tree in Marigot. A fourth person was killed in the Dominican Republic, where another remains missing, authorities said. The United States-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) warned that Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later on Saturday and could intensify into a "major hurricane" by Sunday, as reported by Al Jazeera. The storm, moving slowly at just 5 kilometres per hour, is dumping relentless rain across the northern Caribbean. Up to 64 centimetres of rainfall is expected in Jamaica and the southern parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday, with as much as 89 centimetres possible across Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula. "If those rains were to occur, you're talking about catastrophic flooding potential," said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the NHC, as reported by Al Jazeera. The storm was located over the central Caribbean Sea before dawn Saturday, with maximum sustained winds nearing 110 km/h. Its slow pace means Jamaica could face hurricane conditions for more than 72 hours. Authorities in Jamaica have activated more than 650 emergency shelters and warned that airports will close once a hurricane warning is declared. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness also urged residents to take the threat seriously, saying, "Take all measures to protect yourself," as reported by Al Jazeera. In the Dominican Republic, the storm has damaged nearly 200 homes and left more than half a million people without water. Over two dozen communities remain cut off due to severe flooding, prompting mass evacuations and nationwide school closures. The NHC forecast indicates that Melissa will likely hit eastern Cuba as a major hurricane by Wednesday, posing a continued threat of life-threatening floods and landslides across the region. (ANI) 1 of 8 The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin raised a record $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to support student scholarships and help more students achieve their college dreams. (Courtesy Photo) The University of Texas Permian Basin is celebrating a landmark achievement after raising a record-breaking $1 million at the 4th Annual Scholarship Ball held Thursday. Every dollar raised goes directly to UTPBs General Scholarship Fund, which provides critical financial assistance to students pursuing higher education. More than 90% of UTPB students are eligible for scholarship support. Thanks to this extraordinary fundraising success, more students will be able to stay enrolled, complete their degrees, and focus on their futures without the burden of unexpected financial stress, a news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This remarkable achievement reflects the heart of our region, said UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley. Our donors, alumni, and community partners believe in the power of higher education to change lives, strengthen families, and fuel the workforce of West Texas. As a first-generation college graduate myself, I understand the challenges our students face with balancing work, family, and school while chasing big dreams. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown tonight and the continued commitment to our students. I also want to thank our Advancement team for their hard work in putting this ball together and helping us reach this goal. We couldnt have done it without them. The Scholarship Ball demonstrates what is possible when our community comes together with a belief that every student can be successful if they have the right support, said Jacqui Gore, UTPB Vice President for External Relations. Every dollar raised moves a student closer to walking the stage at graduation. This impact will be felt for generations, across families, industries, and communities throughout the Permian Basin. Throughout the evening, UTPB celebrated outstanding members of the Falcon Family whose achievements and leadership exemplify the spirit of the University: 2025 Distinguished Honorees Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Lissa Wagner Excellence Award: Kirk Edwards, President, Latigo Petroleum * Community Partner Award: Permian Basin Area Foundation * Distinguished Alumni Award: Tammy McComic-Rodriguez, President & CFO, Mexco Energy Corporation * Distinguished Young Alumni Award: Alison Pradon, Vice President of Development, Medical Center Health System UTPB extends a heartfelt thank you to their Presenting Sponsors for the Scholarship Ball, Mrs. Lissa Noel Wagner & Juan V. Silva Law Firm, for their tremendous support and commitment to student success. Dozens of additional sponsors across the Permian Basin contributed to making the night a success and advancing the Universitys mission to provide high-quality, accessible education. UTPB is proud to partner with organizations who continue investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and professionals. The post UTPB raises record-breaking $1 million at 4th Annual Scholarship Ball appeared first on Odessa American. The University of Virginia (UVA) this past week became the first public university to reach a deal with the Trump administration, gaining more favorable terms than other institutions in a development that could show the winds are blowing in higher educations favor. UVA avoided the worst endured by Columbia University, Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, as it was not required to make multimillion dollar payouts, thought it didnt get off entirely free. To pause federal investigations, UVA agreed to adhere to the administrations Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination, which the Department of Justice says ensures the universitys hiring, admissions or other processes wont use unlawful racial discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UVA will also submit quarterly reports to the Trump administration so it can ensure compliance with the agreement. Although the university avoided an outside monitor, the federal government gets to decide if what UVA is doing is enough to be in line with the deal. It gives the administration sole discretion to determine whether, in its view, these laws have been violated and to tie future funding to its determination. It puts UVA on a short leash and needs to be seen in a larger context in which the Administration is seeking to improperly interfere with the freedom schools have traditionally enjoyed relating to admissions, faculty appointments and the content of their teaching, said Michael Posner, director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York Universitys Stern School of Business and a former assistant secretary of State. The deal does note UVA will align itself with the Trump administrations interpretation of the 2023 Supreme Court decision on affirmative action as long as it is consistent with relevant judicial decisions. The federal investigations wont completely end, either, until UVA follows through on its promise to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at the institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the quarterly updates, the overall deal has far fewer conditions than ones given to Columbia, Brown and Penn earlier in the year. Each of those universities faces a multimillion-dollar payout, with Columbia hit the hardest with a $200 million fine to the federal government. All the universities also agreed to changes in disciplinary policies and other measures. Although not finalized, reports of a deal between Harvard and the Trump administration indicate a $500 million payout could come from the university. UVA faces different circumstances with the Trump administration than several private institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The private institutions were accused of letting antisemitism run rampant on their campuses after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. This issue has been subject to multiple congressional hearings, with Republicans calling for big punishments for institutions they believe are guilty of creating unsafe environments for Jewish students. For UVA, the trouble came around its alleged use of race in school processes the Trump administration deemed illegal. This agreement allows UVA to move forward together, upholding the Universitys principles and independence while maintaining the essential research partnership with the federal government, said Rachel Sheridan, UVA board of visitors rector. This has been a challenging time for many institutions in higher education, including UVA. The agreement results from steadfast adherence to the same values that have guided generations of UVAs leaders and that we have honored as stewards of that legacy, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the months of negotiations, UVA also made moves to garner favor, including when President James Ryan stepped down from his position. In his statement about his departure, Ryan emphasized he saw his choices as staying to fight or potentially costing the university millions of dollars in pulled funding. While there are very important principles at play here, I would at a very practical level be fighting to keep my job for one more year while knowingly and willingly sacrificing others in this community, he said. People familiar with the situation told The New York Times earlier this week that Ryans resignation went a long way toward UVA securing a better deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UVA officials are also crediting new interim President Paul Mahoney. President Mahoney has navigated a complex federal landscape with remarkable skill and care, said Brie Gertler, interim executive vice president and provost. I am grateful for his thoughtful leadership throughout this important process. Some wonder if the administration is losing some leverage with higher education institutions after recent missteps. The most recent move by the Trump administration was a college compact sent to nine universities, including UVA, that offered preferential funding treatment in exchange for certain policy changes the federal government wants to see in higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven universities, including UVA, outright rejected the compact, although UVA cited different concerns such as how funding needs to be based on merit and not deals with the federal government. I think, putting this in context with this latest effort by Trump and [Secretary of Education] Linda McMahon to get universities to sign on to this compact, we see that universities are starting to push back and say were not going to engage with this sort of stuff, said Jonathan Becker, associate professor of education leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. If this is a battle between the federal government and institutions of higher education, the momentum was swinging towards the institutions, he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The FTBOA announced Oct. 24 that Valerie Dailey, a Thoroughbred breeder in Florida since 1985, was elected president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association at a board meeting following the annual member meeting. The board also selected executive committee officers for 2025-26 with Dailey as president while Nick de Meric, a Thoroughbred breeder and leading consignor of 2-year-olds, was named first vice president; and Francis Vanlangendonck, of Summerfield Sales based in Williston, was named second vice president. Richard Heysek, who breeds under the banner of his Caperlane Farm, was named treasurer. Beckie Cantrell, a small Thoroughbred breeder from Ocala, will serve as secretary. Jerry D. Campbell of Tampa and Mary Lightner of Williston were re-elected as incumbent board members while Nick de Meric of Ocala; Christine Jones of Reddick; Phil Matthews, DVM of Ocala; and Jean White, DVM of Ocala join the board as new directors. Whites term ends October, 2027 while the other terms end in October of 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaving the board because of term limits as outlined in the FTBOA by-laws were Joe OFarrell, Marilyn Campbell and Mike Hall. Colin Brennan resigned following a move to Texas. Dailey has a long history serving both the agriculture and business markets in central Florida. She has a B.S. in Food and Resource Economics and a Masters in Agricultural Operations Management, both from the University of Florida. She formerly led the UF/IFAS College of Agriculture computer teaching labs and was the IT Director for the UF/Health Science Center Vice Presidents Office. She also has been the Business Development Director for the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Council. Dailey has been a Florida Licensed Realtor as broker and owner with Showcase Properties of Central Florida since 2005. She specializes in listing and selling premier equine properties. She is the incoming president of the Ocala/Marion County Realtor Association. She is also on the board of the College of Agricultural, Life Sciences Alumni Board and the State of Florida 4-H Foundation Board. Other returning FTBOA board members include Beth Bayer, Brent Fernung, Milan Kosanovich, and Dr. Tiffany Atteberry. Lonny Powell enters his 14th year at the Association helm as the CEO and executive vice president. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Oct 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The federal government shutdown is now forcing some Valley families to face going hungry. At risk - is the federally funded--- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as SNAP. If the shutdown continues, officials said SNAP benefits will not be distributed to its recipients. SNAP, sometimes known as food stamps, offers monthly benefits to help low-income families buy food. With those funds now at risk, local organizations such as the Poverello House in Fresno say there's a major concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If there's a pause on benefits or even a change that's coming in the new year, the reality is we will see more and more people at the Poverello House every day," said Poverello CEO Zack Darrah. The Poverello House feeds roughly 1,000 people a day at Poverello. He expects that number to double by next month. And even with the Poverello House telethon being a huge success on Thursday, Darrah said they will have to stretch their dollars and donations. "How do we create meals out of this that can go to the community for those who are hungry? Certainly, that saving installers, but we are doing everything in our power to make us as efficient as possible so that we can meet the need every day," said Darrah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Central California food bank meets the needs of hundreds of thousands of people who also rely on SNAP benefits. "We anticipate a huge influx in need in the coming weeks and months until the government reopens," said Central California Co-CEO Kym Dildine. Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the National Guard under the leadership of the Department of Social Services to assist food banks across the state. Dildine from the Central California Food Bank said historically, the food bank has not used the National Guard for help and Dildine hopes they won't need to now. "Really trying to be sensitive about the possibility of a National Guard presence. Chilling the effect and coming and seeking services they need," said Dildine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CEO has also recognized that federal workers who were laid off are also seeking the food bank's services. For ways to help the Poverello House, click here. To offer help to the Central California Food Bank, click here. The tiara of Empress Eugenie was one of eight priceless pieces of jewelry stolen from the Louvre in Paris on Oct. 19, 2025. (Zhang Mingming/VCG via Getty Images) The high-profile heist at the Louvre in Paris on Oct 19, 2025, played out like a scene from a Hollywood movie: a gang of thieves steal an assortment of dazzling royal jewels on display at one of the worlds most famous museums. But with the authorities hot in pursuit, the robbers still have more work to do: How can they capitalize on their haul? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most stolen works are never found. In the art crime courses I teach, I often point out that the recovery rate is below 10%. This is particularly disturbing when you consider that between 50,000 and 100,000 artworks are stolen each year globally the actual number may be higher due to underreporting with the majority stolen from Europe. That said, its quite difficult to actually make money off stolen works of art. Yet the types of objects stolen from the Louvre eight pieces of priceless jewelry could give these thieves an upper hand. At 9:30 a.m. local time on Oct. 19, 2025, four thieves reportedly used a lift mounted on a vehicle to enter the Louvres Apollo Gallery. (Murat Usubali/Anadolu via Getty Images) A narrow market of buyers Pilfered paintings cant be sold on the art market because thieves cant convey whats known as good title, the ownership rights that belong to a legal owner. Furthermore, no reputable auction house or dealer would knowingly sell stolen art, nor would responsible collectors purchase stolen property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that doesnt mean stolen paintings dont have value. In 2002, thieves broke into Amsterdams Van Gogh Museum through the roof and departed with View of the Sea at Scheveningen and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen in tow. In 2016, Italian police recovered the relatively unscathed artworks from a Mafia safehouse in Naples. It isnt clear whether the Mafia actually purchased the works, but its common for criminal syndicates to hold onto valuable assets as collateral of some sort. Other times, stolen works do unwittingly end up in the hands of collectors. In the 1960s in New York City, an employee of the Guggenheim Museum stole a Marc Chagall painting from storage. But the crime wasnt even discovered until an inventory was taken years later. Unable to locate the work, the museum simply removed it from its records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, collectors Jules and Rachel Lubell bought the piece for US$17,000 from a gallery. When the couple requested that an auction house review the work for an estimate, a former Guggenheim employee at Sothebys recognized it as the missing painting. Guggenheim demanded that the painting be returned, and a contentious court battle ensued. In the end, the parties settled the case, and the painting was returned to the museum after an undisclosed sum was paid to the collectors. Some people do knowingly buy stolen art. After World War II, stolen works circulated on the market, with buyers fully aware of the widespread plunder that had just taken place across Europe. Eventually, international laws were developed that gave the original owners the opportunity to recover looted property, even decades after the fact. In the U.S., for example, the law even allows descendants of the original owners to regain ownership of stolen works, provided they can offer enough evidence to prove their claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jewels and gold easier to monetize The Louvre theft didnt involve paintings, though. The thieves came away with bejeweled property: a sapphire diadem; a necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense; an opulent matching set of earrings and a necklace that belonged to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonapartes second wife; a diamond brooch; and Empress Eugenies diadem and her corsage-bow brooch. These centuries-old, exquisitely crafted works have unique historic and cultural value. But even if each one were broken to bits and sold for parts, they would still be worth a lot of money. Thieves can peddle the precious gemstones and metals to unscrupulous dealers and jewelers, who could reshape and sell them. Even at a fraction of their value the price received for looted art is always far lower than that received for legitimately sourced art the gems are worth millions of dollars. While difficult to sell stolen goods on the legitimate market, there is an underground market for looted artworks. The pieces may be sold in backrooms, in private meetings or even on the dark web, where participants cannot be identified. Studies have also revealed that stolen and sometimes forged art and antiquities often appear on mainstream e-commerce sites like Facebook and eBay. After making a sale, the vendor may delete his or her online store and disappear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A heists sensational allure While films like The Thomas Crown Affair feature dramatic heists pulled off by impossibly attractive bandits, most art crimes are far more mundane. Art theft is usually a crime of opportunity, and it tends to take place not in the heavily guarded halls of cultural institutions, but in storage units or while works are in transit. Most large museums and cultural institutions do not display all the objects within their care. Instead, they sit in storage. Less than 10% of the Louvres collection is ever on display at one time only about 35,000 of the museums 600,000 objects. The rest can remain unseen for years, even decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Works in storage can be unintentionally misplaced like Andy Warhols rare silkscreen Princess Beatrix, which was likely accidentally discarded, along with 45 other works, during the renovation of a Dutch town hall or simply pilfered by employees. According to the FBI, about 90% of museum heists are inside jobs. In fact, days before the Louvre crime, a Picasso work valued at $650,000, Still Life with Guitar, went missing during its journey from Madrid to Granada. The painting was part of a shipment including other works by the Spanish master, but when the shipping packages were opened, the piece was missing. The incident received much less public attention. To me, the biggest mistake the thieves made wasnt abandoning the crown they dropped or the vest they discarded, essentially leaving clues for the authorities. Rather, it was the brazen nature of the heist itself one that captured the worlds attention, all but ensuring that French detectives, independent sleuths and international law enforcement will be on the lookout for new pieces of gold, gems and royal bling being offered up for sale in the years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Leila Amineddoleh teaches art crime at New York University and cultural heritage law at Fordham Law School. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Over half a decade of working with the Home Office on countering extremism, I saw it for myself, time and time again: a civil service culture that instinctively resists scrutiny of anything involving religion or ethnicity. The moment you even suggest that the ethnicity or faith of perpetrators might be one factor among many worth examining, certain civil servants recoil. They tell you that looking into it might inflame community tensions, or increase hate crimes against Muslims or cause policing issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These arguments become a convenient way to close down honest discussion. Thats the exact approach that now appears to be dominating the Governments inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, and I worry it means that the state will never truly tackle the underlying issues. Ive spent much of my working life engaging various government departments on issues of hate crime, community cohesion and extremism. In 2012 I set up Tell Mama, an organisation which monitors anti-Muslim hate and supports victims. This meant countless meetings with the Home Office to highlight groups whose values and world view were at direct odds with the values of our nation; groups who were willing to inflame division and tensions through their actions. I would regularly write to Home Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials to highlight report findings and the deeply divisive videos and content that Islamist groups were putting out into the public and social media space. In particular back then in the mid 2010s I was alarmed to discover that Prevent coordinators, the people tasked with countering extremism, were regularly engaging with what I saw as extremist groups. Mughal speaking at a Together Against Antisemitism demonstration in Parliament Square, Dec 2019 - Alamy On countless occasions I put it to the civil servants in charge of counter-extremism that it seemed deeply antithetical to the cause of counter-extremism to engage with groups who believed in Sharia marriage, polygamy and openly attacked Muslims who engaged with Jews. Some of these groups didnt fully agree with the democratic structures of our country this was serious stuff and especially when they were willing to use conflicts in the Middle East to inflame tensions in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I raised it, though, the response was a wall of polite obstruction. Each local authority, I was told, makes its own decisions. There might be legal risks in naming these organisations. Some civil servants insisted these were simply legitimate Muslim groups who should be included in community engagement, as though their form of Islamic interpretations were normative Islam. It was a masterclass in bureaucratic resistance. And behind every excuse was an ideology: a belief that acknowledging the problem might undermine social cohesion. A handful of civil servants understood the risks, but most preferred to look away. It taught me a lesson that feels painfully relevant to the current inquiry into grooming gangs. When civil servants are driven by ideology rather than evidence, difficult truths are buried, and real people pay the price. Some of these people are still there, working in the Home Office and MHCLG today. The problem as I see it goes all the way back to Gordon Browns government. That period, post-Blair, was when the themes of social cohesion and community harmony became dominant within government. The old Department for Communities and Local Government (now MHCLG) grew out of that thinking, and over time it embedded a particular type of civil servant people whose entire careers have been shaped by what I call kumbaya politics. By that I mean the kind of world view where everyone sits around holding hands, pretending that the world is fine and that we must never look too closely at uncomfortable realities for fear of upsetting someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nowhere is that more entrenched than in the MHCLG. Within that department, theres a powerful narrative that says: anything which risks making one community look bad must be resisted. And when that mindset filters down through advisers and policy officials, it becomes impossible to have a transparent, evidence-based conversation about complex social issues. In the Home Office there are some who will say that even using the term Islamist extremism is offensive or counterproductive this, despite the fact that hundreds of British citizens have been killed by Islamist extremists on our own soil. If they cant even bring themselves to say the words, how are they going to face the even more sensitive questions that arise around grooming gangs? This is the machinery that survivors of grooming are up against. A civil service very sensitive to being labelled as racist and reluctant to open up racial divides by looking into the issue in detail. Sadly these themes emerged in the statements of the abuse survivors who resigned from their roles in the Government inquiry this week. When I saw that one of the women, Elizabeth from Rotherham, quit on the grounds that she felt selective narratives [were] being promoted ones that appear to serve particular agendas, especially around issues of race and the narrative of widening the scope, I was completely unsurprised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Survivors want results and openness, but what theyre meeting instead is a political and bureaucratic system that prizes optics over truth. The survivors are colliding head-on with a civil service that, for decades, has prioritised image-management and social cohesion above honesty. And its not just ideology its also groupthink. Over the years, a small circle of advisers from within Muslim communities have come to dominate this space. Many are closely aligned with the Labour Party, and they sing the same tune: that Islamophobia is the overriding issue facing Muslims, that Islamism should not be discussed, and that grooming has nothing whatsoever to do with culture or faith. I have worked for 25 years fighting anti-Muslim hatred and measuring its rise I know the reality of that threat, but I also know that this narrow narrative has suffocated all other perspectives. Dissenters like me, people who have challenged both the far-Right and Islamist extremism, are no longer invited in. Those who are, remain locked in a self-reinforcing cycle, telling ministers exactly what they expect to hear. And so the same mistakes are repeated, again and again. If this inquiry is to mean anything, it must shine a light not only on the perpetrators, but on the machinery of resistance that has allowed these failures to persist for so long. Until we confront the ideological filters within the civil service itself, we will never get to the truth which the British public deserve. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HOWLAND, Ohio (WKBN)- A vehicle fire temporarily shut down the northbound lanes of OH-46 in Howland Saturday afternoon. Firefighters responded to the vehicle fire that was south of OH-82 near the diverging diamond around 11 a.m. Courtesy: Mary Whitney Crews said that no one was injured. Crews do not know what caused the fire. Firefighters said that the area is back open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CARACAS (AP) Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro said the U.S. government is fabricating a war against him as the world's biggest warship approached the South American country, while moving to revoke the citizenship of an opponent he accuses of egging on an invasion. Maduro said in a national broadcast on Friday night that the administration of President Donald Trump is fabricating a new eternal war" as the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which can host up to 90 airplanes and attack helicopters, moves closer to Venezuela. On Saturday, the Venezuelan president also referred to the pressure he has felt from the U.S. government as he started legal proceedings seeking to revoke the citizenship and cancel the passport of opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we will avoid, said Maduro in Friday night's address. Trump has accused him, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua. They are fabricating an extravagant narrative, a vulgar, criminal and totally fake one," Maduro added. Venezuela is a country that does not produce cocaine leaves. American forces have destroyed several boats off the Venezuelan coast, allegedly for their role in trafficking drugs into the United States. At least 43 people were killed in those attacks. Tren de Aragua, which traces its roots to a Venezuelan prison, is not known for having a big role in global drug trafficking but for its involvement in contract killings, extortion and people smuggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduro was widely accused of stealing last years election, and countries including the U.S. have called for him to go. Earlier, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on her Telegram account that Maduro had appealed to the country's Supreme Court of Justice to revoke Lopezs nationality for his grotesque, criminal, and illegal call for a military invasion of Venezuela. Lopez, a well-known Venezuelan opposition figure who has been exiled in Spain since 2020, has publicly expressed his support for the deployment of U.S. ships in the Caribbean and attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels. The vice president said that Lopezs passport will be revoked immediately, and that he is also accused of promoting economic blockage and calling for the mass murder of Venezuelans in complicity with enemy and foreign governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition leader reacted on his X account, dismissing the move because according to the Constitution, no Venezuelan born in Venezuela can have their nationality revoked. He once more expressed support for a U.S. military deployment and military actions in the country. Maduro wants to take away my nationality for saying what all Venezuelans think and want: freedom, Lopez wrote. After having stolen the 2024 election, we agree to pursue all avenues to end the dictatorship, the politician added. Lopez spent more than three years in a military prison after participating in anti-government protests in 2014. He was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison on charges of instigation and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was later granted house arrest and, after being released by a group of military personnel during a political crisis in Venezuela, left the country in 2020. Vermont was named the best state for quality of life in CNBC's "Top States for Business" study this year. CNBC ranks each U.S. state annually from a business standpoint. The states are given scores in 10 categories: Economy, Infrastructure, Workforce, Cost of Doing Business, Business Friendliness, Quality of Life, Technology & Innovation, Education, Access to Capital, and Cost of Living. For the "Quality of Life" category of the study, the business news network rates states based on livability factors, like per capita crime rates, environmental quality, health care, wage policies, paid leave, rights to organize, and inclusivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three other New England states made the top 10 in this category. Why was Vermont named the best state for quality of life? This was the fifth year in a row Vermont was ranked the top state in the "Quality of Life" category in CNBC's annual "Top States for Business" study. The state was given a 228 "Quality of Life Score" out of 265. The news network cited the Green Mountain State's low crime rate, "pristine" air quality, and overall health of the residents. Additionally, CNBC called Vermont state laws "welcoming and inclusive," and noted it was the first state to enshrine reproductive rights in its constitution. According to CNBC, the Election Law Journal named Vermont among the easiest states to vote in. The state offers 45 days of early voting, and everyone is eligible to vote by mail, the news site said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No weaknesses were listed for the state. Image of Church aerial in small town of Stowe, Vermont during peak fall foliage. Top 10 states in America for quality of life, per CNBC Here are the top 10 states in America in terms of quality of life, according to CNBC, along with their "2025 Quality of Life Scores." Four New England states made the list: Vermont (228/265 score) Maine (207/265 score) New Jersey (201/265 score) Minnesota (189/265 score) Connecticut (179/265 score) Hawaii (173/265 score) North Dakota (171/265 score) Tie between Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Virginia (167/265 score) This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Is Vermont the best state to live in? CNBC ranking says yes External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended greetings to Kazakhstan on the occasion of its Republic Day on Saturday, reaffirming India's commitment to deepening its long-standing ties with the Central Asian nation. "Greetings to FM Yermek Kosherbayev, the Government and the people of Kazakhstan on their Republic Day. Look forward to further strengthening our multifaceted Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said in an X post. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1981981583843221738 Kazakhstan's Republic Day also drew messages of goodwill from world leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while the Russian Foreign Ministry conveyed Moscow's continued support for Astana. https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1982057245501161975 Turkey's Foreign Ministry posted, "Congratulations to brotherly and friendly Kazakhstan on its Republic Day!" https://x.com/MFATurkiye/status/1981963939018928231 Ukraine's Foreign Ministry also sent wishes, writing, "Happy Republic Day, Kazakhstan! May your country be prosperous! May the friendship between our two nations continue to grow in peace and solidarity. We highly appreciate Kazakhstan's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Best wishes to the friendly people of the magnificent country of the Great Steppe!" https://x.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/1982028885999984731 Earlier this month, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met Major General Mereke Kuchekbayev, Chief of Land Forces of Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the United Nations Triangular Cooperation Conference (UNTCC) 2025, reaffirming the strong defence partnership between the two countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), relations between India and Kazakhstan date back over 2,000 years, rooted in trade, cultural exchange, and shared philosophical traditions. "The journey of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and Sufi ideas from Central Asia to India are two such examples," the MEA noted. India was among the first nations to recognize Kazakhstan's independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations were formally established on February 22, 1992. The Indian Embassy opened in Almaty in May 1992, followed by the opening of Kazakhstan's Embassy in New Delhi in 1993. After Kazakhstan's capital shifted from Almaty to Astana in 1997, India opened a representative office there in September 2003. The two countries have since built a multifaceted partnership encompassing political, economic, cultural, and defence cooperation. (ANI) A Massachusetts teenager and a doctor are reuniting on stage at the New England Conservatory on Saturday. What the audience doesnt know is that the two first met in an operating room 17 years ago. Elliot Kerman has been playing the bass for nine years now. At 17 years old, his talents radiate from inside of Jordan Hall at NEC. Its always been an instrument that Ive been attracted to, Elliot said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watching Elliot play, you would never know he once had life-saving surgery. Dr. Terry Buchmiller, a pediatric surgeon at Boston Childrens Hospital said at 8 months old, Elliot had a rare mass on his lung. She performed surgery and removed half of his left lung at Boston Childrens Hospital. Leaving the normal lung to grow and expand and keep you very healthy so that was a big surgery, Buchmiller said to Elliot. All these years later, the two are performing together for the first time. Elliot is a part of Project STEP, a non-profit providing classical string training to students from underserved communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buchmiller plays violin with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra. The two have a special bond that started in the operating room and now lives on through music. To find out that we had this amazing connection through music, that youve been able to live your life and pursue a passion that we share is incredibly special, Buchmiller explained. Elliot lives a healthy life, but said the past is something hell never forget. I have a scar under my arm, Elliot said. Its a good reminder to know that there are people that watch out for you and they take care of it and make sure youre doing alright. Very thankful, Elliot continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After high school, Elliot plans to go to college and continue studying music. The two will perform on Saturday, October 25th at Jordan Hall. The concert starts at 8 p.m. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) After years of planning, efforts to build a community park in honor of veterans in North County are moving forward. Earlier this week, the Carlsbad City Council adopted construction plans for Veterans Memorial Park, which will be the citys largest community park once it is completed. The park will be located on a 93.7-acre site near Faraday Avenue and Cannon Road. Plans for the park include a Veterans Memorial Plaza with six panels honoring each branch of the military, a flagpole, public art, picnic areas and family gathering spaces. Rendering of Veterans Memorial Park in Carlsbad. (City of Carlsbad) It will also include a bike park, outdoor fitness areas and connections to the citywide trail network, the city said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than half of the site is designated as protected habitat preserve areas and will not be developed, city officials stated. The rest of the park will have trails and overlooks providing panoramic views of the Pacific coastline and Aqua Hedionda Lagoon. Road improvements along Faraday Avenue are also part of the park project, according to the city. It will have new left-turn lanes at the parks two driveways and updated striping to enhance road safety for bicyclists and drivers. The next step is for the City Clerk to put the project out to bid. City staff will then return to the city council for approval of a construction contract by the end of this year. Construction on the Veterans Memorial Park is expected to begin early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. (Corrects name of organization to New York State Young Republicans from New York Young Republican Club in paragraph 30) By Tim Reid and Bianca Flowers WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Three separate controversies involving leaked text messages from private online group chats have rocked U.S. political circles this month, revealing racist, antisemitic and violent statements from figures across the ideological spectrum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The messages - sent privately but now public - include racial slurs, praise for Nazis, and threats of political violence, raising questions about why those involved felt comfortable expressing such views despite the risk of exposure and censure. The online posts have also deepened concern among civil society groups and political language experts that violent rhetoric and racist hate speech are becoming normalized in America, particularly after decades of hard-fought civil rights victories that sought to dismantle such ideologies. People have long expressed violent or racist views in private settings but experts say the leaks of the text messages are noteworthy because they surfaced the unfiltered - and to many shocking - views of political figures. A Politico report on October 14 revealed that a group of about a dozen Young Republican leaders had been sending racist and antisemitic messages to each other on Telegram between January and mid-August, referring to Black people as monkeys and with one declaring "I love Hitler." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On October 3 leaked texts published by National Review revealed that Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate to be Virginia's top law enforcement official, sent a private text in 2022 saying a state Republican should be shot dead and that he would urinate on the graves of political opponents. And this week, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead a federal watchdog agency, Paul Ingrassia, withdrew from consideration after he lost support among key Republican lawmakers following reports that he had described himself as having a "Nazi streak" in a private text message exchange. Experts in online culture and political discourse, including a professor from the City University of New York and Alex Turvy, a sociologist who writes for publications including "Social Media and Society", say the persistence of inflammatory group chats reflects a false sense of privacy and safety, despite the fact that the messages form a permanent record and can be leaked. At the same time, members in group chats sometimes falsely assume they can trust their fellow participants when allegiances, ambitions and motivations can shift over time, especially in politics, said Turvy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is an illusion of intimacy," Turvy said. "It feels like it's private speech. But you're betting that all of the members in the group chat are going to protect you forever." PROVOCATIVE LANGUAGE The experts said an increasingly powerful social media presence among more extreme elements of both parties, and a phenomenon - especially among younger people - to push rhetorical boundaries, have exacerbated private hate speech. Reece Peck, an associate professor of media culture at the City University of New York, said Trump's own rhetoric and attacks on progressive causes have led many conservatives to believe that language that would have been deemed unacceptable before Trump first took office in 2017 is now permissible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While campaigning last year Trump accused people in the U.S. illegally of "poisoning the blood of the country." As president he has called some of them "criminals," and described illegal border crossings as an "invasion," while his White House has posted memes online that critics say have coarsened political rhetoric. "They feel Trump has seized popular culture and the Democrats are out of touch. The throughline is antiwoke," Peck said. "If you can be edgy - say something inappropriate - you establish group membership. That dynamic is central to Trumpism." Turvy said this is known as "Edgelord culture," an online phenomenon where people deliberately post shocking or taboo content to stay relevant within the chat group. The Black Conservative Federation, a grassroots group that sought to court Black voters for Trump's second term, called on Republican leaders to denounce the Young Republican group chat texts "without hesitation or excuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hakeem Jefferson, an assistant professor of political science at Stanford University, also said Trump has helped "give some cover" to some of the speech contained in the texts. "This is how the president of the United States speaks and I do think it has opened a space for these people to mimic his behavior," Jefferson said. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said, "President Trump is right to call out heinous criminal aliens who have invaded our country and have murdered innocent Americans." Jackson cited the case of a man in the U.S. illegally who allegedly killed three people while driving a truck this week under the influence of drugs in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said White House memes were successfully communicating Trump's agenda against people in the country illegally who are committing crimes against Americans. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the content of the Young Republican group chat, the Jones text messages and the alleged private text messages by Ingrassia. FIRINGS, RESIGNATIONS The text scandals brought widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, although Vice President JD Vance - while calling the Young Republican texts "truly disturbing" - also accused critics of "pearl clutching" and referred to the chat participants as "kids". Most were in their 20s and 30s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance instead drew attention on X to the texts by Jones, the Virginia Democrat running to be the state's attorney general. Jones in his 2022 text said former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get "two bullets to the head," and mused about his children dying in their mother's arms. Jones' campaign referred Reuters to a statement he issued on October 3 in which he said he was "embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry" about his texts and had sought to apologize to Gilbert and his family. A Washington Post-Schar School poll of Virginia voters released on Thursday showed that support for Jones has tumbled since the texts were made public, and a race he had led in public opinion polls is now a tie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the Young Republicans involved in their group chat have since lost their jobs as political aides or lost their positions as Young Republican leaders. One, a state senator from Vermont, has resigned. REPUBLICAN GROUP DISBANDED Across 2,900 pages of chats, Black people were referred to as "the watermelon people," one member talked about raping enemies, and there was talk of sending people to the gas chamber. Several members of the group were from the New York State Young Republicans, which was disbanded by the state's Republican executive committee last week. At least two members from the group, which also included members from states including Kansas, Arizona and Vermont, have apologized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayden Padgett, chairman of the Young Republican National Federation, referred Reuters to a statement the group released on X on October 3, in which its board of directors called on all involved to resign. "Such behavior is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents," the statement said. Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcaster, was Trump's nominee to head the Office of Special Counsel, which investigates claims of retaliation against government whistleblowers. His nomination imploded after Politico reported on Monday that Ingrassia told Republican operatives and social media influencers in a text chat last year that "I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time." He also said the January holiday celebrating Black civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. "should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for Ingrassia, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said in a statement to Reuters that the messages could have been manipulated. He added that if they were authentic, they "clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor." (Reporting by Tim Reid and Bianca Flowers, editing by Ross Colvin, Kat Stafford and Diane Craft) A man fleeing immigration agents in Virginia was killed when he ran onto a busy highway and was struck by a car, according to officials. Police named Jose Castro-Rivera, 24, of Honduras, as the deceased individual. Agents were conducting a vehicle stop as part of a targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation when the man resisted heavily and fled the scene onto a busy highway, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castro-Rivera was then hit by a pickup truck on Interstate 254 at the Military Highway Interchange in Norfolk, according to Virginia State Police, who were not involved in the chase but are investigating the death. ICE officers attempted to give the 24-year-old CPR at the scene, though he succumbed to his injuries, DHS said. At least two immigrants have been hit by cars and died while fleeing federal immigration agents this year (AP) The officer then informed the three detained aliens that their friend had deceased, according to the agency. He then grieved and prayed with them. A similar death occurred in August, when Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez of Guatemala died after running onto a highway in Monrovia, California, during a chase involving immigration agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the Trump administrations deportation push, masked agents in unmarked cars have been surged to cities around the country and have often used aggressive, raid-style tactics against crowds in public places like Home Depot parking lots. Last month, more than two-thirds of those in ICE detention had no prior criminal conviction. In September, a 79-year-old U.S. citizen and car wash owner sued federal immigration officials, alleging masked officers shoved him to the ground, dogpiled on top of him, and held him without charges or medical attention for 12 hours during a raid on his business. At least 20 immigrants have died in federal detention in 2025, the deadliest year in decades (Chicago Sun-Times) Earlier this month, a federal judge in Illinois temporarily barred agents from using rubber bullets, tear gas, and chemical munitions on protesters and journalists, following a lawsuit from press associations and faith leaders accusing Donald Trumps administration of a pattern of extreme brutality. At least 20 people have died in immigration detention this year, the deadliest in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration officials aim to nearly double the number of active immigration agents to 10,000 by early next year, utilizing an unprecedented $75 billion infusion of funding secured this summer. As part of the hiring push, ICE has relaxed some of its prior recruiting standards. VIRGINA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Nonprofit organization the Virginia Oyster Trail has debuted a redesigned website with improved functionality, according to a press release. We are thrilled to support oysters in the Commonwealth of Virginia through our new VOT website, said Bruce Vogt, Big Island Aquacultures owner and Virginia Oyster Trails former president. We know that this supports VOT members, our rural coastal communities, our national heritage, the Virginia Oyster and the Chesapeake Bay. Redesigned by marketing firm Consociate Media, the website now has a member directory, an interactive trail map and downloadable itineraries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were excited to partner with the Virginia Oyster Trail to build the new, enhanced website for visitors and (most importantly) the trail members, said Consociate Media partner Michael Kimball. This upgrade increases visibility for every participant while making the trail even more engaging and accessible for oyster lovers across Virginia and beyond! For more information, you can visit the Virginia Oyster Trails website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advocated on Saturday for a package of measures to rapidly reduce Europe's dependence on raw material imports from China. "We all know how important rare earths are for our industry whether for cars, semiconductors or military equipment," she told the Berlin Global Dialogue conference. The export restrictions recently announced by the Chinese government jeopardize the stability of global supply chains so that European companies can expect direct impacts, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the short term, we are focusing on finding solutions with our Chinese counterparts, but we are ready to use all the instruments in our toolbox to respond if needed," she said. Independence is the goal She said she was focusing on finding solutions with China in the short term, but emphasized that structural responses to this challenge are necessary similar to the measures that have been taken to replace Russian energy supplies. At the same time, investment in strategic projects for the production and processing of important raw materials in the European Union would be increased and partnerships with countries such as Ukraine, Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Chile and Greenland would be accelerated. "Whether on energy or raw materials, defence or digital, Europe has to strive for its independence, and this is our moment to do it," the commission president warned. WAKARUSA This will be an exciting weekend for one of Wakarusas newest businesses, which will celebrate its soft opening with an open house on Saturday. The Roost, located at the northwest corner of Waterford Street and Ind. 19, is inviting the public to visit anytime from noon until 4 p.m. to sample its new menu, in an event called Rally at the Roost. During this time, guests can sample various tastes from the menu, or indulge in an all-you-can-eat hog roast. There will also be music, cornhole competitions, and a chance to purchase pre-sales discount cards. Stop by and visit the women entrepreneurs behind The Roost and hear their story about living and eating organically. OTHER NEWS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year marks a milestone for the Yellow Creek Mennonite Churchs annual fall carnival, now in its 20th year. This family-friendly event is scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. The church is located at 64901 C.R. 11, and the carnival is open to people of all ages, free of charge. Bring the family along for an evening of games, food, and festivities. Back by popular demand, the Wakarusa Dime Store will once again be delivering Boo Bags as a fun and unique way to capture the trick-or-treating tradition. For a $10 cost, a Boo Bag filled with treats can be specially ordered for delivery to your favorite Wa-Nee area student. The shop will be taking orders up until 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and the bags will be delivered on Oct. 31 for Halloween. Orders can be placed on the Wakarusa Dime Store website, jumbojellybeans.com, or by calling 574-862-4690. The upcoming weeks Dial-a-Story tale, a service of the Wakarusa Public Library, will be Only on Oni. To hear the story read aloud, call the story line at 574-444-2772. Docs Pavilion will be the setting for a special Halloween movie night on Oct. 31. The featured film will be Hocus Pocus, free of charge, and the doors will open at 7 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Vibrant Communities initiative, the Wakarusa Dime Store, and J & N Stone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make plans now to spend time in Wakarusa on Nov. 1 for a townwide celebration. The fun begins at 1 p.m. with the Fall Festival, where there will be farmers market booths, warm apple cider, boiled peanuts, and popcorn. Next will be the pet costume contest at 2:30 p.m., followed by the childrens costume contest at 3:30 p.m. Community trick-or-treating is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., and The Waters of Wakarusa will also be welcoming children from 5-6 p.m. at 300 N. Washington St. Next is the Haunted Museum and Haunted Hayride at the Wakarusa Historical Museum, where the fun begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m. at 403 E. Wabash Ave. Local veterans are warmly invited to the annual Thank You Luncheon honoring vets and their spouses. This free event is being hosted by Coppes Commons, 401 E. Market St., in Nappanee. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. The luncheon is sponsored by the Nappanee Noon Kiwanis, the Nappanee Rotary Club, and Kountry Cabinets and Home Furnishings. The favor of an RSVP is requested prior to Nov. 5 by calling Donna at 574-536-3854. Leaf pickup services are now underway in the Town of Wakarusa, and will continue until Dec. 2. East/west streets will be collected on Mondays and Wednesdays, while north/south streets will be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no collection on Fridays. No grass clippings, limbs, rocks, or sod should be in the leaf piles, and residents are asked to arrange the piles lawnside, adjacent to the curb, and not into the streets. The vibrant fall foliage makes for the perfect backdrop for the newest StoryWalk in Memorial Park, a project of the Wakarusa Public Library. This attraction allows guests to enjoy a tale while strolling through the walking paths within the park. The featured story is Hello, Autumn, by Shelley Rotner. Memorial Park is located behind Wakarusa Elementary School. Enrollment has begun for Elkhart County 4-H, and signing up can be done online by visiting https://v2.4honline.com. With climate change reshaping some of the worlds most trafficked shipping routes, we may need to establish alternative transport links and shipping hubs to prepare for the future of global trade. Other challenges are also affecting certain shipping routes, showing the need to develop alternatives. The maritime sector manages between 80 and 90 percent of the worlds trade, meaning that any disruption can significantly affect global supply chains and lead to major delays for a wide range of sectors. In recent years, some of the worlds biggest trade routes have faced major challenges that have led to significant disruption and made the need for alternative routes increasingly evident. Since November 2023, there have been more attacks on ships in the Red Sea, while the Black Sea has been disrupted by the war in Ukraine. At the same time, trade has been limited in the Panama Canal due to climate-induced droughts. With three major trade routes all facing major challenges, it suggests that greater diversification may be needed to prepare for the future of global trade. In 2023, around 22 percent of global seaborne container trade passed through the Suez Canal. However, as companies increasingly feared the risk of attack in the Red Sea, more firms decided to avoid the route, instead using alternative, longer routes around Africa. The Suez Canal contributed approximately $9.4 billion in revenue for Egypt in the 2022/23 fiscal year, or around 2.3 percent of the countrys GDP. The Red Sea crisis prompted a 40 percent decrease in Suez Canal revenues the following year, with spillover effects for other countries in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of climate change challenges, more frequent instances of drought in Central America have led to lower water levels in the Panama Canal, which has reduced traffic along the route in recent years. The Panama Canal relies on several ascending locks that draw water from a nearby lake. However, lower-than-average rainfall has lowered water levels in recent years, meaning boats have, at times, been forced to reduce their cargo loads by 40 percent to pass through the canal. This led to delays as well as increased carbon emissions. This has led several countries to resort to using alternative land and rail routes to move freight. Many companies have sought quick fixes to transport goods in the face of disruptions along major trade routes, such as land travel or the use of alternative, longer routes. This has, in some cases, driven up carbon emissions. As container ships are forced to travel longer distances to avoid certain routes, many increase the speed at which they travel, rather than using a slow steaming approach to reduce emissions. Just a 1 percent increase in speed can increase fuel consumption by as much as 2.2 percent, showing the potential impact of the change. However, perhaps somewhat ironically, climate change is also contributing to the formation of alternative, new trade routes. As more polar ice melts, increasing sea levels, we are seeing new shipping routes open up. Two new Arctic trade routes are emerging: the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the Northwest Passage. The NSR, which passes along the Russian border, could be totally ice-free as soon as 2030. This route would reduce a one-way trip between East Asia and Europe by around 9,000 km, which could reduce travel time by as much as two weeks. The Northwest Passage runs along the Canadian border. Using this route could reduce travel time from North America to the Bering Strait. However, access to these routes remains limited, as the extent of ice melt varies by season and year, meaning they may not always be reliable. There are also risks associated with traversing the icy waters in remote regions of the world that lack key infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China is one of the countries exploring the new trade routes, as it sails a cargo ship along the NSR. In September, China sent the Istanbul Bridge container ship on an 18-day trip from Ningbo-Zhoushan port to Felixstowe in the U.K., using Russias northern border route to test the waters and decide whether it would be possible to launch a regular, albeit seasonal, service between Asia and Europe along the route. If successful, the use of the route could help reduce carbon emissions by reducing the distance and time needed to traverse the new route. Although the potential environmental impact of greater maritime activity in the region is still unclear. Some of the worlds oldest and busiest shipping routes are facing greater challenges, from climate change to the spillover effects of conflict, leading shipping companies to seek alternative trade links. Trade disruptions in recent years have made the need to diversify trade routes increasingly evident, although it is still unclear how this may be sustainably achieved. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. According to Euronews, citing public broadcaster HRT, the announcement made on Friday stated that Croatia is returning to conscription after the Croatian parliament approved the measure with 84 votes in favour, 11 against, and 30 abstentions in the 151-member chamber, marking the country's first return to conscription since it was suspended in 2008 in favour of a fully volunteer military system. Under the new policy, military service will last two months and focus on providing "basic military training" to young citizens. The Defence Ministry said the objective was to equip youth with essential skills and knowledge "needed in crisis situations, so they would contribute to national security," Euronews reported. Authorities plan to begin calling up conscripts born in 2007 for medical examinations by the end of the year. Those drafted will receive a salary, while conscientious objectors will be given the option to complete civilian service instead, as reported by Euronews, citing HRT. The move comes as several European countries revisit or revive conscription policies in response to heightened regional tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Euronews, in recent years, Lithuania, Sweden, and France have all reintroduced forms of mandatory national service, while the Netherlands and Germany have moved toward expanding voluntary recruitment programmes. "A strong army, in terms of personnel and equipment, is the most effective means of preventing wars," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said earlier this year, underscoring the continent-wide debate on military readiness, as reported by Euronews. Croatia's decision reflects a broader European trend of bolstering national defence preparedness amid fears of the war in Ukraine potentially spilling over into neighbouring regions. (ANI) Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Oct. 19, supported by your subscriptions. Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com: Some of the last remnants of the westbound Washington Bridge are cleared on Oct. 2, 2025. Engineers hired by the state to find out why the westbound side of the Washington Bridge failed in 2023 concluded that the broken rods that led to the closure had been corroding for more than 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that conclusion was omitted from the 64-page draft report that Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates provided the Rhode Island Department of Transportation in April 2024, according to documents obtained by The Hummel Report. The Hummel Report asked the DOT what it had requested WJE to do as part of its audit and if there were any specific parameters on what to include or not include in the report, but DOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin did not respond. Read on for more details, including an email exchange between some of WJE's engineers remarking on the "politically charged scenario" that was prompting state officials to demand daily updates on the progress of their investigation. The Hummel Report: 'A politically charged scenario': Docs show what wasn't released in Washington Bridge reports The price of a colonoscopy varies widely at Rhode Island hospitals, which some analysts say is less about quality and more about market power. You just turned 45, and for your birthday, your doctor has ordered a colonoscopy, as recommended by the American Cancer Society. Where your doctor suggests you get it done, however, can put a damper on your celebrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a commercial insurance policy with UnitedHealthcare, Westerly Hospitals negotiated rate for a diagnostic colonoscopy is $669. But in Woonsocket, Landmark Medical Centers negotiated rate with UnitedHealthcare for a diagnostic colonoscopy balloons eight times higher, to $5,288. Why the wide disparity? Some experts suggest that hospital consolidation and market power, not quality, are major drivers of high and varied pricing. The Journal's health reporter, Jonny Williams, breaks it all down for you as part of our series on transparency (or the lack of it) in hospital pricing. Health care: A colonoscopy costs nearly eight times more at one RI hospital than another. Why? A pilgrim group who are members of a contemporary Knights Templar organization walk in Rome, Italy, ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope on May 4, 2025. When the origins of your fraternal organization date back 900 years, questions about how your members spend time in the 21st century are bound to arise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Whitmore, the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the regional group of Knights Templar, is prepared. He answers the question Who are the Knights Templar? by explaining what they arent. Anymore. Knights Templar, obviously, has with it the image of the sword and shield and walking around in suits of armor, that kind of thing, says Whitmore. Obviously, today thats not really what youre going to see. What you will see are people from all walks of life who profess a belief in or support of the Christian religion." What & Why RI explores the history of this ancient order that evolved from medieval stonemasons' guilds and now has four lodges in Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What & Why RI: The Knights Templar aren't just in movies, you can find them in RI State Rep. June Speakman, a Democratic lawmaker from Warren, teaches her political science class on the American presidency at Roger Williams University. What's it like teaching a college-level class titled "The American Presidency" in the age of President Donald Trump? State Rep. June Speakman, a Democratic lawmaker from Warren, has taught a version of this class on and off for close to three decades as a political science professor at Roger Williams University. But this year she's needed to rethink her approach and her lesson plan. "We spend a lot of time talking about the 'unitary executive theory' and how that's different from the norms of the office," she said. "The textbook I use talks a lot about the norms, and he just blows 'em out of the water." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political Scene visits Speakman's class, where students of all political stripes share their views in "a safe space where all perspectives are welcome." Political Scene: Does Trump change how you teach the American presidency? How this RI lawmaker handles it. Lindsay Iadeluca, who previously worked as a reporter and anchor at WJAR-TV, is now working as a mental health counselor. Most Rhode Islanders probably remember Lindsay Iadeluca from her years as a reporter and anchor for WJAR-TV news. But a few years ago, she stepped down from the role that she loved in order to follow a new career path. The Cranston resident is now a newly minted LMHC-A that is, a licensed mental health counselor associate, meaning she works as a therapist but has to complete 2,000 hours before she can be licensed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not all. Shes also the development director for the American Heart Association, a spin instructor at CycleBar Providence, and runs some group therapy sessions at Well Nested RI in Johnston. So why the career pivot? And how did she find her footing after such a big transition? Read the full story to learn more. Local news: Why changing careers was 'scary as hell' for Lindsay Iadeluca and how she navigated the pivot To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Washington Bridge corrosion, hospital price swings, Knights Templar (The Center Square) One of the most expensive races on the Nov. 4 ballot is the Washington State Senate race in Legislative District 26, which encompasses an area across southeastern Kitsap Peninsula from Bremerton and Port Orchard to Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula. The race pits Democratic Sen. Deb Krishnadasan against Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier in a contest for control of a purple district that has seen both candidates sometimes buck their own partys leadership. Krishnadasan was appointed to the position in December 2024, replacing former Sen. Emily Randall, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Krishnadasan served on the Peninsula School Board for more than six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Friday interview with The Center Square, Caldier said she was thrilled to have recently earned the endorsement of the Tacoma News Tribune. There was one question in particular where they asked us if there was ever a time where it would be acceptable to put somebody who struggles with drug abuse in jail and I said absolutely, she said. If they commit a crime, we should give the offer for treatment or jail, and I think a lot of people choose treatment. And for the people who choose jail, you wait till they sober up, and then you go back to them and you ask them, How does treatment sound now? And I have a funny feeling a lot more people will start pushing towards treatment, right? According to Caldier, when it was Krishnadasens turn to respond, she struggled to give a clear answer. They asked her, and she does this whole word soup and word salad thing, saying its a public-private partnership and talking to the tribes, she said And then they said, Well, you never answered the question, and they asked her the second time, and it was the same thing, and they said you still have not answered the question, and they asked her a third time, and at that point, she said she didn't know anything about that issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a chance Democrats would lose their supermajority if the Senate seat in the 26th district flips to Republican. That would make future budget negotiations very different. The News Tribune Editorial Board feels that could be a good thing, and thats why were backing Michelle Caldier, wrote the TNT Editorial Board. Caldier said that after more than a decade in the Legislature, she feels empowered to truly represent her constituents without worrying about offending either party. I truly believe that I represent the interest of the majority of the population that I serve, and it's kind of freeing, you know to have because I have the truth on my side when it comes to issues, and I always go back to the people who I represent, and at the end of the day, she said. That's my job as I'm a public servant. I should be listening to the people, and I feel very confident that I have been representing the people in my district, she said. Caldier suggested that Krishnadasan only voted against some tax increases during the 2025 legislative session to make it appear she is more moderate, thereby better positioning her for success in her reelection effort in the swing district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before she even got appointed, I announced that I was running for the Senate position, Caldier said. They knew she would be the number one [to] protect in the entire Legislature, so they allowed her off. They didn't need her vote for some of these tax bills, right? So they let her off on those votes. But here's the thing: At the end of the day when her leadership needs her vote, they will squeeze her like a little bitty grape and they will get those votes right out of her, and I've seen it happen over and over and over in Olympia and in the end I really believe that we need more legislators in there that have a backbone that are willing to stand up for the people regardless of the political consequences that come with it. Krishnadasens campaign said she was unavailable on Friday, but late in the day, Erik Houser, spokesperson for the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign, sent a lengthy email to The Center Square. Career politician Michelle Caldiers daily attacks on Deb Krishnadasan's personal life and sterling bipartisan record have become tired and offensive, he said. I suspect her increasingly insecure comments are because she lost the primary by an embarrassing margin. After more than $1.2 million in negative attacks from Rep. Caldier and her allies like Koch Industries and Chevron, Debs record of delivering for Bremerton, Gig Harbor, and the Key Peninsula is still intact. Every day as a Senator, Deb wakes up and gets to work to make peoples lives better. She works with members of either party because a good idea is a good idea, and she voted against both the Democratic and the Republican budgets. In contrast, Rep. Caldier is incapable of stating where she disagrees with Donald Trump, and has said explicitly that her only goal this year is to defeat Democrats. While Caldier invents new misleading attacks, Deb has personally knocked on more than 6000 doors in every corner of the district to hear directly from her constituents. Olympia needs more people like Deb Krishnadasan and less people like Michelle Caldier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prospect of narrowing the Democratic majority in the state Senate has sparked considerable interest from party influencers. Independent committees have spent over $1.45 million to support Caldier or oppose Krishnadasan, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Just over $450,000 in outside money has been spent in support of Krishnadasan or in opposition to Caldier. Most voters have already received ballots for the Nov. 4 general election. WESTLAKE, Ohio (WJW) An employee of a local group home is facing charges after investigators said he was drunk behind the wheel of a van with three developmentally disabled passengers. Westlake police began searching for the van on the night of Oct. 20, after being alerted by a supervisor that the employee took the three residents for a drive but had not returned. At that time, he was already more than two hours overdue. They became alarmed. This driver wasnt answering his phone and they knew that all three patients needed to have medications and they were overdue for those already, said Westlake Police Captain Jerry Vogel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators determine gunshot that killed Lorain student at Lakeview Park was accidental Investigators said license plate readers and the vans GPS revealed the vehicle was stationary in Avon Lake for two hours earlier that night and had been driven around Lorain County, Cleveland and Brooklyn before arriving back in Westlake. Police caught up with the van near the group home just before midnight. After making sure the three passengers were OK, officers began to question the driver, 48-year-old Banning Lee Johnson of Cleveland. On body camera video obtained by FOX 8, an officer asked, can you tell us what happened? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened? Johnson replied. Yes, its almost midnight. the officer responded. Johnson told officers that he took the three clients to the lakefront and that his phone battery died, but he could not or would not account for the four hours that they were considered missing. He didnt know how long he had been gone, couldnt tell us where he had been or didnt want to tell us where he had been, so we did initiate field sobriety tests on him, said Vogel. South Euclid voters to decide on traffic camera ban Police said Johnson was arrested for OVI after he failed the field tests. He also refused to take a breathalyzer and as a result, his drivers license will be automatically suspended for a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson is also facing three counts of patient abuse/neglect for his disregard for the safety of the three men in his care, officials said. The 48-year-old is the focus of a separate investigation by the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The board issued a statement that reads: Cuyahoga DDs first priority is the health and safety of the people we serve. We are grateful that the individuals in this situation are safe. We were made aware of the incident and were investigating before the news story broke. Because of the open investigation and privacy laws, we cannot comment further. Police contend that Johnson violated the trust placed in him by the residents of the group home and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant have someone putting patients in danger, especially people who are highly vulnerable like these three were, said Vogel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A new pipeline would bring petroleum from Texas to Arizona, but it raises questions about land use, safety and the future of fossil fuels in the Southwest. The Western Gateway pipeline, a project of Kinder Morgan and Phillips 66, will run from the Texas panhandle through Arizona to Southern California, delivering petroleum products to cities like Phoenix along the way. It comes just a few months after a natural gas pipeline was approved to run across the state. The companies say the Western Gateway pipeline will fill a gap, supplying Arizona, a state with no oil refineries of its own, with a valuable resource. Much of the state relies on gasoline coming in from California, where many oil refineries are shutting their doors, leaving the state vulnerable to outages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year wildfires in California caused widespread power outages, shutting down two pipelines that send fuel east. All the while, Arizonas fuel and energy demand is surging, and the Western Gateway Pipeline promises 200,000 barrels of gasoline a day, nearly double the amount Phoenix gets from an existing pipeline. The Arizona Corporation Commission expects to see continued investment in oil and gas pipelines in the state, according to Douglas Clark, the commission's executive director. With every new pipeline built, communities worry what the unexpected costs on the environment and residents could be. Documents show accidents, but a good overall track record Kinder Morgan, one of the companies involved in the project, already owns several pipelines in Arizona. Its West Line runs from California to Phoenix, and the East Line runs from Texas to Phoenix. The company has been operating in the state and across the west coast for decades, though not without some trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, the Department of Transportations Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a corrective action order, requiring the company to address integrity issues along the entirety of its 3,900-mile Pacific Coast pipelines after a rise in pipeline incidents. Over the span of three years, the company had 44 accidents across its west coast operations, 14 of which resulted in petroleum products leaking into environmentally sensitive areas and major transportation corridors. Kinder Morgan made headlines in 2021 when one of its gas pipelines in Coolidge exploded near a farmhouse killing a man and his 14-year-old daughter, and injuring one more. A 2023 federal investigation revealed that gaps in protective tape led to corrosion and damage along a seam weld. The report concluded that Kinder Morgan listed an incorrect kind of protective coating around the pipe in its own database, likely because it underestimated the risk. Two years later, a leak was found in another Kinder Morgan pipeline, causing the company to halt deliveries of gasoline and diesel from Los Angeles, where the spill was discovered, to Phoenix and Las Vegas. Western Gateway: A new pipeline will stretch from Texas to Arizona. What does it mean for gas prices? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the Western Gateway project is in early stages of planning, Kinder Morgan couldn't directly respond to questions about safety measures in an email exchange with The Arizona Republic, but referenced the project details and safety accolades listed on the website, and the standards put in place by the Department of Transportation's safety administration. The Arizona Office of Pipeline Safety also inspects pipelines while they are under construction and later, once they are in service. Oil dependence and fossil fuel use Some environmental advocates worry that pipelines like Western Gateway wont just fuel cars and trucks, but also a changing climate. You dont just build a pipeline for a few years, said Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Clubs Grand Canyon chapter. The average lifespan of an oil or gas pipeline is around 50 years. At 1,300 miles long, the Western Gateway pipeline would be a significant investment in Arizonas fossil fuel future. We should be weaning ourselves off of gasoline and investing in alternative transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more stories like this: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter. But under President Donald Trump, alternatives are harder to come by the EPA is slashing funding for solar and other renewable energy projects. What's more, tax credits for electric vehicles expired last month as part of Trumps 2025 tax reform bill, a move that could disincentivize purchasing EVs and bolster reliance on gas-powered cars. When another pipeline comes into Arizona there should be a cost estimate attached to that pipeline and any implications for Arizona consumers, said Diane Brown, the executive director at the Arizona Public Interest Research Group. We need to think about what happens on both ends of the pipeline, not just the pipeline itself, Bahr said. On one end, oil refining emits more air pollutants than any other process in the oil industry. On the other, gas stations are the origin of greenhouse gases from car exhaust. The announcement comes at a time when there is an attitude, at the national level at least, thats very dismissive of climate change and its impacts. Where will the Western Gateway pipeline go? The pipeline is in preliminary stages. Kinder Morgan and Phillips 66 announced the projects open season, which clues interested parties and potential customers into the proposal, before any permitting actually begins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The builders said the pipeline will follow its pipeline predecessors, weaving across Arizona, New Mexico and California where others already exist, using some existing infrastructure. The Western Gateway Pipeline project will be co-located within existing pipeline corridors from El Paso, Texas, to the Kinder Morgan Terminal in Phoenix. Along the way it could pass the Mescalero Apache Reservation, Lincoln National Forest, and the Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area in New Mexico, and Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix. In the past, communities in New Mexico faced with pipelines worried about land value losses, increasing insurance rates, and damage to their land, according to Teresa Seamster, the chair of the Sierra Clubs Northern New Mexico group. The projects website says the pipeline is designed to avoid environmental areas and tribal lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, across the affected states, communities and environmental organizations are unsure exactly what the pipeline project could look like and what it could mean for the places they call home. Sarah Henry covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to sarah.henry@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Western Gateway pipeline will cross Arizona but details are scarce As he paced across a stage at a military base in Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told the hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals he had summoned from around the world that he aimed to reshape the militarys culture. Ten new directives, he said, would strip away what he called woke garbage and restore what he termed a warrior ethos. The phrase warrior ethos a mix of combativeness, toughness and dominance has become central to Hegseths political identity. In his 2024 book The War on Warriors, he insisted that the inclusion of women in combat roles had drained that ethos, leaving the U.S. military less lethal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his address, Hegseth outlined what he sees as the qualities and virtues the American soldier and especially senior officers should embody. On physical fitness and appearance, he was blunt: Its completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world. He then turned from body shape to grooming: No more beardos, Hegseth declared. The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done. As a historian of George Washington, I can say that the commander in chief of the Continental Army, the nations first military leader, would have agreed with some of Secretary Hegseths directives but only some. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washingtons overall vision of a military leader could not be further from Hegseths vision of the tough warrior. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images 280 pounds and trusted For starters, Washington would have found the concern with fat generals irrelevant. Some of the most capable officers in the Continental Army were famously overweight. His trusted chief of artillery, Gen. Henry Knox, weighed around 280 pounds. The French officer Marquis de Chastellux described Knox as a man of thirty-five, very fat, but very active, and of a gay and amiable character. Others were not far behind. Chastellux also described Gen. William Heath as having a noble and open countenance. His bald head and corpulence, he added, gave him a striking resemblance to Lord Granby, the celebrated British hero of the Seven Years War. Granby was admired for his courage, generosity and devotion to his men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington never saw girth as disqualifying. He repeatedly entrusted Knox with the most demanding assignments: designing fortifications, commanding artillery and orchestrating the legendary noble train of artillery that brought cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. When he became president, after the Revolution, Washington appointed Knox the first secretary of war a sign of enduring confidence in his judgment and integrity. Beards: Outward appearance reflects inner discipline As for beards, Washington would have shared Hegseths concern though for very different reasons. He disliked facial hair on himself and on others, including his soldiers. To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beards were not signs of virility but of disorder. In his words, they made a man unsoldierlike. Every soldier, he insisted, must appear in public as decent as his circumstances will permit. Each was required to have his beard shaved hair combed face washed and cloaths put on in the best manner in his power. For Washington, this was no trivial matter. Outward appearance reflected inner discipline. He believed that a well-ordered body produced a well-ordered mind. To him, neatness was the visible expression of self-command, the foundation of every other virtue a soldier and leader should possess. That is why he equated beards and other forms of unkemptness with indecency. His lifelong battle was against indecency in all its forms. Indecency, he once wrote, was utterly inconsistent with that delicacy of character, which an officer ought under every circumstance to preserve. More statesman than warrior By delicacy, Washington meant modesty, tact and self-awareness the poise that set genuine leaders apart from individuals governed by passions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For him, a soldiers first victory was always over himself. A man attentive to his duty, he wrote, feels something within him that tells him the first measure is dictated by that prudence which ought to govern all men who commits a trust to another. In other words, Washington became a soldier not because he was hotheaded or drawn to the thrill of combat, but because he saw soldiering as the highest exercise of discipline, patience and composure. His warrior ethos was moral before it was martial. Washingtons ideal military leader was more statesman than warrior. He believed that military power must be exercised under moral constraint, within the bounds of public accountability, and always with an eye to preserving liberty rather than winning personal glory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his mind, the army was not a caste apart but an instrument of the republic an arena in which self-command and civic virtue were tested. Later generations would call him the model of the republican general: a commander whose authority rested not on bluster or bravado but on composure, prudence and restraint. That vision was the opposite of the one Pete Hegseth performed at Quantico. Discipline and steadiness, not fury and bravado The warrior ethos Hegseth celebrates loud, performative was precisely what Washington believed a soldier must overcome. In March 1778, after Marquis de Lafayette abandoned an impossible winter expedition to Canada, Washington praised caution over juvenile bravado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every one will applaud your prudence in renouncing a project in which you would vainly have attempted physical impossibilities, he wrote from the snows of Valley Forge. For Washington, valor was never the same as recklessness. Success, he believed, depended on foresight, not fury, and certainly not bravado. The first commander in chief cared little for waistlines or whiskers, in the end; what concerned him was discipline of the mind. What counted was not the cut of a mans figure but the steadiness of his judgment. Washingtons own warrior ethos was grounded in decency, temperance and the capacity to act with courage without surrendering to rage. That ideal built an army and in time, a republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Maurizio Valsania, Universita di Torino Read more: Maurizio Valsania does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. A backhoe demolishes a part of the White House's East Wing on Wednesday. (Photo by Sam Cohen/Capital News Service) By Sam Cohen WASHINGTON The sounds of destruction echoed around the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Where is the outrage? asked Nadine Seiler, a Waldorf resident and activist. There is no way that Republican voters would have been OK with Obama or Biden or Clinton demolishing part of this building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im like, really really angry, she said. Despite President Donald Trumps promise that his plans for a massive, $300 million ballroom would not interfere with the current building, demolition of the East Wing began Monday and was largely complete by Friday. The destruction has sparked widespread alarm from the public, Democratic lawmakers and historic preservationists. The first ladys offices and a visitors entrance were located in the East Wing. Originally, the space of a terrace during Thomas Jeffersons presidency, the East Wing was built in 1902 under President Theodore Roosevelt and expanded in 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, providing both office space and housing for staff. Trumps ballroom, which is intended as an entertaining space that he claims will be able to host 999 people, is planned to be 90,000 square feet. The White House itself is currently an estimated 55,000 square feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Tuesday urged the Trump administration and the National Park Service to pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review processes. Nadine Seiler, a Waldorf resident and activist, poses for a photo near the U.S. Treasury Department on Oct. 22, 2025. (Photo by Sam Cohen/Capital News Service) We acknowledge the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House, but we are deeply concerned that the massing and height of the proposed new construction will overwhelm the White House itselfand may also permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings, Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the organization, said in a statement. Seiler, a former employee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said that it is not possible to get approvals to do any renovations on a historic building such as the White House in fewer than nine months. The fact that he could come and demolish this building, he is number two-ing and peeing all over the Constitution, Seiler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Sentena, a Colorado resident, views the presidents actions as pushing the boundaries, which is what he said he believes the president should do. He also commented on the lack of legal pushback, saying that nobody has pursued legal action over the demolition. If someone sues him for it, then theres probably something to it, Sentena said. He said he has supported Trumps presidency thus far and especially appreciates the impact of his actions. Its only been not even a year and all these people that are riled up. I wonder how long it can last, he said. But Cathy Raines, a Washington resident, said that the president of the country should be a role model for following protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raines said that Trumps actions are unsurprising because she believes that every department of his administration has failed to follow legal guidelines. The White House is a longstanding symbol of our country, meant to be the peoples house, Raines said. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, blistered Trump Wednesday for the destruction of the East Wing. President Trumps desecration of the White House is an insult to the American people and a betrayal of his obligation to safeguard our history and heritage, King said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The senator is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees national parks subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over, among other things, national historic sites and historic preservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House does not belong to President Trump; it belongs to the American people he is but a temporary resident with no right to despoil this iconic landmark on his personal whim, King said. The house was purposefully never intended to be a palace, but rather a residence befitting a democratically elected leader, and an important symbol of our rejection of the trappings of royalty. Capital News Service is a student-staffed reporting service operated by the University of Marylands Phillip Merrill College of Journalism. Stories are available at the CNS site and may be reprinted as long as credit is given to Capital News Service and, most importantly, to the students who produced the work. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man received a seven-figure bond out of municipal court on rape charges, stemming from reports of a sexual assault this month in northeast Columbus. According to court records, Columbus police was called to an apartment complex in the Clinton Estates neighborhood, where a mother reported that her 13-year-old child had been sexually assaulted. Officers interviewed the child, who said she was forced to perform acts on a man who was at the apartment in the early hours of Oct. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio legislator proposes school finance system without local levies, EdChoice The victim and a witness reported that 20-year-old Dontarius Burley left afterward. Burley, of Whitehall, was arrested just over two weeks later and charged with rape and kidnapping, two first-degree felonies. A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Burley a $1 million bond and ordered him to stay away from the victim, any potential witnesses involved in the case and the location of the alleged crime, should he post bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for the morning of Oct. 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. On Fox News recently, former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany talked about the latest Gallup poll that found distrust in media has hit yet another record low and she offered her take on the reasons why. Showing three pairs of contradictory headlines from years past including one from The Washington Post that said its doubtful that COVID-19 emerged from a lab and another, a year later, that called the theory credible McEnany said that false narratives presented as news are responsible for low trust. Others have a sharply different take and assign blame to McEnanys former boss, President Donald Trump, who popularized the term fake news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the deliberate spread of misinformation on social media, and the sheer number of news outlets offering counterpoints to the legacy medias takes. Research by Rutgers University researcher Katherine Ognyanova found, The increasing use of alternative sources is associated with a tendency to question mainstream news and doubt political authority. And the decline in media trust is also occurring in tandem with an erosion of trust in institutions at large. But there are a couple of caveats. Individual personalities are often trusted more than the news organizations they represent. And theres one group of Americans in particular that is driving the record-low numbers of trust. Anderson Cooper attends the 16th annual CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute in New York on Dec. 11, 2022. | Evan Agostini Polling released last month by The Hollywood Reporter/Morning Consult, for example, showed that 60% of respondents said they had a lot or some trust in Anderson Cooper of CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN fared poorly, however, in a YouGov poll released in May that measured trust in 52 media organizations. (CNN ranked 24th in that poll, behind The Guardian, Newsweek and Yahoo News.) While these are three different polls, they each offer a window into how Americans consumption of media is evolving in a time of rapid change. But Gallups latest poll shows that if trust in media is to rebound, it has to start with one group in particular: Republicans. Why is trust in media at a record low? Receipts pic.twitter.com/5TldP5XTkW Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 4, 2025 Who distrusts the media the most? According to Gallup, Americans confidence in the mass media has edged down to a new low, with just 28% expressing a great deal or fair amount of trust in newspapers, television and radio to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. This is down from 31% last year and 40% five years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, that means that 7 out of 10 Americans have not very much confidence in the media or none at all. But a more granular look at the polling shows the numbers skewed by Republicans, whose trust in the media has fallen to single digits for the first time since Gallup started asking the question in the 1970s. Just 8% of Republicans had confidence in media, compared to 27% of independents and 51% of Democrats. Moreover, there is a generational divide. Per Gallup, In the most recent three-year period, spanning 2023 to 2025, 43% of adults aged 65 and older trust the media, compared with no more than 28% in any younger age group. Baby Boomers and older Democrats, in other words, are keeping media distrust from falling even lower than it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With confidence fractured along partisan and generational lines, the challenge for news organizations is not only to deliver fair and accurate reporting but also to regain credibility across an increasingly polarized and skeptical public, Gallup said in its report. Some news organizations, while grappling with the loss of young Americans who are getting news from social media platforms like TikTok, are looking for ways to win back the trust and dollars of conservatives. Paramount Skydance recently made headlines with its acquisition of The Free Press and the appointment of Bari Weiss to be president of CBS News. And some news outlets are reporting that Weiss wants to bring Fox News anchor Bret Baier to CBS (which would be difficult, since Baier is under contract until the end of 2028). Meanwhile, CNN may soon be undergoing significant changes, too. Per The Washington Post, Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN and HBO, announced that its open to a sale, leaving its news and streaming subsidiaries futures uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person expected to make a bid is David Ellison, the Paramount Skydance CEO responsible for the recent changes at CBS. An acquisition would place CNN and CBS, two legacy news brands, under the same roof, according to The Washington Post. Every Ben & Jerry's fan has their favorite flavor that one go-to pint that they reach for whenever they visit the freezer aisle of their local grocery store. The joy of picking up, say, a container of Chunky Monkey or the unbeatably nutty Peanut Butter World, can make up for a long day of disappointments. Every Ben & Jerry's fan also knows the sorrow of finding, after several fruitless grocery visits, that their favorite pint has been buried in the brand's famous Flavor Graveyard. One flavor, long since passed, that many fans still mourn is Fossil Fuel. Fossil Fuel, a sweet cream-based ice cream swirled with fudge dinosaurs and chocolate cookies, was first introduced in 2005. That same year, the brand used the newly released flavor to make a nearly 1,000-pound baked Alaska dessert, which was presented and consumed at the United States Capitol as a protest against oil drilling in Alaska. The quirky, chocolatey flavor doesn't appear to have been created for the protest, though its inception does align with the brand's anti-fossil-fuel push at the time. Fossil Fuel didn't just help the brand raise awareness for environmental causes, it was also quite beloved by fans of the frozen dessert brand. However, this didn't stop it from being discontinued in 2010, and with seemingly no explanation. However, in a 2016 statement, Ben & Jerry's said that the company symbolically buried the flavor as a way of signaling its hope that the world would put an end to its reliance on fossil fuels like coal and oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Every Baskin-Robbins Flavor, Ranked How Fossil Fuel lived (and died) by the scoop A pint of Fossil Fuel Ben & Jerry's - Ben & Jerry's Like so many Ben & Jerry's flavors, Fossil Fuel was more than just a tasty scoop. The flavor helped to raise awareness of our dependance on non-renewable energy sources, and fed into the themes the brand's "Lick Global Warming" campaign, which first launched in 2002. The campaign was multi-faceted, involving youth outreach,protests, and other pushes towards against climate change. Fossil Fuel's role as the base of Ben & Jerry's "World's Largest Baked Alaska" in 2005 underscores its vital role in the brand's foray into climate activism. Clean energy isn't the only cause championed by the world renowned ice cream brand. In 2016, Ben & Jerry's released a flavor called Empower Mint, featuring a mint base, brownie mix-ins, and a fudge ribbon. The flavor was released 62 years to the day after the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education case, which ended school segregation. The flavor wasn't just a celebration of wins for civil rights in America, but a call to action for those still fighting for equality. A part of the flavor's sales were also contributed to the NAACP in North Carolina. And in 2024, the brand pushed into presidential politics, launching "Scoop the Vote," an ice cream truck trek across the United States that helped bolster the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. The brand also released a coconut Kamala themed flavor to go along with the campaign. One scoop in the grave Ben & Jerry's Fossil Fuel gravestone in the Flavor Graveyard - Shakedn/Getty Images If you visit Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects, you'll find Fossil Fuel's headstone outfitted with a gnarly set of illustrated dinosaur teeth. Written between them is a rhyming epitaph. It reads: "Fudgy dinosaurs galore / Got all dug up til there were no more. / A flavor re-design might be do-able / But Fossil Fuel is non-renewable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, Fossil Fuel isn't the only Ben & Jerry's flavor to cross the rainbow bridge rather abruptly. A slew of pints have come to an unexpected end, many of which deserve a second chance. Although the brand has plenty of iconic and objectively delicious flavors both enduring and demised, some simply missed the mark, like the short-lived Black and Tan flavor released in 2006 for St. Patrick's Day. Named after a layered beer drink, it stirred up controversy in Ireland, where the term "black and tan" is associated with a violent British paramilitary force. The flavor was quickly shelved, and the company apologized. Other pints, such as the pear-and-chocolate-flavored Oh Pear, which was only available for several months in 1997, simply came up short in taste. However, Fossil Fuel was neither controversial nor unpopular, making its sudden loss even more jarring. While the brand did explain the reasoning behind its decision to pull the flavor, many fans were left reeling from the loss. Some even resorted to making their own versions of the flavor. The key to perfecting a Fossil Fuel facsimile? Make the fudge chunks with dinosaur-shaped silicone molds. Now, while nothing can replace the original, until it's revived, fans will have to make do. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Chowhound. The United States has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro, accusing him of facilitating the global illicit drug trade, the Department of the Treasury stated. In addition to President Petro, several of his close associates, including his wife, his son, and a senior aide, have also been sanctioned. According to a statement issued by the Department of the Treasury on Friday, its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed the sanctions under the counternarcotics-related authorities. According to the Treasury Department, the sanctions mean that all property and interests in property of the designated individuals within the US, or in the possession or control of US persons, are now blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Any entities owned, directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more by the designated individuals are also subject to the same restrictions. The department further stated that US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions involving the property or interests of sanctioned individuals unless specifically authorised by OFAC. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties under US sanctions laws. The sanctions were issued pursuant to Executive Order 14059, which targets foreign individuals and entities involved in the global narcotics trade. "Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade," the statement read. "Since President Gustavo Petro came to power, cocaine production in Colombia has exploded to the highest rate in decades, flooding the United States and poisoning Americans," said US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "President Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity. Today, President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our country," he added. Reacting strongly to the sanctions, President Petro described the move as "a complete paradox", arguing that Colombia has long been at the forefront of the global fight against narcotics. "Fighting drug trafficking for decades and effectively has brought me this measure from the government of the society we helped so much to curb their cocaine consumption. A complete paradox, but not a step back and never on our knees," Petro said in a post on X. Tensions between the Colombian President's administration and US President Donald Trump had been building for months, particularly after Washington increased its military operations in the southern Caribbean, as reported by CNN. Petro has repeatedly condemned the US for conducting air and naval strikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, accusing American forces of "murder". He claimed that some of the targeted boats were carrying innocent Colombians. Colombia has traditionally been one of Washington's closest allies in South America on matters of security and defence, CNN reported. In 2022, the Biden administration even granted the Andean nation the status of "major non-NATO ally". The latest US sanctions came just days after Trump announced he was suspending all subsidies to the Latin American country, accusing it of being an "illegal drug leader" and of actively encouraging massive drug production across Colombia. "President Gustavo Petro, of Colombia, is an illegal drug leader strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Colombia. It has become the biggest business in Colombia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long term rip off of America," the US President said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday. "AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLOMBIA," he added. The US State Department also revoked Petro's visa following the conclusion of the UN General Assembly session last month. (ANI) You would think it'd be a no brainer for a store like Aldi one of the most affordable grocery chains in America and known for their family-focused branding to accept WIC benefits. But surprisingly, it's one of the few major retailers that doesn't. The reasons lie in a complex mix of strict government regulations and their business model that, ironically, is too streamlined to meet WIC requirements. If you're not familiar, WIC short for Women, Infants, and Children its a federal assistance program (administered by states with federal funding) that provides low-income pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 with access to nutritious foods, formula, nutrition education, and other health resources. For grocery stores to become WIC-approved, they have to meet state-specific requirements, including stocking a variety of approved food items such as infant formula, produce, cereal, dairy, eggs, and beans, from specific regularly-found brands (like Similac, Cheerios, Dannon) and in certain package sizes (i.e. 12.4 ounce cans of formula, 36 ounces breakfast cereal, 1 quart of milk). Stores are also required to meet a minimum stock inventory of these approved items at all times. Since Aldi's business model focuses on a limited selection of mostly private-label products, meeting state product specifications, which also varies state by state, would be challenging. Even if Aldi were to add the WIC-approved items to its inventory, this could interfere with the chain's intentionally curated, no-frills (not even music) shopping experience. Additionally, all Aldi locations would need to overhaul their POS (point-of-sale) systems to accurately identify and process WIC-eligible items a costly infrastructure investment that doesn't align with the company's lean operational strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 14 Things You've Always Believed About Aldi (That Aren't True) Aldi won't be accepting WIC anytime soon, but there are 46,000 other stores that do accept it Pregnant woman putting produce in grocery carrier - Solstock/Getty Images While Aldi does currently accept SNAP EBT cards at all of its U.S. store locations, it has not stated any future plans of implementing WIC-approved items in its stores. Aldi has previously explored ways to make the program work within their stores' structure before, but due to the majority of their products being Aldi brands with some Aldi dupes that are better than name brand, including their own premium-quality formula "Little Journey," it doesn't meet current WIC guidelines, often including national brands. However, if WIC program guidelines changed to allow more store brands or fewer specific brand requirements, then ALDI might be better positioned to participate. In the meantime, you can find 46,000 other grocery stores across all 50 states and 34 Tribal Indian Organizations that accept WIC benefits. Many of these locations are nationwide chains like Walmart, Kroger, CVS, Wegmans, Target, and Meijer. In some states, WIC is not guaranteed to list certain stores as WIC-approved. Most state and local WIC programs offer vendor lists or maps to assist recipients in finding approved stores and depending on your state. You can also download the state WIC app, the WICShopper app, or use a third-party WIC store locator available online, where you can select your state and find grocery stores and pharmacies that accept WIC. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. For a moment, Malaysia looked like it was about to pull off something futuristic. Imagine cruising through a rural highway that shimmered under your wheels. A soft neon trail lighting up the night like a scene out of "Tron, Southeast Asia Edition." That was the vision. Roads that glowed without streetlights, saving energy while making night drives safer. That's a bucket-list-worthy kind of road. In a country where more than 6,000 road deaths or mishaps occur annually, the idea was implemented on October 28, 2023, when the Public Works Department launched the pilot on 804 feet of a two-lane road near Semenyih in the state of Selangor. The project was part of a push to reduce electricity use and improve road safety, especially in rural areas. On paper, it sounded brilliant: use paint infused with photoluminescent compounds that absorb sunlight by day and release a glow at night. The paint would shine at night, helping to guide drivers while lowering the nation's lighting costs. Social media went wild when the photos dropped. Drivers raved. News outlets drew comparisons to glowing bike paths in the Netherlands and experimental highways in the United Kingdom and Australia. Malaysia, it seemed, had joined the club of nations pushing aesthetic sustainability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some reported early durability issues, and hinted at cost concerns. Within months, the futuristic glow began to dim. The dream road was fading before most people even got to drive it. Read more: 5 Vanity Plates Owners Regretted Getting When reality hit the road A wide view of a Malaysian road with glow-in-the-dark paint - The Curiosity Channel/YouTube The trouble with futuristic tech is that it rarely survives contact with the real world - especially one drenched in tropical rain. Malaysia's glow-in-the-dark roads might have looked sleek in press photos, but the country's climate quickly became their undoing. Photoluminescent paint works wonders in controlled environments. It absorbs UV light, then emits a soft, visible glow once the sun sets. But Malaysia isn't exactly gentle on paint. Heavy rainfall, humidity, and harsh daylight wore the coating down within months. What started as a luminous pathway soon looked patchy, dusty, and dull. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then came the financial blow. It was revealed that each square meter cost 749 Malaysian Ringgit ($177 in U.S. money), almost 19 times as expensive as standard road paint. And because it wore out easily, it would need recoating every 18 months, another expense. To make things worse, once car headlights hit the road, the glow practically disappeared. In short, drivers couldn't even see what they paid for. Officials quietly admitted by late 2024 that the project wasn't sustainable, both literally and financially. What was supposed to be Malaysia's nighttime innovation had become a daylight drain on the budget - a bright idea dimmed by reality. The fading future of a bright dream Left: Malaysian workers paint a road with glow-in-the-dark paint. Right: A road marked with glow-in-the-dark paint at nght. - Vanakkam Malaysia/YouTube Today, Malaysia's glow-in-the-dark road program sits in limbo too expensive to expand, too faded to showcase. The government officially scrapped it in November 2024. All proposed expansion in the states of Selangor and Johor was also discarded. The Public Works Department said the project was too costly and did not meet the expected results. Future trials will likely focus on cheaper, more durable alternatives. The Malaysian Ministry of Works is already steering the conversation elsewhere. LED lights will be installed instead of glow-in-the-dark in highly accident-prone areas, expected to improve safety without high maintenance. Many Malaysians even preferred fixing the existing problems first, like potholes, run-down markings, and road flooding. Other countries, including the Netherlands, faced nearly identical issues: weather degradation and poor light consistency. The Nethelands pilot was quietly put on hold indefinitely, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symbolically, Malaysia's failed glow road became a lesson in the limits of innovation. You can't engineer your way around physics or the monsoon. The goal was noble: make the best driving roads safer, greener, and undeniably cooler. But not every bright idea belongs under the sun. What's left now is the afterglow of ambition. A reminder that progress sometimes burns brightest right before it fades. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Jalopnik. A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. If theres one former president whom Donald Trump has elevated during Trump 2.0, its Grover Cleveland. The only other president to serve nonconsecutive terms (Cleveland was #22 and #24 to Trumps #45 and #47), Cleveland is also, like Trump, associated with tariffs. The actual history is a bit more complicated, as weve seen in previous reports on Cleveland, who is also notable for having married his much younger former ward the daughter of his dead former law partner in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs Cleveland is known for are something he pushed for as a congressman and later, as president, began to turn against. Trump invoked another similarity at the White House recently when he noted that Cleveland is among the presidents to have called up US troops for operations within the United States. But the circumstances were so different as to defy comparison, even though Clevelands call-up of US troops relied on the 1792 Insurrection Act, a law Trump has suggested he could utilize in the future. Trump has foisted National Guard troops on unwilling locals in cities run by Democrats in part to assist with his mass deportation effort. Cleveland, by contrast, did so to put down anti-immigrant race riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I talked by email to Princeton history professor Beth Lew-Williams, author of The Chinese Must Go: Violence, Exclusion, and the Making of the Alien in America, to learn more about why Cleveland sent troops to Tacoma and Seattle in the 19th century. Our conversation, edited for length and formatting, is below. Why did Grover Cleveland deploy troops in the US? WOLF: President Donald Trump invoked Grover Cleveland to justify the domestic deployment of US troops. Most people wont be familiar with those incidents, involving anti-Chinese riots in Tacoma and Seattle in the late 1800s. Whats the basic storyline around why Cleveland sent US troops to Washington state? LEW-WILLIAMS: In 1885 and 1886, anti-Chinese fervor swept the American West. American workingmen, fearful of labor competition from Chinese immigrants, called for their immediate expulsion. When white coal miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, massacred 28 Chinese immigrants on September 2, 1885, the Territorial Gov. Francis E. Warren called on President Grover Cleveland to send federal troops to prevent further violence. Under the watchful gaze of US soldiers, Chinese survivors were able to return to Rock Springs and rebuild. This drawing shows the massacre of Chinese immigrants by white coal miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in 1885. - Thure de Thulstrup/Library of Congress A few months later, on November 3, 1885, agitators in Tacoma, Washington Territory, drove out more than 300 Chinese immigrants, and agitators in Seattle threatened to follow. On the request of Chinese merchants and the Territorial Gov. Watson C. Squire, President Cleveland sent troops to prevent the expulsion of Chinese from Seattle. Troops were stationed in Seattle for 10 days in 1885, and again in 1886 for seven months. President Clevelands response is one of the reasons that Seattle still has a Chinatown today. Was Clevelands action the opposite of Trumps? WOLF: Cleveland sent in troops to put down anti-Chinese riots where Trump is sending in troops, at least in Los Angeles, to help facilitate deportations. Is that the right way to compare the two examples as opposites? LEW-WILLIAMS: President Cleveland deployed troops to protect Chinese immigrants and reestablish peace. The troops did not entirely prevent the expulsion of Chinese immigrants from Seattle hundreds were driven out in the spring of 1886 (but) the soldiers helped to prevent the escalation of anti-immigrant violence. Where did Chinese immigrants go after the riots? WOLF: What happened to the Chinese population in the western US after the riots in Seattle and Tacoma? Did most Chinese immigrants leave the US or did they move to other cities? LEW-WILLIAMS: Anti-Chinese vigilantes successfully drove out all the Chinese immigrants perhaps as many as 800 people from Tacoma. More than 200 Chinese left Seattle under duress. Many remained in the United States, finding relative safety in Portland, San Francisco or the Eastern states. Others fled to Canada or China. Chinese immigrants play cards while waiting to be called in the immigration offices at Ellis Island, sometime between 1940 and 1950. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943. - Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images How did the US discriminate against Chinese immigrants? WOLF: Anti-Chinese violence was frequently carried out by European immigrants who saw the Chinese as competition. Were there any restrictions on the inflow of European immigrants at the time? LEW-WILLIAMS: Through a series of laws starting in 1882, Congress barred the vast majority of Chinese from immigrating to the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act explicitly rejected Chinese immigrants on the bases of their race and class. Chinese Exclusion had a profound effect on the Chinese American community, separating families and stunting generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Congress also placed restrictions on other immigrants, these restrictions are not comparable in scale or effect. In the 1880s, US immigration law restricted immigrants from Europe if they were likely to become a public charge (too poor to support themselves) or contract laborers. These restrictions had limited impact on arrival of immigrants from Europe. When did the official discrimination end? WOLF: When did the overt racism of US law excluding Asian immigrants end? LEW-WILLIAMS: Chinese Exclusion came to a formal end in 1943. But US immigration law continued to explicitly discriminate against Asian immigrants until the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Oct. 24GRAND FORKS Grand Forks County's administrator believes the efforts of his colleagues, as well as city and state employees, made it possible to keep the county's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) running with no interruptions after the closure of its former program sponsor, Red River Valley Community Action. Tom Ford said all hands were on deck and, within three weeks, a new county department was organized to accommodate WIC staff before the beginning of the new federal fiscal year, which could have paused the program had it not been assigned. "That couldn't have happened without everyone working together, without county staff's hard work and the whole team believing in the program," Ford said. "They worked hard to make sure that no one fell through the cracks. They worked hard to make sure that everyone continued (receiving) their compensation and continued providing those resources." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the transition, WIC remains the same. It operates in the same location, inside the Grand Cities Mall, and has the same employees. "WIC services are still there," Ford said. "The office is still open. Services are still available." The program supports approximately 1,000 new and expecting parents and their young children in Grand Forks County, providing access to resources including nutritious food and baby formula, he said. From an administrative standpoint, when Grand Forks Public Health reached out to the county to propose it adopt the program, Ford said it was an easy yes. There was some hesitation from the County Commission primarily Commissioner Terry Bjerke due to the fact that the program relies on federal funds. Bjerke said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement in a Sept. 2 commission meeting that he would prefer to limit the county's exposure to the federal government, because at some point, he believes leaders will realize the government is going to go broke. County residents will want to know whether the county plans to pay for WIC to continue, he said. Ford emphasized that the WIC program has been around for more than 50 years and has "very strong bipartisan support" throughout the nation. The commission ultimately voted in favor of assuming oversight of the program during a Sept. 26 special meeting. Though loss of funding is a concern for any federal program, Ford believes the main concern right now is carefully watching Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement the ongoing government shutdown, though he said there are healthy reserves for the county and state to continue supporting WIC for the time being. RRVCA was a local nonprofit part of the Community Action umbrella that has locations throughout North Dakota that assisted low-income individuals in families throughout Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties. It ceased daily operations Aug. 15, and the board voted to dissolve the organization Sept. 3. In the weeks since then, services other than WIC have been shuffled around. LIHEAP and weatherization programs were shifted to Fargo's Community Action agency, and some social services have been moved to the Jamestown agency, according to Collin Hanson, Grand Forks' community development manager. There are employees based in the Grand Forks area, though, so residents can continue to receive support locally; some are working out of the United Way office, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those Community Action agencies have stepped up to really help serve our four-county region," Hanson said. "It's been reassuring to see how willing other agencies are both in the state, but also locally to step up and provide services when needed." The city, too, has become involved. Its staff answer calls made to the RRVCA number, which remains active, and direct people to the appropriate resources. Hanson said the hope is that the phone number will find a permanent home with another agency like RRVCA somewhere down the line, but for now, "We're happy to try to connect (people) to resources that best fit them." Andrea Olson, executive director of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota, said in a written statement that homeless and housing services, homeowners assistance and emergency furnace repair services are available. The hope is that within a few weeks, an emergency fund that focuses on emergency household energy bill obligations not covered by other assistance programs will also be available, she said. "Together these efforts will sustain critical services for individuals and families in Grand Forks, Nelson, Walsh and Pembina counties while longer-term plans for regional stabilization are finalized," Olson said in her statement. Oct. 24WINNER, S.D. A Winner man has been sentenced for violating federal laws against child sex trafficking and producing child pornography. On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Eric Schulte sentenced 67-year-old Richard Kucera to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. For the sex trafficking convictions, Kucera received 10 years, to run concurrently. For the child pornography convictions, he received 15 years, to run concurrently but consecutively to the sex trafficking sentence. In July, a federal jury found Kucera guilty on two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of producing child pornography. He was accused of having sexual contact with three teenage girls under 18 and producing child pornography involving two of them, as well as a fourth teenage girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the key witnesses and a co-defendant in Kucera's case, 36-year-old Ivy Rose Heron of Winner, pleaded guilty earlier this year and agreed to testify against him in exchange for a potential reduced sentence. She has not yet been sentenced. Under her plea agreement, Heron faces a minimum of five years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. Court records state that Heron arranged for minors to engage in sexual acts with Kucera, transported them to his residence, and offered payments or methamphetamine in exchange for sexual acts or explicit photos and videos. In one instance, she admitted receiving $200 from Kucera for a sexual transaction involving a minor, giving $50 of it to the child. In another case, she gave methamphetamine to a minor in exchange for $300 the child had received from Kucera. The offenses involved social media, cell phones, and computers, allowing Heron and Kucera to coordinate activities across regions, which brought the case under federal jurisdiction. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The holiday season is in the air, and plenty of events are coming up in Siouxland to help everyone celebrate! One especially festive activity taking place is the Holiday Storefront Decorating Competition. From November 22 to December 24, various businesses in downtown Sioux City will be covered in creative displays. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there is even more money available in prizes this year, with the storefront that receives the most community votes getting to send $500 to a non-profit of their choice. Jeff Carlson with RE/MAX Experience in Sioux City said remembering small businesses during the holiday season goes a long way. Theres typically, I mean, a number of the great businesses and non-profits in our community that are well represented, said Carlson. So, get out and enjoy downtown Sioux City! As Tracy said, support small businesses. Thats really the mission behind our very merry market. There will be a lot of small businesses that we hope we can drive to that as well. Other notable events include the Holiday Lights Parade on November 24 and the 32nd annual Festival of Trees on the same day. And, Small Business Saturday is November 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown Partners, the host of the upcoming winter festivities, recently posted the full list of when and where each event will be! Check out that post below! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) A 26-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged in connection with two separate homicide investigations that occurred last Sunday. According to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office, Michael Williams faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide following two deadly shootings on October 19, 2025. Wautoma man sentenced for attempted child abduction, stated he was going to take them to heaven Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first incident happened on the 4300 block of N. 27th Street, where Williams allegedly shot and killed Marcus Smith and Sandra Lee. Later that day, on the 4600 block of N. 31st Street, Williams is accused of fatally shooting Lakendrick Roby. Significant drug trafficker arrested, nearly 2 lb. of meth seized in Fond du Lac County during I-41 traffic stop If convicted, Williams faces life in prison. The Milwaukee Police Department expressed condolences to the victims families, friends, and everyone affected by the tragedy. The investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Shortly after 8:15 p.m. Thursday, the Jo Daviess County dispatch center received a 911 report of a multiple-vehicle crash on U. S. Route 20, about .2 miles northwest of Oldenburg Lane in Galena, Ill., according to a news release from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff. A silver Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by 64-year-old Aleksandr Avanesov, of Benton, Wis. was in the ditch on U. S. Route 20 and a green Rivian RTI driven by 42-year-old Patrick Jung were blocking both lanes of travel. Preliminary investigation determined that Avanesov was traveling west on U. S. Route 20 when he crossed the center line into the eastbound lane of travel, striking Jungs vehicle, which was eastbound. Jung and his 38-year-old passenger, Rhea Jung, both of Galena, were medically examined by Galena EMS on the scene and both refused treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avanesov was removed from the scene by Galena EMS and transported to Midwest Medical Center in Galena, where he was later pronounced deceased. This traffic crash remains under investigation by the Jo Daviess County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit. Assisting at the scene were Galena police, fire, and EMS; Hazel Green Fire Department; Menominee-Dunleith Fire Department, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Guys Towing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Oct. 24A Wisconsin woman was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her on- and off-again boyfriend in Beavercreek last year. The sentence Janel Marie Nelson, 53, of Thorp, Wisconsin, was sentenced by Greene County Common Pleas Judge Adolfo Tornichio to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 18 years after she pleaded no contest to murder with a three-year firearm specification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting Nelson was charged with shooting and killing Michael Corrigan, 55, on Aug. 21, 2024 at his home in the 1800 block of Maple Lane in Beavercreek. The investigation began after a family member of Corrigan called 911 around 9 p.m. on Aug. 22. "It's my fiance's brother," the woman told a dispatcher. "He didn't call into work so we came by to make sure he was OK." Corrigan's brother and fiancee found the garage door up to the house when they arrived to check on him, and found his body. On investigation, police found that Corrigan was shot once in the back of the head, according to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter used a .380 caliber gun from 10 feet away while the man was sitting in a living room chair, according to an affidavit filed in Fairborn Municipal Court. Corrigan's family said that he and Nelson were in an "off and on" relationship for the past 15 years, Beavercreek police Capt. Scott Molnar said. She had been married several times and most recently lived with her husband in Thorp, Wisconsin, police said. She is known to use aliases and variations on the spelling of her first name, including Jannelle Clark, Janel Rodriguez and Jannell Torres. Investigations in Nebraska and Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Beavercreek detective tracked her to Omaha, Nebraska after a 30-year-old woman posted a selfie with Nelson on Facebook with the caption, "Seeing my mother Jannelle for the first time in 16 years." When contacted by police, the woman said he mother showed up at her house "out of the blue" and seemed to be disheveled and under the influence of drugs, the affidavit said. She said she was curious why her mother randomly visited after so long and "even had the thought she may be running from something," according to court documents. Police found she was using the alias Jannelle Rodriguez to stay at a women's shelter, and found the car she had been driving in the parking lot a 2002 Lincoln Town Car with Wisconsin license plates registered to her husband. The car was towed and Omaha police found both a .380 handgun and ammunition in the trunk after receiving a warrant to search the vehicle. The prosecutor's office said that in an interview she admitted to several key facts, including that she was with Corrigan just before his murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, she said that early Aug. 21, Corrigan tried to force sexual activity with her, which she refused. She said she later fell asleep and only remembers waking up, grabbing her purse and keys and driving on the highway. She denied having firearms or hurting Corrigan, the affidavit said. Nelson's husband told Beavercreek police that his wife said she was going to visit family and friend in Ohio, and that he gave her $6,000 to use on the trip. He said she has a .22 caliber handgun and a .380 caliber handgun, both of which were missing along with ammunition from where she usually kept them. He said he had not spoken to his wife since she left, according to the affidavit said. Detectives said Nelson showed little to no reaction when told about Corrigan's death, and soon after she declined to answer further questions and asked for an attorney, according to the affidavit. Nelson was arrested in Omaha and later extradited to Ohio. Staff writer Jen Balduf contributed to this report. LIMA West Ohio Community Action Partnership will temporarily suspend Head Start and Early Head Start operations if the federal government remains shut down Friday, Oct. 31. The federally funded programs provide free meals, childcare and early learning for 307 children in Allen County. WOCAP will suspend operations Monday, Nov. 3 if the federal government remains shut down Oct. 31 due to lack of funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency will furlough 79 staff members if Head Start and Early Head Start are suspended. This is an incredibly difficult situation, Kimberly Bruns, chief executive officer of WOCAP, said in a news release Friday. We are doing everything we can to advocate for a resolution and to prepare for all possible outcomes. However, the timing and resolution of the shutdown are beyond our control. WOCAP board President Josh Unterbrink urged lawmakers to swiftly and responsibly prevent disruption to Head Start and Early Head Start operations. This is more than a funding issue its a community issue, Unterbrink said. These programs are foundational to child development, family stability and workforce participation. Ireland's independent left-wing politician Catherine Connolly is on course to become the country's next president after her only rival, Heather Humphreys of the centrist Fine Gael party, conceded defeat early on Saturday, France 24 reported. Humphreys congratulated Connolly on "becoming the next president of Ireland" after early counting showed her opponent heading for a landslide win. The election result, expected late Saturday, follows what observers described as a subdued campaign with limited choice for voters. According to France 24, Ireland's national broadcaster RTE said the contest had been overshadowed by criticism of its lack of competition. Early tallies suggested a record number of spoiled ballots and low voter turnout, with The Irish Times reporting participation below 40 per cent in many polling stations. Deputy Prime Minister and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris also congratulated Connolly, wishing her "every success" and adding, "She will be President for all this country. Her success will be Ireland's success," he posted on X. Connolly, 68, has served as a lawmaker since 2016 and received support from several left-wing groups, including Sinn Fein. Her background as a former clinical psychologist and barrister helped her connect with voters seeking a more socially focused presidency, as per France 24. Throughout her campaign, she criticised the government's handling of housing and social inequality, finding strong support among younger voters. Connolly has also been a long-time critic of the European Union's push to expand military spending, a stance that sets her apart in largely pro-EU Ireland. The situation worsened after a candidate from Fianna Fail, Ireland's largest governing party and Fine Gael's coalition partner, withdrew from the race. This left only Connolly and Humphreys competing for the largely ceremonial office. The election came amid growing tensions over Ireland's migration policies, with an increase in asylum seekers sparking heated debates and even violent protests near accommodation centres, as per France 24. Connolly will replace current President Michael D. Higgins, who served two seven-year terms. (ANI) The woman accused of attempting to cover up the shooting death of a 15-year-old girl in 2023 has learned her sentence. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Denisha Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the death of 15-year-old Heaven Washington. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As News Center 7 previously reported, on Nov. 17, 2023, deputies responded to a rolling shootout near the intersection of Turner Road and Philadelphia Drive in Harrison Township. A passenger in one of the vehicles involved, 15-year-old Heaven Washington, was shot and killed. Deputies said that they did not believe that Washington was the intended target of the shooting, but a tragic casualty of ongoing street violence, News Center 7 previously reported. Four people were charged and eventually sentenced in connection with Washingtons death. Taylor is the last of four defendants in the case to be sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor was accused of trying to cover up the crime and pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice in September 2025. Two counts of tampering with evidence were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The other three defendants received the following sentences: Tommy Moreland, who fired the shot that killed Washington, was sentenced to 37-46.7 years to life. Darrell Bostic, who was in Morelands car, was sentenced to 11-16.5 years. Baretta Byrdsong, who was driving the car Washington was in, was sentenced to 2.5 years. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Sheriff's deputies arrested a woman Thursday on suspicion of stabbing a man to death in a Contra Costa County home, police said. Libelyn Utt, 57, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Martinez jail without bail, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. The stabbing had happened around 11:30 a.m., when deputies responded to a call at a home on Solano Court in Bay Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies found a man bleeding from stab wounds inside the home. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was declared dead. The county coroner said Friday that it had not identified the body. Homicide detectives determined that there were no outstanding suspects. Investigators ask anyone with information on the stabbing to contract the investigation division at 925-313-2600. This article originally published at Woman arrested in connection to fatal Bay Area stabbing. ST. LOUIS A former St. Louis County nonprofit leader was convicted of stealing $11 million from a program intended to feed low-income children in the St. Louis region. On Thursday, a federal jury found Connie Bobo, 46, of St. Charles guilty of three counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of obstruction by tampering evidence and one count of attempted obstruction. according to federal court documents. Bobo previously served as the executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center, a nonprofit designed to provide meals to low-income, school-age children after school and during the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal indictment, unsealed two years ago, accuses Bobo of falsely claiming to have served at least three million meals to children through New Heights between February 2019 and March 2022. The indictment alleges these were meals that New Heights neither actually purchased nor supplied. Victims family alleges doctors failed to warn of CVPA shooters threats The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reportedly paid Bobo around $11 million for meals. Nonprofits supported by Missouri DHSS are required to demonstrate proper management standards and ensure fiscal responsibility. Leaders are required to submit budgets and annual management plans to DHSS. The indictment claims she spent around $4.3 million on personal expenses, including a $1 million homes for herself and relatives, along with a $2.2 million commercial real estate investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment also claims Bobo submitted false management plans, falsely claimed that three people were serving on New Heights board and forged an invoice from a food vendor to falsely claim that New Heights had purchased hundreds of gallons of milk. Bobo has a sentencing hearing scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026. The wire fraud and obstruction charges each carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a penalty of up to two years in prison consecutive with other charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A woman pleaded guilty to a federal charge on Friday for her role in conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds, authorities announced. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon identified the woman as 40-year-old Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes a Guatemalan national unlawfully living in the United States. According to court documents, Barerra Orantes owned and operated La Popular, a money services business with locations in Oregon spanning Hillsboro, Beaverton, Woodburn, Odell and Canby, along with Vancouver, Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS: Maine Coon cats rescued from neglect up for adoption at Oregon Humane Society Authorities claim that from August 1, 2024, through November 1, 2024, the stores sent more than $4.2 million in wire transfers to places in Mexico. During this time period, authorities said her other co-conspirators accepted nearly $50,000 in cash represented as drug proceeds and laundered the funds through the La Popular stores. Officials claim she charged a 10 percent commission to help launder the funds. The U.S. Attorneys Office said Barrera Orantes admitted that when she wired the funds, she used fake sender information, structured the transfers into smaller amounts and used different La Popular stores to conceal the drug proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Takes a toll on everybody: 2 coffee house workers detained by ICE despite permits to work in US, owner says On April 16, investigators executed a search warrant at Barrera Orantes Beaverton home and three La Popular stores in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Vancouver. Authorities arrested Barrera Orantes and seized more than $315,000 in cash, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, jewelry and high-end clothing. On May 13, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 23-count indictment, charging Barrera Orantes with money laundering and conspiracy, failure to file a currency transaction report and failure to file a suspicious activity report. On Friday, Barrera Orantes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and agreed to forfeit her Beaverton home and all seized property involved in the money laundering scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Barrera Orantes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and three years supervised release. Barrera Orantes sentencing is set for January 21 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A woman was shot and critically injured while standing on a South Side street on Friday evening, Chicago police said. Police said the shooting happened in the Washington Park neighborhood just before 6:30 p.m. The 43-year-old woman was standing near West Garfield Boulevard and South Lafayette Avenue when someone fired shots, striking her in the body multiple times, police said. The victim was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are searching for the shooter, and Area One detectives are investigating. Further information was not immediately available. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A Cherokee County woman is still battling to get a replacement for a $200 Vanilla gift card stolen from the mail nearly a year ago. Despite reaching out to InComm Payments, the company behind Vanilla gift cards, Cecile Peters has been unable to resolve the issue after more than 20 emails and phone calls. Every time that Ive spoken to them, I try to go in with a positive attitude. And by the time the call is over with, my pressure has risen, Peters told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Peters discovered the theft when she received a greeting card from her aunt, which included a gift receipt but no gift card. The $200 Vanilla gift card had been stolen while the card was in the mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement InComm Payments, based in Atlanta, requires documentation, including the original receipt for the purchase of the stolen or drained gift card, to process theft claims. Peters provided this documentation with her claim. In a statement to Channel 2 Action News, an InComm Payments spokesperson suggested that people mailing gift cards should add postal insurance to protect their shipment and report any mail theft to their carrier. MORE 2 INVESTIGATES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, USPS states on its website that postal insurance does not cover the loss of gift cards. USPS did provide Peters with a check for $15, which covered the cost of the postage, but not the value of the stolen gift card. Peters mentioned that InComm twice told her a replacement gift card was on the way, only for the claim process to start over again. Peterss experience highlights the challenges consumers face when gift cards are stolen from the mail, with conflicting advice from the postal service and gift card companies leaving victims frustrated and without resolution. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is on the fast track to open the bridge that carries Route 6 over French Creek. Originally estimated to be reopened in November, the bridge located on Route 6 between the intersection with Route 198 (South Street) and the intersection with Jordan Drive near the border of Woodcock and Hayfield townships will open on Oct. 31. The $6.75 million project went according to plan, according to PennDOT spokesperson Jill Harry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the project went really smoothly for us, she said. There will be some work that will happen on the structure after it opens, but we wont have to close it to do that. The original metal truss bridge built in 1933 was closed in April as it was deemed to be in poor condition and construction to build a new concrete bridge began. Since then, there has been a detour using Route 6, Route 198 and Interstate 79. About 5,500 vehicles a day use the bridge, on average. PennDOT has done milling and paving already but will be working on the barriers of the bridge in November, which will cause lane restrictions, but there will be no detour required. Mekis Construction of Fenelton completed the work and Harry said the project manager worked with the French Creek Valley Conservancy to ensure the creek and its wildlife were and continue to be protected from the construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planting grass seed and doing other work will likely continue into the spring, but no closure will be required. A second contract for the replacement of the other Route 6 bridge near Saegertown has been awarded to Francis J. Palo for about $6.9 million and is expected to begin in the spring. Harry estimated the start to be around April, but it will be weather-dependent. The county-owned Jordan Drive Bridge, which had also been closed, is expected to reopen shortly after the Route 6 bridge. County commissioners made the decision to close the Jordan Drive Bridge in April due to the increased traffic it was experiencing due to the closed main bridge. The Jordan Drive Bridge is a one-lane bridge with only a 6-ton weight limit and could not structurally handle the increased traffic. It connects Hayfield Township and Saegertown at the south end of the borough. Commissioner Chairman Eric Henry told The Meadville Tribune that the maintenance staff has a busy schedule currently but will be reopening the bridge within a week of the Route 6 bridge reopening. NEED TO KNOW The Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is set to be the world's tallest building upon completion. The current record is held by the Burj Khalifa at 2,722 feet including the spire.. Jeddah Tower will be over 3,280 feet tall and cost a reported $1.2 billion to build. Construction is progressing on whats set to become the worlds tallest building. With a final planned height of over 3,280 feet, the Jeddah Tower located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is set to break the current record held by the Burj Khalifa. Located along the Red Sea, the building will house residential, commercial and office spaces, including a luxury hotel and the worlds highest observation deck. The tower will be located at the center of a $20 billion redevelopment of the Jeddah Economic City, formerly known as the Kingdom City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind the project are architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG Architecture in Chicago. Robert Forest, a partner at the firm, told Newsweek the team is eyeing an August 2028 completion of the tower. The firm told the outlet an exact number of floors and height will be unveiled upon completion, but it will have more than 130 floors. Amel Pain/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A view of construction of the Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia A view of construction of the Jeddah Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Forest said: Construction activities have ramped up, and the atmosphere on site is robust. The entire team is committed and focused on realizing this iconic structure for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." According to Architectural Digest construction on the tower began in 2013 but paused in 2018 after leaders were arrested in the 2017 to 2019 Saudi Arabian purge. The COVID-19 pandemic caused even further delays, but Dezeen reports works picked back up in September 2023. The new building will be about 564 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, per AD. That building currently holds the title of worlds tallest structure. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture Rendering of the Jeddah Tower Rendering of the Jeddah Tower The spire-like design employs a neo-futuristic style. Architects Smith and Gill explained the shape to AD as being inspired by palm fronds, which are found throughout Saudi Arabia. The designers also wanted to pay homage to the technology that makes an advancement like this possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The geometry of the tower, starting at the base as a single tripod form then gradually separating at the spire, is tied to the wind performance characteristics of the tower an analogy of new growth fused with technology, they said. Neal Wilson/Getty Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As of Newsweeks August 2025 report, construction had been completed up to Core Level 69 with the wings following about five to 10 floors behind. On the firms website, the designers expect Jeddah Tower will cost a total of $1.2 billion to construct. Read the original article on People NEWTON COUNTY, Ark. A bear killed by wildlife officials in Arkansas earlier this month, initially believed to have killed a Missouri man, is not the same bear responsible for the deadly attack, officials say. On Oct. 2, the body of Max Thomas, of Springfield, Missouri, was discovered Thursday near Sams Throne campground of the Ozark National Forest in northwest Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. A bear was euthanized by AGFC biologists three days after the incident, as size, physical characteristics and photographic evidence initially pointed to a high probability that it was the attacking animal, said AGFC via a news release Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims family alleges doctors failed to warn of CVPA shooters threats However, DNA testing found the black bear killed by wildlife officials does not match the DNA of the bear responsible in Thomas death, according to AGFC. While we are disappointed that the initial search did not neutralize the threat, our commitment to public safety remains paramount, said AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock via the news release. We acted decisively based on the best evidence available at the time, and now that we have definitive forensic data, we are adjusting our strategy. Our teams will continue to work tirelessly to find the bear. Schoenrock says wildlife officials will continue to be vigilant in efforts to find the bear responsible for the attack. Sam Thornes Campground and surrounding public areas remain closed to ensure public safety while search efforts continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A driver heading west in the eastbound lanes of Wilshire Boulevard plowed onto a busy Santa Monica sidewalk Friday night, killing two pedestrians and injuring two others. Santa Monica Police were searching Saturday morning for the driver who fled on foot. OnScene images showed the Dodge Charger on a sidewalk stopped against a tree. The crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at a busy commercial district between 14th and Euclid streets. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The Santa Monica Fire Department transported two victims to hospitals and are expected to survive, police said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We recognize the gravity of this tragedy and the impact it has on our community, said Interim Chief Darrick Jacob. Our investigators are working tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect responsible, and our hearts are with the families of the victims who are experiencing unimaginable loss. The Departments Major Accident Response Team (MART) is leading this criminal investigation. The statement described the suspect as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a red hat, a black sweater, and black shoes. Anyone with information is urged to contact investigator Lantz Lewis (310-458-2201 x5311, Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov), Sgt. Jason Olson (310-458-8367, Jason.Olson@santamonica.gov), or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan, Sohail Afridi, on Saturday demanded that the federal government release PKR 550 billion owed to the province, urging Islamabad to convene a meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) without delay, the Dawn reported. According to Dawn, addressing a council in the province's Khyber district, Afridi accused the centre of neglecting KP's financial and security concerns, saying, "After 9/11, Pakistan entered a foreign war without our consent. Our homes, markets, and mosques were destroyed, yet we gave sacrifices for Pakistan." Warning against the launch of any new military operation in the tribal districts, Afridi said, "The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not be made scapegoats again. Despite claims that these areas were cleared in 2018, preparations are being made for new operations." The chief minister stressed that while the province supports peace efforts, it would not tolerate civilian casualties. "We stand with the state for peace, but under no circumstances will we support collateral damage. If any innocent life is lost this time, there will be accountability," he asserted, as quoted by Dawn. Afridi also called for provincial inclusion in national decision-making, saying that any plans concerning KP "must involve the provincial government and its parliamentarians" rather than being decided "behind closed doors". Earlier, Afridi chaired a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar with senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Chairman Barrister Gohar, Provincial President Junaid Akbar, and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, as reported by Dawn. The meeting reviewed the province's law and order situation and agreed to hold a "grand peace jirga" in the KP Assembly. According to a statement issued by the CM's office, the 'jirga' will bring together former chief ministers, governors, scholars, tribal elders, civil society members, lawyers, and other key figures to develop a unified strategy for lasting peace in the province. "The aim of the peace 'jirga' is to eliminate terrorism and formulate a joint approach for sustainable peace," the statement read, adding that participants paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the police force. Afridi further reaffirmed his government's support for law enforcement, saying, "The provincial government stands firmly with the police. Providing modern equipment, training, and resources to our force remains our top priority," as reported by Dawn. (ANI) ALBANY - A new statute requiring New York law enforcement officers to seize firearms when responding to domestic violence calls is drawing both praise from proponents and criticism from gun rights supporters, who warn it could undermine due process. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the measure earlier this month, expanding on a 2020 law that gave law enforcement the option to remove firearms that were in plain sight or discovered during a consensual or lawful search. Under the new mandate, officers must temporarily take weapons if a victim reports feeling in danger or if police believe the seizure is necessary to prevent potential harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alex Wilson, associate counsel of the New York State Sheriff's Association, described the changes as "not a huge paradigm shift" for law enforcement, who could already seize firearms under the Safe Housing Act of 2020. Supporters, including Democratic lawmakers who sponsored the bill, say the law is necessary to ensure that firearms do not return to potentially dangerous hands before charges are filed. The measure aims to reduce the high risk of homicide linked to firearms in domestic violence incidents. According to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, there were 613 domestic homicides in New York between 2018 and 2022. Most weapons used by intimate partners in homicides were knives or cutting instruments. About 34% involved firearms. "No one should live in fear in their own home," said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Democrat who spearheaded the measure in the Assembly. "By ensuring that law enforcement temporarily removes firearms when responding to domestic violence calls, we're giving survivors the time and safety they need to take their next steps." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But critics - including some Republican legislators and gun rights groups - say the law grants too much discretion to law enforcement and risks punishing lawful gun owners. Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, told the Times Union that he is concerned with the potential loss of due process because the law gives law enforcement officers the discretion to file the charges that would result in the removal of weapons. Under New York's red flag law, authorities can get an order from a judge to seize someone's weapons. "When the enforcement people also become the prosecution and are able to institute a warrant because of a perceived threat without any background check, it puts us all in danger," King said. The bill, which was championed in the Senate by Democratic state Sen. Peter Harckham, changed the timeline for returning seized weapons. After at least five days, the firearms must be returned if there's no legal reason preventing the owner from having them, such as an existing order of protection or another court order prohibiting possession. The previous limit was two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities can take any firearm, rifle, electronic dart or stun gun, disguised gun, imitation weapon, shotgun, antique firearm, black powder rifle or muzzle-loading firearm into custody. Hochul signed the law on Oct. 16 and it went into effect immediately. "While I am heartened that this legislation has been signed into law, now it is up to law enforcement professionals statewide to help further protect residents who experience domestic violence," Harckham said. Harckham and Paulin originally introduced the bill in 2023. However, the legislation was put on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case that objected to a federal law that bars anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a gun. The court ruled that the federal law did not violate the Second Amendment. The bill was re-introduced in November. Republicans in the state Senate opposed the measure in June, including Sen. George Borrello of Sunset Bay. Borrello argued in June that the bill was flawed because it could result in victims losing their firearms while their abusers are quickly released under bail reform. He said lawmakers should focus on keeping offenders in jail instead, the Post-Journal reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new law, the seized weapons must be returned if there's no court order, criminal charge, or conviction preventing the owner from possessing them. The court or licensing authority must issue the return once it's confirmed the owner is legally allowed to have a firearm. King questioned how hard it might be for gun owners to reclaim their firearms, noting that under New York's Red Flag laws, the process is often slow and expensive. He said that in most cases he's seen, even when a Red Flag order is lifted, owners must hire a lawyer and get a court order - costing thousands of dollars - to retrieve guns. This article originally published at New York law mandates police must take guns in domestic violence calls. Move over Manhattan Queens just claimed your crown. Queens is what Manhattan used to be. Manhattan is a shell of itself, a Queens native declared in a viral video thats dividing New Yorkers. I forget that theres a huge subset of people who have never gotten to experience how cool Manhattan was, the woman, who is from Flushing and goes by @leveluponepercent on social media, said in a TikTok post. Queens is what Manhattan used to be. Manhattan is a shell of itself, the Queens native declared in a viral video thats dividing New Yorkers. Leveluponepercent/TikTok All the people who brought all the unique experiences, the cultural experiences, the independent experiences have been pushed out, and you now have these gentrifiers who have hiked up prices, hiked up rents, and theyve brought nothing to contribute to the culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All theyve brought are matching workout sets and $10 lattes and $20 smoothies and waiting in long lines for mediocre food, she fumed in the one-and-a-half-minute-long clip, which has amassed 350,000 views and 1,550 comments in the month since it was dual-posted to Instagram alongside the account @NewYorkers. Now, anytime I want a fun, unique, cultural experience, I head to Queens. I go to Flushing, I go to Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Astoria, and thats where I can get a taste of these things again. Queens is one of the most diverse places on Earth, with around 360 languages spoken among its 2.3 million residents. Manhattan, with 1.6 million denizens, is home to the most restaurants in the five boroughs over 6,400. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, who didnt want to give her full name to The Post and would only say shes in her mid-30s, grew up in Flushing and Bayside before moving to Manhattan after college. She said she witnessed the boroughs alleged decline first-hand while living for over a decade between the East Village, Tribeca and West Harlem leading up to 2019, when she began splitting her time between the West Village and Westchester. I feel like [Manhattan] has become really sterile it feels like a mall. All of the things that made it special have disappeared . . . there was a point when there was a big startup culture, and that was so fun and so cool, she said. Now, I go down Eighth Avenue in the West Village and its a Starbucks, then its a Baskin Robbins, then its a Five Guys. So all of the cool, fun places that made it nice and interesting are all gone. Anytime I want really good food, I go to Queens. Anytime I want a cool, unique experience that we wouldnt have in Westchester, I go to Queens, she said, adding that shes even considering swapping her residence in the Village for one in the Worlds Borough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I agree completely, one Instagram user wrote, and reminisced on a period when Time square [sic] wasnt an amusement park and corporations didnt have their names lit up on our beautiful buildings. What was once an amazing metropolis is now a commercial bore, the commenter said. Anytime I want really good food, I go to Queens, the woman told The Post. Stephen Yang What was once an amazing metropolis is now a commercial bore, one Instagram user commented on the viral video, referring to Manhattan. jjfarq stock.adobe.com Others scoffed. Queens will never be Manhattan. Not even on its best day, one commenter wrote. New York is just a place of constant change and thats what makes New York New York so this idea of new people coming and changing New York makes no sense, one user pointed out. Others noted the reality of living in the Big Apple past your 30th birthday. Youre just getting older. Manhattan is still the Sh-t! wrote another. ELKHART Some speakers at the Greater Elkhart Young Professionals 11th annual Intrigue, Inspire, Ignite Elkhart County Dinner encouraged young professionals to not be afraid to try new things. Say yes to new experiences, lean into your community and invest locally and measure success by what you can achieve as a community, said Megan Erwin, the citys chief of staff. The event at The Lerner Theatres Crystal Ballroom on Thursday highlighted the stories of various community leaders and public servants. It also provided a networking opportunity for young professionals to meet with business and community leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Greater Elkhart Young Professionals is a group of individuals seeking to make meaningful contributions in the professional world and in their communities. The event had six speakers including Erwin, Hayley Boling of Boling Vision Center, Hodge Patel of Abonmarche, Josh Sisk of the Potawatomi Zoo, Guy Fisher of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and Levon Johnson of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. Sisk talked about the importance of staying and investing in the community. Im always trying to preach, Sisk said. I know it sounds amazing to leave. I mean, you should. You should try to check out the things, but you do have a great place here and if you ever want to start something, theres a lot of opportunity here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fisher, who serves as chief program officer for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, talked about his grandfather and the indelible mark his grandfathers work ethic and life had on him. Fishers grandfather did not believe the Bible taught retirement, so after he stepped away from his role working as executive director at a set of nursing homes, he pastored two churches in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, up until he died. That left a very deep impression upon me, Fisher said. Through him, I was privileged to witness a living testimony about work, service and community responsibility. Our calling to contribute, to serve and to care for others doesnt end with age or achievement. Its a lifelong journey, so we all have this innate call to work and to serve. Its part of our DNA. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County was the Ignite sponsor. Spark sponsors included Century Chemical Corp., Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Everwise Credit Union, KeyBank, NIBCO, Northern Indiana Public Service Company and RSM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erwin said that when she was first asked to speak at the event, she was glad to be told that she was still a young professional, even at age 36. It was cool because it gave me an opportunity to reflect on my experience and how the experiences that I had when I was an even younger professional shaped who I was, Erwin said. Its also always a great opportunity to be able to inspire young folks to reach for their dreams, to invest in the community here in Elkhart and greater region and find ways to connect to other people in the community. I was told at one point that Im a pretty good networker, meaning making connections between one person I meet and then next week I meet somebody else and Im like, You should meet xyz, and then put people together. Thats what a meeting like this or an event like this can do for folks is help them build connections and find ways to connect with people who they may down the road need help from or can help. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown State University Disability Club was formed two weeks ago, and Friday evening, it held the first-ever disability conference on campus. The club and conference were the idea of student and Youngstown native Emily Akers, who has arthritis and scoliosis. Akers noticed there was no place for students with disabilities to ask questions or express concerns, so the club was formed and the conference was held. Were making sure all of the services work on campus. Were updating all of the buttons around campus because there are some that dont work or some doors that dont have them at all. Were making sure that incoming students know that there are options and there are resources that they can get set up through, Akers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The club has five officers and a list of 30 to 40 students interested in joining. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Zohran Mamdani has come under fire after a speech he delivered outside a Bronx mosque, in which he said he wanted to speak to the memory of my aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab. Some took the comment to indicate he did not properly consider the nearly 3,000 who died during the terrorist attacks. Mamdani began his speech by directly addressing commentary from fellow New York mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, who he said have each made Islamophobic statements in recent days. And every day, Super PAC ads imply that I am a terrorist or mock the way I eat, he added. Push polls that ask New Yorkers questions like whether they support invented proposals to make halal food mandatory. Or political cartoons that represent my candidacy as an airplane hurtling towards the World Trade Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he chose to focus on something else: his experiences, and those of people he knows. I want to speak to the memory of my aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab. I want to speak to the Muslim who works for our city, whether they teach in our schools or walk the beat for the NYPD, Mamdani said. New Yorkers who all make daily sacrifices for the city they call home, only to see their leaders spit in their face. I want to speak to every child who grows up here, marked as the other, who is randomly selected in a way that never quite feels random, who feels that they carry a stain that can never be cleaned. The note about his aunt struck a negative chord with many, including Lux Capital cofounder Josh Wolfe, who wrote via X, The moment Mamdani crashed his campaign with this bullst. We are new yorkers. This is phony as st, and a man named Greg Price, who sarcastically noted on the same platform that Mamdanis aunt was the real victim of 9/11. According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks https://t.co/UGeKANSAH2 JD Vance (@JDVance) October 25, 2025 His comment also caught the attention of JD Vance, who wrote on X, According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity, but indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does, Mamdani also said. Since I announced my candidacy for mayor one year ago yesterday, I have sought to be the candidate fighting for every single New Yorker, not simply the Muslim candidate. Ive carried these indignities with me each moment of this race, doing so all the while as the first major Muslim candidate in the history of our city. Watch Mamdanis speech in the video above. The post Zohran Mamdani Accused of Ignoring Real Victims of 9/11 After Bronx Mosque Speech | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles Rohit Rathish said on Saturday (local time) that Radhakrishnan's visit to the island nation of Seychelles will strengthen bilateral relations and reaffirm the long history of cultural and historical ties. "We are honoured that the Vice President of India is visiting Seychelles on the swearing-in of the country's President, and it is a double privilege for us as it is the Vice President's first foreign visit. India and the Seychelles have a long history of bilateral relations and cultural and historical ties. We also share democratic values and a pluralistic society ethos," the High Commissioner told ANI here. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan's visit to Seychelles aims to boost cooperation and explore new areas, such as Artificial Intelligence. New areas of cooperation, such as AI, will be explored to address Seychelles' needs as a small island developing state. "This visit by the Vice President of India will be an opportunity for us to examine those areas of cooperation, maybe artificial intelligence, depending on the priorities of the government of Seychelles... I'm sure in the times to come, we will have new signature projects, new initiatives being announced by both sides to strengthen our bilateral partnership," added the High Commissioner. India offers short-term courses in IT, renewable energy, audit, and tourism, empowering Seychelles' human resources. "As part of our engagement with the Global South, there are many initiatives that we work with Seychelles as well, especially in the capacity building area... ITIC program, which gives short-term courses as an option for many of the Global South countries to come to India and train in various sectors, whether it is information technology, renewable energy, audit, tourism... Seychelles has been a very active participant in the past as well in these areas. One of the greatest needs for Seychelles, being a small island developing state, is to build its own capacities. That will be an effort for us to work together on. There are new challenges, both stemming from the vast ocean expanse that Seychelles inhabits, as well as new areas of technology, that we could work together on," added Rathish. VP Radhakrishan is set to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Patrick Herminie. The Vice President will also interact with the Indian diaspora, an important group that has maintained strong relations with India, including business ties, while also adding value and prosperity to the island. Seychelles is an important partner country for the MAHASAGAR initiative, which aims to strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean. With the island nation situated in the Indian Ocean and spanning a vast economic zone, the bilateral partnership benefits both countries. The bilateral partnership has been reaffirmed multiple times before, including in 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on a landmark visit to Indian Ocean countries and chose Seychelles to be his first destination. "During Prime Minister Modi's landmark visit to the Indian Ocean countries in 2015, Seychelles was the first country that he visited. For us, it is a great occasion to take stock of our ties and strengthen our bilateral cooperation at this juncture when Seychelles has elected a new government. This is a commitment from the Government of India to strengthen our bilateral partnership," Rohit Rathish said. Talking about VP's interaction with the Indian diaspora, he highlighted how the group has been an 'anchor' in the relationship between the countries. "He (Radhakrishnan) will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora here. They have retained cultural ties with India and business ties with India, and they add value and prosperity to this country as well. So they are one of the anchors of our relationship, which is rooted very strongly in historical and cultural ties," he mentioned. At the invitation of the Government of Seychelles, the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, will visit the Republic of Seychelles from October 26-27 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Patrick Herminie, President-elect of the Republic of Seychelles, on behalf of the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement. During the visit, the Vice President will convey India's warm felicitations to Patrick Herminie and reaffirm the close, longstanding, and time-tested ties between the two countries. The visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier congratulations to Patrick Herminie on October 12, following his victory in Seychelles' Presidential Elections. Modi had expressed confidence that the long-standing ties between India and the island nation would grow stronger under Herminie's leadership. The Prime Minister highlighted that the Indian Ocean serves as a "shared heritage" that connects the people of both countries and supports their aspirations. He said India looks forward to working closely with the new government in Seychelles to enhance cooperation across sectors. Opposition leader Patrick Herminie emerged victorious in the Seychelles presidential election, defeating incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan in a closely contested runoff, according to official results released early Sunday. The election commission announced that Herminie secured 52.7 per cent of the vote, while Ramkalawan garnered 47.3 per cent. Herminie, representing the United Seychelles party, returns the political group to power after four years in opposition. (ANI) India and Seychelles are strengthening their historic ties, with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan's upcoming visit marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. India and Seychelles are set to strengthen their bilateral relations in maritime security, defence, tourism, and renewable energy, and further develop on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Mahasagar', which encompasses the strategically important Indian Ocean. Ahead of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan's visit to the island nation of Seychelles, Indian High Commissioner Rohit Rathish highlighted that India is looking to partner with Seychelles in marine conservation and tourism, and to strengthen its partnership with the country further. The island nation is an important part of India's Mahasagar initiative, which aims to improve maritime security. "PM Modi's vision of Mahasagar envelops the entire Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is key to India's well-being and prosperity. 90% of our trade and volume passes through the Indian Ocean. Seychelles is an island country in the Indian Ocean, but it has a vast exclusive economic zone of about 1.4 million sq Kms. We have been partners in the past and will continue to be partners in the future on strengthening maritime security and defence ties, but also ties such as tourism, renewable energy," Indian High Commissioner Rathish told ANI here. "Being an island country, Seychelles focuses a lot on marine conservation and science. It is very important to Seychelles' economy, alongside tourism. So it will be our effort to try and partner in these areas as well," he added. Highlighting continued cooperation between the two countries, the High Commissioner said that the Vice President's visit will also provide an opportunity to explore new areas of collaboration, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the possibility of new projects being announced. Over the past decade, the governments of India and Seychelles have worked very closely. It will be an opportunity for us, the visit of the Vice President, to examine those areas of cooperation and take the new steps in these particular areas, and also look at new areas of collaboration, maybe artificial intelligence, depending on the priorities of the government of Seychelles," he said. India and Seychelles are already jointly working on various initiatives as part of a broader engagement with the global south. The ITIC program offers short-term courses as an option for many countries in the Global South to come to India and train in various sectors, including information technology, renewable energy, audit, and tourism, High Commissioner Rathish underlined. The Mahasagar initiative is the Indian Navy's flagship outreach for high-level virtual interactions among Maritime Heads to promote Active Security and Growth for All in the Region. The initiative is held biannually and has garnered widespread acceptance among participating nations since its inception in 2023. As part of the initiative, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has interacted with Heads of Navies/ Maritime Agencies and Senior Leadership of various countries, including holding virtual meetings with maritime heads of Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania in November 2024. At the invitation of the Government of Seychelles, the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, will visit the Republic of Seychelles from October 26-27 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Patrick Herminie, President-elect of the Republic of Seychelles, on behalf of the Government of India. During the visit, the Vice President will convey India's warm felicitations to Patrick Herminie and reaffirm the close, longstanding, and time-tested ties between the two countries. (ANI) Polling for the four Rajya Sabha seats will begin tomorrow at the legislative assembly from 9 am onwards, and by evening, the results will become clearer. Kumar, known to be a close aide of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was deported to India and taken into custody by a Haryana Police team upon his arrival at Delhi Airport on Saturday. According to the publication, the two sides agreed on a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday after escalating violence along the border raised fears of broader conflict. The Foreign Office confirmed that the ceasefire, requested by the Taliban and mutually agreed, took effect at 6 pm local time on 15 October and would last for 48 hours. The East Wing, which has served as the office for the First Lady and her staff since 1942, has hosted fourteen First Ladies, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, and Melania Trump. With its demolition, a historic part of the White House legacy has been reduced to rubble. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad will enter into an "open war" with Kabul if the ongoing peace talks in Istanbul fail, TOLO News reported. The meetings aim to solve the dispute and rising tensions along the Afghan-Pak border after weeks of deadly clashes and ceasefire violations. "In a conversation with reporters, Khawaja Asif added that although no incidents or clashes have occurred in recent days, indicating that the Doha Agreement has been somewhat effective," TOLO News said. However, officials from the Afghanistan government have not responded to these remarks by Pakistan's Defence Minister, it said. Delegations from both countries are in Turkey for the second round of discussions. The talks focus on implementing the Doha agreement, stopping cross-border attacks, and rebuilding trust. According to TOLO News, the dialogue is covering four main points: creating a joint monitoring system to prevent future violence, ensuring respect for each other's sovereignty, addressing the roots of Pakistan's security issues from the past two decades, and removing trade restrictions. The talks also include a discussion on stopping the forced deportation of Afghan refugees and keeping the refugee issue out of politics. Asif, who led Pakistan's earlier Doha negotiations, said the situation at the border had been calm recently but warned it could change quickly if diplomacy fails. The meeting follows the first round of talks, jointly mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, which took place in Doha on October 18 and October 19. During this period, both parties agreed to an "immediate ceasefire" following days of intense border clashes. Last week, Qatar announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an "immediate ceasefire" following intense border clashes.In a statement issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the follow-up talks in Tukriye are to ensure the "sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner." "A round of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held in Doha, mediated by the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye. During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries," the statement said. Asif reminded that Pakistan had supported Afghanistan for decades by hosting millions of migrants and sheltering them. Though earlier this week, Pakistani security forces shut down several long-standing Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan, displacing thousands of residents and demolishing their homes and shops. Camps in Loralai, Gardi Jungle, Saranan, Zhob, Qala-e-Saifullah, Pishin, and Muslim Bagh have been affected. Refugees told they were forced out suddenly without being allowed to gather their belongings. The clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban government curb militants attacking Pakistan from inside Afghanistan. Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border and both countries exchanged heavy fire, killing dozens. However, Taliban officials denied claims that Afghan soil was being used to attack Pakistan. They said the Islamic Emirate "does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries" and remains committed to regional peace. (ANI) United States President Donald Trump on Sunday yet again claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan, which started following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April of this year. "I got it done (ceasefire). There are others. If you look at India and Pakistan. I could say almost any one of the deals that I've already done I thought would have been more difficult than Russia and Ukraine, but it didn't work out that way," President Trump said while interacting with presspersons aboard Air Force One. President Trump made these comments when asked about the possibility of resuming a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with plans for an earlier meeting currently suspended indefinitely. He also claimed that the Russian President praised him for his efforts in brokering peace in various other conflicts, including in Azerbaijan and Armenia, while saying that the Russia-Ukraine war is the most challenging thing to solve. "I'm going to have to know that we're going to have a deal (with Putin). I'm not going to be wasting my time. I've always had a very great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing. I thought this would have gotten done before peace in the Middle East. We have Azerbaijan, Armenia - that was very tough. In fact, Putin told me on the phone he said, 'Boy, that was amazing' because everybody tried to get that done and they couldn't," Trump mentioned. Trump is travelling to Malaysia to attend the upcoming ASEAN summit. He stopped at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, where he welcomed Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani aboard the plane. During the press gaggle, the US president expressed confidence in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, while warning Hamas of serious consequences if the ceasefire agreement with Israel is violated. "I think it (ceasefire) will hold. Well, if it doesn't hold, it's Hamas. Hamas will not be hard to deal with very quickly. I hope it holds for Hamas too because they gave us their world on something, so I think it's going to hold, and if it doesn't, then they'll have a very big problem," he said. The US President is on a three-nation tour, during which, after Malaysia, he is set to visit Japan and South Korea. While in Kuala Lumpur for the summit, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks to prevent an escalation of their trade war. The threatened tariffs and other trade curbs would take effect on November 1 in retaliation for China's expanded export controls on rare-earth magnets and minerals. Recent actions include an expanded US export blacklist covering thousands more Chinese firms. Through engagement with Asian leaders, Trump aims to negotiate favourable trade agreements, reduce tariffs, and boost US exports, with his return to Asia potentially redefining regional trade and diplomacy. (ANI) TOKYO, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - As anticipation builds for the Japan Mobility Show 2025, set to open at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30th to November 9th, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has announced a sweeping reorganization of the automakers brand strategy. The company will redefine its group structure, including Daihatsu, into five distinct brands, with its flagship luxury car, the Century, becoming a fully independent marque. Toyota also revealed that concept models representing this new vision will make their debut at the upcoming exhibition. The Japan Mobility Show, one of the countrys largest showcases of automotive innovation, will feature leading companies presenting how they envision the future of mobility. In an interview ahead of the event, anchor Reimi Tsutsumi spoke with Simon Humphries, Toyota Motor Corporations Executive Officer and Chief Branding Officer, who leads the companys creative design and brand direction. Humphries described the event as an inspiring platform where numerous companies bring not only their latest products but also their aspirations for the future. The most exciting part, he said, is seeing bold ideas about what future mobility could look like and how people might live more enjoyable and engaging lives through innovation. Its about sharing those ideas with the world. Moments before the interview, Humphries had appeared with Toyoda in a live broadcast announcing Toyotas redefined brand framework. The company unveiled several concept vehicles, including an orange-colored Century and a six-wheeled Lexus model, each reflecting the diversity of design and innovation Toyota aims to pursue. Were doing this seriously, Humphries emphasized. Theres still a long climb ahead, but we are determined to make it happen. Discussing Toyotas underlying philosophy for this years exhibition, Humphries said the unifying concept is invention. Our groups slogan is Lets invent the next path, he explained. This inventive spirit is essentialnot only for Toyota but also for brands like Lexus, Daihatsu, and Century. Every one of them operates on the foundation of that same spirit of invention. Asked about Toyotas vision for the future of mobility, Humphries said it lies in personalization and inclusivity. I believe the future we dream of is right in front of us, he said. Mobility should allow everyone to live the lifestyle they choose, to move in the way they want. The key message is: no one should be left behind. Future mobility must be diverse and inclusive. The Japan Mobility Show 2025, which runs from October 30th through November 9th at Tokyo Big Sight, promises to offer a glimpse into such a future. Rather than focusing on creating an average car for everyone, Toyota and other participants aim to design vehicles that reflect the unique expectations and desires of each individual. This commitment to inventive, people-centered design may well define the next chapter of mobility itself. Source: FNN KYUSHU, Oct 25 (News On Japan) - A subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a leading chipmaker, signed a location agreement with Kikuyo Town in Kumamoto Prefecture on October 24th for the construction of its second factory in Japan. The new facility will produce higher-performance semiconductors than those made at its first plantTSMCs first manufacturing site in Japanand will supply chips for a wide range of applications including artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and telecommunications equipment. Following the agreement, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government plans to provide up to 1.5 billion yen in subsidies to support the project. Source: Kyodo Hearing the words you have cancer is a life-altering moment. In an instant, the world can feel like it has been turned upside down. The initial diagnosis is often a blur of shock, fear, and a flood of complex information that can be almost impossible to process. It is a deeply disorienting and overwhelming experience. But in the days and weeks that follow, as you prepare to meet with your oncology team, its important to remember that you are not a passive passenger on this journey. You are the most important member of your own care team. The key to cutting through the fog of a new diagnosis is to arm yourself with information. This means asking your doctor a lot of questions, about everything from the standard treatments to the cutting-edge research that is underway, such as cell therapy for metastatic breast cancer. To start this crucial conversation and to ensure you have a clear understanding of your path forward, here is a guide to the essential questions you should ask. Questions About Your Specific Diagnosis The first step is to get a crystal-clear understanding of the specific type of cancer you have. This information is the foundation of your entire treatment plan. What is the exact type and stage of my cancer? What were the results of my pathology report and any biomarker tests? (e.g., for breast cancer, is it HR-positive or HER2-positive?) Can I have a copy of all my reports for my own records? Questions About Your Treatment Plan This is the conversation about the what comes next. Your doctor will likely present you with a recommended treatment plan, and it is your right to understand every aspect of it. What are all of my available treatment options? What treatment plan do you recommend for me, and why? What is the primary goal of this treatment? (e.g., is it to cure the cancer, or to manage it as a chronic condition?) What are the potential short-term and long-term side effects of this treatment? How will we know if the treatment is working? Questions About Clinical Trials A clinical trial is an opportunity to get access to the absolute cutting edge of cancer care. Its always a good idea to ask if a trial is a potential option for you. Are there any clinical trials that I might be a good candidate for, either now or in the future? How would a clinical trial be different from the standard-of-care treatment? Where can I find more information about the clinical trials that are available for my specific type of cancer? Questions About Your Care Team and Support You will be interacting with a whole team of healthcare professionals. Its helpful to understand who they are and what their roles are. Who will be my primary point of contact on the team if I have a question? (This is often a dedicated nurse navigator). How will this treatment affect my daily life and my ability to work? What support services are available to me and my family through this hospital? (This can include nutritional counseling, mental health support, and financial navigation). Patient advocacy groups have a wealth of resources on these kinds of support services. Tips for Your Appointment It can be almost impossible to remember everything that is said during these long and information-heavy appointments. Bring a friend or a family member. Ask them to be your designated note-taker, so you can focus on listening and asking questions. Ask if you can record the conversation on your smartphone. This will allow you to listen back to it later. Dont be afraid to say, Can you explain that in a simpler way? A cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming event, but you do not have to be a passive recipient of your care. By coming to your appointments prepared with these thoughtful questions, you can move from a place of fear to a place of empowerment and become a confident, active partner in your own journey to healing. The 93rd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly will be held in Marrakesh November 24 to 27 to address several topics related to the expansion of INTERPOLs global policing capabilities and coordination in the fight against transnational organized crime and transnational scam centers. In addition to approving the Organizations future activities, strategic framework and budget, this session of the General Assembly will discuss Women in policing, Silver Notice pilot project results and the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime. According to INTERPOL press release, the Marrakesh Assembly will also vote for new members of the Executive Committee, including the President, as their respective mandates come to an end. The General Assembly is INTERPOLs supreme governing body and comprises delegates appointed by the governments of member countries. It meets once a year and takes all the major decisions related to general policy, the resources needed for international cooperation, working methods, and finances. An Italian parliamentary delegation praised on Friday in Laayoune the dynamic development that the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region is experiencing across various sectors. The delegation members, representing both Chambers of the Italian Parliament, attended presentations and conducted field visits to closely examine the regions potential and the infrastructure available in several socio-economic sectors. In a statement to the media, Ettore Rosato, Coordinator of the Parliamentary Group and Secretary-General of the Action (Azione) Party, said that the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region is experiencing sustained development, marked by a genuine determination to create conditions conducive to economic growth and improved quality of life. The region is witnessing remarkable development, driven by significant investments across multiple sectors, Rosato stated, emphasizing the shared desire to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Morocco and Italy. On this occasion, the delegation met with the President of the Municipal Council, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid, during which they received a presentation on the development program covering the various projects included in the framework of the new development model for the Southern Provinces. The Italian parliamentarians also met with the President of the Regional Council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, where they were briefed on the regional development program and informed of the main ongoing projects. During this meeting, attention was also drawn to the relevance of Moroccos autonomy plan as a means to definitively resolve the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara. Additionally, the parliamentarians discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sectors such as industry, tourism, logistics, renewable energy, health, and services, with a view to organizing sectoral meetings between professionals from the relevant departments of both countries. They also highlighted the need to implement academic exchange programs and encourage companies to carry out concrete projects in the region. The United States has long used hydropower, which is now the countrys largest source of renewable energy, for electricity production. Hydropower contributed 27 percent of total U.S. utility-scale renewable electricity generation and 5.86 percent of total utility-scale electricity production in 2024. The U.S. first started developing its hydropower fleet in the late 1800s, long before other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Hydropower plants produce electricity using the elevation difference created by a dam or diversion structure. Water flows in one side and exits at a lower point, spinning a turbine, which runs a generator to produce electricity. However, of the more than 90,000 dams in the United States, fewer than 3 percent produce power, with the others being used for recreation, farm ponds, flood control, water supply, and irrigation. While there is huge potential for hydropower in the United States, many of the existing facilities are getting older and more expensive to maintain. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was launched under the Biden administration provides $753.6 million to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) for hydropower, but significantly more funding would be required to expand rather than solely maintain the countrys hydropower capacity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects hydropower generation to rise by 7.5 percent in 2025, after falling by 241 billion kilowatt-hours (BkWh) in 2024, to its lowest generation since 2010. Generation is expected to reach 259.1 BkWh this year, to contribute around 6 percent of U.S. electricity production. Approximately half of the hydropower generating capacity in the U.S. is in the western states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Energy experts suggest that now may be a make-or-break moment for hydropower, as several existing facilities require high quantities of funding to extend their lifespans. Almost 450 hydroelectric plants, which contribute over 16 GW of electricity in total, are due to be relicensed across the U.S. over the next 10 years. This accounts for around 40 percent of non-federal hydropower. However, the introduction of stricter requirements will require millions of dollars to be spent on upgrades to qualify for a new operating permit for existing facilities, which is forcing many companies to close operations. Many of these plants have been providing vast quantities of stable, clean electricity for decades. However, the falling costs associated with natural gas, wind, and solar power have made it increasingly difficult for hydropower to compete. Most dams in the U.S. have an average age of 65 years, meaning they were built without the same consideration for the environment that is now expected for hydropower development. Upgrading old facilities to enable the unobstructed passage for fish and other wildlife, as well as meeting other environmental standards, would be extremely expensive for operators. In addition, many of these facilities require significant investment to fix or replace turbines and other hardware that have atrophied over time. Another barrier to relicensing is the lack of clear oversight for the sector. No single agency has full authority over hydropower. This can make the bureaucratic process for a new license extremely complex, as various agencies may have different standards and expectations for operators. At present, it takes an average of eight years to relicense an existing hydropower facility, which is far longer than for other energy sources. In January, the Biden administrations Treasury Department expanded a renewable energy rule to include hydropower, which treats facilities as new if operators reinvest a minimum of 80 percent of the facilitys market value into infrastructure upgrades, making them eligible for larger federal write-offs. Only one hydropower facility has used the federal investment tax credit to date, as, until recently, there was a lack of clear guidance on how to apply the tax credit. While President Trump has been highly critical of many renewable energy sources, hydropower is one of the few clean energies that Trump appears to support. Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act preserves the sectors access to key federal tax credits for the next eight years, which could help reassure investors. There have been some positive signs for the hydropower sector in recent months, with the signing of a $3 billion hydropower deal between Google and Brookfield Asset Management in July. Google hopes the project will provide up to 3 GW of hydropower for its data centres. The move includes 20-year power purchase agreements for two hydropower facilities in Pennsylvania. The two sites are expected to be upgraded and relicensed as part of the arrangement, and Google aims to eventually expand the deal beyond the two initial sites to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, the company said. This collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward, ensuring clean energy supply in the PJM region where we operate, Googles head of data centre energy, Amanda Peterson Corio, said in a statement. To enable hydropower plants to continue providing a significant proportion of the United States clean electricity, significant funding must be contributed to the sector to make facilities eligible for relicensing. Many plants require millions of dollars in upgrades, which most operators simply cannot afford. Meanwhile, the falling cost of gas, solar, and wind power has made hydropower less competitive in recent years, despite its long history in the U.S. and significant contribution to the countrys clean energy mix. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The technology behind sodium-ion batteries just got a whole lot more advanced thanks to one small tweak in their design. Scientists at the University of Surrey discovered that by charging traditional approaches to using nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate (NVOH), a pre-existing sodium-based material, batteries not only perform better, they can also desalinate water, presenting a surprising and useful dual functionality. Typically, scientists remove the water content that naturally occurs in NVOH, in keeping with standard practice. But the research team at Surrey tested what would happen if they left the material in its natural, hydrated state. The result was a battery that holds double the charge of a typical model, or about as much as some of the best-performing cathodes on the market. Interesting Engineering reports that compared to traditional sodium-ion battery models, the new NVOH model stores more charge, charges faster, and remains stable for over 400 charge cycles. The findings are detailed in a paper published in the scientific publication Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Our results were completely unexpected, said Surrey Future Fellow Dr. Daniel Commandeur. Sodium vanadium oxide has been around for years, and people usually heat-treat it to remove the water because its thought to cause problems. We decided to challenge that assumption, and the outcome was far better than we anticipated. Part of that surprising outcome was the discovery that this technology can also be used to desalinate water. Being able to use sodium vanadate hydrate in salt water is a really exciting discovery, as it shows sodium-ion batteries could do more than just store energy they could also help remove salt from water, Dr. Commandeur went on to say. In the long term, that means we might be able to design systems that use seawater as a completely safe, free and abundant electrolyte, while also producing fresh water as part of the process. This compound breakthrough could have serious disruptive potential for the booming battery storage sector, as it could allow sodium-ion batteries to become more competitive with lithium-ion batteries, which currently dominate the market. At present, lithium-ion batteries power 70 percent of all rechargeable devices, from smartphones to EV batteries to grid-scale energy storage. Related: Spains Clean Energy Dilemma Sodium-ion batteries have been gaining favor in research and development spaces for some time now as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Breakthroughs for lithium-ion development, design, deployment have been stacking up, but the technologies have nevertheless struggled to challenge lithiums dominance. Lithium-ion batteries have become nearly ubiquitous thanks to lithiums excellent energy density and ability to perform well in cold temperatures. These attributes make the metal indispensable for high-performance applications according to EV World. But lithium has some serious downsides, including negative environmental impacts and geopolitically fraught supply chains largely controlled by China. While lithium boasts some critical attributes that make it a storage superstar, sodium also has some unique selling points that could make it the next industry darling. "Sodium is a much more sustainable source for batteries [than lithium]," James Quinn, chief executive of UK-based battery technology company Faradion, told the BBC. "It's widely available around the world, meaning it's cheaper to source, and less water intensive to extract," says Quinn. "It takes 682 times more water to extract one tonne of lithium versus one tonne of sodium. That is a significant amount." Industry insiders say that sodium-ion batteries are on the cusp of large-scale commercialization as technologies advance and prices fall. But we still shouldnt expect an all-out replacement of lithium-ion batteries. The future of batteries isnt about lithium versus sodium it will require both. Taking advantage of both models for their unique attributes can create a more versatile and resilient energy storage sector, among other critical applications. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The surge in cocaine output is attributed to the end of aerial glyphosate spraying and a reduction in manual eradication efforts, leading to a dramatic increase in coca bush cultivation. Record-breaking cocaine production in Colombia is causing significant tension with the United States, with former President Trump accusing President Petro of colluding with drug traffickers and threatening to end US aid. In an inflammatory social media post, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Colombias first-ever leftwing President Gustavo Petro of colluding with drug traffickers, calling him an illegal drug leader. Trump, in an increasingly hardline stance, called for the cessation of U.S. aid and imposition of further steep tariffs on Colombia. He even went as far as threatening military strikes if narcotics trafficking does not end. This is testing the historically close alliance between the United States and Colombia, which is Latin Americas largest recipient of U.S. financial aid. The latest spat comes after Trump decertified Colombia as a counternarcotics partner in September 2025, stating the country had failed demonstrably in its obligations to fight drug trafficking. Colombias rapidly growing cocaine output, which set a new annual record for the past ten years, is straining what was once a close-knit relationship between the White House and the Casa Narino, Colombias presidential residence. By the mid-1990s, Colombia had overtaken Peru and Bolivia to become the worlds leading cocaine producer. As a result, the strife-torn country now supplies close to 70% of all cocaine consumed globally. United Nations data shows Colombias 2023 cocaine output surged by a massive 53% year over year to an all-time high of 2,664 metric tons. This is a whopping nine times greater than the 290 metric tons manufactured a decade earlier and almost 30 times more cocaine than Colombia produced in 1993, the year notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar was shot down on a Medellin rooftop. Cultivation of the coca bush, whose leaves contain the alkaloid needed to produce cocaine, climbed to a record 253,000 hectares (625,176 acres) during 2023. This figure is 10% higher than a year earlier and five times the 48,000 hectares (118,610 acres) recorded for 2013. Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime The sharp surge in the amount of land used to grow the alkaloid-rich coca bush began when then-President Juan Manuel Santos ended the aerial spraying of glyphosate for illicit crop eradication in May 2015. He made the controversial decision because a 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) report indicated that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic. Studies also link the herbicide to birth defects, Alzheimer-type diseases, and immunological disorders. Herbicidal drift was another long-standing issue with glyphosate aerial spraying, particularly because the herbicide persisted in the environment for up to 72 hours after application. When spraying coca fields, herbicide droplets would drift well beyond the target zone, destroying legitimate crops, damaging the jungle canopy, and contaminating water bodies. This was particularly problematic with the U.S. contractors charged with spraying glyphosate, showing little regard for the herbicides impact on local communities and the environment. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here Another contributing factor to the rising volume of coca being grown in Colombia was Petros decision to reduce efforts to manually eradicate illicit crops significantly. Forced eradication, even after aerial coca fumigation ended, long formed the backbone of Bogotas counternarcotics strategy aimed at suppressing cocaine production. During 2023, only 20,325 hectares (50,224 acres) of coca had been manually eradicated, a third of the 68,974 hectares (172,910 acres) destroyed a year earlier and a fifth of the 103,257 hectares (255,154 acres) removed during 2021. Instead, Colombias president shifted strategy to pursue illegal armed groups, their leaders and finances rather than the poor peasants who maintain a subsistence living from growing coca. That plan resulted in a significant increase in narcotics seizures. For 2023, Colombian authorities seized 739,557 kilograms of cocaine, the highest volume ever. This represented a 12% year-over-year increase and was 5 times the 147,464 kilograms seized a decade earlier. Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime While that is an impressive quantity of cocaine that was removed from global supply, it doesnt tell the full story. You see, since 2012, when authorities interdicted 61% of all cocaine produced in Colombia, the quantity seized relative to total production has fallen substantially, as the chart below shows. Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime The 739 metric tons seized by Colombian authorities during 2023 represent a mere 28% of all cocaine produced that year. This is the lowest amount relative to the volume of cocaine produced since 2007, when authorities intercepted 161 metric tons or 27% of that year's total output. This data suggests the total volume of cocaine exported from Colombia to principal consumer markets, the U.S. and Western Europe, is increasing. In that context, the White House's elevated level of frustration is easier to understand. Soaring cocaine output sparked considerable speculation over whether the narcotic is a major contributor to Colombias economy. An academic paper valued 2023 cocaine production at $15.3 billion, making the illicit trade responsible for 4.2% of Colombias gross domestic product (GDP), which is significantly more than the 2.7% generated by petroleum, the Andean countrys largest export. This estimated $15.3 billion is nearly as much as the $15.8 billion earned by crude oil exports, making the narcotic Colombias second most valuable export during 2023, underscoring cocaines considerable economic clout. The latest events couldnt come at a worse time for a cash-strapped Petro administration. Trumps decision to halt all financial aid to Colombia, totaling $232 billion for 2025, has removed a vital financial lifeline at a time when fiscal revenue is plummeting. The notable decline in fiscal revenue is exacerbated by significantly weaker production of Colombias main legal export, petroleum. Not only is Colombias crude oil production locked in a seemingly never-ending death spiral, negatively affecting a key source of fiscal income, but this problem is compounded by weaker oil prices and foreign energy companies slashing investment. For these reasons, the Petro administration is facing a potentially debilitating financial crisis. Plummeting tax revenue and expenditures soaring to unsustainable levels, driven by the need to bolster security spending to counter growing lawlessness, are responsible for the fiscal deficit ballooning. For the first eight months of 2025, Colombias budgetary shortfall amounted to 5.1% of GDP, with economists, before accounting for the loss of U.S. aid, anticipating it will balloon to 8% by the end of 2025. The loss of U.S. aid is a tremendous blow for Bogota. For decades, Colombia has benefited from Washingtons largesse, receiving $6.8 billion over the last decade. This not only makes Colombia the largest recipient of U.S. aid in Latin America, but also makes it an important financial lifeline for the strife-torn country. This places greater pressure on already severely stretched finances, with the government unable to fund any sustained budget shortfall. This will only worsen if Trump hikes tariffs on imports from Colombia. The U.S. is the countrys largest trade partner, receiving over $14 billion, or 29%, of Colombias exports during 2024. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: By Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl, Oregon has spent decades chasing a vision of universal health coverage the belief that if every person has a government health plan, we will have solved the health care problem. On paper, that sounds compassionate. In reality, its become a costly illusion one that consumes billions of dollars without delivering the access people were promised. Nearly everyone in Oregon now technically has coverage. Yet more and more Oregonians especially those on Medicaid cant find a doctor, cant get an appointment, and often travel hours for care. The card in their wallet doesnt guarantee access; it guarantees a waiting list. Coverage does not mean access, and its time we face it honestly. When Coverage Replaces Access The fundamental mistake Oregon has made is confusing coverage with care. They are two very different things. Health care access depends on capacity the number of doctors, nurses, clinics, hospitals, and the reimbursement levels that keep them operating. Coverage, by contrast, is a paper promise an insurance plan that claims to pay for something, even when the system cant deliver it. Over the last decade, Oregons policy approach has focused almost exclusively on expanding coverage. Weve taken limited Medicaid dollars and spread them across a larger and growing population. At the same time, weve capped reimbursement growth paying providers far below the true cost of care while layering on mandates for broader benefits, higher quality metrics, strict labor standards, and complex reporting requirements. Expanding coverage is politically easy it looks good in headlines and budget notes but expanding capacity requires hard work, discipline, and the courage to confront the real cost drivers. The math simply doesnt work. When the state demands T-bone steak quality but pays hamburger prices, eventually the steakhouse closes. Providers leave the Medicaid market because it underpays. Private insurers are forced to absorb the cost gap, driving premiums higher for working families. And the very people Medicaid was designed to serve the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities are left competing for fewer and fewer underpaid providers. Its not a mystery. Its Economics 101. Oregons Cost Growth Target is a perfect example of how good intentions get lost in bureaucratic translation. The name suggests were controlling the cost of care, but thats a misnomer. The state isnt lowering the real cost of delivering health care labor, supplies, utilities, construction, and regulatory compliance all continue to rise every year. In fact, the Legislature has passed bill after bill that increases those underlying costs from new staffing mandates and wage requirements to building standards and compliance rules. Meanwhile, the Cost Growth Target focuses only on controlling reimbursement rates, not the real cost drivers. In practice, it tells providers, You must deliver care at below-cost rates, and calls that savings. But when government limits what it pays while simultaneously driving up costs, it doesnt reduce spending it just shifts the shortfall onto providers, private insurers, and patients. The result is predictable: fewer providers, higher private premiums, and declining access for those who rely on public coverage. Its another case of policy labels concealing economic reality. Friedmans Warning and Oregons Proof Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman often said that when government tries to guarantee outcomes by fixing prices, it ends up guaranteeing shortages instead. You cant repeal the laws of supply and demand by legislation. Thats exactly what Oregons health care system demonstrates. By fixing Medicaid reimbursement below the true cost of care, we have created a price ceiling that drives providers out. By expanding coverage to new populations, we have driven demand up. The predictable result: a shortage of access. Friedman called this the third-party payer problem when someone other than the consumer pays the bill, no one has an incentive to spend wisely. Patients overutilize because they dont feel the cost. Bureaucrats ration care because they cant afford the promises. Providers drown in regulation while trying to make ends meet and leave the market. Oregon has managed to create all three conditions at once. This crisis didnt appear overnight, and it didnt come from any single bill or budget cycle. Oregon has been building this problem for years through a series of well-intentioned but unsustainable policy choices expanding eligibility, capping reimbursements via an overall cost growth target, and layering mandates faster than the system can absorb them. Every insurer, provider, and patient in the state knows it. The math has been upside down for a long time. What were seeing now is the inevitable result of policies that prioritize coverage numbers over care capacity. It has nothing to do with the Big Beautiful Bill or HR 1 its the product of years of state-level decisions that ignored the basic economics of health care delivery. These choices havent just strained budgets theyve redefined what Medicaid is, and who it serves. Expanding Coverage, Diluting Care Oregons health care crisis is not confined to a single program its the product of a long series of expansions that have stretched limited Medicaid dollars across an ever-larger population. Today, roughly one in three Oregonians is covered by Medicaid or a Medicaid-like plan. Thats one of the highest rates in the nation placing Oregon among just a handful of states where nearly a third of all residents now rely on government-funded health coverage. That includes not just the elderly, children, and people with disabilities the populations the program was originally designed to protect but now hundreds of thousands of working-age, able-bodied adults who could otherwise participate in the private market. Two programs in particular have contributed to this shift. Oregon is one of just three states to implement the Bridge Plan (also known as the Basic Health Plan, established under the ACA), which expands Medicaid coverage to people between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Oregon has also implemented the Healthier Oregon Program (HOP), which extends full benefits to non-U.S. citizens (paid entirely by state tax revenue). Each expansion may have a compassionate intent, but together theyve transformed Medicaid from a safety-net program into a catch-all entitlement without adding any new capacity or addressing the rising costs of providing care. Every new enrollee draws from the same limited funding pool that supports Oregons most vulnerable citizens. The result is predictable: reimbursement rates stagnate, providers leave the system or consolidate and reduce competition, and access for those truly dependent on public care continues to shrink. Even supporters of these programs can see the economics are unsustainable. We are subsidizing new populations while underpaying the providers who care for our most fragile Oregonians. That is fiscal negligence disguised as virtue. HOP and the Bridge Plan are not anomalies; they are symptoms of a system that confuses expanding coverage with delivering care. Oregons challenge is not a lack of generosity its a lack of discipline and prioritization. Until we confront that reality, every expansion will deepen the unequal access to care the very problem it claims to solve. The Path Forward: Universal Access Through Market Innovation If we want universal access as opposed to universal coverage, we must rebuild Oregons system from the ground up. That means: Refocusing Medicaid and state-funded health programs on the most vulnerable Oregonians the elderly, children, and those unable to care for themselves. Paying fair, sustainable reimbursement rates to retain providers and restore capacity. Encouraging innovation direct-pay clinics, subscription care models, tiered pricing, telehealth, and nonprofit partnerships that expand reach and affordability without bureaucratic waste. Removing cost-drivers buried in Oregon law labor mandates, facility rules, reporting requirements, financial penalties, and a barrage of bureaucratic rules that inflate the cost of care delivery. We must align state policy with actual cost realities. Redirecting funds from unsustainable expansions like the Bridge Plan and HOP into core services that ensure genuine access. Markets, when allowed to function, amplify compassion. They allow choice, reward efficiency, and create space for new ideas. They create more affordable options for more people. When government focuses on outcomes instead of control, Oregonians get better care at a lower cost, with greater dignity. Oregons Crossroads Oregon stands at a turning point. We can keep chasing the illusion of universal coverage adding more names to a government ledger while access collapses or we can build a system rooted in universal access, where every Oregonian, regardless of income, can actually see a doctor when they need one. Universal coverage is a promise printed on paper. Universal access is a promise delivered in person. The difference is not ideological. Its practical. Its moral. And its urgent. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Queensland government celebrated the creation of new national parks this year, with Premier David Crisafulli saying it is time to "get serious" and be "ambitious" in protecting nature. But this claim doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Despite decades of conservation promises, Queensland remains a globally significant hotspot for destroying forests and native vegetation. Our new study finds Queensland has lost at least 21% of its original woody vegetation since European colonization. One-fifth of that loss has happened since 2000, even as the area of land being protected in state or national parks more than doubled. By 2018, nearly two-thirds of subregions (areas that have similar patterns of climate, geology, vegetation and wildlife) still had less than 10% of their woody vegetation protected. Half were considered at "high" or "very high" risk of further loss. Despite the creation of new national parks in some areas, bulldozers have kept working across vast parts of the state. Threatened animals, plants and precious landscapes are hanging on by a thread. Parks in the wrong places Our analysis compared the loss of forests with the growth of protected areas across all Queensland regions with significant woody vegetation cover, using government data from 2000 to 2018. This conservation "balance sheet" approach shows not only where protection is growing, but whether it's keeping pace with ongoing clearing. We found a dangerous imbalance: for the 20% of vegetation cleared, only about 10% has been protected. And this mismatch was more stark when we looked at different parts of the state. Most of Queensland's newly protected areas were in subregions within areas such as Cape York (northernmost point of mainland Australia) and the wet tropics (northeast coast), which already had the highest protection and not under land clearing pressure. Meanwhile, areas that have historically been heavily cleared kept losing vegetation at some of the fastest rates in the country, with very little new protection added. These included the Brigalow Belta wide band of acacia-wooded grassland between the coast and the semi-arid interiorthe New England tablelands in the south of the state, and parts of the Mulga Lands in the south-west. The illusion of progress Governments often report the growth of protected areas as evidence of progress toward global targets, such as protecting 30% of land by 2030 under the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework. But focusing only on the creation of new parks paints a very misleading picture. If the bulldozing in Queensland continues at current rates, the net outcome for nature is negative, even when more parks are created. We identified regions of Queensland that are ecological crisis zones and need targeted protection now. The Brigalow Belthome to species such as the northern hairy-nosed wombat, bridled nail-tail wallaby, golden-tailed gecko and Brigalow scaly-foot legless lizardhas lost almost half of its original woodland vegetation. And areas across heavily-populated southeast Queensland continue to be cleared for grazing and infrastructure. These are the landscapes most in need of urgent interventionnot just remote places that look good on international scorecards. Tougher protection Stricter limits or moratoriums on clearing in fragile environments could ensure their protection. This will only happen with tougher compliance. And expanding protection to capture depleted environments, rather than just photogenic or politically-palatable ones, is another way both state and federal governments can act. Our research also shows an urgent need for a bold restoration agenda. Many of Queensland's ecosystems are in a perilous state. Incentives and funding are needed for both protecting and restoring habitats where losses are already severe. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. From accounting to action Signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which include Australia, have agreed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss this decade. But as Queensland's example shows, success depends not just on how much land is protected but on how effectively we prevent nature from being destroyed. Queensland's nature protection strategy must move beyond counting hectares of parks. Instead, it should focus on a four-tier approach: stopping the destruction of native vegetation, restoring degraded land in areas that provide a biodiversity benefit, ensuring protection targets important areas for biodiversity, and an accounting system that is transparent and captures both losses and gains. Otherwise, we can only expect more of the same: a small jump in the number of protected areas in politically palatable locations and far less protection for the animals and plants that are looking down the barrel of extinction. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Behavior-specific and situation-specific global everyday norms. A color-coded matrix illustrating the global appropriateness ratings (averaged over 71 societies) of fifteen behaviors in each of ten situations. Credit: Eriksson et al. (Communications Psychology, 2025). When humans interact with each other and engage in everyday activities, they typically follow various undefined rules, also known as social norms. These rules include things like greeting acquaintances in specific ways upon meeting them, not interrupting others when they speak, waiting in line for one's turn at the post office, and countless other behaviors. Social norms can differ significantly across different cultures and geographical regions. In addition, these unspoken rules are known to have changed considerably across history, as societies evolved and the values guiding people's behavior changed. Researchers at the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm and other institutes in Sweden recently carried out a large-scale study investigating the evolution of social norms across time, while also exploring the similarities and differences between the norms in 90 societies worldwide. Their paper, published in Communications Psychology, identifies a common trend in the recent evolution of norms in most societies, while also uncovering characteristic patterns in different types of societies. "Every social situation that people encounter in their daily lives comes with a set of unwritten rules about what behavior is considered appropriate or inappropriate," wrote Kimmo Eriksson, Pontus Strimling and their colleagues in their paper. "These everyday norms can vary across societies: some societies may have more permissive norms in general or for certain behaviors, or for certain behaviors in specific situations." As part of their study, Eriksson, Strimling and their colleagues recruited 25,422 people living in 90 different societies worldwide and asked them to complete an online survey. This survey asked them to rate 150 everyday behaviors based on how acceptable or unacceptable they perceived them to be in specific situations. They then analyzed the data they collected, comparing the responses provided by people in different countries and societies. In addition, they compared the survey responses to those gathered in a similar survey administered 20 years ago, to shed light on how social norms had changed over time. Overall, the team's findings suggest that social norms can be explained by the extent to which societies prioritize different moral values. While some societies tend to prioritize values that focus on protecting individuals and their rights, such as care (i.e., kindness towards others) and liberty (i.e., personal freedom), others focus more on group cohesion and purity (i.e., avoiding behaviors thought to be "indecent" or "taboo"). "Societies with more individualistic morality tend to have more permissive norms in general (greater liberty) and especially for behaviors deemed vulgar (less purity), but they exhibit less permissive norms for behaviors perceived to have negative consequences in specific situations (greater care)," wrote the authors. "By comparing our data with available data collected twenty years ago, we find a global pattern of change toward more permissive norms overall, but less permissive norms for the most vulgar and inconsiderate behaviors." The analyses carried out by Eriksson, Strimling and their colleagues unveiled specific patterns in how social norms vary across different societies and how they changed over time. The researchers found that social norms have become less strict over the past two decades, in all societies considered in their study. In societies that value individual freedom and kindness towards others, however, inconsiderate behaviors and acts considered to be disrespectful towards others are now deemed less acceptable. In contrast, societies guided by strict moral values and emphasizing "purity" have overall stricter norms, which specifically focus on not being "vulgar" or engaging in "impure" behaviors. The findings of this study could soon inspire other research teams to further investigate how cultural and moral values shape social norms. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Kimmo Eriksson et al, Everyday norms have become more permissive over time and vary across cultures, Communications Psychology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44271-025-00324-4. Journal information: Communications Psychology 2025 Science X Network Assyrian Patriarch Receives German Archaeological Mission Baghdad -- On Monday morning, October 20, 2025, Chaldean Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako welcomed Dr. Margarete Van Ess, head of the German Archaeological Mission in Najaf, along with Dr. Mohammed Hadi Badan, Director of the Najaf Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate, and their accompanying delegation, at the Patriarchal Residence in Mansour, Baghdad (Baghdeda). The meeting, held in an atmosphere of deep cultural and scholarly respect, centered on the importance of safeguarding the Assyrian heritage of Mesopotamian Iraq--an inseparable thread in the country's ancient, diverse identity. Margarete Van Ess presented a detailed overview of the excavation work being conducted by the German mission at the archaeological site of Hira, once a major spiritual and intellectual hub in southern Iraq. She highlighted significant discoveries revealing the region's rich religious and cultural interaction, stressing that protecting these sites is a shared duty between local authorities and the international community. Dr. Badan, in turn, reviewed the ongoing efforts of the Najaf Inspectorate to preserve historical landmarks, including early Christian relics that testify to the deep roots of Christianity in Iraq. He emphasized the fruitful cooperation with foreign missions--particularly the German team--in excavation, documentation, and conservation. Patriarch Sako underscored the profound historical significance of Hira for the Church of the East -- now split into three churches: the Chaldean Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East -- noting that this Christian principality played a pivotal role in transmitting knowledge from Greek to Assyrian and later to Arabic during the Abbasid era, thus forming a vital bridge in the story of human civilization. He added that several patriarchs of the Church of the East were buried there, granting the site a unique spiritual dimension. The Patriarch also called for reviving the ancient Church of Kokheh on the outskirts of Baghdad, one of the oldest Christian churches in the region, dating back to the late first and early second centuries AD. Restoring it, he said, would honor Iraq's Christian memory and embody a living message of coexistence and openness. Concluding the meeting, Mar Louis Sako expressed his intention to visit Najaf soon to personally observe the archaeological works and to strengthen cooperation between the Patriarchate, the Antiquities Inspectorate, and the Najaf Governorate in promoting these exceptional sites nationally and internationally. Bishop Mor Basilios Yaldo, the Patriarchal Auxiliary, also attended the meeting and praised the harmony between religious and academic efforts to protect Mesopotamia's Assyrian heritage. Through this encounter, it became clear that the dialogue between the Church and archaeological missions has evolved beyond cultural exchange--it now serves as a bridge between past and present, between faith and scholarship, in a nation striving to preserve its memory from oblivion. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Impact zone map. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr6684 On an evening 10 years ago, Porter Ranch resident Matt Pakucko stepped out of his music studio and was walloped by the smell of gaslike sticking your head in an oven, he recalled. Pakucko called the fire department. It turned out crews had already been up to the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in the Santa Susana Mountains behind the neighborhood, responding to a report of a leak. Many of his neighbors were beginning to feel ill, reporting issues such as heart palpitations, vomiting, burning eyes and bloody noses. "I swear I thought I was standing behind a 747 with its engines blowingit was not just gas, it was an oil smell, it was a chemical smell that permeated," recalled Pakucko, who went on to co-found the advocacy group Save Porter Ranch. "I couldn't stay out there for 30 seconds. It tasted like f gasoline." Soon it was clear that this wasn't just a leakit was a blowout. Over the course of 112 days, the Aliso Canyon facility would spew an estimated 120,000 tons of methane and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. It was the worst natural-gas well blowout in U.S. history, and an environmental disaster whose effects will be unpacked for generations. The event was widely seen as a wake-up call to the dangers of methane and underground natural gas storage. Methane, a planet-warming greenhouse gas, is about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is responsible for about a quarter of all the human-caused climate change we are experiencing. A study published by UCLA researchers in September found that women in their final trimester of pregnancy who were living within 6.2 miles downwind of the blowout in 2015 had a nearly 50% higher-than-expected chance of having a low birth-weight baby. The blowout ushered in a wave of new regulations to strengthen the governance of natural gas storage facilities in California and the United States, as well as new tools and technology to monitor methane emissions. But 10 years later, some Porter Ranch residents say the wounds still feel fresh, and too many promises have been broken. After the disaster, then-Gov. Jerry Brown called for the permanent closure of Aliso Canyon by 2027a goal his successor, Gavin Newsom, called a top priority and vowed to meet even sooner. Instead, Aliso Canyon remains open, with regulators voting in December to continue using the facility for years probably into the 2030sciting the need for natural gas to help maintain affordable energy rates and grid reliability in California. The facility is a key asset for Southern California Gas. In an emailed statement, the company said the state would struggle to meet electricity demand without Aliso Canyon's storage. The site fuels 17 power plants and helps keep the lights on during the hours that can't yet be met by solar, wind and other renewable resources, the company said. Natural gas still represents about 40% of the state's electricity supply. "There's a lot of work to do to get off natural gas and oil in California," said Adam Peltz, senior attorney with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. "That work is underway, but it's not complete. If you've built an economy on fossil fuels, it takes awhile to get off of it." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Aliso Canyon was originally drilled as an oil field in the late 1930s before SoCalGas converted it to natural gas storage in the early 1970s. Utilities often use played out crude oil fields as places to pump gas downward under pressure and hold it until it is needed. Aliso Canyon is one of the largest natural gas storage facilities in the U.S. In the lead-up to the blowout, SoCalGas was filling the site in preparation for the winter heating season. Crews were using tremendous force to pump gas down a well that was more than 60 years old. But a metal casing on well SS-25 had corroded, and gas began blowing out at very high volumes. Methane is not visible to the naked eye, but aerial images captured with infrared cameras and released by the Environmental Defense Fund showed a geyser-like eruption of the flammable, climate-changing gasmaking it clear to the whole world the magnitude of the disaster. It took nearly four months for crews to stop the leak. By that time, damage was done. More than 8,000 households were temporarily displaced, businesses were shut down, and two schools were relocated for several months. Researchers are still working to unpack the health outcomes of the event. SoCalGas, meanwhile, has paid about $2 billion in settlements and agreed to operate the facility at a lower maximum pressure. Officials with the gas company said they have shored up the facility, including replacing the inner steel tubing on all operating wells and conducting continuous ambient methane monitoring. All wells at the site are subject to real-time pressure readings and visual inspections four times a day, among other protocols, SoCalGas said. "Over the past 10 years, SoCalGas has conducted comprehensive safety reviews and implemented multiple safety layers that protect one of California's most important assets for energy reliability and affordability," the company said. While the maximum allowable operating pressure at the site remains reducedabout 3,183 pounds per square inch compared with 3,600 pounds per square inch in 2015state officials recently voted to let SoCalGas increase storage at the facility to 68.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas from 41 billion cubic feet, outraging many in the community. But experts say there are silver linings to the disaster. California overhauled its underground natural gas storage regulations to make them the strongest in the nation and among the strongest in the world, according to Peltz, of the Environmental Defense Fund. The changes include more thoughtful rules for well construction, better monitoring and risk management, and improved planning and emergency response. Congress reacted to the disaster by requiring its regulatory agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, to issue safety standards for natural gas storage nationwide. In 2016, it adopted best practices recommended by the American Petroleum Institute, which were strengthened at the beginning of this month. Many states with natural gas storage previously had no regulations at all, Peltz said. "On a national basis, the systems will be safer as a result of that change," he said. There have been technological advancements too. The infrared aerial recording of the leak captured in 2015 was a relatively new technique at the time, but has now become commonplace. The California Air Resources Board conducted its first large-scale statewide aerial methane survey in 2016, identifying many of the largest methane sources in the state. There have also been considerable advancements in the ability to observe methane super-emitters through satellites and remote sensors, according to Seth Shonkoff, executive director at the science research institute PSE Healthy Energy and an associate researcher at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. "The rub is that we know more than we ever have, and we're perhaps controlling more than we would have if we didn't have the technology to see them, but we're still seeing more and more of these large-scale emission events all across the United States and all across the world," he said. Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are still rising. It is streaming, often constantly, from facilities associated with the oil and gas industry, landfills and dairy farms, among other sources. Methane isn't the only concern either. Researchers now have a better understanding of what's in the gas that blew from Aliso Canyon and that continues to be stored in natural gas facilities around the country. Although it is primarily composed of methane, roughly 99% of samples analyzed by Shonkoff and his team have contained hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, hexane and toluene, largely as a result of commingling with depleted oil and other subsurface materials. Moving forward, he said, it will be critically important for gas companies to disclose to regulators and risk managers what their gas is composed of, so that if it leaks, responders can quickly determine the appropriate response. "If we had had that with Aliso Canyon, we could have, within a matter of hours, understood whether people should get out of the way or stay inside, and we wouldn't have had as many people suffering from health symptoms," Shonkoff said. In 2024, the Biden administration passed the first comprehensive rules to limit methane pollution by fining oil and gas developers for excessive emissions. But this year, the Trump administration revoked the rule, which it described as a tax. At the same time, many natural gas storage facilities across the country are old and require retrofitting to meet current regulations, but such upgrades can be slow and expensiveoften leaving ratepayers on the hook. Residents near Aliso Canyon have also long feared an earthquake or wildfire in the area. The gas field sits along the Santa Susana fault and is in a high fire hazard severity zone. SoCalGas says it has numerous safety plans and procedures in place. Perhaps the greatest tension remains between those who wish to see Aliso Canyon shuttered and the officials who say the facility is critically important to California's energy supply, which is increasingly trying to serve power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers. California has committed to reaching 100% carbon neutrality by 2045. But SoCalGas says it still needs Aliso Canyon. "SoCalGas is aligned with the state of California in pursuing the technologies and infrastructure that supports California's climate plan, including clean renewable hydrogen and renewable natural gas, that could, over time with other renewable energy projects, deliver the reliability and affordability Aliso Canyon supports today," the utility said in a statement. However, any decision to reduce or eliminate operations at Aliso Canyon must be based on genuine reduced demand that is permanent, the company said. Pakucko, of Save Porter Ranch, noted that the facility was offline for two years after the blowout without an interruption in service. "Two years!" he said. "And guess what? We managed without the facility." For others in the area, it feels like the latest in a string of broken promises. Among SoCalGas's settlement agreements was a $120 million consent decree with the state of California requiring the utility to fund methane mitigation projects, air monitoring and other initiatives to address alleged harms caused by the blowout. About $25 million of that went toward a long-term health study on the effects of natural gas exposure, which is being conducted by researchers at UCLA. The results are eagerly awaited. About $26 million went to a program for dairy digesters in the Central Valley, which capture methane from cow manure before it enters the atmosphere. Many had hoped those funds would be spent closer to home, including former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who at one point envisioned the mitigation money being used to transform Porter Ranch into a net-zero community. "That would have been so great," said Patty Gleuck, a Porter Ranch resident who served on the community advisory group for the health study. Instead, "that money went to this dairy digester program that does not benefit this area." Like Pakucko, Gleuck recalled suffering health effects during the blowout, including a tightness in her chest and a metallic taste in her mouth that dissipated when she left the area and resumed when she returned. She still suffers from a chronic cough and uses an inhaler, she said, adding that "a lot of inhalers were prescribed in the area." "A lot of people moved away, taking a loss on their homes because they were so sick, or their family members were sick," she said. "I just don't think that there has been justice." 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Letters to the Editor: Cancun Airports Hostile Welcome Is Driving Residents and Tourists Away For 19 years, Ive called Cancun home. I know the rules and respect the critical role customs and security play in protecting our community. However, my experience upon landing at the Cancun International Airport (CUN) this week was not securityit was an abusive display of power that left my children frightened and me feeling like a criminal. This hostility is a stain on a destination that prides itself on hospitality. My recent arrival was uneventful until I was selected for a secondary agricultural inspection. I carried nothing prohibited: my carry on bag held only dirty laundry, and my personal bag contained a tuna sandwich. Tuna, of course, is allowed, but the sandwich included a small piece of lettuce. The agent, later confirmed to be the supervisor, immediately focused on the sandwich. Before I could even offer to remove the lettucea simple, permissible actionhe grabbed the sandwich, held it dramatically between his hands, and violently crushed it while declaring, You cannot bring this in. When I offered to remove the offending lettuce, he screamed No! and threw the smashed food into the garbage. The ordeal immediately escalated. My children, fearful of the nearby service dogs, ran ahead, leaving me alone to deal with his aggressive demands. He insisted on checking my luggagewhich, again, was literally just dirty laundry. Upset, I took a picture of him and told him if he wanted to check the bag, he could open it himself, and I went to look for his supervisor. The most disturbing part came when I tried to document the incident. While I waited for the supervisor (the agent himself) to file a complaint, another agent said she could help. We walked back, and I allowed them to inspect my carry-on so I could proceed with the complaint. The second agent asked to see the sandwich. I quickly snapped a photo of the discarded food as evidence. In response, they demanded my passport. When I declined, stating I was leaving the airport, the two agents grabbed my suitcase and began yanking it away. I was suddenly in a tug-of-war with two adult agriculture employees over a bag of dirty clothes, all because of a piece of lettuce and a photograph. The standoff ended only when one agent demanded the bag tag, which the supervisor suddenly remembered was inside my suitcase. He reopened the bag, mid-tug-of-war, to retrieve it before finally letting me go. This is more than a personal bad experience. This kind of heavy-handed, bullying, and frankly terrifying behavior is not an isolated incident at CUN. It is a recurring theme of negative, aggressive interactions that both residents and tourists endure when arriving in the Mexican Caribbean, an economic engine that welcomes millions of visitors each year. Our airport should be the first friendly face they see, the gateway to a relaxing vacation. Instead, it is frequently a gauntlet of intimidation. If a 19-year resident who understands the rules is treated with this level of disdainwith food smashed, screamed at, physically detained over a photograph, and treated like a smugglerhow must a first-time tourist feel? The officials at the Cancun International Airport need a severe overhaul of their training and conduct. Their job is to enforce rules with professionalism and respect, not to act as unchecked tyrants. Until that happens, the Cancun airport will continue to provide a hostile welcome that undermines the hospitality industry we rely on and risks driving visitors away. This behavior is not just rude; it is a direct threat to the reputation and economy of the Mexican Caribbean A frustrated longtime Cancun Resident Local mechanic finds 10-foot boa under car hood Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. Firemen were requested at a mechanic shop in Jose Maria Morelos for the removal of a boa that turned out to be nearly 10 feet long. The large snake was discovered by a mechanic after opening the hood. Diego Mukul, 50, said he got a fright when he popped the hood to start working on the car and found a snake coiled on top of the engine. Due to its size, he said he called for help to have the snake removed. Municipal firemen arrived and captured the reptile, which they estimated to be more than three meters in length. It was placed in a bag and relocated to a jungle area outside the town. Firemen reported that since June, they have responded to nearly 30 reports of snakes in homes, public buildings and auto repair shops. They said that recent rains and humidity have created conditions for them to seek refuge in warm, dry spaces. The snake is reported to be the largest residential find so far this year in the state. The boa constrictor is considered an endangered species under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001 and is protected by law. Earlier this week, Civil Protection personnel were requested in a private homes back yard in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Authorities were called when a man found a large boa wrapped around a pole on his property. Narcotics dog sniffs out pair of Americans off central Playa del Carmen beach Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Two Americans are facing drug trafficking charges after being picked up by PDC police. On Saturday, the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) reported on the arrests of Americans Casey N and Raven N. The pair were arrested after a narcotics dog marked them positive for an illicit substance. Narcotics K9, Yorker, picked up their scent while on a foot patrol with its handler at the beach at Third Street South. During an inspection, they were found in possession of marijuana joints. In a statement, the SSC (Secretariat of Citizen Security) reported both are facing drug trafficking charges. Casey N and Raven N, both of American origin, were arrested for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking crimes, they said. Elements of the K9 Group of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, working in coordination with the Secretariat of the Navy, while performing crime prevention duties in the Federal Maritime Zone of Playa del Carmen, noticed two people who, upon seeing them, began to act unusually. Nervously, they repeatedly looked from side to side and as they passed in front of the authorities, canine Yoker began to exhibit changes in behavior, moving his head, pulling on his leash and barking, indicating that he was detecting an odor characteristic of narcotics. Following the dogs alert, the individuals were searched, specifically at the end of the ramp of the Maritime Terminal located between 1st South and 3rd South Streets, in the downtown area of Playa del Carmen. The following items were seized from them: a suitcase, a colorful bag, and seven blue cigarette packs with the words Shaman Smokes, six of which contained 20 cigarettes and the other 19, each containing green and dried plant matter with the characteristics of marijuana, they detailed in a statement. Casey N and Raven N were handed over to the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Retail Drug Trafficking. Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. Dear Prudence, My fiance and I are getting married in February on Valentines Day. The trouble is that my sister, Sydney, has lost her damn mind. She is demanding that we change the date of our wedding because Valentines Day is the day her ex-husband ran off with her best friend. Five years ago. I told her this is insanity and that she needs to move on with her life. Now Sydney is furious with me and accusing me of having no regard for her feelings. I could not change the date of my wedding even if I wanted to. The invitations have been sent, the venue is booked, and everything has been ordered. She is now threatening to boycott the entire event. Should I try to talk some sense into her, or take this as a win? Shes Stuck in the Past Dear Shes Stuck, If youd asked me what to do before you got frustrated with your sister and expressed it, I would have encouraged you to be a bit gentler with her. The commentary about insanity and moving on was unnecessary. Shes obviously very hurt (making irrational demands, yes; but in pain, too) and didnt need to be told anything that would make her feel worse about herself. Also, by criticizing her in that way, you made this into a fight between two sisters rather than one sister acting out. But whats done is done and honestly, shed probably be threatening a boycott even if youd said I know how much the end of your marriage hurt you, you didnt deserve it, and I wish I would have known how you felt about Valentines Day before we booked everything. At this point, I cant change the date, but if there is anything I can do to make this day easier for you, please let me know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So let her go ahead with her plan to skip the event, but because it sounds like a plan made in a heightened emotional state, make the seating chart flexible enough to give her some room to change her mindand if she does RSVP yes, dont say What happened to the irrational boycott? Just ask what she wants for her meal. Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit Dear Prudence, I have a younger (31) male friend who has been single for many years. Hes a great guy, albeit with some long-standing health issues caused by growing up in an abusive household. I promised that I would help him find a partner, but I dont know what to do next. I have no friends to introduce him tohes very firmly monogamous, and my female friends are all too old and/or too polyamorous and/or too asexual. Hes adamant that he doesnt want to use dating apps because our feckless government has recently passed an Online Safety Act, which requires adults to submit their IDs to third-party checking sites in order to use adult websites. Since this came into law in July, there has already been at least one database breach of 70,000 users including their legal IDs, which is shocking. As a person highly concerned about privacy, he doesnt want to take this risk and I dont feel comfortable pressuring him to do so. Advertisement Advertisement The problem is, where do we go next? Im very willing to go along to an in-person event and be his wing woman as it were, offering him moral support as he talks to women in the hope of making friendships which could go further, but what event should this be? Things like speed dating are absolutely terrible for a person who cannot work due to disability, because many people who go to a dating event seem to be hoping for a partner who has a high income and a luxury car. Advertisement Suggestions for where to meet someone in advice columns always involve finding an activity which you enjoy doing and hoping to make friends there. Well, my friend likes roleplaying games and mountain biking, both of which are extremely male-dominated, and one of which is generally a solo hobby. He doesnt know what else he might be interested in because he doesnt have a lot of life experience due to his abusive background. Advertisement Ive suggested things like classes of some sort, but hes either rejected the idea as unhelpful (e.g. dance classeshe doesnt think anyone his age would be at them), or hes concerned that other attendees are there to learn, not to look for romance. He doesnt want to be a creep, so he feels unwilling to sign up for an activity unless there is a reasonable chance of there being women his age who are looking for a boyfriend. Hes not in the least bit religious, and finds the idea of atheist alternative to church to be weird. Advertisement Advertisement And Im just desperate to help but utterly cluelessI have never had to look for a partner in my life due to being a bi poly woman. Ive just had to exist in nerd space, and I find people. Outside of classes or religious groups, what kind of activities exist where you meet the same people every week/fortnight/month and can get to know them over time? And where it wouldnt be weird or creepy to attend with your primary purpose being to find a partner? Wingman Who Doesnt Know How to Fly Advertisement Dear Wingman, Its really fun to think about this and a bunch of ideas come to mind: Sign up for a sip and paint! Hang out at a winery! Wander the farmers market and chat people up together! Go to the dog park! But I know your friend is going to reject each of these suggestions. He hasmaybe unconsciouslyplaced so many restrictions on his search for romance that hes made it practically impossible for you to help him. He wont use apps. He wont go to dance classes because of his assumptions about the age of the other people who will be there. He wont, I assume, attend to speed dating without you escorting him. He wont participate in anything if theres not a reasonable chance of finding a girlfriend, if its anything like church, if he wont meet the same people regularly, or if anyone might find it creepy to be there looking for a partner. He wont even give any information on the qualities he might like in a date. Advertisement Advertisement Its clear to me that your friend doesnt really want to put himself out there, either because he doesnt want a relationship as much as you think he does, or because hes absolutely terrified of failure or rejection. It sounds like hes been through a lot and suffered a lot, and may still be really suffering now, so I can understand why his outlook isnt the most optimistic or open. But thats going to have to change before he can benefit from the assistance of a wing woman. The best you can do as a friend is to help him find some joy in life and some confidence in himself. Maybe encourage him to join you in having new experiences that could inspire him to feel more excited and less pessimistic and fearful about the possibilities for love. This might fortify him to take some of the risks that come with dating. Plus, knowing himself better, being happier, and liking his life will make him more attractive when he does decide to put himself out there and look for a partner. Advertisement I want to be careful of suggesting that he needs to be fully healed and self-actualized in order to find a partner, because he doesnt. But he has to be healed and self-actualized enough to be willing to try. And hes not there yet. The search won t work if you want this for him more than he wants it for himself. Advertisement Advertisement Want more Prudie? Slate Plus members get an additional column each week. Sign up for Slate Plus now. Dear Prudence, I have a great connection with a colleague; were both single, and weve fooled around a little too. I feel like it could lead to something as weve both agreed to go on a date, although we can never seem to find a time that suits us both. Advertisement Recently, a rumor went around about us. My colleague made me aware of the rumor, and she said its not the rumor that bothers me but who started it. Im really confused as to whether or not I actually have a shot with her. Weve also been extremely close, telling each other everything for nearly three years. Please help. Maybe Advertisement Dear Maybe, Im sorry to say this but I dont think your colleague wants this to lead to something as much as you do. Im not saying she doesnt like you and like talking to you. She clearly does. But if she wanted to make time for a date with you, she would have done that. Enjoy the crush and how it makes work more fun. But stop pushing and look elsewhere for romance. Classic Prudie Ive always been interested in doing some form of sex work. I think Id be good at it and would enjoy it. Ive thought about doing some sugar babying in the past but never gone through with it. Recently, Ive been wanting to start an OnlyFans account. The only issue is I teach college. Key recommendations document outlines priorities in China's next five-year blueprint Xinhua) 09:10, October 25, 2025 *The 15th Five-Year Plan has given top priority to building a modernized industrial system and reinforcing the foundations of the real economy, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at the press conference. *China aims to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and steer the development of new quality productive forces during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun. *According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, China will take the initiative to open more broadly in the next five years. A researcher of Wuhan Union Hospital demonstrates brain-computer interface technology using mixed reality technology on March 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A document of recommendations from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has sketched out China's development priorities for the 2026-2030 period, senior officials revealed at a press conference on Friday. The recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan outline the major objectives for economic and social development in the next five years, "a key period for basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035," said Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. He made the remarks at a press conference on the guiding principles from the just-concluded fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, at which participants deliberated over and adopted the recommendations. The document is the most important outcome of the plenum and is expected to mobilize further efforts to advance Chinese modernization, said Jiang Jinquan, head of the CPC Central Committee Policy Research Office. A drone photo shows the automated production at the Seres Super Factory in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China's Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) BUILDING MODERNIZED INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM The 15th Five-Year Plan has given top priority to building a modernized industrial system and reinforcing the foundations of the real economy, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at the press conference. To achieve the target, efforts will be made to upgrade traditional industries, cultivate and expand emerging and future industries, promote the high-quality development of the service sector, and build a modernized infrastructure system, he said. The recommendations have outlined that China will promote the upgrades of key industries, consolidate the international competitiveness of sectors such as chemicals, machinery and shipbuilding, and develop advanced manufacturing clusters, Zheng said. Efforts will also be made to accelerate the development of strategic and emerging industry clusters, including new energy, new materials, aerospace and low-altitude economy, and to foster future industries, such as quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy and fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and sixth-generation mobile communications. These industries are poised for significant growth, with the scale set to be added over the next decade being equivalent to creating a whole new high-tech sector in China, thus injecting continuous momentum into the high-quality development of the country's economy, Zheng said. An aerial drone photo taken on July 22, 2025 shows the V2000CG CarryAll, a tonne-class electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on the apron in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) GREATER SCI-TECH SELF-RELIANCE China aims to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and steer the development of new quality productive forces during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun. In line with these goals, the CPC's recommendations proposed arrangements for sci-tech innovation over the period in four areas: strengthening original innovation and core technology breakthroughs, promoting the deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation, advancing the coordinated development of education, sci-tech and talent, and further boosting the construction of the Digital China initiative. Noting that technological innovation is the "core element" in the development of new quality productive forces, Yin said China will implement an innovation-driven development strategy to boost total factor productivity and power high-quality development. This will be achieved by increasing the supply of high-quality tech, supporting the development of a modern industrial system, deepening sci-tech structural reform, and developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, he said. "The next five-year plan will be centered around the development of new quality productive forces," said Liu Qiao, an economist and dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. These forces will be driven by revolutionary breakthroughs in science and technology, innovative allocations of factors, and upgrades and deep transformations of industries, Liu told Xinhua. A medical worker walks by a billboard for the opening ceremony at the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, China's first wholly foreign-owned, tertiary general hospital, in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Feb. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) BROADER OPENING UP According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, China will take the initiative to open more broadly in the next five years. Focusing on the services sector, efforts will be made to expand market access and areas of openness from 2026 to 2030, he said. The country will expand pilot programs to open up its value-added telecommunication, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, while increasing the openness of the education and culture sectors in an orderly manner. China will accelerate the advancement of regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements, and expand its network of high-standard free trade zones, Wang added, citing the CPC's recommendations. In the area of trade, China plans to enhance its trade in intermediate goods and its green trade, improve the system managing its negative list for cross-border services, and steadily increase the openness of its digital trade, he said. To create new advantages in attracting foreign investment, China will foster a transparent, stable and predictable institutional environment, he said. "Investing in China is not an option, but a must," the minister said, citing remarks from multinational companies. "Next, when advancing the opening up or attracting investment, we will avoid the zero-sum approach that harms others for personal gain," Wang said. "Instead, we will focus on mutually beneficial and shared development." (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) CHARLESTON, S.C. The Medical University of South Carolina has received more than $11 million in federal funding to establish the "Building Resilience through Innovative Interventions to promote Growth and Health after Trauma" (BRIGHT) Center, a multidisciplinary effort aimed at improving care and outcomes for trauma survivors. Directed by clinical psychologist Carla Kmett Danielson, Ph.D., with co-director Kenneth Ruggiero, Ph.D., the center will be housed at MUSC in Charleston and is the first COBRE (Center of Biomedical Research Excellence) of its kind led by faculty in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department at the institution. According to the release, roughly three-quarters of Americans experience a potentially traumatic event by age 18, and trauma-related health conditions cost the U.S. more than $300 billion each year. More than 700,000 South Carolinians were reported in 2021 as adults diagnosed with a mental health condition, and over 2.3 million residents lived in communities with insufficient mental-health professional support. The BRIGHT Center will feature three major cores designed to accelerate research and care: A Digital Health Core , which will develop mobile applications and use artificial intelligence tools to scale interventions; , which will develop mobile applications and use artificial intelligence tools to scale interventions; A Community Engagement Core , focused on aligning research with community needs and building trust and participation; , focused on aligning research with community needs and building trust and participation; A Dissemination & Implementation Science Core, aiming to translate proven treatments into practical settings and ensure reach beyond academic laboratories. Danielson said the initiative is intended not just to develop interventions, but to ensure they are widely adopted: "You can build an outstanding intervention that truly works but unless it reaches the people it was designed to help, the impact will be limited." The BRIGHT Center will support early-career investigators across MUSC and the state of South Carolina, offering mentorship, training and infrastructure to help them become independent researchers. Among the inaugural awardees are Christine Hahn, Ph.D., focusing on a smartphone app for traumatic stress in sexual assault survivors; Hannah Espeleta, Ph.D., working to expand home-visiting models to reduce child maltreatment; and Guillermo Wippold, Ph.D., developing a mobile adaptation of a men's health and traumatic stress program. The center's launch reflects a broader recognition of trauma's pervasive health burden and the need for scalable, accessible solutions. "The BRIGHT Center is meant to serve as a one-stop shop to bring together resources that support people in the early stages of their career in learning how to have the most impact in the field of trauma," Danielson said Darlins Angel resumed her winning ways in one of seven $35,211 divisions of the fifth and final leg of the Kindergarten Series for two-year-olds of each sex and gait on Friday night, Oct. 24 at The Meadowlands. The four $125,000 USD Kindergarten finals take place on Saturday, Nov. 1. A daughter of Captaintreacherous out of triple millionaire Darlins Delight, Darlins Angel got a late start in 2025, appearing for the first time in a Kindergarten preliminary, finishing fifth in a sparkling effort after leaving from the second tier on Aug. 23. She had the 11-hole in her debut but she hit the line strong, said Lauren Tritton, who has driven the Juan Cano trainee in each of her five career starts. Since then, shes just continued to improve. Following that fifth-place finish, Darlins Angel has given her foes a devil of a time, winning twice at Pocono Downs and twice at The Big M. She went wire-to-wire on Friday night in the eighth race in the second of two filly paces in a never-an-anxious-moment stroll, and hit the wire 2-1/4 lengths in front of second-place finisher JK Fierce Lady (Brett Beckwith). Heartofthesunrise (Corey Callahan) was third. Her final time of 1:51 was a lifetime best. Shes really smart, Tritton said of the Hot Lead Farm homebred filly. She does nothing wrong. She tells me what she wants to do and Im just along for the ride. Because horses with three series starts are given preference, Darlins Angel may not go in the Kindergarten final (she has just two starts), but Tritton explained theres another big fish to fry. I think shell be a major player in the [$400,000 USD] Three Diamonds [on Nov. 15]. As the 1-5 favourite, Darlins Angel returned $2.60 to her backers. Wave Dancer pulled off a 50-1 surprise in the first of two filly paces (race four) for driver Braxten Boyd and trainer Linda Toscano, winning for the first time in nine outings in 1:52 from well off the pace to nail even-money favourite Fabulous Hanover (Brett Beckwith) by a nose. Car Keys (Steve Smith) was third. I didnt know much about her. Linda said they have had problems that they have been working out, said Boyd, who teamed up with the filly for the first time. I took my time through the first turn and it worked out perfect. [I did not like my chances in deep stretch] but in the moment, she was pacing so hard. I thought we had a shot. She raced great. A homebred daughter of Perfect Sting-Making Waves, Wave Dancer scored for owner Brittany Farms. She paid $103.40 as the longest shot on the board in the field of six. Trainer Ake Svanstedt had a stakes triple, sweeping the filly trots and a division for the trotting colts. Busy Miss Lissy S (Calgary Games-Hills Angel S) and All Time Trot S (Googoo Gaagaa-Gorgeous Am) each lowered their lifetime marks to 1:55. Panamera Racing's Busy Miss Lissy S upped her record to five wins (including three Kindergarten legs) in seven career starts, while paying $2.40 as the 1-5 favourite while Midnight Sun Partners's All Time Trot S won for the second time in five tries, returning $7 as the 5-2 second choice. Magic Punk (Wishing Stone-I D Entity No) stopped the clock in 1:54.3 to win for the fourth time in seven starts for owner Magic Punk Inc. The runner-up in the William Wellwood and Peter Haughton Memorials who won an earlier Kindergarten leg paid $4 as the even-money public choice. Johnathan Ahle drove all three of Svanstedt's successful stakes starters and they teamed up for one more win on the 14-race program to lead the driver and trainer colonies, respectively, on Friday night. The other division for male trotters went to Ultimate Betrayal (Calgary Games-Muscle Babe), winning in a time of 1:54 to record his first victory from four lifetime starts. He paid $25.80 as the 11-1 fourth choice in the wagering. Driver Niko Karna and trainer Noel Daley share ownership with Sjoblom Racing Inc. and Michael Dolan. The lone colt and gelding pacing division was won by New Jersey Classic champion Bookie J with Brett Beckwith driving for Chris Ryder and owner Kenneth Jacobs. The Perfect Sting-Skyy gelding stopped the clock in a lifetime-best equalling 1:51.1, winning for the third time in 10 outings. Bookie J paid $7.60 as the 5-2 second choice. Guest co-host Meadow Twaddle excelled in her first appearance on the live simulcast presentation, selecting six winners on top. Her best score came in the 11th race when she correctly tabbed Create Escape ($11.60 to win) as well as the cold exacta, which returned $37.40. All-source wagering on the 14-race card totalled $1,798,728 USD. Racing resumes on Saturday at 6:20 p.m. (With files from Meadowlands Racetrack) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Buying and selling online with e-commerce is old news. We're entering the age of A-commerce, where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly able to shop for us. At the end of September, OpenAI launched its "Buy it in ChatGPT" trial in the United States, using AI agents built to interact with us to do more of people's browsing and shopping. The technology is known as "agentic commerce," sometimes shortened to A-commerce. American shoppers can now ask for shopping suggestions from US Etsy sellers within a ChatGPT chatthen buy a product immediately, without having to navigate away to look at individual shop pages. Looking ahead, big companies are now spruiking the next phase of "autonomous A-commerce," which experts predict could see AI checking out for some shoppers within the next few years. But is handing over more of our shopping decisions to AI a good thing for us as shoppers, for most businesses or for the planet? What's possible right now? For most people using AI to help them shop, the AI agent is still mostly just searching and recommending products. It still has to shift the customer to the retailer's website to complete the checkout. For instance, AI can do most steps to order a pizzathough sometimes slower than doing it yourselfapart from paying at the end. That's when we step in: we still need to sign in if we're part of a loyalty program, enter our personal and delivery details, then finally pay. With the "Buy it in ChatGPT" trial now underway in the US, the customer never leaves the chat, where the checkout is completed. Shopify has said more than 1 million of its merchants will soon be able to check out within ChatGPT too. Major US retailer Walmart has similar plans. What's next? In May 2025, Google launched "AI mode shopping." Some features, like using a full body photo of yourself to virtually "try-on" clothes, are still only available for US shoppers, with limited brands. At the time, Google said its next step will be a new "agentic checkout [] in coming months" for products sold in the US. It would give shoppers the option of tracking a product until its price drops to within a set budgetthen automatically prompting them to buy it, using Google Pay. That checkout option is yet to launch. Credit card giants Visa and Mastercard are also working on ways to make it easier for AI agents to shop for us. Both the current and coming forms of A-commerce have the potential to spread fast worldwide, because they run largely on the same global digital infrastructure powering today's e-commerce: identity, payments, data and compliance. Consultants McKinsey forecast: "We're entering an era where AI agents won't just assistthey'll decide." What are the risks and benefits? Overspending is a big risk. A-commerce removes many steps of the shopping journey found in e-commerce or physical commerce, leading to fewer abandoned carts and potentially higher spending. People would need to trust AI systems with their private data and preferences, and ensure they're not misused. Permitting AI to shop on your behalf means you are responsible for the purchase and can't easily demand a refund. AI systems might focus on price or speed, but not always for what you value most: from how sustainable a product is, to the ethics of how it was made. Fraud could be a real issue. Scammers could set up AI storefronts to trick the AI, collect the money and never deliver. Banks will need to figure out how to spot fraud, process refunds, and manage consent when it's not a person pressing "buy," but an algorithm doing it on their behalf. Regulators will need to consider A-commerce in their competition, privacy, data, and consumer protection rules. A-commerce could offer some limited environmental benefits compared to today's way of shopping, such as fewer missed deliveriesif you're happy to share your calendar so your AI agent knows your availability. But greater consumption would also mean greater environmental impacts: from AI's voracious energy and water use, to the damage done by fast fashion, more deliveries and indirect pollution. Changing how we shop and do business If you have even a small business, the way you make your products and services discoverable online will have to change. Instead of just having websites built for customers and search engines, all businesses will need to build AI accessible online stores. Those will not look like the websites we see today. It will be more like a data-soaked digital catalog, filled with everything an AI agent needs to place orders: product specifications, price, stock, ratings, reviews, through to delivery options. All those years of bigger brands buying attention and dominating search results might start to matter less, if you're able to build a good AI accessible online store. It could be a quiet but massive shift in how trade works. However, each business's visibility will depend on how AI systems read and rank sellers. If a business's data isn't formatted for AI, it may disappear from view. That could give larger players an edge and once again make it harder for smaller businesses to compete. How much are we happy to delegate our shopping to AI agents? Our individual and collective choices over the next few years will shape how radically shopping is about to change for years to come. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Vietnam parliament okays appointing 2 new Deputy Prime Ministers By Thai Ha Sat, October 25, 2025 | 6:32 pm GMT+7 Vietnam's legislature has approved Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal to appoint Ho Quoc Dung, former Party chief of Gia Lai province, as Deputy Prime Minister, while Pham Thi Thanh Tra, a Party Central Committee member, became the country's first female Deputy Prime Minister. The National Assembly on Saturday passed a resolution approving appointing Ho Quoc Dung for the position for the 2021-2026 term (429 votes in favor out of 430 votes). Ho Quoc Dung, former Secretary of Gia Lai provincial Party Committee, was approved by the National Assembly as Deputy Prime Minister. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. New Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung was born in 1966. His hometown is Cat Tai commune, Phu Cat district, the former Binh Dinh province, now De Gi commune, Gia Lai province. He has a master's degree in law. Dung is a member of the Party Central Committee. Dung held many important positions in the old Binh Dinh province and the new Gia Lai province after the merger. He used to be deputy chief of the Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee Office; vice chairman of Phu Cat district People's Committee; deputy chief of the Binh Dinh Party Committee Office; chief of the Binh Dinh Party Committee Office; Vice Chairman and then standing Vice Chairman of the Binh Dinh People's Committee; Deputy Party chief of Binh Dinh province cum Chairman of the Binh Dinh People's Committee (2014-2020); and Party chief of Binh Dinh for the 2020-2025 term. In July 2025, Dung was appointed Party chief of the new Gia Lai province for the 2020-2025 term. Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra was approved by the National Assembly as Deputy Prime Minister. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. On the same day, the National Assembly passed a resolution approving the appointment of Pham Thi Thanh Tra, a Party Central Committee member and a parliament delegate. Tra has become Deputy PM for the 2021-2026 term per the Prime Minister's proposal (429 votes in favor out of 430 votes). She is Vietnam's first female Deputy PM. Tra was born in 1964. Her hometown is Nghe An province. She grew up in the education sector. From November 1997 to November 1999, she was deputy head of Tran Yen district's department of education and training in Yen Bai province. From April 2008 to April 2011, she was elected Vice Chairwoman of the Yen Bai People's Committee. From April 2011 to May 2014, she was Party chief of the Yen Bai town Party Committee in Yen Bai province. From May 2014 to September 2016, she was deputy Party chief of Yen Bai province and Chairwoman of the Yen Bai People's Committee. From January 2016, she was a member of the 12th Party Central Committee. From October 2016 to January 2017, she was Party chief of Yen Bai province, Chairwoman of the Yen Bai People's Committee, and Secretary of the Military Party Committee of Yen Bai province. From February 2017 to September 2020, Tra was Party chief of Yen Bai province, Chairwoman of the provincial People's Council, and Secretary of the Military Party Committee of Yen Bai province. From October 2020 to March 2021, she was deputy head of the Central Organizing Committee and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs From April 2021 to October 2025, Tra held the position of Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs. On January 24, 2025, she was appointed a Party Central Committee member and a member of the Standing Committee of the Government Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term. The Government is currently headed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, with nine Deputy Prime Ministers including Nguyen Hoa Binh (standing Deputy Prime Minister), Tran Hong Ha, Le Thanh Long, Ho Duc Phoc, Bui Thanh Son, Nguyen Chi Dung, Mai Van Chinh, Ho Quoc Dung and Pham Thi Thanh Tra. Ariana Grande came close to quitting music before filming 2024's Wicked. Ariana Grande had lost her spark for making music The 32-year-old pop star has confessed that she had no desire to make a follow-up to 2020's Positions until playing the role of Glinda in the blockbuster adaptation of the hit musical reignited her "spark" for making music. Appearing on Shut Up Evan with Evan Ross Katz, she said: [Playing Glinda] has done so much for Ariana. It has totally rearranged everything about my relationship to creating, you know. I didnt think I was going to make an album ever again when I left for London. That was kind of my secret, but I didnt think I was going to, you know. The Thank U, Next hitmaker says Glinda's strong "self-belief" inspired her return to music. She continued: So I learned a lot from her as a character who learns so much over the course of these two films and has to look at herself in the mirror constantly and sort of peel away at the pieces of her that dont feel aligned. So I do think that I was kind of forced to do that alongside her. Ariana went on to release the album Eternal Sunshine in 2024. She went on: I felt like just a genuine spark, like a reconnection and inspiration and something, I mean, maybe I missed it. Maybe its as simple as I missed it. But I do feel like you have to miss things in order to learn to become better for them. I think I learned so much, and then also I genuinely wanted to do it. I just felt like I couldnt not. It was an inspired moment and I had to write an album and I had to do it. Ariana also wasn't planning a tour, but she would have been "sad" if she didn't get to sing the album live. She said: Something inside is saying I have to do it. And Im grateful for that because I dont think I would have said that about a tour forever ago. But you know, Im just being open and honest about how I feel about these things in real time and following the impulses creatively. You know, they just shout, and then there we are. However, Ariana - who will embark on The Eternal Sunshine Tour in 2026, her first since 2019's Sweetener World Tour - admits it could be a while before she tours again. She said: I think putting out the deluxe informed me that I had to do it because I really felt like Im going to be really sad if I dont sing this album live. I love this album, and I need to sing it. And I think that would be a really special experience for me and my fans and also how beautiful to re-imagine my relationship to touring in this baby step way. And not that - I mean, this probably wont happen for a long time again after this one. But still, itll heal something, and itll be really beautiful the same way that this album has. I think itll be a nice next step, and I think itll be so fun to see the fans. So thats how it happened and why it happened. TOP NOTCH TALKS: Chief executive officer of ANSA McAL Anthony N Sabga III speaks to students at the St Marys College Business Department and Past Students Union post-budget panel discussion at the schools compound in Port of Spain yesterday. Looking on are Independent Senator Dr Marlene Attzs and Blewstream chairman Joel Monty Pemberton. Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY Glen Powell performs dicey stunts in movies so people get value for their cinema ticket. Glen Powell says it is important for him to perform his own stunts The 37-year-old actor does not want audiences to have an empty feeling when they learn the death-defying sequences were done on a green screen, via computer-generated imagery (CGI). Glen told the Saturday Guardian magazine: "It really sells it because if the audience know that you are in peril, there is an inherent investment. "I believe you have to give the audience their value in the ticket. If people are actively going to the [cinema], getting a babysitter, maybe doing dinner, you've got to justify that ticket price. "And that's what Tom [Cruise] always talks about - you have to have skin on the line. If they're showing up for you, you've got to show up for them." Glen performs "non-stop, bad a**" stunts in his new movie, The Running Man, and audiences will see his "authentic" reactions to the sequences in the dystopian thriller. The actor plays Ben Richards in the film - which is set in a titular game show, and pits contestants, "runners" against a team of murderous Hunters, who attempt to locate and kill them. If a runner stays alive for 30 days, they bag $1 billion. As part of his role, Glen can be seen "jumping off exploding bridges", as well as tumble off roofs. And his 63-year-old Top Gun: Maverick co-star Tom Cruise - who also performs his own stunts - gave Glen some top tips to perfect the daredevil sequences. Glen said: "The fact that Tom is such a close friend now - when I got The Running Man, he was literally my first call. "I said, 'Dude, you've been doing this for decades.' He has picked up every trick in the book. And he's so generous - I thought I was going to talk to him for 10 minutes. He stayed on the phone for two hours plus. "He's like, 'Tell me some of the stunts you're doing.' I said, 'OK, I'm jumping off exploding bridges, falling off roofs.' "He said, 'Are you running at night?' Yes. 'OK, that means you'll probably wrap at five in the morning. Don't do any sprinting shots at five in the morning. Your body's going to be out of whack, and you'll get hurt. They're always going to do a wetdown at night.' "So Tom says, 'That's fine if you're running straight. If you're taking a corner, no.' "He goes, 'If you're hanging 11 storeys up, make sure people see how high you are. Make sure the shot reflects depth and dimension. You are selling the fact that you are doing these things.'" We are hearing a lot about the 10% to be paid to public servants, but nothing is said about The satisfaction of employees is top priority for Tucson-based Nova Financial & Investment Corp. because it translates into satisfied customers. Nova was ranked as the number one mid-size employer for the 2025 Tucson Top Workplaces award. Employee comments included: I am allowed to work the best way with little supervision as I know I am trusted to do my job to the fullest, and I get the opportunity to help peoples dreams come true. In business since 1980, Nova employs about 120 people in the Tucson market at four branches. The company also has offices throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon with a combined 400 employees. Nathan Baker, vice president of marketing, said Novas three core values are to provide the best combination of service to employees and customers, to promote from within and to give back to the community. Giving is contagious, Baker said, and it contributes to how employees are enriched. Charitable work includes an annual drive for school supplies, a holiday toy giveaway and donations to local charities. In the past 10 years, the company has donated over $5 million to varying nonprofit groups. In the office, managers constantly ask for employee feedback, which is always analyzed, and tweaks are made based on employee observations. Certainly, positive feedback but even negative feedback is something we appreciate knowing, Baker said. This award means a lot because its our employees that are making the call. In the mid-size employer category, the Tucson Top Workplaces second-place award goes to Tucson-based KE&G Construction. In business since 1972, the company employs about 370 people. Third place goes to Phoenix-based Kids Dental Brands with about 100 employees in Tucson. It was founded in 2000. An office with this many cockroaches doesnt usually score very high on employee satisfaction surveys. But the University of Arizonas Department of Entomology is no ordinary office. According to staff members there, its one of Tucsons best places to work. More than 1,000 local organizations were invited to participate in this years employer-ranking questionnaire from survey company Energage, in partnership with the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson.com. Just 24 were recognized as Tucsons Top Workplaces for 2025, including a certain bug-infested department in the universitys College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. The U of A Entomology Department ranked No. 1 in the small employer category, which includes workplaces with 35-149 staff members. Entomology employees hailed their office as a friendly, collaborative place, where bug-loving researchers feel respected and encouraged to pursue their own ideas and interests. Several of them credited their leadership and long-time department head Bruce Tabashnik in particular for fostering that welcoming environment. As one survey respondent put it: The culture of collegiality filters down from the top and bubbles up from the bottom. It is a pleasure to work with my colleagues, and were good at getting stuff done together and individually. Accomplishments are noticed and celebrated. Im thrilled, said Tabashnik, who has headed up the department since 1996. Its recognition of our culture. We feel it, we talk about it, were very conscious of it, and so to have external recognition, its very rewarding. The Entomology Department has about 100 employees, including 17 faculty members. Their main focus is on applied science for the public good, much of it in agriculture and aimed at minimizing the harm and maximizing the benefits of insects. Tabashnik said the universitys groundbreaking pest-control research has been credited with helping to save the states cotton industry, one of the famous Five Cs of Arizona. On the education side, the department offers a masters and doctorate degree program in entomology and insect sciences that attracts about 30 graduate students a year. Theres no bug-specific bachelors degree program, but hundreds of students are drawn to its undergraduate course offerings each year, especially the entertaining stuff such as Edible insects, How insects shaped human history and How insects conquered Earth. Tabashniks attitude: If youve got a choice between two ways of doing something, choose the one thats the most fun. The Entomology Department also houses and curates the U of A Insect Collection, the worlds most comprehensive archive of arthropods from the Sonoran Desert, with some 2 million specimens representing 35,000 species. To expand its reach beyond the university, the department hosts the annual Arizona Insect Festival a free, kid-friendly event held each October and connects with more than 3,000 local elementary school kids through its Insect Discovery Outreach Program. That program is directed by U of A associate professor and Ph.D. entomologist Kathleen Walker, who also serves as caretaker for the departments in-house colony of cuddly Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Tabashnik said the people working for him could be anywhere, succeeding at whatever they might choose to do. The reason theyre here is they care so much about insects studying them and learning and sharing that with others, making the world a better place with that knowledge, he said. By harnessing that, we get results. We have a culture that expects excellence and supports excellence. The proof is easy enough to find. The U of A has been ranked as the number 1 entomology department in the world for three years running by EduRank.org, an independent website that uses academic papers and citations to score the research performance of institutions. Tabashnik said creating a welcoming workplace has been a primary goal of his since he was first hired as department head almost 30 years ago. He has worked in contentious departments before, he said, and a fun and friendly environment just works better for everyone involved. We have incredible people, and I try to make it a happy place for them and let them follow their passion, said Tabashnik, who was named as a Regents Professor in 2015 and elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2023. The people we have, theyre brilliant, theyre hard working, and theyre really passionate about what they do. I think they share this feeling with me that were very lucky we get to do something we love every day. Photos: 13th annual Arizona Insect Festival June Lockhart has died aged 100. June Lockhart and Lassie The Lassie and Lost in Space actress passed away from natural causes on Thursday (23.10.25) with her daughter, June Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Christianna, by her side. June Elizabeth said: "Mommy always considered acting her craft, but her true passions were journalism, politics, science, and NASA. "She cherished her role in Lost in Space and was delighted to know she inspired many future astronauts." Lyle Gregory - a family friend - is quoted by The Guardian as saying: "She was very happy up until the very end, reading the New York Times and LA Times every day. "It was very important to her to stay focused on the news of the day. According to People, funeral services for June - who died in Santa Monica, California - will be private, and instead of flowers, the Hollywood legend's family has asked donations to be made to The Actors Fund, ProPublica and International Hearing Dog, Inc. The star was born in New York City on June 25, 1925, and was the daughter of actor Gene and actress Kathleen Lockhart. June's career spanned film and television, and her first movie appearance came in 1938 with MGM's A Christmas Carol, cast as the daughter of Bob Cratchit, played by her dad Gene, with Kathleen as his wife. Speaking about working with her parents in A Christmas Carol, June told the Ames Tribune in 2014: "I thought my parents were wonderful as the Cratchits, and it was just great fun to see how a film was made. "I loved the Victorian costumes. "We used to perform it every Christmas at home for our dinner guests. So I had already appeared in it, with my parents, in our living room for many years prior to doing it for MGM. In 1947, she won the inaugural Tony Award, taking home the Best Newcomer accolade for her performance on Broadway in For Love or Money. By 1958, June was cast in the much-loved TV series Lassie, replacing Cloris Leachman as Ruth Martin. After Lassie, she starred in Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968 - playing the mom of a family of space colonists - and she inspired people to become scientists. June joked to NPR in 2004: "I did Lassie for six years, and I never had anybody come up to me and say, 'It made me want to be a farmer.'" The actress - who has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for movies and one for TV - even became an unofficial ambassador for NASA, frequently appearing at launches and celebrations alongside astronauts. And in 2013, she was honoured by NASA with the prestigious Exceptional Public Achievement Medal. Syrian national Kamel Maklad has been held in immigration detention in Arizona for more than two years. But last month, he spent about 30 minutes in a Venezuelan airport, after the U.S. put him on a deportation flight with almost 200 Venezuelans, he said. Although he previously lived there, Maklad has no legal status in Venezuela and was quickly flown back to the U.S., he said, speaking on a video call from the Eloy Detention Center. Confused Venezuelan officials told Maklad he didnt have valid paperwork and theyd never agreed to receive him, he said. They told me, Youre not Venezuelan. Tell immigration (authorities) in America that we cant do what they want. Weve had no communication, he said. He was first returned to a Texas detention facility before being transferred back to Eloy. For Maklad, the head-spinning flights have compounded his despair after 25 months in detention, despite having won protection against deportation to his home country nearly one year ago. I have no energy anymore. I have no desire to fight, said Maklad, who is 38. I feel finished. They stole my time, my life. Maklad has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since September 2023, when he crossed the southern border with a group of migrants near Lukeville, Arizona, and surrendered to border agents to request asylum. The failed Sept. 19 deportation to Venezuela comes as U.S. immigration officials have spent nearly a year trying to find a third country to accept Maklad as a deportee, after an immigration judge granted him withholding of removal to Syria in November 2024, as well as protection under the Convention Against Torture. In granting withholding of removal, the judge agreed that Maklads life or freedom would most likely be threatened if he returned to his home country. Under previous administrations, those granted withholding of removal a more limited form of protection than asylum would usually be released from detention and secure temporary work permits, with requirements such as routine ICE check-ins. But the Trump administration has mounted an aggressive campaign to convince more countries to accept deportees from the U.S. who arent their citizens, approaching nations including Uganda, Ghana, South Sudan and other places with humanitarian crises or violent conflicts of their own. Immigrants should not face indefinite detention, legal experts say. Every 90 days, ICE detainees should get a custody review of whether its likely they can be deported in the near future, and if not, they should be released after six months. The government shouldnt be able to hold someone, a noncriminal, potentially for the rest of their lives simply because it couldnt find another country to take them, said immigration attorney Luis Campos, whom Maklad retained in October. Maklad said he previously lived and worked legally in Venezuela for about 10 years, after fleeing the Syrian civil war in 2011. When his Venezuelan residency and work permit expired, the process to renew them dragged on for 18 months, due to the political crisis in Venezuela, he said. Without legal status, he faced extortion and threats from local authorities, so eventually, he left Venezuela to seek protection in the U.S., he said, speaking in Spanish, which he learned in Venezuela. An ICE officer told Maklad in August he would be deported to Venezuela and asked if he had fear of being returned there, he said. Initially, he said yes, due to his lack of legal status and the risk of being threatened by local police. But the officer said Venezuela would accept him and give him new documents, Maklad said. He now believes that assurance was a lie. I escaped and left Syria in 2011 because I was afraid of being in prison, he said. I came looking for my freedom in another country, and they imprisoned me. ... Im 38 years old. I have never, never in my life been imprisoned. I have never known jail, neither in Syria nor in Venezuela. I know it here. What are they doing with me? Immigration detention is civil detention; its not intended as punishment for any crime, which would be handled by the criminal justice system. But for those detained, the experience is indistinguishable from criminal incarceration, advocates say. DHS allegation completely new Since Oct. 15, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to the Arizona Daily Stars questions about the attempt to deport Maklad to Venezuela. But in an Oct. 21 emailed statement DHS alleged, without providing evidence, that hes a suspected terrorist and serious public safety risk. The agency has not raised the issue of Maklad being a suspected terrorist before now, according to his current immigration lawyer, Campos, and two other lawyers who previously represented him. DHS has not responded to the Stars questions about why DHS intends to release a suspected terrorist into another country, rather than prosecute him criminally, nor did it explain why DHS didnt raise the allegation in any of Maklads immigration court hearings. He has remained in ICE custody given his serious public safety risk, said the DHS statement, attributed to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. One thing is for certain this suspected terrorist will not be allowed to remain in the U.S. We will find a third country to accept him. Campos also questioned why DHSs attorney didnt raise the issue during Maklads immigration court proceedings. Under U.S. immigration law, terrorist activity would be a legal bar to granting withholding of removal, according to guidance from the Executive Office of Immigration Review, the Department of Justice agency that oversees U.S. immigration courts. Biometric screening conducted at the time would have revealed if he were on a watch list or had other concerning history, Campos said. This is the first time anyone has heard of this accusation, Campos said. They had the opportunity in court to bring this accusation up, and they did not. ... They could have made the argument, provided the evidence and he would not have been given the relief by the judge that he was requesting. ICE also didnt raise the issue in any of its custody reviews that evaluated whether Maklad could be released, said attorney Pattilyn Bermudez Solano, who has been involved in Maklads case since July. ICEs explanation for denying his release referenced Maklads crossing the border illegally as the reason why he could be a danger, because it showed a disregard for immigration law, she said. Never, ever, ever did they mention that he was a suspected terrorist, she said. I really dont get it. No criminal history, no nothing, and still they treat him like the worst of the worst. ... Its just a systematic abuse of power. DHS declines to explain On Oct. 22, DHS Assistant Secretary McLaughlin called a Star reporter directly, but said she wouldnt talk about Maklad on the record only on deep background, or off the record. The Star did not agree to talk off the record, which would mean the information shared cant be published, nor on background, which usually means the information could be published, but without attribution to the source. In the call, McLaughlin said DHS would share its own story on social media, rather than provide on-the-record responses to the Stars questions for this article. This is terrorism and theres litigation, so I cant go into it on the record, McLaughlin said. As of Oct. 24, Maklad is not named in any litigation recorded by the electronic filing system PACER, which provides public access to federal court records. If DHS believes Maklad is a suspected terrorist and public safety threat, then the attempt to deport him to Venezuela makes little sense, said Anwen Hughes, an attorney and director of legal strategy for refugee programs at the nonprofit Human Rights First. Tensions are rising with Venezuela, amid the U.S.s recent deadly strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean Sea. Legal experts have called the pre-emptive attacks illegal, extra-judicial killings. Why would you deport someone in this extraordinarily negligent and careless manner, if you thought he actually posed a security risk? Hughes said. And why would you send him to a country that the U.S. is acting as if its at war with? None of this makes any sense. The Star offered to extend its deadline if DHS needed more time to respond to the Stars questions. DHSs McLaughlin declined. Deteriorating rapidly Maklad was the provider for his sister and mother back home, as his brother is raising his own family. Maklad says he didnt flee his homeland seeking the American dream; back in Syria, he owned a hardware store, had a decent house and a car, and dreamed of having his own children. Then the war broke out. If hed stayed in Syria, Maklad said he would have been forcibly drafted into the Syrian army and if he resisted, due to his religious beliefs, he would have been sent to the front lines or imprisoned, he told a U.S. asylum officer in November 2023. According to a transcript of the reasonable-fear interview, shared by Campos, the asylum officer agreed this constituted reasonable fear of persecution. I didnt need the American dream. I fled seeking peace, Maklad told the Star in a video call. Now, I need help. In truth, Im broken in every way. Not just emotionally, but financially. ... I need to get out of here. I need to get my life back, I need to get myself back. The new allegations from DHS are shocking, Maklad said in an Oct. 23 video call. He said he hadnt slept at all the night before, after learning about DHSs accusation. He questioned how he could have been granted withholding of removal, if it were true. Why didnt they (DHS) appeal the judges decision? he said in Spanish. I presented myself seven times before the judge, and they never said that. ... I dont know what to say. Theyre accusing me of something I would never do. ... I dont even have a traffic ticket. Bertha Zuniga, the attorney who helped Maklad win withholding of removal last year, also affirmed that DHS didnt previously allege terrorist activity. If there had been any allegation of suspected terrorist, the Judge would have NOT granted him withholding of removal, she said in a Thursday email. Tucson resident Cecilia Valenzuela is a long-time member of a volunteer group that regularly visits detained immigrants at Eloy. She began visiting with Maklad in December 2024. The previous Eloy warden, who was supportive of the program, once told the group that suicide attempts were basically nonexistent for the detainees they visited, she said. Its a ministry of presence, she said, accompanying detained immigrants to mitigate their isolation, to give them some services, friendship, listening. But Valenzuela told the Star shes become worried about Maklad. The lack of justice, the lack of response, the fact that hes being treated like a criminal when he has never committed any crime, is eating him alive inside, she said. Before, he could withstand it, but now his emotional state is deteriorating rapidly. Third-country removals challenged Maklad was ineligible for asylum due to the Biden-era Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule which largely denied the protection to asylum seekers who didnt use the CBP One scheduling app to enter the U.S. Advocates say the rule resulted in more asylum seekers with only withholding of removal, leaving them vulnerable to removal to a third country. Under previous administrations, third-country removals happened rarely and with consideration of individual circumstances, said Dara Lind, senior fellow with the American Immigration Council. But the Trump administration has directed DHS to carry out third-country removals within as little as 24 hours, violating due process law, the Washington Post reported. Under Trump, they see third-country removals as a systemic solution, Lind said. There is this broader context of this administration being really aggressive, both in trying to get people (removed) to wherever they can, and in pressuring other countries to accept more people. During an April cabinet meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is actively searching for more third countries to accept deportees. We are working with other countries to say, we want to send you some of the most despicable human beings to your countries, Rubio said. Will you do that as a favor to us, and the further away from America, the better, so they cant come back across the border. DHSs chaotic attempts to remove noncitizens to often-unstable third countries have raised critical due process and human rights concerns, said Hughes of Human Rights First. The nonprofit is leading a legal challenge against DHSs practice of third-country removals without first providing noncitizens with notice and an opportunity to contest removal, due to a fear of persecution, torture, and even death in the third country. The lawsuit also challenges a February directive instructing DHS to review cases of noncitizens already released from detention, including those who complied with the terms of their release for years, for re-detention and removal to a third country. The U.S. has not announced any third-country removal agreement with Venezuela, with whom relations are hostile, Hughes said, but theoretically the country could still agree to accept non-Venezuelan deportees from the U.S. on an individual basis. That does not appear to have happened in Maklads case, as he reported arriving without any travel documents or visa. The Star was unable to reach Venezuelas migration agency, SAIME, whose listed email address wasnt operational, to inquire about Maklads arrival there. The Venezuelan delegation to the United Nations did not respond to the Stars calls or emails last week. Part of an authoritarian government, Venezuelas immigration agency doesnt share reliable information, and researchers rely on reports from the news media to keep tabs on deportations there, said Laura Dib, director for Venezuela at the Washington Office on Latin America, a research and advocacy group promoting human rights. Just want to leave here Campos said hes concerned DHS could deport Maklad to an unsafe third country where he could be in danger, or at risk of being sent back to Syria, despite the judges granting of withholding of removal there. He also worries about the potential for retaliation against Maklad: As it did with pro-Palestinian activist and green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, DHS could transfer Maklad to a remote immigration detention center, such as one in Louisiana, disconnecting him from his legal counsel, Campos said. Advocates say Maklads case in some ways echoes that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the U.S. wrongly deported to a notorious prison in his home country of El Salvador, despite a judge having awarded him withholding of removal there in 2019. DHS later said the deportation was an administrative error, but has continued trying to deport him. Uganda, Eswatini and Ghana have all refused. A former DOJ lawyer says he lost his job for refusing to repeat unsubstantiated allegations about Abrego Garcia in court. The lawyer, Erez Reuveni, recently told 60 Minutes that in April, his superiors ordered him to argue against Abrego Garcias return from El Salvador by telling a judge that Abrego Garcia was a MS-13 gang member and a terrorist, despite a lack of evidence supporting the claims. That is not factually correct. ... That is a lie and I cannot sign my name to that brief, Reuveni recalled telling superiors. He was fired by the DOJ soon afterwards. On Friday, the Trump administration said Libera has agreed to accept Abrego Garcia and he could be deported to the African country as soon as Oct. 31. Stuck in Eloy, Maklad, meanwhile, said he fears for his sister, Shorouq, and his mother, who are still in Syria, living in war. Two months ago, their homes and cars were burned, and family members and friends were killed, amid political instability since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assads totalitarian regime last year. Shorouq confirmed those details to the Star, and shared photos of Maklad, in messages sent through WhatsApp. More than anything, the indefinite nature of his detention is unbearable, Maklad said. At this point, he said hed rather be jailed, or dead, in Syria because at least hed be where his family is. I cant take it anymore. I cant go on, he said on a video call. I want them to do something with me, for better or worse. I just want to leave here. By Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net Patna: As Bihar heads toward the 2025 Assembly elections, the Muslim community, which makes up 17.7 percent of the states population, stands at a political crossroads. With 243 seats in the Assembly and two competing alliances, the opposition Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Muslims face a familiar dilemma: how to balance the demand for fair representation with the pressing need to resist Hindutvas advance. Despite their decisive presence in several constituencies, Muslims remain underrepresented in the lists released by major parties. The question reverberates across political discussions and drawing rooms alike: should Muslims continue backing secular parties that promise protection but deliver limited representation, or assert themselves politically even at the risk of division? Uneven Representation in the Grand Alliance The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi, has long been the principal political home for Bihars Muslims. Yet when the RJD announced its list of 143 candidates, only 18 were Muslim, about 12.6 percent. Proportionally, that share should have been closer to 41 seats. Critics say the shortfall reflects a conscious underallocation that leaves Muslims with less than half their demographic due. The dissatisfaction goes beyond numbers. Several sitting Muslim MLAs were denied tickets, while others had their constituencies changed. Within the RJD, many allege that the Yadav community, roughly 14 percent of the population, continues to dominate decision-making. Muslim voices are either ignored or inadequately represented, says a senior RJD functionary requesting anonymity. The Congress, which received 61 seats within the Grand Alliance, has fielded 10 Muslim candidates, or 16.7 per cent. Its relatively higher share has drawn some praise, but the denial of tickets to a few incumbents has still sparked local resentment. Meanwhile, Mukesh Sahnis Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), another ally, did not nominate a single Muslim candidate, further fueling criticism that alliance arithmetic trumps inclusion. The Left parties, traditionally supported by sections of Muslim voters, offered little comfort. The CPI(ML), contesting under the Grand Alliance banner, fielded only two Muslim candidates, while other communist factions fielded none. Altogether, the Grand Alliance has fielded 30 Muslim candidates across 243 seats, about 11.9 percent of the total, well below population parity. Better Than NDA, But Still Inadequate Professor Pushpendra, former director at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, notes that while the RJD has fared better than NDA constituents, its distribution still falls short. RJD has under allocated by roughly five percentage points compared with the Muslim population, he says. When 37 percent of RJD tickets go to Yadavs, the imbalance within the Muslim Yadav equation becomes evident. He points out that RJD is squeezed between rivals. On one side is the NDA, and on the other, smaller challengers like Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party and Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM. The Jan Suraaj Party fielded around 30 Muslim candidates, more than RJD in absolute numbers, while AIMIM campaigns almost entirely on Muslim representation. They accuse RJD of exploiting Muslims fear of BJPs return to power to justify underrepresentation, Pushpendra observes. NDAs Calculated Distance The NDAs approach offers a stark contrast. Out of 243 seats, it has fielded just five Muslim candidates: four by Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) and one by Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). The BJP, contesting 101 seats, has none. The BJP does not hide its Hindutva politics or its hostility towards Muslims, says Professor Pushpendra. But its allies tokenism, four and one seat each, shows how deeply they have aligned with the BJPs ideological position. Nitish Kumar, once credited with welfare measures that earned him goodwill among Muslims, has seen his credibility decline. His support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Citizenship Amendment Act, along with a JDU MPs remark that the party would not work for Muslims since they dont vote for us, has further eroded trust. In the 2020 elections, JDU fielded 11 Muslim candidates, none of whom won. With just four tickets this time, it appears to have written off the Muslim vote. A Strategic Dilemma For many Muslims, the electoral question is no longer just about representation but survival. Voting strategically for the Grand Alliance may help block Hindutvas consolidation, but it also means tolerating marginalization within secular politics. Demanding greater representation, on the other hand, risks splitting the opposition vote an outcome that could strengthen the NDA. This tension reflects the communitys long-standing paradox: overwhelming loyalty to secular parties without corresponding political agency. If proportional representation were applied strictly, notes one Patna based analyst, Tejashwi Yadav, whose community is smaller than Muslims, would have no claim to the chief ministers post. The remark underscores the gap between demographic weight and political power in Bihars caste driven system. Balancing Act and Political Calculations The RJD defends its ticket distribution as a delicate balancing act. Fielding too many Muslim candidates, party strategists argue, risks provoking BJP accusations of Muslim appeasement, which could alienate Hindu voters, particularly among the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). To maintain both secular credentials and broader caste coalitions, the RJD treads a careful line. This balancing act, however, leaves many Muslims frustrated. Some intellectuals and BJP sympathizers claim that secular parties use the BJP bogeyman to secure Muslim votes while offering little political space in return. Others argue that in a majoritarian climate, Muslims have few viable options beyond strategic alliances with imperfect secular partners. A Pivotal Election The 2025 Bihar elections could reshape Muslim political engagement in the state. With AIMIM excluded from mainstream alliances and Jan Suraj emerging as a wildcard, the communitys bargaining power remains tied to the Grand Alliance, despite its flaws. Whether Muslims choose pragmatic consolidation behind the RJD Congress combine or express discontent through abstention or alternative options will significantly influence both results and the future of minority politics in Bihar. In a state where caste, religion, and power intersect sharply, this decision carries existential weight. Should Muslims accept strategic subordination to defeat Hindutva, or insist on dignity even at the risk of division? The ballot will once again be their only voice, but this time, the stakes are higher than ever. The Identity Politics Trap Professor Mohammad Sajjad of the History Department calls this situation an identity politics trap. He explains, Anti Muslim hatred and Hindu consolidation are both symptoms of identity politics. Unfortunately, even RJD cannot ensure Yadav votes transfer to Muslim candidates. He believes that ordinary Muslims, unlike aspiring legislators, face an impossible choice. They either focus on defeating saffron regression to avoid Yogi or Hemanta style repression, regardless of underrepresentation, or they assert for representation and risk letting saffron allies win. In both cases, the choice is restrictive. He concludes, The poison of majoritarianism leaves little room for minorities. Only in a non-majoritarian social and political environment can minorities negotiate with other communities, castes, and the government. Professor Pushpendra agrees that representation and protection are not opposing concerns but mutually reinforcing. Reflecting on the 2020 elections, he says, When AIMIM won five seats in Seemanchal, it showed Muslims desire for agency. Even pragmatically, RJD could have done more to counter these spoilers and reassure its Muslim supporters. During last night's episode of The Great British Bake Off, contestants were tasked with baking Basque cheesecake a baseless, deliciously creamy dessert with a "burnt" caramelised crust. Originating from La Vina in San Sebastian, Spain (aka, the famed foodie destination with the highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita), the burnt cheesecake began as a simple five-ingredient dish, served without garnish or flair. However, thanks to social media and the fact it's incredibly tasty the sweet treat has found new audiences beyond the Basque Country, and has dominated feeds in recent years. The hashtag #basquecheesecake has over 17,000 posts on TikTok and more than 301,000 on Instagram to date. It was also named The New York Times' 'Flavour of the Year' in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to Yahoo UK, Elena Frattura, head chef and part-owner of London's Rottura restaurant, explains how you can perfect this recipe at home. Head chef Elena Frattura shares Rottura restaurant's Basque cheesecake recipe. (Rottura Restaurant) This Italian eaterie in Brentford, West London, is headed up by twin sisters, Elena and Emily Frattura with the former making it to the 2021 quarter-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals. The restaurant serves up an array of small plates, snacks, large plates and desserts, made with fresh ingredients and inspired by traditional Mediterranean flavours and methods. And yet, the Basque cheesecake is a fan favourite. "The first one we tried didn't turn out so well," Elena jokes. "But my colleague and I spent two months perfecting the recipe to get to this stage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked why, as an Italian restaurant, they chose a traditional Spanish dessert, Elena explained that they wanted a dish that would pair well with seasonal fruit ("You can't add anything to tiramisu") and they didn't want just a bog-standard cheesecake on the menu either. "At one point, we were making one a day. Even when we already had one in the fridge, we had to start making another one so it would set in time." Despite opting to take it off the menu for now, Elena says diners continue to request it specifically. So, will it make a return? "Honestly, I don't know," Elena tells me. "At Rottura we change the menu regularly and it had been on there for about two months which is quite a long time. I also think it's better in the spring/summer months, as I like to pair it with seasonal berries." Rottura's Basque cheesecake recipe Diners still request Rottura's Basque cheesecake, which has since been removed from the menu. (Rottura Restaurant) Ingredients: 1kg Philadelphia cream cheese 400g caster sugar 500g double cream 15g plain flour 7 eggs ideally Italian or ones with a rich, orangey yolk Method: Combine the cream cheese and double cream. Add the eggs and sugar, and finally the flour. Use a hand blender on a low setting to combine the mixture, holding it firm against the bottom of the bowl and ensuring you don't get any air bubbles. If you do get any air bubbles, simply tap the bowl on the surface, much like baristas do with steamed milk. Add to a greaseproof-lined spring cake tin (about a 10-inch one usually holds the mix) and place in a pre-heated oven at 200C for around 40 minutes in total. Rotate it after 20 minutes so that it cooks evenly. You'll know it's cooked all the way through if you gently nudge the tin and the mixture moves a little like jelly, in a consistent movement. Turn off the oven but leave it in there for a further 10 minutes. Another way that the team at Rottura ensures that "burnt" effect on top is to use a blow torch. However, noting that most people don't have one lying around in their kitchen, Elena says cooking in the oven should suffice you just need to ensure you get rid of all the air bubbles for a smooth surface. Take it out of the oven and leave it to cool down to room temperature before placing it in the fridge to avoid any cracks. Place in the fridge when cool for as long as possible ideally for 12+ hours or overnight Three common mistakes to avoid 1. Not lining the tin properly Lining the tin should be relatively straight forward but not doing so correctly could impact the look of the cheesecake and how it sets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You want to cut the greaseproof paper according to the size of the tin, then scrunch it up in your hands and wet it slightly. This means it settles to the shape of the tin better and you'll get that nice, rustic look," Elena says. 2. Pairing it with something sweet Of course, Basque cheesecake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve with a variety of sauces and toppings. Elena recommends adding fresh summer berries or rhubarb compote. The team also served it with apricot and honey. One mistake Elena warns against, however, is accompanying the dish with an even sweeter sauce. "We held a private dinner once and they requested having salted caramel sauce with it, which, for me personally, is a bit too sweet. If you have something rich and creamy like cheesecake, you ideally want something tart that will cut through," the chef adds. 3. Not keeping it in the fridge long enough The last thing you want to do is to cut into the cheesecake and its centre ooze out in a sloppy mess. And by refrigerating for at least 12 hours means you're less likely to have this. As well as Basque cheesecake, San Sebastian is famous for its pintxos small finger snacks usually held together with cocktail sticks. (Getty Images) Also good to know You can freeze it Whether you slice up or freeze it whole, you can preserve your cheesecake for up to 3 months. You just need to defrost the dessert 24 hours before serving. Otherwise, store in the fridge It's best to eat the cheesecake within 2 days of making, but it can last in the fridge up to 4 days. Read more about cooking, baking and recipes: HCM CITY Viet Nam on Saturday (Oct 25) launched Open Innovation Day (OID) 2025, a flagship tech and business networking event aimed at positioning the country as a regional hub for green and digital innovation as it accelerates its next phase of sustainable economic growth. Themed Technological Breakthroughs Promoting Green and Digital Transformation, the two-day event in HCM City gathers government officials, global organisations, investors, corporations and startups to discuss emerging technologies and strengthen innovation partnerships. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hoang Minh, deputy minister of Science and Technology, said open innovation was becoming a key driver of Viet Nams development strategy. OID 2025 is designed to turn policy into practice to link startups, corporations and research institutions in solving real-world challenges, he said. We want to move from talking about innovation to living it in every business, every city, and every community, he added. Nguyen Loc Ha, vice chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee, said the city aimed to become the driving force behind Viet Nams innovation-led transformation. HCM City is determined to lead the way in science, technology, and innovation, he said. Our vision is to integrate green and digital transformation into every aspect of our economic and social life. Juhern Kim, country representative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Viet Nam, highlighted the importance of international partnerships. Technology and innovation are essential for green growth, he said. OID 2025 helps align global expertise with Viet Nams priorities in sustainable development, from clean energy to digital transformation. The event features eight panel discussions on topics such as AI ecosystem development, blockchain governance, advanced materials, renewable energy, and cross-border e-commerce. A Tech Showcase 2025 exhibition is being held alongside, featuring startups and enterprises seeking investment and collaboration. Bui Trung Hieu, deputy director of the Open Innovation & Technopreneur Institute (OITI), said OID 2025 underscored Viet Nams growing confidence in innovation-led growth. This event marks the evolution from adopting innovation to leading it, he said. Launched by the Ministry of Science and Technologys National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Development (NATEC), OID is co-organised by OITI, the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), and GGGI, with support from partners such as SoiHub, Saigontel, Qualcomm, and Business Finland. The event forms part of the lead-up to the HCM City Economic Forum (HEF) 2025, to be held later this year in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF). VNS HCM CITY After merging with Kon Tum, Quang Ngai Province is entering a new phase of growth, calling on Quang Ngai-born entrepreneurs in HCM City and beyond to invest in their hometown or share ideas to unlock its coastal, tourism, and technology potential. Speaking at a seminar co-organised by the Quang Ngai Entrepreneurs Club in HCM City and Thanh Nien newspaper in HCM City on October 24, Tran Phuoc Hien, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said the new Quang Ngai Province has enormous potential for developing the marine economy. The Dung Quat Industrial Zone is set to host Viet Nams first national petrochemical and refinery centre, while Ly Son Island has been designated a national marine tourism and aquaculture hub, according to Hien. In the west, the Mang en national tourism site surrounded by nearly one million hectares of forest offers strong prospects for forestry, eco-services, and carbon credit development. After the merger with Kon Tum, Quang Ngai has emerged as one of the countrys most dynamic provinces, Hien said. In the first nine months of 2025, its GRDP grew by 10.15 per cent year-on-year, ranking first in the south-central coastal and Central Highlands regions and fifth nationwide. This is an advantage but also a challenge as we strive to sustain double-digit growth. To fully leverage its advantages, the province is prioritising investment in energy, education, healthcare, and particularly in science, technology, and digital transformation. These are areas where Quang Ngai remains underdeveloped but holds great promise, according to Hien. He stressed that the province was eager to listen to entrepreneurs views and proposals. We know many returning investors still face difficulties. That is why Quang Ngai is reviewing its approaches and is determined to address challenges proactively through open dialogue and joint efforts. Our advantages remain only potential. We hope to attract talented Quang Ngai natives back to serve their province and welcome innovative ideas from entrepreneurs and the younger generation to help the province move forward, he added. As a Quang Ngai native and senior advisor to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, Le Quoc An, who has helped attract nearly ten textile companies to set up factories in the province, agreed that tourism should become a key economic driver. He said Ly Son deserves to be an international, not just national, destination thanks to its stunning scenery but must overcome existing limitations to realise its full potential. o Xuan Quang, deputy CEO of VietjetAir, also highlighted Quang Ngais tourism potential but noted a lack of accommodation infrastructure. I left Quang Ngai 40 years ago. The most painful thing is that accommodation facilities have hardly changed, he said. Ten years ago, the tallest hotel had 12 floors and today it is still the same. There is not even a three-star hotel, let alone a five-star one, while neighbouring provinces are developing rapidly. Quang added that Quang Ngai enjoyed many advantages such as a deep-water port, an airport, expressways, and railways, yet investors still faced regulatory barriers. For example, we wanted to build an 18-storey, 4-star hotel to meet accommodation demand, but the existing zoning plan doesnt permit such height because it was issued too long ago, he explained. Its urgent that the province update its master plan to give investors a clear legal framework for development. Tran Anh Tuan, vice chairman and CEO of AUVS Vietnam Network, shared his journey of returning to Quang Ngai in 1996 after graduating from HCM City University of Technology to contribute to local development. In 2020, he moved back to HCM City to work in science and technology, running a high-tech drone research and manufacturing company exporting globally and helping to establish a national drone network. Quang Ngai people are known for their perseverance and resilience, Tuan said. They are also skilled in science and technology. If the province can unite businesspeople from afar with the collective efforts of local authorities and its existing resources, it will make a strong contribution to local development. VNS SYDNEY The first online meeting connecting Australia Viet Nam business councils, associations, and organisations across Australia, along with Vietnamese firms operating in the country was held on October 24. The event, jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and the Consulates General in Sydney and Perth, brought together nearly 30 delegates, including leaders and members of nine Australia Viet Nam business organisations, and representatives of many Vietnamese enterprises. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam emphasised the importance of enhancing connections and cooperation among business associations and groups interested in Viet Nam across Australia. He described the meeting as an excellent platform for the associations to network, explore potential partnerships, and consider the formation of a federation of Australia Viet Nam business associations in Australia. Former Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Andrew Goledzinowski, currently an advisor to several Viet Nam-related organisations, shared a similar view, noting that he is working with various Vietnamese associations in his country such as intellectuals', womens, and entrepreneurs' groups, and recognised a strong need for better coordination among them. Simon White, chairman of the Australia Viet Nam Business Council in Queensland (AVBCQ), also highlighted the growing demand for a unified organisation to link different associations interested in business cooperation with Viet Nam. The proposal was supported by Tran Ba Phuc, president of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia (VBAA), and Nguyen Ngoc My, chairman of the Northern Territory Viet Nam Business Council (NTVBC). During the meeting, participants introduced their organisations and enterprises, shared business cooperation ideas, and discussed plans to exchange information and data, including setting up a joint communication group via WhatsApp. They agreed to consider establishing a unified organisation in Australia to strengthen coordination. On this occasion, Ambassador Tam appreciated the support and collaboration extended by the business organisations and associations to Vietnamese enterprises and working delegations visiting Australia. BIZHUB/VNS Paris Fury wants to be Molly-Mae Hague's wedding planner. Tyson Fury and his wife Paris Fury Molly and boxer Tommy Fury, both 26, are back together following their temporary split in 2024, but Molly insists things between them are "not perfect" and she does not "feel quite ready" to put her engagement ring back on yet. But 35-year-old author Paris - who is married to Tommy's brother, fellow boxer, 37 year old Tyson Fury - is ready to help future sister-in-law Molly-Mae, who has a two-year-old daughter called Bambi with Tommy, plan her big day when the time is right. Paris told the new issue of Closer magazine: "I'm going to recommend that to Molly-Mae and say, 'You should hire me as your wedding planner.' "No, seriously, I do think I've got great experience with it now. I've been there and done it when I was younger, I've done it a few years ago, and then I just done it this year." Paris married Tyson in a lavish wedding in Doncaster in front of over 300 guests, then later reaffirmed their love in New York. And this summer, the smitten couple renewed their wedding vows for a third time in an intimate ceremony held in the South of France, with only their children as witnesses. But another wedding is on the horizon, as last month, 18-year-old boxer Noah Price got down on one knee and popped the question with a huge "white gold, diamond band with a diamond solitaire" ring to Paris and Tyson's eldest daughter, Venezuela, at her 16th birthday party. And Paris cannot imagine Venezuela and Noah sharing a wedding day with Molly-Mae and Tommy - despite them both having a close relationship with each other. Paris - who got engaged to Tyson at the age of 17 - said: "Oh no, I can't see it happening. "I don't think they'll have a double wedding. I think that'd be so strange - auntie and niece getting married on the same day. "It would be nice to go to both weddings." As well as Venezuela, Paris and Tyson have daughters, Valencia, eight, and Athena, four. They also have sons Prince John James, 14, Prince Tyson Fury II, nine, Prince Adonic Amaziah, six, and Prince Rico, two. PHNOM PENH A seminar providing Vietnamese businesses operating in Cambodia with the latest updates on the countrys tax laws and compliance requirements was held in the Kingdom on October 24 by the Viet NamCambodia Business Association (VCBA) and Cambodias General Department of Taxation. The event aimed to help enterprises better understand local regulations, address challenges in tax procedures, and create more favourable conditions for long-term investment and business growth. Speaking at the event, Ngo Van Tuat, charge dAffaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, emphasised that the event reflected the strong partnership between Cambodian authorities, the Vietnamese Embassy, the VCBA, and the business communities of both countries. He highlighted that economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation are key pillars of bilateral relations through 2030, with both sides aiming to raise two-way trade to US$20 billion and beyond. According to Tuat, Vietnamese enterprises have made significant contributions to Cambodias economic development through responsible and law-abiding investments that generate local jobs and revenue. Compliance with host-country laws, particularly tax obligations, is vital for stable and sustainable business operations, he noted. Amid Cambodias ongoing digital transformation in tax administration, including the rollout of e-invoicing, online declarations, and investment-based tax incentives, many Vietnamese businesses face difficulties keeping up with policy changes, he said, adding that the seminar provided a valuable opportunity for open dialogue between enterprises and tax officials, helping to clarify regulatory issues and ensure accurate implementation. VCBA Chairman Oknha Leng Rithy said the event served as a practical platform for both sides to share information, explore new opportunities, and address current challenges. He noted that the close coordination between relevant authorities and the business community demonstrates their shared commitment to supporting enterprises, especially in agriculture and agro-industry, to operate legally, easily and stably. Dr. Eng Ratana, director of the Large Taxpayer Department under Cambodias General Department of Taxation, said the seminar was part of the departments strategy to assist taxpayers in understanding and complying with tax laws. He emphasised that proper knowledge of legal regulations helps businesses avoid penalties and make full use of available incentives. During the event, Cambodian tax officials presented detailed updates on new tax laws, obligations for agricultural sectors, and incentives for investors. The programme also included a direct Q&A session where participants could raise specific concerns and receive immediate clarification. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has so far approved 3,938 agricultural and food product codes for Vietnamese enterprises to be allowed to export to this market, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Of the total, 250 codes were licensed in the first 10 months of this year. China is currently one of Viet Nam's largest and most potential trading partners, and is also a key agricultural import market. As China has increasingly imposed stringent requirements on imported agricultural and food products, many Vietnamese cooperatives and enterprises have proactively standardised their production processes, and invested in raw material areas and deep processing to increase competitiveness and maintain sustainable exports. Recently, on October 14, GACC issued the revised Administrative Provisions on the Customs Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food in the People's Republic of China (Decree No. 280), which will take effect from June 1, 2026, replacing Decree No. 248 which has been applied since 2022. The new policy is considered an important adjustment in the food import management policy, directly impacting all businesses exporting agricultural products and food to the country, including Viet Nam. Dr. Ngo Xuan Nam, deputy director of the Vietnam SPS Office, said that the group directly affected by Decree 280 is the enterprises that produce, process, and preserve food for export to China. They include factories processing agricultural products, seafood, meat products, milk, starch, juices, beverages and dried agricultural products. Nam advised the enterprises to review the registration code on the GACCs CIFER portal, especially when there is a change in location, legal entity, or domestic licence, because according to the new regulations, if the change affects the food safety management system, the registration code will be immediately revoked. Nam also noted that Decree 280 also clarifies the scope of application to storage facilities, cold storage, or transit warehouses abroad, which are required to register if they participate in the chain of preserving processed products before exporting to the Chinese market. According to Nam, Decree 280 is a step forward, not a barrier. If Viet Nam maintains an effective, transparent food safety control system and has an early warning mechanism, the risk will be assessed at a low level, and Vietnamese enterprises will be ranked in the priority group. To take advantage of the opportunities from Decree 280, Nam suggested that management agencies need to continue to synchronise data on growing areas, production areas, processing facilities and traceability systems, which is an important basis for China and other partners to assess Viet Nam's management capacity and transparency. BIZHUB/VNS SEOUL State President Luong Cuong's trip to the Republic of Korea (RoK) to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week and conduct bilateral activities affirms Viet Nam's strong commitment to economic cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vu Ho. Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)s correspondents in Seoul, Ho said that the trip, from October 29 to November 1, also offers a chance for Viet Nam to promote its image as a dynamic, deeply integrated economy that always accompanies the region toward the goal of Connectivity Innovation Prosperity. This also reaffirms Viet Nam's role as an active, responsible member that is increasingly proactive in shaping the regional cooperation architecture in preparation for the hosting of APEC 2027. He highlighted APEC Economic Leaders Week as an important annual event for economies to exchange policy directions and promote trade and investment liberalisation, green transition, and innovation key drivers of sustainable growth amid global uncertainties. On Viet Nam's priorities in APEC 2025, which is themed Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper, the ambassador said that Viet Nam will focus on three key areas promoting green, inclusive and sustainable growth towards carbon neutrality; strengthening supply chain connectivity and digital trade; leveraging technology and innovation to expand markets; and promoting cooperation to ensure food, energy, and high-quality human resource security. Viet Nam will make constructive and practical contributions to APECs future agenda, particularly in initiatives that benefit people and businesses, he said. Regarding Viet Nam's international integration and influence, the ambassador said Viet Nam has proven itself a dynamic and responsible member in multilateral mechanisms, especially APEC. Since joining in 1998, Viet Nam has twice successfully hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2006 and 2017, and is preparing for APEC 2027. It is now an attractive investment destination for international investment and trade, and a comprehensive strategic partner of many APEC economies such as the US, the RoK, Japan, China, Australia, and Singapore. Viet Nam's extensive integration efforts through the implementation of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), have helped elevate the countrys position, ensuring that Viet Nam's voice within APEC is increasingly listened to and respected, he underscored. On the significance of President Cuong visit to the RoK, Ho highlighted that the trip carries both multilateral and bilateral importance. On the sidelines of the meeting, President Cuong is expected to meet RoK leaders and leaders from other member economies to discuss cooperation in high-tech supply chains, clean energy, innovation, non-traditional security and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasised that the Viet NamRoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has developed strongly across all sectors, supported by frequent high-level exchanges, including the recent visits of Party General Secretary To Lam (August 2025) and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (June 2024). This visit, coinciding with APEC 2025, will deepen mutual trust and lay the groundwork for more substantive cooperation as both nations approach the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. Looking ahead to APEC 2027, the diplomat affirmed that the event will be a golden opportunity for Viet Nam to promote its image as a leading player in regional cooperation, while creating a new momentum for the countrys socio-economic growth. Successfully hosting APEC 2027 will offer Viet Nam a chance to promote the image of a dynamic, innovative, and rapidly developing nation, thereby strengthening economic and cultural diplomacy and enhancing its position in the region and on the international stage, he noted. This will be also a golden opportunity for Viet Nam to attract high-quality investment and tourism, particularly in innovation, the digital economy, and green energy toward sustainable development. Businesses will have greater opportunities to connect, expand their operations, and participate in global markets, he added. VNA/VNS PHNOM PENH The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (also known as Hanoi Convention), opened for signature on October 2526 in Viet Nam, is expected to help Cambodia strengthen its legal framework, enhance international cooperation, and contribute to joint efforts in resolving this sensitive hotspot of the region and the world, a Cambodian expert has said. In July 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet launched a nationwide crackdown on online scams in response to the surge of high-tech crimes in the Southeast Asian country, which have threatened regional stability. Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Phnom Penh ahead of the convention signing ceremony, Thong Mengdavid, a geopolitical and international affairs analyst at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) under the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), praised the Cambodian Governments determination to dismantle online scam networks operating within the country. He noted that authorities have arrested about 3,455 suspects from 20 countries, prosecuted 10 major cases in Phnom Penh and several provinces, indicted 75 ringleaders and accomplices, and deported 2,825 foreign nationals. Cambodian law enforcement agencies have also rescued victims of human trafficking and broken up cross-border criminal syndicates. According to Mengdavid, Cambodia has been stepping up cooperation with countries such as Thailand, Viet Nam, the UK, the US, and the Republic of Korea through information sharing, capacity building, and specialised training for task forces. He stressed that Cambodia cannot combat cybercrime alone, requiring the participation of the international community, especially neighbouring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to dismantle transnational networks, prosecute offenders, and tighten border enforcement activities and enhance victim protection. The expert highlighted that Cambodia and other regional nations remain victims of human trafficking and online scams, largely due to loopholes in law enforcement activities and corruption, which have exacerbated cross-border criminal activities. Mengdavid said the Hanoi Convention will help Cambodia close existing legal gaps in data supervision, extradition, and victim protection. Its implementation will demonstrate Cambodias commitment to international legal norms and United Nations standards in the fight against online fraud, while ensuring respect for human rights and promoting global cooperation, he said. VNA/VNS HA NOI - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's trip to Malaysia for the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur carries great importance for both ASEAN and relations between Viet Nam and Malaysia, stated Malaysian Deputy Ambassador to Viet Nam Cik Aida Safura Niza Othman. Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, the diplomat said that at the regional level, it demonstrates Viet Nams strong support for Malaysias priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship. The visit is expected to further enhance practical cooperation in key areas such as the ASEAN Power Grid and digital connectivity, contributing to regional stability through diplomacy and collaboration. Bilateral ties will also benefit, as this is an opportunity to reinforce commitments under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. Both sides are working closely to deliver concrete outcomes in priority fields such as clean energy, power grid connectivity, trade and investment, and the development of a trusted digital economy that enables micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to join regional value chains. The two countries are also advancing cooperation in the Halal industry, science and technology, green growth, maritime security, and defence connectivity, while expanding people-to-people exchanges through education, tourism and skilled labour mobility. These efforts will make the partnership stronger and more resilient, she said. The Deputy Ambassador said that this year's summit will be one of ASEANs largest gatherings in decades. Kuala Lumpur will host numerous world leaders, including those from the US, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan, the European Council President. Around 12,000 delegates and some 2,800 journalists have registered to attend. Nearly 80 documents are expected to be adopted during the meetings, the diplomat stated. A historic milestone will be the admission of Timor-Leste as ASEANs 11th member, alongside mechanisms ensuring that Dili can participate meaningfully from the outset. Economically, leaders are set to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), update the ASEANChina Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0), and establish a framework agreement on the ASEAN Digital Economy. On sustainability, the newly adopted ASEAN Energy Plan targets 45 per cent of installed power capacity from renewable sources by 2030, complementing the ASEAN Power Grid to ensure clean, stable, and affordable electricity. Malaysia will also launch an MSME Centre and the ASEAN AHEAD innovation initiative to help small businesses adopt green strategies and digital skills. She noted that procedural steps for Timor-Lestes full membership is now on track to be formalised on October 26. She added that Malaysia has been working closely with other member states to facilitate this process. Regarding Viet NamMalaysia relations, Deputy Ambassador Cik Aida Safura Niza Othman highlighted that its future is very promising. Both countries are entering a new phase of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with complementary strengths aligned with ASEANs priorities. Viet Nams manufacturing capacity, digital dynamism, and export momentum combine well with Malaysias expertise in finance and energy systems. In the energy sector, Malaysia sees cooperation with Viet Nam as a catalyst for the ASEAN Power Grid and for developing a credible renewable energy certification scheme. Moreover, she suggested, both sides should enhance integration in key areas such as secure cross-border data flows, interoperable payment systems, cybersecurity, and harmonised standards to reduce costs for MSMEs. Stability will remain essential, and Malaysia will continue working with Viet Nam to uphold regional peace and security while building resilience through greener supply chains, food security cooperation, disaster response, and skills development, said the diplomat. To sustain this momentum, the two countries should promote publicprivate partnerships under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, agri-trade, Halal standards, tourism, and education. If effectively implemented, Viet NamMalaysia cooperation will not only advance both economies but also reinforce ASEANs credibility as a more integrated, equitable, and transformative community built on consistent and sustainable collaboration, the Deputy Ambassador concluded. VNA/VNS HCM City Given the draft documents for the 14th Party National Congress released for public consultation, a wave of enthusiastic engagement has swept across the nation, with officials, party members, and people from all walks of life contributing their insights to shape the country's future direction. In Ho Chi Minh City, experts and business leaders have expressed their hope to mobilise the youth and capitalise on advanced technologies to promote rapid and sustainable development. According to Duong Trong Phuc, deputy rector of Ly Tu Trong communist youth union school, the widespread accessibility of the draft documents has created unprecedented opportunities for public engagement, allowing citizens to better understand the Partys achievements over the past five years as well as orientations and plans for the coming time. That the people could voice their opinions means they join hands to build the Party as well as safeguard the Party and political system, he highlighted. Phuc agreed with the draft political report, which underscores enhanced education for the youth regarding revolutionary ideals, ethnics, patriotism, national pride, as well as dedication to and responsibility for the country. Besides, it also lays tress on the role of the youth in the Party development and the nations growth. He also underscored the importance of enhancing digital skills, adding Viet Nam needs a well-structured digital competency framework for the youth to fill skill gaps and prepare for the future. Meanwhile, Deputy General Director of Binh Minh Plastic Joint Stock Company Nguyen Thanh Quan expressed his optimism as the draft documents put the emphasis on science technology development as well as building of Ho Chi Minh City as an innovative centre in subsequent years. He urged the creation of human resources development centres and incentives to retain talents. Secretary-General of the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association Vu Anh Tuan welcomed the Partys focus on forming an open and transparent legal framework and cutting administrative procedures to serve the people and businesses. He said if enterprises could contribute their feedbacks to the Partys major policies, new initiatives will be grounded in reality and could be carried out immediately, helping businesses capitalise on the opportunities in the new era. IT enterprises are hopeful that the upcoming policies will spur domestic market development and open doors to international expansion, Tuan added. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime and High-level Conference will officially open at 9:00 on October 25 at the National Convention Centre in Ha Noi. With theme "Countering Cybercrime Sharing Responsibility Securing our Future, the event, hosted by Viet Nam, marks an important step forward in global efforts to strengthen international cooperation and ensure security and safety in cyberspace. The ceremony will bring together representatives from nearly 100 UN member states and more than 100 international and regional organisations, including UN agencies, regional institutions, financial bodies, as well as a large number of experts and scholars in cybersecurity and international law. Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver remarks at the opening session of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (also known as Hanoi Convention). Also on the first day, a plenary session co-chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Guterres will take place, alongside high-level bilateral meetings and a series of thematic side events and discussions. The adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime by the UN General Assembly in December 2024 and the signing ceremony in Ha Noi are vivid demonstrations of the sense of responsibility of countries in protecting cyberspace - the common property of mankind. The event is not only a legal procedure but also a platform to promote dialogue, share experiences, strengthen partnerships between governments, international organisations, and the private sector, becoming a forum to promote the implementation of the convention and global cooperation in combating cybercrime. The convention sets out a legal framework for international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, ensuring that member countries, especially developing and vulnerable countries, are supported and have improved capacity to deal with this type of crime. This will be a historic milestone, affirming the value of multilateralism with the UN at its centre, sending a strong message about the determination to fight cybercrime, build a world of peace, justice, and rule of law, for the benefit of today's and future generations. Holding the signing ceremony in Ha Noi demonstrates Viet Nam's role, prestige and active contributions to global issues, especially promoting international cooperation in preventing and combating cybercrime, protecting a safe and healthy cyberspace and for sustainable development. According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs ang Hoang Giang, the fact that the name "Ha Noi" is officially recorded in the text of the convention is a deep recognition by the international community of Viet Nam's role and contributions, not only in the field of cyber security, but also in building progressive international legal norms, towards a fairer and safer global order. In addition, the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention, which takes place right on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations (October 24, 1945 - 2025), has a special symbolic significance: it honours the spirit of international solidarity in responding to the challenge of cybersecurity - one of the most urgent global issues today. VNS HA NOI The Opening Ceremony for the Signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (the Ha Noi Convention) took place at the National Convention Centre in Ha Noi. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with heads of state, government leaders and other delegation heads, attended the event. State President Luong Cuong personally welcomed UN chief and Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith to the signing ceremony. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi on Saturday morning, concluding their successful official visit to Bulgaria from October 22-24 at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. During the visit, General Secretary Lam held talks with President Rumen Radev, met with the press, and paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria. He also received the Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, attended the BulgariaViet Nam Business Forum, witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries, and visited Sofia University and the National History Museum of Bulgaria. General Secretary To Lam and President Rumen Radev adopted a Joint Statement on upgrading Viet NamBulgaria relations to a Strategic Partnership. Within this new framework, the two countries will deepen cooperation across all fields to ensure practical benefits for their people, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in both regions and the world. During their engagements, both sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and exchange of delegations at all levels, especially the high level; explore the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms between ministries, sectors, and localities; and enhance exchanges across all channels to consolidate political cooperation and mutual understanding. The two sides expressed their readiness to promote all-level delegation exchanges to strengthen bilateral collaboration in defence and security, expand training and defence industry cooperation. They agreed to promote economic and trade collaboration, identifying it as a central pillar and a key driving force for shifting Viet NamBulgaria relations from a traditional to a strategic, substantive, and effective partnership. They also consented to foster practical cooperation in science and technology, education and training, agriculture, culture, tourism, sports, labour, environment, and health, as well as to enhance coordination at regional and international forums. Both countries affirmed their willingness to facilitate regular exchanges and cooperation between friendship associations and peoples organisations; to sign new cooperation documents to further strengthen bilateral ties; and to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens in Viet Nam to continue contributing actively to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two nations. VNA/VNS BUENOS AIRES To further boost trade and investment and deepen comprehensive cooperation across multiple areas, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang proposed that Viet Nam and Argentina strengthen dialogue and information exchange, increase delegation exchanges at all levels, and step up trade and investment promotion, scientific and technical cooperation and cultural exchanges. At the eighth meeting of the Viet NamArgentina Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and ScientificTechnological Cooperation, which was held online on Friday, both sides reviewed recent cooperation outcomes and highlighted the strong growth of bilateral trade over the past decade, particularly in agriculture and industry. The two sides welcomed Argentinas inauguration of its Agro-Industrial Attache Office in Viet Nam in early July, viewing it as a new milestone in bilateral cooperation. This is one of only six specialised agricultural and industrial offices established by Argentina abroad, reflecting Viet Nams strategic importance to Argentina. Argentina is currently Viet Nams third-largest trading partner in Latin America, while Viet Nam ranks as Argentinas sixth-largest partner worldwide. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$4.1 billion, up 19 per cent year-on-year, with a highly complementary trade structure. Addressing the meeting, Thang emphasised that Argentina, as an active member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), served as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter the South American market, while Viet Nam would continue to act as a bridge for Argentina to access ASEAN and the wider AsiaPacific region. For his part, Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister Fernando Brun reaffirmed that Argentina was a reliable, stable, and promising trading partner of Viet Nam. He noted that at the MERCOSUR Ministerial Meeting on September 16, member countries had highlighted the priority of fostering dialogue with Viet Nam to strengthen economic and trade ties. He also reiterated Argentinas support for the early launch of trade negotiations between MERCOSUR and Viet Nam. Thang called on Argentina to continue supporting, within MERCOSUR forums, the early start of trade agreement negotiations between Viet Nam and the bloc. She affirmed that the signing of such an agreement would lay an important foundation for both sides to harness their advantages, create new momentum for trade growth, and develop a strategic economic and trade partnership between Viet Nam and MERCOSUR. Both sides agreed with the recommendations of the Technical Group on promoting the signing of cooperation agreements in agriculture, finance, transport, and science and technology, thereby creating a favourable legal framework for joint activities. They also stressed the need to expand cooperation in emerging fields such as information technology, space science, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, agriculture, and livestock. VNA/VNS Cristin Milioti reveals working at an amusement park was one of her worst jobs. Cristin Milioti had reflected on her worst job The 40-year-old actress admitted while she's had plenty of "bad jobs" over the years, a five month stint at Hersheypark ranks as one she "hated" the most. She told Empire magazine: "I've had many bad jobs. "The chocolate company Hershey has an amusement park [Hersheypark] in Pennsylvania and I worked there for five months when I was 18, singing and dancing in a show about chocolate. "I really, really hated it." Cristin also revealed the worst things she's eaten - a sip from a "bottle of Baileys that had gone bad" - and her least favourite smell in the world. She added: "The smell of someone, or many people, having peed in the subway and it's a heatwave day. That makes my skeleton want to escape my body." Cristin has forged a career in the arts, but her first role in a school play didn't hint at the success to come. She recalled: "I want to say I was one of the hens in a retelling of The Little Red Hen. "I was not the main hen. I was a supporting hen. Actually, I think everyone got to be a hen." The Penguin star wanted to pursue a career in Hollywood from a young age, and once met John Waters as a child when she told him about her dreams. Asked about what posters she had on her wall, she said: "Not a poster, but what I did have on my wall was a framed photo of John Waters. "My dad took me to meet at a video stood in Philadelphia. I loved his films. "I was WAY too young to be watching them - I think I was nine. I told him what an energmous fan I was and that I wanted to be a director. "He signed a headshot and wrote, 'To the future.' I had it hanging on my wall for years. It's not in my house of my parents' house and I would do anything to have it back." HA NOI The Signing Ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention) were solemnly held at the National Convention Centre with the theme 'Countering Cybercrime Sharing Responsibility Securing our Future.' Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong chaired the ceremony with the participation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders and high-level representatives of about 110 countries and many international organisations, including UN agencies, regional organisations, financial institutions, and many experts and scholars in the field of cybersecurity and international law. Before the opening session, President Cuong chaired the official welcome ceremony and took a group photo with the heads of delegations attending the Signing Ceremony and the High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. He and the delegates visited the photo exhibition organised by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) introducing Viet Nam, its people and development achievements, as well as the countrys positive contributions to the activities of the United Nations, and the Viet Nam - United Nations relationship. President Cuong and UN Secretary-General Guterres deliver opening speeches and then representatives of 60 countries will participate in signing the Hanoi Convention at an official ceremony run by the United Nations Office for Legal Affairs (OLA). The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was initiated by the United Nations in 2019, stemming from the urgent need to build a comprehensive legal framework to address global challenges in non-traditional security, climate change and sustainable development. After five years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly officially approved the convention by consensus on December 24, 2024. The convention, consisting of nine chapters and 71 articles, provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating the global scourge of cybercrime and upholding human rights principles. It addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to the information and communications technology environment, while enhancing international cooperation. Throughout the drafting process of the convention, Viet Nam has played an active and proactive role, demonstrated by hosting numerous international workshops that brought together experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). These discussions helped shape the conventions content, focusing on key areas such as cybersecurity, environmental protection and poverty reduction. Viet Nams initiatives, including the proposal of a support mechanism for least developed countries and the integration of climate change considerations, received strong backing from the international community, contributing significantly to the development of a globally relevant document. The UN's decision to select Ha Noi as the venue for the convention signing ceremony marks a historic milestone in Viet Nams multilateral diplomacy and nearly five decades of the Viet NamUN partnership. This is the first time a location in Viet Nam has been associated with a global multilateral treaty addressing an issue of profound international concern. The selection underscores the countrys rising international stature and credibility as a proactive advocate of multilateralism, a participant in shaping global digital governance frameworks, and a defender of cybersecurity and national sovereignty in cyberspace. It also lays the groundwork for Viet Nams successful implementation of its digital transformation strategy, paving the way for a new era of Viet Nam an era of prosperity and development. Within the framework of the Signing Ceremony and the High-level Conference of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, a plenary session co-chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will take place. The programme will also include a series of high-level bilateral meetings and side events on topics such as protecting citizens in the digital transformation era, global cooperation against online scams, implementing the UN Convention against Cybercrime with capacity building as a pillar of global cooperation, and sharing experience in investigating and collecting electronic evidence in cases involving virtual assets and money laundering, among others. VNA/VNS HA NOI Albanian President Bajram Begaj highly evaluated the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Albania over the past 75 years, emphasising the need to revitalise bilateral ties through the promotion of delegation exchanges at all levels, stronger political, economic and cultural cooperation, and the establishment of legal frameworks in specific areas, including a double taxation avoidance agreement. Hosting a reception on October 22 for Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong, who is concurrently in charge of Albania and came to present her credentials, President Begaj congratulated Huong on her new mission and expressed his belief that, with her experience and role as a bridge between the two nations, the diplomat will contribute to elevating Viet NamAlbania relations to a new level. For her part, Huong affirmed that Viet Nam always treasures the support and assistance extended by the Albanian Government and people during the countrys past struggle for national independence. She expressed her hope that the relationship between the two nations will continue to be consolidated and expanded across various fields, meeting the aspirations of their people, especially as the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On the occasion of presenting her credentials, from October 2123, Huong paid courtesy calls on Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi, and held working sessions with leaders of the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation; the State Protocol Directorate, the Directorate of Economic and Cultural Promotion under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; the Director-General of the Albanian Development and Investment Agency; the CEO of the Albanian Investment Corporation; and the President of the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Vietnamese Embassy also hosted a reception in Tirana to mark the 75th anniversary of Viet NamAlbania diplomatic ties. VNA/VNS Nguyen Thu Hang HA NOI The UN Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres made the statement at the Opening for Signature of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) on Saturday in Ha Noi. "It is a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity, and safety must be protected both offline and online. "It is a testament to the continued power of multilateralism to deliver solutions. "And it is a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime." The Convention delivers a number of major breakthroughs, according to the Secretary General. One of the most significant is the sharing of digital evidence across borders. This has long been a major obstacle to justice with perpetrators in one country, victims in another, and data stored in a third. The Convention provides a clear pathway for investigators and prosecutors to finally overcome this barrier. It is also a victory for victims of online abuse. For the first time in any international treaty, the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images is recognised as a criminal offence. The Convention also encourages strong protections for victims, including access to recovery, compensation, and the removal of illicit content. By creating binding obligations, the Convention turns our commitments into practical safeguards. It complements the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, which seek to bridge the digital divide, and strengthen global digital cooperation. And it is consistent with the objectives of the recently established Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. Together, these commitments and mechanisms form a strong foundation to make digital spaces safe and secure. Todays signing is an important milestone in our shared journey to a safer digital world. But it is only the beginning, he said. "The true power of the Convention will lie in turning signatures into tangible action. "It must be ratified and entered into force, without delay. It must be implemented, effectively and in full. And it must be lived up to every day, by every party. "The United Nations is here to walk this path with you." Through the UN Office on Drugs and Crime the Secretariat of the Convention and the UN Office of Legal Affairs, he said the UN would help countries bring this treaty into force, build capacity, strengthen investigations, and deepen cooperation across borders. "I would like to thank Viet Nam for hosting this signing ceremony and for its leadership in bringing us together. "The United Nations is proud to partner with Viet Nam in making this day possible. "Let us seize this moment, and maximise the potential of this landmark agreement. "Let us build a cyberspace that respects everyones dignity and human rights. "And let us ensure that the digital age delivers peace, security, and prosperity for all." The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was initiated by the United Nations in 2019, stemming from the urgent need to build a comprehensive legal framework to address global challenges in non-traditional security, climate change and sustainable development. After five years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly officially approved the convention by consensus on December 24, 2024. The convention, consisting of nine chapters and 71 articles, provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating the global scourge of cybercrime and upholding human rights principles. It addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to the information and communications technology environment, while enhancing international cooperation. Throughout the drafting process of the convention, Viet Nam has played an active and proactive role, demonstrated by hosting numerous international workshops that brought together experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). These discussions helped shape the conventions content, focusing on key areas such as cybersecurity, environmental protection and poverty reduction. VNS inh Vu Nhat Hong HA NOI The UN Convention against Cybercrime is a resounding statement to multilateralism and the commitment of the international community to address cybercrime, said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as she addressed the signing ceremony of the convention in Ha Noi on Saturday. The document, also known as the Hanoi Convention after its signing location, took over five years of negotiations involving more than 150 member states, and enriched by 160 stakeholders from international organisations, NGOs, academia and the private sector. A new age of cyber crime is here, stressed the UNODC executive director, citing how advances in software and artificial intelligence are redefining the scope, scale, and sophistication of cyber threats. Large-scale ransomware attacks, phishing attempts and AI-powered online scams are becoming more common, while criminals are also becoming less and less constrained by borders, according to Waly. Online sexual exploitation and abuse, especially cases involving children, is a particularly serious issue. The WeProtect Alliance found that reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse material increased by 87 per cent between 2019 and 2023. The impact of cybercrime on people is catastrophic, depriving them of their savings, livelihoods, safety, dignity, or even their lives, Waly noted. Despite the growing threats, responses to cyber criminal activities were fragmented across jurisdictions and ridden with gaps of technology and capacity, said the UNODC executive director. Addressing this issue, the Hanoi Convention is considered a paradigm shift that fills in urgent gaps in the global response to cyber crime and provides a practical launch pad for collective action, according to the executive director. The document provides unified legal standards by eliminating safe havens for cyber criminals and safeguarding human rights, while also bringing a universal framework for collecting, preserving, exchanging and using electronic evidence across different jurisdictions. It also presents a joint platform where signatory countries can share intelligence, pursue additional cooperation and build capacity. This is a platform open to every country and compatible with regional arrangements, bringing grounds to criminal offences. To seize the historic opportunity provided by the Hanoi Convention, Waly stressed that the international community must achieve two objectives the first being ensuring that the convention enters into force as early as possible by promoting signature and ratification by all UN member states. The second goal is to pave the way for its full and effective implementation, including legislation, partnerships and technical capabilities. This requires a bold and sizable investment of political and financial resources, particularly to build capacities in developing countries, and it requires collaboration with the private sector and civil society to unlock the conventions full potential, noted Waly. Thanking Viet Nam as the hosting country for the signing of the convention, the UNODC executive director said: The UNODC is proud to support Viet Nam in organising this conference, and we will continue to count on Viet Nams leadership and partnership as we bring the new Convention into action. VNS Nguyen Thu Hang HA NOI The signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) marks a historic milestone of the beginning of a new era of global cooperation in cyberspace. It not only signifies the birth of a universal legal instrument but also reaffirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where nations transcend differences and shoulder shared responsibilities for the common good of peace, security, stability and development. State President Luong Cuong delivered this message at the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) signing ceremony held on Saturday morning in Ha Noi. The President emphasised that, under the theme Combating Cybercrime, Sharing Responsibility, Shaping the Future, the signing ceremony reflects the spirit of international solidarity and the shared commitment of countries to build a safe, healthy and sustainable cyberspace. Highlighting that humanity had entered a digital realm where each data stream, technological operation and online interaction can profoundly affect national security, economic growth and the future of nations, the President said that cyberspace would be both a new frontier for development and a new battleground for global security, where opportunities and challenges intertwine, and where technological progress must go hand in hand with ethics and responsibility. He also said alongside the rapid advances of digital technology, cybercrime had been growing swiftly in scale, sophistication and impact, posing a direct threat to the security and development of every country and to the wellbeing and happiness of every individual in the digital age. Therefore, safeguarding sovereignty, national interests and cybersecurity is not only a demand of the times but also an essential condition for each nation to achieve rapid and sustainable development, thereby contributing to peace, stability and shared prosperity, he said. President Luong Cuong stressed that, in the face of mounting cyber threats, the birth of the Hanoi Convention, a global multilateral treaty against cybercrime, stood as a vivid testament to solidarity, respect for the rule of law and the vitality of multilateralism, while affirming the central role of the United Nations. According to the President the Hanoi Convention conveys three clear and profound messages of lasting significance to the world. First, it reaffirms the international communitys commitment to shaping an orderly, secure and lawful cyberspace based on international law. Second, it upholds the spirit of sharing, companionship and mutual support among nations. Third, it underscores the ultimate goal of all efforts to serve the people, ensuring that technology improves lives, that development brings opportunities for all, and that no one is left behind in the global digital transformation. The President affirmed that these three messages, encapsulating the core spirit of the Hanoi Convention, also reflected the guiding principles that Viet Nam steadfastly upholds in its process of international integration: law as the foundation, cooperation as the driving force, and the people as both the subject and the ultimate goal of every endeavour. He further noted that, with a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, and of multilateralisation and diversification, Viet Nam had been an active, responsible and trustworthy member of the international community. Hosting the signing ceremony and becoming the first country to sign the Hanoi Convention demonstrated Viet Nams strong commitment to the rule of law, full compliance with international obligations, and its contribution to strengthening the global legal order in cyberspace. President Luong Cuong called on all member states to swiftly ratify the Convention, so that it may soon enter into force, thereby laying the foundation for a fair, inclusive and rules-based digital order. Powerful instrument Speaking at the Opening for Signature of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) in Ha Noi on Saturday, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres said the UN Cybercrime Convention would be a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime. "It is a promise that fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity, and safety must be protected both offline and online. "It is a testament to the continued power of multilateralism to deliver solutions. "And it is a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenceless against cybercrime. The convention delivers a number of major breakthroughs, according to the Secretary-General. One of the most significant is the sharing of digital evidence across borders. This has long been a major obstacle to justice, with perpetrators in one country, victims in another, and data stored in a third. The convention provides a clear pathway for investigators and prosecutors to finally overcome this barrier. It is also a victory for victims of online abuse. For the first time in any international treaty, the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images is recognised as a criminal offence. The convention also encourages strong protections for victims, including access to recovery, compensation, and the removal of illicit content. By creating binding obligations, the convention turns our commitments into practical safeguards. It complements the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, which seek to bridge the digital divide, and strengthen global digital cooperation. And it is consistent with the objectives of the recently established Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. Together, these commitments and mechanisms form a strong foundation to make digital spaces safe and secure. Todays signing is an important milestone in our shared journey to a safer digital world. But it is only the beginning, he said. "The true power of the Convention will lie in turning signatures into tangible action. "It must be ratified and entered into force, without delay. It must be implemented, effectively and in full. "And it must be lived up to every day, by every party. "The United Nations is here to walk this path with you." Through the UN Office on Drugs and Crime - the Secretariat of the Convention - and the UN Office of Legal Affairs, the Secretary-General said the UN would help countries bring this treaty into force, build capacity, strengthen investigations, and deepen cooperation across borders. "I would like to thank Viet Nam for hosting this signing ceremony and for its leadership in bringing us together. "The United Nations is proud to partner with Viet Nam in making this day possible. Let us seize this moment, and maximise the potential of this landmark agreement. Let us build a cyberspace that respects everyones dignity and human rights. "And let us ensure that the digital age delivers peace, security, and prosperity for all." A resounding statement to multilateralism "The UN Convention against Cybercrime is a resounding statement to multilateralism and the commitment of the international community to address cybercrime," said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as she addressed the signing ceremony of the convention in Ha Noi on Saturday. The document, also known as the Hanoi Convention after its signing location, took over five years of negotiations involving more than 150 member states, and enriched by 160 stakeholders from international organisations, NGOs, academia and the private sector. A new age of cyber crime is here, stressed the UNODC executive director, citing how advances in software and artificial intelligence are redefining the scope, scale, and sophistication of cyber threats. Large-scale ransomware attacks, phishing attempts and AI-powered online scams are becoming more common, while criminals are also becoming less and less constrained by borders, according to Waly. Online sexual exploitation and abuse, especially cases involving children, is a particularly serious issue. The WeProtect Alliance found that reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse material increased by 87 per cent between 2019 and 2023. The impact of cybercrime on people is catastrophic, depriving them of their savings, livelihoods, safety, dignity, or even their lives, Waly noted. The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime was initiated by the United Nations in 2019, stemming from the urgent need to build a comprehensive legal framework to address global challenges in non-traditional security, climate change and sustainable development. After five years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly officially approved the convention by consensus on December 24, 2024. The convention, consisting of nine chapters and 71 articles, provides a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating the global scourge of cybercrime and upholding human rights principles. It addresses technical and legal challenges by adapting traditional criminal investigation methods to the information and communications technology environment, while enhancing international cooperation. Throughout the drafting process of the convention, Viet Nam has played an active and proactive role, demonstrated by hosting numerous international workshops that brought together experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). These discussions helped shape the conventions content, focusing on key areas such as cybersecurity, environmental protection and poverty reduction. Viet Nams initiatives, including the proposal of a support mechanism for least developed countries and the integration of climate change considerations, received strong backing from the international community, contributing significantly to the development of a globally relevant document. The UN's decision to select Ha Noi as the venue for the convention signing ceremony marks a historic milestone in Viet Nams multilateral diplomacy and nearly five decades of the Viet NamUN partnership. This is the first time a location in Viet Nam has been associated with a global multilateral treaty addressing an issue of profound international concern. The selection underscores the countrys rising international stature and credibility as a proactive advocate of multilateralism, a participant in shaping global digital governance frameworks, and a defender of cybersecurity and national sovereignty in cyberspace. It also lays the groundwork for Viet Nams successful implementation of its digital transformation strategy, paving the way for a new era of Viet Nam - an era of prosperity and development. Within the framework of the Signing Ceremony and the High-level Conference of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, a plenary session co-chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will take place. The programme will also include a series of high-level bilateral meetings and side events on topics such as protecting citizens in the digital transformation era, global cooperation against online scams, implementing the UN Convention against Cybercrime with capacity building as a pillar of global cooperation, and sharing experience in investigating and collecting electronic evidence in cases involving virtual assets and money laundering, among others. VNS HA NOI The 15th National Assembly, during its 10th session on October 25, approved the appointment of two Deputy Prime Ministers and three ministers for the 20212026 term, alongside several other key personnel decisions. The legislature ratified the Prime Ministers proposal to appoint Pham Thi Thanh Tra and Ho Quoc Dung as Deputy Prime Ministers for the 20212026 term. The appointment of Pham Thi Thanh Tra marks a historic milestone, as she becomes Viet Nams first female Deputy Prime Minister. The National Assembly also approved the appointment of Le Hoai Trung as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tran uc Thang as Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and o Thanh Binh as Minister of Home Affairs. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, born in 1964 in Nghe An Province, holds an advanced degree in political theory and a masters in education management. A member of the 12th and 13th Party Central Committees and a deputy of the 15th National Assembly, she has served in multiple leadership roles in Yen Bai Province, including Chairwoman of the Provincial Peoples Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial Peoples Council. She later became Deputy Head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission and, in April 2021, was approved as Minister of Home Affairs the first woman to hold that position since the ministrys founding. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung, born in 1966 in Gia Lai Province, is a member of the 13th Party Central Committee with a masters degree in law and an advanced degree in political theory. He previously served as Secretary of the Binh inh Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Peoples Committee, and most recently as Secretary of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee. With these approvals, Viet Nams Government now has nine Deputy Prime Ministers. The morning session, chaired by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, was held privately to consider personnel matters. Deputies heard a report presented by Nguyen Huu ong, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee for Deputies Affairs, summarising opinions on various elections and appointments, including the election of committee chairs, the Secretary-General, and ratifications of the Prime Ministers proposals on government positions. Following an electronic vote, the National Assembly approved the election of Nguyen Huu ong as a member of the Standing Committee of the 15th National Assembly; Nguyen Thanh Hai as Chairwoman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment; and Le Quang Manh as Secretary-General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Office. A subsequent secret ballot was held to finalise the appointments. The National Assembly then voted electronically to pass resolutions confirming the results. All candidates received overwhelming support, with most votes exceeding 90 per cent approval. The National Assembly also approved a resolution adding o Thanh Binh, Nguyen Huu ong and Le Quang Manh as members of the National Election Council. In the afternoon, the Assemblys committees continued working on their respective agendas. On October 27, deputies will meet in plenary to review and discuss several draft laws, including the Law on Temporary Detention, Custody and Restriction of Movement; the amended Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments; and amendments to the Law on Judicial Records, as well as deliberations on laws related to extradition, prisoner transfer and mutual legal assistance. VNS HA NOI State President Luong Cuong on Saturday received Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan of the Russian Federation, who is in Ha Noi for the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). The Vietnamese State leader stressed that Russias participation contributed to the success of the event while reflecting the countrys support for multilateral activities hosted by Viet Nam, expressing his appreciation for Russias role in proposing the convention initiative. President Cuong affirmed Viet Nam always backed the international communitys efforts towards a world of peace, stability, and development. He said that Russia had been one of Viet Nams top priorities in its foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, adding that Viet Nam wanted to consolidate and deepen its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia. Laying stress on the traditional friendship over the past 75 years, President Cuong recalled the state visit to Viet Nam by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024 and official trip to Russia by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam in May 2025, which created strong impetus for the bilateral cooperation, especially in the domains of economy-trade, science-technology, education-training, tourism, health care. Security cooperation between the two countries had also been strengthened, both bilaterally and multilaterally, particularly in combating cybercrime and addressing non-traditional security challenges, he noted. The President also praised the effective cooperation between the Supreme Peoples Procuracy of Viet Nam and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation. Gutsan, for his part, stressed that the UNs decision to choose Ha Noi as the host city of the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime demonstrated its recognition of Viet Nams constructive and responsible role in global affairs, particularly in promoting international cooperation against high-tech crimes. Both sides expressed their confidence that Gutsans working trip together with the signing of the Hanoi Convention would open new avenues for cooperation in legal, judicial, security, and IT fields, helping consolidate the Viet NamRussia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership amidst the current global challenges. VNA/VNS HA NOI The first high-level plenary session was held at the National Convention Center in Ha Noi on Saturday afternoon, as part of the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a keynote address. VNA/VNS inh Vu Nhat Hong HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres co-chaired a press conference on Saturday afternoon in Ha Noi, following the signing ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime. The treaty, also known as the Hanoi Convention after the signing location, saw more than 60 signatories at the event in the capital city of Viet Nam. "It is a vital global treaty to protect people in the digital world, and the first criminal justice treaty in more than two decades," said the UN Secretary General as he spoke to the press. It is fitting that this is taking place here in Viet Nam a nation that has embraced technology, powered innovation, and become an essential part of the worlds digital supply chains. Viet Nam understands both the promise of the digital age and the dangers that come with it, said Guterres. Viet Nam ranks 16th globally in terms of cybersecurity, said PM Chinh at the press conference. The fact that the signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime was held in Ha Noi demonstrated the trust that the UN places in Viet Nam, as well as the development of the country and its development in cybersecurity and digital transformation, he noted. The signing of the Hanoi Convention outside the UN Headquarters, with the participation of more than 100 countries, 65 of which have signed the Convention, showed a strong sense of responsibility toward the global and regional situation. These figures underscore the importance of the Hanoi Convention, the Vietnamese government leader stressed. Recognising the rapid development of technology and its adverse effects, the Hanoi Convention enables law enforcement to share digital evidence across borders, which has been considered one of the biggest barriers to justice. The treaty also establishes a 24/7 cooperation network so countries can trace funds, identify perpetrators, and recover stolen assets. Non-consensual sharing of intimate images is recognised as a criminal offence for the first time in an international treaty. The convention is more than a legal instrument. It is a promise that no country no matter the size or level of development will be left defenceless against cybercrime, said UN Secretary General Guterres as he stressed privacy, dignity and safety for people as well as multilateralism. Responding to the Vietnam News Agencys question about what the signatories should do, and how they should demonstrate political commitment to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention so that it can be fully enforced in line with the UNODCs scheduled roadmap for 2027, the UN Secretary-General said that the most important thing is to ratify it as quickly as possible, and then to promptly establish implementation mechanisms, while ensuring the capacity and means for effective international cooperation. Sharing the same perspective, PM Chinh emphasised that cybersecurity is an issue of all people, all nations and the entire world. The adverse impacts of cybercrime can extend beyond economic sphere to mental and cultural well-being. In this context, multilateralism, international cooperation and solidarity are crucial in the fight against cybercrime, he emphasised. No country and no individual can be safe if others are not secure in cyberspace, said the Vietnamese government leader. VNS Nguyen Thu Hang HA NOI International delegates shared the expectation that the Hanoi Convention would establish a transparent and effective cross-border cooperation mechanism, strengthening trust among nations in data sharing, investigation and response to cyber incidents. The expectation was shared at the first high-level plenary session within the framework of the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (The Hanoi Convention) that took place on Saturday afternoon in Ha Noi. This is a foundation for global cooperation in the digital age, demonstrating the common determination of the international community in building a safe, reliable, and humane cyberspace. Global cooperation is vital Matt Thistlethwaite , Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said at the plenary discussion that "cybercrime is one of the most pressing challenges of our time". These crimes bring a huge economic cost to individuals, businesses and indeed to governments, according to the assistant minister. In 2024-25 alone, the Australian Signals Directorate received one cybercrime report every six minutes, with a cost to the Australian economy of over AUD12.5 billion. This is just a fraction of the true global cost of cybercrime plaguing countries. Cybercrime is not just an economic issue. It's also an increasingly persistent and pervasive global threat that undermines trust and causes profound social harm. "We've seen young lives lost to extortion, desperate people trafficked into scam centres and held against their will through threats of debt bondage, extortion or violence. "And families lose their life savings to attacks and scams perpetrated by cyber operations on the other side of the world. "We've seen cyber criminals target our government systems, critical infrastructure and businesses, hoping to steal sensitive and valuable data. "And we've seen cyber criminals infiltrate networks of state, ready to disrupt and to degrade systems at a time of their choosing," he said. "Holding cyber criminals to account has become all the more difficult as criminal activity proliferates across borders at scale. "Cyber criminals can establish themselves in one country, utilise the forced labour of nationals in another and target victims in a third country. In this scenario, which one government can overcome this challenge? Domestic efforts and legislation will only protect us so far, he said. Global cooperation is vital. That is why Australia is proud to sign the UN Convention against cybercrime in Ha Noi. This was the first ever UN-endorsed instrument addressing cybercrime and the collection of electronic data, he noted. It was testament to the success of multilateralism and the UN's role as a forum for solving problems that transcend borders. He said Australia was committed to supporting cybercrime recovery efforts, harmonising regional frameworks and ensuring cyber response teams across the region are equipped with the knowledge and tools to tackle current and emerging cyber threats. It also commit AUD83.5 million over four years to support cyber capacity building and efforts in the Indo-Pacific through its flagship South East Asia and Pacific cyber programme. Because it is committed to turning this convention into action. And I call on every nation here today, let us invest in cooperation, share expertise and build capacity. Because cybercrime knows no borders and neither should our resolve to defeat it. Together we can make cyberspace a place of trust, safety and opportunity for all. Wholehearted supports Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs of the Republic of Poland Mr. Krzysztof Gawkowski said Poland wholeheartedly supported the convention, which made a big true step towards establishing an effective framework for the cooperation between states in combating cybercrime and exchanging electronic evidence. "In recent years, we have witnessed not only a rise in the number of cyber attacks, but also the increasing sophistication of the cyber-criminals' actions. They often operate from the territories of the third countries, exploiting traditional local laws and legal inconsistencies. "This new convention is the result of many years of intensive work." Acting as a part of the common position of the European Union, he said Poland actively participated in this process. Poland welcomed the fact that the final text of the Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 24 December 2024 . Poland's signing of the Convention carries a deep participatory dimension, according to the deputy prime minister. For law enforcement authorities, it means access to more effective tools for collecting electronic evidence even in case of non-cyber offence. As trust for such strength increasingly appears online, greater digital security and improved protection and compatibilities for the state means enhanced capabilities to respond to the cross-border threats. The convention complements existing instruments. It also enables cooperation with the states which form major Poland and Northern European Union that currently has electoral agreements in place. This is the commitment that establishes a global standard for the cooperation in fighting cybercrime. Poland also commended the fact that the Convention was adopted by the Consensus, and that would be the open natural route for future development through additional protocols when the international community deems it necessary. Today's signing of the Convention is not the end of the process. It is only the beginning. Poland declares its redemption by continuing working in the spirit of solidarity, responsibility and respect for the rule of law. Unwavering commitment Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea said that today's gathering in Ha Noi was a testament to the shared commitment and collective resolve to act as the guardian of traditional development. "We are confronting a challenge that no country can solve alone, a challenge that we can overcome only through unified action. "Cybercrime threatens all borders. Yet for too long, our responses have been fragmented. "The signing ceremony this morning put us on a path toward coordinated action, shared responsibility, and mutual trust. I am confident that it will empower us to share electronic evidence across borders and extradite suspects, ensuring that cyberspace is not a safe haven for criminals, but a secure domain for all. "The global cost of cybercrime, including direct losses, ransom, theft, and reputation damage, is estimated at trillions of dollars a year. As these alarming numbers grow, our response must be swift and effective. The convention is essential to help us combat such activities effectively. "In policymaking, legal frameworks, and law enforcement, each nation has different priorities. However, it is imperative that we align our national priorities with this international convention, making it a shared pledge to act and protect our citizens." For Cambodia, he said the convention would enhance its mandate to promote cyber hygiene and establish incident response protocols that align with international standards. It is building a skilled cybersecurity workforce to protect its citizens from threats such as online fraud, data breaches and violation of personal privacy. To this end, the Royal Government of Cambodia was deepening its crucial partnership with the private sector. He reaffirmed Cambodia's unwavering commitment to this essential international agreement and said it looked forward to working closely with all member states in implementing the Convention and translating its provisions into actions. Defence of society Vice-President of the Republic of Ecuador Maria Jose Pinto Gonzalez Artigas said Do we want this is a world that amplifies what is best for our creativity, connection, compassion, or one that exploits what is the weakest in us, fear, loneliness, confusion? That choice is ours. And it begins with recognising that cybersecurity is not just the defence of the system. It's the defence of society itself, she said. "So let us use this moment to broaden the definition of security. "Let us bring human dignity, mental health, and child protection to the centre of the cyber security conversations. "Let us make sure that every advance in technology is matched by equal advance in humanity. "Because the true strength of our nations will not be measured only by how well we protect data, but in how well we protect children. "They are not just the users of the future. They are the reason we make the digital world safe today. They are not only the future we aspire to. They are the present we must care for. If we protect them today, we are not just securing their digital world. "We are safeguarding the very soul of humanity." VNS 10cc drummer Paul Burgess has quit the band due to the "rigours of touring". 10cc will be without their long-standing drummer from next year The 75-year-old musician - who is also known for his tenures with Jethro Tull, Camel, Magna Carta, and The Icicle Works - has decided to step down from the legendary rock group after 52 years. He said: Having enjoyed many years with 10cc, I'm sorry to say that for me the rigours of touring have become incommensurate with age, and it's time to put excessive hours spent waiting in airports and sitting on tour buses behind me I have no intention of retiring and will continue to play, but at a more agreeable pace, working with past associates and a new band of like-minded musicians, The Guilty Men. Frontman Graham Gouldman admitted it will be "strange" being onstage without his "longest-running musical associate". He said: When Paul and I started working together in 10cc, we never imagined in our wildest dreams that we would still be doing it even 30 years later, let alone 52. Paul is my longest-running musical associate and it will be strange to turn around and see someone else on drums, but I can fully understand his desire to withdraw from sitting on a plane for 14 hours and then changing hotel each day for several weeks." His replacement is Ben Stone, who has been behind the kit for Mike and The Mechanics and Bonnie Tyler. Paul - who had various stints with 10cc since he joined in 1973 - played his last concert with the I'm Not In Love hitmakers in Alexandria, Virginia in September. 10cc will bring their And Another Bloody Greatest Hits Tour to the UK next year. HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Saturday for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who attended the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime the same day. Expressing pleasure at reuniting with Guterres in Ha Noi after over a year, General Secretary Lam thanked him and the UN for their unwavering support since Viet Nam joined the organisation in 1977, saying the Viet Nam-UN relationship was a standout success story now entering a new chapter. He noted the significance of Guterres visit, which coincided with the UNs 80th anniversary (October 24) and followed Viet Nams National Day (September 2). After 30 years of war and 20 years under blockade and embargo, Viet Nam had grown from a poor country reliant on UN aid to a nation that had achieved highly commendable accomplishments, he said, adding it was now making every effort for the common good, for peace and development, and for the well-being of its people. According to the Party leader, Viet Nam is fully aware of its responsibility and stays ready to engage in addressing global challenges, including peacekeeping, conflict settlement, sustainable development, human rights protection, and climate change. With a deep appreciation for the value of peace, Viet Nam supported the settlement of disputes and conflicts through peaceful means, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, he said, suggesting that the UN Secretary-General support Viet Nams expanded role in UN peacekeeping operations, particularly amid a volatile global security landscape. The host stressed Viet Nams people-centred approach, with a focus on stable, sustainable and long-term development through science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and environmental protection. He expressed Viet Nams willingness to share expertise and support other nations in economic growth, agriculture, health care, and education. Thanking the UN and its member states for electing Viet Nam to the UN Human Rights Council for two consecutive terms, Party chief Lam said this was the clearest testament to Viet Nams commitments and achievements in ensuring the rights and well-being of its people. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared his special sentiments about each of his visits to Viet Nam, recalling memories of the countrys struggle for independence and unification, which he said paralleled Portugals fight against fascism and global movements for national liberation and decolonisation, as well as Viet Nams contribution to ending the Pol Pot regime. He commended Viet Nams journey of overcoming the hardships of war, blockade and embargo to achieve impressive socio-economic growth, while fulfilling its commitments on climate change response and playing an increasingly important role across all three pillars of UN activity. Expressing confidence in Viet Nams future, he said that under the leadership of Party General Secretary To Lam, the country would achieve the major goals it had set, including attaining double-digit growth in the coming years, and would assume a stronger and more influential role and voice in the international arena. It would actively contribute to strengthening multilateralism and reforming multilateral institutions so that developing and emerging economies could have a more commensurate and deserving role. Describing Viet Nam as a key pillar of South-South cooperation and of a balanced, stable, multipolar world order based on international law, the UN Secretary-General hoped that Viet Nam would strongly support the balanced reform of the UN, continue development assistance activities, especially for developing countries, and oppose unilateral actions. On global and regional issues, both sides agreed on the need to strengthen solidarity, promote dialogue and cooperation to prevent conflicts, and resolve disputes peacefully in line with the UN Charter and international law, highlighting the importance of regional organisations, particularly ASEAN, and ASEANUN cooperation. Party General Secretary To Lam appreciated the UN Secretary-Generals kind words and reaffirmed that Viet Nam would stand ready to work with the UN and the international community to build a peaceful, just, stable, and sustainably developing world. VNA/VNS HA NOI State President Luong Cuong hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Saturday for Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite, who is in Viet Nam to attend the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). President Cuong expressed appreciation for Australias active support for Viet Nam as the host of the signing ceremony and thanked the Australian Government for its timely aid of AUD3 million (nearly US$2 million) to help Viet Nam overcome the aftermath of Typhoons Bualoi and Matmo. He affirmed that Australia was one of the most important Comprehensive Strategic Partners of Viet Nam in the AsiaPacific region, noting that Australias support reflects the close friendship, solidarity and special bonds between the two nations. Thistlethwaite congratulated Viet Nam on successfully hosting the signing ceremony of such an important UN convention, as well as its impressive achievements in socio-economic growth, infrastructure, and education, describing Viet Nam as a rising bright spot in the region. He extended sympathies to those affected by recent floods in Viet Nam, affirming that Australia stands ready to continue supporting and accompanying the Vietnamese people. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the strong and effective progress of the Viet NamAustralia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, highlighting encouraging outcomes in the implementation of the 20242027 Action Programme. Most planned activities have been completed or are on track, including the state visit to Viet Nam by the Australian Governor-General in September 2025, with both sides actively coordinating to realise its results. They concurred that amid complex developments in the regional and global situation, enhancing mutual trust and cooperation would not only benefit the people of both nations but also contribute to strengthening regional and global peace and stability. President Cuong proposed the two countries deepen economic connectivity, soon realise the target of $20 billion in two-way trade, and double mutual investment within the next two to three years. He welcomed Australias investment in Viet Nam, which exceeded $3 billion in the first half of 2025. The State leader also called for stronger collaboration in the fields of climate change, environment, and energy, and supporting each others efforts towards net-zero emissions and clean energy transition. He emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, including joint training programmes on digital transformation and new technologies. President Cuong stressed that people-to-people exchange remained a vital bridge between the two nations, encouraging the expansion of cultural and friendship activities, more direct flight routes between major cities, and greater promotion of cultural values to enhance mutual understanding. Thistlethwaite reaffirmed that Australia regarded Viet Nam as a key partner in the region and was committed to advancing cooperation across all fields. He noted with delight that Viet Nam now ranked fourth in terms of number of foreign students in Australia, and expressed readiness to expand educational collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in areas of Australias strength, such as environment, energy transition, and mining. Echoing President Cuongs views, the Australian official agreed on the need to boost people-to-people ties through language, cultural, tourism, and trade exchanges. He also reaffirmed Australias commitment to deepening connections with Southeast Asia and continuing the effective implementation of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, in which Viet Nam is identified as one of the key partners. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting in Ha Noi on Saturday with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said the UN will continue to accompany Viet Nam in the country's new stage of development. The meeting took place as the latter was on an official visit to Viet Nam and attended the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention. Welcoming the UN Secretary-General, PM Chinh emphasised that the visit held great significance in strengthening the long-standing cooperation between Viet Nam and the UN, from the post-war reconstruction period to the era of oi moi (Renewal). He expressed his hope that the UN would continue to accompany and support Viet Nam as the country enters a new stage of development. Affirming that supporting and cooperating with the UN is a tradition of Viet Nam, he stressed that in the coming period, Viet Nam would further enhance its contributions to the organisations activities. The host appreciated the UNs immense contributions to peace and development, and the protection of human rights worldwide, noting that in the context of an evolving multipolar international landscape with complex developments, the UNs role was becoming more important than ever. He affirmed that Viet Nam consistently advocated multilateralism with the UN at the centre and promoted adherence to the UN Charter and international law, and that its hosting of the signing ceremony was a clear demonstration of this strong commitment. Emphasising Viet Nams consistent viewpoint that the people are the centre, goal, and driving force of development, PM Chinh affirmed economic growth in Viet Nam would go hand in hand with environmental protection, social security, and the safety and well-being of the people, especially vulnerable groups. Viet Nam, like every other nation, must make efforts to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable development, and only then could the world and regions maintain peace and stability to create favourable conditions for sustainable and human development, he stated. Based on the shared interests of both sides, the Government leader proposed the UN and Viet Nam continue strengthening cooperation in the priority areas. First, in responding to climate change and promoting energy transition, he called on the UN to support Viet Nam in accessing preferential climate finance, receiving next-generation clean technologies, and enhancing response capacity. Second, he suggested the UN continue to promote reforms of the international financial architecture, effectively mobilise ODA and private capital, encourage digital transformation for inclusive development, and step up resource mobilisation for Viet Nam to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Third, given the recent complex developments in international affairs, PM Chinh stressed that the international community should continue to uphold the central role of the UN, promote the role of the UN Charter and international law, and strengthen global solidarity to address global challenges and conflicts in regions. Secretary-General Guterres congratulated Viet Nam on successfully hosting the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which, he said, was the latest testament to Viet Nams prominent role and active contributions at multilateral forums, as well as its well-recognised initiatives and contributions in areas such as peacekeeping, sustainable development promotion, climate change response, and South-South cooperation. He affirmed that the UN would continue to accompany Viet Nam in the country's new stage of development, particularly in supporting the implementation of its climate commitments, the SDGs, and global financial reforms. The UN Secretary-General appreciated Viet Nams role and position, and the respect it receives from the international community a recognition rooted in both Viet Nams history, its current success in realising the ideals pursued by the UN in peace, security, development, and human dignity, as well as its broad network of relations with all UN member states. Therefore, he expressed his strong expectation and confidence that Viet Nam would continue to uphold and promote its role, standing, and reputation to contribute to shaping a new structure of international relations, especially amid todays rapidly changing and complex global political landscape. He also called on Viet Nam to actively support the UNs initiatives and priorities aimed at accelerating the realisation of the SDGs and reforming the global financial architecture. The Secretary-General expressed his hope that Viet Nam would make even stronger climate commitments and take part in the UNs efforts in preventive diplomacy, mediation, and conflict prevention. Both sides also showed the belief that with shared efforts and determination, the Viet Nam UN partnership would continue to grow stronger, for the benefit of the Viet Namese people and for peace, cooperation, sustainable development, and progress worldwide. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham The Tung has highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation in combating cybercrime, stressing that global coordination and joint action are vital as the world enters the digital era driven by rapid technological advances. Addressing a seminar on international cooperation in combating online fraud, held as part of activities of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention) in Ha Noi on Saturday, the Deputy Minister said Viet Nam had strengthened coordination with other countries in fighting transnational online fraud and achieved positive results. "The Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam acknowledges that no nation can tackle cybersecurity and cybercrime challenges alone, particularly as technology-driven crimes such as online fraud are becoming more sophisticated and widespread," Tung said. He noted that perpetrators were increasingly exploiting emerging technologies and scientific advances to craft targeted scams that steal victims assets. They were forming transnational criminal networks, basing operations in jurisdictions with legal loopholes to target people in many countries worldwide. Tung said online fraud had become increasingly complex and widespread in Viet Nam in recent years, causing significant losses to people across sectors such as finance, job brokerage, and e-commerce. Delegates discussed current efforts to combat online fraud, shared practical experiences, and proposed solutions to enhance the effectiveness of cybercrime prevention in the coming time. They also highlighted several challenges, noting that criminals were increasingly exploiting OTT applications, social media platforms, cross-border internet services, and emerging technologies, such as AI and deepfake, to approach victims and carry out online scams; and take advantage of electronic payment methods, intermediary gateways, international transfers, and cryptocurrencies to launder and conceal illicit financial flows. Coordination between law enforcement agencies and transnational service providers or enterprises remains inadequate, hindering the progress of investigations and case resolution, according to the delegates. Criminals also use foreign territories to conduct illegal activities, while international cooperation in verifying and investigating such crimes remains limited and ineffective. Moreover, differences in legal systems and investigative procedures of each country pose challenges to information sharing and joint actions. In his remarks, US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E. Knapper stressed that this was a timely moment to discuss the issue. He noted that while scams were once largely individual acts, they had now evolved into organised fraud centres and international networks, causing serious economic and security consequences. This further proved no country could tackle the problem alone, he said, underscoring the need for stronger international and intergovernmental cooperation. The ambassador underlined the importance of raising public awareness of risks of online scams, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. In 2024, Viet Nam's Ministry of Public Security detected more than 6,000 cases related to online fraud, with total losses exceeding VN12 trillion (US$456,18 million). Police agencies and local authorities have investigated and prosecuted numerous cases and suspects for fraud and the use of telecommunications and internet networks to appropriate property. Online fraud is widespread across Viet Nam, accounting for a large share of criminal cases. Offenders constantly change tactics, operate professionally, and often operate from neighbouring countries or border areas, making investigations and arrests more difficult. Through its efforts to prevent and combat online fraud, the ministry has identified main types of scams, such as impersonating law enforcement or judicial agencies to convince victims that they are involved in legal cases; posing as utility or tax officials to demand payments or trick victims into installing malware; romance and investment scams; and schemes involving the spread of malicious software. Deputy Minister Tung said that in response to the growing complexity of online fraud, the ministry had implemented comprehensive measures for prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution, ensuring unified coordination from the central to local levels. The ministry had proposed amendments to laws on cybersecurity, telecommunications management, and digital financial services to close legal loopholes exploited by online scammers. It had also strengthened monitoring, investigation, and prosecution of major, transnational, and high-tech fraud cases, while working closely with cross-border service providers to detect and block websites and accounts linked to online scams. Vietnamese authorities had also stepped up public awareness campaigns to prevent online scams. Recently, the ministry collaborated with Google and TikTok to launch anti-fraud initiatives and established the Digital Trust Alliance, bringing together online platforms, service providers, and influencers to promote awareness and build widespread public engagement, Tung noted. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday called for global concerted efforts to turn the Hanoi Convention into a true source of inspiration for international cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility in safeguarding the digital future. The Vietnamese Government leader made the appeal during a high-level discussion co-chaired by Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son and Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event was held within the framework of the Signing Ceremony and High-Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (also known as the Hanoi Convention) in the capital city. The session was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Vietnamese State and Government leaders, and representatives from more than 110 countries and numerous international and regional organisations. In his address, PM Chinh emphasised that digital transformation would not be only an inevitable global trend and an objective requirement but also a strategic choice and top priority for every nation striving for fast and sustainable development. However, he noted, this transformation would also bring unprecedented risks, particularly cyberattacks and cybercrime. Ensuring cybersecurity and combating cybercrime would not be a challenge confined to individual countries, but a shared responsibility of the entire international community. The Government leader affirmed that Viet Nam regarded cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention as a pillar and backbone of its national digital transformation. The country had issued multiple laws, strategies, and action plans against cybercrime. Recognising that no single nation was strong enough to fight cybercrime alone, Viet Nam had consistently demonstrated proactive and responsible engagement, and would remain ready to contribute to the common goal of global cybersecurity, he said. Hosting and promoting the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention stood as a clear testament to its commitment and efforts in this field. He urged countries to work together to carry out five key actions to implement the convention effectively. They include enhancing international cooperation by establishing a robust partnership network among nations, international organisations, and major technology corporations; enhancing national legal frameworks in line with the convention; and enhancing investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. It would also be necessary to enhance the development of specialised human resources and the improvement of skills of investigators and cyber response teams, while enhancing participation in the international legal frameworks on cyberspace. Affirming the message of a peace-loving nation with aspirations for progress, the PM pledged that Viet Nam would fully and seriously fulfil its obligations, working hand in hand with other member states to implement the convention to ensure that no one would be left behind in the digital era. Following the Vietnamese leaders speech, representatives from 18 countries delivered remarks, with a large number of them expressing their national commitments to preventing and combating cybercrime and to strengthening international cooperation in information sharing, evidence exchange, the establishment of common standards for cyberspace governance, capacity building, and technical assistance. Many commended Viet Nams leadership and initiative in hosting the signing ceremony, and expressed the determination to ensure the conventions full, effective, and practical implementation. In a message to the conference, the President of Russia affirmed that Russia stood ready to cooperate as closely as possible with the international community in this vital area. The Vice President of Ecuador stressed that technological development must go hand in hand with promoting human security, human rights, and humanitarian values. The Speaker of Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Uzbekistan's lower house, noted that cybersecurity should be an essential component of national security. Meanwhile, the Deputy PM of Poland called for continued consensus in developing supplementary protocols, strengthening capacity building, and promoting joint responses to cybercrime based on responsibility, solidarity, and the rule of law. Meanwhile, the Deputy PM of Cambodia stated the countrys commitment to building cybersecurity capacity, protecting citizens from online threats, and expanding cooperation with the private sector. Australia, for its part, announced a contribution of AUD83.5 million to support the Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Programme. VNA/VNS KUALA LUMPUR A series of key ASEAN ministerial meetings took place on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, gathering foreign ministers and heads of delegations from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, and the ASEAN Secretary-General. The events included the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the Joint Meeting of ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers (AMM-AEM). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs ang Hoang Giang, Head of SOM ASEAN-Viet Nam, led the Vietnamese delegation to the meetings. ASEAN foreign ministers discussed and finalised preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit and the related summits to be held from October 2628. Amid a rapidly changing and complex global and regional landscape, they agreed that the upcoming summits represent a crucial opportunity for ASEAN to reaffirm its solidarity and centrality, advance efforts toward building an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community, and strengthen partnerships with external partners. These efforts, they noted, would help enhance the blocs resilience, strategic autonomy, and effective contribution to peace, security, and development in the region. The ministers congratulated Timor-Leste on its preparation to become ASEANs 11th member state, affirming their continued support for the country in meeting the membership criteria and fully integrating into ASEAN cooperation mechanisms. On this occasion, Timor-Lestes Foreign Minister deposited the instruments of accession to the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), reaffirming the countrys commitment to all principles, goals, and obligations under these documents. This marks an important step towards its formal admission to ASEAN on Sunday. On community-building, ASEAN countries emphasised the importance of effective and synchronised implementation of the Strategic Plans to realise the objectives and priorities outlined in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, focusing on inclusive and sustainable development, deeper economic integration, social welfare, and tangible benefits for the people. Regarding political-security cooperation, based on the experience gained over a decade of implementing the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025, the ministers agreed to step up efforts to carry out the Strategic Plan for the new phase of APSC development. Expressing concern over the growing threat of transnational crimes, including cybercrime and online scams, they underscored the need for stronger regional and international collaboration. In this regard, they welcomed Viet Nams hosting of the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime in Ha Noi. The ministers also agreed that ASEAN should maintain solidarity and close coordination in addressing issues affecting regional peace and security, including the East Sea. On the same day, ASEAN foreign ministers witnessed Finlands signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), raising the number of participating countries and organisations to 58. The ASEAN FMs welcomed the initiative to convene the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers Meeting, agreeing on the need to further strengthen coordination between the political-diplomatic and economic tracks to effectively address intertwined geo-economic and geopolitical challenges. Speaking at the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Giang congratulated Malaysia on successfully leading ASEAN to achieve significant outcomes in a pivotal year. He affirmed that Viet Nam will continue to work closely with Malaysia and other member states to realise the common goals and priorities set for the bloc. In light of ongoing global and regional uncertainties, Giang stressed that ASEAN should continue prioritising cooperation to maintain regional peace and stability, promote the culture of dialogue and cooperation, and uphold the shared principles and norms to which all members have committed. He urged ASEAN to enhance internal linkages, harness new growth drivers, and at the same time, strengthen mutually beneficial external relations, especially in economic and trade domains. On the East Sea issue, he reaffirmed that ASEAN must preserve unity and its principled stance, maintaining close coordination to safeguard peace, stability, security, and the freedom of navigation and overflight, while upholding international law in this important region. Earlier, on October 24, the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar was held. The ministers appreciated Malaysias efforts and those of the Special Envoy in engaging relevant stakeholders and reaffirmed that the Five-Point Consensus remains the main reference framework guiding ASEANs efforts on the Myanmar issue in the time ahead. VNA/VNS HA NOI The signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (also known as the Hanoi Convention) will mark a new chapter in global cyber cooperation and governance, making cyberspace a domain of law, collaboration, and development, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed on Saturday. Hosting a meeting with heads of the delegations attending the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony and high-level conference, General Secretary Lam emphasised that the participation of representatives from various countries and international organisations in this global event was a vivid testament to the spirit of international solidarity in addressing a common challenge of humanity. It also reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and nations around the world. The General Secretary expressed his pride that Ha Noi was unanimously chosen by UN member states for the conventions signing, recognising Viet Nams contributions to combating cybercrime. He noted this also reflected the international communitys appreciation of the countrys efforts to promote peace and security, and its rising global standing. The Vietnamese Party chief assessed that the world was undergoing profound and rapid changes, with strategic competition among major powers, arms and nuclear races, regional conflicts, and ethnic and religious tensions remaining complex. Non-traditional security challenges and the downsides of the technology revolution had further heightened global uncertainty and risk. In this context, he stressed a deeper appreciation for the value of peace, stability, and the defence of national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter. General Secretary Lam affirmed that, as an integral part of the international community, Viet Nam was proactively harnessing the potential of cyberspace and cyber-related technologies for development. In the time ahead, Viet Nam would stay steadfast on its socialist path, promoting self-reliance, confidence, and national pride while expanding partnerships worldwide for shared global goals, he said, adding that it looked forward to continued support and cooperation from political parties, friends, and peace-loving peoples to strengthen international solidarity and contribute to global peace, development, and human progress. Calling on all countries to ratify the convention soon so it could take effect promptly, the top leader affirmed that Viet Nam reaffirmed its commitment to working with other nations and international organisations to promote cooperation in harnessing the potential of cyberspace and combating cybercrime, for peace, stability, and sustainable development of all nations, and for a safe, happy life for people around the world. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), commended Viet Nams pioneering role and active contributions throughout the negotiation process and in hosting the conventions signing ceremony in Ha Noi. She emphasised that the convention marked a major step toward establishing the first global legal framework to enhance international cooperation in combating cybercrime. UNODC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Viet Nam through technical assistance, capacity-building, and exploring the possibility of establishing a Regional Cybercrime Training Centre in Ha Noi. Speaking on behalf of the heads of delegations, Maria Jose Pinto Gonzalez Artigas, Vice President of Ecuador, noted that the convention was built on cooperation and understanding. By signing it, countries committed to sharing expertise and working together to address cyber threats. She stressed that the signatures marked not the end, but the beginning of a long journey one that would require capacity-building, stronger institutions, youth education, and the engagement of the private sector and civil society. "Cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of governments but of everyone, and unity is the strongest shield," she affirmed. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed from Ha Noi for Malaysia on Saturday evening to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his entourage were also on board the same flight to the ASEAN Summit, after wrapping activities in Ha Noi within the framework of the Signing Ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Taking place from October 2528, the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings are the most important and extensive events of Malaysias ASEAN chairmanship this year, drawing the participation of leaders from bloc member states, Timor-Leste, and partner countries. The attendance of PM Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation underscore the countrys commitment to active participation, responsible contributions and cooperation with ASEAN member states to consolidate the blocs centrality and amplify its collective voice in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development. The trip also reaffirms Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralisation of external relations. VNS HA NOI United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left Ha Noi on Saturday evening, concluding his official visit to Viet Nam and attendance at the opening ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention). The visit from October 24 to 25 was made at the invitation of President Luong Cuong. During his stay in Viet Nam, Secretary-General Guterres paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the late leader's mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son street. He was received by Party General Secretary To Lam, and attended an official welcome ceremony, talks, and state banquet hosted by President Luong Cuong. He also met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The Vietnamese leaders warmly welcomed the Secretary-General on his second official visit to Viet Nam and attendance at the signing ceremony for the Hanoi Convention, which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the UN and Viet Nam's National Day (September 2). They emphasised that the visit held special significance, reflecting the parallel development of Viet Nam and the UN over the past decades. Expressing his joy and deep affection for Viet Nam, Secretary-General Guterres said he greatly admires Viet Nam's struggles for independence and reunification, as well as its impressive socio-economic progress and double-digit growth target for the coming years. The UN Secretary-General praised Viet Nam's role, stature, prestige, as well as active and prominent contributions to the UN's common work in all the pillar areas, particularly its hosting of the Hanoi Convention signing ceremony and active participation in UN peacekeeping operations. He affirmed that the UN will continue to accompany and support Viet Nam in advancing its development priorities. He expressed his hope that the country will further promote its voice and role within the UN, helping to shape a multipolar world in which multilateralism and global governance mechanisms function more efficiently, and the deserving role of developing countries and emerging economies receive greater recognition. On the morning of October 25, Secretary-General Guterres attended the signing ceremony and high-level conference of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, held at the National Convention Centre. President Cuong and Secretary-General Guterres delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony. PM Chinh and the UN chief later held a joint press conference to brief the media on the events outcomes. The high-level session of the signing ceremony brought together the UN Secretary-General, leaders of Viet Nam, senior officials from more than 110 countries, and representatives of numerous international and regional organisations. VNA/VNS NGHE AN Police in central Viet Nam have arrested a man accused of stabbing five people, including nurses and relatives of newborn patients, in a frenzied attack inside a maternity and childrens hospital. Authorities say Ban Van Vy, 29, from Bac Ninh Province, was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly rampaging through the neonatal ward of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital on Thursday. Investigators said Vys wife had given birth to premature twin girls at the hospital a week earlier. One of the babies required intensive care, and Vy reportedly exhausted after several sleepless nights became convinced that his child had been switched. "After sleepless nights caring for my babies, my mind became unstable, and I acted on impulse, losing control," Vy told investigators. Initial tests showed he had not used drugs and was not undergoing psychiatric treatment. According to hospital staff, Vy entered a room in the neonatal unit around 10am, tried to strangle one newborn and then grabbed another, apparently intending to throw the infant from a balcony. When a grandmother and nurse intervened, he stabbed them, then stormed into the nurses room and attacked three more staff members. Nurse Nguyen Thuy Trang suffered 11 stab wounds to her neck, chest and back, severing veins and arteries. Doctors said she survived thanks to emergency surgery. Two other nurses and two relatives of patients were also injured, and two infants sustained minor abrasions. Security guards eventually overpowered the assailant and handed him over to the police. Hospital director Tang Xuan Hai said Vys twins had been transferred to the National Childrens Hospital in Ha Noi for treatment of infection and premature birth complications. All of the injured victims are now in stable condition. He rejected the fathers claims that staff had neglected the babies. "Our doctors fulfilled their duties," he said. "The accusation is baseless." Minister of Health ao Hong Lan has since awarded commendations to four nurses and the hospitals neonatal department for "bravery in protecting patients during the incident." Health officials called the attack one of the most serious cases of violence against medical staff in recent years and warned that similar incidents have been rising nationwide. "This kind of assault is intolerable, no matter the circumstances," said Ha Anh uc, Director of the Medical Services Administration. "Hospitals are under immense pressure, but violence cannot be an outlet for grief or anger." uc said the Ministry of Health is reviewing hospital security systems, especially in high-stress areas such as emergency, neonatal and psychiatric wards, and will strengthen cooperation between hospitals and police to ensure rapid response and prevent similar attacks in the future. The case remains under investigation, but for many across Viet Nam, the attack has reignited debate about the countrys strained healthcare system, and the psychological toll on both patients and medical workers in an environment where they often face tension and exhaustion. VNS Charles Spencer hates it when people tell him where they were when his sister Princess Diana died. Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer The royal was killed following a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel, Paris, France, on August 31, 1997, aged 36. Princess Diana's 61-year-old brother, the 9th Earl Spencer, said on the latest episode of broadcaster Gyles Brandreth's Rosebud podcast: "I try and be really busy on the 31st of August because it's just terribly sad, really. "I tell you what I do find quite difficult, and this probably sounds ungracious, but occasionally, total strangers come up and feel they must tell me where they were when they heard that she died, sort of thing. "And I'm sure that's helpful to them. It's not entirely helpful to everyone else." Charles then recalled a woman from South Dakota, USA, who claimed to him that she grew up with the late Princess of Wales - who was married to now King Charles, 76, from 1981 until 1996 - in the north-central state. He said: "And I had, actually, this year, I had - I mean, it's comic really - I had a lady from South Dakota, who clutched me to her ample bosom, and said that I may have thought I grew up with Diana, but actually she did in South Dakota. "So you just have to smile. It doesn't matter." Former UK Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) Gyles, 77, revealed his neighbour still has a shrine to her in his home, which the "successful businessman" created following Princess Diana's death in 1997. He shared: "It's a curious thing. I have a neighbour in my part of South London who's got a shrine to her in his home, which he has kept since 1997 with candles and flowers and photographs of her. "This is a successful businessman." Charles reacted: "It's extraordinary, isn't it?" The 9th Earl Spencer - who has sisters Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 70, and 68 year old Jane Fellowes, Baroness Fellowes - puts Princess Diana's popularity down to how relatable she was to millions of people across the world. Charles said: "I think it's different things to different people. "And I think particularly to women of a similar age, they really invested their lives in hers. "So they ran, maybe they had an unhappy marriage. Maybe they battled an eating disorder [Princess Diana battled bulimia]. There was plenty of Diana to look into and take your bit out of, almost like a horoscope, you know. You can make it make sense for you." He added: "Julian Fellowes, if I may quote him a second time, he's a close friend of mine. And he said, 'I think part of her appeal, of course, you know, she married into the royal family, she was beautiful and, you know, very charismatic.' "But he also said, like the great film stars, there was something unhappy in there that really triggered an emotional response." HA NOI Viet Nam's top prosecutors have filed charges against five former banking and business executives accused of arranging illegal loans that left a commercial bank with losses exceeding VN1 trillion (about US$38 million). Those indicted include Duong Thanh Cuong, the former chairman and chief executive of Binh Phat Company; Nguyen The Binh, a former bank chairman who is now wanted by police; Ho ang Trung, a former bank branch director; Ho Van Long, the former head of credit at the branch; and o Ngoc Dung, a former credit officer. Prosecutors say Cuong allegedly sought financing for a property project in 2007 and was introduced to Binh, who agreed to arrange a VN500 billion ($19 million) loan. Because the branch could approve only a fifth of that amount, Trung signed papers requesting that the limit be lifted a move that allowed the deal to go through. The loan file listed land as collateral even though ownership documents were incomplete. Cuong then padded the paperwork, inflating the lands price from around VN23 million a square metre to VN1213 million. Plots worth roughly VN65 billion were suddenly valued at VN358 billion. After the bank released more than VN302 billion, Cuong withdrew most of it in cash. Only about VN70 billion went into the stated project; the rest vanished into other uses. Later that year, Cuong asked to convert his short-term borrowings into a five-year loan. The bank agreed and released another VN303 billion at the end of 2007 money that Cuong immediately used to clear the earlier debts. Prosecutors say the so-called 'new' loan was simply a way to roll over old debt. The Binh Phat project itself had never been approved for construction or land use, yet the defendants valued it at VN1.46 trillion. The scheme tricked the bank about VN86 billion out of pocket. The pattern repeated in 2010. With Binh Phat already in default and its assets frozen, Cuong joined forces with Vu Thi Bich Loan, director of THY Company, to secure another loan VN385 billion ($14.6 million) this time using THY as a front to buy Binh Phats land. The bank freed ten of Binh Phats plots so they could be re-pledged under THYs name, then released the funds. THY transferred the money straight back to Binh Phat to settle old debts. When THY failed to repay, the loan turned bad as well. By early 2024, its outstanding balance had swollen to VN1.14 trillion ($43.4 million). Prosecutors estimate that, across the two schemes, the bank advanced more than VN1.22 trillion in loans that can no longer be recovered. The confirmed losses top VN1.05 trillion. VNS HCM CITY The Viet Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM) on Saturday (October 25) held its 2025-26 academic year opening ceremony to welcome freshmen students, with the theme Aspiration for Innovation toward a Prosperous Viet Nam. Speaking at the event, Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, vice chancellor of VNU-HCM, said the State had paved the way, businesses had taken the lead and accompanied the journey; now it would be time for universities to act to drive science and technology forward and accelerate progress. Innovation must become a shared value among all members of the university community, she said. "Every individual and organisation can be an agent of innovation. Innovation is not a sprint but a continuous journey that requires accepting failure, encouraging experimentation, and honouring those who dare to walk untrodden paths," she said. Dare to think differently, dare to fail, and dare to begin again. Mastery of science and technology would determine not only prosperity but also national independence and sovereignty, she added. This vision aligns with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which identifies science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as a leading strategic breakthrough and a main driving force for rapid and sustainable development, modernising production, governance and ensuring national progress in the new era. With the goal of becoming one of Asias top research-oriented university systems, VNU-HCM plays a pivotal role in Viet Nams innovation ecosystem and high-quality human resource development. The university currently gathers over 6,000 lecturers and staff and nearly 100,000 students, producing nearly 20,000 graduates and postgraduates annually for HCM City and the southern economic region. After three decades of growth, it ranks among the worlds top 801850 universities, with 18 disciplines appearing in international rankings 15 in the global top 500 and one in the top 100. It leads the country in international publications, with around 2,700 papers in the first nine months of 2025, and tops the nation in the number of internationally accredited programmes (174). It is now prioritising key areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology, aiming to enter the top 100 Asian universities by 2030 and continue its mission of nurturing talent, creating knowledge, and contributing to national development. Since 2012, VNU-HCMs annual academic year opening ceremony has become a cherished tradition that connects students with leading intellectuals, scientists, and business leaders, inspiring pride and a spirit of dedication among young generations. This years event welcomed Nguyen Thanh My, chairman of the My Lan Group a renowned scientist and entrepreneur. Born in 1955 in Tra Vinh, My studied chemistry at the HCM City University of Technology before earning his PhD in Energy and Materials Science at INRS, Canada, in 1990. He later worked at IBM Almaden Research Center and Kodak Polychrome Graphics in the U.S. In 2004, he returned to Viet Nam to establish Mylan Group, the first high-tech company in Tra Vinh Province. Since then, he has founded or co-founded 13 high-tech enterprises, six of which are currently operating locally. His Nguyen Thanh My Foundation has donated over VN62.5 billion (US$2.4 million) to scholarships, facilities, and community healthcare initiatives. His journey from a poor ice cream vendor to a global scientist and business leader exemplifies the spirit of dam nghi, dam lam (dare to think, dare to act) and a lifelong commitment to giving back to the homeland. His message at the ceremony encouraged young people to combine personal ambition with national aspirations on their path of innovation and creativity. The ceremony reflected VNU-HCMs determination to make innovation a core value shared by the State, businesses, and universities. With strong policy directions, pioneering institutions, and an enterprising spirit, the aspiration for a prosperous and strong Viet Nam is no longer a distant dream. As the largest higher education system in the country, VNU-HCM reaffirmed its mission: knowledge and creativity will be the driving forces propelling the nation toward a bright and sustainable future. VNS KUALA LUMPUR The 47th ASEAN Summit, set for late October in Malaysia, will underscore the blocs commitment to unity and resilience as it pursues the ambitious ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a Malaysian foreign, security, and strategic affairs analyst told Vietnam News Agency. Collins Chong Yew Keat from the University of Malaya said ASEAN is actively maintaining its centrality and non-alignment principles while seeking to foster internal cohesion and expand economic ties with other regions. Under Malaysias chairmanship, the summit will focus on key themes of regional cohesion, inclusiveness, and resilience. ASEAN is proactively establishing itself to seize emerging economic opportunities while maintaining its role as a balancing force amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape, he added. Strengthening cohesion and proactive risk management According to him, one of the major goals of the summit is to demonstrate ASEANs unity and reaffirm that peace and stability achieved through dialogue and diplomacy remain the blocs highest principle. The bloc continues to uphold its basic principles of neutrality while reinforcing the concept of ASEAN centrality in regional affairs. Member states are working along a 20-year roadmap toward realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Recognising the growing challenges and risks over the next two decades, ASEAN is focusing on adaptability, anticipating potential risks, and developing proactive mitigation and preparedness plans well in advance. On regional security, ASEAN remains dedicated to resolving conflicts through dialogue and consultation despite ongoing challenges. The bloc is pushing to finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), maintaining momentum and urgency in negotiations. Advancing the COC, though complex, is part of ASEANs broader effort to uphold a rules-based order and international maritime law. Harnessing economic momentum and expanding autonomy ASEAN is focusing on advancing progress in emerging economic sectors as competition for foreign direct investment (FDI) heats up. The bloc is prioritising energy transition, digital economy and critical mineral supply chains. Ensuring the stability and resilience of these supply chains, particularly for essential minerals, remains a central pillar of ASEANs economic strategy. To strengthen economic autonomy and reduce traditional dependence on major powers like the US and China, Malaysias chairmanship is driving ASEAN to forge new partnerships. These include deeper engagement with the Gulf states, the Middle East, the BRICS bloc, and Global South nations. The strategy is designed to secure alternative linkages and contingency options for future economic resilience. A balancing force and platform for cooperation Collins noted that the upcoming ASEAN Summit aims to send a clear message that the bloc is an emerging regional power, earning attention and respect from major global players. ASEAN is striving to broaden its economic and defence autonomy by deepening engagement with major powers such as India, Australia, and Japan, alongside a range of Western and non-Western partners. ASEAN plays a pivotal role as a balancing force and a platform for dialogue, offering a venue where major powers can engage and address conflicts through diplomacy. Through mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), the grouping is actively expanding its influence beyond the region to make meaningful contributions to the global policy agenda, he said. Collins noted that the summit offers ASEAN a chance to reaffirm its principles of non-interference, non-alignment, and strategic balance while navigating intensifying great-power competition. The overarching goal, he said, is to demonstrate that ASEAN has entered a phase of greater autonomy and independence, establishing itself as a global actor capable of shaping the regions future trajectory. VNA KUALA LUMPUR ASEAN has adopted more innovative approaches to address the growing nexus between transnational crime, money laundering, and sophisticated cyber-enabled offences, including online scams, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. Speaking at the opening of the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, Minister Mohamad stated that ASEAN has established the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Working Group on Money Laundering. The working group aims to strengthen regional coordination in combating cross-border financial crimes and cyber-driven criminal networks. He noted that complex security-related issues were increasingly affecting the fabric of societies, threatening public safety, and posing direct risks to economic resilience and national security, underscoring the need for stronger cooperation, coordination, and regional efforts to counter transnational crime. Malaysia called on ASEAN member states to strengthen collective action to preserve regional peace and stability as the bloc transitions from the APSC Blueprint 2025 to the APSC 2045. The minister underscored ASEANs substantial progress in defence cooperation, citing the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus as key platforms that drive joint exercises and broaden collaboration into emerging areas such as cyber, maritime and health security. Defence ministers have also agreed to advance cooperation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in defence, including raising awareness of its security implications and promoting its responsible and ethical use in military applications. On human rights, Mohamad commended the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) for championing the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. He revealed that the long-anticipated ASEAN Extradition Treaty is now in its final stage and is expected to be signed next month, which will enhance regional coordination in prosecution and efforts to combat transnational crimes. As ASEAN navigates an increasingly complex security landscape shaped by intensifying geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, Malaysia urged the bloc to remain united, consistent, and forward-looking in its collective actions to safeguard peace and stability. Held ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit, the APSC serves as one of the three main pillars of the ASEAN Community, alongside the Economic Community (AEC) and the Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). VNA/VNS KUALA LUMPUR The 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits are scheduled to take place in Malaysia from October 26 to 28, with discussions focusing on issues related to the ASEAN Community building and the blocs external relations. According to a statement from Malaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaders are expected to deliberate on measures to deepen regional integration, stimulate economic growth, and enhance connectivity across Southeast Asia. Efforts to reinforce ASEAN's unity and centrality in the regional architecture will also be high on the agenda. A series of activities will be held, including the ASEAN Plus One Summits with its dialogue partners, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Russia, and the US, as well as the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN United Nations Summit, and the ASEAN New Zealand Commemorative Leaders' Summit. The opening ceremony on October 26 is expected to feature the declaration of Timor-Leste as ASEANs 11th full member. On the same day, Canada and the European Union will share their views on further consolidating and deepening their relations with ASEAN. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will present its latest global macroeconomic assessments and outline avenues for stronger ASEAN IMF collaboration. During the retreat session, the leaders will review the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on the Myanmar issue and the way forward in addressing the political and humanitarian crisis in the country, while exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. At the ASEAN Plus One Summits, discussions are set to cover trade and investment, supply chain resilience, digitalisation, renewable energy, and green growth, as well as other issues of common concern. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN New Zealand dialogue relations, and the two sides are expected to announce the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ASEAN Plus Three Summit, to be held on October 27, will bring together leaders from ASEAN, China, Japan, and the RoK to review cooperation outcomes and outline future collaboration directions in the digital economy, maritime affairs, energy, connectivity, health, and education. Representatives from the ASEAN Plus Three Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) and the East Asia Business Council (EABC) will also brief participants on the regions macroeconomic and financial outlooks. The 20th East Asia Summit, also scheduled for October 27, will review progress in the EAS cooperation, focusing on political and economic issues with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the East Asia region. Additionally, Malaysia will host the third Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting on October 26 and the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit on October 27. The handover ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Malaysia to the Philippines will take place on October 28. VNA/VNS During this time, the company has invested over $200 million across its core businesses and established a trusted partnership with Vietnams farmers, agribusinesses, and local communities. To commemorate the milestone, Cargill inaugurated its 125th Cargill Cares school in Gia Lai province, reaffirming its long-term commitment to Vietnam. Since 1995, Cargill has been playing a proactive role in Vietnams agricultural transformation. With businesses spreading across animal nutrition and health, food, and agriculture and trading, Cargill today operates seven feed mills, a premix plant, a grain and oilseed warehouse, a product distribution centre, and a swine nucleus farm, providing jobs for more than 1,100 employees nationwide. Cargills agriculture and trading business has recently secured over 1.7 million metric tonnes of US commodities through strategic MoUs, strengthening Vietnams access to global supply chains. By facilitating trade flows, introducing international best practices, and supporting farmers with world-class genetics, food safety, traceability and digital solutions, the company has been working relentlessly to reinforce Vietnams integration into the global agriculture system. In recognition of its contribution to Vietnams agriculture and environment sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment presented Cargill with a certificate of merit for outstanding performance in livestock and aqua feed at the 30th anniversary celebration, conferred by Deputy Minister Hoang Trung. Thirty years of Cargill in Vietnam is a story of partnership and purpose, said Nguyen Ba Luan, country representative of Cargill Vietnam. The 125th school embodies our belief that education is fundamental to the growth and resilience of any society. Just as we invest in Vietnams agriculture sector development, we also invest for future generations. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lang Yang Elementary School in Ia Phi commune, Gia Lai province Located in Ia Phi commune (former Chu Pah district) in Gia Lai province, the new building at Lang Yang Elementary School comprises five classrooms, a kitchen, restrooms, and a teachers office within a secure compound that ensures a safe and inspiring learning environment. Principal Nguyen Trong Cuong said, The new facilities bring hope and opportunity to children in our community. They give them a better space to learn and reflect the commitment of responsible corporate citizens like Cargill who care about rural futures. Cargill marked its 30th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony and gala dinner in Ho Chi Minh City, honouring employees, community partners, and customers who have contributed to its journey and impact over the past three decades. The ministry is committed to continuing to accompany Cargill and other foreign-invested enterprises in their development and business operations in Vietnam, said Deputy Minister Trung at the ceremony. I believe that with Cargills global experience and the consistent policies of the Vietnamese government, we can jointly build a green, smart, safe, and efficient livestock industry deeply integrated into global value chains. Cargill has been, is, and will continue to be a symbol of sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and the US in agriculture, and a testament to the belief that foreign-invested enterprises can harmoniously develop with community and environmental interests. Vietnam has an incredible role to play in the global food supply chain, and Cargill will continue to make a positive impact on the industry and the country overall, added Luan. We are proud to stand alongside farmers, communities, and partners as the future unfolds. As a connector in the worlds food system, our commitment is not only to help customers succeed but also to ensure that Vietnams food and agriculture sectors grow stronger, safer, and more sustainably for generations to come. Cargills new facility backs up next phase of growth On September 25, Cargill opened a new Provimi Premix plant in southern Vietnam, enhancing its technology and increasing its capacity, fuelling the next phase of growth for its animal nutrition business. Duc Thang Pham, managing director of Cargill Animal Nutrition Thailand and Vietnam, spoke with VIRs Thanh Dat about the companys development journey. Cargills Provimi Vietnam recognised as 2023 best performer Cargills Provimi Vietnam was recognised as Best FDI Premix Company at Vietstock 2023 Expo & Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on October 24. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa leads Sri Lanka delegation to IPU sessions A high level Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation led by the Hon Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker, including members of Parliament attended the 131st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from 12-16 October 2014 in Geneva. Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Hon Mahinda Samarasinghe, Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene, Hon. Ramesh Pathirana, Hon. Vijayakala Maheshwaran, Hon. Ajith Perera and Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake were accompanied Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa to the Assembly. A record number of Speakers and Deputy Speakers were among the more than 720 Parliamentarians who attended the Assembly this year. The general debate at the 131st Assembly focused on "Achieving gender equality, ending violence against women". The Assembly of the IPU elected Bangladesh MP Saber Chowdhury as the new President of the 125-year-old Organization. Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka Geneva Eligible groups urged to get vaccinated as flu season starts early Health officials are urging those eligible for a flu vaccine to come forward as soon as possible following evidence that virus is circulating earlier than usual in Wales. The latest surveillance data from GPs, hospital testing and confirmed outbreaks in different settings, shows that influenza activity is already increasing . Although levels currently remain low, case numbers are expected to rise over the coming weeks. The flu season usually begins around late November or early December, so this current activity is around a month earlier than in recent seasons. Public Health Wales is now urging all eligible groups particularly those aged 65 and over and residents in care homes, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) at Public Health Wales, said: Flu is now circulating across Wales and were seeing signs that this years season has started earlier than usual. Although the flu season is starting earlier than we have seen in recent years, there is still time to get your flu vaccine before we reach the peak of circulation. The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against the three strains of flu that circulate each year. We see several flu virus types circulating each winter, which can affect people across different age-groups. Currently influenza A(H3) is the type of flu we are detecting in the largest numbers. Historically, seasons where influenza A(H3) viruses have dominated, have seen higher levels of illness and outbreaks in residential care homes and in older adults. We are also detecting smaller number of influenza A(H1), which can often affect younger age groups more severely, especially children, adults with clinical risks and pregnant women. Many people will also be eligible for other vaccinations that help prevent infections that are more common in the winter, including COVID-19 and RSV. Together, these vaccines provide the best protection against the viruses which put many people in hospital and place pressure on NHS resources this winter. The flu vaccine is offered every year to help protect those most at risk of serious illness. It is especially important for older adults, care home residents and staff, health and social care workers, young children, those with certain health conditions including asthma and diabetes and pregnant women, as flu in pregnancy can have serious health impacts for both pregnant women and babies. Those eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine include people aged 65 years and older, people aged six months to 64 years with a long-term health condition, pregnant women, carers, health and social care workers, and people living in care homes. Children aged two and three (on 31 August 2025) are also eligible, and primary and secondary school pupils (reception to year 11) are being offered the flu vaccine through schools. For more information about how to get your vaccines, please visit the Public Health Wales website. Welsh Government minister accused of not listening over building safety bill Wales housing secretary Jayne Bryant was bluntly told youre not listening during a tense committee grilling over fears building safety reforms will suppress social housing supply. Labours Lee Waters accused her of ignoring repeated, high-level warnings from the sector about pushing through a bill that risks curtailing construction amid a housing emergency. A tense exchange highlighted profound disagreement as the minister and her officials pinned the sectors concerns on a misunderstanding of the building safety bill. Warning of a lack of policy join up, Mr Waters pointed to evidence from the sector that the post-Grenfell reforms risk suppressing their ability to bring forward homes for social rent. But Ms Bryant gave little ground, insisting the average costs would be low and the Welsh Government would not solve supply problems by allowing people to live in unsafe homes. With respect Mr Waters explained social landlords have warned the additional cost burden will affect their ability to borrow and the number of properties they can develop. He asked: Why are you so dismissive of that clear evidence from the sector? Ms Bryant pushed back, stating the Welsh Government speaks to the sector regularly as she gave evidence to the Senedds housing scrutiny committee. But her Labour colleague replied: With respect, thats not my question. I dont doubt youre talking to the sector. The sector has given evidence to this committee that says very clearly this will suppress their ability to bring forward investment and you are not addressing that. Ms Bryant argued social housing supply is being addressed through other policy levers, saying: Im very happy to listen to them, but I do not think Bad idea Mr Waters interjected: Well, youre not listening to them, with respect, because were telling you what their evidence is and youre not engaging with it. He pointed to evidence from Community Housing Cymru, which warned it would cost one housing association 100,000 a year to do fire assessments for lower-risk buildings. The former minister asked: Why are you still insisting that the costs are trivial? Ms Bryant denied she was dismissing the costs as trivial, explaining a lower-risk third category with less onerous restrictions was added due to concerns about proportionality. But Mr Waters suggested: Youve replaced one bad idea with another. He raised evidence from Trivallis housing association which warned of an extra regulatory burden and costs for lower-risk buildings already covered by fire risk assessments. Awfully casual Pressed on whether the 100,000 figure is credible, official Steve Pomeroy said: Its not for me to say how they do business and what they think their costs are, but Mr Waters cut in: Well, it is for you to say. Thats the whole point of this session weve had evidence, youre saying its not right and youre not telling us why. Mr Pomeroy, head of fire services in the Welsh Government, said: I cant personally see why there is 100,000 of extra cost there unless there is something that they are doing or not doing now that they maybe ought to be doing under the fire safety order. Mr Waters criticised the awfully casual accusation, with Mr Pomeroy rowing back on his suggestion that Trivallis is breaking the law. We have no evidence to that effect, he said. Tania Nicholson, deputy director for housing quality, pledged to pick the issue up with Trivallis to ensure absolute clarity in terms of expectations under the bill. Troubled Mr Waters said: With respect, this is the consistent answer: Were talking to the sector. Were listening to the sector. But youre not, are you? Ms Nicholson added: I think theres probably some misunderstanding in terms of the expectations under the bill and the current arrangements. But Mr Waters was dissatisfied: You cant expect us to pass a law of this gravity on the basis that there are some problems and, Well sort it out; were talking to them. This is law. We cant put into law things that are going to make things worse and youre not giving us any good reason not to. During the fiery exchange on Wednesday (October 22), the Labour politician concluded: It seems there are klaxons being sounded by the sector here that the Welsh Government appears deaf to Im really troubled by it. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is responding to suggestions from multiple Nevada lawmakers that state funds could be used to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the government shutdown. In a statement directly addressing Nevada Congressional Representatives Steven Horsford, Dina Titus, and Susie Lee, the Governor said the proposed solution is not viable. The USDA has made clear that states cannot use their own dollars to fund federal SNAP benefits, even on a temporary basis, and cannot share SNAP household data with vendors to do so, said Governor Lombardo in a statement. In a letter issued to the three Nevada House members, the Governor said that, per a USDA memo issued October 10, the state could seek access to reverted General Fund dollars, unspent American Rescue Plan Act funding, or Rainy Day Funds through legislative authorization to fund emergency benefits short term, but the emergency program would need to remain separate and distinct from SNAP. Earlier Friday, Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine had also called for state leaders in Carson City to develop a solution to preserve SNAP benefits. "Its time for Nevada leaders to take charge and come up with a bipartisan solution to help the 495,000 Nevadans who receive food assistance," said Conine. Because of our teams responsible fiscal management and record investment returns, and the highest Rainy Day Fund balance in history, the State has the money to provide emergency financial assistance to Nevadans who will lose their SNAP benefits due to the shutdown." Conine also said the state treasury will work to seek additional ways to help Nevadans. The Governor has revealed a number of steps being taken by his administration to support Nevadans affected by the shutdown. Those solutions include: Directing the Governors Finance Office, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Agriculture to expand support for local food banks and community partners that serve SNAP beneficiaries; Preparing to engage the Nevada National Guard to assist with food distribution to those in need; and Continuing coordination with federal agencies and the White House to mitigate impacts on Nevada families. You can read Governor Lombardo's full letter here. You can read the full press release from State Treasurer Zach Conine here. Foreign Minister Peiris briefs the President of the Human Rights Council on Sri Lankan Issues Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, held meetings with the President of the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement (Geneva Chapter) and the Permanent Representative of Brazil in Geneva on 14 June 2022, on the sidelines of the 50th Session of the HRC. During the meeting with the President of the Human Rights Council, and Permanent Representative of Argentina, Federico Villegas, the Foreign Minister briefed on the current socio-economic situation in Sri Lanka and the need for empathy and understanding of the international community. Whilst stressing the need for space for the country to deal with the present socio-economic issues, he reiterated the political will and resolve to deal with obligations and move ahead. In this respect, the Foreign Minister highlighted the measurable and verifiable progress made, including with regard to amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the proposed 21st amendment to the Constitution, as well as strengthening independent commissions, the work of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations and engagement with civil society. He also briefed on the substantial progress by Sri Lanka on the Sustainable Development Goals, with the UN Sustainable Development Report 2021 placing Sri Lanka at the 87th position, with an overall ranking of 68.1, which is above the regional average and an increase by 7 positions out of 165 countries. Noting that all countries go through difficult periods in their history and that each specific case requires a different approach, the President of the Human Rights Council expressed his willingness to assist Sri Lanka in this respect. He added that his role as the President of the HRC was one of bridge building and to promote dialogue with every country and every mandate. Sri Lanka could avail of the assistance and expertise of the HRC Presidency as well as the experience of Argentina from which South Africa too had benefitted. During the meeting with the Coordinator of the Non Aligned Movement (Geneva Chapter), the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan, Galib Israfilov, where he referred to Sri Lankas longstanding and robust relations with the Non-Aligned Movement, the Minister stressed the continued relevance of NAM values and solidarity in order to face contemporary challenges. He requested greater revitalizing of the Non-Aligned Movement and assured of Sri Lankas continuing and active support to the Movement. Ambassador Israfilov briefed on the NAM activities over the last few years, including on equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics during the pandemic, on post pandemic recovery efforts, in the security sector, parliamentary dialogue through the Inter Parliamentary Union and to foster dialogue in the Human Rights Council on matters such as the Right to Development. Outlining future initiatives, he re-iterated Azerbaijans commitment and continuing efforts to raise the profile of NAM with the active support of Member States. During the meeting with the Permanent Representative of Brazil, Tovor da Silva Nunes, Foreign Minister Peiris emphasized Sri Lankas eagerness to engage more actively with countries in Latin America and explained in detail the current economic and political issues in Sri Lanka. Ambassador da Silva Nunes shared with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister the experiences of Brazil. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo 15 June, 2022 Read more: www.mfa.gov.lk Bio Box Where to Find Rooing Hound Lager Portales Enchantment Vineyards Farmers Country Market Portales Country Club The Dawg House The Well Clovis Hilltop Bottle Shop Albuquerque Rio Bravo Brewing Company Eastern New Mexico University now has a brand to call its own in the states craft beer scene. The school has partnered with Rio Bravo Brewing Company to release the Rooing Hound Lager, which is a nod to the universitys greyhound mascot and its unique vocalizations. The beer has a 5.5% alcohol by volume and a can designed by ENMU graduate Samantha Molina. They reached out to us asking if we could brew them a beer that could support the college and showcase Eastern New Mexico, Jennifer Baker, Rio Bravo marketing director, said. They wanted something light for game days. They called it an unleashed lager to kind of go along with (their) greyhound. We went with something light, crisp, refreshing just a nice, light lager. As part of an initiative to improve its concessions, ENMU announced earlier this year that beer and wine would be sold at football and basketball games for the first time during the 2025-26 season. The Rooing Hound Lager is one of the options for sale at ENMU sporting events. We are honored to partner with Rio Bravo Brewing Company on this project, James Johnston, ENMU chancellor, said in a release. We appreciate their support of Eastern New Mexico University in creating this unique beer and co-branding with us. The new beer, which is distributed through Admiral Beverage, is currently for sale in Albuquerque at Rio Bravo and through various retailers in Portales and Clovis. According to Baker, there is no timetable for the brewery to stop producing the Rooing Hound Lager. Theres also the potential for further distribution throughout the state in the coming months. I assume that as long as it keeps selling, well keep brewing it, Baker said. Though the lager has only been out for a short time, reception has already been positive. I think we will see more excitement as it grows and people become more aware of it, Baker said. I was surprised myself to see the fan base (and) the support that Eastern New Mexico University has even in Albuquerque. So I think its going to be good for everyone that is supporting the university. And I think everyones having a good time with it and excited about it. Its not the first time Rio Bravo has partnered with a New Mexico college for a beer release. In 2018, the brewery launched El Lobo Rojo, a cherry wheat, in conjunction with the University of New Mexico. Shortly thereafter, Lobo Louies IPA was also released as part of that partnership. Being able to work on such collaborations, including the latest with ENMU, is a privilege for an establishment that recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary Baker said. Ad I think were honored that people are entrusting us to create a product and then market the product out there representing their brand, Baker said. HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: Rio Bravo will host a Friendsgiving Beer Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 20, which includes a four-course dinner prepared in-house along with four specially selected beers to complement the meal. This is an annual event we have the week before Thanksgiving to bring together friends and strangers, Baker said. Additionally, the brewery will host a holiday market on Friday, Nov. 29, to kick off the seasonal shopping frenzy. This family-friendly event is free and features numerous local vendors. David Garcia cleans weeds off his hook while fishing for kokanee salmon in Eagle Nest Lake on Tuesday. The New Mexico Environment Department is warning people of the dangers of blue-green algae in Eagle Nest and other lakes in the state. Eddie Moore Savannah Cutler, a water resource professional with the Surface Water Quality Bureau for the New Mexico Environment Department, takes several measurements of the water from a section of Eagle Nest Lake on Tuesday. Eddie Moore A stringer of kokanee salmon, caught by Reyes Gonzales and David Garcia, lies in a soup of blue-green algae at Eagle Nest Lake on Tuesday. The New Mexico Environment Department is warning that fish caught in lakes with the algae should be washed before cooking. Eddie Moore Safety recommendations at lakes with harmful algal blooms Safety recommendations at lakes with harmful algal blooms Dont drink untreated surface water. Avoid swimming in algal blooms. Rinse fish with clean water prior to cooking thoroughly and eat only the fillet portion, not the organs where toxins can accumulate. Keep pets and livestock out of the water and rinse them with clean water if contact occurs. Avoid algae deposited on the shoreline and dont let animals eat it. Supervise children and pets. EAGLE NEST Pea-soup green pigment floated where the water met the shore on Eagle Nest Lake on Tuesday, while bright, turquoise pigment stained the south boat ramp. In the water, a flurry of blue-green algae drifted, like a collection of grass clippings. Across the lake, Savannah Cutler waded into a thick algal bloom in knee-high gray boots. Wearing purple gloves to protect her hands, she dipped a small amber container into water topped by a slick of algae. Cutler is a water resource professional with the New Mexico Environment Departments Surface Water Quality Bureau. The sample she collected was destined for an Environmental Protection Agency lab to test for toxins. As blue-green algae dies and begins to fall apart, it releases pigment and sometimes toxins, too. Those toxins can cause rashes, itching, numbness, fatigue, disorientation, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases, they can cause death when ingested. No human deaths from harmful algal blooms have been reported in New Mexico, although a handful of dog deaths have been reported. NMED is starting up a program this year to do more comprehensive water sampling for blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, and other types of harmful algal blooms, according to Lynette Guevara, program manager for the Monitoring Assessment and Standards Section of NMEDs Surface Water Quality Bureau. Harmful algal blooms are considered an emerging contaminant problem, she said, because there are still unknowns about the blooms and the toxins they produce. NMED is working to find more definite information about when seasonally the state can expect harmful algal blooms and when in the year the blooms go away, said Miguel Montoya, team supervisor for the surface quality monitoring team. They seem to peak in late summer and early fall, Guevara said. Cyanobacteria have been around for millennia, but the EPA began doing more research on blue-green algae and sending it to states in recent years. That increase in information is part of why New Mexico is increasing monitoring, according to Guevara. Two of the toxins produced by cyanobacteria were also added to the states water quality standards in its last Water Quality Triennial Review, another reason to increase monitoring. Some big populations of cyanobacteria have popped up in the country over the last decade or so, like in Lake Erie in 2014 and Floridas Lake Okeechobee in 2018, increasing public awareness of it, according to Barry Rosen, a Florida Gulf Coast University professor who specializes in cyanobacteria and algae. Its hard to say for sure if there are increases in harmful algal blooms in New Mexico, because there arent very many data sets over time, Guevara said. Although, she believes the low snowpack last winter caused lower water levels than normal and could be contributing to the number of harmful algal blooms this year. Ad We initially started collecting data, a small data set, maybe two years ago, in a very limited number of lakes where we werent seeing these big issues, Montoya said. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can support blue-green algae, so nutrient control is one thing water managers can address. But some sources of nitrogen are outside of water managers control, Rosen said. Nutrients can come off of golf courses, sewage treatment plants and from agriculture production, and are naturally occurring. Killing harmful algal blooms isnt an option, Rosen said, because cyanobacteria are throughout bodies of water. Attempting to kill one part of the population could allow regrowth from other cyanobacteria. It would also kill off other types of algae that dont produce toxins, potentially creating more opportunity for even more blue-green algae to flourish. Cyanobacteria can also be important to aquatic ecosystems. There are an estimated 10,000 species of cyanobacteria, and very little genetic information about them, Rosen said. We dont really know who is making what toxins, he said. The bright colors of blue-green algae help the state monitor it. NMED starts its monitoring in the office, with satellite images of lakes throughout the state. An app alerts them if the pigments in the water indicate the potential presence of harmful algal blooms. Then they send out a team to take water samples. The Surface Water Quality Bureau also does annual surveys of different lakes in the state. This year, the surveys are of lakes in the Canadian River Basin. When staff are testing the water for toxic metals and other toxins, theyre also on the lookout for harmful algal blooms. The public can play an important role in monitoring water quality at the states lakes too, by alerting the Surface Water Quality Bureau when they see potential algal blooms. Smaller lakes in the state arent included in the satellite monitoring, but NMED discovered Quemado Lake in western New Mexico had harmful algal blooms after photos were posted on social media, said Montoya. On Friday, NMED warned visitors to Quemado Lake not to swim in the water and to keep pets away after water samples confirmed the presence of harmful algae and toxins. The agency issued a health warning for Clayton Lake earlier this month because it also tested positive for toxins. NMED has issued advisories about the presence of harmful algal blooms at six other lakes in the state: Snow, Hopewell, Charette, Maloya, Santa Cruz and Eagle Nest. Updated advisories and warnings can be found on the NMED harmful algal bloom website: https://www.env.nm.gov/surface-water-quality/habs. A 77-year-old man was killed Friday morning in Montgomery County. Sheriffs deputies were dispatched at 7:55 a.m. to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 23000 block of Troy Highway in Ramer. The victim, James Price, was found dead. Sheriffs officials said Prices son, 54-year-old Charles Price, was taken into custody and charged with murder. Authorities have not said how James Price was killed or released any additional information about the slaying. Deputy Shamonte D. Lanfair, 34, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday on two charges of first-degree assault in connection with an Oct. 8, 2025 wreck. (Special to AL.com) A Jefferson County Sheriffs Office deputy has been charged in a Center Point crash earlier this month that injured three people, including a young woman and her teen brother. Deputy Shamonte D. Lanfair, 34, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday on two charges of first-degree assault. She was released after posting $30,000 bond. Jefferson County sheriffs officials have not released a statement regarding her arrest. It was not immediately clear why her information has not been posted on the jails public website. Authorities have not said why Lanfair was charged. The investigation was led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Lanfair was off duty but in her sheriffs SUV when the crash happened at an intersection on Alabama 75. She narrowly missed hitting a school bus that had just traveled through the intersection. The wreck happened at 3:43 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8. ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett said Lanfair was also injured when the department issued 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe patrol unit she was driving struck a sedan driven by a 22-year-old Kayla Williams of Birmingham. After the initial impact, ALEA said the sedan then struck a second sedan driven by a 30-year-old Deja S. Davis of Center Point. Williams and Davis, as well as Williams 15-year-old brother, Nick, were all taken to local hospitals for treatment. Williams was released from the hospital this week. Her mother said her daughters life has been changed forever. Lanfair was taken to UAB Hospital for medical treatment. James Morie drove Nora Hardy, 62, from Mobile to Montgomery on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, after waiting outside all night, Hardy was the first person in line to receive unemployment assistance from the state Department of Labor at Alabama State University. (Connor Sheets | csheets@al.com) Last year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Alabama must consider the arguments in a lawsuit about failures of the states unemployment system during the pandemic. This week an Alabama judge threw out the lawsuit. The Court finds that Plaintiffs have either been paid in full or received administratively final determinations on their claims for unemployment benefits, said Judge James H. Anderson of Montgomery County Circuit Court on Thursday. The lawsuit, brought by Legal Services Alabama, began in 2022 over errors and long delays in the states handling of unemployment benefits during COVID-19. Plaintiffs have experienced extreme delays at every step of the unemployment process, the citizens stated in their 2022 complaint against the department. In 2022 Alabama had a 127-day delay in processing unemployment appeals, according to federal data analyzed by the Century Foundation. By 2025 that wait time dropped to 65 days. The suit also focused on Alabamians who received overpayment notices, demands from the department to repay, sometimes thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits. Alabama courts ruled that that lawsuit could not go forward because Alabamians must go through the states appeals process, the very process that was delayed, before suing the department. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that that expectation created a Catch 22 and ordered the state to reconsider the suit. This week, Judge Anderson heard arguments from both sides and ruled that the issues raised in the initial lawsuit have been resolved by the department. On Thursday, Legal Services Alabama filed a motion asking the court to reconsider, pointing to clients who still have not had their issues resolved. The Alabama Department of Labor denied Plaintiff Esta Glass a hearing she requested and never stated why, the group said. The group argues that the notices the department sends out to people about their cases do not give people the information they need to respond. Theyre just not communicating with people, said attorney Larry Gardella with Legal Services Alabama. And so people are going to continue to be confused (and) miss deadlines, he said. The Alabama Department of Labor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Congressman Dale Strong said that the federal government shutdown - now in its 24th day with no end in sight - is doing incalculable damage. This completely avoidable Democrat shutdown is causing unimaginable harm across the country, and especially here in North Alabama, where we have a large military presence and federal workforce, Strong, a Republican whose district includes Huntsville, said in a statement to AL.com. The shutdown began Oct. 1. Federal workers deemed essential are on the job without pay. Others are furloughed, also without pay, and no guarantee they will receive a check once Congress reaches a funding deal. It is unimaginable that Senate Democrats would let essential workers and service members go without a paycheck just to earn political points with their far-left base, Strong said. About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed nationally, according to The AP. Its unclear how many of those work at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, which hosts 45,500 federal and contract workers, though the Huntsville Business Journal estimated an extended shutdown could affect as many as 13,000 workers in the city. The shutdown is 11 days away from being the longest in history, a position held by the 2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days during President Donald Trumps first term. Strong, a member of the appropriations committee, said the committee and the Republican-led House have done a lot to solve the funding crisis. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud of the measurable progress we have made towards responsibly funding the government through the annual appropriations process, he said. Every day the government stays closed, it delays the progress that we have made on full-year spending bills. A 22-year-old Blountsville woman was killed a crash that injured four others, including her husband and toddler daughter. The young mother has been identified as Amber Lee Blackwood. The wreck happened at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, on U.S. 278, about five miles west Attalla in Etowah County, Alabama State Troopers announced Friday. Senior Trooper Gregory Corble said Blackwood was a passenger in a Toyota Camry that was hit by a Ford F-250 driven by 33-year-old Zacari T. West of Southside. After the initial impact, Corble said, the Camry was struck by a Chevrolet 1500 driven by Justin C. Tidwell, 28, of Oxford. Blackwood was pronounced dead on the scene. Her husband, 21-year-old Timothy Noah Blackwood was taken to UAB Hospital with a head injury. Their daughter, 1-year-old Ava, was hospitalized at Childrens of Alabama. Larriann N. Sanders, 27, of Eastaboga, a passenger in the Chevrolet, was injured and taken to Gadsden Regional Hospital for treatment. Blackwood had recently gotten her real estate license and joined EXIT Realty Sweet HOMElife, where she quickly became loved by everyone who met her. Our EXIT family is heartbroken over this tremendous loss, and we send our love, prayers, and support to all who were blessed to know Amber, the agency posted on Facebook. According to her obituary, Blackwood was a 2021 graduate of J.B. Pennington High School and married her husband, the love of her life, in November 2023. Amber will be remembered for her kind heart, radiant smile, and deep love for her familyespecially her daughter, Ava Shea, the obituary read. Her funeral is set for Saturday at Blountsville Funeral Home. A GoFundMe to help with that funeral has raised more than $8,000. The latest display from Birmingham Blue Dot takes aim at President Donald Trump as infamous French King Louis XVI for his 'vanity project' to build a ballroom at the White House. Contributed Drivers along the Red Mountain Expressway just off downtown Birmingham might do a double take at the latest political billboard along the skyline that satirically shows President Donald Trump dressed as an infamous 18th century French king. The latest display from Birmingham Blue Dot takes aim at Trumps new White House ballroom as a vanity project during a crisis at home that is reminiscent of the failed French dynasty that gave way to the French Revolution. The billboard compares Trump, decked in wig and royal attire, to King Louis XVI. Both the king and his famous queen, Marie Antoinette, were accused of living opulent lifestyles while their people suffered. Both were later beheaded in the French Revolution. Birmingham Blue Dot is a loosely-connected group of Birmingham-area residents who produce political protest signs aimed at Trump and his policies. This administration and the people who blindly follow it, are literally taking food out of the mouths of our children, said organizer Joellyn Beckham, who also designs most of the images. If donor money goes to Trumps cavernous, golden ballroom, then that money is not going somewhere where people desperately need it now. How many Alabamians will ever see that ballroom? Much less dance in it? The latest sign popped up Thursday. Beckham called it insulting to devote so much attention to a ballroom while the government is shut down over a partisan showdown regarding healthcare. Democrats and Republicans in Congress wrangle over details in the budget and extensions to the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Democratic lawmakers refuse to approve Republican-backed temporary funding resolutions unless they include provisions for healthcare subsidies set to expire in January. Republicans point their finger at Democrats for refusing to vote on temporary resolutions to keep the government open before a debate on healthcare. Alabama Senator Katie Britt joined the chorus of partisan criticism. Britt this week said she was working diligently to help reopen the government, but Democrats were more concerned with politics than helping Americans. She also accused the press of being complicit in the stalemate as the third arm of the Democrats political party. Its about doing what were supposed to be doing, and not creating this political theater that Democrats are creating at the very cost of the people that we serve, Britt said Wednesday. And so, I think, for whatever youre saying, I know the facts, she said. And if the American people dont have the facts, because if you were to lay them out in front of them, then I think they would see whose antics are at play. Still, activists with Birmingham Blue Dot continue to push back. Trump and Republicans are literally looking at folks whove lost jobs, who are struggling to make ends meet, with food and home prices spiking and who literally are about to lose their healthcare and saying, Dang, wouldnt it be great if the president could have that ballroom he wants? Beckham said. She also lamented the demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House to make way for the ballroom as an act of replacing symbols of democracy with monuments celebrating Trumps ego. Most every American feels a deep connection to our nations symbols and historic treasures. The East Wing is gone, without the peoples permission, Beckham said. And it is never coming back. What else are we willing to let go of? The group has designed and sponsored more than two dozen messages between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa since February. Some posters also took jabs at Britt and Sen. Tommy Tuberville. An early billboard skewered Britt and urged her action to prevent planned funding cuts at UAB. Another poster illustrated both senators Britt and Tommy Tuberville wearing a Soviet-era Russian hat. Birmingham Blue Dot in April sponsored messages seen by thousands attending the University of Alabama special commencement appearance by Trump. Note: The headline of this story has been changed to note that the image of President Trump is a satirical image of King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinettes husband and not the queen herself. The queen remains the person who famously allegedly told her hungry subjects to eat cake. Secrecy, rumors and internal division are clouding the search for a new CEO at Central Alabama Water, where only three of seven board members appear to know whos being considered for a job that could pay up to $750,000 a year. Three months after a national search was announced, no finalists have been made public, and the utility has twice announced then abruptly canceled meetings to discuss the hire. The process has ignited accusations of political favoritism and exclusion on a board already split along regional, racial and partisan lines, even as the utility pays hundreds of thousands of dollars to an out-of-state search firm. Board chairman Tommy Hudson formed a three-member search committee in July, naming himself, Phillip Wiedmeyer, and state Rep. David Standridge to vet candidates for the newly created CEO position. The search committee includes only the members of the board not appointed by the city of Birmingham. No board members from Birmingham were selected to serve on the search committee and no updates have been provided on where the search stands, sparking backlash from the two Birmingham members who say theyve been shut out. Hudson has said appointing committee members was his purview as chairman. So, you want me to vote on somebody that I havent read up on? Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, who represents Birmingham on the board asked during a meeting Monday. We dont get a chance to choose between several candidates, or are you picking a person and stuffing it down our throat? Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson is a member of the Central Alabama Water, formerly the Birmingham Water Works Board. Roy S. Johnson/AL.com When Tyson pressed for details including how many people had been interviewed Hudson didnt respond. The board will have a chance to vote, he said. The committee will make a recommendation at the end of the evaluation, and thats how it will work. Tyson called the approach undemocratic and railed against not having seen a set of names or resumes before being asked to vote on a final candidate. You cant just give us one candidate and think were going to vote on this and be ok with it, she said. While Central Alabama Water services a five-county area, 92 percent of the customers live in Jefferson County and 44 percent of them live within the Birmingham city limits. Yet the two Birmingham board members Tyson and Jarvis Patton say theyve been left out of major decisions. Hudson, a member from Mountain Brook, insists the process he has put in place follows protocol. Board members in the majority have said the creation of a CEO position was required under a state law that restructured the utility earlier this year, turning it into a regional entity. That law is now being challenged in federal court by the city of Birmingham, which argues the reorganization is unconstitutional and strips the city of fair representation. The new board configuration was touted by its proponents as a corrective action that would save money, reduce spending at the utility and increase transparency. Several sources tell AL.com that a former assistant executive from the utility remains a top contender for the job. Water board officials remain mum on details when asked. A spokesperson for the utility told AL.com that a list of candidates had not been sent to the board and a search committee date has not been rescheduled. Still, the tab for the process continues to rise. The board Monday made a $58,300 payment to Chicago-based Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the search process. The firm was hired in July and was already paid about $40,000 before the second invoice. Central Alabama Water will pay the search firm a total $165,000 retainer along with an additional $9,900 for expenses. In the end, Russell Reynolds could end up receiving up to $250,000 for its services, according to the agreement that pays the firm a third of the new CEOs salary as its total recruitment fee. Birmingham mayoral appointee Jarvis Patton at the first meeting of the regional Birmingham Water Works Board on May 14, 2025 Roy S. Johnson Ive never seen him, board member Patton of Birmingham said Monday, decrying what he called a lack of transparency and zero communication from the six-figure, out-of-state consultant. I dont know whos applied, what process and procedures hes used. Im confused about a lot of this, Patton said. Patton said he is familiar with executive searches and questions the boards process. Are we doing business the right way here? Patton asked. Like Tyson, Patton protested being excluded. I understand the confidentiality of it, but were the board, he said. Tyson also underscored that argument to Hudson. Ive got to go with what you say? she asked the chairman. You might pick the wrong one. The search firms invoice was finally approved by a 4-2 split. It was the usual breakdown of votes on major decisions at CAW, with the Republican appointed suburban appointees approving and the Birmingham Democrats rejecting the measure. Jeff Brumlow of Shelby County was absent. The $650,000 to $750,000 salary for the new CEO is significantly higher than the $446,000 salary of current General Manager Mac Underwood, whose employment contract is valid through Dec. 31, 2030. By comparison, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the countrys largest publicly-owned water and power utility, pays its CEO and chief engineer $750,000. The LA utility serves nearly 4 million people while Birminghams regional utility serves about 770,000 customers. Commentary: China's sustainable growth brings shared benefits to the world Xinhua) 09:11, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- As China approaches the end of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the country stands at a new starting point in its long-term modernization drive. Despite a challenging global landscape marked by a sluggish recovery and supply chain fragmentation caused by protectionism, China has consistently served as a reliable engine of growth and a pillar of stability for the world economy. During the past five years, China has contributed around 30 percent on average to global economic growth each year. Its share of the world economy has risen from 11.3 percent in 2012 to 17.1 percent last year. The country has remained the world's largest trader in goods for many years, while also ranking among the top globally in both attracting foreign investment and making outbound investment. Behind this sustained momentum lies one of the hallmarks of China's governance: the five-year plan mechanism, which enables the country to pursue long-term goals with policy consistency, while allowing flexibility to adapt to shifting domestic and global landscapes. China's roadmap for the next five years is already taking shape. While the full 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be unveiled in March 2026, a communique from the recent fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has outlined key priorities, which include steering the development of new quality productive forces, building a robust domestic market and promoting high-standard opening up. With steadfast emphasis on innovation and sustainability in its top-level planning, China has effectively powered its technological advancement and green transformation. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence exemplifies this shift. Smart manufacturing, intelligent driving, robotics and digitalized urban management are reshaping traditional industries and opening new frontiers for China's economic advancement. At present, China stands as a global hub for green innovation and manufacturing, particularly in electric vehicles and solar panels. And it is playing an indispensable role in driving the world's transition to a sustainable, green economy. Beijing has deepened international cooperation on green development. Working with over 100 countries and regions, China's wind and solar exports have helped reduce global carbon emissions by an estimated 4.1 billion tonnes over the past five years. Meanwhile, China's vast market is steadily transforming its domestic demand into global opportunities. With a population of over 1.4 billion and more than 400 million people in the middle-income bracket, China records nearly 50 trillion yuan (about 7.02 trillion U.S. dollars) in annual consumption and over 20 trillion yuan (2.81 trillion dollars) in imports. For more than a decade, the country has remained the world's second-largest consumer market and the largest online retail market. More importantly, this market is undergoing a profound structural upgrade. From expanding and improving goods consumption to making services a new growth engine, from building international consumption hub cities to upgrading county-level consumption, a more diversified, robust and promising domestic market is emerging, offering a broader stage for goods and services from around the world. China's steady advance toward high-level opening up continues to send a strong signal of confidence and stability to the world. The country has removed foreign investment restrictions in manufacturing, broadened market access in sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, and education, and established 22 pilot free trade zones as well as the Hainan Free Trade Port to further facilitate global business and investment. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation has further broadened China's partnerships. From 2021 to the first half of this year, two-way investment between China and Belt and Road participating countries surpassed 240 billion dollars. New memorandums on cooperation in the digital, green, and blue economies have been signed with more than 50 partner countries, boosting emerging industries and sustainable growth. As China charts the course for its next five-year plan, its steadfast commitment to reform, innovation and openness will continue to drive its development and create new opportunities for the global economy. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) Visit of Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker and delegation to Russia to participate in the 137th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly held in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation A parliamentary delegation led by the Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka paid an official visit to St. Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held from 14-18, October 2017. The Sri Lankan delegation also included Hon. Thalatha Atukorale, Minister of Foreign Employment and Minister of Justice, Hon. Lakshman Senewiratne, State Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, Member of Parliament, Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, Secretary-General of Parliament, and the Chief of Protocol of the Parliament Mr. Upali Kumarasinghe. The delegation was also joined by His Excellency Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia and Mr. Dulmith Waruna, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia. The opening ceremony of the 137th IPU Assembly was presided over by the President of Russia His Excellency Vladimir Putin and the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Hon. Valentina Matviyenko who addressed more than 100 chairpersons of foreign Parliaments who attended the Assembly. The total number of registered participants of the Assembly had exceeded 2300. During his official visit to St. Petersburg the speaker conducted a series of high level discussions with representatives of Russian state authorities. One of the key meetings was held with the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Hon. Evgeniy Bushmin, during which both Sri Lankan and Russian delegations highlighted that this year the two countries celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It was noted that currently Sri Lanka and Russia are at the stage of active enhancement of cooperation in many sectors and both parties concluded that it should further expand into humanitarian and cultural areas. On October 14, 2017 the Sri Lankan delegation met with the Vice Governor of St. Petersburg Hon. Vladimir Kirillov. In the course of the conversation, Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka highlighted the plans of the Sri Lankan Government to double the trade turnover between Sri Lanka and Russia. One of the promising areas of long-term cooperation, according to the parties, was the development of the tourism sector. "Undoubtedly, the launch of a regular all-the-year-round air service will help greatly strengthen our contacts," said the Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg. This opinion was supported by representatives of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Embassy of Sri Lanka Russian Federation 23 October 2017 Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., speaks as she is surrounded by supporters who have urged that House Speaker Mike Johnson swear her in, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP This is an opinion column There was a time in America when most politicians were honest. They were honorable, believed in our Republican form of government, and understood the importance of law and order, equal protection, and fairness. Those days are long gone. They have been replaced too often by a win at all cost attitude that, ultimately, causes all Americans to lose. Such is what is happening with U.S. Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz. U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva was 77 years old when he died on March 13, 2025. Pursuant to Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, a special election was held to fill the vacancy. Just over a month ago, on September 23, Arizona voters elected Rauls daughter, Adelita, with an overwhelming 69% of the vote, to be the next Representative from Arizona. All candidates and parties agree Adelita Grijalva won fair and square. There were no election contests. There were no other disputes. In my 12-years experience in Congress, winners of special elections were usually sworn in within one to three days after winning their elections. Some waited a couple of weeks or until Congress was back in session. Under House Speaker Mike Johnsons reign, newly elected winners of special elections have been sworn in as soon as the day after their election and no later than two weeks after their election ... except for Adelita Grijalva. Adelita Grijalva has asked to be sworn in for over a month but Speaker Johnson, R-La., refuses. He has no legitimate excuse for delay. From where I sit, it appears Johnson refuses to swear in Grijalva because her vote may affect whether Republican legislation passes or fails -- or, more pointedly, whether the Epstein files will be released as promised. That is wrong! Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution states Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members. That language is the basis for the House Speakers decision to thwart the will of Arizona voters. Yet, no one argues Adelita is unqualified to serve or that she has not been lawfully and duly elected to be a member of the House. Pure, raw, powerplay politics is not a valid basis for denying 800,000+ Arizona citizens their Constitutional right to representation in the House of Representatives. For emphasis, the House of Representatives has met in formal or pro forma session NINE days since Adelita Grijalvas election on September 23. Those meeting days were September 26 & 30 and October 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17 & 21. Grijalva could have been sworn in on any of those days had the House Speaker allowed. But Johnson did not. Finally, after patience wore thin, on October 21, the state of Arizona and Grijalva filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserting, in part: The Constitution leaves the House without authority to exclude any person, duly elected by his constituents, who meets all the requirements for membership expressly prescribed in the Constitution. Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486, 522 (1966). [a U.S. Supreme Court decision] Ms. Grijalva has for weeks requested that Speaker Johnson administer the oath to her and seat her, consistent with 2 U.S.C. 25, House precedents, and his uniform practice, but he has refused to do so until a time of his choosing, which he now says will be when the House comes back into regular session, even though he initially said he would do it as soon as Ms. Grijalva wanted. Speaker Johnson wishes to delay seating Ms. Grijalva to prevent her from signing a discharge petition that would force a vote on the release of the Epstein files and/or to strengthen his hand in the ongoing budget and appropriations negotiations. Im a Republican. The House Speaker is a Republican. Adelita Grijalva is a Democrat. But what is right is right, and what the Republican House Speaker is doing to Democrat Adelita Grijalva is wrong. Period. There are two bottom lines that dictate how this matter should be resolved. First, Adelita Grijalva ran for Congress and undisputedly won. She is legally qualified to serve. She has asked to be sworn in but been denied. That is wrong. Second, the people of Arizona have a Constitutional right to representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of now, more than 800,000 citizens of America and Arizona are being denied their right to representation in the U.S. House by the Speaker for demonstrably illegitimate reasons. That is wrong. Hence, the Republican House Speaker violates his oath of office by refusing to obey the Constitution and swear in Grijalva. Such hyper-partisanship is bad for a Republic, bad for America, and bad for the citizens of Arizona. House Speaker Mike Johnson should obey his duty and swear Grijalva into the House, or designate someone else to swear her in for him. House Speaker Mike Johnson should also be mindful that what goes around comes around. It is best for Johnson to be a good example, not a bad one Democrats will surely emulate or expand on when they are next in power. Mo Brooks served on the House Armed Services Committee for 12 years and the Foreign Affairs Committee for 6 years. Brooks graduated from Duke University in 3 years with a double major in political science and economics (highest honors in economics). FILE - Supporters hold a sign before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign event, Sept.12, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP President Trumps support among Hispanic adults has steeply declined since the beginning of his second term, according to a new poll released Friday. Just 25% of Hispanic adults have a favorable view of Trump -- a 19-point decline from the start of his second term, the Associated Press-NORC poll found. Hispanic adults are also becoming more dissatisfied in Trumps job performance, according to the survey. In March, 41% of Hispanic adults approved of the way Trump was handling his job as president, but now that has fallen to 27%. The survey also found a larger percentage of Hispanic adults -- 73% --now say the country is going in the wrong direction than the 63% who said the same in March. The shift could spell trouble for Republicans looking to cement support with this group in future elections. Many Hispanic voters were motivated by economic concerns in last years election, and the new poll shows that despite Trumps promises of economic revitalization, Hispanic adults continue to feel higher financial stress than Americans overall. Hispanic voters made up 10% of the electorate in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of interviews with registered voters, and the number of eligible Hispanic voters has been growing rapidly in recent decades. Hispanic voters shifted toward Trump in the last election, though a majority still backed Democrat Kamala Harris: 43% of Hispanic voters nationally voted for Trump, according to AP VoteCast, up from 35% in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. But the poll now finds that Hispanic adults are slightly less likely to approve of Trumps handling of the economy and immigration two issues that were major strengths for him in last years presidential campaign and their views of his overall presidential performance have slipped a little as well. The AP-NORC poll of 1,289 adults was conducted Oct. 9-13. It had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.8 percentage points. The margin of error for Hispanic adults overall was plus-or-minus 6.9 percentage points. The Associated Press contributed to this report. English News China accelerates innovation to drive high-quality development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Octobre 2025 Innovation remains the primary engine of development. With accelerating momentum, China will inject new vitality into the world economy, collaborate with other countries to foster a more open and inclusive global innovation network, and contribute greater strength to addressing global challenges and advancing peace and development. By He Yin, People's Daily China has risen to the 10th position in the global innovation ranking for 2025, up one spot from the previous year, marking its first entry into the top 10, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Since 2013, China has risen 25 places, making it one of the fastest-rising economies in innovation. This progress reflects steady advances in basic research, breakthroughs in key and core technologies, leadership in frontier fields such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy, and the deep integration of digital and real economies. These achievements stem from China's innovation-driven development strategy and its efforts to build a science and technology powerhouse. "Reaching the global top 10 highlights China's prominent role as a global leader in innovation," said WIPO Assistant Director General Marco Aleman. Recent milestones include the regular operation of the Tiangong space station, the Chang'e-6 mission's return of the first samples from the far side of the moon, and the Haidou-1 submersible's descent to more than 10,000 meters below the sea surface. Major scientific and technological advances - from large-scale 5G deployment, BeiDou's global positioning services to brain-computer interface applications - demonstrate how scientific and industrial innovation are converging, with benefits reaching millions of households. China now has the world's largest R&D workforce and has led globally in both international journal publications and Patent Cooperation Treaty applications for five consecutive years, reinforcing its position as a global innovation hub. Robust policy support and a dynamic innovation ecosystem underpin this growth. China has prioritized basic research, encouraged breakthroughs in key technologies, and enhanced its national innovation system to strengthen scientific self-reliance. In 2024, R&D investment exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan (about $500 billion), ranking second in the world, with 249.7 billion yuan invested in basic research. Supportive policies - ranging from tax incentives and public procurement to enterprise participation in national R&D projects - have catalyzed corporate innovation. China is now home to over 500,000 high-tech enterprises. In 2024, 524 companies from the Chinese mainland were listed among the world's top 2,000 industrial R&D investors, injecting sustained momentum into the economy. China's innovation appeal is underpinned by its commitment to openness and international cooperation. As a builder and contributor to the global innovation network, China actively promotes open scientific and technological cooperation for the common good, expands platforms for international exchange, strengthens intellectual property protection, and advances more proactive and inclusive talent policies, accelerating the development of a globally competitive open innovation ecosystem. To date, China has established sci-tech cooperation relationships with more than 160 countries and regions and signed 119 intergovernmental sci-tech cooperation agreements. Through the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan and the establishment of "Belt and Road" joint laboratories, China is paving new pathways for collaborative innovation and reinforcing its role as a key pillar of global innovation. As noted by Wirtschaftswoche, a German weekly business news magazine, China's technological capabilities and diversified demand for foreign investment have become a source of confidence for global investors. Innovation remains the primary engine of development. With accelerating momentum, China will inject new vitality into the world economy, collaborate with other countries to foster a more open and inclusive global innovation network, and contribute greater strength to addressing global challenges and advancing peace and development. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News China's enduring commitment to peaceful development: a consistent path across past, present, and future Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Octobre 2025 Chinese modernization follows the path of peaceful development. China will continue to serve as a force for global peace, stability and progress. Looking ahead, if all nations uphold peaceful development, cooperate to safeguard global stability, and work together toward building a community with a shared future for humanity, the collective journey of humanity will advance toward a brighter and more promising future. By Guo Jiping, People's Daily Amid a turbulent and rapidly evolving global landscape, one principle remains consistent in China's international engagement: its unwavering commitment to peaceful development. This steadfast approach continues to position China as a stabilizing force for global peace and progress. China recently hosted the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in history and put forward the Global Governance Initiative, reinforcing its support for more inclusive and effective international systems. The country solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, joining the international community in remembering history and safeguarding peace. Simultaneously, China has advanced cooperation through platforms such as BRICS and the United Nations, announced new nationally determined contributions at the UN Climate Change Summit, and launched fresh initiatives to support global women's development at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. China not only firmly follows the path of peaceful development but also actively contributes to global stability and positive momentum for peace and development. The pursuit of peace and development is deeply rooted in Chinese civilization, which has long valued harmony and aspired for universal peace. Despite enduring a century of national humiliation, China emerged with a strengthened resolve to safeguard peace, not to pursue aggression or dominance. History affirms that peaceful development is not only a national choice but a universal truth. The enduring aspirations of humanity for peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom continue to guide collective progress. Even in times of disruption, history shows that solidarity enables the international community to restore and advance its course. In today's uncertain international environment, the call for peace and development remains both morally imperative and globally supported. The historical trend toward building a community of shared future for humanity remains firmly on track. Looking ahead, China remains firmly committed to its path of peaceful development, while actively contributing to global peace and development. China's role in promoting peace and development is evident in its commitment to shared growth. Recently, China announced at the UN headquarters in New York that it will not seek any new special and differential treatment in current and future WTO negotiations. This solemn decision demonstrates its commitment to upholding the multilateral trading system and its sincere desire to promote common development. China also addresses global security challenges through tangible actions. From active participation in UN peacekeeping missions to successfully facilitating the Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement, and consistently advocating political resolutions to the Ukraine and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, China demonstrates its firm commitment to international peace. Equally important is China's embrace of dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations. This year, the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations was marked by themed events held simultaneously in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, Paris, Bangkok, and The Hague. China has also hosted the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, the fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations, and the Beijing Culture Forum. Together, these platforms have fostered understanding, cooperation, and peaceful exchange among nations. Moreover, China contributes to global governance reform by advocating for a system based on sovereign equality rather than hegemonic dominance. The Global Governance Initiative proposed by China aims to build a more just and equitable global governance system and provide a solid foundation for sustained global peace and development. Chinese modernization follows the path of peaceful development. China will continue to serve as a force for global peace, stability and progress. Looking ahead, if all nations uphold peaceful development, cooperate to safeguard global stability, and work together toward building a community with a shared future for humanity, the collective journey of humanity will advance toward a brighter and more promising future. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Maiden voyage completed on the China-Europe Arctic container express route Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Octobre 2025 Industry experts suggest the Arctic Express, as the third maritime corridor between China and Europe, will deepen trade ties, particularly in high-end manufacturing and the new energy sector, and contribute to the dual circulation strategy by strengthening domestic and international economic integration. By Han Xin, Gu Chun, Dou Hanyang, People's Daily In the early hours of Oct. 14 (Beijing time), the "Istanbul Bridge," operated by Sea Legend Line Limited, docked at the Port of Felixstowe, the UK's largest container port, marking the successful completion of the maiden voyage of the China-Europe Arctic container express route. The vessel carried 4,890 containers loaded with photovoltaic modules, energy storage systems, and cross-border e-commerce goods. Departing from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, it navigated the Arctic Northeast Passage, completing the journey to Europe in just 20 days. "This is the world's first container route through the Arctic specifically designed for cross-border e-commerce and high value-added goods," said an official with China's Ministry of Transport. "It is also a major achievement in the development of the 'Ice Silk Road' under the Belt and Road Initiative," the official added. The new route provides faster and more sustainable logistics solutions for China's high-end manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, and new energy industries. Compared with traditional routes, the Arctic Express reduces travel time by up to 22 days and lowers carbon emissions per voyage by approximately 50 percent, according to a representative from Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group. A significant portion of the inaugural shipment included lithium battery energy storage systems and auto parts for new energy vehicles. "Previously, shipping through the Suez Canal took about 40 days. Now, deliveries arrive in as little as 18 days, improving quality control," said Zhou Chujing, logistics and procurement manager at Sigenergy, a company focusing on developing cutting-edge home and business energy solutions. Zhou also highlighted that the Arctic's naturally low temperatures enhance the stability of battery shipments and other sensitive goods. The improved efficiency also contributes to cost savings across the supply chain. "Our inventory levels can be reduced by up to 40 percent, significantly lowering capital costs and enhancing supply chain responsiveness, said Li Xiaobin, chief operating officer of Sea Legend Line Limited. Zhang Guanghui, warehouse manager at Yinghe Express, a logistics firm based in east China's Zhejiang province, noted that shipping costs via the Arctic Express are approximately 40 percent lower than those of the China-Europe freight train, further enhancing the company's competitiveness in European markets. Beyond logistics, the route enhances global connectivity for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. "With this launch, the port now links the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans, completing its global route network," said Sun Xuejun, chairman of Zhejiang Seaport Logistics Group Co., Ltd. In the first eight months of this year, China-EU trade reached 3.88 trillion yuan, up 4.3 percent year on year and accounting for 13.1 percent of China's total foreign trade. Industry experts suggest the Arctic Express, as the third maritime corridor between China and Europe, will deepen trade ties, particularly in high-end manufacturing and the new energy sector, and contribute to the dual circulation strategy by strengthening domestic and international economic integration. Looking ahead, the Arctic Express will operate from July to November each year, with plans to deploy larger vessels and increase voyage frequency to further enhance trade connectivity. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Millennium-old cypresses carry culture across generations Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 17 Octobre 2025 In May that year, seeds collected from the ancient cypress embarked on a space journey aboard a Long March rocket. Today, at the Cangjie Cypress Breeding Base in Baishui county, "space-bred" seedlings are unfurling tender green shoots. Some have already been transplanted back to the temple, carrying forward the genetic legacy of their 5,000-year-old ancestor. By Zhang Danhua, People's Daily Enter the Cangjie Temple in Baishui county, Weinan, northwest China's Shaanxi province, and an imposing cypress immediately commands attention. Its trunk is so broad that five or six people could barely encircle it. Its weathered bark drapes in ribbons, the varied striations reading like a record of time. This is the cypress planted by Cangjie, the legendary creator of Chinese characters. Standing 16 meters tall, with a diameter at breast height of 2.48 meters and a ground-level circumference of 9.9 meters, the tree has taken root on the Loess Plateau for about 5,000 years. Ancient cypresses are scattered throughout the temple grounds, each bearing deep historical weight. "There are more than 40 cypresses over 1,000 years old here, with an average age of around 3,000 years. In addition to the 5,000-year-old Cangjie cypress, three are over 4,000 years old and 14 are more than 3,000," said tour guide Liang Ni, pointing out the giants one by one. China's second national survey on ancient and famous trees reports that Shaanxi has more than 727,000 such trees, including over 11,000 solitary specimens and 271 groves totaling about 716,000. In the autumn breeze, the cypresses rustle like ancient storytellers. Tradition holds that Cangjie served as historian for the legendary ancestor Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor, and when knot-tying could no longer meet the demands of increasingly complex affairs, created the earliest Chinese characters. This cypress is said to have been planted by his hand. Visitors pause beneath it, run their fingers over the rough bark, study the distinctive grain, and marvel at the millennia it embodies. To safeguard these treasures, local authorities have put comprehensive protections in place. In 2019, Weinan adopted the Regulations on the Protection of the Cangjie Tomb and Temple, bringing the temple's cypresses under legal protection. A regulation on the protection of ancient and famous trees further strengthened these conservation efforts. Technology offers more intelligent ways to preserve the trees. A detailed record has been created for the cypress planted by Cangjie, documenting its physical condition, maintenance measures, and growing environment, and connecting it to a real-time monitoring platform shared across national, provincial, municipal, and county levels. A panel of leading experts in ancient tree and cultural-relic conservation conducts regular checkups, forming a "one tree, one team" model that combines expert guidance, county supervision, and responsible caretakers." "With digital monitoring, we can track the cypress's growth in real time. If we see yellowing leaves or abnormal bark, the expert team comes promptly to diagnose and carry out rejuvenation measures," said Li Min, deputy head of the Cangjie Temple Cultural Relics Administration. While preservation continues, efforts are also made to pass on the cultural heritage embodied by these ancient trees. Every year around Grain Rain, or "Guyu" in Chinese, a solar term to mark the end of spring that coincides with the UN Chinese Language Day, the temple hosts cultural events commemorating Cangjie. Under the shade of ancient cypresses, young visitors try woodblock printing, watching character strokes take shape at their fingertips and experiencing the appeal of tradition. Exhibition rooms with images, texts, and artifacts invite visitors to learn about the origins and evolution of Chinese characters while they admire the trees. This five-millennia-old cypress bridges past and future. In spring 2012, a young sapling was discovered growing beneath the ancient cypress. "It proves the Cangjie cypress can reproduce naturally from its seeds. Thirteen years on, it's thriving," said Ren Zhigang with the temple administration. "Seeing such vigor prompted us to explore space breeding to extend its fine genetic line." In early 2020, local authorities partnered with the Shaanxi provincial space breeding engineering technology research center to explore space-based propagation. "Space breeding provides a new technological pathway for conserving and revitalizing the genetic resources of the Cangjie cypress," Ren explained. "The offspring may be more vigorous and resilient, which is significant for preserving the variety." In May that year, seeds collected from the ancient cypress embarked on a space journey aboard a Long March rocket. Today, at the Cangjie Cypress Breeding Base in Baishui county, "space-bred" seedlings are unfurling tender green shoots. Some have already been transplanted back to the temple, carrying forward the genetic legacy of their 5,000-year-old ancestor. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) 11 new shops are set to open offering rock-bottom prices - but theres a catch (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Archive) Aldi has opened a number of exclusive food shops where products can be bought for ultra-low prices, but there is a catch. The groceries retailer is launching 11 staff-only range of stores at distribution centres across the country, which are set to sell products that cant be sold in stores but are still safe to eat. Its the latest rollout in the supermarkets plans to reduce food waste. Warehouse Operations and Office colleagues will have the chance to buy the products that arent fit to be sold in stores but are still perfectly good to consume. Its expected to prevent an estimated 240 tones of food waste each year. The retailers latest announcement comes after a successful trial at the Darlington Regional Distribution Centre. Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: The Colleague Shop is another example of how were working to cut food waste across our operations. Its a practical initiative that benefits both colleagues and the environment, and were pleased to extend it nationwide following a successful pilot. Now, these colleague shops will be rolled out across all of Aldis 11 Regional Distribution Centres nationwide, from Bathgate in Scotland to Sheppey in Kent. There will be stores in Bolton, Goldthorpe and Sawley, as well as Cardiff, Atherstone and Neston. Southern workers will be able to visit the shops in Chelmsford and Swindon. as well. In 2022, Aldi reduced food waste within its operations by 57 per cent compared to 2017, successfully meeting its 2030 target eight years ahead of schedule. Following this achievement, the company revised its goal and is now aiming to reduce food waste by 90 per cent by 2030, against a 2017 baseline. Aldi lost its title of cheapest supermarket in the UK for the first time in nearly two years in the summer, with rival Lidl taking its place. Price analysis by consumer group Which? looked at an average basket of 76 grocery shopping products across July, including both popular brands and own-brands, with Lidl edging out its discount rival by less than 1 overall or slightly more if loyalty cards were used. Lidls total price was 128 with the loyalty card and 128.40 without, while Aldi came in at 129.25. British teenager Arvid Lindblad believes he will find a way to succeed in Formula One as he bids to land a seat for next season. The 18-year-old impressed again while driving Max Verstappens Red Bull in first practice at the Mexican Grand Prix on Friday. Lindblad has been part of part of the Red Bull setup since the age of 14 and was granted an FIA super licence aged 17 after a request from the team. Lindblad also drove for Red Bull in practice at Silverstone earlier in the season (Bradley Collyer/PA) He sits seventh in the current F2 standings and is in contention to take an F1 seat at Racing Bulls for 2026. To sit here and tell you if Im ready, I dont know. I believe in myself and if thats the case I will find a way, Lindblad told Sky Sports. I have been fast-tracked very quickly, Ive come through the ranks very fast so Im used to getting thrown into the deep end and having to figure it out. Suited up and ready to head into the session #F1 || #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/Jjm2BfRRl3 Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 24, 2025 Lindblad admitted there was extra pressure on his drive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as a potential crash could have jeopardised Verstappens title charge. I was given the pep-talk beforehand! It was a slightly different type of pressure going into the session, a weird feeling, he added. The Red Bull driver line-up remains wide open for next season, Verstappen aside, with Isack Hadjar tipped to partner the Dutchman after a strong debut season for Racing Bulls. That would leave Yuki Tsunodas future in doubt, while Liam Lawson is not yet certain to retain his seat at Racing Bulls. Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko (Bradley Collyer/PA) Lindblad impressed Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who says a decision is imminent. He was the fastest rookie and I have to say his technical feedback was also impressive, so we are very happy with him, Marko said. We will wait a little bit then decide. Lets see after the race here, then we will make some at least comments. British Airways have paused their sponsorship of the Louis Theroux podcast following an interview with Bob Vylans frontman. The punk duo made headlines this summer after leading chants of death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) during their BBC livestreamed performance at Glastonbury Festival. Frontman Bobby Vylan, also known as Pascal Robinson-Foster, appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast in an episode which aired earlier this week and said that he was not regretful of the chant and would do it again tomorrow. Bob Vylan performing on the West Holts Stage, during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA) British Airways has since paused its advertising on the podcast and said that the content breaches its sponsorship policy, the Jewish News first reported. A BA spokesperson told the PA news agency: Our sponsorship of the series has now been paused and the advert has been removed. Were grateful that this was brought to our attention, as the content clearly breaches our sponsorship policy in relation to politically sensitive or controversial subject matters. We and our third-party media agency have processes in place to ensure these issues dont occur and were investigating how this happened. Following their performance in June, Avon and Somerset police launched an investigation into the group who were later dropped by a number of festivals and performances including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue and their US tour after their visas were revoked. They recently also had to postpone two UK gigs over political pressure including a show in Manchester following calls by Jewish leaders and MPs for it to be cancelled. Despite the criticism the group has also seen support from fans new and old with their album Humble As The Sun re-entering the charts over the summer, climbing to number one in the UK Hip Hop and R&B album charts, and subsequent announcement of their We Wont Go Quietly 2025 UK tour. When asked by Theroux if Vylan stands by the chant and if he would do it again, he said: Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. Im not regretful of it. Id do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays. Im not regretful of it at all, like the subsequent backlash that Ive faced. Its minimal. Its minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through. If that can be my contribution and if I can have my Palestinian friends and people that I meet from Palestine, that have had to flee, that have lost members in double digits of their family and they can say, yo, your chant, I love it. Or it gave me a breath of fresh air or whatever. Louis Theroux has been contacted for comment. A new butterfly species has been named to honor the young Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death while riding the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier this year. The scientist who dedicated the pretty, light-blue colored species to Zarutska said the tribute would outlast most others because her name will be immortalized as a butterfly. Harry Pavulaan, president and director of the International Lepidoptera Survey, called the insect Irynas Azure, which is primarily found in South Carolina around April. The species name is a tribute to Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was senselessly murdered on August 22, 2025, on a Charlotte, N.C. transit car, Pavulaans report read. Common name: Irynas Azure. The name is derived from the Greek goddess of peace, and is associated with tranquility, harmony and serenity. Pavulaan told ABC News that before Zarutskas killing, he already had a name in mind for the insect, which was first discovered in 1985 by another researcher who never named the butterfly officially. A new previously unspecified species of the Celastrina butterfly (similar to the one pictured) has been named in honor of the Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed to death while riding the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina (Getty Images/iStockphoto) In 2018, Pavulaan went to South Carolina to study the species and then spent years researching to conclude that it was the first known hybrid introgression for the Azure butterflies. When the scientist saw the news of Zarutskas death, he told ABC that he was driven to tears and decided to expedite his research paper, naming the butterfly after the 23-year-old. He said that Zarutskas mother wrote to him in response to the tribute, and said it was heartfelt. Zarutska and her family fled the war in Ukraine in 2022 for the U.S. in search of a better life. She was killed in the horrifying train attack as she was traveling home on the evening of August 22. The scientist who dedicated the pretty, light-blue colored species to Zarutska said the tribute would outlast most others because her name will be immortalized as a butterfly (Iryna Zarutska) Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday and could face the death penalty if hes convicted. Brown was charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which makes him eligible for the death penalty. Zarutskas family welcomed the indictment and said they were hopeful for swift justice. The family is pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr., a short statement released by the familys attorney said. Horrific footage of Zarutskas final moments showed her boarding the light rail car and taking a seat. Four minutes later, prosecutors say, fellow passenger Brown pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times from behind. The accused had been arrested more than a dozen times before but was released earlier this year on a misdemeanor charge without bond. The incident sparked renewed debate about public safety and crime across the U.S., with Browns own criminal record and concerns about his mental health raising questions about how and why he was released from prison. An attorney listed for Brown did not respond when The Independent attempted to reach him previously for comment. Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has won Ireland's presidential election after her rival conceded. The 68-year-old former barrister from Galway secured 63% of first preferences, in an election that was marked by a significant number of spoiled votes. Speaking at Dublin Castle after officially being declared the winner, Ms Connolly pledged to be "an inclusive president for all". Analysis: A landslide victory in a lacklustre presidential election She said: "I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it's necessary. "I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country. "But my message is, use your voice in every way you can, because our public and democracy needs constructive questioning and, together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and new people who have come to our country." The Irish presidency - which has been held by Michael D Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister for the past 14 years - is largely ceremonial, but one with real national significance. 'A president for all of us' Congratulations from across the political spectrum poured in for Ms Connolly, including her only opponent in the race, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys. She told reporters at the Cavan-Monaghan count centre: "Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best. "I have absolutely not one regret." Also speaking at Dublin Castle, Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he was looking forward to working with Ms Connolly. "What an outstanding honour that has been bestowed upon her by the people of Ireland," he said. "The people are sovereign in our democracy, we have one of the oldest democracies in the world, and it's something we cherish very much indeed. "And the people have spoken resoundingly today. They've given Catherine a tremendous majority and a very clear mandate." Ireland's deputy premier, Simon Harris, who leads the Fine Gael party, said in a statement that Ms Connolly will be a president "for all this country and for all of us". The final result was officially announced by presidential returning officer Barry Ryan after counting in all 43 constituencies had completed. From early on Saturday, Ms Connolly was ahead in count centres nationwide, which she said she was "absolutely delighted" by. The election was, however, marked by a significant number of spoiled votes, with 213,738 invalid polls nationwide - a tenfold increase on the last presidential election in 2018. Among the anti-government messages on the ballots were "no democracy", "EU puppets" and "no from me". Read more: Who is Catherine Connolly? 'Seismic moment in our history' Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns added Ms Connolly's win represented a "seismic moment in our history". The Social Democrats were one of a number of parties backing Independent Ms Connolly in the election. She said: "The momentum behind Catherine's presidential bid was incredible, growing from a small campaign run by dedicated volunteers to the grassroots movement it became. "From day one, her message of inclusion, equality and social justice resonated with voters in every corner of Ireland. "Catherine had a clear vision for the presidency and was determined to speak out on issues that mattered to people - housing, cost of living, disability services, climate action, the Irish language and neutrality. "Catherine's considered, focused and compassionate approach to this campaign was hugely impressive." Catherine Connolly after casting her vote in Galway city on Friday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA The leftwing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a won landslide election victory and been declared Irelands next president. She pledged to be a president for all after securing 63% of the first preference votes, a stunning result that shook the political establishment and will make her the republics 10th head of state. I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, she said at Dublin Castle on Saturday night after being declared the victor of Fridays election. The 68-year-old former barrister vowed to advocate for those who had no voice. Our public and democracy needs constructive questioning, she said, speaking in Irish and English. Together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity. Connolly, an independent member of parliament from Galway, captured the imagination of many younger people and was backed by an alliance of leftwing opposition parties Of 1,442,698 valid votes cast, she won 914,143. Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister who ran for the ruling Fine Gael party, won 424,987 votes, or 29%, in a two-horse race. Fianna Fails candidate, Jim Gavin, had dropped out of the campaign but his name remained on the ballot and he won 103,568, or 7%. Connollys triumph was marred by a turnout of 46% low by Irish standards and 213,738 spoiled or invalid votes, an unprecedented number that reflected frustration over the lack of choice. In some Dublin constituencies up to a fifth of votes were spoiled. The presidency is a largely ceremonial office but Connollys victory was a stinging rebuke to the centre-right government. Related: Catherine Connolly: the outspoken leftwinger set to be Irelands next president Anger over a housing crisis and the cost of living, campaign blunders by Fine Gael and its ruling partner Fianna Fail, rare unity among leftwing parties and deft use of social media combined to make Connolly a symbol of change. The prospect of Connolly succeeding President Michael D Higgins and serving a seven-year term at Aras an Uachtarain, the presidential residence, thrills supporters. She wishes to ringfence Irish neutrality from what she calls western militarism and has accused the UK and US of enabling genocide in Gaza. The former clinical psychologist and barrister enthused young people through podcasts and posts that went viral on social media, including videos that showed her doing keepy-uppy. Artists and musicians such as Kneecap and the Mary Wallopers endorsed her. Critics depicted Connolly as a radical who dodged awkward questions and could damage Irelands relations with Washington and with its European allies. Irish presidents traditionally played quiet, symbolic roles, but since 1990 Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and Higgins have turned the office into a more visible platform. Connolly said during the campaign that she would respect the limits of the office, which some interpreted as a tacit promise to rein in controversial views, but analysts predicted friction with the government. She was a marginal political figure when she declared her candidacy in July, and only small parties the Social Democrats and People Before Profit backed her. Labour then endorsed her, and Sinn Fein, which had decided to not run its own candidate, threw its formidable resources and electoral organisation behind Connolly. Celebrities such as Bob Geldof, Michael Flatley, Conor McGregor and others had expressed interest in running for president but failed to win the political backing to get on the ballot. Fianna Fails candidate, Gavin, was a political novice who withdrew after a financial scandal imploded his campaign. Fine Gaels original candidate, Mairead McGuinness, dropped out, citing health problems, so the party turned to Humphreys. The border -county Presbyterian was deemed to have wholesome, mainstream appeal but performed badly in debates. Higgins, who has been president for 14 years, congratulated Connolly in a phone call. The president-elect will have the full support of this office as she prepares for her inauguration next month, he said in a statement. Crewe boss Lee Bell praised the patience of hat-trick hero Emre Tezgel who inspired a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Grimsby in League Two. Stoke loanee Tezgel showed poise to guide and sweep in his first-half finishes and then steered in a far-post header to decide it three minutes from the end of an at-times scruffy second half. While he has been a regular presence since joining over the summer, it was only Tezgels fourth League Two start, something Bell hinted could be about to change. They were really good goals and I am so pleased for him, said Bell. I have commented before about how professional he is, how he has got on with it. We have had discussions, I have shown him certain things we want him to improve and he has done that. Again he was the standout player. He hasnt moaned and got himself into a position where he is able to show his quality. It was 2-2 at the break, Justin Amaluzors clever reverse pass playing in Jamie Walker to hand Grimsby a sixth-minute lead. A slip at the other end changed the momentum 27 minutes in, Tommi OReilly pinching from Cameron McJannet to nudge left for Tezgel to tuck low into the far corner. Crewe led 10 minutes later, OReilly recovering a ball from the left to square for Tezgel to sweep home from close range but Amaluzor bustled past Charlie Finney for the stretching Walker to roll the equaliser inside the far post a minute into first-half stoppage time. Alex marginally had the better of the second half, Tezgel seeing a far-post header from a corner cleared off the line by Kieran Green five minutes after the break and while both teams had chances, he had the last laugh. Max Sanders delivered to the back post where the unmarked Tezgel headed in a winner that resoundingly answered Bells questions over recent performances in the defeats to Bromley and MK Dons. I probably have more faith in these players than most and I am really proud of how they went about it, he added. I dont often go off on one in an interview after a game, that was probably as angry as I have been. The players obviously took in the message. Meanwhile, Grimsby gaffer David Artell admitted his side had got what they deserved. We didnt work hard enough, we didnt win enough duels and they were on top of us, he said. We had two moments of good play in the first half and scored twice but we didnt show any sort of quality in possession or work hard enough with or without the ball. If you dont do those basics then the opposition gains the initiative. You hand it over by default. Ivory Coasts president, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, known by his initials ADO, is seeking a fourth term. Photograph: Francis Kokoroko/Reuters Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth presidential term as Ivory Coast goes to the polls on Saturday, after a campaign in which he touted economic growth while facing accusations that he has overseen a growing intolerance towards dissent. An estimated 8.7 million people are eligible to vote. Four candidates are challenging the incumbent, including the former first lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and a trio of former ministers: Henriette Lagou Adjoua, Ahoua Don Mello and Jean-Louis Billon. Two leading opposition figures Ouattaras predecessor Laurent Gbagbo and the former banker Tidjane Thiam have been disqualified from the race. Both have accused Ouattara of eroding democratic institutions and failing to provide equitable growth. The 83-year-old, seen as the favourite by bookmakers and analysts, has twice coasted to re-election victories and overseen constitutional reforms that allowed him to sidestep a two-term limit. His rivals say he is past his peak and is clinging to power for the sake of it. [Ouattara] believes he is so well positioned that he can win everything, Simone Gbagbo told the Guardian. Billon, who at 60 is the youngest of the presidential candidates, has urged Ivorian youths to dare to change with a new generation. Gbagbo, once wanted by the international criminal court for crimes against humanity alongside her ex-husband Laurent Gbagbo, heads the leftist MGC (Movement of Capable Generations). The party was formed in 2022, a year after a rancorous divorce finalised the split of the couple who led the west African country through two civil wars. Key issues driving voter concerns include the cost of living, youth unemployment, rural-urban inequality, forced displacement owing to urban gentrification, the impact on cocoa farming of climate pressures and governance reforms. While Ouattara points to an average annual economic growth of 7% and multiple infrastructure projects as his record in three consecutive terms, his critics say the development is not trickling down to the people and that the country is far from united. President Alassane Ouattara built the roads to connect the cities. Simone Gbagbo will build the roads to reconcile Ivorians, Charles Ble Goude, a former ally of Gbagbos husband told people in the town of Diegonefla on Monday. The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) faces scrutiny over transparency and credibility, after the disqualification of Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo. This week, angry youths vandalised the CEI office in Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian political capital. [CEI] is accused of being part of an advantage for the ruling party [there is] this perception of the actors involved, said Arsene Brice Bado, a professor of political science at the Centre for Research and Action for Peace. The opposition does not fully trust these institutions and we see it through all the debates around. Analysts say the electoral outcome could influence the countrys political stability in a region where there has been democratic backsliding in recent years: since 2020, there have been nine successful coups and at least seven failed attempts in west and central Africa. Bado believes Ivory Coast is relatively insulated from coups or military intervention because of better cohesion within the security forces and support from international partners. Also, there could always be surprises, but in other countries, the army has often been at the forefront of attacks, with many soldiers killed, so dissatisfaction was very visible. This is not the case in Cote dIvoire. A coup would really be a huge surprise and I personally think the probability is quite low. Regardless, there remain fears of post-electoral crisis as no election in the past decade has been without violence in a country that has never had a peaceful transition of power between elected presidents. After the 2020 election, more than 50 people were killed including Toussaint NGuessan Koffi, a 34-year-old farmer who was beheaded during communal clashes in the opposition stronghold of Daoukro in the countrys centre. In Abidjan this week, supermarket aisles were full of people stocking supplies for the weekend even as others made their way to the Ghanaian border for weeks of forced holiday. Earlier this month, Amnesty International expressed concern over the escalating tensions and the governments response to dissent. More than 250 people have been arrested for protesting against Ouattaras fourth term and the barring of opposition candidates. Three-year sentences have been handed out to 32 of the protesters, with another 105 due to stand trial soon. Related: Sahel-based jihadists are extending their reach. Can a fractured region push back? Anyone detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights should be released immediately Amnesty International reminds the Ivorian authorities that peaceful protest is a right, not a privilege, Marceau Sivieude, its west and central Africa director said in the statement. In a recent dispatch, the Lagos-based geopolitical advisory outfit SBM Intelligence said the crackdown had continued in part because regional and international actors, including Ecowas and the African Union, had maintained a largely indifferent stance. This silence effectively gives Mr Ouattara continued space to entrench his position and narrow the path to inclusive dialogue, it said. Am I going to die? the Ukrainian girl asks as she is carried out of a bombed-out nursery by rescuers. It is just one heart-stopping moment among many, in an appalling video which shows the aftermath of a Russian attack on a nursery in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. The footage, filmed on Ukrainian police officers body cams, shows them dashing past a pile of burning rubble in the street and down into the nursery. Come on! one officer calls out as he finds a little girl wearing a pink coat, before scooping her up in his arms. I want my mum, the child sobs in the video, and the rescuer responds: Well find her now. Another officer finds a little girl in pink pyjamas, and picks her up as well. Whats your name, sunshine? he asks the girl. Nicole, she sniffs. President Zelensky said the strikes spit in the face of all who want peace - Ukrainian Emergency Service Moments later, the same bodycam footage shows a Ukrainian father dashing up the entrance of the nursery. Thats my daughter, he says breathlessly, as the rescuers hand over Nicole. Similar scenes, of police officers racing into the gutted remains of the nursery, and then hauling children out into the street, are repeated again and again throughout the footage. Many of those children can be heard screaming for their parents and sobbing with fear. Though none of them were physically injured, the sound is utterly chilling. Ukrainian officials say that Russia used drones to attack the nursery, in the Kholodnoyarkiy district of Kharkiv. A man was killed in the attack, and 48 children who were inside at the time were treated for distress but there were no more serious injuries. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said the attack was the latest example of Russia spitting in the face of those who believe that Russia can be trusted to sign a peace deal. In a further update on the childrens welfare, he added: They are receiving medical care. All children have been evacuated and are in shelters. According to preliminary information, many have an acute stress reaction. In one of his strongest condemnations of a Russian attack in recent months, the Ukrainian leader added: There is and cannot be any justification for a drone strike on a kindergarten. Russia is becoming more impudent...bandits and terrorists can only be put in their place by force. The drone strike partially destroyed the nursery in Kholodnohirskyi district - Anadolu The footage also includes a moment of extraordinarily grim irony: one of the little Ukrainian girls being rescued in the video is speaking in Russian. Spasiba, she tells a police officer. Putin has long argued that one goal of his illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine is to defend the countrys Russian-speaking minorities in eastern regions such as Kharkiv. And yet it is his army which chose to subject Russian-speaking children to unimaginable terror, when it launched the drone strike this week in Kholodnoyarkiy. Russia has not yet issued any statements about the attack. The onslaught continued on Saturday, as Russia launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine that killed at least four people and wounded 16 others. Ukrainian rescuers at the nursery. The evacuated children are reportedly in acute shock - Sergey Kozlov/EPA/Shutterstock Two people were killed and nine were wounded in a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on Saturday morning, senior Kyiv city official Timur Tkachenko said. Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, wrote on Telegram as the attack unfolded. Last night, Russia attacked Ukraine again this time with dozens of attack drones and nine ballistic missiles, Mr Zelensky said of the nationwide attack. He said the latest aggression underlined the ongoing need for Western-delivered Patriot air defence systems to protect our cities from this horror. America, Europe, and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives. Russias ballistic strikes must be met with a response from powerful nations in real cooperation to protect lives, he said. On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer hosted Mr Zelensky and other European leaders in London for a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, where he vowed to ramp up support for Kyiv even further. Sir Keir told the Ukrainian leader: We stand with you stronger than ever, united behind Ukraine and united behind president Trump in calling for the fighting to stop now and for negotiations to begin from the current line of contact. At the same meeting, Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato, hinted that Russias latest attacks on Ukraine point to a sense of desperation in the Kremlin. Hundreds of thousands of Russians are dying for Putins deluded aggression. Ukraine continues defending itself bravely and our support to them is working, he said. The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas. President [Donald] Trump said it very well they should stop where they are now. Delhi conducted its first trial to address catastrophic air pollution with artificial rain, claiming success despite experts expressing scepticism. Air quality in the Indian capital plummeted to a hazardous level on Tuesday, after a night of heavy fireworks to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali worsened seasonal pollution. The capital lives through toxic smog almost every winter as smoke and fine particulate matter from Diwali fireworks, vehicular traffic, construction activities, and the burning of crop residue mix with stagnant weather conditions to drive air quality down in much of northern India. This years pollution is the worst Delhi has suffered in years. A lawmaker has blamed it on the rich setting off revenge fireworks after the Supreme Court lifted a decade-old ban on Diwali pyrotechnics. The court, despite warnings about worsening winter smog, had permitted the use of green fireworks for a pair of short windows, from 6am to 7am and 8pm to 10pm, on the eve and the day of the festival, claiming they produced nearly 30 per cent fewer emissions than traditional ones. But the restrictions were widely ignored in the city, with heavy fireworks going off until well past midnight. By Tuesday morning, several parts of the capital were covered in a dense blanket of smog that reduced visibility to a few hundred metres. The Central Pollution Control Boards monitoring system classified most of Delhi as experiencing severe air quality, with AQI readings at Mandir Marg and Lodhi Road surging beyond 1,300. An AQI reading above 400 indicates severe or hazardous air quality, a level at which it is considered unhealthy to breathe for everyone and not just those with respiratory or heart problems. On Thursday, as the city of over 30 million people continued to breathe toxic air, state chief minister Rekha Gupta said the capital was ready for its first-ever artificial rain as a cloud-seeding trial in the Burari area had been successful. VIDEO | A cloud seeding trial flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi earlier today. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, Its a historic day for Delhi. The first-ever successful trial flight for cloud seeding was conducted at IIT Kanpur We are ready pic.twitter.com/htfK0FVWux Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 23, 2025 For the first time in Delhi, preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capitals fight against air pollution. Experts on Thursday successfully conducted a trial test in the Burari area, Ms Gupta said. Delhi could experience cloudy conditions on 28, 29 and 30 October, and if the weather remained favourable, the city could likely witness an artificial rain on 29 October, she said on X. In cloud seeding, a small aircraft releases a mix of silver iodide, iodised salt, and rock salt into moisture-rich clouds above the city. The particles act as seeds for raindrops, triggering rainfall that may wash down dangerous pollutants from the atmosphere. Pedestrians walk through thick smog near the presidential palace in Delhi on 22 October, above, and 9 October (AFP via Getty) Ms Guptas government faced widespread criticism for promoting green fireworks for Diwali. The government, run by prime minister Narendra Modis BJP party, had asked the Supreme Court to ease the Diwali ban, proposing the use of green fireworks as a compromise between tradition and environment. Delhi ranks among the worlds most polluted megacities, with air pollution reducing the average life expectancy of its residents by around 12 years compared with levels deemed safe by the WHO, according to a report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Selling the new plan to combat air pollution with artificial rain to the public, Ms Gupta said it was not only technologically historic but also establishes a scientific approach to addressing the problem. The government aims to clean the capital's air and balance its environment through this innovation," she said, a day after Delhi suffered a pollution level 120 times more than the WHOs safe limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Tourists visit the Mughal monument of Humayun's Tomb as thick smog engulfs Delhi (AFP via Getty) While artificial rain might bring temporary respite, experts said only sustained efforts to curb emissions from vehicles, construction, and crop residue burning would secure lasting improvements in air quality. Cloud seeding is used in the UAE, the US, and China to increase rainfall, reduce hail damage or clear fog, with studies indicating it can boost precipitation by 5 to 15 per cent under suitable conditions. But experts say its not guaranteed to work in Delhi and offers, at best, a short-lived respite from pollution if root causes are left unaddressed. Delhi's plan for cloud seeding in reality is a textbook case of science misapplied and ethics ignored, Shahzad Gani, an assistant professor at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at IIT Delhi, said. "Snake-oil solutions will not clear the air in Delhi or the rest of North India, he wrote in an article for The Hindu paper. Instead, courage is required on the ground: to reduce the sources of pollution and pursue equitable, evidence-based action. Anything less is not just misplaced science it is an ethical failure, a diversion from the patient, unglamorous work needed to ensure clean air throughout the year. Sir Keir Starmer hosted the Coalition of the Willing meeting in London - Henry Nicholls /WPA Pools Putin refuses peace. He ignored President Zelenskys offers to meet. He rejected the ceasefire offered by the US and Ukraine. His war targets ordinary Ukrainians going about their lives. This week, his forces attacked a Ukrainian nursery school in Kharkiv, putting a 6-month-old baby in hospital. We can all see that Putin continues to choose violence, brutality, and destruction. We will not stand for this. Which is why, yesterday, we continued our efforts to lead the charge in further piling pressure on Putin by hosting a Coalition of the Willing meeting in London. But how do we get Putin to the table when he clearly doesnt want to be there? Two weeks ago, alongside the Foreign Secretary, I announced strong new sanctions on Russias two biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. This is the most impactful UK sanctions package on Russian energy revenues since the war began. That means that no UK citizen or company can buy their oil and put money in Russias coffers, or help others to do so. This coincided with Putin kicking off his Russian Energy Week in Moscow, undermining his efforts to pitch his most valuable funding stream to those across the globe. With these new measures, we are moving away from the incrementalism of past sanctions and taking decisive action and on Friday, the UK government hosted a Coalition of the Willing meeting to further pile pressure on Putin. Last week, I flew to the US to meet with global partners and rally them to the cause of cutting Russia off from its oil and gas revenues. There, I met my US counterpart, Scott Bessent, to discuss how our new sanctions needed a united front, and this week they have joined our move to strip the funding from Putins war machine. With strong sanctions on Russias energy industry, Putin does not have the finances to keep this war going - Alexander Sherbak/EPA President Trumps sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil on Thursday, alongside UK action, will make it significantly harder for Russia to find buyers for this oil and will substantially undermine their ability to finance their illegal war. Together, these oil companies export 3.1 million barrels a day of Russian oil. Russia is clearly hurting Putin does not have the finances to keep this war going. The EU this week also passed their 19th package of sanctions, taking important action to hit Russias gas sector for the first time. But we will not stop there. We must show Putin how determined we are and that we will not stand by while he refuses to engage with negotiations. Britains national security the foundation of our Plan for Change depends on Ukraines security. Thats why were exploring every lever we can pull to turn up the pressure. That means depriving Putin of money to fund his war while also providing Ukraine with the funding it so desperately needs to defend itself. That is why we are working with our European allies to explore how we can make progress on utilising the value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets. Alongside the Foreign Office, my team is working tirelessly to mount even more pressure on Putin, but we cannot do this alone. We need a united front from our global partners to continue to tighten the screws on Putin. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to lead the charge as we shift gears towards a more secure, more peaceful future. Several officers working at Charing Cross police station were filmed in a BBC documentary (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire) A fourth officer at a central London police station has been fired after he was filmed bragging about his excessive use of force in a BBC documentary. PC Jason Sinclair-Birt was sacked from Charing Cross police station after a professional standards panel found he had committed gross misconduct. The panel found Sinclair-Birts discreditable conduct had displayed an extreme breach of professionalism, The Sun reports. The misconduct hearing was carried out on Friday just three weeks after Sinclair-Birts comments were exposed on BBCs Panorama. Footage was shown of Sinclair-Birt gloating to a colleague that he whacked the s**t out of the back of his legs when referring to a man in custody. Chairman of the panel, Commander Jason Prins said the officers behaviour amounted to gross misconduct. Commander Prins said: The officer has chosen to share a false account which revelled in the use of excessive force. In my view the false account was meant to be taken at face value. PC Sinclair-Birt was sacked without notice and his name will appear on the Barred List of the College of Policing in order to prevent him re-applying to the police or another linked organisation. A Met Police spokesperson stated: A fourth officer whose disgraceful conduct at Charing Cross police station was featured on BBC Panorama has been dismissed from the Met. However, more misconduct hearings scheduled for today and next week are to be adjourned as the BBC only yesterday after repeated requests shared with the Independent Office for Police Conduct unaired footage in relation to the matters. A further hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 28, for Sergeant Clayton Robinson, attached to Met Detention. Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley faced scrutiny by the London Assembly after the undercover BBC Panorama reporter filmed serving officers calling for immigrants to be shot, revelling in the use of force and being dismissive of rape claims. Ten police based at Charing Cross Police Station have had fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings within weeks. Earlier allegations linked to the station led to Sir Marks predecessor, Dame Cressida Dick, leaving her job, when London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he could no longer support her. Jess Phillips, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP The Governments national grooming gangs inquiry has descended into chaos. Five grooming gang survivors this week quit the inquirys victims liaison panel, citing major concerns over the direction of the inquiry and how it is being run. Fiona Goddard, a survivor of a Bradford grooming gang who has waived her anonymity and who led the group of five, has called for Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister in charge of the inquiry, to resign. In her resignation letter, Ms Goddard criticised the inquirys toxic, fearful environment, the condescending and controlling language used toward survivors and concerns about its lack of distance to the Labour government. But most damning was an apparent push to expand the scope of the inquiry. Ms Goddard is concerned that the inquiry would thereby be watered down and thus ignore the sensitive but crucial issue of the racially and religiously aggravated pattern of offending. Her victims panel, she revealed this week, had already been asked whether they would like to widen its scope. These are more than valid concerns. Throughout the history of the rape gangs scandal, women like Ms Goddard have been repeatedly betrayed and failed because of official sensitivities about the offending pattern, with predominantly Pakistani-Muslim gangs predominantly abusing white girls. Past inquiries have proved reluctant to investigate this key dynamic, and many survivors view widening the scope as a vehicle for rendering them toothless. The 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), whose remit included abuse in the church and within the home, was far too broad to properly address the rape gangs. Indeed, it seemed that a deliberate decision was made to ignore towns where grooming had taken place, said Goddard this week. We are terrified that this will happen again. Quite rightly, the rapid audit completed by Baroness Casey in June which precipitated the national inquiry was into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, and nothing else. She also called for a specific focus on the role of race and religion. But on Thursday came a statement from five other survivors on the panel, whose abuse, though clearly horrifying, does not strictly fit the pattern identified by Baroness Casey. Led by survivor Samantha Walker-Roberts, who has waived her anonymity, they backed widening the inquiry, saying it should cover all types of sexual exploitation and that anyone who believes their evidence should be included should have the chance to participate. The group also threatened to resign from the panel if Ms Phillips was herself forced to resign. There has been the suggestion that this latest intervention shores up Ms Phillipss position, showing that she does at least have the confidence of some survivors on the panel, if not all of them. Arguably, though, it has done the opposite. On Tuesday, Ms Phillips seemed to accuse Ms Goddard of having spread misinformation and false allegations that there were plans to widen the scope (which is now even harder to believe). Now, as if to further the acrimony, the group led by Ms Walker-Roberts have in one breath praised Ms Phillips for amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard, before joining her in taking aim at Ms Goddards group in the next. They told The Guardian there should be consequences for those who allegedly breached confidentiality, pointedly urged everyone to involved to display respect and compassion, and insisted there should be no re-entry for those who had forfeited their position on the panel. No one wants this most serious of issues to devolve into an SW1-style briefing war. But the fact is, such factionalism and mistrust was always the likely result of having a separate group of survivors in the process who are both apparently aligned with Ms Phillips and who dont feel their experiences of abuse fit within the typical understanding of a grooming gang. Of course, one can hardly blame Ms Walker-Robertss group for wanting the inquiry they have been invited into to include their own experiences in its scope. Instead, the grim conclusion many will draw is that, at best by lack of foresight, Ms Phillips has allowed a group of survivors to be included in the inquiry whose inclusion was always likely to derail it. Convenient, some might say, for a party many of whose local councils are expected to be widely implicated by any thorough investigation. With two potential chairmen having recused themselves this week and with the search for a new one expected to take months, that is undeniably what has now happened. Which means that on the safeguarding ministers watch, justice for these women and girls has been delayed yet again. Ms Phillips is ultimately responsible for this failure, and she should surely now resign. (Press handout) South-east London isnt known for its restaurants. As you travel beyond Brixton, Camberwell and Peckham, into the hinterlands of Zone 3, the buzz of town shakes hands with suburbia and small plates turn to ash in the hands of tired middle managers. But there are wonderful restaurants to be found here. Characterful, neighbourly places that serve their community and draw ardent fans from farther afield. Visitors might take the Overground to Honor Oak Park, a fairly leafy pocket of London below Lewisham. It isnt a postcode devoid of good food. Theres quality sourdough pizza by way of Bona never not funny and Franklins up the road in Dulwich which still qualifies as local. But Babur stands alone. This family-run Indian restaurant is celebrating 40 years of trade in 2025, no mean feat anywhere in London but especially commendable here. The place is every bit a grand fixture in an unassuming part of town. Entirely fronted in glass and with an enormous fibreglass tiger standing on its roof, what was once a large end of terrace was converted into a modern restaurant four decades ago. Today, a ruby red flag announcing the restaurants 40th birthday hangs in the wind and drop-lighting creates a fuzzy glow emanating from within. The Babur tiger (Babur) From the Mughal Empire to SE23 Babur is owned by Emdad Rahman, who opened the restaurant when he was just 22. In the 1970s, Rahman had moved with his family to Wembley, from Sylhet in north-eastern Bangladesh, but decided to go it alone in the restaurant business. I wanted to build something myself, something new, he tells me, and so I moved south of the river. Some people thought I was mad to do it, but the rent was very cheap. The fixture began, at least by design, as a traditional curry house, with white linen tablecloths, a chrome-edged corner bar and moustached waiters ready to explain what cumin was to people who owned Jaguars. But Rahman has always wanted to set his restaurant apart. There were never Anglo-Indian classics on the menu no chicken jalfrezi or lamb madras. Instead, dishes borne out of the dynastic Mughal Empire. Founded by Babur, a ruler from what is now Uzbekistan in the early 1500s, at their peak the Mughals ruled much of South Asia, doing so from Delhi, still home to the Red Fort in the old town alongside a vast population of Muslim descendants. I decided to name my restaurant after him, the first emperor, says Rahman. It tells a story; here, Im telling my own. Kitchen flair abounds (Babur) Kitchen flair abounds. Recipes are rooted in the traditions of northern India and Bangladesh, but modern techniques are brought into play. Rahman doesnt confine his chefs to the old. Rather, they are encouraged to be inventive and imaginative, though not just because and the cooking is, at times, impeccable, similar to that found at the more famous Indian restaurants in town. Rahman says: We were far more traditional before, and still are to a point, but I think our chefs are so talented and have so many ideas so we have fun. We want people to come here and be wowed; we want to give customers a special experience. Hopefully they think the journey was worth it and return. Loyalty is everything in a restaurant like this one. The kitchen is led by head chef Jiwan Lal and sous Praveen Kumar Gupta. Both developed a tasting menu to mark the 40th anniversary. Dishes include hake with roasted aubergines, red onion salsa, mustard and black onions; a shredded goat patty comes with medjool dates, tamarind, chilli and raisin chutney. The star of the show are slow-cooked tiger prawns, which Lal brings to the table proudly. The shellfish are steamed in a hollowed-out green coconut and arrive swimming in chilli, mustard and coconut milk. One of the original chefs from 1985 (Babur) The art of curry We wanted a showstopper, says Lal who, after learning that my grandfather was born in Shimla, his hometown, smuggles me an extra dish lamb chops smoked in cloves and spiced headily with masala. We want to be authentic but arent constrained. We visit India frequently because there is always something new to learn and research. And I think people want to learn when they come too. Ive been here 20 years and we have a lot of regulars. The dining room here is long and thin and filled with art. Rahman started amassing works in 2005 and now boasts an extensive collection, much of it commissioned at notable points in the lifespan of the restaurant. We want people to come here and be wowed. Hopefully they think the journey was worth it and return Emdad Rahman We have lots of wonderful art here, says Rahman. Sian Lester, a Welsh artist, designed two leather triptychs; we celebrated our 25th birthday by commissioning something by local artist Kate Pritchard. She took her inspiration from her first trip to India. Elsewhere is the Baburnama Scroll, a painting by Durga Devi Talukdar which charts the life of Babur himself. In the foyer is a hand-woven Bengali cotton cloth by Ajit Kumar Das, an artist from Shantiniketan whose work Rasi Chakra is his own horoscope alongside thousands of Sanskrit words translated into Bengali. The cloth, Rahman tells me, was initially bound for a museum in Paris, though Im not sure whether hes using a measure of creative licence. Either way, it is astonishingly beautiful. I leave supremely content. So often in London, the term hidden gem is bandied around like so many samosas. If ever it is appropriate, it is for Babur, an everyday curry house; an institution. A supporter of Donald Trump in Doral, Florida, on 25 September 2020. Photograph: Marco Bello/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trumps standing with Hispanic adults has dropped notably since he took office at the start of the year, according to a new poll. Polling by the Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research suggests growing unease among a voting bloc that was crucial to the presidents 2024 re-election victory. The October survey shows 25% of Hispanic adults now hold a somewhat or very favorable view of Trump, down sharply from 44% in an AP-Norc poll conducted just before he began his second term. At the same time, the share of Hispanic respondents who believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction has risen from 63% in March to 73% in October. Hispanic adults also expressed less confidence in Trumps management of the economy and immigration, two key issues that once bolstered his support during last years campaign. Overall approval of his job performance has also fallen, with 41% approving of Trumps handling of the presidency in March, compared with just 27% this month. Hispanic voters played a crucial role in helping Trump win the presidency for the second time nearly half of Hispanic voters backed him in 2024. His support among Hispanic voters was 12 points higher than in 2020 (48% in 2024, 36% in 2020). On the other hand, voting for the Democratic candidate fell from 61% to 51%. Related: How screw Trump messaging may help Californias Proposition 50 prevail Now the presidents decline in popularity comes as the Trump administration continues its hardline immigration enforcement, which has directly affected Latino communities across income levels. Only about one-quarter of Hispanic adults are in favor of deporting all immigrants living in the US illegally, while roughly half of them are opposed to the policy and the rest say they dont have an opinion, according to the poll. Economists see immigration and economic concerns as intertwined, with both low-wage and high-skilled Latino workers feeling the impact of trade uncertainty and strict immigration measures. Studies have shown immigrants actually help improve local economies by boosting consumer spending and filling labor shortages. The poll also highlights rising financial strain within Hispanic households. Respondents reported higher levels of stress about groceries, housing, healthcare and wages than the general US population. Among younger Hispanics and men in the community, negative perceptions of Trump have grown. Roughly two-thirds of Hispanic adults under 45 and Hispanic men now view the president unfavorably, up from about half in September 2024. Trumps plunge in popularity is even evident among Hispanic Republicans, a key coalition in his voter base. The poll shows that about 65% of Hispanic Republicans said they have a very or somewhat favorable view of the president, a notable drop from a September 2024 poll by AP-NORC that showed 83% viewed him at least somewhat favorably. The research found that, in general, immigration remains a top personal concern for Hispanic adults. About two-thirds said the issue is important to them, compared with around six in 10 white adults and half of Black adults. The AP-Norc poll of 1,289 adults was conducted on 9-13 October. The margin of error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, and for Hispanic adults overall is plus or minus 6.9 percentage points. A demonstrator is taken away by police officers on 4 October 1936 after fighting between anti-fascists and Sir Oswald Mosley's blackshirts in Whitechapel. Photograph: Associated Press/Alamy The East End of London is the far rights prime target the essence of everything they dont like. They feel if they can march through our borough with impunity, they can go anywhere. For them, its like Wembley (stadium), its the ultimate goal, said Glyn Robbins, co-founder of United East End, an anti-far right coalition of community organisations. In the East End, the historically working-class neighbourhoods in the shadow of the City of London, theres a feeling that history is repeating itself. It was 89 years ago this month that local people, many of them British Jews, drove out Oswald Mosleys Blackshirt militia from Whitechapel in the East End, in what has become known as the Battle of Cable Street. In the decades since, the National Front, the BNP and the English Defence League have all tried to carve out a foothold in the East End. In 2025, communities are fighting back against the hard right yet again. This week, rather than attempting to escort protesters, as they had in Mosleys day, Londons police stopped the hard right UK Independence Party (Ukip) from staging a crusade on Whitechapel in the borough of Tower Hamlets, where 40% of the population is Muslim and 14% were born in the EU. The Metropolitan police said the ban was to prevent serious disorder. It comes weeks after Tower Hamlets council passed a motion that said flags were important emblems of patriotism and pride, but condemned outside far-right agitators attempting to import division into our borough, particularly on the Isle of Dogs, where the far-right BNP won a council seat back in 1993. Furious far-right influencer Tommy Robinson tweeted the photographs of nine British Muslim councillors to his 1.7 million followers, saying: Heres a list of the names and faces of Tower Hamlets council for some perspective. The governments decision to place asylum seekers at Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, Tower Hamlets has attracted intense anti-migrant protest since the summer, including from a group called the Pink Ladies who say they are concerned about safety. While this weekends Ukip march has been stopped, counter-protesters still plan to gather in Whitechapel on Saturday. Dave Rosenberg, who has run walking tours through the East End since 2007, including on local anti-fascist history, will be among them. I think we owe it to our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to continue that struggle in the East End, said Rosenberg, 67. For Rosenberg, the ban on the march was a double-edged sword a relief to the most targeted communities, but also giving wider and wider powers to police to say who can demonstrate and where. Theres a very direct parallel with the 1930s, he said. In 1936, the Public Order Act was introduced to inhibit Mosleys British Union of Fascists. Mosleys wasnt the first anti-immigrant movement to target the area back in 1901, the British Brothers League (BBL) launched itself with a 1,000-strong rally in the East End, with the slogan England for the English and targeting Russian and Polish Jewish migrants. For Rosenberg, the repeated battle against the far right in the East End reflects two different visions of working-class life one diverse, the other homogenous. Its this sense that those organisations have had, from BBL to Ukip today, that this is our territory and people are invaders and encroaching in our territory, Rosenberg said. Last week, Safia Jama, the 47-year-old CEO of the charity Womens Inclusive Team, was chairing a Stand Up to Racism meeting when it was disrupted by rightwing protesters. I did not feel safe. I never ran out of somewhere so quickly, she said. When she was a young girl, her father was attacked in Tower Hamlets and left disabled as a result. The community has seen huge achievements since: Brick Lane and Spitalfields have experienced profound regeneration and gentrification and Canary Wharf is a leading financial centre. While 62.7% of all residents in employment are in managerial or professional occupations, the borough has the highest rate of child poverty in the country, with about 27,000 people on the housing list, and about 15,000 people in overcrowded homes. With a median age of 30, it is the youngest borough in England and Wales, as well as one of the UKs most socially and ethnically diverse areas. This is our home. Weve made it our home, Jama said. Weve invested tears, sweat, blood, whatever it might be, weve really worked hard to create an environment that is beautiful. But for months, tensions have been simmering in Tower Hamlets, as rightwingers have made its diversity the centre of a culture war. The latest escalation began in February, when Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe tweeted about dual language signs in English and Bengali at Whitechapel tube station. This is London, he wrote. The station name should be in English, and in English only. Elon Musk replied: Yes. By June, Robinson was complaining about bilingual children in Whitechapel, adding a district once synonymous with Jack the Ripper and the Kray twins and home to the nations true cockneys, now this. Lutfur Rahman, Tower Hamlets British Bengali mayor, described the online attack as despicable. Rahman has defied controversies to lead the borough repeatedly since 2008, with progressive social policies. All primary and secondary schoolchildren enjoy free school meals, the borough provides university bursaries and the education maintenance allowance for working-class teenagers and is investing, the leadership says, 700m in council homes, funded by taxing wealth, and high business rates for big business. Rahman said: In the late 1980s and early 90s, parts of the borough were no-go areas for people of colour. Since then successive leaders have invested in the people of the borough and its worked well for us. We have over 300,000 people, we dont want anyone to feel left out. Now, 90% of our residents say they get one with each other. I grew up in this borough, our white neighbours helped my mother, helped me when my father went to work. My mum couldnt speak English, it was our neighbours, the community spirit of the East End, that got us through those difficult days in the 70s and 80s. In September, the borough hosted a festival to celebrate this legacy, in a direct response to Robinsons unite the kingdom rally in central London. New dual language signs were unveiled on the town hall the restored former Royal London hospital a snub to Lowe and Musk. Pearly kings and queens, a steel band, Celtic dancers, klezmer musicians, Bengali, Somali and Chinese acts performed and told stories of the East End through the ages, while a curry festival took place on Brick Lane, events attracting 25,000 people over two days. The truth is, in the midst of all rancour and in the midst of all uncertainty, there is hope, said Rev James Olanipekun, co-chair of the Tower Hamlets interfaith forum. We are united and we are together. Living in the borough has not been without incident for Olanipekun. Once, a brick was thrown at his wifes car. I didnt look at it, I said nothing. After all, I was insured, he said with a laugh. Racism has a long history and Tower Hamlets, weve had a particular variant of it, Robbins, a university lecturer who has seen off numerous far-right marches since United East End was created in 2010. (But) now, what theyre saying is being echoed by the government, or the government in-waiting. Whitehall troubleshooter Louise Casey carried out an audit into grooming gangs when Keir Starmer agreed that a national investigation was needed. Photograph: House of Commons/PA In late 2012, Samantha Walker-Roberts took a Megabus from Manchester to London, bound for the Houses of Parliament. In an airless room in Westminster, she told Keith Vaz, then chair of the home affairs select committee, her story. In October 2006, aged 12, she had gone to a police station in Oldham, Greater Manchester, to report that she had been sexually assaulted in a graveyard. Staff at the station were dismissive, she told Vaz, and encouraged her to accept a lift home from two men loitering near the doorway. She ended the night in a detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac, where multiple men took turns to rape and abuse her. Vaz, a former Labour MP, had been tasked with investigating localised grooming gangs of men preying on teenagers in certain towns and cities across England. Despite a growing fear that men of South Asian origin were overrepresented, Walker-Roberts recalls being attacked by men of various ethnicities. Her case was sent to a new child sexual exploitation taskforce called Operation Messenger. A string of failings meant just one man Shakil Chowdhury, a British citizen born in Bangladesh was convicted. Appearing at the same inquiry, Peter Fahy, then chief constable of Greater Manchester police, insisted the force had a very good record in dealing with vulnerable victims. He added: We have long had operations against things like child prostitution Operation Messenger in places like Oldham. Fahy tempered his comments by saying he was angry that some people got away with offending longer than we would have liked. He was asked about an investigation into gangs of Pakistani men abusing girls in neighbouring Rochdale, later the focus of the BBC drama Three Girls. Nine men had just been convicted of raping and trafficking white teenagers in the town. The prosecution was the reversal of an earlier decision, made in 2008, which concluded that one of the victims was not a credible witness. Fahy also rejected claims that the force was reluctant to act on cases like Rochdale because of the ethnicity of the perpetrators. However, for Walker-Roberts, now 31, the suggestion that she and other young victims whose cases were investigated by projects like Operation Messenger were prostitutes is met with the most devastation, given that some were still at primary school when they were targeted. Its offensive, abusive and upsetting, she said. For some, the fact that the first major investigation into what has become known as grooming gangs was led by Vaz strikes a galling note. His tenure came to an abrupt end in 2016 when the Sunday Mirror reported that he had used male escorts, offering to buy them cocaine while posing as a washing machine salesman named Jim. However, his report, published in 2013, stressed that local authorities must ensure that multi-agency teams tasked with fighting child sexual exploitation had enough money to fund prevention strategies. In reality, many specialist projects were closed or merged. In Oldham, Operation Messenger battled funding cuts for several years before it was absorbed into a regional taskforce in 2014. In Telford, Shropshire, where 1,000 children were found to have been sexually exploited, a similar initiative struggled with resourcing issues. Officials in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were criticised for running specialist exploitation services from within its child protection department after the closure of a youth work service. It was the inquiry into abuse in Rotherham, a year after the parliamentary report, which lit a touch paper. Alexis Jay, the social work professor who led the investigation, found that 1,400 girls had been targeted between 1997 and 2013. She said they were raped, beaten, abducted, doused in petrol and set on fire. She added: By far the majority of perpetrators were described as Asian by victims, yet throughout the entire period, councillors did not engage directly with the Pakistani-heritage community to discuss how best they could jointly address the issue. Although the Jay report did not have the power to summon professionals to account for failings under oath, it paved the way for further investigations into child sexual exploitation. In Telford, the Labour council was initially reluctant to commission an inquiry, but later wrote to the Conservative government to ask for a statutory probe in 2018 after a string of deaths were linked to abuse by grooming gangs. The government said Telford was within the scope of its long-running independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. Councillors unanimously voted for a local inquiry. Chaired by former judge Tom Crowther, it found widespread failings over decades. It has been held up by government ministers as a model for other local inquiries and Crowther has praised Telford council for its response to his recommendations. However, it could not force people to give evidence. One of those who declined to attend was Clive Harding, a retired police officer who led the investigation into the murder of Lucy Lowe, 16. Lowe was killed in a house fire set by Azhar Ali Mehmood, who had made her pregnant at 14, and the murder inquiry was criticised for failing to act on reports he was part of a grooming gang. In the end, the governments child abuse inquiry did not examine the failings in Telford in detail. Nor did it look at other areas identified as exploitation hotspots, such as Rotherham, Oldham and Rochdale. Its strand on abuse by organised networks was focused on just six towns. Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Womens Justice, described it as a hugely wasted opportunity. The new inquiry, covering England and Wales, was born partly from Walker-Roberts bid for a statutory inquiry in Oldham, in the hope it might bring justice for other victims. Keir Starmer eventually agreed when an investigation was recommended by the Whitehall troubleshooter Louise Casey. Casey carried out an audit, which found that disproportionate numbers of Asian men were among suspects for group-based child sexual exploitation in certain areas of the country, but cautioned that it was difficult to paint an accurate national picture because there was no ethnicity data recorded in most cases. A panel of 30 survivors, all of whom have suffered group-based abuse, was set up to advise the inquiry on its terms of reference and to help appoint a chair. Five have resigned, saying they were manipulated by the government to extend the focus of the inquiry beyond street-based grooming gangs. Yet Walker-Roberts feels like a narrow definition of this term might exclude her from the inquiry she has campaigned so vehemently for. The gang [who attacked her] was a one-off kidnap, so there was no grooming involved in that, she said. Thats why I am fighting to widen the scope, so that I can be included. She added that the men who abused her could have other victims and her evidence might encourage them to come forward. She and four other survivors have written to Starmer to ask that anyone who believes their evidence should be included should be able to participate to paint the fullest possible picture of group-based exploitation. The Guardian understands the other signatories all experienced abuse at the hands of grooming gangs, though the offenders were not exclusively Asian. There is also the question of whether an inquiry with statutory powers and the ability to force professionals into the witness box will give victims the answers they crave so desperately. Earlier this year, Crowther struck a note of caution when he appeared before MPs. He said that an inquiry would be powerless to force answers from someone who claimed simply not to remember what had happened. You can lead a horse to water, he said. But you cant make that horse drink. This article was amended on 28 October 2025 to clarify the remit of grooming gang inquiries. Our earlier amendment (27 October) suggested all inquiries related to England and Wales; in fact, the Jay report referenced related only to Rotherham. The team behind the Telegraphs award-winning podcast Ukraine: The Latest appeared on stage in front of 400 attendees at the Honourable Artillery Company in London for a live recording, marking over 1,300 days of their continued coverage of the war. Telegraph journalists and co-hosts of the podcast, Dominic Nicholls, Francis Dearnley and Adelie Pojzman-Pontay were joined by General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and one of the authors of Britains strategic defence review and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. Nicholls and Dearnley have reported on Russias illegal invasion every weekday since Feb 24, 2022 on the podcast created by the late David Knowles, who passed away suddenly last year. Dearnley opened the event by arguing: This war is what failed deterrence looks like. The team appeared on stage in front of 400 attendees at the Honourable Artillery Company in London - Julian Simmonds Despite Donald Trumps recent sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, after talks for a proposed meeting with Vladimir Putin collapsed, the panel underlined the damage that a lack of a clear US strategy has had. Dearnley said: Since Trumps election, we have seen a desperate scramble from European leaders to maintain Americas support. Yet, I would argue that the drip, drip, drip support from the US would never have been enough. This is Europes war. Lutsevych agreed, highlighting Ukraine and Europes shared world view and their joint belief in right and wrong. General Barrons concurred, urging Europe to do more. He highlighted the combined strength of the continent, stating: Europe is twelve times the size of Russia, yet we feel hostage to them. This is the wrong attitude. Echoing Dearnleys earlier point, he stated that capitulation is: Further proof of the failure of deterrence. Orysia Lutsevych OBE (left) with Francis Dearnley (right) - Julian Simmonds With over 120 million downloads, Ukraine: The Latest has become the Telegraphs most popular podcast, and one of the most popular foreign affairs podcasts in the world. It has earned major accolades, including Podcast of the Year at the London Press Club awards, on the same day as the event. Earlier in the year, it won News Podcast of the Year at the 2025 Press Awards, where the judges called it a gripping testament to courageous and vitally important public interest journalism. Previously, it was awarded Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards 2024 and Podcast of the Year at the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards 2024. Using cutting-edge technology, the podcast is also translated into Ukrainian and Russian, cloning the voices of the hosts. A weekly newsletter is also available. Later in the evening, General Barrons warned: We need to remember that the missiles that fall on Kyiv every night could just as easily fall on London, it is just 90 minutes further for them. Keep that in mind Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (left), General Sir Richard Barrons (middle) and Dominic Nicholls (right) - Julian Simmonds Dearnley agreed, adding: Once Article 5 is in question, you could say that nobody is safe. The panel agreed that the biggest developments in modern warfare are the expansion of artificial intelligence capabilities and fiber optic drones. Nicholls reminded the audience that: The technological advancements that we have today would have been unimaginable three and a half years ago. The podcast has become one of the most popular foreign affairs podcasts in the world - Julian Simmonds Following a lively audience Q&A, the hosts and panellists joined listeners and subscribers over a drink as they continued to share stories and analysis long into the evening. Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the video player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter here. Protesters threw fireworks at the Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart - Niall Carson/PA Irelands riot police have been deployed so often in recent years that the image I once had of the Gardai the affable local policemen comically embodied by Brendan Gleeson in The Guard has faded from memory. In its place stand faceless men in body armour and plastic shields, advancing in phalanx along leafy suburban roads towards communities who, it is now clear, no longer see them as policing by consent. Earlier this week, those men were pelted with bricks, glass bottles and even a pram loaded with fireworks as they moved to quell a riot outside a migrant hotel in Dublin. Theyd arrived less to police a crime than the backlash to one. The unrest began on Monday when it was reported that an African asylum seeker had allegedly raped a 10-year-old Irish girl. To make matters worse, the suspect had ignored a deportation order, and the assault reportedly took place on the grounds of a state-owned asylum hotel. Each revelation has landed, to an already exasperated Irish public, like another slap from a government thats long ignored their concerns about immigration. Only this summer, residents claimed they had been victims of harassment, stalking, violence since the Citywest Hotel had been purchased by the state and turned into a migrant centre, which now houses 1,600 occupants. One woman said she had been chased by a group of men home and filmed, but when she reported this to the guards, they failed to record it. I suspect the fact that the Irish people cannot claim asylum to escape these torments is an irony lost on the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, who was quick to condemn the violence, but was less forthcoming on his governments own role in precipitating it. Stories of migrants committing violent and sexual crimes have become wearily familiar. Yet the state continues to deposit thousands of predominantly young men from the worlds most dysfunctional regions around the country. What did it imagine would come of this? Europe has plenty of examples of the results of this kind of policy. Irish leaders need only have glanced at the situation across the Irish Sea. Protesters threw fireworks at Gardai officers as riots flared outside the Dublin hotel - Niall Carson/PA Adding further insult, the Government has declined to vet many of the migrants it has admitted. Its estimated that around 22,000 illegal migrants have entered Ireland with no passport or criminal background check. When residents complained about hundreds of unvetted men being bussed into their communities, often in the dead of night, they were dismissed as bigots. It is unclear what the state knew about the suspects background; residents were right to consider the possibility that gangs of foreign men lingering around town centres might pose a threat. It will come as cold comfort that their fears have now been vindicated, this time at the expense of a childs safety. If Ireland were a private company charged, as the state is, with the care of vulnerable people, each crime committed by illegal migrants would be deemed criminal negligence. Those raising the alarm about this negligence have had every legal and moral avenue to object effectively closed to them. Leo Varadkar, the former Taoiseach, even told the Irish people they had no right to veto who moved into their area, and, having suspended planning laws for migrant facilities, he was technically correct. If democratic channels are out of reach, then protest would appear to be the only alternative. This weeks violence, which left one female officer needing hospital treatment, was undoubtedly reprehensible, but theres a perverse futility in condemning it without addressing the failures of an asylum system which places violent men in the vicinity of vulnerable children. Until the state acknowledges the gravity of its mistakes and moves to rectify them, the flashpoints will keep piling up, and the blame for what follows will be theirs to shoulder. No love lost: Jordan Henderson condemned his former club to a grim defeat (Getty Images) Jordan Henderson said he wants Brentford to be horrible to play against after the Bees upset Liverpool on Saturday night. Henderson, facing Liverpool for the first time since he ended his 12-year association with the club in 2023, led Brentford to an emphatic 3-2 win over the Reds, who have now lost four straight Premier League outings. Speaking at full-time, he challenged his team-mates to build momentum from the result. I think we just need to take each game as it comes and try to be horrible to play against, he told TNT Sports. (We need to) try to compete every time we set foot on the pitch. Thats all you can ever do, I think, and that is what the lads have done fantastically well. We have some fantastic players and we have defended well over the last few games as well. We need to keep building our momentum, building our performances, and stay as consistent as possible. In the Premier League, no game is easy. Its always tough games and things can change very quickly. We need to keep looking to improve. Theres a lot we did well tonight, but theres still things we can improve on, and keep building and take each game as it comes and dont look too far ahead. He continued, adding that it was special to be reunited with Liverpools supporters. I was [a Liverpool player for] 12 years, dedicated a lot of my life. My kids were born there, so it holds a special place in my heart. I still want Liverpool to do well, of course not when were playing them, but overall, and that will never change. The fans have always been amazing. It was special just to see a few of them. I know they probably left a bit early because of the result, but it was nice to see them again. Former Vice President Kamala Harris says shes not done with politics, giving the strongest indication yet that she may consider running for president in 2028. In a BBC interview partially published Saturday, Harris, 61, said her grandnieces would for sure see a female president in their lifetime despite her heavy loss to President Donald Trump in 2024. Could it be you? interviewer Laura Kuenssberg asked. Possibly, Harris replied, while clarifying that she has not yet decided whether shes running for president in the upcoming election. I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it's in my bones, she said. Kamala Harris said her career in politics is far from over when asked by the BBC if she could be the first female president of the United States (Getty) Harriss new book, 107 Days, recounts her brief presidential campaign after former President Joe Biden dropped out amid concerns over his health. In the book, Harris stated that she did not have any immediate intentions to seek another major political position, writing, Ill no longer sit in DC in the grandeur of the ceremonial office. I will be with the people, in towns and communities where I can listen to their ideas on how we rebuild trust, empathy, and a government worthy of the ideals of this country. In the full BBC interview airing Sunday, Harris is expected to face questions about whether she should have urged Biden to step aside sooner, and if that might have changed the election outcome. In the clips already released, Harris dismissed polls that rank her as an underdog, even behind actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson, claiming shes never listened to them. "If I listened to polls, I would have not run for my first office, or my second office and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here, Harris told the BBC. Harris career in politics led her to consider running for California governor in 2026, but in July, she revealed she ultimately decided against it. "For now, my leadership and public service will not be in elected office," Harris explained at the time. In her BBC interview, Harris labeled Trump a tyrant, saying her warnings of his fascist behavior had been proven true. She criticized US business leaders and institutions for yielding too easily to the president. There are many that have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation, she said. Harris accused Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department and federal agencies, pointing to Jimmy Kimmels suspension after he mocked Republicans reaction to influencer Charlie Kirks death as an example of Trump silencing critics. "You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists His skin is so thin he couldn't endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process, Harris said. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed Harriss remarks about Trump, telling the BBC, When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should've taken the hint the American people don't care about her absurd lies. Or maybe she did take the hint and thats why shes continuing to air her grievances to foreign publications, Jackson added. Credit: BBC Kamala Harris said she might run again for the White House in her first British interview since losing to Donald Trump. The former US vice-president said that she might possibly be president in the future as she branded Mr Trump, who defeated her 2024 bid, a tyrant. I am not done, Ms Harris told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg. I have lived my entire career as a life of service and its in my bones. Pressed on her poor standing in the polls, which suggest her chances of winning the next US election are slim, she added: If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office and I certainly wouldnt be sitting here. In the same interview, Ms Harris said she felt vindicated for her prediction that Mr Trump would behave like a fascist and lead an authoritarian government if he defeated her. He said he would weaponise the Department of Justice and he has done exactly that, she said, in comments released by the BBC ahead of the full interview on this weeks episode of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. She also revealed that her first words when she saw the damning results on election night were: My God, my God, what will happen to our country? Ms Harris was speaking to the BBC to promote her memoir, parts of which have already been released. Ms Harris has already mounted two campaigns for the White House. In 2020, the then-California senator ran in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination but dropped out before the first primary vote in Iowa. Mr Biden later selected her as his running mate. She became the presidential nominee last year without having to fight a primary, but lost the election and all seven swing states to Mr Trump. Ms Harris said it was the shortest presidential campaign in modern history. In September, one extract from the book revealed that Ms Harris chose not to have a gay running mate when she took over the bid for president from Joe Biden, after he stood down due to ill health. Ms Harris said that she wanted former transport secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is gay, as her top choice for a running mate but decided it was too risky. Kamala Harris was the first US Democratic presidential candidate to lose the popular vote in 20 years - Victor J Blue/Bloomberg [He] would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight man, she wrote. But we were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a black woman, a black woman married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, screw it, lets just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk. And I think Pete also knew that to our mutual sadness, she added. A book extract released in May disclosed that Ms Harris thought it reckless of Mr Biden to insist on running in 2024 despite his failing health. After Mr Biden stepped down, under overwhelming pressure from his party, Ms Harris took up the presidential bid and became the first Democrat to lose the popular vote in a US election in 20 years. Kentucky high court throws out murder convictions for man serving life in killings of a father and his young daughter A Louisville man sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a father and his 3-year-old daughter has had his double murder conviction thrown out by the Kentucky Supreme Court. Kevon Lawless was convicted in 2022 over gunning down Brandon Waddles and his daughter, Trinity Randolph, in front of their home in August 2020. His conviction was thrown out Thursday after the court ruled that the trial judge should have declared a mistrial when a juror learned that a witness was accused of perjury during proceedings. Prosecutors said Friday that they would seek to retry the case. On August 14, 2020, Lawless had a girlfriend, who was 17 at the time, lured Waddles outside his home, where Lawless was waiting and opened fire on him and his daughter, according to court records. Kevon Lawless was convicted over gunning down Brandon Waddles and his daughter, Trinity Randolph, in front of their home in August 2020 (Kentucky Department of Corrections) During the trial, exhibits were introduced by the prosecution evidencing how the killings were set up and Lawless had motivation for revenge against Waddles, according to court documents. A man who drove Lawless to the shooting was accused of committing perjury while testifying at Lawless trial, according to the court. While in deliberations, jurors sent a note to Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin revealing they were aware that the man had been arrested for lying on the stand, and one juror said they could no longer make a decision truthfully. Chauvin rejected Lawless attorneys motion seeking a mistrial, but one juror was replaced by an alternate. Lawless was later convicted of two counts of murder and one count of burglary. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said he was determined to bring Trinity's killer to justice (Commonwealth of Kentucky) The high court said Chauvin committed reversible error by denying Lawlesss motion for a mistrial after the jury became aware of the trial court arresting a ... witness for perjury. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said he was determined to bring Trinity's killer to justice. The slaying of 3-year-old Trinity Randolph is personal for me. I stood with her mother at her Disney 'Frozen' coffin, and I'll never forget the princess shoes she wore, Coleman said in a statement Friday. It's heartbreaking that her family and this community are forced to relive that awful day and painful trial. Lawless remained in prison on Friday, according to online records. State corrections records show he has previous convictions for attempted murder and assault. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Lucy Powell says she has been given a clear mandate that members want their voice heard at the top of the party. Photograph: Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images Labours new deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has said the government must listen to its members instead of being guided by a narrow group of voices as it battles to stave off electoral disaster in next Mays local elections. Powell defeated the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, in the deputy leadership contest, which concluded on Saturday. She said she had been given a clear mandate that members want their voice to be heard at the top of the party. The Manchester Central MP won 54% of the vote, polling 87,407 votes, while Phillipson received 73,536. Turnout was just 16.6%, which some Labour insiders say points to widespread disillusionment within the party. The result was announced on Saturday against the backdrop of Labours catastrophic byelection performance in Caerphilly. The party came third, behind Plaid Cymru and Reform, polling just 11% of the vote in a previously safe seat that had been held by Labour since the creation of the Welsh Senedd in 1999. Both Labour deputy leadership candidates spoke in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap, something believed to be unpopular with members. Speaking to the Guardian, Powell said: I think we often feel like our members and elected representatives are something we need to stand against or not value. They are our strengths. They connect us to the national conversation. Instead of just telling people what we want them to do, we need to respect, value and include them more, and recognise that debate is not division or dissent, and recognise you have to take people with you and hear from broader voices, not just a narrower group of voices. They havent felt they have been included and connected as they should in recent months, and thats what often happens when you go into government. Im going to really help to do that, to re-engage with the party, and make them feel part of the conversation again. Ill do that through working with Keir [Starmer], working with government, working right across the party in the leadership roles that I will have. Powell, who was sacked as Commons leader by Starmer in September, said she would get to work straight away to shore up Labours support before local elections next May. She said the party needed to be clearer about its successes in office. She said: Im not writing off any elections next year. These are important elections in Wales, in Scotland, in London, and right around the country. Im going to get to work straight away on how we can mobilise for these elections and how we can rebuild our voter coalition and recognise there is a progressive alliance in this country. We need to be the leaders of it and not out-Reform Reform because that just doesnt work. Its not that long. I think weve got to seize back the agenda weve ceded too much in recent months. Weve got loads of great things weve done, I think we can all agree on that, from giving workers more rights, to pay rises, to more hospital appointments, to free school meals, to breakfast clubs. I think we just need to bring them all together in a stronger way our agenda on how we are working in the interests of the many and not the few. On Saturday evening the health secretary, Wes Streeting, compared the Caerphilly byelection result with the 2021 Hartlepool byelection, which left Starmer considering quitting as Labour leader. Streeting told the Sunday Times: When we were in opposition, we were shocked that Hartlepool a town that had always been loyal to Labour rejected us at the ballot box. Keir Starmer not only took that result on the chin, he took it to heart. And he used Hartlepool and the experience of Hartlepool to drive through the change in the Labour party necessary to make it electable and capable of winning a general election that no one thought we would win. I have no doubt that, having done that before, Keir can do that again. One ally of Phillipson, widely perceived as Downing Streets favoured candidate, said it was always going to be hard to assuage the anger of members, who have shown how unhappy they are through this result. They added: Bridget stood out of loyalty to Keir. She believed that standing was the right thing to do when it was clear no one else from cabinet was prepared to stand. Starmer congratulated Powell on her victory. He said the Conservatives and Reform wanted to take Britain to a dark place prompting one strategist to suggest he was leaning into a more progressive brand of politics. The prime minister referenced comments made by the Conservative MP Katie Lam, touted as a possible future party leader. She said she believed a large number of people living legally in the UK should have their right to stay revoked and be forced to go home in order to create a culturally coherent group of people in the UK. Starmer said: Our job, whoever we are in this party, is to unite every single person in this country who is opposed to that politics, and to defeat it, once and for all. Lucy Powell's had quite the political comeback. Sacked from cabinet by the prime minister but weeks ago, she's back with her own powerbase and voice at the top of the party as the deputy Labour leader. She was not Keir Starmer's choice and, while the prime minister was quick to embrace her on Saturday as the result was announced, he is probably right to feel some unease about the outcome for a few different reasons. For in Powell, the party has a new, alternative figurehead that sits outside of the government machine. Politics live: Follow updates as Labour names new deputy leader She ran a campaign in which she pledged to be the voice of the membership to the leadership and the membership picked her. She will have serious influence on the National Executive Committee, and sit in the political cabinet. What she won't do is return to the cabinet table, which means that she has power and profile, but will remain an independent voice, free from collective cabinet responsibility. As I understand it, Powell doesn't want to destabilise the leadership - for now at least. She will take a submarine approach when it comes to interventions around government policy rather than offering a running commentary on Starmer's government and choose her battles. That way, when she does weigh in, she is harder to ignore. She could also over time become a lightning rod for discontent should the party's fortunes remain as parlous as they are now. On Friday, Labour suffered a cataclysmic defeat in the Caerphilly by-election, coming third in a seat it has held for over a century as Labour endured their biggest ever drop in support in a Welsh by-election. It's a terrible omen for next May's Sennedd election. Labour have been the governing party in Wales since the Senedd's beginning in 1999. That could be about to change. When I asked Keir Starmer about the loss on Friday, he didn't try to deflect, saying: "I'm deeply disappointed by the results." When I asked him if it was a gut punch, he said: "I'm not going to suggest otherwise. I spoke to the first minister on Saturday morning, and clearly we need to reflect and regroup, and double down on the delivery, in Wales. And we clearly need to do much more." Powell's position now is that the party needs to pull together, get campaigning and try to build support with their voters. But she is equally clear that this has to be down to delivery of the "national renewal" Labour promised voters in the election of 2024. There will surely come a point, further down the road, where this new deputy leader will become more robust in her critique of the government if it fails to deliver and the party suffers. This race has also exposed the ugliness in a party that is uneasy with its leadership and seems intent on infighting. The constant briefing wars that emanate from Number 10 cascade down in what has been, at times, a dirty fight. Lucy Powell accused Bridget Phillipson's team of "throwing mud" and briefing against her in the Labour deputy leadership race on our Electoral Dysfunction podcast, while Phillipson also said she was at the sharp end of vicious smears. Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app For all the talk on Saturday for coming together and unity, it is hard to see that materialising while doubts persist over Starmer's leadership and while rivals, such as Powell's close ally Andy Burnham, are waiting in the wings. There is also the big question of apathy. Only 16.6% of party members, trade union members and affiliates chose to vote in this election, against 59% in 2020. This is partly distorted because in the last leadership election, members were voting for both the leader and deputy leaders. But what it also suggests is disengagement from the wider Labour movement. In 2020, there were 552,000 party members eligible to vote, out of a total membership which stood at 782,000, including union-affiliated members who are perhaps less likely to cast a vote. This time around there were 970,000 eligible voters - but the Labour Party did not reveal how many actual party members cast a vote. This might be because membership figures are dropping, and it didn't want to reveal that information. At the end of last year, party membership stood at 332,000, which is around 200,000 members less than the end of 2019. For now, Powell insists that she and Starmer will work as a team and the message from both Powell and the PM following her victory is that all of those party must put its shoulder to the wheel to try and see off the threat of Reform. She is undoubtedly starting out as the party's campaigner in chief, but I suspect she may become a far more critical - and dangerous - voice, if Starmer looks like he can't get the party in good enough shape to win the next general election. Police say they responded to shots fired at 8.23pm on Friday. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP At least four people were shot near Howard University, police in Washington DC said. The shooting happened as thousands descended on the campus for homecoming celebrations. Police responded to shots being fired at 8.23pm on the 600 block of Howard Place, near the universitys yard and the school of architecture building. Police say the shooting left one person in critical condition and one person in serious condition. Police have not confirmed whether a suspect or suspects were apprehended. A DC emergency services spokesperson said seven people were treated with injuries, four of whom had been shot. DC traffic police confirmed the shooting investigation in a social media post detailing road closures. Police confirmed in a separate social media post that the scene was secure. Homecoming celebrations began last weekend and continue through Sunday. Friday evenings events included a homecoming kickoff and a Greek step show, and several events are scheduled for Saturday. Investigators suspect the gang was given sensitive information about the Louvres security system ahead of the raid - Kiran Ridley/Getty Images Detectives investigating the 76m heist at the Louvre have uncovered evidence of an inside job, The Telegraph understands. Sources close to the investigation claim that digital forensic evidence shows a member of security was in contact before the heist with individuals thought to be the perpetrators. The gang is believed to have been given sensitive internal information about the museums security system in advance of the raid. Credit: Social Media A source said: There is digital forensic evidence that shows there was co-operation with one of the museums security guards and the thieves. Sensitive information was passed on about the museums security, which is how they were aware of the breach. The evidence is thought to include recordings and messages but the robbers are yet to be identified. France is still reeling following Sundays theft from the worlds busiest museum. Thieves posed as maintenance workers and entered the buildings Apollo gallery on the River Seines Right Bank via a truck equipped with a 90ft furniture elevator. b' Louvre heist version 2 \xe2\x80\x93 French Crown Jewels are displayed in Apollo Gallery ' The thieves slipped in and out in minutes, making off with eight pieces of Frances crown jewels, a loss some have compared to the burning of Notre Dame in 2019. The furniture elevator was attached to a truck stolen in Louvres, about two miles from Charles de Gaulle airport to the north-east of the French capital. Experts have warned that even if police caught the gang, it was already too late to save the jewels which could have been broken up. More than 100 detectives are on the investigation, with the Banditism Repression Brigade of the Judicial Police leading the inquiry, along with the Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Property. Earlier this week, Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre, told a French Senate Committee that no security cameras were monitoring the second-floor balcony where thieves gained access to the museum. Unfortunately, on the Apollo gallery side, the only camera installed faces west and therefore does not cover the balcony affected by the break-in, she said. The new details of the investigation emerged as the Louvre transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France. French radio RTL reported that the transfer of some precious items from the museums Apollo gallery, home to the French crown jewels, was carried out on Friday under secret police escort. The bank, which stores the countrys gold reserves in a massive vault 90ft below ground, is less than half a mile from the Louvre. The Louvre has moved other jewels to the Bank of Frances underground vault, which stores the countrys gold reserves - Pierre Perrin/Sygma Detectives have yet to make an arrest over the embarrassing heist but speaking to Ouest France, Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor whose office is leading the case, said that dozens of DNA samples had been found at the gallery, including on helmets, gloves, angle grinders and a vest abandoned by the robbers. More than 150 samples of DNA, papillary and other traces were taken, she said. The analyses require time limits, even if they are a priority for the labs. We are expecting feedback in the coming days, which may be able to provide us with leads, especially if the perpetrators were on file. Ms Beccuau also confirmed that police had been able to use CCTV to follow the gangs movements on two Yamaha TMax scooters out of Paris towards other areas, adding that video surveillance from public and private cameras made it possible to follow their route in Paris and in neighbouring departments. She gave the strongest hint yet that the heist may have involved an inside job and confirmed police were investigating whether there was help from someone at the museum. Ms Beccuau said: We obviously want to arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible to recover the jewellery before their stones are possibly removed and the metals melted down. We are therefore exploring all theories. The possibility of complicity within the museum will be studied, as will all other possibilities. Ms Beccuau said that media coverage had given her the small hope that the gang wont dare move too much with the jewels and that if police moved quickly, they could still recover them. I want to be optimistic. And thats the hope that the investigators also maintain, hence their absolute and intense mobilisation. The Louvre has said it would not be commenting on the investigation. CGI Group, an Israeli intelligence firm which previously helped solve a multi-million pound heist at the Green Vault in Dresden, Germany, has also been brought in to help. Zvika Nave, chief executive, said he would not comment about its operations or clients. However, as an exceptional case, we were approached by parties connected to the Louvre museum to assist in identifying those involved in the robbery, as well as in recovering the stolen treasures, he said. This request came in light of our experience and success in 2019 in solving the billion-euro Dresden museum heist in Germany. There was a time when talk of winning three in a row at Old Trafford referred to the hat-trick of league titles Sir Alex Ferguson secured in successive seasons, whether between 1999 and 2001 or 2007 and 2009. Ruben Amorims three consecutive Premier League wins amount to matches, not trophies. But for a manager who waited 11 months for back-to-back victories, this is progress nonetheless. So, too, a league table that, however fleetingly, showed Manchester United in fourth, and above Liverpool. For a club who have spent almost all of the last year in the lower half of the standings, it made a welcome change. And if the last 20 minutes, when United threatened to give up a three-goal lead and a position of utter dominance, was scarcely proof they will remain in the upper echelons, there should be genuine encouragement from both the display of the team and the identity of the United scorers. Amorim said he drew more satisfaction than from beating Liverpool because it was a more complete performance. For the first time, the Portuguese saw two of his recruits strike in the same game. For good measure, a third, Benjamin Sesko, recorded an assist. For Bryan Mbeumo, a first brace of his United career felt like confirmation that he has settled in well. For Matheus Cunha, a first goal may have been more significant. His wait to get off the mark will not stretch into Garry Birtles or Diego Forlan territory. On days like this, Amorims 200m overhaul of his attack threatens to be a success. The money was well invested, said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. Uniteds recruitment has not always attracted such compliments, but Amorims spending spree has given them more speed and verve in the final third. This is a team better suited to pressing, too, which can enable them to play on the front foot. There are finally signs of what Amorim is trying to do. And, finally, United beat Brighton at Old Trafford. The previous time they did, Ralf Rangnick was in charge. Since then, United had lost three times to three different Albion managers. This time, Hurzeler rued easy mistakes. He explained. When you give four presents, you cant win a game. But a team who finished eighth last season may also be a marker of Uniteds prospects. The starting 11 passed the test; the substitutes may not have done, with Kobbie Mainoo and Patrick Dorgu struggling as United afforded Brighton a lifeline. Ragged for much of the middle part of the match, the visitors rallied at the end. Or after Casemiro went off, anyway, which was a sign of his impact. The veteran had an assist and a goal to show for his first half, even if the former owed more to the scorer and the latter came laced with fortune. But he was the provider for a goal made in Brazil as Cunha curled in an effort from 19 yards. Long-range shooting is a feature of his game few are likelier to have a go from outside the box and the Brazilian had drawn a fine save from Bart Verbruggen minutes earlier. Matheus Cunha scored his first goal for Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA) Cunha had excelled at Anfield and impressed on his debut against Arsenal. There had been a lull in between and a wait for his first goal had extended into his ninth appearance, but it was a stylish way for the 62.5m man to open his account. My first goal here at Old Trafford, I dreamed a lot of this, he said. He had dreamed, but also worried. He was struggling about not scoring goals. He can try to hide [it], said Amorim. Now his struggle is over. Casemiros, too. His has been a mixed time at Old Trafford, but he is a fan favourite again and his name was sung by the Stretford End even before his shot took a huge deflection off Yasin Ayaris back. Fresh from a goal at Anfield, the irrepressible Mbeumo added another at Old Trafford. It came from a combination of new signings, after a pass from Sesko, but with complaints from Brighton, who thought Georginio Rutter was fouled. United could argue Amad Diallo ought to have earned a first-half penalty after Maxim de Cuypers challenge. Bryan Mbeumo bagged a brace for Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA) There were more contentious decisions. Hurzeler was unhappy that Patrick Dorgu, just on and Uniteds last defender, was only cautioned for tugging back Yankuba Minteh. Danny Welbeck exacted a different form of punishment, curling a free kick past Senne Lammens for his fifth goal in four games. Brighton had conceded a minute after Hurzeler made a triple change, but in the bigger picture, the replacements made Albion stronger and United weaker. They brought Brighton closer. Charalampos Kostoulas headed in James Milners corner for his first Brighton goal. As two substitutes combined, the scorer was 18, the provider 39. The blend of new and older left United reeling. We had to suffer a bit at the end, but we wouldnt be Manchester United without suffering a little bit, said Amorim. He could smile because Mbeumo had lashed in a shot off the underside of the bar. For only the second time, United had four goals in a league game under Amorim. For the first time, they had won three in a row. Supporters of UK Independence Party (UKIP) wave flags as they march through central London (AFP via Getty Images) A group of masked Muslim protesters took to the streets of east London today, vowing to stand firm and remain ready to defend our community in response to a planned United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) protest. Dozens of young men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas marched through Whitehall as part of a counter-demonstration. Palestinian and Bangladeshi flags were waved, and photos showed protesters pausing to pray in the street. In one video, a man speaking through a megaphone urged the crowd to stand firm and be prepared to defend our community from protesters. In Whitechapel today: pic.twitter.com/xjWJ1YbBEu London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) October 25, 2025 They came specifically targeting Islam. They said we are coming on a crusade, they said we need to take back our streets, the masked man declared. We stand firm to let them know that if you come then we will stand firm and we will be ready to defend our elders, to defend our women and to defend our community. We have never once said we were going on crusades or going into your areas to cause you problems. You are coming into our homes and you want to cause us problems. What is wrong with us standing up? Today is a day we unite, he said to the crowd gathered. The UKIP protest, originally planned for Whitehall under slogans such as take our country back and reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists, was restricted by the Metropolitan Police amid fears of disorder in Tower Hamlets, one of the UKs largest Muslim communities. Instead, UKIP supporters gathered in central London on Saturday afternoon, assembling outside the London Oratory before marching toward Marble Arch. Leader of United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Nick Tenconi speaks during an anti-immigration march (REUTERS) Protesters, marching under a purple banner which read Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain, could be heard chanting "save our nation, remigration" and "tell the nation, deportations" as they walked up Park Lane. One protester shouted "this is a Christian land and it's going to stay like that", through a megaphone. Four counter-protesters were arrested at the march, Met Police said. The protesters were arrested after appearing along a route designated for the UKIP march, in breach of conditions put in place by the force. The counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other local groups, amassed from 12pm in Whitechapel. People take part in a march in Knightsbridge, west London (Sam Hall/PA Wire) UKIP leader Nick Tenconi told protesters: "We want the illegals gone, we want the communists gone". On Tuesday, Metropolitan Police blocked a planned anti-migrant march from taking place in an east London borough this weekend, citing concerns it could spark serious disorder. In a statement, the Met said the decision to ban the event was made in the interest of public safety and to prevent disorder from breaking out. Public Order Act conditions were imposed, meaning UKIP cannot hold their protest in Whitechapel or anywhere else in the borough of Tower Hamlets. Anyone taking part in the UKIP march who entered the borough of Tower Hamlets faced arrest. Counter-protesters were told to continue their demonstration as planned in Whitechapel. UKIP party leader Nick Tenconi addresses a rally at Marble Arch (Lucy North/PA Wire) Earlier this month, Tower Hamlets Council passed a motion to stand up to the far right, pledging to reject the presence of far-right agitators from outside the borough who come to target local communities during the protests. Commander Nick John said: Tower Hamlets has the largest percentage of Muslim residents anywhere in the UK and the prospect of this protest taking place in the heart of the borough has been the cause of significant concern locally. It is our assessment that there is a realistic prospect of serious disorder if it was to go ahead in the proposed location. This is in addition to the disruption that two large protests taking place on a key arterial route through east London would cause. We have a responsibility to use the powers available to us to take steps to avoid both those outcomes. UKIP are free to organise their protest in an alternative location but they will not be holding it in Tower Hamlets. Anyone who tries to assemble, in breach of the conditions, or who encourages others to do so, will face arrest. We will still have a sizeable police presence in the area on Saturday to keep the public safe and to intervene to enforce the conditions and deal with any other incidents. Ronan Whelan confessed his career was at a crossroads before he linked up with Aidan OBrien this season but he hopes victory on Hawk Mountain in the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster could help cement his place at Ballydoyle. Whelan, champion apprentice in Ireland in 2012, is 32 now and was ticking along nicely with a few Group Ones, the highlight being A Case Of Yous success in the Prix de lAbbaye in 2021. As stable jockey for Mick Halford and latterly when Halford joined forces with Tracey Collins, he was guaranteed a steady stream of winners. But then Halford retired and Whelan needed to start from scratch. He aimed high, made a connection with OBrien and has been rewarded with two Group One winners, Precise in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and now the new Derby favourite in Hawk Mountain, a horse he rode to win the Beresford Stakes previously. Its huge to have kept the ride. This is my first year riding for Aidan, said Whelan. My main boss last year, Michael Halford, retired and Id had a couple of winners for Aidan so Id made the connection a bit. Theres no better place to be. I was at a crossroads, but Id made that connection and theres no better place to be. When you go down (to Ballydoyle) at the start of the year, you dream about this but you dont think its going to happen. You think its a possibility, but this is my second Group One in my first year. Hes a great guy to ride for and it really is a team effort, everyone is plugging for each other. Im very lucky the way things have worked out. Its my fifth Group One so Ive been lucky enough to have some good days. Im older than I look, Im 32 now! Looking back on the race, Whelan admitted knowing his mount was a huge plus. He travelled like a nice horse through the race, he said. For a few strides when Wayne (Lordan, on Action) came beside me I hit a bit of a flat spot, but thats all it was. Once I got going again I always felt like I was winning. It was just a matter of keeping him together. He felt like he was still a bit green and I felt there was plenty left in him. I think it was a help Id ridden in the Beresford because he had a very good look around in that and he baulked a bit at the winning line. I was happy enough to have a horse come alongside me today and help me along, I wasnt in a rush to kick him too soon and end up a furlong out on my own. Timothy Mellon, a reclusive billionaire who has donated tens of millions of dollars to support past Trump campaigns, is reportedly the anonymous donor who gave the government $130 million to help pay troops during the ongoing government shutdown. Mellon, a railroad magnate and heir to a prominent banking and political family, has not publicly claimed a role in any donation. President Trump revealed the anonymous donation Thursday, describing it as coming from a friend and patriot. He doesnt really want the recognition, Trump said at a roundtable event. The Independent has contacted a phone number and email associated with Mellon in public records for comment. Timothy Mellon, a businessman and heir to the Mellon banking fortune, is reportedly the anonymous donor who gave $130 million to the government to put towards continuing to pay U.S. troops during the government shutdown (Alamy) The White House and Pentagon declined to comment. The Independent has contacted the Treasury Department for comment. Mellon, who Forbes estimated last year had a net worth near $1 billion, is among the countrys most prolific donors to Republican causes. During the 2024 campaign, he donated $100 million to groups supporting Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential campaigns. Mellons donations during the election were among the largest single contributions ever disclosed. The $130m donation, while substantial, will do little to prop up the Defense Department, which spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year paying U.S. troops (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Mellon, a grandson of the early 20th century Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, lives mainly in Wyoming and has largely eschewed the public spotlight, despite his prolific political spending. Little is know about what is motivating the businessmans donation spree. During the 1970s, he reportedly charitably supported liberal causes including feminism, environmentalism, and Native American advocacy, though his politics appear to have swung to the right in recent years. He once compared climate-change scientists to the terror group ISIS, according to The New York Times, and has donated millions to Childrens Health Defense, Kennedys anti-vaccine group. He also previously attracted attention for controversial comments he allegedly made in a self-published autobiography comparing Black people on social assistance programs to slaves accepting freebies. The Pentagon confirmed the anonymous donation Friday, saying it had accepted the funds under its general gift acceptance authority. Timothy Mellon has donated tens of millions of dollars supporting Republican politicians including Donald Trump and his allies like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members salaries and benefits, said Sean Parnell, chief spokesman for the Pentagon. We are grateful for this donors assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops. Observers expressed concern the donation may not be legal. It could run afoul of the Antideficiency Act, which bars federal agencies from spending money in excess of their congressional appropriations or accepting voluntary services. Whether the government is or is not lawfully paying the troops salaries cant depend on this gift, David Super, a professor of law and economics at Georgetown University Law Center, told the Federal News Network. It has to depend on whether there is another appropriation available for this cost, and I dont think there is. And if there isnt, then they can take the gift and hold it, but they cant spend it without approval of Congress. The government has already rerouted billions in research spending to continue paying the troops (REUTERS) This should go without saying, but the American government should be funded by the American people, not anonymous mega-donor friends of the president, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington wrote in a statement on X. This is not how things should work in a democracythis raises all sorts of legal and ethical alarms, the group added. Mellons alleged donation, while unusual, would do little to alter the financial challenges facing the Pentagon. The Trump administration has requested about $600 billion in total military compensation as part of its 2025 budget. Earlier this month, Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use "all available funds" to ensure troops are compensated during the ongoing government shutdown. Last week, the administration used $8 billion in funds originally meant for research and development to make payroll. Netflixs new LGBT+ military series Boots has climbed the streamers charts after the Pentagon dismissed it as woke garbage. The series, based on Greg Cope Whites 2016 memoir The Pink Marine, follows a closeted teenager (played by Miles Heizer) from Louisiana who impulsively enlists in the US Marine Corps. It is set in the Nineties, when being openly gay in the US military was still illegal. Last week, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson hit out at the show, saying the US military will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children. The remarks come after the Trump administrations ban on transgender troops in the military service. But Wilsons comments may have actually boosted the shows popularity, with the series climbing to No 2 on the US Netflix charts and No 4 in the UK. I guess we have to give some credit to the Pentagon there, dont we? series creator Andy Parker told Vanity Fair. (L-R) Liam Oh as Ray McAffey and Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in 'Boots' (Netflix) I certainly never set out to make anything that was propaganda and I really reject the idea that it is, he said. Parker added: I would be very surprised if the Pentagon actually watched the show. The premise itself instigates or incites some kind of reaction or assumptions. What I would invite people to do is to watch the show, and see how they feel about the questions the show is trying to provoke. He continued: We were on an emotional mission. Theres politics involved in all of these questions whats happening to trans people now, and the policies that are being inflicted on trans service members now. What our show shines the light on is, what is the cost of that? Whats the cost to the people who are affected by those policies? What is the cost to the institution itself, when they have to inflict that on service members who want to serve honourably and with dignity? Read about the true story that inspired the Netflix series here. William Haggas veteran Hamish moved to within 40,000 of becoming a millionaire after winning the BetVictor St Simon Stakes at Newbury. The popular nine-year-old is well known as a mud-lover so this summers draught had restricted him to just three previous runs. To his credit he had won two of those, at Goodwood and Chester, but he did not seem to be enjoying himself in the early stages here. By the time Ancient Wisdom had hit the front, however, Tom Marquand moved into his slipstream before pulling him out to go and win impressively, by two and a half lengths. Haggas, whose late father, Brian, bred Hamish, was not at Newbury, but said of the popular 7-2 winner: Hes a remarkable horse. I didnt think he was racing going down the back, but he came good up the straight. This is all down to Maureen (Haggas, wife). Shes been with him from the start and rides him every day. She tells me when hes ready and tells me when to run or not. Today is the first time hes had his ideal conditions all season. Maybe at Goodwood it was soft, but not like he likes it, and Chester we just about got away with it. Its great and as long as hes enjoying it well carry on until he tells us hes not. Hell be back next year, why not? Another 40,000 takes him over the 1million mark and apart from Ireland a couple of times and once in France thats all been earned here. Hes so enthusiastic, its great, todays was a good race. At the other end of the scale Haggas and Marquand were also on the mark with 1,700,000 guinea newcomer My Ophelia (evens favourite) in the first division of the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor EBF Fillies Novice Stakes. Stablemate Earth Shot was second, two lengths away. They both ran really well, said Haggas. My Opehlia looked very promising, but Ive absolutely no idea where shed go next, all options are open. Sir Mark Prescotts Alpinara, a sister to his Arc winner Alpinista, could finish only seventh. The BetVictor Horris Hill Stakes was won in fine style by Charlie Applebys Time To Turn (7-4 favourite). He had been quietly fancied for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend but ran no sort of a race, finishing eighth. Back down in Group Three company he looked in a different league to his rivals, winning by two and a quarter lengths. Were delighted to get his head back in front, said Appleby. We walked away from Lonchamp a little bit disappointed but he came out of it so well we were happy to back him up again. Hes obviously appreciated the ground and that will be him done now for the year. In the spring well look for an ease in the ground and possibly work back from races like the Jersey, potentially. I think its a case of looking for the ground really, but its great to get his head back in front. Muslim women wearing the niqab - REMKO DE WAAL/EPA-EFE/REX/REX The niqab usually referred to erroneously in Britain as the burqa is a marginal trend across most Muslim traditions; both historically and across the world today, other than among local nationals in the Gulf Monarchies. Yet it has found a foothold among immigrant communities in Western Europe, and particularly among Pakistanis in provincial England, despite its relative rarity in Pakistan itself. Notably, its becoming more popular among the children of immigrants than their parents. As is the case for privileged native born subjects of Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi, for a Pakistani family living in a former mill town in Yorkshire, having their women wear the niqab is a powerful signal of what they are not. For the Gulf Arabs, it shows that they are not migrant guest workers; the hired help who are brought in from India or the Philippines. For Pakistanis in England, it shows they are not the locals; the people on the other side of town who drink alcohol and have sex before marriage. This is perhaps what Katie Lam meant when she referred to people who were not culturally coherent. The result is that women clad entirely in black, with a narrow slit for their eyes, have become a relatively common sight on Britains streets; a very common one in some places. The sight is a naturally alarming one for anybody brought up in the common customs of Britain; we are trained to think of people with covered faces as a potential threat, and we associate black clothing with death. And in the context of the niqab, this is not simply ignorance the garment is associated with many of the most austere and militant sects of Islam. Women wearing niqabs in London - Peter Cavanagh / Alamy Stock Photo One might question whether its entirely reasonable for the recently arrived immigrant community to reshape public aesthetics in such a jarring manner, but its at this point that a number of people find their inner John Bull; the indomitable British spirit railing against state interference on private matters. Its anti-British to mandate what people may or may not wear, said Sam Rushworth, the Labour MP for British Bishop Auckland, after Robert Jenrick suggested he would ban the garment. Its also the feeling of many on the liberal wing of the Tory Party. Kemi Badenoch said in June that she wouldnt prohibit it if she were to become Prime Minister, and, in the wake of Jenricks comments, insisted that a full ban at this time is not a priority. Theresa May also defended the right of women to wear the burka when she was in office. Boris Johnson was notably hounded for making fun of it, but he did so while arguing against a ban. Coming from a party that squandered its years in power banning plastic straws and banning cigarettes sold in packs of ten, it seems a particularly surprising moment to rediscover the virtue of patriotic libertarianism. Sometimes, it seems as if the strand of classical liberalism which used to run so prominently through the Tory Party is only visible when the total autonomy of immigrants is in question. The far more solid conservative argument against the burka ban would be that in the unlikely scenario that it was actually obeyed it would simply cover over one of the more obvious signs that Britains largest ethnic minority is travelling in the opposite direction to contented assimilation into the national mainstream. Obviously, we have laws to prevent indecent exposure to guarantee a bare minimum of bodily covering, but surely not to specify a maximum. And just as obviously, there are security concerns about people covering their faces; motorcycle helmets and the like have long been banned in banks and shops. But this is for private businesses to set, not the state. In an ideal world, we ought to be able to keep the state out of any decision-making regarding matters that lie fundamentally in the individual realm. But our liberties always rested on the assumption of a population that shared a common set of customs, allowing people to go about their business as they wished without frightening the horses. The experience of mass immigration is that of Britain becoming more like the rest of the world, on this as on all other questions. And sadly, that often means more formal and intrusive rules governing private choices in public spaces. An 87-year-old pensioner with dementia and living in a care home has been handed a criminal conviction over 43 of unpaid car tax, in the latest shocking case to emerge from the controversial Single Justice Procedure. The woman, from Basildon in Essex, was taken to court by the DVLA over 43.34 which had not been paid when the licence on her Ford Fiesta expired in February this year. The pensioners son wrote to the court to explain that his elderly father, who previously handled household bills, is now in a care home with dementia and his mother struggled to cope. She then also started showing signs of dementia, and moved this summer to live in the same care home. Despite the sad circumstances and the sons insistence that his mother is very confused and completely unable to deal with legal matters, the criminal case against her was not stopped. She was prosecuted in the Single Justice Procedure, a fast-track court process which deals with low-level criminal offences in hearings conducted behind-closed-doors. The Standard has spent more than two years highlighting the fact that frail and unwell pensioners including those with dementia are routinely convicted of not paying household bills, thanks to the way the fast-track courts are designed. Prosecutions are not halted even when it becomes clear defendants are extremely vulnerable, and in some cases when they are mentally incapacitated or recovering from physical health conditions in hospital. The Labour government is well aware of the problems with the courts system and consulted between March and May on possible changes. But it has taken no action to try to address the issue in the last five months. Court papers in the pensioners case show she was accused of not taxing the car between the expiry date of the previous licence, February 28, and the date it was spotted by a DVLA official on April 9. Her son entered a guilty plea to the charge online, and explained that his mother relied on her husband to deal with domestic matters such as bills until he was admitted to a care home in December last year with advanced dementia. The prosecution took place in private at Northampton magistrates court (Alamy/PA) She did not cope well with dealing with day to day tasks, despite the attempts at help from me and other family members, he said. Many important letters were tucked away by her and did not receive a response. Prior to the date of the incident, she had stopped driving but retained the car. She evidently did not respond to the notice to renew the vehicle licence nor show it to a family member. On the day in question, she lent the car to her granddaughter, who is insured to drive it. The driver was unaware that the vehicle was unlicensed at the time. He said when the family realised the bill had gone unpaid, they settled it at the first opportunity, and they have not been able to find a letter the DVLA says was sent out on April 25 which offered an out-of-court settlement. The son said his mother began showing signs of onset dementia herself, deteriorating quite rapidly, and this led to her also being admitted into the same care home as her husband, on July 24, 2025, where she has remained ever since. Her dementia is such that she is now very confused and would be totally unable to respond to this charge by herself, either in writing or in person in court. Single Justice Procedure cases are dealt with in private at magistrates courts (PA) He also sent to the court financial details of his parents pensions and care home costs. The DVLA, as prosecutor, submitted the case to the courts to be dealt with, but due to the fast-track design of the Single Justice Procedure it did not see the sons letter and explanation. Magistrate Kiran Dhillon, sitting in Northampton, decided to accept the guilty plea and impose a conviction on the 87-year-old pensioner, albeit with an absolute discharge rather than a financial penalty. The magistrate opted not to send the case back to the prosecutor to check if it remained in the public interest to proceed, and also imposed an order that the pensioner now has to settle the 43.34 tax bill. After the case was highlighted by The Standard, the DVLA said the pensioner should not have been prosecuted and signalled that it intends to apply to the court for the conviction to be overturned. As part of the governments consultation on SJP system changes, the DVLA backed the idea that all prosecutors who use the fast-track system should view mitigation letters before cases go before a magistrate, in order to check that the prosecutions remain in the public interest. More than 800,000 cases a year are dealt with in the Single Justice Procedure, a system invented by the Conservatives in 2015 as a way of cutting costs. Magistrates said as long ago as March 2024 that the system is broken and in need of substantial reform. They recommended better training for magistrates, new public interest checks on prosecutions, and greater transparency in the system. Rishi Sunaks government did nothing to fix the problems, while Keir Starmers administration has signalled its intention to make changes but has so far failed to act. Federal agents at the ICE building in Portland, Oregon, on 12 October 2025. Photograph: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images A federal judge in Portland, Oregon, on Friday rejected the Trump administrations request to immediately lift her order blocking the deployment of federalized national guard troops to the city, saying that she would decide the matter by Monday. The hearing in Portland and one in Washington DC are the latest in a head-spinning array of lawsuits and overlapping rulings prompted by Trumps push to send the military into Democratic-run cities despite fierce resistance from mayors and governors. Troop deployment remains blocked in the Chicago area, where all sides are waiting to see whether the US supreme court intervenes to allow it. The Portland district court judge Karin Immergut had previously issued two temporary restraining orders blocking the deployment of national guards troops there, in response to a persistent but small protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Her first order, blocking the deployment of 200 troops from the Oregon national guard, said that Donald Trump had exceeded his authority by taking federal control of the troops based on his claim that the city was in a state of war-like rebellion. Trumps assessment, Immergut ruled, was simply untethered to the facts. When Trump responded to that order by sending 200 troops from Californias national guard to Oregon, and threatened to send 400 more from Texas, Immergut determined it was an attempt to evade her order, and issued a second order barring the deployment of troops from anywhere in the country to Portland. Immerguts first order was lifted on Monday by a three-judge panel of the ninth circuit court of appeals, over the strong dissent of the only judge on the panel who lives in Portland. But because the government never appealed Immerguts second order, it remains in effect and the deployment of troops remains blocked until she decides whether to lift or modify it in response to the appeals court ruling. At a virtual hearing on Friday, Immergut cited two reasons for her to delay lifting the second injunction. The first was that the appeals court did not address a central fact in her second order: that she had issued it in part because the government responded to her first order by attempting to evade it. The second was that the ninth circuit appeals court is currently considering a call from one of its judges to rehear the appeal of her first order before a larger panel of 11 judges. Later on Friday, the ninth circuit appeals court paused the lifting of Immerguts first order until next Tuesday evening, to give the court time to decide whether to rehear that case. The effect of that pause is that Trump will remain blocked by the courts from deploying troops to Portland for at least another four days. In Washington DC, a US district judge, Jia Cobb, a nominee of Joe Biden, was hearing arguments on Friday on a request from Brian Schwalb, the District of Columbia attorney general, for an order that would remove more than 2,000 guard members from Washington streets. In August, Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the district though the Department of Justice itself says violent crime there is at a 30-year low. Within a month, more than 2,300 guard troops from eight states and the district were patrolling under the army secretarys command. Trump also deployed hundreds of federal agents to assist them. It is unclear how long the deployments will last, but attorneys from Schwalbs office said troops were likely to remain in Washington through at least next summer. Our constitutional democracy will never be the same if these occupations are permitted to stand, they wrote. Government lawyers said Congress empowered the president to control the DC national guards operation. They argued that Schwalbs lawsuit was a frivolous political stunt threatening to undermine a successful campaign to reduce violent crime in Washington. Although the emergency period ended in September, more than 2,200 troops remain. Several states told the Associated Press they would bring their units home by 30 November, unless their deployment is extended. Among the states that sent troops to the district was West Virginia. A civic organization called the West Virginia Citizen Action Group says the governor, Patrick Morrisey, exceeded his authority by deploying 300 to 400 guard members to support Trumps efforts there. Related: Democratic senators call on education department to stop ICE raids by schools Morrisey has said West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump, and his office has said the deployment was authorized under federal law. The state attorney generals office has asked Richard D Lindsay, a Kanawha county circuit court judge, to reject the case, saying the group has not been harmed and lacks standing to challenge Morriseys decision. Lindsay heard some arguments on Friday before continuing the hearing to 3 November to give the state time to focus more on whether Morrisey had the authority to deploy the guard members. I want that issue addressed, Lindsay said. April Perry, a district judge, on Wednesday blocked guard deployment to the Chicago area until a case in her court is decided or the US supreme court intervenes. Perry previously blocked the deployment for two weeks through a temporary restraining order. Attorneys representing the federal government said they would agree to extend the order, but would also continue pressing for an emergency order from the supreme court that would allow for the deployment. Lawyers representing Chicago and Illinois have asked the supreme court to continue to block the deployment, calling it a dramatic step. Princess Dianas brother says he doesnt like strangers telling him where they were when she died Earl Spencer has said he finds it hard when strangers tell him where they were when his sister Princess Diana died. Charles Spencer discussed his grief on author Gyles Brandreths podcast, Rosebud, as he shared how fundamentally unhappy he becomes on the anniversary of her death every year. He said: I tell you what I do find quite difficult it probably sounds ungracious but occasionally total strangers come up and feel they must tell me where they were when they heard she died. Im sure thats helpful to them, its not entirely helpful to everyone else. The British peer gave an example of an American woman who had expressed that she grew up with Diana in South Dakota. He said she clutched me to her ample bosom and said that I may have thought I grew up with Diana, but actually she did in South Dakota. (PA) He added: You just have to smile, it doesnt matter. The earl said he and his seven children cut flowers and visited Dianas grave to mark the day of her passing at the familys Althorp estate. She was buried on the grounds of the Northamptonshire estate she grew up in. I try and be really busy on August 31 because its just terribly sad, really, he told Mr Brandreth. He reflected on Dianas extraordinary legacy, likening it to picking parts from a horoscope that suit you. Its different things to different people, particularly to women of a similar age. They really invested their lives in hers, he said. Maybe they had an unhappy marriage, maybe they battled an eating disorder. Theres plenty of Diana to look into and take your bit out of almost like a horoscope, you can make it make sense for you. Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in 1997 (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Archive) Lord Fellowes, a friend of the earl who created Downton Abbey, had told him that Dianas appeal was in part down to something unhappy about her. He told Mr Brandreth: Of course, she married into the Royal family, she was beautiful and very charismatic, but he also said like the great film stars, there was something unhappy in there that really triggered an emotional response. Earl Spencer spoke out earlier this year after a building at the former home of the Princess was targeted in a suspected arson attack in May. Firefighters rushed overnight to the scene of a blaze at one of the farmhouses on Althorp Estate, which houses the Grade I-listed stately home in which the late Princess of Wales grew up. Sharing photographs of a large fire on social media, the Earl said he was stunned to learn that the farmhouse was apparently burnt down by vandals last night. Noting that the building was unoccupied at the time, the late princesss younger brother said: So very sad that anyone would think this a fun thing to do. A migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison was seen by a delivery driver returning four or five times to the reception, as he hung around outside for around an hour and a half. Hadush Kebatu was jailed for 12 months in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman. The former asylum seeker, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was due to be deported, but on Friday he was released from HMP Chelmsford by error. The Met Police is now leading the manhunt for the 38-year-old, with searches centred on London where the last confirmed sighting of him was in Dalston, Hackney, on Friday evening. A still from CCTV footage has been issued of him inside a library in Dalston Square at 6pm. On Saturday, as police chiefs made a direct appeal to Kebatu, an interview was aired by Sky News with a delivery driver who said he spoke to him while delivering a fridge at the time of his release. The driver, Sim, said Kebatu knew he was supposed to be deported and kept asking prison staff what to do, returning to the prison reception four or five times. He came out of the airlock, and kept saying to the officers there, Where am I going? What am I doing? I dont know where Im going and what Im doing, Sim told Sky News. The Met Police has issued a last sighting of Kebatu in Dalston, Hackney, on Friday evening at 6pm (Met Police) He was holding a pack of paperwork in his arms, and his bag of bits He knew hed been deported. He came over to me and said, I need you to help me. Sim said that a member of prison staff told him that he had to get on a train and directed Kebatu to Chelmsford station to catch a train to London, telling him: Youre released, youre released. Sim said Kebatu waited outside the prison for roughly an hour and a half before leaving. He kept scratching his head and saying, Where do I go, where do I go? The fourth or fifth time [he went into the reception] he was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed. Im not sticking up for the guy, but in my eyes, he was trying to do the right thing. He knew he was getting deported, but he didnt know where he was going or how he should get there. A court sketch of Hadush Kebatu during his trial where he was convicted of sexual assault on a girl (PA) A prison officer has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation is underway. Videos circulated online appeared to show a man resembling Kebatu in Chelmsford town centre shortly after his release, wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag. In an update on Saturday, police said Kebatu has access to funds and had made several train journeys across London. Detectives say he got off a train at Stratford, with CCTV later catching him in Dalston Square, where he was seen carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados on it. He was last seen in the area at 8pm, the Met said. Commander James Conway, who is leading the manhunt, urged Kebatu to give himself up. He said: We believe he has access to funds, and critically, in both Chelmsford and London, we believe he has sought assistance from members of the public, and has spoken to station staff. He added: I am making a direct appeal to Mr Kebatu. We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. Hadush Kebatu had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping at the time of his offences (PA) (PA Wire) You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff. The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station. The Independent contacted the Ministry of Justice which referred a request for a statement to deputy prime minister David Lammy, who earlier said he was livid on behalf of the public. He added: I spoke to the home secretary today. I have launched an investigation into what has happened in the prison service to allow this to come about. But the important thing is that we protect the public. The important thing is that the police are able to do their work and find this individual. During the trial at which Kebatu was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl, it was heard how he told two teenagers he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls thighs and stroke her hair. He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. Kebatu was found guilty of five offences following his three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts. Two weeks ago, a US-brokered ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza with Donald Trump declaring peace in the Middle East. A fortnight on and the armistice, though fragile, remains in place. Senior Trump administration officials have been keen to eulogise the merits of the presidents gilded Pax Americana, while rushing to Israel this week to ensure it holds. But as Hamas, Israel and the United States work through the finer details of the agreement, the futures of millions of people still remain unclear. In the immediate future, the priority will be to bring aid into Gaza, as well as the basic infrastructure needed for power, the desalination of water, and the running of public services. Only then can the wider challenge of rebuilding begin in earnest. The task is enormous, with an estimated 10 per cent of the population having been either killed or injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry, and some 90 per cent of homes estimated to have been damaged or destroyed. But as he left Israel on Thursday this week, US Vice President JD Vance was optimistic about the timeline. Palestinians could begin again in a Hamas-free zone within a matter of months, he said, and claimed Rafah could be rebuilt in two to three years. There is a long road ahead to rebuilding Gaza after two years of bitter conflict (AP) Who will rebuild Gaza? Gazas economy is in ruins. Its government until now responsible for some 30,000 civil servants is due to disarm and release its grip on power under a proposal set out by Trump and partially agreed by Hamas. Efforts to rebuild will require years, if not decades, of steady support from external stakeholders. Hamas is ultimately expected to make way for the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities. The plan makes reference to qualified Palestinians and international experts, but detail is light on who they might be. In time, the hope is that a reformed Palestinian Authority will be able to effectively take back control of Gaza though this remains controversial among Palestinians and Israeli politicians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Vance this week Israel would not agree to the PAs involvement unless it undergoes fundamental reforms. In the interim, a committee would be overseen by an international Board of Peace tasked with creating modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment. This drone photo shows the scale of the damage in Gaza City (AP) Trumps 20-point plan to end the war and reorganise the governance of Gaza is light on detail. But it does provide some clues in the shape of a Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energise Gaza with help from a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. The thoughtful investment proposals of well-meaning international groups will be factored in for consideration, too. The reference to modern miracle states gives some indication of who the key stakeholders may be. Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador and UN coordinator, told The Independent that the obvious donor candidates would be the oil-rich Gulf States: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. The US will also want a stake in this and will no doubt contribute, he said. Plus, I imagine, the UK, Canada and Australia. Others, like Egypt, Jordan and Indonesia, may have some role in training for Palestinians or supplying personnel for the International Stabilization Force (ISF). The UN estimates it could cost $70bn (52bn) to rebuild Gaza (AP) What are the priorities? More than 70 per cent of Gazas water and sanitation centres have been damaged or destroyed according to Unicef, and just 1.5 per cent of Gazas agricultural land was still accessible and undamaged as of August this year. A spokesperson for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told The Independent that there had been a slight improvement in the flow of goods into Gaza over the last two weeks. More general supplies, like fruits, vegetables and cooking gas, are now available in local markets and the prices have decreased significantly. But most remain unaffordable for people who have lost their homes, livelihoods and savings due to the war. There are also bureaucratic issues. While Rafah remains shut, aid groups report trouble re-registering to be able to move through the accepted channels. Supplies like desalination units, latrines and solar panels may be considered dual use and blocked from entering, groups said. When these issues are resolved, the task will be to find funding to rebuild vital infrastructure. Palestinians collect water from a truck amid the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City (AP) Gazas water and sanitation systems have collapsed. Power plants have been destroyed, and arable land has been razed by bombing, shelling and heavy vehicle activity over the last two years. In February, during an earlier ceasefire, Human Rights Watch warned that without immediate action, Palestinians would continue to be killed by disease, dehydration and malnutrition. They noted that the main water-utility warehouse in Gaza, housing millions of pounds worth of spare parts, was destroyed in strikes. That month, a comprehensive assessment by the World Bank, European Union and the UN put the figure of reconstruction over the next decade at $53.2bn (40bn). At the time, the report said, the health sector would require $6.9bn, agriculture and food systems would cost $4.2bn each, and education had some $3.8bn in recovery needs. Transport would cost $2.9bn and the restoration of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) sector would cost $2.7bn. Since then, the estimated cost of reconstruction has swollen to around $70bn (52bn), according to a UN Development Programme official. Jaco Cilliers, the official, said that the US as well as Arab and European states were willing to help contribute to the costs. Thousands of Palestinians are returning home to find nothing but rubble (AP) How far along is the plan? Trumps comments at the start of the year, suggesting that the US could take over and own Gaza, fashioning it into a gaudy Riviera of the Middle East, sparked outrage. The president walked back his comments after the ceasefire took effect when he said: I dont know about the Riviera for a while, because you take a look at what you have. You have to get people taken care of first. Nothing has been ruled out. But Trump does appear more concerned about rebuilding Gaza in a way that is palatable to those with a stake in its success. Former British prime minister Sir Tony Blair was pegged for a role on a Board of Peace overseeing a transitional government. But Trump said last week that while he personally likes Blair, he wants to find out that hes an acceptable choice to everybody before making any hard commitments. The board is expected to be clarified in November, when Egypt hosts an international conference for Gazas rebuilding in Cairo. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has urged Egyptians to play a role in the rebuild, calling on the prime minister to work with the civil service to create a way to pool national donations. It will likely take years, if not decades, for Gaza to be rebuilt (AFP/Getty) Egypts foreign minister Badr Abdelatty told CNN that attending stakeholders would include the US, the UN, the World Bank, the EU, Germany, France, Gulf Cooperation Councils, all Gulf countries, Japan and others. There are concrete ideas for the second phase, some of them developed by Tony Blair over the last couple of years, explained Fitton-Brown. It could work, but Hamas may sabotage. The real challenge is for the US to persuade Qatar and Turkey to keep pressure on Hamas to comply. There has been concern about the appointment of Blair over his role in the Iraq War, and the colonial image of Western leaders stepping back into the administration of the southern Levant. Having seemingly learned from Iraq, Trumps proposal does include the International Stabilization Force to train and support vetted police officers in Gaza, allowing Hamas, in theory, to step back without leaving a power vacuum that could allow militant groups to take over. Details on the size, remit and origin of the ISF remain vague. The wider plan remains vague, though Trump seems to acknowledge this, suggesting the phases are all a little bit mixed in with each other and that steps can be taken out of order in a positive way. Reece Walsh and Australia (Michael Steele/Getty Images) Much has changed in the 22 years since the last Ashes series but some things remain the same. More than two decades England had waited for this chance to test themselves against the worlds best and while there are two more clashes to come in which Shaun Wanes men will hope to hit back, there can be no disputing that Australia remain exactly that. This was an imperfect performance in many ways from the world champion Kangaroos and yet still a chasm gaped between the two teams if England are to win a first Ashes since 1973, they must find a level beyond that which they were capable of here. The long wait for an Ashes return has much to do with Australian ambivalence towards the international game and while this game crackled and fizzed with an intensity befitting a fine occasion, this was not perhaps a colossal contest of the kind more regularly sighted during the State of Origin series nor the upper echelons of the NRL. A crowd of 60,812 lapped up a welcome comeback, but England struggled to make much imprint on their opposition and failed to do so at all on the scoreboard until four minutes from time, dispiriting those harbouring hopes of a home series success. It always appeared likely that the Australians would accelerate away, but the margin of their victory had much to do with a virtuoso showing from Reece Walsh. Wembley has witnessed a good number of great fullbacks in its long lineage, but this grand old ground has surely seen few characters like the vibrant 23-year-old, who blends ingenuity with bristling braggadocio in a potent potion. Australia started the Ashes with a big win (Michael Steele/Getty Images) Player of the match in the NRL Grand Final three weeks ago, the exuberance and energy that make Walsh such a star on the field have sometimes got him in trouble off it it is not long since the Brisbane Broncos were forced to apologise for an ill-judged social media video showing him lapping water out of a newly-installed latrine. But there is no doubting his star power. There is a lot of room for improvement, Walsh said, sounding an ominous warning after his Kangaroos debut. We were pretty scrappy out there. Weve got a lot of world-class players in our team. Its our first hit-out together, so Im pretty pleased to get the win. We are all chasing perfection, but that doesnt mean we are going to get it. The thought was that if England were to have a hope of series victory, they had to catch Australia cold in the series opener. Perhaps recognising the need for that fast start, England brought plenty of early physicality, using the imposing Dom Young early and often, the gigantic wing roaming infield to inflict damage on familiar foes from the NRL. Centre Herbie Farnworth, another of Englands Australian-based stars, flashed too, but a well-drilled Australian defence was not to be easily broken down despite the hosts matching them punch for punch in contact. Indeed, in the opening quarter, neither side threatened much at all, not able to generate sufficient metreage to invoke much peril nor earn repeat sets via the boot on rare forays close to the opposition try line. Matty Lees of England is tackled by Reuben Cotter and Angus Crichton of Australia (Paul Harding/Getty Images) It was Australia who broke the stalemate in style. Although shorn of skipper Isaah Yeo after an early blow to the head, their forwards began to truck up with greater venom, sucking in the English line. Numbers away to the right were exploited eagerly by a sweeping band of backs if an inwards, perhaps forwards toss from an offloading Mark Nawaqanitawase to an onrushing Kotoni Staggs looked slightly suspect, there was nothing suspicious about the gleeful leap from Walsh that finished it off. Reece Walsh leaps over to score Australias opener (Mike Egerton/PA Wire) It characterised the fullbacks performance. He and Farnworth were involved in a couple of off-ball ding dongs before Walsh intervened to deny what seemed a certain score after Jake Wardle had broken free, shooting out to block the centres pass. It was the sort of all-round display of fullback mastery that Sam Tomkins, regularly patrolling the England backfield in his role as team manager, would have been proud of during his playing days. The home side had their chances Tom Johnstones in-field kick disappearing down a burrow just before terriers Mikey Lewis and Welsby could reel it in but were unable to register. By contrast, when a tug back on the irrepressible Walsh brought a kickable penalty, Nathan Clearys crisp strike extended the Australian advantage. The fullback sparked the tourists into life immediately after the interval, very nearly going the length of the field on one audacious adventure, and it wasnt long before a second Australian score arrived with England on their heels expecting a kick after the fifth tackle, Angus Crichton strolled down Wembley Way untouched for an all-too-easy finish. With England unable to lift the intensity, the Kangaroos turned the screw, trapping the home side in with canny kicking as the heavens opened before Crichton crossed again. To sum Englands day up, a well put-together play ended with Lewis across the line but only thanks to a knock-on; a matter of moments later, Australia were up the other end scoring legitimately, with Walsh, fittingly, applying the finishing touches. Daryl Clarks late try ensured England broke their duck, but it was little consolation. Australia powered away in the second half (Paul Harding/Getty Images) We were poor, England head coach Shaun Wane reflected. I know what these players are capable of, and I dont think we gave ourselves a chance to win. Australia were the best team, there is no doubt about that. We were desperate to put our best show on today and we didnt do that. The things that we did wrong are easy fixes. They showed why they are the best team in the world and we have to hold our hands up we werent there today. Failure to engage with Donald Trump could leave him vulnerable to persuasion from Vladimir Putin, pictured with him at their Alaska summit in August, according to Alexander Stubb - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters The president of Finland has warned Europe to keep engaging with Donald Trump or risk Russia swaying him again, The Telegraph can disclose. In what was described as a crucial intervention at a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Alexander Stubb told Ukraines allies that the US president was currently satisfied with Europes role in his efforts to end the war. Diplomatic sources said Mr Stubb, who is emerging as Mr Trumps closest European ally, claimed that the Russians were circling around the US president and his entourage in the hope of convincing him to back Vladimir Putins plans to end the conflict in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer, flanked by Volodymyr Zelensky and Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general, hosted the coalition meeting in London on Friday - Henry Nicholls/WPA Pool/Getty Images On Saturday, Mr Trump said that he would not schedule any talks with Putin unless it was clear that the Russian leader was serious about making a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Im going to have to know that were going to make a deal. Im not going to be wasting my time, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he headed to Asia. Ive always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing, the US leader said. I thought this would have gotten done before peace in the Middle East. Mr Stubbs warning came as Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents US envoy, arrived in Washington on a hastily arranged visit to counter the White Houses new sanctions on Russian oil giants. According to a European official, Mr Stubb told allies: Trumps entourage confirms that he is now satisfied with the impact of sanctions, Ukraine, and Europe. But beware: Steve Witkoffs [the US special envoy] counterpart is currently moving around Washington. It is therefore still necessary to work on the entourage and the president himself. Keep talking to them so that the enemy isnt the only one, a second source said, summing up Mr Stubbs advice. Alexander Stubb is emerging as Donald Trumps closest European ally - Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine and its European allies have invested time and effort in attempting to keep Mr Trump on their side amid fears he could one day side with Putin in the negotiations to end the war. The Russian president has been attempting to urge his US counterpart to convince Kyiv to give up large swathes of land as the price for any ceasefire. But European leaders in attendance at the Coalition meeting, hosted by Sir Keir Starmer on Friday afternoon, believe that Mr Trump is supportive of their plan to end the fighting on the current front lines before any negotiations over land swaps can happen. The US president reportedly scrapped planned peace talks with Putin in Budapest after the Russian refused to compromise on his demand that Ukraine should cede its eastern Donetsk region prior to any talks. This threw into doubt hopes that more than three years of fighting between Kyiv and Moscow would soon come to an end, with Europe shifting its focus to sustaining Ukraines defence. Sir Keir set out a five-point strategy for keeping Ukraine in the fight, by doing more to take Russian oil and gas off the international markets, use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines defence, strengthen air defence support, and ramp up military pressure on Moscow. It came as Rachel Reeves suggested that lobbying by the UK had been critical in persuading Mr Trump to sanction two major Russian oil firms. The Chancellor said she had urged Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, to show a united front by following Britains lead in targeting Rosneft and Lukoil. She also hinted that ministers will carry on pressing the White House to go further on sanctions rather than softening its stance in the face of Russian lobbying. Writing for The Telegraph, she said: President Trumps sanctions, alongside UK action, will make it significantly harder for Russia to find buyers for this oil and will substantially undermine their ability to finance their illegal war. We need a united front from our global partners to continue to tighten the screws on Putin. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to lead the charge as we shift gears towards a more secure, more peaceful future. Ms Reeves said the UK was exploring every lever we can pull to turn up the pressure on the Kremlin, including using seized Russian assets to fund Ukraines war effort. Alexander Stubb sat alongside Volodymyr Zelensky as European leaders met Donald Trump at the White House in August - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images A source told The Telegraph that the use of seized Russian Central Bank assets was the main topic of discussion between the Coalition. They appeared to secure a breakthrough in European Union plans for a 140bn reparations loan to Kyiv. Under the plan, Ukraine would receive money to buy weapons for the next three years and would only have to repay the debt once Russia agrees to compensation for its war. If Moscow refuses to hand over money to Kyiv, the assets will remain frozen in Europe. The scheme had been blocked by Belgium, which holds two-thirds of the frozen Russian assets worldwide, at a separate meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday. During the Coalitions talks, Belgium remained silent when a deadline was set for the scheme to be finalised in December, a Western official said. The appeals for this appeared to work, and it prevailed that the reparations loan must be finalised in December. The Commission confirmed that it will submit legislative proposals, they said. A European diplomat said Ursula von der Leyen, the Commissions president, had earlier this week communicated to EU leaders that the draft legal texts are almost ready to be presented. As negotiations go on to end the conflict in Ukraine, Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities continue - Yan Dobronosov/Reuters Ukrainian artillery fire a rocket launcher towards Russian troops near the front line in Donetsk on Thursday - Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters But as the work by Europeans continues, Mr Dmitriev told CNN that Russia, Ukraine and the US were closing in on a diplomatic pact to end the war. Its a big move by President Zelensky to already acknowledge that its about battle lines, he said. You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out. Moscows forces currently occupy around 20 per cent of Ukraines territory, which will de facto fall under the Kremlins sphere of influence under any ceasefire. Mr Zelensky insists he will not recognise any Russian control over Ukrainian land, but acknowledges his armed forces do not have the military means to liberate it. Shocking amount of prisoners released in error as numbers more than double in a year Government data reveals the number of prisoners mistakenly released more than doubled in the year to March 2025. His Majestys Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) reported 262 such releases between April 2024 and March 2025, a significant jump from 115 in the preceding 12 months. HMPPS stated in its report that releases in error "remain infrequent", attributing the rise to legislative changes and Labours early release scheme, introduced in September 2024. Thousands of inmates have been freed early since then in a bid to cut jail overcrowding, by temporarily reducing the proportion of sentences which some prisoners must serve behind bars in England and Wales from 50% to 40%. A number of the 262 were released in error when the early release scheme began, HMPPS said, because of an issue with a repealed breach of restraining order offence. Asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who sparked nationwide protests after sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl, was released from custody by mistake on Friday morning. A Prison Service spokesman said: We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident. A Ministry of Justice graphic showing prisoners released in error over the years (Ministry of Justice/PA) Those prisoners were rearrested and returned to custody, the report, published this summer, said. Prisoners are considered released in error if they are wrongly discharged from prison or court, and it can happen when a sentence is miscalculated or the wrong person is discharged, among other reasons. HMPPS said year on year changes in the number of prisoners released in error should be considered in the context of the number of releases in the same time period and changes in the operational environment. Chelmsfords MP Marie Goldman told the PA news agency the figures showed Kebatus release was not a problem that happened by chance that could never happen elsewhere. Saying she was concerned by the figure, she added that it demonstrated the need for a rapid public inquiry into Kebatus release as there was obviously something systemic which is broken. The Ministry of Justice was contacted for comment. PIA Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 airplane at Dubai Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates. (Getty Images) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to the United Kingdom on Saturday, ending a five-year ban imposed after a scandal involving fraudulent pilot licences. The airline faced a ban from both the UK and the European Union in June 2020. This followed a deadly crash in Karachi that killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licences. Following extensive safety audits, the European ban was lifted in November 2024, paving the way for PIA to restore its suspended routes from January this year. The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return following months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system. The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony held at Islamabad International Airport. In this June 8, 2013 photo, a Pakistani International Airline plane takes off from Benazir Bhutto airport in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed, File) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Asif said in a televised address that the flights were essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send were the backbone of Pakistans economy. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty," he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland. Pakistans High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations. This milestone will bring major economic benefits; generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. In 2020 it was reported that early a quarter of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilots were found not to hold valid licences. It was believed that many had not even taken the Pakistan regulators pilot qualification examination. An investigation following the Karachi air disaster, in which all passengers and crew lost their lives, revealed that 262 of 850 pilots had potentially fake licences or ones containing irregularities. PIA Airbus 320 was on a scheduled flight from Lahore to Karachi on 22 May when 97 passengers and crew died after a botched go-around that damaged the plane on its first attempt at landing. Timothy Mellon in 1981. Photograph: AP A reclusive billionaire, anti-tax crusader and major financial backer of Donald Trump has been named as the anonymous private donor who gave $130m to the government to help pay US troops during the federal shutdown that is now in its fourth week, according to the New York Times. Timothy Mellon, heir to the gilded age industrialist and former treasury secretary Andrew Mellon, is the secret donor whom Trump has described as a friend, great American and patriot, but has refused to name, the Times reported on Saturday, citing two anonymous sources familiar with the arrangement. Trump first announced the secret, legally controversial donation on Thursday amid growing clamor about the potential financial hardship being caused by the ongoing federal shutdown on the 1.3 million active duty military troops. Related: Americans brace for food stamps to run out: The greatest hunger catastrophe since the Great Depression He doesnt want publicity, Trump said on Friday as he headed to Malaysia. He prefers that his name not be mentioned, which is pretty unusual in the world I come from, and in the world of politics, you want your name mentioned. The Pentagon told the Times that the donation was accepted under the general gift acceptance authority. The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members salaries and benefits, said Sean Parnell, the Pentagons chief spokesperson, in a statement. Still, the donation, which equates to about $100 per service member, appears to be a potential violation of the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending funds in advance or in excess of congressional appropriations and from accepting voluntary services except in the case of emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. Potential penalties for violations include both administrative and criminal sanctions such as suspension or removal from duty, fines and imprisonment. A White House spokesperson referred the Guardian to the treasury department, which has been contacted for comment. Mellon, 80, pumped over $165m to back Trump, Robert F Kennedy and other Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle, making him the top donor fueling outside spending groups last year, according to the campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets. This included $125m to the Super Pac Make America Great Again Inc, which supported Trump, according to Federal Election Commission documents. Mellon has also given money to Kennedys anti-vaccine group, Childrens Health Defense. Mellon, a retired railroad magnate who lives mostly in Wyoming, is a relatively new player in campaign financing, donating just $32,000 in the 2016 election cycle when Trump first ran for office. This jumped to $10m in 2016 and $60m in 2020, when in a rare interview with Bloomberg the recluse said he believed Trump had delivered on what hed said on the stump. In 2021, the Texas Tribune reported that Mellon had donated $53m to Texas governor Greg Abbotts fund to build a wall on the states border with Mexico. Mellons wealth and anti-tax leanings can be traced back to his industrialist grandfather, who made his money in banking and investments in startups before serving as treasury secretary from 1921 to 1932. The Mellon family remains one of the countrys richest with a combined net worth of $14bn in 2024, according to Forbes. Timothy Mellons individual wealth is unclear, with reported estimates ranging from $700m to $4bn. Trump hints at possible Kim Jong Un meeting as he begins Asia tour US president Donald Trump has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his whirlwind Asia tour. Mr Trump embarked on a five-day tour of Asia on Friday night, his first of the term, with stops in Malaysia and Japan, before concluding the trip in South Korea for a face-to-face meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping aimed at de-escalating the trade war. The only meeting that could eclipse the Xi summit would be an impromptu reunion with North Korean leader Mr Kim. I would. If you want to put out the word, Im open to it, Mr Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One. I had a great relationship with him," the US president added. If realised, the meeting would mark the two world leaders first summit since their last at the Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019. The two leaders met three times during Mr Trumps first presidency. Although there has been no confirmation about a possible meeting, speculation has been rife since South Korea's unification minister Chung Dong Young told lawmakers this month it was possible that Mr Trump could again meet with Mr Kim in the Demilitarised Zone. The new liberal South Korean government has repeatedly urged Mr Trump to take the lead in reopening dialogue with Mr Kim. Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to restore diplomacy with Mr Kim as he boasted of his relationship with the North Korean leader and called him a smart guy. The North Korean leader said last month that he was open to talks with the US president, but only if Washington dropped its demand for the denuclearisation of the reclusive East Asian state. Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un at their last meeting in 2019 (Getty) Personally, I still have fond memories of US president [Donald] Trump, Mr Kim said, publicly naming the US president for the first time since he was elected to the Oval Office in January. If the United States drops the absurd obsession with denuclearising us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the United States, Mr Kim added. Since his earlier diplomacy with Mr Trump fell apart due to disputes over US-led sanctions on North Korea, Mr Kim has accelerated the expansion of an arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike the US and its allies. He has also strengthened his diplomatic footprint by aligning with Russia over its war in Ukraine and tightening relations with China. North Korea has been under UN sanctions and arms embargoes since its first nuclear test in 2006. With an enlarged nuclear arsenal, stronger diplomatic backing from Russia and China and the weakening enforcement of sanctions, Mr Kim has greater leverage and clearly wants the US to acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power, a status needed to call for the lifting of UN sanctions. But that would run counter to the US and its allies long-held position that sanctions would stay in place unless North Korea fully abandons its nuclear program. Koh Yu Hwan, a former president of South Koreas Institute of National Unification, told the AP that any meeting between the two leaders at the APEC meeting is unlikely to produce meaningful results. To get Mr Kim back to talks, Mr Trump would have to bring something enticing him to the table this time around, he added. Even if they dont meet this month, there are still chances for both leaders to resume diplomacy later. New York, US (PANA) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned that the fragile legitimacy of the Security Council could endanger global peace if it remains gridlocked and fails to fulfil its primary purpose President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough. The anti-tariff ad was funded by Ontarios provincial government and quoted the conservative icon, who appeared to warn in the video that tariffs hurt every American. Trump appeared to take great offense to the ad and announced Thursday he was suspending trade talks with Canada as a result. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that he would pull the ad to allow trade talks to resume following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, Ford said the ad would continue running through the weekend, including during the first World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which has irked the president. President Donald Trump said he is slapping an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada for not pulling down a fraudulent ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan fast enough (AP) Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagans Speech on Tariffs, Trump complained on Truth Social Saturday afternoon from Air Force One while en route to Malaysia. Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD, Trump said. Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now. It was not immediately clear when the hike would come into effect or whether it would apply to all Canadian goods. Earlier this year, Trump raised the import tax on Canada to 35 percent. The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs. The advert uses real but spliced moments from an April 1987 Reagan address about imposing tariffs on Japan to criticize U.S. tariffs (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library) The Reagan Presidential Foundation has also condemned the ad, calling it unauthorized and a misrepresentation of Reagan's views. The foundation indicated it is pursuing legal options over the use of the audio. Ford said the campaigns goal was to spark dialogue about the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. Weve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels, Ford said in a statement Friday. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. I can play dirtier than they can, Trump told reporters Friday. Many Canadian products have already been hit with a 35 percent tariff, while steel and aluminum face rates of 50 percent. Energy products have a lower rate of 10 percent. Donald Trump has teased the name of his new $300m White House ballroom. Trump has come under scrutiny over the cost the ballroom and the plans that require the White Houses historic East Wing to be demolished, contrary to assurances he gave earlier this year. The US president was quizzed about the name of the new ballroom on Saturday (25 October) as he boarded Air Force One for Malaysia for a landmark ASEAN summit. He said: Its a beautiful room, a big room. I don't have any plans to call it after myself, that was fake news. Probably going to call it the Presidential Ballroom or something like that, we haven't really thought about a name yet." Ukrainian drones are flying up to 1250 miles to target oil sites deep inside Russia, say military sources. Kyiv is locked in a technology race with Moscow as Vladimir Putin has again snubbed Donald Trumps moves to end the war which the Russian president launched in February 2022. Ukraine has attacked Russian energy facilities more than 60 times since the start of August, causing significant damage and disrupting the flow of oil and products through Russias vast pipeline system. A senior Ukrainian commander in the 14th Deep Strike Regiment, one of the units leading the countrys drone campaign, said its unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were flying distances of up to 2000 km (1250 miles) as they seek to find holes in Russian air defences. Identified only by his call sign Charlie, in line with Ukraines military practice, he explained: We are dealing with a fairly skilled opponent. Smoke billows after a Ukrainian drone strikes a refinery in Ryazan, Russia, in a screen grab from a video obtained by Reuters, on March 13, 2024 (via REUTERS) They have a high level of training and they quickly adapt to our methods, to the tactics that we use, he added, speaking to Reuters from an unidentified tarmac strip in Ukraine where several Liutyi drones took off into the night sky on their way to attack Russian targets. Drone warfare has changed rapidly since Russias failed all-out invasion of Ukraine was launched in early 2022, with both sides sending them across the front line and far behind it. Russia has used waves of them to reinforce missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, seeking to knock out heating during the freezing winter months. Kyivs decision to focus on long-range targets inside Russia reflects its view that hitting the energy system that fuels Russias vast military is the best way to gain leverage over its enemy. Charlie did not say how many drones were sent on each attack and how many were intercepted, and did not discuss US intelligence sharing, which is believed to have played a role in helping Ukraine successfully target some of Russias biggest oil installations. The enemy is waiting for us in certain places, carrying out countermeasures in order to reduce our success, he said. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump met at a summit in Alaska but the Russian president has snubbed the US leaders moves to get peace in Ukraine (REUTERS) We must not forget that the enemy has the most powerful air defence system on the continent. The enemy also made a very large bet on the development of its electronic warfare and electronic means of detecting our UAVs. But Ukraine continues to find holes in Russias defences, he added, using the latest technology and information-gathering. The commander said that Ukraines focus was increasingly on the quality of drones it flew rather than the quantity, and that the regiment had a dedicated research and development team. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that up to 300 drones were involved in a single attack, although a source with knowledge of Ukraines tactics said that the typical number tends to be far smaller and includes decoys. Russia regularly fires hundreds of kamikaze drones and decoys at Ukraine in a single attack, making it impossible for Ukraine to down them all. We rely on quality., said the Ukrainiain source. A large number of drones, I will tell you honestly ... do not always solve a particular problem. It is the new approach, the new technologies that now give us the success that you all see. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire) Meanwhile, Britain is to fast-track sending more long-range missiles to Ukraine for winter war against Putins military. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the UK would accelerate the delivery of these weapons to Kyiv as Russia targets Ukraines energy infrastructure ahead of temperatures dropping below freezing in coming months. Britain has also supplied tens of thousands of drones to Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer also made the case for using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines defences as he hosted a meeting of leaders of the coalition of the willing in London. Mr Thomas-Symonds told LBC: We want to try and take Russian oil and gas off the global market. We want also to finish the job on the frozen Russian sovereign assets, essentially so we can use the them to unlock billions of pounds to fund Ukraines defences and, thirdly, supplying long-range capabilities. By that, I mean missiles to Ukraine going into the winter months, which obviously has jobs benefits here in the United Kingdom as well. Mr Zelensky, Denmarks prime minister Mette Frederiksen, Dutch premier Dick Schoof and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte were in London on Friday, while around 20 other leaders dialled in to a meeting of the coalition of the willing - the initiative led by Sir Keir and Frances Emmanuel Macron. Sir Keir urged leaders to step up the provision of long-range weapons after a successful attack on a chemical plant in Bryansk, Russia, using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. He announced that a UK missile-building programme has been accelerated to deliver an extra 140 air defence missiles this winter. Before Fridays meeting, Sir Keir said: The only person involved in this conflict who does not want to stop the war is President Putin, and his depraved strikes on young children in a nursery this week make that crystal clear. Time and again we offer Putin the chance to end his needless invasion, to stop the killing and recall his troops, but he repeatedly rejects those proposals and any chance of peace. Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on two Russian oil giants (REUTERS) The meeting of the coalition of the willing comes after Donald Trumps latest plans for another summit with Mr Putin were delayed by Russia. Trump has responded by imposing sanctions on Russias two biggest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil. The US president has also floated supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range missiles, to force Putin to the negotiating table, but has not followed through on the threat. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said he discussed the issue of sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine with US president Donald Trump and it is still under review . On particularly, the Tomahawks, of course, the president and I discussed that. The issue remains under review by the president and again, its up to the US to decide, said Rutte. Zelenskyys call for missiles came as Russia again attacked Ukraine with missiles and drones on Saturday. In Dnipropetrovsk, the regional military administration chief said two people were killed and seven more wounded in missile and drone attacks. Moscow also targeted the capital Kyiv, damaging buildings and homes in multiple districts and wounding at least eight people. The Ukrainian leader chose not to overtly lobby for the supply of US Tomahawk cruise missiles at the meeting but instead emphasised the need for the west to work together . British prime minister Keir Starmer, however, said there was more that they could do to bolster Kyivs long-range missile capability. I think theres further we can do on capability, particularly long-range capability and, of course, the vital work for coalition of the willing when it comes to the security guarantees that are necessary, Starmer said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US to expand sanctions on Russian oil from two companies to the whole sector, and appealed for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia . Zelenskyy was in London for talks with two dozen European leaders . The Ukrainian leader said Trumps decision this week to impose oil sanctions was a big step, and said we have to apply pressure not only to Rosneft and Lukoil, but to all Russian oil companies. Related: Surprise sanctions look to have ended Trump and Putins Groundhog Day | Pjotr Sauer The European allies also said frozen Russian assets needed to be used quickly, with Starmer saying there was absolute clarity during the meeting that progress on using the frozen assets to fund a loan to support Ukraine must be realised. EU leaders on Thursday stopped short of endorsing a plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund a giant loan to Kyiv, over concerns raised by Belgium, where hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian reserves are held. Moscow has promised a painful response if the assets are seized. Russias top economic negotiator arrived in the United States for talks, two days after Washington imposed sanctions on Moscows two biggest oil companies. Arrived in the US to continue the US-Russia dialogue visit planned a while ago based on an invitation from the US side, Kirill Dmitriev said on X. Earlier this week Trump scrapped planned talks with Putin in Budapest, saying he did not want a wasted meeting. In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev said that a meeting between Donald Trump and Putin will happen but probably at a later date. Dmitriev said in the same interview with CNN that he believes his country, the United States and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution to end the war. He did not offer details of what this would entail. European nations are working with Ukraine on a new proposal for a ceasefire in the war along current battle lines, according to Reuters. Its a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that its about battle lines, Dmitriev said. You know, his previous position was that Russia should leave completely so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out. Dmitriev also said he did not believe that the recently imposed US sanctions on Russian oil companies will have a significant impact on the Russian economy because oil prices in the world will rise and Russia will sell just fewer gallons of oil, but at the higher price. Champions of Europe: The Lionesses (Getty Images) The Lionesses return to the pitch for the first time since clinching Euro 2025 glory today, facing Brazil at the Etihad Stadium. England made it a summer to remember in Switzerland, sinking Spain in the final by way of a dramatic penalty shootout. Tonights meeting with Brazil is the first of four celebratory friendlies, with matches against Australia, China, and Ghana on the horizon. The Lionesses side on show at the Etihad, though, will be much changed from that which won the Euros over the summer. Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, and Leah Williamson - three keystones of the Euros campaign - are all absent through injury, while Millie Bright will be absent having retired from international duty. Lotte Wubben-Moy of Arsenal left camp early with illness. A debut will come between the sticks, then, for one of Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse or Sophie Baggaley. Sarina Wiegman said she is looking forward to experimenting with her side against unfamiliar opposition. Speaking pre-match, she told reporters: "It's always a test. It's really good that we have four friendlies over this couple of months. Try out new things, see new players, see different combinations, so that's a huge opportunity and I think it's necessary too because we have some injuries and of course, a retired player. How to watch England vs Brazil TV channel: The match will be broadcast live on ITV 1, with coverage starting at 4.45pm BST ahead of a 5.30pm kick-off. Live stream: Supporters can follow the action live online via ITVX, which is free with a registration. Sectarian politics arent a distant threat, but a current reality - Mike Kemp The Labour government is not happily throwing grooming gang victims under the bus. But it is doing so knowingly. Believe it or not, this appalling mess is all a consequence of what Downing Street once believed to be a politically virtuous plan. What looks like brazen dishonesty refusing to acknowledge, or appearing reluctant to admit, the clear association between a particular ethnic minority and the abuse of vulnerable girls is not simply moral cowardice. First there is the obvious apologia, more or less openly expressed by the governments defenders: that by devising one ruse after another to avoid identifying Pakistani men as the perpetrators of a systematic network of torture and rape, they are trying to avoid providing any encouragement for racism. In truth, they are making the situation worse by creating vague confusion and so potentially tarring all Asian men rather than the particular Pakistani sect who are genuinely involved with these crimes. A properly focussed inquiry, as opposed to inconclusive media reports, would not only have brought the genuine criminals to justice but made it clear that most Muslim men were not implicated and should not be impugned. Then there is the other, less sanctimonious, explanation: that Labour is terrified by the threat of losing its majority in constituencies with large Muslim (and specifically Pakistani) populations. To stage an inquiry whose clear intention was to reveal the pervasiveness of this grooming pattern and thus entail mass prosecutions would probably put an end to a large number of hitherto safe Labour parliamentary seats. Needless to say, this is not something that Labour, now stuck in the midst of a shambolic and genuinely unsavoury mess over its doomed inquiry, could ever admit. But there is a less dishonourable account which, for more complicated reasons, the government cannot admit. There is a significant danger that the multi-cultural society, idealised by those who believe that people with radically opposed social values and moral standards can somehow live side by side in one cohesive nation, will inevitably produce sectarian politics. We have already seen the first independent Muslim MPs elected to Parliament. There is not yet a parliamentary party dedicated specifically to promoting Islamic influence in the running of the country, but that, Labour may fear, might not be long in arriving especially if Muslim voters are led to believe that the established parties will use their monopoly governing powers to persecute them. The emergence of such a party, or even an organised voting bloc, in Parliament would bring something much more destructive than conventional political divisions. There have been religious sectarian groupings before (Ulster Unionist parties, for example) who have worked within Westminster for their constituents specialised interests. But a true Islamic party morally obliged to promote the rules of Sharia law, would present an altogether different challenge to the practice of democracy as we know it in modern Britain. Even if its candidates were to accept, for the purposes of their participation in Parliament, the basic principles of the British legal system and its concept of civil order, the very existence of such an electoral force would encourage the permanent divisive separateness of the Muslim community. Maintaining that separateness would entail severe limitations on the freedoms of women and children, and a prohibition on social integration which would make a permanent fixture of the ghetto communities that should, by rights, dissolve after one generation. It is that transformation over time that is critical. Coming from a nation of immigrants, and being the child of an immigrant family, I can promise you that the failure of those first migrants to integrate to learn the language and mix with people of other backgrounds in the new country does not matter much. As I have noted on these pages many times, my father, the first generation son of immigrants to the United States, did not speak English until he went to school. The reason that he could get by speaking only Yiddish until roughly the age of seven was that his entire neighbourhood spoke that language and lived pretty much as they had in the Old Country: practising the traditional trades and socialising mainly with members of their own extended family. And they were not alone in that. The Italians and the Poles and the Swedes were much the same. When I was growing up, everybody had at least one grandparent who never learnt to speak English. But, as I say, that didnt matter. They had all come to America to make their way in a new country which offered them an opportunity to build a life free from persecution and poverty and they were determined to take that opportunity. So they pushed their children (sometimes quite forcibly) into this new national identity which demanded commitment to its ideals. There are some migrant groups here in the UK who take precisely the same attitude. I feel a particular kinship with the Indian shopkeepers and business owners who are working their hearts out to send their children to private schools. They remind me of my uncles who worked all hours of the day and night to put their children through medical school. (Having a child who is a doctor has the same proud significance in Indian families, I gather, as it did in mine.) It is what happens to the children of those first arrivals that matters, if migration is to work. There must be a consciously designed and, Im afraid, relentlessly enforced programme of inclusion and even indoctrination in the values and practices of the new country. The ritualised patriotism of American schooling reinforced by popular culture seems absurd to the British who do not really do the patriot thing, regarding it as humourless and rather sinister (which it is). Perhaps it is not suitable, in its most garish form, for an old nation which has learnt to wear its identity modestly and with a good deal of irony. But there must be an offer that can be presented to those who sincerely wish to settle here which will genuinely express the respect that most British people feel for their country. Without that, there will be endless disunity and distrust. Hadush Kebatu was seen on CCTV in Chelmsford (left) and last seen later on Friday in Dalston, east London (right), carrying a bag printed with avocados The Epping migrant accidentally released after sexually assaulting a girl tried four or five times to return to prison. An eyewitness said he saw guards repeatedly turn Hadush Kebatu away and direct him to Chelmsford railway station when he tried to return to jail. A delivery driver, named only as Sim, told Sky News that he saw Kebatu come out of the prison asking: Where am I going? What am I doing? The driver claimed he saw the migrant loitering outside the building for around an hour and a half as he tried to find out where he should go. He said that Kebatu knew he should have been deported instead of being freed, but prison staff were basically sending him away and saying to him: Go, youve been released, you go. The driver added: He kept scratching his head and saying: Where do I go, where do I go? The fourth or fifth time [he went into the reception] he was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed. Im not sticking up for the guy, but in my eyes, he was trying to do the right thing. He knew he was getting deported, but he didnt know where he was going or how he should get there. It was initially thought he had been given a subsistence payment upon release but further investigations have established this is not the case. Kebatu was caught on camera after being set free, appearing to ask for directions in the centre of Chelmsford. In footage posted on social media, Kebatu could be seen wearing a grey prison tracksuit, just 400 yards from the nearest police station. Shortly after, he boarded the train from Chelmsford to London. Credit: X/@EssexPR A nationwide manhunt was launched after HMP Chelmsford officials realised their mistake and alerted Essex Police on Friday at lunchtime. Scotland Yard took over the search on Saturday, saying that Kebatu had been spotted in the Stratford area after getting off a train from Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street. It revealed that he got off the train at Stratford, in east London, at around 1.06pm on Friday. The force said there was a high level of confidence that the asylum seeker was in London and said Kebatu was last seen in Hackney, east London, just before 8pm on Friday. It issued CCTV of him in a library in the boroughs Dalston Square two hours earlier, at 6pm, carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados on it and still wearing his prison-issue grey tracksuit top and bottoms. Credit: Metropolitan Police A Met spokesman said: He was still wearing his prison-issue grey tracksuit top and bottoms, but is now carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados on it. Commander James Conway of the Metropolitan Police said Kebatu made a number of train journeys across London following his arrival at Stratford, and was still thought to be wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit and carrying a bag. He added that Kebatu had access to funds and had sought assistance from members of the public. On Saturday, the Met Police said there was a high level of confidence that the asylum seeker was in London. Mr Conway said finding Kebatu was a top priority for the force. He added: We are examining CCTV from that area and further afield, including on the transport network, to establish information about his subsequent movements. Kebatu, seen in Chelmsford, has been told to give himself up by police hunting him With police having failed to track Kebatu down by late on Saturday afternoon, Mr Conway urged him to give himself up. Mr Conway said: I am making a direct appeal to Mr Kebatu. We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff. The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station. It is understood the Home Office had been ready to take Kebatu to an immigration removal centre before a planned deportation from the UK when he was instead allowed to go free in an administrative blunder. David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, who was reported to be livid about the release, has ordered an independent investigation into the error. The Prison Service said an officer had been suspended from inmate discharging duties while an investigation took place. It has also rushed through new mandatory procedures for prison releases. The duty governor, who is responsible for the daily secure operation of the prison, will be required to complete additional checks the evening before a release. Governors will need to provide assurance that the procedure is in place by Monday. The fiasco over his release and apparent attempt to re-enter prison has farcical echoes of the Governments one in, one out policy for illegal migrants. One man who was deported under the scheme was picked up again by immigration officers last week as he tried to come back to Britain. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: This horrendous episode shows that the system Labour Ministers are presiding over is in complete chaos. This man is a dangerous child sex predator and now he is on the loose thanks to Labours incompetence. The fact is he shouldnt even be here at all. I think all illegal immigrants should be deported within a week of arrival, and we should leave the ECHR to enable that. But Labour is too weak to do that. The MP for Epping said Sir Keir Starmer should be held accountable for the accidental release of Kebatu. Neil Hudson, a Conservative, said the buck has to stop with the Prime Minister. Repeated protests were held in Epping over the summer after Kebatu, who had been housed in the Essex towns Bell Hotel, was jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Sentencing Kebatu last month, a judge told him his behaviour really highlights the poor regard you must have for women. The migrant was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts in September - Essex Police The 41-year-old, who arrived in the UK days before the incidents in July, told two teenagers he wanted to have a baby with each of them and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls thighs and stroke her hair, his trial was told. He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. The migrant was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts in September. The court heard at his sentencing hearing it was Kebatus firm wish to be deported. Essex Police said it was informed by the prison services about an error just before 1pm on Friday, with a spokesman adding: We understand the concern the public would have regarding this situation and can assure you we have officers working to urgently locate and detain him. In a statement on Saturday morning, the force said: Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are working together in this fast-moving and complex investigation. Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today. Our inquiries show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus. A senior Met Police source told the Telegraph that the search for Kebatu has been difficult and stretched policing resources. A Prison Service spokesman said: We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority, and we have launched an investigation into this incident. Matthew Collins is due to give evidence to MPs about the case on Monday The star witness in the China spy case was advised by other government officials before the case collapsed, it has emerged. Letters released on Friday night revealed that Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, took advice from officials within the Cabinet Office regarding what he could say in his testimony. Mr Collinss testimony was central to the collapsed case against former parliamentary aide Christopher Cash and his friend Christopher Berry, who were charged in 2024 with passing intelligence from within Westminster to Beijing. Both men have denied any wrongdoing. Christopher Cash, left, and Christopher Berry, the men charged in the collapsed China spy case, have always denied any wrongdoing - Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images A separate letter revealed that a meeting occurred between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and an unnamed civil servant from the Cabinet Office regarding Mr Collinss evidence. The meeting, on July 3, involved a discussion as to what Mr Collins would and would not be able to say regarding whether or not China posed an active threat to the UKs national security. The letters reveal Mr Collins repeatedly declined to declare Beijing was an enemy in his witness statements, despite warnings from the CPS that his evidence would not be sufficient to reach the evidential threshold required by the Official Secrets Act. Whitehall officials argued that it was entirely reasonable and to be expected for Mr Collinss team and legal advisers to be involved in the drafting of his statements and that such advice is common procedure. But senior Tory MPs said the Government had to explain who the officials were and what their involvement was in drafting Mr Collinss evidence. The Government has previously said there was no involvement by ministers in the case, and insisted it would have been impossible to give evidence that contradicted the previous Conservative governments position that China was not a threat. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has criticised the Prime Minister for having made repeated misleading statements regarding Mr Collinss evidence, and said that Sir Keir Starmer has questions to answer. The growing row over how and why the case collapsed has led to a blame game between the CPS and the Government. Both sides laid out their version of events in letters to the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy (JCNSS) parliamentary committee, which released them on Friday night. Earlier this month, Sir Keir said: I can be absolutely clear, ministers were not involved in any of the decisions since this Governments been in, in relation to the evidence thats put before the court on this issue. Dan Jarvis, the security minister, said Mr Collins was given full freedom with regard to his evidence. However, in the Governments latest explanation for how Mr Collinss statement was prepared, it emerged that the first drafts of his witness statements were produced by a small number of NSS [National Security Secretariat] officials and Cabinet Office legal advisers. Mr Collins then amended the draft to ensure factual accuracy regarding the Governments position on China. The Government is facing accusations that it failed to do more to support the trial of Mr Cash and Mr Berry because it wanted to appease China. Critics claim the Government has repeatedly prioritised trade links with Beijing over national security concerns, as Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves have emphasised foreign investment as a key component for their mission of economic growth. Mr Philp said: The Prime Minister has made repeated misleading statements. He falsely claimed Matt Collins gave his evidence in isolation and the CPS requested further information from the Government, which the Government decided not to provide. The Labour Government clearly chose to prioritise getting economic bailout from the Chinese above national security, and that is why they did not properly co-operate, as these disclosures clearly show. The Prime Minister has questions to answer about who influenced Matt Collinss statement and why the Government chose not to provide further evidence despite being repeatedly asked. Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has set out the Crown Prosecution Services view of events in a letter to the JCNSS parliamentary committee - Aaron Chown/PA Wire In his letter to the committee, Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, declared that Mr Collins unwillingness to say that at the material time China was an active threat to national security was fatal to the case. According to Mr Parkinson, this was compounded by the fact that references to China being an enemy in drafts of Mr Collinss first witness statement, made under the previous Tory government, had been deleted. Those drafts would probably have been disclosable to the defence, he wrote. The final version of the statement was passed to Rishi Sunak, who was the prime minister at the time. It suggests the government had stopped explicitly calling China an enemy before Labour took office. The CPS last month decided to halt the prosecution. Mr Parkinson told the JCNSS he believed there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. Both Mr Collins and Mr Parkinson are to appear before the JCNSS on Monday to give evidence to its inquiry into why the case collapsed. Credit: X/@EssexPR It was around 11.30 on Friday morning when the gates of HMP Chelmsford swung open and one of Britains most recently notorious prisoners stepped out, a free man. Walking away from the gloomy 200-year-old Category B prison, 41-year-old Hadush Kebatu probably couldnt believe his luck. He should, after all, still have been inside his cell. But, thanks to an administrative blunder, the Epping Hotel asylum seeker who sparked nationwide protests after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl has been accidentally released. Kebatu was supposed to have been sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported, but had apparently been wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence. To make matters worse, it took more than an hour for prison staff to realise their blunder, giving Kebatu a significant head start over the authorities as he put distance between himself and captivity. In fact, it even emerged later that he apparently tried to persuade staff to let him back in, to no avail. An eye-witness said he saw prison staff repeatedly turn Hadush Kebatu away and direct him to Chelmsford railway station when he tried to re-enter. A delivery driver, named only as Sim, told Sky News that he saw Kebatu come out of the prison saying, Where am I going? What am I doing? and loitering outside the building for around an hour and a half as he tried to find out where he should go. Essex Police said they were only informed by the prison service at 12.57pm on Friday that an individual had been wrongly released. The Ministry of Justice has declined to state precisely when the prisoner was mistakenly freed. A video taken by a member of the public at 12.07pm appeared to show Kebatu standing in a busy street in Chelmsford. In the footage, posted on social media, Kebatu can be seen wearing a grey prison tracksuit while appearing to ask for directions from three men before heading in the direction of the Chelmsford Cathedral. The location was less than 400 yards from the nearest police station. One resident said they had seen a man matching the description of Kebatu in Chelmsford High Street asking for directions to the train station. The man, in his 40s, who did not want to be named, said: I work and live in the town centre. That man was here at around 1pm and he stood out. I only put two and two together when I saw the news appeal. He looked out of it, very confused. He was asking for directions to the train station, which is about a 20 minute walk from where he was. He looks just like the guy in the footage being shared. I am sure its him. He had belongings with him. He looked lost and confused. I just thought he was in a mess, in a bad way. Police have been in the high street most of the day. I heard sirens at the time. Its disgraceful. Weve never had issues from the prison before. I never knew you could just walk out and go and get a train. Its beyond belief. Shop workers in the town say police have been visiting and asking them if they had seen Kebatu. One vape shop worker said: They showed me a photo of a man with a bag... and said hed been seen going to the train station. A man, believed to be Hadush Kebatu, filmed in Chelmsford city centre - Adam Brooks Once at the station, a one mile walk from the prison, Kebatu bought a ticket to London at a cost of 20.90. A Greater Anglia rail worker told The Telegraph: He got a ticket and then went straight through. We dont think he did it on his phone. You cant use your card at this station either. Its not London. So he must have got a ticket and paid like anyone else. My colleague who was here has given a statement to British Transport Police about what happened. They swarmed the place after. They spoke to people who were here. Essex Police later confirmed that Kebatu had boarded the 12.41pm train from Chelmsford to London Liverpool Street. The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving in the capital at 1.18pm. Once his release was discovered prison officials scrambled to catch up, alerting Essex Police who put out an alert to all their patrols and nearby forces including British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police. Kebatu is thought to have travelled to London by train - Essex Police Essex Police said on Saturday morning that their enquiries showed he was last seen in the London area, with officers working through the night, scouring hours of CCTV footage to trace his movements. Police appeal to Kebatu On Saturday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that since his journey from Chelmsford, Kebatu had made a number of train journeys across London. The force said Kebatu was last seen in Hackney, east London, just before 8pm on Friday. It issued CCTV of him in a library in Dalston Square two hours earlier, at 6pm, carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados on it and still wearing his prison-issue grey tracksuit top and bottoms. Credit: Metropolitan Police Commander James Conway confirmed Kebatu had access to funds and appealed to the missing migrant to hand himself in. He said: We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff, the best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station. A senior justice source described the error as the mother of all f---ups with the prison officer who authorised his release swiftly removed from discharging duties while an urgent investigation takes place. Indeed, instead of being able to wander the streets, Kebatu should shortly have been on a flight back to his native Ethiopia. He had been sentenced on the same day that new legal powers took effect that enabled the Home Office to deport him immediately. The legislation, introduced in June, reduced the time foreign criminals have to serve in a UK jail before they can be deported from 50 per cent to 30 per cent of the time served. Given the amount of time that Kebatu has spent in prison since he was remanded into custody on July 10, he has passed the 30 per cent mark, making him eligible for automatic immediate deportation. Back at the prison, staff were left wondering how such a blunder could have taken place and what the repercussions might be for the service. One prison worker who left the prison and would not give his name said he had no idea how Kebatu escaped. I dont know how it happened, he said. Its not good. On Friday night, as news of Kebatus accidental release spread, the father of the 14-year-old girl he assaulted turned up at HMP Chelmsford, demanding to know how he could have been freed just one month into a 12-month sentence. He told a Sky News reporter he was frustrated at the thought of the Ethiopian national being back on the streets. The justice system has let us down, he said. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is warning that escalating violence continues to endanger civilians across multiple regions of Sudan, with drone attacks and clashes spreading beyond Darfur into other states AP President Trumps upcoming trip to Asia is a reminder that his trade philosophy has not changed: Americas economic strength is the foundation of its global influence. His mission is to turn high-stakes negotiations into opportunities for American workers and investors. But as trade tensions with China ignite again, business leaders should prepare for volatility and opportunity to rise in tandem. The White House hopes to announce a series of trade agreements during his trip to Malaysia, Korea, and Japan. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has indicated that the administration expects to sign multiple deals during the Asia swing. The agreements would build on the broad frameworks previously negotiated with the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. At the same time, trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are escalating. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Beijing to withdraw its threat to restrict rare-earth exports or risk global decoupling. Beijing fired back, labeling Trumps proposed 100% tariffs a "typical example of U.S. double standards." The rhetoric is sharp, but both sides are also preparing for dialogue. Bessent is set to meet Chinese officials this week , and President Trump has said, "It will all be fine" between the U.S. and "highly respected " President Xi Jinping. The Trump-Xi detente is in flux again after months of relative calm. Earlier this year, sky-high tariffs brought trade between the two countries nearly to a halt before both sides reached a fragile truce that lowered the levies. Trump has expressed optimism that he and President Xi can meet and resolve matters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. The presidents approach to trade policy remains consistent: Use tariffs and export controls as leverage to secure fair trade, protect national security, and rebuild American industry. Below are four guideposts for business leaders as they assess the weeks ahead. First, volatility is the new normal. Tariff threats, Chinese export restrictions, and shifting summit diplomacy will continue to move markets. Business leaders should prepare for fluctuations in equities, commodities, and currencies as both nations recalibrate their strategies. Second, diversification is essential. Companies with supply chains heavily dependent on China are seeking regional diversification to mitigate risk. Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia are positioned to benefit from U.S. trade realignment. The administration has emphasized that new trade agreements in Southeast Asia are designed to expand market access for U.S. companies and deepen economic ties with regional partners. Third, technology and resource security define trade competition. The next phase of U.S.-China competition will focus on semiconductors, life sciences, and critical minerals. Export controls and licensing rules will continue to evolve as Washington seeks to protect key technologies and China uses its resource dominance for leverage. Fourth, an aggressive tariff posture remains a key part of the Trump economic strategy to reindustrialize America. President Trump views tariffs and trade negotiations as tools to reinforce his domestic economic policies. Regardless of the outcomes of litigation regarding Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), Trump will pivot to other mechanisms to bolster domestic manufacturing. Business leaders who seek trade policy refinements must engage policymakers early and align their planning with the administrations agenda. President Trumps trip to Asia is more than a diplomatic mission. It is a test of whether geopolitical competition can coexist with economic pragmatism. Success would reaffirm Americas leadership in the Indo-Pacific and demonstrate that firm negotiation can accompany deal-making between the powers. If Trump and Xi fail to find common ground, global market uncertainty and the divide between the worlds two largest economies will deepen. Business leaders should plan for both possible outcomes. The past eight years have shown that trade and industrial policy are once again central to U.S. economic strategy. Tariffs, export controls, and supply-chain incentives are enduring tools of statecraft. For global companies, success will depend on understanding how these levers are used to protect national interests. Joseph Lai served as a special assistant to President Trump for legislative affairs from 2017 to 2019. He is a principal at the BGR Group, a government affairs and communications firm based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Austin, Atlanta, and London. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump on recent Supreme Court rulings in the briefing room at the White House on June 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images The Trump Administration will monitor upcoming elections in New Jersey and California following requests from Republican officials in the states. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it will send observers to six counties in the November 4 elections to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law. Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity, said Attorney General Pam Bondi. We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve. The decision follows years of President Donald Trump spreading conspiracy theories about voter fraud, most notably that the 2020 election was stolen. Read more: Trump Has Vowed to Prosecute His Political Foes. Heres Who Could Be Next The announcement has triggered a backlash from leaders in the Democratic-led states, who accused the Trump Administration of attempting to interfere with the electoral process in key races. Heres what to know about the plans. What are the elections about? The elections in New Jersey and California are both attracting national attention and could impact the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans. California is voting on a proposition that would revise the states congressional districts to favor Democrats in response to Republican gerrymandering in other states. Over the summer, Texas Republicans voted to redraw the electoral map to create an additional five congressional seats for their party. If voters in California approve Proposition 50, the state would cancel out those seats with five new congressional seats that favor Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. The vote could therefore play a key role in deciding who controls the House after the midterms. In New Jersey, the race for governor features Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, competing to replace outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy in a closely-watched contest that has drawn significant spending. New Jersey has traditionally been a Democratic state, but Republicans have made strong showings there in recent years, and the governor's race is extremely close. What prompted the move? Monitoring elections is a longstanding and routine function of the DOJ, traditionally in places where voting rights or civil rights violations have been alleged. In 2024, the Biden Administration sent monitors to 86 jurisdictions, including all of the major swing states, to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws. However, Democrats have raised concerns about the focus on Democratic-run states since Trumps return to power, especially since his return was fueled in part by conspiracy theories about the last presidential election being stolen from him. The decision to monitor these two elections was prompted by requests from Republican officials in the two states. The New Jersey Republican Party chairman, Glenn Paulsen, complained that Democratic members of the Board of Elections in one county blocked the use of security cameras in a ballot storage area, and called on DOJ observers to "oversee the receipt and processing of vote-by-mail ballots" in Passaic County. A judge ordered a new election for a city council seat in the county in 2020 after the winner faced charges of voting fraud. Then the chairwoman of the California Republican Party, Corrin Rankin, said they had received reports of irregularities and formally requested that the DOJ send monitors to five counties. The DOJ said it will deploy monitors in six counties in total: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno in California, and Passaic in New Jersey. The monitoring effort is being managed by the DOJs Civil Rights Division. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, of the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement: Transparent election processes and election monitoring are critical tools for safeguarding our elections and ensuring public trust in the integrity of our elections. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment from TIME. What have Democrats said? Democrats in New Jersey and California have characterized the DoJs move as an attempt to suppress or interfere with the key votes in November. California Gov. Gavin Newsom went so far as to accuse the Trump Administration of a setup and rigging the election" in an interview with KQED. They are creating the pretext that after were successful with Prop. 50, after there is a Democratic governor in New Jersey and will be one in Virginia, unquestionably that they can suggest somehow these were fraudulent, these elections were rigged against them, Newsom said. This is a preview of 2026. Wake up, everybody. Newsom also suggested the presence of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might intimidate voters. Youre also going to see ICE deployed, he said. Youre going to see these masked men from Border Patrol also near voting booths and polling places. Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, said in a statement that "No amount of election interference by the California Republican Party is going to silence the voices of California voters." New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called the move "highly inappropriate" and said the DOJ "has not even attempted to identify a legitimate basis for its actions." A history of false claims Democratic fears about the DoJs election monitoring efforts are motivated at least in part by the Trump Administrations repeated false claims of election fraud. For years, Trump has made false claims of large-scale election fraud against his opponents before and after voting, with a particular focus on voting by mail, without providing any evidence. After losing the 2020 presidential election, Trump falsely claimed it was stolen from him, despite numerous investigations by his own DOJ, lawsuits and independent studies proving otherwise. Since returning to power, Trumps DOJ has sued six states for private voter data, which voting rights groups say is part of an effort to support unsubstantiated claims by Trump that millions of undocumented immigrants voted illegally for Democrats. Contact us at letters@time.com. Hunter Biden claims he didn't think 'laptop from hell' was really his when damning contents first revealed by The Post Former first son Hunter Biden emphatically insisted he didnt believe his abandoned laptop from hell was really his when damning materials tied to the computers hard drive were exclusively reported by The Post weeks before the 2020 presidential election. Former President Joe Bidens 55-year-old son also reiterated his claim that he doesnt remember dropping the device off at a Delaware computer store during an hours-long interview with journalist Tommy Christopher. No, 100%, the younger Biden said when asked if he thought the computer really belonged to him, according to Mediaite, which first reported on the interview. The laptop from Hunter Biden outlined his troubling drug addiction and gave insight into his familys overseas business dealings. I had no look, number one, when it broke, it was very, very, very jumbled of what that, you know, the thing was. The Posts report revealed an alleged shady business deal between the president and members of his family, but at the time, the Democratic leader and his allies claimed it was disinformation from Russia. The laptops contents also chronicled Hunter Bidens drug problem and his trysts with prostitutes in an embarrassing series of images. They were used by federal prosecutors later on to convict Biden on federal gun charges before his father pardoned him in his final days in the White House. When asked by Christopher if he even recalls dropping the laptop off, Biden repeatedly said no. He only conceded in his talk with the journalist that the vast majority of the computers contents were legitimate. The computer was used by feds to nab Biden on gun charges. He was later pardoned. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images So number one, theres really never a laptop, he said. But there was a hard drive, and that hard drive became just a dumping ground for things that were hacked, stolen, fabricated, manipulated, real. Lot of vast majority of things that are real. Biden left the infamous laptop behind at a Delaware computer repair shop in 2019. The store owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, later alerted the FBI to some of the computers alarming information. He also provided a copy of the hard drive to an associate of Rudy Giuliani, which the former New York City mayor later gave to The Post, which led to a series of bombshell stories on the Bidens familys entangled business dealings abroad. IShowSpeed doesn't like AI - Amal Alhasan/Getty Images for GEA Creator IShowSpeed is not a big fan of AI deepfakes and he's not the only one. During a recent livestream, the streamer with more than 45 million YouTube followers watched several Sora 2 videos featuring deepfakes of himself laughing, coming out as gay ("No no chat, this is not real. This is actually AI"), kissing a fan, racing a cheetah, and visiting Nepal ("Look, bro. I havent even been to Nepal yet"). Reacting to the videos, he said he was "turning this shit off." "Why does this look too real? Bro, no, thats like my face," he said. OpenAI's Sora 2 allows users to create videos using celebrity likenesses but only if those celebrities opt in. While IShowSpeed apparently gave permission, he admitted during his stream that it "was not the right move to do." "Whoever told me to make it public, chat, youre not here for my own safety, bro. Im fucked, chat," he said. IShowSpeed isn't the only public figure pushing back against the use of AI deepfakes. Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, recently urged fans on Instagram to "please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad," according to IGN. Steve Harvey and Scarlett Johansson have both supported legislation aimed at banning deepfakes, per CNN. Even within influencer culture, there's growing resistance. Creator Zay Dante told Mashable that hes just not an AI guy, while a YouGov survey of U.S. consumers reported by Reuters found that more than 50 percent of Gen Z and younger generations "already dislike engaging with AI-generated influencers." Meet The Mashable 101: the creators keeping the internet interesting. From meme-makers to movement-starters, these are the people powering our timelines today. I enjoy visiting Brevard, North Carolina, every fall because of its access to nature. Kristina Hernandez I've been visiting Brevard, North Carolina, for the last six years to take in the fall scenery. The downtown area is full of cute shops and restaurants. I love camping, visiting the area's many waterfalls, and traveling to nearby hiking trails. I first visited the charming mountain town of Brevard, North Carolina, in the fall of 2019. I was enamored with its boutique shops and delicious restaurants, but the stunning nearby waterfalls and the gorgeous red, yellow, and orange foliage are what really drew me back. Now, visiting has become a fall tradition and I drive there every year from my home in Greenville, South Carolina. Here are some of the reasons I love coming back to Brevard. Downtown Brevard is home to a variety of cute shops and events. Dee Browning/Shutterstock When I visit Brevard, I love stopping in the downtown area, which has a variety of boutique clothing shops, art galleries, and restaurants (more on those later). One of my favorite places to visit is the original O.P. Taylor's toy store. I think both kids and adults can be entertained by its levels of puzzles, stuffed animals, craft materials, dolls, Legos, and more, which take over every available space in the shop. Another favorite store of mine is D.D. Bullwinkel's Outdoors, which has a fantastic selection of outdoor gear, from hiking boots and backpacks to clothing and jackets. Plus, the area really gets into the festive fall spirit. Every Friday and Saturday evening during the first four weeks of October, Silvermont Park hosts Pumpkin Fest, an event complete with carved pumpkin displays, food trucks, face painting, and other family-friendly activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. Local restaurants offer fresh-tasting ingredients and amazing flavors. Kristina Hernandez One of my favorite restaurants in Brevard is Pescado's and Sunrise. The menu has everything from bagel sandwiches and omelettes to tacos and burgers. I really like the veggie bowl, which comes with chips and salsa on the side. Another one of my favorites is Gordingos, a self-described taco fusion restaurant located inside Ecusta Brewing. I recommend ordering the Nachos Gordos or any of the bowls. Plus, there are plenty of easily accessible waterfalls and viewpoints. One of my family's favorite places to visit is Looking Glass Falls. Kristina Hernandez My mother-in-law has limited mobility, and when she comes to visit Brevard with my family, I still want to show her all the pretty sites nearby. One of our favorite places to visit is Looking Glass Falls, a 60-foot waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest located less than 20 minutes from downtown Brevard. Although the area is beautiful any time of year, I think it's especially worth seeing in the fall when the colorful leaves frame the waterfall. I always stop at the roadside parking area off US 276 South so that my mother-in-law can appreciate the scenery from a viewing platform while I walk down to the base of the falls to feel the mist. We also like to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves changing colors. The views are seemingly endless, and it feels like you're driving straight through a colorful painting. In my experience, my family isn't the only one that loves to do this, though, so I recommend going early in the morning for fewer crowds. I love camping among the trees. I think Davidson River campground makes a great base camp for a weekend of hiking. Kristina Hernandez I don't think it gets any better than camping in Brevard in the fall. The days are warm and the nights are cool the perfect weather to hang out at the campfire before curling up in a sleeping bag. One of my favorite campgrounds in the area is Davidson River, about 5 miles from Brevard. Some of the campsites are closer to the river, which is calming to hear in the evenings. My favorite thing about this campground, though, is that it's a great base for exploring more of the area's hiking trails. When there, I like to travel a little further and hike to Twin Falls in the Pisgah National Forest. However, if you're planning a visit, keep in mind that the campground will be closed for renovations from November to May 2026. The nearby hiking trails are unforgettable and deliver epic fall views. Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower has incredible, widespread views. Kristina Hernandez Brevard lies within North Carolina's Transylvania County, which is home to over 1,000 miles of trails. One of my favorite treks is Moore Cove Falls. It's located in the Pisgah National Forest, less than half an hour from Brevard. I think it's unique because visitors can walk behind the waterfall. Plus, the hike is only 1.5 miles round-trip, so it's a relatively easy journey to tackle. If you're willing to drive a bit farther, I also enjoy hiking at Black Balsam Knob, Sam Knob, and Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, which are all less than an hour from downtown. And finally, to see a seasonal sunset phenomenon known as the Shadow of the Bear, I suggest driving about 45 minutes west to Whiteside Mountain, near Cashiers, North Carolina. From mid-October to early November, typically between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., the sun sets behind the mountain, creating a shadow that looks like a bear. Read the original article on Business Insider When a bill number becomes familiar enough to show up in headlines Deltona Commission backs out of lawsuit that opposes builder-friendly SB 180 you know that legislation has attracted real opposition. SB180 is now widely known by name. It was originally billed as a noncontroversial hurricane recovery measure but surprise! it turned out to be a law that blocks all Florida cities and counties from enacting new growth-management measures. Bonus: It also invalidates past growth-management measures going back to 2024. Another big developer win in the 2025 Legislative session, although it didnt seem so immediately. SB 180 to prevent building moratoriums is classic stealth legislating The part of the bill that tied the hands of storm-affected local governments trying to control overdevelopment was a last-minute amendment to a bill approved in the last hectic day of the legislative session. Classic stealth legislating. District 6 Deltona Commissioner Chris Nabicht speaks to District 4 Commissioner Dori Howington during a tense conversation about whether the city should withdraw from the SB180 lawsuit. And which parts of the state are considered storm-affected under the new law? Counties that are mentioned in any of the three federal disaster declarations made in response to hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. And that works out to oh, look, every county in the state. Edgewater still part of lawsuit battling SB 180, while Deltona bows out More than two dozen counties and local governments have now sued over this sweeping upending of local planning powers. Included in the suit are the cities of Edgewater and, until last Monday, Deltona. A separate suit was filed by the 1,000 Friends of Florida, a group advocating sound growth management. In a heated meeting does Deltona have any other kind? commissioners decided to withdraw from the lawsuit. The appointment of a new city commissioner, Chris Nabicht, District 6, had changed the commissions lineup, and the votes were now there to reverse the citys earlier decision to join the lawsuit. Deltona commissioner: Why anger state leaders? Nabicht said he was worried that signing on to a legal defense of local home-rule power would anger state leaders and legislators, and you dont want to make them unhappy, do you? Other commissioners said moves are already being made to modify the law, so why spend money on a lawsuit? Those commissioners have a far more optimistic view of the Florida Legislature than I do. The same legislators who drew up the bill originally are the ones doing its refining. And so far, the adjustments theyve proposed are pretty minimal. Just shaving off some affected counties. 'Largest incursion into local home-rule authority' The lawsuit charges that the law places an unfunded mandate on local governments, steps on home-rule powers granted under the state constitution (the largest incursion into local home-rule authority in the history of Florida since the adoption of the Florida Constitution in 1968, the suit declares) as well as technical defects arising from the stealthy way it was drafted and passed. The law forbids a government from enacting more restrictive or burdensome amendments to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations. Localities cant make permitting more restrictive or burdensome. They cant propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome procedures concerning review, approval, or issuance of a site plan, development permit, or development order. And, of course, it puts a moratorium on building moratoriums. The suit charges that these blanket restrictions create confusion, paralyzing normal planning. The vague and undefined more restrictive or burdensome standard will wreak havoc with many of the modern planning tools that the local governments now lawfully employ, the action says. And thats certainly been the case so far. Developers are entitled to sue local governments anytime they feel something theyve done seems more restrictive or burdensome, and local governments must pay their lawyers when they win. Without the pressure of legal action and without strong protests from local governments that arent so afraid to talk back to Tallahassee, nobody should expect anything to change when the Legislature meets in January. Meanwhile, cities like Deltona, coping with the aftermath of recent storms and legally forbidden from reacting with better stormwater rules, just have to wait for the next flood. Mark Lane is a News-Journal columnist. His email is mlanewrites@gmail.com. Mark Lane This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Mark Lane on why Deltona chickened out of SB 180 lawsuit Richard T. Nowitz/Getty Images The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park, California. Key Points Yosemites historic Ahwahnee Hotel is one of California's most iconic properties. The hotel inspired design elements of "The Shining" and is rumored to be haunted by friendly spirits. Visitors can also join ghost tours and explore Yosemite Cemetery for more spine-tingling history during Halloween season. Most know Yosemite National Park for its beautiful outdoor attractions. Imposing granite cliff faces like Half Dome and El Capitan, serene meadows and forests, and the picturesque Merced River, all tend to come to mind. But right in the heart of Yosemite Valley, supernatural secrets are said to lurk within the parks most famous hotel. The Ahwahnee, which has 99 rooms, 24 cottages, a heated outdoor pool, and two on-site restaurants, has been the premier place to stay in Yosemite since its doors opened in 1927. Featuring soaring wooden beams and Native American artwork, the hotels interior inspired some of the sets for Stanley Kubricks 1980 horror classic The Shining. We do get a lot of visitors who are fans of The Shining, says Chelsie Layman, director of communications for Yosemite Hospitality. The film wasn't actually filmed at the hotel, but a lot of the locations were replicated in a movie studio. Things like the iconic elevator, the grand entrance, some of the hallways, and the Great Lounge really resemble those of the movie. There are definitely people who come for the spooky vibes. Much like the fictional Overlook Hotel of The Shining, thousands of guests have stayed at the Ahwahnee over the decadesbut some, its rumored, never left. However, the people who have stayed are actually pretty warm and cordial. Though Layman notes that she cant personally speak to supernatural experiences at the Ahwahnee, guests have reported bumping into the spirits of people like Mary Curry and Donald Tresidder. Tresidder was the fourth president of Stanford University and met Curry at Yosemite. The two spent a significant amount of time at the park throughout their lives, overseeing the construction of the Ahwahnee, Badger Pass Ski Area, and other major infrastructure projects. Donald passed away in 1948 and Mary in 1970while staying in her suite at the Ahwahnee, no less. But the legend goes that the happy couple remains at the hotel to this day. George Rose/Getty Images The interior of the iconic Ahwahnee. Before you get too concerned, the Tresidders seem to be very friendly ghosts. In fact, lucky visitors might find themselves invited to dance by Maryshes also been said to tuck the occasional guest into bed. Others have reported hearing Donalds footsteps on the steps at night, perhaps in search of refreshments from the Ahwahnee kitchens. I've heard that every once in a while, staff might smell perfume where somebody wasn't in the hallway previously," Layman says. "That's been the biggest one that I've heard in terms of a spooky presence, or feeling something that you didn't see. Another spirit thought to haunt the Ahwahnee is none other than that of John F. Kennedy. The former U.S. president stayed at the hotel in 1962, a year before his assassination, and requested a rocking chair be brought in for his visit. Today, some say that the chair moves on its own from time to time. If youre in the mood for even more spooky season ambiance during a visit to Yosemite, stop by the Yosemite Cemetery, located a short drive from the Ahwahnee near the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. While there arent any specific ghost tales associated with this cemetery, the grounds serve as the final resting place of several early park guests, staff, and Southern Sierra Miwok Nation community members. Special tours of the cemetery are given every year around Halloween. We do host a ghost tour during Halloween on the 30th and the 31st, Layman says. It's an interactive ghost tour that weaves in a lot of the history of Yosemite and some of the first people to live and be buried in Yosemite. It's such a fun thing to come and lean into, especially during this season. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure The Trump administration is proposing to auction offshore oil drilling leases across new portions of the U.S. coast as soon as 2026, according to internal Department of Interior draft documents viewed by CBS News. New leases would include waters off New England, the Carolinas and California. Offshore oil leases are common along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, as well as parts of Alaska, but there are currently no active oil leases on the Atlantic coast, and California has not had a new oil lease since 1984. This comes as the Department of Interior formally announced plans this week to reopen 1.56 million aces in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas leasing, reversing a Biden administration decision to limit oil drilling in the Arctic. That decision drew a strong rebuke from Democrats, including Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, who accused the administration of rewarding the fossil fuel industry for its support of the president. "This decision is not about energy dominanceit's about donor dominance," Markey said in a statement. "The Trump administration must immediately reverse its shortsighted decision. The Arctic Refuge is not for sale." The Department of Interior is assessing new oil leases as part of the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which issues oil leases in five-year increments. The Biden administration set the previous plan and had the fewest leases on record, with only three. Offshore oil platform in California's Santa Barbara Channel. / Credit: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Documents reviewed by CBS News included assessments of whether state governments favored offshore drilling, and indicated that the states opposed it. The documents also included potential dates for leasing each tract of seafloor. If the plan is approved by the Interior secretary and moves forward, California could see lease sales as soon as 2027 and the Beaufort Sea in Alaska, which includes the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, could see lease sales as early as 2026. Under the terms of the lease, a company would then have five to 10 years, depending on the water depth in the area, to explore and develop oil and gas production. The Trump administration opened a public comment period in April for a new five-year gas leasing policy. Lawmakers from both parties voiced concerns about offshore drilling, including members of Congress and state governors, and the process drew more than 34,000 comments. Governors Josh Stein (D, North Carolina) and Henry McMaster (R, South Carolina), issued a joint statement opposing the idea, saying there has been broad bipartisan consensus against offshore drilling because of, "the risks that these activities pose to the economy and environment of our states." In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in June, McMaster wrote, "Every coastal municipality in South Carolina has passed a resolution opposing oil and gas exploration activities offshore. I stand firmly with them. We simply cannot afford to accept the risk of the adverse environmental impact attendant to offshore drilling." CBS News reached out to McMaster for comment, but his office did not respond. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican who is running for governor of South Carolina, issued a similar letter to Burgum, writing, "In South Carolina, there is widespread bipartisan agreement in opposing offshore drilling off the coast of our state." The Trump administration tried to open new offshore oil leases during his first term, but backtracked when Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina lawmakers from both parties criticized the effort. The Trump administration instituted bans on offshore drilling in waters surrounding those states shortly before the 2020 election. The current iteration of the plan does not include offshore oil leases off Florida's coast, but it is unclear whether those bans will continue off the Carolinas. CBS News reached out to the White House and Department of Interior for more information about the plans. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing policy discussions. The Biden administration issued a record low number of offshore oil leases, and withdrew 625 million acres along the Pacific, Atlantic and Alaska coasts from offshore oil development. The Trump administration rescinded those Biden withdrawals, and a federal court in Louisiana ruled this month that the Biden withdrawals were illegal. Offshore oil leases have been unpopular for decades. Congress had a moratorium preventing drilling on both coasts and the eastern Gulf from 1981 to 2008, and President George H.W. Bush issued an executive order preventing offshore drilling which stood until 2008, when his son lifted the order. The Obama administration had once considered opening the Atlantic coast to offshore oil leases but changed its stance following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf. The Department of Interior is expected to publish its first proposal on the subject in the coming weeks. There will be two additional comment periods before a final plan is proposed and implemented. Carney reacts to Trump's anger over tariffs ad featuring Reagan 4 sisters diagnosed with rare brain condition: "Got to be kidding" Pentagon "crossed this Rubicon" by sending strike group to Latin America, military analyst says Since taking office for the second time early this year, U.S. president Donald Trump has warned, pressured, and threatened India against buying Russian oil in an effort to push Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Now, nearly 10 months in, he appears to have finally forced Indias hand with sanctions on two of Russias largest oil producers. The latest American sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for over 5 per cent of the worlds oil output, have jolted the global oil market and put Delhi in a difficult position. Global oil prices rose by nearly 9 per cent on Thursday from their lowest of $60 at the start of the week, signalling widespread disruptions. The sanctions, the first that Trumps administration has imposed directly on Russia, mark the latest attempt to squeeze Moscows war chest and pile pressure on it to end the war. Trump said he just felt it was time for action, calling it a very big day in Washingtons support for Ukraine, and confirmed the cancellation of a planned summit with Putin in Budapest due to what he described as a lack of progress in negotiations. In addition to Russia, the sanctions are expected to affect China and India, the largest importers of Russian oil. The Asian economic giants have both come to rely heavily on cheap Russian crude since the war in Ukraine led Europe to phase out its dependency on Russian energy. Analysts said the flow of Russian crude into India would take a hit and the import bill for its refiners would rise in the absence of the steep discounts previously offered by Russian exporters. A freight train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, on 26 August 2025 (AFP via Getty) The magnitude of these sanctions appears far-reaching and could have a real impact compared to the price caps and other restrictions imposed by the G7 members in 2022, Sanjay Kumar Kar, a professor at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, told The Independent. However, the US would struggle to sustain these sanctions, as multiple superpowers are affected, he added. Russia had earlier succeeded in circumventing the G7price caps, which imposed a financial penalty on Moscow, but allowed the Russian oil to remain in the market. Still, the measure dealt a financial blow to Moscow: reduced revenues for Russian oil companies translated into lower tax receipts for the government. The latest round of sanctions aims to amplify that impact. US sanctions adversely impact the oil trading nations, most importantly, it creates huge inconvenience for the leading oil importing nations, of course, it impacts the sanction-receiving country and its companies, he explained. Recent sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil are likely to cause global crude oil demand-supply imbalance and price fluctuations. Major buyers of Russian crude would recalibrate their crude oil import strategies, possibly realign their crude import basket, Prof Kar added. India has imported nearly 1.7 million barrels of Russian crude per day so far this year, while China has bought another 2.2 million barrels. India now counts Russia, a key defence and trading partner since the Soviet era, as its biggest energy supplier, in a significant pivot away from the Middle East. In 2021, before the Ukraine war began, Russian crude accounted for just about two per cent of the Indian oil imports, making it the South Asian countrys 10th largest supplier. In the last 15 years, New Delhi fulfilled some 60 per cent of its needs from Persian Gulf countries, with Africa and South America making up the rest. All that changed in 2022, when Western sanctions prompted Russian oil companies to turn their sights to relatively untapped and more lucrative markets in Asia, particularly India, where Russian exporters began selling discounted barrels. The impact of the latest U.S. sanctions is already being felt in India: the biggest customers of Russian crude in the country are reportedly suspending imports. Reliance Industries, the largest Indian buyer of Russian crude, said it was recalibrating its imports. Recalibration of Russian oil imports is ongoing and Reliance will be fully aligned with GOI guidelines, a Reliance spokesperson said, in response to a query on whether the company planned to cut its crude imports from Russia. Reliance plans to reduce or cease imports of Russian oil and may even halt purchases under its long-term deal with Rosneft, unnamed sources told Reuters. Reliances crude oil refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on 17 June 2021 (AP) Reliance Industries, owned by Mukesh Ambani, a billionaire considered close to prime minister Narendra Modi, operates the worlds largest refining complex in Jamnagar in the western state of Gujarat. It has a long-term agreement to purchase 500,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Rosneft. The company also sources Russian crude through intermediaries. State refiners Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp are also reviewing their trade documents to ensure that no supply comes directly from Rosneft or Lukoil, people familiar with the matter said. An unnamed source at a state refinery said there would be massive cuts in purchases of Russian crude, although they dont anticipate it will go to zero immediately, as there will still be some barrels coming into the market. Rosneft and Lukoil together account for 60 per cent of the Russian oil bought by India, Prashant Vashisth, vice president at Moodys affiliate ICRA Ltd, said. While India can substitute the purchases from Russia with suppliers from the Middle East and other regions, the import bill for crude oil would increase. On an annual basis, the replacement by market-priced crude would lead to an increase in the import bill by less than 2 per cent, Vashisth said. Helima Croft, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, noted that the secondary sanctions would force refiners to forego Russian barrels. The U.S. Treasury has given companies until 21 November to wind down transactions with the Russian oil producers, according to a statement released Wednesday. Oil and gas revenues account for roughly a quarter of Russias budget, according to its finance ministry. This means any sharp fall in exports or earnings will deliver a blow to Moscows war chest. According to the finance ministry, Russian energy revenues, which come mainly from oil, fell 20 per cent year on year in the first nine months of 2025. Prof Kar said the USs sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil could potentially dent their cash flows, but it may not be sufficient to bring Russia to the negotiation table. If these sanctions fail to achieve the stated objectives, that would mark the end of the sanction era and superpower of imposition. Russia pushed back against the sanctions as an unfriendly act but insisted that they would not significantly affect its economy and instead increase oil prices. "This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia," Putin said, referring to the new U.S. measure. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure." Asked about Putins comment that the latest sanctions wouldnt have a significant impact, Trump told reporters later on Thursday: "I'm glad he feels that way. That's good. I'll let you know about it in six months from now." ODESSA, Texas, Oct. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arnold & Itkin LLP has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of Christopher Eric Wilke, who was killed in a tractor-trailer collision on State Highway 302 in Ector County. The suit names US Oilfield Services, LLC, Rickman Transport, Inc., and truck driver Lester Manuel Pena Feria as defendants. According to the petition, on June 30, 2025, Mr. Wilke was driving westbound in a company vehicle when Mr. Feria, operating a tractor-trailer for the trucking defendants, attempted a left turn across the highway. The truck failed to yield the right of way, colliding with Mr. Wilke's vehicle. The trucking accident caused fatal injuries to Mr. Wilke, leaving behind his wife, Jennifer, and their children Lauren, Josh, Sam, and Nick. The lawsuit alleges that the collision was the result of negligence by Mr. Feria, including failure to yield, failure to maintain a safe speed and distance, failure to keep a proper lookout, and violations of traffic safety laws. The complaint also accuses the trucking companies of negligence in hiring, training, and supervising Mr. Feria, as well as failing to implement proper safety policies and procedures. In addition to negligence, the petition asserts claims for gross negligence, alleging that the defendants acted with conscious disregard for the safety of others despite knowing the risks of their conduct. The Wilke family is seeking actual damages for pain and suffering, loss of companionship and consortium, lost wages, loss of inheritance, and funeral expenses. The suit also seeks exemplary damages under Texas law. The Wilke family is represented by Texas truck accident attorneys Jason Itkin, Noah Wexler, Trevor Courtney, Daniel Cassee, and Foster Willie of Arnold & Itkin LLP, along with Michael P. Lyons and Michael S. Fechner, Jr. of Lyons & Simmons, LLP. The case has been filed in Ector County District Court, and the plaintiffs have requested a jury trial. Comment from Jason Itkin, co-founder of Arnold & Itkin LLP: "No trucker with sufficient training and experience would have behaved like the defendant acted. This is why the law strictly regulates the hiring and vetting process for new drivers, and why the law holds trucking companies responsible for the drivers they put out on the highway. No family should have to suffer like our clients have." About Arnold & Itkin LLP Arnold & Itkin LLP is a nationally recognized truck accident trial law firm in Houston that represents workers and families in high-stakes oilfield and big rig injury cases, including tanker truck accidents, oil derrick explosions, and other catastrophic accidents. The oilfield accident firm has recovered over $20 billion in verdicts and settlements nationwide, including a $357.7 million settlementthe largest workplace accident settlement in Texas history. To learn more, visit them online at https://www.arnolditkin.com/. Media contact Aya Garfaoui [email protected] SOURCE Arnold & Itkin LLP U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks to the press, on the day of U.S.-China talks on trade, economic and national security issues, in Madrid, Spain, September 15, 2025. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura By David Lawder and Jasper Ward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Trade Representative's office on Friday said it had launched a new tariff investigation into China's "apparent failure" to comply with the "Phase One" trade deal signed with President Donald Trump in 2020 to end his first-term U.S.-China trade war. The new unfair trade practices probe under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 gives Trump another potential tool to increase tariffs on Chinese imports. USTR's announcement comes a day before the start of a new round of U.S.-China talks over rare earths export controls in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. China said it firmly opposed what it said were Washington's "false accusations and related investigation measures," and accused the United States of escalating economic and other forms of pressure against China. "China has scrupulously fulfilled its obligations in the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said on X, adding that China's actions have benefited investors from all countries, including U.S. companies. The Phase One deal was meant to rebalance trade between China and the U.S. by committing Beijing to increase purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy and services by $200 billion annually for at least two years. But Beijing never met the purchase targets, blaming the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that was spreading at the time of its signing in January 2020. A USTR Federal Register notice announcing the probe also said that China appeared to not have lived up to its commitments to change policies on intellectual property protections, forced technology transfer, agriculture and financial services - practices that were at the heart of Trump's first-term tariffs on Chinese imports. It said the investigation will initially focus on China's implementation of its commitments under the Phase One deal. The notice invites public comments on the matter from October 31 through December 1. USTR will convene a public hearing to collect further testimony on December 16. "The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administrations resolve to hold China to its Phase One Agreement commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship with China for the benefit of the American people," USTR Jamieson Greer said in a statement. The probe also could provide the Trump administration with additional legal backing to revive some tariffs on Chinese imports if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump's duties that were based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court is due to hear arguments on a challenge to the IEEPA-based tariffs - currently at about 30% for Chinese goods - on November 5. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and David Lawder; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Daniel Wallis) FILE PHOTO: A general view of the U. S. Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not use agency contingency funds to pay for food aid benefits set to lapse in November during the federal government shutdown, according to a memo seen by Reuters. More than 41 million people are set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, at the end of this month as the shutdown keeps Congress from funding the program. Mayors and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have said the USDA should use $5 billion in contingency funds to partially fund November benefits. The memo said the agency will not draw on the funds because they are "not legally available" to cover the benefits and will reserve them for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies. "SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits. The contingency fund is not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists," said the memo. The memo also said the agency will not use other agency funds for SNAP or reimburse states that fund benefits themselves. Virginia on Thursday declared a state of emergency to free up funds for November benefits. The memo blamed Congressional Democrats for the shutdown. Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the shutdown, with Democrats withholding votes on a spending bill to keep healthcare costs from spiking for many Americans. The USDA's shutdown plan had included the potential use of contingency funds for SNAP. That plan had been taken off the USDA's website Friday afternoon. The USDA did not immediately respond to questions about the plan. (Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio) President Trump Returns To The White House (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images) Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has put himself directly in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, but war remains unlikely at this point in time, foreign policy experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has taken multiple steps to ramp up pressure on Maduros regime, including flying strategic bombers off Venezuelas coast and reportedly authorizing the CIA to conduct covert operations in the nation. These moves, which on the surface look like open provocations to a potential future conflict, seek to pressure the regime in much the same way Trump did during his first term, experts told the DCNF. I dont see an intervention on the horizon, Daniel Batlle, Latin America and Caribbean expert and fellow at the Hudson Institute, told the DCNF. I dont think that the U.S. has laid the groundwork for Panama-style intervention in Venezuela. I think what the administration is trying to do is send a signal to the regime that is intended to keep it on the defensive, but it [also] wants to have options for pressuring Maduro. (RELATED: Somehow, People Reportedly Survived Utter Obliteration Of Alleged Narco Boat) Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a march to commemorate the Day of Indigenous Resistance in Caracas on October 12, 2025. (Photo by Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images) Maduro reportedly offered the Trump administration a majority stake in Venezuelas oil and mineral assets during months of informal talks, according to the New York Times. The offer went nowhere, however, and was effectively killed when President Trump severed all diplomatic contact with the dictator on Oct. 2. President Donald Trump said October 17 that Maduro did not want to fuck around with the United States and that he had offered everything. Venezuela plays host to multiple drug cartels, such as Tren de Aragua, which originated from a brutal prison in Venezuela and made its way to American shores under the Biden administration. The U.S. has accused Maduro of being deeply involved in the operations of the Cartel de los Soles, which was one of the initial reasons given for sanctions and deployments to the southern Caribbean. Trumps strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific have had the double effect of pressuring Venezuela while also stopping drugs from moving onto U.S. shores. However, cartels are now making changes to their playbook in order to circumvent the new military presence, hiding cargo on civilian ships and using plane drops to evade U.S. Navy fleets. They are weakest at sea and reliant on moving cargo that way. Thats not to say the Cartels wont try to adapt. They did before during changes in interdiction methods years ago, Brent Sadler, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told the DCNF. This campaign will take time and is a function of how prepared to weather the attacks the Cartels are and how long/effective the interdictions of their shipments remain. The military deployments have not merely been to deter cartels from shipping product by sea. The U.S. has also dispatched multiple bombers to patrol off the shores of Venezuela as a show of force towards Maduro. B-52 Stratofortress long-range bombers out of Louisiana patrolled off the Venezuelan coast earlier this month, and on Thursday, B-1 Lancer strategic long-range bombers took off from Texas flew close to the nations coast in international airspace. Despite the build-up, Batlle still thinks it unlikely that a full-scale war is imminent, since such a move would require far more assets than are currently at the ready. The military assets we have in the Caribbean are much more robust than what you need to do, to strike drug boats, Batlle told the DCNF. But to go from there to saying that we have the forces needed for an intervention in Venezuela I think is a stretch. Adding to those assets, the Pentagon on Friday authorized deployment of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and its embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR), which encompasses most of Central and South America and adjacent waters, including the Caribbean and Gulf of America. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt deferred to Trumps comments when asked by the Daily Caller whether regime change in Venezuela is an end goal of the ongoing campaign against the cartels. President Trump has been clear about his priority to stop the scourge of narcoterrorism that has resulted in the needless deaths of innocent Americans, a senior administration official told the DCNF. As the President clearly stated, he has not had any discussions on regime change. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. A bill in Wyoming that would essentially prevent regulation of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), which sometimes counsel patients against receiving abortion care, is slowly making its way through the state legislature. HB0273, also known as the Wyoming Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression (CARE) Act, would prohibit "the state and specified governmental entities from adopting any law, rule or policy that targets pregnancy centers for oversight or regulation based on the centers' stance against abortion." The Act blocks state or local officials from requiring CPCs to offer or perform abortions; to offer or provide abortion medications or contraception; and to refer, provide information or post flyers about abortions or contraception. One year post-Roe, crisis pregnancy centers expand footprint in Mississippi A center's stance on abortion would also not prohibit it from providing resources to pregnant people such as diapers, formula, baby clothes, baby furniture and other items, under the law. Additionally, officials would not be allowed to interfere with the center's staffing or hiring decisions. The bill is similar to one that passed in Montana this year, and was signed into law in May. Both have received the backing of the anti-abortion group Alliance Defending Freedom, which is credited with playing a role in the Supreme Court's eventual overruling of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Last week, the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee advanced the legislation. It will head to the House or Senate floor during the upcoming budget session, which will need a two-thirds majority to pass. Natalie Behring/Getty Images - PHOTO: Abortion rights protesters chant slogans during a gathering to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health case on June 24, 2022 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "As Chairman of the House Labor, Health, and Social Services committee in the Wyoming Legislature, I was pleased with the committee's decision to recently sponsor 'The CARE Act,'" State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, a Republican and co-sponsor of the bill, told ABC News in a statement. "The CARE Act is designed to protect the life-affirming mission and work of Wyoming pregnancy centers," the statement continued. "It ensures that government officials cannot discriminate against pregnancy centers and it prohibits government officials from censoring the free speech of pregnancy centers or forcing them to express messages they disagree with." Katie Knutter, executive director of Wellspring Health Access, the only clinic that provides abortions in Wyoming, said the Act seeks to manufacture a problem that doesn't exist. The bill "is seeking to correct a problem or prevent harm that's not happening, and by using the very limited time that the committee has between sessions, taking away from the Wyoming legislature's ability and time to actually work on maternal health concerns in the state," she told ABC News. "There's been no evidence at any level that any form of government in Wyoming has sought to, in any way, restrict or prohibit anything that crisis pregnancy centers are doing." CPCs, sometimes referred to as pregnancy resource centers, are non-medical facilities that offer free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests as well as support ranging from free diapers to clothing and parenting classes to women who choose to continue on with their pregnancy. Without abortion, pregnancy aid programs face surge in demand Proponents of pregnancy centers say the centers help support pregnant people during and after their pregnancy. However, major medical organizations like the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) say that CPCs present themselves as reproductive health care clinics while working to discourage people from accessing certain care, including abortion care and even contraceptive options. "Abortion is a safe medical intervention backed by decades of robust data," ACOG states on its website. "Despite this fact, many CPC staffs use false and misleading information, emotional manipulation, and delays to divert pregnant people from accessing comprehensive and timely care from patient-centered, appropriately trained, and licensed medical professionals." Natalie Behring/Getty Images - PHOTO: Abortion rights protesters chant slogans during a gathering to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health case on June 24, 2022 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Knutter said some CPCs mislead patients such as telling patients they are less far along or more far along in the pregnancy than they actually are or provide misinformation such as telling patients that abortion or the use of contraceptives can lead to increased risks of health issues like breast cancer. She added that there is a maternal health crisis in the state with OBGYNs leaving, hospitals closing their maternal health care divisions and patients traveling long distances to seek care, which she would like to see the legislature focus on instead. "We recommend that people in Wyoming contact their lawmakers and make sure that their voice is heard regarding these bills and tell their lawmakers that it is a problem for them to ignore the maternal health care crisis and that they want them to make real changes that can help pregnant people in Wyoming," Knutter said. Dylan Earl, left, and Jake Reeves received long jail sentences on Friday. - Metropolitan Police/PA The ringleader of an arson attack on a Ukrainian-owned business in London last year was jailed for 17 years on Friday for what prosecutors called a sustained campaign of terrorism and sabotage on British soil. Dylan Earl, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated arson over the February 2024 blaze that targeted a company delivering internet terminals from Elon Musks Starlink to Ukraine. He had also admitted an offense under the National Security Act, which was introduced in the wake of Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine to tackle threats that fall short of traditional spying and espionage. Jake Reeves, a 23-year-old accomplice of Earls, had also pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and a National Security Act charge. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Four others were convicted in July for their roles in the plot to burn down the warehouse on an industrial estate in east London on behalf of Wagner, a Russian mercenary group that has fought in Ukraine and is a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK. CNN reported from the trial at Londons Old Bailey court this summer. Courtroom testimony and police evidence unveiled what experts said was a paradigmatic case of Russias shadow attacks on countries across Europe, in which Moscow has relied not on well-trained agents, but a network of low-level criminals: some sympathetic to Russias cause, others simply wanting payment. A still from security camera footage showed two men carrying a jerry can at the industrial estate in London. - Crown Prosecution Service Whereas during the Cold War espionage and sabotage required painstaking recruitment and planning, these operations now just require a few hours on Telegram and some cash. Analysts told CNN this tactic is a dark spin on the modern gig economy, with hostile actors offering on-demand, no-strings-attached work to a flexible workforce. The sentencing of Earl and Reeves came after British police on Thursday arrested three men in their forties on suspicion of spying for Russia. Dominic Murphy, head of the Counter-Terrorism Policing London, said his force was seeing an increasing number of proxies being recruited by foreign intelligence services. In September, three others were arrested on the same charges. Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, Britains domestic intelligence service, warned last year that Russia was on a campaign to generate mayhem on British and European streets. Analysts have said the campaign has aimed to show Europe that there are costs to supporting Ukraine. The alleged attacks have included blazes at a shopping mall in Poland and an Ikea store in Lithuania, cyberattacks on Czech railways, and the vandalism of Jewish buildings in France. Russia has denied involvement. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanias former foreign minister, said trying to thwart the campaign felt like playing whack-a-mole: You catch one and Russia easily replaces them with several others hired through Telegram. Hundreds of exchanges on social media, reviewed by CNN during the trial, showed how this new gig economy for sabotage functions. Earl, a drug dealer, contacted a now-defunct Telegram account called Privet Bot, which prosecutors said was associated with Wagner and between 2023 and 2024 encouraged people to join operations across Europe. It took eight fire crews and 60 firefighters to combat the blaze. - London Fire Brigade/PA Within days of contacting the account, Earl whose correspondence revealed sympathy for Russias war had been given his first target for an arson attack, the warehouse owned by a Ukrainian man. Reeves, having spoken with Earl, then recruited others to help carry out the attack. Nii Mensah was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for his role in the attack; Jakeem Rose received eight; and Ugnius Asmena received seven. Ashton Evans, who was involved with Earl in another plot to set fire to a London restaurant and kidnap its owner, was sentenced to nine years in prison. That plot was foiled in April 2024. Frank Ferguson, head of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the prosecution marks a pivotal moment in our national security efforts. This case demonstrates how vital the (National Security) Act is in protecting the UK from hostile state activity and ensuring those who seek to undermine our safety and security are held fully accountable, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com He Lifeng, China's vice premier, returns for a meeting with the US trade delegation following a lunch break in in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday. (Samsul SaidBloomberg via Getty Images) Top U.S. and Chinese officials met in Malaysia on Saturday to lay the groundwork for a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, with some on Wall Street saying Beijing overplayed its hand by imposing draconian restrictions on rare earth exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held negotiations that the U.S. characterized as constructive. But sources told the Financial Times China was reluctant to ease the export controls. If Beijing refuses to budge and talks between Trump and Xi on Thursday dont result in a deal to roll back export controls, U.S. tariffs on China would soar to 157%. In addition, other countries may increasingly side with Washington, overcoming earlier backlash against the U.S. over Trumps global tariffs. As Chinas leader Xi Jinping stands firm on implementing sweeping export controls on rare-earths and other critical minerals, signs are mounting that Asias biggest economy has gone too far this time, Yardeni Research said in a note on Tuesday. For example, officials in Europe and Japan joined the U.S. in denouncing Chinas export controls, which could curb the supply materials that are critical to a wide range of industries. The negative response to Beijings tactics also prompted the G7 to vow a united front against the export controls, Yardeni pointed out. The often unilateral Trump administration has spotted an opportunity to flip the script and even discovered a taste for multilateralism, with Bessent saying recently he will huddle with Australia, Canada, India and Asian democracies to formulate a collective response. For its part, China has blasted U.S. efforts to limit software and chip exports, while also shifting trade toward other countries to offset the plunge in exports to America. Yet Xis latest trade war tactic may be tipping the geostrategic balance back toward the US as companies around the world think better of doing business in China generally, Yardeni said. Meanwhile, the U.S. is scrambling to develop alternative sources of rare earths and turning to allies like Australia, though new supplies could take years to reach the market. Trump also has formidable trade weapons of his own to deploy against China in the event he seeks to ratchet up U.S. retaliation. But he has signaled hed rather reach a deal and softened his tone recently, saying last week that he is not looking to destroy China after previously warning he could. And while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia, Trump was open to a compromise. Sure theyll have to make concessions. I guess we will too, he said. Were at 157% tariff for them. I dont think thats sustainable for them. They want to get that down, and we want certain things from them. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Rod Theis (ADF) The legal battle over a licensed clinical social worker's office decor has escalated, with attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filing an opening brief on behalf of their client, Rod Theis, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The appeal challenges a lower court's ruling that Theis must remove certain children's books from behind his office desk when students are present. Theis, who works for the InterMountain Education Service District (ESD), was ordered to remove the book covers for He Is He, She Is She, and Johnny the Walrus after a complaint labeled the display as "transphobic." InterMountain ESD administrators subsequently cited the books for promoting a binary view of gender. The ADF argues that the order violates Theis's First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion, as well as his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process. According to the ADF, Theis, who was inspired by the books' message of "hope for children" and embracing "how God made them to be," simply displayed the covers as decoration. READ: Karine Jean-Pierre Defends Bidens Cognitive Acuity Against CNNs Scrutiny Double Standard Alleged The core of the legal challenge rests on an alleged double standard within the ESD's policy on office decoration. ADF attorneys point out that InterMountain and the schools it serves allow employees to display various personal items, including quotes, photos, and posters that convey political messages promoting unions, Black Lives Matter, and the LGBTQ+ movement. "This case isnt about books; its about public officials telling an employee that he isnt allowed to express a view that differs from their own, said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer, director of the ADF Center for Academic Freedom. Langhofer stressed that the government cannot "silence a speaker just because it disapproves of what he says," arguing that InterMountain is unconstitutionally censoring Theis's freedom of expression. Censorship and Warning InterMountain ESD labeled Theis's display as a hostile expression of animus toward another person relating to their actual or perceived gender identity and explicitly prohibited "the expression of any views that promote a binary view of sex while actively promoting opposing views," according to the ADF brief. The ESD not only ordered Theis to remove the book covers but also warned him that "further conduct of this nature" would result in discipline, including termination of his employment. READ: Hamas Subsidiary: Trumps Ceasefire Plan Axes UNRWA From Gaza Aid Role Theis stated that he wants "every student I work with to experience kindness, dignity, and respect," but insisted that "Government officials are wrong to tell me I cant express my sincere religious beliefs about male and female. Every American, including my coworkers, has the same freedom to express their own views on the subject. The ADF is urging the 9th Circuit to overturn the lower court's ruling, arguing that InterMountain has created and implemented a "speech code" that infringes upon the constitutional rights of individuals who hold a biological view of gender. Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage. Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox. Composite image of Trump with Xi Jinping and the new PM of Japan Sensae Takaichi President Trump said he would consider meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un as he set out on a trip to Asia that features a high-stakes meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. Trump told reporters as he left Washington he was open to meeting Kim for the fourth time days after North Korea fired off ballistic missiles in the region. President Trump was direct about his intentions for the upcoming meeting with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. REUTERS I would. If you want to put out the word, Im open to it, Trump said late Friday en route to Malaysia. He knows Im coming. Id be open to it 100 percent. Trump is set to attend two broader summits, one in Kuala Lumpur and another in Gyeongju, South Korea, but it is his bilateral talk with Xi that has the potential to either soothe or settle a trade war and impact global hot spots. Trump has already floated the first demand he will make in talks with Xi, which were set for Thursday in Busan, South Korea, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Confronting the flow of fentanyl to the US would be the first question Im going to be asking. Trump said this week. Trump is also expected to meet with Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. AFP via Getty Images Trump says the first issue he will raise with Chinese President Xi Jinping is fentanyl. AP Usually hes secretive about negotiations. Here he is laying out his highest concern is fentanyl, said China expert Michael Pillsbury. The president got a jump start on his week of diplomacy by hosting the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Air Force One during a refueling stop. Trump thanked him for his role pushing for the Israel-Hamas peace deal. Trump heads to Tokyo Monday morning local time for his first meeting with Japans new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Takaichi a drummer in her past life is preparing to announce the Japanese government will purchase a fleet of U.S.-made Ford pickup trucks, a source familiar with the plans told the Post. 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And the princess of Bangkok is donating funds for a wall on the border with Cambodia. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) While Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the most significant ASEAN summit in recent years from October 26 to 28 the organization for cooperation among Southeast Asian countries with numerous leaders from around the world attending as guests, the walls erected along the borders between its member countries seem destined to increase. This will The latest is a 50-kilometer wall, whose construction was recently approved by the Malaysian government for an area of Kelantan State, along the border with Thailand opposite Narathiwat Province. Kuala Lumpur has allocated a budget of 1.5 billion ringgit (approximately 300 million euros, ed.) for the construction of a barrier between the cities of Tumpat and Tenah Merah. The stated purpose of the structure will be to combat smuggling and other cross-border crimes, as well as to prevent flooding of the Golok River, which separates the two countries in that area. The new wallthe first in the state of Kelantanwill join others already built by Malaysia in some areas of the border with southern Thailand. The other project that has been much talked about in recent weeks is the wall that could be built on the very tense border between Thailand and Cambodia, the scene of armed clashes between the two countries last July, but also a crossroads for criminal activities linked to scam centers. In recent weeks, the Thai media has reported that Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, the younger sister of King Rama X, has donated one million baht (approximately 26,000) to set up the Hathai Thip Fund, which will serve as seed capital for the construction of walls and barriers along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Minister of Defense in the Bangkok government, added that the fence will be built in areas where the border has been clearly agreed upon. The first section of the project concerns the province of Sa Kaeo, where the barrier would extend for 10 kilometers, with an estimated budget of 87 million baht (2.62 million). Construction could begin immediately once the funds are confirmed, the minister said. Today's news: Thailands prime minister attends ASEAN summit to sign a truce with Cambodia before returning home following the death of the countrys Queen Mother. In Japan, the release of a film about bears attacking and eating people has been postponed. Lahore is the most polluted city in the world, followed by New Delhi and Beijing. Turkish court rejects request to annul the 2023 CHP congress, confirming Ozgur Ozels leadership. VIETNAM UNITED NATIONS This weekend around 60 countries will sign in Hanoi a United Nations-drafted cybercrime treaty aimed at punishing crimes that cost the global economy trillions of dollars a year. The convention, which came into force after it was ratified by 40 countries, is expected to streamline international cooperation against cybercrime, but has been criticised by activists and tech companies for possible human rights violations. ASEAN UNITED STATES INDIA Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the ASEAN summit begins tomorrow, to sign a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia under the aegis of US President Donald Trump. The prime minister will skip the Southeast Asian summit to return home because of the death of Queen Mother Sirikit. He requested that the royal funeral be held on Sunday to enable him to attend the ceremony. Meanwhile, President Trump is expected in the Malaysian capital tomorrow morning, his first stop on a three-country Asian trip (Malaysia, Japan, South Korea). The US leader could meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance has not been confirmed, despite "progress" in trade agreements between India and ASEAN. JAPAN Japanese filmmakers have decided to postpone the release of a horror movie featuring a bear attacking and eating humans. Titled Brown Bear!, the movie was set to be released next month, but a spate of fatal bear attacks against humans convinced producers to delay the release. Bears killed at least 10 people so far this year. PAKISTAN Shrouded in smog and fine dust, Lahore, the capital of Punjab, is the worlds most polluted city according to a special ranking published this morning by the IQAir monitoring platform. PM2.5 levels reached 281 g/m, 56.2 times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual guidelines. The Indian capital of New Delhi comes in second, while Beijing is third. CHINA China will increase "significantly" the percentage of government investment in peoples livelihoods and the share of household consumption in terms of GDP within the next five years. This comes after the release of the economic and policy outline for 2026-30. In the latter, priority is given to production and reliance on technology over consumption. The country's tech-focused STAR50 index rose 3 per cent yesterday in response to the announcement. TURKEY A Turkish court has dismissed the lawsuit against the Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition party. In its submission to the court, the government sought to annul the 2023 CHP party congress and the election of its leader, Ozgur Ozel. This decision appears to weaken President Recep Tayyip Erdogans clampdown on its main political rival, which has seen scores of mayors and high-ranking party figures taken to court and convicted. The court ruled that the allegations of irregularities against the CHP had no legal relevance. RUSSIA INDIA After lengthy back-and-forth, Indias major oil companies have decided to almost completely suspend Russian oil imports due to the sanctions recently imposed by Donald Trump on Rosneft and Lukoil. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, deliveries from Russia had increased tenfold, sold in India at discounted prices what could no longer be exported to Europe, the country's main market after China. GEORGIA A new peaceful pro-European protest took place on Rustaveli Prospect in central Tbilisi, in support of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who recently received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Expression. Police dispersed the demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas, detaining an unknown number near the parliament building under new rules restricting unauthorised public gatherings. by Nirmala Carvalho The 2021 legislation, which imposes up to 10 years for converting to another faith, has come under scrutiny. Some of the laws provisions violate personal rights and privacy. For the bishop of Lucknow, the rulings are a welcome relief and a sign of hope for the Christian community, but all "unconstitutional" provisions must be struck down. Delhi (AsiaNews) Indias Supreme Court has raised concerns about the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. The anti-conversion law punishes conversion to another faith through misinformation, the offer of compensation or other gain, force, and coercion, with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The justices note that the law presents problematic issues, especially with regard to an individual's right to adopt another faith, effectively limiting their choice. Furthermore, for the court, the rights to freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship must be preserved, as these principles embody and express the secular nature of the country. The recent judgements by the Supreme Court are a welcome relief and a sign of hope for the Christian community. But how many can afford to reach the Apex Court for justice? wonders Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow, speaking to AsiaNews. For the prelate, most members of the clergy and lay people falsely accused of illegal conversion will not be able to do so and could languish in jails for months and years. Instead, the Supreme Court should strike down all provisions and clauses or sections in anti-conversion laws in the country that are unconstitutional. Otherwise, the misuse of these laws will continue as will atrocities against Christians and Muslims. I hope and pray that the recent judgements and observations of the Supreme Court will serve as a deterrent. The Supreme Court bench, composed of justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, made some significant observations vis-a-vis the laws constitutionality; in their opinion, by requiring a declaration before the district magistrate on conversion, the law entails a broad interference by the State in personal matters. What is more, district magistrates are legally required to initiate a police investigation, which must vet the steps that led to the conversion itself, while making public a converted person's personal data may constitute a violation of privacy. During the hearing, the justices noted that parts of the 2021 law violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution, specifically Article 25. Section 8 of the Uttar Pradesh law includes pre- and post-conversion procedures. In the first phase, individuals must declare at least 60 days in advance before the competent authority that there was no coercion, undue influence, or solicitation. They must also provide a one month's notice to the same authority that they plan to convert, while the latter will then instruct the police to conduct the appropriate inquiry. If the person wishing to convert fails to submit a pre-conversion declaration, they risk a prison sentence of up to three years and a minimum fine of 10,000 rupees (US$ 115). Once the conversion has taken place, the person is required to resubmit a declaration within 60 days, upon which the competent authority will display a copy of the declaration on their noticeboard. Details that must be disclosed in the declaration include permanent address, place of residence, nature of the process undergone, etc. The convert is required to appear within 21 days of submitting the declaration to establish their identity and confirm its contents. All of these elements risk undermining personal freedom and privacy, in direct violation of the constitution on which India was founded. Lastly, the Court stressed that the term "secular" used in the preamble of the constitution is an intrinsic part of the document. Foreign firms ramp up investment as China vows wider opening up Xinhua) 09:19, October 25, 2025 This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows the skyline of the central business district (CBD) at dusk in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua) BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- From manufacturing expansion to innovation-driven upgrades, foreign-invested firms are scaling up their investment and positioning themselves for new opportunities in China, as the country pledges even wider, high-standard opening up in the coming years. Last week, Swire Coca-Cola Ltd., a bottler of Coca-Cola, commenced operations at a factory in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou. With an investment of more than 900 million yuan (about 126.9 million U.S. dollars), the plant covers about 13 hectares and has an annual production capacity exceeding 1 million tonnes, serving nearly 100 million consumers in central China. The new facility is part of the company's efforts to expand its production capacity, backed by its 12-billion-yuan, decade-long investment plan in the Chinese mainland, which was first announced in 2023. The company is set to start building a new production base in Hainan Province at the end of this year, while also preparing to launch two additional factories in Jiangsu Province and Guangdong Province in 2026. Noting the Chinese market as an important engine driving Swire Coca-Cola's stable operations, Karen So, the company's CEO, said the new Zhengzhou factory represents the company's long-term commitment to staying rooted in the Chinese market and contributing to high-quality development. Swire Coca-Cola exemplifies the broader story of foreign companies' robust performance in China during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). Official data shows that foreign direct investment into China totaled 4.7 trillion yuan from 2021 to May 2025, with foreign-invested enterprises now accounting for one-third of the country's total imports and exports, contributing one-quarter of its industrial output. Building on this solid foundation, foreign companies are now positioning themselves for the next phase of growth, as China pledges to promote high-standard opening up and create new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), according to a communique issued on Thursday after the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday that the country would work to expand market access and areas of openness in the next five years and foster a transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment to create new advantages in attracting foreign investment. Against the backdrop of continued openness, multinational companies are not only expanding their manufacturing capacity in China but also boosting their R&D investments. They are attracted by the country's dynamic innovation landscape, world-class talent pool, and strong industrial and supply chains. Bosch Automotive Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of German multinational giant Bosch Group in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, launched an intelligent driving control innovation project in the Suzhou Industrial Park in August. With a planned investment of 10 billion yuan over the next five years, the project will focus on the R&D of full-stack intelligent assisted driving solutions and smart cockpit hardware and software. This investment represents another major commitment by Bosch to Suzhou, building on its 2023 establishment of an R&D and manufacturing base in the city for core components of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and automated driving. Stephan Lampel, a senior executive of Bosch Mobility China, said that China is leading the development of intelligent driving and smart cockpit technologies, and that Bosch aims to leverage Suzhou's talent pool, innovation capabilities and industrial ecosystem to accelerate its presence in intelligent mobility. Multinational Schneider Electric is also bolstering its R&D footprint in China. In September, the company launched its EcoFit LV Innovation Center China in Shanghai, which specializes in the adaptation and upgrading of low-voltage distribution components. The company has so far established an R&D team of over 1,500 people in Shanghai. Schneider Electric has also been collaborating with Chinese partners to explore high-efficiency, zero-carbon solutions by integrating advanced technologies such as AI and microgrids. Noting Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region as a hub for innovation, leading technologies, and open collaboration, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman of Schneider Electric, noted during a recent visit to Shanghai that the company will "join hands with more Chinese partners in accelerating technological innovation and industrial transition, co-creating a greener, smarter, and more prosperous future." Schneider Electric is not alone in deepening its integration with China's industrial ecosystem through broader local partnerships. Roland Busch, president and CEO of Siemens AG, highlighted the German industrial giant's expanding collaboration with Chinese partners during his recent visit to China. He said Siemens has brought over 100 partners and small and medium-sized companies from Shanghai onto its open digital business platform Siemens Xcelerator, helping them accelerate digitization and innovate with AI technology. In September, the company also signed a cooperation agreement with partners in Shanghai to build an international carbon footprint certification exchange service platform. "Facing the future, only cooperation can lead to win-win results," Busch said. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) 25 October 2025 20:35 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more For decades, Armenia has faced economic isolation, trapped by closed borders and limited access to international markets because of its stubborn stance in foreign policy. But a recent decision by Azerbaijan to open its territory for transit cargo is changing that narrative, offering Armenia a path toward new opportunities and signaling a real step toward peace. President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the removal of all transit restrictions during a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 21, 2025, highlighting the economic and strategic significance of the move. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also welcomed the decision at the V Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, describing it as positive and critical for restoring trust in the region and developing economic relations. Naturally, the progress has sparked a flurry of reactions. Perhaps most intriguing is the response from Moscow, which has drawn considerable attention from analysts and policymakers alike. Azerbaijans decision to open its territory for transit cargo to Armenia is a sign that Baku and Yerevan are serious about moving towards peace, Russian expert Mikhail Belyayev stated, commenting on the landmark development. According to Belyayev, the move carries significant economic implications: This decision by Azerbaijan is of great importance in terms of increasing both bilateral and multilateral trade turnover. For Armenia, which has been blockaded by its neighbors for more than thirty years due to the Garabagh conflict, new opportunities are emerging. Through Azerbaijan, this landlocked country gains access to transport corridors leading to safe sea ports. He emphasized that the establishment of transport and economic ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia is broadly beneficial for both the CIS and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): Transport routes create additional jobs and stimulate economic development. Every smart leader understands that there are objective economic opportunities determined by geography. There is a long way ahead: the construction of a railway in Armenia connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan will further enhance trade. The building of highways, railways, and other infrastructure contributes directly to economic growth. Perhaps, the opening Azerbaijans territory for transit cargo will facilitate Armenias trade with other countries, including the Central Asian republics. Historically, products from these countries, as well as other EAEU member states, were transported to Armenia primarily via Russia, creating logistical complexity and giving Russia additional influence over Armenia. Now, transport via Azerbaijan offers a shorter, safer, and potentially lower-cost route, which will improve trade opportunities, increase competition in the Armenian market, and allow goods from a broader set of countries to reach Armenia. At the same time, Russia may also benefit: new logistics routes enable the efficient transport of Russian cargo through Azerbaijan, creating economic advantages for Moscow as well. Baku has reiterated its commitment to permanent peace and neighborly relations. This lifting of economic and trade restrictions not only supports regional stability but is also aligned with Moscows interests. The opening of roads, railways, and eventually air and sea links through Azerbaijan will deepen economic integration, benefiting Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia alike. For instance in the first seven months of 2025, Armenia's exports fell by 48.3%, amounting to 1.771 trillion drams (approximately $4.545 billion). This decline underscores the need for improved trade routes and access to broader markets. The new transit route through Azerbaijan is expected to alleviate logistical challenges, reduce transportation costs, and enhance Armenia's competitiveness in regional and global markets. The establishment of a direct transit route between Azerbaijan and Armenia is anticipated to stimulate economic growth in the South Caucasus. Improved connectivity will facilitate trade not only between the two countries but also with Central Asia, Turkiye, and the European Union. The question of infrastructure is at the very heart of prospects for peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. Stretching roughly 1,007 kilometers, the border shared by Azerbaijan and Armenia is the longest in the region, and its once again becoming a corridor of opportunity. Historically, railways and highways crisscrossed this border, facilitating trade and people-to-people contact. Today, the Azerbaijani side is moving swiftly to restore these vital arteries. Many of the rail and road networks on Azerbaijans territory are already physically in place, awaiting only the final push to connect with Armenia and come fully back to life. Progress is tangible: freight trains now travel the Horadiz-Aghband route as far as Gumlaq station, serving Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. Rails stretch to Minjevan, where bridges and tunnelscurrently under construction on the final 25-kilometer sectionare set to open next year. The main highway is nearing completion95% finishedwith tunnels taking shape near the border. Construction is also underway on the highway toward Iran, and the highly anticipated Araz corridor, traversing Iranian territory, is slated for a March 2026 opening. Elsewhere, Nakhchivan is preparing for a major rail upgrade. With a feasibility study complete, plans are in place to renovate 158 kilometers of existing track and lay an additional 30 kilometers of new lines. This project encompasses the stretch from Ordubad to the Armenian border and from Velidag station in Sadarak toward Turkiye. There is every reason to believe the connection with Armenia will soon be restored as well. On the Gazakh route, daily passenger trains already runthree departures a day, with more expected soon. The railway to Barkhudarly, right at the Armenian border, only needs minor improvements before it too can be revived. The Armenian side, however, faces more significant hurdles. Some rail lines have collapsed due to landslides, and while efforts to restore motor roads are underway, progress remains partial. For real regional integration to be achieved, accelerated construction on the Armenian side is essential. The gradual reopening of these communication lines could be transformativenot just for commerce, but for the entire regions future. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov reported a 90% increase in freight traffic along the East-West corridor through Azerbaijan since 2022, highlighting the country's growing role as a regional trade hub. This trend is expected to continue as new transit routes open up. Additionally, the U.S.-brokered peace agreement includes the development of the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), a 32-kilometer corridor through southern Armenia connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. This corridor will accommodate rail, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optics, further enhancing regional connectivity. By opening its territory, Azerbaijan is offering more than a passageway for goodsit is opening a door to trust, dialogue, and regional prosperity. Armenia gets access to vital trade corridors, Azerbaijan reinforces its leadership, and Russia stands to gain from new logistical routes. This moment reminds the South Caucasus that even small steps toward cooperation can generate lasting benefits for countries and communities alike. 25 October 2025 11:12 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of his countrys national holiday, Azernews reports. "Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to convey to you, and through you, to the brotherly people of your country, my sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Republic Day. The brilliant successes achieved by Kazakhstan in every field, its economic development, the improvement of the well-being of its population, and its high prestige in the international arena are the results of the significant reforms implemented under your leadership and your tireless efforts. The common historical and cultural roots of our peoples are among the primary factors shaping our interstate cooperation. Relations between our brotherly countries are developing in the spirit of mutual trust and high respect. The "Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan," the 20th anniversary of which we marked this year, vividly reflects the strategic nature of our interstate relations. The intensity of our political contacts, the presence of mutual understanding at the highest level, and active dialogue create a favorable ground for deepening our cooperation in various fields, particularly in trade and economic relations, energy - including green energy - transport, investment, information technologies, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and other areas. The results achieved, the agreements reached, and the documents signed during my recent state visit to your brotherly country are a clear manifestation of our unwavering will and determination to further deepen our relations. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to strengthen the brotherhood, reliable strategic partnership, and alliance between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as to comprehensively expand our cooperation. On this joyous day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your high state activities, and lasting peace, prosperity, and abundance to the brotherly people of Kazakhstan," the letter reads. 25 October 2025 14:39 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The figures underline Azerbaijans growing role as a key natural gas supplier in Europe, particularly amid shifting regional energy dynamics Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 25 October 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have not ruled out the possibility of a future summit, Azernews reports via TRT World. Speaking at a news conference in Moscow on Friday, Peskov indicated that this understanding is based on their recent public remarks. "Yes, President Trump stated that at present, he has stopped thinking about organising a summit. However, over the past two days, he repeatedly mentioned that he does not exclude such a summit taking place in the future," he said. Peskov said that since no specific dates or details have been agreed upon, it would be incorrect to suggest that anything has been sabotaged. "Neither Trump nor Putin wants to waste time; they don't intend to gather merely for the sake of having a meeting," he said. The spokesman emphasised that for a leaders' meeting to be productive, preparatory work must first be completed at the ministerial level, specifically "by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio." When asked about relations with Ukraine, he described the current state of negotiations as a "prolonged pause", attributing it to Kiev's "unwillingness to intensify the negotiation process". "This reluctance by Kiev to accelerate the peace talks" is actively encouraged primarily by Ukraine's "European overseers", he stressed. Regarding President Putin's warning of a "stunning response" if the US delivered Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Peskov clarified that Putin was referring to any such strike in general, not a specific weapon. Concerning the new Western sanctions, he said Russia will respond in accordance with its national interests. "Currently, we're analysing the announced sanctions. Of course, we'll act in ways that best serve our own interests. That remains the primary focus of our actions," he added. Echoing a recent statement from President Trump, the Kremlin spokesperson agreed to assess the impact of the new sanctions after six months. "Indeed, we'll wait and see how things develop in six months. We observe what's happening now, recall events from last year and the year before, and hope to understand the situation better in six months, maybe even a year later," he said. Turning to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's desire to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, Peskov confirmed that Moscow shares this aspiration. The official added that dialogue has "virtually ceased" due to "unfriendly steps" taken by previous Japanese governments. 25 October 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un said military brotherhood between his country and Russia would "advance non-stop," Azernews reports via KCNA. North Korea has broken ground on a new memorial in Pyongyang dedicated to its soldiers killed fighting alongside Russian troops to push Ukrainian forces out of Kursk, state media reported. The groundbreaking ceremony for the "Memorial Museum of Combat Feats" was attended by North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un and Russia's ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora as well as other embassy officials. Speaking at the event on Thursday, Kim said the memorial "is a sacred sanctuary dedicated to the immortality of true patriots," state-run news agency KCNA reported on Friday. It is not uncommon for North Korean state media to report on events a day after they happened. Speaking about the operation in Kursk where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in August last year, Kim said that the "military brotherhood" between his country and Russia would "advance non-stop," KCNA reported. According to South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to Russia since last autumn and supplied large quantities of military equipment, including artillery and ballistic missiles, in support of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Seoul estimates that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed fighting alongside Russian troops, with thousands more wounded. Kim has also agreed to send thousands of military construction workers and deminers to Kursk, as Kim deepens military ties with Russia. South Korean officials have expressed concern that North Korea could receive badly needed economic aid and advanced military technologies in exchange for its war support. 25 October 2025 21:01 (UTC+04:00) The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing additional sanctions targeting key sectors of Russias economy if Moscow continues its military actions in Ukraine, Azernews reports, citing Reuters sources. Washington has informed its European allies that it supports using frozen Russian assets to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Internal discussions are also underway regarding the possibility of redirecting Russian assets held in the US to bolster Kievs military efforts. The White House expects European partners to take further measures against Moscow, which could include new sanctions or additional tariffs. Sources indicate that Trump may pause for several weeks to assess the Kremlins response to the restrictions already announced. The most recent US sanctions targeted Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, aiming to increase economic pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing conflict. 25 October 2025 22:05 (UTC+04:00) Russian President Vladimir Putin described the signing of the UN Convention on Cybercrime as a "historic event" during a message delivered at the ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday, Azernews reports. His remarks, read by Russian Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, credited the support of most UN member states for advancing Russia's 2019 proposal to create a global treaty against cybercrime. Putin noted that despite international tensions, diplomats and law enforcement officials worked together to finalize "the draft of this crucial document." A decade before Russia invaded Ukraine, it ordered an investigation of armed forces personnel levels and found that the army was short a third of the lowest-ranking enlisted troops it was supposed to have. The Russian military was supposed to have a million personnel, but officials later admitted that the real number was closer to 800,000 and falling fast. A subsequent investigation confirmed this. What happened to the missing troops? The military then had 220,000 officers and 200,000 contract personnel. These were better-paid volunteers who filled most of the NCO slots. Thus, most of the troops were conscripts, and it was getting harder and harder to find enough people to conscript. Conscripts are inducted twice a year, in April and October. In 2011, the April intake was supposed to be 220,000, but fewer than that actually made it into uniform. In the previous October, only 135,000 were expected, and only about 100,000 were actually put into service. The military reduced the officer ranks to 220,000 and was trying to increase the number of long-term professional contract soldiers and trained NCOs to 420,000. Finally, the military was willing to accept the fact that it would not be able to obtain more than 270,000 conscripts a year, if that. That meant there would never be a million-man force. There were too many officers, not enough contract soldiers and NCOs, and about the right number of conscripts, if the conscription goals could be reached. There were also problems recruiting the 50,000 contract soldiers a year. The military was not seeing the kind of quality volunteers it had hoped to get and lowered its standards to meet annual quotas. This just filled the ranks. The basic recruiting problem is twofold. First, Russian military service was, and is, very unpopular, and potential conscripts are increasingly successful at dodging the draft. But the biggest problem is that the number of 18-year-olds was, and still is, rapidly declining each year. The available draftees were born after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. That was when the birth rate went south, not so much because the Soviet Union was gone, but more because of the economic collapse caused by decades of communist misrule that precipitated the collapse of the communist government. The number of available draftees went from 1.5 million a year in the early 1990s to 800,000. Less than half of those potential conscripts were showing up, and many had criminal records or tendencies that helped sustain the abuse of new recruits, which made military service so unsavory. With conscripts now serving for only a year, rather than two, the military was forced to take a lot of marginalsickly, overweight, bad-attitude, or drug-usingrecruits to keep the military and Ministry of Interior units up to strength. But this meant that even elite airborne and commando units were using a lot of conscripts. Most of these young soldiers take a year to master the skills needed to be useful, and then they are discharged. Few choose to remain in uniform and become career soldiers. That's primarily because the Russian military is seen as a crippled institution and one not likely to get better anytime soon. With so many of the troops being one-year conscripts, an increasing number of the best officers and NCOs got tired of coping with all the alcoholics, drug users, and petty criminals that are taken in just to make quotas. With the exodus of the best leaders and a growing number of ill-trained and unreliable conscripts, the Russian military was more of a mirage than an effective combat organization. The military was unpopular for conscripts mainly because of the brutal treatment they received. This was not getting better, and hazing incidents were still increasing each year. This was a serious problem. There were a lot of reasons for not wanting to be in the Russian Army, but the worst of them was the hazing of new recruits by soldiers who had been in a few months longer. It was thought that this sort of thing would speed the demise of conscription in Russia once the Cold War ended in 1991. It didn't work out that way. The government found that, even among the contract soldiers, the old abuses lived on, and most of the best contract soldiers left when their contracts were up. This was because of the brutality and lack of discipline in the barracks. The hazing was most frequently committed by troops who had been in for six months or so against the new recruits. That extended to a pattern of abuse and brutality by all senior enlisted troops against junior ones. It was out of control. The abuse continued to increase. This hazing originally developed after World War II, when Russia deliberately avoided developing a professional NCO corps. It preferred to have officers take care of nearly all troop supervision. The Soviets failed to note that good NCOs were the key to developing effective soldiers. They felt that officers were more reliable, as they were more carefully selected and monitored. The NCOs that did exist were treated as slightly more reliable enlisted men but given little real authority. Since officers did not live with the men, slack discipline in the barracks gave rise to vicious hazing and exploitation of junior conscripts by senior ones. This led to very low morale and a lot of suicides, theft, sabotage, and desertions. The hazing has been one of the basic causes of crimes in the Russian armed forces, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all soldier crimes. This has caused a suicide rate that is among the highest in the world. Poor working conditions in general also mean that Russian soldiers are nearly twice as likely to die from accidents or suicide than American soldiers. Long recognized as a problem, no solution to the hazing has ever worked. Conscription itself, and the prospect of being exposed to hazing, led to a massive increase in draft-dodging. Bribes and document fraud were freely used. Few parents or potential conscripts consider this a crime. Avoiding the draft was seen as a form of self-preservation long before the massive casualties of the current war began. The Russian lack of sergeants was difficult to fix. Just promoting more troops to that rank, paying them more, and telling them to take charge did not work. Upon looking at how Western armies did it, the Russians noted that those foreign armies provided a lot of professional training for new NCOs and more of it as the NCOs advanced in rank. But this was a long-term process, and it was known that it would take years before benefits could be felt. All this is in sharp contrast to the old days. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it had five million troops in its armed forces. Now, it's less than one million in just Russia. As a result of these personnel problems, Russian efforts to reform and upgrade its armed forces have failed. The basic problem was that few Russian men were willing to join, even at good pay rates. Efforts to recruit women and foreigners have not made up for this. The Russian military has an image problem that just won't go away. This resulted in the period of service for conscripts being lowered to one year in 2008. That was partly to placate the growing number of parents who were encouraging and assisting their kids in avoiding military service. All this came after more than a decade of reforms in the armed forces, particularly the army. Poor discipline, low morale, and incompetent performance are all legacies of the 19211991 Soviet era. Russian commanders, envious of the success of all-volunteer Western forces, had long studied their former foes and decided to adopt many more Western military customs. For example, one reform ordered that Russian troops would not be confined to their barracks most of the time. In the Soviet era, conscripted troops were treated like convicts, and their barracks were more like a prison than the college dormitory atmosphere found in troop housing for Western military personnel. Russian conscripts were now free to leave the base on weekends and work only a five-day week. Things like this helped a bit, but not enough. Russia has tried to change public attitudes toward the armed forces by publicizing all the new changes and programs. But word got around that most of these efforts failed. Blame that on the internet. Polls consistently show that most military-age men do not want to serve in the military, and the main reason is the hazing and prison-like conditions in the barracks. Then Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and manpower problems became even worse due to escalating corruption and massive casualties. 25 October 2025 22:40 (UTC+04:00) The United States and China held trade discussions in Malaysia on Saturday, with a US Treasury spokesman describing the exchanges as "very constructive", Azernews reports. The spokesman told AFP that the sessions had concluded, but that the talks would continue the following morning. The talks come before US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in South Korea next week. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinas Vice Premier He Lifeng at Merdeka 118 the worlds second-tallest building. The worlds two biggest economies are seeking to avoid further escalation of their damaging tit-for-tat tariff war, with US President Donald Trump expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea next Thursday. Trump has said he hopes to strike a good deal with China and bring an end to the trade war, despite having previously threatened to cancel the meeting, which will be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit starting on October 31. Beijing announced sweeping controls on the critical rare earths industry earlier this month, prompting Trump to threaten 100 per cent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation. The two countries have also begun imposing arrival fees on each others ships, following a US Section 301 investigation that found Beijings dominance in the sector to be unreasonable. AFP Virginia's statewide races yielded new twists as new issues arose in both the Attorney General's race and the Lieutenant Governor's race. The AG race had already seen the emergence of an issue that turned it upside down as Democrat nominee Jay Jones calls for the assassination of the former Republican Speaker of the House were exposed. Now Jones has had a special prosecutor appointed against him on a separate matter. That involves Jones' obligation for 1,000 hours of community service from his conviction for driving 116 miles ah hour in a 70 mile an hour zone. Much of Jones' reported "community service" was logged at his own political action committee even though Virginia law prohibits community service being performed in political organizations. https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/22/jay-jones-democrat-investigation-reckless-driving-attorney-general-virginia/ Virginia's Democrat nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Ghazala Hashmi, has also generated a firestorm over recently revealed remarks she made in a state senate committee meeting about children's access to sexually explicit books. Hashmi stated "We seem to focus on sexual explicit material. I don't really care about that." https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/ghazala-hashmi-john-reid-virginia-lieutenant-governor-parental-rights/ A video of a speech by a 15 year old Irish girl warning of the dangers of mass migration has gone viral. She is from a small town which she explains she has always been proud of. Now, however, after several scary encounters with migrants from some of the migrant shelters in town, she is afraid to walk to the bus stop alone in daytime or to jog alone through the town. "It is only going to get worse," she declared. https://x.com/RMXnews/status/1981664104226910417 https://rmx.news/article/its-only-going-to-get-worse-irish-teen-girl-delivers-passionate-warning-against-mass-immigration/ This video comes as citizen protests continue to rage around a large migrant shelter in Dublin where an African illegal alien has been arrested for raping a 10 year old Irish girl, after many complaints of migrants from the shelter often hanging out on the steps of a nearby primary school, smoking drugs and drinking alcohol. The rapist migrant had had a deportation order for months but it had not been enforced. https://x.com/RMXnews/status/1980377559335342236 https://rmx.news/article/police-suspect-failed-african-asylum-seeker-of-raping-10-year-old-girl-in-dublin-as-locals-reveal-migrants-regularly-linger-around-nearby-primary-school/ Mairin Murray, founder of women-in-tech innovation company TechFoundHer, has announced the launch of the TechFoundHer Collective A Co Down entrepreneur has launched a new global platform aimed at tackling the gender gap in tech start-ups. Mairin Murray, founder of women-in-tech innovation company TechFoundHer, has announced the launch of the TechFoundHer Collective, a membership-based online network designed to help women start, lead and scale tech businesses even without coding experience. Its no secret the odds are stacked against women starting tech companies, said Murray. Were tired waiting, so were taking matters into our own hands. The platform connects female founders with investors, mentors and industry experts, including leading figures such as game industry icon Kelly Vero, investor Lata Setty, and AI strategist Aarthi Kumar. Members will also gain access to webinars, tools and community workshops designed to support early-stage ventures. Mairin Murray, founder of women-in-tech innovation company TechFoundHer, has announced the launch of the TechFoundHer Collective News Catch Up - Friday 24th October The initiative comes amid stark funding disparities. According to data from the Invest in Women Taskforce, all-female founded businesses in Northern Ireland received just 2.5 million around 2% of total equity funding in 2024. Male-led teams, by contrast, secured 93.7 million. Launching the platform on National Womens Enterprise Day, Murray said the aim is to turn awareness into action. The gender stereotyping of what a tech founder looks like is real, she said. Women face higher barriers, fewer backers and limited accelerator places. The TechFoundHer Collective is our answer a global network where women champion each other, share know-how and connect with investors who believe in them. The Collectives backers say it represents a new model for global collaboration, one that gives women the tools and networks to build high-growth companies from the ground up. The protest made its way to BBC headquarters on Saturday Crowds of people have taken part in a solidarity march for Palestine in Belfast city centre. The parade, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), began on Saturday at Writers Square on Donegall Street, before making its way across the city to BBC studios at Blackstaff House on Ormeau Avenue. Set up in 2001 by Irish human rights and community activists, the IPSC has been campaigning in support of the political, civil and human rights of Palestinians and to work for their national and democratic rights. Crowds carrying Palestine flags, wearing keffiyehs and carrying banners of solidarity across the city on Saturday afternoon. It comes after a delegation of unionist representatives jetted off to visit Israel in the wake of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on October 10. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 25/10/2025 Palestine support rally in Belfast city centre Royal Avenue. Following a visit to Jerusalem, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said the delegation had learned not to say they had come from Northern Ireland. "The mention of the word 'Ireland' immediately provoked a negative reaction, he said. "For all their attempts to present themselves to the rest of the world as friendly and affable in Israel, they are seen as enemies to the extent that Israel has even withdrawn its embassy on the grounds they cant do business with Ireland. "We should be exploiting the opportunities this presents. Following a visit to Jerusalem, Mr Wilson also described the city as vibrant. "The streets were packed with people of all ages packing the area, businesses booming and refusing to give in to terrorist threats to disrupt their lives, he said. "The only reminder of the constant threat the country lives under was the military presence and the soldiers going home on leave carrying their guns in the street. "Those terrorists and their supporters, who think they only have to make a few more pushes to get their river to the sea objective, better think again because the Israelis we met are going nowhere. Also on the trip is Education Minister Paul Givan, who said the group had visited the National Holocaust Memorial in Yad Vesham. Weve remembered the six million Jews that were exterminated during that awful period and weve just walked through how that developed across Europe right through the Nazi regime and the appalling horrors that took place, he said. "And then as you come out at the end here of this memorial you then see behind me Israel and the Jewish community here able to live. So over the next number of days were going to hear from families some who lost loved ones during that October 7th atrocity and were going to meet with various different people to get a better understanding of the kind of challenges that people in Israel here have faced. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 25/10/2025 Palestine support rally in Belfast city centre Royal Avenue. Police arrest almost 500 people over Palestine Action support This morning has been a truly humbling experience to be able to walk through this memorial and now over the next number of days were going to hear more from the people of Israel. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to allow the UN aid agency in Gaza, known as UNRWA access to provide humanitarian assistance in the region. Israel effectively banned the UN agency from Gaza last year. It denied violating international law, saying the courts proceedings are biased, and did not attend hearings in April. It feels like no time at all: Royal and Mater nurses reunite four decades after Troubles shaped their lives The group gathered from across continents to share memories of trauma, friendship and loss Mater nurses, Nona Conaghan, Claire Keerigan, Annemarie Barr, Deidre McCluskey, Bridin McCaughey and Laura O'Neill. Kurtis Reid Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 10:00 More than 30 nurses who began their careers over 40 years ago have gathered to share memories of long shifts, lifelong friendships, and moments that defined their lives from losing a friend and colleague in the Enniskillen Remembrance Day attack to treating victims of bombings and shootings during the Troubles. A woman has been injured during a vicious attack in west Belfast. She was hurt during an attempt to stop a man being beaten with a hammer and bar in the Clonfadden Crescent area. A child was present during the incident, which happened last night. Detectives are treating it as aggravated burglary and assault. Police attended the scene in west Belfast. Stock photo. News Catch Up - Friday 24th October Detective Sergeant Robson said: "Just before 9.30pm on Friday, October 24 we received a report that the residents of a property in the Clonfadden Crescent area of the city had been assaulted. "Two males had entered the property before attacking the male resident with a hammer and metal bar, the female resident attempted to intervene and was injured in the process. The men then made off from the scene before police arrived. "This was a vicious attack carried out on two adults while a child was present. "The male and female attended hospital to be treated for their injuries which are not being described as serious at this time. "We are appealing to anyone who may have information about this, who was in the area at the time, or who may have video footage - ring doorbell or other that could be relevant to the investigation, to get in contact with us on 101 quoting reference 1456 of 24/10/25." Alternatively, you can submit a report online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, winner Paul McCourt and Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens at the ceremony Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, winner Naomi Mainwaring and Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens at the ceremony A Belfast woman who bravely entered a smoke-filled house on fire to find a teenager has been honoured at the National Police Chiefs Councils annual Police Public Bravery Awards. Naomi Mainwaring (44) was working from home when she was called on to help her neighbour. Her neighbours home was on fire, and while they were safe, the womans 13-year-old grandson was still inside the property. Naomi told the grandmother to contact emergency services and to wait outside before entering the smoke-filled house herself to look for the boy. She eventually found him in the bathroom, unaware of the incident. She used towels to cover his face and take him outside to his grandmother. The incident happened in January and, due to Storm Eowyn, it was hard for emergency services to arrive at the area. When emergency services arrived at the scene, the grandmother and Naomi were treated for smoke inhalation. The grandson was checked over and thanks to Naomis actions, he was given the all-clear. Naomi was one of the gold medal winners recognised at the awards in Sheffield on Thursday. The awards honour selfless members of the public who have placed themselves in dangerous situations, protected others, defended communities, prevented crime or actively assisted police. Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, winner Paul McCourt and Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens at the ceremony Another NI winner was Paul McCourt, who was awarded a silver medal at the ceremony. Paul confronted and restrained an intoxicated man who had assaulted staff at a maternity unit. Without Pauls intervention, vulnerable pregnant women on the ward may have been exposed to serious risk from the highly unpredictable man. Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent, Jeremy Lindsay, who also attended the event, said: "Paul did not think twice about coming to the assistance of others, even as he was there with his pregnant wife. He intervened without a thought for his own safety and was injured himself during the struggle. "Paul fully deserves the plaudits he has received tonight." Belfast Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay, winner Naomi Mainwaring and Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens at the ceremony News Catch Up - Friday 24th October Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Lauren Poultney, who hosted the awards ceremony said: Naomis bravery in entering a smoke-filled house was crucial in protecting the teenager from serious injury, in challenging conditions for emergency services. Her actions that day exemplify why we host these awards every year. Members of the public supporting police and strangers in need, rather than walking away, display remarkable compassion and selflessness. They choose to help without the training, safety equipment and support our police officers have access to when protecting the public from harm. This courage needs to be recognised and it is my honour to do so through the Police Public Bravery Awards. Chief Superintendent Lindsay added: Its beyond doubt that Naomis actions prevented the teenager from sustaining serious injury, or worse. She put herself directly in harms way in order to help her neighbours. Im proud to represent the Police Service of Northern Ireland today as she rightfully receives the recognition she deserves for her selfless bravery." Supergrass deals back in the dock as former Sinn Fein councillor flees Ireland Relying on the word of proven liars was costly, painful and bound to be a failure, writes Allison Morris Jonathan Dowdall Allison Morris Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 15:00 Ten days ago Jonathan Dowdall was hurried out of an Irish prison, under the cover of darkness, and amid much secrecy. Politics Alliance MP on honour of being only MP from NI nominated for Backbencher of the Year: I am more grateful than you will ever know About 16 percent of Ukraines land area consists of forests. During the current war, those trees have been lifesaving props for thousands of soldiers. The trees provided protection from the ever-present drones that dominated the fighting between Ukrainians and Russians. Drones came to dominate the Ukraine War because the most popular model, the FPV (First Person View) drone, could capture video of surveillance and attack operations. This provided dramatic and often gory visual evidence of the drone war. Drones were soon responsible for most of the casualties and changed the way wars are fought. The forests were one of many factors that contributed to the development of new weapons and tactics. In 2019, Ukraine, as part of ongoing military reforms and reorganization, created a Jager/light infantry brigade for the Ukraine Special Operations Forces. Described as similar to the American Ranger Regiment, part of SOCOM (Special Operations Command), the Jager brigade used an existing infantry brigade but replaced conscripts with selected volunteers. The Jagers received upgraded equipment and intensive training. The Jagers were initially assigned to provide security and timely intelligence about what happened along several hundred kilometers of the northern border with Belarus and Russia. In this area, the terrain consists largely of thinly populated marshland and ancient forests. The western end of this border zone contains the abandoned and restricted area around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, which exploded in 1986 and is now encased in a very expensive structure built over it. The reactor complex is surrounded by 2,600 square kilometers of depopulated territory that includes the city of Pripyat and a short stretch of the Pripyat River. This exclusion zone has come to be known as the Red Forest and is full of animals that have adapted to the high radiation levels. The area is constantly monitored and regularly visited by intrepid tourists who carry radiation detection devices indicating how much radiation they have been exposed to. The Jager Brigade was mainly concerned with the forests and marshland east of the Red Forest. The Jager Brigade did not have many personnel, at least not initially. The core of the brigade was several hundred Special Operations veterans plus several hundred selected volunteers from among career volunteer soldiers. In addition, the Jagers recruited personnel who had a forestry or wilderness management background. This included young men who grew up in this forest and marshland frontier area. The terrain, lack of population, and lack of roads have made this a borderland, even after Ukraine lost its independence in the 14th century and was eventually absorbed into the Russian Empire. The Jager Brigade was a major expansion of Ukraines Special Operations forces, which, in 2016, became the fifth branch of the armed forces. At that point, the Special Operations command had fewer than 5,000 personnel. This was one of many changes made to the Special Operations units since small numbers of special operations troops proved crucial in stopping the Russian-backed separatists who, in 2014, tried to take control of the two provinces that comprise eastern Ukraines Donbas region. Mainly because of the timely and effective intervention of a few hundred special operations troops at key points during the early months of combat, the pro-Russian separatists, reinforced by a growing number of Russian troops and even some Russian Spetsnaz commandos, failed to achieve much. In the first year of fighting, Ukraines special operations forces lost nearly a hundred dead in combat, and most of those losses were suffered during 2014 as the Russian advance was halted. The special operations forces even took back some key areas the separatists had already seized. Because of that, the separatists agreed to a ceasefire in early 2015, but some fighting continued as Ukrainian forces kept taking back territory from the demoralized separatist forces until the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022. At her final campaign rally before romping to victory in the presidential election, Catherine Connolly said her supporters had come together to shape a new republic. Her landslide win poses questions for how the left-wing parties that supported her will deliver on that vision, how the Government parties will react, and who feels excluded from the conversation. The most immediate impact of polling day will be Ms Connolly succeeding Michael D Higgins as president and moving into Aras an Uachtarain next month. Independent candidate Catherine Connolly (Brian Lawless/PA) She will have to vacate her seat in Irelands parliament to do so, triggering a by-election in her Galway West home constituency. That may pose the first test for the opposition coalition which backed her in the name of left unity. A common criticism of left-leaning parties following last years general election was that they had failed to present a coherent alternative to the Government parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, Green Party leader Roderic OGorman, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald at Catherine Connollys final campaign rally (David Young/PA) Post-election, opposition parties created a united front against Government changes to parliamentary rules on speaking rights, which formed a healthy platform for those on the left to come together behind Ms Connolly, an independent. Beyond the Galway West race, the next elections are years away and these parties will have to continue to band together if they want to see benefits in transfers down the line. More pressing is the clear unanswered dissatisfaction in large swathes of the electorate evidenced through an unimpressive turnout and a significant campaign to spoil votes. Outgoing President Michael D Higgins (Jamie Childs/PA) Many of those spoiling their vote felt unrepresented by the small pool of candidates, while some wrote explicit and violent messages against Government and opposition figures. The protest vote largely stemmed around the states approach to migration and accommodation for asylum seekers, which remains a flashpoint issue in Ireland following violent protests in Dublin during the week. As a president for all, Ms Connolly said she will listen to the concerns of all citizens but has described anti-migrant language such as Ireland is full as unacceptable. Protesters throw fireworks at Irish police outside accommodation for asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) The issue is also a challenge for Government and Opposition parties as Ms Connolly leaves the Dail. The parliament may also consider whether it is time to change the rules around nominations for the presidency, with just three candidates being nominated by TDs (MPs) and Senators, and none coming through the local-authority process. Thousands expressed their first preference for a candidate who pulled out of contention weeks ago, although this may be chalked up to Fianna Fail unsuccessfully trying to reach the threshold to get some campaign expenses back for Jim Gavins botched bid. A ballot box emptied four counting at the Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare (Niall Carson/PA) Questions have been raised about the judgment of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and his deputy leader Jack Chambers in picking the political novice for the contest, and the shortcomings in the partys vetting which saw it select a candidate who repeatedly failed to accurately answer questions about thousands of euro he owed a former tenant. The Taoiseach said his party would review its processes when he told Fianna Fail colleagues he was deeply sorry for the debacle. Several members of the parliamentary party had earlier raised concerns about the selection process. Although scarred, Mr Martin weathered the initial storm with no clear challenge to his leadership of Fianna Fail. But now there are similar questions for his coalition colleague, Tanaiste Simon Harris. Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Harris, the deputy premier and leader of Fine Gael, must account for how Heather Humphreys fared in the election and how their party ran her campaign. Ms Humphreys had initially ruled herself of the election, but reconsidered when Fine Gaels first candidate Mairead McGuinness withdrew on health grounds. Another potential hopeful, Sean Kelly, said Fine Gael not holding an internal contest to pick a candidate was a big, big mistake. Mr Harriss party has also been accused of negative campaigning, with supporters of Ms Connolly accusing Fine Gael of engaging in unedifying smears and ramping up a project fear-style counter-campaign. Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys with Tanaiste Simon Harris (Mark Marlow/PA) Some of the criticism against Ms Connolly was about her previous foreign policy positions after she spoke out on the European Union, the UK, the US, France and Germany. The former barrister has since insisted she will fulfil all her duties and abide by the expectations on a president not to come into conflict with Government policy. However, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Labour leader Ivana Bacik were among Ms Connollys supporters who said the large margin of victory against Government candidates should give the coalition pause on its approaches to issues such as Irish neutrality and housing. Ms Connollys victory also begs the question of the influence of Sinn Fein in the contest. After much delay in announcing whether it would run its own candidate, the party was one of the last to back Ms Connolly. Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle ONeill (left) and leader Mary Lou McDonald (right) hugging Ms Connolly (Niall Carson/PA) It declared its involvement a game-changer but the contest would have been shaken up further by a direct Sinn Fein candidate. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said Sinn Fein was satisfied with Ms Connollys stance on Irish unification. For her part, the new president said she felt whenever she was north of the border that we have cut off one of our limbs. She said Ireland was a country divided, adding that the Constitution sets out the firm will of the Irish people to unite the island. In one of the priorities during her term, Ms Connolly said: A report of a cross party-committee last year sits on a shelf, and one of the recommendations of that cross-party committee called on the Government to prepare a green paper so that we can further the steps that we need to take for United Ireland. I will use my voice as president, through all of my power, to advance that in as conciliatory way and an open and accountable way as possible. When poet, professor and politician Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as Irelands ninth president on November 11 2011 he declared his would be a presidency of transformation. After 14 years in the role, he has remained enormously popular across the country, with many commentators saying his outspoken ways have changed how Irish people view the presidency. He and wife Sabina have appeared as a duo at many events, and he has previously described her as his rock. Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (left) attend the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Mullingar, Co Westmeath in 2022 (PA) Also supporting his official engagements from the presidents official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Higgins has had three Bernese Mountain dogs Misneach, Brod and Sioda, who captured the nations hearts. When Brod died in 2023 it triggered what Mr Higgins described as an outpouring of support. His gentle public image inspired Michael Tea Higgins tea cosies and childrens books, providing a sharp contrast to many global leaders in an era of increasing political adversity. Mr Higgins was elected during a turbulent period in recent Irish history, and the economic crisis dominated the start of his presidency. Michael D Higgins with his dogs Brod and Misnaech greet French President Emmanuel Macron (Maxwells/PA) He took on the role in 2011, the first year of the EU-IMF economic bailout programme and when Ireland was experiencing high levels of unemployment fuelling emigration. In one of his first acts as president, he voluntarily waived almost a quarter of his salary, following a similar pay cut taken by predecessor Mary McAleese after Ireland was hit with a recession. The countrys financial crash forced him to cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy. He returned to Ireland in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC) the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. Austerity measures brought in to mitigate the crash included new water charges, which were ferociously opposed. President Higgins bore the brunt of demonstrators during a visit to a school in Finglas, Dublin in early 2015, where some of the protesters were filmed shouting abuse at him. Queen Elizabeth II accompanies Mr Higgins as he is shown Irish-related items from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle during the first state visit to the UK by an Irish president (Justin Tallis/PA) His first term also saw some milestones in Anglo-Irish relations, and in April 2014 he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, during which he delivered an historic address at Westminster. Later that day, in his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. However, during the celebrations marking 100 years since the 1916 rising, Mr Higgins pulled out of a civic dinner in Belfast, where he was due to be guest of honour, because of a lack of cross-party support for the occasion. His spokesperson claimed the decision was made because he does not want to become embroiled in matters of political controversy. The Higgins cast their votes in the presidential election for his successor (Niall Carson/PA) During his presidency Mr Higgins became known for speaking his mind. He faced criticism in late 2016 for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. Mr Higgins rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns and a statement issued by his spokesperson described the criticism as unsustainable and unwarranted. In 2018, he welcomed Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain during the first papal visit to Ireland in 40 years. Pope Francis arrives for a meeting at Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin (Danny Lawson/PA) Mr Higgins told the pontiff of the anger felt by those in Ireland who were abused as children by Catholic clerics. As his first term came to an end in 2018, he announced he would seek a second despite previously saying he would not run again. Mr Higgins ran as an independent candidate but was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, who agreed not to field their own candidates. He instead faced a Sinn Fein candidate and four independents but won with 55% of the vote. Michael D Higgins speaking during a ceremony at Dublin Castle after he was inaugurated as President for a second term (Maxwells/PA) On RTEs Late Late Show during the Covid-19 pandemic he described the word cocooning, used to describe a measure to protect the over-70s, as infantilising. In 2021, he wrote to the Oireachtas, raising concerns about the large volume of complex legislation sent to his office which needed to be signed quickly. It sparked an emergency meeting of Oireachtas committees, and the Taoiseach described the concerns as legitimate, claiming the problem had partially been caused by the pandemic. Later that year, the Government defended the Presidents decision not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland. British and Irish political leaders attended the event at St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, but Mr Higgins declined his invitation because he believed it was not politically neutral. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met the Higgins and their dogs Brod and Sioda during a visit to Dublin (PA) He was championed by the opposition in June 2022 when he described housing in Ireland as our great, great failure. The statement was referenced by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit during leaders questions. A vocal critic of the war in Gaza, Mr Higgins was criticised several times by Israels ambassador to Ireland. In 2024, he accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran. The embassy rejected the claim and called the remarks highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous. After being treated for a stroke in 2024 Mr Higgins used two walking sticks (Brian Lawless/PA) While remaining vocally forceful, Mr Higgins has become visibly more frail. In February 2024 when he was 82, the President spent over a week in hospital for what was later revealed to be a mild stroke. He cut back on public appearances for a number of weeks and was later seen in public using two walking sticks. The Conservatives have promised to recruit 10,000 new police officers and treble the use of stop and search powers (Steve Parsons/PA) The Conservatives have promised to stop 35,000 crimes by deploying more police to violent hot spots if they return to power. The pledge came as the party set out further details of its Policing Plan, which includes proposals to recruit 10,000 new police officers and treble the use of stop-and-search powers set out at this months party conference. The Tories plan would also give the home secretary more powers to set binding operational priorities for police forces, focusing them on real crime. This would replace the current system where the home secretary can only intervene if a force is failing, which the Conservatives said was just not good enough. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: Every day, victims are told theres nothing police can do while criminals walk free. That failure corrodes public trust and weakens the rule of law. Keir Starmer does not have the backbone to take the difficult decisions Britain needs. That has to change. Our plan will end the culture of excuses. The Conservatives plan also sees additional officers being deployed to the 2,000 neighbourhoods with the most violent crime, where they will also be allowed to stop and search anyone even if they do not suspect them of anything. Currently, such powers can only be used in a specified area for a 24-hour period if a senior officer believes people there will be carrying weapons or serious violence may take place. Existing thresholds for stop-and-search powers in other areas would be lowered under the plan. The proposals come after a week in which new statistics showed a mixed figure on crime. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed homicides had fallen to their lowest level on record in the year to June 2025 while knife crime fell 5% compared to the previous year. But other types of police-recorded offences increased, with shoplifting up 13% year on year to 529,994 just below the recent all-time high and theft from the person up 5%. Overall, police forces recorded 6.6 million crimes in England and Wales in the year to June, down by 1.5% from 6.7 million in the previous 12 months. But separate figures from the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales suggest people aged 16 and over experienced 9.3 million incidents of crime in the year to June 2025, up slightly from 9.2 million in the previous 12 months. The main driver of the rise was a 14% rise in fraud, which accounts for an estimated 4.1 million incidents, including 2.5 million incidents of bank and credit account fraud. Labour has committed to recruiting 13,000 more neighbourhood policing officers by 2029, with 3,000 extra recruits to be in post by spring next year to tackle crime. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said: Policing is at a crisis point. The former Conservative government destroyed neighbourhood policing and left our communities to pay the price. This Labour government has done too little to change course. Pakistan International Airlines has resumed flights to the UK for the first time in five years after the lifting of a ban imposed over a fake pilots licence scandal. The state-run airline was banned from the UK and the EU in June 2020 after a crash in Karachi killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licences. The European ban was lifted last November after extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to restore suspended routes in January this year. The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return after months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system. The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport. He said in a televised address that the flights are essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send are the backbone of Pakistans economy. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty, he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland. Pakistans high commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations. This milestone will bring major economic benefits, generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into Saturday killed at least four people and wounded 20, officials said, prompting fresh pleas from Ukraines president for Western air defence systems. Two people were killed and 13 were wounded in Kyiv in a ballistic missile attack in the early hours of Saturday, the citys police said. A fire broke out in a non-residential building in one location, while debris from intercepted missiles fell in an open area at another site, damaging windows in nearby buildings, Ukraines State Emergency Service wrote on the message app Telegram. Smoke rises from a warehouse in Kyiv (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram during the onslaught. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed and seven wounded, acting regional governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said, adding that apartment buildings and private homes were damaged in the strikes. Ukraines air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones, of which four missiles and 50 drones were intercepted. In Russia, the Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight. A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at a warehouse following a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that such attacks intensify Ukraines need for Patriot defence systems. It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems to be able to protect our cities from this horror, he wrote in English on X. It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days. America, Europe and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives, he said. As plumes of smoke from the attack in Kyiv rose in the background, Ukrainians went about their day shopping in a popular nearby farmers market unhindered, having become accustomed to frequent Russian air assaults. We didnt know the attack was right here, but even when we figured it out we still came. Despite the Russians strike, there are still a lot of people here who need to eat. I knew that people would come to shop, said Halyna Stetsiura, 54. The fruit and vegetable vendor arrived very early in the morning to prepare her stall, while the attacks were still under way. Serhi Lihus, 53, a beekeeper, said he was driving to the market when he heard the explosions. Firefighters walk towards a warehouse that caught fire following a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) It was still dark, approximately 6.30, everything was on fire, he said. Still he showed up to the market to sell his honey. Svitlana Shyshlovska, 40, a customer, said despite the threat of attacks, you still need to buy food to have something to eat and such markets are not an everyday occasion. Mr Zelensky is hoping Ukraine can purchase 25 Patriots from the US to fortify its air defences, particularly in cities. On Friday he urged the US to expand its sanctions on Russian oil from two companies to the whole sector, and appealed for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putins envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said on Friday he believes Russia, the US and Ukraine were quite close to a diplomatic solution to end the three-year war. Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington DC for talks with US officials, Mr Dmitriev said a planned summit in Budapest between Mr Trump and Mr Putin had not been cancelled but would likely occur later. Mr Trump said on Tuesday his plan for a swift meeting with Mr Putin was on hold because he did not want it to be a waste of time. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov made clear in public comments on Tuesday that Russia is opposed to an immediate ceasefire. A White House official confirmed on Friday that Mr Dmitriev, who announced his visit on X, will meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorised to publicly discuss the private meeting. Royal aides were hoping the Andrew controversy would not distract from the Kings visit to see the Pope (Aaron Chown/PA) As if King Charles doesnt have enough on his silver platter this week following the defenestration of his reviled brother Andrew, Rev Kyle Paisley (son of the Rev Ian) would like him to abdicate in favour of a true Protestant. Ireland won over not by spin but by a woman with the courage of her convictions Republic rejects Project Fear and smears of the Establishment to elect countrys most left-wing president yet Irish president-elect Catherine Connolly addresses the audience at the official declaration in Dublin Castle (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Suzanne Breen Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 21:00 In the end, Project Fear failed. Irish voters looked at Catherine Connolly and didnt see someone who would wreck the place. I get a real buzz out of it: Lurgan pensioner still singing his heart out at 96 with charity album Paedophile caught by cops in online sting Belfast man pretended to be young boy, but 13-year-old girl he groomed was police officer Darren King John Toner Sat 25 Oct 2025 at 17:00 A paedophile who targeted what he thought was a 13-year-old girl online is facing jail after being caught by undercover cops. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%. MANCHESTER A Manchester mother, arrested in August by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and released on bond by an immigration judge earlier this month, recently spoke with the Banner about the morning of her arrest, her detention experience, and what America now means to her. Davona Williams, 42, is grateful to be back home with her children. Williams was detained on Aug. 25 by Federal ICE agents for allegedly being in the country illegally, in response to an order first issued in 2013. In the years since, Williams had been in the process of obtaining legal status. The early-morning incident occurred as she drove into the entrance of her Manchester apartment complex with her toddler. They held Williams outside the vehicle for several hours as her partner, Nigel Briscoe, made his way home to take the child. She was then arrested, sent up to a facility in South Burlington, strip-searched, and transferred a week later to a prison in Michigan, all without ever knowing whether she would see her children again. Originally from Jamaica, Williams had been living with her three children and partner in Manchester, Vermont, and had resided and worked in the U.S. for nearly two decades. She has been engaged in a years-long process to gain legal status. Williams spoke with the Banner from her apartment in Manchester. She is currently unable to work because the federal authorities confiscated her work permit and drivers license upon her arrest. My lawyer says, if I go back, once they see that, if I start working, it becomes illegal for them, for my employer, Williams said. If they see that I'm working, they're going to say I'm working illegally. So, I'm waiting to see if I can get my work permit back. Williams spoke at length about the day she was arrested by federal agents with her toddler in tow, about her current immigration case, and what she now feels about life in America going forward. I'm traumatized, Williams said. Every time I come into this place, it's like I have to relive it all over again, like, I just see myself there. Every time I come in here, when I turn onto the road. I can't live in this place anymore. Williams said that, on the day everything changed, she had been returning home after finding out that her youngest child's daycare was closed. As she pulled into Torrey Knoll, however, she noticed a blue light in her mirror. She pulled over to the side, thinking it was the Manchester Police Department. So, I'm pulling over to the side to see if he was pulling me over or if he was passing. When I pulled over to the side, I noticed another vehicle that flew around in front of me and blocked me off. That's when I looked in my mirror again. I'm like, 'wait, what's happening?' By the time Id stopped, there was a guy already at my window, knocking." "It was probably between eight and ten dark vehicles with tinted windows," Williams continued. "The guy at the window was wearing a dark vest with no words or anything that said 'police'. I rolled the window down, and I said to him, 'Did I do something?' And ... he said, 'no.' Instead, he said, 'Do you know who we are?' I said, 'no.' And he said, 'Were with ICE. Get out of the car and put your hands up.'" Williams did as the agent asked: put her hands up, facing the drivers window of her car. Before the agent could move in, she said, My baby is in the car. He asked, You have a baby in the car?" And she confirmed. Right there, in my mind, I'm like, 'these people are watching me or something,' because his reaction was very surprised. When I said that, he walked away to talk to the other guys," Williams said, detailing how the agent asked her about the whereabouts of the child's father and how long it would take him to come back from work. She then called her partner, Briscoe, after alerting her older children and their father to what was unfolding. "I told him that ICE was here, that ICE is here to get me," Williams recounted. "He came right away with my 8-year-old son, and my son came over to me and started crying. Then the baby started crying. Williams then asked the agent if she could go get her baby out of the car, and the agent told her she needed to wait because they needed to find some things out. I said, 'But he's crying, I need to get him,' Williams continued. He went back again and talked to one of the other guys, and he said I could go get the baby. So, I took the baby out. As the situation progressed, Williams said she knew she was getting deported. That was the first thing that came to my mind, because I'm like, 'wait, with everything that's happening now, they're taking people, deporting them, not asking questions or making sure of who people are,'" she said. "I mean, I watch the news, I see everything that's happening." But, but I have my paperwork pending, Williams said she told the agent. His reply was, No, you don't have anything. It wasn't over, it was still pending, Williams said, but he said to me, 'This is a final order of deportation.' The whole thing lasted just over two hours. People came out of their apartments, and neighbors stood watching, filming, and pointing. It was humiliating, traumatizing, Williams said. "I knew I had a pending case. I did everything I was supposed to. The baby was there the whole time until Nigel got there. They wouldn't allow me to go anywhere. They're like, 'You can't go back into your house. You can't leave.' At some point, several of the vehicles started leaving, and a white van came where we were, and they loaded me in." "I remember thinking that I was never going to see my children again. I had no idea where they were taking me," Williams said. "I remember telling my son, 'You may not see me again.' I was so scared. He started crying because he didn't know what was happening." "I knew that was a possibility," she continued. "... they're just taking people. They don't care, they don't care if you have kids... they just take you, and that's it. Watching my son crying, feeling like I might never see him again, [not knowing] where I was going, I've never felt more fear or sadness. Williams was taken to St. Albans, Vermont, to a federal field office, where she was held for over an hour before agents confiscated her possessions. She was eventually transferred to Chittenden County Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington, where she was put in a cell with other detainees. I was crying the whole time, because all I could think about was my kids. All I could think in my head was, 'I'm not going to see my kids ever again,'" Williams said. "That's all I could think about. They brought another girl in there with me. She was crying, too, you know. They took her from her kids, too, in front of them. It was kind of worse than how they did me. They took her, she said, literally dragged her off in front of her kids as they tried to hold on. Williams said that she and the other detainees were stripped down, searched, and segregated into what she says were three groups: those with a serious criminal record, those with a minor record, and those who had no criminal history. The final group included Williams. I know it's a jail, or whatever they call it, but even though you go into these places, you have no criminal records, nothing, they treat everybody like a criminal," Williams explained. "The searchthe things she told me to doI don't even want to say to you. I had to ask her why. I'm not a criminal. Why do I have to do that? She told me that whether you're a criminal or not, everybody coming here has to do this. It was dehumanizing. They took us in the population, five of us in the room at that time, two of us slept on the floor, including me, because there werent any beds left." The longer Williams spent at the correctional facility, the more fear began to dominate her mind. I couldn't sleep; no one did. We were all there, talking, like, 'What happened? How did they get you?' Everybody was telling their story, where they're from, if they had kids, and, you know, nobody could sleep," she recounted. "Everyone was crying, because it was just out of the blue for everyone there. We tried to comfort each other. In the middle of the night, someone was placed in the cell. Early the next day, they took her away." Williams said that she and the others were eventually transferred to a prison outside of Detroit, where they remained for about five weeks. Williams' lawyer eventually got her an immigration hearing and a bond hearing, but they addressed only the bond issue, granting her a $7,500 bond and another court date. She arrived back in Vermont two weeks ago. I was so excited. I was happy, because, I'm telling you, I didn't know when all of this was going to happen. I didn't know that I would be able to come back, that I might ever see my kids again, but when I got to Detroit, I sat there and I prayed. After that, I kept telling myself, 'I'm going back home to my kids.' I didn't have a doubt in my mind anymore. I want people to know that I didn't come here illegally, Williams said. I want to get that out of the way. I've heard where, you know, people said I came here illegally, across the border, and all that stuff. I didn't come here illegally. I came here on a visa. I have a tax ID. Throughout the whole time, I've been paying my taxes and I've been doing whatever was legally right. Williams then spoke about what the traumatic incident has meant for her plans for the future, what being an immigrant feels like in America, and some of the bitterness she feels for the way the country has treated her and her family. A lot of us have tried to take the necessary steps to become legal, but sometimes they give you such a fight, like you go through all necessary steps," Williams explained. "It's like they try to block you, even when you show you know, that you're a good person in this country, you're doing the necessary things, the right things... It doesn't count for anything. Having your kids here, they can just rip people away from their families without any thought of what's going to happen to them. They don't think about the long-term effects, the trauma that this can have on those kids. "I understand the legal part of it, but I feel like they don't give you a chance... they just come, no questions asked, and they just take you in," Williams continued. "I mean, they're on the streets and just taking people, treating everyone like criminals. I know some people do have criminal records, but there's a lot of people that don't. You know, people always say America is the land of opportunity," she said. "But then you come here, you realize it's even harder than where you're coming from. You know what I mean? I feel like this country hasnt fulfilled the promise I and many others believed in when we were kids. That American dream has been ruined." Williams said that even though her kids were born here, she doesnt feel like this is the place for them to grow up, and that its not their home. This country, they don't want people like us here, you know, people of color, people that they feel like aren't Americans," Williams said. "They're taking everyone that wasn't born here, that they feel like don't have a right to be here, even though many have gone through the process and did what they needed to do to be here. When asked how she now feels about the concept of the 'American Dream,' Williams said: I don't even have that as a dream anymore... It's more like a nightmare for me right now. It's not what life's supposed to be. I'm sure a lot of people have the same sentiments: like, you're here, and it's like you're not supposed to be, even when you have a legal right to be. I feel like a stranger here, now. How you speak, what color you are, that shouldn't determine whether or not you can stay in one's county. That is so unfair to people who come here of different races. The people who come here from all these other countries contribute more to this country than many people born in this country, in many situations. That's how I feel. These people come here and they do all of the jobs that the people here arent willing to do. For me, personally, there is no promise of America anymore, Williams continued. As for my kids, even for them, even though they're born here, I have the same fear for them, you know, because now I see even though they're born here, they can be walking out there and be arrested because they're Black, or they look a certain way, or they speak a certain way, because sometimes they talk like a Jamaican, just like me. I feel like even them being an American citizen, they can't be just out there. Williams is now waiting to see what happens in her case, and whether she will stay. Either way, she says, she will be with her children, wherever she winds up. Through her ordeal and disappointments, Williams still acknowledges the many people who came to her aid with support and encouragement. Nigel was the first person who told me, he said to me, 'You think people don't love you,' he said, 'People here, they love you because a lot of them are here supporting you, you know?' And he said, 'I don't know if it's because, it's the the job that you're doing or whatever, but this happened, and you would want to see,' that's what he said to me. 'You would want to see, like all these people that are out here for you.' You know, very grateful I'm, I'm very thankful for, for everyone, everyone that is that has supported me, in whatever way they have, I appreciate it. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate everything that everyone has done to try to help me. I'm just happy to be back with my kids, Williams said before ending the conversation. That's the only thing that matters. I'm just happy that I'm here to take care of these kids, put them to bed at night, that its ok, mom is here. The date of Williamss Massachusetts immigration hearing has not yet been scheduled. Its strange that such a small marker in front of the Berkshire Museum in downtown Pittsfield commemorates such a monumental event. At this spot on May 1, 1775, Col. James Easton hosted at his tavern more than a dozen Connecticut men endeavoring to capture Fort Ticonderoga, astride Lake Champlain, in New York. Nine days later, states the marker, Easton, joined by Ethan Allen, seized the fortress and artillery that would finally eject the British from Boston. Despite its modest profile, this plain marker proudly celebrates the Berkshires role in Americans first offensive victory of the Revolution. About this series: This article is the third installment of Revolution: Berkshires, a yearlong monthly series exploring Berkshire Countys surprising role in the American Revolution. Too often, the story of Americas founding is told as if it began and ended in Boston, Philadelphia or Washington. But history is rooted in place, and here in the Berkshires, town meetinghouses, farms and village greens became laboratories of democracy where the principles of liberty and self-government took hold. Through this series, historian Justin F. Jackson traces how ordinary Berkshire residents farmers, merchants, ministers, landowners and newcomers debated, resisted and acted in ways that helped shape the nations founding ideals. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, these local stories remind us that Americas revolution was not just born in distant halls of power, but also in small communities like ours. Their choices and words still echo today. ECHOES OF INFAMY Yet the Easton tavern monument fascinates just as much for another man it mentions and one it does not. A second Pittsfield militiaman, John Brown (no relation to the abolitionist), it notes, joined the meeting and raid. Missing from the plaque, however, is the name of another patriot who passed through Pittsfield a few days later, also en route to Ticonderoga and infamy. Benedict Arnold is not the only thing conspicuously absent from the Easton marker. So is the fact that Brown realized Arnold was an embryo traitor long before Arnolds plot to surrender West Point to the British for 20,000 was discovered in September 1780. (Arnold, escaping, accepted a British generalship; he died in 1791 at London, despised even by the English). Founded in 1761, Pittsfield had a proximity to Fort Ticonderoga, itself astride the route between Canada and New York, which virtually guaranteed its patriots would be involved in seizing it. In July 1774, James Easton and John Brown, members of Pittsfields Committee of Correspondence, joined the county convention at Stockbridge protesting the Intolerable Acts; then Brown represented Pittsfield in the extralegal Provincial Congress at Concord. Following hostilities there next April, Easton at 48 years old a prominent church deacon, builder and merchant sent two minutemen sons to Cambridge. Unlike Easton, though, Brown already knew Arnold. Born in 1744 at Haverhill, Brown as a boy moved with family to Sandisfield. Before he graduated from Yale in 1771, Brown studied law with his brother-in-law Oliver Arnold Benedicts uncle. Lawyering on New Yorks frontier, Brown moved to Pittsfield in 1773. A militant Whig, Brown excelled at harassing local Tories. In late April 1775, Brown advised newspaper readers to apprehend Maj. Israel Stoddard and Woodbridge Little, common pests of society and incurable enemies of their country, after they fled Pittsfield. UNSUNG HERO Brown, perhaps more than anyone, deserves credit for the Ticonderoga raid. In the winter of 1774-75, he barely survived an arduous trek to Montreal to enlist Canadians in anti-British agitation. Browns intelligence-gathering paid off. On March 29, 1775, he wrote Samuel Adams and Joseph Warren in Boston with advice he warned them to keep a profound secret. Should hostilities be committed by the Kings Troops, he urged, the Fort at Ticonderoga must be seized as soon as possible. Noting slyly that Vermonters were engaged to do this business, Brown hinted he was already scheming with Ethan Allen. Connecticut patriots also knew about the guns at Ticonderoga and its vulnerable garrison of less than 50 men, many invalids. Immediately after Lexington and Concord, they raised money, sent recruiters north and dispatched to Boston one Benedict Arnold, a 34-year-old New Haven merchant, apothecary and sea captain. Bostonians gave Arnold a colonelcy, supplies and authorized him to raise 400 men. Arnold hastened to the Berkshires to recruit them but found that Easton, Brown and their new Connecticut friends had already decamped for Ticonderoga. An acrimonious struggle for command and the fruits of victory ensued. Arnold insisted he was in control of the mission, but Ethan Allan and the Berkshire men defied him, even as they welcomed Arnold to come along. SEEDS OF TREASON Taking the fort bloodlessly on May 10, 1775, the patriots commenced infighting. Allen sent Brown to Philadelphia to report the stunning triumph. Easton, Allen and Arnold, staying behind, sniped at each other. Easton had promised wages to his Berkshire volunteers, but Arnold refused to pay them. Easton raced to Boston to take credit for the operation. Denouncing Arnold, he convinced congressmen at Philadelphia to investigate Arnolds conduct and inspect his books. Arnold hit back. Claiming Easton had been a coward during the raid, Arnold insinuated the overly ambitious Pittsfielder had demanded a lieutenant colonels commission. The two clashed at Crown Point on June 10. Arnold alleged he took the Liberty of Breaking his head and, when Easton refused to duel, kicked him very heartily and expelled him from camp. Eastons reputation never recovered. Failing to clear his name with Congress, Eastons failure to pay debts landed him in a Philadelphia jail. Where Easton failed to expose Arnold, Brown nearly succeeded. Later that year, the two Berkshire men reluctantly joined Arnold in invading Canada. Arnold charged both with plundering British officers baggage. In December 1776, Brown demanded Arnolds arrest for misconduct, and even alleged Arnold had tried to desert. Quartered with Arnold at Albany that winter, Brown defamed him in a handbill. Money is this mans God, he wrote; to get enough of it, Arnold would sacrifice his country. Causing a great sensation, Browns accusation greatly excited Arnold, who threatened to kick him. The next day, Brown entered Arnolds mess, looked him straight in the face, and invited him to make good on his threat. Arnold, stone faced, went silent. Brown, calling him a scoundrel, apologized to fellow officers and left. Brown resigned his commission. No force on earth, he declared, could force him to serve with an officer who was served with treason. The army and Congress, enamored of Arnolds bravery in battle, rejected Browns demand he be court-martialed; instead, they convicted Brown of misconduct. Returning to Pittsfield and militia command, Brown was killed on Oct. 19, 1780 his 36th birthday in modern-day St. Johnsville, N.Y. Just a few days earlier, George Washington uncovered Arnolds blackest treason. Traitors, the general realized, much too late, are the growth of every country in a revolution. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chair of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie has been found guilty of raping a woman in a Boston hotel. The 38-year-old was visiting the US with Irish colleagues to participate in St Patricks Day celebrations when the incident took place. The jury deliberated for three days before reaching a unanimous verdict Crosbie has been in custody for 18 months and was accused of raping an American woman at the Omni Parker House hotel in downtown Boston after celebrating at the Black Rose bar on March 14th, 2024. He pleaded not guilty. Last June his court hearing, which ended in a mistrial. Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day, March 15th last year and that he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18th. Daniel Reilly who delivered closing arguments for the defense last Wednesday emphasised Crosbies innocence and pointed to reasonable doubt in the case, in the form of no video or audio of the alleged attack and the lack of conclusive DNA evidence. Advertisement Mr Reilly said that his clients testimony declaring himself innocent constitutes reasonable doubt and that the alleged victims blood sample from the hospital Emergency Department she went to established that she was inebriated. Erin Murphy, who delivered closing arguments for the prosecution, asked the jury to convict Mr Crosbie. Ms Murphy said the alleged victim had no reason to lie and gave a detailed account of a stranger raping her. She pointed out that Mr Crosbie exploited his colleague Liam O'Brien's "oblivion" whom he was sharing a room with after drinking to take advantage of the victim. Ireland Pilot was 'irreplaceable asset' in Midlands 8.4m cocaine operation, jury told Read more Doctors and nurses who interacted with the victim found her to be clinically sober with no evidence of intoxication. Ms Murphy noted that the defendant was the only other man in the room, there was no other activity in that room (from key use records) around that time period. She highlighted that the accused left early for Logan Airport early because he knew he was caught. Crosbie is due to be sentenced on October 30th. Mr Crosbie has been in custody on a $50,000 bail at the Suffolk County Jail since his arrest. When poet, professor and politician Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as Irelands ninth president on November 11th, 2011 he declared his would be a presidency of transformation. After 14 years in the role, he has remained enormously popular across the country, with many commentators saying his outspoken ways have changed how Irish people view the presidency. He and his wife Sabina have appeared as a duo at many events, and he has previously described her as his rock. Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (left) attend the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Mullingar, Co Westmeath in 2022 (PA) Also supporting his official engagements from the presidents official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Higgins has had three Bernese Mountain dogs, Misneach, Brod and Sioda, who captured the nations hearts. When Brod died in 2023, it triggered what Mr Higgins described as an outpouring of support. His gentle public image inspired Michael Tea Higgins tea cosies and childrens books, providing a sharp contrast to many global leaders in an era of increasing political adversity. Advertisement Mr Higgins was elected during a turbulent period in recent Irish history, and the economic crisis dominated the start of his presidency. Michael D Higgins with his dogs Brod and Misneach, greet French President Emmanuel Macron (Maxwells/PA) He took on the role in 2011, the first year of the EU-IMF economic bailout programme and when Ireland was experiencing high levels of unemployment, fuelling emigration. In one of his first acts as president, he voluntarily waived almost a quarter of his salary, following a similar pay cut taken by his predecessor, Mary McAleese, after Ireland was hit with a recession. The countrys financial crash forced him to cut short a 2013 state visit to Italy. He returned to Ireland in order to sign emergency legislation to liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Company (IBRC) the entity formed when Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide merged. Austerity measures brought in to mitigate the crash included new water charges, which were ferociously opposed. President Higgins bore the brunt of demonstrators during a visit to a school in Finglas, Dublin, in early 2015, where some of the protesters were filmed shouting abuse at him. Queen Elizabeth II accompanies Mr Higgins as he is shown Irish-related items from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle during the first state visit to the UK by an Irish president (Justin Tallis/PA) His first term also saw some milestones in Anglo-Irish relations, and in April 2014, he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, during which he delivered a historic address at Westminster. Later that day, in his toast during a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, he described the trip as a very visible sign of the warmth and maturity of the relationship between our two countries. However, during the celebrations marking 100 years since the 1916 rising, Mr Higgins pulled out of a civic dinner in Belfast, where he was due to be guest of honour, because of a lack of cross-party support for the occasion. Advertisement His spokesperson claimed the decision was made because he does not want to become embroiled in matters of political controversy. The Higgins cast their votes in the presidential election for his successor (Niall Carson/PA) During his presidency, Mr Higgins became known for speaking his mind. He faced criticism in late 2016 for describing Fidel Castro as a giant among global leaders in a statement marking the death of the former Cuban president. Mr Higgins rejected claims he ignored human rights concerns, and a statement issued by his spokesperson described the criticism as unsustainable and unwarranted. In 2018, he welcomed Pope Francis to Aras an Uachtarain during the first papal visit to Ireland in 40 years. Pope Francis arrives for a meeting at Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin (Danny Lawson/PA) Mr Higgins told the pontiff of the anger felt by those in Ireland who were abused as children by Catholic clerics. As his first term came to an end in 2018, he announced he would seek a second term despite previously saying he would not run again. Mr Higgins ran as an independent candidate but was backed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, who agreed not to field their own candidates. He instead faced a Sinn Fein candidate and four independents but won with 55 per cent of the vote. Michael D Higgins speaking during a ceremony at Dublin Castle after he was inaugurated as President for a second term (Maxwells/PA) On RTEs Late Late Show during the Covid-19 pandemic, he described the word cocooning, used to describe a measure to protect the over-70s, as infantilising. In 2021, he wrote to the Oireachtas, raising concerns about the large volume of complex legislation sent to his office which needed to be signed quickly. It sparked an emergency meeting of Oireachtas committees, and the Taoiseach described the concerns as legitimate, claiming the problem had partially been caused by the pandemic. Advertisement Later that year, the Government defended the Presidents decision not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland. Irish and British political leaders attended the event at St Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, but Mr Higgins declined his invitation because he believed it was not politically neutral. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met the Higgins and their dogs Brod and Sioda during a visit to Dublin (PA) He was championed by the opposition in June 2022 when he described housing in Ireland as our great, great failure. The statement was referenced by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit during leaders questions. A vocal critic of the war in Gaza, Mr Higgins was criticised several times by Israels ambassador to Ireland. In 2024, he accused the Israeli embassy in Dublin of leaking a letter in which he sent his best wishes to the new president of Iran. The embassy rejected the claim and called the remarks highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous. After being treated for a stroke in 2024 Mr Higgins used two walking sticks (Brian Lawless/PA) While remaining vocally forceful, Mr Higgins has become visibly more frail. In February 2024, when he was 82, the President spent over a week in hospital for what was later revealed to be a mild stroke. He cut back on public appearances for a number of weeks and was later seen in public using two walking sticks. The co-author of Virginia Giuffres memoirs says Prince Andrews behaviour is catching up with him as he is reportedly in discussion about leaving his Royal Lodge home. King Charles' brother is said to be in talks with Charles representatives about leaving Royal Lodge voluntarily following the furore over the peppercorn rent for his 30-room mansion, but is reluctant to give up his residence of more than 20 years. The Daily Telegraph said the sticking points in the talks are the location of his new home and financial compensation for funds spent on the lodge. Andrew gave up the Duke of York title and other honours last Friday ahead of the publication of Ms Giuffres posthumous memoir, following allegations he sexually abused her. The books co-author Amy Wallace said Ms Giuffre wanted wealthy, powerful men to be held to account. Advertisement In an interview with the Associated Press, she said: What were watching is Prince Andrews life is being eroded for his past behaviour. While hes not being tried in a court of law, his behaviours catching up with him. Copies of Nobodys Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, co-written by Amy Wallace (James Manning/PA) Ms Wallace said Andrew could still come forward about what he knew about the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and help victims of sexual abuse. He still denies what is in this book, we should say. But its not too late, she said. He could continue to leave aside the things hes accused of with Virginia. He could still come forward. He was in those houses, he was on the island, he was in the private jet numerous times. He could still come forward and say to the authorities, I want to validate these womens experience. Andrew is facing pressure to leave Royal Lodge (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) The prince, who strenuously denies the allegations from Ms Giuffre, has been hit by fresh criticism focused on his property, with some MPs eager to debate the issue in the British Parliament. The Telegraph reported conversations between Andrew and Charles' representatives have been ongoing since full publication of the princes lease agreement on his Berkshire home resulted in intense public scrutiny. The newspaper said Andrew was resistant but there was a sense of inevitability about the prince, believed to be Queen Elizabeth IIs favourite child, giving up his home. It comes amid claims a 2011 attempt by Ms Giuffre to serve a civil suit on Andrew was allegedly frustrated by Metropolitan Police officers, first reported by Channel 4 News, which said the force has widened its examinations. Advertisement In a statement on Friday the force said: Following recent media reporting on the actions of officers in relation to this matter, we are considering whether any further assessment or review is necessary. The Metropolitan Police previously said it was looking into allegations after the Mail On Sunday claimed Andrew passed Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to investigate. Obstacles to reaching a settlement are reportedly where Andrew, eighth in line to the throne, will live and what financial recompense he will receive for the funds he spent renovating the home. Sarah Ferguson with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Aaron Chown/PA) There are likely properties on Charles' private Balmoral estate in Scotland and his Sandringham estate in Norfolk that could house Andrew but whether he will accept a smaller home far from his supportive daughters remains to be seen. Charles has long been said to have tried to encourage his younger brother, who lives in Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, to move out, but Andrew signed a watertight 75-year lease on the property in 2003. Andrews leasehold agreement, seen by the PA news agency, revealed he paid 1 million for the lease and that since then he paid one peppercorn of rent if demanded per year. He was also required to pay a further 7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, according to a report by the National Audit Office. The agreement also contains a clause that states the Crown Estate would have to pay Andrew around 558,000 if he gave up the lease. The former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson together in September (Jordan Pettitt/PA) There have been claims the princes peppercorn rent on the Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park was concealed in a redacted version of his lease submitted to the Land Registry more than 20 years ago. The Public Accounts Committee has already confirmed it is writing to the Crown Estate and the Treasury asking for further information about the princes lease. Advertisement Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, alleged she was forced to have sex three times with Andrew, which he vehemently denies, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. Downing Street, meanwhile, said MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons to discuss Andrews conduct because the royal family wants Parliament to focus on important issues. Number 10 said it would not allocate time for a debate in the chamber although MPs could still scrutinise the situation in committees. Lucy Powell has won the UK Labour Party's deputy leadership election after a campaign based on a call for the party to change course. The election result could spell trouble for Sir Keir Starmer as Ms Powell will be free to speak out against his governments policies from the back benches rather than being bound by collective responsibility like her defeated deputy leadership rival, UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson. Ms Powell, the Manchester Central MP, was sacked from Mr Starmer's Cabinet in September and has indicated she will refuse a return to a government role so she can speak more openly about the direction of the party in office. Lucy Powell during the Labour Party conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ms Powell won the Labour deputy leadership contest with 54 per cent of the vote, while Ms Phillipson took a 46 per cent share. The new deputy leader said: We have to offer hope, to offer the big change the country is crying out for. Advertisement We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs. She said that people feel that this Government is not being bold enough in delivering the kind of change we promised. Congratulations Lucy Powell, elected as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. pic.twitter.com/1ZjtidomUs The Labour Party (@UKLabour) October 25, 2025 The contest was triggered by Angela Rayners resignation after she failed to pay the correct stamp duty on a property purchase. Ms Powell received 87,407 votes from the Labour Party membership and affiliates while Ms Phillipson received 73,536 votes but the turnout was just 16.6 per cent. In an apparent criticism of Labours approach to tackling Nigel Farages Reform UK, she said Labour wont win by trying to out-Reform Reform after being crowned the partys deputy leader. UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson (PA) Speaking after her victory, Ms Powell said: It starts with us wrestling back the political megaphone and setting the agenda more strongly. Because lets be honest, weve let Farage and his ilk run away with it. He wants to blame immigration for all the countrys problems. We reject that. Our diagnosis is different: that for too long, the country and the economy has worked in the interests of the few, not the many. The Manchester Central MP added: We wont win by trying to out-Reform Reform, but by building a broad progressive consensus. Ms Powells election follows a bruising few days for Mr Starmer after the chaos in the grooming gangs inquiry, the return of a small boat migrant who was sent to France under the one in, one out deal, the blunder which saw Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu released from prison, and defeat for Labour in its Welsh stronghold of Caerphilly. Congratulations @LucyMPowell, Labours newly elected Deputy Leader. Lucy has always been a proud defender of Labour values, and that is exactly what we need in this moment. Together, we will fight for Britain. For decency and national renewal. Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 25, 2025 Mr Starmer said: We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see. Now, this week, we received another reminder of just how urgent that task is. Advertisement A bad result in Wales, I accept that, but a reminder that people need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled. Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division and we have to keep going on that. Pakistan International Airlines has resumed flights to the UK for the first time in five years after the lifting of a ban imposed over a fake pilots licence scandal. The state-run airline was banned from the UK and the EU in June 2020 after a crash in Karachi killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licences. The European ban was lifted last November after extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to restore suspended routes in January this year. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland Khawaja Mohammad Asif The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return after months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system. The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport. Advertisement He said in a televised address that the flights are essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send are the backbone of Pakistans economy. Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty, he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland. Pakistans high commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations. This milestone will bring major economic benefits, generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. President Donald Trump announced he is ending all trade negotiations with Canada because of a television advert sponsored by one of its provinces that used the words of former president Ronald Reagan to criticise US tariffs prompting the provinces leader to later pull the ad. The post on Mr Trumps social media site on Thursday ratcheted up tensions with the USs northern neighbour after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to double his countrys exports to countries outside the US because of the threat posed by Mr Trumps tariffs. White House officials said Mr Trumps reaction was a culmination of the administrations long, pent-up frustration about Canadas strategy in trade talks. US President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters in the State Dining Room of the White House (Evan Vucci/AP) Later on Friday, Ontario premier Doug Ford, whose province had sponsored the ad, said it would be taken down. Mr Ford said after talking with Mr Carney he had decided to pause the advertising campaign effective from Monday so that trade talks can resume. Advertisement Mr Ford said they had achieved their goal, having reached US audiences at the highest levels. Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses, Mr Ford said. The US president alleged the ad misrepresented the position of Mr Reagan, a two-term president who remains a beloved figure in the Republican Party, and was aimed at influencing the US Supreme Court ahead of a hearing scheduled for next month that could decide whether Mr Trump has the power to impose his sweeping tariffs, a key part of his economic strategy. Mr Trump is so invested in the case that he has said he would like to attend oral arguments. CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!! Mr Trump wrote on his social media site on Friday morning. They fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY. Canada is trying to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court in one of the most important rulings in the history of our Country. The ad was paid for by Ontarios government, not the Canadian government. Advertisement Mr Ford, the premier, did not initially back down, posting on Friday that Canada and the US are allies and Reagan knew that both are stronger together. Mr Ford then provided a link to a Reagan speech where the late president voices opposition to tariffs. Mr Ford had said the province plans to pay 54 million dollars (about 75 million Canadian dollars) for the ads to air across multiple American television stations using audio and video of Mr Reagan speaking about tariffs in 1987. Even though the ad will eventually be taken down, it will still run this weekend, including Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Mr Carney said his government remained ready to continue talks to reduce tariffs in certain sectors. We cant control the trade policy of the United States. We recognise that that policy has fundamentally changed from the 1980s, he said on Friday morning before boarding a flight for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. Mr Trump is set to travel to the same summit on Friday night. Advertisement LifestyleGenderGender Opinion I used tears to sway my husband. It was a snapshot of the wider gender divide Parnell Palme McGuinness Columnist and communications adviser October 26, 2025 4:00am October 26, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 52 View all comments When COVID shut down the world in 2020, I discovered something shameful about myself. Right from the start, the evidence showed that the disease was chiefly dangerous for a small subset of the population vulnerable due to advanced age or other health conditions. Yet Australia embarked on a cascade of lockdowns starting with the least affected. Victorian premier Dan Andrews quickly closed schools. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian prevaricated, but encouraged parents to keep their children home. My husband and I knew our family faced little risk. He wanted our young child to stay in school. I felt that I had no choice but to tune into community anxiety and home-school. Essayist Helen Andrews, author of The Great Feminisation. I couldnt win the argument with evidence. So I resorted to tears and claimed to be scared of the sickness to win the argument. The humiliating truth: I feared social stigma more than the virus. I will never stop feeling ashamed of my cowardice. Advertisement My fears and the tactics I deployed to get my way in that moment were quintessentially female. Women have been shaped by evolution to seek social approval and appeal to emotion in asserting themselves. So when US commentator Helen Andrews published an essay this month on The Great Feminisation, I was rather inclined to agree with the core of her thesis. Andrews argues that institutions are changing as women achieve parity and in some professions, such as education and law, outnumber men. Feminine social norms are increasingly shaping public discourse and institutional behaviour, she says, and the emotional and social levers that women (on average) use to achieve their desired outcomes are what we have come to know as wokeness and cancel culture. Woke ways of approaching the world privilege emotional responses over evidence or sometimes conflate emotion with evidence. For instance, when a court decides that a woman bringing a sexual assault case is believable and bases its findings on the credibility of her emotional response during the trial, undoing centuries of legal safeguards. Andrews fears that if institutions like the law become overly feminised, then judges will bend the rules for favoured groups and enforce them rigorously on disfavoured groups. Advertisement The classic fictional rendering of this situation is the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written in the 1950s and inspired by real events. In the racially charged American South, a white woman falsely accuses a black man of rape. The all-white jury, already predisposed against the accused, gives greater value to the white womans tears than the evidence presented at trial. The man is convicted. Related Article Exclusive Grossi Florentino Emma doesnt like cancel culture. But she wants Guy Grossi held accountable The dispassionate rule of law, which requires concrete and not just emotional evidence to secure a conviction, is designed to protect against this kind of injustice. Evolutionarily, womens emotional appeal for protection would have been a useful safeguard against mens superior physical strength. In a cerebral world, however, in which both men and women are capable of marshalling facts equally, the trait has the potential to be toxic. Cancel culture, Andrews argues, is another particularly feminine way of managing conflict. Which also makes sense from an evolutionary perspective. Social ostracisation is a non-violent form of aggression that is safer for a physically weaker aggressor to engage in than bodily combat. It still wounds. Social exclusion affects the brain in similar ways to physical pain, and can lead to long-term ill-health and depression. Advertisement Wokeness and cancel culture have changed business and public life. Its plausible that the growing number of women employed in an institution is the reason why. Im also prepared to agree with Helen Andrews that a feminised society predominantly run by emotion and ostracisation would be far from ideal. As Andrews asks: If your academia doesnt pursue truth, what good is it? If your journalists arent prickly individualists who dont mind alienating people, what good are they? If a business loses its swashbuckling spirit and becomes a feminised, inward-focused bureaucracy, will it not stagnate? Related Article Review Online pile-ons and culture wars: How did we get here? Yes, yes, yes, and amen to preventing all that. Weaponised wokeness and cancel culture have been twin drivers of modern mania, and we risk losing valuable institutions and contributions to their untrammelled zeal. But it bothers me that Andrews is fuelling a new gender war based on this mania when manias are hardly a historical anomaly. In fact, humanity seems prone to regular bouts of collective madness. Many have been male-led. A bloodthirsty orgy of human sacrifice emerged from the patriarchal Aztec society. Women were notably not in charge as the Nazis carried out the Holocaust against Jews. Humanity has learnt important lessons from those periods of dangerous lunacy. The lesson of woke and cancel culture can be taken without pitting men and women against one another. Advertisement If the cause of the mania is a feminine way of operating, if women are rejecting and trying to overturn the rule of law on the basis of emotion, the argument in favour of the rule of law needs to be made with the same emotional power. Social justice isnt achieved by dismantling objective fairness, but by guaranteeing it. Who dares to speak their mind in an environment of cancel culture? Matt Davidson The shame of ostracisation should accrue to the bully, not her victim. We have to accept that a gender-equal society will not be a kinder one because women have never been the gentler sex. We simply manage conflict differently less violently, but no less ruthlessly. As always with Helen Andrews, whom I count as a friend, the essay is excellent and the argument has a great deal of merit. I cant fault Andrews conclusion, which is that male energy is as vital to society as feminine energy. Now that women are empowered, she writes, its time to stop making it illegal for women to lose. But, as clickbait, its creeping unchallenged into our timelines eliciting an emotional resonance where a rational approach is needed to manage the destructive potential of another social mania. Advertisement What an ironically female way to declare war on the great feminisation. Parnell Palme McGuinness is managing director at campaigns firm Agenda C. She has done work for the Liberal Party and the German Greens and is a senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Advertisement NationalBikie gangs Notorious bikie Tarek Zahed arrested after month on the run Lucy Macken October 25, 2025 10:36am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share One of the Australias most notorious bikies, Tarek Zahed, has been arrested after a month on the run from police across two states. The Comanchero heavyweight was arrested at a house in Sydneys western suburbs on Friday evening. Dubbed the Balenciaga bikie given his penchant for designer clothing, Zahed has been the target of police investigators in NSW and Victoria since late September when his parole was revoked over alleged offences in both states, including assault. Loading The NSW State Crime Commands Raptor Squad arrested Zahed at a house on Yates Avenue, in Dundas Valley, seizing $12,800 in cash that was found in a car at the property. Advertisement Zaheds prominence as an underworld figure was laid bare in 2022 when he survived an assassination attempt after he turned up at a gym at Auburn, only to be ambushed by gunmen spraying bullets. Zahed was left blind in one eye and his younger brother, Omar, was gunned down alongside him. Tarek Zahed was arrested at a house in Dundas Valley on Friday. NSW Police Months later, Zahed was charged over the 2014 murder of underworld figure Youssef Assoum in Bankstown, in Sydneys south-west, but prosecutors later dropped that charge and struck a deal with Zahed to plead guilty to arranging for a bloodstained getaway car to be destroyed. After serving two years and four months in jail, Zahed was released on parole in December. The Comancheros former sergeant-at-arms had been dividing his time between Sydney and Melbourne since 2021, and returned to Melbourne more recently following his release from prison. Advertisement Senior Comanchero Tarek Zahed in 2021. Edwina Pickles His life in Melbourne became the stuff of headlines in July after he was present during a violent brawl outside one of Melbournes most problem-plagued nightclubs, Love Machine in Prahran. Three men were taken to hospital with facial injuries following the fracas. Video of that incident obtained by this masthead showed Zahed remonstrating with security staff. Loading Advertisement Love Machine has been the target of repeated violence by members of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang, prompting the resignation of multiple security guards. The club has since been forced to close temporarily, after Victoria Police and the states liquor licensing commission cracked down on the club following a series of brawls, firearms incidents and alleged licensing breaches. After police arrested Zahed on Friday night, he was taken to Gladesville police station and has since been transferred into the custody of Department of Corrective Services NSW. A 38-year-old man who was also arrested at the Dundas Valley house was later released without charge. with Ashleigh McMillan Advertisement PoliticsFederalLiberal Party Opinion No Liberal leader can survive a fire on the right, but arsonists surround Ley Peter Hartcher Political and international editor October 25, 2025 4:00am October 25, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 585 View all comments The May election generally was acknowledged to have been disastrous for the Coalition. But the disaster continues to unfold. On its current trajectory, it will extinguish itself as a party of government in the current term. Not because of the genius of the government. Labors polling numbers are essentially unchanged since election day. The onrushing disaster is self-inflicted. Theres an angry, self-destructive impulse coursing through the Coalition itself. Illustration by Simon Letch Its true that Labor successfully entrenched itself squarely in the centre of the electorate, taking seats from the left and the right to amass its commanding majority. The rational response to this is obvious. Challenge the government for the centre ground. This is where governments are formed in a system of compulsory voting. And its what Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has been attempting. But much of her party is refusing. Advertisement And the chief victim is Ley herself. She took the job of leader with low public recognition. A vox pop by The Daily Telegraph, showing a photo of her to 100 random adults in central Sydney in July, found no one able to name her. But as voters began to discover her, they reacted positively. Related Article Resolve Political Monitor Leys approval ratings tank after month of Liberal chaos and disunity Sussan Ley started on a high of net likeability at positive 11 points, which made her the most likeable politician of the 20 or so we tested, says Jim Reed of Resolve Strategic, pollster for this masthead. By this month, it had fallen to positive 1, about on par with Anthony Albanese. The relative change was even more stark on her performance rating, says Reed. It went from a pretty healthy positive 9 to negative 5, again on par with Albanese. Thats a brutal fall of 14 points in a single month. What happened in that month? Ley sacked Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from the shadow ministry for refusing to endorse her leadership, and Andrew Hastie resigned his frontbench seat when Ley ruled that he would not be involved in writing the partys immigration policy. Advertisement A member of the Liberal leadership group remarks that the loss of Jacinta and Andrew was especially damaging because they are rock stars with our branch members. Both are members of the partys conservative arm or, more specifically, the New Right faction, as explained in the useful factional analysis by my colleague James Massola earlier this month. Ley is a moderate. Related Article Exclusive Political leadership Barnaby Joyce in advanced talks with Pauline Hanson to join One Nation And that polling crunch occurred before the Barnaby Joyce breakout last week. Even though hes not a Liberal for now, at least, hes a Nationals MP, on the way to joining One Nation it reinforces the public impression of disarray and despair in the Coalition. Reed joins the dots: Its a truism of politics that disunity may not be the leaders fault but it tends to hurt them most, and thats whats happening to Sussan Ley. Just when the voters were giving her a chance. While Ley has performed well in difficult circumstances, she hasnt been entirely blameless. But its devilishly tricky for a leader when the party is in a mutinous mood. A retired Liberal MP says the Coalition is pulling every lever it sees, and most of them turn out to be trapdoors. This weeks Kevin Rudd moment is an example. Advertisement Its been a rule of Australian politics for a dozen years now that Rudd is failsafe target for ad hominem attack by anyone looking for a target. This was a Labor Party achievement. Once Labor decided to systematically demonise him and render him friendless in order to protect Julia Gillard, Rudd has been fair game for all. True, Albanese and Penny Wong are staunch defenders, but hes still good for a low-cost laugh across the political spectrum. Sussan Leys Welcome to Country at the National Press Club aggravated some conservative Liberal Party members. Alex Ellinghausen Or thats what Ley thought when she decided to pull the Rudd lever. Little did she know that it was actually a trapdoor that her colleagues were waiting to spring. No sooner had she demanded his sacking as ambassador to the US than two of her colleagues, Jane Hume and Hastie, went public to praise him. Tony Abbott joined this surprise new caucus, Liberal Friends of Kevin, saying hed done a good job in Washington. It didnt matter that it was a misplaced criticism for Ley to make. The point is that she said it. The party should support the leader or, at least, stay shtum. A low-risk manoeuvre for Ley turned into a damaging one. She backed off, wounded. The much bigger issues for the party are still unsettled. Liberal policy on net zero and immigration are convulsing the party internally. A committed and growing core of Liberals and Nationals is prepared to fight to the death to kill the existing Coalition commitment to net zero. Advertisement And to make drastic cuts to the immigration intake. But the death they fight to could well be their own. The ructions so far are minor compared with the disasters that await if these are mismanaged. And the parties, and the Coalition as a whole, are in no mood to be managed. One Liberal MP says Leys Acknowledgement of Country at the National Press Club so enraged his branch members that hes still getting angry emails five months later. Liberal senator and all-purpose wise man James Paterson said a couple of weeks ago that the party was going through a mass public therapy session. Another conservative Liberal MP says it was normal and natural to go through a public grieving process after such a shocking electoral loss. But if it were therapy or grief, that would be easier; they are passing phases. We are going well beyond grief, says the conservative Liberal, someone who did not vote for Ley in the party leadership ballot but who sees the importance of making her leadership viable. What were doing to ourselves now is indulgent and destructive, and its not strategic. It serves no good purpose. Public esteem for the party is testing new depths. There is no goodwill in the Coalition party rooms. We will go out of existence if we keep this up. The centrifugal force in both Coalition parties is their base their branch members, the Murdoch media and especially Sky After Dark. These represent a small minority of the electorate but they are a key component of the Coalitions structural support. And theyre demanding that the Coalition move not to the election-winning centre but to the angry right of politics. Advertisement Leys efforts to appeal to the political centre are some of the very irritants that most antagonise the Coalitions base. For example, Reed says Ley has given Acknowledgment of Country remarks and talked about net zero. One Liberal MP says Leys Acknowledgment of Country at the National Press Club so enraged his branch members that hes still getting angry emails about it five months later. Related Article Exclusive Political leadership As Coalition slumps to new low, poll shows one minor party is reaping the benefits And as for net zero, it is the issue most likely to destroy Leys leadership. Sky After Dark is whipping our branch members into a frenzy over net zero, and thats pushing our MPs to harden their positions, says a Liberal. No Liberal leader can survive a fire on the right. Ley gave a sane speech this week about tax policy, designed to establish principles of competent fiscal policy and small government. Did anyone notice that shed just promised to cut income tax if elected? No. With all the agitation in the Coalition, she cant take a trick. One of the ominous signs for Leys leadership is that poll support for Pauline Hansons One Nation has doubled. It won 6.4 per cent on election day but the latest Resolve poll puts it at 12. Other polls have found the same trend. These are Coalition voters moving to One Nation in frustration with Ley and the Nationals leader, David Littleproud. Barnaby Joyces pending move to One Nation is not occurring in a vacuum. Advertisement What to do? If Ley cannot placate the right fringe, she cannot survive to the next election. If she cannot move the party to the centre, she cannot win the next election. Related Article Exclusive Political leadership Bring people in: Bill Shortens playbook for Sussan Ley To reconcile the two, she has to manage her party more actively, quickly forge a workable compromise on an emissions policy, and offer the Coalition base some psychic satisfaction on touchstone issues of immigration, identity and sovereignty, while continuing to work towards election-winning policy on other issues. For the Liberals, the worst possible outcome would be to dump Ley. To tear down their first female leader after just half a term would confirm to most of the country the suspicion that the Coalition is an incorrigible bastion of antediluvian chauvinism. And for the Liberals to take refuge in the destructive and racist impulses of One Nation would be like the gingerbread man in the old folk tale. To cross the dangerous river, he trusts the offer from the crafty fox to carry him safely, only to be devoured midstream. Making common cause with Hansonism would not save the Libs, it would consume them. Advertisement In the meantime, the teals and the Climate 200 crowd are conspicuous by their electoral inactivity. As one leading figure in the movement says, why interrupt your enemy when its in the middle of making a mistake? And Labor can continue its policy lethargy over productivity, economic growth, energy costs, immigration, defence and housing without paying a political price. Labor simply cannot believe its luck. Peter Hartcher is political editor. A MOTORIST who pleaded guilty to driving without insurance was spared a disqualification when he appeared before Carlow District Court recently. Adeval de Invencao Souza, 1 River Crescent, Carlow pleaded guilty to not having insurance when he was stopped by gardai on Kennedy Avenue, Carlow on 25 April 2024. Solicitor Alex Rafter told the court that his client, a Brazilian native, had just bought the car prior to being stopped and that he was now fully insured with a full licence. He added that Mr Souza (32) had also just become a father for the second time and so needed his car. Judge Geraldine Carthy fined Mr Souza 300. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme The Lee University School of Music will present pianist Dr. Muen Vanessa Wei in a faculty recital on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place in Squires Recital Hall, located in the Humanities Building on Lees campus. The recital, Finale in C, is the final recital in Weis Complete Beethovens Piano Sonatas Concert Series, which showcases all 32 of Ludwig van Beethovens Piano Sonatas over two years. The performance will feature Sonatas No. 5, Op. 10, No. 1; No. 8 Op. 13 Pathetique; and No. 32, Op. 111. This recital brings together three of Beethovens powerful works in C minor, said Dr. Wei. This key followed him through every stage of his life. It is full of drama, struggle, and transformation. By the end of Op. 111, the music moves into radiant C major, a place of acceptance and peace. Performing these sonatas together feels like tracing Beethovens journey from turbulence to transcendence. This recital also marks the conclusion of my multi-year Beethoven Sonata Cycle, a project that began in 2021 and has explored all 32 sonatas across several seasons at Lee University. Dr. Wei joined Lees School of Music in 2021 as an assistant professor of piano and teaches courses such as applied piano, piano seminar, and piano for ministry. Prior to Lee, she served as a guest professor at China West Normal University and piano faculty at New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Lynn Harrell, Ian Hobson, Peter Lloyd, and Joel Smirnoff. Wei also has a debut album titled Im 3/4 Takt that was considered one of Centaurs finest releases to date by Fanfare. Dr. Wei earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana, a Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from the China Conservatory of Music. The recital is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public. Livestream viewing will be available at leeu.live. For more information about the recital, contact the School of Music at music@leeuniversity.edu or call (423) 614-8240. Covenant hosted Piedmont in a rare CCS match on Friday night inside Barnes P.E. Center. Playing in front of a good crowd, the Scots rose to the occasion, sweeping the Lions to earn their 10th CCS win.Final: Covenant 3, Piedmont 0Records: Covenant (15-11, 10-3 CCS), Piedmont (6-21, 3-9 CCS)Piedmont scored seven of the first eight points of the match, leading to a Covenant timeout. The Scots then responded with an 18-3 scoring run to take control of the set at 19-10.The Lions clawed back within three points, but the Scots used three kills at the end of the set to win 25-19.The Lions led for a good portion of set two, but after taking a 15-12 lead, Covenant went on a 5-0 run to go up 17-15. The Scots didn't let up at that point, extending their lead to 25-17 by the time the set ended.Covenant controlled the final set from start to finish, taking home a 25-11 win to earn the sweep.Covenant was dominant offensively, totaling 41 kills while Piedmont had just 19. The Scots also had an 11-1 advantage in service aces, with seven coming from Henley Gentry.Cali Sandhoff posted a double-double to lead the Scots with 17 assists and 11 digs while also having eight kills. Kennedy Barber was Covenant's lone player with double-digit kills, tallying 11 with a .500 hitting percentage. Sarah Jennings led the Covenant defense with 17 digs.With the win, Covenant moves to 30-10 all-time against Piedmont.Covenant plays LaGrange and Centre on Saturday at home. Photo credit: Unsplash/ Frank Mckenna New survey shows that a growing share of Americans view religion as a positive influence on society, alongside an uptick in the number who believe religion is gaining public prominence. The Pew Research Center on Monday released findings drawn from two nationally representative samples: 9,544 adults polled Feb. 39 and 8,937 adults surveyed May 511. In a report summarizing the trend, Pew Research Associate Chip Rotolo noted, Americans views about religion in public life are shifting. From February 2024 to February 2025, there was a sharp rise in the share of U.S. adults who say religion is gaining influence in American life. While this remains a minority view, it is increasingly held by adults across several demographic groups with gains of at least 10 percentage points among Democrats and Republicans, adults in every age category and in most large religious groups. Overall, 59% of respondents held a net positive view of religion, including 42% who said religions influence is decreasing and consider that a negative trend. Meanwhile, 17% who said it is increasing and regard that as beneficial. The proportion expressing a net positive opinion of religion rose from 49% in September 2022 to 57% in February 2024 and 59% in 2025. Though the 2025 share with a net negative stance (20%) was slightly above 2024s 19%, it remained well below the 26% recorded in 2022. Another 16% said religions influence is declining, while also stating that this doesn't make a difference. Meanwhile, the combined net neutral or unclear group fell to 21%, down from 25% in 2022 and 23% in 2024. By religious affiliation, white Evangelical Protestants were most likely to report a net positive outlook at 92%, with majorities of Black Protestants (75%), Catholics (71%), and white non-Evangelical Protestants (67%) expressing similarly favorable views. In contrast, Jewish respondents were split: a 38% plurality registered a net negative view of religion, 36% a net positive view, and 26% a net neutral or unclear view. Large majorities of atheists (79%) and smaller majorities of agnostics (59%) reported net negative views, while among those identifying as nothing in particular, a 38% plurality held a net neutral or unclear view, with 33% net positive and 29% net negative. Partisan differences persisted, as 78% of Republicans and Republican leaners had a net positive view of religion, whereas Democrats were more divided at 40% positive, 35% negative, and 24% net neutral or unclear. Age also correlated with attitudes: net positive views of religion were reported by 71% of those 65 and older, 68% of those 5064, 52% of adults 3049, and 46% of those 1829. Perceptions of religions cultural sway shifted markedly: 68% said religion is losing influence in the U.S. and 31% said it is gaining, compared to 2024 when 80% saw it losing ground and 18% the opposite showing a pronounced change. Home News Christians urged to pray as American missionary pilot is abducted in Niger Prayers are now going up around the world for American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout after he was reportedly kidnapped from his home in the highly secure Chateau 1 neighborhood of Niamey, the capital of Niger in West Africa. Rideout, a 48-year-old married father, works with Serving In Mission, also known as SIM. A report from Radio France Internationale on Wednesday stated that Rideout was reportedly kidnapped by three men near the grand Bravia Hotel, in the city center, just a few hundred meters from the presidential palace. U.S. State Department officials in Niamey confirmed on Wednesday that they were working to secure Rideout's release. "It is a top priority for the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American, and we are seeing efforts from across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe return of this U.S. citizen," a spokesperson told CBS News. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey also issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning Americans that they face a "heightened risk of kidnapping" throughout the country, which has been in political turmoil since a coup d'etat on July 26, 2023. "American citizens remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city. Due to heightened concern about the threat of kidnapping, the Embassy has modified its security posture to require armored vehicles for all travel of Embassy personnel and family members, restricted movements of Embassy personnel and family members, and instituted a mandatory curfew and routine accountability," the security alert warns. "All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. Embassy personnel and family members." SIM officials could not immediately comment on the kidnapping when contacted by The Christian Post on Friday. Both Rideout and his brother Ian have worked as pilots for the organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to a 2014 report from The Wellesley Townsman. "The brothers fly mission personnel and equipment and supplies within Niger and across west Africa, helping to facilitate the work of numerous organizations in one of the world's least developed countries," that report from 2014 said. "Their work involves supporting drilling wells to provide clean water; aiding refugees from war-torn countries; reforestation and land reclamation projects; hospitals; aiding flood victims; teaching literacy; enabling widows to start micro enterprises or caring for orphans, all bringing hope to people across the region." Reacting to the news of Rideout's kidnapping on Thursday, Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, urged his 11 million followers to pray for his safe return. "A missionary pilot with the Christian organization SIM International (Serving in Mission) has been abducted in the West African nation of Niger. It is being reported that he was taken north to areas controlled by an offshoot of ISIS," wrote Graham on Facebook. "The State Department said it is a top priority of the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American, and they are supporting his recovery and safe return. Would you pray for his protection and that he will be released unharmed and able to come home?" Gomer Williams, who described himself as Rideout's friend, also called for prayers. "When it hits home, it hits a little differently. Kevin Rideout, the missionary that was kidnapped in Niger this week, is a friend of mine," wrote Williams on Facebook. "Please keep him and his family in your prayers. This is a difficult time for him as he is being held hostage in conditions most Americans can't understand. Pray for Kevin to be comforted by God, given hope, and assurance. Pray for strength and pray for opportunities to share with his captors the Gospel," he urged. "We have seen a few of the men whose lives were condemned by evil and hatred disguised as religion come to know and accept Jesus as their Savior. Kevin's fight right now is against the evil forces of darkness that indwell men deceived by false religion," he added. "Pray for his safety, strength, health, and for mental, physical, and Spiritual comfort as he walks through the valley of the shadow of death! Greater is the God in Kevin than the evil in the world!" U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., also urged prayer for Rideout. "Pray that he is rescued. Pray for his family's strength. Pray that peace is with him in this unimaginable situation," Harris wrote in a post on X. "Pray for U.S. authorities and embassy officials working to bring him home." Home Opinion America is heading towards a fiscal cliff. This isn't biblical The national debt of the United States government is rapidly closing in on $37 trillion. Given that the nominal U.S. GDP is only $29.35 trillion, we owe significantly more than our economy produces. The interest payment alone on the debt is now the third-highest line-item expense, just after Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security and just ahead of Defense. It even surpasses our total federal tax revenue. In addition to the federal government, state and local debt is another $3.2 trillion, and total credit card debt is currently over $1.28 trillion. In all, total indebtedness of the United States, public and private, sits at nearly $105 trillion. Though it is increasingly obvious our national debt will never be repaid, the deficit continues to grow at an alarming rate. These numbers are simply too big to understand. To help put them in perspective, one trillion seconds is over 31,688 years. Our debt is now 100 times that number. To put it mildly, this bodes ill for our future. Out-of-control debt has been a significant factor in the collapse of every major world power in history. For example, the French Revolution was triggered by a fiscal crisis, which sparked civil war and left between 300,000 and 500,000 dead, not including those killed abroad in foreign wars. With apologies to Dave Ramsey, there are times when a certain amount of debt makes sense. Businesses use it to launch and expand. People take on debt to buy a home or in emergencies. Governments take on debt in times of emergency. Overall, Scripture clearly warns against debt. According to Proverbs 22:7, The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Paul commands in Romans 13:8, Owe no one anything, except to love each other. Gods assessment of the approach our government is taking is just as clear: The wicked borrows but does not pay back (Psalm 37:21). In the late 1930s, sociologist Pitirim Sorokin distinguished between cultures that were sensate and those that were ideational. Sensate cultures filter that reality is primarily sensory, and that truth is found through empirical observation. These cultures pursued sensory pleasure, material comfort, and immediate gratification. Ideational cultures are oriented beyond the material world to ideals, or truths found in philosophy or divine revelation. Ideational societies aim at the future, with a focus on self-discipline and aligning life and culture with eternal truths. While ideational cultures can focus so much on the spiritual that they neglect the material, they also tend to encourage delayed gratification and building for the future. Originally built on ideals and aimed at the future, America is now sensate and oriented around the demand for immediate gratification. This explains not only the incredible levels of personal and federal debt, but also the decline of marriage, widespread addictions to pornography and gambling, and the serious drop-off in the birth rate. A nation captive to short-term sensate thinking looks primarily to the government for all that it needs and desires. We want things, and we look to the government to give them. Politicians want things and fund them without counting the cost. As the government, it can spend and spend without considering the burden placed on future generations. A society with little vision for the future inevitably becomes sensate. As the British anthropologist Joseph Unwin put it, In these cultures, life is for now. There is no long-term solution for the national debt crisis without first dealing with the worldview at the root of the problem. The shift toward an ideational culture involves the willingness to delay gratification. That only results from reattaching to eternal truths that point us beyond the here and now. A robust vision of the Gospel of the Kingdom, lived out through families and local communities, will rejuvenate the intermediate institutions of society. Government overreach can be mitigated when people who rely on the government can look elsewhere, especially the Church and other intermediate institutions of civil society. This begins with Christians who are content to be weird, whose affections and loyalties are ordered by Kingdom priorities rather than the sensate priorities of a culture enslaved by debt. Originally published at BreakPoint. Home Opinion 'Unity' with Nazi sympathizers: An ugly problem within parts of the political Right Theres an ugly new current running through parts of the political Right a growing attempt to sanitize what should never be sanitized: overt fascism, national socialism, kinist racial theory, and anti-Jewish conspiracy. In corners of the internet and certain activist spaces, people are ironically quoting Hitler, praising the Third Reichs order, and calling all Jews globalist parasites. Some of them even try to reframe Hitler as some misunderstood nationalist hero. That alone is disturbing enough. But whats worse is the emerging chorus of voices including influential conservatives like Matt Walsh saying we need unity, even with them, for the sake of winning politically (no enemies to the right). To be clear: unity itself is good. Conservatives have lost far too much ground to pointless infighting. Weve split over secondary issues and handed the Left the culture war on a silver platter. But unity is not a moral blank check. True unity cant come at the expense of first principles truth, human dignity, and liberty under God. Once we trade those for the illusion of strength, we dont win. We rot from within. Theres actually a perfect parallel for this in the church world. Years ago, the Revoice movement emerged in Evangelical circles marketing itself as a safe space for LGBT inclusion within Christianity. It claimed to just welcome everyone, but beneath that language was a quiet redefinition of biblical truth. By normalizing sin under the banner of compassion, Revoice diluted the Gospel it claimed to uphold. It was seeker sensitivity for homosexuality a slow moral surrender dressed up as kindness. Thats exactly what unity with Nazi sympathizers looks like in politics: tolerance of evil wrapped in pragmatism. We dont agree with them, the argument goes, but we need them to win. No. Thats not a strategy. Thats a compromise pretending to be courage. Now, to give the devil his due Matt Walsh and others like him are absolutely justified in their anger toward the modern Left. The Left is deranged, institutionally powerful, and aggressively hostile to faith, truth, and normal life. Conservatives are right to see it as a real threat. When Walsh says the Left is violent pointing to things like the assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk hes not wrong. The radical Left dominates the institutions that control culture, finance, and speech, and they use that power to crush dissent. They are, without question, the more dangerous threat on an institutional level. Hes also right to note that the establishment Right has gone on too long doing absolutely nothing about this real threat. But heres where Walshs reasoning falls apart: just because the far-right extremists dont have institutional power, and just because the establishment has dropped the ball, that doesnt mean they arent evil (and dangerous, if given the opportunity). And grafting them into the conservative base is handing them that opportunity. Power doesnt make a worldview right or wrong it just determines how much damage it can do. The Nazi ideology hes overlooking would be just as barbaric if it ever gained the same power the Left currently wields. Evil isnt graded on a curve. And weve seen how this plays out. A week ago, a Politico piece lit a match under this conversation again. It detailed leaked group chats from a young Republican organization where members were joking about loving Hitler, gassing Jews, and raping women. Sure Politico is a far-left outlet that framed it as proof that all conservatives are Nazis. But that doesnt make the entire thing fiction. The story rings true to whats actually brewing beneath the surface of parts of the younger right an ugly undercurrent of racist, anti-Jew, ironic fascism. And if we call for unity with that, were doing exactly what the Left has accused us of for years. We make their smear look true. Thats not only morally vacant its politically stupid. Siding with or excusing Nazi sympathizers doesnt just stain your conscience; it hands the Left a gift-wrapped propaganda victory. For years, progressives have falsely smeared anyone right of center as a Nazi. But the moment we tolerate real fascists, we give their slander teeth. It alienates normal voters who came to the Right precisely because we werent radical and guarantees the Left wins again. Its not a strategy. Its an op. Part of the problem is that conservatives have been so relentlessly gaslit by the Left that weve gone numb to the word Nazi. For decades, progressives have hurled it at everyone from Mitt Romney to your grandma for saying she likes the Constitution. The Left cried wolf so many times that now, when real wolves show up actual neo-Nazis and fascist sympathizers people on the Right roll their eyes. They assume its just another overreaction. But this time, its not the Left crying Nazi. Its Christians and conservatives people like myself, Seth Dillon, Joel Berry, Ben Shapiro, Keri Smith, Will Spencer, Brandon Tatum, and many others. The very people whove been falsely smeared for years are now warning that the real thing has crept into our backyard. That alone should make every serious conservative pause. And lets be clear about what were talking about when we say Nazi. This isnt edgy national pride. Nazism was an industrialized system of cruelty: the Nuremberg Laws stripping Jews of citizenship, Kristallnacht burning synagogues across Germany, the T4 euthanasia program murdering the sick in the name of purity. Schools taught children to report their parents for racial impurity. Bureaucrats turned human beings into numbers. It was the machinery of death wrapped in patriotic slogans. Thats what were being asked to unify with. And as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who suffered under the Soviet gulag reminded the world, The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. He, a man who saw leftist evil up close, saw firsthand that evil doesnt belong to one political camp. The Lefts cruelty in the USSR mirrored the same soul sickness that drove fascism in Germany. His message was simple: evil grows wherever people stop saying no. Again, pundits like Matt Walsh seem to assume the far right is less dangerous simply because it doesnt have the same institutional power. But thats naive. Power doesnt create moral corruption; it merely exposes it. The main reason why the radical Right hasnt acted as brutally as the radical Left is that it cant. Yet. And Matt appears blind to this reality because he hasnt been on the receiving end of the Rights evil, like his friend Shapiro and Dillon have. Walsh also argued that his driving principle is loyalty to his friends that he wants to stand by them no matter what. This sounds noble at face value, but the reality here undercuts that very argument. I mean, think about his own colleagues and friends are the targets of these Hitler-sympathizing extremists. Ben Shapiro, Seth Dillon, Lara Loomer, and Josh Hammer have all received real death threats from fringe-right lunatics. One man, Nicholas Ray, a follower of Candace Owens who was pushing the idea that the Jews and Shapiros circle plotted to kill Charlie Kirk, was recently arrested after making violent threats against those conservatives and their families. Abby Libby a young Christian conservative mother has been doxxed, threatened with rape and murder, and even had her newborn child threatened. So how does unity with those people make sense? If loyalty is the point, how does aligning with your friends would-be killers honor that principle? Would he be ok with Ben Shapiro calling for unity with those who want him dead? I think not. But thats precisely what hes calling for in reverse. And most importantly, as a professing Christian, Walshs call for unity with evil is more than just politically misguided its spiritually dissonant. Scripture commands believers to expose the deeds of darkness, not fellowship with them. A Christian who excuses evil for strategic gain isnt showing wisdom or courage. Hes showing fear. Its a terrible witness to the world the same kind of moral compromise the Church made in the Revoice movement. Conservatism, properly understood, is not authoritarianism with an American flag draped over it. Its the defense of ordered liberty limited government, individual rights, and the equal dignity of all people. Nazism obliterates every one of those foundations. It rejects Gods image in man and replaces it with hierarchy, collectivism, and blood-and-soil idolatry. It is fundamentally anti-conservative. We ought not unite with Nazis precisely because we are conservative. Its that simple. And that brings us back to the question: what does principled unity look like? It means standing shoulder-to-shoulder on first principles not turning a blind eye to evil in our ranks. It means drawing clear lines: no alliances with people who promote racial hatred or violence. It means calling it out publicly when we see it not because we want to cancel anyone, but because silence lets poison spread. This isnt a call for more division. Its a call for discernment. We can fight the Left with everything weve got without surrendering our moral compass in the process. We can win elections and keep our integrity. As Walsh rightly noted, intolerance to evil is a virtue, but this should equally apply to evil in our own ranks. Unity is good. But unity that abandons truth is surrender by another name. Say yes to principled cooperation. Say no to pragmatic complicity. Ceremony held to pay final respects to late Nobel laureate Chen Ning Yang Xinhua) 09:35, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday to pay final respects to late physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor with Tsinghua University. The farewell ceremony started at around 9 a.m. at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery. Guests, including Yang's family and friends, representatives from Tsinghua University, and people from various sectors of society, gathered to pay their final respects to Yang. Yang died in Beijing on Oct. 18 at 103. He was born in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, in 1922. In the 1940s, he went to the United States to pursue academic studies and subsequently held teaching positions. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957. The Yang-Mills gauge theory introduced by Yang and Robert Mills is one of the most important achievements of physics in the 20th century. Over more than 20 years since he returned to China, Yang had taught at Tsinghua University, making important contributions to cultivating and recruiting talent and promoting international academic exchanges. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay! State-run Pakistan International Airlines resumed flights to the United Kingdom on Saturday for the first time in five years following the lifting of a ban imposed over a fake pilot license scandal.The airline faced a ban from both the UK and the European Union in June 2020 after a deadly crash in Karachi that killed nearly 100 people, and subsequent revelations of pilots with fake licenses.The European ban was lifted in November 2024 after extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to restore suspended routes in January of this year.The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday marked PIAs return following months of inspections and reforms that restored Britains confidence in Pakistans aviation system.The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told a ceremony held at Islamabad International Airport.Asif said in a televised address that the flights were essential for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis in Britain and Europe, and noted that the remittances they send were the backbone of Pakistans economy.Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty," he said. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland.Pakistans High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, hailed the relaunch as a major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations.This milestone will bring major economic benefits; generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods, he said at a recent event in London. Pakistan will lose any conventional war with India, a former US intelligence officer has warned, adding the country gains nothing from such a conflict. John Kiriakou, who spent 15 years in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), told ANI that Islamabad needed to reassess its policy towards India.Kiriakou, who was the chief of CIA counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, stressed, Nothing, literally nothing good will come of an actual war between India and Pakistan because the Pakistanis will lose. I'm not talking about nuclear weapons. I'm talking just about a conventional war. There is no benefit to constantly provoking Indians.Kiriakou also revealed that the US had control over Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during Pervez Musharraf's rule. He also claimed that the US essentially just purchased Musharraf" through millions of dollars in aid, allowing them to dictate the terms of their cooperation.Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time. And look, let's be honest here. The United States loves working with dictators. Because then you don't have to worry about public opinion, and you don't have to worry about the media anymore. And so, we essentially just purchased Musharraf," he added.We gave millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid. And we would meet with Musharraf regularly, several times a week. And essentially, he would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Yes. But Musharraf also had his own people that he needed to deal with, the former CIA chief said.He accused Musharraf of playing a double game on counterterrorism, siding with the US while allowing terror activities against India. He had to keep the military happy. And the military didn't care about Al-Qaeda. They cared about India. And so, to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism while committing terror against India, Kiriakou said.Kiriakou also spoke about the rampant corruption in Pakistan, citing the example of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's lavish lifestyle during her exile in Dubai. He recalled a Marie Antoinette moment where Bhutto complained about her husband's collection of Bentleys while living in a $5 million palace.When Benazir Bhutto was in exile in Dubai, I went to see her with another senior officer. I went as the note taker. And she lived in this $5 million palace on the Gulf. And we were sitting in the front room, the salon of the house, and we heard a car pull up. And she said, her exact words, so help me God, if he came home with another Bentley, I'm going to kill him! he added.She lives in a $5 million house, and he has a collection of Bentleys. Aren't they ashamed of themselves? Like, how can they go back to Pakistan and look the Pakistani people in the face when their people don't even have shoes and enough food to eat? Like, I understand corruption is a problem there, but that level of corruption? Come on! Kiriakou said.He described his years commanding counterterrorism operations in Pakistan after 9/11, focusing on Washington's tense alliance with Islamabad, the emergence of cross-border terror networks, and India-Pakistan tensions that nearly erupted into war during Operation Parakram in 2002.He recalled the height of the operation after the December 2001 Parliament attack and said, Family members had been evacuated from Islamabad. We believed India and Pakistan would go to war.The deputy secretary of state came in and shuttled between Delhi and Islamabad and negotiated a settlement where both sides backed off. But we were so busy and focused on Al Qaeda and Afghanistan, we never gave two thoughts to India, he added.Kiriakou believed the 2008 Mumbai attacks were not carried out by Al-Qaeda, but rather by Kashmiri groups supported by Pakistan. He further emphasised that the more significant concern was Pakistan's involvement in terrorism in India, and the lack of substantial action taken against it. Microsoft released out-of-band patches on Thursday to comprehensively fix a critical vulnerability in the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) after the first patches released on Oct. 14 proved insufficient. Attackers exploited the vulnerability in the wild after a detailed vulnerability analysis and proof-of-concept exploit were published this week. Tracked as CVE-2025-59287, the vulnerability stems from an unsafe deserialization of the AuthorizationCookie object in WSUS environments. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with SYSTEM privileges. WSUS is commonly used in enterprise environments to deliver Microsoft updates to Windows systems in a controlled manner. The service is not enabled by default on Windows servers but can be turned on by enabling the WSUS Server Role. Business / Local by Stephen Jakes Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has toured the newly operational Orange Ville Juicing plant in Beitbridge, hailing it as a strategic investment in Zimbabwe's rural industrialisation and national development.Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed the visit via X, noting that the US$30 million facility, which has been active since July 2025, has already processed over 25,000 tonnes of oranges and currently employs 290 people, with the potential to create up to 3,000 jobs.Chiwenga praised the plant's alignment with Vision 2030, highlighting its role in empowering local communities, building value chains, and fostering inclusive economic growth.The project marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe's agro-industrial expansion, positioning Beitbridge as a key player in the country's citrus processing sector. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Got a case of wanderlust? With Thanksgiving mere weeks away and people getting ready for the busiest travel days of the year, it's a good time to take stock of your own getaway situation. At the top of everyone's mind is saving money on flights and getting the most bang for their buck. That's a job for Skyscanner, the global search engine that pulls real-time prices from more than 1,200 travel providers. Skyscanner Planning your next trip just got easier. Skyscanner is an easy-to-use search engine that gives you real-time rates from more than 1,200 travel providers. That helps you make financially smart decisions and build a trip that fits right within your budgetary means. Get started today and save big on your holiday travel plans! Get Started Could your next trip take you to sun-drenched Crete, home to charming villages, lively glendi festivals, and incredible history? 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If you're planning to get away from it all, make sure that you're doing it the smart way. Skyscanner makes your planning process straightforward and affordable. Public confidence in our political leadership is at a perilously low ebb. So how we choose, prepare and train the next generation of political leaders is of critical importance. If the Boomers have failed, Gen X has been a disappointment and the millennials are missing in action, then the composition of our future elites matters. One of the most effective nurseries of political talent has always been the Oxford Union. It might be a playground parliament, but it prepared statesmen and women from William Gladstone to Roy Jenkins and Michael Heseltine to Benazir Bhutto for power. In my own time there during the 1980s I saw a succession of future leaders cut their teeth, from Simon Stevens (lately chief executive of the NHS), to future Cabinet ministers including our own Boris Johnson. The Union was a student preparation for a life of future service. Which is why the controversy surrounding the fate of the Unions recently elected President George Abaraonye matters. He was deposed this week in a vote of no-confidence, but only because the Unions own elder statesmen and women stepped in. Worryingly, he was supported throughout by hundreds of students, despite the fact that he has displayed the kind of behaviour that goes well beyond undergraduate immaturity and confirms the depth and strength of the destructive currents sweeping through our elite institutions. Mr Abaraonye faced his vote of confidence after revelations in the Daily Mail not just of his disdain for the views of others but his delight in murder. He had debated against the American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at the Oxford Union last year, and by all accounts had been bested in argument. Instead of reflecting on what he might learn, he instead reacted to Kirks assassination last month with a chilling, ideologically contorted expression of glee. Charlie Kirk got shot loool, he posted short for laughing out loud. George Abaraonye, former Oxford Union president-elect,who has lost confidence vote sparked by Charlie Kirk comments This was not an aberration. He has also accused the late Queen of genocide, proclaimed that he wouldnt frequent white spaces and was recorded saying he felt hate for the Unions traditions. Yet Oxford students in their hundreds thought someone who gloried in blood should be their champion. It tells us much about what is happening on our campuses today. But, however shocking Mr Abaraonyes views may be, they should perhaps not surprise us. Because the problems of our elite institutions, like Oxford, go much further than just nihilistic student activism. The rot goes to the top. The culture which enables and encourages the George Abaraonyes of our time is the creation of the academics and administrators who are in charge of higher education. Earlier this month, Oxfords Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracy, delivered her annual Oration, a report card on the universitys health. It was a series of genuflections before every progressive god the countrys Left-wing establishment cherishes. Net zero zealotry, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) ideology, agonising over mental health insecurities, celebrating colleges for their Sanctuary status as magnets for refugees no woke box went unticked. Professor Tracy celebrated the fact that Oxford students now have to go through an induction programme to better understand DEI before they are able to exercise their right to free speech - in other words, taught what they are allowed to think or say before opening their minds, or mouths, to others. This exercise in policing thought and language runs directly counter to the spirit of an institution dedicated to academic freedom. Professor Tracys own language is hardly that of a spirited free-thinker, either. Her address, studded with phrases such as joining the innovation ecosystem party and government-approved access and participation plan around on-course study skills is a pitiable exercise in dragooning lifeless jargon into the service of thoughtless fads. While Professor Tracy deploys the language of Shakespeare and Dickens with the finesse of a toddler slamming Duplo bricks together, the academic life of the university, like other once-great institutions, suffers. Oxford is spending 3.3 million decolonising its curriculum reshaping intellectual inquiry to fit a Left-wing prescription. College libraries are being decolonised to remove any micro-aggressions sensitive undergraduates might come across. Academics are cancelled because they affirm the scientific truth that there are only two genders fixed at birth. As this ideological intolerance advances, standards slip, with entry requirements relaxed for students from favoured backgrounds and examination standards lowered for specific groups. Mr Abaraonye, for example, achieved a mere ABB at A-level remember that a significant proportion of A-levels now achieve A* grades. Increasingly, the incentive both at Oxford and other top academic institutions is to claim incapacity rather than celebrate excellence, to ask for special treatment, not strive for a glittering prize. Students who claim to be living with a disability enjoy favourable academic and exam treatment across higher education institutions so it is little surprise, but still shocking, that no fewer than a fifth of students arriving at Oxford are now registered disabled. In an environment where the adults who lead are ashamed of our history, twist the curriculum to fit Marxist theory, talk in impenetrable jargon, put feelings ahead of facts, lower standards to fit fashions and fail to defend truth-tellers, is it any surprise that students like George Abaraonye feel emboldened to act as they do? George Abaraonye debating Charlie Kirk at the Oxford Union in May this year And as they look out from their honeyed quadrangles to so many of our institutions, the students of today see the same tendencies at work. The Bank of England advertises an intern scheme open only to black or mixed-race applicants. The judge-led Sentencing Council wanted a two-tier justice scheme with more lenient treatment for specific minorities. Museums and art galleries strive to outdo each other in apologising for the past they should be celebrating. The universitys own glamorous alumni such as Emma Watson deny gender reality and look for applause from wokes loudest advocates. The eminence of our finest universities and institutions has rested on their commitment to open inquiry, free debate, the search for truth, respect for the achievements of Western civilisation and immunity from ideological faddism. Now, those traditions are everywhere crumbling, and with them our defence against ignorance, decadence and prejudice. Which is why Oxford undergraduates such as George Abaraonye feel they can celebrate the deaths of political opponents and why another Oxford scholar, Balliol student Samuel Williams, took to the citys streets last week leading a crowd to call for Zios to be put in the ground in other words, for Jews to be murdered. Many universities, Oxford among them, rely on donors to subsidise their work. Some of the most generous, such as Stephen Schwarzman, Len Blavatnik and Simon and David Reuben are entrepreneurial businessmen who are hardly in sympathy with woke causes or soft on anti-Semitism. But that is what they find themselves funding. Oxford is happy to take their money, shove a name on a building, and then ignore their views and indulge their ideological enemies. If Britain is to recover its intellectual vitality, institutional self-confidence and civilisational energy, we must learn to stop subsidising, indulging and acquiescing in the surrender of what was once most prestigious in our culture to the advance of wokery. Buccaneering business leaders might believe association with universities such as Oxford now lends them lustre but they are only paying for more logs to be flung on their funeral pyre. The philanthropy of those who believe in upholding our civilisation does not deserve to be directed towards an institution which regards the story of the West as a chronicle of colonialist shame. For Oxford, and not just the Union, the embrace of progressive nonsense has gone well beyond a joke. Its time for a new beginning. Michael Gove is editor of The Spectator. You can say anything about Prince Andrew except 'leave him alone'. Well, that is my advice. Leave him alone. That's enough. First, if you are going to damn someone for his private life, be sure your own is spotless. As a clever man once said: 'Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the nappy to the stench of the shroud. There is always something.' This is the motto of a corrupt Louisiana politician in Robert Penn Warren's great novel All The King's Men, and it turns out to be terribly true of one of the most seemingly admirable figures in the book. It is one of the reasons why, these days, I prefer to turn away from these outbreaks of righteousness. I have never met Prince Andrew, have nothing to do with the Royal Family and have no wish to do so. I was once at a lunch where Princess Anne spoke, and she seemed all right to me. The present King once wanted to invite me to meet him but was frightened off the idea by his politically correct advisers, which I thought was a bit wet. That's it. Long ago, on a visit to Kazakhstan, which had nothing to do with the royal issue, I bumped into some British people who had met Andrew and spoke highly of him, quite unprompted. They also pointed out that he does not drink, which I think is important. Most stupid acts, in people's private lives, are done because they are drunk at the time. I also have an incurable soft spot for anyone who has served, as my late father did, in His Majesty's Navy. Andrew's courage during the Falklands War is beyond doubt. And spending time in cramped, busy warships will civilise anybody, even if he has had a privileged and secluded childhood. In such places, what mainly matters is whether you can do your job. Prince Andrew jokes around next to Prince Philip after returning from the Falklands in 1982 And how sick I am of the syrupy ladles of praise poured over the interviewer Emily Maitlis and her interrogation of the Prince. Ms Maitlis was more than once censured by the BBC, while she worked for it, for failures to be impartial. I think it reasonable to say that Ms Maitlis was in no case showing a bias towards conservative or traditional views. Few people have any idea how fantastically reluctant the BBC is to admit such wrongdoing, so this is quite a distinction. I have never heard Ms Maitlis offer an opinion on the British monarchy, but I feel confident in guessing that there are not many Coronation mugs in her kitchen cabinet. What possessed the Prince to be interviewed by her of all people, I don't know. That decision certainly backs up the view that he is not very bright. As for the Epstein accusations, it is also true that nothing has been proved against him except stupidity and dishonesty. Here, I sort of rest my case. If stupidity and dishonesty, or greed for money, are so bad that they disqualify anyone from any further respect, then why aren't the Houses of Commons and Lords halfempty? And if all the public figures in the world who mingled with Epstein were to be driven into the outer darkness, then the outer darkness would be very crowded indeed. So, to those who join in this chorus I have two small warnings. First, if you hate the monarchy and want it brought down, giving yet more power over our lives to Leftist bullies, then your behaviour is justified and intelligent. You will get what you want if you keep pushing. The Tory front bencher Robert Jenrick, especially, might want to wonder about this. Scandals over personal credit fuss about a diamond necklace in the case of France's Queen Marie Antoinette and dirty rumours about Rasputin in the case of the Russian imperial family did far more than politics to wreck two of the greatest royal houses in the world. Second, what is it that you really want to happen to the Prince, and to his family? Unlike many people in public life, he did not choose his role, or ask to be born into the increasingly crazy and futile world of monarchy and nobility. There is only one way he can stop being who he is, and it is called death. I hear people saying grandly that the Prince should 'fall on his sword'. Do they know what they are saying? It is a biblical phrase for a particularly grisly form of suicide. Be careful what you wish for. I know there are people who would like to see him imprisoned, or destitute and homeless. Some of them are probably alleged comedians. Most human sins are small, ridiculous and pathetic, and you do not have to be a Prince, or rich, or grand, to commit them. If you have so much energy to devote to stamping out sin, you might do better to wonder if your own life so far has been so perfect. If not, look to yourself for a bit. The bright red sexual harassment notice that can be seen plastered about London Underground stations Difficult to adjust Long, long ago, gentlemen's lavatories in British railway stations were adorned with castiron signs saying delicately to departing users: 'Please adjust your dress before leaving.' Now trains on the London Underground display bright red notices saying 'Exposing: Revealing intimate body parts is sexual harassment and is not tolerated.' It is this sort of thing that persuades me that not all change is progress. People still tell me that the Provisional IRA lost when the Belfast Agreement of 1998 was signed. How can you say this ridiculous thing when former soldiers still face trial, whereas the man who tried to murder the Cabinet at Brighton walks about free? The 'Good Friday Agreement' was Britain's biggest act of appeasement since Munich and Yalta. If you want to know what Reform UK mean when we say Britain is broken, just look at the case of Hadush Kebatu. He was the illegal immigrant from Ethiopia who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex in July, days after arriving in Britain on a small boat. Kebatus arrest sparked mass protests outside the Bell Hotel, where he was housed at taxpayers expense, which spread to other hotels filled with asylum seekers. Now we know that, only four weeks after being jailed for a year, Kebatu was mistakenly released by the prison service back onto the streets of Essex. Instead of treating him as a foreign offender due for deportation, security officers let him go and even handed him 76. He promptly caught a train to London. This shocking case shouts loud and clear that the prison service is yet another example of Broken Britain. And I believe there is an even bigger issue. Why was Kebatu ever able to enter Britain, roam the streets and commit his crime in the first place? The truth is that all our once-trusted institutions, from the NHS to the police and now our prisons, are disintegrating before our eyes. Across the sector, we see badly-led men and women who no longer seem certain what they are expected to do. Hadush Kebatu, an illegal immigrant from Ethiopia, sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex in July, days after arriving in Britain on a small boat Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the case of Kebatu 'shouts loud and clear that the prison service is yet another example of Broken Britain' The increase in our population of more than 16 million since 1960 is partly to blame for putting intolerable strain on our society. But things are made far worse by a collective failure of leadership, with the morale of frontline workers at an all-time low, and a distorted set of priorities. Take Essex Police, which mishandled the recent protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where the Home Office was housing asylum seekers. The same force spends an astonishing 614,000 a year on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities. All around us, we see two-tier policing and justice. When the Government appealed against a decision to evict the migrants, Home Office lawyers argued that the rights of asylum seekers must outweigh the concerns of local residents. The court agreed and the migrants stayed. Former prison governor Vanessa Frake, who is now Reforms prison policy advisor, has made clear that Kebatus mistaken release represents a multiple set of failures. But there is no evidence that this Labour government understands that decisive leadership is needed to get these institutions back into line and serving the public that actually funds them. Every week, we hear of more horrific crimes carried out by those who have entered our country illegally. On Friday, as news of Kebatus calamitous release broke, another cross-Channel migrant, Deng Chol Majek from Sudan, was convicted of murdering Rhiannon Whyte in Walsall after stabbing the hotel worker 23 times with a screwdriver. It is difficult to get our minds around these levels of barbarity. The public are rightly furious and increasingly scared, as more hotels in their towns and cities fill with undocumented young men. Yet if you dare to speak out, you are likely to be met by vile abuse from the online mob, accused of hate speech, and may even get a knock on the door from the thought police. That is how broken and twisted our country has become. I am strongly of the view that nobody who arrives by small boat should be free to walk our streets. These young men of fighting age who have deliberately discarded their passports and mobile phones should all be detained from the moment they arrive, prior to deportation. There must be no more rapes, murders or assaults committed by men who have no right to be here. If our gutless establishment is too hidebound by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Left-wing judiciary to do anything about it, then its time to get rid of these politicians and laws, and start again. I have met more of these cross-Channel migrants face-to-face than any other politician. Despite constantly being told by the BBC about poor and desperate people seeking refuge, I can assure you that far too many of them are aggressive men who have no interest in being part of British society. My greatest fear is that if the Government does not act, there is worse to come, not just from this group of migrants, but from the great British public who have had enough. You only need to look across the Irish Sea at the recent unrest in the Republic as people protest against immigration there to realise that government must get a grip. The cross-Channel migrant recently given five years in jail for threatening to kill me was also sentenced to eight months for the additional offence of entering the UK illegally. Why isnt every illegal immigrant treated equally under the law, and locked up? It can be done, but only if we have leaders with the political will to tackle the problem before its too late. Hallowe'en arrived early for Sir Keir Starmer last week when an opinion poll found the Greens to be level with Labour. Eek! No wonder the Prime Minister is looking so knackered. Sir Keir's slumbers, already fitful, must be prey to nightmares of a viridescent pumpkin with the jagged teeth of the Greens' leader, the self-styled Zack Polanski. What a pumped-up piece of work this Polanski is. Words geyser out of him, his sentences unhindered by self-doubt. The message is hard, bankrupting Left but it is couched in smooth metropolitanism. How fast he jabbers, flashing his Jaws gnashers, gesticulating like some randy Italian hypnotist while propounding economic theories about 'multiplier economics'. He claims spending alone can support an economy. Private landlords should be abolished. House building should be nationalised. Taxes should be higher and 'unearned income' (from investments such as shares or pension funds) is immoral. So says the sometime Lib Dem boob doctor who was born David Paulden but invented a new name for himself. In two short months he has changed the once-childlike Greens into a sort of Enver Hoxha reincarnation cult. His policies are as mad as his claims, back in his Harley Street days, that he could help women increase their breasts simply using the power of his enormous mind. And yet pollsters suggest he is winning converts. The message of Zack Polanski (pictured) is one of hard, bankrupting Left but it is couched in smooth metropolitanism, writes Quentin Letts At the last General Election the Green Party did well by disguising the extremity of its Left-wing intentions and courting the naive and prosperous. My home constituency, North Herefordshire, dumped its long-serving Conservative MP and elected a Green. She is pretty posh. Sings in the local choral society and is smiley enough, almost tweedy. Does bang on about Palestine a bit, mind you. In the Commons she talks more about Gaza than our nearby town of Bromyard. In July 2024 the local Tory vote dropped 31 per cent and the Greens rose by 34 per cent. Labour and the Lib Dems, in what seems to have been a secret pact, did as little as possible, Reform grabbed 8,000 votes and the Greens got in by almost 6,000. Some of our neighbours, caravanning retirees, voted for them. So did a titled nonagenarian I know, a Thatcherite with land in Scotland. The Greens put a vast chunk of their national budget into our seat. They flooded us with Boden catalogue-standard leaflets complete with handwritten designs. They talked about furry animals and the River Wye. Trusting souls fell for it and now we have an MP whose party is, basically, communist. The artist known as Zack Polanski is an astute communicator. He dresses for his starring role in the loose monochromes of an elite millennial, tufts of chest-hair visible at his open shirt collar. His voice is fluffed by a lisp. Acolytes think 'how adorable!', even if the rest of us imagine our ears must need a clean. So far the glib radicalism of this rampant egomaniac washes over his devoted disciples. 'This idea that we need to balance the books it just isn't true,' he claims. He scoffs at the idea financial markets might pull the plug on a government that tried that approach. He has little time for Nato and opposes nuclear deterrence. He doesn't think you can define a woman. And in the Marxist madrassas we used to call our great universities, the rich kids who once automatically voted Labour think 'Zack's the man for us'. I wonder, though, what my millionaire lady acquaintance now thinks. She has stopped mentioning that she voted Green. Modishly beardy, his hairline tight-mown, burly sorcerer Zack, 42, wobbles his head and bounces on his toes to project his impatience and, compared to constipated Keir, a certain youthful energy. His Greens have lurched far to the Left, evangelising for mass immigration, attacking Donald Trump and producing mystic-like pronouncements such as 'we don't need to tax and spend we need to spend and tax'. What the heck does that mean? Polanski (pictured) claimed in his Harley Street days that he could help women increase their breasts simply using the power of the mind 'Public services will generate the economy,' adds the great swami, right eyelid closing slightly, working its throbby power, spreading his unction. Yes, it's nonsense but in the trendier juice bars and matcha cafes, in Home Counties Ayurvedic wellness centres, in Islingtonian bong parlours, Guardianista yogis peer up from their hookahs, eyes smarting from too quick an infusion of the latest mind-altering Polly Toynbee column, and pronounce Zack 'the real thing, man'. All hail the new pied piper. This credulousness is creating panic among Labour MPs. They look at that opinion poll and fear they are doomed. They were told to focus their attacks on Nigel Farage's Reform. Now, as with France's Maginot Line of the 1930s, it seems their guns were pointing in the wrong direction. Labour is now losing more votes to the Greens than to naughty Nigel. About-turn! Ministers have suddenly started disowning Brexit because they think Greenies will approve. Hence, too, the open admission that the 'rich' (ie middle classes) will be clobbered in the coming Budget. Greens want higher taxes? 'We're the party to give you that,' cheeps Labour. Sir Keir's people have let it be known he will now attend the next Cop climate summit in distant Brazil, no matter what that might do to his carbon footprint. It's almost as if the Greens are already in a coalition government. The Morning Star, Britain's Communist daily, attributes the Greens' rise to hard Left-wingers becoming 'disillusioned with the abandonment of progressive politics by the Labour government'. Can't say I noticed that myself, but hey ho. Morning Star readers have also become 'demoralised' by squabbling between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in their still-unlaunched new Left-wing party. Has Mr Polanski really won new converts to the Left? Or is he simply being joined by existing Lefties giving up on Magic Grandpa and seeking a jazzier vehicle for their goals? Poll headlines about some national philosophical shift could well be a mirage. Polanski's Greens may simply be the latest embodiment of Corbynism. It is, nonetheless, creating political context for next month's Budget. The Labour Party is being sucked towards the Left-wing weir. Our weak Chancellor may be unable to withstand demands for higher spending and more class warfare. The short-term pain for earners, house owners and pensioners (those wickedly immoral people with their 'unearned income') could be horrible. Longer-term consequences could be sunnier. The more Labour moves Left, the less electable it will become. The Lib Dems, whose whole strategy was based on keeping a few inches to the Left of Labour, is in disarray. And this creates an opportunity for Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives. If Mrs Badenoch can keep her cool and continue her recent improvement in form, she may be back in business. Swing voters expect policies to be rooted in reason. Labour, the Greens and Lib Dems are zealous for Net Zero, higher taxes, fatter benefits and appeasing the EU. Even Mr Farage is reported to be on the verge of dropping Reform's low-tax, benefit-cuts position. That could leave the Conservatives as the only pro-Brexit, anti-Net Zero party proposing the smaller government that is essential for economic growth. Zack Polanski is a threat to Labour MPs. But he could be terrific for Kemi. The mother of a gap year student who vanished without trace ten years ago while on safari in Uganda says she believes her 'beautiful, gifted' daughter could still be alive - and blames local police for losing vital hours in the hunt for her. Dutch medical student Sophia Koetsier, from Amsterdam, disappeared during a visit to Murchison Falls National Park on October 28th 2015. The promising medic had been travelling with two fellow female Dutch students on what was supposed to be a reward safari adventure, after an internship at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala, Uganda's capital. The 21-year-old, who was diagnosed as bipolar, is thought to have been in the midst of a manic episode at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen heading to toilet facilities at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Student Center in Paraa, close to the banks of the Nile. Sophia's mother Marije Slijkerman, a Dutch Journalist, who was in Kampala visiting her daughter at the time of her disappearance, has dedicated the last decade trying to piece together just what happened to Sophia. She tells the Daily Mail not having answers has prolonged her torment, saying: 'Where a death is a full stop, a disappearance is a comma, and you dont know what comes after that comma, if anything.' She maintains she has been failed by investigators and their assumption that the student is likely to have lost her life to a wild animal has been dismissed by experts - no human remains or blood were ever found. Speaking to The Daily Mail, Marije says her family will never give up on the idea that they might see her again, adding: 'I believe in miracles'. Dutch medical student Sophia Koetsier, 21, from Amsterdam, hasn't been seen since she vanished during a visit to Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park in 2015; the fate of the promising medic has tormented her mother, Marije Slijkerman, since What has been extraordinarily difficult, she adds, is knowing a series of fundamental errors were made in the hours after the last sighting of Sophia, with the scene not closed off and vital witnesses not questioned. The first sign that Sophia's case was being mishandled came within 24 hours of her going missing. Marije, travelling from Kampala, was on the scene within 24 hours, when Sophia's water bottle, found five to six yards away from the river bank, was the only clue. However, other key items, including one of Sophia's boots, wallet and underwear, were later recovered at the same site but, crucially, not for another day. Marije says the bizarre time lapse first sparked her suspicions that the investigation had already gone awry. Marije, 68, says: 'This whole trail of items, spread out over about 40 metres along the river bank, was found very near where the bottle was found the previous day. The question is, why they weren't found together?' Sophia's mother says that one, single moment was an immediate red flag - raising suspicions that the student's personal items may have been 'placed' there later on. She explains: 'Rangers are trained to see things that the average person does not immediately see. The 24-hour gap between finding that bottle and the trail of items calls into question if these items were actually there, or placed there at a later time. 'Did the search party that found the bottle spend the rest of the day sleeping? This is one of the biggest question marks for us.' Sophia's mother Marije Slijkerman says her 'beautiful, gifted' daughter could still be alive - and blames local police for losing vital hours in the hunt for her Lost hours and days following Sophia's disappearance could have made all the difference to Sophia's case, her family maintain (Sophia pictured with local kids) Sophia's mother Marije, a Dutch Journalist, has questioned search efforts, saying personal items appeared 'placed' to create a pseudo 'scene of the crime' Marije and Sophia, in Kampala, at their last dinner together Her fears were further heightened when Marije was finally taken to what police unnervingly kept calling the 'scene of the crime' - an area of the river bank strewn with Sophia's things. It felt, reflects Marije, entirely staged, 'like a decoy' that had been set up. One day later, yet more of Sophia's belongings were found scattered along the river bank; her sunglasses, money, one of her boots and the two insoles of her boots. Part of her thin cotton trousers, ripped to shreds in bushes and scattered across tree branches were also 'found', very near where the water bottle was found the previous day. Her underwear, pulled over a branch, four to five metres high up in a tree, also mysteriously appeared. Again, there was no sign of blood on any of the garments and no indication there had been a struggle. Marije says: 'After hearing what they had found I immediately wanted to see it. At first they wouldn't take me there but several hours later, I was taken to the "scene of crime" as they kept calling it. 'From the very moment I stood at that riverbank and saw those items I felt that something was really amiss, it felt wrong, like a decoy. 'I photographed all the items. When showing the photos to people later I would always hear: "This is staged, this is a manipulated crime scene".' Marije also says she discovered there had been a less-than-urgent response after her daughter was first reported missing. A ranger on the scene at the time told her 'the response was not fast', saying when the water bottle was found, investigating officials mainly sat around to discuss what to do. 'Senior management of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the police did not arrive until Friday [a day later], which was the day I arrived. 'That whole initial investigation left a lot to be desired. They never made a list of all those present at the Student Center, for example.' Before her disappearance, Sophia had been travelling with two other Dutch medical students on what was supposed to be a safari adventure to conclude their internship at the Lubaga Hospital in Kampala, Uganda's capital city (The medical student pictured during her internship) Sophia enjoyed her time working at the Lubaga Hospital in Kampala (pictured with midwives that Sophia worked with in the maternity ward) When forensic police arrived - known locally as 'socos' (scene of crime officers)- three days after Sophia disappeared, they 'cordoned off the area, apparently unaware of, or ignoring, the fact that many people had been walking around there already, including myself.' Murchison Falls National Park is home to many dangerous wild animals, including crocodiles, hippos, lions, leopards and elephants, but attacks on humans are rare. When Marije raised the question that her daughter could have been harmed, not by a wild animal but by a human, her concerns were dismissed. She was told: 'Humans don't go there'. However, she tells the Daily Mail: 'This is disputable, I found out later. I have walked there a number of times now, you always find empty plastic water bottles and there is a ranger path which is maintained.' At the time of Sophia's disappearance, the UWA Student Center housed a number of UWA instructors and a large number of Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers participating in a training program. Just two kilometres north, there was a camp accommodating 400 Uganda Wildlife Authority trainees, which means Sophia and her friends were not isolated in the bush. The majority of those staying both in the camp and in the Student Center faced no scrutiny; some of them were never interviewed and their movements around the time of Sophia's disappearance remain unaccounted for. A DNA test by Independent Forensic Science Services (IFS) of Sophia's recovered personal items confirmed male DNA on the items, however, no match has been found. Sophia extended her trip to travel around the country she'd fallen in love with ahead of returning to Europe Last sighting: Sophia went to the restroom at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) student center on the evening of October 28th... and was never seen again Other holes in the investigation continued to emerge. Marije claims the search dogs initially used didn't have Sophia's scent. After her repeated insistence, they were eventually given her daughter's smell. She said: 'A Dutch dog trainer told me that indicated to him the dogs hadn't been trained for "scent and search", and would simply follow the freshest scent they smell. And there were a great deal of those.' With many overlapping scents and rain the night Sophia vanished, their path to the riverbank was likely unreliable. In the decade that has passed since she last held her daughter close, Marije has fought for closure, returning to Uganda 28 times, launching appeals and keeping pressure on both the Dutch and Ugandan authorities. One visit unearthed a crucial lead, when a retired army captain from the UPDF, claimed he and another colleague of his both interacted with Sophia on the night she disappeared. One of the officers, who has not been named, denied any contact with Sophia and was never questioned by authorities. Marije says: 'In the course of time, I have collected information myself and it turned out there were quite a lot of people at and near the location where Sophia was last seen.' She discovered that the two men had spoken to Sophia in the hours before she disappeared - but their accounts contradicted each other. The search goes on: Sophia's family have urged anyone with information about the student to visit the website they set up in her name, Findsophia.org 'Only one of these two men had been interviewed by the police. I came across the name of the other one in the first man's police statement and immediately felt it was important to talk to both of them. 'It took quite some time before I managed to find them. One had no problem speaking with me and appeared sincere and honest. 'The other one had never been approached by police and was quite reluctant to speak with me. However, I did manage to meet with him and was very surprised to hear that he contradicted the story of his then friend and colleague. 'I shared my findings with the police but do not have the impression it was thoroughly looked into.' What did the days before Sophia's disappearance look like? After her internship ended, she had wanted to explore more of Uganda with her two fellow interns and local tour guide, Michael Kijjambu, before her return home to The Netherlands. Sophia's last journal entry on October 22nd, read: 'I sincerely regret my stay here is over. All the people in the hospital are so sweet. I will really miss them and hope to be back one day. Who knows, as a doctor of tropical medicine?' After the internship, the three women went on a two week trip through Uganda - six days in, Sophia disappeared. The student had been diagnosed with bipolar as a teenager but had infrequent manic episodes and had never 'been held back' by her condition Two days after Sophia's disappearance a whole trail of items belonging to her were found along the river bank, including her hiking boot Search teams also found a number of torn pieces of textile, with Sophia's underwear discovered in a tree branch These pieces are part of a pair of trousers Sophia owns and likely was wearing when she disappeared. A colourful African bag was also found nearby, which was something Sophia had bought in a gift shop during her trip The red insole of one of her hiking boots was also discovered in shrubs along the river bank Shreds of Sophia's trousers were found tied around pieces of dead wood Marije revealed her daughter was in good spirits and very excited about this new adventure- but her mental health had deteriorated during the trip. She explained: 'That afternoon Sophia had called me, around 2.30pm. The connection was bad but she told me she was on a boat and very much enjoying the trip. She sounded calm and normal. I had no inkling of something being wrong.' By that evening, however, Sophia apparently started exhibiting behavioural changes, which her family think were linked to her bipolar diagnosis, which can lead to manic episodes. Marije explained: 'At 6.30pm I was called by one of her travel companions who told me Sophia was not well and they wanted to take her back to Kampala the next morning. 'The unusual behaviour the companion described made me understand Sophia was entering a manic episode. 'As I know my daughter to be very strong-willed, I told the companion not to tell Sophia they intended to abort the trip. She would not want that, she would "resist, argue with them, she may walk off", were my words. 'I then discussed with my Airbnb host how to get Sophia back to Kampala without getting suspicious. I tried to call the travel companion back but couldn't reach her. 'Finally, just after 9pm she called me [on October 28th] and told me Sophia had now been missing for some 2.5 hours. 'It felt like the floor underneath my feet disappeared. According to the itinerary Sophia had shared with me, they were supposed to be in a town... but they were in a National Park.' Authorities have suggested Sophia's 'mental problems' may have been responsible for her disappearance, something her mother finds difficult. A bipolar manic episode is a period of unusually elevated behaviour, according to the NHS. Symptoms include euphoria, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts and risk-taking behaviour. Marije says: 'It's all speculation of course but had Sophia not developed a manic episode, we do not believe this would have happened. She needed care which was not available. Marije revealed her daughter was in good spirits and very excited about this new adventure (Sophia pictured outside Lubaga hospital) 'I don't think she was off her medication but she took a small so-called 'maintenance dose. She was getting so many new experiences and impressions and not getting enough rest to digest all of this. 'Five days a week she needed to be up early to work in Lubaga Hospital, where lots of things that moved and affected her, were happening too. 'Rest is essential for Sophia, but where at home she has her own room in a quiet neighbourhood, in Uganda she lived with some 15 young people in a house. 'As she wrote in one of her weekly reports "it's fun to live in a student house but it's never quiet".' She says her daughter's condition, diagnosed when she was 16, had never set her back 'in school or study. And she always had a job too'. As the investigation progressed, police started giving weight to the possibility that Sophia might have taken her own life after they found out about her bipolar diagnosis. However, evidence in the case, has suggested her trousers could have been cut with a knife or scissors. Footprints were never found around the area she disappeared leading some to believe, whoever might have taken her covered their tracks. Marije believes her daughter's manic episode may have led her to wander off and possibly fall into the hands of someone holding her against her will. She said: 'We have experienced Sophia going through a manic episode a few times. They never last long, and she recovers quickly, but it is not always easy to deal with her in such an episode. 'She doesn't like it when people worry about her, tell her to slow down, take more medication, get rest. Manic people usually feel great. 'This can cause tension with the people close to her. Sophia then prefers the company of people who do not, or barely, know her and who will see her as this very energetic, fun person, who loves to party. 'We think it is possible she may have wondered off and encountered people who seemed ok but turned out not to be ok. What happened then we do not know.' Does she think she'll see her daughter again? 'If nothing is certain, everything is possible. To me it doesn't feel she's gone. I am the first to admit it's hard to say where maternal instinct ends and wishful thinking starts, or vice versa, but I have heard of mothers who instinctively felt their missing child was no longer alive, but I have never felt that'. 'Sophia is very strong, both physically and mentally. If she is alive and free to act, it's hard to understand why she wouldn't contact us. So, if alive, we don't think she's free.' Marije questioned why the tour guide took the three girls to the poorly secured UWA-run Student Center on the night before she went missing, despite knowing Sophia was unwell. She said: 'The travel companions had informed him they had to break off the trip and travel back to Kampala the next morning. The Student Center, owned and run by UWA, has no security, unfit for tourists and very cheap. 'The three girls had paid their guide a flat rate for the whole trip, including all accommodations. Only food and drink were excluded.' Months later, the family learned the guide had been advised the day before she disappeared not to continue traveling with Sophia, yet he made the decision to stay in an isolated, unsuitable location. In June, Sophia's tour guide Michael Kijjambu went on trial after been accused of working as an unlicensed tour operator at the time of Sophia's disappearance. However, he claimed those licenses were not required until shortly afterward Sophia's disappearance. There were suggestions during the trial that Michael may have been negligent and should not have taken Sophia into the park at all. Stephen Nyadru, a tourism officer stationed at Kidepo Valley National Park, took to the stand to say he warned Kijjambu to cancel the trip after Sophia was spotted acting erratically at the accommodation. In court, Nyadru said: 'I told him to take the girl to Lacor hospital in Gulu and then return to Kampala, he agreed and said he would sleep in Gulu.' He claimed Sophia broke park guidelines by playing loud music at the reception. Another park member claimed Sophia was banging on panels at 4am, according to Monitor. Kijjambu did take the girls to Gulu but he decided to continue the trip the following day, despite Sophia's condition worsening. Marije said: 'Months later, we found out that the tour guide had been advised not to travel further with Sophia, on Tuesday, the day before she disappeared. 'We then learned he had continued the trip but decided to spent the night in Gulu, the largest town in Northern Uganda. Initially the plan was to spend that night in a smaller town but 'Gulu was a more resourceful town' as he said. 'In light of that it is hard for us to understand why the next evening, when it was very clear Sophia was not ok, he took the three girls to the least resourceful place one can think of. Even though the travel companions had informed him they had to go back to Kampala the following morning.' However, last month the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court formally withdrew criminal proceedings against Kijjambu. Chief State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that she had received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to discontinue the matter. Ms Keko told Monitor: 'I have instructions from the DPP to have this matter withdrawn. 'I have a withdrawal form with me dated September 19, 2025, in respect of the accused person in court, Michael Kijjambu, and it is signed by the DPP Justice Jane Frances Abodo. I pray to tender it in.' Reflecting on ten years of searching for Sophia, Marije admitted it's becoming increasingly painful to return to Uganda, but she remains determined to uncover the truth about her daughter's disappearance. She explained: 'I often say I went there once because I wanted to, and now 28 times because I have to. 'It seems to get harder and harder to keep travelling to the country that took Sophia from us and won't reveal where she is. It's a difficult country, very hard to get things done. 'I have befriended a handful of people there who help where they can. They make those trips somewhat less difficult.' She reflects: 'Although we are aware that this mystery may never be solved it is very important that our Sophia is not forgotten. 'The more people in the know, the better it is. It also increases the chance that we may find answers one day, and most of all, have Sophia back so our lives can be normal again. Miracles do happen and I am a staunch believer in them. 'We are grateful to all those who keep helping and supporting us, in whichever shape or form. It means more to us than we can say.' The Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Uganda, Mr. Womanya, was called back from retirement to act as the Deputy team leader on a new investigation into Sophia's disappearance in April of 2022 but he was sidelined after several months. Speaking to The Daily Mail he revealed that investigators had made 'quick decisions initially that Sophia had drowned without looking at all the evidence.' He added: 'That's when we decided we had to reopen the investigation to find out what actually happened.' Mr. Womanya believes that if the case had been thoroughly investigated from the outset, it would have been easier to determine the circumstances surrounding Sophia's disappearance. He added: 'In such cases time factor plays a very important part especially getting fresh evidence from the witnesses. 'Otherwise three years down the road, some witnesses' memory was eroded and others could not be traced. Forensic evidence also was not easily retrieved.' When asked about his own theory regarding Sophia's disappearance, he said: 'From the pieces of evidence gathered so far, I believe she could have either drowned in the River Nile or pulled into the river and eaten by the crocodiles, whose habitat is close to where parts of her clothes were found.' However he admitted he can't explained how Sophia's underwear and shredded trousers ended up wrapped around bushes and high up in a tree. He said: 'In the absence of any other probable supposition of what could have happened, the close conclusion, though not with all certainty, revolves around the waters of River Nile. 'However as earlier investigations were done at the very time when she was reported missing, there is a possibility that there could have been a different finding. 'Remember after three years when the case was reopened, the river had expanded its boundaries and even the location where the pieces of clothes were found was no longer in place. 'All are possibilities in the absence of any other plausible explanation about how she disappeared.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the Uganda Wildlife Authority Communications Office and the Uganda Police Force Communications Office for comment. If you have any information about Sophia's disappearance please contact her family via Findsophia.org Kim Kardashian left fans fearing for her health after she revealed that she has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. The 45-year-old mother-of-four's latest health woe became public on Thursday when it was mentioned in the trailer for the seventh season of her family's Disney+ show The Kardashians. A brain aneurysm is a swelling in a blood vessel in the brain. They are relatively common, with around three per centroughly two million peoplein the UK living with an unruptured aneurysm. Most brain aneurysms are small and do not cause symptoms, meaning that many people who have them are not aware of itunless they undergo a brain scan for another condition. However, larger aneurysms may cause symptoms such as a headache, pain above or around the eyes, changes in vision, dizziness and balance problems, numbness or weakness on one side of the face, difficulty concentrating and memory problems. If you experience any of the above it is crucial to seek advice from your GP who can refer you to specialists for further tests and investigations. Aneurysms are diagnosed in hospitals using specialised imaging tests which allow doctors to get detailed images of the brain and blood vessels. These include CT, MRI or MRA scanswhich Kim is having in The Kardashians trailerand lastly a cerebral angiography. This is when dye is injected into the arteries to provide clear, detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the brain and highlight any aneurysm. In the clip, Kim implies that her aneurysm is the result of her stressful split from her ex-husband, rapper Kanye West, but doctors say there is very little evidence to suggest that stress alone can directly cause an aneurysm. However, stress can lead to high blood pressure, which raises the risk of developing one. Kim, 45, revealed that doctors had found a brain aneurysm as she blamed the medical condition on stress she endured during the tumultuous divorce from Kanye West, 48 The episode aired as Kim turned heads in London while celebrating her 45th birthday with an extremely A-list party crowd as she is seen with famed fashion designer John Galliano Whilst most aneurysms remain stable, around one in every 100 will ruptureoften without warningcausing a brain bleed known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a rare but life-threatening type of stroke. The main symptom is a sudden, severe headache that's sometimes described as a 'thunderclap headache'. The haemorrhage can happen at any time, but it may be more likely when a patient puts strain on their bodyeither by coughing, lifting something heavy or engaging in sexual intercourse. Each year, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people in the UK will suffer a ruptured aneurysm, with around half of these cases proving fatal. But, not everyone who has a brain aneurysm will need treatment, according to the NHS. This is because they often do not increase in size, and have a relatively low risk of bursting, especially if they're not causing symptoms. Low-risk aneurysms will be monitored by doctors for growth or abnormalities. Doctors will consider the location, size, shape and a patient's family history to determine whether they need treatment. The reality TV star confided in her sister Kourtney Kardashian, 46, that doctors found a 'little' aneurysm on her brain scan during an intro clip in episode one, titled 'Feels Like The Old Days' After getting her MRI, a weeping Kim was then shown speaking to someone on the phone in another scene, as she asked, 'Why the f**k is this happening?' Kim and Kanye were married from 2014 until 2022 and share daughters North, 12, Chicago, 7, and sons Saint, 9, and Psalm, 6 If there's a considerable risk of the aneurysm bursting, or if it has already ruptured, there are two main types of surgery doctors will likely consider: surgical clipping and endovascular surgery. Surgical clipping involves attaching a small metal clip to the affected blood vessel in the brain, to restrict blood flow to the aneurysm, whereas endovascular surgery involves inserting a small piece of wire mesh directly into the aneurysm to slow the flow of blood and encourage a blood clot to form. Whilst it is not always clear what causes brain aneurysms, there are a number of factors that can increase your chance of developing the swelling. These include smoking, high blood pressure, having a close relative who has had a brain aneurysm, trauma to the brain which damages a blood vessel, taking drugs like cocaine and having certain genetic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromea group of inherited conditions that affect connective tissue. Details about Kim's current condition remain unclear, with no indication as to whether she is experiencing any symptoms. But she has been open about her previously health battles, having long suffered with two autoimmune conditions. In 2022, she revealed that her 16 pound weight loss in order to fit into Marilyn Monroe's iconic gown at the Met Gala that year caused her body to have a psoriasis flare up that led to psoriatic arthritis. And in 2015, she spoke about suffering from placenta accreta, which occurs when the placentathe organ that provides the fetus with nutrientsattaches too deeply to the uterine wall, increasing the risk of heavy bleeding after birth. I'll be honest: I've slept with enough commitment-phobic men to know that a 10 out of 10 sexual performance does not guarantee a lasting relationship. Case in point, I once went on a wonderful weekend away in the Blue Mountains with a man who ravished me on a king-sized bed, took me to art galleries, confessed his deepest secrets, hopes and dreams, and even let me win at naked Jenga... ...and then he ghosted me a week later. Yeah. That sucked. So no, the purpose of this article isn't to convince you that one night of toe-curling passion will magically transform your emotionally unavailable situationship into a dreamy Hallmark movie protagonist. But there are little sexual tricks that can tip the scales in your favour. Every so often, something happens between the sheets that's so damn unforgettable that a man doesn't quite know what happened to him. All of a sudden, he's clearing his roster and texting his mother, 'I think I've found my future wife.' I like to call it 'Marry Me' sex - after that viral recipe 'Marry Me Chicken' that supposedly makes men want to propose after one bite... only this version involves a lot less thyme, and a lot more thigh. From experience, I can confirm that a special move can live rent-free in a man's head for years. An ex got back in touch with me only recently - after a few beers, I assume - to say he couldn't stop thinking about 'that thing' I used to do. 'A special move can live rent-free in a man's head for years,' writes columnist Jana Hocking It wasn't anything too groundbreaking, I should add. But it involved being on my knees and plenty of eye contact. Anyway, long story short, he was desperate to give things another go. Luckily I have a good memory, and that boy is no angel, so it was a no from me - but you get the gist. So this week, I asked my friends and followers if they had any 'Marry Me' sex moves in their repertoire that they swear by. And I was surprised to learn they don't always have to involve Olympic-level gymnastics... The six-word whisper During a fairly standard romp, my friend Sophie leaned in close and whispered, 'I want you to ruin me.' She swears her man's entire body stiffened. 'He looked at me like I'd just unlocked something in his brain,' she told me. He sent her flowers the next day and spent the next few months in a lust-fuelled trance. 'I still say it to him on occasions when he's taking too long and I need things to wind up,' Sophie added. It does the trick every time. 'He looked at me like I was unlocking something in his brain,' one woman told Jana The octopus clench One woman told me how, after making her situationship a five-star lasagne for dinner, they ended up in bed together. So far, so good. As things were heating up, she wrapped her legs around him like an octopus clinging on for dear life. 'I locked eyes, clamped down, and didn't move.' Yeah, that sounds a bit odd to me - but apparently her boyfriend was so rattled by the intensity that he upped his game and now they're engaged. I'm glad it worked out for her, but personally I think your mileage may vary with this one. Still, better to be an octopus than a starfish! The soapy A friend of mine stole this move from Reddit and swears by it. After sex and a good hour of fuzzy-wuzzy pillow talk, she fancied round two so hopped into the shower and casually asked if her fling wanted to join her. He followed like a puppy and was amazed when she started to wash his body from top to bottom, inspired by the famous 'soapland' bathhouses in Japan. As she was doing it, he said to her: 'Are you trying to wife me up?' A week later, he invited her to a party with all his friends and introduced her as his new girlfriend. Mission accomplished. The oldest trick in the book One of my Instagram followers suggested this and it immediately rang true. Why? Because no less than three of my closest friends say it worked for them too. Maintain eye contact during sex. That's it. No rehearsed dirty talk, and no elaborate position changes. Just eye contact when the girl is on top. Well, maybe interrupted by the odd orgasmic eye roll. 'It was just intense eye contact while slowly grinding on him,' is how one married woman described the night with her now-husband that changed everything. 'I could feel him trying to read my mind. It freaked him out in the best possible way.' A day later, he texted her: 'It felt like you looked into my soul.' Then he deleted Tinder. Result! The old switcheroo Another follower told me she was habitually submissive in the bedroom, thinking that was what all men wanted. That was until one night she was in bed with a guy she really liked. In a moment of passion, she got on top, grabbed his wrists and said, 'Tonight, you're mine.' He just blinked at her in complete disbelief. Then didn't stop texting her for weeks. And he still brings it up two years later. The backdoor bonus Alright, so you subscribed for this story expecting something really mucky, didn't you? Well, here it is... I specifically asked my male friends and readers about the 'marry me' sex move that made them spellbound by a woman. One particular act came up time and time again. Ladies, it's not for everyone - but please don't shoot the messenger here. Rimming. Men, it seems, lose their minds when a woman goes down on them and lets her tongue drift further south. One fella tells me he was 'shocked in a good way' the first time it happened to him. For weeks, he couldn't stop thinking about it. 'At first I was slightly insecure, like where the hell did she learn that?' he added. But he got over that and says the couple - now married - haven't looked back since. 'It felt both intimate and filthy in the best possible way.' Another man told me: 'As soon as a woman does that, there's no going back. It's that weird combination of being super dirty but also, like, 'I have to marry her.'' In summary... So, what have we learned from all this? When it comes to sex that leads to meaningful relationships, it's not witchcraft. And, generally speaking, it's less about what you do, and more about how you do it. Confidence, enthusiasm, a touch of surprise - that's what gets under a man's skin. Think back to a time when you did something in bed that left a man completely undone. Did he text you nonstop afterwards? Suddenly get sentimental? Say things like, 'You're not like the others,' or 'I've never felt that before'? Bingo. That was your 'Marry Me' move. If you don't have one yet, don't stress. Try the eye contact method, and if that doesn't work, there's always that tongue trick men seem to like. (Sorry!) I should start by saying Im allergic to dressing gowns. So unflattering. So cumbersome. So domestic. A hop, skip and a jump away from a velour housecoat, which itself is style suicide. There is nothing sexy about a dressing gown. If pushed I might consider a cashmere one, but, honestly, if I have a spare 500 its not going on that. Kimono style is OK. Ish. A bit art teacher-y for me. Fluffy cotton robes are acceptable in spas. Ditto waffle iterations. Fleece-y styles are not acceptable. Not even on children. Practically, they arent great, either. Cuffs get wet, fronts stained, belt ends dangle down the loo. I have plenty of friends who take off their bras as soon as they get home and slip into their comfies, which includes donning a robe. If this is you, Im not judging each to their own but Id rather sauna with Kim Jong Un. Such is my dislike, I couldnt stomach a partner who wore one. I googled David Gandy on his Wellwear brands website and even he doesnt model its dressing gowns. I can say, with authority, he looks pleasing in the T-shirt, though. So why am I here, looking delighted with myself, in Shleeps fleece robe? It was the sky-high price that caught my eye and I decided, in the interests of journalism, I needed to review whether it was worth the 1,045 being charged for it. I dare not eat anything in it in case of stains At more than 50 times the cost of Sainsburys version, its sold by the Queens favoured chemist, John Bell & Croyden (Boots but posher), which confusingly is in Marylebone and not South London. I asked Shleep founder Indi why it costs so much and she says its a combination of the highest-quality materials (merino wool from the finest Australian sheep plus silk) and the unique knitting and blending fabrication. Im a sucker for luxury and still maintain a perhaps misguided belief that a higher price means a better product. I was hoping the eye-watering cost would mean the robe was warm, flattering, chic and maybe wearable outside, mitigating the cost a bit. It arrives at the office and I unzip the garment bag with excitement. Im instantly a little disappointed. It isnt super-soft or luxurious-looking. Id originally thought it might be shearling, and somehow as light as a feather. But no. Its a fleecy-feeling fabric. My colleague Alice says it looks like its from Asda. I am annoyed it doesnt have belt loops. I cart it home on the train. Maybe its flattering, I muse. I try it on for my 18-year-old daughter my most vocal style critic. Shes not impressed and makes no attempt to purloin it, which I take as a bad sign. But as a vegetarian, she is appreciative its not animal skin. That evening I wear it to watch TV. I have to concede it is very, very warm. Which is useful as I live in a draughty cottage with a dismal energy performance rating. I dare not eat anything in it in case of stains. I consider buying a hazmat-style paper suit to wear over it to avoid such eventualities, but think it would have to come in Fijian rugby player size to fit over the bulk. I wear it in the kitchen to do the usual pre-bed tidy-up. Because the robe Im reviewing is cream and Im wary of getting baked-bean remnants on it, I roll the sleeves up to avoid disasters, but the thickness of the fabric restricts my movement. So, is there any way to justify the cost? The companys ethical and sustainable commitments seem legitimate. Plus, it is made from a natural material rather than petroleum the main element of supermarket fleeces. Next morning I wake up early and work on my laptop. Instead of pulling on my usual knit I reach for the robe. Its so warm I get too hot inconceivable for me. I take it to my boyfriends house and sit in his kitchen, which I call the tundra. I have to take it off. He looks relieved Im not complaining about the temperature, but his loins are definitely not stirring. I wont be making a purchase. But then I dont think Im the target market. That will be rich, skinny heiresses who live in draughty houses and have an aversion to chemicals not single mothers who have to deal with bin juice. Picture editor: Stephanie Belingard. Hair: John Katsikiotis. Make-up: Aimee Adams We have been married for 10 years and my husband has for the majority of our time together had problems with premature ejaculation and maintaining an erection. I have never really commented on it until recently, but he has now agreed to see someone about his problems, but he is doubtful that there is anything to be done. (He's 32 by the way). Is there help out there? Should we see a doctor or a sex therapist? We live in France so addresses of help in the UK won't help. Think facelifts and we flash back to Joan Rivers wind-tunnel look or Jocelyn Wildensteins apparently melted visage. But cast aside such nightmarish visions new techniques enable those willing to suffer the physical and financial pain of surgery to defy time and still look (somewhat) natural. This summer, Kris Jenners facelift blew up the internet (and threatened to upstage the bride at the Bezos wedding). Her much-discussed work wiped several decades off her face, making the reality TV star look closer to her daughters age than her own. At 69, Jenner is the standard age for surgery. Not so Lindsay Lohan. For months, debate has raged about whether the actress has had a facelift, consuming more airtime than many a humanitarian crisis. Lohan is 39. Emma Stone, another subject of endless has-she-or-hasnt-she discussion, is 36. Meghan Markle is now the latest star to be the topic of facelift speculation. Shes 44. A facelift so young? Previously it would have been unthinkable that women in that age bracket would even consider one but let me introduce you to the phenomenon of the Forever 35 Face. Its a trend The Cut recently reported on, detailing a subset of clients wanting to freeze time by having surgery before the age of 40. Dr Yannis Alexandrides, a London-based plastic surgeon (and former trauma surgeon) who counts Hollywood actors among his clients, is one of the elite band of medics capable of creating a forever young face. Triple board certified, he trained in Athens, Philadelphia and Miami and now travels the globe teaching surgeons his advanced techniques. Alexandrides also trained alongside Jenners surgeon Dr Steven Levine and says, Around 30 per cent of the patients I see now are between 35 and 45. Where once facelifts were performed solely on people in their late 50s, 60s or 70s, when a lot of ageing signs have taken place, now patients are coming to me younger, and want to avoid ever looking older. Instead of the more dramatic results he gets for his more mature clients, these patients want subtle changes that mean people dont know theyve had work done. Results are better, he says, because at that age people have better skin quality. Of the younger Hollywood actresses he has worked on he adds, You shouldnt be able to see them on the street and say, Oh, this persons had a facelift, but when you see a before and after itll be obvious that, where the neck used to be saggy, its now nice and tight. And where there was once a hollowed-out appearance under the eye it now looks healthy and youthful. The adage If you can spot a facelift its not a good one applies here. Dr Alexandrides says, If they want to stay on that very youthful level, they might need some kind of surgery at a later stage, but theyll never need a big facelift again. AGE 39 Lindsay Lohans appearance has sparked speculation Thanks to celebrities such as Jenner owning up to their facelifts along with the media obsession over who has had what high-profile surgeons have become the medical worlds rock stars, as famous as their patients. Dr Andrew Jacono (who did Marc Jacobs refresh) has more than half a million followers on Instagram, and I predict a Netflix documentary about their gang: the clients, the god complexes and the squabbling over who invented what technique. The top-tier surgeons, mainly based in Los Angeles, New York and London, train together (often operating on cadavers for practice) and attend the same conferences. This keeps them at the top of their game, and it means they share the same aesthetic and techniques. Thats good for maintaining standards but it does mean their clients, who want to look the same age and request the same technique, often emerge from the clinic VIP exit looking eerily similar. But celebrities arent alone in having facelifts. The number of people opting for the procedure in the UK surged by 97 per cent in 2022 and saw an eight per cent increase in 2024*. The celebrity effect Its back to stars and their influence. Once upon a time, before social media and, if you recall such ancient history, the internet a celebritys image would largely be formed from pictures taken on photoshoots and the red carpet, along with the occasional paparazzo shot. From my time as a stylist on a glossy magazine, I can tell you there were (and still are) whole teams dedicated to getting the most flattering result for the talent. The red carpet and the paparazzi shots were less controllable, but even then the public would only see a still image and, with hair, make-up and styling, it could be managed effectively to minimise anything unfavourable. AGE 70 Donatella Versace earlier this month Now every phone has video capability and every person on the street can catch a million angles of an A-lister, which can then travel the world in seconds. Dr Alexandrides says this level of social-media scrutiny is the reason many famous faces come to see him. And where celebrities go, we follow. Facelifts today are also better. A lot better. And thats mostly to do with improvements in technique. Where the facelift began Although subject to some dispute, its believed the first rhytidectomy, to give it its medical term, was performed in 1916 by surgeon Erich Lexer. He made an incision around his patients ears, pulled the skin upward, trimmed the excess and then sewed it back together. This created smoother, tauter skin, but also the less-than-desirable wind-tunnel look. Lexers method persisted until the 1970s, and the invention of the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) technique, enabling surgeons to cut deeper, lifting and tightening the muscles, too. Then, in the 1990s, came the deep plane facelift, which went further still, going under the SMAS layer and, says Dr Alexandrides, releasing the ligaments that connect the skin to the muscle and the fascia underneath, thus giving the surgeon the power to lift everything up, especially around the mid-face. A deep plane requires a high skill level, a longer recovery time and comes with a heftier price tag. You really are a fraction of a millimetre away from the nerves that make the face move, says Dr Alexandrides. The real innovation is that now many surgeons use deep plane and SMAS techniques simultaneously or alternate depending on client needs. One isnt better than the other. Kris Jenners surgery was done using mainly SMAS and US actress Ricki Lake has confirmed that her facelift was deep plane. AGE 69 Kris Jenner has confirmed she had a facelift this summer As for other areas of improvement, Dr Alexandrides says, We have progressed in how to hide scars from facelifts, and vastly improved post-operative treatment. Surgeons now offer add-ons that help healing, as this maximises results: lymph drainage massages, ultrasound, hyperbaric chambers, LED lights (which may or may not promote skin rejuvenation) all costing extra, obviously. Meanwhile, weight-loss medications are fuelling the facelift trade, too. These drugs seem to have an adverse effect on the skin, certainly in the medium to short term, says Dr Alexandrides. People are seeing a loss of volume, leading to sagging and excess skin. The filler backlash Another reason facelifts are becoming so popular is the move away from fillers. Dr Alexandrides says many patients are seeing complications lumps or migration so have come back to surgery. Now, at 51, after a decade or so of trying to hold back time with a whole range of tweakments, Im wondering if a facelift is for me. As my Instagram is now embarrassingly full of before-and-after pics of facelifts, I decide to investigate the reality. First, price: the NHS reports the UK cost to be around 10,000. Ive found some for as little as 5,000 while Dr Alexandrides deep-plane facelifts start at 25,000 and his full-face rejuvenation costs from 50,000. Jenners facelift with Dr Levine was reported to have cost well north of $100,000. Comedian Katherine Ryan, who had a consult with him, says he now charges $240,000. The Times has recently reported that some US surgeons are now charging an eye-watering $700,000. Can these prices ever be justified? Dr Alexandrides says that, to operate at his elite level, he must constantly practise and perfect ever-evolving specialist techniques. He is also often dealing with patients whose faces are their careers and managing that responsibility. AGE 36 Emma Stone at the Venice Film Festival in August Am I now too old for a facelift? He says Im not and he has recently operated on someone who is 84. But how long will it last? Most surgeons agree that it should be between eight and ten years, but Dr Alexandrides says its more nuanced than that. Everyone ages in a different way. I can turn back the clock ten or 15 years, but it doesnt stop ticking. Have the fillers and the heat treatments Ive undergone made surgery impossible? Dr Alexandrides is reassuring, saying that most people he sees have had some kind of cosmetic intervention. But if youve had multiple heat treatments, he adds, it makes his work harder as they generate scar tissue: think slicing cooked chicken rather than raw. Recovery time? Dr Alexandrides thinks youd be back to most activities in a week. But people I know whove had this procedure say it often takes much longer. However accessible its made to seem, surgery is a big deal. I tell him its the lower part of my face Im bothered by; specifically the jawline. Its saggy. He peers at me through the screen and tells me about the Y Facelift his invention which focuses on the lower half of the face, involves a much shorter recovery time and costs significantly less. I look it up and it costs from 15,000. Suddenly that sounds like a bargain. Dr Yannis Alexandrides is the founder of 111 Harley St (111harleystreet.com). *according to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Three fashion experts tell Daily Mail about the mistakes many make with tights Tights can be both a blessing and a curse. Dress them right and you'll look 20 years younger and your legs will seem to go on for days. But style them the wrong way, and they risk looking frumpy, adding unnecessary bulk and exaggerating the lumps and bumps that we're all seeking desperately to hide. As the weather begins to grow colder in the UK, the last thing anybody wants is to feel overly bundled up when putting together an appropriate wardrobe. Luckily, there are some simple tips and tricks to ensure that your nylons cling like a second skin for an instant youthful upgrade to anti-age your look - as seen on the likes of Kate Moss, Hailey Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter. For example, wearing thick tights with white clothing or the wrong shade of nude stockings can instantly add years to an outfit unnecessarily, according to style experts. And when done right, the perfect pair can help you be both toasty and stylish - all while achieving a slimming, tucking-in effect. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Oriona Robb, a celebrity stylist, said that even a simple mistake, such as choosing high-denier pantyhose for an ensemble, can make people look older than they are. She said: 'Opaque tights tend to add weight to the leg and can instantly age an outfit. Thick [stockings] will always have their place in colder climates, but stylistically, they are being used less in fashion-forward settings. Kate Moss, 51, is a fan of sheer Parisian-style stockings and is pictured wearing them with her ensemble outside Dior Homme, during the Paris Fashion week in January Sabrina Carpenter, 26, opts for shiny, glittery nude pantyhose while she is onstage to ensure her legs appear seamless under the stoplight (pictured in February) 'Right now, there is a strong emphasis on minimal silhouettes and sleeker styling, and bulky tights can work against that. 'The move towards bare legs or very sheer tights is about elongating the line of the body and creating a fresher, more contemporary silhouette.' Sophie McGown, a fashion expert and designer told the Daily Mail: 'Tights, worn the right way can completely change your look, but as much as they are practical, they shouldn't be a last-minute throw on - think of them as a styling tool.' Oriona said people are often wearing these stockings functionally, often layered under long skirts or boots rather than as a statement piece. But while opaque hosiery has been given the boot this season by fashion stylists, more sheer tights should also be approached with an attitude of caution. 'They highlight every contour and texture on the leg, often exaggerating things most people would rather smooth over,' Oriona said. If pantyhose doesn't match your skin tone, it may end up looking 'too pink, too orange or too pale', instead of seamlessly blending in as required. Large-scale patterned stockings can also look dated, especially if they are worn with formal or tailored pieces. Oriona added: 'They can make the outfit feel less fresh and more costume-like.' Hailey Bieber is a huge fan of low-denier hosiery and will pair it with oversized blazers and heels (pictured in 2024) HOW TO AVOID YOUR TIGHTS AGEING YOU, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS Make sure the denier (thickness) isn't too high Shiny tights may exaggerate imperfections Nude tights should correctly match your skin tone Patterned tights risk looking dated or clashing with the outfit Make sure you have the right size: if they sag at the ankles, they're too big Test the tights in natural lighting before buying Harsh colours may give a vintage feel, but trying a softer tone may elevate the look Sheer or French-style tights can blur imperfections and make you seem taller Think about the shoes - contemporary designs will work wonders Consider your overall look - maybe add different textures or a shorter skirt Advertisement Sophie agreed, adding that tights adorned with motifs should be the only statement piece in the ensemble. 'The key is to keep the rest of your outfit simple, so the tights dont clash or compete with what else you're wearing, otherwise it could look busy or dated,' she said. Oriona says that making mistakes with colour-matching can also add years to your appearance. 'Black tights with a light shoe or the wrong flesh tone in "nude" tights can instantly cut the leg line and look unflattering,' she said. Another simple blunder that can age an outfit is buying hosiery in the wrong size, especially when they sag around the ankles and knees. The expert said it can create bulges which will always 'instantly cheapen the look', whereas not investing in your pantyhose may lead to more snagging and laddering that can make an 'expensive clothes look tired'. Angela Kyte, a luxury stylist, said that you should always test tights in natural lighting, if you can, before pulling off the tag and committing to them. 'Store lighting can be deceptive,' she said. 'Never underestimate the importance of quality, fresh, well-cared-for tights instantly read as youthful and polished, while worn or snagged ones can age you in seconds.' She said that tights in harsh colours can also make your overall look appear more vintage than intended. 'Neon colours, overly bright primary shades, or hues that clash with the skin tone can look more like a throwback than a modern fashion statement,' Angela said. 'The key is restraint: when the rest of the look is sleek and pared back, coloured tights can be the one pop of fun that feels fresh rather than dated.' However, the right stockings will elevate your ensemble, making it go from drab to fab within seconds of styling. Fashion expert and designer Sophie McGown said those who suffer from varicose veins or want more coverage should go for patterned sheer tights One of the trends predicted for this autumn and winter season is brown tights, as seen on Kendall Jenner in 2018 'French chic' sheer tights can help elongate the body, making you appear taller, therefore giving you that desired catwalk look, according to Sophie. She said: 'This style is timeless. Ultra-thin tights contour your legs and blur over bumps, bruises or veins while still allowing your natural skin to show through. 'They make your legs look smooth and almost polished, like a non-surgical fashion treatment. If you suffer from varicose veins or want more coverage, patterned sheers are an excellent choice.' She added that those who feel 'extra brave' could try coloured hosiery, with burgundy being one of the voguish winter shades. Angela said that it is important to style more transparent tights with 'contemporary shoe straps', such as sharp pointed flats, minimal ankle boots or strappy mules. She said: 'Mixing textures also works wonders: a structured wool coat or leather jacket paired with delicate sheers adds balance and edge. 'Playing with proportion is another trick: a shorter hemline or a skirt with a front slit allows sheer tights to be seen in a way that feels fresh and youthful rather than overly traditional. Accessories also matter; modern, minimal pieces stop the outfit from feeling fussy.' Oriona said sheer hosiery tends to look good when paired with a shorter skirt. She added: 'They have the ability to elongate and freshen up the silhouette, lending a more youthful, delicate quality to the look.' It's no secret that celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner are partial to wearing translucent stockings to help them achieve an elegant, Parisian appearance - even in winter. Style icon Alexa Chung opted for white lacy stockings while attedning Paris Fashion Week in March for Valentino Womenswear Style expert Sophie says celebrities will often layer two sets of different tights on top of each other to achieve a seamless look. Above: Chappell Roan wearing fishnets while performing at Leeds Festival in August Pop stars such as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter are also known for wearing shiny pantyhose while onstage, to help smooth the legs and give them a seamless look under the spotlights. But how are they able to achieve such a perfect, contemporary outfit almost every single time? Sophie says they will often layer two sets of different tights on top of each other. 'For example, wearing a pair of nude sheers under fishnets can give a smoother, glossier look and add comfort too,' she said. 'A lot also rely on brands like Calzedonia because theyre affordable but good quality, and they offer a wide variety of styles.' The brand, which has dubbed itself 'the tight's expert', has many different styles, some of which cost upwards of 25. Angela said that A-listers tend to be incredibly strategic with their stockings, adding: 'Many will wear sheer nude tights paired with nude heels to create the illusion of endlessly long legs, especially under the bright lights of red carpets. 'Seamless-toe hosiery is a favourite for anyone wearing strappy sandals or open-toe shoes, because visible seams can break the illusion of polish. 'Some also opt for control-top tights to smooth the waist and hips, ensuring their silhouette looks flawless on camera. A lesser-known trick is double-layering ultra-sheer pantyhose to create both durability and a smoother finish without looking heavy.' 1 Wake up at the same time every morning Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Are you fastidious about tucking yourself up at 10.30pm every night, but play fast and loose when it comes to waking up? You might want to switch that around. To maintain a healthy circadian rhythm its more important to have a fixed rise time (at least during the working week) than a fixed bedtime, says Professor Kevin Morgan, director of the Clinical Sleep Research Unit at Loughborough University. Lie-ins at the weekend are OK but, he says, dont overdo it and spend so long in bed that you are out of sync. 2 Start with a stretch Osteopath James Davies who keeps Joe Wicks and David Beckham in shape says gentle tai chi movements are the best way to begin your day. I started doing this after a trip to Thailand in 2011, and it has stayed with me ever since, he says. Try shifting your weight from side to side while sweeping your arms softly across your body; spinal twists (where you stand tall and gently rotate your upper body, letting the arms swing freely across your torso); and moving your arms with your breath, rising overhead as you inhale and lowering as you exhale. This type of dynamic stretching will wake the body gently while calming the mind, says Davies. 3 Try mini cold water therapy Weve all heard the wild-swimming crew waxing lyrical about the benefits of cold water, but if dunking yourself in a river every morning or even enduring a cold shower are out of the question, you could always try a micro version instead. Splash your face and neck with cold water first thing to offset the ill-effects of excess cortisol [the stress hormone that can trigger increased oil production], says nutrition therapist Ian Marber. Correspondingly, there has been lots of debate on social media recently about whether you actually need to wash your face in the morning, with some saying you will strip away essential lipids from the skin if you do. Consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk says, I recommend washing your face, especially for acne-prone skin, to remove grease and dead skin cells that may have accumulated overnight. Just stick to a mild, non-stripping cleanser to preserve the skin barrier. YOU beauty editor Rosie Green says, Follow with serum I keep mine in the fridge to pack an extra cooling punch. 4 Dont banish the coffee Caffeine has got a bad name for itself and if you believe Gen Z we should all religiously be sipping 5 matcha lattes instead but coffee has its benefits. It tastes delicious, gives an energy kick and is a surprisingly good source of polyphenols [antioxidants] and fibre to support gut health, says Dr Kluk. Professor Morgan describes coffee as a hedonic morning ritual, which perhaps independently of its wakening biochemical effects helps us to prepare mentally for the day. Make ours a black Americano. 5 Get sweaty between six and nine Jack McNamara, a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of East London, calls this time slot the sweet spot for exercise, aligning with your bodys natural cortisol awakening response. Morning cardio offers exceptional benefits: research shows it enhances fat burn by up to 20 per cent when completed before breakfast, and it is effective for improving metabolic health markers. It also provides an all-day cognitive boost; studies show improved memory and decision-making for up to eight hours post-workout. However, its OK to give yourself a little caffeine-fuelled breather before dashing out of the door. Light activities such as yoga work brilliantly immediately upon waking, while more intense sessions benefit from a 20 to 30 minute pause after coffee for that performance boost, says McNamara. He suggests aiming for a 30- to 45-minute workout because this duration optimises benefits while remaining sustainable. To help motivation, lay out your workout kit the night before. 6 Take your supplements with breakfast The best time to take supplements is with food unless otherwise directed, says Marber (iron supplements, for example, are best taken on an empty stomach alongside vitamin C or a drink). Some nutrients are fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K so the presence of food enhances their absorption. I prefer to take mine with breakfast so its done for the day, with the exception of magnesium, which I have an hour or so before sleep as it can promote relaxation. 7 Combine food groups at breakfast If you normally eat just one food type at breakfast probably a carbohydrate-heavy cereal then youre not setting yourself up for the day in the best way possible. A combination of fibre and protein in the morning results in a slow and steady supply of energy, says Marber. That might be eggs with granary toast, sliced salmon with avocado and oat cakes, or Greek yogurt with unsalted nuts and berries. 8 Embrace seeds and powders Having a seed mix you can pop on top of your breakfast of choice every day is a good way to boost gut diversity. Or try Marbers alternative: I like to sprinkle a little matcha powder on my yogurt and berries as it offers an amino acid called l-theanine and an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG], which together can enhance alpha-wave activity in the brain more than regular coffee or green tea. 9 Apply a vitamin C serum Overwhelmed with skincare options? Prioritise vitamin C, says consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. Vitamin C is a well- researched antioxidant that helps protect the skin from pollution, UV and environmental stressors, she says. It also supports collagen production and can brighten the complexion over time. Rosie Greens favourite is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum, 165 (skinceuticals.co.uk). It's he secret beauty ingredient she's used for over a decade that's made her skin look like this at 50. Or try Modern Chemistry Vitamin C Serum With Ferulic Acid, 13 (boots.com) You can read more about the best vitamin C serums in our tried and tested guide. 10 Consciously avoid the morning rush Its almost inevitable that mornings happen at high speed particularly if youre trying to get to work or the kids to school but trying to slow down for at least part of your routine will help set you up for the day. I consciously slow the pace when brushing my teeth, washing my face and showering if I notice myself rushing, says Dr Kluk. Starting the day at full speed fuels cortisol production, which makes everything on your to-do list feel more overwhelming. A gentler pace helps keep your nervous system calm. 11 Ditch the sunnies Even if youre not in the mood for a morning run or gym session, getting outside in any form early in the day will do a wealth of good. There is growing evidence that early exposure to natural daylight supports circadian rhythm, which plays a role in skin repair, hormonal regulation and even barrier function, says Dr Mahto. If possible, try to get ten to 15 minutes of morning light without sunglasses it is a small but impactful habit. The most health-boosting outings involve natural environments such as a park or common. Tom Court, a forest bathing practitioner who runs Forest Retreats, says, Try to work through your senses one by one, listening to and smelling the natural things around you, not just looking at them. Its an easy way to achieve mindfulness and calm your brain for the day ahead. 12 Never skip SPF Think you dont need to bother with sunscreen in autumn and winter? Think again. UV rays are present all year, regardless of the weather, says Dr Mahto. Daily sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to prevent premature ageing and pigmentation. I recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher with a strong UVA rating. This should go on after moisturiser and before any make-up. Read more: 9 of the best face sunscreens for all skin types - including new anti-ageing spfs, tested by beauty experts When Kiri noticed a tiny lump on her neck, a doctor told her to 'stress less' and assured her there was 'nothing to worry about' - but deep down, she knew something wasn't right. Trusting her doctor's words, the 25-year-old ignored the hard lump at the front of her neck for nine months - until she finally got it checked after experiencing extreme fatigue, dizziness, brain fog and difficulty swallowing food. 'I was constantly at the doctors. I kept being told that I was fine but there were always little things going on that I knew were not right,' Kiri, from NSW, told Daily Mail. 'I didn't really look after myself so I just believed the doctors when they said I was fine and needed to take care of myself better and stress less.' Despite voicing her concerns earlier this year, the doctor once again dismissed her symptoms - but still referred her for an ultrasound 'just in case'. At just 25, Kiri's world came crashing down when she was told she had thyroid cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes and the fatty tissue around her neck. According to the Cancer Council, thyroid cancer develops slowly without obvious signs or symptoms. The average age of diagnosis is 53 years old. 'I wish I hadn't left it so long before getting checked and I wished I would have pushed the doctors for more answers and further testing,' she said. When Kiri noticed a tiny lump on her neck, a doctor told her to 'stress less' and assured her there was 'nothing to worry about' - but deep down, she knew something wasn't right 'When she told me it was nothing to worry about, I felt off but I just left it. If I had of pushed for more answers back then, maybe it wouldn't have spread.' Before her devastating diagnosis, the young woman was living a 'very simple' life working as a dog trainer in Wollongong. She spent much of her time with her beloved assistance cavoodle Kali, and the pair often went on adventures together. In May 2024, she first noticed a small, unusual lump on her neck that wasn't visible to the eye - but when her doctors seemed unfazed, she carried on with her life. 'The doctor brushed me off and said it was nothing,' Kiri said. However, she soon began experiencing symptoms that only got worse. 'I was extremely fatigued to the point I struggled to do much, I was getting dizzy all the time, my brain fog was terrible and I had developed a lump that made it quite difficult to swallow,' she explained. 'I was told by my doctor that most of the time you can't feel the lump because it can be behind the thyroid gland so people shouldn't just look out for a lump. 'I ignored my lump for about a year until I finally decided to just go get it checked out and see what it was.' At just 25, Kiri's world came crashing down when she was told she had thyroid cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes and the fatty tissue around her neck (pictured in hospital after getting her thyroid and lymph nodes removed) As a precaution, she got an ultrasound before being sent for an urgent biopsy a week later. Just two weeks later, she underwent surgery to remove a part of her thyroid and lymph nodes She visited a doctor in February this year when her lump had grown to the size of a 10 to 20 cent silver coin. As a precaution, she got an ultrasound before being sent for an urgent biopsy a week later. Just two weeks later, she underwent surgery to remove a part of her thyroid and lymph nodes. 'The ultrasound and biopsy suspected cancer,' she explained. Following her surgery, she was diagnosed in April with stage one papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common form of thyroid cancer. In her case, Kiri said things could have been worse if she had waited any longer. 'I was diagnosed with stage one based off the size of the lump. It would have been stage two given the features of the cancer - however the lump was small,' she said. 'My cancer was very small and it spread, if I had of left it who knows what could have happened.' Scary time When she finally received her official diagnosis, the cancer had already reached her lymph nodes and the surrounding fatty tissue in her neck. 'It was scary,' Kiri said. 'I didn't know much about the thyroid... People just kept telling me it was "the good cancer", which made me confused because no cancer is good. 'I was worried about what was going to happen.' In May 2024, she first noticed a small, unusual lump on her neck that wasn't visible to the eye - but when her doctors seemed unfazed, she carried on with her life She underwent her second surgery, during which the rest of her thyroid removed. 'However there were complications and a vocal chord was paralysed,' she said, adding that she fortunately regained her voice six weeks after the procedure. On top of her cancer, Kiri was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Challenges One of the biggest challenges she's faced has been her body struggling to adjust to living without a thyroid. 'I'm still extremely tired, my hair is falling out, weight gain and my mental health, especially from Hashimoto's,' Kiri said. 'A lot of people don't understand that your thyroid is your control centre so I'm not going to be able to function like people with a thyroid until I balance out, get my medication right and learn what foods do and don't agree with my body.' Her parathyroid was damaged during the major surgery so she still has to take calcium supplements. The parathyroid is a small gland next to the thyroid that releases a hormone to control calcium levels in the body. She's now bracing for a round of radiation in the hope it will destroy any remaining cancer cells. Before her devastating diagnosis, the young woman was living a 'very simple' life working as a dog trainer in Wollongong. She spent much of her time with her beloved assistance cavoodle Kali, and the pair often went on adventures together On top of her cancer, Kiri was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland Thyroid cancer signs and symptoms There are often no obvious signs of thyroid cancer, however you may have one or more of the following symptoms: a lump in the neck or throat that may get bigger over time difficulty breathing or swallowing swollen lymph glands in the neck a hoarse voice You should talk to your GP if you have any of these symptoms, as often thyroid cancer develops slowly, without obvious signs or symptoms. Source: Cancer Council Advertisement 'Now I'm getting a radioactive tablet that I will stay in isolation for a few days before getting a scan to see if the cancer is still there or spread,' she explained. 'I'm hopeful at the end of the road now thankfully, it's been a long year of constant appointments, blood tests and surgeries. 'But I have a round of radiation and hopefully I'll be told I'm cancer free. After that, it's just check ups every few months from there.' Warning signs She hopes her experience can encourage everyone to watch for the warning signs of thyroid cancer, no matter their age. 'If you feel tired or something doesn't feel right, push the doctors for tests and don't let them dismiss you,' Kiri said. 'My thyroid levels on my bloods came back normal. I was just lucky enough to have a specialist that did a full thyroid panel and didn't dismiss me. 'A lot of the symptoms you feel when you're stressed or run down could be signs of an autoimmune condition so don't let them just tell you it's 'anxiety' - it's better to be safe than leaving it to get worse. 'And if you feel a lump in your throat, don't leave it.' She hopes her experience can encourage everyone to watch for the signs of thyroid cancer For anyone going through cancer, Kiri said: 'Try to connect with others going through the same and support each other - that's what really helped me' When she was diagnosed, Kiri said she felt 'left in the dark' because she didn't know anyone going through what she was experiencing. She began documenting her journey on social media in the hope of connecting with others facing a similar situation. 'When I started going through this, I felt so alone and lost,' she said. 'I was searching and searching for someone I could to relate to or even find out what to expect because the anxiety of not knowing what's coming is scary. 'I have learnt through all of this and speaking to others that are going through the same is that they are dismissed constantly by doctors being told they are stressed or the lump is probably nothing because they are too young. 'We need to start advocating for our health more and not just take a doctor's word of dismissal when we know something isn't right.' For anyone going through cancer, Kiri said: 'Try to connect with others going through the same and support each other - that's what really helped me. 'Another big thing for me was to avoid a negative mindset. If I was negative about my situation I'd feel even worse - sick, tired and depressed. 'I started to adopt a positive mindset like, "Yes, I have cancer but I have amazing doctors and I can get through this", and it's really helped me get through this.' WHAT'S THE STORY? Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Monosodium glutamate MSG to you and me has long been blamed for a range of nasty health issues like headaches, dizziness, palpitations, arm numbness and flushing. It stemmed from a hoax letter published in 1968 in the New England Journal of Medicine, where the term Chinese Restaurant Syndrome was coined, blaming the MSG commonly used in Chinese restaurants. The fake letter was written by a doctor named Howard Steel under the pseudonym Robert Ho Man Kwok, apparently as a joke, though he was lambasted for racism and the repercussions on the Chinese community when he confessed decades later. Despite there being no basis for the claims, it triggered mass hysteria. Extensive studies in the decades since have proved MSG as safe for consumption, with both the UK and US permitting its usage. Its definitely not bad for you. In fact, MSG has about one third of the sodium content of salt, making it preferable for those with high blood pressure. WHAT'S THE SCIENCE? MSG is the sodium salt (a chemical compound) of glutamic acid (an amino acid) that occurs naturally in a wide range of foods, such as mushrooms, parmesan, tomatoes and soy sauce. Its even in breast milk, so its not some scary manufactured chemical, as you may have assumed. Its made by fermenting plant-based ingredients in the same way as yogurt or kombucha, rather than by an artificial process. WHAT'S THE POINT? MSG boosts savoury flavour and has a third of the sodium content of salt, so it has less impact on heart health. A myriad of chefs are fans: the late Anthony Bourdain famously said, I like MSG, Heston Blumenthal claims it is an important element of taste and, as The New Yorkers food writer Helen Rosner argues, Sometimes you want something to taste like itself, only transcendently better. For that, nothing but MSG will do. WHAT'S THE TRUTH? These seasoning pots are crystallised from fermented sugar beets, and a sprinkle gives a savoury umami flavour to your dishes without you having to worry about your next blood-pressure test. Just like salt it contains virtually no calories, and you use it in a similar way, though its more a fine powder than granulated like table salt. OUR RATING Rating: Increasing financial literacy rates among Britons is the key to boosting the UK economy, research claims. An improvement in financial education rates of 10 percentage points could generate a 0.3 percentage point increase in the rate of GDP growth, after a four-year period, according to research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Principal Financial Group. This means if the UK were to reach a financial literacy rate of 50 per cent by the end of the year, the CEBR says projected cumulative GDP growth for the next four years could be raised to 4.8 per cent, from the current 4.5 per cent forecast. The CEBR and Principal add that improving financial literacy will also mean Britons are less likely to default on loans, more likely to borrow responsibly and will do more to help grow the economy. An improvement of just one percentage point in financial literacy rates would see a 2.78 per centage point reduction in defaults on household loans, the research claims. Principal says financial literacy in the UK is lagging relative to the size and strength of the financial market, owing largely to the UK's 'analogue' approach through the school curriculum The same improvement in financial literacy would also lead to increased loan affordability and a 6.7 percentage point reduction in debt-to-income ratios. A 10-percentage point increase would lead to debt-to-income ratios falling by a third, CEBR and Principal said. Currently, the UK ranks 24th in financial literacy, according to the CEBR's Global Financial Inclusion Index, with just 39 per cent of the population deemed to be 'fully financially literate'. Kamal Bhatia, chief executive officer at Principal Asset Management, told This is Money: 'The data shows a strong link between higher financial literacy and lower rates of household debt default. 'This means that as the UK becomes more financially inclusive, fewer UK households will struggle with debt default. 'When people understand how to manage their money effectively, borrowing becomes more affordable and sustainable, leading to greater financial stability and improved living standards. He added: 'This translates into less financial stress, more disposable income, and the ability to plan for the future with confidence. 'It also opens up opportunities for entrepreneurship, as stronger household balance sheets enable people to borrow responsibly to start businesses or invest in their goals.' Principal says financial literacy in the UK is lagging relative to the size and strength of the financial market, owing largely to the UK's 'analogue' approach through the school curriculum. Bhatia told This is Money: 'Markets that are making the fastest improvements in financial inclusion, such as in Asia, are doing so by embracing fintech and digital banking. 'In other words, as technology enables simpler and easier access to financial information and resources, financial education is being embedded into citizens' lived experiences. 'The end result is a broader and deeper financial understanding across the population.' More widely, the CEBR ranks the UK as the 10th most financially inclusive country, with some 68 per cent of people saying they feel financially included, up from 59 per cent a year ago. This increase, the CEBR says, is down to improvements in support from both the Government and financial system, though the firms add that new Government leadership generally corresponds with a more positive consumer perception of their financial inclusion. Still, the UK falls behind a number of other countries whose population feel more financially included, including Thailand and the US. The index is based on scores for three main indicators; Government support, financial system support and employer support. Source: CEBR The UK, Principal said, lacks in employer support, with companies not going far enough to provide benefits, resources and financial guidance to employees. Last year, employer support fell markedly on the back of macroeconomic pressures. Bhatia said: 'We believe this is due to trade-related uncertainty and reduced business confidence having limited employers' ability to offer initiatives like pay flexibility and financial well-being programs. 'This pullback has weakened one of the pillars of financial inclusion in the UK. 'The UK's tenth-place ranking continues to highlight a need for stronger employer engagement to ensure more holistic and sustainable progress.' Bhatia added: 'Financial inclusion supports long-term economic growth in the UK When more people are financially empowered, they contribute more actively to the economy - spending sustainably, investing wisely, and driving innovation. 'In essence, financial literacy and inclusion are foundational to both long-term individual prosperity and UK economic development. A leading investment industry group has praised The Mail's campaign to boost shareholder democracy after a study showed a sharp rise in small shareholders making their voices heard. Data from the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) showed that half of self-directed private investors individuals who manage their own portfolios were using their shares to vote at company meetings, up from 38 per cent just two years ago. There was also an increase in the number of people attending annual meetings, where investors are able to elect board members and question the management. The AIC said nearly a fifth of private investors reported that they attended annual meetings occasionally or frequently, up from just 13 per cent in 2023. Accountability: There has been an increase in the number of people attending annual meetings The rise in voting activity and attendance follows campaigning by the Mail to encourage small investors to engage with firms whose shares they hold. It is also urging investment platforms to make it easier for users to vote. 'The Mail's ongoing campaigns to boost shareholder engagement have really helped get the vote out for investment trusts during a critical period. We are grateful for the Mail's support of our 'My share, my vote campaign' to make voting easier for all investors,' said AIC boss Richard Stone. 'Building an investment culture in the UK is critical to driving economic growth, and shareholder democracy has to be one of the core principles.' The rising number of smaller investors using the power of their votes follows a recent spate of attempts by activist funds to take over British companies. Earlier this year, aggressive US hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein tried to oust the boards of seven London-listed investment trusts and replace them with his allies. He was defeated by an army of small shareholders in each trust who turned out in droves to vote against his plans. The drive to encourage smaller investors to engage with firms in their portfolios comes as the Chancellor draws up plans to encourage more investment in Britain, with ideas thought to include forcing people with ISAs to invest a minimum in UK firms. City figures say promoting shareholder participation should be key to the strategy, arguing smaller investors would be more willing to put cash into UK firms if they feel they have a voice. In the summer, the Governance for Growth Investor Campaign, a group of powerful investors, said face-to-face shareholder meetings, many of which are being replaced by online-only gatherings, were 'a cornerstone of the financial system' and key to sustainable economic growth. Rachel Reeves' attempt to crack down on tax avoidance by businesses has backfired. In a blow to the Chancellor, Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recovered less in unpaid VAT than last year despite a big rise in investigations by the taxman. Probes into unpaid VAT by firms raked in 10.8billion in the 2024-25 financial year, down from 11.3billion the previous year. Value Added Tax is one of the top three revenue raisers for the Treasury, which has raked in 180billion this year. HMRC investigations into unpaid VAT by medium-sized businesses surged by more than 33 per cent during the year, while those into large firms rose 2.9 per cent, research compiled by Thomson Reuters showed. Despite this, the data provider revealed that the amount of unpaid VAT being recovered from medium-sized firms was down 20.5 per cent during the year at 1.8billion, while for large companies the number had fallen 8.6 per cent to 5.3billion. The only increase in takings was from individuals and small businesses, where the amount of recovered VAT rose 4.3 per cent year-on-year to 1.9billion following a 4.3 per cent rise in the number of investigations. Blow: HMRC has recovered less in unpaid VAT than last year despite a big rise in investigations by the taxman The falling total presents a headache for Reeves as she looks for ways to fill an estimated black hole of up to 50billion in the public finances. In the Spring Statement in March, Labour said it aimed to raise 7.5billion by cracking down on tax avoidance. Last week, HMRC said it would begin taking money directly from the bank accounts of those who 'can afford to pay what they owe but are choosing not to'. Ray Grove at Thomson Reuters warned that some innocent firms could be hit as 'HMRC may be inclined to see a simple error as potential evidence of tax avoidance or evasion'. Six high street banks are handing out cash sweeteners to temp customers to jump ship from their main bank account in exchange for up to 200 in free cash. Banks tend to ramp up their cash switching deals in the run-up to Christmas as they know people will be looking for ways to get a bit more cash at what is an expensive time of the year. In total, there is 1,105 up for grabs from the six banks, and in theory you could get it all with the Current Account Switch Service (Cass) doing the heavy lifting for you when you switch bank. This is Money reveals every single bank switching deal on the market, what you need to do to get it and how long it will take to get the cash. Lloyds is offering the joint biggest cash bung of 200 to customers who switch to a Club Lloyds or Premier account Lloyds: 200 Lloyds is dangling a 200 carrot in front of new customers who leave their current account and open a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver, Club Lloyds Platinum or Lloyds Premier account. These accounts come with a monthly fee ranging from 5 to 22.50 a month in exchange for a range of perks, from free cinema tickets to online healthcare appointments. You must open one of the eligible Lloyds accounts either online or on the Lloyds app. During this process, you will be asked if you would like to switch your account through the Cass which you must do. You must transfer at least three active direct debits from your old account as part of the switch. Direct debits set up after your switch has been started and other types of automated payments, such as standing orders and recurring card payments, won't count. You will not be able to receive the switching cash if you received a switching offer since April 2020 for switching to any Lloyds, Bank of Scotland or Halifax Bank account. The cash will be paid into your account within ten working days of your switch completing. Deadline: The cash offer can be withdrawn by Lloyds at any time. Watch out: You need to make sure you use the full range of perks to warrant the accounts' monthly fees. A Club Lloyds account costs 5 a month, but this is waived if you deposit 1,500 a month in the account. A Club Lloyds Platinum account comes with a 22.50 monthly fee, a Club Lloyds Silver account comes with an 11.50 monthly fee and a Lloyds Premier account has a 15 monthly fee. Barclays: 200 Customers who switch to a Barclays bank account and then open a Barclays Blue Rewards account can get a 200 cash bonus. To get the cash, customers need to download Barclays' bank account and open a sole Barclays bank account. Then you need to join Blue Rewards in the Barclays app. Blue Rewards gives you boosted rates on savings, cashback on everyday spending, and an Apple TV+ subscription for a 5 monthly fee. Once the bank account is open and Blue Rewards signed up for, you must start a bank switch from your old account into the Barclays account through the Cass. This can be done in the 'Services' tab in the Barclays Bank account. The full switch must be started no later than 27 November 2025. At least two active Direct Debits must be transferred within 30 days of opening the account. You must also pay 2,000 into your new Barclays account within 30 days of opening it. The 200 will be paid into your new account within 28 working days of meeting the eligibility requirements. Deadline: 27 November 2025 Watch out: The Blue Rewards account will cost you 5 per month, so it's best to only switch if you feel you can get the best value from it. TSB: 180 Custumers who open a TSB Spend & Save or Spend & Save Plus account will receive 180. This comes in two parts: 150 upfront and 10 per month cashback for three months. You must open one of these accounts online, in the TSB app or in a branch. Then switch through the Cass to close your old account. This must be done by 9 December. You need to make a minimum of five payments using your new debit card and log into the TSB Mobile Banking App at least once by 9 December. You must also pay at least 1,000 into the account you're switching into. Funds transferred from another TSB account into the account you're switching into will not count towards the 1,000. The 150 will be paid into your new Spend & Save or Spend & Save Plus account within 28 days after you've completed these steps. The 30 cashback will be paid if you make 20 or more payments per month using your debit card in the first three months after the month you received the 150 switching cash. Deadline: The cash offer can be withdrawn by TSB at any time. Watch out for: Fees. The Spend & Save Plus account comes with a 3 monthly fee. In exchange you can get a 100 interest-free overdraft, earn up to 5 a month in cashback, and fee-free spending when you use the card abroad. Cash bonus: Six banks are handing out cash sweeteners worth up to 200 to temp customers to jump ship from their main bank account NatWest: 175 To get NatWest's 175 cash deal you will need to switch to a NatWest Select, Reward, Premier Select or Premier Reward account through the Cass. Within 60 days of your switch completing, you will need to pay in 1,250 once the account is open. This can be made of multiple payments and must remain in the account for 24 hours. You also need to log in to the NatWest banking app. You will not be able to get the cash if you've received a switching bonus from a NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank switch offer before. The 175 will be paid into your account within 30 days. Deadline: The cash offer can be withdrawn by NatWest at any time. Watch out: You will not be able to get the cash if you've received a switching bonus from a NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank switch offer before. Nationwide: 175 You can get 175 if you switch to a Nationwide FlexDirect, FlexAccount or FlexPlus. You must switch from your current through the Current Account Switch Service and transfer at least two direct debits as part of your switch. Standing orders and recurring card payments, don't count. Your switch must complete within 28 days of opening an account. Within 31 days of opening the account, you need to pay in at least 1,000. This needs to be new money, money transferred as part of the switch from your old account will count. You must also make at least one payment using your Nationwide debit card. The cash will be paid within 10 days of you meeting all the requirements. Nationwide usually announces a 100 Fairer Share payment in May so customers could get this if it is announced and they meet the conditons. Andrew Hagger, founder of independent information website MoneyComms says: 'If I were to pick one account to switch to it would be Nationwide with the possibility of future Fairer Share payouts.' Deadline: The cash offer can be withdrawn by NatWest at any time. Watch out: You can't get this offer if you've received a Nationwide switching offer in since 2021. First Direct: 175 To get First Direct's switching cash you need to open an account in First Direct's app. Within 45 days of opening an account you need to switch your old bank account over to First Direct through the Cass. The switch needs to inclide at least two Direct Debits or standing orders, a deposit 1,000, and five or more debit card payments. You also need to log on to digital banking, all within the 45 days, You'll get the money by the 20th of the following month in which all switching criteria has been met. Mr Hagger says: 'This would be my second choice of account to switch to as it comes with an interest0free 250 overdraft limit and an excellent record for customer service.' Deadline: The cash offer can be withdrawn by First Direct at any time. Watch out: If you opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018 you will not be able to get the First Direct deal as First Direct is owned by HSBC. And what to watch out for Switching bank accounts regularly can have a detrimental impact on your credit score because each application can involve a hard credit check being made on your record. Mr Hagger says: 'If you make multiple applications in a short timescale, it can make you appear financially unstable to lenders. 'Although a single switch is unlikely to cause major harm, frequently switching bank accounts could lower your score and affect your ability to get credit in the future.' Assuming you are eligible for all the deals, there's nothing to stop you moving from one deal to another, but after a couple of switches - most will take a minimum of a month by the time you get your cash payment - you may find that the rest of the deals have already expired. You should also bear in mind that you could get to the stage where there's no bank left for you to switch too and you'll be stuck with the last bank you choose. Mr Hagger says: 'Banks will exclude you from further switches for many years - for example with First Direct you can't switch if you've opened an HSBC current account since January 2018 - that's almost eight years.' A jewellery label at the centre of a viral storm that saw multiple reality stars falsely accused of theft is now facing claims the entire saga was a publicity stunt. Luna Rae Jewellery sparked outrage earlier this month after sharing a TikTok video claiming an influencer had stolen from them and asking followers for advice on what to do. Brand owner Amy Bradley told viewers that an unnamed influencer had ordered the company's $360 Spirit Element Necklace earlier this year, only to later allege it was never delivered and issue a chargeback to recover the payment. The Sydney-based jeweller said she was stunned to later see the same influencer wearing what appeared to be the Spirit Element Necklace in social media posts, prompting accusations the refund had been fraudulently obtained. The video went viral, racking up more than three million views and sparked a social media guessing game, with users throwing out the names of high-profile reality stars including The Bachelor alumni Abbie Chatfield, as well as Married at First Sight's Vanessa Romito. The frenzy quickly spiralled out of control with stars bombarded with vile messages and forced to defend themselves against the unfounded accusations. Chatfield tearfully hit back at the rumours in her own video, saying: 'I've never committed a f***ing crime in my f***ing life. I am so not a criminal.' But now, the tables have turned. Luna Rae Jewellery owner Amy Bradley sparked outrage earlier this month after sharing a TikTok video claiming an influencer had stolen a $360 necklace from them Amy Bradley told viewers that an unnamed influencer had ordered the company's $360 Spirit Element Necklace earlier this year, only to later allege it was never delivered and issue a chargeback to recover the payment TikTok sleuths are accusing Luna Rae Jewellery of fabricating the story to generate attention ahead of its birthday sale, demanding the brand release proof to back up their claims. Commenters flooded the company's page, with one writing: 'So you created fake drama for clout?' and another adding: 'You owe the influencers an apology if this is just PR.' The brand has also been hit with one-star Google reviews, with users declaring they would no longer support the label because of the 'debacle.' Crisis PR expert Caroline Voaden said the company had only itself to blame. 'Luna Rae just showed us what happens when you try to hack your own PR,' she said in a video. 'They've destroyed their credibility. Yes, they're in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. 'It doesn't take a genius or a PR expert like me to think a few steps ahead about what might happen if you put that kind of content on your social media to try and grow your following. 'Now they are being accused of negligence at the very least and of a publicity stunt gone wrong at the more extreme end.' Former Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield tearfully hit back at the rumours Luna Rae, who posted four public videos about the saga, has now requested privacy and urged followers to stop trying to identify the mystery influencer. 'We will not be sharing the name,' Ms Bradley said. 'This is a complex and private situation we are dealing with.' In a follow-up clip, Ms Bradley denied fabricating the story and pleaded for the online 'bullying' to stop. 'What is wrong with people, we never asked for this, I'm just a brand owner giving an opinion on something sh***y and everyone has taken it too far. 'For everyone saying we're doing a PR stunt and we should be ashamed of ourselves, It's our biggest sale day of the entire year this Thursday, it's our sixth birthday, a little brand made it to six. 'We don't need to promote it through TikTok this was a fluke accident. 'We don't even have enough stock for all the TikTok people to buy things on Thursday for our sale. It's a three hour sale. We are just a little solid gold brand. 'We are clearing the names that's you asked for and also every other name that was dropped, it's not them. Stop looking.' But not everyone was convinced. 'May I suggest a social media manager,' commented one person. 'Count how many times she mentions sale,' another added. An aged care facility manager has been banned from working in health care after the industry watchdog found she drugged elderly residents with antipsychotic medication and accessed one former occupant's bank account after they died. Darshee Ghowree, 58, also known as Sue Daby and Seedheeta Daby, was employed as the facility manager of Marsfield Residential Aged Care, in north Sydney, when a complaint was lodged against her in early 2021. She was slapped with an interim prohibition order on March 4, 2021, which barred her from working or volunteering in health services while the Health Care Complaints Commission investigated the allegations. Now, the non-registered health practitioner has been permanently banned from the sector after the four-year investigation found she engaged in 'serious misconduct'. According to the decision, the HCCC found Ms Ghowree 'failed to provide health services in a safe and ethical manner' by breaching public health regulation in four ways. Firstly, the HCCC found Ms Ghowree administered Risperidone, or caused it to be administered, to residents without their knowledge or consent. Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication that treats mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and some symptoms of autism. However, when the drug is used without a prescription, it can be considered a 'chemical restraint' - which is the use of medication to control a person's behaviour by influencing their mood, emotions, and restricting their freedom of movement. Darshee Ghowree, 58, who also goes by the names Sue Daby and Seedheeta Daby, is the former facility manager of Marsfield Residential Aged Care The HCCC also ruled that Ms Ghowree breached Southern Cross Care's medication management policies and procedures by having direct access to prescription-only drugs, including Risperidone, Seroquel, Midazolam and Diazepam. Seroquel is another antipsychotic drug, while Midazolam and Diazepam are used to treat anxiety. In the third breach, Ms Ghowree was found to have 'used her position of authority to ensure that incidents involving residents were either not reported or the details in such reports were not correct'. The commission's investigation also found that she accessed a deceased resident's bank account 'without proper authority' and 'caused two transactions to be made' from their account. 'In providing health services in an aged care facility, Ms Ghowree was afforded significant trust by the residents and their families, to provide a safe environment and to deliver appropriate health care to residents who are particularly vulnerable,' the decision reads. 'The Commission has determined that Ms Ghowree's conduct poses a risk to public health and safety and that protective orders are required to protect the public. 'Ms Darshee Ghowree is permanently prohibited from providing any health services to any person in any capacity, either paid or voluntary.' During her tenure at the aged care facility, Ms Ghowree appeared in marketing campaigns spruiking the benefits of the home and its offerings for elderly residents. Ms Ghowree is pictured posing for a SSC article written about the facility in 2018 Marsfield Residential Aged Care (pictured) is a 61-bed facility catering to elderly residents in north Sydney with a range of care needs 'So many treat aged care homes as places to die. We turn that notion on its head with a commitment to making everyday life-affirming and positive,' she told SCC's magazine, Goodlife, in 2018. 'Every day you are acknowledged for who you are. Your choices and happiness are our complete focus. 'We get such a good turn up [at our family days]. It's because people feel good coming here. They know their family member is getting all the attention and care they deserve.' In 2020, she also issued a Catholic Religious Australia bulletin notice calling for volunteers to help assist at the '61-bed facility', which has a 'mixture of residents' from independent individuals to those with 'dementia' and needing 'high care'. Southern Cross Care, which runs Marsfield Residential Aged Care, said that it supported the ruling, and that Ms Ghowree had not worked for them for years. 'As a not-for-profit aged care provider who has been supporting older people for over 50 years, our sole purpose is to provide high quality care across all of our 40 communities in NSW & ACT, and we take this responsibility seriously,' a spokesperson said. 'We have been informed that the HCCC has made a final determination on Ms. Darshee Ghowre AKA Sue Daby resulting in an outcome of a banning order. 'We strongly support this outcome, noting that Sue Daby's employment was ceased in 2020, following our own internal investigation which included engaging police. 'We have been actively engaging with the HCCC and supporting our staff, families and residents, whilst we awaited this important outcome. 'We thank all the authorities that were involved in the investigation as it is important for all our aged care communities to be supported by people who have their best interests at heart.' A respected Georgia teacher once honored as a Teacher of the Year finalist is suing her school district after she was placed on indefinite leave for comments she made on social media about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Michelle Mickens, 55, taught English at an Oglethorpe County high school before posting about Kirk on her private Facebook account hours after the shooting. Kirk, 31, the founder of the right-wing group Turning Point USA, was gunned down at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, in what authorities described as a politically motivated attack. Police have charged Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, with aggravated murder and a string of related offenses including obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Prosecutors allege that Robinson spent more than a week planning the ambush before opening fire from a rooftop at 12.23pm as Kirk debated students at the first stop of his 'American Comeback Tour' for Turning Point USA. Kirk was struck once in the neck in front of horrified students and died shortly after. According to court filings, Robinson had become increasingly radicalized online, expressing deep animosity toward Kirks politics in the months before the shooting. Kirk's death sparked national outrage and condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. The killing also ignited a fierce online backlash, with hardened liberals celebrating his death and posting mocking memes. Mickens was a finalist in the 2022 Teacher of the Year event, which celebrates 'outstanding' public school teachers in Georgia Lawmakers and advocacy groups denounced the posts as 'abhorrent,' warning that they reflected the toxic polarization consuming American political life. Mickens, the 2022 Teacher of the Year finalist, who has taught for more than 20 years, is now suing the Oglethorpe County School System, claiming it urged her to resign and violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Mickens said in the complaint that her 'private, out-of-the-workplace' comments 'did not harm her employer or disrupt her workplace,' according to court documents viewed by Daily Mail. Her Facebook post quoted a remark Kirk had once made about gun violence: 'I think it's worth it. I think it's worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.' Mickens, a Teacher of the Year finalist, claims in her lawsuit that the school's 'retaliatory' action against her violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment Mickens said while she doesn't 'condone violence of any kind,' Kirk, who was assassinated in September, was 'a horrible person' who was 'full of hate' The lawsuit says Mickens engaged in a brief 'back and forth' with friends online, criticizing Kirk but condemning political violence. She wrote: 'I don't condone violence of any kind, and I certainly don't condone this, but he was a horrible person, a fascist full of hate for anyone who was different... While I'm sad we live in a country where gun violence is an epidemic, the world is a bit safer without him.' The next day, she was called to the principal's office and told the school had received a complaint. Mickens later discovered that a former classmate had shared screenshots of her post on X (formerly Twitter), urging users to contact the principal and demand her removal. '[Mickens] claims Charlie Kirk was a 'fascist full of hate' and 'the world is a bit safer without him,' the viral post read. 'Let principal Bill Sampson know what you think of letting someone like her teaching children.' According to the complaint, the school told Mickens it did not want her to return. Mickens, who only joined the Oglethorpe County school system in 2024, has taught for more than two decades and had never received a complaint throughout her career. She had earned two positive formal evaluations since joining the district, according to the filing. The lawsuit also states that the school had already found a replacement teacher for her class before she was formally told not to return, a move her lawyers say shows administrators had made up their minds before any review took place. The filing says Mickens maintains two separate Facebook accounts - one professional and one private - and that the personal page does not include any students, parents or school employees except for close friends. Her attorneys argue that the district has no clear social-media policy governing teachers' off-duty speech, and that she was unfairly punished while other staff were allowed to express pro-Kirk views on campus. 'While Ms. Mickens has been on leave, other district employees who expressed pro-Charlie Kirk views were not disciplined for their expressive conduct,' the complaint states. Michelle Mickens, 55, has sued the Oglethorpe school district for an alleged unconstitutional firing for comments she posted on her Facebook account regarding Charlie Kirk Mickens had not received a complaint throughout her 20-year teaching career, the lawsuit stated The filing claims that some teachers wore 'pro-Kirk' T-shirts at school, participated in memorial events marking his birthday, and displayed shirts emblazoned with the word 'Freedom' and Christian crosses in his honor. Her lawyer, Michael Tafelski, said in a statement that Mickens was 'being targeted not because she violated any policy or harmed students but because her personal views - expressed outside the classroom - don't align with those in power.' 'This unconstitutional censorship of protected speech endangers a healthy democracy,' Tafelski added. 'We look forward to defending Ms. Mickens to ensure she can continue serving her students without fear of politically motivated retaliation.' Mickens is seeking reinstatement, removal of disciplinary references from her record, and unspecified damages for lost wages, emotional distress and reputational harm. The Daily Mail has reached out to Oglethorpe County School District officials and Mickens's legal team for comment. Andrea Leeb was just four and a half years old when her mother, Marlene, saw something so shocking, it turned her world black. Diagnosed with hysterical blindness, it took four weeks and an extended stay in a New York hospital before she could eventually see clearly again. By the time she returned to the family apartment in Queens, Marlene seemed to have no memory of the traumatic event that had so suddenly stolen her sight. But it was seared in Andrea's young mind forever. Now aged 67, married, and living in California, she told the Daily Mail how that night in late September 1962 led to a suicide attempt at age five, years of self-harm, and a lifetime of shame. I remember my father putting me in the bathtub, she said, and I remember him taking the washcloth away and telling me to let Daddy touch you with his hands. Of course, I was so young, I didn't know what exactly was going on.' But she added: 'His breathing was the thing that scared me the most. One of the very few photographs that exist from Andrea's past (pictured with her mother when Andrea was a baby) Andrea spoke to the Daily Mail about the trauma that led her to become a writer and an advocate for sexual abuse survivors At that moment, Marlene walked into the bathroom and let out a piercing scream: David! My mothers voice sounded the way it did when she thought I was about to run into traffic, Andrea wrote in her new memoir, Such a Pretty Picture. My father stood up and, as he turned to face her, she screamed again. A scream without words; sharp and shrill, more like a howl than a scream. Id never heard anyone scream like that. As Marlene collapsed, like a paper doll, into her husbands arms, Andrea could only watch in horror. I thought wed killed her, she said. I thought my father and I had done something. She added: He told me it was my fault. Marlene later claimed shed simply been alarmed that the bath water was cold. Gradually, her period of blindness became almost like a family joke; something to laugh about over dinner with David, Andrea, and her younger sister Sarai, then two. But for Andrea, it was anything but. Now aged 67 and married, Andrea lives and works in California The abuse stopped for a while, replaced instead by slaps and beatings at the hands of her furious mother. It got so bad that, by the time she was five, Andrea attempted to end her life. She stuffed cotton balls and toilet paper deep into her ears, nostrils and mouth, plugging any hole where she thought air could get in, then taped it shut. She then closed her eyes and waited to die. Her mother found her that time and hugged her tight, sobbing: 'My poor baby. What have I done to you?' Marlene never slapped her again. But a few months later, her fathers sexual assaults began again in earnest, and continued until Andrea was 13. By that time, she was cutting herself regularly and was plagued by night terrors that woke the entire house. As a last resort, her parents agreed to send her to a psychiatrist. It was risky, said Andrea, adding: I think [my father] knew I wouldn't tell. He was so arrogant.' However, something had happened recently; a new development that terrified her so much, she was ready to risk the shame that might come from telling someone what was really happening when her father came to her in the night, waking her with a wink. 'At that point, hed never penetrated me,' she said. 'He touched me with his fingers and had me touch him. But one night, coming home from a business trip while her mother was still out of the house, he had tried to kiss her - an open-mouthed kiss full on the lips. He'd never done that, said Andrea, and I was so scared that he was going to take things to the next level. She said she told the psychiatrist just enough - not the full extent of the abuse - to scare her father. He never touched her again, but the damage was already done. I hated myself so much, said Andrea, and I was so ashamed of what happened. It was like a thread that ran through my life. And it certainly impacted my relationship with men and with sex. I didn't trust anybody. The closest I came to trusting somebody was my sister. Her sense of self-worth was so battered, she didn't report it when boys gang raped her and violated her body over and over. Uma Thurman and Juliette Lewis starred in a movie about hysterical blindness With time, she wrote, Id come to realize that my father had groomed me not only for himself but for the boys at the party, the boys in the woods, and all of the other boys and men that followed. It was only years later - at the age of 33 and studying to become a lawyer - that the past shed buried in a place she never visited threatened to overwhelm her completely. Riding a crowded New York subway, she felt a large hand with thick fingers creep inside her top. As the anonymous man squeezed her breast tight, she screamed. But by the time she turned around, all the faces of the men behind her looked blank. It was just another random subway moment, she reasoned. But it had opened the Pandoras Box of her past and she felt her physical and mental health crumbling. It took years of therapy - including a short stay in a residential rehab facility - for her to fully come to terms with the abuse of her past. And, contrary to many peoples advice - include her therapists - she made the conscious decision to continue a relationship with her parents, despite their categorical denial of her claims. I was told it wasn't the healthiest thing, she said. And my response is, It's complicated. So complicated. I loved my mother. She gave me something - I know it in my heart - and it gave me the resilience to survive. Andrea went to live with her mother in her final weeks, when she made her surprising confession Six years after her fathers death in 1997, her mom chose to stop taking the heart meds that had kept her alive. Andrea went to live with her in her final weeks. Close to the end, her mother said: I have something to tell you. You have to promise me you wont cry. She paused as Andrea waited. I was a terrible mother, she said. I should have left your father. With that, Andrea understood what shed always suspected. That her mother had known about the abuse all along. That, long after shed been literally blind, she remained willfully blind to the pain of her daughter. I felt so bad, said Andrea, because she was so fragile by then. I guess I might have felt guilty, too. All those years, and it was still my desire to have a normal family. But she added: It gave me the ability to breathe. Andrea at a book signing event in Portland - she is donating part of the proceeds of her book to local rape treatment centers Now working as an advocate for other survivors of sexual abuse, she is donating all the proceeds of her memoir to RAINN, an anti-sexual violence nonprofit, and to local rape treatment centers. But in all her work in the field, she has never heard of anyone else who has experienced hysterical blindness. Its such a crazy thing, she said. Board certified psychiatrist Sue Varma, who treated trauma patients following 9/11 and has seen examples of hysterical blindness in her own practice, admitted that, while the condition is rare, it is not unheard of. In fact, it was the subject of a 2002 TV movie of the same name starring Gena Rowlands, Uma Thurman and Juliette Lewis. What used to be referred to as hysterical blindness or conversion disorder is now called Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD), explained Dr Varma. In this condition, overwhelming psychological stress can be expressed through neurological symptoms - such as temporary blindness, paralysis, or seizures - even though no identifiable medical cause can be found. These symptoms are very real, she added, but the underlying mechanism is psychological rather than structural. Its also important to emphasize that nothing about this condition diminishes the seriousness of child sexual abuse or its lifelong impact on survivors. Survivors deserve compassion and support, and perpetrators must be held accountable. Such a Pretty Picture by Andrea Leeb is published by She Writes Press Everything was planned; Charlotte Blackwell's intimate five-star summer wedding was, her friends agreed, going to be an event to remember. 'I can't wait to be Mrs Thomas,' the bride-to-be told them excitedly as they sipped sparkling wine one evening in late 2022. 'I'm so glad you're all going to be at my wedding. It means so much to me.' It meant a lot to them too, particularly given that one of the women, Paula Thomas, was the mother of the groom. No detail, or so it seemed, had been overlooked by the bride. Estate agent Charlotte Blackwell fell into gambling debt before inventing a fake wedding to steal thousands of pounds from her fiance's mother and others She had taken over the booking of the flights for the four guests and their partners. The hotel reservations at an upmarket holiday resort in Turkey, arranged via the tour operator TUI were also confirmed. All they had to do was transfer the money over to her. The friends also happily took up Blackwell's suggestion that they all upgrade their accommodation for premium poolside rooms for an extra 120. They were similarly pleased when she offered them the option to pre-book a resort-based hairdresser to get them ceremony ready, for another, small, advance payment. There was, however, one small, but not insignificant flaw in the plan. Blackwell's wedding extravaganza was, as the Daily Mail revealed last week, a tissue of lies. The flight confirmations, the emails from the travel agent, were all fake. Whether Blackwell, a 31-year-old estate agent and mother of two, who had been in a relationship with Daniel Thomas for five years, ever intended to actually tie the knot overseas is unclear. Whether Blackwell, a 31-year-old estate agent and mother of two, who had been in a relationship with Daniel Thomas for five years, ever intended to actually tie the knot overseas is unclear What is clear is that she fabricated elaborate travel arrangements to hoodwink her own fiance's mother - and three of her closest friends - into handing over thousands of pounds, which she promptly used to settle spiralling online gambling debts. As the Daily Mail learned last week, she strung them along until just two months before the big day when she said that proceedings would have to be postponed because she had been diagnosed with a heart condition. Blackwell's deception was only uncovered when one of the guests decided to proceed with the holiday anyway and discovered the booking reference was fake. Though given that even her own fiance thought they were getting married, it's unclear how Blackwell thought she was ever going to get away with it. Yet that was not the full scale of her deception. For unknown to the friends from Bridgend, South Wales, Blackwell was a repeat offender. She was juggling the wedding scam with another fraud: trying to con a children's cancer charity of 4,000, after lying that her ten-year-old daughter was desperately ill and needed specialist treatment abroad. Her shockingly callous attempt to deceive the cancer charity brought her before Cardiff Crown Court in August 2024, where she was given a suspended ten-month jail sentence for attempted fraud. Luckily she never got hold of the cash. Yet her friends - and future mother-in-law - knew nothing of this as they continued making their wedding payments from November 2022 to May 2024. Earlier this year Blackwell pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud against her friends totalling 12,682, but this deception was thrown back into the spotlight last week when she appeared at the same court for a third time for failing to comply with the conditions of her sentence a suspended prison term that hinged upon her completing 120 hours unpaid work and participate in a rehabilitation programme. It was revealed she had attended only 21 out of 34 appointments and still had 55 hours and 25 minutes of community service hours outstanding. The penalty for her failure to comply? A 50 fine, with an order to pay 150 costs and an order to - once and for all comply. Over in Bridgend, her victims are furious. Nor do they think they'll ever see their money again. As Helen Morse, 51, one of those four friends, told the Daily Mail last week: 'This girl needs to be stopped. I am absolutely astonished and disgusted that she has had two suspended sentences and now just a 200 fine for defaulting on paying back the money she stole from us. 'She should be in jail as far as I'm concerned. I've seen her out and about and she is carrying on with her life like she's done nothing wrong at all.' She adds: 'We are owed 3,500 each and so far, we've had 25.45. It's pathetic. But there is no deterrent. Charlotte is not even embarrassed by the looks of it. 'That girl went out and spent our money and we are still having to work. 'I took on two jobs after she stole the money, but it was too much and I had to give one of them up. 'My partner and I couldn't afford to have a holiday last year after she'd stolen all that money from us.' It was all so very different when the women - Paula, Sue Chapman, Tracey Roberts and Helen began making plans, not long after Blackwell and Daniel, who had a baby together, got engaged in February 2022. 'We were touched that she wanted us all there on her big day,' says Helen. She offered to book everything herself, and then work the costs out later, For Helen, there was the additional excitement that the summer wedding would coincide with her own 50th birthday, making it a double celebration. Blackwell encouraged the women to pay her via bank transfer, in instalments, and they didn't find it at all unusual that there always seemed to be something extra the hairdresser who need paying upfront, the room upgrade - to add on to the bill. By the time she told them - just two months before the wedding that it was going to have to be postponed due to her heart condition - the bill totalled 12,682. 'It seemed to have come out of nowhere and we were all very concerned,' says Paula. It was Helen who uncovered the scam, when she and her partner decided they would like to continue with the holiday. She needed the TUI booking reference, which, of course, Blackwell couldn't provide, culminating in Sue taking printouts of their supposed itinerary into a local travel agent and discovering that they were fake. It was Paula who confronted Blackwell, and the police were contacted. It then became apparent that she was already being prosecuted for attempting to defraud the cancer charity. The friends are all still reeling. 'She's caused us so much stress and misery,' says Helen. 'A lot of people are very angry with her. She's a thief and the smiling face of deceit.' Her anger is compounded by the knowledge they were not alone in falling prey to Blackwell's scams. Last week, the Daily Mail spoke to the victims of both extraordinary scams and uncovered a heartbreaking tale of deception that all, perhaps, begins with a truth: Blackwell's eldest daughter did once have cancer - but had long recovered, and was in remission. The little girl was 19 months old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2016, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy at a hospital in Cardiff. Her plight, including the crowdfunding campaign initiated by her parents, was reported by local media at the time and swiftly raised more than 2,000. 'My little angel is too young for all this and I would do anything to swap places with her,' said Blackwell, then 22. 'She's such a happy little girl and she's really strong.' On a GoFundMe page, still online, there is a photograph of the smiling tot next a total of more than 4,000. Pictured here is Morgan Ridler with mother Natalie Ridler. Blackwell tried to con children's cancer charity Morgan's Army out of 4,000 It's all so painfully ironic now. Not least to Natalie Ridler, a physiotherapist and director of Morgan's Army, the charity she founded to support families battling childhood cancer, after her own little boy, Morgan, fought a rare liver cancer that would eventually take his life in July 2023. Natalie, who lives in Swansea, received Blackwell's bogus request for financial help just a few months after her little boy died. Blackwell was claiming she and her parents were prepared to sell their homes to get her daughter to Germany for potentially lifesaving treatment, but there was a shortfall of 12,000. Given her genuine experience of childhood cancer, it's no surprise her story seemed true. As Natalie, who has a daughter Rhiannon, four, with solicitor husband Matt, says: 'She had an in-depth knowledge of the wards, the consultants, the process, chemo, everything. And she was known to the hospital, so she passed our initial checks.' Over messages - Blackwell never wanted to talk on the phone - Natalie attempted to direct Blackwell to various charities that assist with organising treatment abroad, but curiously she seemed resistant. 'It went on for two weeks,' says Natalie, a calm, compassionate woman who is still reeling from the cruelty of the deception. 'She was back and forth coming to me for support about coping with losing her child.' While looking back, there were unusual details - she didn't, for instance, want anything to go on Facebook, at her daughter's request. Natalie says: 'I said our maximum would be 4,000 and she said, "That's amazing, can you transfer it to my bank account?"' Alarm bells began to ring when Natalie learned Blackwell had begun contacting individuals and companies that had previously supported Morgan's Army asking them to share or donate to her own GoFundMe page. Natalie began making inquiries and found someone who knew Blackwell and - crucially - knew that her daughter had not relapsed. She called the police. Today, Natalie is still dumbfounded by it all. Little Morgan died of a rare liver cancer just days before his fourth birthday - his parents raised thousands of pounds for charity to help other families. But fraudster Blackwell targeted the fund, claiming her child - who had previously been ill - was poorly again 'It's unfathomable,' she says. 'We deal with families that relapse all the time, unfortunately it's part of the world of childhood cancer it's cruel and it's unfair and it's awful. The fact that she would [do this], I still don't understand it.' Hugely compassionate, Natalie doesn't dwell on her own hurt. She does, however, feel she was emotionally groomed. 'We [the charity] were less than a year old at that point and were devastated that someone would take Morgan's memory and be so blase about it and try and take advantage of the things we were doing in his name.' She adds that the charity has now raised 750,000. In court, Blackwell's defence barrister had claimed she'd spiralled into debt after giving up work to care for her daughter, and had gambled to try and win the money back. 'The absolute worst thing at the bottom of all this is that we support people struggling with the cost of living and debt as a result of treatment,' Natalie says. 'All she had to do was say I'm in debt. I need help.' Ironically, her first appearance in court was at around the same time her bogus wedding was set to take place. Not that there's any chance of that happening now. Her relationship with her fiance - who knew nothing about the deception - unsurprisingly did not last. Now, with the knowledge that she wasn't the only victim of Blackwell, Natalie can't help but feel the woman who told such an unfathomable lie has got off lightly. 'What's going to stop her doing it again?' she asks. Aviation experts are warning that rogue weather balloons similar to one which shattered the windshield of a United Airlines plane could bring down other passenger jets. Dr. Hassan Shahidi, the president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, called the incident involving Flight 1093 a 'serious accident' with the potential to happen again. The Los Angelesbound plane was less than two hours into its journey from Denver, Colorado when its was forced to make an emergency landing last Thursday. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was struck at 36,000 feet by a foreign object which smashed its multilayer windshield, spraying the cockpit with glass and slicing the pilot's arms. He was forced to divert the plane to Salt Lake City in Utah, saving the 134 passengers and six crew onboard. Matthew 'Whiz' Buckley, a former Navy fighter pilot who also has commercial flying experience with FedEx, said the situation would be a nightmare for any aviator. 'The worst case scenario is it does break, and if you're the one sitting in that seat, it could kill you. I mean, that shattered glass is like a hand grenade going off,' he told Daily Mail. 'And then if he or she isn't strapped in, and they're all the way up at altitude, they could get literally sucked out that window. And then they're gone. And now you have only one pilot left.' An unverified photo of United Airlines Flight 1093 after it was allegedly damaged midflight by a rogue weather balloon on October 16 The impact at 36,000 feet shattered the highlyfortified glass, shards of which reportedly went into the arm of the pilot as seen in this unverified photo Matthew 'Whiz' Buckley, a former Navy fighter pilot throughout the 1990s, said the worst case scenario would have been if the weather balloon had completely shattered the glass as it could have sucked the pilot out In this scenario, the entire cabin would rapidly depressurize, sending the oxygen masks down for passengers. 'When you're at cruising altitude now, I don't want to give away all our secrets, but that's when the newspaper's out, or the iPad. Your feet are kicked up and you're relaxing,' Buckley said. 'To have that windshield crack like that, it's traumatic.' Buckley explained that the United Airlines pilot would have immediately begun descending to a lower, safer altitude to prevent the cabin from depressurizing before searching for a safe place to land. Another scenario to consider according to the experts, is if the weather balloon had hit one of the plane's engines. Shahidi explained that while aircraft manufacturers run simulations for bird strikes in engines, there has never been a need to test for errant weather balloons - because it was never thought of as a hazard until last week. Given that the allegedly offending weather balloon weighs around 2.4 pounds at launch, Shahidi concluded that a hypothetical engine strike from it could be catastrophic. Yes, it could collide with the engine, and that's much more serious than a bird collision, he said. 'Birds, which are much smaller, can certainly bring an airplane down or take the engine out.' The cause of the impact remained a mystery until Monday, when WindBorne, a company that specializes in atmospheric forecasts released a statement saying that one of their roughly 2ftlong weather balloons was likely to blame. Dr. Hassan Shahidi, the president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, told the Daily Mail that if a weather balloon were to hit an engine, it could bring down a plane The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into what happened, but has not confirmed if the balloon was the object that hit the plane. Since WindBorne has the technology to pinpoint any one of their 100 balloons in the sky at a moment's notice, experts believe that the notoriously tight-lipped NTSB will eventually confirm that the balloon was the foreign object. The NTSB did not return a request for comment from the Daily Mail. Both Shahidi and Buckley said they were troubled over the fact that the weather balloon was ever in a position to hit the plane, since these devices are required to file aviation alerts, known as NOTAMs, to pilots and air traffic controllers every time they go up into the sky. They are also supposed to operate at altitudes of 60,000 to 120,000 feet to clear the typical cruising altitude for commercial airliners which is around 35,000ft. 'It is really of concern to see what is reportedly a weather balloon at that altitude collide with this aircraft going 500mph,' Shahidi said. 'Because of this collision, it resulted in the shattering of both the outer part of the windshield, as well as the inner part,' he added. 'These are highlyfortified windows that don't break easily.' Shahidi said the NTSB will look into whether NOTAMs were sent by the balloon operators or if the pilots received any such warning. Pictured: A WindBorne weather balloon is seen flying into the sky. A similar weather balloon is believed to have collided with the United Airlines flight Buckley warned about another satellite debris also poses a possible danger to commercial air travel 'The balloon should not have been in that airspace at the same time with the aircraft. So they will be looking at exactly the trajectory of the balloon,' Shahidi said. 'They'll certainly be looking at the flight plan of the airplane.' While strikes by weather balloons are rare, there are currently up to a hundred such devices in US airspace on any given day, spelling potential disaster for future flights. WindBorne has said it has already rolled out changes 'to minimize time spent between 30,000 and 40,000ft'. 'Additionally, we are further accelerating our plans to use live flight data to autonomously avoid planes, even if the planes are at a nonstandard altitude,' the company said. Shahidi also questioned whether the balloon was under control at the time of the collision or if it was in free fall. 'There's a lot of traffic at 36,000ft, and if these balloons are going up and down, we want to make sure this never happens again, he said. Buckley also addressed a lot of the early speculation about what could have hit the United plane before WindBorne came out with a statement. Many people believed it had to have been debris from space or a satellite. 'Initially I thought that was more plausible, because I've never heard of a weather balloon getting hit by an airplane,' he said. Pictured: A comparison showing the size of the WindBorne balloon that the company believes hit the United Airlines plane Buckley pointed out that there are more satellites than ever, with nearly 12,000 in the atmosphere. A recent estimate from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that the amount of satellite debris could 'rival the amount of naturally occurring meteor dust in the atmosphere by 2040'. 'Satellites outlive their usefulness. If they break or they're damaged or not responding, everything comes back down to earth,' Buckley said. 'Most of them burn up in the atmosphere...but there will be more incidences of space debris hitting airplanes.' Both experts are eager to hear the findings of the NTSB investigation, which typically take as long as two years to complete. It's one of Sydney's most prestigious girls' schools, boasting sweeping harbour views and an almost $49,000-a-year price tag. But behind the sandstone walls of Kambala in Rose Bay, a series of controversies involving well-heeled parents and staff has left its reputation decidedly less polished. From a parents' trip to Mykonos that ended in disaster, to swindles and defamation suits, the exclusive school has not been able to escape the shadow of scandal. One of the school's more notorious chapters involved Matthew Douglas Simons. A former school parent and self-styled real estate entrepreneur who was once a fixture at fundraisers and swimming carnivals, Simons faced 12 counts of obtaining money by deception for promoting a failed multimillion-dollar property scheme to fellow parents whom he recruited at Kambala events. Backed by big names - including corporate high-flyer-turned-rogue Rodney Adler - the scheme left some investors out of pocket. By 2004, Simons was bankrupt, owing more than $5million, which later increased to $10million with interest. Before his fall from grace, Simons appeared every inch the eastern suburbs success story, complete with a stunning Vaucluse home, a Jaguar, a boat and three daughters enrolled at Kambala. Kambala in Rose Bay (pictured) is one of Sydney's most prestigious girls' schools, boasting sweeping harbour views and an almost $49,000-a-year price tag Among his creditors were Sydney business heavyweights introduced through the Kambala network, who believed in his status as a trusted 'school dad'. He later served 18 months of weekend detention for obtaining $230,000 by deception. For the Kambala community, his name became a stain on the school's elite reputation. In 2015, the school's long-serving business manager, Ian MacCulloch, was caught defrauding the school of around $365,000 using school credit cards over five years. The 56-year-old admitted at Waverley Local Court to heavy drinking and extreme work stress at the time of the offending. A psychologist described his actions as stemming from a sense of entitlement. MacCulloch cooperated fully, repaid a substantial portion of the funds, and was sentenced to a 22-month community-based intensive corrections order instead of going to jail. Though his career in education ended in disgrace, MacCulloch has maintained a 'consulting specialist' position, according to his LinkedIn profile. Former Kambala parents Nicholas (left) and Litsa Stavropoulos (right), a popular eastern suburbs couple, split earlier this year. In May, a Greek court found Nicholas guilty of rape after an incident on a parents' trip in 2016. He has appealed and is expected to receive a full retrial Another embarrassing headline for Kambala came in 2016, when several parents accused the school of 'not living up to its Christian values' - their outrage directed at the fact the school employed gay teachers. Two families went into full Karen mode, furious that the prestigious institution dared to hire staff who didn't conform to their antiquated beliefs on sexuality. School council president Sally Herman swiftly hit back with a strongly worded letter defending Kambala's policy of non-discrimination, stating the school 'respects all staff and students alike.' Then-principal Dr Debra Kelliher backed Ms Herman, saying Kambala prided itself on being 'a contemporary, inclusive school' reflective of the diverse society its students would one day lead. That same year, in an unrelated controversy, a group of wealthy Kambala parents organised privately to go on holiday to Mykonos, Greece. The trip would soon prove disastrous. The 40th birthday getaway resulted in ruined reputations, destroyed friendships and at least one shattered marriage. At the centre was former travel mogul Nicholas 'Nic' Stavropoulos, who was found guilty in May this year by a court in Naxos of raping a fellow school parent during the trip nearly a decade ago. The incident occurred in a nightclub bathroom and was followed by a years-long legal saga culminating in the recent trial. A panel of judges and jurors sentenced Stavropoulos to six years in jail, but he has lodged an appeal and remains living freely in Point Piper. Under Greek law, an appeal means a full retrial - meaning the scandal is far from over. Earlier this year, Nic's decades-long marriage to wife Litsa ended - though it's unclear if this was related to the Mykonos incident. He is now dating Pembe Bekir, formerly Litsa's best friend. Pembe herself is separated from entrepreneur Deniz Bekir, a friend of Nic's for more than 40 years. In 2017, it wasn't the parents but the staff making headlines. Former Kambala principal Dr Debra Kelliher reached a confidential settlement in a defamation case against the elite school and two teachers Former principal Dr Debra Kelliher reached a confidential settlement in a defamation case against Kambala and two teachers after her abrupt resignation just three and a half years into the role. Her departure followed a staff vote of no confidence and false allegations of 'tyrannical rule', bullying, and unethical behaviour. She claimed she had been defamed by internal emails and sued for damages of up to $2million after losing her $650,000-a-year position. The case was settled out of court, with the school and the teachers issuing a public apology to Dr Kelliher. 'Kambala, the school council, Mr Grandison and Ms Peake all apologise unreservedly to Ms Kelliher for the publication of those emails and for the harm and hurt they caused.' Since leaving Kambala, Dr Kelliher has rebuilt her career as CEO and founder of AWARE network - a consultancy and training platform aimed at empowering women through authenticity, respect, and self-leadership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley have settled into a perfect contrast of yin and yang. The PM has a halo of success, so much so that seemingly everything he touches turns to gold. In sharp contrast, Ley is floundering, unable to maintain party unity, much less take the fight up to Labor. It's not that the government is doing a particularly good job. Its net-zero strategy is both messy and unlikely to succeed. The Treasurer was just forced into a humiliating super tax backdown. And on his Washington trip, Albo was embarrassed by the presence of his hand-picked ambassador, Kevin Rudd, who Donald Trump slammed publicly. But these troubles are no big deal for an ascendant PM, popular in the polls. In fact, they only served to highlight just how Teflon he is compared to Ley, who apparently can't do anything right these days. Take, for example, Ley's attempt to land an easy blow on Rudd. When she said that he should resign his commission in Washington - a logical move, some would argue, given that Trump can't stand him - it backfired. Her own Liberal parliamentary colleagues took Rudd's side. Former PM Tony Abbott even praised Rudd to throw shade at Ley. She can't catch a break, whereas Albo can do no wrong. He can avoid the tough tasks of tax reform and budget repair, stepping off his flight home wearing a T-shirt a teenager might choose as their 'fit', but none of that matters. This week, Albo banked his Washington extravaganza after a successful meeting with Trump 'Right now Albanese is on a run and Ley is down in the dumps' The 62-year-old PM is hitting his stride, whereas the 63-year-old Opposition Leader looks like she should have retired years ago. Politics is often about contrast. Right now, Albanese is on a run and Ley is down in the dumps. That contrast is helping to define the fortunes of both leaders. Every time Ley stumbles, Albo looks better. Each time he has a win, or controls his team, Ley looks more out of control and a bigger loser. Unless something changes dramatically, Ley is a dead duck - left dangling while rivals wait for the perfect moment to strike, timing their challenge for maximum effect. At present, Ley is just a useful idiot, diminished and unelectable. And that's the best-case scenario for the Opposition right now. The worst case would see the Coalition split, a new conservative party emerge - like Reform in the UK - and One Nation go mainstream and grow its share of the right-wing vote via defections. In contrast, Albo is the master of his own destiny, despite his presiding tendencies as PM. The Greens are in control. The Labor right is under his thumb. Internal party opponents have been sidelined. You have to give it to the man, he's certainly built on his strengths from the dangerous days during his first term after the Voice was defeated and his politicking was starting to look out of touch. But things can change quickly, especially in modern politics. Albo can't afford to get too comfortable, lest a generational shift in Liberal leadership re-energise the opposition, spotlight his lack of fresh ideas and advancing age, and help the Coalition resolve its internal divisions. None of that's guaranteed, of course. Things could get worse for the Opposition before they get better - and a weakened opposition feeds the appearance of government success. 'Ley's internal problems are now the headline - and that's if the Opposition gets any attention at all,' writes Peter van Onselen This contrast between the parties and the leaders hasn't happened in a week - it's been building for months. Ley has been trying to stitch together a wounded Coalition while the Nationals keep pulling at the seam over net zero. Every flare-up drags her back into climate and culture wars instead of cost-of-living solutions. Albo, meanwhile, banked his Washington extravaganza: a critical minerals deal, AUKUS reassurances, nice photos in the Oval Office - foreign policy success repackaged as proof of domestic competence. All this underscored the contrast with Ley and her band of not-so-merry men (because, in the Liberal Party, they mostly are men). The more her side looks divided, the more the PM looks like he's simply doing his job - and his polls improve as a consequence. Ley's internal problems are now the headline - and that's if the Opposition gets any attention at all. Her polling reflects it. Ley's numbers have slid, Labor's lead has widened, and Albanese's preferred-PM margin only grows. The data highlights the contrast. Voters angry about the cost of living, high immigration and housing affordability feel like they have nowhere else to turn politically. They can't - and won't - warm to the alternative because it offers them nothing. Labor is already into its second term and the state of the economy is perilous, which would be political manna from heaven for a capable Opposition. But the Coalition has run itself down for years, and those chickens are coming home to roost. A lack of women in its ranks, a dearth of impressive pre-parliamentary backgrounds amongst its MPs, poor leadership alternatives and barely a policy of substance in sight. The list goes on. Ideologically, most Coalition MPs would struggle to enunciate what they believe in. Of course there are exceptions, but they prove the rule. Albanese has stood where Ley now finds herself: the unpopular Opposition leader up against a popular prime minister basking in Washington pageantry. In 2019, Scott Morrison enjoyed his own Oval Office moment with Trump, complete with a rare state dinner. Albanese watched it, learned from it, and now he's the one squeezing value from the photo ops. Morrison's Washington glow faded when he mishandled the bushfires, before he was elevated - then dumped - by the pandemic's arrival and fallout. Events, dear boy, events... they can change political fortunes quickly, and they are often out of the control of leaders, as former British PM Harold Macmillan once noted. So Albo should enjoy his dominance while it lasts - and Ley, if she wants to survive, must scratch out a pathway back and hang in there in hope. Because the suddenness of changing circumstances can shift the public's mood very quickly. But right now, she's odds-on to fail and Albo is enjoying his time in the sun. A treasure hunter who has spent years searching for 200million worth of Nazi gold at an old palace says he has now found a 'large metal' object he thinks could be packed with looted WWII valuables. Roman Furmaniak began scouring the grounds of the 18th century palace in the village of Minkowskie in southern Poland in 2021 after receiving documents saying tons of gold and valuables were buried there. But after extensive exploration he eventually called it a day after failing to find anything of significant value. Now he has returned to the palace, said once to have been used by Hitler's SS as a brothel, and says he thinks he has 'struck gold'. He told the Daily Mail: 'I believe we've got it now. We've been working down in the old orangery, about eight metres below ground. The soil there is very sandy and waterlogged'. The treasure hunter revealed that on Thursday his team hit something solid during their dig which they believe is heavy metal. 'It's sitting there in the wet ground and it moves slightly when we touch it with the excavator,' he said. 'We believe the deposit might be inside a shell casing from a German Big Bertha mortar. The dimensions match, and the density feels right, it's large and it's giving a strong metallic response. 'I believe we've got it now. After the last time I wasn't sure, but this time everything points to it being the real thing. 'As I said, hours maybe days set us apart from this monumental unearthing and we still stand by it.' A treasure hunter who spent years searching for Nazi gold at an old palace says he has now found a 'large metal' object he thinks could be packed with looted WWII treasure The buried treasure is thought to include the so-called 'Gold of Breslau' which went missing from what is now the nearby Polish city of Wrocaw just 35 miles away Roman Furmaniak began scouring the grounds of the18th century palace in the village of Minkowskie in southern Poland in 2021 He added: 'The historical building inspector has been notified about finding a heavy metal object, the Polish ministry of Culture and German government will be also notified. The buried treasure is thought to include the so-called 'Gold of Breslau' which went missing from what is now the nearby Polish city of Wrocaw just 35 miles away. Then a German city, Breslau was one of the wealthiest in Hitler's Third Reich. But, the impending arrival of the Red Army meant that the Germans had to hide tonnes of gold and valuables. These included bank deposits from the Reichsbank as well as private German banks, and civilian deposits of gold, money and jewellery. According to legend, the treasure was transported under an SS guard from Breslau towards the Sudeten mountains. But, soon after departing, the transport disappeared and the treasure has never been seen since. One of the theories is that it was stolen on Heinrich Himmlers orders to go towards the creation of a Fourth Reich. The palace, which dates back to the 18th century, became of interest to Furmaniak after he purportedly came across some secret documents, an SS officer's diary and a map. According to Furmaniak, the pencil-written diary pages, said to have been penned by a high-ranking SS officer under the pseudonym Michaelis, names the palace as being the location of the missing treasure. An entry said to be from March 12, 1945, says: 'A trough has been dug in the orangery, which is a safe "home" for the delivered chests and containers.' It continues: '48 chests from the Reichsbank, in good condition, were hidden, very well covered with earth and 'greened' with still living plants. 'Let providence watch over us.' Also included in the documents is said to be a letter from a senior SS officer calling himself von Stein to one of the girls who worked at the palace and who later became his lover. The officer wrote: 'My dear Inge, I will fulfil my assignment, with God's will. Some transports were successful. 'The remaining 48 heavy Reichsbank's chests and all the family chests I hereby entrust to you. The location was revealed by secret documents, a diary (pictured) and a map that the treasure hunters received from the descendants of SS officers belonging to a secretive lodge worshipped by Himmler and dating back over 1,000 years The pencil-written pages of the diary are said to identify 11 locations across Lower Silesia which before and during the war was German territory The treasure was stolen on the orders of SS boss Heinrich Himmler (pictured) towards the end of WWII to set up a Fourth Reich The buried treasure is thought to include the so-called 'Gold of Breslau' which went missing from what is now the nearby Polish city of Wroclaw just 35 miles away The palace became of interest to Furmaniak after he purportedly came across some secret documents, an SS officer's diary and a map Your browser does not support iframes. 'Only you know where they are located. May God help you and help me, fulfil my assignment.' The diary describes one cache as containing 47 works of art of international importance, believed to be stolen from collections in France. According to the Silesian Bridge Foundation, the diary came from a man claiming to be the son of a SS officer and represented a Masonic Lodge made up of the descendants of Nazi officials seeking atonement. Furmaniak said the 1,100-year-old lodge in Saxony-Anhalt had had the diary for decades before handing it over to the foundation over 10 years ago. While searching the palace grounds in 2022, the foundation said it had found a five-foot metal canister lying around 10ft below the surface. This turned out to be nothing more than a piece of junk though and the same year historians who the foundation 'invited to verify' the diary, said their analysis was 'not completely positive'. Posting on Facebook, the historians from a group called the Discoverer Magazine Exploration Group (GEMO) said: 'Our most important finding is that the village of Minkowskie is NOT mentioned in the 'War Diary'. 'This may be hard for the Foundation, because it is the only place their excavation works are being carried out at this moment.' Among the bundle of documents is a letter from a senior SS officer called von Stein to one of the girls who worked at the palace in Minkowskie and who later became his lover. The officer wrote: 'My dear Inge, I will fufill my assignment, with God's will. Some transports were successful. The remaining 48 heavy Reichsbank's chests and all the family chests I hereby entrust to you. Only you know where they are located. May God help you and help me, fulfil my assignment' Furmaniak told the Daily Mail: 'We believe the deposit might be inside a shell casing from a German Big Bertha mortar' The historians also analysed the letter that was included with the 'War Diary' and questioned its authenticity. They said: 'Also the corresponding documents, like one famous letter, do not seem very 'legit' and are NOT a part of the 'War Diary', meaning there is not even one bit of evidence that there is anything in Minkowskie.' They later found a book published in Germany after the war about escapees from the region which they say 'contained the same details which were then copied verbatim into the diary.' According to the historians, the passages in the diary were transcribed from accounts of German refugees who fled Lower Silesia in 1945 which were later published in the 1960s in a book called Die Flucht (The Flight). The historians concluded at the time: 'The result of our analysis unequivocally identifies the war diary as a fictional text created many years after the war.' A Georgia mother will press charges after her 8-year-old girl's braids were ripped out of her head at school. Sabrina Johnson says her daughter is 'traumatized' after a boy spewed a remark about her sexuality, then brutally attacked her in the school's lunchroom. 'She is destroyed, emotionally destroyed,' Johnson told WSB-TV2. 'She keeps on crying.' The incident happened on Wednesday at Princeton Elementary School in DeKalb County. Johnson's daughter said she was being taunted by a boy making comments about her sexuality. The boy proceeded to hit her, and the 8-year-old fought back, her mother said. The bully overpowered the girl and yanked her hair, while shoving her out of the chair and onto the ground. He then held her down while grabbing her braids- and ripped them clean from her scalp. An 8-year-old girl's braids were ripped out of her scalp by another student, her mom says The girl was assaulted on Wednesday at Princeton Elementary School in DeKalb County Johnson said the school refused to show her video surveillance of the horrifying brawl, so she filed a police report 'He grabbed her hair. Jerked her from her seat and onto the floor and kept on pulling it,' a distressed Johnson recalled. The concerned mother rushed her daughter to the hospital after the ordeal for further evaluation, the incident is currently being investigated. Johnson said the school refused to show her video surveillance of the horrifying brawl, so she filed a police report. She added she wants to view the footage to see if there were any adults around at the time of the incident. An infuriated Johnson plans to transfer her daughter out of the school and press charges against the student. 'Its like nobody is listening,' Johnson said. 'I dont like kids to be bullied or to be harmed.' A spokesperson for DeKalb County School District confirmed the incident in a statement. 'The safety and well-being of our students remain a top priority for the DeKalb County School District. 'On October 22nd, an incident occurred between two students at Princeton Elementary School, resulting in one students hair being pulled. 'The students parent took them to a local hospital for further evaluation. The incident is still under investigation.' The Daily Mail reached out to DeKalb County School District for further comment. A California mother and devoted nurse was tragically gunned down by her ex-boyfriend in a horrific act of violence while she was dining at a Korean BBQ restaurant. Jacqueline Medrano, 45, was fatally shot by Jonathan Wang, 35, inside Gui Gui 9292 in La Habra, on October 14. Investigators said Wang entered the restaurant and fired shots at Medrano in front of horrified diners and staff, before turning the gun on himself. Police responded to the 'shots fired' call just before 7pm, where they located the two suffering from gunshot wound injuries. The two were declared dead at the scene by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Medrano and Wang were previously involved in a romantic relationship, investigators confirmed the crime was targeted. Wang had an active criminal protective order issued against him, that prohibited him from contacting Medrano, KTLA reported. Jacqueline Medrano, 45, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in an unthinkable public act of violence The 45-year-old and mother-of-two was urology nurse the Kaiser Permanente facility Gui Gui Korean BBQ in La Habra (pictured) where the barbaric murder-suicide took place The gunman was previously arrested in July because of a domestic violence incident. The Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office alleged 'he willfully caused injury to his girlfriend, Jacqueline Medrano.' Wang 'punched Medrano one time in the mouth, grabbed her by the front of the neck, pushed her to the ground, then held her down by the back of her neck,' according to her statement. The protective order also barred the gunman from possessing any type of firearm. He was scheduled to return to court in November. Family members said the 45-year-old was taking the necessary precautions to protect herself and her 17-year-old son, but Wang continued to stalk her. Her killer even showed up to her workplace - the Kaiser Permanente facility in Anaheim, where she was a urology nurse. 'It just proves how hard working she was,' Maria Barragan, Medranos coworker, told KTLA. 'All that she was going through, you would have never known.' An evening vigil honoring the beloved mother-of-two was held in San Pedro on Thursday night. Friends and family are furious with the justice system and believe it failed to protect her. Medrano is remembered 'as someone whose laughter could light up a room, whose compassion extended to everyone she met, and whose presence brought joy and comfort to those around her,' her memorial website reads. Medrano is remembered 'as someone whose laughter could light up a room' The 45-year-old was known for her 'warmth, generosity, and bright spirit,' and passion for motorcycles An evening vigil honoring the beloved mother-of-two was held in San Pedro on Thursday night 'Shes my hero, my role model forever in life and no one can take that away,' Medranos niece, Magali Rodriguez, told KTLA. The 45-year-old was known for her 'warmth, generosity, and bright spirit,' and passion for motorcycles. Her greatest joys in life were her two sons. 'Shes not a victim. Shes a hero,' Rodriguez said. In a statement, the restaurant gave their condolences to Medrano's family and ensured they have taken additional measures to ensure the safety of their guests. 'Our hearts are heavy, but we remain committed to being a safe and welcoming place for our community,' they wrote. 'Thank you for your understanding and continued support.' A pro-Palestinian supporter who repeatedly spat on a poster calling for the release of Israeli hostages while proclaiming 'F*** Israel' has been unmasked as an exotic dancer who once teased her social media fans: 'I will only kiss you if you want a free Palestine'. The Daily Mail can now reveal the young woman captured in shocking footage taken in north London is a 27-year-old pole dancer and model who goes by the name 'Scarlett Ankha' on her socials. Video of the disturbing incident shows the young brunette woman with blonde highlights hawking her saliva before attempting to scrape the sticker off an advertising display outside Hendon Central underground station. When she realised she was being filmed, the woman held up her middle finger towards the hostage poster featuring a yellow ribbon before telling her shocked bystanders: 'F*** Israel, f*** every dirty nasty Israeli piece of s***'. The yellow ribbon is the symbol of the 'Bring Them Home' campaign for the hostages who were taken by Hamas terrorists and held captive in Gaza. A distinctive tattoo appearing on the woman's left hand in the video corresponds with a tattoo seen on Scarlett's left hand in a post on her Instagram account. Metropolitan Police confirmed it is investigating the incident, which occurred on Sunday around 11pm, as a hate crime. In the full video, which has been viewed by Daily Mail, the woman turns several times on the Jewish bystanders filming the incident, one of whom has a South African accent. A pro-Palestinian supporter accused of 'pure visceral hatred' after she was filmed repeatedly spitting on a poster calling for the release of Israeli hostages has been revealed as an exotic dancer going by the name 'Scarlett Ankha' On her social media accounts Scarlett alludes several times to her support for the Palestinian cause and refers to 'colonialists' She says to the bystander: 'F*** every dirty coloniser, including every Israeli and all you f***ing, what are you, South African? You sound it.' The pro-Palestinian supporter, who can be heard referring to herself as 'indigenous' continues to spit at the poster and make crude gestures, before telling those filming her: 'I love all Jewish people, my love [is] to real Jews, not dirty Israeli pieces of s**t.' On her social media accounts, which are filled with videos of pole dancing and provocative images, Scarlett alludes several times to her support for the Palestinian cause and refers to 'colonialists'. In one post from February 2024, a scantily-clad Scarlett with Palestinian flags superimposed over her face, tells her followers: 'People are being bombed in Rafah right now! Someone is dying every 30 seconds. Over 109 people have died in the past couple hours! Please don't ignore this! FREE PALESTINE.' A second post from around the same time shows an image of Scarlett pouting at the camera with the caption: 'I will only kiss you if you want a free Palestine'. Scarlett has also posted a third image of herself posing for the camera with a low-cut top and the caption 'free Palestine you perv' across her chest. The dancer's Instagram reel is littered with videos and memes pertaining to Israel's war on Hamas and Gaza. In March 2024, Scarlett claimed to her followers that she had been 'assaulted, called dirty, had my hand smacked by a dirty coloniser' and kicked out of a shop for handing out Free Palestine leaflets. On her social media accounts, Scarlett alludes several times to her support for the Palestinian cause and refers to 'colonialists' Shocking footage from the video shows the young brunette woman hawking her saliva at the graphic on an advertising display outside Hendon Central underground station Met Police said it was investigating the incident outside Hendon Central station as a hate crime She posted an image of herself sticking up her middle finger with the caption, 'p****** colonisers off is my favourite passtime (sic), what's yours?' Scarlett revealed she is around 5ft tall in a 2022 interview for online content channel Twerkaholic TV, which ran a series chatting to UK pole dancers about their careers. Across her social media, the diminutive dancer revealed she teaches 'sensuous' pole dancing in north west London and has an interest in the occult. The disturbing incident, described by bystanders as 'pure visceral hatred', came just days after a ceasefire deal saw the release of the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas terrorists since October 7, 2023 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. As part of the deal, Hamas was supposed to release the bodies of 28 people but has only returned 15 of them to date, claiming they are unable to locate the remaining 13. Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the deadly attacks on Israel in 2023. Speaking to Daily Mail, a witness who does not wish to be named, said the incident amounted to 'nothing more than hatred'. He had spotted the woman scraping away at the sticker and believed initially she was trying to remove an anti-Semitic sticker - before realising what she was actually doing. Across her social media, the diminutive dancer revealed she teaches 'sensuous' pole dancing in north west London and has an interest in the occult The man said: 'In the climate we live in, as Jews in England, it was certainly not the first time something like this has happened and it's not the worst thing we've seen. 'But it was a shock and very difficult in the moment to know what to do. 'That's life as a Jew in London today. 'We're lost for words. All the people in our community, regardless of where they are on the spectrum in terms of religious practice, we are all feeling the same. 'It's pure visceral hatred, isn't it? I mean, there's no other reason for it. What other reason could there be? She certainly didn't have anything to say about the hostages - living or dead.' Advocacy group Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was aware of the incident. A spokesperson said: 'This video is appalling. Unfortunately, it's also emblematic of deeply troubling trends among young people: almost half of British 18 to 24-year-olds are uncomfortable around supporters of Israel, 42 per cent believe Israel can 'get away with anything' because its supporters control the media, and 10 per cent have a favourable view of Hamas. 'The authorities - from educational and cultural institutions to law enforcement need to wake up to this alarming rise in hatred and take meaningful steps to combat it.' Met Police said it was investigating the incident. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the video and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. 'Officers are carrying out enquiries and have arranged to meet with the victims. 'There have been no arrests. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7476/20Oct.' The Trump administration once again finds itself ensnared in internecine warfare this time inside Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where bruised egos, personal rivalries and raw ambition are said to have led to a campaign of leaks that sunk a White House nomination. White House and DHS insiders tell the Daily Mail that Christopher Pratt, the department's under secretary for strategy, policy and plans, along with Taylor Bush, deputy to White House liaison Paul Ingrassia, helped orchestrate damaging leaks targeting their colleague. Three sources say the pair leaked both a sexual harassment tip and the so-called 'Nazi texts' that ultimately torpedoed Ingrassia's nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel, a key federal watchdog agency. Ingrassia the 30-year-old nominee hand-picked by President Donald Trump had been set to face the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week. But his confirmation collapsed after Politico published a series of text messages in which he mocked Martin Luther King Jr. Day as 'the seventh circle of hell' and described himself as having 'a Nazi streak.' The release allegedly was no coincidence, sources insist but rather the culmination of a months-long vendetta and a plan hatched within the walls of the DHS. 'They never liked Paul. That's a fact,' one high-level DHS official told Daily Mail. 'Pratt and Ingrassia didn't get along at all,' a source at the White House added, noting that the president's personnel office has long clashed with Pratt, and that Ingrassia was aligned with the faction opposed to him. 'This is jealousy, pure and simple. They've been trying to move chess pieces and take him out for months,' the source added. Bush, who is roughly a decade older than Ingrassia, resented working under the younger appointee, the Daily Mail has learned. 'He's been knifing him for his job,' a second DHS source said. 'They've been looking to get rid of Ingrassia from the start.' White House and Department of Homeland Security insiders tell the Daily Mail that Christopher Pratt, the department's under secretary for strategy, policy and plans, along with Taylor Bush, deputy to White House liaison Paul Ingrassia (pictured with Trump), orchestrated damaging leaks targeting their colleague The release allegedly was no coincidence, sources insist - but rather the culmination of a months-long vendetta and a plan hatched within the walls of the DHS (pictured: Kristi Noem) 'Pratt and Ingrassia didn't get along at all,' a source at the White House added (pictured: Christopher Pratt) Taylor Bush (pictured), who is roughly a decade older than Ingrassia, resented working under the younger appointee, the Daily Mail has learned. The irony is not lost on DHS insiders: Pratt, a longtime government official, had himself been tapped by the White House for a senior State Department position as the administration's liaison to the Pentagon. But his own nomination was quietly withdrawn on September 29. 'Chris Pratt is arrogant and pretentious. He always wants to get his way hire his friends and it's gotten the department into a lot of trouble. He gets his friends DHS contracts without going through the proper channels, the list goes on,' said the second DHS source. Before joining public service, Pratt's career spanned advising special operations forces in Afghanistan to leading hostage-negotiation efforts. He spent nearly a decade in the private sector and served in a senior role at the Pentagon, managing interagency personnel recovery operations. One individual involved in leaking Ingrassia's messages reportedly claimed the move stemmed from a desire for 'government to be staffed with experienced people who are taken seriously.' But Ingrassia's attorney, Edward Paltzik, pushed back, arguing that the texts were misrepresented and stripped of context. Ingrassia (pictured) did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's requests for comment The release was no coincidence, sources insist - it was hatched within the walls of DHS as part of a months-long vendetta 'Looks like these texts could be manipulated or are being provided with material context omitted,' Paltzik said. 'However, even if the texts are authentic, they clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters "Nazis".' Paltzik said the leaks were part of a broader attempt to politically and personally damage his client. 'In this age of AI, authentication of allegedly leaked messages which could be outright falsehoods, doctored, or manipulated, or lacking critical context is extremely difficult,' he said. 'What is certain, though, is that there are individuals who cloak themselves in anonymity while executing their underhanded personal agendas to harm Mr. Ingrassia at all costs. We do not concede the authenticity of any of these purported messages.' The controversy came on the heels of renewed scrutiny over an earlier sexual harassment probe involving Ingrassia during his DHS tenure an investigation that ultimately cleared him of wrongdoing. 'Mr. Ingrassia has never harassed any coworkers female or otherwise, sexually or otherwise in connection with any employment,' Paltzik said. Ingrassia did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's requests for comment. Bush denies the claims. 'These allegations are categorically false. I am not on nor have I ever been on the text chain in question, nor have I ever leaked or shared these messages. Our correspondence has only ever been work related and I have only ever had a cordial working relationship with Ingrassia since we first met back in late March,' Bush told Daily Mail. Pratt's legal team wrote to the Daily Mail: 'Mr. Pratt has never contacted any media outlet or reporter, in any manner, to provide any information whatsoever. We can confirm these allegations are unequivocally false.' A body was discovered in the search for missing a 21-year-old transgender athlete at a Vermont college, according to authorities. The Vermont Chief Medical Examiners Office identified the body as Lia Smith and determined she had took her own life. Smiths body was found Thursday around 1.30pm in a field west of the Middlebury College campus, where she went to school. She had been reported missing by her dad last Sunday. In February, the Addison County Independent identified Smith as a transgender woman who had previously competed as a diver for Middleburys aquatics team. Smith, of Woodside, California, was double majoring in computer science and statistics and scheduled to graduate in 2026. Middlebury College reacted Thursday to the news that a body had been found on-campus. A body was discovered and identified as missing 21-year-old former student athlete Lia Smith The Vermont Chief Medical Examiners Office said Friday that Smith committed suicide School president Ian Baucom said: This is incredibly saddening news, and we are working to support our community in every way we can at this difficult time. I know that this is extraordinarily difficult news to receive as we continue to hold Lia and all her family and friends tight in our hearts. 'As ever, please care for yourselves and one another. The Middlebury Police Department said Smith had last been seen on the Middlebury campus on October 17 around 9pm. She was reported missing two days later by her concerned father. He filed the missing persons report after not hearing from her and speaking with her friends, the Middlebury Campus reported. The search for Smith included the Vermont State Police's search and rescue team and US Customs and Border Protection, as well as drones. Smith was reported missing by her father last Sunday Her body was found in a field west of the Middlebury College campus College staff and students also joined the search. An online form gathering search party volunteers had more than 170 responses earlier this week. Middlebury College is a liberal arts school in Addison County, Vermont, which is located in the state's Lake Champlain region. The college has been called a 'little ivy' because of its selective 10 percent acceptance rate and focus on undergraduate education. Keir Starmer's plan for a nationwide ban on smoking cannot be implemented in Northern Ireland without breaching the UK's post-Brexit deal with the EU, the country's former legal chief has warned. John Larkin KC said the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through Parliament will be 'run aground' by the Windsor Framework agreed by Rishi Sunak in 2023. The framework governs post-Brexit trading arrangements and means Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules to ensure no hardening of the land border with Ireland. Last week Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told MPs it was 'the Government's intention' that the ban would apply in Ulster as it would anywhere else. But legal advice produced by Mr Larkin for the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, seen by the Mail, says doing so would breach a 2014 EU directive prohibiting member states - and rule-taking Northern Ireland - from making tobacco illegal. Mr Larkin said that the framework was 'an insuperable obstacle to the effective enactment' of the part of the smoking ban that applies it to Northern Ireland as well as England, Scotland and Wales. 'Parliament is simply not free to legislate effectively in those policy areas in which EU law still prevails through the Windsor Framework in Northern Ireland,' he wrote. 'The Bill serves almost as a textbook example of how a measure advanced by a Government commanding a large majority in the House of Commons can run aground, as respects its Northern Ireland component, on provisions contained in the Windsor Framework.' John Larkin KC said the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through Parliament will be 'run aground' in Northern Ireland by the Windsor Framework agreed by Rishi Sunak in 2023. The Bill is UK-wide legislation which would create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009. Last week Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told MPs it was 'the Government's intention' that the ban would apply in Ulster as it would anywhere else. The Bill is UK-wide legislation which would create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009. It would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes. The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of Lords. Mr Benn and other ministers have repeatedly told MPs the ban will apply to Northern Ireland. Last week he dismissed a claim by Tory MP Mike Wood that the ban was 'potentially in breach of the EU's tobacco products directive. 'It is certainly the Government's intention that the ban will apply in Northern Ireland, because it is very important that young people all over the United Kingdom are protected in the way in which the Bill seeks,' the minister told the Commons. A New Jersey Police Sergeant was criminally charged after lingering at a cemetery and two restaurants instead of responding to a horrific murder-suicide by a fellow cop. Franklin Township Police Sgt Kevin Bollaro was charged with 'official misconduct and tampering with records' in connection with the murder-suicide back in August. Sergeant First Class Ricardo Santos fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Semanchik, and her new boyfriend, Tyler Webb, at their home on Upper Kingtown Road, before killing himself with the same weapon. Prosecutors allege that Bollaro received three separate calls about gunshots near Upper Kingtown Road the night before the victims were discovered, but failed to properly respond before submitting a false report of his investigation. Bollaro received the first call around 7pm, but GPS and surveillance footage showed the officer went to an ATM before driving to the scene, the prosecutors office alleged. A second call about the gunshots came in, where prosecutors allege Bollaro was still at the ATM. The third call was relayed to him about five minutes later. Seventeen minutes passed between the first call and Bollaros arrival at the scene, where he allegedly failed to activate his police cars sirens and body camera. Bollaro met with the first caller but not the second and third callers, prosecutors alleged. Franklin Township Police Sgt Kevin Bollaro (pictured) was charged with 'official misconduct and tampering with records' Victim Lauren Semanchik (pictured) who was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in a haunting murder-suicide Victim Tyler Webb (pictured) boyfriend to Lauren Semanchik, who was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend The officer drove to a pizzeria after leaving the area, where he stayed for around 50 minutes, according the prosecutors office. Bollaro then went to another restaurant and stayed there for almost an hour 'engaging socially with patrons', prosecutors alleged. GPS data also showed that Bollaro allegedly spent five consecutive hours of his shift at a local cemetery, during which no law enforcement activity was recorded by him. He then allegedly filed a false report about his actions that night. Bollaro's attorney made a statement, which read, in part: 'Nothing Kevin Bollaro did or did not do that day impacted or could have stopped that tragedy in any way.' 'Sgt. Kevin Bollaro has faithfully served that community for nearly 25 years [and] is not guilty of anything related to this horrendous killing. This prosecution is unfortunate.' Semanchik's family attorneys released a statement saying: 'The Semanchik and Webb families are shocked at Sgt. Bollaro's egregious conduct as charged by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor. 'We believe this to be the tip of the iceberg of the many failures by the local and state police which will be uncovered and which led to the murders of Lauren and Tyler.' Bollaro was placed on administrative leave and if convicted, he faces five to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. His court appearance is set for November 5. Ellie-Ann Reynolds is used to her voice being silenced. The 24-year-old mother-of-three from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, has spent 11 years trying to get people to hear her as she has bravely opened up about the horrific abuse she suffered as a child. The man who forced her into his car as she was walking along the street, aged just 13, didn't listen when she begged him to let her go home. Instead, he held her hostage in his squalid flat for days at a time, drugging her so she couldn't fight back when he raped and sexually abused her. His friends, who came over when she was chained up, naked, in the corner of a room, didn't listen when she cried out for help. Instead, they treated her like an animal, threatening to chop her fingers off or cut out her tongue if she told anyone what was happening. Social workers, who knew Ellie was at high risk of child sexual exploitation, didn't intervene, even though they noted she was spending time alone in strange properties with older men. The police, from whom both she and her distraught parents repeatedly sought help, didn't listen when she plucked up the courage to report the abuse in 2018. Ellie-Ann Reynolds, 24, has spent 11 years trying to get people to hear her as she has bravely opened up about the horrific abuse she suffered as a child Survivors have called for the resignation of MP Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister overseeing the inquiry Instead, they arrested Ellie and charged her with a petty crime, with officials later suggesting she had 'made up' the accusations of rape in a bid to excuse her own behaviour. It would be another two years before the ringleader of the gang who targeted her, the vile Sarj Miah, was arrested and tried for committing child sex offences between 1996 and 2010. And it wasn't until October last year that Miah and his two brothers were found guilty of 63 heinous and depraved crimes, including grooming, raping and abusing children as young as seven. It was a bittersweet verdict for Ellie, as the case was instigated not because of her claims, but by other survivors, whose statements finally urged the police and the CPS into action. 'I can't help thinking, 'why wasn't I believed?' she asks. 'It upsets me that I never got to put him behind bars.' Now, however, Ellie is more determined than ever to make herself heard. This week, she was one of four survivors to dramatically quit the grooming gangs inquiry, amid widespread criticism and controversy which has seen it descend into chaos. The inquiry, which was announced by the Prime Minister in June, was established as a result of recommendations by Baroness Louise Casey, who conducted a landmark review of the child sexual exploitation scandal, which affected thousands of girls dating back to the Eighties. Ellie-Ann was forced into a man's car as she was walking along the street, aged just 13, and held hostage in his squalid flat Ahead of the official start date, Ellie had been asked to join a survivors' liaison panel, believed to comprise around 20 other women, to represent first-hand the experiences of those who were preyed upon by grooming gangs - made up of men primarily of Asian of Pakistani descent - in towns and cities across England. In a dramatic resignation letter this week, however, she accused those leading the inquiry of keeping victims in the dark, isolating them from one another and editing their stories. 'I cannot take part in a process that manipulates survivors, censors our voices and tries to dilute the reality of what happened,' she wrote. Three other survivors, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman known only as 'Jess', laid out similarly-damning reasons for stepping down, before calling also for the resignation of MP Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister overseeing the inquiry. Elizabeth told the Daily Mail: 'All of us want to see Ms Phillips replaced as head of the inquiry. We do not trust her and we do not believe she has any interest in confronting basic facts.' The trio were swiftly followed by the two leading candidates in the frame to chair the inquiry: social worker Annie Hudson and former police chief Jim Gamble. In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, child protection expert Mr Gamble criticised the 'highly-charged and toxic environment' surrounding the inquiry and said the appointment process had been tainted by 'political opportunism and point-scoring'. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail after what has been an anxious and emotional few days, Ellie-Ann Reynolds wholeheartedly agrees. She was kept in the flat for days at a time and was drugged so she could not fight back when raped and sexually abused 'The one per cent of faith I had left in the system has been destroyed,' she says. 'When I had the initial conversation about joining that panel, I was persuaded that it was genuine; it was going to be survivor-led; these people were there to help us. 'There were a lot of emails and texts back and forward, and I started to feel apprehensive when they told us we needed to script our answers and write everything down. 'Then we were told we weren't allowed to speak to anyone about our experiences. 'Over the years, I have found my support through family and through speaking to other survivors. 'We've all experienced terrible ordeals. For years, no one listened. So to tell us not to talk about what we had been through felt completely disrespectful.' Fellow grooming survivor Elizabeth Harper says she found it 'disturbing' that her parents, who stood by her side during her ordeal, were not included or consulted as part of the inquiry. 'Equally insulting was the way we were addressed, like children to be lectured, pitied and patronised,' she says. 'It was deeply offensive. 'I was particularly unsettled to receive an email from the NWG, the charity co-ordinating the inquiry on behalf of the Home Office, issuing a 'gentle reminder' that I was not to talk to the press. 'Confidentiality agreements were shoved under our noses to be signed. When stories did appear in newspapers, I was one of those accused of 'leaking' to journalists. 'The feeling that I was being strong-armed into participating in a cover-up was so overwhelming that I began to feel physically sick.' For Ellie, the final straw, she says, came last Friday, when she and other panel members received an e-mail outlining the list of proposed candidates to chair the inquiry. 'I was in shock,' she says now. 'Both the people they were proposing came directly from institutions social services and the police that had failed us so badly in the past. She was treated like an animal, with men threatening to chop her fingers off or cut out her tongue if she told anyone what was happening 'How could they seriously expect us to sit on a panel with them? They were sidelining us, trying to push their own agenda.' Indeed, the inclusion of a former police officer was particularly galling for some; earlier this year, disturbing reports emerged which claimed individuals from South Yorkshire Police had been actively involved in sexually abusing grooming gang victims. There was the fraught question, too, of whether those at the head of the inquiry namely Safeguarding Minister Jess Philips are considering widening the scope of its investigation beyond grooming gangs. This, the women fear, is a bid to avoid focusing on the ethnicity of the perpetrators. There is also suspicion that the government is trying to deflect focus away from Labour-led councils, which seems at odds with the fact that Rotherham, the epicentre of the grooming scandal, has been in Labour's hands since 1947, but would appear to play to the interests of the Prime Minister. 'I do not trust Keir Starmer,' says Ellie. 'He was head of the CPS when the grooming scandal first came to light and he did nothing to help us. I can never forgive him for that.' It is clear the scars Ellie bears from years of trauma and abuse do not lie far from the surface. Even today, with three young children, a partner and a safe home of her own, she suffers from complex PTSD that stops her working, affects her memory and blights her daily life. She was so conditioned to stay silent about what was happening to her that she still struggles to talk about it yet another reason her treatment on the survivors' panel was so distressing. The ringleader of the group who targeted Ellie-Ann (pictured), the vile Sarj Miah, was arrested and tried for committing child sex offences between 1996 and 2010 Speaking of her abuse ordeal, she says: 'I was brainwashed into believing speaking out was going to cause more problems. 'The threats were constant. They told me they'd damage me to the point that I could never have children. 'They were big, scary men and I was just a little girl. I was scared of putting my family in danger. 'I'd rather the police had knocked on my door and told my parents I was dead than risk telling them what was going on.' Fiona Goddard remembers this feeling all too well. 'Even when I tried to speak out about what was going on, no-one would listen,' she says. 'They kept saying I led a 'chaotic lifestyle', like it was my fault I was being groomed and abused by grown men when I was just a teenager.' Unlike Ellie, however, Fiona, now 31, didn't have a family to go back to. Her abuse started in 2008, when she was 14 and living in a children's home in Bradford, West Yorkshire. An older man started picking her and a friend up in his car, taking them into town and plying them with gifts: energy drinks, lighters and alcohol. 'He'd pull up outside the care home, driving right onto the pavement to block your way if you tried to walk past,' she recalls. 'It started happening every night, and we felt grown-up and special. We got no attention elsewhere. 'We were lulled into a false sense of security because nothing bad happened at first. 'We'd park up somewhere and play cards and listen to music in his car. Social workers, who knew Ellie was at high risk of child sexual exploitation, didn't intervene, even though they noted she was spending time alone in strange properties with older men 'Then, one night, he took us to a really run-down hotel. My friend drank so much she was unconscious. I was in and out of it. That's when he sexually-assaulted me.' Afraid it was, somehow, her fault, Fiona said nothing. But things soon escalated and she felt powerless to stop the abuse. 'There was this house in Bradford where he and his friends would take us,' she says. 'Men from all over the country would come they called it a 'party house'. 'They'd get us really drunk and they would rape us, one after the other. It was coercive; they knew we didn't want it but they also knew we couldn't stop them.' At 15, Fiona fell pregnant. Her daughter, now 16, was taken away for adoption, as she was deemed unfit to parent. The fact that she, too, was a child did not seem to matter. Though concerns were raised about her vulnerability to child sexual exploitation, and a staff member at the children's home reported her suspicions about grooming to police, no action was taken. Instead, Fiona found herself branded a 'child prostitute' by locals. Care workers were told to stop calling the authorities, unless they saw her being physically dragged into a strange man's car. Police officers, she claims, once dropped her back at the house of one of her abusers and told her to 'have fun'. As she got older, she moved out of care and into semi-independent living, where social workers visited a few times a day. This, she says, is when the abuse got worse, often accompanied by horrific violence. 'They treated me like an animal,' she claims of the men who brutalised her. The police, from whom both she and her distraught parents repeatedly sought help, didn't listen when she plucked up the courage to report the abuse in 2018 'They smashed up my flat and stole my house key so I had to climb through the window to get in and out. I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. 'They had total control over everything I did. I had broken bones and black eyes constantly. 'One guy pinned me against a wall saying he wanted to smash a vodka bottle on my face, but I had nice eyes, so as long as I kept looking at him, he wouldn't hurt me.' In total, Fiona says, she was sexually-abused and raped by 50 men. It wasn't until 2012, when, aged 18, she finally left the care system, that she managed to escape by moving away and her torment finally came to an end. Two years later, in a show of admirable bravery, she contacted a local news outlet and went on TV anonymously to tell her story. What ensued was a five-year legal battle to bring the men who abused her to justice. Eventually, her evidence, along with that of another of their victims, was enough to convict nine men of 22 abhorrent offences including rape and child prostitution. In 2019, Fiona who had to leave her hometown for fear of retribution during the trial decided to waive her right to anonymity, in a selfless act to show others they need not feel ashamed. Since then, the mother-of-six has become something of a figurehead for survivors of abuse at the hands of grooming gangs. She was the first to quit the inquiry panel this week, and says she did so because she felt responsible for bringing several of the other women on board. 'The grooming gangs scandal has been surrounded by silence, cover-ups and secrecy,' she says. 'This should have been an opportunity to be transparent, open, honest and truthful. 'I'd stressed to the government when they announced the inquiry, and to Jess Phillips, that our main concern was rebuilding trust. 'That trust is now on very shaky ground.' Fiona has since joined forces with campaign group Open Justice UK, which is planning to publish official court transcripts from landmark grooming cases, including hers, to ensure full transparency and accountability on which individuals and institutions are to blame, and why. She and other survivors have also published a letter, stating the conditions that must be met if they are to consider rejoining the panel. Among them are the resignation of Jess Phillips, the appointment of a 'senior sitting or former judge' as chair and an assurance that the inquiry will focus only on grooming gangs and group-based child sexual exploitation. Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: neither she, nor the other women who have waited so long for their voices to be heard, will be silenced again. 'Being a mother puts a bit more fire in your belly,' says Ellie-Ann Reynolds. 'I'm not having my children grow up in a country where things like this are allowed to happen. 'What I want for the future is the truth not the scripted truth, but the raw, unfiltered, uncomfortable truth that really happened. 'And I'll fight with every breath in my lungs to make sure it comes out.' Miami's wealthiest residents were deemed 'rich morons' over plans to close off their road to the public. North Bay Road in Miami Beach is among the wealthiest streets in the US, with stunning properties going for eight-figure sums. The four-mile corridor has been home to A-listers like David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira or Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber. Now, the affluent residents want to install security gates that would effectively keep everyone else out of their street. They claim that the measure is necessary to ward off a string of car thefts and crime. Adam Bergman, who bought a North Bay Road home in January, told the Wall Street Journal: 'I was expecting to be in a safe environment where my kids would be able to have fun and enjoy the street, but it's impossible. 'There's no sense of community.' North Bay Road in Miami Beach is one of the most affluent communities in the US The affluent residents want to install security gates to ward off car thefts Bergman said masked robbers had unsuccessfully tried to steal his Mercedes in his driveway earlier this year. However, critics of the move panned the robberies that had supposedly plagued North Bay Road. In some thefts, the ritzy neighborhoods occupants had left the car keys inside the cars. Other times, the opulent vehicles were still running when they were stolen. The street's residents include the Beckhams, who purchased North Bay Road's most expensive mansion for about $72million. Other homeowners include Joshua Kushner and Karlie Kloss, who bought a 15,000-square-foot mansion on the corridor for a reported $15m in 2020. Adam Kravitz, who lives on neighboring Alton Road and is its homeowners association president, told the Wall Street Journal: 'This is a huge waste of time and effort to placate the egos of a few wealthy residents.' North Bay Road has been home to the likes of David and Victoria Beckham Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber also own a home on the corridor He said the North Bay residents who left the keys inside their vehicles were 'rich morons', whose car thefts were self-inflicted. Kravitz added: 'Are you saying that on Alton Road we don't have car thefts? Are you saying that on Alton Road we don't have break-ins?' The affluent homeowners believe they should not have to constantly worry about crime because of where they live and how much they pay to be there. Some have reportedly hired 24/7 armed security to watch their property. There were eight or nine car thefts on North Bay Road in each of the past four years, as opposed to 14 in 2020, according to the Wall Street Journal. That has resulted in the corridor's A-listers to create a group chat where they talk about 'suspicious' people in their ritzy part of Miami. The group includes the likes of Crawford, the Wall Street Journal reported. Homes on North Bay Road regularly go for eight-figure amounts The plan would install security gates separating the community from Miami's public street grid The full plan proposed by North Bay Road residents would prop up security gates separating the community from Miami's public street grid. The gates would also curtail rising traffic in the area, which residents claim is due to mobile apps leading drivers down their road. Bergman said: 'This has nothing to do with elitism. This is about protecting our community, our children and making it safe to be on the street.' However, the road is not actually a private community despite the astounding levels of prestige accumulated by its residents. The move is also complicated due to North Bay Road's particular design, as waterways split the corridor in three. Other affluent communities in Miami, such as Gables Estates or La Gorce Island, are gated off but not trisected by water. Until now, only the middle part has started the process to install the security gates, petitioning Miami Beach commissioners to create a special taxation district that would then potentially vote in support of the move. A traffic and feasibility study would also need to take place. If approved by Miami Beach authorities, the full installation would take two to three years. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has made jibes at the BBC over its co-operation with investigations into officers who were filmed making grossly offensive comments by an undercover Panorama reporter. At the beginning of this month, the broadcaster released Panorama: Undercover in the Police which exposed racist and discriminatory comments and actions by officers based at Charing Cross police station. Four of them have since been dismissed at specially accelerated hearings conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) with more expected to be hauled into hearing in the coming days. However, Sir Mark today released a statement blaming the BBC for delays which have struck some of the planned hearings, claiming their co-operation had 'fallen short'. The commissioner first highlighted his gratitude for the broadcaster's journalism which 'exposed the appalling behaviour of a number of officers who are now going through misconduct proceedings'. But he then went on to complain that the BBC had only yesterday submitted unaired footage from their undercover investigation to the IOPC, despite 'repeated requests'. This 'late disclosure' has allowed for adjournment applications which have now stalled the misconduct hearings for other officers in relation to the Panorama findings. 'While adjournments are standard to ensure each hearing can fairly consider all the available evidence, it is extremely frustrating to be in this position,' he added. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has made jibes at the BBC over its co-operation with investigations into officers who were filmed making grossly offensive comments by an undercover Panorama reporter He went on to explain how the Met have worked with the IOPC 'to schedule hearings less than a month after the broadcast' - a 'commitment' made in response to the public's expectation that the officers in question would be dealt with 'swiftly'. Sir Mark continued: 'The actions of the BBC, which should be acting in the public interest, have added unnecessary complications to what is already a bureaucratic, complex and highly legalistic misconduct system for police. 'The hearings will be rescheduled by the chairs at the earliest opportunity.' Replying to his comments, a BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We are glad to see the Met's recognition of the value of Panorama's journalism and we are actively engaged with assisting the IOPC.' The IOPC's response suggested no concern towards the Beeb and their co-operation with its investigations. An IOPC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We're aware of the decision to adjourn some of the Met's accelerated misconduct hearings following our investigation into the conduct of officers based at Charing Cross, and we await the new dates for these matters. 'From the outset of our investigation, we have had ongoing communication with the BBC to request footage that is relevant to our investigation. 'We are grateful that further material has been recently provided to us by the BBC, which we are reviewing as part of our ongoing investigation.' In the last two days, four Met Police officers from Charing Cross police station who featured in the Panorama episode have been dismissed. Experienced custody manager sergeant Joe McIlvenny and constables Phil Neilson and Martin Borg were dismissed yesterday without notice after they were found to have committed gross misconduct for their 'abhorrent' behaviour. And PC Jason Sinclair-Birt, who boasted about and revelled in the use of force on a detainee, was today dismissed at an an accelerated misconduct hearing in south London. But the officer did not use the excessive force he described, did not draw his baton, and later said he was embellishing an account of a previous incident for 'comedic effect', James Berry KC said on behalf of the appropriate authority. PC Sinclair-Birt (pictured) said he 'whacked the s**t out of the back of his [a detainee's] legs trying to get him to the floor' Chairman Commander Jason Prins said he was satisfied the breach of conduct amounted to gross misconduct and PC Sinclair-Birt was dismissed without notice. Commander Prins said: 'The officer has chosen to share a false account which revelled in the use of excessive force. In my view the false account was meant to be taken at face value.' Mr Berry said the appropriate authority's case in regard to PC Sinclair-Birt is that the officer was 'boasting about and revelling in the use of force, and what he was describing as an excessive use of force, on a detainee'. PC Sinclair-Birt denied gross misconduct, the hearing was told. The programme shows him in a conversation with a colleague describing a detainee he dealt with, saying he got elbowed in the face, but 'I had the last laugh' as when he was standing up in the van wearing leg restraints 'I just started beating the shit out of the back of his legs', Mr Berry said. The officer was 'smiling' when describing it, the hearing was told. PC Sinclair-Birt said he 'whacked the s**t out of the back of his legs trying to get him to the floor', Mr Berry added. The officer then laughed and said 'never got a complaint', before adopting a mocking voice to say 'oh it was police brutality', the hearing was told. PC Sinclair-Birt said on the programme it was 'five or six strikes to his f***ing legs', then added 'it wasn't a good look' and 'there's definitely a bit of red mist there'. The officer he was talking to said he was sure PC Sinclair-Birt could 'justify it somehow', to which he replied: 'I did apparently', the hearing was told. Mr Berry told the hearing that PC Sinclair-Birt's response to the allegation is that 'these were empty words and not a true account' and he was embellishing an account which did occur in 2022 for 'comedic effect'. Footage of the encounter PC Sinclair-Birt was discussing was played to the hearing, in which a suspect assaulted the officer by headbutting him in the face - the suspect was convicted of assaulting an emergency worker, Mr Berry added. PC Sinclair-Birt used 'lawful' force and never deployed his baton during the incident, Mr Berry added. Sergeant Joe McIlvenny (pictured) was sacked after 24 years' service after he was found to have repeatedly made grossly offensive and misogynistic comments in Panorama: Undercover in the Police Mr Berry said the comments were meant to be 'humorous in the context of an informal chat with colleagues', and PC Sinclair-Birt used 'dark humour as a coping strategy'. He added: 'I'm happy to confirm he did not use the excessive force that he described, he did not even draw his baton.' But Mr Berry said PC Sinclair-Birt 'did however give a very credible sounding account' to his colleagues. PC Sinclair-Birt appeared to 'glorify, boast about and revel in the use of force', Mr Berry said. Giving evidence, PC Sinclair-Birt was asked if he intended the conversation to be taken at face value, and he said 'definitely not'. McIlvenny was sacked after 24 years' service after he was found to have repeatedly made grossly offensive and misogynistic comments in Panorama: Undercover in the Police. Footage showed he 'trivialised and mocked' the account of a rape victim with a colleague, and compared a female detainee wearing a fancy dress police outfit with 'the sort of women he would pay to see in nightclubs'. He was also caught on camera 'speaking graphically about sexual matters in the workplace' and about a woman being grossly overweight. McIlvenny laughed as he told undercover reporter Rory Bibb not to discuss the use of force on detainees in areas inside the station where he could be overheard or picked up on cameras. McIlvenny said his comments were 'taken out of context' and 'heavily edited', that he had been diagnosed with work-related PTSD, but that he was not insensitive towards any rape complainants. Ex-colleague Neilson was sacked after four years, having faced claims he made 'highly racist remarks' and 'glorifying' what he described as the inappropriate use of force on a detainee. The documentary showed Neilson in the pub claiming people from the Middle East are 'scum'. In another clip, Neilson said the way to deal with a detainee who overstayed his visa was to 'f***ing either put a bullet through his head or deport', and 'the ones that sh*g, rape women, you do the c*ck and let them bleed out'. Neilson said he was 'egged on' by the undercover reporter's 'incessant' questioning, was affected by drinking up to nine pints of Guinness, and that he made 'misguided attempts at bravado'. He denied he was racist, or held discriminatory views, adding: 'I treat everyone with respect.' Borg was also sacked after six years after being found to have 'revelled' in the use of force, and making discriminatory remarks about Muslims. PC Phil Neilson (pictured) was sacked after four years, having faced claims he made 'highly racist remarks' and 'glorifying' what he described as the inappropriate use of force on a detainee PC Martin Borg (pictured) was also sacked after six years after being found to have 'revelled' in the use of force, and making discriminatory remarks about Muslims The footage showed Borg claiming 'Islam is a problem - a serious problem' during a trip to the pub. He also told the undercover officer he 'enjoyed' having 'scraps'. Borg accused the BBC reporter of 'grooming' him 'over the course of months', but said there was nothing wrong with referring to someone with swear words if it was done in private and not during the course of his work. Mr Berry said the Met had gone to 'very considerable efforts' to tackle racism, sexism and misogyny in the last three years. He said: 'The messaging both internally and externally has been crystal clear that sexism, misogyny and racism are not tolerated in the MPS. 'No officer in the MPS in 2024 or 2025 could be in the slightest doubt about this.' He said this work was 'significantly undermined' by the officers' conduct. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has made cleaning up the country's largest police force his personal crusade, getting rid of nearly 1,500 officers in the last three years since he took on the job. The Met said the entire custody team Charing Cross has been disbanded while the investigation continues. On the Louvres first floor, surrounded by marble pillars, gilded wooden panels and a vaulted ceiling covered with murals, visitors this week came across the worlds most ornate stable door. The spectacular wrought-iron structure, which dates to 1650 and depicts Christ ascending to Heaven, was bolted firmly shut. Directly in front stood a dour grey screen, plus a couple of bored-looking security guards. A second temporary barrier prevented anyone from approaching them. Bossy signs told tourists they were not only banned from taking selfies in the vicinity of the door but forbidden from even standing nearby. No photos here; keep moving please, they read. It was almost as if the worlds most visited museum had something embarrassing to hide. Which, of course, it very much did. For directly behind these huge iron doors sits the Galerie dApollon, scene of the extraordinary heist which on Sunday morning saw a group of four thieves walk away with 76million-worth of Frances crown jewels. The raid, which lasted just seven minutes, was astonishing in many ways. Not least in its brazen simplicity. The world-famous Louvre museum in Paris was hit by a gang who stole jewellery worth millions (pictured: French police officers next to a ladder propped up against the tourist site) Among the treasures taken was the Eugenie Crown, found tossed below a window of the Louvre and broken in pieces (Stock Photo) The Galerie dApollon, scene of the extraordinary heist which on Sunday morning saw a group of four thieves walk away with 76million-worth of Frances crown jewels There was no need for violence, explosives, or any Mission Impossible-style abseiling kit. Instead, the gang simply drove their monte-meubles a cherry-picker-style vehicle designed to deliver furniture through apartment windows down a road next to the Seine, before parking on the pavement. Wearing hi-vis jackets, they laid out some bollards before using the device to access one of the Louvres upstairs balconies. An off-the-shelf angle-grinder was enough to break open the window and enter the Galerie, where electric chainsaws were then used to gain access to display cabinets filled with diamond and emerald-encrusted jewellery that once belonged to Napoleons wife, Marie Louise, stepdaughter Hortense and granddaughter- in-law Eugenie. Video, shot by a frustrated member of staff watching from a separate wing, shows two of the crooks sedately descending from the balcony, in the mechanised basket of the monte-meubles, before fleeing on Honda motorcycles. Theyre about to leave, says an astonished onlooker in the clip, which emerged on Thursday. Blast! Try the police! says another. Several Gallic swear words are then uttered, at high volume. It was, as the old saying goes, the perfect crime. For at no point in this extraordinary caper did the gang face any resistance. Five security guards who were supposedly guarding the crown jewels that morning appear to have decided to run away, on the grounds that they were not properly trained to tackle intruders. A CCTV camera which might have alerted museum bosses to the gangs unauthorised arrival on the pavement outside was facing the wrong way. Neither the Louvres windows, nor its supposedly secure display panels, seem to have been any match for a few cheap power tools. Perhaps understandably, Sunday mornings heist has, therefore, sparked considerable soul-searching. On one hand, the nation has been robbed of eight items of extraordinarily valuable antique jewellery all uninsured including a tiara containing 24 sapphires and 1,083 diamonds, and a bow-shaped brooch comprising 2,438 diamonds which was made for Eugenie and exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1855. This situation would have been somehow worse had the gang not dropped the empresss priceless crown during their getaway. On the other, it has suffered a loss that cannot be quantified in financial terms alone. For as the countrys culture minister Rachida Dati (who is herself facing intense criticism over the affair) pointed out this week: The stolen pieces are part of Frances collective memory and heritage. Her colleague Gerald Darmanin, the justice minister, put things even more succinctly. We failed and presented a deplorable image of France, he told reporters, adding: The French people all feel like theyve been robbed. Visiting the scene this week, the sense of public anger towards the likes of Dati and Darmanin was palpable. Its intensified by the contempt in which president Emmanuel Macron, who has approval ratings of a mere 14 per cent, seems increasingly held by voters. Almost no one believes Macrons bullish promise, in the immediate aftermath of the raid, that we will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Things arent helped by the fact that investigations are being led by the presidents 61-year-old chum Laurent Nunez, Frances Inspector Clouseau-like minister of the interior. The one-time career cop seems to have so far made exactly zero progress. And political opponents are now taking pot-shots. Officers rushed to the scene and were pictured inspecting the empty site after a mass evacuation Investigators are seen gathering evidence left behind by the thieves, including the grinders used to force their way into the museum Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old president of Marine Le Pens hard-Right National Rally party, said the raid was an unbearable humiliation for our country, demanding: How far will the disintegration of the state go? Francois-Xavier Bellamy, of the conservative Republicans party, meanwhile, called the heist a symptom of a country that cannot protect its heritage. To such critics, the Louvre heist is emblematic of a far wider malaise. Like many institutions, in a country whose public finances have for years been in a state of disarray, the management of Frances vast national museum is grotesquely inefficient. Despite housing some of the worlds greatest treasures, it offers a visitor experience ranging from shoddy to downright chaotic, while chewing through shocking amounts of public money. The place last year welcomed 8.7 million visitors (80 per cent of them from overseas). Yet its annual budget has in the last decade ballooned from 199million to 323million (173million to 281million) meaning that every single man, woman or child who crosses the threshold costs the French taxpayer more than 32. There are some 2,242 employees, up from 2,100 a decade ago, including no fewer than 1,200 security guards (to put this in context, our National Gallery in Londons Trafalgar Square manages to survive with fewer than 450). In a country with some of Europes highest employment costs and most Byzantine HR legislation, the wage and pension bills are grotesque. What this small army does during their 35-hour working week is anyones guess. But a report by Frances auditing watchdog the Cours des Comptes that was leaked following the heist says there have been consistent and persistent delays in making the museums security fit for purpose. The report, written this year, suggests management of the Louvre is hidebound by Gallic bureaucracy. Efforts to make even basic improvements to infrastructure are routinely delayed by internal studies that can take years if not decades to complete. An initiative to adapt the museum for potential fire outbreaks has, for example, been ongoing for 21 years. Your browser does not support iframes. Forensic teams inspects a window believed to have been used in the Louvre museum heist Efforts to install CCTV facilities have been similarly frustrated: today, only one-third of the museum which contains around 33,000 treasures has surveillance cameras. Quoting the report, Le Figaro newspaper said: Because of repeated postponements of the scheduled modernisation of security systems, cameras have mainly been installed only when rooms have been refurbished. In the Denon wing, where the gallery targeted by the robbers is located, a third of rooms have no CCTV cameras, according to the report. This, remember, is the home of Frances crown jewels. Three-quarters of rooms in the museums Richelieu wing, which houses a collection of furnishings, tapestries and ceramics from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, are unprotected. In another memo, leaked in January, the Louvres director, Laurence des Cars who offered her resignation on Wednesday (it was refused by president Macron) said the museums glass pyramid entrance was not properly insulated from the cold or heat. Other areas of the building suffer leaks and allow temperature swings which endanger the conservation of artworks. To get a sense of the decay, one need only join the endless ranks of tourists processed through its famous glass entrance each day. Inside, the museum manages to be both astonishingly crowded and extraordinarily dreary, with some of the worlds most beautiful paintings and antiquities housed in surroundings that have not been updated for decades. Exhibit A, when it comes to inept management, is presentation of the Mona Lisa, surely the most famous painting in the world. Leonardo da Vincis masterpiece is displayed on a vast blue wall in a room where selfie-taking crowds are funnelled through dystopian barriers resembling an airport check-in queue. The grim experience of observing this Renaissance treasure was accurately chronicled by Jason Farago, the New York Timess art critic, in an essay titled Its time to take down the Mona Lisa. Police and Crime scene officers secure a furniture elevator extended to the balcony of a gallery at the Louvre Museum The police transport a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum Farago bemoaned the dull presentation of the work, its hideous snake of retractable barriers and a gallery that makes the Spirit [budget] Airlines boarding process look like a model of efficiency and offers about as much visual delight. While that room is filled with security staff, other parts of the Louvre have barely an attendant in sight. And a hefty proportion of those who are on duty appear to spend most of the day scrolling on their phones. Like their cowardly colleagues who fled Sundays raid, they are managed by Dominique Buffin, a career civil servant who was hired as the Louvres first female security chief last year. This week Right-wing MEP Marion Marechal described her (perhaps unfairly) as a diversity hire who was promoted as part of a feminisation policy rolled out at the cost of forgoing competence and endangering the cultural heritage of our nation. Buffin is also facing criticism from the Left. Despite the huge number of security guards on the payroll, and their generous holiday and pension entitlements, trade unions have for months been complaining about being overworked. In June, they went on strike over the alleged shortage of personnel. We were shouting from the rooftops, Elise Muller, a Louvre security guard and union official, said this week. We can now see how little we were listened to. Such complaints seem laughable when set against the sky-rocketing budgets laid bare in the Louvres recent accounts. Yet precious little of the cash is ever spent wisely. Responding to complaints about the decline of the Louvre, Macron this year announced that 700million (610million) will be spent rendering it fit for purpose. But that work wont be finished until 2031 at the earliest. And finding the cash may be a challenge. Macrons government has spent recent months trying to find tens of billions in spending cuts to rein in the countrys budget deficit, which reached 5.8 per cent of economic output last year and has debt on course to hit 121 per cent of GDP by 2028. The tiara, pictured, from the jewellery set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Horten that was made in Paris in the 19th century, was among the jewellery taken Empress Eugenie's tiara (pictured), created by Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier in 1853, was among the jewellery Thieves also got away with an emerald necklace, pictured, from the Marie-Louise set made by master jeweller Francois-Regnault Nitot in 1810 For every nine civil servants who are actually in work, the State is currently paying final-salary pensions to ten who are retired. Yet a recent attempt to raise Frances retirement age from 62 to 64 led to widespread street protests and contributed to the departure of Macrons fourth prime minister in the past year. Macron also last week lost the head of his Office for Immigration, Guillaume Larrive, who resigned after a month in the job. He concluded that any ambition to reduce immigration in a country which boasts 7.7million immigrants (more than 11 per cent of the population) was doomed to failure, given civil service ineptitude. The waning reputation of Frances leaders was meanwhile crystallised by this weeks imprisonment of Macrons predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years for corruptly using funds from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to finance the Frenchmans 2007 election campaign. As to the Louvre, history suggests that the gang will eventually be tracked down. It emerged yesterday that they had left some 150 DNA samples at the scene. The problem is that the jewellery they have pinched will be long gone by the time they are caught. Most likely after the gold and silver has been melted, and the precious stones sold on the open market. That was exactly what happened when detectives nailed the robbers who stole 8million-worth of jewellery from Kim Kardashian in Paris. The American influencer was held at gunpoint in her hotel suite in 2016. But when the men responsible were found guilty, not one was sentenced to spend a single day in prison (beyond remand spells soon after arrest). A country which allows such perpetrators to walk free is a country where gangs thrive. And so it very much proved at the Louvre this week. Last year's Miss USA winner will not return to crown her successor amid the decades-old pageant's jaw-dropping drama. Alma Cooper, who was crowned in 2024, posted a statement on her Instagram account detailing her decision not to return to the Miss USA stage on October 24 in Reno, Nevada. Cooper's decision to drop out was a fresh new humiliation for the pageant which has been hampered by allegations of 'bullying and harassment' in addition to fostering a 'toxic work environment.' 'After much consideration, I've made the extremely difficult decision not to attend this year's Miss USA pageant and crowning ceremony,' the Michigan native wrote. 'As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high, just like the crown I was honored to wear.' Fellow winners including 2024 Miss Teen USA Addie Carver and 2011 Miss USA Alyssa Campanella commented their support. The 23-year-old was the first Afro-Latina Miss USA winner, which she told People 'was one of my life's greatest joys and accomplishments.' During her reign, the West Point graduate also served as a lieutenant in the US army. She paused her graduate studies at Stanford University to fully embrace her position at Miss USA and First Lieutenant Cooper. 'Despite the mental, physical and emotional load I was set to carry, like any other full-time job,' she continued. 'I was confident that I could push myself to deliver the excellence, wit, poise and intelligence that the title required. I was ready and willing to wear the crown with pride.' 2024 Miss USA winner Alma Cooper announced that she would not be attending this year's pageant to crown her successor Cooper was the first Afro-Latina Miss USA and the first active duty military winner This year's pageant is the first since new leadership took over the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organization. Cooper was crowned just months after 2023's Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastav gave up their titles, marking the first time any winner has relinquished the crown in the pageant's 71-year history. Voigt and Srivastav cited interactions with former CEO Layla Loiczly for as the reason for their departure in a new lawsuit. Loiczly was referenced in the suit against her company VVV Global Ent. this month which detailed her alleged 'mismanagement.' 'Based on information and belief from State Directors, the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA brands have been substantially tarnished by the apparent actions and/or inactions of Ms. Loiczly,' said the lawsuit obtained by the Daily Mail. Voigt decided to drop her title due to a 'toxic work environment' that was full of 'bullying and harassment,' according to the suit. Srivastava said her interactions with Loiczly were 'degrading, aggressive, and made [Ms. Srivastava] feel silenced,' per the lawsuit filed. The filing also claimed that Cooper was promised 'an annual guaranteed compensation of $100,000.00 for serving as Miss USA,' but never received it. In her cryptic message, Cooper wrote 'As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high' Her announcement comes amidst scandal and shakeups, as new figurehead Thom Brodeur took over Loiczly denied the allegations in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. Thom Brodeur took over the organization in September 2025. Amidst the lawsuit and shake up, he made it clear that Cooper was welcome at this year's event. 'Our office has been in touch with Alma and her representative since the day we announced taking over Miss USA as the new leadership team,' Brodeur wrote on a since-expired Instagram story on October 22. 'Our dream was to warmly welcome Alma to participate in the 2025 competition in whatever capacity she was most comfortable.' Even without Cooper, the pageant must go on and a new Miss USA will be crowned this weekend. It remains unclear who will ceremonially crown the winner instead. Noelia Voigt (left) and Addie Carver (right) gave up their titles as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA respectively in 2024 A recent filing claimed that Cooper (center) was promised 'an annual guaranteed compensation of $100,000.00 for serving as Miss USA,' but never received it Miss Teen USA was crowned on October 23. Missouri 17-year-old Marilyn Marsh won the crown. No matter how shocking, Brodeur may not feel snubbed by Cooper's jaw-dropping decision. In his October 22 statement her concluded, 'We honor you, Alma. You are a queen. You are our queen even if we didn't start this journey with you. And, you are forever our Miss USA 2024.' The Daily Mail reached out to the Miss USA organization and representation for Alma Cooper for comment. The plans for a new $20million surf club at one of Sydney's most popular beaches have been slammed as 'too masculine' and an 'eyesore' by angry locals. After more than two years of consultation, plans for the demolition of the dilapidated two-storey, 43-year-old clubhouse have been released for public feedback. Northern Beaches Council submitted a development proposal recommending the new building include two function rooms, a bar and updated amenities. However, locals criticised the three-storey design, arguing its 'brutalist' style clashes with Manlys relaxed coastal character. 'The aesthetics of this structure will negatively impact the community vibe in Manly,' local Gina Hill wrote. 'It looks brutalist heavy, masculine, and hard'. Another said: 'So when council said it had no money, increased our rates and closed local childcare it was to create a function centre masquerading as a surf club. 'Let's hope it never has pokies, but I wouldn't bet against it.' 'Can't say I'm a big fan. Looks huge and overbearing for the space. Do we really need three-storeys high? Bigger isn't necessarily better. Losing the charm of Manly and making it into another Bondi... disappointing,' a third wrote. The current surf club at Manly Beach, which was built in the 1980s, is pictured Plans for $20million renovation of the surf club at Manly Beach have been slammed as 'too masculine' and an 'eyesore' by furious locals (a render of the new club is pictured) Locals also shared concerns about plans to expand the building's footprint by about 10 per cent on the ground floor. '"Expanded footprint of about 10%"... What? Are we looking at the same renders?' one man wrote. 'Definitely is more than 10%, looking at the construction they are just putting up now it looks huge!! So unnecessary,' a second agreed. 'The scale of the club is over bearing and unnecessary,' a third wrote. 'I don't see the justification for an open foyer area and two function levels other than revenue generation for Northern Beaches Council. 'The encroachment on the thoroughfare to and from Shelley will create a bottleneck that will be unresolvable.' 'An architecturally sophisticated new building would be welcomed by the community. However, this is not the solution,' a fourth wrote. Manly Life Saving Club president Tin Cuthbert said the current surf club was 'falling apart and not complying with any form of accessibility'. Locals say the 'brutalist' architecture of the new club is out of keeping with the rest of Manly New newly proposed Manly Life Saving Club has been met with debate from both sides He noted that since its construction in the 1980s, club membership has surged by 430 per cent. 'This isn't just a clubhouse, it's a community safety hub and learning space for everyone who loves Manly Beach,' he told the Australian Financial Review. 'Every improvement we're making directly supports faster rescues, better training, and a more inclusive, sustainable community facility.' Independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, said the new club was 'essential'. 'It has been unfortunate that it has divided the community. Ultimately, I don't think everyone is ever going to be happy with the design,' she told the publication. 'The community has raised concerns with me that the size and cost of the redevelopment will be substantially larger than anticipated. No one wins if the project can't proceed because it's so large that it can't be funded.' Other locals said the new surf club had been a 'long time coming'. 'A community redevelopment that supports lifesavers, locals, visitors and youth development for the future. This will ensure operations for lifesavers and lifeguards are fit for purpose into the future,' they wrote. Some have argued the increased footprint was a negative to the community 'Ripping. Looks like it will be a fantastic heavily used facility for all! Great addition to Manly,' another said. Daily Mail has contacted Manly Life Saving Club and the South Steyne Heritage Action Group for further comment. The grooming gangs victim who was first to quit their role in the national inquiry has threatened to sue minister Jess Phillips for libel. Fiona Goddard issued the warning in a letter her solicitors wrote to the parliamentary under-secretary for safeguarding and violence against women and girls on Friday. It followed a public statement made by the Labour MP after Ms Goddard and three other women left the probe's victims and survivors panel this week. They cited concerns the government is trying to widen the scope of the inquiry and water it down - but Ms Phillips subsequently came out to call such claims 'untrue'. The group has already called for the Home Office minister to resign, claiming she accused them of lying. In a letter to Commons Home Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley, Ms Phillips denied the government was 'seeking to dilute the focus of the inquiry'. Ms Goddard's solicitors, Switalskis, said the suggestion of watering down was 'patently not untrue'. They also said Ms Phillips's letter had been 'defamatory' as it suggested their client had been untruthful. Fiona Goddard (pictured) issued the warning in a letter her solicitors wrote to the parliamentary under-secretary for safeguarding and violence against women and girls on Friday It followed a public statement made by the Labour MP (pictured in the Commons this week) after Ms Goddard and three other women left the probe's victims and survivors panel this week The lawyers also referred to a text message conversation in which Ms Goddard raised concerns with Ms Phillips about an item on an agenda for a meeting with survivors. The topic listed for discussion was the question of whether the inquiry should take a 'broader approach' than an 'explicit focus on "grooming gangs"'. They said the minister replied: 'I know it's hard to trust but I can promise you no-one is trying to manipulate the response and it is my view it is only a grooming gang's [sic] specific inquiry but it is not right for me to make that decision without it being formally consulted on.' Many victims believe widening the inquiry will dilute its focus on the failure of local authorities, police and other officials to tackle grooming by largely Pakistani gangs. Ellie-Ann Reynolds, who is among the survivors who quit the panel, said the turning point for her was 'the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse'. Ms Goddard said she had been 'abused and smeared online' as a result of Ms Phillips's statement. The solicitors concluded: 'Ms Goddard will accept a written apology from Ms Phillips to put an end to this matter.' The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley has found herself at the centre of a row over the grooming gangs inquiry. The controversy has also seen the two candidates to chair the probe withdraw from contention. While some survivors, including Ms Goddard, have called for Ms Phillips to quit, a separate group of five said this week they would only keep working with the inquiry with her in post. They said the minister has 'remained impartial' and 'we want her to remain in position for the duration of the process for consistency'. They explained they asked for the scope to go beyond grooming gangs because some survivors would be excluded for not fitting the 'generalised stereotype' of what that includes. In the Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted the inquiry 'is not and will never be watered down' and its scope 'will not change'. He said at PMQs: 'It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry.' He also vowed 'injustice will have no place to hide' as he announced Baroness Louise Casey is being drafted in to support the inquiry. She previously led a 'national audit' of group-based child sexual exploitation that found 'many examples' of organisations shying away from discussion of 'ethnicity or cultural factors' in such offences 'for fear of appearing racist'. Her findings, published in June this year, prompted Sir Keir to order the creation of the national inquiry. The lawyers also referred to a text message conversation (pictured) in which Ms Goddard raised concerns with Ms Phillips about an item on an agenda for a meeting with survivors The PM also said this week he 'of course' has faith in Ms Phillips, as other ministers also rallied around her. Asked during a visit on Friday if he had confidence in her to oversee the process, he said: 'Yes, of course, I do. 'Jess has been working on issues involving violence against women and girls for many, many years.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also given strong backing, saying there is 'no-one better for that job' than Ms Phillips. Their assertions of faith came despite a fifth woman, who goes under the pen name Gaia Cooper, quitting the panel this week, to join the four who had already left. She reportedly claimed she had been offered 'no support' and the process is being used as a 'political battering ram'. Her fellow four departing panellists had previously written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood about Ms Phillips's comments on the scope of the inquiry. But the safeguarding minister is so far being supported by Ms Mahmood too. In an attempt to assuage concerns earlier this week, however, the home secretary emphasised the inquiry scope 'will not change'. Writing in The Times and for GB News, she said the probe 'is not, and will never be, watered down on my watch'. The minister said it would focus on how 'some of the most vulnerable people in this country' were abused 'at the hands of predatory monsters'. Adding it was 'essential that the victims are at the heart of this inquiry', she expressed regret that the four women had decided to step down from the panel. Ms Mahmood said: 'Should they wish to return, the door will always remain open to them. 'But even if they do not, I owe it to them and the country to answer some of the concerns that they have raised.' Speaking to Times Radio on Wednesday, Ms Goddard said the Home Secretary's statement was 'reassuring'. But she reiterated her call for Ms Phillips to resign over her comments disputing the allegations the inquiry was being watered down. In the Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured at PMQs this week) insisted the inquiry 'is not and will never be watered down' and its scope 'will not change' She told Channel 4 News: 'My problem is there is little to no recognition of what Jess Phillips did today by nationally calling me a liar when she knew I was telling the truth. 'I think that there needs to be an apology, swiftly followed by Jess Phillips' resignation. 'Jess Phillips needs to be removed because I don't think her conduct this last 24 hours especially, has been acceptable for the position that she holds. 'She has publicly accused me of lying when she knows I'm telling the truth.' Ms Phillips told MPs on Tuesday she 'absolutely regrets' survivors had quit their roles but that 'allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false'. She said opinions varied among victims as to who would be best suited to the role as she faced questions from MPs about the process. 'I will engage with all the victims, regardless of their opinions, and I will listen to those that have been put in the media, that are put in panels, I will always listen and I will speak to all of them,' she said. The four victims who quit the panel, however, countered by saying 'evidence has since proven we were telling the truth'. Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as 'Jessica' state in the letter there are five conditions for their return to the advisory panel. As well as Ms Phillips's resignation, they call for 'all survivors on the panel to be genuinely consulted on the appointment of a chair, who must be a former or sitting judge'. They also demand victims are able to speak freely without fear of reprisal and for the inquiry's scope to remain 'laser-focused' on grooming gangs. The women also request that the current victim liaison lead is replaced by a mental health professional. The survivors' letter, shared on Ms Goddard's X account, says: 'Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again. 'It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained. 'We have been failed by every institution meant to protect us. 'We were failed as children, we were failed by police who didn't believe us, failed by social services who blamed us, and failed by a system that protected our abusers. Ellie-Ann Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as 'Jessica' state in their letter of resignation (pictured) there are five conditions for their return to the advisory panel 'We will not participate in an inquiry that repeats those same patterns of dismissal, secrecy, and institutional self-protection.' Despite this, Mr Streeting told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour there was 'no one in Parliament who has done more to tackle violence against women and girls than Jess'. Asked if she should resign, he said: 'No, I don't think she should... 'I'm not dismissing what her critics are saying, and the criticism they have of the type of candidates that have been put forward, we do take those things seriously. 'But there is no one better for that job than Jess Phillips, and no one more committed to these issues in Parliament than Jess Phillips.' The group of five survivors who wish for her to remain in post similarly said she had 'devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard'. The contingent reportedly includes one woman who was abused in Oldham from the age of 12. The intervention underlined the difficulties for the government in assembling the long-awaited inquiry. According to the Telegraph, Gaia Cooper said in her separate letter to NWG - the charity running victims' liaison - she did not 'align' herself 'with any political agendas'. 'Numerous times during this process, which I agree is in its infancy, we have been offered counselling and support, but during this media storm there has been nothing, and that is the time I have felt I needed it the most,' she reportedly wrote. Another leading candidate to chair the inquiry withdrew from the process earlier this week hitting out at the 'toxic' situation. Former police officer Jim Gamble accused politicians of prioritising 'their own petty personal or political issues' and 'playing games' with the inquiry. In his withdrawal letter, he said he had pulled out of the appointment process because of a 'lack of confidence' in him among some survivors of grooming gangs 'due to my previous occupation'. He later criticised those 'who have been mischief-making' by highlighting his former police career, saying it was 'nonsense' to imply he would align himself 'with any political party to hide their blushes'. He follows Annie Hudson, a former director of children's services for Lambeth, who was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday. A Home Office spokesman previously said on this: 'We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. 'This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.' Reports of young girls being groomed by gangs of men, primarily of Pakistani heritage, first emerged in 2002. A group of five men were convicted in 2010 of sexual offences against girls aged 12 to 16 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The Times then published an investigation revealing the extent of the abuse in the town - and also by other similar networks elsewhere in the country. Grooming gangs have since been found and locked up in more than a dozen other English towns, most notably Rochdale, Oldham and Telford. Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a national review of grooming gangs in January this year. Baroness Casey undertook a 'rapid' three-month national audit and made 12 recommendations to the government - including a national inquiry. The prime minister launched the national inquiry in June, after reading the Casey report. It followed months of pressure on the government to act, as well as a series of local investigations into the issue, including in Rotherham and Rochdale. The Home Office has been contacted for comment. The Met Police is reviewing 9,000 cases in a massive new grooming gangs probe amid criticism of Sadiq Khan's claims that none operated in the capital. The Mayor of London has repeatedly denied that his city was blighted by the kinds of child abuse seen in towns such as Rochdale and Rotherham. However, this week reports emerged from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) of young girls being raped. And on Friday, the Met Police revealed it has thousands of cases to reassess spanning the past 15 years. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has now told Mr Khan in a letter how he was 'responding to questions about child sexual exploitation'. It marks a U-turn from Sir Mark's previous comments which suggested he had not seen indications of Rochdale or Rotherham-style grooming gangs in the capital. Yet he has more recently suggested to the London Assembly that there was a 'very significant' number of multi-offender cases that would need probing again. Now London's top cop has stated that 'any sexual offending against children is abhorrent but group-based offending, including that characterised as "Grooming Gangs", is particularly insidious'. Sadiq Khan (pictured) has been accused of helping 'cover up' abuse by London grooming gangs Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said his force is 'committed' to safeguarding victims and 'bringing those responsible to justice' He said his force was 'committed' to safeguarding victims and 'bringing those responsible to justice', in a letter seen by the Express. The HMICFRS's reports suggested six potential victims had been identified, with girls as young as 13 being preyed upon by grooming gangs. Two victims were mentioned in a report in February this year on the Met's 'handling of the sexual and criminal exploitation of children', according to an investigation by the Express and MyLondon. One was a 15-year-old girl missing for four days before being found with a man aged 21 and she then told officers of being raped by 'numerous men'. The other was a girl aged 13 said to be at high risk, with officers identifying two men that were suspected of sexually exploiting her. The previous February, HMICFRS's equivalent report found a social worker told of a 15-year-old girl being coerced to go to a hotel where she was given drugs and alcohol and forced to carry out sexual acts on men. Their previous study in February 2018 included details of a girl aged 17 telling the Met a number of men raped her after plying her with alcohol. And an earlier inspectorate report in November 2016 told of two more victims, one of whom was a 16-year-old who said she was raped numerous times over a three-year period by a group of men in London who threatened to harm her and her family. The other was aged 13, went missing overnight and was reported to police as being unsafe and in a room with three men. The risk level was raised to 'high' and she was found but arrested for a minor assault on her mother while the three men were not interviewed, HMICFRS said. Mr Khan had provided formal statements in response to each report, including calling the November 2016 one 'deeply troubling' and saying it was 'simply unacceptable' that too often 'children in our city have been let down'. His comments in response to the inspectorate's findings in February this year, Mr Khan said it was 'reassuring' that the Met had made 'significant improvements'. Your browser does not support iframes. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp this week accused Mr Khan of 'facilitating a cover-up' by denying the existence of such gangs in the capital. Mr Philip, MP for Croydon South, said: 'It is shameful that the Mayor of London is claiming to have no indication that grooming gangs are operating in London despite personally responding to reports containing evidence of victims abused by grooming gangs in the city. 'It is clear Sadiq Khan is facilitating a cover up.' In a statement in response to the new criticisms, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'The Mayor has always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority and nowhere is this truer than in safeguarding children. 'Sadiq is committed to doing all he can to protect children in London from organised criminal and sexual exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.' They said this included Mr Khan's 15.6million Violence and Exploitation Support Service offering specialist support to young Londoners who are vulnerable, caught up in or being exploited by criminal gangs in the capital. The spokesperson added: 'We remain vigilant to emerging and changing threats and will continue to do everything we can to protect children in the capital from abuse, violence and exploitation in all its forms.' In its latest statement, The Met said: 'Since 2022, there have been significant improvements to how the Met identifies and investigates group-based offending, including training for 11,000 frontline officers and the expansion of our child exploitation teams. 'In the last year we have solved three times more cases of child sexual exploitation representing 134 more suspects charged. 'As part of the national reinvestigation into group-based child sexual exploitation recommended by Baroness Casey, we are currently undertaking a review of approximately 9,000 cases covering a 15-year period.' It comes as this week Labour's grooming gangs inquiry was plunged into chaos following a series of resignations. A number of abuse survivors stepped down from the inquiry's victims and survivors liaison panel, levelling heavy criticism at the Home Office. In her resignation letter, a woman known only as Elizabeth said the process felt like 'a cover-up' and had 'created a toxic environment' for survivors. Keir Starmers plan to smash the gangs faced another humiliating setback as a key ally looked set to drop one of its pledges. Germany is said to be unlikely to keep a promise to close a loophole that means smuggling people to the UK is not technically illegal. The doubts have emerged after France backtracked on a commitment to get tougher about intercepting boats leaving for Britain. When Friedrich Merz visited Downing Street in July, the PM praised German moves to strengthen laws to disrupt small boat crossings to the UK by the end of this year. A legal gap had been left after Brexit, when the UK became a third country rather than an EU member state. Sir Keir said he had been very concerned about engines and component parts of the boats that are being used are travelling through and being stored in Germany. The premier said the promise was a clear sign that we mean business. I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK, Sir Keir said. When Friedrich Merz visited Downing Street in July, the PM praised German moves to 'strengthen' laws to disrupt small boat crossings to the UK by the end of this year People thought to be migrants wade through the sea following an unsuccessful attempt to board a small boat in Gravelines, France, earlier this month Your browser does not support iframes. Its a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can. However, UK officials are increasingly dubious whether there is enough space remaining in the Bundestags legislative calendar this year. A staffer at the Bundestag told the BBC that there might theoretically be time but it did not seem to be a government priority. The Home Office insisted it has not been notified by Berlin about any delays. We welcome the commitment from Germany to make it illegal to facilitate illegal migration to the UK. The law change is expected to be adopted by the end of the year, a spokesman said. It came as it emerged yesterday that two men had lost High Court bids to halt their removal to France under the Governments one in one out scheme. Anonymised as CES and CSG, the men asked the court late on Wednesday last week to issue an urgent order stopping their planned removal early the following morning. In separate judgments published on Friday, Mr Justice Fordham refused the mens claims, saying they had no realistic prospect of success. Your browser does not support iframes. In the case of CSG, the judge said the man had no viable claim. Ruling against the claim by CES, Mr Justice Fordham rejected the argument that his human rights would be breached because he would be in a period of limbo. The judges decisions follow the failed bids of three other men this week, which similarly followed late-night urgent hearings. Mr Justice Johnson said there was no evidence that the men would be at real risk of immediate harm if they were returned to France. An estranged husband snuck into his wife's house and murdered her with a 'cyanide-like compound' after she had demanded a divorce, cops said. Asif Qureshi, 53, is accused of killing his wife Aleena Asif, 46, in brutal fashion at their home in Long Island last Friday. Qureshi pled not guilty after he was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree murder. Nassau County Police Department detective captain Stephen Fitzpatrick said: 'It's a cyanide-like compound that was used to suffocate her.' Authorities said Qureshi planned the killing of his estranged wife and the mother of his children. The mother-of-three was unconscious and not breathing when police arrived. She had strong burns around her face and mouth, according to authorities. Asif's death was ruled to be a criminal homicide due to asphyxiation by an unknown chemical substance. Asif Qureshi, 53, is accused of killing his wife Aleena Asif, 46 The 53-year-old unemployed software engineer is suspected of using a 'cyanide-like compound' to murder his estranged wife Authorities said Qureshi was captured on surveillance video sneaking into his wife's home on October 17 Authorities said Qureshi was captured on surveillance video sneaking into his wife's Larch Drive home on October 17 in a hoodie, mask and gloves while waiting for her to return from dropping off their seven-year-old daughter at school. Once Asif arrived, Qureshi suffocated her with what authorities described as a 'cyanide-like compound.' Asif's body was discovered at 3.52pm once her 18-year-old daughter Aisha called police after she had not returned to pick up her sister from school. Qureshi began stalking his wife after she had demanded a divorce on October 9, authorities alleged. Fitzpatrick said: 'He refused to accept those divorce papers and started showing up at her house.' He called Qureshi's behavior a 'pattern of stalking' his wife. Asif (left) was a mother-of-three who worked as a certified public accountant Qurashi pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge The suspected killer escaped the scene on an electric bicycle that he had tied to a pole a few blocks from his previous home. Qureshi was arrested Thursday in the Bellerose neighborhood of Queens, New York, where he was renting a room on 248th Street. The 53-year-old had a checkered past. Fitzpatrick said: 'He threatened to make her swallow bleach.' Qureshi had been arrested before for a 'domestic incident' with Asif, ABC7 reported, and also had five prior incidents - four with his wife and one with a daughter. He had originally agreed to a separation agreement with Asif last year after multiple squabbles over money and property. Asif was a certified public accountant, while Qureshi is an unemployed software engineer. A public social media profile said Asif had studied at Baruch College and was originally from Mumbai, India. Qureshi was being held without bail. The Daily Mail reached out to the Nassau County Police Department after-hours for further comment. An 88-year-old Democrat Congresswoman was scammed out of thousands of dollars in her own home and led police to claim she's in the 'early stages of dementia.' Eleanor Holmes Norton - the oldest member of the House of Representatives - has served as a non-voting member from Washington DC since 1991 and announced a controversial run for re-election just last month. Norton's office confirmed that a group of people who claimed to be HVAC workers tricked her at her DC apartment around 3:30pm Thursday. She allowed the alleged workers inside but they instead did nothing and charged her for nearly $4,400, using her credit card before a friend and house manager stopped them, NBC4 reported The police report said that Norton has a caretaker - named in a separate incident report as longtime Norton ally Jacqueline Pelt - with power of attorney because she is in the 'early stages of dementia.' The caretaker was not at Norton's home when the phony workers showed up but soon arrived and phoned the police after seeing the workers on a security camera. They called Norton and advised her to tell them to leave before arriving on the scene and discovering the fraudulent credit card charge. Both Washington police and the US Capitol Police cooperated on the investigation and discovered that both Norton's credit card and driver's license number 'could potentially be compromised.' Eleanor Holmes Norton (pictured) - the oldest member of Congress - was scammed out of thousands of dollars in her own home and led police to claim she's in the 'early stages of dementia' Norton's office confirmed that a group of people who claimed to be HVAC workers tricked her at her DC apartment around 3:30pm Thursday No arrests have been made yet, the incident is still under investigation and being treated as felony fraud. Police said that this is the third time this year this fraud has been attempted upon Norton, but they were told to go away the first two times. They added that no property was stolen. Norton's spokesperson told NBC4 that the police report isn't entirely true, arguing that Pelt - who called the police - is merely a house manager. 'The Congresswoman employs a house manager who oversees all maintenance services, so she initially assumed her staff had arranged the visit and provided her credit card for payment.' 'Upon notifying her house manager, who reviewed Ring doorbell footage and confirmed that no such appointment had been scheduled, the incident was immediately reported to the police.' 'Congresswoman Norton doesn't have a caretaker. A longtime employee and friend serves as the house manager, residing at a separate address.' The spokesperson would not confirm whether or not Pelt has power of attorney. The police report said that Norton has a caretaker - named in a separate incident report as longtime Norton ally Jacqueline Pelt (pictured left) - with power of attorney because she is in the 'early stages of dementia' Police said that this is the third time this year this fraud has been attempted upon Norton, but they were told to go away the first two times The Daily Mail has reached out to Norton's office for further comment. A D.C. native and civil rights champion who grew up in a segregated capital, Norton has pushed legislation to help district residents, including passing tax credits for college and first-time home purchases. Her stature looms large on Capitol Hill, where she is a familiar face. But she increasingly looks frail, feeble and unable to navigate herself without assistance. At public appearances, Norton has seemed unsteady and struggled to read from prepared notes, including at a recent committee hearing focused on stripping some of Washingtons independence on prosecuting crime. The delegate doubling down on running for office next year came just days after she was seen struggling to walk at a public speaking engagement at the Capitol. 'Are you OK on your own?' an aide for the D.C. delegate asked the aging member in a hot-mic moment while walking the octogenarian to the speaking podium. 'I'll be right here,' the aide reassured Norton before letting go of her arm and shuffling to the background of the news conference. Despite these physical challenges, she's not ready to hang up the trappings of elected office. The 88-year-old has been spotted arm in arm with staffers as she tried to walk around the sprawling Capitol complex Holmes said in September that 'of course' she is running in the midterms, according to Axios. 'I say that my seniority is what is very important, and I am not going to step aside,' the Democrat stated. But some senior Democratic and Capitol Hill staffers are begging for Norton to retire. Even longtime allies say Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district's nonvoting delegate in the House, has not risen to the challenge of pushing back against the Trump administration's intervention into her city. During Trumps monthlong security emergency and since, Norton has not been as publicly visible as city officials, who attended protests and held media events denouncing the intervention. The race to replace her has began in earnest, with two members of the D.C. Council, including a former Norton aide, announcing campaigns for the 2026 contest. 'D.C. is under attack as at no other time in recent history, and we need a new champion to defend us,' Donna Brazile, a onetime Norton chief of staff, wrote in a Washington Post opinion essay. Brazile acknowledged Nortons legendary service and why she might wish to continue. 'As Ive told her in person,' Brazile said, 'retirement from Congress is the right next chapter for her - and for the District.' While the D.C. delegate position is a nonvoting one, it grants the people of the district, who have no other representation in Congress, a voice through speechmaking on the House floor and bill introduction. With Norton quiet, other leaders in the Democratic-run city have filled the void since Trumps emergency declaration. Mayor Muriel Bowser has stepped in as the district's main mediator with the administration and Congress, joined by the council, although that outreach has been fragmented. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued the administration in the most combative stance against the federal governments actions. But as she left a recent House hearing about the district, she responded with a strong 'no' when asked by reporters whether she would retire. Allies, including Bowser and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, have declined to publicly endorse another Norton run. Among those seeking to challenge her in next year's Democratic primary are two council members - Robert White Jr., a former Norton aide, and Brooke Pinto. Many others in the city have expressed interest. Sacked ex-Cabinet minister and left-wing favourite Lucy Powell is on the brink of becoming Labour's deputy leader in a fresh setback for Sir Keir Starmer. The former Leader of the House of Commons is expected to bag the senior position when the results of the contest are on Saturday. Polling suggested the Manchester Central MP enjoyed a healthy lead over her opponent Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday. It comes after Ms Powell lost her spot on the frontbench in the Prime Minister's reshuffle last month following former deputy leader Angela Rayner's resignation. During her election campaign, she frequently referred to 'mistakes' the party made on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. And in a final message to supporters this week, the MP appeared to criticise a 'command and control' culture within Government. She argued 'blindly following along' was 'a dereliction of our duty to defeat the politics of hate and division'. It means a victory for her would likely be seen as a rebuke to the PM from Labour members - many of whom believe the party is heading in the wrong direction. The former Leader of the House of Commons (pictured) is expected to bag the senior position when the results of the contest are expected to be announced on Saturday morning Sir Keir has already endured a difficult week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry. Four women resigned from the probe's victims and survivors panel this week over concerns at how the government had handled the investigation so far. They all wrote open letters expressing similar fears around suggestions to widen the inquiry's scope beyond grooming gangs - thus watering it down, they claimed. The survivors also raised worries around the backgrounds of the two candidates proposed to chair the inquiry. Their respective backgrounds in policing and social work, two professions facing questions around trust in the inquiry, had set off alarm bells for them. Both candidates have now withdrawn from the appointment process. The PM's week was then capped with a defeat by Plaid Cymru in a Senedd by-election in the town of Caerphilly, near Cardiff, on Saturday. Sir Keir said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the loss: 'We clearly need to do much more.' The result saw a swing of 27 per cent from Labour, which has held the seat for a century. Labour's struggles in the polls have already led to some questions among backbenchers about Sir Keir's leadership of the party. Ms Powell has stressed she wants to 'help Keir and our Government to succeed'. But she also told supporters the party 'must change how we are doing things to turn things around'. Meanwhile, Ms Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate for the deputy leadership, has stressed unity. She warned voting for her opponent would result in 'internal debate and divisions that leads us back to opposition'. Her supporters have warned the remaining contingent of supporters of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in the party are lining up behind Ms Powell. Luke Akehurst, the Durham MP, hit out on social media earlier this month after Momentum, the pressure group founded by supporters of Mr Corbyn, urged its backers to vote for Ms Powell. Polling suggested the Manchester Central MP enjoyed a healthy lead over her opponent Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (pictured) as voting closed on Thursday Momentum stopped short of a full endorsement of Ms Powell, but advocated a tactical vote after the move was supported by 74 per cent of members in a ballot. In a statement, the organisation said without a 'socialist candidate' on the slate, 'a victory for Powell is the best option to show the breadth of concern in the Labour Party and labour movement over the direction our Government is taking.' Mr Akehurst, who supports Ms Phillipson, took to social media platform X to say: 'I don't think Lucy shares their politics but the fact they see advantage in this outcome is something to bear in mind.' Ms Phillipson also has the backing of unions including GMB and Unison, as well as former home secretary Alan Johnson. Ms Powell, meanwhile, has the support of Lord Kinnock who led the party from 1983 to 1992. She warned this week against 'trying to out-Reform Reform', referring to her party leader's new anti-migrant laws. The deputy leader candidate said Labour had to be 'much clearer about our purpose as a party and government, and whose side we are on'. 'I want to help Keir and our Government to succeed,' she said. 'But we all know that we must change how we are doing things to turn things around more in touch with our movement, and the communities and workplaces we represent, more principled and strategic, less tactical, and strongly guided by our values.' She also hit out at Ms Phillipson, pointedly saying she would be a 'full-time' deputy leader, in contrast to her rival, who will combine it with her Cabinet post. If Ms Powell is named the winner on Saturday, it could trigger a fresh crisis and battle for the soul of the party just weeks before the Budget and at a time when it is struggling in the polls. The deputy leadership contest was triggered after Angela Rayner quit her roles as Deputy PM, Housing Secretary and deputy Labour leader last month. It came after she broke the ministerial code by failing to pay tens of thousands of pounds in tax on her 800,000 holiday home in Hove, Sussex. Her departure followed advice from the PM's ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, who said Ms Rayner 'acted with integrity' but had breached the code. He concluded she did get legal advice when buying the property - but failed to seek the further expert tax advice recommended to her. In her resignation letter to Sir Keir, Ms Rayner said she accepted she 'did not meet the highest standards' during her purchase. 'I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements.' The former deputy PM said she took 'full responsibility for this error': "It was never my intention to do anything other than pay the right amount.' A new trend to cast film and TV stars in major roles in West End shows has come under fire after a series of high-profile flops have left audiences disappointed. In the past few years, theatre performances starring Catherine Tate, David Threlfall and Hollywood veteran Sigourney Weaver have all struggled to wow critics. And the so-called celebrity 'stunt casting' trend has also become a point of contention within the industry. While some believe the big names will help entice audiences and boost profits, others say it will drive theatres away from taking risks with unknown casts. This week, Nadine Rennie, the co-chair of the Casting Directors' guild, warned the increasing number of celebrities being cast in the West End risks 'killing the industry'. In comments made at a conference hosted by Spotlight at Rada, she said it will be mid-scale theatres which will be the first to shut down. 'It's killing audiences' intellects. I hear audience members say all the time: "I don't know anybody who is in this". 'Or they are not excited about a new play by an emerging writer.' Meanwhile Jill Green, a top casting director for shows such as War Horse, said some theatres now won't commit to a show until a big name is guaranteed. Catherine Tate starred in West End's The Enfield Haunting, but critics were less than impressed with the on-stage adaptation She told The Guardian: 'This does make it much harder for new writing and productions without headline names to secure a slot.' Alastair Coomer, director of casting at the National Theatre, also spoke of the immense pressure celebrity hires was putting on the industry. He said what names you have in your cast is now the 'biggest driver' for audiences when they consider booking a show. However, celebrity performances in the West End have not always been met with good reviews. Last year, Catherine Tate starred in the West End's The Enfield Haunting, but critics were less than impressed with the on-stage adaptation. She was also joined by Shameless actor David Threlfall - with theatregoers promised 100 minutes of pure horror for up to 165. But the reviews indicated that the play largely failed at what it set out to achieve, leaving critics miffed at the ticket price - and snickering at the attempts to fright. Clive Davies of The Times awarded the play one star, and wrote: 'Paul Unwins play, inspired by the notorious case of a poltergeist said to be rattling around a house in the London suburbs in the 1970s, is certain to make the list of worst plays of the year.' He added: 'Forget the supernatural jiggery-pokery, the far-fetched thing here is that Catherine Tate and David Threlfall signed up for such a fiasco.' Sigourney Weaver teleported into London to make her long-overdue West End debut Meanwhile, Chief Theatre Critics at The Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish offered it two stars, and found a particular dislike at the ticket price. He wrote: 'I wish I could report that its worth emerging from your duvet to investigate, but its enough to make you repeat-jab the snooze-button, especially with top-price tickets going for almost 165.' Meanwhile, in January ticket prices for Sigourney Weaver's West End debut in Shakespeare's The Tempest were slashed after a string of bad reviews. Daily Mail theatre critic Patrick Marmion gave the show directed by Jamie Lloyd three stars. He wrote: 'Great excitement this week as Hollywood veteran Sigourney Weaver teleported into London to make her long-overdue West End debut.' 'And, as usual, Lloyds production is a slave to the microphone, Marmion continued. 'Following his recent Romeo and Juliet starring Tom Holland, his insistence on using mics not only makes everyone look like theyre lip-synching, it paradoxically renders some of the Bards finest verse in muttered whispers.' He added: 'I'd like to have seen Weaver's emotional range stretched a bit more than simply deploying her as an alpha-female observer on her own story. 'Its a bit like renting a vintage Cadillac and using it for the weekly shop.' Meanwhile, Mr Marmion was also critical of Lady of the Sea, starring Andrew Lincoln, Alicia Vikander and Joe Alwyn in September this year. He wrote: 'This modern re-hash of Henrik Ibsens 19th-century Norwegian Aga saga at Londons Bridge Theatre should have whipped up more of a storm. 'It stars Andrew Lincoln from Netflixs The Walking Dead, Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander (of the transgender drama The Danish Girl and Lara Croft in Tomb Raider), and (wait for it...) Joe Alwyn the hot young actor who famously dated Taylor Swift. 'Weirdly, though, re-writer and director Simon Stone turns this tantalising trio of eye-catching celebs into a blandly homogenous bunch of wittering, health-conscious hedonists, without a cultural, moral, or political compass between them. 'Instead, they are sweary, middle-class, wine-guzzling zombie citizens of nowhere.' A cheeky German firm has cashed in its inadvertent role in the 75million Louvre raid with a new advert which makes light of the heist. Boecker, a crane manufacturer based near Dortmund, boasted their goods lift, which was used in the audacious heist, was 'quiet as a whisper'. In a tongue-in-cheek advert, the company posted a picture of their mounted truck surrounded by police tape outside the Paris museum, captioned: 'If you're in a hurry. The Bocker Agilo carries your treasures up to 400 kg at 42 m/min - quiet as a whisper thanks to its 230 V electric motor.' Alexander Boecker, CEO of Boecker, said he went ahead with the advert to prove Germans have a sense of humour after all. We heard about the robbery at the Louvre on Sunday and were able to determine relatively quickly that it was our inclined lift that the perpetrators had used. Once it became clear that no one had been harmed, we started getting more and more texts from employees asking, "Have you seen this? What do you think?" And then my wife and I started brainstorming a bit on Saturday. And then my wife had the idea for when things need to be done quickly. So we acquired the image on Monday morning, or rather the licence for it, and said wed post it on Instagram, Facebook and later LinkedIn, hoping that everyone would get the joke and not take the whole thing too seriously. He later clarified the device is 'certainly not intended for burglaries'. A cheeky German firm has cashed in its inadvertent role in the 75million Louvre raid with a new advert which makes light of the heist A crane manufactured by German firm Boecker was used by the thieves in the daring robbery at the famous Paris musem Mr Boecker said the machine was sold 'a few years ago to a French customer who rents this type of equipment in Paris and the surrounding area'. Similar pieces of equipment are a common sight around Paris, where elevators are small or absent in most apartment buildings. The alleged jewel thieves had arranged to have the vehicle demonstrated to them last week and had stolen it during the demonstration, he said. 'They removed the customer's labelling and replaced the license plates.' The raid, which saw a gang posing as construction workers before storming the museum, took under eight minutes. Thieves first parked their truck with an extendable ladder below the museum's Apollo Gallery shortly after it opened on Sunday. They then climbed up the ladder in broad daylight before using cutting equipment to get through a window and open display cases to steal the jewellery. They made off with eight priceless pieces, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his wife Empress Marie-Louise and a diadem that once belonged to the Empress Eugenie, which is dotted with nearly 2,000 diamonds. Man is being held under police guard in hospital Shocking footage has emerged of people running for their lives after a car suddenly ploughed into a busy cafe and pinned an elderly woman against a wall. The driver was captured on CCTV crashing his BMW into the front of The Cupcake Room on Norton Street in Leichhardt at about 9.50am on Saturday. While the man, believed to be aged in his 30s, initially got out of the drivers seat, he got back behind the wheel and drove away just moments later. Dozens of witnesses rushed to help the woman, who was sitting outside the cafe with her husband when tables and chairs suddenly went flying. 'The lady was pinned by the car and her legs were trapped,' witness Kieran Fox said. 'She managed to pull herself out a bit so she's walking wounded.' As bystanders helped the woman, another witness could be seen telling the driver to reverse his car - who reversed off the footpath and drove away. NSW Police said officers located the man and his vehicle a short time later and took him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he remains under police guard. Winesses try and get the driver out of the car moments before he crashes it into the cafe ahead The BMW smashes into the cafe in Sydney's inner west on Saturday morning The car was found later after the driver drove away from the scene The driver is in his 30s and remains under police guard in hospital after fleeing the crash The driver received oxygen as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance Baked goods are seen on the ground after a car ploughed into The Cupcake Room Sean McKeen and Kieran Fox witnessed the horrific crash As of 2pm Saturday, a police spokesperson told Daily Mail the man had not been arrested or charged. The woman, believed to be aged in her 70s, was treated at the scene by paramedics before she was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Sean McKeen was with Mr Fox as they drove behind the BMW driver, waiting to turn from Allen Street onto Norton Street, and noticed he was slumped behind the wheel. 'It (the car) started to creep across the road so we jumped out and started banging on the window saying 'wake-up, wake-up' and there was no response,' Mr McKeen said. 'He hit the kerb and jolted awake and accidentally, I'm assuming, he hit the accelerator.' Mr Fox said he started filming the driver, and told him not to leave the scene. 'At first we thought it was a medical episode, a heart attack maybe, then it turns out he was [allegedly] asleep or passed out,' he said. The driver appeared unconscious and was receiving oxygen as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance shortly after he was located by police. An investigation into the cause of the crash has commenced. A three-year-old boy has died in the foyer of a police station after suffering critical injuries in horror crash on the northern Gold Coast. Police were called to Burnside Road following reports of a traffic crash shortly after 5am on Saturday. A witness reportedly helped a 22-year-old mother and her three-year-old son out of their vehicle and took them to Beenleigh Police Station at her request. The toddler became unresponsive in the foyer of the station, and despite the efforts of officers who performed CPR, sadly passed away. 'As soon as he arrived, the police immediately commenced CPR. The mother had called triple-0 prior to her arrival,' Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Mooney said on Saturday afternoon. A 24-year-old man believed to have also been in the car, left the crash site with a one-year-old boy before officers arrived. The man and the one-year-old were located at a Beenleigh address about 6.30am. The toddler was taken to hospital for treatment. Police were called to Burnside Road following reports of a traffic crash shortly after 5am on Saturday. A three-year-old child died and a one-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital Supt Mooney said the 24-year-old man and the 22-year-old woman were not married and were separated at the time of the incident. '(They were) living together at some point in time, but have been separated the best part of 12 months I believe, he said, The Courier Mail reports. 'There is currently a temporary protection order in place that police took out in June 2024 and that order is still current. The female was the aggrieved.' He said the man has been charged for breaching a domestic violence order and will appear in court on Monday. 'Further inquiries and investigations are continuing into any other sort of serious investigation or serious crimes that may be alleged and try to work out exactly what caused the three year olds death,' he said. Donald Trump Jr. posted an AI-produced campaign ad that Andrew Cuomo had pulled after facing outrage from his fellow liberals for portraying Zohran Mamdani as beloved by criminals. Cuomo quickly removed the ad ahead of his final debate against the 33-year-old socialist Mamdani, which saw various fake criminals declare their support for his opponent. The ad begins with the version of Mamdani running through New York City while eating rice with his hands, something the actual Mamdani was mocked for online. Then, the AI-generated thugs - including a man shoplifting while wearing a keffiyeh, a domestic abuser, a '70s-style pimp and a drug dealer - declare their support as 'criminals for Zohran.' The ad was quickly taken down, with Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi saying it was posted by accident. 'The video was a draft proposal that was neither finished nor approved, did not go through the normal legal process, and was inadvertently posted by a junior staffer which is why it was taken down five minutes later,' he said. However, Donald Trump Jr. was among many conservatives who discovered the clip and brought it back to viral life. The First Son wrote: 'LMAO! Now let's hear from New York City locals what they think of socialism and Mamdani!' Donald Trump Jr. posted an AI-produced campaign ad that Andrew Cuomo had pulled after facing outrage from his fellow liberals for portraying Zohran Mamdani as beloved by criminals Cuomo quickly removed the ad ahead of his final debate against the 33-year-old socialist Mamdani, which saw various fake criminals declare their support for his opponent Much of the reaction to the clip from Democrats was universally negative. Cuomo is running as an independent after losing the primary to Mamdani. 'This is so gross and full of racist stereotypes, including a Black man dressed like a pimp trafficking a car full of white women,' wrote Shannon Watts, founder of anti-gun group Moms Demand Action. 'Cuomo needs to be thrown in the ash heap of history. Mamdani himself was furious at the clip, though his gripe was more with the use of artificial intelligence. He wrote: 'In a city of world-class artists and production crew hunting for the next gig, Andrew Cuomo made a TV ad the same way he wrote his housing policy: with AI. Then again, maybe a fake Cuomo is better than the real one?' It wasn't the first time this week Cuomo used AI to mock Mamdani, as he posted a clip of him acting as the Austin Powers character Mini-Me to former Mayor Bill de Blasio's Dr. Evil. The tone of the campaign between Cuomo, Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa has become more acrid as the November 4 election draws closer. Appearing on a conservative radio station Thursday, Cuomo appeared to laugh along at host Sid Rosenberg's suggestion that Mamdani would 'be cheering' another 9/11 attack. 'That's another problem,' Cuomo replied. The ad was quickly taken down, with Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi saying it was posted by accident. However, Donald Trump Jr. was among many conservatives who discovered the clip and brought it back to viral life While endorsing the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams invoked the possibility of terrorist attacks in New York City, seeming to suggest without explanation they would be more likely under a Mamdani administration. 'New York can't be Europe. I don't know what is wrong with people,' Adams said, standing alongside Cuomo. 'You see what's playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism.' At a debate earlier this week, Sliwa, the Republican candidate, falsely smeared Mamdani as a supporter of 'global jihad.' Asked about Rosenberg's comments, Cuomo said he 'didn't take the remarks seriously at the time.' 'Of course I think it's an offensive comment. But it did not come out of my mouth,' he added. Cuomo has also lambasted Mamdani for a smiling photo alongside Siraj Wahhaj, a Brooklyn imam who the Democratic frontrunner called 'one of the nation's foremost Muslim leaders.' Wahhaj was listed as an 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He was never charged with any wrongdoing. 'When people tell you who they are, you should believe them - and Zohran, wipe that smile off your face,' Cuomo told The New York Post. It isn't the first time this week Cuomo used AI to mock Mamdani, as he posted a clip of him acting as the Austin Powers character Mini-Me to former Mayor Bill de Blasio's Dr. Evil Wahhaj had endorsed Mamdani in the Democratic primary. Mamdani pointed out that Wahhaj had also previously met with Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio, as well as campaigned alongside Eric Adams. The imam was also the first Muslim to give an opening prayer for the US House of Representatives. 'The only time it became an issue of national attention was when I met with him,' Mamdani said. 'And that's because of the fact of my faith and because I'm on the precipice of winning this election.' Mamdani said Thursday that Cuomo's remarks showcased how bigotry and racism were problems in the Democratic Party. He said: 'This is disgusting. This is Andrew Cuomo's final moments in public life and he's choosing to spend them making racist attacks on the person who'd be the first Muslim to lead this city.' In his speech Friday, Mamdani said he was aiming his remarks not at political opponents but at his fellow Muslim New Yorkers. To that end, Mamdani said he would further embrace his Muslim identity, a decision he said he consciously avoided at the start of his campaign. Cuomo picked up the endorsement of current Mayor Eric Adams (pictured left) earlier this week Both Mamdani and Cuomo lead Curtis Sliwa (pictured), the Republican candidate, in the polls 'I thought that if I behaved well enough, or bit my tongue enough in the face of racist, baseless attacks, all while returning back to my central message, it would allow me to be more than just my faith,' Mamdani said. 'I was wrong. No amount of redirection is ever enough.' He continued: 'I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that I'm proud to call my own. But there is one thing that I will change. I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.' Mamdani, who won the primary in stunning fashion, has faced skepticism from some in the Democratic establishment, particularly over his criticism of Israel. On Friday, Mamdani earned the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. A family who emigrated from Afghanistan to Australia have unfairly found themselves at the centre of a fierce debate after snapping up a $1.5million home in Sydney. The Afghan immigrants bought the four-bedroom property in Guildford, in the city's west, at an auction last weekend and were congratulated by The Block auctioneer Tom Panos, who described them as a 'wonderful family'. But their happy moment was quickly soured after a number of Aussies questioned how immigrants from a poor nation could afford to buy a house in Sydney. Mr Panos said the disparaging comments exposed the deep-rooted anger many Aussies feel about being priced out of the property market. 'A family from Afghanistan, one of the poorest nations on Earth, where 85 per cent live on less than a dollar a day just bought a $1.5million home in Guildford. So how does (an) immigrant from Afghanistan afford a million-dollar property in Western Sydney?' one person wrote on X. 'In theory, these are refugees fleeing hardship. Yet in practice, they're entering one of the world's most inflated housing markets and somehow outbidding Australians who've spent their entire lives here.' 'What the f*** man? I'm born and raised in Australia and bust my a**e across two jobs, my wife has a great job, we pay an obscene amount of tax and we are jumping through so many hoops to afford a house in Adelaide that (is) less than half the price of this one. It's bulls***,' another posted. Mr Panos said the demeaning comments were not surprising as the property market becomes increasingly more ruthless and demanding. Despite costing $1.5million, the Guildford home 27km from Sydney's CBD was modest The Block auctioneer Tom Panos said the demeaning comments about the family's purchase were not surprising as the property market becomes increasingly more ruthless and demanding 'They happen on a weekly basis when I look at the comments on my posts,' he told news.com.au. 'This has been going on for a couple of years and it seems to come to the surface when the market is hot and buyers are getting frustrated that they're missing out.' Other Aussies stood up for the family, reminding others that they may simply have worked hard since moving to Australia. 'Remember when Greek and Italians formed groups to buy houses? Build one as a group, then another,' one wrote on X. 'It's called 'supporting' each other. Applaud him for putting down roots and not taking up rental properties.' 'Could have been here for 15 years, qualified as a plumber and worked 24/7,' a second wrote. Mr Panos said families like the one who bought the Guildford property deserved to enjoy the fruits of their labour. The auctioneer added that the comments were less about racism and more about an overall frustration with Australia's housing crisis. The post that sparked a viral debate about the housing market is pictured The Guilford home (pictured) was worth about the national average 'They're running very tight budgets, and they're trying to put a roof over their family's head, and taking advantage of the great opportunity that they've been given coming to live in Australia,' he told the publication. The agent who sold the house, Steven Khawam, said the buyers were very humble and hadn't used government support. Sydney's average house price is around $1.58million, and rose by 3.8 per cent in the past year. House prices are expected to continue to grow due to the Albanese government's five per cent deposit scheme. The scheme does help first home buyers, but economists have warned it's driven the surge in property prices of late. In the year to March, net overseas migration added 315,900 people to the population, down from the 2023 record of 518,000 migrants. Daily Mail has contacted Mr Panos for further comment. She had just given birth to her son, Axel A popular Melbourne nutritionist and food influencer who died just hours after her first child was born is understood to have had a 'freebirth'. Stacey Hatfield, 30, was best known for her business Natural Spoonfuls where she promoted the benefits of a 'low tox' lifestyle and natural recipes. She died suddenly on September 29 after experiencing an 'extremely rare complication' following a home birth. While Ms Hatfield was able to hold and nurse her baby boy, Axel, for the first time, her family said she 'was only able to experience the joy for a few short moments'. It was reported by the Herald Sun on Saturday that Ms Hatfield is believed to have chosen a 'freebirth', which is when someone chooses to give birth at home without help from a doctor or midwife. Freebirth can carry risks, including potential complications during labour and birth that may require urgent medical care. It is different to a planned home birth during which a woman is supported by a trained practitioner who is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Safer Care Victoria has said it respects every woman's right to choose where she gives birth, but warned there has been an increase in 'freebirths' in recent years. Popular nutritionist and food influencer Stacey Hatfield died suddenly just hours after giving birth to her first child, leaving behind her devastated husband and their newborn son Axel Nathan Warnecke said his wife's greatest dream was to become a mother It is understood Ms Hatfield had chosen to have a 'freebirth', which is when a woman has their baby at home without the help of a registered doctor or midwife 'Unfortunately, some have resulted in poor outcomes for mothers and babies, such as severe bleeding in the mother or breathing problems in the baby leading to long term health issues or even death,' the state government said. Registered midwife Juliana Brennan, who helps women give birth at home, said she is concerned about the rise in freebirths. 'There is a distinct difference between homebirth, with registered midwives that work within Safer Care Victoria guidelines to keep women and babies well and healthy, (and a freebirth)' she said. 'We've got boundaries... We carry all the equipment a birth suite would have, the only things we don't have at home is an obstetrician, a paediatrician or an operating theatre. 'If we feel we may need one of the above, we go into hospital.' Ms Hatfield's husband, Nathan Warnecke, wrote a heartbreaking tribute to the beloved influencer on social media a week after her death. 'It's with a heavy heart that I share with you the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, soul mate and best friend, Stacey,' he said. 'Tragically, shortly after, an unforeseen and extremely rare complication arose and she passed after being transferred to hospital. Hospital staff were amazing and did the utmost to help, but ultimately nothing could be done despite their best efforts.' Mr Warnecke said his wife experienced her pregnancy 'on her terms' and that it was exactly the way she had always dreamed of doing it The couple had been married less than a year after tying the knot on a beach in the Maldives Mr Warnecke said his wife 'loved being pregnant' and had told their son Axel that she loved him every day during the pregnancy. 'It was her life's biggest dream to be a mum. She did it. On her terms, exactly the way she always dreamed of doing it,' he said. 'She held Axel when he was born, nursed him, saw that he was a boy and loved him.' The couple had been married less than a year after tying the knot on a beach in the Maldives, a day Nathan described as 'the happiest of (his) life'. 'She lived her whole life with an appreciation for everything she had and cared not for materialistic possessions. Her favourite pastime was reading a book with a mug of green tea and our French Bulldog, Winter, by her side,' he said. Stacey founded Natural Spoonfuls in 2019 and later launched the food content company Waffl. Nathan, a professional surveyor, works on the establishment of new roads and freeways and is often on night shifts. Family and friends have since rallied around Nathan, with a GoFundMe set up to support him as he navigates life as a single father. Following his tragic statement, tributes flooded in from the health and wellness community, many of whom had no idea Stacey had passed away until Monday. 'Oh my goodness. Sending you so much love Stace for our beautiful chats, your passion for photography and love for your family. You will be sorely missed but watching over everyone - I have no doubt,' nutritionist Sally O'Neil wrote. 'I'm at a loss for words and so heartbroken for you all. Stace was always so supportive and kind and inspiring. I'm so grateful to have connected with her,' another, Dani's Health Eats, said. 'Completely heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss,' model Brooke Hogan added. It appears Donald Trump won't be getting over Kevin Rudd's harsh critique of him anytime soon after having earlier humiliated Australia's Ambassador to the US on the world stage. The US President met with Anthony Albanese at the White House earlier this week where he was asked whether he had any concerns about previous comments made by Rudd. The former Australian prime minister previously labelled Trump as a 'village idiot', a 'traitor to the West' and the 'most destructive' president in US history. The question from Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell prompted Trump to look across the table at Rudd and say: 'I don't like you either, and probably never will.' The two appeared to have reconciled after Rudd issued a 'genuine' apology to Trump regarding previous remarks about him, and the president responded, 'all is forgiven'. But, as he exited the White House late on Friday local time, Trump appeared to once again snub Rudd when asked by The Sydney Morning Herald if he had forgiven the ambassador. 'No, I don't know anything about him,' Trump said. 'I don't I think he said a long time ago something bad. You know, when they say bad about me, I don't forget.' Donald Trump suggests he has not forgiven Kevin Rudd for his critical comments The US President met with Anthony Albanese at the White House earlier this week where he was asked whether he had any concerns about previous comments made by Rudd The publication noted due to the loud noise from the nearby presidential helicopter, it wasn't clear whether Trump had heard the question in full. The president meanwhile floated the idea of appointing a new US ambassador to Australia in order to fill the role left vacant by Caroline Kennedy in January. Trump said he had 'one or two people' in mind to replace her. 'Your leader [Anthony Albanese] was just here, and he's a great guy, and I'm going to make sure we have somebody that he likes,' he said 'Here's the good news: everybody wants to be ambassador to Australia.' Previous speculation suggested Trump was considering appointing a Hollywood identity, such as Mel Gibson, to the post. Rudd still has another 18 months to serve in his four-year role as US ambassador. But the embarrassment felt after Trump cornered Rudd has left him open to further criticism back in Australia. The Coalition has called for Rudd to step down, or for Albanese to dismiss him - something the prime minister has said he will not do The Coalition has called for Rudd to step down, or for Albanese to dismiss him - something the prime minister has said he will not do. However Opposition Leader Sussan Ley later tempered her party's tone, backing Rudd as the country's representative. Former Liberal PM Tony Abbott even complimented Rudd, saying he had done 'a good job for Australia'. Albanese shared a similar message during his remarks to members of the US Congress before returning home. 'If there's a harder working ambassador on [Capitol Hill] then please let me know because Kevin works his guts out, and he seems to know everything,' he said. He later downplayed the awkward exchange as light-hearted 'banter' and not a big deal, as he praised Rudd's involvement in organising the meeting with Trump. 'It wasn't, certainly, a significant moment. Kevin Rudd was with me in the Oval Office afterwards,' Albanese told ABC's News Breakfast on Wednesday morning. 'All's good. Kevin Rudd's doing a fantastic job. 'And the work that he did into this outcome is certainly recognised by me, and recognised by all of his American friends as well.' Albanese confirmed that Rudd apologised to Trump shortly after the so-called 'banter'. Trump's comments on Friday night followed a productive week for the Albanese government in the US. During the meeting on Tuesday, Albanese and Trump signed the framework for a critical minerals deal, which the US aims to use to lessen its reliance on China for key tech components. Beijing has imposed strict rules on their exports, which has angered Trump. An 11-year-old girl has died after suffering critical injuries in a horrific two-car crash in Melbourne which left another child injured. It is understood a Toyota Corolla and a Nissan Skyline collided at an intersection in Wantirna South, in Melbourne's east, on Thursday night. One of the four occupants of the Corolla, an 11-year-old girl, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she died on Friday night, police said. A four-year-old boy, also a passenger in the Corolla, was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The 38-year-old Knoxfield woman who was driving the Corolla was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The fourth passenger, a 38-year-old Knoxfield man, was not injured. Two men travelling in the Nissan Skyline sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment. Both men stopped at the scene after the collision occurred. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are probing how the two vehicles collided at the High Street Rd and Wallace Rd intersection at about 8.20pm. Police are investigating the horror collision where it's understood a silver Toyota Corolla and a grey Nissan Skyline collided at an intersection in Wantirna South in Melbourne's east One of the four occupants of the Corolla, an 11-year-old girl, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she died on Friday night Police have urged anyone who was driving on High Street Rd or Wallace Rd before the collision to check their dashcam footage. Victoria Police said 'investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of the collision'. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police said there have been 239 lives lost on roads in 2025, 18 more than the total this time last year. An autistic volunteer told to stop stacking shelves at Waitrose when his mother asked if he could be paid has found himself at the centre of a supermarket wrangle after he was offered work by rival Asda - before his old employer said it would 'welcome him back'. Tom Boyd, 28, had clocked up more than 600 hours of unpaid work at Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester since 2021, accompanied by a support worker. When his mother Frances Boyd asked in July if her son could be offered 'just a few paid hours', Waitrose head office told her Mr Boyd's work experience placement would have to end. This week Asda offered the volunteer two five-hour paid shifts a week - before Waitrose revealed a change of heart and said it too could provide paid employment. The offer of two jobs has placed Tom and his family into a quandary over which to accept, though Frances revealed there are mixed feelings over Waitrose's proposal, which she has described as 'bittersweet'. On the one hand, she acknowledges Tom 'absolutely loved' his old job and Frances has only praise for the store staff who supported her son while he worked there. But the distressed mother said she still feels bruised by the way Waitrose's head office has handled the situation. By contrast, Asda has offered the family the assurance of flexibility and support for Tom. Based on the company's national rate, which has increased by 15p since October, Mr Boyd would be paid 12.60 an hour. Tom Boyd, 28, has found himself at the centre of a supermarket wrangle after he was offered paid work by Asda - before Waitrose said it would 'welcome him back' When his mother Frances Boyd (pictured) asked if her son could be offered 'just a few paid hours' in July, Waitrose head office told her Mr Boyd's work experience placement had to end She told The Times: 'Asda is saying, 'We'll fit around you,' which is unbelievable. 'They do seem very inclusive and keen to diversify. They even asked what aisle he would prefer to work in.' Neither offer has as yet been accepted, with Frances keen to take the time to consider Tom's options on the table. Being able to go out and work had given her son a sense of structure and achievement, she explained. Although his work placement at Waitrose had been unpaid, Tom's parents had been giving him 3 each morning to save or spend as he liked to help him feel a sense of independence. She told the BBC: 'We are going to think about it and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to return... and are having further discussions with Waitrose.' For their part, Waitrose said it was keen to welcome Tom back into their store. In a statement yesterday, a spokesperson said: 'As those familiar with Waitrose will know, we care deeply about helping people into the workplace who might otherwise not be given a chance. Mr Boyd worked at Waitrose's branch in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester (pictured) 'As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to gain experience and build his confidence. 'We have policies in place to support volunteering, and are investigating what's happened in Tom's situation. 'We'd like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon.' What rights do volunteers have under law? Volunteers do not have the same rights as an employee, because they do not have a contract of employment. They will usually receive a volunteer agreement explaining the level of supervision and support; any training; whether they are covered under the organisation's employer or public liability insurance; health and safety issues; and any expenses the organisation will cover. While the volunteer agreement is not compulsory, it sets out what to expect from the organisation but does not form a contract. Advertisement Mr Boyd's mother has previously blamed 'head office' for turning down her request for paid work - after bosses were alarmed by the number of unpaid shifts her son had completed and said he would not be able to work until they had resolved the situation. She revealed he 'absolutely loved' his job, admitting she even lied to him that the store had been closed for cleaning, to avoid telling him he could not go back. Speaking from her 900,000 detached home on Friday, Mrs Boyd told the Daily Mail she would not be chasing Waitrose for any backdated wages for her son, adding: 'It's beyond that. It's about young people volunteering. Waitrose have apologised and said they are looking into it.' A Waitrose spokesman previously said work placements, such as Mr Boyd's, were typically set up in partnership with a charity, in collaboration with the individual and their family. He said they were investigating Mr Boyd's case 'as a priority'. Speaking about the incident, Mrs Boyd told BBC Breakfast on Thursday: 'He started at Waitrose because he was on a college placement. 'It began with one hour a week and it started building up over time as it progressed and got better at it and used to doing it and everything was working. 'Eventually, when he left college we asked if he could increase that time to two days which it did. We thought this is working out, well why don't we ask Waitrose if there is the possibility of paid work.' Explaining his role at the store, the mother added: 'He was bringing stock down from the stockroom, taking it onto the shop floor, stacking the shelves, tidying the shelves, putting everything in order and making sure everything was fully stocked. 'He absolutely loved it. He loved that sense of belonging and the structure of going to work and the independence it gave him and feeling like a working man. 'We've told him he was a working man once he started to go out and finish college and he used to say: 'I'm working like my dad and my brother'.' Mrs Boyd explained that she and her son were at first given hope that a request for paid work might be accepted. She said: 'They didn't say no which gave us a feeling it was a possibility. There was no 'no' immediately, so we thought 'there's a chance here'. 'But at the time they said 'come back to us, we've got perhaps recruitment in January and then we can look at it again'. 'Time just went by and I think by July of this year it went to head office, because they couldn't make a decision within the store without taking it to head office. And once head office found out about it, the placement was stopped.' Once the placement was ended, Mrs Boyd said her son struggled to understand why he could no longer carry on working at Waitrose. She continued: 'We had to sort of make a story up and say that the shop was being cleaned temporarily and that he couldn't go into work until they cleaned it and then he might be going back and we left it at that.' Following news of the furore, Mr Boyd received support from Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham, who said the 28-year-old had suffered 'truly terrible' treatment and vowed to 'support him to find another placement'. The mayor added that Greater Manchester Combined Authority 'would encourage all employers, including Waitrose, to sign up to our brand new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice'. Frances has accepted the mayor's offer to become an advocate for the Bee Neuroinclusive campaign. Daily Mail has reached out to Asda and Waitrose for comment. Parents told to be cautious buying the toys Parents in Western Australia have been warned to check battery-powered Halloween toys after research discovered 'widespread safety failures'. A state government investigation into a range of festive products sold by six major online retailers has raised concerns about their risk to children. The research by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety examined 49 button-battery-powered toys. These included costume accessories, skeleton candlesticks, spider tea lights, pumpkin tote bags and flashing finger rings. However, the department found only three of the items met the requirements of mandatory safety and information standards. It said up to 80 per cent of the toys had unsecured battery compartments, posing a risk to young children due to easy access to batteries. In one case, button batteries became dislodged from a Halloween light during transit and were discovered loose inside the packaging upon delivery. Almost all of the toys were missing mandatory warning labels, alerting consumers to the presence of button batteries, which can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. The WA government has warned parents to check their children's battery-powered Halloween toys after a recent audit revealed how dozens failed to meet safety standards The research looked at 49 button-battery-powered toys, including costume accessories, skeleton candlesticks, spider tea lights, pumpkin tote bags and flashing finger rings WA Commerce Minister Tony Buti confirmed the six websites, which have not been named, have removed the non-compliant products. 'These findings show hidden hazards are continuing to find their way onto online marketplaces,' he said. 'Consumers need to be extra vigilant when buying children Halloween products online. 'While we cannot actively regulate the safety of every product arriving in WA, we can help educate consumers on detecting unsafe items this Halloween. 'I encourage everyone embracing this tradition to check the Consumer Protection website for safety tips.' Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake warned ABC News that three children had died in Australia after ingesting a button battery. 'But many, many, many more children are now suffering lifelong requirements for surgery and medical issues because what happens is, when they swallow those button batteries in their oesophagus, it burns the tissue,' she said. 'It's just incredibly dangerous and horrifying.' Ms Blake said inspectors are also visiting bricks-and-mortar stores to ensure all products sold are safe, but has urged people in WA to shop locally. 'If you are thinking about splashing out on Halloween, visit our local bricks-and-mortar stores, the local traders they're working really hard,' she said. 'Know that you have a much higher chance of compliant products being available and safe products being sold to you.' Putin is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as his country prepares for war with NATO, Norway has said. Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik claimed his country had found Russia had been increasing its military presence in the Arctic, particularly in the Kola peninsula. The politician also said Vladimir Putin had been attempting to take over the Arctic region where its fleet is based to block shipping routes to Nato allies if war broke out. 'Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula... where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located,' Mr Sandvik told The Telegraph. 'They [the nuclear weapons] are not only pointed towards Norway, but towards the UK and over the pole towards Canada and the US. 'We are the eyes and ears of Nato in this area, and we see that they're testing new weapons, for example hypersonic missiles, and they are testing nuclear-driven torpedoes and nuclear warheads.' The Kola peninsula, famed for accommodating the world's most condensed nuclear weapon stockpile, plays a key role in the Kremlin's ability to deliver a 'second strike'. The term 'second strike' refers to a nation's ability to retaliate following an initial nuclear strike by a rival. A Mikoyan MiG-29KUB carrier-based multirole trainer aircraft of the Russian Northern Fleet's naval aviation lands at the Severomorsk-3 airfield in the Arctic Circle Your browser does not support iframes. The Kola Peninsula, historically home to the Russian Northern Fleet, was previously established in 1733 to safeguard the Russian Empire's fisheries and trade routes. However, today, according to Mr Sandvik, the area has a more menacing purpose. According to the politician, even though Putin has suffered significant losses in Ukraine, with one million soldiers lost, his fleet remains intact and is still being developed. Over the last two years, Russia has launched a new frigate and a multi-role submarine. Mr Sandvik noted that the most dangerous aspect of Russia today is its submarines. Although the Kremlin may be struggling in the Ukraine war, its nuclear warheads and 'second-strike' capacity allow it to maintain its superpower status. Prior to latest developments, the Russian fleet included at least 16 nuclear-powered submarines and the advanced Tsirkon hypersonic missile - capable of traveling at speeds up to eight times the speed of sound. The distance from a northwestern European port to the Far East along the Northeast Sea Route is almost 40% shorter than the traditional route via the Suez Canal. Other sea routes are becoming more accessible for more of the year The US Army's 1st Brigade, 11th Airborne, operates out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska Mr Sandvik highlighted the importance of monitoring the fleet, claiming it to be 'the most important surveillance in NATO.' However, as ice caps in the region melt, it allows for new shipping routes to open, which would be financially fruitful for ships travelling between Europe and Asia. But, in Oslo, officials say there would be fierce competition over control of two strategically important shipping routes in the Arctic, as these potential channels would be key supply lines in a conflict with Russia. The first crucial route is the Bear Gap, a narrow stretch of water that lies between mainland Norway and the island of Svalbard, which Russian vessels must travel through to access the Atlantic Ocean. The second is the GIUK Gap, a strategic passageway situated between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom, which prove to be vital for naval forces in the area. 'Putin is not interested in peace...Putin's plan is not a stable peace with Ukraine. If he can, he will come back,' Mr Sandvik told The Telegraph. 'Even if we have a peace deal in Ukraine, with boots on the ground and a stable situation, one analysis is that he will mobilise millions of soldiers up close to the border with Finland.' Keir Starmer suffered another hammer blow today as Lucy Powell was named as his new Labour deputy - and warned that he is not being 'bold' enough. Ms Powell - who was sacked from the Cabinet by the PM just last month - saw off Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in the contest. She received 87,407 votes compared to 73,536 for her rival, a margin of 54 per cent to 46 per cent, although the turnout was a dismal 16.6 per cent. In her victory speech in central London, Ms Powell said the party is in the 'fight of our lives'. 'Division and hate are on the rise. People are looking around, looking elsewhere for the answers,' she said. Ms Powell warned that Labour has 'one big chance' to show that 'progressive' politics can 'work' for Britain. While stressing she was there to 'help' Sir Keir, she gave a devastating assessment of his performance. 'We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs,' she said. 'People feel that this government is not being bold enough in delivering the kind of change we promised.' During the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to 'mistakes' made by the Labour leadership on issues such as the winter fuel allowance Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) reacts as the result of the deputy leadership contest is announced Sir Keir embraced Ms Powell after her victory was announced There was also a hug for defeated candidate Ms Phillipson, who will stay in her Cabinet job Ms Powell - who has made clear she does not want a ministerial role - said that the government needed to seize back the 'megaphone' and could not 'out-Reform Reform'. 'Let's be honest, we've let Farage and his ilk run away with it. He wants to blame immigration for all the country's problems,' she said. Speaking after his new deputy, Sir Keir admitted the extraordinary disaster in the Senedd by-election for Caerphilly yesterday had been 'bad'. He accused Reform and the Tories of wanting to 'deport our neighbours' with retrospective changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain status. The Manchester MP has vowed to speak her mind about the need for the party to change direction. She is a close ally of Andy Burnham - seen by some as a potential replacement for Sir Keir. Speaking to Labour campaigners gathered in London, she said she was 'absolutely thrilled' to have been elected, adding: 'It really rests on our shoulders now as the Labour party, the Labour government, to prove that progressive mainstream politics can really change people's lives for the better. 'We are facing these forces of division, of hate, of disillusionment of discontentment and it's our job to see that off and to really stand together, stand tall, in the face of that division and that hate. 'I want to show for people what this Labour government is really about. We are about changing people's lives for the better. The country hasn't worked for people for the last 14 years and we are going about fixing that every single day.' Speaking to Sky News after the result was announced, defeated Ms Phillipson said: 'Of course I'm disappointed to lose but I want to congratulate Lucy. She ran a good campaign, she has my full support. The latest miserable week for Sir Keir was capped yesterday when Plaid Cymru romped home in the Senedd by-election for Caerphilly Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Labour's new deputy leader Lucy Powell on Saturday Bridget Phillipson (centre) was viewed as the leadership's candidate by dint of her status as a serving Cabinet minister Newly elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell speaking to party activists and supporters in London on Saturday 'What we all need to do now is unite as a party, beat Reform and secure that second Labour government. 'What I heard from members right across the country is that they do want us to be proud of the achievements so far of this government, and you'll be hearing a lot more from me in the weeks and months to come.' The result comes amid mounting Labour panic about a collapse in public support and the threat from Reform. As crucial local elections loom in May, left-wingers have been demanding 'wealth taxes' at the Budget next month to fund a fresh spending splurge. The latest miserable week for Sir Keir was capped yesterday when Plaid Cymru romped home in the Senedd by-election for Caerphilly. Labour was relegated to third place with just 11 per cent of the vote in an area it has dominated for a century. Nigel Farage's party saw a massive surge to come second, although that was seen as a disappointing outcome. Sir Keir said today: 'We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see. 'Now, this week, we received another reminder of just how urgent that task is. 'A bad result in Wales, I accept that, but a reminder that people need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled. 'Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division and we have to keep going on that. 'It is the offer we must make to the people of Scotland, Wales and England next year. 'And that means we must come together. We must unite. We must keep our focus on what is, in my view, the defining battle for the soul of our nation.' Former Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner took to social media to congratulate Ms Powell and said she was 'delighted for my friend and brilliant colleague'. 'She'll be a powerful voice for our movement, our UK Labour values, and the change the country needs,' she added. Reacting to the result, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage tweeted: 'As only 160,000 Labour party members vote in the Deputy Leadership contest today, the question must now be. How many members do they actually have?' Your browser does not support iframes. The Labour big beasts waited awkwardly to hear the news in central London this morning Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch wrote: 'Never forget, this is the woman who said that calling for a Grooming Gangs Inquiry was a "dogwhistle". Now she's the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. It's shameful, and a testament to the total weakness of Keir Starmer.' Today's result comes in a bad week for the government, following a breath-taking blunder that resulted in a Channel migrant who was jailed for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl released into the community, rather the sent for deportation. Sir Keir has also seen his Channel boats plan descend into chaos, with a migrant returned to France under the vaunted 'one in, one out' deal turning up on UK shores again. There are claims that Emmanuel Macron has reneged on an agreement to get tougher about stopping dinghies leaving the French coast. And Germany appears to be backing off a commitment to close a loophole than means helping smuggle people to Britain is not illegal. The deputy leader battle was triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner after admitting underpaying stamp duty. Ms Phillipson was viewed as the leadership's candidate by dint of her status as a serving Cabinet minister. She acknowledged the result was 'disappointing', but said: 'I'll remain a strong voice for our movement in Cabinet, working to deliver a crucial second term.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting referred to the resignation of Ms Rayner, posting on X: 'An election that nobody wanted, with two brilliant candidates and a worthy winner.' During the campaign, Ms Powell frequently referred to 'mistakes' made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters this week she appeared to criticise a 'command and control' culture within Government, arguing that 'blindly following along' was 'a dereliction of our duty to defeat the politics of hate and division'. Polls of Labour members have suggested more than half of whom now believe the party is heading in the wrong direction. Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Weak Keir Starmer has had the candidate he didn't want and who he fired last month imposed on him by the Labour Party. 'He didn't have the backbone to stand up to Lucy Powell on welfare spending before, he won't have the backbone stand up to Lucy Powell now. 'That means more unfunded welfare spending like reversing the two-child cap and higher taxes this autumn to pay for it.' Prince Andrew's past is 'catching up with him', the co-author of Virginia Giuffre's memoir has said as the King considers paying him 500,000 to move out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor. The King's brother is in talks about leaving the 30-room Grade II listed mansion voluntarily following public outcry over his 'peppercorn' rent, but is reluctant to give up his residence of more than 20 years. The sticking points in the talks are said to be the location of his new home, with him wanting to remain close to his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who live in London, and financial compensation for funds spent renovating the lodge. Buckingham Palace is said to be 'trying to crank up the pressure' on the prince to voluntarily move out, with sources saying it is a case of 'when, not if' Andrew goes, having finally accepted the inevitable, despite still having 50 years to run on his lease. Andrew gave up the Duke of York title and other honours last Friday ahead of the publication of Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoir, following allegations he sexually abused her. The book's co-author Amy Wallace has said Andrew's behaviour is finally coming back at him and that Ms Giuffre wanted 'wealthy, powerful men to be held to account'. In an interview with the Associated Press, she said: 'What we're watching is Prince Andrew's life is being eroded for his past behaviour. 'While he's not being tried in a court of law, his behaviour's catching up with him'. King Charles (right) could pay Prince Andrew (left) up to 558,000 out of his own pocket to leave Royal Lodge Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001 Ms Giuffre's co-author Amy Wallace has said Andrew's behaviour is finally coming back at him and that Ms Giuffre wanted 'wealthy, powerful men to be held to account' Ms Wallace said Andrew could still come forward about what he knew about the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and help victims of sexual abuse. 'He still denies what is in this book, we should say. But it's not too late,' she said. 'He could continue to leave aside the things he's accused of with Virginia. He could still come forward. He was in those houses, he was on the island, he was in the private jet numerous times. 'He could still come forward and say to the authorities, I want to validate these women's experience.' The prince, who strenuously denies the allegations from Ms Giuffre, has been hit by fresh criticism focused on his property, with some MPs eager to debate the issue in Parliament. He has been embroiled in fresh scandal in recent weeks after it emerged he had kept in contact with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted to. Andrew has also been caught up in an ongoing row concerning his association alleged Chinese spies. It comes amid claims a 2011 attempt by Ms Giuffre to serve a civil suit on Andrew was allegedly frustrated by Metropolitan Police officers. The disgraced ex-Duke of York is in talks about quitting his 30-room Grade II listed mansion (pictured) on the Windsor Estate Andrew has been embroiled in fresh scandal in recent weeks after it emerged he had kept in contact with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted to In a statement on Friday the force said: 'Following recent media reporting on the actions of officers in relation to this matter, we are considering whether any further assessment or review is necessary.' The Met previously said it was looking into allegations after the Mail On Sunday revealed Andrew passed Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to investigate her. Obstacles to reaching a settlement are reportedly where Andrew, eighth in line to the throne, will live and what financial recompense he will receive for the funds he spent renovating the home. There are likely properties on the King's private Balmoral estate in Scotland and his Sandringham estate in Norfolk that could house Andrew but whether he will accept a smaller home far from his supportive daughters remains to be seen. The King has long been said to have tried to encourage his younger brother, who lives in Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, to move out, but Andrew signed a watertight 75-year lease on the property in 2003. Andrew's leasehold agreement, seen by the PA news agency, revealed he paid 1 million for the lease and that since then he paid 'one peppercorn' of rent 'if demanded' per year. He was also required to pay a further 7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, according to a report by the National Audit Office. The agreement also contains a clause that states the Crown Estate would have to pay Andrew around 558,000 if he gave up the lease. There have been claims the prince's 'peppercorn' rent on the Crown Estate property in Windsor Great Park was concealed in a redacted version of his lease submitted to the Land Registry more than 20 years ago. The Public Accounts Committee has already confirmed it is writing to the Crown Estate and the Treasury asking for further information about the prince's lease. Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, alleged she was forced to have sex three times with Andrew, which he vehemently denies, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after she was trafficked by Epstein. Andrew paid a reported 12 million to settle a civil sexual assault case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. Downing Street, meanwhile, said MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons to discuss Andrew's conduct because the royal family wants Parliament to focus on 'important issues'. Number 10 said it would not allocate time for a debate in the chamber although MPs could still scrutinise the situation in committees. China's State Council urges study, implementation of key Party plenum spirit Xinhua) 09:43, October 25, 2025 Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is also secretary of the leading Party members group of the State Council, presides over a meeting of the group to study and implement the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2025. The meeting was attended by Ding Xuexiang. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is also secretary of the leading Party members group of the State Council, presided over a meeting convened by the leading Party members group of China's State Council to study and implement the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development balance China's overarching strategy of national rejuvenation with profound global transformation, accurately define the historical position of the Party and the country's endeavors for its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), and chart a top-level design and strategic blueprint for its next five years of development, the meeting said. It emphasized the need for the leading Party members group of China's State Council and departments under the State Council to carry out solid economic and social development work during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Based on the recommendations, the State Council will formulate an outline for the 15th Five-Year Plan. It will also coordinate the development of specialized, regional and local plans, vigorously advancing the implementation of major strategic tasks designated in the recommendations, the meeting said. It urged intensified efforts to ensure the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and a solid start for the 15th Five-Year Plan. The meeting was attended by Ding Xuexiang, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Liu Guozhong, Wang Xiaohong, Wu Zhenglong and Shen Yiqin. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) Residents living on a road named after disgraced Prince Andrew say they feel 'embarrassed' to live there and are calling for it to be renamed. Locals in Maidenhead, Berkshire, say they are ashamed of living on Prince Andrew Road following renewed scrutiny over the Duke's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Two weeks ago, Andrew gave up his Duke of York title and remaining honours in an effort to avoid distracting from the Royal Family's work. But pressure is still mounting for him to vacate Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor mansion he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, which he secured on a 75-year lease in 2003. Now residents just 11 miles away from the property want to distance themselves from the scandal-hit royal. Tom Kirk, who moved to Prince Andrew Road earlier this year with his partner and two-year-old son, said: 'The initial feeling that stands out more than anything is it's kind of an embarrassing association. 'Whenever you speak with someone, if you're ordering something or tell someone where you live there's always raised eyebrows.' Speaking to the Maidenhead Advertiser, he added: 'There's the ethical standpoint with the association. Locals in Maidenhead, Berkshire, say they are ashamed of living on Prince Andrew Road following renewed scrutiny over the Duke's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Residents just 11 miles away from the property want to distance themselves from the scandal-hit royal Two weeks ago, Andrew gave up his Duke of York title and remaining honours in an effort to avoid distracting from the Royal Family's work 'This road name is now linked to controversy, given the severity of the allegations that continue to come through.' Another resident said they feel 'quite ashamed' every time they mention their address, adding: 'You've removed all of his titles and everything else, why should we have to live on a road that's named after him?' A couple who have lived there since the 1960s also backed a name change but acknowledged the inconvenience it would cause, saying: 'You've got to change all your mailing addresses, your bank account, passport and everything.' The street, along with neighbouring Prince Andrew Close, was named after the late Queen's second son following his birth in 1960. Mr Kirk has contacted Windsor and Maidenhead Council to ask how residents can apply for a name change. In response, the council said a public notice must be displayed at both ends of the street to notify residents of any proposal. A spokesperson told the newspaper the authority follows formal procedures and must obtain consent from all affected property owners, in line with national addressing standards. Any application, they said, will be assessed according to these rules, with further details, including requirements and fees, available on the council's website. Daily Mail has approached Windsor and Maidenhead Council for comment. It comes after last weekend's Mail on Sunday revealed that Prince Andrew allegedly asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to dig up information on Virginia Giuffre, passing on her date of birth and social security number - claims he denies. A palace source told the paper the allegations were 'very serious and of grave concern' and 'should be examined in the proper and fullest ways.' Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, claimed that paedophile Epstein trafficked her to London and forced her to have sex with the prince, allegations Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied. Pressure is still mounting for him to vacate Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor mansion he shares with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, which he secured on a 75-year lease in 2003 Prince Andrews accuser Virginia Giuffre has describes a childhood so blighted by horrific abuse that she became the perfect victim for sexual predators Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Giuffre, then 17, is pictured with Andrew in 2001 In an autobiography which has been published posthumously tells the full story of how she was recruited by Maxwell to be Epsteins sex slave. Reports have since suggested King Charles may pay Andrew out of his own pocket to leave Royal Lodge, from which he cannot be legally evicted. The Mail on Sunday also revealed Epstein introduced Andrew to another woman he had abused for years, although there have been no allegations about Andrew's conduct towards her, and that the financier bankrolled Sarah Ferguson for more than 15 years. A group of masked Muslim youths took to the streets of east London today vowing to be 'ready to defend their community' after police banned a planned UKIP protest to 'reclaim' the area. Many young men dressed in black, with hoods up and their faces covered, could be seen as Bangladesh and Palestine flags were waved at the demonstration on streets where UKIP had originally intended to march. One protester at the Whitechapel demo took to a microphone promising to 'stand firm' in defending their community from far-right protesters. 'They came specifically targeting Islam,' he said. 'They said, "we are coming on a crusade", they said "we need to take back our streets". 'We stand firm to let them know if you come, we will stand firm and will be ready to defend our elders, to defend our women, to defend our community. 'We have never once said we were going on crusades or going into your areas to cause you problems. 'You are coming into our homes and you want to cause us problems. What is wrong with us standing up? 'Today is a day we unite,' he said to a crowd chanting a series of messages in Arabic. Members of the Bangladeshi community dressed in all black took to the streets to oppose a far-right march which was banned from entering Whitechapel today Members of the Bangladeshi community praying during a counter demonstration outside an east London Mosque A group of masked Muslim youths have taken to the streets of east London today vowing to be 'ready to defend [their community]' after police banned a planned protest to 'reclaim' the area 'They came specifically targeting Islam,' the man said while speaking into a microphone. 'They said, "we are coming on a crusade", they said "we need to take back our streets" 'Today is a day we unite,' he said to a crowd chanting a series of messages in Arabic On Tuesday, the Met had imposed restrictions on the UKIP demonstration, banning supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' and instead directing them to Marble Arch. Left-wing counter-protesters were told to continue their protest as planned in Whitechapel and not enter areas of central London where the UKIP march would be taking place instead. But at the Marble Arch meeting four left-wing protesters, believed to be supporters of campaign group Stand Up To Racism, were arrested by Met Police officers in Hyde Park Corner after defying the police ban in an attempt to confront UKIP protesters. Elsewhere, outside the London Oratory, a Catholic church in Kensington, 75 UKIP activists gathered at 1pm before their march towards Marble Arch, with many holding Union Jacks, crosses and signs reading 'Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain'. They were led by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, carrying a banner which read 'Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain' while others at the protest carried wooden crosses. They could be heard chanting, 'hail the nation, deportation and send them home,' as well as 'who's the King of Britain? Christ is King!'. Tenconi also rejected allegations of fascism, telling protestors that his grandparents had fled fascist Italy. Attending the protest was TV personality Narinder Kaur, who was pictured being led away by police officers after she confronted far-right protesters She took to Twitter (formerly X) after the incident, writing: 'Love how they were more interested in me than little Nick from Ukip. 'They tried to get me arrested but managed to just get the police to protect me.' TV personality Narinder Kaur is led away by police offocers after she confronted far right protesters She took to Twitter (formerly X) writing: 'Love how they were more interested in me than little Nick from Ukip' Masked men took to the streets of east London today vowed to 'defend their community' against far-right protesters Many young men dressed in black, with hoods up and their faces covered, could be seen as Bangladesh and Palestine flags were waved at the demonstration on streets A masked man standing with a megaphone in Whitechapel today The turnout of people in the community opposing UKIPs demo comes after restrictions prevented the group marching in Whitechapel UKIP supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' and instead directing them to Marble Arch A man raises his fist in the air as the other speaks on a microphone as members of the community take to the streets of east London Members of the Bangladeshi community march towards Altab Ali park A wedding guest was also left irritated by the demonstration due to marchers 'massively disrupt[ing] proceedings' outside a church. 'The bride is just shattered,' he added. UKIP protest attendee Martin Ponting, 45, said the march was about 'sending a clear message'. 'We live in a two-tier country. Why couldnt we be in east London?,' he said. 'But were here instead and weve had enough.' A Met Police officer told the Daily Mail that the turnout for the protest was much smaller than expected. The protest finished with a speech by Tenconi under Marble Arch, where he called for a 'ninth crusade' against Islamism and Communism. During the speech, a man wearing a keffiyeh, a type of scarf commonly associated with the pro-Palestine movement, entered the area. Police were forced to quickly intervene during the confrontation, as the man was chased across Oxford Street. It is unclear whether the man was a counter-protester or had entered the area unintentionally. Earlier this week, Met imposed Public Order Act conditions on UKIP demonstrators, preventing them from holding the protest anywhere in the borough of Tower Hamlets on Tuesday. Previously, the force banned the demonstration from its planned site in Whitechapel, an area with a large Muslim population, with officers saying there was 'realistic prospect of serious disorder'. The march is part of a series of events taking place across the UK which were promoted as a 'mass deportations tour', with organisers calling on attendees to 'reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists', UKIP's X profile said. The counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other local groups, amassed from 12pm in Whitechapel, east London. A woman being detained near Hyde Park Corner today Another woman being detained near the demonstration in central London today A woman is detained in Hyde Park Corner near the demonstration in central London today Counter protesters take to the streets of Whitechapel after UKIP were prevented from demonstrating there The local community and protest groups celebrate the UKIP group being prevented from entering Whitechapel on October 25, 2025 Leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nick Tenconi speaks to protesters gathering for a march in London on October 25, 2025 The march is part of a series of events taking place across the UK which were promoted as a 'mass deportations tour' A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other local groups, amassed from 12pm in Whitechapel, east London The Met imposed restrictions on the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) demonstration, banning supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' Leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nick Tenconi (centre) attends a pro-UKIP rally in central London on Saturday Protesters pass by Harrods with a banner during a march organised by UKIP Around 75 people turned up to the UKIP rally, which set off from the London Oratory in Kensington A spokesperson for the force said: 'Four counter protesters who appeared along the route in breach of the conditions in place and refused to leave have been arrested.' UKIP leader Nick Marcel Tenconi said earlier this week on X: 'We will confront the communists at Hyde Park Corner. 'We will march to Marble Arch and I will give my historic address with the communists and Islamists flaying in the background outraged that we have once and for all finally stood up to them. 'They will be met with Christian courage and it will be glorious. Patriots, this is just the beginning. Saturday the 25th of October (tomorrow). The Crusade begins. Commander Nick John, who is in charge of public order policing in London this weekend, said: 'Our role in relation to the policing of protest is to ensure that they take place peacefully, that offences are dealt with, that they do not cause excessive disruption to the ordinary lives of local residents, visitors and businesses and to ensure that where there is a prospect of disorder we take action to prevent it. 'The risk of such disorder can be elevated if groups with clearly opposing views are allowed to gather in close proximity to each other, particularly if they do so in the heart of a residential area at a time when tensions and fears in relation to hate crime and similar offences are heightened. 'We intervened earlier this week to use our powers under the Public Order Act to prevent a protest taking place in Whitechapel due to the prospect of serious disorder. Supporters of UK Independence Party (UKIP) wave flags during a march in London on October 25 Supporters of UK Independence Party (UKIP) gather for a march in London on October 25 A man waves a large Union Jack flag at a march in support of UKIP on Saturday 'This was not a "ban" as it has been described in some coverage and commentary, but a requirement for the protest to move if it was to go ahead. 'We have used the same power on many occasions over the past two years when policing demonstrations by various groups.' Public Order Act conditions also ban members of the UKIP march from protesting before 1pm or after 4.30pm. Mr John urged people planning to attend either protest to familiarise themselves with the conditions, warning that anyone breaching them, or encouraging others to do so, could be arrested. Elsewhere, the Jewish community welcomed the news of the march restrictions. Demonstrations previously broke out in Whitechapel in what is now known as the Battle of Cable Street in 1939. Local Jews, communists, trade unionists and anti-fascist protesters banded together to face off against fascism. Keir Starmer suffered another hammer blow today as Lucy Powell was named as his new Labour deputy - and warned that he is not being 'bold' enough. Ms Powell - who was sacked from the Cabinet by the PM just last month - saw off Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in the contest. She received 87,407 votes compared to 73,536 for her rival, a margin of 54 per cent to 46 per cent, although the turnout was a dismal 16.6 per cent. While stressing she was there to 'help' Sir Keir, Ms Powell gave a devastating assessment of his performance in her victory speech. 'We must give a stronger sense of our purpose, whose side we are on and of our Labour values and beliefs,' she said. It comes after a humiliating turn of events in the Channel this week, after a migrant previously deported under Sir Keir's 'one in, one out' policy was pictured returning to the UK on a second small boat voyage. His government is also under pressure after the accidental release of migrant and convicted sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford yesterday. A manhunt is underway to locate him. In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Do you feel safe in your area, as Tories warn of 'massive crimewave'?' Out of more than 8,500 votes, 24 percent said 'yes' and 76 percent said 'no'. Snapshots of the secretive holiday taken by Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon have been revealed by a tour operator in the western Pacific. The pair jetted to the island nation of Palau last week in what is believed to be the Prime Minister's first private holiday since taking office in 2022. Albanese had requested a seven-day news blackout for security reasons; however, the embargo ended on Sunday after which details of his trip began to emerge. This included a video posted on social media by eco-tour kayaking business, Paddling Palau, which featured swimming with dugongs and several VIPs. With Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World playing over a slideshow, a rosy-faced Albanese in bright board shorts and a grinning Ms Haydon could be seen posing with the President of Palau and his wife. 'President Surangel Whipps Junior and First Lady Valery Whipps joined Australian PM Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie for a Paddling Palau adventure,' the post said on Thursday. 'They witnessed over 20 dugongs - a heartwarming sign of Palau's successful conservation efforts led by past and present leaders.' A user commented that they were glad the group saw the dugongs, which are often called sea cows to which the company replied: 'The leaders need to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and dedication.' Anthony Albanese and Ms Haydon were pictured smiling with Palau's President and First Lady on an eco-tour run by a kayaking business in Palau The couple had jetted off to the island country of Palau for the Prime Minister's first private holiday since he took office in 2022. They are pictured on a separate, official trip to Perth in 2022 Albanese and Ms Haydon had flown economy on a six-hour direct Qantas flight from Brisbane to Koror, Palau, dubbed the 'Palau Paradise Express'. The airline first launched the direct flight to Palau in December 2024 under a contract awarded to the national carrier by the federal government. While the trip was privately funded, Qantas offers subsidised flights to the remote island to promote tourism in the region. The trip came at a tumultuous time for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who walked back a key campaign promise - super earnings tax reform - while the PM put his feet up a few thousand kilometres away. It is unclear why Albanese chose to coincide the announcement with his first overseas trip in years, but it allowed him to avoid questions altogether. The holiday also sparked speculation that Albanese and Ms Haydon were jetting off to get married, after the pair revealed in February they would tie the knot by year's end. 'It will be small, intimate. Possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones,' Ms Haydon told Australian Women's Weekly at the time. 'And you can be sure (pet cavoodle) Toto will make an appearance.' During the tour, the leaders and their partners saw dugongs, which are often called sea cows Albanese and Ms Haydon are due to get married before the end of the year but details remain scarce. During a visit to the Northern Territory's Red Centre, the Prime Minister dodged questions about whether he would 'honeymoon' near Uluru However speculation was put to rest when the PM's office confirmed the couple would not be getting married overseas during their holiday. There may have been no word about the impending nuptials during the getaway, but that has not stopped Albanese from facing questions in Australia. On Saturday afternoon, he visited the Northern Territory's Red Centre to mark 40 years since the giant rock known as Uluru was handed back to the Anangu people, a symbolic high point for Aboriginal land rights. During the press conference, he was pressed for details of his upcoming marriage when a journalist suggested the national park was a 'great place for a honeymoon'. Albanese laughed while dismissing the question, adding: 'With due respect, good try on the exclusive. 'I'm very pleased to be accompanied here by Jodie Haydon, my fiancee, and we'll be doing that bit (honeymoon) privately.' A mass brawl outside a Portland ICE facility left several people injured after 'Antifa' protesters clashed with conservative activists. The chaos which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday is the latest escalation in tensions in the Oregon city. ICE agents were forced to fire rubber bullets and use smoke grenades to try and break up the melee. A group of masked individuals, all dressed in black, clashed with a group of conservative activists, one of whom was draped in a Make America Great Again flag. A female army veteran and a civilian journalist, Cam Higby, were among those who claimed to have been assaulted. It came as President Trump urged a federal judge to axe a restraining order which would clear the way to allow him to send the National Guard into Portland. Footage of the violence Saturday showed an argument break out between a man in a vest, and two of the masked individuals. After some back and forth, a person wearing a MAGA flag pulled an umbrella out of the hands of one of the persons wearing a mask. The person in black quickly retaliated by punching the person which prompted a mass pile-on followed by frenzied yelling. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday morning according to footage shared on social media The person in black quickly retaliates by punching the person, causing a brawl to break out Some of the conservative activists who had gathered shouted 'f*** Antifa', as the scuffle broke out. ICE agents standing guard on the roof of the facility then rained rubber bullets down on them. The groups started to disperse, with two men then also fighting each other as they did. One person was heard saying: 'I'll get a butter knife on you, I'll stick a butter knife right in you', as the crowds moved down the street. Police in Portland said they had set up crowd management units on the ground on Friday night. A statement said: 'PPB members did not observe any person or property crimes that warranted interdiction. No arrests were made. To date, the total number of arrests related to nightly protests in the South Waterfront is 55.' When contacted about the brawls that broke out, a spokesperson for the department told the Daily Mail that nobody was arrested. ICE agents standing on the roof of the facility fired rubber bullets down on the crowd, causing the brawl to disperse Police said they had stationed crowd control measures outside the facility on Friday night The facility in the Democratic led city has become flashpoint for anti ICE protests with an encampment springing up nearby. Earlier this week Donald Trump took command of the state National Guard as he seeks to deploy troops into the city. The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the president as they passed down the ruling. They cited the violence seen outside the facility as a justification for implementing the early 20th century statute that allows the president to take command of the Guard. The judges noted in their unsigned order that the protesters, 'attempted to burn the building down, placed chains on the doors, attempted to breach the front door of the building and broke the front glass door.' Protesters also threw 'rocks, sticks and a mortar and launched M80 fireworks at federal officers, assaulted federal officers, shined lasers at officers' eyes and doxed federal officers,' the judges wrote. Clashes between federal agents and protesters outside of the facility have become violent in recent weeks Trump secured command of the Oregon National Guard earlier this week, as he pushes to send troops to Portland Their decision now puts on hold a lower-court ruling that prohibited Trump from calling up the troops so he could send them to Portland. Trump's administration has said the troops are needed to protect federal property from protesters and that having to send extra Department of Homeland Security agents to help guard the property meant they were not enforcing immigration laws elsewhere. Oregon officials, meanwhile, have argued that Portland police have handled the protests and crowd control outside of the ICE facility appropriately, and have said that demonstrators who break the law are regularly arrested. The small nightly protests, limited to a single block, have been ongoing since June. At times, larger crowds including counter-protesters and live streamers, have shown up and federal agents have had to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowds. On Friday the Trump administration petitioned against a restraining order which prevents the National Guard from being deployed. Officials argued before Judge Karin Immergut that a higher court has already cleared a path for deployment. Immergut is expected to make her ruling on Monday. Two Texas police officers are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a baby girl who got trapped beneath an overturned car in a terrifying wreck. The Fort Worth Police Department released chilling bodycam footage capturing Sgt. R. Nichols and Officer E. Bounds racing to aid a woman and an infant ejected during a horrific I-30 crash on Thursday morning. In a tense three minutes, officers and bystanders managed to lift the car, free the baby trapped beneath the windshield and perform CPR until medics could take over. On Friday the department revealed that against all odds, the woman and her baby are stable and expected to make a full recovery. 'We are beyond proud of the life saving actions performed by Sgt. Nichols and Officer Bounds for their bravery and quick response to this terrible scene,' Fort Worth PD wrote on X. 'We are also grateful to the Fort Worth citizens who saw someone in danger and, without hesitation, assisted our officers,' officials added. 'Although this video may be extremely difficult to watch, it is an important example of the kinds of situations that our police officers may come across while performing their duties.' Bodycam footage captured the two officers arriving just before 9:30am to find a red Hyundai Veloster flipped onto its roof on the grassy shoulder of the interstate. Sgt. R. Nichols and Officer E. Bounds of the Fort Worth Police Department in Texas are being called heroes for saving a baby girl trapped beneath an overturned car after a horrific accident The police department released bodycam footage capturing the two officers racing to aid a woman and an infant ejected during a horrific I-30 crash near Eastchase Parkway and Cooks Lane on Thursday morning The baby, seen in a pink sweater, was left trapped under the vehicle Panicked bystanders were seen scrambling on their hands and knees, frantically trying to help the injured woman find her baby after they were hurled from the car in the collision. One officer dropped to his knees alongside a few others to peer under the destroyed, overturned car, while a terrified scream echoed in the background. But less than a minute after arriving, the officer managed to locate the baby. 'Hey, we need to move the car. I think the baby's under there,' he can be heard saying. At least four bystanders immediately joined the officer, heaving with all their strength to lift the heavy car. Some were even heard grunting in exhaustion. 'Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving,' the officer can be heard urging the good Samaritans, pushing them to strain with all their might during the heart-stopping rescue. Seconds later, the footage showed the officer reaching under the lifted car and pulling the baby girl out to the grass by her legs, where she lay unresponsive. Sgt. Nichols flipped the infant onto her back and immediately began CPR, while Officer Bounds stayed by her face, checking for a pulse or any sign of breath. Panicked bystanders were seen scrambling on their hands and knees, frantically trying to help the injured woman find her baby hurled from the car At least four bystanders immediately joined the officer in attempting to save the baby, heaving with all their strength to lift the heavy car off of her (pictured) The footage showed the officer reaching under the lifted car and pulling the baby girl out to the grass by her legs, where she lay unresponsive (pictured) After just moments of chest compressions, Bounds announced he felt a pulse. The infant then let out soft, reassuring noises. 'Come on baby,' the officers urged as they continued life-saving efforts. 'There it is, keep working. Come on mama.' The infants noises gradually grew louder, until finally, she began crying and wriggling around. Both officers stayed with the infant, rubbing her back and keeping her stable until additional officers and paramedics arrived on the scene. In the footage, paramedics can be seen lifting the baby girl from the grass and gently carrying her to a MedStar truck, where she was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Now, Nichols and Bounds are being celebrated as heroes by both the department and the public for bravely diving into the dangerous scene and saving the babys life. The video, which has racked up over 130,000 views in under 24 hours, is filled with hundreds of comments praising the officers for their professionalism and diligence during such an extreme situation. 'Amazing to see the difference police officers can make it one person's life journey! Bravo officers!' one comment read. Another said: 'Sometimes miracles wear a badge.' 'I could feel all of their emotions in their voices. The fear, the powerlessness, the desperation, the relief when she made the first sound, and the breath that they let themselves take when they heard her take a breath and start crying. All the things,' a third wrote. 'There are not enough words, medals, awards, trophies, etc. available in this lifetime to THANK the officers for what they did here. Proof there are angels amongst us,' added a viewer. Another wrote: 'That was one of the hardest things I've ever watched. I got chills. That officer saved that baby's life though!' 'That was difficult to watch. So thankful for everyone that stopped,' a viewer agreed. Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia also publicly praised the officers actions on Friday, sharing his commendation in a post on X. 'Our prayers are with this little angel as a full recovery is expected,' he wrote. 'But unbelievable heroism shown by these officers. They made Fort Worth PD and the City of Fort Worth proud,' he added. Sgt. Nichols flipped the infant onto her back and immediately began CPR, while Officer Bounds stayed by her face, checking for a pulse or any sign of breath On Friday, the department revealed that, against all odds, the woman and her baby are stable and expected to make a full recovery 'Not quite sure a better example of PROTECT and SERVE, exists.' In Texas, children under eight years old and shorter than 49 are legally required to be secured in a car seat - a safety measure the rescued infant reportedly was not following, NBCDFW News reported. Authorities have yet to reveal if the woman will face civil penalties for the incident. Police have released new clues in the exhaustive search for a child missing in California, as the investigation enters its second week with no sign of the young girl. Melodee Buzzard, 9, was reported missing on October 14 by a school administrator in Lompoc, a city in Santa Barbara, following an extended absence. It is understood the youngster was being homeschooled but she was still required to check-in for assignments per state rules. Since then, sheriff deputies in the county and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have attempted to piece together a timeline of her movements. On Friday, authorities shared surveillance images of Melodee in a grey hooded sweatshirt and what appeared to be a wig at a local rental car business a week before she vanished. The update noted that Melodee's mother, Ashlee Buzzard, 40, who hasn't been cooperating with the authorities, has been known to wear wigs. Along with the new mysterious images, law enforcement has released an updated timeline on Melodee's disappearance which they believe took place during a road trip to Nebraska. Detectives now believe that the girl likely vanished between October 7 and 10, identifying these three days as a critical timeline in the investigation. New details have narrowed down the timeline when Melodee Buzzard, 9, likely disappeared after she was reported missing on October 14 Authorities have revealed new photos of Melodee in a hooded sweatshirt and what appeared to be a wig at a car rental Authorities said the photos were taken at a car rental place on October 7. Melodee's mother, Ashlee Buzzard returned home on October 10 without Ashlee after their road trip The investigation found that Ashlee took a road trip to Nebraska and Kansas during these days. Buzzard was seen at her Lompoc home on October 10, driving the same rental car she left in on October 7, but without Melodee, according to the sheriff's office. The mother-daughter duo traveled in a Chevrolet Malibu vehicle with a California license plate. Detectives are narrowing down their investigation to where Melodee was during these three days. 'Our detectives are following every lead in this case. We continue to seek information from the public that could help us find Melodee,' Sheriff Bill Brown said with the update. 'We remain determined to bring her home safely.' Concern has grown for the young girl after the Lompoc Unified School District verified the last sighting of her in August. The last photo authorities obtained was taken in 2023. Melodee has been homeschooled for the last year, but was previously enrolled at Buena Vista Elementary School. Authorities have identified October 7 through October 10 as a critical period when Melodee likely disappeared. She was said to be on a road trip with her mother(pictured) Homeschooled students in California are still required to maintain an attendance record with their local district. Melodee was enrolled in the Lompoc Unified School District's 'independent study program,' which requires students and their parents to pick up assignments from the school. 'If attendance does not begin, the school follows mandatory truancy procedures -- including phone calls, letters, emails, and home visits,' the district previously said in a statement. 'When a student or family cannot be reached after these efforts, the school requests a welfare check from law enforcement.' After the district reported Melodee's absences, law enforcement conducted a welfare check on her home, where she lives with her mother. When law enforcement arrived for the welfare check on October 14, Ashlee couldn't provide a reasonable explanation for her daughter's whereabouts. She has remained uncooperative as of Friday. Melodee's father, Rubiell Meza, died in a motorcycle accident in 2016, according to the Los Angeles Times. Since his death, Meza's family has said Ashlee refused to let them have a relationship with Melodee. Rubiell's sister, Bridget Truitt, told local ABC affiliate KEYT that Ashlee hadn't let the family see her for a few years. 'And all of us have tried. But we never stopped thinking about her or loving her or praying for her,' she added. Melodee was reported missing by her local school district on October 14, which opened up an investigation into her recent whereabouts Melodee had been homeschooled and was seemingly isolated at home with her mother before she disappeared. The community held a vigil for her in front of her Lompoc home (pictured) Melodee's father, Rubiell Meza (pictured), died in a motorcycle accident after she was born. Melodee has lived with her mother since Buzzard was spotted leaving her home on Wednesday and attempted to rent a car but was refused twice, the Daily Mail previously reported. Photos captured the mom entering a friend's black Lincoln sedan at her home and driving to two separate rental car locations. The Daily Mail also previously revealed that Buzzard has a string of unpaid credit card debts. Meanwhile an eerie Google Maps photo taken in May 2023 captured Melodee on camera on her doorstep with a teacher. The girl's aunt, Lizabeth Meza, told the Daily Mail that she hasn't spoken with her niece or Ashlee in 4.5 years. 'Ashlee isolated herself and Melodee from the entire family, and we were told years ago that she was adopted out,' she said. Lizabeth added that Ashlee had previously lost custody of Melodee due to mental health concerns. Lizabeth and Melodee's half-sister, Corinna, has repeatedly tried to contact Ashlee, but said the mom has refused to speak with them. Ashlee was pictured walking to a friend's black Lincoln sedan early on Wednesday morning and was driven to two car rental locations Authorities have said that Ashlee was 'uncooperative' when approached about her daughter's whereabouts. The public has been asked to report any potential sightings of the girl As the desperate search continues, authorities are asking the community to report any possible sightings or information on Melodee's whereabouts. Law enforcement noted that the public shouldn't conduct their own searches since it could interfere with the official investigation. Melodee is around 4 feet 6 inches tall, 60 lbs., and has brown hair and brown eyes. Cracker Barrel has reverted back to a traditional styles of cooking in hopes of pulling back customers who fled in droves amid the fallout from its woke rebrand. The Southern comfort food chain announced a raft of changes over the summer, including retiring its iconic logo, renovating its restaurants and updating the way it prepares menu staples. The move instantly backfired, even garnering the attention of President Donald Trump as patrons demanded a return to the original logo. CEO Julie Felss Masino hastily walked back the rebrand, but not before the food chain's market value dropped 40 percent from $807million to $545million, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. Traffic inside the restaurant has also fallen eight percent, causing the ailing business to revert back to its traditional business model in order to bring back its customers. This includes jettisoning plans to update its cooking methods for popular favorites like green beans and biscuits by making them in large batches which would be reheated in the oven. The decision to optimize back of house production was taken after customers complained about cold food hitting their tables. But since then an internal memo viewed by the WSJ shows the restaurant is reverting back to its methods of nine of its side dishes. Cracker Barrel has reverted back to a traditional styles of cooking in the wake of the fallout over its woke rebrand 'We are doubling down on delicious, scratch-made food the way our guests expect it and that great country hospitality that were known for,' CEO Julie Felss Masino, 54, said at an investor conference 'We are doubling down on delicious, scratch-made food the way our guests expect it and that great country hospitality that were known for,' Masino, 54, said at an investor conference. It also suspended all remodels on stores and terminated a consultant group that helped with the rebrand. 'We have taken to heart the learnings around the logo and remodels, and from what was working in our plan, and we are moving forward with a renewed focus on food and the guest experience,' a Cracker Barrel statement said. Within days of the rebrand announcement, customers accused the brand of abandoning its roots, employees revolted, the 93-year-old founder publicly slammed the CEO. The company's stock plunged $100million in a week. Sales fell by $30million over a three-month period the equivalent of 2.3 million plates of country-fried steak. Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo and dropped plans to modernize its rustic dining halls. In August, the Southern comfort food chain announced it was retiring its iconic logo of a cross-legged old man on a rocking chair and replaced it with a flat, yellow version featuring only the company name The chain started oven-baking side dishes and making their biscuits in large batches to optimize their back-of-house production but will revert to traditional methods Masino said the real reason for the change wasn't political - it was practical. Speaking at an investor summit in New York, she explained that the simplified design was meant to make the brand's 660 restaurants more visible to drivers speeding down the interstate. The explanation makes some sense: the former sign had muted white and brown colors, reaffirming the company's old-world charm. For years, Cracker Barrel was running into an age problem: 26 percent of their customers were over the age of 65, while only 12 percent of visitors were between 25 and 34 years old. Restaurant chains need to attract younger families to show they will maintain relevance for future generations. And, while Cracker Barrel attracted older customers, it wasn't crushing sales goals. In 2024, the chain closed underperforming restaurants while executives found that their stores were in increasingly low-income areas. Masino, a former Taco Bell and Starbucks boss, launched a makeover campaign with an estimated $600million to $700million price tag that included brighter colors, a new logo, and updated menus to attract younger diners. But critics said the changes stripped away the brand's character and charm. He allegedly shoved a dummy in an infant's mouth A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a three-week-old baby by shoving a dummy in the infant's mouth. Police allege that a 28-year-old man forced a dummy into the mouth of the newborn about 1.30pm on Wednesday at a home in Goulburn, 190km south-west of Sydney. It is then alleged that he tossed the child across a bed. The infant was treated by medical professionals immediately, officers said. Police from Hume Police District launched an investigation on Friday following reports of the alleged incident. The man was arrested about 9.50pm that same day and has since been charged with common assault. The 28-year-old was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on October 28. The CIA attempted to recruit Winston Churchill to deliver radio broadcasts that would turn listeners against Communism, new documents have revealed. American intelligence officers are said to have drawn up a list of 'credible messengers' during the height of the Cold War who could take to the airwaves on Radio Liberty, a CIA-backed station in Eastern Europe that broadcast programmes into the USSR. The British Prime Minister was one of several prominent figures approached in late 1958 to 'stimulate heretical thinking'. At the time, the USSR existed as one domineering Soviet bloc led by Moscow that exerted its political and economic influence over a coalition of communist states, including in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. The USSR followed the one-party state of Marxism-Leninism, but following Stalin's death in 1953, there were the beginnings of a shift towards 'revisionism'. Supporters of this new ideology wanted to see a move towards individual Communist states. According to the newly surfaced documents, Radio Liberty wanted to 'exploit the climate of fresh and unorthodox political thinking' by promoting Western voices that could bring about the end of the USSR and communism. A briefing note, released under a Freedom Of Information request, shows Radio Liberty launched a propaganda operation between March 14 and May 5 1958. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was one of several prominent figures approached in late 1958 to 'stimulate heretical thinking' The broadcasts were intended to 'undermine confidence in any form of Marxism by suggesting that its basic assumptions, its historical method and its predictions are false'. The station was controlled in Washington and funded by the CIA for almost 20 years, from 1951 and 1972, which wasn't made clear to Soviet listeners at the time. It continued to be funded by the US government after merging with Radio Free Europe, which focused on Soviet satellite states. Experts say there is no evidence Churchill accepted the CIA's invitation to broadcast propaganda, nor are there details in Churchill's briefing notes about his scheduled broadcast. Documents show other dignitaries to approach for programmes, including former Prime Minister Clement Attlee, ex-Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan and Labour Party leader at the time Hugh Gaitskell. Other suggestions were three significant post-war Labour figures, and two left-wing intellectuals, journalist Arthur Koestler and historian Arnold Toynbee. Radio Liberty was set up to appear as an immigrant station to offer other viewpoints on current affairs across the world to Soviet citizens. Documents obtained by the Telegraph showed the station wanted to capitalise on emerging left-wing thinking within the USSR, using the anniversary of Marx's death as justification. It also wanted to 'show that the future does not belong to the communist idea and the Soviet State structure'. Churchill had been in contact and photographed with then-CIA director Alan Dulles and his brother John Foster Dulles, who was the US Secretary of State. Churchill declined an invitation to visit Washington for health reasons at the same time he was designated for a propaganda programme around Spring 1958. At 83, Churchill only managed one more trip to the US to visit President Eisenhower in 1959 before he died in 1965 According to the newly surfaced documents, Radio Liberty wanted to 'exploit the climate of fresh and unorthodox political thinking' by promoting Western voices that could bring about the end of the USSR and communism Churchill declined an invitation to visit Washington for health reasons at the same time he was designated for a propaganda programme around Spring 1958. At 83-years old, he only managed one more trip to the US to visit President Eisenhower in 1959 before Churchill died in 1965. University of Nottingham Professor of International Relations and Intelligence History, Rory Cormac, has stated that the CIA's attempt to recruit Churchill was standard practice in the agency's strategy towards the USSR in the 1950s. He said: 'Propaganda operations in the Cold War were designed to undermine authority, chip away at orthodox ideas, and encourage questioning. He said the US government was looking for 'credible messengers' for its appeal to the Soviets, and 'sometimes operated indirectly' through Radio Liberty and other channels, including newspapers. The Daily Mail has approached Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the CIA for comment. Police last night warned their ability to fight crime is being hampered by the spiralling cost of Scotlands growing number of public inquiries. In a move that has sparked a fierce political row, Police Scotland claimed that paying out millions of pounds in legal fees is having a direct impact on policing. The system of public inquiries is currently under intense scrutiny after the sudden resignation last week of the retired judge chairing the on-going probe into the death of Sheku Bayoh. The legal team running the inquiry also dramatically quit, plunging the long-running probe into fresh crisis. Amid fears that it could now drag on for years to come, figures reveal the inquiry has already cost the public purse 25.6m in admin and legal fees but that figure does not include the 25m Police Scotland says it has cost the force. In the coming weeks, a Holyrood committee is due to publish a report into the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries - which is widely expected to recommend stricter controls on timescales and budgets. As part of the evidence presented to MSPs, Police Scotland claimed the multi-million bill for legal representation at inquiries with escalating and unpredictable costs as well as long durations was reducing the resources available for catching criminals. In a written submission, the force said: Police Scotland is challenged with absorbing those costs from revenue streams and consistently making tough, prioritised, decisions on budget - often at the expense of policing local communities, as well as tackling a range of crime types. The Sheku Bayoh inquiry has already cost the public purse 25.6m in admin and legal fees The system of public inquiries is currently under intense scrutiny after the sudden resignation last week of the retired judge - Lord Bracadale - from the probe into the death of Sheku Bayoh Critics have demanded urgent reforms to prevent costly inquiries interfering with police-work. Scottish Conservative community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey MSP said: Whilst public inquiries are essential to bringing victims justice and ensuring lessons are learned, they must not prevent police officers from doing their day job. The SNP have a duty to taxpayers to keep public inquiry costs down and to prevent them dragging on for years. The Nationalists must also ensure that the system doesnt compromise the ability of officers to fight crime. And John OConnell, chief executive of campaign group the TaxPayers Alliance said: Yet again, public inquiries are costing a fortune while front-line services are left short of cash. When even Police Scotland is warning that spending millions on lawyers and hearings means less money for fighting crime, its clear the system is broken. Ministers must get a grip and ensure inquiries are quicker and cheaper. Statutory public inquiries are set up and funded by Scottish ministers to investigate incidents of public concern - specifically to determine what happened, whos to blame, and what can be done to prevent it happening again. Amid mounting concerns about value for money, Holyroods Finance and Public Administration Committee began investigating the cost-effectiveness of Scottish public inquiries in April - and is due to publish its findings in November or December. Data compiled for MSPs reveals that by June this year, the accumulated cost of inquiries in Scotland has now reached a staggering 249.5 million - with the bill currently rising at more than 2.1million a month. The earliest example was the public inquiry into the 2004 ICL Stockline tragedy - in which nine people died in when a plastics factory in Glasgow exploded. The inquiry published its report in 2009, exposing a series of failings and making several recommendations for improving industry safety - all for the relatively modest cost of 1.9m. Other completed inquiries include the Campbell Inquiry into a police fingerprinting scandal, costing 4.8m; the Vale of Leven Inquiry into hospital-acquired infections, costing 10.7m; and the inquiry into the Edinburgh Trams fiasco, which cost 13.1m. Figures are also given for several on-going inquires including the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry which has been so far cost 98.7m and the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, costing 42m. The stated costs of running the inquiries do not include legal fees incurred by any other participating public bodies - meaning the overall bill for taxpayers is actually far higher. Another ongoing inquiry is investigating the death of Mr Bayoh - and whether or not race was a factor. The 31-year-old, originally from Sierra Leone, died in Kirkcaldy in 2015 while being restrained by police who had been called out to reports of a man armed with a knife and behaving erratically in the early hours of the morning. The inquiry, which started in November 2020, was thrown into disarray on Wednesday when the chair, Lord Bracadale, resigned after allegations that his impartiality had been compromised by meetings with members of Mr Bayohs family. New figures published at the end of last month show the inquiry has so far cost the public purse 25.6m in admin and legal fees. However, in its evidence to Holyrood, Police Scotland said that, so far, its participation in the inquiry has also cost the force 25.4m - including legal costs of 18,087,494 - all of which came from the budget which supports its main aim of tackling crime. Adding the two figures, police said: The total cost of this particular public inquiry to date is now more than 51million. The force explained the fight against crime was suffering because of its participation in inquiries. It said: With regard to costs there is no additional budgetary provision afforded to Police Scotland in supporting public inquiries. It acknowledged that inquiries play a vital role in ensuring public confidence, scrutinising institutional practices, and identifying opportunities for learning and improvement - but demanded stricter control. The force told MSPs: The current processes for setting and monitoring costs are not fully adequate. Inquiries are prone to high, escalating and unpredictable costs as well as long durations... Realistic planning and a realistic budget with strict monitoring should be implemented from the outset of every inquiry. The force suggested possible alternatives including rapid independent reviews limited to 12 weeks, independent panels or expert commissions, or the introduction of time-limited statutory inquiries operating under strict timetables and cost controls. Last night the Scottish Government said Police Scotland was receiving record funding. A spokesperson said: Public inquiries operate independently of government. All matters relating to the operation of an inquiry are for the Chair, who has a statutory duty to avoid unnecessary costs. The Scottish Government is investing a record 1.64 billion in policing in 2025-26, an increase of 90 million on 2024-25. We welcome the committees inquiry and look forward to hearing their report. Lawyers representing families of the infected blood scandal victims have demanded urgent action from the Chancellor to avoid them losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax. Families bereaved by what has been dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS have fought for years for justice after their loved ones were infected by contaminated blood after routine treatment. After a long battle beset with public authority cover-ups on a grand scale, the government finally agreed to set aside 11.8bn for the victims and their families last year with many due to receive payments of up to 1m. But, with only 1.2 billion paid so far in interim compensation payments, a Treasury kick in the teeth could see families face hefty charges of up to 40% because of Rachel Reeves new inheritance tax rules. More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s in the UK. More than 3000 have since died as a result with survivors left with lifelong health problems. Rachel Reeves is being urged to take urgent action to prevent families of the infected blood scandal victims from facing hefty inheritance tax charges on compensation payments While the compensation scheme was supposed to be tax free, the long wait for justice meant many died before receiving the payout and many victims are now elderly so almost half of their payments could be clawed back by the Treasury in inheritance tax Their lawyers have now written to Rachel Reeves insisting they must exempt their compensation payments from inheritance tax in next months budget. One campaigner described it as an injustice that must not be allowed to stand. In a letter to Ms Reeves, professional bodies Step and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers called for urgent action to end this inheritance tax issue which unfairly punishes families. Jade Gani from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers said it was completely morally wrong, explaining: Victims and their families have already endured decades of pain and delay; it is an outrage that a technical flaw will allow the Government to claw back up to 40 per cent of the compensation that was specifically intended to provide some redress. Families should not be further penalised due to delays outside their control. This is about preventing bereaved families from being actively punished by a tax system that, in effect, rewards the Government for delays. The Treasury confirmed today that it was now considering the issue and would make a decision at the budget on November 26, Radio 4 Today programme has reported. This Thursday, as applications for further interim payments for the victims families opened, MPs from all parties also heavily criticised the government for taking too long to compensate victims. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the infected blood inquiry, has previously called for faster and fairer compensation for victims. In July, the Infected Blood Inquiry made a series of recommendations to improve compensation. The Government responded that it was immediately accepting a number of the recommendations and would consult on others. Inheritance tax is charged at 40pc on the portion of a deceased persons estate worth more than 325,000. Homeowners leaving their main property to their children or grandchildren benefit from an extra 175,000 allowance, so couples can usually leave behind 1m tax-free. The elusive billionaire donor who gave $130 million to to help pay US military salaries during the government shutdown has been unmasked as oil tycoon heir Timothy Mellon. Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a 'friend' donated as an act of patriotism for the military and his country. 'He called us the other day and said, "I'd like to contribute any shortfall you have because of the Democrat shutdown. I'd like to contribute personally, because I love the military and I love the country,"' the president said. Trump called the mystery donor 'a great American citizen' and a 'substantial man,' adding that he didn't want any publicity. 'He prefer that his name not be mentioned which is pretty unusual in the world I come from, and in the world of politics, you want your name mentioned,' Trump said. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell later confirmed in a statement that the Department of War received the massive payment on Thursday to pay for service members' salaries. Mystery grew over who made the anonymous donation until the New York Times revealed the billionaire's identity on Saturday, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Mellon, 83, has stayed out of the spotlight but is a member of one of America's wealthiest families. Timothy Mellon (pictured here in 1981) is a member of a long line of powerful Americans and recently became a major political donor to Trump Mellon was revealed by the New York Times as the mystery donor who donated funds to pay the military during the government shutdown Forbes lists the Mellons' family fortune at $14.1 billion and named them one of the country's richest dynasties in February. The outlet estimated that Mellon's individual net worth was around $1 billion which he denied, telling the publication that he 'never have been, never will be,' a billionaire. Mellon is the descendant of Thomas Mellon, an Irish immigrant who came to America in 1818 and became a real estate and banking tycoon. His grandfather, Andrew, became a venture capitalist in the 20th century and was an early investor in companies that became Alcoa and Gulf Oil, and also served as Secretary of the Treasury. Mellon has typically steered clear of political donations but has been an avid supporter of Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His recent donation to the military has raised questions about whether it can be distributed as he intended. Congress typically has to approve how the budget is allocated, including funds for military service members. Donations exceeding $10,000 must undergo an ethics review, according to Defense Department regulations. Mellon is a member of one of the country's wealthiest families, with Forbes estimating their net worth at $14.1 billion (Pictured: A Pan Am Railway train, bought by Guilford Transportation) Mellon's grandfather is Andrew Mellon, who served as the Secretary of the Treasury and was an early investor in oil companies Your browser does not support iframes. The donation also potentially violates the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from using funds in advance or in excess and accepting voluntary services. The Pentagon has argued that the government can accept the money under the general gift acceptance authority. The Department of Defense's standards of conduct generally state that any monetary gift shouldn't be accepted from an outside source. However, the standards do note that there are many exceptions to the gift standard. The New York Times estimated that if the money were used to cover the military's salaries, each service member would receive only about $100. Mellon has kept a low political profile but has become a top donor to Trump, pouring about $165 million into his last presidential campaign, according to the nonprofit research group Open Secrets. He significantly increased his political contribution spending in 2024, after donating only $41.7 million to campaigns in 2022. Mellon has stayed quiet on his political beliefs, but has supported Trump and RFK Jr's campaigns by donating millions Thomas Mellon (pictured) accumulated a mass fortune as a venture capitalist and early investor in oil companies Andrew Mellon (pictured) inherited his father's fortune before becoming the Secretary of Treasury Mellon donated $60.1 million in 2020, $10.1 million in 2018, and less than $1 million in prior years. His recent political donations include a $50 million cash infusion to the super PAC (political action committee) Make America Great Again Inc. Mellon is also a supporter of RFK Jr and donated millions to his presidential campaign and his group, Children's Health Defense. However, in a rare interview with Bloomberg in 2020, Mellon revealed that he gave a small donation to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 2018 campaign. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment on the New York Times' reporting. Illinois police are frantically searching for a 30-year-old man who allegedly kidnapped four children in the early morning. Nia Hill, 10, Noah Hill, 7, Nolan Hill, 7, and Nova Hill, 7, were in the backseat of a car when Austin Bell, 30, allegedly drove off with them Saturday morning. The kids were in the back of a vehicle parked outside 13609 South Low Avenue when they were taken. They have since been recovered, but Bell, who is not the children's father, remains at large, Chief of Police Mark Kozeluh told the Daily Mail. He took off in a silver 2010 Acura MDX with an Illinois license plate reading FE60619. The children are being medically evaluated as a precaution,' Kozeluh said. Earlier to day, an amber alert had been issued for the four children. Police received a report of a domestic-related kidnapping around 1:30am, the department said. Nia Hill, 10; Noah Hill, 7; Nolan Hill, 7; and Nova Hill, 7, were allegedly in the backseat of the car when Austin Bell, 30, drove off in the vehicle parked outside 13609 South Low Avenue on Saturday morning (pictured L-R: Nia, Nova, Nolan, Noah) They have since been recovered, but Bell, who is not the children's father, still remains on the lam, Chief of Police Mark Kozeluh told the Daily Mail He took off in a silver 2010 Acura MDX with an Illinois license plate reading FE60619 'Our department is working tirelessly with local and state law enforcement partners to locate these children and ensure their safe return,' the Riverdale Police Department said in a statement earlier today. 'We are asking anyone who may have seen the suspect or vehicle to contact us immediately. Even the smallest piece of information could be critical in bringing these children home safely.' Kozeluh told the Daily Mail that Bell is the mother's ex-boyfriend. The mother has not been publicly identified. Bell's motive for taking the children is currently unknown. A man dressed as a Nazi SS officer was kicked out of a Georgia bar after allegedly breaking a woman's nose with a beer glass. Kenneth Leland Morgan, 33, was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning following an altercation outside of Cutters Pub in Athens, Georgia. In footage shared to social media, Morgan is seen dressed in a black Nazi SS uniform, complete with a military cap and a red armband emblazoned with a swastika. He was spotted arguing with one woman as he was forced out of the bar by a crowd of what appear to be college students. Several men crowded round Morgan and pushed him down the sidewalk, while he clutched a beer glass in his hand. The crowd shouted obscenities at Morgan, who then swung the large glass at the face of a woman, later identified as student Grace Lang. According to Lang, who spoke with Red & Black, she lunged at him to pull his armband off and he managed to break her nose in the process. She told the outlet that she had been sitting outside the bar with friends, one of whom is Jewish, when they noticed Morgan walk past in full Nazi regalia. Kenneth Morgan, who was sporting a full Nazi uniform, was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning following an altercation outside of Cutters Pub He allegedly broke a woman's nose using a beer glass after being kicked out of the bar She said: 'They get into a yelling match, and it is just him and two women smaller than him. I get up and go to get in between them, and use my body as a blockade to keep him from coming in. 'I reach to rip off the armband, as that is the identifying factor that changed it from a soldier 'costume' to an unacceptable display of hate. 'He is grinning ear to ear the entire time, including while assaulting me. He continued to try and pull and hit me but was pulled off by my friends. 'My nose was broken by the pitcher and I had to get four stitches on my bridge when I went to the emergency room, and its difficult to breathe through right now 'I have a large welt on my left cheek, my eye is black and swollen shut and my neck and head have ached since.' According to Lang, Morgan was arrested as she awaited for emergency medical teams to arrive. She told the outlet that he fled the bar on foot but police officers later caught up with him, he lost his hat in the process. Jail records indicate that Morgan was charged with aggravated assault and simple battery. Victim Grace Lang said that after Morgan fled the bar he lost his hat before police caught up with him He is being held on $1,500 bond for the battery charge, the aggravated assault charge had no bond Morgan has been behind bars since he was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning He is being held on $1,500 bond for the battery charge, the aggravated assault charge had no bond. Watchdog organization Stop Antisemitism shared images of Morgan in his outfit to their social media which sparked fury with users. 'Nobody should wear that, not even on Halloween', one person posted. Another added: 'Not just a Nazi, but an officer in the SS.' Attorney information for Morgan was not available. Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, who brought glamour and elegance to a postwar revival in the country's monarchy, has died aged 93. The Thai Royal Household Bureau said the Queen had been hospitalised since 2019 due to several illnesses and developed a bloodstream infection on October 17 before passing away late on Friday. Around a dozen Thai mourners dressed in black sat outside Chulalongkorn hospital in Bangkok where Queen Sirikit had been receiving treatment. Among them was store owner Tanyaporn Arammetha, 65, who was 15 when she first met the former queen during a royal visit in Chonburi province south of Bangkok. She recalled Queen Sirikit calling her 'little girl' and asking her if she had eaten - a gesture that left a lasting impression of her warmth. The royal family is venerated in Thailand, treated by many as semi-divine figures and lavished with glowing media coverage and portraits hanging in public and in private homes. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday flags would be flown at half-mast for 30 days out of respect for the late queen. Government workers would be required to wear mourning attire for one year, he said, while the public 'may adjust as appropriate, but we are asking for cooperation to wear black or dark colours for 90 days'. Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit has died aged 93 Thai mourner Kanjana Malaithong holds a portrait of Thailand's former queen Sirikit and Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej as she weeps at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok on October 25, 2025 Authorities have suspended most weddings and concerts. However, K-pop group BLACKPINK, who are in the middle of a five-day run in the capital, confirmed they would still play. Their tour agent requested that fans wear black instead of pink to their last two concerts. The late queen's body is set to be moved from the hospital to the Grand Palace on Sunday for a funeral that afternoon. Queen Sirikit had been out of the public eye since a stroke in 2012. Sirikit's husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was Thailand's longest-reigning monarch, with 70 years on the throne since 1946. She was at his side for much of that, winning over hearts at home with their charity work. When they travelled abroad, she also charmed the world's media with her beauty and fashion sense. Around a dozen Thai mourners dressed in black sat outside a Bangkok hospital on Saturday where Queen Sirikit had been receiving treatment Thai mourner Pattamaporn Kaewpreyakorn (R) holds a portrait of Thailand's former queen Sirikit in front of Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok on October 25, 2025 The palace said Queen Sirikit had been hospitalised since 2019 due to several illnesses and developed a bloodstream infection on October 17 before passing away late on Friday Sirikit's husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was Thailand's longest-reigning monarch, with 70 years on the throne since 1946. Thai Queen Sirikit reviews the honour guard upon arriving in Moscow on July 2, 2007 During a 1960 visit to the United States that included a state dinner at the White House, Time magazine called her 'svelte' and 'archfeminist.' The French daily L'Aurore described her as 'ravishing'. Born in 1932, the year Thailand transitioned to a constitutional monarchy from an absolute monarchy, Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of Thailand's ambassador to France and led a life of wealth and privilege. While studying music and language in Paris she met Bhumibol, who had spent parts of his childhood in Switzerland. 'It was hate at first sight,' she said in a BBC documentary, noting that he had arrived late to their first meeting. 'Then it was love.' The couple spent time together in Paris and were engaged in 1949. They married in Thailand a year later when she was 17. A murder probe has been sparked after a teenager who was stabbed earlier this week died in hospital. Rinneau Perrineau, 19, was the victim of a knife attack on Lavender Hill in Wandsworth, south London, on Tuesday October 21. Metropolitan Police and medics from the London Ambulance service rushed to the busy high road, which leads towards Clapham Junction station, and treated Mr Perrineau for his wounds at around 3.26pm. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital, but his condition quickly deteriorated and he tragically died on Friday evening. His family, who are being supported by specially-trained officers, paid tribute to Mr Perrineau, who they nicknamed 'Ren'. They said: 'Ren was loved by many, he was always around his family. He will be dearly missed.' The nearby Beauchamp Road and an adjoining street were cordoned off by police for several hours after the incident. Floral tributes and wreaths were tied to a lamppost on close to where the tragedy occurred. A set of tealights were placed on the ground spelling out the name 'REN'. Rinneau Perrineau (pictured) died after being stabbed in the area of Lavender Hill in Wandsworth, south London, on Tuesday October 21 Beauchamp Road was cordoned off (pictured) seconds from a busy shopping street on Tuesday afternoon Police (pictured near the cordon) and the London Ambulance service descended on the scene and treated Mr Perrineau for his wounds Detectives have made one arrest and are 'urgently making enquiries as the investigation moves at a fast-pace'. They say Mr Perrineau's death is believed to be an isolated incident, but have urged what they believe to be 'a number of witnesses' to come forward. Acting Borough Commander Amanda Mawhinney, who leads policing in the area, said: 'Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones at this terrible time. 'This was a shocking crime committed in broad daylight. A teenager's life was taken, and his family and friends have suffered an irrevocable loss. 'Our officers are making every effort to bring those responsible to justice. Residents may notice a police presence around the scene of the crime, as patrols have been stepped up in the local area.' Officers want anyone who was on the nearby Beauchamp Road between 3.20pm and 3.30pm on October 21 to call 101, quoting crime reference 4781/21OCT. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A crowd reportedly made up of migrants broke out into a mass brawl in the streets of Moscow, with mobs armed with iron bars and shovels seen chasing each other. Footage shows the masked thugs fighting in the street near the Prokshino residential complex in the Russian capital while brandishing their makeshift weapons, as they attack each other and smash up vehicles. At least 11 people have been arrested and charged with hooliganism and several face deportation due to them being migrant construction workers, according to local media. The incident unfolded at around midday on Saturday, with witnesses describing how they saw up to 15 hooded men gathering around the complex hours before the brawl broke out. Some perpetrators can be seen in videos jumping over locked gates, while others wield their massive shovels and iron bars as they hit several cars. Another clip shows a man being beaten up by the group before he is pulled away. It is unclear what their motive was and who they were targeting, but according to local media, citing local law enforcement, it is believed the perpetrators had agreed to meet on Saturday to settle a previous dispute. 'According to preliminary reports, the conflict between the workers occurred on Friday evening; they were arguing heatedly. They agreed to meet on Saturday to, so to speak, sort things out', police said in a statement. A crowd reportedly made up of migrants broke out into a mass brawl in the streets of Moscow Mobs armed with iron bars and shovels are seen in footage chasing panicked local residents Cops quickly arrived at the scene and arrested 11 people and said they are looking for the rest of the perpetrators. At least five people were injured and several cars were damaged. The incident comes a day after a top Russian banker and long time ally of President Vladimir Putin said that the country will need to attract millions of skilled migrants to achieve an economic growth rate of at least 3.2 percent and sustain its economy. German Gref, CEO of Russia's largest lender Sberbank, told members of the State Council on Demographic and Family Policy that higher growth could only be achieved by either increasing productivity or expanding the workforce 'Without economic growth, there will be nothing. We won't be able to solve social problems, or any others. We must grow at a rate no lower than the global average. That means at least 3.2 percent annually until 2030,' Gref said. The country has faced acute labour shortages across multiple sectors since the start of the war in Ukraine, as hundreds of thousands joined the military. Generous payouts to army volunteers have also triggered a wage growth spiral. At least 11 people have been arrested and charged with hooliganism and several face deportation due to them being migrant construction workers, according to local media Migration remains a politically sensitive issue in Russia, and public calls to increase migrant numbers are rare. Russia has relied on foreign workers, mainly from ex-Soviet republics in Central Asia, in sectors such as construction and municipal services. Migration has been restricted since a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall in 2024. A Reform MP who said 'it drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people' has apologised after facing a furious backlash over her comments. Sarah Pochin, who became the party's first by-election-winning MP with victory in Runcorn and Helsby this May, said her comments were 'phrased poorly'. However, the 56-year-old insisted that many adverts are 'unrepresentative of British society'. Ms Pochin, who has previously called for a ban on the burqa in Britain, made the comments on TalkTV when responding to a viewer who had taken issue with the demographics of modern-day advertising. She said the viewer was 'absolutely right' and that 'it drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people'. Ms Pochin continued: 'It doesn't reflect our society and I feel that your average white person, average white family is... not represented anymore.' The MP also blamed the situation on the 'woke liberati' in the 'arty-farty world', adding: 'It might be fine inside the M25, but it's definitely not representative of the rest of the country.' Ms Pochin has since come under fire for the comments by Labour, whose party chairwoman says it 'shows once again that Reform are more interested in dividing our country than uniting it'. Reform MP Sarah Pochin has issued an apology after saying 'it drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people' Anna Turley said: 'It's astonishing that a senior Reform MP is spending her time counting the numbers of people with a different skin colour to her on TV adverts. 'Defining British people by the colour of their skin is completely unacceptable and shows once again that Reform are more interested in dividing our country than uniting it. 'Nigel Farage needs to condemn this now, and urgently clarify whether Sarah Pochin's views on race are welcome in his party.' In her apology, Ms Pochin said she was trying to say the advertising industry had gone 'DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) mad'. She posted to X: 'My comments on a Talk TV phone-in earlier today were phrased poorly and I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused, which was not my intention. 'The point I was making is that many British TV adverts have gone DEI mad and are now unrepresentative of British society as a whole. This is not an attack on any group but an observation about balance and fairness in how our country is portrayed on screen. 'A study commissioned by Channel 4 as part of its Mirror On The Industry project, found that Black people were featured in more than half of adverts in 2022, up sharply from 37 per cent in 2020 following the Black Lives Matter movement. 'By contrast, Black people make up around 4 per cent of the population in England and Wales, according to the 2021 Census. 'Representation in advertising should reflect the diversity of modern Britain, but it should also be proportionate and inclusive of everyone. My comments were made in that context, and I stand by the principle that equality should mean fairness for all. Ms Pochin was on the receiving end of criticism by members of her own party in June this year over her question to Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister's Questions about banning the burqa. Zia Yusuf, when he was Reform's chairman, hit out at the MP's 'dumb' question in the House of Commons. Ms Pochin asked Sir Keir if he would support outlawing the burqa - which is worn by some Muslim women - 'in the interests of public safety'. But Reform officials sowed confusion by later revealing that banning the burqa is not the party's official policy. In a hint at an internal party row, Mr Yusuf posted on X: 'I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do.' The Reform chairman said that Ms Pochin's question was 'nothing to do with me' as he was 'busy with other stuff'. 'Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn't policy,' he added. Grooming gang victims who quit the inquiry have hit back at a joint letter sent to them by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of 'making a mockery' of survivors. Fiona Goddard and Elizabeth Harper were among the four women who left the national probe's victim and survivors liaison panel this week. They, with Ellie-Ann Reynolds and a woman known as 'Jessica', did so amid concerns the government is trying to widen the scope of the inquiry and water it down. Many victims believe broadening the inquiry will dilute its focus on the failure of local authorities, police and other officials to tackle grooming by largely Pakistani gangs. Ms Reynolds said her exit came after 'the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse'. The group has now received a personal letter from the Prime Minister thanking them for their participation and assuring them their concerns will be listened to. He stressed: 'We know that in some areas these crimes were disproportionately committed by Asian men, and I assure you that the inquiry will look explicitly at that.' But two of the four women addressed have denounced his letter, taking to X today to share the document and express their anger about it. Fiona Goddard (pictured) and Elizabeth Harper were among the four women who left the national probe's victim and survivors liaison panel this week The group has now received a personal letter (pictured) from the prime minister thanking them for their participation and assuring them their concerns will be listened to But two of the four women addressed have denounced his letter in the strongest of terms, taking to X today (pictured) to share the document and express their anger about it Ms Harper wrote (pictured, her post on X about the letter): 'Letter off Keir Starmer, no sign of doing the right thing - just the same old same old' Ms Goddard wrote on the social media platform: 'So the prime minister was meant to be reaching out "personally" and instead we got a s****y generated letter sent out to everyone, addressing not a single concern or issue. 'One that he's probably not even wrote. Clearly us grooming gang victims aren't important enough for him to put a bit of time and effort in.' Meanwhile, Ms Harper wrote: 'Letter off Keir Starmer, no sign of doing the right thing - just the same old same old. 'Making a mockery of survivors and saying things he always does. Action is needed, not half-hearted words.' Sir Keir's letter, which was sent on Friday, was also sent to their fellow departing panellists, Ellie-Ann Reynolds and a woman who goes by the name 'Jessica'. The PM wrote that he wanted to get in touch 'directly' to thank them for their support in setting up the national inquiry. He added, signing off the letter personally, he also wished to make a 'personal commitment' to 'getting this inquiry right'. 'The heinous crimes committed against you - and many others - by violent and depraved gangs were truly appalling,' the premier said. 'You were also let down catastrophically by the institutions that should have protected you, and they must be held accountable. 'We are determined that survivors must be at the heart of this inquiry, and we do not underestimate the bravery you have shown by reliving those ordeals.' Sir Keir concluded: 'I understand your decision to leave the panel will not have been taken lightly but the door will always be open should you wish to return.' A Government spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'The grooming gang scandal is one of the darkest moments in this countrys history. 'That is why this Government is committed to a full, statutory, national inquiry to uncover the truth. It is the very least that the victims of these hideous crimes deserve. 'The Prime Minister has written to the victims and survivors in the consultation group, including those who have withdrawn, to thank them for their engagement so far. 'He has made clear that survivors are at the heart of this inquiry, and as he said in Parliament, it will uncover the truth and injustice will have no place to hide.' Many survivors believe the national inquiry must have a tight focus on the issue of grooming gangs. Many survivors believe the national inquiry must have a tight focus on the issue of grooming gangs - which Ms Goddard raised concerns about in a recent text conversation (pictured) with safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who is in charge of setting up the inquiry The NWG Network charity, which is running victims' liaison for the inquiry, had sent a list of 'questions for reflection' (pictured) to panellists ahead of a meeting Ms Goddard was concerned about a question about broadening the inquiry's scope - to which Ms Phillips replied (pictured): 'It is my view that it is only a grooming gangs specific inquiry but it is not right for me to make that decision without it being formally consulted on' Ms Goddard recently raised concerns about this in a text conversation with Jess Phillips, the parliamentary under-secretary for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, who is in charge of setting up the inquiry. The NWG Network charity, which is running victims' liaison for the inquiry, had sent a list of 'questions for reflection' to panellists ahead of a meeting. One of them asked: 'Should the inquiry have an explicit focus on "grooming gangs" or "group-based CSEA" (Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) or take a broader approach?' Ms Goddard has said she texted Ms Phillips directly about the topic for discussion on September 26. She said: 'Sorry to message again but if it's supposed to be about grooming gangs why has the charity that the Home Office has set up to consult with survivors just sent out the agenda for the questions that are going to be asked.' She then sent the safeguarding minister the question about the focus of the inquiry. The survivor then said: 'Every which way this is being manipulated away from what it was supposed to be and it's unfair.' The Labour MP replied: 'The reason for the question is because there have been differing views and we want you to be able to give a clear steer on what you want. 'I know it's hard to trust but I can promise you no one is trying to manipulate the response and it is my view that it is only a grooming gangs specific inquiry but it is not right for me to make that decision without it being formally consulted on.' Ms Goddard has since shared the text conversation and the question posed by NWG on social media. Her subsequent departure from the panel on Monday came alongside claims the inquiry was being watered down. Similarly, Ms Reynolds, who left on the same day, wrote in her resignation letter: 'The final turning point for me was the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse. 'For many of us, these were not incidental factors; they were central to why we were targeted and why institutions failed to act. To erase that truth us to rewrite history.' But Ms Phillips later came out to call claims the inquiry was being watered down 'untrue', in a letter to Commons Home Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley. In the correspondence sent on the same day as Ms Goddard and Ms Reynolds's departures, the minister denied the government was 'seeking to dilute the focus of the inquiry', insisting its scope will be 'laser-focused'. The group of women who quit the inquiry then called for the Home Office minister to resign, claiming she accused them of lying. But Ms Phillips (pictured in the Commons this week) later came out to call claims the inquiry was being watered down 'untrue', in a letter to Commons Home Affairs Committee chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley And Ms Goddard's solicitors Switalskis wrote to her on Friday threatening to sue the MP for Birmingham Yardley for libel. They said the suggestion of watering down was 'patently not untrue' and that Ms Phillips's letter was 'defamatory' as it suggested their client had been untruthful. The lawyers also referred to the text conversation between Ms Goddard and Ms Phillips about the focus of the inquiry. Ms Goddard said she had been 'abused and smeared online' as a result of Ms Phillips's statement. The solicitors concluded: 'Ms Goddard will accept a written apology from Ms Phillips to put an end to this matter.' The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley has found herself at the centre of a row over the grooming gangs inquiry. The controversy has also seen the two candidates to chair the probe withdraw from contention. While some survivors, including Ms Goddard, have called for Ms Phillips to quit, a separate group of five said this week they would only keep working with the inquiry with her in post. They said the minister has 'remained impartial' and 'we want her to remain in position for the duration of the process for consistency'. They explained they asked for the scope to go beyond grooming gangs because some survivors would be excluded for not fitting the 'generalised stereotype' of what that includes. In the Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted the inquiry 'is not and will never be watered down' and its scope 'will not change'. He said at PMQs: 'It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry.' He also vowed 'injustice will have no place to hide' as he announced Baroness Louise Casey is being drafted in to support the inquiry. She previously led a 'national audit' of group-based child sexual exploitation that found 'many examples' of organisations shying away from discussion of 'ethnicity or cultural factors' in such offences 'for fear of appearing racist'. Her findings, published in June this year, prompted Sir Keir to order the creation of the national inquiry. The PM also said this week he 'of course' has faith in Ms Phillips, as other ministers also rallied around her. In the Commons this week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured at PMQs on Wednesday) insisted the inquiry 'is not and will never be watered down' and its scope 'will not change' Asked during a visit on Friday if he had confidence in her to oversee the process, he said: 'Yes, of course, I do. 'Jess has been working on issues involving violence against women and girls for many, many years.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also given strong backing, saying there is 'no-one better for that job' than Ms Phillips. Their assertions of faith came despite a fifth woman, who goes under the pen name Gaia Cooper, quitting the panel this week, to join the four who had already left. She reportedly claimed she had been offered 'no support' and the process is being used as a 'political battering ram'. Her fellow four departing panellists had previously written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood about Ms Phillips's comments on the scope of the inquiry. But the safeguarding minister is so far being supported by Ms Mahmood too. In an attempt to assuage concerns earlier this week, however, the home secretary emphasised the inquiry scope 'will not change'. Writing in The Times and for GB News, she said the probe 'is not, and will never be, watered down on my watch'. The minister said it would focus on how 'some of the most vulnerable people in this country' were abused 'at the hands of predatory monsters'. Adding it was 'essential that the victims are at the heart of this inquiry', she expressed regret that the four women had decided to step down from the panel. Ms Mahmood said: 'Should they wish to return, the door will always remain open to them. 'But even if they do not, I owe it to them and the country to answer some of the concerns that they have raised.' Speaking to Times Radio on Wednesday, Ms Goddard said the Home Secretary's statement was 'reassuring'. But she reiterated her call for Ms Phillips to resign over her comments disputing the allegations the inquiry was being watered down. She told Channel 4 News: 'My problem is there is little to no recognition of what Jess Phillips did today by nationally calling me a liar when she knew I was telling the truth. The four women who left the panel wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured, their letter) about Ms Phillips's comments on the scope of the inquiry 'I think that there needs to be an apology, swiftly followed by Jess Phillips' resignation. 'Jess Phillips needs to be removed because I don't think her conduct this last 24 hours especially, has been acceptable for the position that she holds. 'She has publicly accused me of lying when she knows I'm telling the truth.' Ms Phillips told MPs on Tuesday she 'absolutely regrets' survivors had quit their roles but that 'allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false'. She said opinions varied among victims as to who would be best suited to the role as she faced questions from MPs about the process. 'I will engage with all the victims, regardless of their opinions, and I will listen to those that have been put in the media, that are put in panels, I will always listen and I will speak to all of them,' she said. The four victims who quit the panel, however, countered by saying 'evidence has since proven we were telling the truth'. Ms Reynolds, Ms Goddard, Ms Harper and 'Jessica' state in their letter to Ms Mahmood there are five conditions for their return to the advisory panel. As well as Ms Phillips's resignation, they call for 'all survivors on the panel to be genuinely consulted on the appointment of a chair, who must be a former or sitting judge'. They also demand victims are able to speak freely without fear of reprisal and for the inquiry's scope to remain 'laser-focused' on grooming gangs. The women also request that the current victim liaison lead is replaced by a mental health professional. The survivors' letter, shared on Ms Goddard's X account, says: 'Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again. 'It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained. 'We have been failed by every institution meant to protect us. 'We were failed as children, we were failed by police who didn't believe us, failed by social services who blamed us, and failed by a system that protected our abusers. 'We will not participate in an inquiry that repeats those same patterns of dismissal, secrecy, and institutional self-protection.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting is among the minister who has given strong backing to Ms Phillips (pictured), saying there is 'no-one better for that job' Despite this, Mr Streeting told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour there was 'no one in Parliament who has done more to tackle violence against women and girls than Jess'. Asked if she should resign, he said: 'No, I don't think she should... 'I'm not dismissing what her critics are saying, and the criticism they have of the type of candidates that have been put forward, we do take those things seriously. 'But there is no one better for that job than Jess Phillips, and no one more committed to these issues in Parliament than Jess Phillips.' The group of five survivors who wish for her to remain in post similarly said she had 'devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard'. The contingent reportedly includes one woman who was abused in Oldham from the age of 12. The intervention underlined the difficulties for the government in assembling the long-awaited inquiry. According to the Telegraph, Gaia Cooper said in her separate letter to NWG - the charity running victims' liaison - she did not 'align' herself 'with any political agendas'. 'Numerous times during this process, which I agree is in its infancy, we have been offered counselling and support, but during this media storm there has been nothing, and that is the time I have felt I needed it the most,' she reportedly wrote. Another leading candidate to chair the inquiry withdrew from the process earlier this week hitting out at the 'toxic' situation. Former police officer Jim Gamble accused politicians of prioritising 'their own petty personal or political issues' and 'playing games' with the inquiry. In his withdrawal letter, he said he had pulled out of the appointment process because of a 'lack of confidence' in him among some survivors of grooming gangs 'due to my previous occupation'. He later criticised those 'who have been mischief-making' by highlighting his former police career, saying it was 'nonsense' to imply he would align himself 'with any political party to hide their blushes'. He follows Annie Hudson, a former director of children's services for Lambeth, who was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday. A Home Office spokesman previously said on this: 'We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. 'This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.' Reports of young girls being groomed by gangs of men, primarily of Pakistani heritage, first emerged in 2002. A group of five men were convicted in 2010 of sexual offences against girls aged 12 to 16 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The Times then published an investigation revealing the extent of the abuse in the town - and also by other similar networks elsewhere in the country. Grooming gangs have since been found and locked up in more than a dozen other English towns, most notably Rochdale, Oldham and Telford. Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a national review of grooming gangs in January this year. Baroness Casey undertook a 'rapid' three-month national audit and made 12 recommendations to the government - including a national inquiry. The prime minister launched the national inquiry in June, after reading the Casey report. It followed months of pressure on the government to act, as well as a series of local investigations into the issue, including in Rotherham and Rochdale. Scotland's shopkeepers are deploying a new Most Wanted app to protect their staff and stock from an unprecedented crimewave. Despite rocketing levels of shoplifting, some retailers have given up reporting incidents fearing the police and courts are too overstretched to investigate or prosecute. Instead, we can reveal, growing numbers are turning to new technology which lets them identify repeat offenders and take action themselves. The app is now being implemented in hundreds of stores across Scotland including Greggs and BP garages. BP told The Scottish Mail on Sunday all 29 of its Scottish sites are using the new tech which has already led to the arrest of several prolific offenders. Using the app, staff log details of thieves and suspects such as height, build, facial hair or distinctive clothing as well as relevant information about whether they were chaotic, threatening or carrying weapons. By sharing information across the network of stores using the app, a comprehensive database is compiled of persons of interest, allowing staff to be put on alert if a repeat offender is spotted nearby. The technology also logs details of crimes such as time, day, and what products were stolen. By analysing data across the network, the app can detect patterns. SPOTTED: Evidence on the app can be used with CCTV NO HIDING PLACE: The Auror app is helping stores battle retail crime Retailers can then boost in-store security at peak times, while shops can be reorganised to allow items which are most commonly stolen to be more closely guarded or moved. Information collected coupled with CCTV footage also creates a dossier of evidence to be presented to police. Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, explained: This software works alongside existing in-store initiatives and allows us to work in collaboration with other retailers, sharing knowledge to enable us to identify repeat offenders and inform local authorities who can then take appropriate action. The app was created by retail crime intelligence company Auror, whose vice-president Mark Gleeson said sharing details of suspects and incidents between stores was a powerful tool for tackling crime. He added: Auror has modernised how retailers record and manage information about crime. It provides insights to connect repeat offenders and organised crime groups to what were previously considered isolated offences, and also empowers retailers to better collaborate with police. Analysis of data from UK stores using the app suggests just ten per cent of offenders are responsible for more than 70 per cent of retail crime. Recent successes, Mr Gleeson said, included the arrest of a highly active and threatening offender who was linked to more than 35 thefts worth 62,000. In a separate case, another violent and aggressive offender suspected of carrying out more than 50 thefts worth 39,000 was also arrested. Meanwhile BP confirmed the app had recently identified a handful of offenders who were responsible for 80 per cent of thefts at one of its most frequently-targeted sites three of whom have now been arrested and charged. A spokesman said: Earlier this year, seven people were arrested for shoplifting linked to our retail site in Kingsway, Dundee, which had seen 57 separate thefts. With Auror, we were able to identify offenders, gather evidence and share it with police. Scottish Government figures published in August reveal 47,381 incidents of shoplifting last year up 124 per cent from 2021. One industry source said: The police are overstretched and dont have the resources to devote much attention to shoplifting. But even if police do respond and arrest someone, often the case gets dropped as soon as it reaches the court system or else drags on for years. A lot of retailers have simply stopped reporting crimes. Yesterday the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) hailed the new technology, while warning that rising crime is devastating retailers. Luke McGarty, head of policy, said: In recent years, there has been an escalation in retail crime unlike anything before. Not only individuals pocketing a few items, but organised groups clearing shelves and stealing to order. SGF research shows retail crime costs an average of 19,673 per store each year in Scotland around 102.7 million overall. Yesterday Police Scotland insisted that a one-year funding boost of 3 million from the Scottish Government was helping address the rise in retail offences. JD Vance has hit out at New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's comments about 9/11 after the Democrat hopeful spoke about Islamophobia following the atrocity but failed to mention its victims. The Vice President slammed Mamdani, 33, after he broke down describing the prejudice his hijab-wearing aunt suffered in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Vance suggested that the socialist candidates remarks ignored the 3,000 who died and the thousands more who were injured when the World Trade Center collapsed. The Democratic candidate, 33, spoke outside a mosque in the Bronx on Friday where he mentioned his aunt's fear of wearing a hijab in the city following the horrific attack. Posting to X, Vance said: 'According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks.' Vance reshared footage of Mamdani making the comments, teared up when mentioning the 'indignities' faced by the city's Muslim population post 9/11. 'I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab,' the assemblyman said. Mamdani - who was born in Uganda and became an American citizen in 2018 - also spoke of working class Muslims who served New York City in various capacities. Vance posted his comments on Saturday, sharing a clip of Mamdani speaking about the terrorist attack and the impact it had on his family The Democratic candidate spoke outside a mosque in the Bronx on Friday where he mentioned his aunt's fear of wearing a hijab in the city following the attack 'The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker and yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that and to be satisfied with whatever little we receive. No more!' CNN's conservative black sheep Scott Jennings also chimed in on Mamdani's comments. In a post to X, Jennings said: 'There was one big thing missing from Zohran Mamdani's emotional remarks about 9/11. 'Any mention of the VICTIMS of the worst terror attack on U.S. soil. What are we to infer from this?' He wasn't alone either, as one social media user posted: 'These theatrics are disgusting. Everything about Zohran Mamdani is vile and intrinsically anti-West.' Another added: 'She was THE real victim on 9/11. Really? That's about the stupidest statement ever.' One other said: 'Yeah, those 3000 people who died have nothing on auntie's feelings.' Mamdani's comments came about after statements made by his opponents Curtis Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo and current mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race. Scott Jennings and social media users jumped on the comments, with one branded it 'disgusting' He recounted how, when he first entered politics, an uncle gently suggested he keep his faith to himself. 'These are lessons that so many Muslim New Yorkers have been taught,' Mamdani said. 'And over these last few days, these lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Eric Adams.' At a news conference later Friday, Cuomo accused Mamdani of 'playing the victim' for political purposes and denied that Islamophobia existed on a wide scale in New York. 'Zohran is an actor and his entire campaign has been theatrics. Literally, his mother is a noted film director,' he said. 'He was a rapper, actor and he has produced great videos but it is all an act. Today he's playing the victim but in reality he is the offender.' Cuomo told reporters that Mamdani's criticism of Israel had made Jewish people afraid to leave their homes. He also rejected Mamdani's claim that Muslim New Yorkers have been made to feel uncomfortable in their own city. Disgraced former governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, seen here, said Mamdani was 'playing the victim' 'Don't tell me New Yorkers are Islamophobic. They're not. What he is doing is the oldest, dirtiest political trick in the book: divide people,' Cuomo said. At a campaign stop later on Friday, Mamdani added that he believed Cuomo's comments to be Islamophobic. He added: 'We're speaking about a former governor who, in his final moments in public life, is engaging in rhetoric that is not only Islamophobic, not only racist, it's also disgusting.' Mamdani is currently leading in polls by double digits after campaigning on a host of populist left-wing policies. He has said he wants to make the city's buses free, open a government-run supermarket and tax those earning $1 million or more a year an extra one per cent to fund his plans. He has won huge support among younger and working class New Yorkers, who say the city is becoming too expensive for people on low or average incomes to survive. But many business leaders and police have vowed to flee New York if Mamdani wins. They worry his socialist policies will raise the cost of doing business, with Mamdani's previous attacks on the New York Police Department he deemed 'racist' also raising cops' hackles. The aspiring mayor apologized for attacking the police on Fox News. Many Jews have also expressed concern over his staunch pro-Palestine stance and vow to have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested should he set foot in the Big Apple during a Mamdani term. Mamdani has denied being anti-Semitic. He won the Democratic primary by a significant margin, which forced Cuomo to run on an Independent ticket. Loose Women star Kaye Adams spoke last night of her distress over the BBC probe into bullying complaints against her. She claimed she had been dragged through the mud over allegations - revealed in the Mail on Sunday - that she shouted and screamed at junior members of staff. Speaking for the first time since she was removed from her 155,000-a-year radio show, the 62-year-old star said she had experienced three of the most distressing weeks of my professional life after being taken off air by BBC Scotland bosses earlier this month. It comes as the Mail on Sunday can today reveal that BBC chiefs are quizzing staff about the presenters conduct over a number of years as part of their ongoing probe. Last night Ms Adams said: After three of the most distressing weeks of my professional life and seeing my previously untarnished name publicly dragged through the mud, BBC Scotland has still not provided me with any details of the allegations which have been made against me. The Strictly Come Dancing star, who was pictured in Glasgow earlier this week, said she had been inundated with messages of support from people who I have dealt with both personally and professionally over the decades and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Staff who currently work with Ms Adams at BBC Radio Scotland and those who have worked with her during her 15 years at the station in Glasgow are being questioned by officials at the state broadcaster. We can also reveal that the bullying investigation was launched by the BBC following concerns raised about an alleged shouting incident during a debriefing session at the station attended by Ms Adams, BBCs new Head of Radio Victoria Easton Riley and other members of staff. PROBE: TV and radio star Kaye Adams is at the centre of a BBC bullying investigation DEEP IN THOUGHT: Kaye Adams walking in Glasgow earlier this week BASE: Kaye Adams presents her radio show from BBC HQ at Pacific Quay, Glasgow Ms Adams denied any incident happened, but said: I remember Ms Easton Riley standing at the back of a debrief meeting - in an open plan office - on one occasion, but there was certainly no shouting on my part. Its not my style. The Mail on Sunday understands investigators are still gathering information about the stars alleged conduct at the broadcaster, dating back a number of years, before the details are presented to her. A senior BBC Scotland figure said: Interviews have been taking place with those working on the show and those who have previously worked with her. Its not just about one incident; they are looking back over the years. A number of people have spoken about experiences theyve had with Kaye but the investigation is still ongoing. A second BBC Scotland source said: The atmosphere is strained at PQ [Pacific Quay BBC Scotlands headquarters]. The team working on the morning programme are keeping quiet about everything, just keeping their heads down and getting on with the job. Theres a lot of confusion about what the BBC are actually doing and why Kaye hasnt been told about what is being investigated. The mum-of-two last hosted her three-hour BBC Radio Scotland phone in show Mornings with Kaye Adams on October 6 before being told she was being taken off air. TV presenter Ms Adams on the red carpet in London ON THE DANCEFLOOR: Kaye Adams took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 DISMISSED: MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace was sacked after 45 allegations of misconduct against him spanning 19 years were upheld. It was claimed she had later had a frosty meeting with Ms Easton Riley, but the star has disputed this account and said it categorically did not happen. She said: I can confirm that I have never had an in-person meeting with Victoria Easton Riley and the widely reported meeting of October 8, from which I am supposed to have stormed out, categorically did not happen. The investigation into Ms Adams, who works for the BBC as a freelance presenter and host, was launched as part of the broadcasters new Call It Out scheme, an initiative set up in the aftermath of the scandal over former MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode. Wallace was sacked after 45 allegations of misconduct against him spanning 19 years were upheld. They included one incident of unwelcome physical contact, three complaints of being in a state of undress and others involving inappropriate sexual, culturally insensitive or racist comments. Torode was also sacked after it he was found to have used an extremely offensive racist term. The BBC has been trying to clean up its act following a number of bullying allegations. One inquiry involving Breakfast host Naga Munchetty is still ongoing, while Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by scandals. Ms Adams was on the show in 2022, paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, and was the first celebrity voted out. A BBC Radio Scotland source said: The Call It Out campaign is everywhere now and thats what has prompted people to come forward about Kaye. Despite being taken off her radio show, Ms Adams has retained her role on Loose Women with ITV confirming they are standing by the presenter. The mum-of-two has hosted the programme for 19 years and was described by colleagues there as one of the calmer members of the cast. A BBC Scotland spokeswoman said: We would not comment on individuals. Donald Trump warned that Hamas will face a massive 'problem' if the Gaza ceasefire collapses, as he revealed more details of an 'international stabilization force' preparing to enter the territory. The president spoke from Air Force One on Saturday where he met with the Emir of Qatar during a quick pit stop in Doha on his way to Asia. He warned that Hamas 'will have a very big problem' if it fails to uphold the tentative deal forged with Israel earlier this month, which many fear is teetering on the brink. 'The ceasefire will hold. If not, we will deal with Hamas very harshly,' Trump declared. 'I hope for Hamas's sake that it holds,' he added. 'They gave us their word. If it doesn't hold, they will have a very big problem.' 'The international stabilization force will enter Gaza soon. This is peace in the Middle East.' As part of Trumps sweeping 20-point peace plan, an international stabilization force (ISF) would take charge of Gazas security in a move described as a 'long-term internal security solution' for the war-torn enclave. Trump revealed Saturday that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia and Jordan will be key players in maintaining stability across the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, during a brief refueling stop in Doha, President Donald Trump met with Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani aboard Air Force One (pictured) During the meeting, Trump warned that Hamas 'will have a very big problem' if it fails to uphold the deal forged with Israel earlier this month Many fear that the peace deal reached earlier this month is teetering on the brink of collapse. (Pictured: Hamas fighters) As part of the plan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would steadily hand authority over Gaza to the newly established ISF, as reported by JNS News. The handover would proceed step by step until Israeli forces are completely out of Gaza, with only a perimeter force remaining 'until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat,' according to the outlet. In short, the ISF will be responsible for securing Gazas borders with Egypt and Israel, stopping weapons from entering the territory and ensuring goods can flow in quickly and safely to help rebuild and revitalize the area. 'This should be about enduring peace,' Trump told reporters when asked about the proposal on Saturday. He briefly stopped in Doha to refuel on his way to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit (ASEAN) in Malaysia, where he met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He hailed Al Thani as 'one of the greatest rulers of the world, not just the Middle East,' according to the Times of Israel, and added that Qatar is willing to contribute peacekeeping troops if needed. Trump also sat down with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who he said 'has been my friend and a friend to the world'. 'We have done a lot together, especially in the last year... Peace to the Middle East, and they were a very big factor in it,' Trump said to the two Qatari leaders. As part of Trumps sweeping 20-point peace plan, an international stabilization force (ISF) would take charge of Gazas security - a move described as a 'long-term internal security solution' for the war-torn enclave (pictured) Trump revealed that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia and Jordan will be key players in maintaining stability across the Gaza Strip (Pictured: Trump and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani) As part of the plan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would steadily hand authority over Gaza to the newly established ISF (Pictured: Trump and Netanyhu after reaching a peace deal) 'We express our thanks, and you have a safe Middle East right now, and youre going to keep it that way for a very long time,' he added. Vice President JD Vance visited Israel this week to show support for the Gaza ceasefire amid concerns and claims that either the US is dictating Israels decisions or that Israel is calling the shots in Washington, as reported by The Associated Press. He reassured Israelis that the US does not want Israel to be a 'vassal state' - a nation controlled by another - stressing instead that their relationship is a true partnership and an alliance of equals. Netanyahu, who met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, echoed Vances remarks, dismissing claims that either country controls the other as 'nonsense.' 'One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel,' he said. 'This is hogwash. We have a partnership, an alliance of partners who share common values, common goals.' The family of a man who was killed in a car park attack have paid tribute to the 'loving father' as police arrest three people. Navpreet Singh, 26, was randomly attacked in a Wolverhampton car park in the early hours of Wednesday. Singh, who was expecting his second child, was rushed to hospital by his friends but despite efforts to save him he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at around 2.10 am. Today, Mr Singh's family paid tribute to him, calling him a 'loving husband, devoted father, brother and son. 'He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his second child. 'His wife is utterly heartbroken and inconsolable at the loss of her beloved husband, with whom she had been building a beautiful future. 'His two sisters, are absolutely devastated and inconsolable, mourning the loss of their cherished brother with whom they shared a deep and unbreakable bond. 'The family describe him as a kind, hardworking, and caring man who placed his loved ones above all else. His warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.' Navpreet Singh, 26, was killed after being attacked in a Wolverhampton car park Police at the scene where Mr Sing was attacked Three men have been arrested and police have urged anyone with information to come forward A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday and remains in custody. Two other men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of murder but were bailed pending further enquiries. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward as they launched an urgent murder probe. Cops have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries, while a forensic team was seen inspecting the car park and a nearby park in the wake of the fatal attack. Police said they had stepped up patrols in the area. A senior hospital doctor who called Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy a 'monkey bought by Zionists' has returned to work, in a blow to the Government's commitment to stamp out anti-Semitism and racism in the NHS. In March, The Mail on Sunday exposed a series of sickening comments posted online by Aqeel Jamil, a consultant gastroenterologist at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Dr Jamil, who lives in a 1million home in Southampton, declared: 'Israelis are all fascists.' He also joined a commentator criticising then Foreign Secretary David Lammy's response to the Gaza war, writing: 'Monkey bought by Zionists.' Following our revelations, Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned Dr Jamil's 'vile racist posts'. Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust launched an investigation but revealed Dr Jamil has returned to work. In a statement, the trust said: 'Dr Jamil has accepted his behaviours were not appropriate.' The decision comes just a week after Sir Keir Starmer ordered a review of anti-Semitism in the NHS, saying 'clear cases' are not being dealt with adequately. Dr Aqeel Jamil (pictured) previously called Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy a 'monkey bought by Zionists' and declared that 'Israelis are all fascists' Dr Jamil (pictured) has now returned to work after a Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust investigation Shadow Health Secretary Stuart Andrew condemned the trust. 'It is unthinkable that Jewish doctors, NHS staff or patients could be made to feel unsafe or unwelcome because of this kind of hatred.' The General Medical Council said it was investigating Dr Jamil. When confronted by the MoS about his online posts in March, Dr Jamil said: 'I've nothing against Judaism. I have Jewish friends.' Asked if he regretted his comment about Mr Lammy, he added: 'Yup. Completely.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Racism is abhorrent and there should be zero tolerance for it in the NHS. 'We are seeking clarity from the trust while the GMC continues to investigate.' TV commentator Narinder Kaur was escorted away by police after being confronted by right-wing protestors in central London. Footage shows the on-screen personality - known for appearances on shows such as Jeremy Vine On 5 - being led away by officers in Knightsbridge near Hyde Park at a counter-protest against the planned UKIP demonstration. Earlier this week, the Met had imposed restrictions on the UKIP demonstration, banning supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' and instead directing them to Marble Arch. Left-wing counter-protesters were told to continue their protest as planned in Whitechapel and not enter areas of central London where the UKIP march would be taking place instead. Mrs Kaur told the Daily Mail: 'Almost instantly, I was surrounded, hoards of men closed in, shouting vile racist and sexual abuse, calling me a P**i, jeering if I had any knickers on and saying I should be taken off the streets and remigrated.' She added: 'The crowd kept growing and it became a tsunami of noise and pure rage, it was like being circled by a pack of angry wolves. 'I could see the hate in their eyes and for the first time in years, I genuinely felt unsafe on a British street.' The TV presenter said officers 'rushed over' as it 'became clear I was in danger'. TV star Narinder Kaur was escorted away by police after being confronted by right-wing protestors in central London Footage shows the TV personality being led away by officers in Knightsbridge near Hyde Park at a counter-protest against the planned UKIP demonstration Mrs Kaur also claimed that protesters were chanting 'get Narinder Kaur off our streets' at her. 'Id come as a peaceful observer, not an enemy,' she added. 'What happened today shows how fragile things have become in this country. Nobody should need police protection just to walk through a public street. 'But until this kind of hatred is challenged head on, it will only get louder.' She also claimed that protesters were chanting 'get Narinder Kaur off our streets'. Speaking at the demonstration, Mrs Kaur said: 'Tommy Robinson, Nic [Tenconi] from UKIP, they are causing divisiveness and hatefulness. 'Brown and black people feel unsafe right now. My parents came to this country, and they've contributed to this country. 'We're British, and if you're truly British, if you are patriotic, you want to bring peace and bring communities together. 'You don't want to cause division, and you want to say immigrants are welcome because Britain needs them.' In Whitechapel, a group of masked Muslim youth dressed in black, with hoods up and their faces covered, took to the streets as Bangladesh and Palestine flags were waved at the demonstration, where UKIP had originally intended to march. One protester at the Whitechapel demo took to a microphone promising to 'stand firm' in defending their community from far-right protesters. 'They came specifically targeting Islam,' he said. 'They said, "we are coming on a crusade", they said "we need to take back our streets". 'We stand firm to let them know if you come, we will stand firm and will be ready to defend our elders, to defend our women, to defend our community. 'We have never once said we were going on crusades or going into your areas to cause you problems. 'You are coming into our homes and you want to cause us problems. What is wrong with us standing up? 'Today is a day we unite,' he said to a crowd chanting a series of messages in Arabic. Members of the Bangladeshi community dressed in all black took to the streets to oppose a far-right march which was banned from entering Whitechapel today Members of the Bangladeshi community praying during a counter demonstration outside an east London Mosque A group of masked Muslim youths have taken to the streets of east London today vowing to be 'ready to defend [their community]' after police banned a planned protest to 'reclaim' the area 'They came specifically targeting Islam,' the man said while speaking into a microphone. 'They said, "we are coming on a crusade", they said "we need to take back our streets" Masked men took to the streets of east London today vowed to 'defend their community' against far-right protesters Many young men dressed in black, with hoods up and their faces covered, could be seen as Bangladesh and Palestine flags were waved at the demonstration on streets A masked man standing with a megaphone in Whitechapel today The turnout of people in the community opposing UKIPs demo comes after restrictions prevented the group marching in Whitechapel UKIP supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' and instead directing them to Marble Arch A man raises his fist in the air as the other speaks on a microphone as members of the community take to the streets of east London Members of the Bangladeshi community march towards Altab Ali park At the Marble Arch meeting four left-wing protesters believed to be supporters of campaign group Stand Up To Racism were arrested by Met Police officers in Hyde Park Corner after defying the police ban in an attempt to confront UKIP protesters. Elsewhere, outside the London Oratory, a Catholic church in Kensington, 75 UKIP activists gathered at 1pm before their march towards Marble Arch, with many holding Union Jacks, crosses and signs reading 'Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain'. They were led by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, carrying a banner which read 'Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain' while others at the protest carried wooden crosses. They could be heard chanting, 'hail the nation, deportation and send them home,' as well as 'who's the King of Britain? Christ is King!'. Tenconi also rejected allegations of fascism, telling protestors that his grandparents had fled fascist Italy. A wedding guest was also left irritated by the demonstration due to marchers 'massively disrupt[ing] proceedings' outside a church. 'The bride is just shattered,' he added. UKIP protest attendee Martin Ponting, 45, said the march was about 'sending a clear message'. 'We live in a two-tier country. Why couldnt we be in east London?,' he said. 'But were here instead and weve had enough.' A Met Police officer told the Daily Mail that the turnout for the protest was much smaller than expected. The protest finished with a speech by Tenconi under Marble Arch, where he called for a 'ninth crusade' against Islamism and Communism. A woman being detained near Hyde Park Corner today Another woman being detained near the demonstration in central London today A woman is detained in Hyde Park Corner near the demonstration in central London today Counter protesters take to the streets of Whitechapel after UKIP were prevented from demonstrating there The local community and protest groups celebrate the UKIP group being prevented from entering Whitechapel on October 25, 2025 Leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nick Tenconi speaks to protesters gathering for a march in London on October 25, 2025 The march is part of a series of events taking place across the UK which were promoted as a 'mass deportations tour' A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other local groups, amassed from 12pm in Whitechapel, east London The Met imposed restrictions on the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) demonstration, banning supporters from entering the borough of Tower Hamlets in a bid to prevent 'serious disorder' Leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nick Tenconi (centre) attends a pro-UKIP rally in central London on Saturday Protesters pass by Harrods with a banner during a march organised by UKIP Around 75 people turned up to the UKIP rally, which set off from the London Oratory in Kensington During the speech, a man wearing a keffiyeh, a type of scarf commonly associated with the pro-Palestine movement, entered the area. Police were forced to quickly intervene during the confrontation, as the man was chased across Oxford Street. It is unclear whether the man was a counter-protester or had entered the area unintentionally. Earlier this week, Met imposed Public Order Act conditions on UKIP demonstrators, preventing them from holding the protest anywhere in the borough of Tower Hamlets on Tuesday. Previously, the force banned the demonstration from its planned site in Whitechapel, an area with a large Muslim population, with officers saying there was 'realistic prospect of serious disorder'. The march is part of a series of events taking place across the UK which were promoted as a 'mass deportations tour', with organisers calling on attendees to 'reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists', UKIP's X profile said. The counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other local groups, amassed from 12pm in Whitechapel, east London. A spokesperson for the force said: 'Four counter protesters who appeared along the route in breach of the conditions in place and refused to leave have been arrested.' UKIP leader Nick Marcel Tenconi said earlier this week on X: 'We will confront the communists at Hyde Park Corner. 'We will march to Marble Arch and I will give my historic address with the communists and Islamists flaying in the background outraged that we have once and for all finally stood up to them. 'They will be met with Christian courage and it will be glorious. Patriots, this is just the beginning. Saturday the 25th of October (tomorrow). The Crusade begins. Commander Nick John, who is in charge of public order policing in London this weekend, said: 'Our role in relation to the policing of protest is to ensure that they take place peacefully, that offences are dealt with, that they do not cause excessive disruption to the ordinary lives of local residents, visitors and businesses and to ensure that where there is a prospect of disorder we take action to prevent it. 'The risk of such disorder can be elevated if groups with clearly opposing views are allowed to gather in close proximity to each other, particularly if they do so in the heart of a residential area at a time when tensions and fears in relation to hate crime and similar offences are heightened. 'We intervened earlier this week to use our powers under the Public Order Act to prevent a protest taking place in Whitechapel due to the prospect of serious disorder. Supporters of UK Independence Party (UKIP) wave flags during a march in London on October 25 Supporters of UK Independence Party (UKIP) gather for a march in London on October 25 A man waves a large Union Jack flag at a march in support of UKIP on Saturday 'This was not a "ban" as it has been described in some coverage and commentary, but a requirement for the protest to move if it was to go ahead. 'We have used the same power on many occasions over the past two years when policing demonstrations by various groups.' Public Order Act conditions also ban members of the UKIP march from protesting before 1pm or after 4.30pm. Mr John urged people planning to attend either protest to familiarise themselves with the conditions, warning that anyone breaching them, or encouraging others to do so, could be arrested. Elsewhere, the Jewish community welcomed the news of the march restrictions. Demonstrations previously broke out in Whitechapel in what is now known as the Battle of Cable Street in 1939. Local Jews, communists, trade unionists and anti-fascist protesters banded together to face off against fascism. Tens of thousands of furious protesters have taken to the streets of Valencia one year on from the deadly flash floods that killed 229 people. Demonstrators, many carrying photos of the victims, denounced the handling of last October's disaster and called on regional leader Carlos Mazon to resign. The floods also took a severe toll on the infrastructure in the region, sweeping away hundreds of cars in their wake and submerging fields under mud. It was Europe's worst flood-related disaster since 1967 when at least 500 people died in Portugal. 'People are still really angry,' said Rosa Cerros, a 42-year-old government worker who took part in the protests with her husband and two young daughters. 'Why weren't people evacuated? Its incomprehensible.' Mazon's administration has been heavily criticised for not sending text alerts until the flooding had already taken hold across some parts of the Valencia region. The messages were sent more than 12 hours after the national weather agency had issued its highest alert level for torrential rains. Relatives of flood victims and demonstrators take part in a march demanding the resignation of Carlos Mazon over his handling of the deadly floods in Valencia Mazon's administration has been heavily criticised for not sending text alerts until the flooding had already taken hold across some parts of the Valencia region. Pictured: Protesters today Residents told Spanish media that by the time they received the alert, muddy water was already surrounding their cars, submerging streets and pouring into their homes. The floods hit 78 municipalities, mostly in the southern outskirts of the city of Valencia, killing 229 people in the region. The body of one victim was found as recently as Tuesday. Despite warning signs, Mazon went ahead with an hours-long lunch with a journalist on the day of the floods. He also appeared in photos tweeted by his staff receiving a sustainable tourism certification. More than 50,000 people took part in today's protest, according to the central government's office in Valencia. Demonstrators made their way through the streets of Spain's third-largest city holding placards calling on Mazon to resign or even be imprisoned. Under Spain's decentralised system, disaster management is the regional administration's responsibility. Demonstrators made their way through the streets of Spain's third-largest city holding placards calling on Mazon to resign or even be imprisoned Terrifying footage shows how thick muddy water quickly swept through Valencia in just minutes as it submerged an entire field Relatives of flood victims and demonstrators take part in a march demanding the resignation of Carlos Mazon But Mazon, a member of the conservative Popular Party (PP) that sits in opposition to the Socialist-led national government, has argued his administration did not have the information needed to warn people sooner. In a poll published earlier this month in El Pais newspaper, 71 percent of Valencia residents said Mazon should resign. Almost half of the people who died in the catastrophic floods were 70 or older, a fact highlighted by some protesters. They accuse the authorities of having failed to protect the most vulnerable. Rosa Alvarez, who heads an association representing victims of the floods and was among those leading the march, blames the regional government's inaction for her 80-year-old father's death. He was already drowning by the time the mobile phone alert was issued, she said, after the walls of his home in Catarroja were knocked down by the floods. 'Every minute counted that day. When the alarm sounded people had already drowned or were in real danger,' the 51-year-old social worker said. 'All those deaths were completely preventable.' Campaigners have staged regular demonstrations against Mazon often on or near the monthly anniversaries of the disaster. The protest comes nearly one year since torrential rain on October 29 last year caused deadly flooding The floods turned streets in Valencia into rivers and left hundreds trapped in their homes The PP's national leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, continues to back Mazon despite his unpopularity. Anton Losada, a politics professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, told AFP Feijoo 'he has no other choice'. Mazon's resignation would trigger early elections in Valencia, which would probably be 'catastrophic' for both the PP and Feijoo's leadership, Losada told AFP. The party is hoping a successful reconstruction effort will help restore its standing, he added. An Egyptian national has been arrested over an attempted rape on a Paris train after footage of the attack on a Brazilian woman went viral. The man, 26, was apprehended by transport police on Friday evening after the assault on Jhordana Dias, also 26, just outside the French capital on October 15. She was reportedly alone in the carriage when the attacker spotted her from the platform and entered as the doors were closing. He allegedly slapped, bit, choked and scratched her, pulling down her trousers and trying to kiss and rape her while she screamed for help. A passenger in a nearby carriage, who has since been hailed as a hero for saving Ms Dias from a more serious attack, reportedly heard her cries and rushed in. The woman, named in French media simply as 'Marguerite', confronted the man and started to film to gather evidence before he fled the train at a later station. The attack happened between the Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi stations, just southeast of Paris. A suspect has now been arrested in the town of Mantes-la-Jolie, north-west of the city, after he was traced by police, according to French media. He remains in custody. The man, 26, was apprehended by transport police on Friday evening after the assault (pictured) on Jhordana Dias, also 26, just outside the French capital on October 15 Shocking photos (pictured) show Ms Dias with cuts and bruises to her face The man did not have identity documentation with him when he was discovered but he told officers he was a 26-year-old Egyptian national, according to local media. Ms Dias has since told Le Parisien newspaper that the man, just after boarding, pushed her and tried to pull down her underwear. She said: 'When the doors dinged to close, the attacker jumped on the train, and then I realised I was alone with him. And that's when the attacks began. 'He pulled down my trousers, choked me, and tried to kiss me by force. I didn't want to kiss him.' Disturbing footage shows a woman crying loudly as her accused attacker, in a black tracksuit and cap, points towards the passenger who came to her aid. The woman filming can be heard saying, 'You stay there', as he starts to approach her. Ms Dias's brother, Cicero Junior, said his sister fought for her life and that when she resisted the attacker, he allegedly strangled and tried to rape her. He said she called him straight after the ordeal and he spoke to the woman who had helped her. A female passenger, named in French media simply as 'Marguerite', confronted the man and started to film to gather evidence before he fled the train (pictured) at a later station Ms Dias's brother, Cicero Junior, said his sister (pictured) had been in France for two months after leaving Brazil to escape alleged domestic abuse from a former partner The brother asked the passenger to stay with his sister and contact the police. He also himself later took her to the police station in Choisy-le-Roi to file a report, acting as a translator for her. Shocking photos show Ms Dias with cuts and bruises to her face. A forensic exam has been scheduled for October 29 - but fearing her injuries may heal before then, he took her to a doctor so they could be documented. His sister had been in France for two months after leaving Brazil to escape alleged domestic abuse from a former partner. The brother told CNN Brasil: 'She left Brazil for peace and she didn't have peace here. 'It's been very difficult for us, for everyone, for the family, because we want justice.' He explained she had travelled to Paris to attend his wedding and hoped to begin a new chapter in her life. The footage of her attack has been widely shared throughout France and beyond, prompting renewed conversation about women's safety in the country. It has seen other women speak out to share their own experiences of sexual assault on public transport in the country. In fact, two other women have since told Le Parisien they have been attacked by the same man. Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously said it remains available to offer consular support to Brazilian citizens living in France. It was the theme song for his iconic appearance in the 1977 hit The Spy Who Loved Me. And it appears that younger Brits do in fact believe that Nobody Does it Better than Roger Moore among the pantheon of great actors who have played James Bond. The legendary actor, who played the suave spy on seven occasions between 1973 to 1985, is the most loved by those aged between 18 to 28. Twenty-two per cent of Gen Z viewers say he is their favourite action character of all time - while 19 per cent ranked Sean Connery as their favourite, with a mere three per cent opting for the most recent 007 Daniel Craig. Tough-talking Connery's 21-year stint as Bond until 1983, where he featured in seven films including From Russia with Love and Goldfinger, has seen the Scot garner enormous popularity with older audiences instead. Of those aged 55 and above, 34 per cent described the late star as their all-time favourite action hero. And 25 per cent of viewers between 29 to 54 ranked him as such, a study of TV viewers by the Freeview channel Great Action showed. it appears that younger Brits do in fact believe that Nobody Does it Better than Roger Moore among the pantheon of great actors who have played James Bond Meanwhile, 19 per cent ranked Sean Connery as their favourite, with a mere three per cent opting for Daniel Craig Daniel Craig, despite being the face of James Bond since 2006, appears to have hardly impressed younger audiences. The Skyfall star is five times more likely to be ranked as favourite action character by those over 55 than with Gen Z - yet just 11 per cent of 29 to 43-year-olds agreed. Craig made his fifth and final appearance as Bond in No Time To Die, in 2021. But four years later the new 007 is yet to be announced, as rumours continue to swirl over the identity of the next incumbent. Spider-Man star Tom Holland was reportedly ruled out last week, while big names including Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson have been touted. The franchise's 26th film is scheduled to go into production next April at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire. Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders, will be tasked with writing the storyline, and director Denis Villeneuve is said to be set on casting an unknown Brit as Bond. The 57-year-old director has been trusted to find the ideal actor to lead the franchise forward. Daniel Craig, despite being the face of James Bond since 2006, appears to have hardly impressed younger audiences He will focus on the task after he completes production on Dune: Part Three, according to Deadline, which reports that the filmmaker is seeking a 'fresh face' for the role. It's also emerged that the next Bond will be male and British, as written by creator Ian Fleming. However, the new Bond will not be announced until 2026, despite years of comment and speculation about the franchise's future. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Taron Egerton rubbished suggestions that he could play Bond, insisting that he was too 'messy' for the role. The 35-year-old actor has been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as 007 - but Egerton claimed there are 'so many cool, younger actors' who would be better suited to the role. Asked about the possibility of playing Bond, he told Collider: 'I don't think I'm a good choice for it. I think I'm too messy for that. 'I think I'm not - I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig's tenure. 'But I think I wouldn't be good at it, and I think there's so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.' NATO member Lithuania closed its capital airport late on Saturday and shut both crossings on the border with Belarus after helium weather balloons drifted into the Baltic country's territory for a second consecutive day. Traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended until 2 am local time while the Belarus border will remain shut until the same time, Lithuanian officials said. European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and other air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region. The Vilnius airport also closed on Tuesday and Friday of this week and on October 5, each time due to balloons entering the capital's airspace, authorities have said. Lithuania has said balloons are sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes, but it also blames Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the practice. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Friday said the country's National Security Commission will meet next week to assess the situation. The airport closure comes after NATO jets were scrambled on Thursday after two Russian military planes were briefly spotted in Lithuanian airspace. The aircraft, an Su-fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were in the airspace for 18 seconds, with Spanish jets from NATO's Baltic division scrambled in response, according to the Lithuanian military. Vilnius Airport closed on Saturday night after helium weather balloons drifted into Lithuanian territory for a second consecutive day In this undated photo released by the State Border Guard Service, an officer inspects a balloon used to carry cigarettes into Lithuania, because Belarussian smugglers often use them to ferry the contraband into the European Union The Russian planes were possibly conducting a refuelling exercise over the city of Kaliningrad before they flew 700 metres into Lithuanian territory, according to local media. The country's Ministry of National Defence said in a statement: 'Our forces acted quickly with NATO jets on patrol. 'Lithuania remains strong and ready. Every inch of our country is protected.' President Gitanas Nauseda condemned the incident, stating: 'This is a cruel violation of international law and the territorial sovereignty of Lithuania, and we have to react to this.' Earlier this month, the Lithuanian government told its citizens to start preparing bomb shelters as fears grow that the Baltic nation could be dragged into war with Russia. The country, which borders Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad enclave, has been urging its residents to prepare for more than a year. Its location is seen as a potential danger, given that Belarus is a close ally of Putin, and both countries conduct joint Zapad military drills. This year, the government said: 'There are currently 6,453 bomb shelters in Lithuania that can accommodate approximately 1.5 million people, or about 54 percent of the country's population.' In the country's capital, Vilnius, the basements of many buildings have been turned into shelters. 'People wanted to feel safe, to know that they could protect themselves in the event of bombing and war, for at least a few days,' said Vidas Magnavicius, a building manager. 'We agreed that we had to prepare for the worst.' The warnings come as Vladimir Putin threatens swift retaliation against Europe, insisting Moscow will respond if provoked. Police are investigating whether a car was deliberately crashed with a family inside, leading to the death of a three-year-old boy. The young boy was inside the white Mazda 323 with his 24-year-old father, 22-year-old mother and one-year-old sibling when the car veered off Burnside Road at Yatala, in south-east Queensland, at 5am on Saturday. The father left the scene with the one-year-old, while a bystander helped the mother and three-year-old boy out of the vehicle and took them to Beenleigh Police Station. The boy was unresponsive on arrival at the police station and officers urgently performed CPR, however he died in the foyer. The father and one-year-old were found at a Beenleigh address. The father was taken into custody and charged with a related offence and will front court on Monday. Queensland Police are investigating the possibility the crash was deliberate and if the couple had been arguing in the lead-up to the incident, the Courier Mail reported. Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Mooney said police were looking into any possible domestic violence links. The father and mother had been separated for about 12 months. An investigation has been launched into whether a father deliberately crashed a car with his family inside, leading to the death of his three-year-old boy 'There is currently a temporary protection order in place that police took out in June 2024 and that order is still current. The female was the aggrieved,' Supt Mooney said. 'Further enquiries and investigations are continuing into any other serious crimes that may be alleged, and trying to work out exactly what caused the three-year-old's death. 'My understanding is the toddler was unresponsive upon arrival (at the police station). He was in a bad medical way prior to arrival at the police station and as soon as he arrived, police immediately commenced CPR. 'The mother had called Triple 0 prior to her arrival. The three-year-old has sustained a head injury which has caused his death, I understand.' The one-year-old remained in hospital on Saturday, but was not believed to have been injured. His parents were medically discharged before his father was taken into custody. Supt Mooney said the mother and the two children had been living on the Gold Coast, while the father was living at Beenleigh. He said the mother had driven to a property on Coral Street in Beenleigh where an associate of the father lived. The white Mazda left at about 4.50am before it crashed ten minutes later. The bystander who witnessed the crash had been driving behind the Mazda and drove the mother and her three-year-old boy to the police station at her request. A woman claiming to be the three-year-old boy's great-grandmother shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook. 'RIP MY DARLING GREAT-GRANDSON,' it read. Health Minister Tim Nicholls shared his condolences following the crash. 'I simply want to reinforce our heartfelt sympathies to those associated with the families who were involved in this morning's terrible incidents, and my thanks to the first responders for the terrific and often unheralded work that they do that has a terrible impact on them and their loved ones as well,' he said. President Donald Trump said he is raising tariffs on Canada by 10 percent after a World Series ad featured Ronald Reagan slamming tariffs in a 1987 speech. Trump had already terminated all trade negotiations with Canada on Thursday over the ad from Ontario, which was seen by millions of Americans on channels such as Fox News, Fox Sports, NBC, CBS, CNBC, ESPN, ABC and local affiliates. 'Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagan's Speech on Tariffs,' Trump wrote Saturday afternoon on Truth Social. 'Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.' There is currently a 35 percent tariff on Canadian goods sold in the US that are not exempted under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Steel and aluminum are tariffed at 50 percent. Trump also reiterated his theory that the Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, ran the ad to illegally sway the opinions of the Supreme Court, which will decide next month if the Trump administration has the legal authority to implement sweeping global tariffs without the input of Congress. The 60-second ad pulled from a radio address made by Reagan as he explained why he was placing tariffs on Japanese electronics. The substance of his remarks appear to be unaltered. 'Let's take Ronald Reagan's words and let's blast it to the American people,' Ford said upon launching the campaign. 'We're going to repeat that message to every Republican district there is right across the entire country.' In the ad, Reagan explains how tariffs can appear to beneficial to Americans at first, but argued the short term gains do not last. President Donald Trump said he is raising tariffs on Canada by 10 percent, putting a wrench into Prime Minister Mark Carney's ongoing plans to renegotiate more favorable trade terms with the United States Trump made the move after the government of Ontario, Canada's largest province, ran a TV ad on American airwaves that used snippets from a 1987 speech from Ronald Reagan where he slammed tariffs 'When someone says, "Let's impose tariffs on foreign imports," it looks like they're doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs,' Reagan said. 'And sometimes for a short while it works, but only for a short time. But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American, worker and consumer.' Reagan then claimed: 'High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens. Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs.' On Thursday, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute said the 40th president was taken out of context but offered no further explanation. 'The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks,' the institute wrote on X. The institute added that it was 'reviewing its legal options in this matter' before linking people to Reagan's full address. After conservative outrage spread online, Ontario, Canada's largest province, said it would pull the ad starting Monday. That means it will still air Saturday night during Game 2 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trump did not give any further information about the 10 percent tariff hike. It is not clear if it is effective immediately Ontario Premier Doug Ford pulled the ad, but will leave it to run over the weekend, meaning it will play during Game 2 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers 'They could have pulled it tonight,' Trump told reporters at the White House as prepared to leave for his trip to Asia. 'Well, that's dirty play,' he added. 'But I can play dirtier than they can, you know.' Ford said on social media that he pulled the ad after speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has been trying to negotiate with Trump on trade for months. The two men are members of opposing parties. 'Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses,' Ford said. 'We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels.' For now, the vast majority of trade between the US and Canada remains protected by the USMCA. But the agreement has to be renegotiated in July 2026, and Trump has already called for a revision that would favor US industries. A livid mother has accused the NHS of 'prejudice' after her eight-year-old son was refused treatment for a speech defect because he is at private school. She said the Government's 'envy politics' were creating a climate of discrimination against private school families. The mother-of-four, 50, from near Horsham, West Sussex, said she 'had steam coming out of my ears' when she found her youngest child's 'routine' referral was refused by their local hospital because of where he went to school. 'We live in West Sussex, have a West Sussex GP and as far as I'm concerned our children's local West Sussex independent school is a mainstream school,' she said. 'It is grossly unfair and prejudicial not to treat him just because he goes to a private school. 'There is an assumption that because we are paying independent school fees, we can afford to pay for everything. 'What is the point of paying taxes, national insurance and everything else if we can't access the services that we are supposed to be paying towards?' Her case is another example of prejudice towards private pupils in the NHS uncovered by The Mail on Sunday this year. We exposed how another eight-year-old boy was refused treatment for a debilitating joint condition by Kingston Hospital in south-west London because he went to private school. Horsham Hospital has been accused of refusing to treat a child's speech problem because he goes to private school A mother in Somerset revealed her autistic daughter was refused access to NHS mental health services after she was told 'if you can afford private school fees, you can afford to pay privately'. We also told of young cancer patients at an Edinburgh hospital being refused tutoring unless they paid an 'extortionate' fee because they went to a private school. The West Sussex mother visited her local GP a month ago because her son's speech defect, which causes a lisp and difficulty forming some letters, had not improved by his eighth birthday. 'I wanted to know if he needed medical intervention because two of my older children had been tongue-tied at birth and had procedures to correct it,' she said. 'My son might only be eight but I didn't want him to get older and be picked on if it wasn't resolved.' But instead of an expected appointment at the NHS-run Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service at nearby Horsham Hospital, she received a text message from her GP last week saying: 'The speech and language department have indicated they cannot accept his referral as he attends an independent school.' She said: 'I was livid. I spoke to someone at the hospital who said the service was joint-funded by West Sussex County Council and the NHS but that is no excuse for excluding someone because of where they go to school. We pay into the system. How is this fair?' The mother, who runs an equestrian business from home, said they now face paying privately for a diagnosis and treatment sessions which could cost several thousand pounds. The West Sussex mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, visited her local GP a month ago because her son's speech defect had not improved by his eighth birthday (Stock Image) The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists says speech disorders can have a long-lasting impact on children if not treated as soon as possible. The mother said she had wanted the children to be educated in the state sector, as she had been, but they went to a local private school because their education suffered during Covid. She believes parents opting for private education should be able to take the allocated state school funding for their child with them if they face such prejudice. 'There is this huge misconception about the families that use private schools, that they are all attended by very, very wealthy people. They are not,' she said. She added: 'This is a typical Labour Government, wanting to dumb everyone down. It is envy politics and it is dripping down and infecting the NHS.' The Chief Executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Siobhan Melia, was named this year as one of the highest-paid NHS bosses, on 207,000 a year. A spokesman for the NHS in Sussex said its commissioning arrangements meant it could not offer its Speech and Language Therapy service, jointly commissioned with West Sussex County Council, to children from private schools as they are not funded by the local authority. He said: 'This is similar to NHS and local authority commissioning arrangements nationally.' A county council spokesman said: 'If a parent chooses to send a child to an independent school without an Education Health and Care Plan, responsibility for meeting speech and language needs lies with the school and family. 'This is because the child is being educated outside of the maintained system.' It was the idyllic location where they enjoyed a secret courtship of five months before their relationship was broadcast to the world. And so it was little surprise when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to make Canada a more permanent home. Yet what was initially designed simply to be a secure base for the Duke and Duchess, soon became the location where they would carefully craft their exit from the Firm. In October 2019, Harry and Meghan announced they were due to take an extended break from Royal duties for some 'much-needed family time'. It was later confirmed by Kensington Palace that the pair had been spending their time away from the spotlight in Canada and, rather than celebrating with the Royal Family at Sandringham, they would be spending the festive period with Meghan's mother, Doria. But rather than being a mere hiatus, their Canadian retreat was to serve as a strategic planning base for their bombshell exit from Royal duties, later dubbed 'Megxit'. As the pair settled into Mille Fleurs - their $14million waterfront mansion set on Vancouver Island, Meghan, who was now set in the same time zone as Los Angeles, was finally free to 'resume her business activities' and wasted no time in doing so. Royal author Tom Bower explains in his book, Revenge, how upon the Royal couple's arrival in Canada, Megan was 'in constant communication' with a tactical team of supporters. In October 2019, Harry and Meghan announced they were due to take an extended break from Royal duties The pair spent time in their $14million waterfront mansion, Mille Fleurs, on Vancouver Island These included 'Andrew Meyer, her business manager, Rick Genow, her lawyer, and Keleigh Thomas Morgan and others at Sunshine Sachs', a public relations company that had formed a close relationship with Meghan since her acting career. But most important to Meghan, Mr Bower adds, was continuing her ongoing negotiations with Netflix and Spotify, alongside re-registering Frim Fram Inc, the company behind her lifestyle blog, the Tig, which she ran for almost three years. Far from the relaxed holiday in their idyllic Canadian holiday home, the Duchess was, in reality, working avidly in a desperate attempt to plan for the Sussexes future. She re-registered Frim Fram Inc on October 22 of that year in the US state of Delaware, alongside her and Harry's new Archwell Foundation in the same state. Meanwhile, the Sussexes' long-term attorney, Richard Genow, also registered a corporation called Loving Kindness Senior Care Management Inc in Delaware. But rather than a coincidence, this was a deliberate and indeed smart business move. 'Delaware guaranteed secrecy for corporations' financial activities and accounts', Mr Bower explains. In keeping with the Duchess's business-savvy attitude, Sussex Royal, which set out the work streams of Harry and Meghan, applied for trademarks for a number of products that included sportswear, pens and 'emotional support services'. Yet, while rumours slowly began to circulate of a growing rift between the Sussexes and the remainder of the Firm, few knew of Meghan and Harry's long-term plan to eventually relocate to California. As royal author Tom Bower explains in his book, Revenge, upon the Royal couple's arrival in Canada, Megan was now 'in constant communication' with a tactical team of supporters that included her business manager, lawyer and public relations company One of Meghan's priorities was re-registering Frim Fram Inc, the company behind her successful lifestyle blog, the Tig And any eagle-eyed Royal fanatics were perhaps slightly preoccupied by Prince Andrew's notorious BBC TV Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis to discuss his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Unbeknown to the world, as Mr Bower aptly points out, 'the curtain was rising on another crisis', with the late Queen forced to quickly scramble in a desperate bid to preserve the remaining members of the Family. And so by Christmas Day 2019, cracks were beginning to show in the fairytale family that just months previously had welcomed Meghan with open arms. When the late Monarch delivered her annual festive message to the nation, there was glaringly obvious exception from the display of family images sat beside her - an early indication of the Sussexes impending exit. Since the first televised Queen's Christmas broadcast in 1957, each one had been meticulously planned, including, of course, the curation of family photographs strategically placed on the desk at her side or on tables close at hand. Their purpose, however, does not change to indicate her thoughts on things which have special meaning, and 2019 was no exception. While there had been rumblings of disagreements and unhappiness by Meghan and Harry for a while, the Queen's binding to the long-lasting royal mantra of 'never complain, never explain' meant she had no ability to speak on family matters to the public. The subtext of the Sussexes evaporation was clear, with royal expert Tina Brown claiming their image had been 'excised as skillfully as Stalin would have done to an apparatchik out of favour'. When the late Monarch delivered her annual festive message in 2019, Harry and Meghan were missing from the display of family images Although a wedding photo of Prince Harry and Meghan had been in the Queen's background the year before, in December 2019 only those in the direct line of succession made the cut. The Sussexes, alongside young Prince Archie had, Mr Bower been 'airbrushed from history'. Then came the official release of the new Royal portrait to welcome in the new decade, reflecting a 'slimmed-down' version of the Monarchy that included the first three heirs to the throne. Smiling earnestly into the camera in the regal setting was the late Queen, then Prince Charles, Prince William and the young Prince George. Crucially, there was no sign of Prince Harry or his son, Archie. And, according to Mr Bower, this was to be a deliberate choice. Aware that the future of the Monarchy could be in jepoardy, she 'took control'. 'The irritants, especially Andrew and Harry, would be removed earlier than planned', he wrote. And perhaps in an additional bid to throw people off the scent, the couple took to their now-defunct Instagram account on December 31 to share an adorable image of Prince Harry with a young Prince Archie by the water in Vancouver. It was accompanied by a message of well wishes for their followers that read: 'Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and thanking you for your continued support!' A new Royal portrait in 2020 reflected a 'slimmed-down' version of the Monarchy that included the first three heirs to the throne On January 7 2020, the Royal couple returned from their Canadian break to visit Canada House in London. The following day, they announced they were to step back from senior Royal duties Then, on January 7, the Royal couple returned from their Canadian break to visit Canada House in London and personally thank the country's High Commissioner for the hospitality they received. Rather poignantly, they left their infant son and two dogs behind. Marking their first, and what was to ultimately be one of their last, official engagements of the new decade, they sought to publicly extend their gratitude to the Commonwealth country for hosting them during such a lengthy private break over Christmas. But their time away in Canada was, it turned out, simply a flavour of what was to come - the following day, Harry and Meghan announced they were to step back from senior Royal duties. After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution, the couple posted to their Instagram page. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. They went on to declare their plans to divide their time between the UK and North America, and to focus on the next chapter, carving out a new progressive role for themselves. It turned out to be a bitter end to the short-lived love affair Britain had enjoyed with Meghan Markle, who had injected a Californian can-do attitude to the monarchy. In October 2019, Meghan did a headline-grabbing interview with ITV in South Africa where she confessed things had 'really been a struggle' The couple back in Vancouver at the Invictus Games in Fenruary this year The decision also marked the beginning of the end of Harrys once inseparable relationship with his brother Prince William. There had been rumblings about Meghan and Harry's unhappiness for a while, and after splitting their household from William's in March 2019 they had continued to express a desire to do things differently. In October that year, Meghan did a headline-grabbing interview with ITV in South Africa where she confessed things had 'really been a struggle'. Behind the scenes, there were fraught negotiations about their wish for a new, autonomous place in royal life. But few could have predicted that Canada would have become the base for such a tumultuous decision that saw the state of the Monarchy transformed forever. Their bold move to step back from Royal duties forced the Queen to summon him and her heirs, Charles and William, for a round table discussion to discuss the future of the monarchy on January 13. As the eyes of the world turned on the unprecedented event, it was grandly dubbed 'The Sandringham Summit' by the press, as a slew of media vans and satellite dishes descended on the area to cover the monumental moment. It was there that it was officially announced Harry and Meghan would be stepping down. Though there was initial speculation that the pair could be set to relocate to Canada, this was swiftly squashed as they began to set up their new lives in a sprawling Montecito mansion in California. Yet their connection to Canada has remained pivotal in the years since they departed the UK and were eventually forced to cut ties with their former Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage. Speaking earlier this year ahead of the Invictus Games set to be hosted in Vancouver and Whistler, the Prince shared how Canada 'has been really, really good to my wife over all these years and has been really good to us as well'. Outlining his deep adoration for the country, Harry even provided a more detailed insight into their lives in Canada during that brief 'hiatus' period in which they plotted their exit. It seems rather unsurprising that the country holds such poignancy for the Prince given it was where he made the landmark decision to walk away from the life he had always known. Detailing that brief period, the Prince added: 'Certainly, in 2020, it was amazing for us to be in Canada Vancouver Island with Archie and be able to go for hikes in amongst the local town and feel protected by them. 'We were there for more than six weeks before anybody found out. We were bumping into people the whole time. Nobody told anybody. I guess they told other people but there's not much media or a pap culture on Vancouver Island.' Perhaps as a direct result of their strategic planning while in Canada, the Sussexes have since carved out a life for themselves featuring Netflix shows, books, lifestyle brands and numerous other charitable projects. And though the couple bid their Canadian life farewell shortly after the bombshell Megxit announcement, it seems they will always maintain a strong connection with the country that first fostered their freedom from the Firm. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The high street is seriously impressing this season. When M&S' new collection landed last month, I was instantly obsessed. Then came John Lewis. And now, it's Boden that I can't get enough of. Loved by none other than the Princess of Wales, the brand is celebrated for its distinctive prints and flattering silhouettes - no wonder it's one of Kate's favourites. Scrolling through the 'new in' section is downright dangerous (for my bank account, at least). Let's just say I won't be revealing the grand total of my basket - my husband need never know. But some standout pieces are absolutely worth the investment. One dress I immediately snapped up was the Edwina shirt dress. The delicate floral woodblock print and charming colour palette caught my eye instantly. With its elegant midi length and tie waist, it feels very Kate-worthy. One thing to note: it does come up quite snug, so consider sizing up, especially if you like to layer a thermal underneath. This beauty is also wonderfully versatile - pair it with loafers for the office, then switch to knee-high boots for weekend plans. Another standout is the 4-in-1 hooded parka. I adore the contrast leopard print lining and clever pink detailing; it's far from your average raincoat! When it comes to knitwear, there's something for every taste: bold, cosy, neutral and glamorous. Take the cropped black number with crystal buttons and faux fur cuffs - perfect for dressing up or down. Or the oversized fuchsia roll-neck that I, for one, won't be taking off this season. Blouses are also reigning supreme - and, to my delight, lace is leading the way. As for trousers, the flared jeans in mid-blue and indigo are guaranteed to flatter any figure. I can personally vouch for Boden jeans being incredibly comfortable, and I can't wait to slip into a pair of these. And don't miss the stunning wool tartan kilt - a timeless piece with modern flair. Clothing Accessories A group of brave buyers just snapped up one of America's most haunted homes. The historic Massachusetts mansion has a longstanding reputation for housing spirits and paranormal activity. Along with a scary past, the property also came with a scary price tag. The 10 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home sold for $1 million in late September. Previously referred to as the Gardner Mansion, but more recently known as the SK Pierce Haunted Victorian Mansion, the property was under the same owners for the past 10 years. Now, just in time for spooky season, four fearless souls have taken over the haunted house. John Godino, Rob Gilman, and Rhonda Bettez and David Bettez are the buyers, and they have vowed to keep the property as a popular tourist attraction. 'Me and my partner Rob already own other properties and do business in the city, Godino told the Daily Mail. 'Rob grew up here. We're all pretty deeply connected to the area.' This historic Massachusetts mansion has a longstanding reputation for housing spirits and paranormal activity A group of four brave buyers purchased the spooky property in late September for $1 million The previous owner had restored the historic mansion and transformed it into a place for tours and visitors The SK Pierce House is located in the village center of South Gardner, on the south side of West Broadway. The house was built between 1873 and 1875 for Sylvester K. Pierce - a Westminster native who moved to Gardner and became involved in the locally-prominent chair manufacturing business. 'This nearly 7,000-square-foot Victorian masterpiece showcases the wealth, craftsmanship, and elegance that earned Gardner the title "Chair City",' the house's website says. Pierce's son converted the house into an inn, with visitors including former United States President Calvin Coolidge, artist Norman Rockwell, movie star Bette Davis, and circus legend PT Barnum. The home also served as a gathering place for the Freemasons, adding to its 'rich and storied past.' While the mansion's owners welcome guests to explore the unique architecture and history, they warn that it is not a place for those who are easily disturbed. 'The S.K. Pierce Victorian Mansion offers an intense and unforgettable experience, but it is not recommended for the faint of heart,' the website advises. 'Guests should be aware that paranormal activity is frequently reported, and the entities within the mansion have been known to interact in ways that may feel physical and unsettling.' Movie star Bette Davis (pictured) was one of the mansion's many famous visitors Artist Norman Rockwell was another icon to visit the Massachusetts mansion The haunted mansion has a rich history - including deaths and murders that some are convinced has left it with ghosts and paranormal activity The mansion was built between 1873 and 1875 for Sylvester K. Pierce The mansion is so haunted that it gained fame for its paranormal reputation, and was ranked as the second most haunted house in Massachusetts losing only to a home in bewitched Salem and ninth in the US overall. Its hauntings come from the murders and deaths that have taken place in the home, as well as the Masonic rituals that once took place within. When the Great Depression hit, the Pierce lost their family fortune and fell on hard times. The many deaths that have occurred in the mansion over the years have resulted in countless alleged sightings of floating orbs, spirits, and disembodied voices. Visitors have claimed to witness first-hand accounts of objects moving on their own and doors slamming shut. The string of deaths began soon after Pierce settled in, with his wife Susan allegedly contracting a flesh-eating bacteria that killed her quickly. Pierce married a woman 30 years younger, Ellen, and they had three children. However, years later when their parents passed away, the brothers became entangled in a bitter feud over who the rightful owner of the home was. Photographs of the mansion's original owner, SK Pierce, remain in the home Visitors have claimed to hear suspicious noises, smell awful scents, and experience sudden temperature changes The new owners plan to open the house up even more to the public and also allow overnight stays and 'investigations' The owners themselves don't intend to live in the haunted mansion, but there is a housekeeper who stays there The mansion fell into the hands of the youngest brother Edward, and tragedy struck when his two-year-old daughter, Rachel, died in the house not long after moving in. By the 1930s, Edward couldn't keep up the expensive house and transformed it into a boarding house, which welcomed unwanted activities like gambling, drug use, and prostitution. Guests claim to have seen the spirits of Pierce and his family around the mansion, and believe they are responsible for the paranormal activity that is rumored to take place in the home. Visitors claimed to have heard everything from low chanting to a house-shaking lion's roar, and say furniture will move suddenly one moment, followed by a bad smell in the air. One person even claimed that they felt as though they were being pushed down the stairs, and another described being nearly shoved out of a third-story window. Whether or not the mansion is actually haunted is up for debate, but $1 million is certainly no small amount to pay to do some ghostbusting. Godino said he purchased the house from Rob Conti, who bought it with his wife in 2015, but the couple lived far away from the property. 'From 2015 to 2022, they did a fantastic job restoring the property. Once the restoration was complete in 2022, they opened it up for tours and paranormal investigations,' Godino said. The spooky house has 10 bedrooms One visitor claimed that they felt as though they were being pushed down the stairs, and another described being nearly shoved out of a third-story window SK Pierce, the original owner of the mansion, was a Westminster native who moved to Gardner and became involved in the locally-prominent chair manufacturing business 'They ran that for about three years, but I think distance became a challenge.' The new owners will not be living in the mansion themselves. They purchased the property with the goal of making it more available to the public, while also generating enough money through tours and rental opportunities to pay their own bills as well as the staff including a housekeeper who does live in the property. 'We've already started working to make it even more accessible to the public. In addition to tours and investigations, we now offer it for events and overnight stays both public and private.' Godino says that, despite it being a for-profit business, the aim is to give back to the community. 'We've also begun working with local charities, like the Veterans Organization and Gardner's Community Action, which helps with rental assistance and clothing. We're exploring filming opportunities and collaborations with YouTubers and paranormal investigators.' He continued: 'Yes, it is a for-profit business. But it's not about charging $3,000 a night and packing the calendar. When we bought it, we worked with the caretaker, tour guides, and community members to find a fair pricing model. 'Obviously, we need to cover costs, but we didn't come in trying to maximize profit. The house means more to us than that. Our main goal is accessibility and preserving its legacy.' Acres of unused land in a quiet Pennsylvania suburb will become a massive community of 770 homes and businesses centered around a giant Whole Foods. Project and community leaders broke ground on the epicenter of the $350million Broadcast District in Wyomissing, a borough of Spring Township in Berks County this month. The new center will feature a 35,000sq ft Whole Foods, in addition to other retailers, services, and living spaces. Whole Foods said in a statement to Daily Mail: 'We look forward to serving the Wyomissing community with high-quality natural and organic products and an unparalleled grocery shopping experience.' Besides the supermarket, the project will offer food options including Nothing Bundt Cakes, Shake Shack, First Watch, Ruth Chris, and BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse. Within the 120,000sq ft shopping center, MyEyeDr and European Wax Center have signed leases. Homes will consist of 441 residential townhomes and single-family homes, and 341 apartments. The transformation of the 100 acres of farmland was described by developers at the groundbreaking as the biggest investment by the county in decades. The Broadcast District is being built in Wyomissing on this vacant plot of land Project and community leaders in Berks County broke ground on the $350million development The project is spearheaded by a partnership between Atlanta-based SJC Ventures and Washington DC-based Concordia Group The project is spearheaded by a partnership between Atlanta-based SJC Ventures and Washington DC-based Concordia Group. Devin Tuohey, co-managing partner of the Concordia Group, told the groundbreaking ceremony: 'We were told this property is the crown jewel of the township and needed a development plan that reflected its status. 'We believe that due to the collective efforts of our design team, the Broadcast District at Spring Township answered this call, and we will deliver the absolute highest quality mixed-use community in the region. 'I think we're 85 percent leased at this point, which is really good for the fact that we just broke ground. 'The idea is to create a community.' The new neighborhood will also link up to Penn State Berks (PSU) college and more than $2million will be injected into transportation in the area. Broadcast District will have 2.5 acres of open greenspace which will include a dog park and a one-mile walking trail around the entire development. Tuohey added: 'We're putting in a bunch of new infrastructure and safe pedestrian crossways from the PSU campus to our community. Devin Tuohey, co-managing partner of the Concordia Group said 85 percent of the project has been leased More than $2million will be invested in the area to improve transportation Penn State Berks Chancellor, Radha Pyati, said: 'Our campus community is thrilled that this retail development and housing will be built right across from us' 'Our community is going to include a significant number of pedestrian trails, and our goal is to connect our trail system to PSU and then eventually through the PSU Berks campus to Gring's Mill (recreation area).' Penn State Berks Chancellor, Radha Pyati, said: 'Our campus community is thrilled that this retail development and housing will be built right across from us.' She backed the new community, saying it would be a great place for alumni, students, and faculty to enjoy its amenities for years to come. George Stuck, the supervisor of Spring Township, emphasized to Berk Weekly how this influx of new businesses will benefit his town without having to sway established companies to leave their existing area. Stuck told the outlet: 'These are stores and restaurants that are brand new to this area. Theyre not relocating from other parts of Berks County - theyre being added to the community. That means new opportunities, new jobs, and new reasons for people to visit Spring Township.' The announcement received a mixed reaction from commenters online. While several loved the idea of new stores, others felt the field should have been left as it was. One user wrote: 'Yes!!! Its about time for something exciting!! LOVE IT.' However, others disagreed with one writing: 'This is a horrible waste! Any job there would be low-paying! All I see in the future are empty buildings and parking lots!! Few in the area can afford these places!' Construction is expected to begin next year. A rendering of what the Whole Foods will look like Construction is due to start on the first quarter of 2026. The Whole Foods will be built first, with the rest of the housing scheduled for completion in fall 2027. Daily Mail reached out to the Concordia Group and SJC Ventures for further comment. It has to be one of the most terrifying fabled creatures in British history. The dreaded Shug Monkey, about eight feet tall, is a huge hybrid monster said to haunt the rural lanes of Cambridgeshire. It allegedly has the body of a jet-black dog and the face of a primate, with blazing red eyes and long flattened 'claws' like human fingernails. Sometimes the demonic animal is reported to walk upright on its hind legs, while other times it's seen running on all fours. And some locals believe catching a glimpse of the dark figure is an omen of death. Now, experts finally reveal the truth behind the legendary beast, which sits alongside Loch Ness and Black Shuck in Great British folklore. Robin Dunbar, evolutionary psychologist at the University of Oxford, said such apparitions 'are by no means uncommon'. 'Strange visions are common on dark nights, perhaps a little worse for wear from a pleasant evening in the pub, he told the Daily Mail. Said to haunt Cambridgeshire, the Shug Monkey has blazing red eyes and long flattened 'claws' that are shaped like human fingernails Shug Monkey reportedly haunts Slough Hill Lane which leads from the village of West Wratting to nearby Balsham in Cambridgeshire The Shug Monkey is supposed to haunt Slough Hill Lane, which leads from the village of West Wratting to nearby Balsham, just southeast of Cambridge. Reported sightings in the area go back more than a century, according to folklore expert Daniel Codd, who studies history and the paranormal in Britain. In his 2010 book 'Mysterious Cambridgeshire', he describes the Shug Monkey as 'a 'large, rough-coated animal with big, blazing bright eyes'. He writes: 'Children would avoid the place after dark in the early 1900s, but quite what this shaggy-haired monstrosity's exact status was is unclear. 'It does not appear to have been thought of as an animal such as a Yeti-type creature, or even an escaped primate.' Dr David Waldron, a historian and anthropologist at Federation University in Australia, said 'shug' comes from the Old English 'scucca' meaning devil. And folklore surrounding the beast is often linked with the shape-changing devil dog legends of that region, like the Black Shuck. 'Shug Monkey is quite often tied into lonely lanes, thresholds, and for travellers, operating as a warning figure or omen bringing tales of misfortune,' he told the Daily Mail. Most visions of the half monkey, half dog are likely triggered by the odd shapes along the road, coupled with poor lighting conditions at night (stock image) Sometimes the demonic animal is reported to walk upright on its hind legs, while other times it's seen running on all fours The legend of the Shug Monkey The Shug Monkey is a Cambridgeshire folklore legend dating back at least 100 years. It is believed to have the body of a black dog and the face of a monkey with demonic eyes, usually described as red in colour. In 1954, local writer and broadcaster James Wentworth Day first related stories of the Shug Monkey in 'Here Are Ghosts and Witches'. A local Police Constable A. Taylor, who had heard the stories of the creature in his youth, described it to Wentworth Day as 'a cross between a big rough-coated dog and a monkey with big shining eyes'. Advertisement However, most visions of the half monkey, half dog are likely triggered by the odd shapes along the road, coupled with poor lighting conditions at night. 'Hedgerows, gates, and moving shadows jump into animal forms,' Dr Waldron said. Alternatively, people could be seeing a dog, a fox, or a deer, while mist and car headlights create 'halos and glare that enlarge heads and eyes'. As for the demonic red eyes, larger animals in Britain have a reflective layer behind their retinas that may make their eyes glow red. According to Dr Waldron, there is 'no definitive evidence' that the Shug Monkey exists in physical form, although it certainly exists 'as a living tradition'. 'England is also a difficult environment for a large animal like that to exist undetected,' he said. 'The name is what turns fear on a lane into a story others can share (and, sometimes, relive) and it connects people to heritage, the landscape and tradition.' Tim Coulson, a professor of zoology at Oxford University, said he grew up a few miles from the area where the Shug Monkey is supposedly sighted. 'I sadly never encountered the Shug Monkey, but this is no great surprise as I am confident it does not exist,' Professor Coulson told the Daily Mail. Shug Monkey sits alongside Loch Ness and Black Shuck in British folklore history. Pictured, the famous 'surgeon's photograph' of Loch Ness Black Shuck a huge black dog with 'hellish' red eyes that haunts East Anglia. In English folklore, visions of dogs are considered by some as an omen of death 'Once a story like this starts, people often claim to have seen it. 'They have likely caught a fleeting glimpse of a fox or badger or deer and then convince themselves they saw the mythical Shug Monkey.' Dr Brian Sharpless, clinical psychologist and author of 'Monsters on the Couch', called descriptions of the Shug Monkey 'fascinating'. But alleged witnesses of the beast may be experiencing 'pareidolia' the tendency of the human mind to see things from everyday visual stimuli. 'Our brains tend to construct meaning out of chaos,' Dr Sharpless told the Daily Mail. 'Pareidolia is more likely to occur in low light conditions and in stressful, scary environments. 'Therefore, our brains might be creating hairy monsters out of far more mundane objects like trees, shadows, or red deer.' Dr Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist and lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, thinks the mystery of 'cryptids' animals whose existence is disputed is 'self-perpetuating'. Some of the most famous cryptids worldwide are Loch Ness, Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman. 'Reports over time are likely to be the result of 'expectant attention' people seeing what they expect to see,' Dr Gilchrist told the Daily Mail. 'Once a myth or story of something exotic takes hold, people want to see 'the monster' and are predisposed to see or interpret things that their mind then fits to the search image for "the monster". 'If it is any creature known to science, there would have to be a breeding population of them for individuals to be spotted over a hundred year period.' Scientists have issued renewed calls for Daylight Saving Time (DST) to be ditched amid fears it fuels a rise in cancer and potentially deadly traffic accidents. In the early hours of tomorrow morning the clocks will jump back an hour, giving everyone a bit longer in bed. But rather than celebrate having a liein, experts have warned it could have a slew of unexpected consequences and say it should be 'absolutely' be abolished. The practice was first introduced in 1916 in a bid to improve workforce productivity by making the most of daylight hours in the summer months. It means the clocks go forward by one hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March, and back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October. The argument is that as the days get longer, shifting our schedules forward gives people more sunlight hours during their working day. However, mounting evidence highlights the negative effects of the biannual shift. Losing an hour of sleep when the clocks move forward can result in the whole population feeling more tired than usual. In the early hours of tomorrow morning the clocks will jump back an hour, giving everyone a bit longer in bed (stock image) Some studies have suggested that the risk of fatal traffic accidents increases by around six per cent following the spring daylight savings time transition. There is also evidence of an increased risk of cardiovascular events, increased risk of suicidal behaviours and increased mortality in the days after switching our clocks. Meanwhile, our bodies rely on bright morning sun to keep our body clocks aligned with the normal 24hour solar cycle. There is a growing although somewhat contested body of evidence that a mismatch between the sun and our bodies can have severe longterm health impacts. Studies have shown that those living in the West of a time zone where the mismatch between the sun time and our body clocks is greatest have higher risks of leukaemia, stomach cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. Since this mismatch is very similar to those experienced when the clocks go forward, some scientists say daylight savings might be having a similar impact. Dr Jeffrey Kelu is a researcher at King's College London who specialises in circadian rhythms, cycles of around 24 hours that help govern bodily functions like the sleepwake cycle. He said evidence shows keeping to one time zone throughout the year would be better for our health. Top scientists have called for an end to Daylight Saving Time (DST), amid fears it fuels a rise in cancer, traffic accidents and suicide Why do we change the clocks at all? You might think theres a scientific reason, linked to the positioning of the sun. However, the clock change is actually a practice that began during World War I. In the spring of 1916, the German army turned their clocks forward to conserve energy, by making better use of daylight. Shortly afterwards, many other countries including the UK followed suit, in an effort to aid the war effort by saving energy resources. However, the benefits of the clock change have been an ongoing debate in the 109 years since it was introduced. Campaigners believe we should return to permanent British Summer Time to increase the time available in the evenings, while opponents claim this would create social disadvantages for people living further north. Advertisement Light exposure helps regulate our biological and metabolic processes, so changes in the amount of light we are exposed to can disrupt cycles within the body. A reduction of light exposure in the autumn can also lead to a potential vitamin D deficiency, which can trigger mental health problems. Dr Kelu said: 'Given people see less light after work (when the clocks go back), this really has an impact on mood, especially for people with mood disorders.' He said switching to one time zone would ensure maximum light exposure in the mornings and prevent our sleep from being delayed by lighter evenings. Molecular biologist Dr John O'Neill said that because circadian rhythms are not exact 24hour cycles, people can cope with slight delays to their cycle without any major consequences. However, he said changes can still be disruptive and may be linked to an increase in road traffic accidents and heart attacks when the clocks change. Dr O'Neill said Daylight Saving Time should 'absolutely' be abolished, adding: 'It's completely ridiculous that we're still living with this anachronism.' Dr Megan Crawford sits on the executive team at the British Sleep Society, which has called for the twiceyearly clock change to be abolished and replaced by Standard Time (equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time). She said the impact of poor sleep goes beyond disrupting our physical health and biological processes. Dr Crawford said: 'Sleep and mental health are incredibly interlinked. Poor sleep predicts a development of things like depression and anxiety, so it has an impact on our mental health too.' According to new analysis by The Electric Car Scheme, certain hours experience dramatic increases in crash rates immediately following the changing of the clocks. The study examined crash data from the Department for Transport between January 2019 and December 2024, comparing the week before and after the clocks change. Tuesday at 2am sees the highest increase in road crashes, they found, with a 300 per cent spike in accidents. Meanwhile the hour after midnight on Sunday immediately after the clocks go back shows the second highest risk with 186 per cent more crashes. Dr Thomas Upton, Clinical Research Fellow in Automated Sampling at the University of Bristol, said: 'Evidence is growing that daylight savings may be harmful to health. 'The effect of changing the clocks is a sudden change in sleep patterns. Our biological rhythms of hormones, including the hormone cortisol, keep anticipating the 'old' time and therefore get out of sync. There is also evidence of an increased risk of cardiovascular events, increased risk of suicidal behaviours and increased mortality in the days after switching our clocks (stock image) 'There is evidence that this might contribute to worsening health including depression and even heart attacks.' While many will be looking forward to getting an extra hour in bed Melanie de Lange, research associate at the University of Bristol, said it's unlikely you'll be able to fully take advantage. 'We analysed sleep data from activity monitors worn by 11,800 UK Biobank participants over the Spring and Autumn clock changes in 20132015,' she said. 'We found that people slept around an hour less on the Sunday of the Spring clock change than the previous and subsequent Sundays. 'However, they did not or could not take advantage of the full extra hour of sleep in Autumn. In fact, they only slept for just over half an hour more than surrounding Sundays. 'This is probably because people continue to be woken up by their internal body clock, or by children or pets who don't realise or care that the clocks have changed.' The interstellar object traveling through our solar system has just made its most startling move yet, appearing to reverse thrust as it disappeared behind our sun. It's the latest in a growing list of puzzling clues that some scientists have claimed prove that the object dubbed 3I/ATLAS is not just an ordinary comet from a distant solar system. Harvard physicist Avi Loeb has been among the leading voices maintaining that there is enough evidence to say 3I/ATLAS has shown signs of being guided by an unknown intelligence. The next clue could emerge soon, as researchers rush to figure out what happened when the object reached its closest point to the sun on October 29. Loeb told the Daily Mail that if 3I/ATLAS comes out of this blind spot in a completely different place than gravity was taking it, or does not break up like a normal comet, it would be a sign the object was artificial and likely powered by some kind of engine. Initial scans have found that 3I/ATLAS brightened at a rate about seven times faster than typical comets reaching the sun. Even more puzzling, the comet now appears distinctly bluer, a reversal from its previously reddish hue. Most astronomers have been reluctant to consider the possibility of an extraterrestrial origin, noting that the space rock has shown the classic signs of being a comet, including having a tail and a coma, a large cloud of gas and dust surrounding it. 3I/ATLAS (pictured) exhibits unique features, including an anti-tail, extreme color changes, an extremely unusual course, and a massive coma In August, the Two-Meter Twin Telescope in the Canary Islands captured an image showing a faint jet extending roughly 3.7 miles from the object's nucleus, pointing toward the sun Previous studies throughout the summer have concluded that 3I/ATLAS's strange chemical makeup, rich in carbon dioxide gas, is merely a result of forming in a solar system completely foreign to our own. However, Loeb contends that those in the scientific community who have dismissed the more extraordinary possibilities are more concerned with being right and avoiding criticism than alerting the public to a potentially world-changing event. 'Here we are talking about a potential for something that could affect humanity in the future in a dramatic way, and so you shouldn't apply the same approach of being as conservative as possible,' Loeb explained. 'I don't want to be their therapist, but they're trying to obviously protect their reputation, not take risks, and also pretend that they know the answer in advance,' he added. Daily Mail reached out to several scientists who have been studying the alleged comet, but did not receive a response to our request to comment on the latest findings. A study in August detected an unusual nickel plume from the object. Unlike natural comets, which always emit nickel alongside iron, 3I/ATLAS showed the metallic element without any detectable iron. The new study, published by astrophysicists in Chile, found that 3I/ATLAS is shedding nickel at roughly five grams per second and cyanide at 20 grams per second, with both rising sharply as the object moves closer to the sun. Researchers noted that the mechanisms driving these emissions are not typical of natural cometary processes. Color-enhanced images shared by multiple social media users revealed a strange green glow around 3I/ATLAS Harvard Professor Avi Loeb (pictured) has maintained that there are too many unusual clues that suggest 3I/ATLAS is not a natural comet to ignore Scans of 3I/ATLAS, released the same month, suggested it is likely an unusual comet that's much smaller than it previously appeared and is unexpectedly releasing loads of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The large amount of CO2 pouring out, about 940 trillion molecules per second, was a major finding, suggesting 3I/ATLAS formed in a star system that doesn't look anything like ours, where comets are much different than the ones we see orbiting our sun. Based on all the light coming from 3I/ATLAS, scientists originally suspected the object was more than 12 miles in diameter/ However, NASA's most powerful telescopes have cut that estimate down to 1.7 miles. The comet seemed larger because over 99 percent of the light observed came from a large, bright cloud of dust and gas surrounding it, called a coma. 3I/ATLAS is currently about 298 million miles from Earth. Not only is the interstellar object much smaller, but a new study by NASA's SPHEREx telescope discovered that 3I/ATLAS is releasing a large amount of CO2 and is covered in water ice. This month, NASA's Perseverance rover on the Martian surface sent back photos of the object, showing what appears to be a massive cylindrical shape. Stargazers on social media shared color-enhanced images of the object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, which showed the interstellar visitor having a green glow as it passed Mars and heads closer to the sun. Loeb analyzed the Perseverance rover's photos by calculating its distance, speed, and camera settings. According to his initial study, Loeb was not convinced that 3I/ATLAS is actually a massive cylindrical object, noting that the strange shape might have been a trick of the rover's camera stretching out its shape. NASA's James Webb Telescope spotted the interstellar visitor in August and the June spacecraft is scheduled to observe it in 2026 He explained that the apparent cylinder from the rover's 'Navcam' was likely caused by the camera stacking hundreds of images of 3I/ATLAS over a period of about 10 minutes, making it look more like a log than a ball. The professor added that 3I/ATLAS is likely smaller and rounder, but still massive, with a potential diameter of more than 28 miles across. More than five studies, with dozens of researchers involved, have concluded that the object is just a unique, natural comet, which many other scientists have been echoing for months. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer and astrophysicist working at the HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics, previously claimed: 'It is clearly a natural comet; suggestions to the contrary are laughed at by people who are actual comet experts.' UCLA research David Jewitt recently agreed with the comet theory, publishing a paper that explained the object's shifting tail as it moved behind the sun as normal cometary behavior. An international team of researchers also concluded that the increasing dust activity around 3I/ATLAS, its changing color, and apparent lack of a tail were due to our perspective from Earth at the time of the scans, not the comet acting strangely. First spotted on July 1, 3I/ATLAS is just the third recorded object to travel through our solar system from another point in the Milky Way galaxy. The other two, Oumuamua in 2017 and the comet Borisov in 2019, were nowhere near the size and mass of 3I/ATLAS, which Loeb has calculated to be at least 3.1 miles long and 33 billion tons. Loeb explained that the object's size is yet another clue that it may not be a comet, as there isn't enough rocky material in interstellar space to have created such a structure naturally. 'It's bigger than the asteroid that killed a dinosaur 66 million years ago, and such objects are extremely rare. It would have been on the order of 10 million times more massive than Oumuamua and 10,000 times more massive than Borisov,' Loeb revealed. However, the scientist said his first clue that something wasn't adding up with 3I/ATLAS was the sheer brightness of the object while it was still far away from our planet and the sun. The supposed comet's backward 'anti-tail,' its strange course taking it close to three planets, and its unique chemical combination of nickel and carbon dioxide have all contributed to a growing belief that 3I/ATLAS is not a floating space rock. Loeb noted that one oddity would be explainable, but he calculated that there were no fewer than eight anomalies with this space rock. The scientist calculated that the odds of these strange occurrences happening at the same time were one in 10,000,000,000,000,000 (that's 10quadrillion). Despite not being projected to collide with the planet, NASA took the extraordinary step of adding 3I/ATLAS to the list of threats tracked by a United Nations-endorsed group focused on planetary defense against near-Earth objects. The decision has helped to mobilize all of the world's telescopes to observe the interstellar visitor, with 227 observatories already tracking it. Loeb noted that 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19 and NASA is planning to take even more detailed readings of the object as it approaches the Juno spacecraft near Jupiter on March 16, 2026. 'We should not miss an opportunity, because this is a gift from interstellar space,' the Harvard professor explained. Loeb concluded by saying the arrival of 3I/ATLAS and the recent visit of Oumuamua just eight years ago cannot be dismissed as random events in the cosmos. 'What nature is trying to tell us is that we don't understand something.' Elizabeth Hurley was pictured at a party in October 1996 with 'friend' Ghislaine Maxwell in a post on Thursday night, on social media. The image, shared as a Throwback Thursday item on Instagram by TV presenter and producer Sean Borg, shows Hurley at a birthday party with her close friend and one-time flatmate Julia Verdin - and convicted child sex offender Maxwell. Hurley, at the time, was at the height of her fame, following the 1995 premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral which she attended in the famous Versace 'safety pin' dress, with boyfriend Hugh Grant. Together: Actress Elizabeth Hurley (second right) at a party in October 1996 with 'friend' Ghislaine Maxwell (second left) By 1996, Ghislaine Maxwell was in a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and Borg says that she was present at the party, along with a number of other celebrities including model Naomi Campbell. There was a time when she ran in the same social circles as Maxwell and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019. Maxwell, daughter of Daily Mirror tycoon Robert, knew actress and film producer Julia Verdin from the mid-1980s onwards and was one of her best friends. And Verdin and Hurley shared a house in LA from 1992 to 1995. A source said: 'Ghislaine was part of Elizabeth's life for years.' Borg writes in a caption under the post that he and Verdin flew into New York for a James Bond-themed birthday party hosted by art gallerist and socialite Tim Jefferies and businessman (and socialite) Robert Hanson. Good causes: Elizabeth Hurley is known for her charity work He said: 'Julia stayed at Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein's townhouse I wasn't invited. Makes sense now! 'I checked in at The Pierre Hotel, up the street, where Robert (Hanson) had his pied-a-terre, and where the party was held. 'The night gleamed like a movie. Pop! Swish! Swigs! Uh uh! Champagne! Sequins. 'Supermodels everywhere Robert's current squeeze Brenda Schad, Naomi Campbell, Lisa B. Perfectly cast glamour every pose on point. 'At the height of her fame, Elizabeth Hurley mingled with us all night. I was obsessed with her beauty. As we posed for pictures, she asked, "Sean does my hair look alright?" I laughed, "Darling, are you kidding?! You are perfection". 'In one photo Julia Verdin, Ghislaine Maxwell, Elizabeth Hurley, and me all part of the same crew. I remember the giggles and jokes... too naughty to post. 'Julia and Elizabeth had been friends for years - and so had Julia and Ghislaine. 'Epstein was just another guest - arrogant but nothing suspicious. Ghislaine was charming, funny, all smiles, wearing her trademark rollneck flecked with gold. Who knew what the future held?' He went on: 'Looking back, the smiles don't read the same. I have pictures of Epstein, but they're tucked away with the photos from my party-era archives when Julia and I led the social scene. 'Jeffrey was often lukewarm toward me which makes sense now, considering I knew nearly every showbiz journalist from here to Timbuktu. And I was never invited to the island, nor in his little black book... thank goodness.' In December 2021, Maxwell was convicted by a jury in U.S. federal court on five sex-trafficking-related counts. She is due to be released in 2037. Virginia Giuffre, who said that she was trafficked to Prince Andrew by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001, died by suicide this April. Her posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl, has just been published. Recently unearthed emails, show Prince Andrew allegedly continuing friendly contact with Epstein after he claimed to have cut all ties, have led to him agreeing to stop using his titles. Des tripoux, de laligot et des farcous, sil vous plait. Confused? 'Bundles of sheep tripe, cheesy mashed potatoes and small fritters' arent quite what most expect when heading to the south of France. But there's a corner of the world, where it might be precisely what youre ordering - and is certainly miles off a croissant, baguette with Brie and coffee. Rest assured, though, despite being surprisingly delicious, this unique dish is not the only thing the Aveyron has to offer. This green spot in the French countryside is often passed over for more Instagrammable holiday spots such as Nice and Cannes. True, it doesnt have the same coast lines, luxury beach clubs and celebrity status. Yet it makes up for what it lacks in unparalleled scenery, hiking trails, imposing medieval castles and quality food - at great prices. It also stands out as having the highest number of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages in France) with a total of 11. First and foremost, the Aveyron is known for its abundance of castles and chocolate box villages - including Estaing Despite being surprisingly delicious, the food is not the only thing the Aveyron has to offer Stationed in the tiny town of Belcastel right in the heart of the Aveyron, a department in southern France not far from Toulouse, I worked as an intern for several months. I got the opportunity to explore the surrounding area and learn for myself the best way to get around - and it's really pretty simple. You can fly to Rodez - the regions biggest city - and explore from there. Flights from London Stansted start from just 24.99. Youll also need a car - thats almost essential here. Once youve hired one or driven yours over, its super easy to get around. You might even find the journeys themselves to be a part of the charm. First and foremost, the Aveyron is known for its abundance of castles and chocolate box villages - many of which you can visit. Conques, with its fairytale roots, is unmissable. In the 1992 Disney cartoon Beauty and the Beast, Belles hometown, the fictional village of Villeneuve looks a lot like Conques. In the 2017 film version, the production designer took the inspiration for the village directly from Conques. Each tiny house in the town could quite literally be Belles own. This green spot in the French countryside is often passed over for more Instagrammable holiday spots such as Nice and Cannes If you want to discover ancient castles, Id wager nowhere in France is better than this The Golinhac to Conques hike, around 21km, will take you through small towns including Les Albusquies, Campagnac, Le Soulie, Espeyrac, Senergues, Fontromieu and La Vernhe. Estaing and Espalion (between which there is a 12.6km hike) and Najac are great options to explore, too. And the Three Waterfalls Loop is a circular trail that covers 8.2 km, taking approximately two to three hours to complete with an elevation gain of 245 metres. Its based near Salles-la-Source in the Aveyron. Whether or not hiking is your thing, if you want to discover ancient castles, Id wager nowhere in France is better than this. In Belcastel, the oldest part of the Chateau de Belcastel dates back to the 9th century. Plus, the town is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Vieux Pont. If youre willing to head just outside of the Aveyron to the northern Lot region in Occitania, you might just stumble upon the quietest holiday spot Ive ever visited. Unlike in many other parts of France, youd be hard-pressed to find a soul here who can speak a word of English. Loubressac, a tiny village of lanes and pale medieval stone buildings, is so quiet you can stroll around almost uninterrupted. It also stands out as having the highest number of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages in France) with a total of 11 Stationed in the tiny town of Belcastel right in the heart of the Aveyron, a department in southern France not far from Toulouse, I worked as an intern for several months Like the image of a 20th-century French town from a film depicting rural life, its views of the countryside will make you want to hike for miles. Or, if youre anything like me, you might prefer to prop yourself up in a great spot with a book. Id recommend Restaurant La Table 354 or Bar Salon Le 1799. LAtelier has cheap - and typically French - breakfast, food and drinks options too. With 3.50 (3) beers and 8.50 (7.40) cheese boards, what more could you need to accompany your French countryside stay? But if you'd rather stay well within the Aveyron region itself, there's certainly no shortage of peaceful towns to explore. Sauveterre-de-Rouergue's streets date back to 1281, so it's like walking back in time if you stroll through the town. It's also known for its artisans and artistic roots. And, perhaps one of the most typical Aveyronnais villages, Villeneuve retains - like much of this region - its quaint yet quiet medieval charm. Pitching up at a beach bar often little more than a shack with a shelf of spirits to toast the sunset on some far-flung isle has long been a holiday rite of passage. But in 2025, such an experience can come with a chaser of fear particularly if you're a parent waving off a teenage adventurer on their gap year, as reports of bootleg alcohol laced with deadly methanol have become increasingly common. This week, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s list of countries reporting incidents of methanol poisoning doubled. No longer limited to backpacker trail destinations, it now includes mainstream holiday hotspots including Japan, Mexico, Kenya and Peru, suggesting criminals using methanol to masquerade as everyday spirits to make a quick buck is firmly on the rise. Other popular tourist destinations already on the list include Turkey, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Fiji. Closer-to-home European city break destinations not mentioned by the FCDO but that have reported cases of toxic, tainted alcohol in the last 15 years makes for unsettling reading, with the Czech Republic, Estonia and Norway all included. What is methanol? Essentially, it's an industrial alcohol, made from distilled wood and used in highly toxic products such as fuel, antifreeze and paint thinners. It's colourless, often has a disarming faint odour of alcohol and can make you feel drunk. Tourists who down a shot of methanol-laced vodka are unlikely to realise they've played Russian roulette with their lives until hours, sometimes days, later. As high profile cases in the last year alone show, small amounts can be lethal. A typical single shot of spirits measures at 25ml; just 30ml around a mouthful of liquid of methanol can cause death, with 10ml often leaving those who ingest it blind. Methanol-laced spirits are on the rise in the world's tourist hotspots, with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s list of countries reporting incidents of methanol poisoning doubling from eight to 16 (Pictured: stock image) High profile cases, including the death of British women Simone White, 28, one of six travellers who died following a night of drinking methanol-tainted shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng, Lao, have shone a spotlight on the dangers of bootleg booze Counterfeit bottles, often indistinguishable from genuine local spirit brands to unknowing tourists, are being sold on the black market to bar owners at a cut-price rate. Bootleg distilleries, where alcohol is often home-made and more likely to be without the processes to clear out toxins, is another way methanol is reaching glasses. This month, three people died in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 225 people falling ill after drinking spirits also illegally tainted with methanol - the FCDO is yet to add the country to its list. In November 2024, British woman Simone White, 28, was one of six people tragically killed in the central Laos beauty spot-turned-party town of Vang Vieng after tourists many young, independent travellers consumed what they believed were innocuous vodka shots, served with Sprite, at the Nana Backpackers Hostel's bar. Another British man, Calum Macdonald, 23, who drank vodka and whisky shots at the same bar the night before Simone was there, has been left permanently blind. Speaking in August this year about the moment he realised his sight had gone, he said he was struck by a 'kaleidoscopic, blinding light in my eyes' after disembarking an overnight bus to Hanoi in Vietnam before everything went dark. When Macdonald questioned his friends later about why the lights at their hotel weren't on, he was chillingly told: 'They are'. Toxicology reports later found that those who died and fell seriously ill had all ingested methanol. The UK government has added Japan to its list of destinations that have reported incidents of methanol poisoning (Pictured: Kyoto's Pontocho alley district) London solicitor Ms White, 28, died after unknowingly consuming bootleg alcohol; her friend Bethany Clarke, who also fell seriously ill, now campaigns in her friend's memory to educate holidaymakers about the risks of methanol Full list of countries with methanol poisoning warnings Ecuador* Kenya* Japan* Mexico* Nigeria* Peru* Uganda* Russia* Cambodia Indonesia Turkey Costa Rica Thailand Vietnam Laos Fiji *countries with new warnings Advertisement Two Australians, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, two Danes, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and James Louis Hutson, 57, from the US also lost their lives alongside Simone White. The inclusion of Japan, currently one of the world's trendiest destinations, drawing in everyone from globe-trotting students to middle-class retirees and also a key destination for business travellers, on the FCDO's list is particularly surprising. Japan's drinking culture, from the shimmering skyscraper bars in Tokyo to the cocktail lounges and izakayas (traditional pubs) in Kyoto's historic Pontocho Alley, is no secret but reports of methanol poisoning have largely been unheard of until recently. The arrival of illicit alcohol on the streets of Japan, which is currently welcoming around 40 million global tourists a year, suggests dangerous alcohol is trickling into venues that aren't simply backpacker 'happy hour' haunts. While there's no suggestion that alcohol served behind the bars in licensed all-inclusive holiday resorts or on cruise liners is likely to be laced with methanol, seeking out 'authentic', local drinking holes away from your hotel or while docked in a port is likely to put you at greater risk of being served toxic liquor. Simone White's close friend, Bethany Clarke, who also fell seriously ill on that fateful night in Vang Vieng, says the FCDO updating its advisory list on methanol poisoning is a drop in the ocean and more tourists will die unless governments invest in greater awareness. Clarke, who, like Simone, is from Orpington in south-east London, now fronts the Methanol Awareness Campaign in memory of her friend, and says too many tourists still don't appreciate the dangers of drinking in unlicensed bars when they're abroad. Speaking to the Daily Mail this week, she says people should educate themselves on the harm that just one spirit-based cocktail or shot can bring if they're buying it in a country where the drinks industry is poorly regulated. She says: 'People need to treat consuming alcohol abroad [with the same risk] as doing drugs abroad you just wouldnt. If you did take drugs abroad, you'd know you were taking a gamble with your life. Bethany Clarke (left), pictured with her late Simone White (right). The pair both grew up in Orpington in south-east London and were on holiday together in Laos when tragedy struck; Clarke says other tourists will die unless governments invest in better awareness Calum Mcdonald, 23, (pictured) was also poisoned after drinking free whisky and vodka shots at the hostel in Vang Vieng last year. He revealed earlier this year that he is now permanently blind 'Its unfortunate that governments around the world have not educated their citizens enough about methanol poisoning to prevent these types of incidents.' The campaigner, who had spent the day tubing down a river with her friend in Vang Vieng ahead of the night that changed their lives forever, says she's been contacted by other Britons who fear they've been poisoned while abroad and, worryingly, in destinations that we flock to in our millions every year. One British lady, she claims, contacted her recently to say that her daughter had been poisoned after consuming a single shot in a bar in Magaluf, Mallorca's party town. Clarke says: 'Spain is so close to home and it is clear that young people are still not aware of the risk of methanol poisoning - or it wouldnt still be happening. 'Its disappointing that Brazil wasnt added to the [FCDO] list too, following the recent outbreak affecting 225 people and killing three.' Checking for intact seals on branded bottles of spirits and avoiding 'buckets or bowls' of cocktails where the ingredients often aren't poured at the bar is wise, say experts. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST METHANOL POISONING Check for intact seals on branded bottles of spirits Avoid 'buckets or bowls' of cocktails where ingredients aren't poured at the bar Question drinks that are unusually cheap, or free Stick to sealed cans or bottles of beer Never accept homebrew drinks Opt for bars with clear licensing information displayed on the wall Advertisement Drinks that are unusually cheap, or free, is another red flag. And never accept 'moonshine' drinks that have been made locally by amateur distillers opt for bars with clear licensing information displayed on the wall. The FCDO's campaign, 'Know the Signs of Methanol Poisoning', advises tourists and backpackers to seek help immediately if they think they've been served a drink laced with it. The advice suggests 'spotting methanol poisoning can be difficult because at first it can affect you in the same ways as real alcohol' but says early symptoms include 'vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness'. The onset of more serious symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma and convulsions, can occur later, between 12 to 48 hours after methanol has been consumed. There is an antidote, a drug called Fomepizole often used under its brand name, Antizol, which works by stopping the body from breaking down methanol into its most toxic form. However, it's expensive and, says Clarke, not every country has readily available supplies of it. She points out that the outbreak in Sao Paulo this month saw the Brazilian government forced to hastily seek out supplies of Fomepizole to save lives. She says: 'Governments around the world need to do more to prevent future outbreaks and ensure that the antidote fomepizole is available in every country in the world. Brazil had to get it very last minute recently.' Professor Alastair Hay, an expert in environmental toxicology at the University of Leeds, told the Daily Mail last year that using real alcohol (ethanol) as a treatment can also help in stopping methanol being processed by the liver, where it can cause major organ failure. 'The principle behind administering ethanol is quite simple; it delays methanol metabolism,' he said. He explained that both substances are broken down by the organ in the same way, but as alcohol is done so more efficiently it is prioritised by the body. Professor Hay said this preference for alcohol gives the body time to get rid of methanol in other ways that don't result in organ damage, such as via urination and sweat. In more mild cases, and if delivered quickly enough, alcohol may be the only treatment a patient requires to recover. 'If the poisoning is not too severe, and only blood tests will determine this, ethanol alone may suffice, Professor Hay said. Clarke, who is currently based in Brisbane, says the Australian Government has been more proactive in raising awareness about methanol and the campaigns are working. She says: 'Australia are so proactive with their Sip Safe campaign and the Partying Safely hub, and they also have posters and signage in airports and have been sending SMS messages. 'This is really what we need to make people question what it is that they are putting inside their bodies. I havent heard of any further cases of Australians being poisoned since Laos last year.' This week, the UK Minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, Hamish Falconer, said in a statement on the FCDO website: 'Were working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urging anyone who suspects methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. 'I encourage all travellers to check our travel advice and Travel Aware pages before they go on holiday. No family should endure what the campaigners families have suffered. 'Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.' Spain is widely known as the go-to destination for Brits seeking a break from the everyday hustle. Its no wonder, with the combination of sunny weather, sandy beaches and fresh Mediterranean fare, especially seafood. Similarly, families often flock to the south of France for its scenic beauty and laid-back pace, offering a delightful mix of local food, charming markets, and fine wine. But nestled in the heart of France is a small town that, although surrounded by French territory, is actually part of Spain. Llivia, just a stones throw from the Spanish border, is entirely encircled by France. This unique situation dates back to the Treaty of the Pyrenees, signed in 1659 between Spain and France to end the lengthy Franco-Spanish war. As part of the agreement, 33 Spanish villages were ceded to France, but Llivia, despite being surrounded, was excluded from the transfer. This was because the treaty only applied to villages, and Llivia, being classified as a town, was left untouched. Llivia, just a stones throw from the Spanish border, is entirely encircled by France Today, Llivia remains part of Spain, even though it sits squarely within French borders. To reach the town from Spain, visitors take the narrow N-154 road, which winds through French territory for a mere two miles before entering the Spanish town of Puigcerda. Tensions arose along this stretch of road in the 1970s when France put up stop signs, requiring Spanish drivers to yield to French traffic. Spanish residents, frustrated by the imposition, would regularly tear down the signs, leading to the construction of a new bridge to resolve the issue. Today, the road sees regular traffic from both Spain and France, made easy by the Schengen Areas open borders. Llivia is home to around 1,400 people and draws tourists, particularly during the ski season. At an altitude of 1,200 metres, the town is surrounded by majestic mountains, offering a picturesque backdrop to its historic sites. Among the must-see spots is the Esteve Pharmacy, now a museum and said to be one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, as The Sun reports. Visitors can also explore the Our Lady of the Angels church and the Bernat de So tower. For those simply wishing to wander, the towns stone houses and wooden balconies evoke the charm of a ski resort. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly choices like Hotel Llivia, with rooms under 60 per night, to the more upscale Set Terres - La Villa de Llivia, a four-star hotel with seven rooms starting at 83. The easiest way way to get to the village is to drive from Barcelona,, which takes around two hours, as there are limited nearby airports. Llivia isnt the only fascinating destination where Brits can enjoy the Mediterranean climate and cultures. There is even one which boasts 1.85 beers and most locals speak English. Malta's capital city, Valletta, is known for its sun as well as fabulous architecture, great food and impressive prices. It also has ties to the British royal family, too, as the late Queen Elizabeth II lived just outside the city in the early years of her marriage to Prince Philip during his time in the navy, before she took the throne. For those simply wishing to wander, the towns stone houses and wooden balconies evoke the charm of a ski resort But the walled city dates back even further. It was established in the 1500s on a peninsula by the Knights of St. John, a Roman Catholic order. The historic significance of Valletta has not gone unnoticed - indeed, the whole city is listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. Valletta was given the accolade of best city in the world at the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025. And it's an affordable place to consider for your next holiday. Halloween is just around the corner, and Netflix might have dropped its scariest addition yet that horror fans have hailed as the 'best film of the year'. I Know What You Did Last Summer, which launched in cinemas earlier this year, has already been uploaded to the streaming service in time for the spooky holiday. Currently available to stream in the US, the movie is based on the 1997 film of the same name, and takes place 27 years after the original film. The original saw a group of high school teens trying to cover up a horrifying hit-and-run case, before they begin receiving anonymous letters threatening to expose their dark secret - which dragged them into the bloody path of a mysterious killer. The new film follows the same premise, with the teenagers stalked by a mysterious killer, and forced to seek help from the two survivors of the original local massacre. This time, it stars Madelyn Cline as Danica Richards, Chase Sui Wonders as Ava Brucks, Jonah Hauer-King as Milo Griffin and Tyriq Withers as Teddy Spencer. Netflix have added I Know What You Did Last Summer, which fans hailed as the 'best film of the year' The new film follows the same premise as the 1997 original, with a group of teenagers stalked by a mysterious killer after agreeing to keep a terrifying secret While Freddie Prinze Jr and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprise their roles as familiar franchise characters Ray and Julie, Sarah Michelle Gellar - who played Helen Shivers in the original, appears in a cameo role. The spine-chilling trailer shows the group being attacked and killed one by one by a masked man, who shoots them with a fishing harpoon and maims them with a large fishing hook. The synopsis teases: 'When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. 'A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they're forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer... and is hell-bent on revenge. 'As one by one the friends are stalked by a killer, they discover this has happened before, and they turn to two survivors of the legendary Southport Massacre of 1997 for help.' While the gory scenes are certain to frighten viewers this halloween, horror fans have admitted they are delighted it's been uploaded for the holiday. Taking to X, one penned: 'I cant believe Im saying this but this is the best legacy sequel/requel so far. It takes big swings and has fun doing it.'' 'Netflix just made my weekend perfect,' a second added, while a third praised: 'I loved this movie, for me this is the best movie of the year.' The spine-chilling trailer shows the group being attacked and killed one by one by a masked man, who shoots them with a fishing harpoon and maims them with a large fishing hook While the gory scenes are certain to frighten viewers this halloween, horror fans have admitted they are delighted it's been uploaded for the holiday It comes after Netflix fans admitted they were left 'so scared they had to leave the room' after tuning in to the streaming platform's terrifying new documentary that 'redefines horror'. Taking a deep dive into real-life supernatural occurrences, True Haunting, from Saw and The Conjuring director James Wan, is based on stories from contributors who claim to have experienced hauntings. The first three of the five episodes, in a story titled Eerie Halls, recreates the story of former student Chirs Di Cesare who was haunted by a spirit with a deep connection to his past. It takes viewers back to 1980s New York, when Chris made friends with Jeff Ungar, who lived down the hall and always wore a camera around his neck. It's not long before Chris starts hearing someone whispering his name while out on the school's campus, and when he finally catches glimpses of the paranormal entity, he asks Jeff for help capturing it. The second story, spread across two episodes and titled This House Murdered Me, tells the story of a family terrorised by supernatural entities while trying to upgrade their run-down Victorian home. They are forced to enlist the help of paranormal investigators and demon-hunting specialists to help them deal with the ghosts. Suffice to say the dramatisations of the two stories have left viewers 'terrified'. I Know What You Did Last Summer is available to stream on Netflix. Eight years ago, Cirencesters most famous siblings, Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, became the toast of the TV world. But although This Country, the mockumentary sitcom in which they played cousins Kerry and Kurtan, won several BAFTAs, it was famously born out of desperation, scripted while they shared a mattress and a cleaning job. They were at rock bottom then; Daisy dealing with the humiliation of returning home after studying at RADA, Charlie having dropped out of university. They were not only on their uppers financially, but trying to support their parents, who had been evicted from their home. They pulled each other through and This Country, which also starred their dad Paul and uncle Trevor, lifted the whole familys fortunes. In the years since, Daisy and Charlie have gone on to have successful (separate) careers and now have families of their own, with five children between them, but their sibling rivalry is as strong as ever. We argue over whose turn it is to have Mum babysitting, Charlie says. Eight years ago, Cirencesters most famous siblings, Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, became the toast of the TV world Daisy shot to fame as Kerry Mucklowe in This Country back in 2017, alongside her brother Charlie Daisy and brother Charlie have reunited for a new TV project that sees them share a bedroom again They still live near each other in Gloucestershire, but readily admit theyve drifted apart to a degree because of their busy lives. Also because, I suspect, Daisy a woman with ADHD and a history of depression and addiction must be quite difficult to be around, however much she makes you hoot. Now theyve been reunited for a new TV project that sees them share a bedroom again. Called NightWatch, its a bit like Springwatch but with fewer lambs and more ghosts. The premise is that the pair, who are both fascinated by the supernatural, spend the night in haunted buildings. What qualifies them for the ghost gig? Well, a childhood filled with terror. Our parents let us watch whatever we wanted, says Charlie, 36. Which meant the entire collection of horror films the video shop had. Their mum used to drag them off to see mediums (mostly to try to talk to their aunt Alison, who had died in a car accident), and there was also a much-used Ouija board at home. Wed want to play Operation, the board game, and shed say, No, why dont you get the Ouija board out? says Daisy, 39. Called NightWatch, its a bit like Springwatch but with fewer lambs and more ghosts. The premise is that the pair, who are both fascinated by the supernatural, spend the night in haunted buildings Their mum used to drag them off to see mediums (mostly to try to talk to their aunt Alison, who had died in a car accident), and there was also a much-used Ouija board at home NightWatch might be the funniest supernatural show since Rentaghost, not because they encounter many ghosts (they dont, although they do claim to have found out that they can communicate telepathically) but because if you put these two in the same room, youre going to get some laughs and the humour can be very dark. Quite how chalk-and-cheese they are is apparent in the first episode as they arrive for their night at Gloucester Prison. High-maintenance Daisy brings pink cushions, lashings of fake tan, a selection of crystals and a cuddly unicorn. Charlie carries little more than a change of underwear and a toothbrush. It sums us up, he says. She needs all this stuff, its a reflection of whats going on in her head. Im more frugal. Or it could be that Ive got a personality and you dont? suggests Daisy mischievously. Was there sibling bonding during filming? There really was. I think after the success of This Country we were pulled apart, Charlie says. We probably needed a break from each other, because it was quite intense working together as well as being siblings. There was never a falling out, adds Daisy, but we stopped hanging out together. But doing this actually made me see that hes actually a pretty good brother. NightWatch might be the funniest supernatural show since Rentaghost, not because they encounter many ghosts (they dont, although they do claim to have found out that they can communicate telepathically) but because if you put these two in the same room, youre going to get some laughs and the humour can be very dark There was never a falling out, adds Daisy, but we stopped hanging out together. But doing this actually made me see that hes actually a pretty good brother The show is made by the team behind Mortimer And Whitehouse: Gone Fishing and is, at heart, more about the sibling relationship than ghosts. How to sum up that relationship? Blimey, its complicated. While theres a powerful bond, theyre fighting like cat and dog even as we kick off our Zoom interview. Theyre at Charlies house with their mum Gillian, but Daisy says this is not a regular occurrence. Youve never invited me over for Sunday lunch, she moans. We have you and the kids all the time and you never tidy up after yourselves. Charlie hits back, saying he likes Daisys partner Ant and adores her children, but Daisy is so critical. I make you a coffee and its not hot enough. Its too bitter. Its in a weird mug. Everything is scrutinised. And I know youre quite happy to do it to my face, but youre also happy to do it behind my back on the way home. Daisy smirks. Guess who else loves talking about you behind your back? Mum! Before she came here she said, I bet the house is cold and they havent got the fire on. Charlie can give as good as he gets and reminds her that if it hadnt been for our family, youd be in prison. Then there was the time you crushed up sleeping tablets and put them in Mum and Dads tea so you could meet a boy, says Charlie. Pardon? Daisy nods at this one too For what? Fraud? Forgery maybe, he says. She was always thieving. Didnt she steal from you, Mum? Daisy confesses that she did, when she was 17. Then there was the time you crushed up sleeping tablets and put them in Mum and Dads tea so you could meet a boy, says Charlie. Pardon? Daisy nods at this one too. I did, actually. I had this boyfriend who worked late in a Chinese restaurant and Mum and Dad would never go to sleep so from 8pm Id start poisoning their tea. Thats quite dark. She says the new show helped them reappraise their childhood. She idolised their father Paul, who has since appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox with her, but now she chides herself for it. Paul was a frustrated performer who, Daisy claims, let them think hed written the song Tambourine Man. Now I look back, his stories about how EMI had wanted to sign him were rubbish, she says. Maybe we needed to develop a sense of humour to deal with the toxic parenting. Our dad was a closet narcissist. When she and her brother got famous, Daisy went off the rails. Her marriage fell apart, and she went to rehab for alcohol addiction. She says shes incapable of dealing with money and cant be trusted with adult responsibility. Theres a recklessness about Daisy, says Charlie. Watching her is like watching an alien dropped on Earth and trying to function. Shes so talented but also a complete headcase. If we were on the Titanic, Daisy would be waving the shotgun at the women and children on the lifeboat, saying, Get out. This is mine! Whereas Id be on the deck playing the violin to calm people down. Daisy fixes him with a look. And guess whod still be alive. Daisy May & Charlie Coopers NightWatch, Sunday, 9:30pm, BBC2. ITV have aired the first teaser trailer ahead of the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! It's almost that time of year again when a selection of the nation's favourite celebrities head to the Australian jungle for a testing time in camp surrounded by spiders and snakes. And on Saturday the first trailer for the new series aired as it was revealed there is just three weeks to go until it returns to screens, suggesting the first episode will be November 16. Playing on the words of the classic Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, the trailer showed a festive scene complete with stockings and Christmas cards. The narrator then began: 'Twas the night in October, and all through the house creatures were stirring, and I don't mean a mouse'. A giant spider was seen crawling across the scene before the show's iconic theme tune music began. I'm A Celeb has aired its first teaser trailer as the countdown to the series begins just days after ITV announced a new change to the jungle inspired by Love Island It's almost that time of year when a selection of the nation's favourite celebrities head to the jungle surrounded by spiders and snakes (pictured hosts Ant and Dec) The new trailer comes just days after ITV announced a new change to the show inspired by Love Island.. Fans of the series will now be able to watch a teaser trailer ahead of each night's show - similar to Love Island's online clips. The usual Bushtucker Trial video will air as usual in the morning, with the new video being shown across social media later that day. ITV bosses have also unveiled a major rebrand to the show - the first in almost 20 years. A source said: 'We know how popular the Love Island first look clip is so we wanted to offer something similar for fans of Love Island.' They continued to The Sun: 'Camp life can be both dramatic and hilarious and the new Im A Celebrity first look clip will tease some of those moments ahead of the show airing that night.' Daily Mail contacted ITV for comment. Elsewhere, Christine McGuinness risked the wrath of ITV bosses after exclusively confirming to Daily Mail that she will appear in the upcoming of I'm A Celeb line-up - just weeks after quitting Celebs Go Dating. Playing on the words of the classic Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, the trailer showed a festive scene complete with stockings and Christmas cards It is three weeks until the new series begins, suggesting the launch episode will be November 16 Earlier this week Christine McGuinness risked the wrath of ITV bosses after exclusively confirming to Daily Mail that she will appear in the upcoming of I'm A Celeb line-up Despite strict secrecy around the star-studded campmates the TV personality, 37, said she'd finally signed up for the show after years of being asked in a 'f*** it' moment as she embraces a new chapter following her split from husband Paddy, 52. Christine let the cat out of the bag at Monday's Pride of Britain Awards and hinted that due to her fear of heights she may be a latecomer into camp in order to avoid the launch show's iconic parachute jump. She said: 'In the past I am never away from my children, I'd be frightened of the creepy crawlies. 'I have sensory issues I have never been outside Europe so flying over there would be quite a challenge, but I've got a bit of "f*** it". 'Trying to get over to the jungle might be a bit of a mission, but this year is the year I have been most like "f*** it" why not'. Christine, who was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD in 2020, said that her children, who are also autistic, were now older and used to her being away from home and as the family still lived together, Paddy would be there for them in her absence. Joined by podcast host Will Njobvu on the red carpet, the stunner went on to discuss other rumoured campmates including Kelly Brook, 45, before grinning and hinting fans would find out about her own involvement in a 'few weeks'. Her pal was left stunned after she appeared to well and truly confirmed her appearance, snapping: 'What did you just say?! You're not even allowed to say that! Christine!'. JoBeth Williams continues to dazzle decades after conquering the big screen as one of the most magnetic leading ladies of the 1980s. The star, now 76, has been turning heads once again as she graces Hollywood's biggest red carpets most recently stealing the show at the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The Houston-born actress began her career humbly, hosting the childrens show Jabberwocky before breaking into daytime television with roles on Somerset and Guiding Light. But her true breakout came in 1979s Kramer vs. Kramer, where she played Dustin Hoffmans free-spirited girlfriend unforgettable for the scene where Hoffmans young son catches her strolling naked to the bathroom. From there, Williams embodied the quintessential 80s woman smart, relatable, and undeniably sexy with her unforgettable turns in Poltergeist and The Big Chill, cementing her status as one of Hollywoods ultimate screen sirens. And shes still got it. JoBeth Williams continues to dazzle decades after conquering the big screen as one of the most magnetic leading ladies of the 1980s Williams became famous for her unforgettable turns in Poltergeist At the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Williams proved that age is no barrier to star power. Draped in a jaw-dropping black gown with sheer panels, she owned the red carpet with the confidence and glamour that made her an icon. Beyond her iconic 80s roles, JoBeth Williams has proven shes much more than a screen siren shes a Hollywood force. After cutting her teeth on soap operas like Somerset and Guiding Light, she made audiences take notice in 1982s The Day After, the harrowing TV movie about nuclear war. Her raw, emotional performance showed she could tackle serious drama with the same intensity that made her horror and comedy roles unforgettable. Of course, it was Poltergeist that cemented her legend. As Diane Freeling, the devoted yet daring suburban mom facing terrifying supernatural forces, Williams blended maternal warmth with fearless sensuality. She returned for Poltergeist II: The Other Side, proving that she could carry a franchise. The Houston-born actress began her career humbly, hosting the childrens show Jabberwocky before breaking into daytime television with roles on Somerset and Guiding Light As Diane Freeling in Poltergeist, the devoted yet daring suburban mom facing terrifying supernatural forces, Williams blended maternal warmth with fearless sensuality From there, Williams embodied the quintessential 80s woman smart, relatable, and undeniably sexy with her unforgettable turns in Poltergeist and The Big Chill, cementing her status as one of Hollywoods ultimate screen sirens She returned for Poltergeist II: The Other Side, proving that she could carry a franchise in 2022, Williams looked back on the movie and the famous midnight marijuana scene, where she and Cragi t nelson smoke pot after the kids have gone to bed. 'Craig was a comedy writer at one time. In fact, I think he did stand-up too in his early days,' she told Vanity Fair . 'But he's very funny, and so Tobe and Steven would just let us run with things. Craig got into that whole thing, doing that with his stomach, which of course had me in genuine hysterics, and I think we really began to feel like we were stoned after a while. 'We weren't, by the way.' Around the same time as Poltergeist became a hit, she wowed audiences in The Big Chill, holding her own alongside an all-star ensemble including Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, and William Hurt. Williams didnt just shine in front of the camera she mastered life behind it too. In the late 90s and early 2000s, she directed episodes of shows like Judging Amy, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Crossing Jordan, earning respect in an industry still dominated by men. The star, now 76, has been turning heads once again as she graces Hollywood's biggest red carpets most recently stealing the show at the 2025 Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Draped in a jaw-dropping black gown with sheer panels, she owned the red carpet with the confidence and glamour that made her an icon Her personal life has been equally grounded. Married to actor-producer John Pasquin, Williams has balanced Hollywood fame with family life, all while maintaining a low-profile, authentic presence. Even now, at 76, Williams proves that true Hollywood glamour only gets better with age. Her red carpet appearance at the SAG Awards in a sheer black gown reminded the world why shes still unforgettable smart, sexy, and utterly magnetic. For people under 40, becoming a grandparent is a milestone that sits on a distant horizon. Not so for Brisbane radio star Matty Acton. Matty made headlines last year when he revealed that he had become a grandfather at the tender age of 37. His stepson Ethan, 23, and wife Maddy welcomed their first child, Illyria Fay Acton, into the world in October. Matty has been married to wife Esther, 41, for 12 years and she welcomed Ethan into the world three years before they met. Speaking to Daily Mail, Matty said that while the ensuing 12 months had provided a lot of 'chaos' he wouldn't change a thing. Radio star Matty Acton made headlines last year when he revealed that he had become a grandfather at the tender age of 37 His stepson Ethan, 23, and wife Maddy welcomed their first child, Illyria Fay Acton, into the world in October 'Mate, it's been amazing,' he said. 'But it's been a wild ride, to be honest. 'I remember the phone call when our eldest son rang me to say that he was going to propose and that at the time I was like, "But what is life? What's happening now?" 'They got married, and then to find out that they were having a baby was just incredible.' He said he felt lucky to have ticked off the grandparent milestone before 40. 'It's really cool,' he said. 'It's a stage of life that we're not meant to be in for probably another 15 or 20 years, but we're lucky, too, that we're doing it so young, I think.' Matty added that all of the hoopla he had heard about becoming a grandparent had turned out to be completely true. 'She's just turned one and it's been the best, honestly,' he said. 'People tell you: "Oh, when you become a grandparent, it's the best thing ever, you know, you love them, just like your own kids." And it's true, it's one of the most amazing experiences. 'And the best part is, you get all the good bits and then you go: "Here is your baby, over to you now."' Speaking to Daily Mail, Matty said that while the ensuing 12 months had provided a lot of 'chaos' he wouldn't change a thing Matty has been married to wife Esther, 41, for 12 years and she welcomed Ethan into the world three years before they met Matty said that hadn't always been the case, with Ethan, Maddy and Illyria living under the same roof as he and Esther and their two younger children Xander and Eden. He said that the young family has since branched out on their own, but regularly return home to give Matty and Esther more of that wonderful chaos. 'Yaunty and Yuncle the kids call themselves because young aunty and young uncle,' he said. 'And Ethan and Maddy are over a couple of times a week, they pick up the kids and take them out and stuff like that. So, you know, the house is always pretty chaotic.' A fertile source of chaos in the busy Acton household has always been dinner time, particularly with three children, a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter at the table. To that end, Matty recently teamed up with meal kit delivery service EveryPlate which offers easy-to-follow four-step recipes, with many able to be whipped up in 20 minutes. For Matty it's the perfect mealtime hack to cope with the chaos. 'Tonight, actually, is family dinner night at our house. So, my son and his wife come with the baby, and we're all under one roof eating dinner,' he said. Matty and Esther are pictured with children Xander and Eden Earlier this year, he launched a podcast with wife Esther called Underage Grandparents , which details the ins and outs of becoming nan and pop before 40 'The EveryPlate under 20 minutes challenge, has just been perfect because it's like, you start to cook dinner, and you know you've got people coming and you go: "Oh my, they're going to be here any minute." 'You can't just put a roast into the oven and be, like, oh yeah, that will be ready because people are sitting around for an hour starving. It's so great that you can throw something on and it's done in under 20 minutes and feeds everybody. Matty added that his EveryPlate meal hack has also given many the impression that he is a whiz in the kitchen. 'My wife is a fantastic cook and I'm an okay cook,' he said. 'So the fact that EveryPlate is basic and it has everything, I can get lots of praise for what I've cooked and I don't even have to worry about doing too much. But using EveryPlate isn't the only dinnertime hack Matty has picked up, with the radio star revealing an important tool in his belt was 'gaslighting'. 'The biggest thing is getting people to agree on what to eat. So one of the things I like to do, especially with the children, is not tell them what they're having for dinner,' he said. 'I'll quite often say: "Hey, remember, you said you wanted blah, blah, blah? We're having it tonight for dinner." Then they'll say: "I never said that," and I'll say: "We talked about it last week," so it's definitely gaslighting.' He's also dipped his toe into the world of children's literature with the hilariously titled book Bumble the Bumstinger which he penned with his B105 breakfast co-stars Stav Davidson and Abby Coleman 'And you know everything's chicken if the kids ask.' In the midst of the 'chaos' of his home life and busy working schedule, Matty has also found time to add a few more projects to the list. Earlier this year, he launched a podcast with wife Esther called Underage Grandparents which details the ins and outs of becoming nan and pop before 40, providing what Matty describes as 'an outlet of decompression' for the couple. He's also dipped his toe into the world of children's literature with the hilariously titled book Bumble the Bumstinger which he penned with his B105 breakfast co-stars Stav Davidson and Abby Coleman. With the book hitting shelves this week, could the trio's side hustle turn into a main gig? 'I know what you're saying, Bluey should watch his back,' Matty laughed. 'We did it to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation, so, if it's wildly popular, maybe there'll be a second book. 'But our main thing was, we just wanted to write a really great kids book, for families, and hopefully raise a large amount of money to make a wish for some kids to put smiles on their faces.' When Tupac Shakur pulled up to the Manhattan recording studios, he was uneasy. Something felt off. His friend and rival Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie Smalls, was inside with his manager Sean 'Diddy' Combs, but the men in army fatigues stationed outside unsettled him. Still, he was about to make $7,000, recording some lyrics for an up-and-coming rapper. Tupac pressed on. Little did he know that crossing the threshold would ignite one of the most consequential fuses in music history. But the true story of that infamous night has never accurately been told, until now. Author Jeff Pearlman, published this week a comprehensive account of the New York-born hip hop legend's life and death. Entitled Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, the book charts the rap legend's rise from abject poverty in the Bronx and Baltimore to his big break in California, and his struggles with his crack-addicted Black Panther mother. Pearlman also delves into the November 1994 night at Quad Studios, just off Times Square, which sparked the bitter East Coast-West Coast rivalry that would ultimately claim the lives of both Tupac and Biggie, plus dozens of associates. Tupac would be fatally shot two years later at the age of 25, leaving a Las Vegas concert in September 1996. His murder remains unsolved. Biggie, aka the Notorious B.I.G., would die less than a year later. No one has been convicted in his slaying either. And while Tupac claimed he was shot five times in that New York City studio in 1994, Pearlman reveals that the rapper mistakenly shot himself - firing a bullet into his own groin, wounding his testicle. When Tupac Shakur pulled up to the Manhattan recording studios, he was uneasy. Something felt off His friend and rival Christopher Wallace, known as Biggie Smalls, was inside with his manager Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, but the men in army fatigues stationed outside unsettled him 'He shot himself,' said EMT Ron Johnson, who was called to the scene. 'There's no doubt about it. The way he explained it all happening, from the distance he described, there would have been powder burns everywhere. He told me he was shot. He told me how it happened. But the way the bullet wound up in his leg, the way it went through his balls, the angle it took - he was clearly reaching for his piece.' As with much of the rapper's life and death, fact has for years been hard to separate from fiction. What's known is that Tupac and three friends arrived at the legendary studios around midnight on the instructions of James Rosemond, a music manager and record executive known as 'Jimmy Henchman'. Tupac described, in subsequent interviews, feeling uncertain about the atmosphere in the studios, and surprised by the presence of the camo-clad guards. He had no bodyguards at that point, but did carry a Glock pistol in the waistband of his jeans. On entering the building, Tupac was greeted by a rapper he knew who shouted hello from the balcony, Pearlman writes, and went to get the elevator up to the eighth floor studios. But before the elevator doors opened, the unsmiling men in tactical clothing pulled out 9mm guns and ordered Tupac and his three friends to the floor. The three complied, but Tupac instead resisted and reached for his own Glock, shooting himself in the groin in the process. In the chaos, the robbers shot him twice - once in the hand, and once in the head, with a bullet grazing his skull. They also made off with $40,000 of jewelry. Entitled Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur , the book charts the rap legend's rise from abject poverty in the Bronx and Baltimore to his big break in California. (Pictured: Tupac with Snoop Dogg) 'They were snatching my s*** off me while I was laying on the floor,' he would later say. Taken to Bellevue hospital, the rapper, according to Pearlman, asked Dr Charles Thorne: 'Hey, Doc. Is one nut gonna be enough for me? Because I've gotta at least be able to have one nut.' Yet Tupac would later claim he was shot five times and never reveal that he accidentally shot himself. Johnson, the EMT, told the author there was no doubt. There was no entrance or exit wound in his jeans, and the powder residue was only in his underwear. Yet the myth has lingered. And the fallout was extremely real. In April 1995, while in Rikers Island on sexual assault charges, Tupac told a journalist with Vibe magazine that he thought Biggie and Diddy were behind the Quad Studios attack. 'I got shot five times, you know what I'm saying?' he said, lying about the facts of the case. 'People was trying to kill me.' He said he was taken aback by the reactions of Biggie and Diddy, in the minutes after the shooting. 'Nobody approached me,' he told Vibe. 'I noticed that nobody would look at me.' No one was ever charged in the shooting, but it pitted West Coast-based supporters of Tupac and Suge Knight, the owner of Tupac's label Death Row Records, against East Coast musicians Biggie and Diddy. 'It definitely pivoted to where it was more serious,' said rapper Spice 1, describing the fallout from the Quad shooting. 'It wasn't just competition anymore.' In February 1995, Biggie appeared to reference the Quad Studios shooting, rapping: 'Who shot ya? Separate the weak from the obsolete.' No one was ever charged in the shooting, but it pitted West Coast-based supporters of Tupac and Suge Knight, the owner of Tupac's label Death Row Records, against East Coast musicians Biggie and Diddy (Pictured in 1996) In response, Tupac in June 1996 replied with 'Hit Em Up', mocking his East Coast rivals. 'Puffy trying to see me, weak hearts I rip,' he raps, ridiculing Biggie as a 'mark-ass b****' who once slept on his couch. He continues: 'Five shots couldn't drop me; I took it and smiled.' Three months after releasing the song, Tupac would be shot dead in Vegas. Less than a year later, in March 1997, Biggie would be killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. Tupac, in the interview a year before his murder, said the Quad Studios shooting had changed his outlook. Even though his claims about being shot five times were fake, the impact was very real. 'Nobody ever came to save me. They just watch what happen to you,' he said. 'That's why Thug Life to me is dead. If it's real, then let somebody else represent it, because I'm tired of it. I represented it too much. I was Thug Life.' Bijou Philipps has filed to change her daughter's last name following ex Danny Masterson's rape conviction. The 45-year-old actress - who filed for divorce from the That '70s Show star in 2023 - requested to change her 11-year-old daughter's name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, per documents obtained by TMZ. Phillips shares Fianna with the disgraced actor - who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023 for raping two women between 2001 and 2003. While she is awaiting for a judge to approve and sign off on her daughter's name change, Phillips and Masterson received the status of single persons on Friday. Phillips has yet to respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. The former couple first crossed paths in 2004 in Las Vegas and tied the knot years later in 2011. Bijou Philipps, 45, has filed to change her daughter's last name; pictured with ex-husband Danny Masterson in 2016 in LA The develompent comes after her ex Danny Masterson's rape conviction; seen in January in Inglewood, California The actress requested to change her 11-year-old daughter's name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, per court documents obtained by TMZ However, when Masterson received his prison sentence - the model filed for divorce shortly after that same month. At the time, sources informed the Daily Mail that the reasoning behind her decision to divorce were 'twofold.' 'Recently friends and family have told her to be a mom first and to consider divorce because it really shows her daughter that eventually people need to be held accountable for what they do, even if it is someone they love.' The insider further added, 'Bijou also is doing it to protect her assets and protect her future. 'She doesn't want to lose money and land and housing over a future civil lawsuit against Danny, she is looking to protect her future and that is one big reason she has pursued divorce...' Phillips had stayed by Masterson's side and supported him when he went to trial in 2023. In May of that year, he was convicted of raping two women between the years of 2001 and 2003. But charges from a third woman resulted in a hung jury. The Almost Famous actress had penned a letter to a judge calling her now-ex an 'amazing father' who worked to 'shield younger actors from temptation.' Phillips shares Fianna with the disgraced actor - who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023 for raping two women between 2001 and 2003 While she is awaiting for a judge to approve and sign off on her daughter's name change, Phillips and Masterson received the status of single persons on Friday; former couple seen in 2015 in L.A. The Almost Famous actress had penned a letter to a judge calling her now-ex an 'amazing father' who worked to 'shield younger actors from temptation'; the pair seen outside of court in 2023 in L.A. She had also called the actor a 'life-saving partner' and explained that, 'After he lost his show and acting career, he devoted himself to finding other ways to earn a living.' In conclusion, Phillips had also written to the judge, 'We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. 'But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.' Masterson began serving his sentence at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California before being moved to California's Men Colony located in San Luis Obispo. Late last year in December, he filed to appeal his rape convictions. At the time, Masterson's attorney Cliff Gardner officially filed a 246-page appeal to Superior Court Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo. Garner had written that the 'trial court violated Mr. Masterson's rights to a fair trial by complaining witnesses had a strong financial incentive to characterize the long past sexual encounters as forcible rape.' Phillips has been raising their daughter Fianna as her ex serves his prison sentence in California. In conclusion, Phillips had also written to the judge, 'We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes' During an interview with E! News last year, she gave an update on her life following Masterson's sentence. 'I'm doing good,' the actress told the outlet, before gushing that both she and her daughter are a 'great little team.' Phillips has since moved on and has been romantically linked to businessman Jamie Mazur - supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio's ex. Ambrosio and Mazur were previously in a relationship and became engaged in 2008. After welcoming two children, the pair announced their split in 2018. Phillips and Mazur began dating last year in April and their romance has since gotten serious. 'I'm doing good,' the actress told the outlet, before gushing that both she and her daughter are a 'great little team' Phillips has since moved on and has been romantically linked to businessman Jamie Mazur - supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio's ex; Ambrosio and Mazur seen in 2015 in Hollywood Earlier this year in January, a source told People, 'They are so in love.' The insider added that the pair first met through 'mutual friends' after Phillips went through a 'hard time' following Masterson's rape conviction. 'He was initially just a confidant and someone safe that she could talk to. They've been dating for a couple of months now. He's added a spark to her life. She seems much happier and more relaxed lately.' The source continued, 'It's nice to see that Bijou also takes care of herself too. It's great to see her smiling more.' Ash Pollard has revealed a nightmare ordeal she suffered during a trip to China. The My Kitchen Rules star, 39, revealed earlier this week that she was jetting off on an impromptu trip to attend the Canton Fair in Guangzhou the country's largest trade fair. Her trip got off to a rocky start, with Ash having to endure a white-knuckle taxi ride to her accommodation. She shared a series of images and clips on her Instagram story on Friday, detailing the horrific journey. One video, shot from the back seat of the taxi, shows her driver's eyes in the rear-view mirror. She captioned the clip: 'Ummmmm so my driver keeps nodding off behind the wheel. I'm coughing loudly to wake him up. Not working.' Ash Pollard has revealed a nightmare ordeal she suffered during a trip to China Ash followed the clip with a selfie that showed her looking terrified, with her hand covering her mouth. 'It's now dark and he's nodded off so hard his head hit the steering wheel. I'm not making this up. I'm 30 mins from accom. What do I do?' she wrote. Another video showed the cab travelling on a busy highway at dusk, with Ash revealing her driver was continuing to drift off. 'Drives for a bit then brakes and falls asleep. He's done this before obvs cos he's been going like this for 45 mins. Seasoned pro,' she wrote over the clip. 'He keeps sniffing s*** from a bottle every now and then, too. Right. I need to stay alert guy.' Luckily, Ash made it to her accommodation in one piece, albeit a little shaken. 'Oh my God guys, f*** me dead. I actually could cry. The tears are just here,' she said with a relieved sigh as she made her way to her room. 'Being in a foreign country all by yourself is scary, and then when you feel like you're going to f***ing die it's even scarier.' Her trip got off to a rocky start, with Ash having to endure a white-knuckle taxi ride to her accommodation She shared a series of images and clips to her Instagram story on Friday, detailing the horrific journey She captioned one clip: 'Ummmmm so my driver keeps nodding off behind the wheel. I'm coughing loudly to wake him up. Not working' Ash followed the clip with a selfie that showed her looking terrified with her hand covering her mouth. 'It's now dark and he's nodded off so hard his head hit the steering wheel. I'm not making this up. I'm 30 mins from accom. What do I do?' she wrote The ordeal came with a happy ending, though, with Ash rounding out the video with some good news. 'I'm at the Langham and they've upgraded me to a suite because I looked so scared when I walked in,' she said. 'I told them that the guy fell asleep and I gave them the video and they were shocked. They refunded what I paid for the driver, and they've upgraded me.' It comes after Ash recently weighed in on Nagi Maehashi's latest controversy. The RecipeTin Eats founder lashed out at Australian PR companies this week, complaining that she was receiving unsolicited offers to run promotional posts in exchange for free goods. Ash, herself a keen cook and a former star of My Kitchen Rules, told the Daily Telegraph earlier this month that Nagi should be grateful for the opportunity. 'I wouldn't be burning bridges, don't forget where you've come from,' Pollard said. Ash, who boasts 132,000 Instagram followers, added that she doesn't mind a bit of social media work. Another video showed the cab travelling on a busy highway at dusk, with Ash revealing her driver was continuing to drift off Luckily, Ash made it to her accommodation in one piece, albeit a little shaken. Oh my God guys, f*** me dead. I actually could cry. The tears are just here' she said with a relieved sigh, as she made her way to her room 'You never know when you might need to call upon these people again. And what's so wrong with being an influencer?' she said. Nagi came out swinging against Australian PR agencies who were offering her a pittance in exchange for making sponsored social media posts. However, the following day, Nagi clarified that she was upset by the fact that her contact details were being shared without her permission not over the lack of funds she was offered. 'It's not about money, it's about breach of privacy,' she explained in an Instagram Stories post. 'My personal details have somehow landed on dozens, if not hundreds, of PR databases, even though I don't do sponsored posts. Not cool.' Noel Gallaghers guitar that was 'smashed up' by Liam when Oasis split has sold at auction for a huge amount. The 1960s cherry red Gibson ES-355 was broken during the bands final concert in Paris in 2009 at Rock En Seine after yet another backstage bust-up. According to reports an argument broke out, with Liam wielding Noel's guitar around 'like an axe'. It was the last straw for the duo and the show was cancelled, along with the rest of the tour. The guitar, which has now been restored, sold for 289,800 after being auctioned by Propstore on Thursday. The memorabilia auction took place in London with over 400 items from bands such as Oasis, Abba, Kiss, John Lennon and The Beatles as well as Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix going on sale. Noel Gallaghers guitar that was 'smashed up' by Liam when Oasis split has sold at auction for a huge amount (pictured on stage last month in California) The 1960s cherry red Gibson ES-355 was broken during the bands final concert in Paris in 2009 at Rock En Seine after yet another backstage bust-up Noel issued a statement at the time of their Paris show, saying: 'It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.' In another statement a few days later, titled 'Tales From The Middle Of Nowhere', Noel added: 'The details are not important and of too great a number to list. 'But I feel you have the right to know that the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable. 'And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new.' A book titled Live Forever by John Robb has detailed just how bitter the bands split was at the time. However, fans and friends are hoping that nothing happens on tour, like the row they had backstage in 2009, which took them more than a decade to move on from. One witness said: 'Liam was goading Noel constantly and then the two snapped.' According to reports an argument broke out, with Liam wielding Noel's guitar around 'like an axe' The guitar, which has now been restored, sold for 289,800 after being auctioned by Propstore on Thursday Another witness remembered: 'There were proper punches and Liam smashed up one of Noels guitars. Liam was like a man possessed. They continued: 'He was swearing constantly and really angry. Medical staff were called along with security. Noel got out as quickly as he could. This was a truly vicious fight - quite horrible.' The duo quickly went their separate ways when the band disbanded, but they finally drew a line under their long-standing feud 15 years later and reunited for a blockbuster world tour this summer. The brothers will next travel to South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia before moving on to South America and five final shows, culminating in Sao Paulo on November 23. Pregnant Dianne Buswell hit back at trolls with a defiant dance after she was forced to leave Strictly Come Dancing with Stefan Dennis. The professional dancer, 36, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg, dedicated the Instagram update to those who 'can't watch a pregnant girl dance.' Performing at home she showed off some moves to the beat before doing a cartwheel. Dianne captioned the Instagram clip: 'For all the people saying they can't watch a pregnant girl dance! I just cant help it when I hear the beat.' Fans flooded the comments section with love heart emojis as they showed their support. Earlier this week, Dianne furiously hit back at claims that her partner Stefan's early exit from the show was 'planned' in order to accommodate her pregnancy. Pregnant Dianne Buswell hit back at trolls with defiant handstand dance after she was forced to leave Strictly Come Dancing with Stefan Dennis The professional dancer, 36, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg, dedicated the Instagram update to those who 'can't watch a pregnant girl dance' On Monday the 'devastated' Neighbours actor, 66, announced he had been forced to pull out of the BBC competition after suffering a calf injury. Taking to her Instagram Stories Dianne clapped back at the suggestion it was all a rouse, saying that despite her pregnancy she had more energy than ever. Taking to her Instagram Stories Dianne shared a comment from one fan which read: 'To be honest I saw this coming, Diane couldn't really continue especially when she gets bigger, bless her'. 'She's a brilliant dancer and she is one of my favourites sorry to say but I think this was planned to keep her and baby safe, just my thought'. Fuming Dianne hit back: 'I sound like a broken record but I'm seeing a bit of this floating around again! I know people say ignore it but actually why should I'. 'I will speak up... I would love nothing more than to keep dancing this week next week the week after that so so on and so forth. In fact I have more energy this year than I did this time last year. 'Please respect Stefan who is extremely gutted to not be able to dance and stop presuming this was a set up! Because believe me we would if we could.' Following the announcement Stefan said he was 'devastated' to have to pull out of the show after 'finally gaining confidence' in the competition. Performing at home she showed off some moves to the beat before doing a cartwheel Earlier this week, Dianne furiously hit back at claims that her partner Stefan 's early exit from the show was 'planned' in order to accommodate her pregnancy Taking to her Instagram Stories Dianne clapped back at the suggestion it was all a planned rouse Following the announcement Stefan said he was 'devastated' to have to pull out of the show after 'finally gaining confidence' in the competition Of his departure, Stefan wrote: 'This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of my time in my Strictly journey. 'Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the competition and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show. 'I can't tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself. 'I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better). 'Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans... it's the same leg! [laughing face emoji]' The post read: 'Sadly due to an injury Stefan Dennis is leaving. We have loved watching Stefan and Dianne create magic on the dance floor with their Team Aussie energy. He will be sorely missed by the entire family. ' Viewers hoping for a surprise appearance from Adrian Portelli on Nine's anticipated Block finale are set to be disappointed. The five homes that featured on the popular series went to auction on Saturday, with the results to be aired on Sunday night. But, while hopeful bidders converged on the site in the rural Victorian town of Daylesford, Adrian was more than 800 kilometres away, touching down in Sydney in his private jet. Auctions were the last thing on Adrian's mind as he was joined by a gang of pals to celebrate a friend's bucks party. Adrian appeared in good spirits as he alighted from the luxe aircraft, happily chatting to his entourage. He went casual for the flight, wearing a crisp white T-shirt and a pair of light grey shorts that finished just above the knee. Viewers hoping for a surprise appearance from Adrian Portelli on Nine's anticipated Block finale are set to be disappointed While hopeful bidders converged on the site in the rural Victorian town of Daylesford on Saturday, Adrian was more than 800 kilometres away, touching down in Sydney in his private jet. The entrepreneur finished his flight ensemble with a pair of plain white Alexander McQueen sneakers that he wore over white ankle socks. It looked as though Adrian and his pals were preparing for quite a big night of partying as they converged on the tarmac. The group looked jovial as they gathered for group photos and were spotted laughing and joking as they posed. Adrian took to Instagram on Saturday to tease his attendance at the Daylesford auction. He shared a slide to his story with the words 'big day today,' along with an animated gavel, representing an auctioneer's hammer. He followed it with a short clip that showed him hosting an in-flight party on his private jet. 'Jokes, we're just getting hammered,' he shouted as his entourage erupted into excited cheers. Adrian made TV history in 2024 when he purchased all five Phillip Island properties on the renovation show for more than $15 million. Auctions were the last thing on Adrian's mind as he was joined by a gang of pals to celebrate a friend's bucks party Adrian appeared in good spirits as he alighted from the luxe aircraft, happily chatting to his entourage He went casual for the flight, wearing a crisp white T-shirt and a pair of light grey shorts that finished just above the knee Earlier this year, the controversial Block bidder said he would not return, fuelling speculation that the network had shown him the door. Scott Cam opened up about rumours surrounding Adrian being banned from the show earlier this month. 'We didn't ban him; that's something he [Adrian] said,' Scott announced on Fox 101.9's Fifi, Fev and Nick breakfast show. Scott continued: 'It's a public auction, anyone can turn up, we just kindly said, "What do you reckon you had a good run on the auctions, why don't we leave it to some families to try and buy the houses".' Elsewhere in the chat, Scott made a veiled reference to Adrian's sponsorship of Seven's upcoming reality series My Reno Rules, which was announced in July, but has suffered a series of setbacks since. '[I] think Adrian has gone over to another network to do something anyway, so he wouldn't be coming to our auction if he's doing something over there,' Scott said, adding: 'If he wants to turn up, he can.' Scott also dismissed a suggestion from host Brendan 'Fev' Fevola that Portelli had 'scared' off notorious Block bidder Danny Wallis, who has spent more than $30 million buying property on the show. The entrepreneur finished his flight ensemble with a pair of plain white Alexander McQueen sneakers that he wore over white ankle socks It looked as though Adrian and his pals were preparing for quite a big night of partying as they converged on the tarmac The group looked jovial as they gathered for group photos and were spotted laughing and joking as they posed 'He hasn't been scared, Danny,' Scott insisted. 'He's a good bloke and he makes a lot of those houses available for My Room. He's a good bloke and if he wants to buy another house like that, that'd be terrific for us.' Ahead of the anticipated auction, Block stars gave their thoughts on Adrian's auction absence to Daily Mail and Nine's recent Upfronts event. Emma and Ben appeared to have differing opinions on the situation, with Ben saying: 'I don't think he's coming, which is a shame for everyone.' Emma, however, had a different take, interjecting with: 'I think it's great it opens up the door for others.' It was a similar sentiment shared by Robby and Mat, who welcomed a more open auction field. 'It opens the door for bigger and better players,' Mat said. Sonny and Alicia, meanwhile, took a more laissez-faire approach to the situation. Adrian took to Instagram on Saturday to tease his attendance at the Daylesford auction He shared a slide to his story with the words 'big day today,' along with an animated gavel, representing an auctioneer's hammer He followed it with a short clip that showed him hosting an in-flight party on his private jet. 'Jokes, we're just getting hammered,' he shouted as his entourage erupted into excited cheers 'They've just asked to keep it open for everybody,' Alicia said. 'He'll do whatever he wants and I'm sure he'd be welcomed if he came.' Sonny added: 'If he was to show up and buy someone's house, so be it.' Strictly Come Dancing professionals are calling for presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to appear on next year's show as contestants after they announced their shock exit this week. The longtime hosts of the BBC ballroom dance show revealed they were leaving after this series as the Traitors star, 53, has landed her own chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show. But Australian professional, Julian Caillon, who joined the show this year has revealed his fellow dancers are already rallying for the presenters to return to Strictly as contestants. He told the Mail on Sunday: 'We were saying today, they could come back next year as celebrities.' When asked which he would like to dance with, he replied: 'Either one, I'd be happy to get a partner,' hinting at the discontent among several professionals this year that they did not get paired. This year, Strictly bosses have grown 'tired and fed up' of its professional dancers moaning about not being paired with a celebrity. Strictly professional dancers are calling for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to compete on the show as contestants after the hosts announced their shock exit this week The longtime hosts of the BBC ballroom dance show revealed they were leaving after this series as the Traitors star, 53, has landed her own chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show A source close to the show told the Mail on Sunday: 'What do they expect? They are never promised a partner, and they know that when they sign up, it's very irritating that they think it's okay to come out and have a go at the show, which they know will only cause more controversy. 'Both of the women had partners last year so it's not like there is anything sinister going on.' It comes as Michelle Tsiakkas, who was partnered with the disgraced former EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick last year, spoke out against her employer. The Cypriot dancer, 30, told her Instagram followers, 'I don't have a partner on Strictly this year. 'To those of you asking how I am. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't gutted, but I think that's a normal feeling to have. 'Last year was my first year with a partner, and it made me realise just how much I enjoy the process. 'I think it's the most beautiful and rewarding part of the show, and I also feel like last year was the first time you all started to get to know me better as well.' Also breaking ranks was the professional dancer, Nancy Xu, who also shared her 'disappointment' at being 'left out' after she had been partnered most years with the likes of Les Dennis, Shayne Ward, Will Mellor and Rhys Stephenson. Professional Julian Caillon revealed his fellow dancers are already rallying for the presenters to return as contestants: 'We were saying today, they could come back next year as celebrities' Michelle Tsiakkas, who was partnered with the disgraced former EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick last year, spoke out against her employer after not being given a celeb partner Also breaking ranks was the professional dancer, Nancy Xu, who also shared her 'disappointment' at being 'left out' (pictured with Shayne Ward in 2024) The 34-year-old, who has been dancing on the show for six years, said: 'It does upset me and I do feel disappointed, coming from China and arriving in this country, all I wanted is to achieve my dream and Strictly has given me such a big platform to allow me to show my skills and to show my talents, so of course this year, I feel, left out.' She insisted that she will remain a part of the show and will be in the studio every weekend to cheer on her fellow pros. 'I'm good, because I'm still part of the show and this year you'll probably hear my voice more than ever, because I'll give all my energies to support all my strictly families.' She signed off with the BBC show's catchphrase: 'Keeeep dancing.' The candid post was flooded with comments from Nancy's fans and her Strictly co-stars with fellow pro Vito Coppola writing: 'You are never alone, we are always together. Thank you for supporting us and for being the rarest friend that everyone would want in their life.' Amy Dowden added: 'your are superstar, a beautiful dancer and so loved.' One fan of the show voiced their frustration that bosses had paired two new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, with partners, but left out veterans like Nancy. One of the first stars ever to break ranks and speak out against the broadcaster was the Russian dancer, Nadiya Bychkova, two years ago, when she wrote, 'I'm disappointed not to be partnered with a celebrity on BBC Strictly this series.' Tess and Claudia's surprise departure was confirmed on Thursday morning on their respective social media platforms, which both included a video of the pair announcing their decision to step down. Tess chimed in: 'We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton' The presenting pair penned an emotional message to their fans under the clip Speaking to the camera, Claudia began: 'There have been some rumblings and we want you to hear this from us.' Tess chimed in: 'We have news, after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.' 'The very sparkly baton!' Claudia laughed, before turning to her co-star and pal to add: 'You've been here since the beginning.' Tess replied, pointing to Claudia: 'With Bruce, lovely Bruce [Forsyth], and that was over two decades ago but a lot of the time has been with you. 'It's been a huge part of our lives since our children were literally babes in arms, and now they're adults, and I think genuinely we have cherished every second.' Claudia continued: 'We have, we're so lucky to have been part of this amazing show and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.' The duo penned under the video: 'We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. 'We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. 'They're the most brilliant team and we'll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last "keep dancing" but we will continue to say it to each other. 'Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.' 'It's hard to put it into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes... 'Strictly has been more than just a television programme, it's felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that first show back in 2004. 'I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.' Cat Deeley looked effortlessly chic in a red roll neck jumper and navy coat as she enjoyed a girls' day out in London on Friday. The newly-single This Morning presenter appeared radiant and glowing as she carried a huge bouquet of flowers to gift to her designer pal Charlie Brear. The close friends sat down for a fancy lunch at French restaurant, Soutine, to celebrate Cat's 49th birthday. Before their lavish luncheon, Cat splashed the cash in Liberty London as she stepped out with the department store's iconic bag. Over summer, Cat confirmed her split from fellow TV star Patrick Kielty, 54, after 12 years of marriage. A photo obtained by The Sun recently showed a removal van outside their north London rental property, with movers seen loading boxes along with lamps and chairs. Cat Deeley looked effortlessly chic in a red roll neck jumper and navy coat as she enjoyed a girls' day out in London on Friday The newly-single This Morning presenter appeared radiant and glowing as she carried a huge bouquet of flowers to gift to her designer pal Charlie Brear Patrick is thought to be staying at the property, which sits just a short distance from the couple's 5million five-bedroom 'forever home,' that they purchased two years ago and have been renovating. According to the publication, Cat is worried about how The Late Late Show host is handling the end of their marriage. A source told the outlet: 'She's worried Patrick seems to be taking longer to adjust. He misses the family unit, and the pressure of work on top of the public split has made it hard for him. The source added: 'Cat still cares a lot for him and wants him to be in a good place for the boys and for himself so that does cause her some concern.' Announcing their separation in July, Cat and Patrick said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. 'We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.' The Daily Mail previously revealed how Patrick's family are still seething over Cat's failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral. They say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good. The close friends sat down for a fancy lunch at French restaurant, Soutine, to celebrate Cat's 49th birthday Before their lavish luncheon, Cat splashed the cash in Liberty London as she stepped out with the department store's iconic bag Over summer, Cat confirmed her split from fellow TV star Patrick Kielty, 54, after 12 years of marriage Announcing their separation in July, Cat and Patrick said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved' 'We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment' Following her marriage breakdown Cat appeared in great spirits as she caught up with a friend Cat looked radiant and glowing on her walk to the restaurant The presenter couldn't wipe the smile off her face Cat and Charlie chatted away as they left the venue Her 'no show' back in March has left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation between the two. Clearly still upset at the anger and embarrassment it caused the family, one relative told the Daily Mail: 'Whatever rockiness was going on in the marriage, something as momentous as his mother's funeral, you would make up even temporarily and just put your 'best face' on as we say in Northern Ireland. 'Cat obviously knew how close Patrick was to Mary and she should have come to be by his side, a hand on his shoulder as he buried his mother. 'The fact that she stayed in London and presented This Morning on the day, it's not been forgotten.' The source added: 'In a very tight knit community in Northern Ireland, people always turn out. It's the done thing. 'His family remain very upset by this. They still can't believe it. It was the point when we all realised that that marriage had ended.' Patrick looked bereft as he carried Mary's coffin through his home village, where he was joined by close family and friends at the Church of the Sacred Heart. A spokesperson for Cat told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.' Reese Witherspoon looked effortlessly chic in a black skirt suit as she posed up a storm with Michelle Keegan at her book launch on Saturday. The Legally Blonde actress, 49, stepped out in a tailored blazer which featured padded shoulders. Pictures posted to Instagram show how she paired her jacket with a modest black skirt, which she layered over a pair of black tights. Adding inches to her frame, Reece slipped into a pair of black, pointed stilettos and accessorised with a pair of dangly earrings. Meanwhile, Michelle, 38, wore a long-sleeved nude woollen jumper and a pair of matching flared trousers. She completed her chic ensemble with a pair of towering black, pointed heels and a black belt. Reese Witherspoon, 49, looked effortlessly chic in a black skirt suit as she posed up a storm with Michelle Keegan, 38, at her book launch in an Instagram post shared on Saturday The Legally Blonde actress stepped out in a tailored blazer which featured padded shoulders. She paired her jacket with a modest black skirt, which she layered over a pair of black tights Alongside her album of pictures, Michelle penned: 'When two geniuses collide.. Gone Before Goodbye is made! (I can confirm Reese Witherspoon is everything youd imagined her to be, what a woman)' Gone Before Goodbye is Reese's latest book, which she co-authored with Harlan Coben and discussed at the event, and was part of The London Literature Festival at The Royal Festival Hall in London. The novel sees an indomitable woman, trapped in a conspiracy she helped create but cant understand. She searches for the truth that could expose a conspiracy woven throughout the exclusive world of the global Uber Elitebut at an unfathomable cost to Maggie herself. The official description for the book reads: 'Maggie McCabe is teetering on the brink. A highly skilled and renowned Army combat surgeon, she has always lived life at the edge, where she could make the most impact. 'And it was all going to planuntil it wasnt. 'Upside down after a devastating series of tragedies leads to her medical license being revoked, Maggie has lost her purpose, but not her nerve or her passion. 'At her lowest point, she is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite plastic surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy, as well as absolute discretion. Meanwhile, Michelle wore a long-sleeved nude woollen jumper and a pair of matching flared trousers. She completed her chic ensemble with a pair of towering black heels and a black belt Michelle penned: 'When two geniuses collide.. Gone Before Goodbye is made! (I can confirm Reese Witherspoon is everything youd imagined her to be, what a woman)' Gone Before Goodbye is Reese's latest book, which she co-authored with Harlan Coben and discussed at the event, which was part of The London Literature Festival in London 'Halfway across the globe, sequestered in the lap of luxury and cutting-edge technology, one of the worlds most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. 'Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfils her end of the agreement. 'But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herselfor she will be the next one who is.' Last week, mum-of-one Michelle set pulses racing as she modelled pieces for the second iteration of her AW25 collaboration with Very, which she branded 'the most special collection Ive created so far'. She flaunted her sensational figure in a dazzling photoshoot showing off several looks in the range, which takes inspiration from Parisian glamour. In the run-up to the festive season, the collection includes a range of festive partywear looks, with star dazzling in several sequin dresses. The novel sees an indomitable woman, trapped in a conspiracy she helped create but cant understand And for the first time ever, her collection introduces adorable mini-me styles, allowing mums and their children to cosy up together in matching PJ sets this Christmas. The latest release includes 53 pieces in total and is exclusively available to shop online at Very's website. Speaking about the collection, Michelle said: 'Inspired by the evenings of Paris, this collection is all about festive style with gorgeous detailing and finishes. 'Its also the most special collection Ive created so far, combining partywear with my cosy at-home loungewear and adorable children's PJ sets, its perfect for the festive season and all the special occasions.' For many parents, the most exciting thing at the school gates will be some light gossiping. But some mothers in Hampstead have been left swooning after the Hollywood heart-throb Ryan Gosling appeared to pick up his children. The Mail on Sunday can reveal the La La Land star, 44, has relocated from the US and bought a house in the affluent north London area with wife Eva Mendes and their daughters Esmerelda, 11, and Amada Lee, nine. A Hampstead local said: 'Yes, he's here and so delightful chatting to everyone at the school gate such a lovely man. 'And everyone can't stop talking about how good looking he is, the mums are practically drooling over him.' Gosling's arrival has caused much excitement in the area, with one person revealing on Instagram's Threads that the actor had held a door open for them: 'Today's unexpected adventure, Ryan Gosling holding the door open for me at a cafe in West Hampstead. What a gent!... Quite unexpected really!' Former American actress Ms Mendes, 51, met Canadian-born Gosling on the set of the 2012 thriller Place Beyond The Pines and they were married in 2022. Ms Mendes retired from acting around the time her first daughter was born. Gosling is in London filming the upcoming Star Wars movie Starfighter, but it is also believed he moved his family from the US to escape the 'unstable' political landscape. Ryan Gosling, 44, has relocated to Hampstead with his wife Eva Mendes and their two children Ryan and his wife Eva Mendes lived in Notting Hill while he filmed Project Hail Mary in 2024 Known as the 'Donald Dash', other celebrities who moved to the UK as President Trump took office include former chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, who lives in the Cotswolds with her wife Portia de Rossi, and Gosling's Barbie co-star America Ferrera who has reportedly moved to south-west London. Last year Gosling and the family lived in Notting Hill while he filmed Project Hail Mary. But they briefly moved back to California before settling in Hampstead, an area it appears they have been eyeing up for some time after they were reportedly seen house hunting in 2022. Emma Stone looked every inch the movie star even in a laid-back ensemble as she stepped out for a Hollywood afterparty on Friday night. Flaunting her new taut complexion, the star kept it simple in a black sweatshirt and matching pants while leaving The Edition hotel in West Hollywood, proving she can shine without full glam. The outing comes hot on the heels of the premiere of her new conspiracy theory film Bugonia, in which her character is kidnapped by two men convinced shes an alien. Stone recently had fans buzzing with her own out-of-this-world revelation during Wednesdays episode of The Late Show. She identified which of her former costars she believes could secretly be an extraterrestrial. 'Willem Dafoe,' Stone said without missing a beat. 'Hundred percent.' Emma Stone looked every inch the movie star even in a laid-back ensemble as she stepped out for a Hollywood afterparty on Friday night Flaunting her new taut complexion , the star kept it simple in a black sweatshirt and matching pants while leaving The Edition hotel in West Hollywood, proving she can shine without full glam Earlier this month, she posed for a photo alongside Blackpink's Lisa Manobal at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week. Fans were baffled at Stone's seemingly changed appearance as discourse ensued about what plastic surgery procedure she may have allegedly undergone. Many claimed that she looked unrecognizable in photos from the event and started speculating why she looked 'different.' It comes after Emma was branded as 'detached from reality' after she compared her latest film to the Luigi Mangione case and asked audiences if they had 'heard' of it. The actress plays a high-powered CEO of a medical company who gets kidnapped by an employee played by Jesse Plemons in Yorgos Lanthimos's latest film, Bugonia. Mangione is accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a 50-year-old father-of-two, outside a Manhattan hotel while he was attending a work conference on December 4, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges in connection with the December murder. If Mangione is convicted, federal prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. Earlier this month, she posed for a photo alongside Blackpink's Lisa Manobal at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week Speaking at a Q&A for the project at Telluride Film Festival on August 30, Stone said that she found 'terrifying' similarities between the movie's plot and the Mangione case. 'What's really crazy, after we had shot the film I live in New York we heard someone was shot up the street,' she said. 'It was a healthcare CEO. You know, because Luigi. You guys heard about this?' Stone continued: 'It was wild, because we had all just been in a basement [filming] together, talking about these issues and the bigger meaning of everything. 'It keeps hitting you that the world is so deeply fraught and terrifying in so many ways.' Bugonia marks her second collaboration with her Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos. Fans were baffled at Stone's seemingly changed appearance as discourse ensued about what plastic surgery procedure she may have allegedly undergone Bugonia is described as a 'satirical absurdist science fiction dark comedy' and is based on a screenplay by Will Tracy. The absurdist black comedy follows two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap the CEO of a major company when they become convinced that she's an alien who wants to destroy the earth. It is an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan. Stone plays the CEO named Michelle Fuller and stars alongside Jesse Plemons, Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone in supporting roles. Bugonia premieres in theaters on Halloween, October 31. Dean Gaffney is dating a ex-Harvard graduate who is said to 'not be his usual type' after meeting through pals. The ex-EastEnders actor, 47, has reportedly fallen for Kate Black who studied international relations at the prestigious university. Kate, 31, is also believed to have studied artificial intelligence at the University of York. The couple - who have an age gap of 16 years - went on their first date back in April of this year. According to The Sun, they were introduced by a mutual friend after Kate split up from her long-term boyfriend. A source told the publication: 'Dean's smitten and they get on really well despite the fact she's not exactly his usual type. Dean Gaffney is dating a ex-Harvard graduate who is said to 'not be his usual type' after meeting through pals The ex-EastEnders actor, 47, has reportedly fallen for Kate Black (pictured) who studied international relations at the prestigious university 'He normally dates party girls and Kate's more of a homebody. She's smart, hard working and ambitious. 'She normally dates driven, academic types. But she loves Dean's sense of humour and laid-back approach to life.' While a representative for Dean denied a romance, Kate told the outlet: 'Yes, but no comment.' Daily Mail has contacted a representative for Dean. Last year it was revealed how Dean had signed up to a dating app in a bid to find love. The actor, who has twin daughters from his romance with ex Sarah Burge, joined the dating app Hinge. On his profile, he said he didn't wish to date anyone who smokes, describing it as his 'biggest turn-off.' His profile said: 'Be a nice humble person, it's nice to be nice... you'll get the same from me.' The couple - who have an age gap of 16 years - went on their first date back in April of this year While a representative for Dean denied a romance, Kate told The Sun: 'Yes, but no comment' Accompanying Dean's profile is a collection of snaps showing him looking suited and booted, and it adds: 'Dating me is like winning the lottery everyday.' In 2019, Dean signed up to the dating app Bumble in a bid to find love, after splitting from his partner Sarah in 2015. A source said at the time: 'Hes a down-to-earth guy who doesnt take life too seriously and just wants someone to spend time with. Dean knows hes casting the net wide but he thinks that way there is more of a chance of meeting Mrs Right.' In 2021, Dean then signed up to the celebrity dating app Raya, after failing to find a partner on Bumble or Tinder. On his profile, Dean is said to have chosen Kate Bush's 1989 track 'This Woman's Work'. Stephen Fry's friend has revealed how the comedian was left 'minutes from death' after 'whacking cocaine up his nose' at a boozy party in the early 90s. Black Adder co-writer Ben Elton recalled the scary aftermath as he was forced to rush Stephen to the hospital in the back of a black cab. Writing in his book, What Have I Done?, Ben explained how after attending a dinner in London the pair found themselves knocking back Belgian beers. He later noticed how Stephen had started to 'wheeze' after taking cocaine, which prompted him to rush his pal to A&E. In pages obtained by The Mirror, Ben recalled 'dragging' the presenter up the hospital steps before he informed medics he had taken the 'scarily illegal Class A drug.' He wrote: 'He looked like a corpse grey, translucent skin, seemingly no life left in his eyes, numerous tubes and wires attached to every part of him.' Stephen Fry's friend has revealed how the comedian was left 'minutes from death' after 'whacking cocaine up his nose' at a boozy party in the early 90s Black Adder co-writer Ben Elton recalled the scary aftermath as he was forced to rush Stephen to the hospital in the back of a black cab (pictured together in 2020) Ben continued: 'His breath sounded like a death rattle and I couldnt imagine he was getting any oxygen into his lungs at all.' 'It was then that the doctor told me that Stephen had been minutes away from suffering permanent brain damage.' Daily Mail has contacted Stephen representative for comment. In 2023, Stephen has said getting hooked on sugar as a child as a result of his 'addictive impulse' was a gateway to an eventual cocaine addiction which he battled for more than a decade. The beloved TV star said that after first indulging in sweets he eventually moved on to tobacco and then Class A drugs. While appearing as a guest on John Cleese's GB News show Stephen said: 'When I was a teenager, I had this vast empty hole in me that said "Feed me, I need this sugar, I need it"'. 'When it wasn't sugar, it became tobacco, so I smoked and then in my twenties it became cocaine. I just couldn't sit still. It's that addictive impulse.' As he opened up about a 15-year addiction to the Class A drug, in his 2014, autobiography, More Fool Me, Stephen even claimed he once took cocaine at Buckingham Palace as well as a whole host of other respected institutions. The list included the House of Lords, House of Commons and BBC Television Centre. Writing in his book, What Have I Done?, Ben explained how after attending a dinner in London, Stephen had started to 'wheeze' after taking cocaine, which prompted him to rush to A&E Ben continued: 'His breath sounded like a death rattle, I couldnt imagine he was getting any oxygen into his lungs at all. Stephen had been minutes away from permanent brain damage' Stephen previously claimed to have taken cocaine at Buckingham Palace as well as a whole host of other respected institutions (pictured with King Charles in 2018) The presenter also revealed his brushes with the law and how he narrowly escaped drug charges after being stopped by police while in possession of cocaine. The autobiography follows Stephen through the 1980s and 90s after he had found fame through shows such as A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster. He recalled the momentous night in 1986 when he first took cocaine with an unnamed actor friend and admits that he never saw himself as an addict as his dependency spiralled out of control. He doesnt detail the year he believed he became addicted or when he kicked the habit. Stephen wrote: How can I explain the extraordinary waste of time and money that went into my 15-year habit? 'Tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds, and as many hours, sniffing, snorting and tooting away time that could have been employed writing, performing, thinking, exercising, living. The actor, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was undiagnosed at the time and explained his simple motivations behind taking cocaine: I didnt take coke because I was depressed or under pressure. 'I didnt take it because I was unhappy (at least I dont think so). I took it because I really, really liked it. Ben Affleck found himself back in meme territory on Friday night while leaving one of his childrens school plays. The 53-year-old Oscar winner, who shares Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13, with ex Jennifer Garner, was spotted walking alone to his car, wearing a casual jacket and relaxed ensemble, his face carrying a familiar forlorn expression. The quiet moment seemed to signal he was ready for the evening to wrap up. For fans, it was a nostalgic callback to Afflecks meme heyday more than eight years after the legendary 'sad Affleck' photo went viral. The now-iconic snapshot, taken in London in 2016, showed the actor in a blue sweater and jeans, cigarette in hand, looking exhausted and contemplative. Once shared online, the image spread like wildfire across Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Reddit, inspiring countless captions capturing the essence of quiet defeat and cementing Afflecks place in meme history. Ben Affleck found himself back in meme territory on Friday night while leaving one of his childrens school plays The 53-year-old Oscar winner, who shares Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13, with ex Jennifer Garner , was spotted walking alone to his car, wearing a casual jacket and relaxed ensemble, his face carrying a familiar forlorn expression Back in 2016, during a press junket for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Affleck was caught on camera with a visibly glum expression while co-star Henry Cavill answered a question. The clip went viral almost instantly, inspiring a parody from YouTuber Sabconth that layered the video with negative review headlines and Simon & Garfunkels The Sound of Silence. While hes been caught in plenty of serious or brooding moments since, Affleck has maintained a sense of humor about it all. In a 2022 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he admitted the memes didnt bother him until his kids got old enough to notice. 'I got to a place where [the public perception] was so different from who I am that I just stopped reading and stopped caring.' He continued, 'But then, as my kids got older and started seeing the internet themselves, that's the difficult part. Even the "Sad Affleck" meme - that was funny to me. I mean, there's nobody who hasn't felt that way at a junket.' 'But then my kids see it and I think, "Oh, are they going to think their dad is fundamentally sad or they have to worry about me?" That's really tough.' Affleck and Garner separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce three years later. The former power couple have continued to have a good relationship as they co-parent their three children together; pictured 2007 Affleck and Garner separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce three years later Despite their split, the duo have maintained a positive co-parenting relationship for their children. Affleck has previously commented on raising his children with the 13 Going On 30 actress during an interview with GQ in March. 'I'm really lucky that I have a really good co-parent and partner in Jennifer Garner, the kids' mom, who's wonderful and great and we work together well,' he told the outlet at the time. The Good Will Hunting actor also discussed how both he and Jennifer have navigated through fame and stayed honest with their kids. 'We used to have a thing, my ex-wife and I, when they would see something on a supermarket stand,' Ben recalled. 'We would say, well, "You know this isn't always true because if it were, you would have 15 brothers or sisters or whatever the number of stories is where they said that your mom was pregnant."' Affleck added, 'I know what's going on in my life. And also, really more importantly, my kids know.' Ben also famously dated Jennifer Lopez from 2002 to 2004, reignited their romance in 2021, tied the knot in 2022, and ultimately split in 2024. As a secret agent trying to unravel a political conspiracy in Black Doves, Keira Knightley is often on the run. And her character in the Netflix show, Helen Webb, appears to have secured the latest must-have trainers for the job. Knightley, 40, was pictured wearing a pair of 200 Autry Reelwind shoes as she filmed scenes for the second series of the hit spy thriller in London. Britons have gone wild for the Texas brand since it opened its first outlet in the capital in May. The trainers are a favourite in Hollywood with Orlando Bloom, Pedro Pascal and Reese Witherspoon all being seen wearing the label, which was founded in 1982. The Bend It Like Beckham actress paired the suede trainers with navy leggings and a burgundy hoodie. Filming other scenes in London, she looked chic in a camel-coloured wrap trench coat. The first season of Black Doves became one of Netflix's most talked-about UK shows praised for its sleek visuals, twisty espionage plot and stand-out performances from Knightley and co-star Ben Whishaw. Keira Knightley wearing a pair of 200 Autry Reelwind shoes - a sought-after Texas brand Keira, who plays Helen Webb, was spotted filming scenes for the Black Doves in London The series, which also stars Happy Valley actress Sarah Lancashire, amassed 60 million views in a week when it was released in December. Knightley reprises her role in the second season as Helen Webb, a Conservative politician's wife who leads a double-life as a secret agent. But this time, the stakes are higher than ever as new threats emerge and old secrets resurface. Most of the character's wardrobe is bespoke, and costume designer Ian Fulcher has said he draws inspiration from 'the golden age of spy dramas' using concept boards with pictures of Catherine Deneuve and Grace Kelly. 'Oh, and the odd image of when a British Member of Parliament's wife looked effortlessly stylish - [there is] not so many of those,' he added. A Sri Lankan court on Friday ordered the island nations customs department to expedite an engine capacity probe on Chinese BYD electric vehicles (EV). The case is based on the allegation that a lower motor power has been declared for the cars from the actual 150 kW to 100 kW to pay a lower customs tariff. The Appeal Court ordered the Sri Lanka Customs to expedite the probe, ruling that it was important to ensure benefits for both the importer and the buyers. The customs tariff applicable to the 150 MW motor is SLR 4 million more than for the 100 MW motor. The official importer John Keells CG has denied the charge. At the hearing, the importer objected to the technical committee appointed by the Customs to verify the correct motor capacity, alleging it was partial. The court held that it does not hold jurisdiction over the investigation committee; however, the importer could challenge its findings. Since July, Customs have been holding at least three shipments of BYD EVs numbering over 2,000 units. In early August, the court settlement was for Customs to release 991 cars subject to the furnishing of a bank guarantee by the importer. Sri Lanka stopped car imports due to forex shortages on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis of 2022. It recommenced imports in February this year. Since then, BYD has emerged as the top seller for both electric cars and SUVs. However, with the ongoing dispute, the importer began the switch to import plug-in hybrid cars over EVs in late September. Turkiye is negotiating with Qatar and Oman to acquire used Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets as part of its effort to bolster its air force capabilities, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Turkiye aims to purchase dozens of Eurofighters and other advanced jets as a stopgap measure to strengthen its fleet until its domestically developed fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet becomes operational. In July, Turkiye and the United Kingdom signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons, which are produced by a consortium made up of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. However, reports indicate that the Turkish government is also seeking to source secondhand jets from Gulf nations to meet its immediate needs. We discussed the ongoing negotiations with the Qatari and Omani sides regarding the purchase of Eurofighter warplanes, Erdogan told journalists Thursday during a flight returning from a Gulf tour that included Qatar and Oman. The talks on this technically detailed matter are progressing positively, he said, according to a transcript released on Friday. During his three-day tour of Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, Erdogan oversaw the signing of several agreements, including in the defence sector, his office said, without providing details. Turkiye, a member of NATO, is also pursuing the country's return to the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was removed in 2019 following its acquisition of Russian-made S-400 missile defence systems. A diamond with two colors: half-pink and half-colorless. Photo courtesy of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Miners in Botswana have unearthed a striking two-toned diamond that is half pink and half colorless, a rare natural gemstone weighing 37.41 carats. The rough diamond, examined by experts at a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) laboratory in Botswana, measures about 24.3 by 16 by 14.5 millimeters. Researchers say the gem likely formed in two separate geological stages deep beneath the Earth's surface. The pink half appears to have originally been colorless before undergoing intense pressure changes. "The pink section likely was initially colorless and then plastically deformed, perhaps by a mountain-forming event millions of years ago, resulting in its pink color, with the colorless section forming at a later time," said Sally Eaton-Magana, senior manager of diamond identification at GIA, Indian Defence Review reported. Pink diamonds are exceptionally rare. Unlike diamonds that take on color due to impurities like trace elements or radiation exposure, pink diamonds get their hue from structural distortion: their atomic lattice gets squeezed or twisted under extreme geological forces. Too much deformation turns diamonds brown, which is why pink stones form only in very specific, delicate conditions. "It's kind of like Goldilocks," Luc Doucet, a senior research geologist at Curtin University in Australia, told Live Science. "There are a lot of brown diamonds, and very, very few pink diamonds." For this diamond to display two distinct color zones, scientists say its pink half must have formed first and been altered by geological pressure, with the colorless half growing later in more stable conditions. Similar two-color diamonds have been found before, but they are typically far smaller, often just 2 carats or less. At more than 37 carats, this Botswana specimen stands out as an extraordinary find. The gem was recovered from the Karowe mine, a site known for producing some of the world's most notable diamonds. Previous discoveries there include the 2,488-carat "Motswedi" diamond and the 62-carat "Boitumelo" pink diamond. Commentary: Commemorating Taiwan's restoration in pursuit of national rejuvenation Xinhua) 10:21, October 25, 2025 BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Eight decades ago, Taiwan -- a part of China -- was restored to its motherland, marking the end of half a century of Japanese colonial occupation. Its return remains a glory shared by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and is a national memory shared by all Chinese people. China's national legislature on Friday voted to designate Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. The restoration of Taiwan is an important outcome of victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and a compelling proof of the Chinese government's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan. It is also an important part of the historical fact and legal chain that Taiwan is an integral part of China. In 1894, Japan initiated a war against China and then occupied Taiwan. Laying their blood and lives on the line to resist Japanese occupation, countless compatriots from Taiwan proved they were Chinese and inseparable members of the family of the Chinese nation. In 1945, all Chinese, including compatriots in Taiwan, achieved the great victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which brought about Taiwan's restoration to the motherland. A ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei on Oct. 25, 1945. It was at that point in history that China recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto. Taiwan's restoration became a significant part of the post-war international order. For a time, however, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party and "Taiwan independence" forces have been colluding with external forces to take provocative actions designed to divide the country. They are attempting to deny the history of Taiwan's recovery and challenge the post-war international order. The fruits of victory must be safeguarded. China will not tolerate any damage to its national sovereignty or territorial integrity, and will never allow the outcomes of its victory to be trampled upon. In recent years, the country has further enriched the legal framework for punishing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference. Any attempt to prevent reunification and undermine the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation is doomed to failure. The Communist Party of China (CPC) regards resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification its historic mission and unshakable commitment. The country has the strength and the confidence to deal with complexities and overcome risks and threats, and the ability to take great strides forward on the path to national reunification. In the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, the CPC calls for promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advancing the cause of national reunification. Complete reunification is critical to national rejuvenation. Both are unstoppable. Never before has China been so close to, confident in and capable of achieving the goal of national rejuvenation. The same is true when it comes to its goal of complete national reunification. The policies of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" are the best way to realize reunification across the Taiwan Strait. Encouragingly, a growing number of Taiwan compatriots, particularly the youth, are breaking through the "chilling effect" created by separatist forces, daring to express their identity as Chinese. The "Taiwan independence" forces are becoming increasingly unpopular. Standing before a new horizon in history, compatriots on both sides of the Strait -- pursuing the greater good of the nation, and making united efforts -- will achieve the great goal of national reunification and create a bright future of national rejuvenation. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chaolan) The 2025 China Mining Conference and Exhibition in Tianjin this week has cemented China's role as a pivotal hub for global mining collaboration, with delegates from across Africa and beyond detailing a partnership model that transcends financial investment. Winston Chitando, minister of Mines and Mining Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe, said there is significant cooperation between China and Zimbabwe in the energy sector. "This is a powerful testament to the robust partnership between our two countries. Chinese company Huayou Cobalt has established a large spodumene plant in Zimbabwe, creating over 2,000 new jobs," he said. Madam Henrietta B. Rushwaya, a delegate from the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, said: "Zimbabwe has 65 minerals that need to be exploited, and we can only exploit those minerals through exploration. Therefore, we are looking at Chinese companies that have modern equipment that can be used to explore these new minerals." She added that they are also exploring partnerships with Chinese companies to manufacture batteries in Zimbabwe. This initiative comes in response to the growing interest in Zimbabwe for electric vehicles, which rely on lithium-processed batteries, as an alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. When mentioning the cooperation between China and countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Che Changbo, secretary-general of the China Mining Association, said: "Currently, the global mining landscape and supply-demand dynamics are undergoing profound restructuring. Against the backdrop of the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with its rich resource endowment and ambitious development plans, has achieved deep integration and joint development with outgoing Chinese mining companies." Zhao Bin, Chinese ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that there are currently over 40 Chinese mining companies operating in DR Congo, with cumulative investments exceeding $25 billion. Last year, the copper production of Chinese enterprises in DR Congo reached 2.5 million metric tons, and cobalt production 170,000 tons, with their equity production capacity accounting for more than three-quarters of DR Congo's national capacity. "The mining cooperation between China and DR Congo has not only enhanced DR Congo's mining capacity and boosted tax revenue, but also played an important role in infrastructure construction, industrialization, and improving the livelihood of the local population," he said. "Meanwhile, the import of key raw materials like copper and cobalt from DR Congo has provided strong support for China's new energy industry chain," Zhao added. This is what happens when you push a rat into the corner with no way out. Putin has repeatedly refused to take the way out so now the oil revenue is being reduced. Without the oil revenue, it is harder to run the war machine. Russia is now on the brink of economic collapse, especially after the Chinese and Indians are reducing their Russian oil intake due to US sanctions pressure. China will however continue to import about 900,000 barrels of Russian oil per day via pipeline, all of which go to PetroChina, which would probably not be significantly impacted by sanctions. Prices of non-sanctioned oil from the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are predicted to rise as China and India look for alternative sources of oil to sate their vast appetite. Germany has requested the United States to guarantee that three refineries that are owned by Russia but operated by Germany are not subject to broad sanctions on Moscows oil sector. According to shipping sources, Greek tanker operators that transport Russian oil exports are anticipated to keep doing so in spite of a fresh round of harsher sanctions from the United States that has further imposed limitation. Where there is money to be made the Greek shipping magnates do not abide by rules or the law. So, the Russian oil supplies are still getting through, but at a reduced rate. One can ship Russian oil to any country in the world, then re-name its country of origin to any other part of the world, then ship it legally. The Russian nuclear submarines amassing in the Arctic circle, Kola peninsula, right now are a warning from the Russian tyrant, that he is reaching the end of his tether with the West and NATO. Putins modus operandi is to gain full naval control over the Arctic region so that Russia will block NATO access to two key shipping routes (the Bear Gap, and the GIUK Gap) that would help resupply Western forces in wartime. These Russian preparations by the Russian Northern Fleet signal that Putin and his Generals/Admirals are plotting an imminent attack on NATO countries. However, the divergent powers within the Kremlin have the onus and know-how to avert complete global destruction by removing and liquidating Putin. By taking out the Grandmaster of global destruction, peace could be achieved and Russia could be brought back into the global fold once again. It is up to the Kremlin and those in the FSB and Russian military to do the right thing. The only way to defeat Putin completely is from within Russia itself, and by good, decent Russians. Resumption of gas imports from Poland this week will help Ukraine, in the conditions of temporary warming, postpone active natural gas withdrawal from underground storage facilities (UGS) for another seven to ten days, former Energy Minister Olha Buslavets has said. According to her, the decrease in production as a result of Russian shelling of gas infrastructure facilities and the increase in consumption with partial inclusion of heating in the social sphere led to a decrease in the rate of injection into UGS by the end of the week to almost zero. "This was also due to scheduled repair work on October 20-25 by the Polish GTS operator Gaz-System," the former minister said. According to the Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, imports from Poland began to partially resume ahead of schedule: on October 23 it amounted to 5.6 million cubic meters per day, on October 24 some 6 million cubic meters per day, and on October 25 it is planned to be at the level of 9.9 million cubic meters per day. According to Buslavets, this will help Ukraine, in conditions of temporary warming, postpone active gas withdrawal for another seven to ten days. In general, in recent days, net gas imports to Ukraine (excluding transit short-haul) have fluctuated in the range of 14-20 million cubic meters per day from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and small volumes from Moldova/Romania. As reported, on October 22, Ukraine stopped pumping natural gas into underground storage facilities and began withdrawing gas, as evidenced by data from the European Aggregated Gas Storage Inventory (AGSI) platform. One person died in a Russian attack in Kyiv this night, Head of the citys military administration Tymur Tkachenko has said. "According to information as of 09:00, ten Kyiv residents were injured to varying degrees," he said in Telegram on Saturday. Kyiv City Prosecutors Office reported one person died and nine were injured in Kyiv due to the Russian attacks. It was established that on October 25, at about 04:00, the armed forces of the aggressor country launched a missile strike on the capital. As a result, three districts of Kyiv, Dniprovsky, Desniansky and Darnytsky, were affected. "As of 09:30, one person was reported dead in Desniansky district of Kyiv and nine injured in Dniprovsky, Desniansky and Darnytsky districts. Three of them were hospitalized," the prosecutors office said in a statement. In Dniprovsky district, windows in twelve residential buildings were damaged, as well as a kindergarten. Windows in a residential building in Darnytsky district were also damaged. In Desniansky district, a shop, food warehouses and cars were destroyed. Under the procedural leadership of Kyiv City Prosecutors Office, a pretrial investigation has been launched into the fact that the Russian military committed another war crime (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). As reported, the Russians attacked Kyiv with missiles, fires were previously recorded at several locations on the left bank. PICTURED ABOVE: (L-R): Paul Hannigan, VP for Cross Border Engagement and Head of College, ATU Donegal; Dr Catherine O Mullan, NWRC Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards; Minister James Lawless, TD; Anne McHugh, Chief Executive , Donegal ETB; Dr Orla Flynn, President ATU; Professor Paul Seawright OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ulster University. The inaugural NW 2025: Shaping Our Digital Futures conference, officially launched by Minister James Lawless TD on October 23, brought together key leaders at ATU's Letterkenny campus. The event focused on how digital technology is revolutionising the North West cross-border region, with attendees from education, industry, and government sectors. Hosted by ATU on behalf of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC), the conference explored the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid pace of technological change. NWTEC is a strategic alliance of the four publicly funded tertiary education providers in the North West City Region: Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University (UU), North West Regional College (NWRC), and Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB). The event formed part of the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) project, supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It featured keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and case studies highlighting the importance of collaboration between education and enterprise in developing a digitally skilled workforce. Launching the conference, Minister Lawless said: "The NWTEC partnership is delivering real impact across the North West, supporting upskilling, reskilling, research, and innovation to meet the evolving needs of employees, employers, and the wider economy. In a world of rapid technological change, the ability to adapt and align education with industry demands is not just valuable, its a strategic advantage. The inaugural NW2025 Shaping Our Digital Futures Conference was a powerful platform to share best practice, showcase innovation, and engage directly with the opportunities and challenges ahead, particularly in areas like AI and cybersecurity. The event today stands as further recognition of the importance of deepening cross-border collaboration and maintaining a forward-looking focus on emerging trends. Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald added: "I commend the organisers for convening a dynamic, cross-border conference that has brought together partners from across the North West to exchange best practices on the challenges of AI. Collaboration like this is key to unlocking the full potential of a digital future, one that delivers the good jobs and inclusive growth." The days proceedings, chaired by broadcaster Sean ORourke, included contributions from a range of national and international speakers. Matt Cooper, CEO of Volta in Nova Scotia, Canada, delivered the morning keynote address, Exploiting AI to Build New Innovative Enterprises, which examined how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating new business opportunities, with real lessons for the NW region from similar challenges faced in Nova Scotia. Panel discussions covered topics including digital innovation, artificial intelligence, skills development, and cybersecurity. Experts from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada participated, sharing insights on emerging technologies, ethical frameworks for AI, and the growing need for cross-sectoral collaboration. Ulster University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Seawright OBE, said: Ulster University is delighted to be a partner of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, which has hosted this inaugural conference bringing expert voices together at ATU Letterkenny to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the North West cross-border region. "As a university, we are committed to driving innovation and fostering collaboration across education, industry, and government to create meaningful, lasting change in our society. "The knowledge shared from this conference will help guide the development of a digitally skilled workforce who are ready to make an impact in a rapidly evolving digital world and to help deliver a more connected, sustainable future for all." Leo Murphy, Principal & CEO of NWRC highlighted that: AI is the engine of growth now. Todays conference demonstrated how, through NWTEC and the PEACEPLUS-supported NW DEPTH initiative, we can align education with business, strengthen cross-border partnerships, and accelerate responsible AI adoption for SMEs and Communities, building a resilient talent pipeline and quality jobs for the North West. The NW 2025: Shaping Our Digital Futures conference attracted over 300 participants, including digital employers, policymakers, educators, and regional development stakeholders. It marked the first in a planned series of annual conferences under the NW DEPTH initiative, designed to build momentum around digital collaboration and skills development in the North West City Region. As food banks and charities prepare for a difficult winter amid continued high demand, people are being urged to give the gift of their time to take part in the UKs biggest food donation drive. Now in its 13th year, the Tesco Winter Food Collection is taking place in all Tesco stores from November 27 to 29. The supermarket's charity partners, Trussell and FareShare, are urgently calling for volunteers to sign up and support their efforts. During the collection Tesco customers will be encouraged to donate long-life food to support the charities in their work. Donations for Trussell will help its community of food banks provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare will support its network of 8,000 local charities and community groups helping to feed people in local communities across the UK. Volunteers will help out at collection points in Tesco stores to raise awareness of the impact every single donation will have on people across the UK, who rely on Trussell and FareShare for food. Donations are needed now more than ever, with one in five Trussell food parcels coming from Tesco and its customers. Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: Every year our Winter Food Collection gets such an amazing response from our customers. Volunteers in store have a real impact on the amount of donations and help encourage customers to give much needed long life food items tailored to every area of the UK. Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive officer at Trussell, said: Winter is often the busiest time of year for food banks. As temperatures drop and bills start to rise, more people will be forced to seek their help. But with the support of Tesco, its customers and our incredible Food Collection volunteers, food banks can stay better stocked ready to support people facing hunger in their local communities. Everyone should have enough to live on, and alongside our community of food banks we are working to end hunger for good. But right now, we urgently need you to play your part by getting involved in Tesco's Food Collection, whether that's through spreading the word, donating essential items or volunteering your time. Kris Gibbon Walsh, CEO at FareShare added: Food from FareShare reaches a network of over 8,000 charities across the UK, enabling them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services. In the winter months, many people accessing these local groups are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating. "This makes the Tesco Winter Food Collection more important than ever. We know from experience that having volunteers present in store significantly increases the number of food items donated, and hope that more people than ever will generously give up their time this year. "By volunteering just three hours, people can play an important part in our mission and help create lasting change, one meal at a time. You can sign up to volunteer in your local Tesco store with FareShare at https://fareshare.org.uk/foodcollection/ or with Trussell at https://www.trussell.org.uk/support-us/tesco-food-collection. A baby was threatened with broken glass during a vehicle hijacking in Belfast city centre. A PSNI spokesperson: It was reported that a delivery driver had exited his vehicle, a white Vauxhall Agila, in the Donegall Place area at around 3.50am, leaving his partner and her young baby in the rear. Two men approached the car on foot, before one got into the drivers seat and drove the vehicle away. The second man appeared to try to stop him, but was unsuccessful. Were appealing for information after a vehicle was hijacked in Belfast city centre in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 25th October. A woman and child were in the vehicle at the time an extremely distressing ordeal for them. Full details: https://t.co/yhyVoMcrPF pic.twitter.com/GdCXYMVCCT Police Belfast City Centre (@PSNIBelfast) October 25, 2025 A short distance away, close to Fountain Lane, the man turned and held what the woman believed to be a broken bottle or piece of broken glass to the head of the young baby and told her to get out of the car. After the mother and child left the vehicle it was driven towards City Hall and onto Chichester Street. It was later found in Upper Stanfield Street. The police spokesperson added: This was an absolutely shocking incident and an extremely distressing ordeal for the victims. They have been left shaken, but thankfully otherwise uninjured. Anyone in the area at the time who saw anything suspicious or may have CCTV or dashcam footage should contact police on 101, quoting reference 211 25/10/25. Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie described the incident as disgraceful. He said that a taskforce will soon be established to address the rise of crime and anti-social behaviour in Belfast city centre. He said: I welcome cross-party support for this proposal by Sinn Fein in council. The recent rise in crime in the city centre is concerning. We will continue working with others to address this and ensure our city centre is safe and welcoming. One of victims dies in hospital in Kyiv: death toll rises to two The death toll from the Russian missile strike in Kyiv has increased to two people. "One of the victims of the attack died in hospital. With its attack, Russia killed two Kyivans tonight," Head of Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko said in Telegram on Saturday. As reported, on October 25, at about 04:00, the armed forces of the aggressor country launched a missile strike on the capital. As a result, three districts of Kyiv were affected - Dniprovsky, Desniansky and Darnytsky. It was reported about one death in Desniansky district and ten injuries. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. A man has been arrested by gardai investigating an alleged assault on two women during canvassing for Catherine Connolly in north Dublin. The alleged assault occurred in North Strand Road as Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald joined the canvass. A video posted online appears to show a man approaching a canvass team for Ms Connolly and shouting threats to deck and slap some of them. It was reported to gardai that two females had been assaulted in North Strand Road shortly before 4pm on Friday. They did not require medical treatment at the scene but gardai said they understand one of the females has since attended the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for further assessment. On Saturday, gardai said they had arrested a man in his 30s. He is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. He can be questioned for up to 24 hours. A Garda spokesperson said: Investigations are ongoing. Celebrations following Dundalk winning the League of Irelands First Division title are said to have been hectic on the night of the clincher, that Oriel Park 3-0 defeat of Finn Harps. And they continued over the week, with the culmination of an arduous campaign coming in Corks St Colmans Park on the Friday night. READ NEXT: Inside Track: Its Burns day as Hunterstown win title This was a lap of honour, a contest between Cobh Ramblers, with the champions ending the competition, appropriately enough, with a win. There were plenty of Cmon the Town accents to be heard on the Dundalk FM commentary, which had, as nearly always, John Murphy as an outrider to Ger Cunningham. Gussie Hearty was on sound. The Dundalk team had several peripheral players on view, which was to be expected given that the title was already in safe keeping. Cobh, however, had lots to play for, but it didnt show in their performance. The leagues final count had Ciaran Kilduffs side ten points clear of Cobh, who now face play-offs in their bid to win promotion, along with Dundalk. The dividing margin was not as big as the one First Division champions, Cork City, engineered last season. Twenty-two points divided the Leesiders and the second-placed, which is about as decisive a victory you could get. Cork would have harboured ambitions on their return to the Premier League. But rather than re-establish themselves in the top tier, regaining a place near the head of affairs where they were when Stephen Kenny was guiding the good ship Dundalk FC City now find themselves quickly heading back to from where they came, the whippers-in in a competition dominated once again by Shamrock Rovers. There should be a lesson there for Dundalk. Its a whole new world in the Premier League, and making an impression on their return represents a mighty challenge for all wholl be involved at Oriel in 2026. Maybe even before then. There are many issues to be tackled, not least among them raising the finance to bring in new players. This years panel did all that was asked of them. There were many young and inexperienced players included, and all did the business, with a number of them catching the eye of International underage team managers. Theyll be older and wiser, but still needing to have seasoned players around them. Going to the marketplace low on cash wont pay dividends. Nor would a shortage of finance make the decision to change from training a few nights a week to full-time any easier. Lack of loyalty wouldnt be the reason for Ciaran Kilduff to take his leave. The former Oriel favourite in his playing days made his first strike as a League of Ireland manager a winning one, and as a result, could only have a strong affinity with the club. His achievement wouldnt have gone unnoticed by other clubs; but when he spoke after the title-securing win over Finn Harps, it wasnt the possibility of being head-hunted that he mentioned. What he had to say was easily interpreted. Its just a case of whether the club is ready, and, Were in the division (Premier) where we wanted to be in, but its about trying to find a way of how were going to do it (stay in the top grade) right now, he said in an interview. That was an inch-perfect pass to the boardroom. The message is clear: The panel will have to be strengthened, if the team is to survive in the top division, and there may be work to do off the field. Thats all for the future. Right now, John Temple, the team and management, and the loyal supporters who made Oriel the place to visit on match days, have reason to be happy with all thats been achieved over the past year or so No 1, keeping the club afloat, and, No 2, meeting the main target on the field. Cllr John Reilly has said he will be asking Louth County Council to erect a plaque, or another suitable form of commemoration, at Greenore Port to celebrate the remarkable story of pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, and its founder, local man Ronan ORahilly. Ronan ORahilly, who grew up in the Greenore area, had the visionary idea in the early 1960s to launch what many regard as the first pirate radio station. His bold move revolutionised broadcasting, bringing pop music directly to millions of listeners across Ireland and Britain at a time when, Cllr Reilly said, mainstream radio stations largely ignored emerging artists and youth culture. The ship that carried the original station, MV Caroline, was fitted out at Greenore Port before setting sail, making Greenore, Cllr Reilly added, the birthplace of this broadcasting revolution. Radio Caroline went on to shape modern radio and music culture, and its story remains a powerful symbol of creativity, independence, and change. The stations legacy even inspired films that celebrated the rebellious spirit of that era. Read also: Louth player wakes up 7.1 million richer after Lotto win Cllr Reilly said: Ronan ORahilly was a true pioneer whose vision changed the world of radio and music forever. Greenore played a central role in that history, and its only fitting that we recognise and commemorate this connection with pride. Cllr Reilly said a motion will be brought before the Louth County Council November meeting, where he hopes to gain support to honour both Ronan ORahilly and Greenores unique place in broadcasting history. Dundalk South representative, Cllr Shane McGuinness, is calling for Clarke Train Station in Dundalk be moved out from the centre of the town, to Killally, as its current location does not have the capacity for sufficient car parking and it lacks the potential for further development Cllr McGuinness was speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following the Dundalk Municipal District October meeting, where he had mentioned the idea of having the train station moved. His comments at the October meeting came after Cllr Antoin Watters asked if Louth County Council could engage with Irish Rail in relation to Irish Rail restricting parking at an service road at the station, due to access issues for emergency services and buses. After the meeting Cllr McGuinness told the Dundalk Democrat that there had been a plan previously to move the train station out to Killally, saying that there plans for locations on a previous Development Plan that could have went back 20 years. Read also: Halloween-themed events announced for County Museum in Dundalk Cllr McGuinness explained that it's on the northern side of the Inner Relief Road. It's called Killally, it's on the old Ardee Road, adding that, there's a massive land [bank] to the left that runs right down to the train line. That again is something that I believe should be put back on the agenda. He continued: We just don't have the parking. We're not forward thinking. We should call on the Council to seriously consider before they go starting to try and develop a train station that just hasn't got the potential to be developed. I think just move it. Move it out to Killally, the land is there, the parking is there, the access to the motorway is there. It would be much easier to get to it. Much easier, ease of parking. Have free parking, it's also beside a park and ride out there at Junction 16 and that area is going to be highly built up with industry because a lot of it is IDA owned land. It has happened in cities all over the UK, where they have moved their main train stations He added: I think before we start spending money on building new car parks, the value of that land in around the town is massive. The Dundalk Train Station could be kept open as a museum. Click the 'Next >' arrow above or 'Next Story' below to go through the gallery National Womens Enterprise Day 2025 brought together an inspiring community of female entrepreneurs and business owners at The Monasterboice Inn, Drogheda, on Thursday, 16 October. Co-hosted by Local Enterprise Offices Louth and Meath, the event was a lively mix of learning, networking and practical advice for women in business. Host Lorraine Murphy set a warm and engaging tone for the day, while keynote speaker Dr Katriona OSullivan captivated the audience with her powerful story of resilience and her work in digital equality and education. A vibrant panel discussion featuring Ali Molloy (High Tide Event and Experience Agency) and Kate Scott (HoloToyz) showcased local success stories and sparked plenty of inspiration among attendees. With valuable insights shared and new connections made, the event was a true celebration of female entrepreneurship. The team at Local Enterprise Office Louth are proud to support start-ups and established businesses across the county with a range of supports and services, all year round. To discover more, visit: www.localenterprise.ie/louth We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can. Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond. TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY Photo: National Guard The Defense Forces of Ukraine neutralized four ballistic missiles from nine and 50 from 62 UAVs during night attack, hits recorded at five missiles and 12 UAVs at 11 locations, as well as falling debris at four locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said. "According to preliminary data, as of 09:00, air defense shot down/suppressed four ballistic missiles and 50 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera types and drones of other types in the north, south and east of the country," the force said. In total, on the night of October 25 (from 19:00 on October 24), the enemy attacked with nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Rostov and Kursk regions, 62 Shahed, Gerbera strike UAVs and drones of other types from the directions: Kursk, Orel, Russia; Gvardiyske, occupied territories of Crimea, about 40 of them Shahed UAVs. The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Five ballistic missiles and 12 strike UAVs were recorded at 11 locations, as well as the fall of downed ones (fragments) at four locations. The attack continues, several enemy UAVs are in the airspace. County Louth student Cillian Welsh was awarded a Naughton Foundation Scholarship worth 25,000 at a ceremony in Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin on Saturday. The award was presented by founding patrons of the Naughton Foundation, Dr. Martin Naughton, and his wife Carmel, who were joined by Minister Jack Chambers, TD to present winning students with their awards and cheques. Supporting academic and innovative excellence in Irish students, the Naughton Foundation Scholarship Awards are an investment in the future of Ireland's reputation as a country with outstanding graduates promoting the study of engineering, science, and technology at third level. The County Louth winner, Cillian Welsh, a former student of St Olivers Community College, Drogheda, Louth, has accepted a place at Trinity College Dublin studying Engineering. READ NEXT: Louth player wakes up 7.1 million richer after Lotto win Since its establishment in 2008, the Foundation has presented over 8 million in scholarships to over 450 young people in publicly funded institutions across the island of Ireland. The scheme started in three counties and has continued to expand annually to become a nationwide scheme in 2016. There is one guaranteed scholarship (25,000) for each participating county, with some counties awarded more than one scholarship and each scholarship is worth 6,000 for each year of a students three- or four-year undergraduate degree. Cillian joins 37 other exceptional Irish students who were awarded third level scholarships towards their studies in the areas of engineering, science, technology, and maths. The prize winners former secondary school, St Olivers Community College, Drogheda, Louth was awarded a prize of 1,000 towards their schools science facilities, for their support of their winning student. Speaking about the growth and development of the programme over the past seventeen years, Dr. Martin Naughton commented: Both Carmel and I are delighted by the growth of this program and the incredible community of alumni who are doing extraordinary work in education, research and industry at home and abroad. Today we are delighted to welcome a new cohort of wonderful young people to join this group and to support and encourage them. When we meet these young engineers, researchers, and mathematicians, I am very happy knowing that we have invested in Irelands wealth creators and leaders of the future. Full details on The Naughton Foundation Scholarships are available on www.thenaughtonfoundation.ie 2026 application form will be available for completion on the Foundations website from Monday 2 March 2026. This week features the night all kids wait for the night when they can legitimately go round the neighbourhood begging for sweets of course they have to dress up and have a party trick to get them! Halloween is the night most parents dread, for the sugar highs that follow! But its also a great night for dressing up, having fun and just being part of a community which comes together to celebrate this ancient festival. Theres no doubt you always need something to warm you up before you go out, and something nice to come back to when the trick and treating is done. Ive got both those things in this weekends menu. The bright golden colours of squash are seasonal this time of year, and Im using squash to hold some spicy chilli. Adults and older kids love this warming supper. For pudding, an old classic of seasonal apples baked with dried fruit and cake spices. A gloriously topical dessert for Halloween an apple treat you dont have to stick your head in a bucket of water to catch! Serve this with cream or ice cream. Word of warning though let the apples cool a little before serving, as the sugar can get very hot. CHILLI STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH Ingredients (Serves 4) 2 tbsp olive oil 250g best minced beef 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 100g button mushrooms, halved 200mls stock 150mls tomato passata Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 400g red kidney beans 100g frozen peas 200g cooked white rice 1 large butternut squash 2 tbsp sour cream 2 spring onions, trimmed and chopped Di's chilli stuffed butternut squash Method Heat the oil in a pan and fry the mince to brown. Transfer to a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add onion, chilli and garlic to pan and fry until softened but not browned. Add mushrooms and cook for another couple of minutes. Transfer to saucepan with the mince. Add stock, herbs, tomato passata and season. Simmer gently for 25 minutes till the meat is tender. Add the kidney beans and peas and cook for a further few minutes to heat through. Check seasoning. While mix is cooking, halve the butternut and scoop out all the seeds. Brush cavities with a little olive oil and season. When the meat and veggies are ready, add cooked rice. Stir to mix evenly. Check seasoning again. Place squash halves in a roasting tray and spoon in the rice filling. Cover with foil and bake in a pre-heated oven at Gas 5 375F 190C (180C fan assisted) for 20 minutes or until squash is tender when pierced with a knife. To finish, drizzle with sour cream and scatter over the scallions. Cut into four portions to serve. SPICED BAKED APPLES Ingredients (Serves 4) 4 dessert apples 50g butter 2 tbsp brown sugar 125g dried mixed fruit Grated zest of a lemon 1 tsp ground ginger tsp mixed spice Good splash of apple juice or water Spiced apples make for a tasty treat. Method Core the apples with an apple corer or use a sharp knife to cut out a cylinder from the centre of each apple. Make sure you get all the pips. Score the skin of each apple around its circumference. Place in a buttered ovenproof dish. Mix the butter with the sugar, fruit, lemon zest and spices in a small pan. Heat gently till the butter melts. Spoon some of the fruit mix into the centre of the apples. Scatter the remaining fruit and melted butter around and add a splash of apple juice or water to the dish. Cover with foil and bake in a pre-heated oven Gas 5 375F 190C for 15 minutes or until the apples are tender and pulpy but not completely collapsed. Remove from oven and cool slightly before eating, Serve with cream or ice cream. THE WEEKEND GARGLE After trick-or-treating on a chilly Halloween night, theres something special about a cup of real hot chocolate to warm you up! The kids will love it, and the adults can make it extra special with a dash of brandy or whiskey added for good measure! Dunnes Stores Simply Better Irish Hot Chocolate Swirl Sticks are delicious and fun to use. Simply heat milk and pour it into a mug, then add the swirl stick and stir till it melts into the milk. Delicious. Choose from Belgian Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow or Belgian Hot Chocolate and Seville Orange. Both utterly scrumptious! Pack of 2 x 40g sticks cost 2.99. RECEIPT Main course Butternut Squash X 1pce: 1.19 Minced beef x 400g: 4.00 Mushrooms x 150g: 99c Kidney beans 400g: 70c Frozen Peas 450g: 2.00 Rice 1kg: 1.65 Sour cream 200g: 99c Scallions: 89c TOTA: 12.41 Dessert Irish apples x 6 pack: 2.25 Dried mixed fruit 375g: 1.99 Brown sugar 500g: 80c Ground ginger 28g: 79c Mixed Spice 34g: 90c Total: 6.73 GRAND TOTAL: 19.41 The topping out of 302 apartments at Corks Horgans Quay proves that the Government is pulling every lever available to address the housing crisis, housing minister James Browne has claimed. Mr Browne was speaking at a ceremony in Cork yesterday afternoon at a development which will, when completed, consist of 194 two-bedroom apartments and 108 one-bedroom apartments. The first homes are expected to be completed by the end of next year, and the development will also include a number of commercial units and a creche, as well as the refurbishment of the existing station masters building. Topping-out ceremonies date back at least 1,000 years and traditionally occur when the final beam is placed on a structure. Horgans Quay is a major six-acre brownfield urban regeneration scheme located on a former CIE site, adjacent to Kent railway station, on the River Lee next to the Port of Cork. It is within easy walking distance to Patrick Street, MacCurtain Street, and the quays. The mixed-use scheme comprises permission for a new scheme of offices, 302 homes, a hotel, leisure facilities, shops, restaurants, and ancillary public realm developments. Mr Browne said he was determined to unlock the delivery of developments such as Horgans Quay at pace and at scale across the country. I am thrilled to be here in Cork to mark the significant progress made by the Land Development Agency in Cork City at Horgans Quay, he said. We are in a housing crisis, and I am pulling every lever available and cutting through unnecessary red tape to get things moving far faster so that we can deliver homes for people and their families to grow up and grow old in. Speaking before the event, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the development would deliver more than 300 affordable homes in the heart of the city. This Governments top priority, and mine, is to get quality homes built faster for people who need them, he said. The Land Development Agency is the States affordable housing delivery body. It has been seriously ramping up in the last year in particular, and I want to see further progress. John Coleman, chief executive of the Land Development Agency (LDA), said the agency was delighted to be working with developers HQ Developments, which is owned by Clarendon Properties and BAM, and former site owners CIE, to deliver the project. 'EXCITING' This is an exciting development for the LDA, and it is wonderful to see such great progress being made to deliver these high-quality, A-rated apartments, Mr Coleman said. This is an important milestone for the LDAs targeted delivery in Cork city, which also includes Marina Depot, St Kevins in Shanakiel, and Anglesea Terrace. Cork City Council chief executive Valerie OSullivan said the transformation of Corks Docklands was pivotal to the citys evolution, and had the capacity to deliver homes for around 22,500 people at a riverside location, while offering close access to public transport. It is exciting to see the progress at Horgans Quay, as a result of Government investment and the brilliant team at Cork City Council, Ms OSullivan said. CIE interim chief executive officer Fiona OShea said the project would continue the revitalisation of the Cork Docklands into the bustling hive of activity it once was, but adapted for the needs of todays Ireland. The location next to Kent Station and within walking distance to the city centre will be very attractive for people who want to live and work in Cork, she said. The development delivers much-needed affordable housing and, as an example of transit-oriented development, provides a template for similar schemes in the future. Part of the Horgans Quay development has seen heritage buildings such as the goods shed and the carriage shed restored and adapted to house offices, retail, and hospitality units. The development is part of the Cork Docklands regeneration project, which looks set to transform the riverside area. Upon completion, the Docklands project will deliver new homes for approximately 22,500 residents as well as a range of amenities, leisure facilities, and office space. Munster Technological University (MTU) is celebrating the graduation of more than 3,880 students during its autumn 2025 conferring ceremonies this week. The ceremonies, held over six days across MTUs Cork and Kerry campuses, will see 3,882 degrees conferred, with an additional three honorary doctorates awarded to recognise the sustained excellence in scholarly, scientific, or cultural activities; civic society; or philanthropic activity. Proceedings began on Wednesday with the MTU and University College Cork (UCC) joint awards graduation ceremony at MTU Cork School of Music, followed by further ceremonies at the Cork School of Music on Thursday and Kerry North Campus in Tralee on Friday. Sisters Nicole O'Driscoll and Saorise O'Drioscoll aged 9 from West Cork. Photo: Domnick Walsh The celebrations will then continue at the MTU Arena in Bishopstown next week. In a testament to the international diversity of MTU, there are 93 nationalities featured among the universitys graduates. The awards being presented include 10 PhD degrees, with graduates coming from a wide array of disciplines, including science, engineering, business, healthcare and the arts. BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science graduate Aine McGrath from Cloyne with MTU president Maggie Cusack and UCC president, John OHalloran. Picture: Joleen Cronin. President of MTU, Professor Maggie Cusack, said these conferring ceremonies are the highlight of our academic year and a celebration of the talent, ambition, and hard work of our graduates. They reflect not only individual achievement but also the collective strength of our university community and its commitment to transforming lives through education, research, and innovation, said Ms Cusack. Cillian OBrien (Ballycotton, Co. Cork) and Sophie Kirkby (Belgooly, Co. Cork), who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Popular Music, pictured walking into their graduation at the Munster Technological University (MTU) Autumn 2025 Conferring Ceremony, held at the MTU Cork School of Music on 23 October 2025. Photo: Joleen Cronin. I wish each and every one of our graduates the very best as they embark on the next stage of their journeys. They do so with the skills, creativity, and resilience to make a meaningful impact in Ireland and around the world. We are also honoured to recognise individuals whose contributions to society exemplify the values and aspirations of MTU. For more information on graduation ceremony times and live streaming options, visit: www.mtu.ie/conferrings. A man who lost control of his BMW and crashed it into a concrete fence has pleaded guilty to drink-driving in the district court. Sergeant Trish OSullivan told Bantry District Court that on October 6, 2024, at 9pm gardai received a report of a car left in a dangerous position in Glengarriff, Co Cork. When gardai arrived at the scene at the R572 at Loughavoul, Glengarriff, a BMW car was in the middle of the road. The car had a concrete fence post lodged in its grill and looked like it had hit a concrete fence on the left side of the road before spinning into the middle of the road. A man standing by the car identified as 51-year-old Aleksandrs Balitovs, with an address at Bay Meadows Avenue, Hollystown, Dublin 15 admitted he was the driver of the BMW. Mr Balitovs showed signs of intoxication and he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Bantry Garda Station. At the Garda station, a breath test could not be successfully completed by Balitovs, who gave a blood sample which indicated a blood alcohol level of 141mg per 100ml where the legal limit is 50mg. Balitovs also failed to provide proof he was insured to drive the vehicle at the time. The court heard Balitovs had 11 previous convictions, including one for drink-driving and three for driving without insurance. Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said his client worked on fishing boats in Castletownbere and was on his way back to Dublin after finishing a period at sea when the accident happened. Mr Murphy said Balitovs had contacted his brother who owned the car to arrange insurance for him to drive it but the insurance did not come into effect until midnight and Balitovs was under the mistaken impression he was insured to drive the car. Mr Murphy said Balitovs stayed with the vehicle and pleaded guilty and was putting his hands up and admitting he was in the wrong. Judge Joanne Carroll convicted Balitovs of drink-driving and disqualified him from driving for four years. He was also convicted of careless driving and fined 175, with four months the pay. The judge said she would strike out the no insurance charge just about given the circumstances. Its not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to fit in eight hours of TV a day. Ah, Homer J. Simpson, patron saint of the deadbeat dad, you really do have a lot to answer for when it comes to perceptions of modern-day fatherhood. And its isnt just the nuclear plant worker with a nuclear family who has become a standing joke for the silly, selfish, greedy portrayal of dads that is so common in culture. The brain-washing begins young. Take the blundering porker in kids cartoon Peppa Pig. When Daddy Pig is not getting stuck in soft play tubes, or unable to do press-ups, he is afraid of heights, or misreading maps. When Daddy Pig reads a map, we always get lost, complains long-suffering Mommy Pig to her cackling piglets. The Simpsons and Peppa Pig have been around for decades - and are very well-made - but surely fathers have become much better at the aul parenting lark in that time? Yes, say many surveys and studies. No, says popular culture. Its still all too common to find TV comedies, films, and ad campaigns involving a family that casts the dad as the stooge - an idiotic, bumbling clown who is good for nothing but raising the levels of mirth among his always-patient and oh-so-perfect family. It was a relief, therefore, to find one of the coolest dads around, actor Brendan Gleeson, calling this out the other day. The 70-year old Dubliner, father to four sons, including fellow thespians Domhnall and Brian, said he is tired of watching fatherhood portrayed in negative terms on screen. Gleeson, who plays a dad in his new film H Is For Hawk, emphasised the importance of celebrating fatherhood on screen. I think dads have got an awful hard time lately, he said at the recent BFI London Film Festival. And I dont believe that every dad is toxic, and I dont think anybody else does either. He plays a beloved father in his new film, and stated: I think I suddenly got very tired of watching fatherhood portrayed as something that was almost an abuse, or that was toxic in some way, or in some way truncated by where you had these emotionally stunted people walking around that couldnt hug their kids, whatever it was. Gleeson added that the beauty that is within fatherhood needs to be celebrated. I think young men need to see it. It needs to be reaffirmed. Well said, Brendan. I can only hope TV and film executives have an open ear when it comes to this issue. As a dad of four myself, it can be infuriating to see fathers being belittled all the time - and what message does it send to young people, particularly the impressionable pre-schoolers who watch Peppa Pig? While its true that men generally, and dads in particular, have a penchant for self-parody - there is no female equivalent of dad dancing is there? - the joke does start to wear thin by the time your kids become adults themselves and you ponder all those years of love and self-sacrifice. There was a reminder of how much dads are ignored and unheard in society in an excellent documentary on the BBC this week. In Joe Swash: Forgotten Young Dads, the ex- EastEnders actor and winner of Im A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here!, reflected on his own journey into fatherhood, with an absent dad, and spoke to other father in the UK about their experiences. Swash, 43, has four children - three with celebrity wife Stacey Solomon - and cares for two more of her children from a previous relationship, so is something of a superdad. However, he spoke on the show about the lack of support and positive male role models for dads when they are starting out, and of how many are undermined. Being a dad is a real big part of my life, and I remember feeling so vulnerable, so unprepared for my first child, not really knowing anything, and not really having anywhere to go for some help, Swash said. Whenever Id go to a child-parent club, it was always for mothers and the child. I never felt included. There are a lot of absent dads out there, and I want to know whether they are absent because they want to be or because there wasnt enough support for them. And if thats the case, I want to shine a light on that and let people know theres got to be something done to make the situation better. Any solutions in the UK would be required reading here, too. I wasnt young when I became a dad - I was in my mid-thirties - but I do remember wanting to be different to the previous generations who tended to take a step back, and to make an earnest effort to feed my babies and change nappies. As the children grew, I tried my best to be there for them as much as possible (Ive no idea how Homer crammed in eight hours of TV a day!). The bedtime story became my job for nigh on 15 years, and I can still recite chunks of the most popular books. Naturally, their mother was doing all of this too, backwards and while in heels - as was said of Fred Astaires dance partner, Ginger Rogers - and sometimes even when pregnant! If parenting was a competition, dads would lose almost every time, its true - but men have made giant strides towards genuine co-parenting in recent times, and that ought to be acknowledged, not mocked. The most recent report on State Of The Worlds Fathers - produced in Ireland by The Mens Development Network and Treoir - really hammered the deadbeat dads trope. The survey of 12,500 people in 17 countries revealed a narrowing of the traditional parenting divide. In Ireland, 84% of men and 81% of women said it was the most important thing they had done in their lives. Some 82% of men stated that they share caring responsibilities equally, and 86% said they feel as responsible for care work as their partners. Yes, dads still lag significantly behind mums regarding hours spent on care and housework, with the latter devoting on average an hour and 18 minutes more per day to them. But this disparity may be down to the fact women are still more likely to stay at home or work part-time than men; if this shifts, then dads would presumably even things up. In any case, will a 50-50 split of parenting duties ever be possible in the average household - given factors such as breastfeeding, and the fact mothers often have more stringent attitudes to cleanliness, allied with an innate desire to do certain tasks. A clue to this can be seen in one question in the study, which showed 30% of men felt changing nappies, giving kids a bath, and feeding them are mothers responsibilities. That figure is too high - but consider 20% of women agreed with the statement, and you see how hard it can be for men to wrestle some parenting duties away from the Irish mammy. Suffice to say, the vast majority of men are committing totally to parenthood. The fact we are doing this with so few positive role models makes it a greater achievement. As Joe Swash said: We need to celebrate the positive role models out there, the people that are doing good, people that are bringing up their kids, that are loving them, are gentle and compassionate. Yes, but you wont find many of those role models if you switch on the TV, Joe. Its fair to say that the UK jazz scene has never felt so vibrant and at the forefront of an exciting new generation of young artists is Nubya Garcia. Its clear from speaking with her that shes not only drawing inspiration from her peers in the scene, whose success she celebrates joyfully, and the great history of jazz and specifically black British pioneers of the form but also the eclectic broth of contemporary urban London sounds. In drawing from a rich well of musical and cultural influences, I ask the saxophonist what she thinks is the special ingredient in her sound. She gives the idea careful consideration before deciding: I think the mix of jazz and dub for me shouldnt meet, but they do. And then also, as in sonically, I think everything should meet musically because its just music at the end of the day. Theres twelve notes. If you want to get into chord tones thats a whole different thing. But its all of the same root for me. What I hear between garage and dub and R n B and jungle and all the things that are very particular to UK dance music and bass upwards kind of music. Which is a particular thing. It all stems from reggae and dub. Caribbean musics like soca and calypso are also precious to her. My goal is to not make genres of music feel separate, because theyre not, she declares. I tell her I think jazz and dub should meet more often, and she laughs approvingly. Perhaps the most obvious melding of those worlds can be found on Odysseys closing track, Triumphance. Remarkably, its the first song Garcia wrote lyrics for, which she delivers in spoken word style. She had someone else in mind to toast over the music, someone she admired, but didnt know. As the deadline crept up and no response was forthcoming from this artist, Garcias producer, Kwes, suggested she do it. She was in Brazil at the time, finishing the record, while he was in London mixing it She relates the back and forth between the pair across different time zones. I was like, Ive never done this before. Thats insane. And he was like, no. You should have a go. He was like, just try it. And so, I just wrote something in one go and because it was the last one on the record it was a really beautiful way of summing up the energy that Id been feeling and putting it all together. And I think it cements the record and puts it into that story. So, I wrote it in one go. Didnt really edit it, which I think is the key, and then I recorded it at 2am and that is whats on the record. Nubya Garcia will perform at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Garcias declaration that everything should meet musically is something that is evident in her journey to date. Having began her life in music playing violin and viola (instruments she didnt particularly enjoy) one can hear the classical world intrude on both the title track of her current album Odyssey and Waters Track. Been given a saxophone at 10 years old by her mother sparked her love affair with music. At 16, she became part of the jazz music education and artist development organisation Tomorrows Warriors, and she describes this time as being foundational. Its here she met like-minded musicians like tuba player Theon Cross and drummer Moses Boyd, with whom she formed a trio. That was a huge, huge upbringing for me, she insists. First of all, theres three of us onstage. Theres a hell of a lot of playing. We have the same kind of cross sections of life. Were all Caribbean. Weve all grown up in London. We have all grown up playing jazz. We all love other styles of music, and that came out in his writing. That came out in how we approached it as well. Yeah, that band is one of the bands where I cut my teeth with two fine, fine musicians who were my friends. It meant a lot. And I think about that often, and how beautiful and amazing it was before anything happened. We were doing gigs in the corner of a pub, and it felt amazing and people were up and dancing. Those are the times that we could never have envisioned where wed be playing now. From there, were groups that put Garcia on the map, like Nerija and Maisha, but it seems like all the experiences she has had as a musician hold a special place for her. It was a really beautiful thing to be around lots of musicians who werent afraid to love and openly love and play other styles of music, she imparts. The way Garcia speaks so beautifully and passionately about jazz, prompts me to ask a rather gauche question, and the response proves rewarding. Mmm. Ah, Ok, 11 oclock on a Thursday, what makes jazz so great? she explodes with laughter, before delivering zinger after zinger. Much like her sax solos! I think for me, personally, it can give you a place, it gives you a voice. It allows you to strive for excellence and it also allows you to be held in softness. Its expansive. And in a very relatively short history for music, in its form youve got 120-ish years of known stuff, and I think to see an artform have expanded so rapidly and to see humans who have pushed themselves to the brink to achieve that excellence. You cant pretend to be good at jazz. Theres a lot of other things you can get by on, but you cannot pretend to handle whats going on in this artform in different ways. Its a place of honesty, one of the very few places of honesty we have in black music, in that way. There are other ways that I dont know because I am not in other versions of music. Music can be applied to everything that Ive said. Im speaking from the point of view of someone whos grown up playing jazz and has listened to it since I was in the womb. So, for me its an important place of expression in a world that doesnt allow that for a lot of people. And its a deep, deep history. For me its a place where black people have excelled and changed and been at the forefront of that change and that art, and that is something that I will continue to celebrate and continue to push its history, its legacy. While her only previous Irish gig was in Dublin, this wont be Garcias first visit to Cork. She had spent two weeks in Kinsale when she was 13 as part of an annual summer activity she did as a teenager called Forest Cool Camps, where they would decamp to different locations mostly around the UK. It was absolutely stunning, she recalls. That was one of my favourites, because I did it every single year from 8 to 18. I just remember everyone was so lovely. Everyone was so friendly. Wed go on these long hikes and long walks. I just remember the countryside being incredibly beautiful and the energy was good there. It felt really good. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that next year, 2026, financing will be opened for Ukraine from Russias frozen assets. "There is a political readiness of Europe to direct frozen Russian assets to fully support Ukraine, Ukrainians, and yesterday the European Council adopted a political decision. There is a clear format for using assets, and this format is there. Now we in Europe have agreed that this format should be implemented by the end of the year. In general, the mood in Europe is such that we understand: next year, financing for Ukraine, for our people, will be provided," Zelenskyy said in an evening video address on Friday. He also reported on a number of agreements reached on supporting the Ukrainian energy sector during the heating season. "Today, there is already a decision from Italy they are preparing a package to support our energy sector, thank you. There is a decision from Norway on financing gas purchases, thank you very much. We have good agreements with other countries, our partners in Europe teams are now working on implementation. And we will work on energy with the new government of Japan the new Prime Minister of Japan took part in the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing today," the President of Ukraine said. Zelenskyy expressed hope that each member of the G7 will continue to support Ukraine. The story of Lee Fields becoming an overnight success after decades of working hard has been told many times, but ahead of his concert at Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, he laughed at how he literally became Lee Fields. When I first started I was performing under my own name, we were playing a jook joint in North Carolina somewhere, the guy whose club it was asked my name to introduce the band, when I said it was Elmer, he wasnt impressed, what! do you have a middle name? I said, yeah, Lee and he said, thats it, thats it! So from that moment there man, it has been Lee Fields on stage, and Elmer for the business and financial stuff! It is fair to say Lee has had a lot of business stuff to look after since he released his first single in 1969. Now 75, he has been at the heart of soul music since he was a teenager, quickly gaining the nickname of Little JB, because of his physical and vocal resemblance to James Brown. He released Lets Talk It Over ostensibly his debut album in 1979, and it was a long wait until 2002 for Problems, his second album, to be released. Industry shifts and record label changes are mostly to blame for such a long gap in releasing albums, and Lee was guesting on other peoples records and releasing occasional seven-inch singles in the timeframe, but 23 years is a very noticeable gap in anyones discography. Lee looks back on all this without rancour. I get asked about anniversaries and dates, but I prefer to look at it by how well or how unwell my time was spent, because sometimes we veer off into things that absorb a lot of time, but we end up further from what we really want to achieve. So now I keep a close tab on time and facts and how they affect what Im doing, because I realise Im only allotted a certain amount of time and Im approaching the periphery of my time on this plane. Time is of the essence, and what I now do within this period is very important because I dont want to waste time. Time is more valuable than anything on this earth, because we leave all of this anyway; we are in a life game. I call it a game because its not forever. To me, you have to make the best of that time possible until we move on to the next stage. Lee Fields plays Cork Opera House this weekend. For Lee, deciding to focus on time has made things more straightforward for him. As an artist, it makes it easier because I realise when Im wasting my time very quickly now, sometimes its the moment somethings brought up, sometimes I can immediately tell that this is a good thing for me. Im not being selfish when I say for me, Im counting all of the people that Im involved with as for me. Im counting my manager, Im counting my band, Im counting my wife, Im counting my future endeavours. Is this going to take us in a negative direction, or is it going to take us in a positive direction? Every slight movement that we make affects the outcome of the future. So Im very, very careful about the moves that I make, because time is more precious than the money that we get here. Money is temporary, all this stuff is temporary. This mindset deeply influences his work ethic as a showman. Since every move that we make is very precious, I try to calculate things. I know I cant spend too much time doing one thing, because I need to be focusing on another thing. Its the same thing with my live shows. When I come out on stage, man, the band and I have been rehearsing all the way up until that moment, because I want to be my best. I know that there are artists like Prince and others that are proving themselves, as far as their work, as greater than me, but I believe that you dont have to be a superstar to be great, but you do need to be the greatest in your periphery. A case in point is how seriously he takes his live shows and connecting to the audience. Its like a good conversation, man, if you have a conversation with somebody and you understand exactly what they saying, and they understand what youre saying, and its a pleasant conversation, that conversation will be remembered for an indefinite period of time, both people can remember and reflect on it for the rest of their lives. Like if you see an old friend, and you think about things you did maybe 20 years ago, and all of a sudden, it becomes almost like you relive that moment. So when I sing and I perform for my audience, I try to connect with them, and try to get to that place called Euphoria. Its impossible to get there, but the fun part is trying to get there. Youre not gonna really get all the way, but as you get happier and happier and happier, and when its over, you say, Oh man! That was a good concert! to each other. Continuing on that theme, Lee explained what makes it all worthwhile. The other thing is you cant get to Euphoria on your own, you have to make it with others. I can think of euphoric ideas in my head, but if Im in front of an audience and Im singing, and I can feed that euphoric feeling, and it passes on to the next person and to the next person, all of a sudden, the whole audience and everybody is so happy. Its about being in a place, in a very content place, and you know that you cant stay that long, its just for a moment. Those moments are worth everything. Its worth it for me getting on a plane and flying to Cork. Its worth my rehearsing the band time after time. Its worth the people, wherever they come from, travelling to the show. Because when they leave the show, theyll be saying, I feel good, you know? And it makes all the sacrifices worth it, thats what its all about. Lee Fields & The Expressions play The Cork Opera House on Saturday, October 25, at 6pm, with support from Toshin. Tickets available at www.corkoperahouse.ie Meghan Markle's public relations team has faced another shakeup after her tenth communications director in five years reportedly quit, citing a turbulent work environment and internal tension. Emily Robinson, who joined the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's team in June, resigned after just three months, according to The Sun. Robinson had been recruited from Netflix following her work on "The Crown," the streaming giant's controversial royal drama. Sources close to Robinson told the Daily Mail that her decision to leave was her own, but that conditions must have been "pretty horrible." One source said Robinson "is not a quitter," suggesting her departure reflected deeper issues within the Sussex operation. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Sun that "it must be quite chaotic working for the Sussexes," pointing to the steady stream of staff turnover since the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Seward said that many employees arrive with one expectation of the role but quickly realize "the job they're expected to do is not the job they imagined they would have." She added that Meghan "wants to control everything," which has led to "some quite major PR errors." Seward brought up Meghan's trip to Paris Fashion Week when the duchess posted a video of herself going through the city with her feet up in the back of a taxi. A number of people watching the royals criticized the road as being the one that Princess Diana took the night she died. Meghan Markle will never escape these two disrespectful moments Mocking curtseying to The Queen Putting her feet up while recording herself going by the tunnel where Diana, Princess of Wales tragically lost her life pic.twitter.com/xpmNtf2XMt MeghansMole (@MeghansMole) October 23, 2025 Seward said that even if the similarity was unintentional, the decision to post the video was "incredibly stupid" and "really bad timing." She argued that professional communicators should handle public posts rather than Meghan herself. A Pattern of PR Turmoil Robinson's resignation adds to a string of departures from the Sussexes' communications team in recent years. In June, Harry and Meghan dismissed two PR chiefs after a series of missteps, including negative reviews of Meghan's Netflix cooking series and confusion over her American Riviera Orchard rebrand. Earlier this year, Meghan faced criticism after being referred to as "Her Royal Highness" in promotional material, a title she agreed to forgo following the 2020 "Megxit" deal with the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Sussexes reportedly blamed their PR advisers for the oversight and replaced multiple team members soon after. Among those who exited were UK-based Charlie Gipson, California-based Kyle Boulia, and Archewell Foundation communications lead Deesha Tank. The couple then brought in Method Communications, a firm that brands itself as "disruptors" who "challenge the status quo." Seward said she believes the constant staff turnover reflects deeper control issues. "It has to stem from Meghan's personality, because she's the big boss," she said. "She interferes, she gives out the wrong message." The royal expert added that the couple's media strategy has backfired because they appear unwilling to stay quiet. "PR isn't always about getting people out there," she said. "Some of the best PR keep people out of the news." Seward suggested that Meghan and Harry's best move now would be to stay out of the spotlight and focus on their private life, as they originally promised after leaving the royal family. "They should be keeping out of the news," she said, adding that accepting "humanitarian awards that nobody really understands what they're for" only fuels criticism. Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are reportedly livid after Kevin Federline's new memoir, "You Thought You Knew," accused them of contributing to his 2007 split from Britney Spears. Federline recounts a late-night phone call he claims changed everything. In the book, he writes that while he was in Miami for work, he received a call from Spears "with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan on the line, drunk as hell, begging me to come over." He says he could hear their two sons crying in the background and calls the incident "the final straw." People close to Hilton and Lohan told Rob Shuter's Substack that the women are "furious" to be pulled back into Spears' public struggles. "Paris and Lindsay have moved on," said one insider. "They're both moms now. To be dragged into Britney's meltdown from 20 years ago is humiliating." Hilton and Lohan Caught Off Guard Sources said both stars were blindsided by their names being used in Federline's tell-all. "They didn't even know they were in the book until the press called," one source said. "It's old gossip repackaged for profit." Federline's account describes a series of nights where Spears was seen out with Hilton and Lohan at Paris's Malibu home, which he says convinced him she was prioritizing partying over parenting. "Any deep-seated sliver of hope that I'd held onto, that we might still somehow pull it together for the kids, died right then," he wrote, per Page Six. The women, once dubbed the "Bimbo Summit" by The Post during their 2000s party era, have since rebuilt their reputations. Hilton has launched businesses and a family of her own, while Lohan recently became a mother and resumed acting. 16 years ago today, the holy trinity was formed - britney, lindsay, and paris were seen out partying together. pic.twitter.com/mhLaPbyChs popcultureangel (@lohanisgod) November 27, 2022 A source close to the pair told Radar Online, "They are all so far beyond him. All he can do is live in the past and off Britney." Federline's memoir details more than the alleged call. He accuses Spears of mixing alcohol and prescription medication during her pregnancies, describing it as a "dangerous" combination. "A couple of glasses of wine for her would hit like a whole bottle because of the medication," he wrote. Spears, 43, responded to the book on social media, calling Federline's claims "hurtful" and "exhausting." "The constant gaslighting from ex-husband is extremely hurtful and exhausting," she posted. Spears added that the stories in his book are "white lies" that are "going straight to the bank." A Return to Old Drama The renewed controversy has revived memories of the chaotic celebrity scene of the mid-2000s, when Spears, Hilton, and Lohan dominated tabloid headlines. But those close to the women say none of them want to revisit that time. "Paris has always supported Britney," said a friend of Hilton's. "She feels betrayed that Kevin's cashing in on pain." Lohan, meanwhile, has chosen silence. "She's focused on her baby and her work, not reliving that chaos," a source said. As one longtime Hollywood publicist told Shutter Scoop, "The 2000s might be back in fashion, but no one wants to wear this drama again." Photo: https://www.bloomberg.com U.S. President Donald Trump plans to touch upon the topic of resolving Russias aggression against Ukraine at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "One of the things well talk about is the Russia, Ukraine," Trump told reporters on board his plane en route to Malaysia. According to him, the Chinese leader also wants "this to end." The U.S. president said the United States has imposed large-scale sanctions against Russia. At the same time, Trump said that he would like Beijing to help Washington resolve the military conflict against Ukraine. "We have a lot to talk about with President Xi, and he has a lot to talk about with us. I think well have a good meeting," the U.S. president said. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 6F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 6F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. A series of new avian influenza outbreaks has deepened concern across the UK poultry industry, with cases now confirmed in Denbighshire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on Sunday (26 October) confirmed infection in a flock of 32,000 free-range laying hens near Cynwyd, Denbighshire, alongside a second outbreak in 32,000 birds near Penrith, and another in 68,000 free-range hens near Bedale, North Yorkshire. All affected sites have been placed under strict 3 km Protection Zones and 10 km Surveillance Zones, as authorities race to contain the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain. The cluster of outbreaks marks the most serious escalation in the disease since early 2025. In response, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) has renewed calls for an immediate Housing Order across western Great Britain, warning that the risk of transmission is rising sharply as migratory birds return for winter. BFREPAs Gary Ford said: This is distressing for the families involved and concerning news for the UK poultry sector, particularly for those poultry businesses in the immediate area of the outbreak. In light of the escalating situation and the growing risk of disease transmission, we are calling for an urgent Housing Order to be implemented across the western region of Great Britain. "While housing measures alone cannot eliminate the risk, they are a critical step in reducing exposure and limiting the spread of this aggressive disease. Ford urged producers to remain vigilant: We urge all poultry producers to maintain high standards of biosecurity at all times and to report any suspicion of disease promptly. These actions, combined with housing measures, will be pivotal in containing and ultimately eliminating this outbreak. BFREPA said it continues to work closely with Defra and APHA to support affected farmers. The welfare of our flocksand the livelihoods and mental wellbeing of those who care for themremain our top priority, Ford added. Producers across all regions are now being urged to review their biosecurity protocols and remain alert for signs of infection as the virus continues to spread. Members of the public are also being urged to report sightings of dead wild birds to help track the spread of avian influenza across the UK. Defra and APHA have updated their guidance for England, Scotland and Wales, reminding people that public reports play a vital role in monitoring bird flu and other wildlife diseases. Sightings can be reported using the online service or by calling 03459 33 55 77, providing details of where the birds were found, what type they were, and how many were discovered. The NFU is urging policymakers to unleash the full potential of Britains tenanted farms, calling for stronger support and investment to drive growth and resilience across the sector. At the NFU Tenant Farmers Conference on 23 October, delegates gathered to explore how policy and innovation can transform the tenanted system into a driver of productivity. Among the speakers at the Three Counties Showground event was Alan Laidlaw, newly appointed Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector, who said his role would focus on engagement, problem-solving and a new case-handling process to help tenants and landlords resolve issues. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the tenanted sector a role created to strengthen fairness, transparency and collaboration across agriculture. The event was chaired by NFU Deputy President David Exwood, who described tenant farmers as some of the most dynamic and progressive farmers in the country. He acknowledged that it has been another challenging year, as it has been for all farmers, with extreme weather, price volatility, inheritance tax changes and uncertainty around the future of environmental schemes, particularly for those in the uplands, leaving many vulnerable and low in confidence. Exwood said progress hinged on the right policy framework. Above all, we need policies that will help build resilience, profitability and productivity in the tenanted sector and allow farmers to invest, he told delegates. Farmers Sam Bailey from Staffordshire, Andrew Baxter from Worcestershire and Gary Yeomans from Monmouthshire shared how they were adapting through innovation and diversification to stay competitive. The Rock Review recommended the creation of the Tenant Farming Commissioner to promote the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, ensuring the sector operates on fair and modern principles. Exwood stressed that the Commissioners independence would be vital. Its clear that for the sector to succeed, Commissioner Laidlaw must remain fiercely independent, listen to tenant farmers and ensure we are fully consulted, he said. He also urged more support for new entrants, citing the need for improved tenancy agreements, better access to finance and fit-for-purpose networks of county farms. He added that long-term policy certainty was essential if tenant farmers were to continue producing sustainable climate-friendly food while contributing to economic growth and environmental goals. The message from the conference was clear: tenant farmers must be at the heart of future agricultural policy if the UK is to build a fair, productive and sustainable industry. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 24, 2025) - Universal Digital Inc. (CSE: LFG) (FSE: 8R20) (OTCQB: LFGMF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") with Helena Global Investment Opportunities 1 Ltd. ("Helena"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to Helena (the "Private Placement") up to $50,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures"). The Convertible Debentures will be sold and issued in up to fourteen (14) separate tranches, as follows: (i) an initial tranche (the "First Tranche") equal to $3,336,364 principal amount of Convertible Debentures (the "First Tranche Subscription Amount"), (ii) twelve (12) separate tranches consisting of a subscription in the amount of $3,636,364 principal amount of Convertible Debentures (the "Subsequent Tranche Subscription Amount"), and (iii) a final tranche (each, a "Subsequent Tranche" and, together with the First Tranche, the "Tranches" or, individually, a "Tranche") consisting of a subscription in the amount of $3,027,268 (the "Final Tranche Subscription Amount" and, together with the First Tranche Subscription Amount and Subsequent Tranche Subscription Amount, the "Subscription Amount"). The closing of the First Tranche is expected to occur on or around October 31, 2025, with each Subsequent Tranche to be issued on a date that is mutually agreed upon by the parties in each case. "This financing framework provides Universal Digital with a flexible, scalable capital structure to support our Bitcoin Treasury Strategy and future digital-asset initiatives," said Chris Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "We appreciate Helena's confidence in our vision as we continue building a globally relevant investment platform bridging traditional capital markets and the digital-asset economy." The Convertible Debentures will have a one-year term from the closing date of each Tranche (the "Term"). The Convertible Debentures will be convertible into common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at Helena's option at anytime during the Term at a conversion price per Common Share equal to 100% of the closing price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") on the trading day immediately preceding the submission of a conversion notice, subject to a minimum price equal to $0.05. The Convertible Debentures bear interest at a rate of 17.5% per annum, with interest for the Term paid by the Company in cash on closing of the First Tranche. The Convertible Debentures will be secured pursuant to the terms of a security agreement (the "Security Agreement") securing all Bitcoin presently owned by the Company, as well as the Purchased Bitcoin (as defined herein) subsequently acquired. The Company will also pay to Helena a facilitation fee equal to $100,000 on the closing of the First Tranche. In connection with the closing of each Tranche, the Company will also issue to Helena Common Share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant") entitling Helena to purchase such number of Common Shares that is equal to up to 25% of the Subscription Amount of each Tranche exercisable for a period of three years from the closing of each Tranche. For greater certainty, the number of Warrants issued shall not exceed: (i) 25% of the applicable Tranche; or (ii) 25% of the aggregate Subscription Amounts of all Convertible Debentures issued under the Subscription Agreement. The Warrants will be exercisable at a price equal to 130% of the closing price of the Common Shares on the trading day immediately preceding the issuance of the Warrants. The conversion of Convertible Debentures by Helena, and the subscription for any further Convertible Debentures, are restricted if such subscription, conversion or exercise would cause Helena, together with any affiliate thereof, to beneficially own in excess of 9.9% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. In no event shall any issuance by the Company of Convertible Debentures, Warrants or Common Shares underlying either the Convertible Debentures or Warrants be effective or enforceable if such issuance would result in Helena and/or any person acting on combination or concert with Helena becoming a new Control Person (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE) or otherwise holding enough Common Shares to Materially Affect Control (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE) of the Company, without first obtaining approval of the holders of Common Shares in accordance with the policies of the CSE or any other exchange upon which the Common Shares were listed or trading. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Company is required to use 80% of the net proceeds from each Tranche for the purchase of Bitcoin (the "Purchased Bitcoin") and the remaining 20% of the net proceeds from each Tranche may be used for general working capital purposes. The Purchased Bitcoin, together with the Bitcoin currently owned by the Company, will be held in a custodial account and secured pursuant to the Security Agreement. Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as the sole placement agent in connection with the Private Placement. Helena is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from each closing date in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Closing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited, the approval of the CSE. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. About Universal Digital Inc. Universal Digital Inc. is a Canadian investment company focused on digital assets, businesses and private and publicly listed entities that are involved in high-growth industries, with a particular focus on blockchain, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency technologies. The Company aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth through a diversified investment approach, and to participate in the transformation of global finance through the integration of digital asset strategies. For further information contact: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the size of the Private Placement and completion of any further, or all anticipated Tranches on the terms described herein or at all; the expected closing date for the First Tranche of the Private Placement; the ability of the Company to obtain all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including Board approval, and any approval required from the CSE; and the Company's anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "should", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties (including market conditions) and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including those risk factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271936 SOURCE: Universal Digital Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 24, 2025) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, announces it has filed an amended and restated business acquisition report dated October 24, 2025 (the "Amended BAR"), relating to HEALWELL's acquisition of Orion Health Holdings Limited which closed on April 1, 2025. The Amended BAR replaces and supersedes the previous business acquisition report of HEALWELL filed on June 30, 2025. The Company filed the Amended BAR to update the audit report to reflect an administrative change that the audit report is prepared in compliance with the International Standards on Auditing ("ISA") whereas the prior report reflected compliance with ISA (New Zealand) ("ISA NZ"). Although ISA NZ is substantively similar to ISA, the audit report has been updated to confirm compliance with ISA and include additional disclosure related to the auditor's responsibilities in connection with the audit as required by ISA. The Amended BAR was filed at the request of staff of the Ontario Securities Commission in connection with a staff review. The Amended BAR can be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. James Lee Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL AI HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271842 SOURCE: HEALWELL AI About the Company CVH was founded as a corporate spin-off from Grupo Clarin S.A. and it is the first Argentine holding company that engages in the development of infrastructure and the provision of convergent telecommunications services, focusing on Argentina and the region. CVH's subsidiaries specialize in the provision of cable TV, broadband and mobile communications services; and their brands are well known in the telecommunications and content distribution industries. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Now 13 injured in Kyiv, 2 helicopters deployed to extinguish fire in Desniansky district As a result of the Russian attack in Kyiv, two people were killed and 13 injured, the State Emergency Service said in Telegram on Sunday. In Desniansky district, a fire in warehouses covering an area of 13,000 square meters was localized. "Rescuers saved one person. Two additional State Emergency Service helicopters were deployed to extinguish the fire," the service said. In Darnytsky district, a fire in a nine-story administrative and production building (5,400 square meters) was extinguished and a fire in a two-story building was localized. In Dniprovsky district, the Russians struck an open area, damaging residential buildings. Rescuers continue to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike. As reported, on October 25, at about 04:00, the armed forces of the aggressor country launched a missile strike on the capital. As a result, three districts of Kyiv Dniprovsky, Desniansky and Darnytsky were affected. Two people died, 12 were reported injured. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 24, 2025) - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold") announces that that it has arranged debt settlements with certain officers and directors of the Company to settle a total of $105,000 in indebtedness for accrued management and consulting fees from the period March 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025, to be settled by the issuance and delivery of a total of 954,543 common shares of the Company at a deemed value of $0.11 per share. GST on the outstanding amounts will be paid in cash by the Company. The shares will be subject to resale restrictions for a period of 4 months and a day from their date of issuance. Debt settlements with directors and officers of the Company constitute related party transactions for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation requirement in MI 61-101 provided under section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the Company's shares are not listed on any of the specified markets listed in MI 61-101. The debt settlements are also exempt from the majority of the minority approval requirement in MI 61-101 under section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value of the debt settlements is less than 25% of the Company's market capitalization. About the Company Sixty North is developing mining operations for gold on its 100-per-cent-owned Mon Gold Project, which extracted 15,000 tonnes of ore to depths of only 15 metres below surface, recovering an estimated 15,000 ounces of gold in the 1990s (Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023 on SEDAR+ or https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/technical-report/. The North Ramp has been reopened and has been extended to the target portion of the vein. The company plans to develop stopes in the East Limb, West Limb and DD Zone to extract and to feed a 100 tpd gravity-flotation mill. Additional gold, silver and base metal targets occur on the property and will be explored and developed as warranted. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better (Discovery Mine with one million ounces of gold produced, and Sixty North Gold's Mon Mine), and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Con Mine and Giant Mine); (ref. Company Technical Report NI 43-101, August 3, 2023). The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. D.R. Webb, P.Geol, President and CEO of Sixty North Gold Mines Ltd. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Dave Webb" Dave Webb, President & CEO This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements concern, without limitation: the completion of the debt settlements described herein. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of services required by the Company; future operating costs; and the receipt of regulatory approvals. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors, including regulatory risks; unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; market prices;, and general market conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271940 SOURCE: Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 24, 2025) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged the services of Atrium Research Corporation ("Atrium"), a leading company sponsored research firm. Atrium will publish various research reports on Lion One based on publicly available information, industry data, and discussions with management. Atrium will also host three recorded interviews with the Company's management team to present the investment case in an interview format. In exchange for its research services, Atrium will receive cash compensation in the amount form of an up front payment of $6,800 and cash payments of $3,400 per month for the services listed above. The services will be provided for a period of 18 months ending on April 2, 2027. This engagement remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Atrium and the Company are arm's-length parties, and neither Atrium nor its insiders holds any shares or options to purchase shares in the issued and outstanding capital of the Company. About Atrium Research Atrium Research provides institutional quality company sponsored research on public equities in North America. Its investment philosophy takes a 3-5 year view on equities currently being overlooked by the market. Its research process emphasizes understanding the key performance metrics for each specific company, trustworthy management teams, and an in-depth valuation analysis. Atrium Research is wholly owned and operated by its Co-Founders, Ben Pirie and Nicholas Cortellucci. Atrium Research is located at 906-81 Navy Wharf Court, Toronto, ON M5V 3S2. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, President, Chairman of the Board Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271939 SOURCE: Lion One Metals Limited Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 25, 2025) - A cornerstone of Canada's antique and collectibles scene, Wayne Learie, affectionately known as "The Mad Picker," is retiring after an extraordinary 60-year career uncovering and selling rare treasures. To mark this milestone, Learie will auction his entire personal and store collection-over 2,000 lots-in a landmark two-day global online event hosted by Direct Auctions and Jeff "The Liquidator" Schwarz. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/271949_65373f8c5483d978_001full.jpg For over six decades, Learie has been celebrated for his unmatched eye for value, authenticity, and cultural significance-building major collections for investors and discovering hidden gems ranging from Led Zeppelin's robe to rare gas pumps, vintage signs, and Indigenous artifacts. "I've been fortunate to do what I love for many years," said Learie. "Finding unique pieces and bringing joy to buyers and collectors has been the highlight of my life." A Collector's Farewell - Highlights from the Sale A 1938 hand-carved sculpture of Chief August Jack Khatsahlano of the Squamish Nation - a cultural masterpiece representing Vancouver's early heritage. Early Canadian Addison radios from the 1950s in rare condition. An original "Girl on the Beach" Coca-Cola sign in mint, framed presentation. A fully restored Austin children's pedal car, a signed Tiffany table lamp and candle holder, and exquisite carved Chinese jade and fine jewelry. Hardy fishing reels and rods from the 1920s-30s, Canadiana furniture, Indigenous art, sterling silver, and vintage military swords, badges, and showcase displays. Seeburg and Wurlitzer jukeboxes, beautifully restored to performance condition. Collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts are calling it the most significant Fraser Valley auction event in over 25 years - a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of Canadian history. A Partnership Built on Legacy Wayne recently sold The Mad Picker business to DirectAuctions.com, where he continues to collaborate with Jeff Schwarz, the internationally recognized TV personality and auctioneer from The Liquidator. "It's been an honor to work alongside Wayne over the years," said Jeff Schwarz, CEO of Direct Auctions. "We're thrilled to present such a unique collection that rarely, if ever, comes to auction. Acquiring The Mad Picker and collaborating with Wayne allows us to expand further into the estate and collectibles market - an exciting new chapter for our team and for collectors around the world." Auction Details Event: Wayne Learie's Incredible Antique Store & Personal Collection Auction Dates: October 28 & 29, 2025 Start Time: 1:00 PM PDT (Both Days) Format: Live Online Worldwide Auction (Hosted by Wayne Learie and Jeff Schwarz) Lots: 2,000+ rare and collectible pieces Global Shipping: Available Worldwide You Tube:https://youtu.be/lhiFhY3DXms View & Register Now: https://bid.directauctions.com/Wayne-Learie-s-Incredible-Antique-Store-Personal-Collection-Auction_a74880?m=all About Wayne Learie - "The Mad Picker" With six decades in the business, Wayne Learie is one of Canada's most respected professional pickers and antique appraisers. A true cold-door knocker, Wayne has traveled across North America in search of rare and valuable pieces, helping investors and collectors build some of the most renowned collections in the country. Known for his integrity, instinct, and unmatched knowledge of antiques, Wayne has built his legacy as a trusted authority in the world of high-end collectibles. Website: https://themadpicker.com About Jeff Schwarz - "The Liquidator" Jeff Schwarz, CEO of Direct Auctions, Direct Liquidation, and The Mad Picker, has spent over three decades buying and selling assets globally - from movie sets to estate holdings and industrial assets. Through his companies and hit TV series The Liquidator, Jeff has become one of Canada's most recognized and trusted auctioneers, expanding his reach into collectibles, estates, and international asset recovery. Websites: www.directauctions.com www.directliquidation.ca View All Upcoming Auctions - https://bid.directauctions.com/auctionlist.aspx Media Contacts To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271949 SOURCE: GYT Late-breaking positive Phase III data from ianalumab NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 trials in Sjogren's disease to be presented Biomarker data informing use of investigational CAR-T cell therapy rapcabtagene autoleucel (YTB323) in systemic lupus erythematosus also to be presented Data underscore Novartis commitment to advance innovative medicines for complex, difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases with high unmet need Novartis to hold virtual investor event following ACR highlighting immunology pipeline progress Basel, October 25, 2025 - Novartis announced today plans to present data from 27 company- or investigator-sponsored abstracts across its Immunology portfolio and pipeline at the 2025 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence. Data to be presented include late-breaking pivotal Phase III results from the replicate NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 trials evaluating ianalumab in Sjogren's disease1. New biomarker data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 study of rapcabtagene autoleucel in severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus will also be presented, along with Cosentyx data in multiple rheumatology indications2,3. "Our data at this year's ACR demonstrate that Novartis is at the forefront of scientific innovation and is developing medicines for some of the most challenging autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's," said Angelika Jahreis, Global Head, Development, Immunology, Novartis. "Autoimmune diseases are often devastating and life-limiting. We are committed to developing new therapies with the potential to transform the standard of care for the millions who continue to suffer from rheumatic diseases." Ianalumab is an investigational medicine that has the potential to become the first targeted therapy for Sjogren's disease, an area of high unmet need with no FDA-approved treatments4,5. Sjogren's disease affects millions of people globally and is the second most prevalent rheumatic disease6. Additional presentations include data for rapcabtagene autoleucel, a novel one-time investigational CAR-T cell therapy being evaluated across several refractory autoimmune disease for its potential to induce an immune reset7-9. Further presentations will feature real-world data on Cosentyx (secukinumab) in psoriatic arthritis, and new insights into the dual mode of action of ianalumab. Investor call on Novartis Immunology pipeline Following the conclusion of ACR, Novartis will host a conference call for investors to provide updates on the company's Immunology pipeline on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Details can be found here (https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/imvutich/). Key abstracts accepted by ACR include: Molecule/disease state Abstract title Abstract number/ presentation details Ianalumab Sjogren's disease Ianalumab demonstrates significant reduction in disease activity in patients with Sjogren's Disease: Efficacy and safety results from two global Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind studies (NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2) Abstract LB24 Oral presentation Oct. 29, 9:15 am - 9:30 am CST Sjogren's disease Evaluation of the dual mode of action of Ianalumab (VAY736) in the circulation and salivary gland tissue of patients with Sjogren's Disease: Results from a Phase 2 mechanistic study Abstract #2296 Poster presentation Oct. 28, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm CST Sjogren's disease Ianalumab's dual mode of action: targeting B cells through enhanced B cell depletion and blockade of B cell activating factor receptor signaling Abstract #0903 Poster presentation Oct. 27, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm CST Systemic lupus erythematosus Achieving sustained lupus low disease activity state and remission with ianalumab (VAY736) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A post hoc analysis from a phase II study Abstract #0801 Oral presentation Oct. 26, 1:00 pm - 1:15pm CST Rapcabtagene autoleucel Systemic lupus erythematosus Biomarker data from an open-label, Phase 1/2 Study for YTB323 (Rapcabtagene Autoleucel, a rapidly manufactured CD19 CAR-T therapy) suggest reset of the B Cell compartment in severe refractory SLE Abstract #2696 Oral Presentation Oct. 29, 12:15pm - 12:30 pm CST Cosentyx (secukinumab) Psoriatic arthritis Comparison of incidence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis treated with interleukin-17 inhibitors vs interleukin-23 inhibitors, interleukin-12/23 inhibitors, and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in real-world practice: a retrospective study Abstract #2689 Oct. 29, 12:15pm - 12:30 pm CST About Novartis Immunology At Novartis, we're advancing bold science for autoimmune diseases, where meaningful therapeutic progress has long stalled. With a growing legacy of first-in-class innovation across Rheumatology, Dermatology and Allergy, and a diverse industry-leading pipeline, we're committed to shaping what's next in Immunology. From small molecules to biologics and CAR-T cell therapy, our innovation is powered by cutting-edge science, focused on where we can have the greatest impact on patient outcomes and supported by strong collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem. We're not just treating autoimmune diseases. We're reimagining medicine, together. Product information For full prescribing information, including approved indications and important safety information about marketed products, please visit https://www.novartis.com/about/products (https://www.novartis.com/about/products) Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com (https://www.novartis.com/) and connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/novartis/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/novartis/), X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/Novartis) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/novartis?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==__;!!N3hqHg43uw!pjp8z253J5NjaOYrW65UbAAlHeHRdQ-w0m4ezZxEQEl0ptafXN2M99VRIk39pf49PAc8NbK93Pxp3uaSBQkAf8oEnzWXG8Sk$). References Novartis. Data on file. Morand E, et al. Biomarker Data From an Open-Label, Phase 1/2 Study for YTB323 (Rapcabtagene Autoleucel, a Rapidly Manufactured CD19 CAR-T Therapy) Suggest Reset of the B Cell Compartment in Severe Refractory SLE. Abstract presented at ACR Convergence 2025. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/biomarker-data-from-an-open-label-phase-1-2-study-for-ytb323-rapcabtagene-autoleucel-a-rapidly-manufactured-cd19-car-t-therapy-suggest-reset-of-the-b-cell-compartment-in-severe-refractory-sle/ (https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/biomarker-data-from-an-open-label-phase-1-2-study-for-ytb323-rapcabtagene-autoleucel-a-rapidly-manufactured-cd19-car-t-therapy-suggest-reset-of-the-b-cell-compartment-in-severe-refractory-sle/) Armstrong A, et al. Comparison of Incidence of Psoriatic Arthritis in Patients With Psoriasis Treated With Interleukin-17 Inhibitors vs Interleukin-23 Inhibitors, Interleukin-12/23 Inhibitors, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Real-World Practice: A Retrospective Study. Abstract presented at ACR Convergence 2025. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/comparison-of-incidence-of-psoriatic-arthritis-in-patients-with-psoriasis-treated-with-interleukin-17-inhibitors-vs-interleukin-23-inhibitors-interleukin-12-23-inhibitors-and-tumor-necrosis-factor-i/ (https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/comparison-of-incidence-of-psoriatic-arthritis-in-patients-with-psoriasis-treated-with-interleukin-17-inhibitors-vs-interleukin-23-inhibitors-interleukin-12-23-inhibitors-and-tumor-necrosis-factor-i/) Dorner T, et al. Safety and Efficacy of ianalumab in patients with Sjogren's disease: 52-week results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2b dose-ranging study. Arthritis and Rheumatology. 2025; 77(5):560-570 Negrini S, et al. Sjogren's syndrome: a systemic autoimmune disease, Clin Exp Med. 2022; 22(1): 9-25 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Care Services; Committee on Selected Immune Disorders and Disability. Sjogren's Disease/Syndrome. Accessed September 11, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584486/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584486/) ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05798117 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05798117) [Last accessed: September 2025] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06665256 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06665256?cond=Inflammatory%20Myopathies&viewType=Table&rank=5) [Last accessed: September 2025] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06655896 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06655896) [Last accessed: September 2025] # # # DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LLVision demonstrated Leion Hey2, its next-generation AR translation glasses, at GITEX Global 2025. This year's theme, "All Intelligence," emphasizes practical AI-exactly where Leion Hey2 is focused. Leion Hey2 is purpose-built for a universal task: face-to-face cross-language conversation. Leion Hey2 displays real-time, subtitles in the wearer's field of view, helping travelers, business teams and eventgoers communicate across languages without breaking eye contact. Building on LLVision's 11 years of AR and AI work for enterprise and consumer use, the product pairs a lightweight design with on-device speech capture, low-latency translation and bright, sunlight-readable optics. The glasses weigh 49 g (1.7 oz), support two-way translation in 100+ languages, and target a sub-500 ms average latency in typical conditions so dialogue can flow naturally. A single charge delivers up to 8 hours of typical use. With the pocketable charging case, cumulative time between wall charges can reach up to 96 hours across multiple recharges, covering multi-day trips and conferences. At GITEX, visitors held live conversations with head-up display (HUD) subtitles projected in front of the wearer's field of view, with optional audio via a paired phone or earbuds-mirroring real-world settings such as trade shows, airport counters, cross-border travel and multilingual classrooms. As one of the early proponents to articulate and execute an "AR + AI" roadmap, LLVision integrates optical displays, edge computing and AI algorithms, dedicating roughly 60% of its operating spend to R&D and accumulating more than 180 industry awards. In the enterprise AR market, the company has delivered at-scale deployments-including a safety-inspection solution for China Southern Airlines that was featured in Harvard Business Review's "The Year in Tech 2024" alongside ChatGPT. On the consumer side, LLVision's previous-generation Leion Hey won a UNESCO Netexplo Innovation Award in 2022, helping define the emerging category of "AR subtitle glasses." "Technology should remove friction from human connection," said Roy Lou, LLVision's chief operating officer. "With Leion Hey2, people can look up, speak naturally and be understood-without juggling a phone or losing eye contact. We're bringing that experience to the global community at GITEX." Leion Hey2 combines waveguide optics with a 360-degree microphone array and neural noise reduction to keep voices clear in crowded, noisy venues. Hey2 provides quick language switching, note-taking and auto-generated meeting summaries-useful for trade show demos, airport assistance and multilingual teamwork. As GITEX convenes policymakers, enterprises and AI leaders, LLVision's focus remains straightforward: making cross-language conversation feel closer to speaking in one's native tongue. With Leion Hey2, AR moves from a demo to a daily tool-helping more people follow and be understood in real time. Contact: LEION Hey / LLVision Roy LOU/COO E-Mail: lousq@llvision.com Telephone: +65 98851629 Official Website: https://leion.llvision.com Address: 65 Chulia Street, #25-03 OCBC Centre,Singapore 049513 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2805204/Visitors_test_LLVision_s_Leion_Hey2_AR_translation_glasses_GITEX_Global.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/from-seoul-to-ifa-to-dubai-llvisions-leion-hey2-expands-global-rollout-at-gitex-2025-302594522.html While several celebs from the industry voiced their thoughts on this scenario, Konkona Sen Sharma showered his support on Deepika Padukones progressive decision. Deepika Padukone, who recently embraced motherhood, grabbed headlines after her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vangas Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD sequel over her demand for an 8-hour shift. While several celebs from the industry voiced their thoughts on this scenario, Konkona Sen Sharma showered his support on Deepikas progressive decision. I feel she is very progressive, and we need many more people like her, said Koko. Talking about Deepika Padukones fixed eight-hour shift, she added, I think there should be some rules in the industry. We cant work for 14-15 hours. We should have a 12-hour turnaround. We should have at least one day off in the week, especially for the technicians. It should be equal. It shouldnt be like male actors are coming late and are working late, and women are leaving their children and working for long hours. It should be equal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking about her demand, Deepika told Brut India, I dont think what I am asking for is ridiculously unfair and I think only someone who has worked in the system enough will know the conditions that we work in. And I am saying this, if I may say so myself, a top star, so you can only imagine what the working conditions must be like for everyone else, for the crew, for example. I am not the first one who has asked for something like this. In fact, there are a lot of actors, male actors, who have been working on a 8-hour shift for years and its never made headlines, she added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the professional front, Deepika Padukone has two big projects under her kitty, with one being Shah Rukh Khan starrer King, directed by Siddharth Anand and the other one Atlees next featuring Allu Arjun as the lead protagonist. A young doctor from Phaltan in Maharashtras Satara district has died by suicide, leaving behind a four-page note that reveals a string of startling allegations. The 26-year-old alleged that she was raped several times by a police officer and was harassed by her landlord in a note written on her palm. Not only this, she also accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her after she refused to issue false medical certificates for people arrested by police In her suicide letter, the doctor revealed pressur from police and political leaders to issue false medical certificates. She also alleged that she was raped several times by a police officer and harassed by her landlord, in a note written on her palm. Image courtesy: News18 A young doctor from Phaltan in Maharashtras Satara district has died by suicide, leaving behind a four-page note that reveals a web of shocking allegations. In her letter, the 26-year-old accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her after she refused to issue a false medical certificate. She also alleged that she was raped several times by a police officer and harassed by her landlord, in a note written on her palm. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The doctors body was allegedly found hanging in a hotel room on Thursday night. The incident has now sparked outrage across Maharashtra and ignited a political storm, with the opposition accusing the BJP-led state government of protecting those in power instead of ensuring justice. Heres what we know so far about the tragic case and what the doctors note has brought to light. Raped, harassed multiple times The 26-year-old doctor, who worked as a medical officer at the Phaltan sub-district hospital in Satara, accused a police officer of repeatedly raping and abusing her. In a note on her palm, she wrote that Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne had raped her four times and subjected her to months of physical and mental torture. She also named her landlord, Prashant Bankar, alleging that he harassed her mentally, reports News18. #UPDATE Revealing The TRUTH A Shocking Betrayal of a Young Doctor in #Maharashtra A 26-year-old woman doctor from Phaltan Sub-District Hospital, Satara, who had dedicated her life to public service, died by suicide. leaving behind a 4-page letter and a chilling message pic.twitter.com/R6jFrxmaJg Indian Doctor (@Indian__doctor) October 24, 2025 The note indicates that the harassment had been ongoing for several months and was linked to tensions between the police and the health department over a medical examination case. She told us repeatedly that the pressure was unbearable that she might end her life," her uncle told News18, his voice trembling with anger and grief. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The young doctor had been serving at the hospital for nearly two years on a contractual basis and was just one month away from completing her rural bond service. After that, she reportedly planned to pursue her postgraduate medical studies. Following her death, the police registered a case against Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and officer Prashant Bankar under charges of rape and abetment to suicide. Badne has been suspended. We are investigating the matter based on the evidence gathered so far. A case has been lodged in the Satara district. The police officer involved in the case has been suspended, Sunil Phulari, Inspector General of Police (Kolhapur division), told PTI. Maharashtra Womens Commission chief Rupali Chakankar, meanwhile, said, We have taken cognisance of the matter and ordered Satara Police to take strict action against the accused. Teams have been deployed to hunt the accused. Those involved in this unfortunate incident will not be spared." Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case: Why doctors in India are in urgent need for a central protection law STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pressured to make fake medical certificates In her suicide note, the young doctor revealed that she was repeatedly pressured to issue fake medical fitness certificates for people arrested by the police, often without conducting any medical examination. According to NDTV, the note mentioned that when she refused to issue medically fit certificates, she began facing mounting pressure from Sub-Inspector Gopal Badne and certain political figures. Recalling one particular incident, she wrote that after refusing to make a false certificate, two personal assistants of a Member of Parliament entered the hospital, made her speak to the MP over the phone, and that he threatened her indirectly. Her cousin also told NDTV that she had been under similar pressure to falsify post-mortem reports. They were also pressuring my sister to prepare fit/unfit reports of the patients without bringing patients to the hospital, he alleged. #WATCH | Maharashtra | On Satara woman doctor's death allegedly by suicide, her cousin brother says, "There was a lot of police and political pressure on her to make wrong mortem reports. She tried to complain about it. My sister should get justice." pic.twitter.com/kikMmCnEiI ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Family members said she had tried to seek help but received no support from senior authorities. She had raised complaints on two to three occasions. Despite writing a letter to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), no action was taken, her cousin said. In the letter, she asked who would be responsible if anything happened to her. She also mentioned the lack of security at her workplace. She had even called the DSP, who said he would call her back, but no one ever did, he added. Also read: What are night shifts for Indian doctors like? 35% feel 'unsafe', 45% get no duty room, and... STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political uproar The tragic death of the young doctor has triggered a major political storm in Maharashtra, with the opposition Congress accusing the BJP-led state government of protecting the accused officials. When the protector becomes the predator! The duty of the police is to protect, but if they themselves are exploiting a female doctor, how will justice be served? Why was no action taken when this girl had previously lodged a complaint? The Mahayuti government repeatedly shields the police, which is leading to an increase in police atrocities, Congress leader Vijay Namdevrao Wadettiwar wrote on X. Responding to the allegations, BJP leader Chitra Wagh said a detailed investigation was underway. The incident is unfortunate. I have spoken to the Satara Superintendent of Police It has come to our notice that the doctor had raised a complaint, but no action was taken. Everything will be investigated in the case I want to appeal to all women that there is no need to take such an extreme step. Our government is ready to help. The 112 helpline should be used to register such complaints, and action will be taken, Wagh said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has revealed that 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden had escaped the Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan disguised as a woman, aided by an infiltrated translator when US forces had cornered the Al-Qaeda terrorist and asked him to surrender. The US eventually tracked bin Laden after 10 years in Pakistans Abbottabad, where he was killed by Special Forces during a raid on his safe house Even though US forces had Al-Qaeda's Osama bin Laden cornered in Tora Bora, they were misled in a surprising way. File image/ AP Just days after the September 11 attacks devastated the United States, President George W Bush launched a mission against Osama bin Ladens al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan, seeking to bring those responsible for one of the deadliest terrorist attacks to justice. Now, former CIA officer John Kiriakou has revealed a startling detail from the operation: bin Laden managed to escape from the Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan disguised as a woman when the US forces cornered his camp. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview with ANI, Kiriakou, who once led the CIAs counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan, said US forces were misled by a translator who, unbeknownst to them, was an al-Qaeda operative. His account sheds light on the confusion and chaos that marked the early days of Americas war on terror, and how the worlds most wanted terrorist managed to slip through their grasp. Heres a closer look at the chapter. How US forces found Bin Laden in Tora Bora Just days after the September 11 attacks, President George W Bush launched Operation Jawbreaker, aimed at gathering intelligence on al-Qaeda to pave the way for the US militarys entry into Afghanistan. The missions ultimate goal was to locate bin Laden and either capture him for trial or eliminate him. Berntsen explained, First, the United States was reactive at the time rather than proactive. You remember, we waited for more than a month before we started bombing Afghanistan. We were trying to be deliberate. We were trying to not let emotion cloud our judgment. And we waited a month until we had proper buildup in the region. And then we began attacking known Al-Qaeda sites. CIA field commander Gary Berntsen, who led the operation on the ground, recalled that his team had operatives stationed across Afghanistan. The breakthrough came when one of bin Ladens radios was discovered, and tracing its signal pointed to the Tora Bora mountains. Just days after the September 11 attacks, President George W Bush launched Operation Jawbreaker, aimed at locating bin Laden and either capturing him for trial or eliminating him. File Photo/Reuters By November 30, 2001, bin Laden was believed to be hiding in the White Mountain range of Tora Bora. CIA operatives, alongside Afghan tribal militias, began sweeping the area, while aerial bombardments were used to flush him out, according to the BBC. During the early stages of the battle, Berntsen requested 800 US Army Rangers to help block escape routes, as his forces were heavily outnumbered. However, the request was denied by the US Army, according to federal records. In his autobiography, Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, Berntsen admitted that this decision significantly affected the outcome of the mission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also read: Why did Osama feel safe living for years in Pakistani military town, asks Jaishankar Bin Ladens dramatic escape Even though US forces had bin Laden cornered in Tora Bora, they were misled in a surprising way. Kiriakou explained, We did not know that the translator for the commander of Central Command was actually an al-Qaeda operative who had infiltrated the US military. At the time, the US team believed they had the terrorist leader trapped and tried to negotiate his surrender. We told him to come down the mountain, Kiriakou said. Through the translator, bin Laden asked for a delay, claiming he needed to evacuate women and children. Can you just give us until dawn? We want to evacuate the women and children and then well come down and give up, Kiriakou quoted him as saying. The translator convinced General Franks to approve the delay, but the request turned out to be a ruse. What ended up happening was bin Laden dressed as a woman and he escaped under the cover of darkness in the back of a pickup truck into Pakistan, Kiriakou added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This clever misdirection allowed bin Laden to slip past US forces, even though they believed the operation had him trapped. They had all escaped. And so we had to move the fight to Pakistan proper. Also read: Why the US must stop playing snake charmer to Pakistan We had to buy Musharraf The US eventually tracked Bin Laden to Abbottabad in northern Pakistan, where he was killed on May 2, 2011, by US Special Forces during a raid on his safe house. Reflecting on relations with Pakistan at the time, Kiriakou said they had to essentially just purchase Musharraf, referring to then-President Pervez Musharraf, adding that he essentially would let us do whatever we wanted to do. Our relations with the Pakistani government were very, very good. It was General Pervez Musharraf at the time. Lets be honest here, the United States loves working with dictators. Because then you dont have to worry about public opinion and you dont have to worry about the media anymore, he explained. Kiriakou described how the US regularly met with Musharraf, giving millions and millions and millions of dollars in aid, whether it was military aid or economic development aid, and in return, Musharraf allowed the Americans significant operational freedom. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, he added, Musharraf also had to manage his own military, which didnt care about Al Qaeda. They cared about India. And so in order to keep the military happy and keep some of the extremists happy, he had to allow them to continue this dual life of pretending to cooperate with the Americans on counterterrorism while committing terror against India. US focused on Al-Qaeda, not India While working to track down the Al-Qaeda terrorist, the US largely focused on Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan, rather than Indias concerns, Kiriakou said. He recalled a key moment in March 2002 when US forces raided a Lashkar-e-Taiba safe house in Lahore and captured three fighters along with an Al-Qaeda training manual. It was the first time, analytically, that we were able to connect Lashkar-e-Taiba with Al-Qaeda. I remember receiving a cable from the deputy director of the CIA for intelligence congratulating us on finding this training manual, saying it was the very first time that we could attach the Pakistani government to Al-Qaeda, Kiriakou told ANI. Despite this connection, the issue was not publicly highlighted at the time. The decision was made at the White House. The relationship [with Pakistan] was considered bigger than India or regional concerns, at least temporarily. We needed the Pakistanis more than they needed us, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kiriakou added that the US relied on Pakistan to allow operations like basing drones in Balochistan, even if it meant overlooking how Pakistans military and extremists were still focused on India. Islamabad needs to come to a policy conclusion that theres nothing positive for it in fighting with India, and that Pakistan will lose any conventional war with India, he noted. With input from agencies US President Donald Trumps Asia tour spanning Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea marks his most ambitious diplomatic push in the continent in years. From trade deals and tariff talks to his first meeting in years with Xi Jinping, the visit aims to reset Washingtons influence in a region US President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, October 17, 2025. File Image/Reuters United States President Donald Trump is set for a major Asia visit which will take him through Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, and where he will attend high-level summits, engage in trade negotiations, and hold his first meeting in years with Chinese President Xi Jinping. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the presidents itinerary includes participation in both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The trip will include trade talks, peace dialogues, and discussions on US-China tensions, she said. Trump is expected to be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 25-26 for ASEAN. The visit will then proceed to Tokyo where he is set to meet Japans first woman prime minister. And, finally the US President will visit Gyeongju in South Korea for a highly anticipated Xi-Trump meeting on the sidelines of APEC starting October 29. Trump in Malaysia: ASEAN summit, semiconductors, and a fragile peace initiative Trumps first stop, Malaysia, will host the annual ASEAN summit from October 26 to 27. Kuala Lumpur, as the current chair of the 10-member regional bloc, will see the participation of leaders from across Southeast Asia as well as key dialogue partners. Trumps attendance marks his first engagement with ASEAN since 2017, having previously skipped summits in 2018, 2019, and 2020. According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Trumps first day in Kuala Lumpur will include bilateral discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, followed by a series of multilateral meetings with ASEAN heads of government. The president will also take part in a working dinner with ASEAN and US leaders. Anwar Ibrahim has described the visit as a near-concluding moment in Malaysias ongoing trade discussions with Washington. Semiconductors, AI, digital and energy are all covered, he said, noting that negotiations were 99.9 percent complete. The deal is expected to be finalised during Trumps visit and will include initial agreements to expand trade and investment between the two countries. Malaysias economy, deeply tied to global supply chains, has been particularly affected by US tariffs. Currently, the United States imposes a 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports, and discussions are underway to address the possibility of additional duties on imported semiconductors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Malaysia, the worlds sixth-largest semiconductor exporter, relies heavily on the sector, which constitutes about 40 per cent of its total exports. The new trade framework is expected to encompass digital technology, renewable energy collaboration, and artificial intelligence integration, as both sides look to realign supply chains amid ongoing US-China tensions. Ahead of the Xi-Trump meeting in South Korea, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will also visit Kuala Lumpur to hold separate trade negotiations with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Trump is also expected to participate in a signing ceremony with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, aimed at formally recognising progress toward resolving a long-standing border dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. The conflict, which erupted again in July, resulted in dozens of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands before Malaysia brokered a fragile ceasefire. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan recently told reporters that Trump was eager to see a peace accord signed during the summit an agreement Washington hopes will demonstrate its continued engagement in regional stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The dispute concerns several undemarcated points along the 817-kilometre (508-mile) Thailand-Cambodia frontier. For Malaysia, the US presence at the talks adds international weight to its mediation role. For Washington, it offers an opportunity to showcase diplomatic leadership at a time when regional security issues from the South China Sea to border disputes are increasingly influenced by Beijings growing assertiveness. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the ASEAN deliberations via video conference, highlighting Indias engagement in regional forums despite recent trade tensions with the US. Relations between New Delhi and Washington deteriorated in August after the US raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, though both sides have since adopted a more conciliatory tone. Trump in Japan: Energy politics, and trade balance pressures Following the Malaysia visit, Trump will travel to Tokyo for his first meeting with Japans new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. The discussions are expected to cover an extensive list of bilateral issues, ranging from tariff adjustments and investment commitments to energy supply diversification. In July, Japan and the United States concluded a preliminary agreement that saw Washington reduce certain tariffs on Japanese exports. However, tensions remain high as the Trump administration seeks substantial new investments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to officials, Washington is pressing Tokyo to commit $550 billion in investments in the United States a proposal that Japan has described as unrealistic. Tokyo has stated that only one to two per cent of that would come in the form of direct investments, with the remainder taking the form of loans and guarantees. This divergence is likely to feature prominently in discussions between Trump and Takaichi. Japanese exporters are also grappling with persistent tariff rates that have hindered competitiveness in key sectors. Trumps administration reduced duties on Japanese automobiles to 15 per cent earlier this year, but the figure is still considered high by manufacturers. Steel exports face even steeper challenges, as a 50 per cent tariff remains in place. Another sensitive point is Japans continued import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. The United States has urged Tokyo to curtail purchases from Moscow currently Japans third-largest LNG supplier as part of Washingtons broader strategy to limit Russian revenues following the escalation of global sanctions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japans strategic importance to Washington extends beyond trade. As a key Indo-Pacific ally, Tokyo plays a central role in maintaining maritime security and balancing Chinas regional influence. Both sides are expected to reaffirm defence and technology partnerships, particularly in semiconductor production and artificial intelligence research, areas where Washington seeks to expand domestic manufacturing capacity through allied investment. Trump in South Korea: Final negotiations, APEC, and Xi Jinping Trumps last stop will be South Korea, where he will attend the APEC CEO Summit in the historic city of Gyeongju. The visit will feature both economic and diplomatic components, culminating in the much-anticipated bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly on October 30. South Koreas leadership is expected to focus on completing a trade and investment deal that has been under discussion for months. Earlier this year, Trump announced an agreement to reduce tariffs on South Korean products to 15 per cent, down from 25 per cent, in exchange for Seoul committing to invest $350 billion in the US economy. However, the final structure of this investment including whether it will be made through direct projects or financial instruments remains unresolved. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kim Yong-beom, South Koreas chief presidential secretary for policy, recently acknowledged that both parties have made significant progress, though one or two issues remain unresolved. The talks come amid some strain in bilateral relations following a major incident in September, when US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid at a South Korean-owned electric battery factory under construction in Georgia. Around 300 South Korean workers were detained over alleged visa violations, sparking public anger in Seoul. Despite the tension, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is expected to prioritise completing the investment agreement and securing stable trade terms. The issue of tariffs on automobiles, a long-standing point of contention, is also expected to be addressed. The US had previously agreed to lower these tariffs from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, aligning them with the rates applied to Japan and the European Union. While in South Korea, Trump will also address the APEC CEO Summit, which gathers leading business figures from across the Asia-Pacific region. His speech is expected to focus on economic recovery, digital innovation, and supply chain resilience. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Analysts suggest that Trump will highlight the importance of maintaining open markets while reinforcing US competitiveness in technology and manufacturing. The central moment of the Gyeongju leg, however, will be Trumps face-to-face meeting with Xi Jinping. Leavitt confirmed that the meeting is scheduled for the morning of October 30, before Trumps departure for Washington. The agenda will include trade tensions, rare earth exports, and cooperation on controlling the flow of fentanyl a key issue in US-China relations. Recent months have seen renewed friction between Washington and Beijing. China has tightened controls on the export of rare earth elements, critical to global electronics and defence manufacturing, while the US has threatened to impose new tariffs in response. Trump has publicly stated his desire for a comprehensive resolution, saying he hopes to reach a deal on everything with Xi. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will have held preliminary meetings in Malaysia to lay groundwork for the talks. Why Trumps presence at ASEAN matters Trumps participation in the ASEAN summit comes at a pivotal moment for the region. The United States remains the largest export destination for ASEAN economies, which collectively shipped goods worth $312 billion to the US last year up from $142 billion in 2017. However, Trumps approach to regional trade since returning to office has been characterised by tariff reciprocity. The administration has introduced duties ranging from 10 to 40 per cent on several categories of imports from Southeast Asia, arguing that the measures are designed to address widening trade deficits. ASEAN leaders, however, have warned that the policy poses significant risks to the multilateral trading system and the stability of global supply chains. Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand have faced varying levels of tariff pressure and are expected to use the ASEAN summit to negotiate improved terms. Vietnam, for example, secured a reduction in overall export tariffs to 20 per cent earlier this year, though sector-specific duties including a 25 per cent tariff on furniture continue to weigh heavily on its trade balance. Indonesias trade talks with the US have been temporarily suspended due to the government shutdown in Washington, delaying the finalisation of a tariff agreement that was to reduce duties on Indonesian exports to 19 per cent in exchange for major investments, including a pledge to acquire 50 Boeing aircraft. Thailand and Cambodia, meanwhile, are drawing attention primarily due to their border conflict, where the US role could help secure long-term peace. Trumps participation in a trilateral signing ceremony with the two governments is expected to lend momentum to Malaysias mediation efforts and reaffirm Washingtons interest in regional security beyond purely economic matters. The big question that is also doing the rounds is whether Trump will get to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un once again. Reporting last week, CNN cited anonymous sources who said that US officials had discussed such a possibility during Trumps Asia tour. With inputs from agencies Eleven years after India was declared polio-free, doctors warn against the gradual closure of the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN). Experts say continued monitoring is crucial to prevent the re-emergence of wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus, especially as neighbouring countries report new cases. Indias declaration as a polio-free nation 11 years ago stands as one of the countrys most remarkable public health achievements. However, the governments recent proposal to gradually wind down the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN) over the next three years has raised alarm among health experts. Doctors caution that vigilance remains essential, particularly as neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to report new polio cases. This surveillance network was started with WHOs help in the 1990s and there are over 200 centres across the country that monitor polio and other diseases. According to reports, as part of the governments new plan, the number of units will be brought down gradually from around 280 to 190 next year, and then to 140 by 2027. Funding will also reduce in each phase. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is not the right time to lower our guard, said Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director & Head, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare. Polio is still present in countries around us. In South Asia, Pakistan reportedly had 30 cases this year, while Afghanistan also has new infections." Dr Chaudhry further said that the virus can easily spread across borders. If we stop such close monitoring, there is possibility of cases reappearing. Dr Chaudhry, said even the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has launched a new action plan, which aims to ensure that its polio eradication strategy can be fully implemented. This became necessary amidst conflicts raging in various parts of the world, and lot of cuts in global health funding. At such a time, we should continue with our monitoring network, rather than shutting it down, he said. India reported its last polio case in 2011 and was declared polio-free in 2014. The achievement came after years of hard work by lakhs of health workers who went door to door giving oral polio drops to children. Doctors say this success must be protected, not taken for granted. Dr Chaudhry said that the risk today is not only from the wild virus but also from vaccine-derived strains that can spread where vaccination is weak. If such a virus enters India, we could see new cases within months. Only strong surveillance can warn us in time, he said. Doctors say the NPSN centres also help monitor diseases like measles, rubella, and diphtheria, besides training local health staff. The centres also collect sewage samples regularly to check for signs of the polio virus, especially at mass gatherings like the Kumbh Mela. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These centres are our early warning system, said Dr. Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head- Internal Medicine (Unit III), Asian Hospital, a public health specialist who has worked with vaccination teams. They alert us before any disease spreads. If these are shut, it will take longer to detect outbreaks. That delay can cost lives. Dr Rana said, earlier, the government had planned to use the NPSNs vast network to detect other new and emerging diseases. But the closure plan goes against that idea. According to WHOs own reports, India still tests sewage samples across cities and towns to detect poliovirus. This surveillance and detection is the main reason the country has stayed polio-free even with millions of people travelling across borders every year, said Dr Aakaar Kapoor, CEO and Lead Medical Advisor: City X-Ray and Scan Clinic. Indias story is a global success, said Dr Kapoor. But polio is not finished. If we become careless now, all our hard work can be wasted. The network should be kept strong for a few more years, at least until the whole region is safe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Balashovskaya 500 kV substation in Volgograd region, a key facility of the Southern energy system of Russia, was attacked, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Andriy Kovalenko has said. "In Russia, the Balashovskaya 500 kV substation in Volgograd region was attacked. This is a key facility of the Southern energy system of Russia, which supplies the Volgograd military district, facilities of the Ministry of Defense and transport energy hubs on the Saratov-Voronezh route," he wrote said in Telegram channel. Earlier, the Russians also lost the same Veshkaima substation, Kovalenko added. Francesca Orsini, a London-based scholar of Hindi and South Asian literature, was deported from Delhi airport on in the early hours of October 21 after being blacklisted for violating visa regulations. Image: ijtihad.lsr/Instagram In the early hours of October 21, Francesca Orsini, a prominent UK-based scholar of Hindi and South Asian literature, arrived at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport only to be denied entry despite holding a valid five-year e-tourist visa. This incident quickly sparked a wave of criticism from leftist intellectuals and politicians, who decried it as a blow to academic freedom and labelled it Indias loss. Yet, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced story: one where visa rules were breached and where Indias linguistic heritage remains unscathed by the absence of a foreign expert. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With over 615 million Hindi speakers worldwide, including 422 million native speakers in India alone as per the latest estimates derived from the 2011 census projections, the notion that Indians awaited a European scholar to enlighten them on their own language seems not just exaggerated but absurd. As such, the country must follow a thumb rule: Whenever you see the South Asian tag in the name of a think tank, media house, NGO or institution, dump it. The stupid adjectives Americans useand have taught the rest of the West to useto identify people of different regions of the world inadvertently spell p-r-o-p-a-g-a-n-d-a. Delhi Airport Incident Orsini, who had just attended a conference in China, was stopped at immigration around midnight. Her passport was confiscated, and after several hours of waiting, she was informed of her deportation without being allowed to enter the country. She was subsequently flown back to Hong Kong en route to London. Indian officials cited a blacklist entry dating back to March this year, stemming from previous visa violations. This was no arbitrary decision; it was on the lines of Indias no-nonsense immigration protocols for foreigners. The event unfolded against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on international visitors, especially those with histories of engaging in activities deemed incompatible with their visa status. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Left-leaning voices, including Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and historian Ramachandra Guha, swiftly condemned the move. Ramesh described it as symptomatic of the Modi governments hostility towards independent scholarship, while others echoed sentiments of an attack on intellectual exchange. Social media platforms like X buzzed with posts from leftist influencers and trolls lamenting the denial, with the portrayal of Orsini as a victim of authoritarian overreach. These reactions deliberately overlooked the procedural realities, framing the incident as a cultural tragedy rather than a routine enforcement of rules. Francesca Orsini, Who? Born in Italy and now Professor Emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, Orsini has built a distinguished career in Hindi and Urdu studies. Her seminal work, The Hindi Public Sphere 1920-1940: Language and Literature in the Age of Nationalism, published in 2002 and translated into Hindi in 2010, explores the role of language in Indias nationalist movement. Other notable publications include Before the Divide: Hindi and Urdu Literary Culture (2011) and contributions to the history of the book in South Asia. With over 45 citations for her book on history work alone, Orsinis research has illuminated multilingual literary histories in regions like Awadh from the 15th to the early 20th century. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Orsinis efforts have undoubtedly promoted Hindi abroad, fostering interest in South Asian literature among non-Indian audiences. For instance, through ERC-funded projects on multilingual locals, she has bridged cultural gaps, making Hindi accessible to global scholars. Yet, the intellectuals influence is predominantly in Western academic circles, where Hindi learners number in the thousands at universities like SOAS and Illinois, rather than in India itself, home to the worlds largest Hindi-speaking population. Outlandish Indias Loss Narrative The assertion that Orsinis denial represents Indias loss borders on the preposterous. India boasts over 500 million Hindi speakers today, making it the most spoken language within the country and the third globally after Mandarin and English. Institutions like the Central Hindi Directorate and countless universities produce volumes of research annually, dwarfing the need for external validation. The idea that Indians require a European to teach them Hindi echoes colonial-era paternalism, ignorant of the vibrant domestic literary scene. Orsinis value lies abroad, where she has helped cultivate interest among diaspora communities and international students. For example, Hindi is taught in over 100 universities worldwide, with enrolment rising by 20 per cent in the US alone between 2016 and 2021, per Modern Language Association data. Her deportation does not halt this; virtual collaborations and publications continue unabated. As one X user noted amid the outcry, Indias linguistic pride remains intact without such interventions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD False Claim of No Given Reason Detractors have falsely claimed that no reason was provided for Orsinis turnaround. In truth, Ministry of Home Affairs officials confirmed violations of visa conditions, including engaging in research activities on a tourist visaa clear breach under Indias e-visa guidelines, which prohibit work or academic pursuits. Furthermore, Orsini had signed petitions critical of the Indian government, such as those on the Citizenship Amendment Act, potentially falling under anti-government activities as defined by the Foreigners Act and Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code. Indias rules are explicit: foreigners must not participate in propaganda against the granting government, with violations leading to blacklisting or deportation. In similar cases, anthropologists Filippo Osella and academic Nitasha Kaul were denied entry for comparable reasons, for instance. This is not unique to India; the UK deported 7,000 foreign students in 2014 over alleged cheating, yet faced little global backlash. The current US administration has turned denials for disagreements into its SOP; they turn down not merely individuals but countries. A nation irks President Donald Trump, and its out of all trade talks with American delegates! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hindis Robust Presence at Home, Abroad Hindis global footprint needs no saviour. With 581 million speakers worldwide, including significant diaspora in the US (over 1 million), the UK and Mauritius, the language thrives through Bollywood, literature and digital media. Unesco reports growing interest abroad, with Hindi apps and online courses seeing a 30 per cent uptake surge post-pandemic. In India, the 2023 National Education Policy promotes multilingualism, ensuring Hindis dominance without foreign input. Orsini can continue her advocacy from afar, as her work on Hindi-Urdu divides has already influenced global curricula. Indias loss? Hardly with annual book fairs like the Delhi World Book Fair attracting millions, domestic scholarship eclipses external contributions. Lessons on Visas, Academic Boundaries The Francesca Orsini episode underscores the tension between academic freedom and national security. Our new immigration rules, effective from September, rightly target foreigners linked to anti-India acts, including terrorism or sedition-like activities. While the left decries it as stifling, as expected from a hurt ecosystem, its essential for sovereignty, especially amid global diaspora weaponisation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ultimately, Orsinis case is a reminder that visas are privileges, not rights. Leftist lamentations may fuel narratives of intolerance, but facts reveal a straightforward enforcement. Hindi endures, India progresses and scholarship adapts; no loss here. The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The endgame of the Gaza Peace Plan will ultimately hinge on whether it can reconcile Israels existential security concerns with Palestinian demands After two horrific years, the guns fell silent in Gaza when the first phase of the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, 2025. President Trumps 20-point peace plan brokered under the new international peace initiative has brought temporary respite to the battered land. Amidst uncertainty, the fragile truce has seen the release of Israeli hostages (20 live and 15 deceased) by Hamas and the exchange of prisoners, as well as the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, thus allowing the limited flow of aid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The return of the remaining 13 bodies of deceased captives has become a sensitive issue, with Hamas stating that these cannot be accessed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since the ceasefire, Hamas has been trying to re-establish itself in Gaza, clashing with other rival groups. Barely a fortnight after the ceasefire came into effect, it is already under threat, as Israel has launched a series of strikes in response to an attack by Hamas, resulting in over 80 deaths. The current flare-up represents the most serious threat to the ceasefire. The moot questions are: Will Hamas disarm? Who will ultimately govern Gaza? Can Israels security be guaranteed without compromising on the Palestine self-rule? Given these ambiguities, the fragile truce risks going the same way as the previous peace initiatives, which delivered brief pauses but no permanent peace. Today Gaza lies in ruins, with basic civic amenities destroyed and critical infrastructure flattened, as a sequel to the intense Israeli bombardment. Around 68,000 Gazans have been killed, with over twice the number wounded, in addition to some 2.2 million displaced. The economy of the enclave stands shattered; unemployment and poverty have skyrocketed. Reconstruction of Gaza will be a herculean task; rebuilding will take years. Israel has imposed restrictions on the material entering Gaza due to its security concerns, which seriously impacts the pace of recovery. It is the fine balance between security and survival that will determine whether this truce evolves into lasting peace or ends up as a fait accompli. The most formidable challenge is political. The proposed interim administration, backed by the regional and Western powers, is envisioned to be led by a committee composed of technocrats to lead the reconstruction process, duly supported by international monitors. The board of peace to be headed by President Trump with eminent members to include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would act like an overarching body. It is a tough proposition for the outsiders to govern a local population which bears deep distrust and stands badly traumatised. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While planned de-Hamasification of Gaza may appear to be a security imperative, it is fraught with the risk of alienating ordinary Palestinians. Durable peace requires legitimacy and not just imposing authority. Hamass role remains a bone of contention. While Israel demands Hamas be disarmed and exit Gaza, on the other hand, Hamas seeks political recognition and security. Disarming militias and neutralising underground tunnels will require international supervision and absolute transparency. The destiny of Gaza is intertwined with broader regional and global dynamics. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, America and the Gulf States each have stakes in shaping the outcome. The Sharm el Sheikh summit that endorsed the ceasefire underscores the reality. The peace in Gaza is contingent upon the regional equations and big powers interplay. However, external influence without the local consent often faces resistance. To meet the aspirations of the Gazans, they need to be part of the process in deciding their own future and not become pawns on the international diplomacy chessboard. For the Arabs, the Gaza ceasefire is the test of political acumen; can they prioritise long-term objectives and overcome rivalries and go beyond rhetoric? For Israel, it is a test of restraint to ensure that its national security policies do not perpetuate cycles of violent retaliations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whether the ceasefire is merely a lull or signals the start of a renewal process, only the coming months will tell. The reconstruction cannot be cosmetic it has to heal the social wounds as much as rebuild structures and space for the civil society. Equally vital is the aspect of meeting justice; it entails a credible mechanism to address war crimes, displacements and long-standing grievances. The international community must move beyond emergency aid towards a structured, monitored and inclusive rebuilding programme. To this end, there is a need to empower the local leadership to make the process inclusive. Peace cannot come about through declarations but by actions on the ground. With Israel continuing to breach the Gaza truce, there is scepticism about the ceasefire, whether it can endure and not turn out to be a fragile pause in a long-drawn tragedy. The Israeli military claimed that it fired as the militants crossed the Yellow Line, the boundary behind which the Israeli troops had pulled back and remained stationed under the ceasefire agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the violence, two of Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner travelled to Israel on October 20 to shore up the ceasefire deal. US Vice President JD Vance was in Israel two days later and sounded optimistic about the ceasefire holding on but warned Hamas of a fast, furious and brutal response. Around the same time, Egypt has hosted talks in Cairo with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya over the follow-up on implementing the ceasefire. The ceasefires next stage is expected to focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas it controls in the enclave and future governance of Gaza. Hamas and other allied factions reject any foreign administration of Gaza, as envisaged in Trumps peace plan. They have so far resisted calls to lay down arms, which is set to complicate the implementation of the deal. The endgame of the Gaza Peace Plan will ultimately hinge on whether it can reconcile Israels existential security concerns with Palestinians demand for dignity and self-determination. No gainsaying for Gaza its a long road to peace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a war veteran and has served as Defence Attache in China and North Korea. He is currently Professor of Strategic-IR & Management Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. PM Modi is taking a long view of the relationship, which is reflected in Indias calmness and restraint despite relentless provocation from the other side Does the decision of Indian refiners, both private and state-owned, to move away from Russian seaborne crude owing to Western sanctions on Moscows energy giants indicate that India is throwing in the towel? Will this shift finally pave the way for a slash in tariffs and a trade deal with the United States? Not so fast. Let me explain. Allow me to take you to Germany where Piyush Goyal, the Union minister of commerce and industry, made some interesting comments on Friday while taking part in the Berlin Global Dialogue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At a time when the Trump administration has imposed sweeping new sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil to ostensibly force India to scale back its imports of Russian crude, Goyal told a global audience of German and British politicians, ministers, CEOs and EU trade representatives that India wont sign any trade deal in a hurry. On the tariffs inflicted on India by the US and looming pressure to sign the deal, Goyal said, we are talking to the United States, of course, but we dont do deals in a hurry. And we dont do deals with a deadline or with a gun on our head When it was suggested that deadlines and pressure tactics may have become part of trade negotiations, Goyal said India prefers to take the long view. India looks long term India never takes decisions in a rush or on the pressure of the moment. We have accepted theres a tariff on us We are looking at how to overcome that, we are looking at newer markets, and we are looking at a stronger demand impetus within the Indian economy. So, we have a very resilient structure. India is talking to America. But we will not negotiate with a gun pointed at our heads. So if theres a tariff on us, we have accepted it. We will look for newer markets as well, declares Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal pic.twitter.com/3QIqXnOGE2 Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) October 24, 2025 This does not sound very submissive. The ministers comments, in fact, go against the grain of the increasingly prevailing narrative that the Trump administration has been successful in its strategy of forcing India to bend to its will by using tariffs, and ultimately, India has submitted to the lure of American market by letting go of Russian crude. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias defiance suggests otherwise. The words of Goyal, who is spearheading trade talks from the Indian side, carry added significance. The minister, while posting the interaction on social media, highlighted the word TRUST. Trade deals are about TRUST pic.twitter.com/KaVu19mpSQ Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 24, 2025 His point was simple. Trade deals do not magically create trust. These are borne out of trust. As he said in Berlin: Trade deals are for a longer duration. Its not only about tariffs, its also about trust and a relationship. To understand the ministers point, we need only to look at Canada. Going past the mistrust and animosity of the Justin Trudeau years when bilateral ties tanked and both sides expelled diplomats in a tit for tat move, India is trying forge a closer partnership, and in Prime Minister Mark Carney it has found a willing partner. India has invited the Canadian PM early next year to open negotiations on a comprehensive economic and free trade partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Goyal is signalling to the US that rather than using coercive tools, Washington should work to restore trust in the relationship to bring the deal to fruition. On being asked if India is getting a fair deal that is conditional, the minister said: I do not think India has ever decided who its friends will be based on any other considerations other than national interest and somebody tells me you cant be friends with the EU, I wont accept that or somebody tell me tomorrow, I cant work with Kenya, its not acceptable. In a spectacular exchange with UK trade minister Chris Bryant (seated next to Goyal) that exposes the hypocrisy of the West, Goyal pointed out the double standards over the sanctions on the Russian oil firms. While Indian refiners are being threatened with secondary sanctions if they continue to source oil from the sanctioned Russian firms, Germany is already moving fast to secure relief for three of its subsidiaries of Rosneft from the Trump administration, having already secured exemption from the UK. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Goyal asked Bryant why is India being singled out? The UK trade minister replied that Germanys case pertained to a specific subsidiary in relation to Rosneft. When Goyal pointed out that India also had a subsidiary of Rosneft (Nayara Energy) that has been sanctioned by the UK, Bryant said, Well, come and talk to us Piyush Goyal confronts UK trade minister in public for hypocritical sanctions on Indian refiners buying oil from Russia pic.twitter.com/jZilyIEUu6 Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) October 24, 2025 What should we glean from Goyals interaction in Berlin? There is no direct correlation, as is being suggested, between Indias cutting of oil sourced from Russia and chances of signing a trade deal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In other words, the decision of Indias stated-owned and private firms to shift away from Russian oil and look for other sources has less to do with the fact that New Delhi is desperate for a trade deal with Washington, and everything to do with the fact that trading with sanctioned firms make Indian refiners vulnerable to secondary sanctions. Indian refiners have historically stayed away from trading with sanctioned entities. Thats why India complies with US-imposed sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan crude even though these come cheaper than other sources. Russian seaborne crude, so far, was price-capped, not sanctioned. The Biden administration allowed Russian crude to flow freely to calm down global crude prices, while subjecting it to a price-capping mechanism to shave off Russias gains. It also encouraged India to pick up the cheaper oil. Before October 25, despite imposing 25% additional tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, the Trump administration had kept the mechanism unaltered. So long as it was economically profitable, Indian state-owned and private refiners maintained the flow of Russian oil, even though state refiners had been shifting away. State-run companies such as including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum cut their Russian oil imports by 45% from June to September 2025, reducing volumes from 1.1 million barrels per day in June to approximately 600,000 bpd in September. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, private refiners stepped in. Reliance and Nayara Energy offset the reductions by significantly increasing their Russian crude purchases, with Reliance doubling its intake to 850,000 bpd and Nayara Energy reaching nearly 400,000 bpd in September. The tempo was carried forward and even surpassed in October. Data from Kpler, that provides real-time data for global commodity and shipping markets, indicate Indias imports are reaching approximately 1.8 million bpd, representing an increase of approximately 250,000 bpd from Septembers 1.6 million bpd. This data proves that Indias energy policy was dictated by its requirements, national interest, economic necessity, and a pragmatic reading of the global energy landscape. This was also an expression of Indias autonomy, because India continued buying despite persistent and significant Western pressure. It willingly took reputational damage to ensure energy security for its people. If folding before US pressure was all that it took for India to get that trade deal and shake off the punishing tariffs, India could have done that much earlier. It makes no sense for India to fold now, unless the underlying economic reason behind sourcing Russian crude is affected. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If these sanctions, coordinated by the US and its allies, are enforced in letter and spirit, then it carries little logic for India to continue buying Russian oil. Buying from sanctioned entities such as Rosneft or Lukoil may invite biting secondary sanctions. These penalties may include exclusion from the US financial system, denial of access to international banks, blocked foreign currency transactions, insurance bans, and even restrictions on purchasing vital refining equipment or technology from Western suppliers. Any global transactions involving US dollars, major insurance or shipping firms, or financing routed through Western institutions could be frozen, severely disrupting business for global players. India can, of course, still exercise its strategic autonomy but it will now come with a heavy price along with the reputational damage. This cost-benefit calculus lies at the heart of Indias decision to pare down its Russian oil intake, a move replicated by China, whose state-owned oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian crude, reports Reuters. It will be unwise to link it to the impending trade deal between India and the US, that lies in limbo due to acute trust deficit between both sides. Consider that even though New Delhi has indicated that it will comply with the sanctions and sharply cut Russian crude import, both sides are still jousting over the deal. On the other hand, Goyals words that India will decide on its friends solely on national interest and not bow down to external pressure, indicates that the relationship with Russia will continue. One more point needs to be considered. While Trump claims that his imposition of sanctions are aimed at bringing the war to an end and force Putin to the negotiating table, the reality is that these sanctions are bargaining chips for Trump in his effort to strike advantageous trade deals with India and China. Had that not been the case, the sanctions wouldnt have been designed in a way so as to allow Europe a comfortable grace period to wean itself off Russian energy. American sanctions, along with EUs 19th package enact a carefully laid phased ban on Russian LNG by 2027. A transaction ban on major Russian oil firms such as Rosneft and Gazprom will kick off immediately for new contracts, but existing long-term contracts will wind down over several years. Theres one more aspect. As New York Times observes, Russia had become adept at evading restrictions by using a fleet of hundreds of old vessels uninsured by Western companies and by conducting transactions through buffer companies in third countries. And because Russia accounts for about nine percent of global oil sales, any restrictions against its exports would cut supply and push prices up, creating incentives for further sanction evasion. As Russian crude moves further into the shadows via its vast network of ageing tankers 69% of Russias seaborne crude exports were carried on shadow fleet tankers, reports Reuters the weaponization of tariffs may backfire. It certainly wont be pressing enough for a sovereign, proud nation such as India to settle for pliant deals. Therefore, as long as the deal remains inconclusive, it is prudent for the Prime Minister to avoid meeting Trump personally who might use the occasion to repeat his claims of stopping India-Pakistan war, or pick up some other incendiary topic, forcing Modi to contradict him before the cameras. It may create even more discord in bilateral ties and bruise Trumps fragile ego. This is not in Indias interest. A meeting between the two principals at this stage, therefore, carries no gains for India. Trump wants precisely such opportunities. He plays little games throwing diplomatic protocol to the wind and may press ahead with his trade agenda to set the terms and secure a headline wins. For an equitable deal that benefits both sides, it is better for India that negotiators do their work and thrash out the minute details before an agreement is arrived at. The leaders should meet precisely at that juncture and not earlier. Modi is taking a long view of the relationship. This is reflected in Indias calmness and restraint despite relentless provocation from the other side, and in keeping with that strategy, avoiding Trump and wearing down his aggressive tactics with responsible diplomacy is the correct approach. The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton was scammed by fake workers who charged her $4,362, as police noted signs of dementia, a claim her office has denied Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 88-year-old non-voting delegate representing the District of Columbia, was defrauded by a group of scammers posing as HVAC workers at her Washington, DC, home, according to a police report obtained by NBC News4. The suspects allegedly charged $4,362 to Nortons credit card without performing any work. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, just after 3:30 p.m., when the group arrived at Nortons residence while her caretaker/power of attorney was not at residence, the report stated. It was the caretaker who later alerted DC police after noticing the unexpected visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The internal report also described Norton as suffering from the early stages of dementia, a reference included in the victim information section. Norton, who has served in the House since 1991, has reportedly shown signs of cognitive decline in recent years, with colleagues and friends telling The New York Times that she relies on aides and close associates for assistance and rarely attends House Oversight Committee meetings. Office disputes medical claim Nortons office strongly rejected the dementia reference, calling it an unqualified assumption by the reporting officer. The medical diagnosis included in the police report was based on an assumption the reporting officer was unqualified to make, her office said in a statement to NBC News4. The office clarified that Norton does not have a caretaker but employs a house manager who oversees home maintenance. The Congresswoman employs a house manager who oversees all maintenance services, so she initially assumed her staff had arranged the visit and provided her credit card for payment, the statement read. The house manager later reviewed Ring doorbell footage, confirmed that no appointment had been scheduled, and immediately reported the fraud. DCs Metropolitan Police Department has classified the case as felony fraud. A public incident report released by the department did not include any mention of dementia. Nortons office confirmed that the fraudulent charges have been reported to police and her bank, adding, The Congresswoman is safe and the fraudulent charges have been reported There will be no further comment. Despite concerns about her mental acuity, Norton told Axios last month that she intends to seek re-election. When asked if she planned to run again, she responded, Of course. I say that my seniority is what is very important, and I am not going to step aside. Brazil has been trying to organise a meeting on the sidelines of this weekends Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, aiming to convince Trump to lift tariffs on Brazilian goods and ease sanctions targeting the countrys Supreme Court justices, government officials, and their families Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) has hit out against US President Donald Trump after the latter slapped an additional 40 per cent tariff on Brazil, taking the total to 50 per cent. File image/AFP Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that he would like to meet US President Donald Trump this weekend at the Asean Summit in Malaysia, adding that he is open to discuss anything, from trade to Washingtons use of military targeting alleged Venezuelan drug boats. Brazil has been trying to organise a meeting on the sidelines of this weekends Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, aiming to convince Trump to lift tariffs on Brazilian goods and ease sanctions targeting the countrys Supreme Court justices, government officials, and their families. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Im very interested in having this meeting. Im fully prepared to defend Brazils interests and to show that the tariffs imposed on Brazil were a mistake, Lula said before heading to Malaysia. While a meeting between the two leaders is not confirmed yet, Lula has kept his agenda open for a meeting with Trump on Sunday afternoon. Trumps window is also open at that time, with no meetings scheduled. Lula has criticised Trumps military use in the Caribbean, targeting drug boats allegedly carrying narcotics from Venezuela to the US. You dont say youre going to kill people. You have to arrest people, put them on trial, determine whether they were trafficking or not, and then punish them according to the law. Thats the least thats expected from a head of state, the Brazilian president said. Trump hopes to meet Lula too Trump said Friday he expected to meet Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva at a summit in Malaysia this weekend as the two leaders seek to repair their relationship. I believe were meeting, yes, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Asked if he was open to reducing tariffs against Brazil, he added: Under the right circumstances. US-Brazil ties Ties between the two countries are improving after months of tension over Trumps tariffs on Brazil. Earlier this month, Lula Trump to lift punitive trade tariffs in their first official talks after months of animosity, with both suggesting an in-person meeting in the near future. The two leaders spoke for 30 minutes in a friendly tone and Lula raised the possibility of a meeting in Malaysia next month, the Brazilian presidency said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian products and imposed sanctions against several top officials, including a top Supreme Court judge, to punish Brazil for what he termed a witch hunt against Bolsonaro. With inputs from agencies Despite Trumps announcement, Carney said that Canadian officials are negotiating a trade deal with their American counterparts, adding that a lot of progress has been made Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that Ottawa cant control the trade policy of the US, a day after US President Donald Trump announced that he was terminating trade talks with the country. We recognise that that policy has fundamentally changed from the policy in the 1980s, 1990s, the 2000s, and its a situation where the United States has tariffs against every one of their trading partners in different countries, Carney said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite Trumps announcement, Carney said that Canadian officials are negotiating a trade deal with their American counterparts, adding that a lot of progress has been made. Trump announced on his Truth Social network on Thursday that he had terminated all negotiations with Canada over what he called the fake ad campaign that he said misrepresented fellow Republican Reagan. However, the ad was pulled down hours later, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after consultations with PM Carney. In speaking with Prime Minister Carney, Ontario will pause its US advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume, Ford said in a post on X. What did the ad say? The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X that an ad created by the government of Ontario misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade dated April 25, 1987. It added that Ontario did not receive foundation permission to use and edit the remarks. The foundation noted that it is reviewing legal options in this matter and invited the public to watch the unedited video of Reagans address. Earlier this month, Carney held talks with Trump to ease trade tensions as the three nations prepare for a review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the Trump-era trade deal that has since soured. Canada looks at other options Meanwhile, Carney has unveiled plans to double the exports from markets outside the US by 2035, amounting to an extra $214 billion in trade. Carney announced the extraordinary plan in a rare prime-time speech on Wednesday, sticking to his election campaign promise of making Canada less reliant on the US, which currently buys about 75 per cent of Canadian exports. Many of our former strengths, based on close ties to America, have become our vulnerabilities, Carney said. The prime minister emphasised boosting trade ties with countries like India and China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies In a late-night statement on Thursday, the Cuban government said that it had extradited a Chinese citizen, Zhi Dong Zhang, to the authorities in Mexico In a late-night statement on Thursday, the Cuban government said that it had extradited a Chinese citizen, Zhi Dong Zhang, to the authorities in Mexico. Hours after the statement, the Mexican security chief confirmed his subsequent extradition to the United States. The capture of the Chinese kingpin brought an abrupt end to a month-long, audacious escape attempt by one of the worlds most wanted fugitives. According to the BBC, Dong Zhang is known for various aliases, including Brother Wang, Pancho and HeHe, Zhi Dong Zhang. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US Justice Department accused him of being the mastermind of a vast international ring of fentanyl trafficking and money laundering covering numerous nations, but particularly China, Mexico and the US. While the list of charges against Zhang is long, in essence, US prosecutors and the Mexican Attorney Generals office accuse him of being a major player in the global drug trade. They alleged that Zhang laundered millions of dollars in drug money for both the Sinaloa Cartel and the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) as part of a worldwide drug distribution network. Brother Wang can be seen as a key link between Mexican cartels and Chinese chemical companies in sourcing the precursor chemicals for fentanyl, explains former DEA agent Mike Vigil. He added that Zhang was also vital in converting the drug funds into cryptocurrency. The tale of escape If convicted, the Chinese felon can expect to share a similar fate as other drug kingpins like Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada, who are imprisoned in a high-security prison in the United States. It is pertient to note that Brother Wang ended up in custody in Havana after an extraordinary tale involving fleeing house arrest in Mexico City. As per the report, the drug kingpin reportedly fled the house arrest in Mexico through a hole in a wall, taking a private jet to Cuba. He got caught while he was attempting to enter Russia. The Chinese druglord was arrested in October 2024 in a joint security operation conducted in Mexico City. However, he was later granted house arrest by a judge a decision that the countrys President Claudia Sheinbaum called outrageous. After his escape, Zhang reached Cuba in July 2025, and he set about making his next steps towards reaching a country with no extradition treaty with the US, officials say. Authorities noted that Zhang was able to secure a seat in one of the direct commercial flights to Moscow from Havana. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Given that Zhang has been on a run, Vigil said that his absence has already largely been felt in Mexicos criminal underworld. Its really not going to have an impact as the cartels already have individuals working for them who can start to replace Brother Wang, Vigil said after Zhang was caught. Even in the case of El Chapo Guzman, who was a much bigger figure, it had no impact on the global drug trade, he added. Chinas push for reunification and Taiwans defence of democracy reveal enduring strategic, historical and ideological divides shaping the Taiwan Strait conflict. Read here Chinas fourth-highest-ranked leader Wang Huning has renewed Beijings call for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, even as Taipei continues to reject what it views as attempts to erode its democracy and sovereignty. Speaking at an event in Beijings Great Hall of the People marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwans restoration to Chinese rule, Wang who heads the Communist Partys body dealing with Taiwan affairs said that both sides should work toward peaceful reunification. However, he warned that China would not tolerate any activities promoting Taiwanese independence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wangs remarks, reported by state news agency Xinhua, come amid renewed symbolic tensions between the two sides, each framing the wartime anniversary differently. For Beijing, the occasion marks Taiwans return to Chinese rule after Japans 1945 defeat; for Taipei, it highlights its determination to defend democracy and autonomy. Both sides continue to invoke dialogue, but their definitions diverge sharply. Beijings peaceful reunification implies eventual political absorption under the One China principle, while Taipei insists only its people can determine their future. Beijings dual message: Reconciliation and red lines Wangs comments sought to pair an offer of economic and social cooperation with an unmistakable warning. According to Taiwans Central News Agency, Wang said that China would take the lead in sharing the fruits of its development and progress with Taiwans people, a familiar line meant to emphasise the benefits of cross-strait economic integration. But analysts note that this conciliatory tone sits uneasily alongside the firm rejection of Taiwan independence, reflecting Beijings enduring dual strategy: projecting the image of peaceful engagement while drawing hard limits around sovereignty. For China, the event served to reaffirm its long-standing narrative that Taiwans future lies in eventual reunification. For Taiwan, it reinforced why such a path is viewed with deep scepticism. Taipeis rebuttal: unity under democracy not submission In a strongly worded response, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing was repeating the same old message and that Chinas real aim was annexation. The council pointed to the experience of Hong Kong as proof that the one country, two systems framework touted by Beijing ultimately amounts to authoritarian rule by the Chinese Communist Party. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The so-called development prospects under unification hold no appeal whatsoever for the people of Taiwan, the council added, highlighting that the islands 23 million citizens overwhelmingly favour maintaining the status quo or greater autonomy rather than political merger with China. While Beijing marked the anniversary as a milestone of historical unity, Taiwans government instead commemorated the 1949 Battle of Guningtou when forces of the Chinese Communist Party attempted and failed to seize Kinmen island, still controlled by Taipei today. A tale of two anniversaries President Lai Ching-te used the occasion to highlight Taiwans role as a frontline democracy. We hope to further become a trusted security partner to our allies, and together build a strong line of defence to safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, Lai wrote on Facebook. The divergent commemorations capture the widening political and ideological gulf across the Taiwan Strait. For Beijing, reunification is framed as a historical inevitability and national duty; for Taipei, it represents an existential threat to the democratic system that has taken root since martial law ended in the late 20th century. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dialogue or deadlock? Both sides continue to invoke dialogue but their definitions differ sharply. Beijings peaceful reunification implies eventual political absorption under the One China principle, while Taipei insists that only its people can determine their future. The result is a persistent stalemate: a diplomatic theatre where the vocabulary of peace masks competing visions of legitimacy. As Wangs anniversary speech and Lais defiant message show, even symbolic events reveal the depth of mistrust that dialogue alone may struggle to bridge. China and democratically-governed Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory, have repeatedly clashed this year over their differing interpretations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1895 until 1945, when it was handed over to the Republic of China government, which in 1949 fled to the island after losing a civil war with Mao Zedongs communists. That remains Taiwans formal name. Taiwans government rejects Beijings territorial claims, saying only the islands people can decide their future. India on Friday at the United Nations Security Council slammed Pakistan for grave and ongoing human rights violations in areas of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, reaffirming that the region remains an integral and inalienable part of India. Parvathaneni Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), New York, speaks at the quarterly UNSC meeting on Afghanistan. (Photo: X/Permanent Mission of India to the UN) India on Friday (local time) at the United Nations Security Council slammed Pakistan, urging it to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in areas of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, while reiterating that the region remains an integral and inalienable part of India. Speaking at the UNSCs open debate marking UN Day, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, said, We call upon Pakistan to end the grave and ongoing human rights violations in the areas illegally occupied by it, where the population is in open revolt against Pakistans military occupation, repression, brutality and illegal exploitation of resources. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He reaffirmed, The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercise their fundamental rights in accordance with Indias time-tested democratic traditions and constitutional framework. We, of course, know that these are concepts alien to Pakistan. Harish accused Pakistan of suppressing the population in the occupied regions through military occupation and brutality. His remarks come weeks after India condemned Islamabad for engaging in systematic genocide and using misdirection and hyperbole to divert global attention from its actions. During the same debate, titled The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future, Harish also said the UN had lost its unique identity and foundational focus. the High-Level Week of the General Assembly last month essentially was an inward-looking exercisehow to deal with shrinking resources and bureaucratic restructuring. The time has come to go beyond pennies and posts and craft a new vision for the future of the UN, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado lauded the Indian democracy and called it an example for countries around the world. For the past two decades, Machado has been campaigning for the retention of democracy in Venezuela. While speaking to Times Now, from an undisclosed location, Machado described India as a great democracy. She insisted that India could be a great ally with whom Venezuela can strengthen ties on multiple fronts once the Latin American nation achieves transition to democracy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Machado went on to express her hopes to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and host him in a free Venezuela very soon. When asked about Indias role in the modern world, Machado said, India has been an example for many countries, for many generations, of being the largest democracy in the region and in the world. This is huge. And you also have a responsibility to take good care of it because so many people, countries around the world, look up to you. Democracies can always be strengthened and should never be taken for granted. I admire India with all my heart, Machado said. My daughter was there just a couple of months ago, but Ive never been to India. She loves your country. I have many friends, Venezuelan friends who live there. And of course, I follow Indian politics, she added. Machado was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi In the Times Now interview, Machado said that she was inspired by Mahatma Gandhis non-violent struggle for freedom against the British colonisers. Being peaceful is not weakness, and Gandhi showed the whole of humanity what that meant, she said. We need Indias voice as a great democracy to speak out for the rights of the Venezuelan people and popular sovereignty. I also want to imagine once Venezuela moves ahead and we dismantle all the criminal socialist structures that have brought so much pain and devastation, there will be great opportunities for Indian companies to invest not only in energy, but also in infrastructure and telecom, she added. During the conversation, Machado spoke at length about the 2024 Presidential elections, a verdict she alleged was stolen by the Venezuelan government under Nicholas Maduro. On July 28, 2024, we won a presidential election by a landslide. I had been previously elected as the primary winner to be the opposition candidate. I won with 93% of the votes, but the regime banned me from running as a candidate. So, a very courageous and honest man, a career diplomat, accepted this huge responsibility and honour. We won with 70 per cent of the vote, and we were able to prove it. We gathered 85 per cent of the original tally sheets. We digitised them. Once we won, we offered Maduro the possibility of a negotiated transition in which we offered guarantees. But he refused and unleashed the worst repression wave weve seen in our history. Thousands of innocent Venezuelans have disappeared. Children and women were abused, tortured, even killed, she recalled. The Venezuelan politician went on to describe US President Donald Trump as a main ally in the fight for democracy in the South American nation. The whole world knows the kind of criminals these individuals (Maduro and his colleagues) are, but now with firm action on behalf of the US, and the Trump administration, and this coalition that has been building with countries in Latin America, in the Caribbean, in Europe, I hope in Asia as well, Maduro has started to understand that his time is over, and that his best option is to accept the terms of a negotiated transition with guarantees that we have offered, she averred. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC) and NATOs Joint Forces Command Transformation conducted another stage of testing an innovative solution to counter guided air bombs, the press service of the Ministry of Defense said. "The development has gone from concept to prototypes of various levels of technological implementation and is designed to protect the Ukrainian military and civilian population from one of the most destructive threats of modern warfare," the ministry said. The project started in March 2025 with the holding of the 15th NATO Innovation Competition at JATEC. During tests at a training ground in France, development teams tested the operation of a complex technical solution in difficult weather conditions radar, software using artificial intelligence and an interceptor drone. "A conventional enemy target was identified, tracked and captured by a radar equipped with an advanced sensor system. After that, thanks to the AI-based software product, the interceptor drone practiced hitting the target along a pre-calculated trajectory," the ministry said. As reported, the technological solution is being developed by companies from NATO member states with the participation of representatives of the innovative defense sector of Ukraine and with the support of experts from the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On Friday, Lithuania closed two of its biggest airports and shut crossings on its border with Belarus after a mysterious helium balloon drifted into its territory. A border officer inspects a balloon in a photo issued earlier this month. Lithuanias crisis management centre said tens of balloons were detected by radar on Friday. AP On Friday, Lithuania closed two of its biggest airports and shut crossings on its border with Belarus after a mysterious helium balloon drifted into its territory. This was the third such occurrence in the Baltic state in just this month. In recent weeks, aviation bodies of European nations have repeatedly been thrown into chaos due to drone sightings and other air incursions from Russia. This included shutting down airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region. On Friday, Lithuanias Vilnius and Kaunas airports were closed for safety reasons until 2 am local time on Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the authorities noted that the Baltic nations border crossings with Belarus will remain shut until Sunday. Lithuania, a European Union member, has said smugglers use the balloons to send Belarusian cigarettes into the EU, where tobacco products are more expensive. Vilinius went on to blame Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the illegal practice. The national security commission will meet next week to assess what can be done short-term that would be painful to the smugglers and to Lukashenkos regime, which allows them to thrive, Lithuanias prime minister, Inga Ruginiene, said in a statement. Barrage of balloons enters Lithuanian territory Lithuanias national crisis management centre said tens of balloons had been detected by radar on Friday. It is pertinent to note that the Vilnius airport also closed on Tuesday and on 5 October, when 25 balloons crossed into Lithuanian airspace. Similar balloons also landed on Lithuanian soil earlier this year, including one spotted at the airport. Border guards in the Baltic nation have had the right to shoot these balloons since last year. What is concerning is the fact that a total of 966 balloons entered Lithuania last year, and there have been more than 500 so far this year, according to official data published this month. Meanwhile, neighbouring Poland has had more than 100 similar incidents this year, according to border police. In the midst of all this, Lithuania said that two Russian planes entered its airspace on Thursday. They were a Sukhoi SU-30 fighter and an IL-78 tanker flying from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. In response to the incursion, Nato scrambled two Eurofighter Typhoons from its air patrol mission in the Baltic. According to The Guardian, the Russian planes went 700 meters into the Lithuanian airspace and left after 18 seconds. The foreign ministry in Vilnius said it had summoned the charge daffaires from the Russian embassy and issued a strong protest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry denied that such an incursion had taken place. Lithuania is a member of the EU and Nato. Violations of its airspace are a sensitive issue after several suspected Russian drones crossed into its territory from Belarus in July, one of them even carrying explosives. The decree published in the official gazette said Rajoelinas Malagasy nationality was revoked because he had acquired French nationality in 2014, local media reported, as photographs of the document were shared online Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina, gestures as he appoints military general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as Prime Minister at the Lavoloha Presidential Palace, in Antananarivo, Madagascar October 6, 2025. File Image/Reuters Madagascars new government has stripped ousted president Andry Rajoelina of his Malagasy nationality in a decree published Friday, media reports said, 10 days after he was removed in a military takeover. The decree means that Rajoelina who was impeached on October 14 after fleeing the island nation in the wake of weeks of protests would not be able to contest future elections.The decree published in the official gazette said Rajoelinas Malagasy nationality was revoked because he had acquired French nationality in 2014, local media reported, as photographs of the document were shared online. French broadcaster RFI said it had confirmed the decree with the entourage of the new prime minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, who signed the order. The decree cited laws stipulating that a Malagasy who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses their Malagasy nationality. Rajoelinas French nationality caused a scandal when it was revealed ahead of the November 2023 elections, nearly 10 years after it was granted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It triggered calls for him to be disqualified but he went on to win the contested polls, which were boycotted by opposition parties. The 51-year-old politician fled Madagascar after army Colonel Michael Randrianirina said on October 11 his CAPSAT unit would refuse orders to put down the youth-led protest movement, which security forces had attempted to suppress with violence. Rajoelina said later he was in hiding for his safety, but did not say where. Randrianirina was sworn in as president on October 14, pledging elections within two years. Venezuelas Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a new war after Washington deployed its largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford, to the Caribbean amid tensions over drug trafficking and political disputes. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a new war after Washington sent its largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford, to the Caribbean. The carrier, which can carry up to 90 aircraft, significantly boosts US firepower in the region. The US says its actions, including 10 air strikes on vessels in the area, are part of a campaign against drug trafficking. President Donald Trump has called Maduro the head of a drug-trafficking organisationa claim Maduro denies. Many in Venezuela fear the US build-up aims to remove Maduro, a long-time opponent of Trump, from power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US, along with other nations, does not recognise Maduro as Venezuelas legitimate leader. The 2024 election was widely dismissed as unfair, with opposition tallies showing a landslide victory for their candidate. Venezuela, however, plays only a minor role in the regions drug trade. The Pentagon said the USS Gerald R Ford would operate in the Southern Command area, covering Central and South America and the Caribbean. Spokesman Sean Parnell said the extra forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organisations. In response, Maduro told state media, They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war, accusing the US of seeking a new eternal war. The carrier could give the US the ability to strike targets on the ground. Trump has repeatedly hinted at land action in Venezuela, saying earlier this week: We stopped all drugs from coming in by sea. I will stop all drugs from coming in by land very shortly. Youll see that starting. The US has also increased its air presence, with military aircraft spotted across Puerto Rico. CNN reports that Trump is considering strikes on cocaine facilities and trafficking routes in Venezuela, though no final decision has been made. Analysts note that such drug interceptions at sea do not require such a large military presence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The countrys largest Church abuse victims, Rete lAbuso, came to the estimate after they heard victims accounts and went through judicial sources and cases reported by the media, founder Francesco Zanardi said Cardinals and bishops attend a mourning mass for Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica at Vatican. As the formal mourning period ends, the cardinals will elect a new Pope. Reuters/Representational image At least 4,400 people have been abused by Catholic priests in Italy since 2020, a victims group has alleged, renewing pressure on bishops to confront a crisis that has long plagued the worlds largest Christian faith. The countrys largest Church abuse victims, Rete lAbuso, came to the estimate after they heard victims accounts and went through judicial sources and cases reported by the media, founder Francesco Zanardi said. The global Catholic Church has been shaken for decades by scandals involving paedophile priests and the cover-up of their crimes, but local church leaders in Italy have been less forthcoming in confronting the issue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pope Leo addressed the concerns over sexual abuse by clergy for the first time this week, saying that the Churchs newest bishops should not hide misconduct allegations. His predecessor, the late Pope Francis, made addressing the issue a priority of his 12-year papacy, but with mixed results. What does the report say? In an unusually critical report on the issue published on October 16, the Vaticans child protection commission said only 81 of Italys 226 dioceses responded to a questionnaire about safeguarding practices it had drafted. Rete lAbuso said it had documented 1,250 suspected cases of abuse - some with multiple victims - including 1,106 allegedly committed by priests, with the rest attributed to nuns, religion teachers, lay volunteers, educators and scout members. Its report contained cases related to 4,625 victims - or survivors, as the association calls them - including 4,395 abused by priests. The report said that 4,451 of the survivors were under 18, and an almost equally large number were male. Rete lAbuso added that five nuns, 156 vulnerable adults and 11 people with disabilities were also among the victims. According to the association, out of the 1,106 suspected predator priests, only 76 were subjected to church trials, with 17 temporarily suspended, seven moved to other parishes and 18 were defrocked or resigned from the priesthood. Five died by suicide, it added. With inputs from Reuters Irish voters handed a major rebuke to the ruling establishment, electing left-wing independent Catherine Connolly as president in a landslide. Connolly, 68, campaigned on economic justice, criticism of Israels Gaza war, and defending Irelands neutrality against Western militarism. Catherine Connolly (C) smiles as she arrives at Dublin Castle, after being declared the winner in the Presidential election to become the next President of Ireland in Dublin on October 25, 2025. Image- AFP Irish voters looked set to have elected left-winger Catherine Connolly to be the countrys new president, after her only rival conceded defeat Saturday in a contest marred by unprecedented spoilt voting and low turnout. After hours of counting following Fridays ballot, Connolly, an independent, was on course for a landslide victory, prompting the centrist Fine Gael partys candidate Heather Humphreys to congratulate her on becoming the next president of Ireland. But the apparent win by 68-year-old Connolly was marred by a record number of spoilt ballots and other voters failing to turn up, amid frustration at the lack of right-wing options and issues including immigration and crime. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A lawyer and outspoken critic of both the United States and European Union, Connollys election to a role with limited political power could nonetheless herald an era of increased friction between Irelands largely ceremonial presidency and government. Her victory marks a sharp shift in Irish politics, even though the presidency is largely ceremonial. Analysts say tensions could emerge between Connolly and the centre-right government, given her outspoken views on foreign policy and social issues. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins for a seven-year term at Aras an Uachtarain. She has pledged to respect the limits of the office while using her platform to promote equality and social reform. Critics warn that her anti-Nato stance and harsh comments on the US and UK could strain Dublins diplomatic ties. Still, supporters see her win as a symbol of public discontent and a call for change within Irelands political order. Disastrous Connolly, a lawmaker since 2016 and supported by left-wing parties including Sinn Fein, had surged ahead in opinion polls in recent weeks. She speaks for the regular person, Una Corcoran, 62, told AFP after voting in Connollys home city of Galway, western Ireland. Some predict the charismatic anti-Establishment figures stridently left-wing views on foreign policy, social justice and housing could cause friction with the government. Irish-language-speaking and, like many in Ireland, vehemently pro-Palestinian and in favour of reunifying the country with the UK territory Northern Ireland, she has voiced unease at Europes growing military spending. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political analyst Pat Leahy called her election a disastrous day for the two parties currently governing. How she navigates the relationship with a government she so clearly believes is pursuing the wrong policies now brings a new uncertainty and possibly conflict into Irish politics, he wrote in the Irish Times. Trinity College Dublin politics professor Lisa Keenan said the left-wing unity behind Connolly signals parties on that flank have serious hopes to end the dominance of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Their ultimate aim is to exclude them from government for the first time in the history of the state, she noted. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald hailed the result as showing the potential for an alternative beyond the old politics. It is certainly my hope and desire that we can drive this politics of optimism, of hope, of activism from the grassroots forward. But Keenan, the politics professor, said the record low turnout and spoilt ballots also demonstrated a large segment of the electorate was extremely dissatisfied with the range candidates on offer and a lacklustre campaign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Pakistan has restricted several air traffic routes over its central and southern regions just days before Indias tri-services exercise, Trishul, begins near the border. The Notam, issued for October 2829, comes as India prepares a large-scale Army, Navy, and Air Force drill near Sir Creek from October 30 to November 10. Pakistan has issued a notice restricting several air traffic routes over its central and southern regions just days before Indias tri-services exercise, Trishul, begins along the border. Islamabad has not provided a reason for the Notam (Notice to Airmen) issued for October 2829, though analysts cited by India Today suggest it may be related to a military drill or a possible weapons test. The move follows Indias own Notam for Exercise Trishul, a large-scale Army, Navy, and Air Force operation to be conducted near Sir Creek from October 30 to November 10. Such parallel notifications have become routine since Operation Sindoor, with both nations often closing airspace during major military activities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Satellite images shared by defence analyst Damien Symon show the airspace reserved for Trishul extends up to 28,000 feet an unusual scale for such an exercise. The Defence Ministry said the drill will demonstrate the joint operational capabilities, atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation of Indias armed forces. Troops from Southern Command will actively participate to validate joint operations across diverse and challenging terrains, including offensive manoeuvres in the creek and desert sectors, amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast, and joint multi-domain exercises, the ministry stated. While India has termed the drill a routine preparedness measure, Pakistans airspace restrictions suggest close monitoring of border movements following Operation Sindoor, when Indian forces destroyed nine terror camps and struck 11 military and air bases in response to the Pahalgam attack. The exercises location near the Sir CreekSindhKarachi axis adds strategic weight, coming days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Islamabad against any misadventure in the area. If Pakistan dares to act in the Sir Creek sector, the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography, Singh said while addressing troops at the IAF base in Bhuj on Dussehra. Sir Creek, a 96-km marshy estuary between Gujarat and Sindh, holds major strategic value due to its access to key sea routes. Intelligence inputs indicate Pakistan has recently ramped up military infrastructure in the region making Indias large-scale Trishul exercise all the more significant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unidentified attackers blew up an under-construction girls primary school in Pakistans Tank district on Friday (October 24), causing major damage and sparking fear among locals, The Dawn reported. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting girls education in northwest Pakistan. A fresh wave of violence has struck Pakistans fragile education system. Unidentified attackers on Friday (October 24) blew up an under-construction girls primary school in Gara Budha village, Tank district, near Dera Ismail Khan, sparking fear and outrage among locals, The Dawn reported. Police said explosives were planted along the schools boundary wall and under several classrooms, causing major structural damage to a facility that was just weeks from completion. A bomb disposal unit later collected fragments of the device and assessed the destruction. Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators or their motives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD . pic.twitter.com/t5Y2aeWKxc Attaullah khogyani (@Attaullahkhogya) October 24, 2025 Residents, already traumatized by years of militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, condemned the bombing as a direct assault on girls education. This is not just an attack on a school; its an attack on the future of our daughters, said a local elder. ANI reported that the incident highlights a troubling pattern in northwest Pakistan, where militant groups have repeatedly targeted girls schools to intimidate communities and suppress womens education. In a separate incident on Friday, four employees of a mobile phone company, who were abducted earlier this week in Garah Bakhtiyar while transporting telecom equipment, were released unharmed in nearby Garah Mastan village. Police said the captors freed them, reportedly fearing capture amid an ongoing security crackdown. The Counter-Terrorism Department has registered a case against unidentified suspects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans defence minister said on Saturday he believes Afghanistan wants peace but that failure to reach an agreement during talks in Istanbul would mean open war, days after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following deadly border clashes. An Afghan Taliban fighter sits next to an anti-aircraft gun near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan. File image-Reuters Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday expressed optimism that Afghanistan seeks peace but warned that failure to reach an agreement in ongoing talks in Istanbul could trigger open war. The remarks came days after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire following deadly clashes along their shared border. The Istanbul discussions, which started on Saturday and are expected to continue into Sunday, represent the latest effort by Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent a return to violence after the deadliest border fighting since the Taliban seized Kabul in 2021. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The negotiations aim to establish a mechanism to uphold the Doha ceasefire over the longer term. Asif noted that in the four to five days since the ceasefire was agreed, no incidents had been reported, with both sides adhering to the truce. We have the option, if no agreement takes place, we have an open war with them, he said in televised remarks from Pakistan. But I saw that they want peace. The clashes erupted earlier this month after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban curb militants it says are attacking Pakistan from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. Pakistan launched airstrikes across the border and both sides exchanged heavy fire, killing dozens and prompting the closure of key crossings that remain shut. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants who target Pakistani forces. The Taliban rejects the charge and says Pakistans military operations violate Afghan sovereignty. The move represents a sharp departure from the standard government process for financing the military, which typically relies on public funds approved by Congress As the political deadlock deepens, millions of American families now face an uncertain November, and potentially, an empty Thanksgiving table. (Reuters) The Trump administration will reportedly use a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump to pay military service members during the government shutdown. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN, The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members salaries and benefits," adding that the amount was accepted under the departments general gift acceptance authority. The move represents a sharp departure from the standard government process for financing the military, which typically relies on public funds approved by Congress. It also immediately sparked questions about who the donor is and what motivated them to contribute a nine-figure sum to the government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the $130 million donation is unlikely to be enough to pay a workforce of roughly 1.3 million active-duty military troops, netting out to about $100 per service member. Meanwhile, Congress members from both Democratic and Republican sides have sought more information on the donation from the administration, but have yet to receive a reply. Democrats also questioned the legality of the move, arguing that the gift acceptance authority referenced by the Pentagon allows donations only for limited purposes, such as supporting military schools, hospitals, or cemeteries, or aiding wounded service members and the families of those injured or killed in action. They further noted that donations from foreign governments or organisations are subject to even stricter rules and limitations. Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, said, Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers. Speaking about the donation, Trump said it has come from a friend of mine who wants to cover the military shortfall. He did not reveal the identity of the donor, saying that he doesnt really want the recognition. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Taiwan should not be concerned about upcoming US- China trade talks in Malaysia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Taiwan should not be concerned about upcoming US-China trade talks in Malaysia. I dont think youre going to see some trade deal where, if what people are worried about is were going to get some trade deal or were going to get favourable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan, Rubio told reporters traveling on his plane between Israel and Qatar en route to Asia. No one is contemplating that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump headed Saturday for Asia and high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, saying that he would also like to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his trip. Trump is set to meet Xi in South Korea on the last day of his regional swing in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he hoped for a very good meeting with Xi, adding that he expected China to make a deal to avoid further 100 percent tariffs that are due to come into effect on November 1. With inputs from agencies